Abstract
The sinusoid anatomy of the penis is complex and requires complicated interaction between smooth muscle and endothelium in order to maintain homeostasis in the adult. The morphogen, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is a crucial regulator of these processes, along with its down stream targets patched (Ptc), Hox, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Shh is critical for patterning and establishing tissue identity of the penis during embryonic development, is a crucial regulator of penile postnatal differentiation of the sinusoid morphology of the corpora cavernosa, and plays a fundamental role in maintaining sinusoidal structures pertinent to erectile function in the adult rat. Shh and its targets are active in human penes, and decreased in human diabetic penes in parallel with observations in the rat, thus lending clinical significance to the role of abnormal Shh signaling in erectile dysfunction (ED). Application of exogenous Shh protein to rat corpora cavernosa, induces VEGF and NOS proteins, suggesting a potential mechanism through which decreased Shh protein can cause ED. The studies outlined in this review provide in depth analysis of the Shh pathway and signal transduction, its role in penile development, how Shh signaling is altered in a rat model of ED and neuropathy, how abnormal Shh signaling can cause ED, and the clinical significance of the Shh pathway to human ED. These studies will provide valuable insight, at the molecular level, into understanding the mechanisms that under lie ED and lead to new treatment strategies for diabetic impotence.
Keywords: Sonic hedgehog, penis, corpora cavernosa, diabetes, apoptosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Sonic Hedgehog, the Penis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in the Penis
Volume: 11 Issue: 31
Author(s): C. A. Podlasek, C. L. Meroz, H. Korolis, Y. Tang, K. E. McKenna and K. T. McVary
Affiliation:
Keywords: Sonic hedgehog, penis, corpora cavernosa, diabetes, apoptosis
Abstract: The sinusoid anatomy of the penis is complex and requires complicated interaction between smooth muscle and endothelium in order to maintain homeostasis in the adult. The morphogen, Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is a crucial regulator of these processes, along with its down stream targets patched (Ptc), Hox, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Shh is critical for patterning and establishing tissue identity of the penis during embryonic development, is a crucial regulator of penile postnatal differentiation of the sinusoid morphology of the corpora cavernosa, and plays a fundamental role in maintaining sinusoidal structures pertinent to erectile function in the adult rat. Shh and its targets are active in human penes, and decreased in human diabetic penes in parallel with observations in the rat, thus lending clinical significance to the role of abnormal Shh signaling in erectile dysfunction (ED). Application of exogenous Shh protein to rat corpora cavernosa, induces VEGF and NOS proteins, suggesting a potential mechanism through which decreased Shh protein can cause ED. The studies outlined in this review provide in depth analysis of the Shh pathway and signal transduction, its role in penile development, how Shh signaling is altered in a rat model of ED and neuropathy, how abnormal Shh signaling can cause ED, and the clinical significance of the Shh pathway to human ED. These studies will provide valuable insight, at the molecular level, into understanding the mechanisms that under lie ED and lead to new treatment strategies for diabetic impotence.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Podlasek A. C., Meroz L. C., Korolis H., Tang Y., McKenna E. K. and McVary T. K., Sonic Hedgehog, the Penis and Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in the Penis, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2005; 11 (31) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161205774913408
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161205774913408 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Histone Acetylation as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Motor Neuron Degenerative Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Current Evaluation of the Millennium Phytomedicine- Ginseng (II): Collected Chemical Entities, Modern Pharmacology, and Clinical Applications Emanated from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Current Medicinal Chemistry Targeting the Nogo-A Signalling Pathway to Promote Recovery Following Acute CNS Injury
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potentials of ES Cell Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Enhanced Tolerance against Early and Late Apoptotic Oxidative Stress in Mammalian Neurons through Nicotinamidase and Sirtuin Mediated Pathways
Current Neurovascular Research Complex and Differential Glial Responses in Alzheimer´s Disease and Ageing
Current Alzheimer Research Adenosine-to-Inosine RNA Editing: Perspectives and Predictions
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Neurotrophic and Antiangiogenic Functions of PEDF: A Reflection of its Variable Phosphorylation States
Current Genomics Is Innate Immunity and Inflammasomes Involved in Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Association of Oxidative Stress to the Genesis of Anxiety: Implications for Possible Therapeutic Interventions
Current Neuropharmacology Neurorescue Activity, APP Regulation and Amyloid-β Peptide Reduction by Novel Multi-Functional Brain Permeable Iron- Chelating- Antioxidants,M-30 and Green Tea Polyphenol, EGCG
Current Alzheimer Research Stem Cells with Neurogenic Potential and Steroid Hormones
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Small Interfering RNAs and Antisense Oligonucleotides for Treatment of Neurological Diseases
Current Drug Targets Trifluoroethanol-induced Activity and Structural Changes in Bos taurus Copper- and Zinc-containing Superoxide Dismutase
Protein & Peptide Letters Evaluation of in-vitro Anti Diabetic Activity of a Siddha Herbo- Mineral Drug
Current Traditional Medicine Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Epidermal Growth Factor are Decreased in Platelets of Alzheimer Patients
Current Alzheimer Research Neurodegenerative Diseases and Flavonoids: Special Reference to Kaempferol
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Small-molecule Modulation of HDAC6 Activity: The Propitious Therapeutic Strategy to Vanquish Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry Phosphorylation-Dephosphorylation Imbalance of Cytoskeletal Associated Proteins in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Meet Our Associate Editor:
Current Molecular Medicine