Increased Rho activation and PKC-mediated smooth muscle contractility in the absence of caveolin-1.

Abstract in Undetermined
Caveolae are omega-shaped membrane invaginations that are abundant in smooth muscle cells. Since many receptors and signaling proteins co-localize with caveolae, these have been proposed to integrate important signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to test whether RhoA/Rho-kinase and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated Ca2+ sensitization depends on caveolae using caveolin (Cav)-1-deficient (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In WT smooth muscle, caveolae were detected and Cav-1, -2 and -3 proteins were expressed. Relative mRNA expression levels were ~15:1:1 for Cav-1, -2, and -3, respectively. Caveolae were absent in KO and reduced levels of Cav-2 and Cav-3 proteins were seen. In intact ileum longitudinal muscle, no differences in the responses to 5-HT or the muscarinic agonist carbachol were found, whereas contraction elicited by endothelin-1 was reduced. Rho activation by GTP{gamma}S was increased in KO compared with WT as shown using a pull-down assay. Following {alpha}-toxin permeabilization, no difference in Ca2+ sensitivity or in Ca2+ sensitization was detected. In KO femoral arteries, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-induced and PKC-mediated contraction was increased. This was associated with increased {alpha}1-adrenergic contraction. Following inhibition of PKC, {alpha}1-adrenergic contraction was normalized. PDBu-induced Ca2+ sensitization was not increased in permeabilized femoral arteries. In conclusion, Rho activation, but not Ca2+ sensitization, depends on caveolae in the ileum. Moreover, PKC driven arterial contraction is increased in the absence of caveolin-1. This depends on an intact plasma membrane and is not associated with altered Ca2+ sensitivity.

Ca2+ sensitization; Rho-associated kinase; myosin phosphatase target protein; lipid rafts; CPI-17; G protein-coupled receptor