Phosphodiesterase
In biochemistry, a phosphodiesterases are a "class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of one of the two ester bonds in a phosphodiester compound."[1]
An important function of phosphodiesterases is terminating signal transduction by the breakdown of the second messengers cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP by hydrolysis.
Classification
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 1 (PDE-1)
These phosphodiesterases have additional specificity for cyclic GMP.
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2 (PDE-2)
These phosphodiesterases have additional specificity for cyclic GMP.
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3 (PDE-3)
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4 (PDE-4)
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5 (PDE-5)
Sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil are phosphodiesterase inhibitors of PDE-5 which increase cyclic GMP levels leading to smooth muscle relaxation. These are used to treat erectile dysfunction and as well as pulmonary hypertension.
These phosphodiesterases have additional specificity for cyclic GMP.
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 6 (PDE-6)
These phosphodiesterases have additional specificity for cyclic GMP.
Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 7 (PDE-7)
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Phosphodiesterase (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.