TY - JOUR
T1 - Hydrogen sulfide as a mediator of human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation
AU - Bianca, R.D.D.
AU - Sorrentino, R.
AU - Maffia, Pasquale
AU - Mirone, V.
AU - Imbimbo, C.
AU - Fusco, F.
AU - De Palma, R.
AU - Ignarro, L.J.
N1 - Strathprints' policy is to record up to 8 authors per publication, plus any additional authors based at the University of Strathclyde. More authors may be listed on the official publication than appear in the Strathprints' record.
PY - 2009/3/17
Y1 - 2009/3/17
N2 - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthesized by 2 enzymes, cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). L-Cysteine (L-Cys) acts as a natural substrate for the synthesis of H2S. Human penile tissue possesses both CBS and CSE, and tissue homogenates efficiently convert L-Cys to H2S. CBS and CSE are localized in the muscular trabeculae and the smooth-muscle component of the penile artery, whereas CSE but not CBS is also expressed in peripheral nerves. Exogenous H2S [sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS)] or L-Cys causes a concentration-dependent relaxation of strips of human corpus cavernosum. L-Cys relaxation is inhibited by the CBS inhibitor, aminoxyacetic acid (AOAA). Electrical field stimulation of human penile tissue, under resting conditions, causes an increase in tension that is significantly potentiated by either propargylglycine (PAG; CSE inhibitor) or AOAA. In rats, NaHS and L-Cys promote penile erection, and the response to L-Cys is blocked by PAG. Our data demonstrate that the L-Cys/H2S pathway mediates human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation.
AB - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthesized by 2 enzymes, cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). L-Cysteine (L-Cys) acts as a natural substrate for the synthesis of H2S. Human penile tissue possesses both CBS and CSE, and tissue homogenates efficiently convert L-Cys to H2S. CBS and CSE are localized in the muscular trabeculae and the smooth-muscle component of the penile artery, whereas CSE but not CBS is also expressed in peripheral nerves. Exogenous H2S [sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS)] or L-Cys causes a concentration-dependent relaxation of strips of human corpus cavernosum. L-Cys relaxation is inhibited by the CBS inhibitor, aminoxyacetic acid (AOAA). Electrical field stimulation of human penile tissue, under resting conditions, causes an increase in tension that is significantly potentiated by either propargylglycine (PAG; CSE inhibitor) or AOAA. In rats, NaHS and L-Cys promote penile erection, and the response to L-Cys is blocked by PAG. Our data demonstrate that the L-Cys/H2S pathway mediates human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation.
KW - cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)
KW - cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE)
KW - H2S
KW - penile erection
KW - L-cysteine
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0807974105
U2 - 10.1073/pnas.0807974105
DO - 10.1073/pnas.0807974105
M3 - Article
SN - 0027-8424
VL - 106
SP - 4513
EP - 4518
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
IS - 11
ER -