Proteomic Profiling of the Corpus Cavernosum Tissue of Rats

Abstract

These studies were designed to gain a better understanding of the complex cellular processes involved in the regulation of erectile tissue by generating an extensive profile of the proteins present in the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum. Specifically, this study presents a proteomic profile of corpus cavernosal tissue isolated from intact and castrated rats with a specific focus on the role of androgens. The hypothesis is that castration will alter the protein expression at multiple sites. This proteomic approach provides important insights into protein expression in this tissue and with and without the presence of androgens. Results of this study demonstrated a variety of proteins expressed in both the castrate and non-castrate tissue. Alterations in the intensity of these polypeptide bands were visible between tissues isolated from intact or castrated rats suggesting either up-regulation or down-regulation of a variety of proteins. Furthermore shifts in these proteins were seen possibly suggesting phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of proteins due to the presence or absence of androgens. Additionally, there were a number of proteins found in gels from either the castrate or non-castrate tissues which did not exist in either's counterpart. These differences suggest that androgens play a critical role in the expression of these proteins in the corpus cavernosum.