title: PGE2 action in human coronary artery smooth muscle: role of potassium channels and signaling cross-talk.
abstract: Cyclic AMP-stimulating agents are powerful vasodilators, but our knowledge of the signal transduction mechanisms of these agents, particularly in human arteries, is limited. We now report direct molecular effects of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC). Patch-clamp studies revealed that 10 microM PGE(2) opens a high-conductance (approximately 200 pS), calcium-stimulated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel in intact HCASMC. In contrast, PGE(2) had no direct effect on channels in cell-free patches, indicating involvement of a soluble second messenger. Enzyme immunoassay demonstrated that PGE(2) enhances production of cAMP in HCASMC, but does not increase [cGMP]. Furthermore, forskolin, CPT-cAMP, or CPT-cGMP mimicked the stimulatory effect of PGE(2) on BK(Ca) channel activity. Interestingly, the response to PGE(2) was unaffected by inhibiting the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, but was antagonized by inhibitors of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG). Furthermore, cAMP-stimulated PKG activity mimicked the effect of PGE(2). These studies suggest a novel PGE(2) action in human arteries: opening of BK(Ca) channels via cAMP cross-activation of PKG in HCASMC. It is proposed that this signaling mechanism may mediate the vasodilatory response to cAMP-dependent agents in the human coronary and other vascular beds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912-2300, USA.
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Guichun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000166:cytology*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D017869:Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated / Q000502:physiology*; D020239:Receptor Cross-Talk / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051036:Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; D024681:Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D017869:Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D015232:Dinoprostone