Viagra and Phosphodiesterase 5 Complex / Single Project

Media Details

Media ID: SYM0018
Client: Scientific
Created on: 2004-06-03
Published on: 2004-06-03
Dimensions: 3000 x 3000 pixels

Type: Illustration

Audiences: Scientific, Medical

Keywords: viagra, phosphodiesterase 5, PDE5, sildenafil citrate, erection, nitric oxide, complex, structure, protein, X-ray, media, news, press

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  • Viagra and Phosphodiesterase 5 Complex

Description

Human phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is the protein that viagra binds to and inhits. Viagra has no direct relaxant effect that leads to penile erection but it enhances the effect of nitric oxide (NO) by inhibiting PDE5. PDE5 is responsible for the degradation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in the penile corpus cavernosum. When sexual stimulus leads to an increase in cGMP levels, smooth muscles relax allowing for blood to flow into the penis. This piece illustrates the enzyme, PDE5, in a novel box-type ribbon diagram, with a smooth gradient over the length of the protein polypeptide chain. Viagra itself is shown as space-filling cartoon-type spheres.

Revised in 2013.

References

None provided