[Protein and mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms I and III in rat penile spongium tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate protein and mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms I and III in rat penile tissues.


METHODS
Penile tissues from male SD rats were investigated. The protein expression of NOS I and III in rat penis was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and Western blot. Gene expression of both NOS I and III was identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
The mRNA and protein products of NOS I and III are both expressed in normal rat penile spongium tissues. But, NOS III mRNA and protein products are more highly expressed than those of NOS.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the possibility that penile erection is regulated by different NOS isoforms in rat penile tissues.
Shi
Jun-Ping
JP
Department of Andrology, Shenyang Andrology Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning 110032, China.
Zhao
Yong-Mei
YM
Qi
Gang
G
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010413:Penis / Q000201:enzymology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat