Rho activation in excitatory agonist-stimulated vascular smooth muscle

2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (2) ◽  
pp. C571-C578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sotaro Sakurada ◽  
Hiroyuki Okamoto ◽  
Noriko Takuwa ◽  
Naotoshi Sugimoto ◽  
Yoh Takuwa
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Contractile Response ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Small Gtpase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Aortic Smooth Muscle ◽  
Rhoa Activation ◽  
Downstream Effector ◽  
First Time

Small GTPase Rho and its downstream effector, Rho kinase, have been implicated in agonist-stimulated Ca2+ sensitization of 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation and contraction in smooth muscle. In the present study we demonstrated for the first time that excitatory receptor agonists induce increases in amounts of an active GTP-bound form of RhoA, GTP-RhoA, in rabbit aortic smooth muscle. Using a pull-down assay with a recombinant RhoA-binding protein, Rhotekin, we found that a thromboxane A2 mimetic, U-46619, which induced a sustained contractile response, induced a sustained rise in the amount of GTP-RhoA in a dose-dependent manner with an EC50 value similar to that for the contractile response. U-46619-induced RhoA activation was thromboxane A2 receptor-mediated and reversible. Other agonists including norepinephrine, serotonin, histamine, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) also stimulated RhoA, albeit to lesser extents than U-46619. In contrast, ANG II and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate failed to increase GTP-RhoA. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein substantially inhibited RhoA activation by these agonists, except for ET-1. Thus excitatory agonists induce Rho activation in an agonist-specific manner, which is thought to contribute to stimulation of MLC20 phosphorylation Ca2+ sensitivity.

Sevoflurane Inhibits Guanosine 5′-[γ-thio]triphosphate–stimulated, Rho/Rho-kinase–mediated Contraction of Isolated Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle

2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 646-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingui Yu ◽  
Koji Ogawa ◽  
Yasuyuki Tokinaga ◽  
Yoshio Hatano
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Force Transducer ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Aortic Smooth Muscle ◽  
Gamma S ◽  
Kinase Pathway

Background The Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating Ca2+ sensitization of vascular smooth muscle. The effect of anesthetics on Rho/Rho-kinase-mediated vasoconstriction has not been determined to date. This study is designed to examine the possible inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway by measuring guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-stimulated contraction and translocation of RhoA (one of the three Rho subtypes) and Rock-2 (one of the two Rho-kinase subtypes) from the cytosol to the membrane in rat aortic smooth muscle. Methods GTP gamma S-induced contraction of rat aortic endothelium-denuded rings was measured using an isometric force transducer, and GTP gamma S-stimulated membrane translocation of RhoA and Rock-2 in smooth muscle cells was detected with Western blotting in the presence and absence of sevoflurane. Results GTP gamma S (10(-4) m) induced a sustained contraction, which was significantly inhibited by the Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y27632 (3 x 10(-6) m). Before treatment with GTP gamma S, RhoA and Rock-2 were detected primarily in the cytosolic fraction. GTP gamma S (10(-4) m) stimulated the translocation of RhoA and Rock-2 from the cytosol to the membrane, which was sustained for more than 60 min. Sevoflurane (1.7, 3.4, and 5.1%) concentration dependently inhibited the GTP gamma S-induced constriction of rat aortic smooth muscle with a reduction of constriction of 52-75% (P < 0.01, n = 8), and attenuated the translocation of RhoA and Rock-2 by 31-66% and 34-78%, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01, respectively; n = 4). Conclusion The current findings show that sevoflurane depresses the GTP gamma S-stimulated contraction and translocation of both Rho and Rho-kinase from the cytosol in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that sevoflurane is able to inhibit vasoconstriction mediated by the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway in rat aortic smooth muscle.

Urokinase-induced migration of human vascular smooth muscle cells requires coupling of the small GTPases RhoA and Rac1 to the Tyk2/PI3-K signalling pathway

2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (05) ◽  
pp. 904-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Tkachuk ◽  
Hermann Haller ◽  
Inna Dumler ◽  
Ioulia Kiian
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Immunocytochemical Staining ◽  
Boyden Chamber ◽  
Dependent Manner

SummaryUrokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) facilitates cell migration by localizing proteolisys on the cell surface and by inducing intracellular signalling pathways. In human vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) uPA stimulates migration via the uPA receptor (uPAR) signalling complex containing the Janus kinase Tyk2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). We report that active GTP-bound forms of small GTPases RhoA and Rac1, but not Cdc42, are directly associated with Tyk2 and PI3-K in an uPA/uPAR-dependent fashion. Endogenous RhoA, but not Rac1 or Cdc42, was significantly activated in response to uPA. RhoA activation was abolished by cell treatment with two unrelated, structurally distinct, specific inhibitors of PI3-K, wortmannin, and LY294002. Downstream of RhoA, phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) was dramatically upregulated by uPA in a Rho kinase- and PI3-K-dependent manner. Thus, selective Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 and PI3-K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 prevented the uPA-induced stimulation of MLC phosphorylation. Rho kinase inhibition also decreased uPA-stimulated VSMC migration as observed in a Boyden chamber. VSMC immunocytochemical staining demonstrated redistribution of RhoA and Rac1 active forms to the newly formed leading edge of migrating cell. VSMC microinjection with antibodies to either Rho or Rac1 decreased uPA-stimulated cell migration, indicating the involvement of both GTPases in the migration process. Our results provide evidence that the small GTPases RhoA and Rac1, together with Rho kinase, are necessary to mediate the uPA/uPAR-directed migration via the Tyk2/PI3-K signalling complex in human VSMC.

scholarly journals Rho kinase inhibitor HA-1077 prevents Rho-mediated myosin phosphatase inhibition in smooth muscle cells

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (1) ◽  
pp. C57-C65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromitsu Nagumo ◽  
Yasuharu Sasaki ◽  
Yoshitaka Ono ◽  
Hiroyuki Okamoto ◽  
Minoru Seto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Phosphatase Activity ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Muscle Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Myosin Phosphatase ◽  
Rho Kinase Inhibitor

In smooth muscle, a Rho-regulated system of myosin phosphatase exists; however, it has yet to be established whether Rho kinase, one of the downstream effectors of Rho, mediates the regulation of myosin phosphatase activity in vivo. In the present study, we demonstrate in permeabilized vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that the vasodilator 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-homopiperazine (HA-1077), which we show to be a potent inhibitor of Rho kinase, dose dependently inhibits Rho-mediated enhancement of Ca2+-induced 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation due to abrogating Rho-mediated inhibition of MLC20dephosphorylation. By an immune complex phosphatase assay, we found that guanosine 5′- O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS) stimulation of permeabilized SMCs caused a decrease in myosin phosphatase activity with an increase in the extent of phosphorylation of the 130-kDa myosin-binding regulatory subunit (MBS) of myosin phosphatase in a Rho-dependent manner. HA-1077 abolished both of the Rho-mediated events. Moreover, we observed that the pleckstrin homology/cystein-rich domain protein of Rho kinase, a dominant negative inhibitor of Rho kinase, inhibited GTPγS-induced phosphorylation of MBS. These results provide direct in vivo evidence that Rho kinase mediates inhibition of myosin phosphatase activity with resultant enhancement of MLC20phosphorylation in smooth muscle and reveal the usefulness of HA-1077 as a Rho kinase inhibitor.

Involvement of Ca2+Sensitization in Ropivacaine-induced Contraction of Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle

2005 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 548-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingui Yu ◽  
Yasuyuki Tokinaga ◽  
Toshiyuki Kuriyama ◽  
Nobuhiko Uematsu ◽  
Kazuhiro Mizumoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Membrane Translocation ◽  
Aortic Smooth Muscle ◽  
Calphostin C ◽  
Dose Dependent

Background The mechanisms of amino-amide local anesthetic agent-induced vasoconstriction remain unclear. The current study was designed to examine the roles of the protein kinase C (PKC), Rho kinase, and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44/42 MAPK) signaling pathways in calcium (Ca2+)-sensitization mechanisms in ropivacaine-induced vascular contraction. Methods Endothelium-denuded rat aortic rings, segments, and strips were prepared. The cumulative dose-response relations of contraction and intracellular Ca2+ concentration to ropivacaine were tested, using isometric force transducers and a fluorometer, respectively. The dose-dependent ropivacaine-induced phosphorylation of PKC and p44/42 MAPK and the membrane translocation of Rho kinase were also detected using Western blotting. Results Ropivacaine induced a dose-dependent biphasic contractile response and an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration of rat aortic rings, increasing at concentrations of 3 x 10 m to 3 x 10 m and decreasing from 10 m to 3 x 10 m, with a greater tension/intracellular Ca2+ concentration ratio than that induced with potassium chloride. The contraction was attenuated in a dose-dependent manner, by the PKC inhibitors bisindolylmaleimide I and calphostin C, the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y 27632, and the p44/42 MAPK inhibitor PD 098059. Ropivacaine also induced an increase in phosphorylation of PKC and p44/42 MAPK, and membrane translocation of Rho kinase in accordance with the contractile responses, which were also significantly inhibited by bisindolylmaleimide I and calphostin C, Y 27632, and PD 098059, correspondingly. Conclusion These findings demonstrated that PKC-, Rho kinase-, and p44/42 MAPK-mediated Ca2+-sensitization mechanisms are involved in the ropivacaine-induced biphasic contraction of rat aortic smooth muscle.

scholarly journals Chronic hypoxia augments depolarization-induced Ca2+ sensitization in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle through superoxide-dependent stimulation of RhoA

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (2) ◽  
pp. L232-L242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad R. S. Broughton ◽  
Nikki L. Jernigan ◽  
Charles E. Norton ◽  
Benjimen R. Walker ◽  
Thomas C. Resta
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Chronic Hypoxia ◽  
Pulmonary Arteries ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Membrane Depolarization ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Rock Inhibitor ◽  
Rhoa Activation

Rho kinase (ROCK)-dependent vasoconstriction has been implicated as a major factor in chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension. This component of pulmonary hypertension is associated with arterial myogenicity and increased vasoreactivity to receptor-mediated agonists and depolarizing stimuli resulting from ROCK-dependent myofilament Ca2+ sensitization. On the basis of separate lines of evidence that CH increases pulmonary arterial superoxide (O2−) generation and that O2− stimulates RhoA/ROCK signaling in vascular smooth muscle (VSM), we hypothesized that depolarization-induced O2− generation mediates enhanced RhoA-dependent Ca2+ sensitization in pulmonary VSM following CH. To test this hypothesis, we determined effects of the ROCK inhibitor HA-1077 and the O2−-specific spin trap tiron on vasoconstrictor reactivity to depolarizing concentrations of KCl in isolated lungs and Ca2+-permeabilized, pressurized small pulmonary arteries from control and CH (4 wk at 0.5 atm) rats. Using the same vessel preparation, we examined effects of CH on KCl-dependent VSM membrane depolarization and O2− generation using sharp electrodes and the fluorescent indicator dihydroethidium, respectively. Finally, using a RhoA-GTP pull-down assay, we investigated the contribution of O2− to depolarization-induced RhoA activation. We found that CH augmented KCl-dependent vasoconstriction through a Ca2+ sensitization mechanism that was inhibited by HA-1077 and tiron. Furthermore, CH caused VSM membrane depolarization that persisted with increasing concentrations of KCl, enhanced KCl-induced O2− generation, and augmented depolarization-dependent RhoA activation in a O2−-dependent manner. These findings reveal a novel mechanistic link between VSM membrane depolarization, O2− generation, and RhoA activation that mediates enhanced myofilament Ca2+ sensitization and pulmonary vasoconstriction following CH.

Pyrimidine nucleotides suppress KDR currents and depolarize rat cerebral arteries by activating Rho kinase

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. H1088-H1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin D. Luykenaar ◽  
Suzanne E. Brett ◽  
Bin Nan Wu ◽  
William B. Wiehler ◽  
Donald G. Welsh
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Cerebral Arteries ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Pyrimidine Nucleotides ◽  
Rho Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Ionic Mechanisms ◽  
Patch Clamp Electrophysiology ◽  
First Time

This study examined whether, and by what signaling and ionic mechanisms, pyrimidine nucleotides constrict rat cerebral arteries. Cannulated cerebral arteries stripped of endothelium and pressurized to 15 mmHg constricted in a dose-dependent manner to UTP. This constriction was partly dependent on the depolarization of smooth muscle cells and the activation of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels. The depolarization and constriction induced by UTP were unaffected by bisindolylmaleimide I, a PKC inhibitor that abolished phorbol ester (PMA)-induced constriction in cerebral arteries. In contrast, the Rhokinase inhibitor Y-27632 attenuated the ability of UTP to both constrict and depolarize cerebral arteries. With patch-clamp electrophysiology, a voltage-dependent delayed rectifying K+ (KDR) current was isolated and shown to consist of a slowly inactivating 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive and an -insensitive component. The 4-AP-sensitive KDR current was potently suppressed by UTP through a mechanism that was not dependent on PKC. This reflects observations that demonstrated that 1) a PKC activator (PMA) had no effect on KDR and 2) PKC inhibitors (calphostin C or bisindolylmaleimide I) could not prevent the suppression of KDR by UTP. The Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 abolished the ability of UTP to inhibit the KDR current, as did inhibition of RhoA with C3 exoenzyme. Cumulatively, these observations indicate that Rho kinase signaling plays an important role in eliciting the cerebral constriction induced by pyrimidine nucleotides. Moreover, they demonstrate for the first time that Rhokinase partly mediates this constriction by altering ion channels that control membrane potential and Ca2+ influx through voltage-operated Ca2+ channels.

Abstract 641: Expression Of GLUT4 In Vascular Smooth Muscle Affects Endothelial Function In Hypertension.

Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin B Atkins ◽  
Jharna Saha ◽  
Frank C Brosius
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Interesting Phenomenon ◽  
Glut4 Expression ◽  
Endothelial Denudation ◽  
Rho Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Rats And Mice

Expression of GLUT4 is decreased in arterial smooth muscle of hypertensive rats and mice, and total body overexpression of GLUT4 in mice prevents enhanced arterial reactivity. To demonstrate that the effect on vascular response to GLUT4 overexpression is vascular rather than systemic in origin we utilized smooth muscle-specific GLUT4 transgenic mice (SMG4). GLUT4 expression in aortae of SMG4 compared to WT mice was increased 2-3 fold. Adult wild-type (WT) and SMG4 mice were made hypertensive or not through implantation of angiotensin II (AngII; 1.4mg/kg/d for 2 wks) or vehicle containing osmotic mini-pumps. Both WT and SMG4 mice AngII-treated mice exhibited significantly increased systolic blood pressure. In AngII-treated WT mice (WT-AngII) aortic GLUT4 expression was significantly decreased, whereas GLUT4 expression in aortae of AngII-treated SMG4 mice (SMG4-AngII) was maintained. The phosphorylation of ERM and MYPT1(Thr850) were significantly increased in aortae of WT-AngII compared to WT-Sham and SMG4-AngII mice. Responsiveness to the contractile agonists, phenylephrine, 5-HT, and PGF 2 was significantly increased in endothelium-intact aortic rings from WT-AngII mice, but remained normal in aortae of SMG4-AngII mice. Following pretreatment with Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632, relative inhibition of contractility to 5-HT was equal in aortae from WT-AngII and SMG4-AngII-treated mice. With endothelial denudation, contractility to 5-HT was equally enhanced in aortae of WT-AngII and SMG4-AngII-treated mice. Interestingly, whereas acetylcholine stimulated relaxation was significantly decreased in aortic rings of WT-AngII mice, relaxation in rings from SMG4-AngII mice was not significantly different from WT or SMG4. These results demonstrate an interesting phenomenon whereby decreased expression of GLUT4 in vascular smooth muscle leads to an endothelial dysfunction that not only impairs relaxation, but also enhances contractility.

scholarly journals Role of SM22 in the differential regulation of phasic vs. tonic smooth muscle

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (7) ◽  
pp. G605-G612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish Rattan ◽  
Mehboob Ali
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular Control ◽  
Tonic Smooth Muscle ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Protein Kinase C Inhibitor

Preliminary proteomics studies between tonic vs. phasic smooth muscles identified three distinct protein spots identified to be those of transgelin (SM22). The latter was found to be distinctly downregulated in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) vs. rectal smooth muscle (RSM) SMC. The major focus of the present studies was to examine the differential molecular control mechanisms by SM22 in the functionality of truly tonic smooth muscle of the IAS vs. the adjoining phasic smooth muscle of the RSM. We monitored SMC lengths before and after incubation with pFLAG-SM22 (for SM22 overexpression), and SM22 small-interfering RNA. pFLAG-SM22 caused concentration-dependent and significantly greater relaxation in the IAS vs. the RSM SMCs. Conversely, temporary silencing of SM22 caused contraction in both types of the SMCs. Further studies revealed a significant reverse relationship between the levels of SM22 phosphorylation and the amount of SM22-actin binding in the IAS and RSM SMC. Data showed higher phospho-SM22 levels and decreased SM22-actin binding in the IAS, and reverse to be the case in the RSM SMCs. Experiments determining the mechanism for SM22 phosphorylation in these smooth muscles revealed that Y-27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor) but not Gö-6850 (protein kinase C inhibitor) caused concentration-dependent decreased phosphorylation of SM22. We speculate that SM22 plays an important role in the regulation of basal tone via Rho kinase-induced phosphorylation of SM22.

The role of transmembrane sodium gradient in rabbit ileal smooth muscle: Utilization of harmaline

1985 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 667-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Suleiman
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Contractile Response ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Exchange Mechanism ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Sodium Gradient ◽  
Extracellular Sodium ◽  
Dose Dependent

Decreasing extracellular sodium concentration was found to produce a contractile response of rabbit ileal smooth muscle. As the concentration decreases, the amplitude of contraction increases, thus producing a dose-dependent curve. Harmaline, a competitor for sodium, was found to inhibit the sodium gradient-dependent contractions in a dose-dependent manner. The results are interpreted as harmaline inhibiting a Na–Ca exchange mechanism present in ileal smooth muscle.

Role of Rho in Ca2+-insensitive contraction and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation in smooth muscle

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (2) ◽  
pp. C308-C318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolly Mehta ◽  
Dale D. Tang ◽  
Ming-Fang Wu ◽  
Simon Atkinson ◽  
Susan J. Gunst
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Cytochalasin D ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Tracheal Smooth Muscle ◽  
Contractile Activation ◽  
Mlc Phosphorylation

We investigated whether Rho activation is required for Ca2+-insensitive paxillin phosphorylation, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and contraction in tracheal muscle. Tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins have been implicated in the Ca2+-insensitive contractile activation of smooth muscle tissues. The contractile activation of tracheal smooth muscle increases tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal proteins paxillin and focal adhesion kinase. Paxillin is implicated in integrin-mediated signal transduction pathways that regulate cytoskeletal organization and cell motility. In fibroblasts and other nonmuscle cells, paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation depends on the activation of Rho and is inhibited by cytochalasin, an inhibitor of actin polymerization. In permeabilized muscle strips, we found that ACh induced Ca2+-insensitive contraction, MLC phosphorylation, and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Ca2+-insensitive contraction and MLC phosphorylation induced by ACh were inhibited by C3 transferase, an inhibitor of Rho activation; however, C3 transferase did not inhibit paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Ca2+-insensitive paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation was also not inhibited by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632, by cytochalasin D, or by the inhibition of MLC phosphorylation. We conclude that, in tracheal smooth muscle, Rho mediates Ca2+-insensitive contraction and MLC phosphorylation but that Rho is not required for Ca2+-insensitive paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Paxillin phosphorylation also does not require actomyosin activation, nor is it inhibited by the actin filament capping agent cytochalasin D.

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