Hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial contraction appears to be dependent on myosin light chain phosphorylation

1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (5) ◽  
pp. L768-L774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Zhao ◽  
R. A. Rhoades ◽  
C. S. Packer
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Arterial Contraction ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Mlc20 Phosphorylation ◽  
Arterial Muscle

The signal transduction pathway of hypoxic pulmonary arterial contraction has not been elucidated. Phosphorylation of the 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) is thought to be essential for vascular muscle contraction. However, there are reports that smooth muscle will contract in response to nonphysiological stimuli such as phorbol esters without the involvement of MLC20 phosphorylation. The purpose of this study was to determine if hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial contraction is dependent on MLC20 phosphorylation. Isolated rat pulmonary and carotid (for comparative purposes) arterial strips were contracted with 80 mM KCl to establish maximum active tension in response to membrane depolarization. The strips were then stimulated with one of the following: 30 mM KCl, 1 microM phenylephrine, 0.01 microM angiotensin II, 1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or hypoxia (95% N2-5% CO2). In some experiments ML-9, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, or calphostin C, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, was introduced into the bath before hypoxia. Isometric tension was recorded as a function of time. Muscle strips were freeze-clamped (liquid N2) at various time points during the course of responses to the various stimuli. MLC20 phosphorylation levels were measured by ureaglycerol gel electrophoresis followed by Western blot procedure. Results show that increased MLC20 phosphorylation correlates with initiation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle contraction in response to all agonists with the exception of PMA, a known activator of PKC. The MLC20 phosphorylation levels correlate with tension development in response to hypoxia, and ML-9 abolished the hypoxic contractions. In contrast, hypoxia relaxed carotid arterial muscle, and there was a corresponding decrease in the MLC20 phosphorylation level. In conclusion, hypoxia appears to result in MLC20 phosphorylation-mediated contraction in conduit pulmonary arterial muscle and in MLC20 dephosphorylation-mediated relaxation in systemic arterial muscle.

Blebbistatin, a myosin II inhibitor, suppresses contraction and disrupts contractile filaments organization of skinned taenia cecum from guinea pig

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (5) ◽  
pp. C1118-C1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaru Watanabe ◽  
Masatoshi Yumoto ◽  
Hideyuki Tanaka ◽  
Hon Hui Wang ◽  
Takeshi Katayama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Myosin Light Chain Phosphorylation ◽  
Thin Filaments ◽  
Tension Development

To explore the precise mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of blebbistatin, a potent inhibitor of myosin II, on smooth muscle contraction, we studied the blebbistatin effects on the mechanical properties and the structure of contractile filaments of skinned (cell membrane permeabilized) preparations from guinea pig taenia cecum. Blebbistatin at 10 μM or higher suppressed Ca2+-induced tension development at any given Ca2+ concentration but had little effects on the Ca2+-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation. Blebbistatin also suppressed the 10 and 2.75 mM Mg2+-induced, “myosin light chain phosphorylation-independent” tension development at more than 10 μM. Furthermore, blebbistatin induced conformational change of smooth muscle myosin (SMM) and disrupted arrangement of SMM and thin filaments, resulting in inhibition of actin-SMM interaction irrespective of activation with Ca2+. In addition, blebbistatin partially inhibited Mg2+-ATPase activity of native actomyosin from guinea pig taenia cecum at around 10 μM. These results suggested that blebbistatin suppressed skinned smooth muscle contraction through disruption of structure of SMM by the agent.

scholarly journals Tyrosine Kinase Pyk2 is Involved in Colonic Smooth Muscle Contraction via the RhoA/ROCK Pathway

2018 ◽  
pp. 89-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Tong ◽  
Jun-Ping Ao ◽  
Hong-Li Lu ◽  
Xu Huang ◽  
Jing-Yu Zang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase 2

The contraction of gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscles is regulated by both Ca(2+)-dependent and Ca(2+) sensitization mechanisms. Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) is involved in the depolarization-induced contraction of vascular smooth muscle via a Ca(2+) sensitization pathway. However, the role of Pyk2 in GI smooth muscle contraction is unclear. The spontaneous contraction of colonic smooth muscle was measured by using isometric force transducers. Protein and phosphorylation levels were determined by using western blotting. Pyk2 protein was expressed in colonic tissue, and spontaneous colonic contractions were inhibited by PF-431396, a Pyk2 inhibitor, in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX). In cultured colonic smooth muscle cells (CSMCs), PF-431396 decreased the levels of myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylated at Ser19 and ROCK2 protein expression, but myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) expression was not altered. However, Y-27632, a Rho kinase inhibitor, increased phosphorylation of Pyk2 at Tyr402 and concomitantly decreased ROCK2 levels; the expression of MLCK in CSMCs did not change. The expression of P(Tyr402)-Pyk2 and ROCK2 was increased when CSMCs were treated with Ach. Pyk2 is involved in the process of colonic smooth muscle contraction through the RhoA/ROCK pathway. These pathways may provide very important targets for investigating GI motility disorders.

Sodium hydrosulfite contractions of smooth muscle are calcium and myosin phosphorylation independent

1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (5) ◽  
pp. L976-L982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Fu Yu ◽  
Isabelle Gorenne ◽  
Xiaoling Su ◽  
Robert S. Moreland ◽  
Michael I. Kotlikoff
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Myosin Light Chain Phosphorylation ◽  
Sodium Hydrosulfite ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial

In an effort to further understand the processes underlying hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, we examined the mechanism by which sodium hydrosulfite (Na2S2O4), a potent reducing agent and oxygen scavenger, induces smooth muscle contraction. In rat pulmonary arterial strips, sodium hydrosulfite (10 mM) induced contractions that were 65.9 ± 12.8% of the response to 60 mM KCl ( n = 9 segments). Contractions were not inhibited by nisoldipine (5 μM) or by repeated stimulation with caffeine (10 mM), carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (10 μM), or cyclopiazonic acid (10 μM), all of which eliminated responses to contractile agonists. Maximum force generation after exposure to sodium hydrosulfite was 0.123 ± 0.013 mN in the presence of 1.8 mM calcium and 0.127 ± 0.015 mN in the absence of calcium. Sodium hydrosulfite contractions in pulmonary arterial segments were not due to the generation of H2O2and occurred in the presence of chelerythrine (10 μM), which blocked phorbol ester contractions, and solution hyperoxygenation. Similar contractile responses were obtained in rat aortic and tracheal smooth muscles. Finally, contractions occurred in the complete absence of an increase in myosin light chain phosphorylation. Therefore sodium hydrosulfite-induced smooth muscle contraction is not specific to pulmonary arterial smooth muscle, is independent of calcium and myosin light chain phosphorylation, and is not mediated by either hypoxia or protein kinase C.

scholarly journals FFAR1 activation attenuates histamine-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation and cortical tension development in human airway smooth muscle cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjie Xu ◽  
Anthony Schwab ◽  
Nikhil Karmacharya ◽  
Gaoyuan Cao ◽  
Joanna Woo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Airway Smooth Muscle ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Airway Hyperreactivity ◽  
Human Airway Smooth Muscle ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
Cortical Tension ◽  
Human Airway ◽  
Mlc Phosphorylation

Abstract Background Activation of free fatty acid receptors (FFAR1 and FFAR4) which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with established (patho)physiological roles in a variety of obesity-related disorders, induce human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cell proliferation and shortening. We reported amplified agonist-induced cell shortening in HASM cells obtained from obese lung donors. We hypothesized that FFAR1 modulate excitation–contraction (EC) coupling in HASM cells and play a role in obesity-associated airway hyperresponsiveness. Methods In HASM cells pre-treated (30 min) with FFAR1 agonists TAK875 and GW9508, we measured histamine-induced Ca2+ mobilization, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and cortical tension development with magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC). Phosphorylation of MLC phosphatase and Akt also were determined in the presence of the FFAR1 agonists or vehicle. In addition, the effects of TAK875 on MLC phosphorylation were measured in HASM cells desensitized to β2AR agonists by overnight salmeterol treatment. The inhibitory effect of TAK875 on MLC phosphorylation was compared between HASM cells from age and sex-matched non-obese and obese human lung donors. The mean measurements were compared using One-Way ANOVA with Dunnett’s test for multiple group comparisons or Student’s t-test two-group comparison. For cortical tension measurements by magnetic twisted cytometry, mixed effect model using SAS V.9.2 was applied. Means were considered significant when p ≤ 0.05. Results Unexpectedly, we found that TAK875, a synthetic FFAR1 agonist, attenuated histamine-induced MLC phosphorylation and cortical tension development in HASM cells. These physiological outcomes were unassociated with changes in histamine-evoked Ca2+ flux, protein kinase B (AKT) activation, or MLC phosphatase inhibition. Of note, TAK875-mediated inhibition of MLC phosphorylation was maintained in β2AR-desensitized HASM cells and across obese and non-obese donor-derived HASM cells. Conclusions Taken together, our findings identified the FFAR1 agonist TAK875 as a novel bronchoprotective agent that warrants further investigation to treat difficult-to-control asthma and/or airway hyperreactivity in obesity.

Calcium-dependent mechanisms of regulation of smooth muscle contraction

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 771-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain Kinase ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chains ◽  
Contractile State ◽  
Calmodulin Binding

The contractile state of smooth muscle is regulated primarily by the sarcoplasmic (cytosolic) free Ca2+ concentration. A variety of stimuli that induce smooth muscle contraction (e.g., membrane depolarization, α-adrenergic and muscarinic agonists) trigger an increase in sarcoplasmic free [Ca2+] from resting levels of 120–270 to 500–700 nM. At the elevated [Ca2+], Ca2+ binds to calmodulin, the ubiquitous and multifunctional Ca2+-binding protein. The interaction of Ca2+ with CaM induces a conformational change in the Ca2+-binding protein with exposure of a site(s) of interaction with target proteins, the most important of which in the context of smooth muscle contraction is the enzyme myosin light chain kinase. The interaction of calmodulin with myosin light chain kinase results in activation of the kinase that catalyzes phosphorylation of myosin at serine-19 of each of the two 20-kDa light chains (native myosin is a hexamer composed of two heavy chains (230 kDa each) and two pairs of light chains (one pair of 20 kDa each and the other pair of 17 kDa each)). This simple phosphorylation reaction triggers cycling of myosin cross-bridges along actin filaments and the development of force. Relaxation of the muscle follows removal of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasm, whereupon calmodulin dissociates from myosin light chain kinase regenerating the inactive kinase; myosin is dephosphorylated by myosin light chain phosphatase(s), whereupon it dissociates and remains detached from the actin filament and the muscle relaxes. A substantial body of evidence has been accumulated in support of this central role of myosin phosphorylation–dephosphorylation in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, a wide range of physiological and biochemical studies supports the existence of additional, secondary Ca2+-dependent mechanisms that can modulate or fine-tune the contractile state of the smooth muscle cell. Three such mechanisms have emerged: (i) the actin-, tropomyosin-, and calmodulin-binding protein, calponin; (ii) the actin-, myosin-, tropomyosin-, and calmodulin-binding protein, caldesmon; and (iii) the Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C).Key words: smooth muscle, Ca2+, myosin phosphorylation, regulation of contraction.

scholarly journals H2O2 mediates Ca2+- and MLC20phosphorylation-independent contraction in intact and permeabilized vascular muscle

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (3) ◽  
pp. H1185-H1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy J. Pelaez ◽  
Tracey R. Braun ◽  
Richard J. Paul ◽  
Richard A. Meiss ◽  
C. Subah Packer
Keyword(s):  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Isometric Force ◽  
Mesenteric Arteries ◽  
Regulatory Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Arteries And Veins ◽  
Permeabilized Muscle

One purpose of the current study was to establish whether vasoconstriction occurs in all vessel types in response to H2O2. Isometric force was measured in pulmonary venous and arterial rings, and isobaric contractions were measured in mesenteric arteries and veins in response to H2O2. A second purpose was to determine whether H2O2-induced contraction is calcium independent. The addition of H2O2 to calcium-depleted (using the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin in zero calcium EGTA buffer) muscle caused contraction. Furthermore, permeabilized muscle contracted in response to H2O2 even in zero Ca2+. The final purpose was to determine whether the 20-kDa regulatory myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation plays a role in H2O2-induced contraction. Pulmonary arterial strips were freeze-clamped at various time points during H2O2-induced contractions, and the relative amounts of phosphorylated MLC20 were measured. H2O2 caused dose-dependent contractions that were independent of MLC20 phosphorylation. ML-9, a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, had no effect on the H2O2 contractile response. In conclusion, H2O2 induces Ca2+- and MLC20 phosphorylation-independent contraction in pulmonary and systemic arterial and venous smooth muscle.

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle contraction: myosin light chain phosphorylation dependent and independent pathways

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 1386-1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yawen Zhang ◽  
Suzanne Moreland ◽  
Robert S. Moreland
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Triton X ◽  
Mlc Phosphorylation

Ca2+-dependent myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation is an important step in the initiation of smooth muscle contraction. However, MLC phosphorylation alone cannot account for all aspects of contractile regulation, suggesting the involvement of other elements. In this article we present evidence obtained from Triton X-100 detergent skinned and intact tissue which demonstrates that vascular smooth muscle contraction can be initiated by a Ca2+-dependent mechanism that does not require prior MLC phosphorylation. We show that Ca2+ can initiate contractions supported by cytidine triphosphate (CTP) and that these contractions are inhibited by calmodulin antagonists, suggesting a Ca2+–calmodulin dependence of force distinct from that for MLC phosphorylation. Evidence is presented to demonstrate that carotid medial fibers contain a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase which is activated by Ca2+ and may catalyze caldesmon phosphorylation. Based in part on our results and those of other investigators, we propose that direct Ca2+–calmodulin binding to caldesmon or phosphorylation of caldesmon by a Ca2+-dependent MAP kinase disinhibits caldesmon. Disinhibition of caldesmon allows an inherent basal level of actin-activated myosin ATPase activity to be expressed. The result is the slow development of force.Key words: mitogen-activated protein kinase, caldesmon, Triton X-100, detergent-skinned fibers, cytidine triphosphate, calmodulin.

scholarly journals Rho-associated kinase plays a role in rabbit urethral smooth muscle contraction, but not via enhanced myosin light chain phosphorylation

2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (1) ◽  
pp. F73-F85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Walsh ◽  
Keith Thornbury ◽  
William C. Cole ◽  
Gerard Sergeant ◽  
Mark Hollywood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Regulatory Light Chains ◽  
Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase C Inhibitor ◽  
Urethral Smooth Muscle

The involvement of Rho-associated kinase (ROK) in activation of rabbit urethral smooth muscle contraction was investigated by examining the effects of two structurally distinct inhibitors of ROK, Y27632 and H1152, on the contractile response to electric field stimulation, membrane depolarization with KCl, and α1-adrenoceptor stimulation with phenylephrine. Both compounds inhibited contractions elicited by all three stimuli. The protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X, on the other hand, had no effect. Urethral smooth muscle strips were analyzed for phosphorylation of three potential direct or indirect substrates of ROK: 1) myosin regulatory light chains (LC20) at S19, 2) the myosin-targeting subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase (MYPT1) at T697 and T855, and 3) cofilin at S3. The following results were obtained: 1) under resting tension, LC20 was phosphorylated to 0.65 ± 0.02 mol Pi/mol LC20 ( n = 21) at S19; 2) LC20 phosphorylation did not change in response to KCl or phenylephrine; 3) ROK inhibition had no effect on LC20 phosphorylation in the absence or presence of contractile stimuli; 4) under resting conditions, MYPT1 was partially phosphorylated at T697 and T855 and cofilin at S3; 5) phosphorylation of MYPT1 and cofilin was unaffected by KCl or phenylephrine; and 6) KCl- and phenylephrine-induced contraction-relaxation cycles did not correlate with actin polymerization-depolymerization. We conclude that ROK plays an important role in urethral smooth muscle contraction, but not via inhibition of MLCP or polymerization of actin.

Rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase and phosphatase activities decrease with age

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (3) ◽  
pp. L509-L516 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Belik ◽  
Ewa Kerc ◽  
Mary D. Pato
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Myosin Light Chain Kinase ◽  
Myosin Light Chain ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Adult Tissue ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle ◽  
Specific Activities

We and others have shown that the fetal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle potential for contraction and relaxation is significantly reduced compared with the adult. Whether these developmental changes relate to age differences in the expression and/or activity of key enzymes regulating the smooth muscle mechanical properties has not been previously evaluated. Therefore, we studied the catalytic activities and expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) catalytic (PP1cδ) and regulatory (MYPT) subunits in late fetal, early newborn, and adult rat intrapulmonary arterial tissues. In keeping with the greater force development and relaxation of adult pulmonary artery, Western blot analysis showed that the MLCK, MYPT, and PP1cδ contents increased significantly with age and were highest in the adult rat. In contrast, their specific activities (activity/enzyme content) were significantly higher in the fetal compared with the adult tissue. The fetal and newborn pulmonary arterial muscle relaxant response to the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 was greater than the adult tissue. In addition to the 130-kDa isoform of MLCK, we documented the presence of minor higher-molecular-weight embryonic isoforms in the fetus and newborn. During fetal life, the lung pulmonary arterial MLCK- and MLCP-specific activities are highest and appear to be related to Rho-kinase activation during lung morphogenesis.

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