Actin cytoskeletal dynamics in smooth muscle contraction

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 851-856 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T Gerthoffer
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Contractile Element ◽  
Muscle Plasticity ◽  
Wide Range

Smooth muscles develop isometric force over a very wide range of cell lengths. The molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are undefined, but are described as reflecting "mechanical plasticity" of smooth muscle cells. Plasticity is defined here as a persistent change in cell structure or function in response to a change in the environment. Important environmental stimuli that trigger muscle plasticity include chemical (e.g., neurotransmitters, autacoids, and cytokines) and external mechanical signals (e.g., applied stress and strain). Both kinds of signals are probably transduced by ionic and protein kinase signaling cascades to alter gene expression patterns and changes in the cytoskeleton and contractile system. Defining the signaling mechanisms and effector proteins mediating phenotypic and mechanical plasticity of smooth muscles is a major goal in muscle cell biology. Some of the signaling cascades likely to be important include calcium-dependent protein kinases, small GTPases (Rho, Rac, cdc42), Rho kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), Src family tyrosine kinases, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and p21 activated protein kinases (PAK). There are many potential targets for these signaling cascades including nuclear processes, metabolic pathways, and structural components of the cytoskeleton. There is growing appreciation of the dynamic nature of the actin cytoskeleton in smooth muscles and the necessity for actin remodeling to occur during contraction. The actin cytoskeleton serves many functions that are probably critical for muscle plasticity including generation and transmission of force vectors, determination of cell shape, and assembly of signal transduction machinery. Evidence is presented showing that actin filaments are dynamic and that actin-associated proteins comprising the contractile element and actin attachment sites are necessary for smooth muscle contraction.Key words: integrin, muscle mechanics, paxillin, Rho, HSP27.

Ca2+-independent contraction of longitudinal ileal smooth muscle is potentiated by a zipper-interacting protein kinase pseudosubstrate peptide

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. G361-G370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eikichi Ihara ◽  
Lori Moffat ◽  
Meredith A. Borman ◽  
Jennifer E. Amon ◽  
Michael P. Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Myosin Phosphatase ◽  
Interacting Protein ◽  
Zipper Interacting Protein Kinase

As a regulator of smooth muscle contraction, zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) can directly phosphorylate the myosin regulatory light chains (LC20) and produce contractile force. Synthetic peptides (SM-1 and AV25) derived from the autoinhibitory region of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase can inhibit ZIPK activity in vitro. Paradoxically, treatment of Triton-skinned ileal smooth muscle strips with AV25, but not SM-1, potentiated Ca2+-independent, microcystin- and ZIPK-induced contractions. The AV25-induced potentiation was limited to ileal and colonic smooth muscles and was not observed in rat caudal artery. Thus the potentiation of Ca2+-independent contractions by AV25 appeared to be mediated by a mechanism unique to intestinal smooth muscle. AV25 treatment elicited increased phosphorylation of LC20 (both Ser-19 and Thr-18) and myosin phosphatase-targeting subunit (MYPT1, inhibitory Thr-697 site), suggesting involvement of a Ca2+-independent LC20 kinase with coincident inhibition of myosin phosphatase. The phosphorylation of the inhibitor of myosin phosphatase, CPI-17, was not affected. The AV25-induced potentiation was abolished by pretreatment with staurosporine, a broad-specificity kinase inhibitor, but specific inhibitors of Rho-associated kinase, PKC, and MAPK pathways had no effect. When a dominant-negative ZIPK [kinase-dead ZIPK(1–320)-D161A] was added to skinned ileal smooth muscle, the potentiation of microcystin-induced contraction by AV25 was blocked. Furthermore, pretreatment of skinned ileal muscle with SM-1 abolished AV25-induced potentiation. We conclude, therefore, that, even though AV25 is an in vitro inhibitor of ZIPK, activation of the ZIPK pathway occurs following application of AV25 to permeabilized ileal smooth muscle. Finally, we propose a mechanism whereby conformational changes in the pseudosubstrate region of ZIPK permit augmentation of ZIPK activity toward LC20 and MYPT1 in situ. AV25 or molecules based on its structure could be used in therapeutic situations to induce contractility in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract associated with hypomotility.

Effect of NO donors on protein phosphorylation in intact vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles

2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (4) ◽  
pp. H1565-H1580 ◽  
Author(s):  
James K. Hennan ◽  
Jack Diamond
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Phosphorylation ◽  
Vas Deferens ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Rat Aorta ◽  
Rat Vas Deferens ◽  
Two Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Relaxant Response ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

It is generally well accepted that nitrovasodilator-induced relaxation of vascular smooth muscle involves elevation of cGMP and activation of a specific cGMP-dependent protein kinase [protein kinase G (PKG)]. However, the protein targets of PKG and the underlying mechanisms by which this kinase leads to a relaxant response have not been elucidated. Several types of smooth muscle, including rat myometrium and vas deferens, are not relaxed by sodium nitroprusside, even at concentrations that produce marked elevation of cGMP and activation of PKG. The main objective of our studies was to compare PKG-mediated protein phosphorylation in intact rat aorta, rat myometrium, and rat vas deferens using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. In intact rat aorta, seven PKG substrates were detected during relaxation of the tissue. None of the PKG substrates identified in the rat aorta appeared to be phosphorylated in the myometrium or vas deferens after administration of various cGMP-elevating agents. Thus the failure of the rat myometrium and rat vas deferens to relax in the face of cGMP elevation and PKG activation may be due to a lack of PKG substrate phosphorylation.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation Sites in Protein Kinases and Phosphatases Regulated by Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 Signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3818
Author(s):  
Maria Carmela Annunziata ◽  
Melania Parisi ◽  
Gabriella Esposito ◽  
Gabriella Fabbrocini ◽  
Rosario Ammendola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Formyl Peptide Receptor ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Formyl Peptides

FPR1, FPR2, and FPR3 are members of Formyl Peptides Receptors (FPRs) family belonging to the GPCR superfamily. FPR2 is a low affinity receptor for formyl peptides and it is considered the most promiscuous member of this family. Intracellular signaling cascades triggered by FPRs include the activation of different protein kinases and phosphatase, as well as tyrosine kinase receptors transactivation. Protein kinases and phosphatases act coordinately and any impairment of their activation or regulation represents one of the most common causes of several human diseases. Several phospho-sites has been identified in protein kinases and phosphatases, whose role may be to expand the repertoire of molecular mechanisms of regulation or may be necessary for fine-tuning of switch properties. We previously performed a phospho-proteomic analysis in FPR2-stimulated cells that revealed, among other things, not yet identified phospho-sites on six protein kinases and one protein phosphatase. Herein, we discuss on the selective phosphorylation of Serine/Threonine-protein kinase N2, Serine/Threonine-protein kinase PRP4 homolog, Serine/Threonine-protein kinase MARK2, Serine/Threonine-protein kinase PAK4, Serine/Threonine-protein kinase 10, Dual specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2, and Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 14A, triggered by FPR2 stimulation. We also describe the putative FPR2-dependent signaling cascades upstream to these specific phospho-sites.

scholarly journals Vanadium oxoanions and cAMP-dependent protein kinase: an anti-substrate inhibitor

1997 ◽  
Vol 321 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott PLUSKEY ◽  
Mohammad MAHROOF-TAHIR ◽  
Debbie C. CRANS ◽  
David S. LAWRENCE
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Competitive Inhibitor ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Phosphorylated Proteins ◽  
Camp Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Substrate Inhibitor

Vanadium oxoions have been shown to elicit a wide range of effects in biological systems, including an increase in the quantity of phosphorylated proteins. This response has been attributed to the inhibition of protein phosphatases, the indirect activation of protein kinases via stimulation of enzymes at early steps in signal transduction pathways and/or the direct activation of protein kinases. We have evaluated the latter possibility by exploring the effects of vanadate, decavanadate and vanadyl cation species on the activity of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), a serine/threonine kinase. Vanadate, in the form of monomer, dimer, tetramer and pentamer species, neither inhibits nor activates PKA. In marked contrast, decavanadate is a competitive inhibitor (Ki = 1.8ŷ0.1 mM) of kemptide (Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly), a peptide-based substrate. This inhibition pattern is especially surprising, since the negatively charged decavanadate would not be predicted to bind to the region of the active site of the enzyme that accommodates the positively charged kemptide substrate. Our studies suggest that decavanadate can associate with kemptide in solution, which would prevent kemptide from interacting with the enzyme. Vanadium(IV) also inhibits the PKA-catalysed phosphorylation of kemptide, but with an IC50 of 366ŷ10 ƁM. However, in this case V4+ appears to bind to the Mg2+-binding site, since it can substitute for Mg2+. In the absence of Mg2+, the optimal concentration of vanadium(IV) for the PKA-catalysed phosphorylation of kemptide is 100 ƁM, with concentrations above 100 ƁM being markedly inhibitory. However, even at the optimal 100 ƁM V4+ concentration, the Vmax and Km values (for kemptide) are significantly less favourable than those obtained in the presence of 100 ƁM Mg2+. In summary, we have found that oxovanadium ions can directly alter the activity of the serine/threonine-specific PKA.

Rho GTPase signaling modulates cell shape and contractile phenotype in an isoactin-specific manner

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (5) ◽  
pp. C1116-C1121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey Y. Kolyada ◽  
Kathleen N. Riley ◽  
Ira M. Herman
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Vascular Smooth Muscle ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Rho Gtpase ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Protein Isoforms ◽  
Stress Fibers ◽  
Contractile Phenotype ◽  
Specific Manner

Rho family small GTPases (Rho, Rac, and Cdc42) play an important role in cell motility, adhesion, and cell division by signaling reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Here, we report an isoactin-specific, Rho GTPase-dependent signaling cascade in cells simultaneously expressing smooth muscle and nonmuscle actin isoforms. We transfected primary cultures of microvascular pericytes, cells related to vascular smooth muscle cells, with various Rho-related and Rho-specific expression plasmids. Overexpression of dominant positive Rho resulted in the formation of nonmuscle actin-containing stress fibers. At the same time, α-vascular smooth muscle actin (αVSMactin) containing stress fibers were disassembled, resulting in a dramatic reduction in cell size. Rho activation also yielded a disassembly of smooth muscle myosin and nonmuscle myosin from stress fibers. Overexpression of wild-type Rho had similar but less dramatic effects. In contrast, dominant negative Rho and C3 exotransferase or dominant positive Rac and Cdc42 expression failed to alter the actin cytoskeleton in an isoform-specific manner. The loss of smooth muscle contractile protein isoforms in pericyte stress fibers, together with a concomitant decrease in cell size, suggests that Rho activation influences “contractile” phenotype in an isoactin-specific manner. This, in turn, should yield significant alteration in microvascular remodeling during developmental and pathologic angiogenesis.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation and Activation of Heart 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase by Protein Kinase B and Other Protein Kinases of the Insulin Signaling Cascades

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (28) ◽  
pp. 17269-17275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Deprez ◽  
Didier Vertommen ◽  
Dario R. Alessi ◽  
Louis Hue ◽  
Mark H. Rider
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Protein Kinase B ◽  
Signaling Cascades

scholarly journals The RhoGEF Trio: A Protein with a Wide Range of Functions in the Vascular Endothelium

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (18) ◽  
pp. 10168
Author(s):  
Lanette Kempers ◽  
Amber J. M. Driessen ◽  
Jos van Rijssel ◽  
Martijn A. Nolte ◽  
Jaap D. van Buul
Keyword(s):  
Actin Cytoskeleton ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Small Gtpases ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Endothelial Cell Function ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Guanine Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange Factors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions

Many cellular processes are controlled by small GTPases, which can be activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). The RhoGEF Trio contains two GEF domains that differentially activate the small GTPases such as Rac1/RhoG and RhoA. These small RhoGTPases are mainly involved in the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. In the endothelium, they regulate junctional stabilization and play a crucial role in angiogenesis and endothelial barrier integrity. Multiple extracellular signals originating from different vascular processes can influence the activity of Trio and thereby the regulation of the forementioned small GTPases and actin cytoskeleton. This review elucidates how various signals regulate Trio in a distinct manner, resulting in different functional outcomes that are crucial for endothelial cell function in response to inflammation.

scholarly journals Mediation of the Cardioprotective Effects of Mannitol Discovered, with Refutation of Common Protein Kinases

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12471
Author(s):  
Carolin Torregroza ◽  
Chiara O. Glashoerster ◽  
Katharina Feige ◽  
Martin Stroethoff ◽  
Annika Raupach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Infarct Size ◽  
Reperfusion Injury ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Myocardial Protection ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Cardioprotective Effects

The osmodiuretic agent Mannitol exerts cardioprotection against ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury when applied as a pre- and/or postconditioning stimulus. Previously, we demonstrated that these properties are mediated via the activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mKATP) channels. However, considering Mannitol remains in the extracellular compartment, the question arises as to which receptor and intracellular signaling cascades are involved in myocardial protection by the osmodiuretic substance. Protein kinase B (Akt) and G (PKG), as part of the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) and/or endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS)/PKG pathway, are two well-investigated intracellular targets conferring myocardial protection upstream of mitochondrial potassium channels. Adenosine receptor subtypes have been shown to trigger different cardioprotective pathways, for example, the reperfusion injury. Further, Mannitol induces an increased activation of the adenosine 1 receptor (A1R) in renal cells conferring its nephroprotective properties. Therefore, we investigated whether (1) Akt and PKG are possible signaling targets involved in Mannitol-induced conditioning upstream of the mKATP channel and/or whether (2) cardioprotection by Mannitol is mediated via activation of the A1R. All experiments were performed on male Wistar rats in vitro employing the Langendorff isolated heart perfusion technique with infarct size determination as the primary endpoint. To unravel possible protein kinase activation, Mannitol was applied in combination with the Akt (MK2206) or PKG (KT5823) inhibitor. In further groups, an A1R blocker (DPCPX) was given with or without Mannitol. Preconditioning with Mannitol (Man) significantly reduced the infarct size compared to the control group. Co-administration of the A1R blocker DPXPC fully abolished myocardial protection of Mannitol. Interestingly and in contrast to the initial hypothesis, neither administration of the Akt nor the PKG blocker had any impact on the cardioprotective properties of Mannitol-induced preconditioning. These results are quite unexpected and show that the protein kinases Akt and PKG—as possible targets of known protective signaling cascades—are not involved in Mannitol-induced preconditioning. However, the cardioprotective effects of Mannitol are mediated via the A1R.

Myosin phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and regulation of airway smooth muscle contractility

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (2) ◽  
pp. L1-L14 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. de Lanerolle ◽  
R. J. Paul
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Protein Kinases ◽  
Airway Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscles ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Energy Transduction ◽  
Signal Integration ◽  
Myosin Phosphorylation

Airway smooth muscles contract due to the activation of a highly sophisticated signal transduction mechanism. Signal transduction in muscle must include 1) a mechanism for converting chemical energy (i.e., ATP) into mechanical work (energy transduction) and 2) a mechanism for integrating the response to multiple stimuli (signal integration). In smooth and striated muscles, ATP hydrolysis due to the cyclic interaction of actin and myosin is the final site for both energy transduction and signal integration. There is growing consensus that this interaction in smooth muscles is regulated by the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the 20-kDa light chain of smooth muscle myosin. By phosphorylation/dephosphorylation we mean the enzyme-catalyzed transfer of the terminal phosphate of ATP to a serine or threonine residue on a protein, by a class of enzymes known as protein kinases, with the formation of a covalent phosphoester linkage and the enzyme-catalyzed removal of the phosphate group by phosphoprotein phosphatases. Smooth muscles contain many protein kinases and phosphatases, and the research emphasis on the regulation of smooth muscle contraction has focused on how these enzymes act individually and in concert to regulate the actin-myosin interaction. This review will describe the biochemical and physiological experiments that have been performed to understand the role of myosin phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in regulating smooth muscle contraction. Although data from studies on vascular and other smooth muscles will be summarized, this review will focus on studies performed on airway smooth muscle. More detailed reviews of studies on nonairway smooth muscles can be found in Refs. 47 and 79.

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