Ca2+ oscillations, Ca2+ sensitization, and contraction activated by protein kinase C in small airway smooth muscle.

ABSTRACT: Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) contraction and may contribute to airway hyperresponsiveness. Here, we combined optical and biochemical analyses of mouse lung slices to determine the effects of PKC activation on Ca(2+) signaling, Ca(2+) sensitivity, protein phosphorylation, and contraction in SMCs of small intrapulmonary airways. We found that 10 µM phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or 1 µM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate induced repetitive, unsynchronized, and transient contractions of the SMCs lining the airway lumen. These contractions were associated with low frequency Ca(2+) oscillations in airway SMCs that resulted from Ca(2+) influx through L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels and the subsequent release of Ca(2+) from intracellular sto

SUBMITTER: Mukherjee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3557311 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature