Erectile dysfunction in cyclic GMP-dependent kinase I-deficient mice

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.030419997
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:35:07Z
• Authors: Petter Hedlund; Attila Aszódi; Alexander Pfeifer; Per Alm; Franz Hofmann; Marianne Ahmad; Reinhard Fässler; Karl-Erik Andersson
• Keywords: Phosphodiesterase 3; PDE10A; Erectile tissue; cGMP-dependent protein kinase; Prostaglandin E1

The generation of nitric oxide (NO) in penile erectile tissue and the subsequent elevation cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels are important for normal erection. Current treatments dysfunction elevate either cGMP by blocking degrading phosphodiesterase 5 or AMP (cAMP) intrapenile injection prostaglandin E1. molecular target targets role cAMP erection not known. Herein, we report that mice lacking cGMP-dependent kinase I (cGKI) have a very low ability to reproduce their corpora cavernosa fail relax on activation NO/cGMP signaling cascade. Elevation forskolin, however, induces similar relaxation cGKI-null corpus cavernosum. In addition, sperm derived from is normal, can undergo acrosomal reactions, efficiently fertilize eggs. Altogether, these data identify cGKI as downstream provide evidence cannot compensate absence cGMP/cGKI cascade vivo .