Down-regulation of K_Ca2.3 channels causes erectile dysfunction in mice.

ABSTRACT: Modulation of endothelial calcium-activated K⁺ channels has been proposed as an approach to restore arterial endothelial cell function in disease. We hypothesized that small-conductance calcium-activated K⁺ channels (K_Ca2.3 or SK3) contributes to erectile function. The research was performed in transgenic mice with overexpression (K_Ca2.3 ^T/T(-Dox)) or down-regulation (K_Ca2.3 ^T/T(+Dox)) of the K_Ca2.3 channels and wild-type C57BL/6-mice (WT). QPCR revealed that K_Ca2.3 and K_Ca1.1 channels were the most abundant in mouse corpus cavernosum. K_Ca2.3 channels were found by immunoreactivity and electron microscopy in the apical-lateral membrane of endothelial cells in the corpus

SUBMITTER: Comerma-Steffensen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5476588 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature