Which molecule's hydrolysis is inhibited by tadalafil?

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Multiple Choice

Which molecule's hydrolysis is inhibited by tadalafil?

Explanation:
The key idea is that tadalafil blocks an enzyme that normally breaks down a signaling molecule called cGMP. Tadalafil is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). PDE5 hydrolyzes cGMP to GMP, so when PDE5 is inhibited, cGMP levels rise and persist. This enhances the NO-cGMP pathway, leading to smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation, which underlies its use in erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. cAMP is not the primary target of PDE5, so inhibiting PDE5 doesn’t meaningfully prevent cAMP hydrolysis. GMP is the product of cGMP hydrolysis, not the substrate whose breakdown is being blocked. ATP is unrelated to this specific hydrolysis reaction.

The key idea is that tadalafil blocks an enzyme that normally breaks down a signaling molecule called cGMP. Tadalafil is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). PDE5 hydrolyzes cGMP to GMP, so when PDE5 is inhibited, cGMP levels rise and persist. This enhances the NO-cGMP pathway, leading to smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation, which underlies its use in erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension.

cAMP is not the primary target of PDE5, so inhibiting PDE5 doesn’t meaningfully prevent cAMP hydrolysis. GMP is the product of cGMP hydrolysis, not the substrate whose breakdown is being blocked. ATP is unrelated to this specific hydrolysis reaction.

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