Andra S. Stevenson

Opposing actions of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and ryanodine receptors on nuclear factor of activated T-cells regulation in smooth muscle.

The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT), originally identified in T-cells, has since been shown to play a role in mediating Ca2+-dependent gene transcription in diverse cell types outside of the immune system. We have previously shown that nuclear accumulation of NFATc3 is induced in ileal smooth muscle by platelet-derived growth factor in a manner that depends on Ca2+ influx through L-type, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Here we show that NFATc3 is also the predominant NFAT isoform expressed in cerebral artery smooth muscle and is induced to accumulate in the nucleus by UTP and other Gq/11-coupled receptor agonists. This induction is mediated by calcineurin and is dependent on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors and extracellular Ca2+ influx through L-type, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. Consistent with results obtained in ileal smooth muscle, depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx fails to induce NFAT nuclear accumulation in cerebral arteries. We also provide evidence that Ca2+release by ryanodine receptors in the form of Ca2+ sparks may exert an inhibitory influence on UTP-induced NFATc3 nuclear accumulation and further suggest that UTP may act, in part, by inhibiting Ca2+ sparks. These results are consistent with a multifactorial regulation of NFAT nuclear accumulation in smooth muscle that is likely to involve several intracellular signaling pathways, including local effects of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+release and effects attributable to global elevations in intracellular Ca2+.

NFAT regulation in smooth muscle.

First identified in activated T cells, the calcium (Ca2+)-dependent transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), has since been shown to play a role in nonimmune cells, including cells of the cardiovascular system. In arterial smooth muscle, the diverse array of calcium-signaling modalities, the functional interplay between smooth muscle and endothelial cells, and the influence of intravascular pressure on calcium and other signaling pathways creates a calcium-regulatory environment that is arguably unique. This review focuses on mechanisms that control the initial Ca2+/calcineurin-dependent events in NFAT activation, with a particular emphasis on NFAT regulation in native vascular smooth muscle. Also addressed is the role of additional mechanisms that act to modulate calcineurin-dependent NFAT nuclear import/export, mechanisms that may have particular relevance in this tissue.

Phosphorylation-dependent Autoinhibition of Myosin Light Chain Phosphatase Accounts for Ca2+ Sensitization Force of Smooth Muscle Contraction

The reversible regulation of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) in response to agonist stimulation and cAMP/cGMP signals plays an important role in the regulation of smooth muscle (SM) tone. Here, we investigated the mechanism underlying the inhibition of MLCP induced by the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT1), a regulatory subunit of MLCP, at Thr-696 and Thr-853 using glutathione S-transferase (GST)-MYPT1 fragments having the inhibitory phosphorylation sites. GST-MYPT1 fragments, including only Thr-696 and only Thr-853, inhibited purified MLCP (IC50 = 1.6 and 60 nm, respectively) when they were phosphorylated with RhoA-dependent kinase (ROCK). The activities of isolated catalytic subunits of type 1 and type 2A phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A) were insensitive to either fragment. Phospho-GST-MYPT1 fragments docked directly at the active site of MLCP, and this was blocked by a PP1/PP2A inhibitor microcystin (MC)-LR or by mutation of the active sites in PP1. GST-MYPT1 fragments induced a contraction of β-escin-permeabilized ileum SM at constant pCa 6.3 (EC50 = 2 μm), which was eliminated by Ala substitution of the fragment at Thr-696 or by ROCK inhibitors or 8Br-cGMP. GST-MYPT1-(697–880) was 5-times less potent than fragments including Thr-696. Relaxation induced by 8Br-cGMP was not affected by Ala substitution at Ser-695, a known phosphorylation site for protein kinase A/G. Thus, GST-MYPT1 fragments are phosphorylated by ROCK in permeabilized SM and mimic agonist-induced inhibition and cGMP-induced activation of MLCP. We propose a model in which MYPT1 phosphorylation at Thr-696 and Thr-853 causes an autoinhibition of MLCP that accounts for Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle force.

The cAMP-responsive Rap1 Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Epac, Induces Smooth Muscle Relaxation by Down-regulation of RhoA Activity

Agonist activation of the small GTPase, RhoA, and its effector Rho kinase leads to down-regulation of smooth muscle (SM) myosin light chain phosphatase activity, an increase in myosin light chain (RLC20) phosphorylation and force. Cyclic nucleotides can reverse this process. We report a new mechanism of cAMP-mediated relaxation through Epac, a GTP exchange factor for the small GTPase Rap1 resulting in an increase in Rap1 activity and suppression of RhoA activity. An Epac-selective cAMP analog, 8-pCPT-2′-O-Me-cAMP (“007”), significantly reduced agonist-induced contractile force, RLC20, and myosin light chain phosphatase phosphorylation in both intact and permeabilized vascular, gut, and airway SMs independently of PKA and PKG. The vasodilator PGI2 analog, cicaprost, increased Rap1 activity and decreased RhoA activity in intact SMs. Forskolin, phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine, and isoproterenol also significantly increased Rap1-GTP in rat aortic SM cells. The PKA inhibitor H89 was without effect on the 007-induced increase in Rap1-GTP. Lysophosphatidic acid-induced RhoA activity was reduced by treatment with 007 in WT but not Rap1B null fibroblasts, consistent with Epac signaling through Rap1B to down-regulate RhoA activity. Isoproterenol-induced increase in Rap1 activity was inhibited by silencing Epac1 in rat aortic SM cells. Evidence is presented that cooperative cAMP activation of PKA and Epac contribute to relaxation of SM. Our findings demonstrate a cAMP-mediated signaling mechanism whereby activation of Epac results in a PKA-independent, Rap1-dependent Ca2+ desensitization of force in SM through down-regulation of RhoA activity. Cyclic AMP inhibition of RhoA is mediated through activation of both Epac and PKA.

Uncoupling of GPCR and RhoA-induced Ca2+-sensitization of chicken amnion smooth muscle lacking CPI-17.

Ca2+‐sensitization of smooth muscle occurs through inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) leading to an increase in the MLCK:MLCP activity ratio. MLCP is inhibited through phosphorylation of its regulatory subunit (MYPT‐1) following activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROK) pathway or through phosphorylation of the PP1c inhibitory protein, CPI‐17, by PKC δ or ROK. Here, we explore the crosstalk between these two modes of MLCP inhibition in a smooth muscle of a natural CPI‐17 knockout, chicken amnion. GTPγS elicited Ca2+‐sensitized force which was relaxed by GDI or Y‐27632, however, U46619, carbachol and phorbol ester failed to induce Ca2+‐sensitized force, but were rescued by recombinant CPI‐17, and were sensitive to Y‐27632 inhibition. In the presence, but not absence, of CPI‐17, U46619 also significantly increased GTP · RhoA. There was no affect on MYPT‐1 phosphorylation at T695, however, T850 phosphorylation increased in response to GTPγS stimulation. Together, these data suggest a role for CPI‐17 upstream of RhoA activation possibly through activation of another PP1 family member targeted by CPI‐17.