Figure 6.

Summary of the mechanism of action of vericiguat. NO is produced in the endothelium and diffuses into the smooth muscle, where it binds to sGC. This binding causes a conformational change that catalyzes the production of cGMP. The cGMP then activates downstream kinases, leading to vasodilation. sGC stimulators and activators, including NO, bind to the reduced heme (Fe2+) form of sGC. This interaction catalyzes the conversion of GTP to cGMP, resulting in vasodilation. Vericiguat directly stimulates sGC by binding to a specific site on its β-subunit.