Due to recent discoveries of important and novel biological activity, nitroxyl (HNO) has become a molecule of significant interest. Although it has been used in the past as a treatment for alcoholism, it is currently being touted as a treatment for heart failure.
It is becoming increasingly clear that many of the biological actions of HNO can be attributed to its ability to react with specific thiol- and, possibly, heme-proteins.
Herein is discussed the chemistry of HNO with likely biological targets.
A particular focus is given to targets associated with the pharmacological utility of HNO as a cardiovascular agent and for the treatment of alcoholism.
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