Regulatory protein of bovine tracheal smooth muscle.

Myosin B exhibiting Ca2+ sensitivity in superprecipitation and Mg-ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3] activity was extracted from tracheal smooth muscle. Repeated washing with 2mM KCl and 1 mM NaHCO3 resulted in the loss of these activities. However, on addition of native tropomyosin, the myosin B regained its original properties. Native tropomyosin is the regulatory system in this smooth muscle.     

Functional reconstitution of an eicosanoid-modulated Cl- channel from bovine tracheal smooth muscle

We describe thebiochemical properties of an eicosanoid-modulated Clchannel and assess the mechanisms by which the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) alter both its unitary conductance and its openprobability (P_o). After a purification protocolinvolving wheat-germ agglutinin affinity and anion-exchangechromatography, the proteins were sequentially inserted into liposomes,which were then fused into PLBs. Functional and biochemicalcharacterization tests confirm that the Cl channel is a55-kDa glycosylated monomer with voltage- and Ca²⁺concentration-independent activity. 5,6- and 8,9-EET decreased theconductance of the native channel (control conductance: 70 ± 5 pSin asymmetrical 50 mM trans/250 mM cis CsCl) in aconcentration-dependent manner, with respective 50% inhibitoryconcentration values of 0.31 and 0.42 µM. These regioisomerssimilarly decreased the conductance of the purified channel (controlconductance value: 75 ± 5 pS in asymmetrical 50 mMtrans/250 mM cis CsCl), which had been stripped of its native proteic and lipidic environment. On the other hand, 5,6- and 8,9-EETs decreased the P_o of the nativechannel with respective 50% inhibitory concentration values of 0.27 and 0.30 µM but failed to alter the P_o of thepurified protein. Thus we suggest that the effects of these EETs onchannel conductance likely result from direct interactions ofEET anions with the channel pore, whereas the alterationof P_o requires a lipid environment of specificcomposition that is lost on solubilization and purification of the protein.

     

Carbachol-induced protein phosphorylation changes in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

The changes in protein phosphorylation associated with bovine tracheal smooth muscle contraction were studied by labeling intact muscle strips with [32P]PO4(3-) and analyzing the phosphoproteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Among 20 to 30 phosphoproteins resolvable with the two-dimensional electrophoresis system, the phosphorylation of 12 proteins was reproducibly affected by treatment with carbachol, in a time-dependent manner. Five of these proteins have been identified as 20-kDa myosin light chain, caldesmon, synemin, and two isoelectric variants of desmin. The other 7 are low molecular weight (Mr less than 40,000) cytosolic proteins. One cytosolic protein and myosin light chain are quickly but transiently phosphorylated by carbachol, the peak of myosin light chain phosphorylation being at about 1 min after agonist addition. In contrast, both variants of desmin, synemin, caldesmon, and 5 cytosolic proteins are phosphorylated at varying rates and remain phosphorylated for the duration of carbachol action. These "late" phosphorylation changes occur simultaneously with the dephosphorylation of one cytosolic protein. These carbachol-induced phosphorylation changes, like the contractile response, appear to be calcium-dependent. The addition of 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate, a protein kinase C activator, causes a dose-dependent, sustained contraction of tracheal smooth muscle which develops more slowly than that induced by carbachol. This contractile response is associated with the same protein phosphorylation changes as those observed after prolonged carbachol treatment. In contrast, forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator and a potent smooth muscle relaxant, induces the phosphorylation protein 3 and one variant of desmin. These observations strongly suggest that different phosphoproteins may be mediators of tension development and tension maintenance in agonist-induced contraction of tracheal smooth muscle.     

Responsiveness of isolated tracheal smooth muscle from normal and sensitized guinea pigs

Studies of the responsiveness of strips of tracheal smooth muscle and the changes after sensitization of ovalbumin were carried out. The hypothesis that there might be a generalized or a selective change of airway smooth muscle responsiveness to sensitization was examined in vitro. Agonists acting on muscarinic receptors, alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-adrenoceptors, purine receptors, histamine and serotonin receptors, and leukotriene and prostaglandin receptors were tested, as well as mediators released from local nerves by field stimulation and procedures such as elevation of potassium or addition of Ca2+ ionophores which do not involve specific receptors. Sensitivity to serotonin increased significantly in sensitized animals. Total magnitude of the contraction and subsequent relaxation responses to field stimulation also increased significantly. Neither of these changes was large in magnitude. Although there were a few minor changes in sensitivity (pD2) or in maximum responses, the hypothesis of important changes in responses of any sort in tracheal muscle after sensitization was rejected. The question was raised whether this general absence of changed responsiveness in vitro reflected (i) the failure of sensitization to induce generalized smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness, (ii) the loss of the mechanisms of such responsiveness in vitro, or (iii) the inadequacy of in vitro techniques to assess responsiveness present in vivo.     

Characterization of a G protein-coupled guanylyl cyclase-B receptor from bovine tracheal smooth muscle

A G protein-coupled natriuretic peptide-guanylyl cyclase receptor-B (NPR-B) located in plasma membranes from bovine tracheal smooth muscle shows complex kinetics and regulation. NPR-B was activated by natriuretic peptides (CNP-53 > ANP-28) at the ligand extracellular domain, stimulated by Gq-protein activators, such as mastoparan, and inhibited by Gi-sensitive chloride, interacting at the juxtamembrane domain. The kinase homology domain was evaluated by the ATP inhibition of Mn2+-activated NPR-B, which was partially reversed by mastoparan. The catalytic domain was studied by kinetics of Mn2+/Mg2+ and GTP, and the catalytic effect with GTP analogues with modifications of the /gamma phosphates and ribose moieties. Most NPR-B biochemical properties remained after detergent solubilization but the mastoparan activation and chloride inhibition of NPR-B disappeared. Our results indicate that NPR-B is a highly regulated nano-machinery with domains acting at cross-talk points with other signal transducing cascades initiated by G protein-coupled receptors and affected by intracellular ligands such as chloride, Mn2+, Mg2+, ATP, and GTP.     

Cyclic AMP-stimulated phosphorylation of bovine tracheal smooth muscle contractile and non-contractile proteins.

1. Various proteins isolated from bovine tracheal smooth muscle were examined as phosphate acceptor substrates for a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isolated from the same tissue. A fraction prepared in a manner similar to that of skeletal muscle troponin was the best substrate of the presumptive contractile proteins isolate. Actomyosin and tropomyosin were relatively poor substrates. 2. An assay was developed for the rapid detection in a large number of samples of the muscle specific substrate for the protein kinase on which we reported previously. 3. Using this assay, the muscle specific substrate found in bovine tracheal smooth muscle was partially purified resulting in a preparation which when resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a single peak of 32P incorporated, and which could be further characterized. 4. Our findings suggest that the substrate contains a protein subunit of molecular weight 19 000, which can be phosphorylated at serine and threonine residues, in the presence of cyclic AMP and protein kinase. The phosphate is in a covalent ester linkage with these residues. 5. A phosphoprotein phosphatase was isolated from the bovine tracheal smooth muscle. 6. Bovine tracheal smooth muscle contains cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase and phosphoprotein phospahatase activity as well as the muscle specific substrate, suggesting that these elements may be part of a mechanism which regulates smooth muscle tone.     

Phosphoprotein phosphatase in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. Multiple fractions and multiple substrates.

Phosphoprotein phosphatase (phosphoprotein phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.16) from bovine tracheal smooth muscle extracts was isolated and its activity determined using two [32P]phosphorylated proteins as substrates, i.e. phosphorylated histone (H-P) and a phosphorylated muscle specific substrate protein (MS-P) for the tracheal smooth muscle protein kinase. The enzyme was purified by the use of DEAE-cellulose followed by a two stage chromatography on a histone-Sepharose affinity column. Elution from the affinity column resolved the phosphoprotein phosphatase into four activity fractions. While fractions expressed phosphatase activity against both tested substrates the relative amounts of either activity varied. The ratio of activity towards H-P to activity towards MS-P changed from 11.5 to 0.12. The characterization of four phosphoprotein phosphatase fractions was based on the differences found in the following parameters: substrate specificity; sensitivity to NaF; influences of nucleotides (ATP, 5'-AMP, cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP) and the requirement of Mn2+ for maximal activity. Mg2+, Ba2+ or Ca2+ could not substitute for Mn2+.     

Extracellular cyclic ADP-ribose potentiates ACh-induced contraction in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), a universal calcium releaser, is generated from NAD(+) by an ADP-ribosyl cyclase and is degraded to ADP-ribose by a cADPR hydrolase. In mammals, both activities are expressed as ectoenzymes by the transmembrane glycoprotein CD38. CD38 was identified in both epithelial cells and smooth myocytes isolated from bovine trachea. Intact tracheal smooth myocytes (TSMs) responded to extracellular cADPR (100 microM) with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) both at baseline and after acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation. The nonhydrolyzable analog 3-deaza-cADPR (10 nM) elicited the same effects as cADPR, whereas the cADPR antagonist 8-NH(2)-cADPR (10 microM) inhibited both basal and ACh-stimulated [Ca(2+)](i) levels. Extracellular cADPR or 3-deaza-cADPR caused a significant increase of ACh-induced contraction in tracheal smooth muscle strips, whereas 8-NH(2)-cADPR decreased it. Tracheal mucosa strips, by releasing NAD(+), enhanced [Ca(2+)](i) in isolated TSMs, and this increase was abrogated by either NAD(+)-ase or 8-NH(2)-cADPR. These data suggest the existence of a paracrine mechanism whereby mucosa-released extracellular NAD(+) plays a hormonelike function and cADPR behaves as second messenger regulating calcium-related contractility in TSMs.     

Sodium-calcium exchange in sarcolemmal vesicles from tracheal smooth muscle

Sarcolemmal vesicles prepared by a new procedure from bovine tracheal smooth muscle were found to have a Na-Ca exchange activity that is significantly higher than that reported for different preparations from other types of smooth muscle. The exchange process system co-purified with 5'-nucleotidase, a plasma membrane marker enzyme, and was significantly enriched (over 100-fold) compared to mitochondria (cytochrome-c oxidase) but only slightly enriched (4-fold) compared to sarcoplasmic reticulum (NADPH-cytochrome-c reductase). The Na+ dependence of Ca2+ transport was demonstrated through both uptake and efflux procedures. The uptake profile with respect to Ca2+ was monotonic with a linear vo VS. vo.S-1 plot. The resultant Km of Ca2+ from the airway sarcolemmal vesicles (20 microM) was similar in magnitude to the Km of cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles (30 microM). Tracheal vesicles demonstrated a Vmax of 0.3-0.5 nmol.mg-1.s-1 which is significantly higher than that reported in preparations from other smooth muscle types. Furthermore, two processes found to stimulate cardiac Na-Ca exchange, pretreatment with either a mixture of dithiothreitol and Fe2+ or with chymotrypsin, were ineffective on the tracheal smooth muscle. Thus, the Na-Ca exchanger identified in tracheal smooth muscle appears to be different from that observed in cardiac muscle, implying that regulation of this activity may also be different.     

Noncholinergic contractile response to nicotine in the guinea pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle

The existence of substance P immunoreactive nerves in the trachea of guinea pig is known. In this study, capsaicin induced a long-lasting and marked contraction in the guinea pig trachea and nicotine-induced contraction was partially reduced in the capsaicin-treated muscle. Furthermore, the contractile response to nicotine (10(-5) M) in the presence of atropine (10(-7) M) was abolished by a substance P antagonist, [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9 Leu11]substance P (10(-5) M). These findings suggest that noncholinergic contractile response to nicotine may be due to the release of material(s) resembling substance P in the isolated tracheal smooth muscle preparation of guinea pig.     

A novel PDE1A coupled to M2AChR at plasma membranes from bovine tracheal smooth muscle

Muscarinic antagonists, via muscarinic receptors increase the cAMP/cGMP levels at bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) through the inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), displaying a similar behavior of vinpocetine (a specific-PDE1 inhibitor). The presence of PDE1 hydrolyzing both cyclic nucleotides in BTSM strips was revealed. Moreover, a vinpocetine and muscarinic antagonists inhibited PDE1 located at plasma membranes (PM) fractions from BTSM showing such inhibition, an M₂AChR pharmacological profile. Therefore, a novel Ca²⁺/CaM dependent and vinpocetine inhibited PDE1 was purified and characterized at PM fractions from BTSM. This PDE1 activity was removed from PM fractions using a hypotonic buffer and purified some 38 fold using two columns (Q-Sepharose and CaM-agarose). This PDE1 was stimulated by CaM and inhibited by vinpocetine showing two bands in PAGE-SDS (56, 58?kDa) being the 58?kDa identified as PDE1A by Western blotts. This PDE1A activity was assayed with [³H]cGMP and [³H]cAMP exhibiting a higher affinity as K_m (μM) for cGMP than cAMP but being close values with V_max cAMP/cGMP ratio of 1.5. The co-factor Mg²⁺ showed similar K_(A) (mM) for both cyclic nucleotides. Vinpocetine showed similar inhibition concentration 50% (IC₅₀ of 4.9 and 4.6?μM) for cAMP and cGMP, respectively. CaM stimulated the cyclic nucleotides hydrolysis by PDE1A exhibiting similar activation constant as K_(CaM), in nM range. The original finding was the identification and purification of a vinpocetine and muscarinic antagonist-inhibited and CaM-activated PM-bound PDE1A, linked to M₂AChR. A model of this novel signal transducing cascade for the regulation of cyclic nucleotides levels at BTSM is proposed.     

Relaxant effects of oligopeptides isolated from the tracheal mucosa and pulmonary parenchyma on the smooth muscle of isolated rat trachea]

Relaxant effect of oligopeptides extracted from tracheal mucosa (PTM), lung parenchyma (PLP), aortal wall (PAW) and thymic gland (PTG) was investigated using acetylcholine-induced constriction of tracheal strips. Time of 50 percent relaxation of constricted strips treated with saline, atropine or peptides was measured. Both PTM and PLP in concentrations 10(-6)-10(-3) g/ml accelerated relaxation in dose-dependent manner, however this effect was less prominent compared with atropine. Relaxant effect of PTM was found using different parts of trachea (cervical of thoracal), indicating independence of PTM action of intramural ganglia which are present only in the thoracal part. PAW and PTG did not show any significant effect on relaxation time. These results suggest the presence of oligopeptides, capable to relax airways smooth muscle, in tracheal mucosa and lung parenchyma.     

Temperature dependence of tracheal smooth muscle response to isoproterenol.

An inverse relationship between temperature and the negative inotropic response of tracheal smooth muscle segments to isoproterenol was demonstrated at resting tension and following precontraction with histamine. In addition, the β-blocking effect of propranolol was more pronounced at higher temperatures. These findings suggest that in asthmatic patients fever might be one of the factors which contribute to diminished responsiveness of sympathomimetic bronchodilators.     

Parasympathetic innervation of canine tracheal smooth muscle

To investigate whether efferent parasympathetic fibers to the trachealsmooth muscle course through the pararecurrent nerve rather than therecurrent or the superior laryngeal nerve, we stimulated all threenerves in anesthetized dogs. We also recorded the pararecurrentnerve activity response to bronchoconstrictor stimuli and compared itwith pressure changes inside a saline-filled cuff of an endotrachealtube. Electrical stimulation (30 s, 100 Hz, 0.1 ms, 10 mA) increasedtracheal cuff pressure by 21.0 ± 3.2 and 1.3 ± 0.7 cmH₂O for the pararecurrent and the recurrent laryngealnerve, respectively. Stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerveincreased tracheal cuff pressure before, but not after, sectioning ofthe ramus anastomoticus, which connects it to the pararecurrent nerve.Intravenous administration of sodium cyanide increased pararecurrentnerve activity by 208 ± 51% and tracheal cuff pressure by14.4 ± 3.5 cmH₂O. Elevation of end-tidalPCO₂ to 50 Torr increased pararecurrent nerveactivity by 49 ± 19% and tracheal cuff pressure by 8.4 ± 3.6 cmH₂O. Further elevation to 60 Torr increasedpararecurrent nerve activity by 101 ± 33% and tracheal cuffpressure by 11.3 ± 2.9 cmH₂O. These results lead usto the conclusion that parasympathetic efferent fibers reach the smoothmuscle of the canine trachea via the pararecurrent nerve.