title: Vascular endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction requires phosphorylation of ERK1/2 proteins.
abstract: In cardiovascular diseases, endothelin type B (ET(B)) receptors in arterial smooth muscle cells are upregulated. The present study revealed that organ culture of rat mesenteric artery segments enhanced endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction paralleled with increase in the receptor mRNA and protein expressions. The endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction was associated with increase in phosphorylation of extracellular regulation kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) proteins and elevated levels of intracellular calcium. The elevation curve of intracellular calcium consisted of two phases: one rapid and one sustained. Inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by SB386023 or blockage of calcium channels by nifedipine significantly reduced the endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction (P<0.05) and decreased the sustained phase of intracellular calcium level, but not the rapid phase. Thus, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 proteins and elevation of intracellular calcium level are required for endothelin ET(B) receptor-mediated contraction in rat mesenteric artery.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department of the First Hospital, Medical College of Xian Jiaotong University, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Guogang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jamali
authors.forename: Yong-Xiao
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Edvinsson
authors.forename: Cang-Bao
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014757:Viper Venoms; C057354:sarafotoxins s6; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D009543:Nifedipine; D002118:Calcium