Caveolae and sarcoplasmic reticular coupling in smooth muscle cells of pressurised arteries: the relevance for Ca2+ oscillations and tone.
OBJECTIVE
A close association of caveolae and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) has been suggested to be important for contractile activation of smooth muscle. Here, we investigate the presence of such arrangements in pressurised resistance arteries and examine the influence of two agents purported to disrupt caveolae and/or SR conformations by different mechanisms of action.


METHODS
Rat mesenteric small arteries (RMSA) were mounted on a pressure myograph and the functional (lumen diameter and Ca(2+) oscillations) and ultrastructural effects of the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin-A (cal-A), or the cholesterol binding agent methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (mbetacd), examined by light and electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Smooth muscle cells of RMSA exhibited a prominent peripheral SR that often encircled individual caveolae. The peripheral SR on occasion was observed to make contact with centrally located SR allowing for a structural association of caveoale-SR-myofilaments. Cal-A maximally constricted RMSA and disrupted the regular SR-caveolae appearance such that concentrated swirls of SR not enveloping caveolae were evident. Mbetacd treatment, in contrast, inhibited agonist contractility and reduced the appearance of caveolae whilst peripheral SR apposition to the plasmalemma could still be observed. Treatment with either agent inhibited agonist-mediated smooth muscle Ca(2+) oscillations.


CONCLUSIONS
We present data that supports a structural arrangement of caveolae and underlying peripheral SR in smooth muscle cells of pressurised resistance arteries that serves to regulate Ca(2+) oscillations and contractile activation.
Shaw
Linda
L
Division of Cardiovascular and Endocrine Sciences, University of Manchester, Great Britain, UK.
Sweeney
Michele A
MA
O'Neill
Stephen C
SC
Jones
Carolyn J P
CJ
Austin
Clare
C
Taggart
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D021941:Caveolae / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008387:Marine Toxins; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009213:Myography; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051381:Rats; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins / Q000494:pharmacology
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008387:Marine Toxins; D010080:Oxazoles; D047392:beta-Cyclodextrins; C108732:methyl-beta-cyclodextrin; C059041:calyculin A; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D002118:Calcium