MLCK and PKC Involvements via Gi and Rho A Protein in Contraction by the Electrical Field Stimulation in Feline Esophageal Smooth Muscle |
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Authors: | Sun Young Park Jae Ho Shim Mina Kim Yih Hsiu Sun Hyun Soo Kwak Xiangmei Yan Byung-Chul Choi Chaeuk Im Sang Soo Sim Ji Hoon Jeong In Kyeom Kim Young Sil Min and Uy Dong Sohn |
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Institution: | 1College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea.;2School of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 156-756, Korea.;3School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 700-422, Korea.;4Department of Herb Industry, Jungwon University, Goesan 367-805, Korea. |
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Abstract: | We have shown that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was required for the off-contraction in response to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) of feline esophageal smooth muscle. In this study, we investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC) may require the on-contraction in response to EFS using feline esophageal smooth muscle. The contractions were recorded using an isometric force transducer. On-contraction occurred in the presence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), suggesting that nitric oxide acts as an inhibitory mediator in smooth muscle. The excitatory composition of both contractions was cholinergic dependent which was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. The on-contraction was abolished in Ca2+-free buffer but reappeared in normal Ca2+-containing buffer indicating that the contraction was Ca2+ dependent. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), voltage-dependent K+ channel blocker, significantly enhanced on-contraction. Aluminum fluoride (a G-protein activator) increased on-contraction. Pertussis toxin (a Gi inactivator) and C3 exoenzyme (a rhoA inactivator) significantly decreased on-contraction suggesting that Gi or rhoA protein may be related with Ca2+ and K+ channel. ML-9, a MLCK inhibitor, significantly inhibited on-contraction, and chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor) affected on the contraction. These results suggest that endogenous cholinergic contractions activated directly by low-frequency EFS may be mediated by Ca2+, and G proteins, such as Gi and rhoA, which resulted in the activation of MLCK, and PKC to produce the contraction in feline distal esophageal smooth muscle. |
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Keywords: | Electrical field stimulation Smooth muscle Ca2+ K+ G protein On contraction Esophagus |
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