You are having lunch with an elderly friend when suddenly he begins to experience chest pain and tightness.He reaches into his pocket,gets out one of his nitroglycerin tablets and quickly takes it.After the episode passes,your friend asks you how the nitroglycerin helps his angina.You explain that nitroglycerin gets converted by cells to NO causing the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessel to relax and increase blood flow to the heart.He pushes you for a more detailed explanation,so you explain further that
A)NO activates guanylyl cyclase,which catalyzes the synthesis of cGMP,which acts as an intracellular messenger in a pathway leading to smooth muscle relaxation.
B)NO activates a protein kinase which catalyzes the synthesis of cGMP,which acts as an intracellular messenger in a pathway leading to smooth muscle relaxation.
C)NO inhibits guanylyl cyclase,which allows the build up of cGMP,which acts as an intracellular messenger in a pathway leading to smooth muscle relaxation.
D)NO activates cGMP,which catalyzes the synthesis of guanylyl cyclase,which acts as an intracellular messenger in a pathway leading to smooth muscle relaxation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

NO activates guanylyl cyclase, which catalyzes the synthesis of cGMP, which acts as an intracellular messenger in a pathway leading to smooth muscle relaxation. This is the most accurate and detailed description of how nitroglycerin works to relieve angina. Option B and D do not accurately describe the mechanism of action of nitroglycerin, while option C is incorrect as NO actually activates guanylyl cyclase, resulting in an increase in cGMP.

You Are Having Lunch with an Elderly Friend When Suddenly