ORIGINAL RESEARCH-BASIC SCIENCE: T‐Type (α1G) Low Voltage‐Activated Calcium Channel Interactions with Nitric Oxide‐Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Pathway and Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis in Human Cavernosal Cells

Human cavernosal cells express T‐type (α1G) Ca2+ channels that are involved in maintaining [Ca2+]i homeostasis and regulation of NO‐cGMP‐induced smooth muscle relaxation-contraction responsible for penile erection, flaccidity, and tonicity. Targeting these Ca2+ channels may (i) associate various comorbidities with the onset of erectile dysfunction; (ii) provide a biochemical basis for differences between therapeutic profiles of various phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, especially in nonresponders to current therapy; and (iii) provide biochemical basis in understanding mechanism(s) of drug tolerance. Zeng X, Keyser B, Li M, and Sikka SC. T‐type (α1G) low voltage‐activated calcium channel interactions with nitric oxide‐cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway and regulation of calcium homeostasis in human cavernosal cells. J Sex Med 2005;2:620-633.