Nitric oxide (NO)
is a versatile gasotransmitter that contributes
in a range of physiological and pathological mechanims depending on
its cellular levels. An appropriate concentration of NO is essentially
required for cellular physiology; however, its increased level triggers
pathological mechanisms like altered cellular redox regulation, functional
impairment of mitochondrion, and modifications in cellular proteins
and DNA. Its increased levels also exhibit post-translational modifications
in protein through S-nitrosylation of their thiol amino acids, which
critically affect the cellular physiology. Along with such modifications,
NO could also nitrosylate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-membrane
located sensors of ER stress, which subsequently affect the cellular
protein degradation capacity and lead to aggregation of misfolded/unfolded
proteins. Since protein aggregation is one of the pathological hallmarks
of neurodegenerative disease, NO should be taken into account during
development of disease therapies. In this Review, we shed light on
the diverse role of NO in both cellular physiology and pathology and
discussed its involvement in various pathological events in the context
of neurodegenerative diseases.