AbstractNitric oxide (NO) is a potent radical produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and has pleiotrophic activities in health and disease. As mast cells (MCs) play a central role in both homeostasis and pathology, we investigated NOS expression and NO production in human MC populations. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) was ubiquitously expressed in both human MC lines and skin-derived MCs, while neuronal NOS (nNOS) was variably expressed in the MC populations studied. The inducible (iNOS) isoform was not detected in human MCs. Both growth factor-independent (HMC-1) and -dependent (LAD 2) MC lines showed predominant nuclear eNOS protein localization, with weaker cytoplasmic expression. nNOS showed exclusive cytoplasmic localization in HMC-1. Activation with Ca2+ ionophore (A23187) or IgE-anti-IgE induced eNOS phosphorylation and translocation to the nucleus and nuclear and cytoplasmic NO formation. eNOS colocalizes with the leukotriene (LT)-initiating enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in the MC nucleus. The NO donor, S-nitrosoglutathione (SNOG), inhibited, whereas the NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), potentiated LT release in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, human MC lines produce NO in both cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, and endogenously produced NO can regulate LT production by MCs. (Blood. 2004;104: 462-469)