Uptake and transepithelial transport of nerve growth factor in suckling rat ileum

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is necessary for the development of sympathetic and some sensory neurons. Milk may be a source of NGF for suckling young, but sites of intestinal absorption of the protein have not been identified. To determine whether NGF is transported across the absorptive epithelium of suckling rat ileum, we assessed binding, uptake, and transport of 125I-NGF by light microscopy and EM autoradiography. Blood and tissue extracts were analyzed by biochemical and immunological methods to determine whether NGF was taken up structurally intact. NGF binding sites were identified on microvilli and apical invaginations of ileal absorptive cells in vitro. Injected into ileal loops in vivo, NGF radioactivity retained by fixation was evident after 20 min in apical regions of absorptive cells, in endocytic tubules (which mediate the uptake of membrane-bound ligands), in vesicles (which mediate nonspecific endocytosis), and in the supranuclear lysosomal vacuole. At 1 and 2 h, radiolabel in these compartments increased and silver grains were evident at the basal cell surface, and in cells, matrix, and vessels of the lamina propria. In blood and liver, radiolabeled molecules that were immunologically and electrophoretically indistinguishable from NGF and that co-eluted with NGF on gel filtration columns were detected, confirming that some NGF was transported across the epithelium structurally intact. Thus, absorptive cells of suckling rat ileum can take up NGF by both receptor-mediated and nonspecific endocytosis, and direct NGF either to the lysosome for degradation, or into a transepithelial transport pathway.

Estimates of activation in arterial smooth muscle

We have previously described the onset of a "latch" state in the swine carotid media after K+ depolarization. This state was characterized by maintained stress after a decrease in shortening velocities and in the level of cross-bridge phosphorylation. The present experiments were designed to determine whether there were changes in other mechanical properties in swine carotid media associated with the onset of the latch state. Medial strips (less than 500 microM thick), incubated in physiological salt solution (PSS) at 37 degrees C at their optimal length (Lo), were subjected to ramp stretches (5.86 mm/s) of 5% Lo. The active stress (Sa) response to stretch was computed by subtraction of the passive element contribution (as determined from identical stretches after 30 min incubation in Ca2+-free PSS) from the total response in the activated muscle. Transitions in the total and active stress responses to stretch were observed in strips stimulated with 109 mM K+ for 1 min or longer and were interpreted as yielding of the contractile apparatus. Active dynamic stiffness (dS/dLo) calculated from the initial 1% Lo portion of the stretch response, correlated linearly with active stress over a wide range. Maximal stress and dynamic stiffness were reached by 1 min and were maintained for at least 30 min in K+-depolarized preparations. However, yield stress increased significantly between 1 and 10 min, and there was a large increase in the length at which yield was observed (1.09 +/- 0.06 to 1.86 +/- 0.10% Lo; n = 9). These increases were maintained between 10 and 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transforming growth factor alpha inhibits secretion of gastric acid

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), a protein secreted by transformed cells and related to epidermal growth factor (EGF), was tested for its effects on gastric acid secretion. Guinea pig gastric mucosae were mounted in Ussing chambers and the rate of acid release was monitored by the pH-stat method. When administered prior to the secretagogue, TGF-alpha prevented the histamine-induced increase in the rate of acid secretion. Similarly, TGF-alpha caused a decrease in the rate of acid release in tissues that had already been stimulated with histamine. These data show that TGF-alpha inhibits gastric acid secretion in a manner similar to EGF and that the two growth factors share at least one physiological action unrelated to their mitogenic properties.

Myoplasmic calcium, myosin phosphorylation, and regulation of the crossbridge cycle in swine arterial smooth muscle

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that changes in crossbridge phosphorylation in the swine carotid media are due to changes in the myoplasmic calcium concentration. The photoprotein aequorin was loaded intracellularly by incubation in a series of calcium-free solutions. This loading procedure did not affect subsequent stress development, myosin light chain phosphorylation, or ultrastructure. The time course of light production, myosin light chain phosphorylation, shortening velocity at zero load, and active stress were measured in three stimulus protocols: depolarization with 109 mM potassium chloride at 22 degrees C, 37 degrees C, and 37 degrees C, followed by a reduction in potassium chloride to 20 mM to induce stress maintenance with basal phosphorylation (latch). Light-predicted intracellular calcium concentration was found to correlate with myosin phosphorylation and unloaded shortening velocity. The calcium concentration required for half-maximal myosin phosphorylation was approximately twice that for stress maintenance. These estimates depend on many assumptions, but they compared favorably with the half-maximal myosin phosphorylation values obtained for the calcium-dependence of stress maintenance and phosphorylation in Triton X-100 skinned carotid media preparations. This supports the hypothesis that myoplasmic calcium is the determinant of myosin phosphorylation and mean crossbridge cycling rates in intact smooth muscle depolarized by potassium chloride.

Two different heavy chains are found in smooth muscle myosin

Two putative myosin heavy chains designated SM1 and SM2 were detected on a 3.5% polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis system loaded with homogenates of several mammalian smooth muscles. The two polypeptides were present in nearly equal amounts in all smooth muscle tissues tested and in myosin purified from swine carotid media and stomach. Both proteins were equally stained by smooth muscle-specific myosin antibodies. The smaller of the polypeptides had a mobility nearly identical to that of the single heavy chain observed in purified fast-twitch skeletal myosin. Electrophoresis of pyrophosphate extracts from swine carotid media, swine stomach, rabbit thoracic aorta, and guinea pig taenia coli on nondenaturing pyrophosphate gels revealed a single protein band. When subsequently electrophoresed on a sodium dodecyl sulfate gel, the native bands from swine tissue extracts revealed the two putative heavy chains in nearly equal amounts, as well as a large amount of a higher molecular weight peptide whose properties reflect those of filamen. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel analysis of the myosin band from pyrophosphate gels of purified swine stomach myosin showed exclusively the two heavy chains in a nearly 1:1 ratio. Smooth muscle myosin migrates homogeneously on pyrophosphate gels, and the virtual equality of the two heavy chains may reflect the presence of large amounts of a myosin isoenzyme, which is a heavy-chain heterodimer.

Absence of the alpha and gamma subunits of 7S nerve growth factor in denervated rodent iris: immunocytochemical studies

Immunocytochemical studies were performed to determine if denervated rodent iris produces nerve growth factor (NGF) in a form chemically similar to that of the 7S NGF complex in mouse submandibular glands. Antisera to the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of 7S NGF were raised in rabbits and characterized on immunoblots of SDS-containing polyacrylamide gels. Antisera were applied to stretch preparations of rat and mouse irides that were cultured for periods of 2 to 6 days or sympathetically denervated by superior cervical ganglionectomy and left in situ 4 days. Antibody binding was visualized by indirect immunofluorescence. In control studies done on plastic sections of mouse submandibular glands, antisera co-localized the three subunits of 7S NGF within secretory granules of granular tubule cells. In denervated rat iris, beta NGF immunoreactivity was evident in a cellular plexus that resembled in distribution and morphology nerve fibers in the normal iris, in agreement with a previous study (R.A. Rush (1984). Nature (London) 312, 364-367). Identical staining patterns were observed in mouse iris. In neither rat or mouse, however, did the nerve-like processes stain with antibodies suggests that the NGF-like protein in denervated rodent iris is not synthesized as part of the 7S NGF complex. Iris also did not react with antibodies to epidermal growth factor, a protein co-localized with NGF in mouse submandibular glands and in guinea pig prostate.

Steroids and triiodothyronine reduce nerve growth factor concentrations in medium conditioned by L-929 fibroblasts

Thyroid hormone, testosterone, and glucocorticoids stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) in mouse submandibular glands, but little is known about the influences of these hormones on other sources of NGF. In this study we tested the effects of thyroid hormone and steroids on NGF levels in medium conditioned by L-929 fibroblasts (L-cells), a mouse cell line that secretes NGF in culture. NGF concentrations in conditioned medium were measured by RIA and were normalized for cell number. In the absence of hormones, NGF levels in medium averaged 5.57 ng/ml. T3, cortisone, and aldosterone decreased NGF levels below the sensitivity of the RIA (less than 0.37 ng/ml), with respective ID50 values of 1 X 10(-5), 1 X 10(-8), and 5 X 10(-8) M. Testosterone decreased NGF levels by 66%, with an ID50 of 9 X 10(-9) M, and 17 beta-estradiol decreased it by up to 50%, although the hormone's effects had not plateaued at 10(-6) M. NGF concentrations were unaffected by progesterone at doses as high as 10(-6) M. Cell viability was unaffected by hormone treatment, and the total amount of secreted protein in medium decreased only in cultures treated with high doses of cortisone and aldosterone. Qualitatively similar results were obtained by bioassay; steroids markedly reduced, but did not eliminate, the nerve growth-promoting effects of L-cells on embryonic chick dorsal root ganglia in cocultures. These data indicate that hormones that stimulate NGF production in salivary glands inhibit NGF production by L-cells in culture.

Comparison of 7S nerve growth factor and nerve growth factor I from mouse submandibular glands

7S nerve growth factor (7S NGF) and nerve growth factor I (NGFI) are NGF-containing protein complexes isolated from mouse submandibular glands by different protocols, and reports suggest that the molecules differ chemically. In this study, we compared the molecular properties and subunit compositions of the two proteins. Purified 7S NGF and NGFI electrophoresed to identical positions on polyacrylamide gels in nondissociating buffers, with electrophoretic mobilities indistinguishable from that of unpurified NGF in salivary gland extracts. Ultraviolet absorption curves were identical, and sedimentation coefficients were similar (7.3 +/- 0.25 S for 7S NGF; 7.2 +/- 0.2 S for NGFI) as determined by sedimentation velocity analysis. By sedimentation equilibrium analysis, molecular weights of 135 000-140 000 were obtained for both complexes at protein concentrations in the centrifuge cell greater than 85 micrograms/mL; when protein concentrations within the centrifuge cell ranged from approximately 30 to 100 micrograms/mL at equilibrium, both complexes dissociated. Molecular weight values determined by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P300 and Sephadex G200 resins were similar for both proteins, and the values determined on Sephadex agreed with those obtained by ultracentrifugation. The subunit compositions of the complexes were also similar as determined by nonequilibrium isoelectric focusing, NGFI being composed of proteins that migrated to positions identical with those of the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of 7S NGF. Furthermore, the stoichiometry of the subunits was similar in the two complexes as determined by radioimmunoassays to each of the subunits and by densitometric analysis of electrophoretic gels. Both methods showed that the complexes contain approximately 2 mol of the alpha and gamma subunits per mole of beta-NGF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cellular and subcellular colocalization of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor in mouse submandibular glands

Immunocytochemical methods have been used to compare the cellular and subcellular distribution of nerve growth factor (NGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in mouse submandibular glands. Rabbit antisera raised against purified proteins were characterized by immunoblot methods and were used to stain sections of salivary glands embedded in plastic. For light microscopy, antibodies were visualized by indirect immunofluorescence. For electron microscopy, thin sections were treated simultaneously with IgG against NGF and EGF coupled to colloidal gold particles of different size. Data indicate that NGF and EGF are present in all granular convoluted tubule cells and in no other cell type within the salivary gland. Ultrastructural analyses indicate that NGF and EGF are evenly distributed together within mature secretory granules, although a population of small granules was identified that is not immunoreactive for either protein. Taken together, the data suggest that granular convoluted tubule cells are homogeneous in the production and storage of NGF and EGF.

Velocity and myosin phosphorylation transients in arterial smooth muscle: effects of agonist diffusion

Transients in myoplasmic [Ca2+] and in phosphorylation of the 20,000 dalton light chain of myosin have been reported following stimulation of vascular smooth muscle by various agonists. Since these transients are rapid compared with the time required to attain a steady-state stress, agonist diffusion rates may be a significant limitation in activation. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of agonist diffusion rates on the time course of activation as assessed by mechanical measurements of stress development and isotonic shortening velocities and by determinations of the time course of myosin phosphorylation. The approach was to measure these parameters in K+ -stimulated preparations of the swine carotid media of varying thicknesses and to estimate the theoretical contributions imposed by diffusion rates and the presence of a diffusion boundary layer surrounding the tissue. The results show that the time course of parameters which are tissue averages such as stiffness, active stress, and myosin phosphorylation is dominated by agonist diffusion rates. The sequence of events involved in excitation-contraction coupling including agonist actions on the cell membrane, Ca2+ release, activation of myosin light chain kinase, and cross-bridge phosphorylation appear to be very rapid events compared with stress development. Estimates of unloaded or lightly loaded shortening velocities which are not simple tissue averages appear to provide an improved estimate of activation rates.

Myosin phosphorylation and contraction of feline esophageal smooth muscle

We tested the hypothesis that phosphorylation of the 20,000-Da light chain of myosin (LC 20) is related to mechanical activation of esophageal smooth muscle. Circular muscle layer strips of cat esophagus were taken from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the distal esophageal body (EB). The LES strips developed tone spontaneously, and the EB strips were tonically contracted with carbachol. Both tissues relaxed in response to electrical-field stimulation. Phosphorylation of the LC 20 was determined in tissues quick-frozen during relaxation and during stress redevelopment after cessation of field stimulation. Stress and phosphorylation levels were low after 30 s of field stimulation, and a rapid contraction followed field stimulation. Phosphorylation in the LES increased from 0.043 +/- 0.029 to 0.328 +/- 0.043 mol Pi/mol LC 20 within 10 s after stimulation of the inhibitory nerves was terminated, while stress was still rising rapidly. Phosphorylation in the LES then declined to a steady-state value of 0.162 +/- 0.034 mol Pi/mol LC 20 after 10 min. Isotonic shortening velocities at a constant afterload following a quick release showed changes with time that were proportional to the level of phosphorylation. This was also true for values of maximal shortening velocity estimated for zero external load and for the rate of stress redevelopment after a step shortening. Comparable measurements were made in the carbachol-contracted EB. These results indicate that visceral smooth muscles, which normally function tonically (LES) or phasically (EB), exhibit an initial rapid mechanical activation associated with myosin phosphorylation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alterations in the pituitary-thyroid axis and 5'-deiodinase activity in mice with muscular dystrophy

Mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy have reduced levels of serum T3. To determine possible causes of T3 deficits, we evaluated pituitary thyrotroph ultrastructure by electron microscopy, thyroid gland morphology by light microscopy, and T4 to T3 conversion by measuring iodothyronine 5'-deiodinase activity. Differences were not evident between dystrophic and normal littermates in either the structure of pituitary thyrotrophs or thyroid tissues. Dystrophic mice, however, had only 50% the normal hepatic 5'-deiodinase activity. Cerebral 5'-deiodinase, which does not appear to contribute significantly to serum T3, was similar in normal and dystrophic mice. Submandibular gland concentrations of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor are reduced in dystrophic mice but can be increased by T4 treatment. To distinguish whether growth factor deficits are due to reductions in serum T3 or to deficiencies in T4 5'-deiodinase activity and subsequent T3 utilization within the salivary gland, we measured submandibular deiodinase activity. Gland homogenates were active in the deiodinase assay, but no differences were detected between normal and dystrophic mice. In order to evaluate tissue responses to reductions in circulating T4, we treated mice with methimazole. Structural analyses revealed that thyrotrophs in dystrophic mice were less stimulated than thyrotrophs in similarly treated normal littermates. Likewise, thyroid follicular cells appeared less active, and thyroid weights increased only 40-50% as much as in normals. Liver 5'-deiodinase activity decreased in both normal and dystrophic mice. Cerebral 5'-deiodinase activity increased more than 4-fold in normal females but only 2-fold in dystrophic females; 2- to 3-fold increases occurred in both normal and dystrophic males. In summary, the structure of pituitary and thyroid glands in dystrophic mice is similar to that of tissues from normal littermates, but hepatic conversion of T4 to T3 is reduced. When challenged by methimazole-induced reductions in serum T4, pituitary and cerebral tissues in dystrophic mice respond abnormally.

Alteration of amino acid metabolism in epileptogenic mice by elevation of brain pyridoxal phosphate

A single intraperitoneal injection of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) in a species of mouse, DBA/2J, that is normally susceptible to sound-induced convulsion exacerbated its epileptic condition. The effect of injection was most pronounced about 30 min after the administration and subsided gradually within the following 4 h. Correlated with this increased seizure susceptibility were enhanced levels of synaptosomal aspartate and glutamate, and a diminished gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level. The concentrations of nonneuroactive amino acids remained unchanged. When stimulated with veratrine, synaptosomes prepared from PLP-injected mice showed an increased release of aspartate and glutamate and a decreased release of GABA compared to those prepared from control mice. The activity of glutamate decarboxylase in the brains of PLP-treated mice was lowered, whereas the activity of GABA-transaminase was enhanced. Finally, the epileptic condition of DBA mice could be ameliorated by maintenance on a diet composed of vitamin B6-deficient feed and cellulose.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on acid secretion from guinea pig gastric mucosa: in vitro analysis

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been tested on guinea pig gastric mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers to investigate the suitability of using in vitro methods for examining EGF's effects on acid secretion. Epidermal growth factor reduced the rate of histamine-induced acid secretion to near basal levels when applied to the serosal gastric surface at nanomolar concentrations. Inhibitory effects were evident 10-15 min after EGF treatment and were maximal by 40 min. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-induced secretion was also reduced by EGF, although the effect occurred more slowly than in histamine-treated tissues. Epidermal growth factor increased transmucosal resistance in histamine-treated, but not cyclic adenosine monophosphate-treated mucosa; potential difference was unaffected. Nerve growth factor had no effect when tested in the in vitro system. The EGF binding protein was found to enhance slightly the inhibitory activity of EGF on acid secretion. When applied to the luminal (mucosal) gastric surface, EGF inhibited secretion marginally but only at micromolar concentrations. These results indicate that EGF acts directly upon cells within the gastric mucosa, and is most effective when applied to the serosal gastric surface. They further suggest that in vitro preparations of intact gastric mucosa can be used for analyzing the inhibitory effects of EGF on gastric acid secretion.

Actin and tropomyosin variants in smooth muscles. Dependence on tissue type

Actin was found to be the major source of myofibrillar protein heterogeneity in smooth muscles. Three isoelectric variants, alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-SM), beta-non-muscle (beta-NM), and gamma-actins (gamma-SM and gamma-NM) were measured in 15 different smooth muscles, alpha-SM and gamma-actin contents displayed an inverse relationship in a given smooth muscle, some of which contained primarily alpha-SM actin while gamma-actins dominated in others. alpha-SM actin and gamma-actin distributions were tissue-specific, independent of species. A greater proportion of alpha-SM actin appears to be associated with tissues having a high degree of tonic activity. beta-Nonmuscle actin was a significant, and relatively constant, component of all smooth muscle tissues. The high NM-actin content of these tissues may reflect the importance of proliferative, synthetic, or secretory activities in smooth muscle, because the alpha-SM actin disappeared in tissue culture with a time course paralleling the modulation of phenotype from a contractile to a proliferative cell. Two tropomyosin subunits were present in approximately equal amounts in all smooth muscle tissues studied. One tropomyosin subunit exhibited identical mobility on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, while the other was characterized by some species-specific variation which was unrelated to actin variant distribution. No variants of the 20,000-dalton regulatory light chain of myosin were observed. These results suggest that SM-specific actin variants are associated with functional diversity among smooth muscles.

Contamination of dental unit cooling water with oral microorganisms and its prevention

Each time the handpiece turbine is stopped while the bur is still in the patient's mouth, almost 1 ml of microbe-laden oral fluids may be aspirated into the average dental unit water line by the retraction valve present in the dental unit. This fluid may contain an average in excess of 54,000 microorganisms per milliliter, including both facultative and obligate anaerobic bacteria of medium to high virulence. Other infectious agents including hepatitis, herpes, influenza, and other upper respiratory viruses may also be present. This germ-laden water may then be sprayed into the mouth of the next patient, possibly initiating an oral or upper respiratory tract infection. Sterilizing the handpiece between appointments, although of great significance in the prevention of disease transmission, will not totally eliminate the problem discussed here as almost 95% of the oral fluid aspirated into the dental unit went past the handpiece and into the handpiece cooling water line. Complete elimination of the retraction valve in the unit is the most effective means of solving this problem, but, with present dental unit designs, this may result in water dripping onto the patient. A viable alternative is the installation of a check valve (anti-retraction valve) downstream from the retraction valve. Installation of a check valve resulted in an almost 4,000-fold decrease in this contamination. The attachment of a check valve will have no effect on normal less virulent bacteria already present in tap water. These bacteria colonize the water lines of the dental unit and are then continually shed into the water in numbers often as high as 1,000,000 CFU/ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of vascular smooth-muscle mechanisms using isolated segments of the vessel wall

Isolated segments of the blood vessel wall in the form of strips or rings offer advantages for the assessment of vascular smooth-muscle contractile function and its contribution to the properties of blood vessels. Several criteria must be met to obtain these advantages. These requirements are outlined in the context of an analytical framework based on the sliding filament/crossbridge model. The applicability of this model to smooth muscle is discussed, and the concept of a "functional unit" in the vascular wall is introduced. A functional unit is defined as all the smooth-muscle cells that are mechanically linked in series and bear equal stress. Several factors contribute to heterogeneity among functional units. The constraints imposed on the estimation of the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the smooth muscle are discussed. Various experimental strategies to minimize the effects of inhomogeneities in functional units can enhance the value of mechanical measurements.

Myosin phosphorylation and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by vasodilators

Recent evidence indicates that contraction of vascular smooth muscle may be regulated by two calcium-dependent mechanisms: activation of myosin kinase, and calcium binding to a second, unknown regulatory site. This hypothesis implies that vasodilators could modify vascular tone by several mechanisms, including inactivation of myosin kinase. Since relaxation of the carotid artery following agonist removal may occur when myosin phosphorylation is at resting levels, we could determine whether dephosphorylation of myosin is necessarily involved in the molecular mechanisms mediating relaxation in response to vasodilators. The relaxant effects of adenosine, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, forskolin, sodium nitroprusside, and 8-bromo-cGMP were tested under conditions where myosin phosphorylation was at basal levels (0.08 +/- 0.02 mol Pi/mol light chain). All of these agents increased the rate of relaxation in nonsteady state experiments where relaxation was induced by stimulus washout. Steady state dose-response curves were obtained for forskolin and 8-bromo-cGMP in the presence of basal myosin phosphorylation. Forskolin caused a dose-dependent increase in cAMP levels at a rate consistent with a cause and effect relationship between relaxation and total tissue cAMP content. Both drugs relaxed the muscles, with no detectable change in myosin phosphorylation. Therefore, dephosphorylation of myosin is not a necessary event in the molecular mechanism of several vasodilators, including some which presumably act via cyclic nucleotides.

Ca2+, cAMP, and changes in myosin phosphorylation during contraction of smooth muscle

Phosphorylation of myosin increases rapidly upon stimulation of an arterial smooth muscle. However, peak values are not maintained and phosphorylation declines, while active stress increases monotonically to a sustained steady state. The aim of this study was to determine the reason(s) for the transient change in myosin phosphorylation. Four hypotheses were considered: 1) reduced substrate, i.e., ATP depletion, 2) altered access of either the myosin kinase or phosphatase to the cross bridge, 3) reduced myosin kinase activity secondary to its phosphorylation by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase, and 4) reduced myoplasmic [Ca2+] during the contraction. Our results suggest that the most likely explanation is that there are two Ca2+-dependent regulatory processes: 1) myosin phosphorylation and 2) a second, unidentified site allowing stress maintenance with reduced cross-bridge cycling rates. A higher cell Ca2+ concentration appears to be necessary to activate myosin kinase and produce myosin phosphorylation than is needed for force maintenance. We suggest that agonist-induced Ca2+ transients, coupled with the differential Ca2+ sensitivity of the two regulatory systems, may explain the observed transient in myosin phosphorylation during a maintained contraction in smooth muscle.

Ca2+, myosin phosphorylation, and relaxation of arterial smooth muscle

Relaxation of tissues prepared from the swine carotid media following agonist (110 mM K+) washout was analyzed as a dual-exponential decay. The time course of the initial rapid phase (about 2 min) corresponded to myosin dephosphorylation and to the decay of the capacity to shorten isotonically. Because myosin was dephosphorylated to basal levels within 2 min, we hypothesize that the later, slow phase of relaxation (lasting up to 45 min) was due to a slow inactivation of nonphosphorylated cross bridges. Removing extracellular Ca2+ (0 mM CaCl2, 0.1 mM ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid) greatly enhanced the rate of the slow phase of relaxation, and raising extracellular CaCl2 to 5 mM slowed relaxation significantly. A slow rate of Ca2+ removal to a final concentration that maintains resting tone appears to produce the slow phase of relaxation. These results support hypotheses based on other studies of contracting muscles. There appear to be two populations of cross bridges interacting with the thin filament: 1) phosphorylated and capable of rapid cycling, and 2) dephosphorylated cross bridges that can maintain stress. The latter reflect an unidentified regulatory mechanism, which appears to have a high sensitivity for Ca2+.

Calcium-dependent stress maintenance without myosin phosphorylation in skinned smooth muscle

Stress development depended on calcium-stimulated myosin phosphorylation in an arterial smooth muscle preparation in which the concentration of calcium was controlled. However, developed stress was maintained at a concentration of calcium that did not support phosphorylation. These results, in conjunction with other evidence, suggest that the interaction of two regulatory mechanisms with different calcium sensitivities regulate both stress and the rate and energetics of contraction.

Control of tone in vascular smooth muscle

Total peripheral resistance and regional blood flow are determined by the contractile activity of vascular smooth muscle cells. The control systems that determine the activity of arterial smooth muscle are described. The interactions among control systems that underlie the remarkable diversity in the responses of blood vessels are emphasized to illustrate how various classes of drugs mediate clinically important effects.