The Ca2+-pumping ATPase and the major substrates of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase in smooth muscle sarcolemma are distinct entities

Ion channels as effectors of cyclic nucleotide pathways: Functional relevance for arterial tone regulation

Numerous mediators and drugs regulate blood flow or arterial pressure by acting on vascular tone, involving cyclic nucleotide intracellular pathways. These signals lead to regulation of several cellular effectors, including ion channels that tune cell membrane potential, Ca²⁺ influx and vascular tone. The characterization of these vasocontrictive or vasodilating mechanisms has grown in complexity due to i) the variety of ion channels that are expressed in both vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, ii) the heterogeneity of responses among the various vascular beds, and iii) the number of molecular mechanisms involved in cyclic nucleotide signalling in health and disease. This review synthesizes key data from literature that highlight ion channels as physiologically relevant effectors of cyclic nucleotide pathways in the vasculature, including the characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved. In smooth muscle cells, cation influx or chloride efflux through ion channels are associated with vasoconstriction, whereas K⁺ efflux repolarizes the cell membrane potential and mediates vasodilatation. Both categories of ion currents are under the influence of cAMP and cGMP pathways. Evidence that some ion channels are influenced by CN signalling in endothelial cells will also be presented. Emphasis will also be put on recent data touching a variety of determinants such as phosphodiesterases, EPAC and kinase anchoring, that complicate or even challenge former paradigms.

Atrial natriuretic peptide attenuates elevations in Ca2+ and protects hepatocytes by stimulating net plasma membrane Ca2+ efflux

Elevations in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and calpain activity are common early events in cellular injury, including that of hepatocytes. Atrial natriuretic peptide is a circulating hormone that has been shown to be hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on potentially harmful elevations in cytosolic free Ca(2+) and calpain activity induced by extracellular ATP in rat hepatocytes. We show that atrial natriuretic peptide, through protein kinase G, attenuated both the amplitude and duration of ATP-induced cytosolic Ca(2+) rises in single hepatocytes. Atrial natriuretic peptide also prevented stimulation of calpain activity by ATP, taurolithocholate, or Ca(2+) mobilization by thapsigargin and ionomycin. We therefore investigated the cellular Ca(2+) handling mechanisms through which ANP attenuates this sustained elevation in cytosolic Ca(2+). We show that atrial natriuretic peptide does not modulate the release from or re-uptake of Ca(2+) into intracellular stores but, through protein kinase G, both stimulates plasma membrane Ca(2+) efflux from and inhibits ATP-stimulated Ca(2+) influx into hepatocytes. These findings suggest that stimulation of net plasma membrane Ca(2+) efflux (to which both Ca(2+) efflux stimulation and Ca(2+) influx inhibition contribute) is the key process through which atrial natriuretic peptide attenuates elevations in cytosolic Ca(2+) and calpain activity. Moreover we propose that plasma membrane Ca(2+) efflux is a valuable, previously undiscovered, mechanism through which atrial natriuretic peptide protects rat hepatocytes, and perhaps other cell types, against Ca(2+)-dependent injury.

Regulation of intracellular calcium by a signalling complex of IRAG, IP3 receptor and cGMP kinase Ibeta

Calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum controls a number of cellular processes, including proliferation and contraction of smooth muscle and other cells. Calcium release from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive stores is negatively regulated by binding of calmodulin to the IP3 receptor (IP3R) and the NO/cGMP/cGMP kinase I (cGKI) signalling pathway. Activation of cGKI decreases IP3-stimulated elevations in intracellular calcium, induces smooth muscle relaxation and contributes to the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of NO/cGMP. Here we show that, in microsomal smooth muscle membranes, cGKIbeta phosphorylated the IP3R and cGKIbeta, and a protein of relative molecular mass 125,000 which we now identify as the IP3R-associated cGMP kinase substrate (IRAG). These proteins were co-immunoprecipitated by antibodies directed against cGKI, IP3R or IRAG. IRAG was found in many tissues including aorta, trachea and uterus, and was localized perinuclearly after heterologous expression in COS-7 cells. Bradykinin-stimulated calcium release was not affected by the expression of either IRAG or cGKIbeta, which we tested in the absence and presence of cGMP. However, calcium release was inhibited after co-expression of IRAG and cGKIbeta in the presence of cGMP. These results identify IRAG as an essential NO/cGKI-dependent regulator of IP3-induced calcium release.

Functional roles of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate analogue in cerebral vasodilation

1. Vasodilating effects of cyclic nucleotides in cerebral vasculature were examined using membrane permeable cyclic nucleotide analogues, 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP). 2. In isolated canine basilar artery (CBA), 8-Br-cGMP but not 8-Br-cAMP, significantly inhibited Ca(2+)-induced and agonist [serotonin(5-HT), prostaglandin(PG)F2 alpha or endothelin]-induced contraction, in a concentration-dependent manner. 3. When Ca2+ was depleted from intracellular store sites by pretreatment with A23187, 8-Br-cGMP but not 8-Br-cAMP strongly attenuated contractions induced by Ca(2+)-influx. 4. Neither 8-Br-cGMP nor 8-Br-cAMP modified contraction induced by caffeine which elicits Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ store. 5. 8-Br-cGMP lowered the high K(+)-induced sustained [Ca2+]i elevation. 6. These results suggest that, at least in CBA, cGMP exerts its inhibitory effect on the contraction induced by influx of Ca2+, by reducing the level of [Ca2+]i and reducing [Ca2+]i sensitivity of the contractile machinery.

Calcium ion homeostasis in smooth muscle

Ca2+ plays an important role in the regulation of smooth-muscle contraction. In this review, we will focus on the various Ca(2+)-transport processes that contribute to the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Mainly the functional aspects will be covered. The smooth-muscle inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor and ryanodine receptor will be extensively discussed. Smooth-muscle contraction also depends on extracellular Ca2+ and both voltage- and Ca(2+)-release-activated plasma-membrane Ca2+ channels will be reviewed. We will finally discuss some functional properties of the Ca2+ pumps that remove Ca2+ from the cytoplasm and of the Ca2+ regulation of the nucleus.

The Ca(2+)-transport ATPases from the plasma membrane

The initial studies on the plasma membrane (PM) Ca(2+)-transport ATPases were made in the erythrocyte, a structure that can not be taken as representing a typical eukaryotic cell. In other cell types however, the study of the PM Ca(2+)-transport ATPase is complicated by the simultaneous expression of related Ca(2+)-pumps in intracellular stores. Whereas there are as yet no known specific inhibitors for the PM Ca(2+)-transport ATPase, a number of selective inhibitors for the endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ pumps have been described: thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid and 2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone. With the recent introduction of the molecular biological approach, it became quickly obvious that a family of at least 5 different PM Ca(2+)-transport ATPase genes govern the tissue-dependent expression of PM Ca2+ pumps. Moreover alternative splicing of the primary gene transcripts was found to further enhance the number of pump variants. The PM Ca(2+)-transport ATPase are subject to modulatory control by calmodulin, by acidic phospholipids, and by the known families of protein kinases. Each of the ensuing effects are mutually related and interdependent. The wide variety PM Ca2+ pump isoforms and their regulation by such an intricate modulatory network allows the distinct tissues to adapt most adequately to the prevailing tissue and stimulus specific requirements.

BY-1949 elicits vasodilation via preferential elevation of cyclic GMP levels within the cerebral artery: possible involvement of endothelium-mediated mechanisms

The pharmacological mechanisms by which BY-1949, a novel dibenzoxazepine derivative, increases in regional cerebral blood flow, were investigated using the canine basilar artery in vitro. BY-1949 inhibited contractions elicited by serotonin (5-HT), prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha, endothelin and phorbol-12,13-diacetate (PDA), respectively, to the same extent. In addition, pretreatment of the artery with methylene blue significantly suppressed the vasodilating effect of BY-1949. BY-1949 also dose dependently suppressed contractions of the basilar artery induced by CaCl2 (Ca2+) in a non-competitive manner. Biochemical studies disclosed that BY-1949 significantly increased cyclic GMP without causing any apparent change in cyclic AMP. These increases in cyclic GMP were virtually abolished after the endothelial cells were removed. These results strongly suggest that the increased regional cerebral blood flow induced by BY-1949 is explicable, at least partly, in terms of a preferential elevation of cyclic GMP within the cerebral vasculature, where the endothelium plays a pivotal role.

Ca(2+)-independent change in phosphorylation of the myosin light chain during relaxation of ferret aorta by vasodilators

1. The effects of the vasodilators atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and forskolin were determined on isometric force, intracellular ionized Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) as indicated by aequorin, and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in ferret aorta. 2. Atrial natriuretic peptide (10(-7) M) inhibited intrinsic tone with an associated significant decrease in [Ca2+]i. ANP also inhibited the contraction induced by KCl with a significant decrease in [Ca2+]i. MLC phosphorylation induced by KCl was inhibited by ANP. 3. Forskolin (10(-6) M) decreased the intrinsic tone without significantly decreasing [Ca2+]i, although MLC phosphorylation was significantly decreased. 4. A calcium-force curve was constructed by plotting the calibrated aequorin light signal against the resulting force. The control (potassium-generated) calcium-force curve was not shifted by ANP, but was significantly shifted to the right by forskolin. Forskolin also shifted the phosphorylation-calcium curve to the right without changing the phosphorylation-force curve. 5. We conclude that the vasodilatory effect of ANP on vascular smooth muscle is mainly due to a decrease in [Ca2+]i. On the other hand, the effect of forskolin is via both a decrease in [Ca2+]i and a change in the Ca2+ requirement for MLC phosphorylation.

Ca2+ extrusion across plasma membrane and Ca2+ uptake by intracellular stores

The aim of this review is to summarize the various systems that remove Ca2+ from the cytoplasm. We will initially focus on the Ca2+ pump and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of the plasma membrane. We will review the functional regulation of these systems and the recent progress obtained with molecular-biology techniques, which pointed to the existence of different isoforms of the Ca2+ pump. The Ca2+ pumps of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum will be discussed next, by summarizing the discoveries obtained with molecular-biology techniques, and by reviewing the physiological regulation of these proteins. We will finally briefly review the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-uptake mechanism.

The smooth muscle 132 kDa cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase substrate is not myosin light chain kinase or caldesmon

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) stimulates the phosphorylation of three cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase substrate proteins of 225, 132, and 11 kDa (P225, P132 and P11 respectively) in the particulate fraction of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells [Sarcevic, Brookes, Martin, Kemp & Robinson (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 20648-20654]. Vrolix, Raeymaekers, Wuytack, Hofmann & Casteels [(1988) Biochem. J. 255, 855-863] have reported the presence of a 130 kDa cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase substrate protein in the membrane fraction of pig aorta or stomach, and suggested that it may be myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). The aim of the present study was to determine whether P132 from rat aorta was MLCK or caldesmon. Although P132 co-migrates with purified chicken gizzard MLCK on SDS/polyacrylamide gels, it is distinct from rat aortic MLCK. Partially purified MLCK from rat aorta migrated as a 145 kDa protein on SDS/polyacrylamide gels. Immunoblotting the partially purified rat aortic MLCK with antibody to bovine tracheal MLCK identified rat aortic MLCK (145 kDa) and a corresponding 145 kDa protein in the particulate fraction of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells, but did not detect the 132 kDa protein. Phosphopeptide maps of purified rat aortic MLCK prepared by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease were distinct from those of P132. P132 was not caldesmon, since antibodies to caldesmon cross-reacted with 136 and 76 kDa proteins in the particulate fraction of rat aortic cells, but not with P132. Furthermore, caldesmon was partially extracted from the particulate into the soluble fraction by heating at 90 degrees C, whereas P132 was not. These results demonstrate that the ANP-responsive cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase substrate of 132 kDa from rat aortic smooth muscle cells is not MLCK or caldesmon.

Atrial natriuretic peptide reduces the basal level of cytosolic free Ca2+ in guinea pig cardiac myocytes

The cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored in quiescent atrial and ventricular myocytes isolated from guinea-pig hearts by the fura-2 fluorescence ratio technique. Recombinant human atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was found to reduce their basal [Ca2+]i level in a dose-dependent manner. Dibutyryl-cGMP mimicked the effect of ANP. Neither the prior application of caffeine nor removal of extracellular Na+ impaired the ANP effect. ANP had no inhibitory effect on voltage-gated Ca2+ currents measured by a whole-cell patch clamp technique. The ANP-induced [Ca2+]i decrease was abolished by orthovanadate. Thus, it is concluded that ANP reduces the basal [Ca2+]i presumably through the cGMP-mediated activation of the plasma membrane Ca2(+)-pump in cardiac myocytes.

Cyclic AMP and mechanisms of vasodilation

Cyclic AMP and the mechanism of vasodilation have been reviewed by first discussing the enzymes involved (adenyl cyclase, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase) and then agents that increase cAMP in smooth muscle. Two mechanisms of vasodilation are described: (i) effects on contractile proteins; (ii) effects on Ca2+ levels. Evidence for compartments of cAMP is also presented.

Decreased cardiac concentration of cGMP kinase in hypertensive animals. An index for cardiac vascularization?

Cyclic GMP (cGMP) kinase is intimately involved in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone. Its tissue concentration was determined in normotensive and hypertensive rats by use of monospecific anti-cGMP kinase antibodies. Hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats and renovascular (Goldblatt II) hypertensive rats contained half the concentration of cGMP kinase than those of the respective normotensive animals. The increase in blood pressure and the resulting left ventricular hypertrophy were correlated inversely with the left ventricular cGMP kinase concentration. This decrease was specific for the left ventricle and was not observed in other tissues. In addition, the cardiac concentration of cGMP kinase was unchanged in hyperthyroid animals that had comparable left ventricular hypertrophy and mild hypertension. This suggested that in severe renovascular hypertension the decrease in cardiac cGMP kinase concentration is caused by a relative lack of cardiac vessel growth during the development of hypertrophy. In agreement with this conclusion, immunohistochemistry of cardiac cross sections showed that cGMP kinase was exclusively located in cardiac vessels. In support of this localization, the maximal arterial blood flow of heart, liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney correlated excellently with the cGMP kinase content of the respective organ. These results suggest that the cGMP kinase concentration of nonsmooth muscle tissues depends on the amount of organ-specific vascular smooth muscle and may be used as an index for the vascularization of these organs.

Atrial natriuretic peptide protects hepatocytes against damage induced by hypoxia and reactive oxygen. Possible role of intracellular free ionized calcium

Elevated concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide reportedly mitigate acute renal failure in vivo and in the isolated perfused kidney (M. Nakamoto, J.I. Shapiro, P.F. Shanley, L. Chan & R.W. Shrier (1987) J. Clin. Invest. 80, 698-705; S.G. Shaw, J. Weidmann, J. Hodler, A. Zimmermann & A. Paternostro (1987) J. Clin. Invest. 80, 1232-1237). Since atrial natriuretic peptide has been shown to be a potent vasodilator, this beneficial effect may be due entirely to improved haemodynamics. To determine whether atrial natriuretic peptide also has a protective effect at the cellular level, rat hepatocyte cell cultures were treated with atrial natriuretic peptide prior to or after induction of cell damage by hypoxia (0.5% O2 for 4 h) or reactive oxygen (hypochlorous acid). Bleb formation, degradation of radiolabeled trichloroacetic acid-precipitable peptides, release of lactate dehydrogenase and trypan blue exclusion were used as indicators of cell damage. Atrial natriuretic peptide treatment distinctly protected the cell cultures against damage in both cases. This beneficial effect of atrial natriuretic peptide was partly mimicked by sodium nitroprusside, which, like atrial natriuretic peptide, largely increased the cellular cGMP content. 6-Anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (Ly 83583), an inhibitor of particulate guanylate cyclase, blocked the protective effect of atrial natriuretic peptide. Therefore a cGMP-mediated mechanism seems to be involved in the cytoprotective action of atrial natriuretic peptide. Fluorometric measurements using the Ca2+-sensitive dye Quin-2 showed that the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ after cellular insult by hypochlorous acid is prevented by atrial natriuretic peptide. These results suggest that atrial natriuretic peptide may attenuate hypoxic and toxic cell damage by increasing cGMP and reducing intracellular Ca2+.

Phospholamban is a good substrate for cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in vitro, but not in intact cardiac or smooth muscle

1. Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylates purified phospholamban. It also phosphorylates phospholamban present in vesicles of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum and smooth muscle microsomal fractions, and in transformants of Escherichia coli which contain a plasmid into which a gene encoding phospholamban has been inserted. 2. In vitro the phospholamban present in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes is a better substrate for cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase than for cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. 3. Studies using [32P]Pi to label the cellular ATP in intact cardiac or smooth muscle failed to demonstrate that phosphorylation of phospholamban occurs in response to stimuli which increase intracellular cyclic GMP. Possible reasons for this functional separation between increased cyclic GMP and phosphorylation of phospholamban are discussed.