Protein and mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms I and III in rat penile spongium tissues / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate protein and mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms I and III in rat penile tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These findings support the possibility that penile erection is regulated by different NOS isoforms in rat penile tissues.</p>