877 ATTENUATED RHOA/RHO-KINASE SIGNALING IN THE PENIS OF TRANSGENIC SICKLE CELL MICE (2010)

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research II1 Apr 2010877 ATTENUATED RHOA/RHO-KINASE SIGNALING IN THE PENIS OF TRANSGENIC SICKLE CELL MICE Trinity Bivalacqua, Ashley Ross, Travis Strong, Milena Gebska, Blijana Musicki, Hunter Champion, and Arthur Burnett Trinity BivalacquaTrinity Bivalacqua Baltimore, MD , Ashley RossAshley Ross Baltimore, MD , Travis StrongTravis Strong Baltimore, MD , Milena GebskaMilena Gebska Baltimore, MD , Blijana MusickiBlijana Musicki Baltimore, MD , Hunter ChampionHunter Champion Pittsburgh, PA , and Arthur BurnettArthur Burnett Baltimore, MD View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.02.1633AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES RhoA and its main downstream effector, Rho-kinase (ROCK) are important in maintaining the penis in the flaccid state. The pathophysiology of Sickle cell disease-associated priapism is not well defined. We hypothesize that RhoA/ROCK vasoconstrictive pathways may be involved in the development of priapism. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate molecular changes in RhoA and ROCK in an established transgenic sickle cell mouse model of priapism. METHODS Two groups of mice were utilized: 1) wild type (WT; C57BL/6), and 2) transgenic Sickle cell mice (Sickle). We evaluated RhoA GTPase and total ROCK activities as well as ROCK1 and ROCK2 protein expression (Western Blot) in WT and Sickle mice penes. We also evaluated in vivo erectile responses to cavernous nerve stimulation (CNS) and the frequency of erections both pre- and post-CNS. RESULTS Sickle mice demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) enhanced erectile responses to CNS and frequency of erections both pre- and post-CNS when compared to WT. Sickle mice penes had a significant decline in RhoA GTPase (p<0.01) and total ROCK activities (p<0.05) when compared to WT mice. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in ROCK2 protein expression in Sickle mice penes when compared to WT mice protein expression. No change in ROCK1 protein expression was observed in both cohort's of mice penes. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that Sickle cell disease associated-priapism may be contributed by a lack of RhoA/ROCK mediated vasoconstriction and highlight a novel molecular mechanism in the pathophysiology of priapism. © 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 183Issue 4SApril 2010Page: e343 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Trinity Bivalacqua Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Ashley Ross Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Travis Strong Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Milena Gebska Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Blijana Musicki Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Hunter Champion Pittsburgh, PA More articles by this author Arthur Burnett Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...