Abstract
Initiation, maintenance, and modulation of corporal smooth muscle tone are critically dependent upon agonist-induced changes in intracellular calcium levels and mobilization as well as transmembrane calcium flux. The transient control of myocyte excitability and contractility at the cellular level is inextricably linked to membrane potential, which, in turn, is modulated by potassium ion efflux through one of the four known corporeal smooth muscle potassium ion channels. Corporal tissue responses are subsequently coordinated by means of the movement of intracellular second messenger molecules (i.e., IP3, cAMP, cGMP) and ions (i.e., K+ and Ca2+) among the corporal myocytes by means of intercellular communication through gap junction channels. Knowledge of the critical contribution of these interlinking cellular (nonjunctional ion channels [e.g., maxi-K]) and tissue (gap junction channels [e.g., connexin 43]) systems to the modulation of erectile capacity has provided the scientific rationale for the promulgation of the successful preclinical testing of hSlo ion channel gene therapy for the normalization of erectile status in both aged and diabetic rats.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.