title: A synthetic erectile optogenetic stimulator enabling blue-light-inducible penile erection.
abstract: Precise spatiotemporal control of physiological processes by optogenetic devices inspired by synthetic biology may provide novel treatment opportunities for gene- and cell-based therapies. An erectile optogenetic stimulator (EROS), a synthetic designer guanylate cyclase producing a blue-light-inducible surge of the second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in mammalian cells, enabled blue-light-dependent penile erection associated with occasional ejaculation after illumination of EROS-transfected corpus cavernosum in male rats. Photostimulated short-circuiting of complex psychological, neural, vascular, and endocrine factors to stimulate penile erection in the absence of sexual arousal may foster novel advances in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
authors: Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Mattenstrasse 26, CH-4058 Basel (Switzerland).
authors: Taeuk
authors: T
authors: Kim
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Folcher
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Doaud-El Baba
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Fussenegger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D006162:Guanylate Cyclase; D006152:Cyclic GMP
keywords: erectile dysfunction; gene expression; gene technology; optogenetic therapy; synthetic biology