Nitric oxide-dependent penile erection in mice lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase.
Mol Med
; 2(3): 288-96, 1996 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-8784782
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated as a mediator of penile erection, because the neuronal isoform of NO synthase (NOS) is localized to the penile innervation and NOS inhibitors selectively block erections. NO can also be formed by two other NOS isoforms derived from distinct genes, inducible NOS (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS). To clarify the source of NO in penile function, we have examined mice with targeted deletion of the nNOS gene (nNOS- mice). MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Mating behavior, electrophysiologically induced penile erection, isolated erectile tissue isometric tension, and eNOS localization by immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed on nNOS- mice and wild-type controls.RESULTS:
Both intact animal penile erections and isolated erectile tissue function are maintained in nNOS mice, in agreement with demonstrated normal sexual behaviors, but is stereospecifically blocked by the NOS inhibitor, L-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME). eNOS is abundantly present in endothelium of penile vasculature and sinusoidal endothelium within the corpora cavemosa, with levels that are significantly higher in nNOS- mice than in wild-type controls.CONCLUSIONS:
eNOS mediates NO-dependent penile erection in nNOS- animals and normal penile erection. These data clarify the role of nitric oxide in penile erection and may have implications for therapeutic agents with selective effects on NOS isoforms.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pênis
/
Ereção Peniana
/
Óxido Nítrico Sintase
/
NG-Nitroarginina Metil Éster
/
Isoenzimas
/
Neurônios
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Med
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
Ano de publicação:
1996
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos