RT Journal Article
T1 Expression and activity of the umami taste receptor (TAS1R1/TAS1R3) in rat corpus cavernosum
A1 Navarro Dorado, Jorge
A1 Juan-José Gibello, Laura
A1 López-Oliva Muñoz, María Elvira
A1 Martínez Sainz, María Del Pilar
A1 Hernández Martín, Marina
A1 Climent Flórez, Belén
A1 Agis Torres, Ángel
A1 Recio Visedo, María Paz
A1 Barahona Gomáriz, María Victoria
A1 Benedito Castellote, Sara
A1 Fernandes, Vítor S.
A1 Hernández Rodríguez, Medardo Vicente
AB The activation of umami taste receptors (TAS1R1/TAS1R3) promotes smooth muscle (SM) relaxation in the mouse stomach. The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway is crucial for penile erection. Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which specifically target cGMP, are the primary treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). However, these drugs are ineffective in a significant number of patients, highlighting the need for alternative pharmacological targets for ED. Since umami taste receptors regulate SM contractility, this study investigates the role of TAS1R1/TAS1R3 in rat erectile tissue. We performed immunohistochemistry on the corpus cavernosum (CC) and dorsal penile artery (DPA) to detect TAS1R1/TAS1R3 expression. Isometric force recordings for the TAS1R1/TAS1R3 agonist monosodium glutamate (MSG), the NO donor SNAP, the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor GYY 4137, and electrical field stimulation (EFS) and measured endogenous H2S production. Immunohistochemistry revealed strong TAS1R1/TAS1R3 expression in nerve fibers of the CC and in the endothelium of the DPA, with limited expression in SM. In the CC, MSG enhanced relaxations induced by EFS, SNAP, and GYY 4137, and increased H2S production, which was sensitive to NO and H2S synthase inhibitors. MSG-induced relaxation was reduced by inhibition of neuronal voltage-gated calcium channels. In the DPA, MSG induced relaxation which was reduced by mechanical removal of the endothelium. These findings indicate significant neuronal and endothelial expression of TAS1R1/TAS1R3 in the CC and DPA, where MSG promotes SM relaxation. In the CC, MSG enhances nerve-mediated relaxation induced by NO and H2S and stimulates H2S production, suggesting TAS1R1/TAS1R3 as a potential therapeutic target for ED
PB Elsevier
SN 0014-2999
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/127314
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/127314
LA eng
NO Navarro-Dorado, J., Juan-José Gibello, L., López-Oliva, M. E., Martínez, M. P., Hernández-Martín, M., Climent, B., Agis-Torres, Á., Recio, P., Barahona, M. V., Benedito, S., Fernandes, V. S., & Hernández, M. (2025). Expression and activity of the umami taste receptor (TAS1R1/TAS1R3) in rat corpus cavernosum. European journal of pharmacology, 1007, 178313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2025.178313
NO Credit authorship contribution statementJorge Navarro-Dorado: Writing – original draft, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Laura Juan-José Gibello: Writing – original draft, Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. María Elvira López-Oliva: Writing – original draft, Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. María Pilar Martínez: Writing – original draft, Validation, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Marina Hernández-Martín: Writing – original draft, Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Belén Climent: Writing – original draft, Supervision, Data curation, Conceptualization. Ángel Agis-Torres: Writing – original draft, Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Paz Recio: Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. María Victoria Barahona: Writing – original draft, Validation, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Sara Benedito: Writing – original draft, Validation, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Vítor S. Fernandes: Writing – original draft, Supervision, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Medardo Hernández: Writing – original draft, Supervision, Project administration, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 20 ene 2026