Identification and Characterization of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Salmonella typhimurium

The presence of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme from Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) was identified by measuring radiolabeled L-$[^3H]$citrulline and NO, and Western blot analysis. NOS was partially purified by both Mono Q ion exchange and Superose 12HR size exclusion column chromatography, sequentially. The molecular weight of NOS was estimated to be 93.3 kDa by Western blot analysis. The enzyme showed a significant dependency on the typical NOS cofactors; an apparent Km for L-arginine of 34.7 mM and maximum activity between $37^{\circ}C$ and $43^{\circ}C$. The activity was inhibited by NOS inhibitors such as aminoguanidine and $N^{G}$ $N^{G}$-dimethyl-L-arginine. taken together, partially purified NOS in S. typhimurium is assumed to be a different isoform of mammalian NOSs.OSs.