P63RhoGEF couples Gα(q/11)-mediated signaling to Ca2+ sensitization of vascular smooth muscle contractility.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

In normal and diseased vascular smooth muscle (SM), the RhoA pathway, which is activated by multiple agonists through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), plays a central role in regulating basal tone and peripheral resistance. This occurs through inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase, leading to increased phosphorylation of the myosin regulatory light chain. Although it is thought that specific agonists and GPCRs may couple to distinct RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), thus raising the possibility of selective targeting of specific GEFs for therapeutic use, this notion is largely unexplored for SM contraction.

Objective

We examine whether p63RhoGEF, known to couple specifically to Gα(q/11) in vitro, is functional in blood vessels as a mediato

SUBMITTER: Momotani K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3211138 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature