title: Mechanism of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation.
abstract: A sequential mechanism for endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation is proposed. The following events appear to be involved: Endothelial cell: activation of a receptor----activation of membrane phospholipases----increase in intracellular free Ca2+----formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) (EDRF) via a cytochrome P450-dependent epoxygenase or non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation pathway----release of EDRF----diffusion of EDRF to the smooth muscle cell; Smooth muscle cell: activation of guanyl cyclase----activation of protein kinase----protein phosphorylation----dephosphorylation of myosin light chain----relaxation. Relationships between endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation are indicated. EDRF-candidates include aldehydes and epoxides.
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: DeFeudis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000502:physiology; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D010740:Phospholipases / Q000502:physiology; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D010740:Phospholipases; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase