The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of S-nitrosothiol formation
under physiological conditions. A mechanism is proposed by which nitric oxide (· NO) reacts
directly with reduced thiol to produce a radical intermediate, RSN·-OH. This intermediate
reduces an electron acceptor to produce S-nitrosothiol. Under aerobic conditions O 2 acts as
the electron acceptor and is reduced to produce superoxide (o-. 2. The following
experimental evidence is provided in support of this mechanism. Cysteine accelerates the …