title: Human and rabbit cavernosal smooth muscle cells express Rho-kinase.
abstract: Rho-kinase is an enzyme involved in the Ca2+-sensitizing pathway in smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of this enzyme has been recently demonstrated to elicit penile erection by relaxing cavernosal smooth muscle. We aimed to investigate the presence and activity of Rho-kinase in human cavernosal smooth muscle. Primary culture of smooth muscle cells from human and rabbit penile corpus cavernosum was developed, and cells showed characteristic myocyte morphology and alpha-actin immunoreactivity. The presence of Rho-kinase was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting. A specific inhibitor of Rho-kinase, Y-27632, inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the kinase activity of the protein immunoprecipitated with anti-Rho-kinase antibody. These results demonstrate for the first time expression and activity of Rho-kinase in human penile cavernosal smooth muscle cells and suggest that these cells can provide a cellular model for the study of enzymes involved in Ca2+-sensitizing pathways.
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ziessen
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moncada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cellek
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010413:Penis / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011233:Precipitin Tests; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000577:Amides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; C108830:Y 27632; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases