Abstract: Objective To investigate expression of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in rabbit penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle(CCSM) cells. Methods New Zealand White Rabbit CCSM cells were cultured by primary tissue culture. Using CCSM cells and fibroblast have different adherence velocity, CCSM cell can be purified. Identification of CCSM cell was by inverted microscope and immunofluorescence technique. The cDNA sequence of RyRs was found out by searching genebank. Three pair of primers were designed by Primer Premier 5.0. The RyRs subunits mRNA was detected by reverse transcription PCR in cultured CCSM cells. Results After 7 d, we found growth of cultured cells. While 15～20 d, cells filled the bottom of culture flask. They were identified by inverted microscope and immunofluorescence technique. After purification, purity of CCSM cells was near to 100%. It suggested only RyRs1 subunit was expressive in CCSM by RT-PCR. Conclusion RyRs1 subunit is expressed in CCSM cells. It suggests that RyRs contribute to the regulation of Ca2+ in CCSM cells.

Key words: ryanodine receptors, penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, cell culture, [Ca2+]i