The amino acid Arginine is a precursor to a novel second messenger and neurotransmitter, which is a gas, nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is produced from arginine in an unusual five-electron oxidation that also yields citrulline (see Figure 21.3). The enzyme catalyzing the reaction, nitric oxide synthase, contains bound FMN, FAD, non-heme iron, and tetrahydrobiopterin.