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  • In our previous studies examining

    2022-01-03

    In our previous studies examining erectile responses in sGCα1−/− mice, we found that the sGCα1 subunit was required to obtain proper erectile responses to substances generally known to exert their actions by sGC.17, 18 Based on our previous observation of residual relaxing responsiveness to exogenous NO in corporal tissues from sGCα1−/− mice, a minor contribution of the sGCα2β1 isoform in erectile function was suggested. However, sGC-independent mechanisms could be involved. For example, activation of Ca2+ and voltage-dependent K+ channels, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Na+/K+-ATPase have been described as sGC-independent vasorelaxant actions of NO in vascular smooth muscle cells.22, 23 The absolute failure of NO to induce erection in sGCβ1ki/ki mice shows that sGC is required for NO-induced relaxation of the CC (Figure 1, Figure 2, and 6) and argues against a role for sGC-independent mechanisms. The observation that higher concentrations of SNP and NO gas relax CC in vitro might be due to the probability that high NO concentrations act through non-physiologic and even toxic mechanisms.24, 25, 26 These results are in line with our previous study reporting that the remaining exogenous NO-induced responses observed in sGCα1−/− mice were abrogated in the presence of the sGC inhibitor 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-α)quinoxalin-1-one. Furthermore, our data are consistent with the findings of Groneberg et al who found that CC from sGC−/− mice were unresponsive to NO. In addition, CC of mice lacking the cGMP target, cGMP-dependent protein kinase-1, failed to relax with activation of the NO-cGMP signaling cascade. Together these data support the importance of sGC as the primary and sole ML324 receptor for NO in erectile physiology and demonstrate that heme-containing reduced sGC is needed for NO effects on corporal tissues. Despite ED, apo-sGC mice remain fertile. This can be explained by the presence of a penis bone in mice making erection not absolutely necessary for fertilization. Epidemiologic studies have found that approximately 30% of patients with ED do not respond to PDE-5 inhibitors.8, 28 Unresponsiveness to PDE-5 inhibitors might be due to the fact that NO bioavailability is impaired to such an extent that inhibition of cGMP degradation no longer has a significant therapeutic advantage. Furthermore, increased oxidative stress often seen in severe ED might result in the oxidation of the sGC heme group. To provide a scientific basis for the concept of targeting apo-sGC as a pharmacologic strategy for ED, erectile responses to the sGC stimulator BAY 41-2272 and the sGC activator BAY 58-2667 were examined. Previously, we reported that the relaxing effect of BAY 41-2272 was significantly decreased in the CC of sGCα1−/− mice. In the present study, the ability of BAY 41-2272 to activate apo-sGC and to relax corporal tissue from sGCβ1ki/ki mice was severely attenuated. Although BAY 41-2272 has been suggested to activate the two sGC isoforms, no further inhibition of the BAY 41-2272 vasodilatory response was seen in the CC isolated from sGCβ1ki/ki mice (BAY 41-2272 10 μmol/L in sGCα1−/− vs sGCβ1ki/ki mice = 17.2 ± 5.5% vs 2.5 ± 5.2%), suggesting that sGCα2β1 is the predominant target of BAY 41-2272 in the CC. Although BAY 41-2272 is dependent on the presence of a reduced prosthetic heme moiety of sGC, BAY 41-2272 did elicit a substantial response in the CC isolated from the sGCβ1ki/ki mice (Figure 4A). This is in line with the observation that the sGC inhibitor 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-α)quinoxalin-1-one did not completely abolish the relaxation induced by BAY 41-2272. The residual effect of BAY 41-2272 in CC from sGCβ1ki/ki mice is likely due to off-target effects, including its inhibitory effect on phosphodiesterases at concentration higher than 5 μmol/L.19, 31, 32 Furthermore, BAY 41-2272 has been reported to induce cGMP-independent vasorelaxation through activation of Na+-K+-ATPase and inhibition of Ca2+ entry.33, 34