title: New insights into the role of soluble guanylate cyclase in blood pressure regulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-dependent signaling mechanisms have a profound effect on the regulation of blood pressure (BP). In this review, we will discuss recent findings in the field that support the importance of sGC in the development of hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The importance of sGC in BP regulation was highlighted by studies using genetically modified animal models, chemical stimulators/activators and inhibitors of the NO/sGC signaling pathway, and genetic association studies in humans. Many studies further support the role of NO/sGC in vasodilation and vascular dysfunction, which is underscored by the early clinical success of synthetic sGC stimulators for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Recent work has uncovered more details about the structural basis of sGC activation, enabling the development of more potent and efficient modulators of sGC activity. Finally, the mechanisms involved in the modulation of sGC by signaling gases other than NO, as well as the influence of redox signaling on sGC, have been the subject of several interesting studies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  sGC is fast becoming an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of vascular dysfunction and hypertension, with novel sGC stimulating/activating compounds as promising clinical treatment options.
authors.affiliation: aAnesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital bDivision of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buys
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D020536:Enzyme Activators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D000071756:Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D020536:Enzyme Activators; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D000071756:Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase