3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11A: localization in human tissues.

3',5'-Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) is the most recently discovered family of human 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). This family contains one gene, PDE11A, with four splice variants (PDE11A1-PDE11A4). The physiological role of PDE11A has not been determined. Tadalafil (Cialis), a PDE5A inhibitor used for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction, has been reported to partially inhibit PDE11. It was therefore of interest to consider the pattern of expression of PDE11 in human tissues. Although four PDE11A mRNA transcripts have been reported, we detected protein corresponding to only one of them, PDE11A4, in human prostate, pituitary, heart and liver. Using immunohistochemistry, there was strong PDE11A antibody staining in the glandular epithelium of the prostate and weak staining of neuronal cells within parasympathetic ganglia in the heart. No PDE11A protein was detected in blood vessels or cardiac myocytes. None of the four potential PDE11A proteins were detected in human skeletal muscle, testis, or penis.