Our work is focused on mechanisms that regulate the production of nitric oxide in vivo. In particular we are interested in the regulation of nitric oxide synthases by endogenously produced competitive inhibitors (asymmetric methylarginines).
We have cloned a family of enzymes that degrade asymmetric methylarginine (dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase, DDAH) and characterised their distribution in human tissues. Based on the activity and distribution of these enzymes we have proposed that regulation of the metabolism of endogenously produced asymmetric methylarginines is a potential mechanism to regulate nitric oxide generation in vivo.
You can find out more information on the DDAH team from the following links: