title: Pyk2 mediates increased adrenergic contractile responses in arteries from DOCA-salt mice - VASOACTIVE PEPTIDE SYMPOSIUM.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The calcium-dependent proline-rich tyrosine kinase (Pyk2), a nonreceptor protein activated by tyrosine phosphorylation, links G protein-coupled receptors to vascular responses. We tested the hypothesis that enhanced vascular reactivity in DOCA-salt hypertensive mice are due to increased activation of Pyk2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aorta and small mesenteric arteries from DOCA-salt and uninephrectomized (UNI) male C57Bl/6 mice were used. Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was higher in DOCA (126+/-3) vs. UNI (100+/-4) mice. Vascular responses to phenylephrine (1nM to 100muM) were greater both in aorta and small mesenteric arteries from DOCA-salt than UNI, but treatment with Tyrphostin A-9 (0.1muM, Pyk2 inhibitor) abolished the difference among the groups. Pyk2 levels, as well as phospho-Pyk2(Tyr402), paxillin and phospho-paxillin(Tyr118) were increased in DOCA-salt aorta. Incubation of vessels with Tyrphostin A-9 restored phosphorylation of Pyk2 and paxillin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased activation of Pyk2 contributes to increased vascular contractile-responses in DOCA-salt mice.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Georgia, Department of Physiology, Augusta, GA, USA, 30904.
authors.forename: Fernanda R C
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Giachini
authors.forename: Fernando S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Victor V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Zidonia N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Maria Helena C
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Zuleica B
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Fortes
authors.forename: R Clinton
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: Rita C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tostes