Skeletal muscle contractions stimulate cGMP formation and attenuate vascular smooth muscle myosin phosphorylation via nitric oxide

Kim S. Lau, Robert W. Grange, Wen Jinn Chang, Kristine E. Kamm, Ingrid Sarelius, James T. Stull

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

79 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nitric oxide generated by neuronal nitric oxide synthase in contracting skeletal muscle fibers may regulate vascular relaxation via cGMP-mediated pathway. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase content is greatly reduced in skeletal muscles from mdx mice. cGMP formation increased in contracting extensor digitorum longus muscles in vitro from C57 control, but not mdx mice. The increase in cGMP content was abolished with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine. Sodium nitroprusside treatment increased cGMP levels in muscles from both C57 and mdx mice. Skeletal muscle contractions also inhibited phenylephrine-induced phosphorylation of smooth muscle myosin regulatory light chain. Arteriolar dilation was attenuated in contracting muscles from mdx but not C57 mice. NO generated in contracting skeletal muscle may contribute to vasodilation in response to exercise.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-74
Number of pages4
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume431
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 10 1998

Keywords

  • Nitric oxide synthase
  • Skeletal muscle
  • Vascular smooth muscle
  • cGMP

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

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