title: Energetics of crossbridge phosphorylation and contraction in vascular smooth muscle.
abstract: Ca(2+)-dependent crossbridge phosphorylation is the primary mechanism governing crossbridge cycling in smooth muscle. A four-state crossbridge model in which phosphorylation is the only proposed regulatory mechanism was successful in predicting the mechanical properties of the swine carotid media including latch (sustained force with reduced crossbridge cycling). This model also predicts that the ATP consumption of crossbridge phosphorylation is approximately equal to that of crossbridge cycling and that ATP consumption will rise hyperbolically with increases in steady-state force. This review shows these predictions to be consistent with the available energetics data for the carotid media. The absolute energetic cost of covalent regulation is modest and less than the energy savings associated with latch. However, covalent regulation should reduce the total mechanical efficiency of smooth muscle relative to striated muscle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wingard
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014661:Vasoconstriction