Smooth Muscle Isoforms Research Articles

Differential assembly of cytoskeletal and sarcomeric actins in developing skeletal muscle cells in vitro.

Monoclonal antibodies (McAb) to actin were prepared to analyze the assembly of actin isoforms in developing muscle cells in vitro. One of the antibodies (SkA-06) was specific for alpha-sarcomeric actin isoforms in skeletal and cardiac muscles, while the others recognized cytoskeletal (beta, gamma) actin isoforms in smooth muscle and non-muscle tissues as well as the sarcomeric (alpha) actins. Using SkA-06 and a polyclonal antibody (PcAb) specific for cytoskeletal actins, the subcellular localization of the actin isoforms was examined by immunocytochemical methods. While in developing young myotubes, cytoskeletal and sarcomeric actins were co-localized in nascent myofibrils or stress-fiber-like structures, sarcomeric actins predominated in striated myofibrils in more developed myotubes. When FITC-labeled cytoskeletal and sarcomeric actins were introduced into young myotubes by a microinjection method, the latter became detectable in striated structures sooner than the former but they were finally incorporated into striated myofibrils. These results suggest that alpha-actin(s) as well as beta- and gamma-actins can be incorporated into myofibrils, but alpha-actin(s) is assembled preferentially into myofibrils in developing muscle cells.

Phospholipase C isoforms in vascular smooth muscle and their regulation by G-proteins.

1. We sought to reconstitute and characterize G-protein linked phosphatidyl-D-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-directed phospholipase C (PLC) isoform activity in pig aortic vascular smooth muscle. 2. Six soluble PLC isoforms, namely gamma 1, delta 1 and beta 1 to beta 4 were partially separated by heparin affinity chromatography and were identified by Western blotting using specific antibodies. 3. In separate experiments, PLC activity was measured in the eluted fractions. Four of the partially resolved PLC isoforms gamma 1, beta 4, beta 2 and beta 1, showed corresponding activity using exogenous [3H]-PIP2 as substrate. 4. The isolated soluble PLC isoforms were reconstituted with receptors and guanyl nucleotide regulatory proteins (G-proteins) by addition of plasma membranes, the phospholipids which had been prelabelled with [3H]-myo-inositol. When so reconstituted PLC beta 2, beta 3 and beta 4 were inhibited (40 +/- 9, 47 +/- 12 and 40 +/- 5% respectively n = 12, +/-s.e.mean and each P < 0.05) by the addition of 1 mM guanosine 5'[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG). 5. By contrast, when plasma membranes were preincubated with pertussis toxin to inhibit the activity of G-protein subunits G alpha i/alpha o the activities of PLC beta 2, beta 3 and beta 4 were stimulated (46 +/- 11, 31 +/- 9 and 37 +/- 8% respectively, n = 12, +/- s.e.mean and each P < 0.05) by the addition of p[NH]ppG. 6. Using well resolved fractions containing only PLC beta 3, time-dependent activity in the presence of p[NH]ppG was measurable only with membranes pretreated with pertussis toxin. 7. PLC beta 3 activity, measured with pertussis pretreated membranes, showed a dose-dependent increase in the presence of p[NH]ppG or guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]). This increase with 10 microM p[NH]ppG or GTP[S] 10% +/- 4 and 12% +/- 5 respectively (both P < 0.05 vs control without GTP analogue +/- s.e.mean, n = 10) was abolished by 50 microM guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP[S]) which also reduced constitutive PLC beta 3 activity by 9% +/- 4. 8. G-protein antibodies were used to neutralize PLC activity. Antibody to G alpha q/alpha 11, added to membrane fractions pretreated with pertussis toxin and assayed with GTP[S], reduced PLC beta 3 activity by 21% +/- 6 P < 0.02, n = 6, but was without effect on non-pertussis pretreated membranes. Antibodies to G alpha i1/alpha i2 had no effect. Antibodies to G-protein beta subunits had no effect on PLC beta 3 activity with pertussis pretreated preparations but activity without pertussis pretreatment was increased by 30% +/- 10, P < 0.03, n = 6. All results were expressed as % change from controls containing rabbit IgG. 9. In conclusion, pig aortic vascular smooth muscle contains six PLC isoforms. Activation of pertussis sensitive G-protein by GTP analogues results in inhibition of PLC beta 3 activity from liberated G-protein beta gamma subunits. Stimulation of PLC beta 3 activity is associated with a G-protein of the G alpha q family acting through the alpha subunit. The results suggest that the G-protein linked PLC beta isoforms in vascular smooth muscle demonstrate dual regulation by an inhibitory pertussis-sensitive pathway and a stimulatory G-protein of the G alpha q family, which is the case for PLC beta 3. This dual regulation is analogous to that of adenyl cyclase.

Smooth muscle‐type myosin heavy chain isoforms in bovine smooth muscle and non‐muscle tissues

The distribution of smooth muscle (SM)-type myosin heavy chain isoforms in several bovine muscular and non-muscular (NM) tissues was evaluated by immunofluorescence tests using monoclonal antibodies SM-E7, reactive with 204 (SM1) and 200 (SM2) kDa isoforms, and SM-F11, specific for SM2 isoform. SM-E7 reacted equally with vascular, respiratory and intestinal SM tissues, whereas SM-F11 stained heterogeneously SM cells in the various muscular systems examined and in some peculiar tissues was unreactive (perisinusoidal cells of hepatic lobule, pulmonary interstitial cells and intestinal muscularis mucosae) or uniquely reactive (nerve cells). On the whole, our findings indicate that SM1 and SM2 isoforms are unequally distributed at the cellular level in various SM and NM tissues and support previous results obtained with tissue extracts and electrophoretic procedures.

Smooth muscle-type myosin heavy chain isoforms in bovine smooth muscle and non-muscle tissues

The distribution of smooth muscle (SM)-type myosin heavy chain isoforms in several bovine muscular and non-muscular (NM) tissues was evaluated by immunofluorescence tests using monoclonal antibodies SM-E7, reactive with 204 (SM1) and 200 (SM2) kDa isoforms, and SM-F11, specific for SM2 isoform. SM-E7 reacted equally with vascular, respiratory and intestinal SM tissues, whereas SM-F11 stained heterogeneously SM cells in the various muscular systems examined and in some peculiar tissues was unreactive (perisinusoidal cells of hepatic lobule, pulmonary interstitial cells and intestinal muscularis mucosae) or uniquely reactive (nerve cells). On the whole, our findings indicate that SM1 and SM2 isoforms are unequally distributed at the cellular level in various SM and NM tissues and support previous results obtained with tissue extracts and electrophoretic procedures.

Developmental and Tissue Distribution of Expression of Nonmuscle and Smooth Muscle Isoforms of Myosin Light Chain Kinase

Using a combination of Northern and Western blotting and RT-PCR, we demonstrate the existence of a high molecular mass MLCK, which is expressed during chicken embryogenesis. It is expressed in developing smooth muscle containing tissues, and is detected at low concentrations in adult tissues. Direct sequencing of the RT-PCR product from embryonic tissue RNA revealed that the embryonic, high molecular mass MLCK is indeed the previously cloned "nonmuscle MLCK". Therefore, the high molecular mass MLCK should be termed embryonic/non-muscle MLCK isoform. Curiously, cultured embryonic gizzard and vascular smooth muscle cells express the lower molecular mass smMLCK protein, albeit at lower levels than in the in vivo tissues.

Smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms are developmentally regulated in male fetal and neonatal sheep.

Adult vascular smooth muscle expresses 204-kD (SM1) and 200-kD (SM2) myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. Fetal vascular smooth muscle expresses another 200-kD isoform, MHC-B, that appears to be developmentally regulated. The ontogeny of expression of these MHC isoforms in vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles is not fully understood and may differ. In the present report we examined the ontogeny of these isoforms in aortic and bladder smooth muscle from male fetal (n = 12, 119-140-d gestation; term 145 +/- 5 d) and neonatal (n = 12, 1-33 d) sheep. Tissues were analyzed for total and soluble protein contents. Actin, MHC, and MHC isoforms were analyzed by SDS-PAGE using 3-20% and 4% polyacrylamide gels, respectively. The expression of the adult and fetal 200-kD MHC isoforms were determined by Western analysis. Between 119 d gestation and 33 d neonatal, age-dependent increases (p < 0.02) occurred in bladder actin (16 +/- 0.8 versus 22 +/- 1.4 micrograms/mg of wet weight), MHC (6.5 +/- 0.2 versus 9.7 +/- 1.1) and both soluble (71 +/- 2.9 versus 92 +/- 6.3) and total protein (78 +/- 3.9 versus 103 +/- 5.5). Aortic smooth muscle actin (8.5 +/- 0.7 versus 17 +/- 1.1), MHC (3.1 +/- 0.4 versus 5.2 +/- 0.5), and soluble (44 +/- 2.3 versus 61 +/- 3.0) and total protein (87 +/- 5.8 versus 108 +/- 3.2) also increased (p < 0.01). Aortic SM1 increased (r = 0.79, p < 0.001) during this time, whereas expression of the 200-kD MHC fell (r = -0.79, p < 0.001). In contrast, bladder SM1 fell (r = -0.88, p < 0.001) as the 200-kD MHC rose (r = 0.88, p < 0.001). The type of 200-kD MHC isoform expressed also differed between tissue types; bladder expressed SM2 and little or no MHC-B throughout this phase of development, whereas fetal aorta appeared to express primarily MHC-B, which decreased as adult SM2 expression rose after birth. Expression of smooth muscle proteins and MHC isoforms are developmentally regulated and tissue-dependent, the latter perhaps reflecting developmental differences in organ growth and/or function.

Differential expression and effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on myosin in arterial tree of rats

The hypothesis that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3, also known as calcitriol] modulates myosin expression in vascular smooth muscle was tested. Wistar-Kyoto or spontaneously hypertensive rats given intraperitoneal injections of 25 ng 1,25(OH)2D3/100 g body weight for varying periods of time showed a greater than twofold increase in aortic mRNA encoding the myosin regulatory light chain relative to 18S rRNA (P < 0.05). 1,25(OH)2D3 administration to Wistar rats caused a significant increase in the aortic content of total myosin regulatory light chain and total myosin heavy chain. The increase in myosin light chain was the result of a specific increase in expression of its smooth muscle isoform [control = 65.2 +/- 3.4% vs. 1,25(OH)2D3 = 78.7 +/- 3.6%, P = 0.020]. 1,25(OH)2D3 had no effect on total myosin light chain or heavy chain in the superior mesenteric artery. The hormone did, however, increase the proportion of the smooth muscle isoform of the light chain in this vessel [control = 81.4 +/- 2.6% vs. 1,25(OH)2D3 = 88.8 +/- 2.1%, P = 0.048]. In branch II and III mesenteric resistance arteries, 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly increased the active stress response to 10 mumol/l norepinephrine but was without effect on total myosin light chain or heavy chain content or on the relative expression of the myosin light chain isoforms [control = 94.0 +/- 1.4% vs. 1,25(OH)2D3 = 95.8 +/- 1.1%, P = 0.33].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunological identification of candidate proteins involved in regulating active shape changes of outer hair cells

By employing immunological methods, it has been demonstrated that myosin, myosin light chain (MLC) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) proteins in outer hair cells (OHC) are immunologically different from isoforms in platelets, smooth muscle and heart muscle, and are probably more related to isoforms found in red blood cells (RBC). Moreover, proteins related to band 3 protein (b3p) and protein 4.1 (p 4.1), ankyrin as well as fodrin and spectrin, but not glycophorin, have been identified in isolated OHCs. Both OHCs and RBC differ from other motile non-muscle cells in their cells lack of smooth muscle isoforms of actin, their common high levels of spectrin-, ankyrin- and band 3-like proteins, as well as the expression of the 80 kDa protein 4.1 isoform. The data support the notion that motility of OHC may be based upon regulation of the b3p/p 4.1/ankyrin complex, and thus may be reminiscent to the active shape changes in RBC.

Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in mammary epithelial cells and in myofibroblasts from different fibrotic settings during neoplasia.

The expression of smooth muscle (SM) and non-muscle (NM) myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms has been studied in fibroblastic cells of different fibrotic lesions (hypertrophic scars, Dupuytren's nodules and stromal reaction to mammary carcinoma) and in epithelial cells of non-neoplastic and neoplastic mammary glands, using anti-myosin antibodies in immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Two antibodies were specific for SM-MyHC isoforms (SM1 and SM2) and three antibodies were directed against different sequences of NM-MyHC isoforms. Myofibroblasts containing SM-MyHC were present in a variable number of cases of the different lesions: 1 of 11 hypertrophic scars, 3 of 9 Dupuytren's nodules and 20 of 25 breast cancers. The distribution of NM-MyHC sequences recognized by our antibodies was heterogeneous in fibroblasts from normal dermis and mammary stroma, but became homogeneous in myofibroblasts from all the pathological conditions examined. Moreover, the expression of these MyHC sequences differed in normal mammary epithelium when compared with invasive carcinoma. These results show that cellular modulation from fibroblast to myofibroblast may be accompanied by the appearance of SM-MyHC and is characterized by a uniform expression of MyHC of NM type, and that tumour progression in mammary epithelial cells may be paralleled by the disappearance of a specific NM-MyHC sequence. This suggests that MyHC modulation participates in the process of fibrosis as well as in the process of malignant epithelial transformation.

Over‐expression of smooth muscle caldesmon in mouse fibroblasts

Caldesmon is an actin, calmodulin, tropomyosin, and myosin binding protein implicated in the regulation of actomyosin interactions. We have investigated the effect of overexpression of the higher molecular weight smooth muscle isoform of caldesmon on mouse L cell physiology. Mouse L(TK-) cells were transfected stably with plasmids carrying the TK+ gene and a full length human smooth muscle caldesmon cDNA under control of the adenovirus major late promoter. Two clones displaying four and eight times the level of the endogenous mouse high molecular weight caldesmon were isolated. These cells acquire a distinct phenotype characterized by an altered morphology, including an increased number of processes and larger area due to enhanced cell spreading, and a significantly slower growth rate than that of untransfected control cells, or cells transfected with the TK+ gene alone. The majority of the overexpressed caldesmon appears to be active and localized on cytoskeleton structures as determined by detergent lysis. Immunofluorescence analysis of the clones revealed that the caldesmon is localized as punctate staining on stress-fibers and in membrane ruffles. The immunofluorescence images suggest that caldesmon overexpressing cells have more total filaments than control cells. The effects of excess caldesmon on cell mobility are ambiguous: one clone displayed increased motility compared to the control, while the motility of the second clone was decreased relative to the control.

Further examples of evolution by gene duplication revealed through DNA sequence comparisons.

To test the theory that evolution by gene duplication occurs as a result of positive Darwinian selection that accompanies the acceleration of mutant substitutions, DNA sequences of recent duplication were analyzed by estimating the numbers of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions. For the troponin C family, at the period of differentiation of the fast and slow isoforms, amino acid substitutions were shown to have been accelerated relative to synonymous substitutions. Comparison of the first exon of alpha-actin genes revealed that amino acid substitutions were accelerated when the smooth muscle, skeletal and cardiac isoforms differentiated. Analysis of members of the heat shock protein 70 gene family of mammals indicates that heat shock responsive genes including duplicated copies are evolving rapidly, contrary to the cognitive genes which have been evolutionarily conservative. For the alpha 1-antitrypsin reactive center, the acceleration of amino acid substitution has been found for gene paris of recent duplication.

Differentiation and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells in experimental hypertension.

In this review we have analyzed the present knowledge about the differentiation and growth processes in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in hypertension. The study of smooth muscle (SM) and nonmuscle (NM) myosin isoform expression has permitted us to identify a three-stage specific maturational pathway, namely, fetal, postnatal, and adult. In the renovascular (rabbit) and genetic (rat) models of hypertension, adaptive changes occurring in hypertensive vessels make SMC resemble those found in the early stages of development (smooth muscle plasticity). In fact, based on SM- and NM-myosin isoform distribution, postnatal-type SMC predominate in the arterial media during the early remodeling of the arterial wall that occurs in hypertension, whereas postnatal- and fetal-type SMC predominate in the intimal thickening. Locally produced or activated autocrine/paracrine factors, such as growth factors or cytokines, along with circulating hormones, seem to be involved in the growth response or changes in the differentiation pattern of SMC. Thus, these factors not only play a specific role in the regulation of blood pressure, but also are likely to be responsible for the remodeling of the arterial wall in hypertension.

Vascular smooth muscle cells grown on Matrigel. A model of the contractile phenotype with decreased activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Vascular smooth muscle cells have been shown to exist in two phenotypic states which have been designated proliferative and contractile. The properties of rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells grown on Matrigel were compared with cells grown on untreated plastic culture dishes. Cells grown on Matrigel manifested at least four important properties characteristic of the contractile phenotype as compared with cells grown on plastic. The cells grown on Matrigel had altered morphology similar to in vivo studies of contractile vascular smooth muscle. The cells had a low proliferative index, showed enhanced levels of the smooth muscle isoform of alpha-actin, and had an enhanced contractile response to the vasoconstrictor arginine vasopressin. All of these changes were maintained through at least five passages and could be reversed by replating cells grown on Matrigel back to uncoated plastic dishes. Changes in post-receptor signaling pathways which could account for the altered physiologic responses of the cells were investigated. Cells grown on Matrigel showed no alterations in agonist-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ or agonist-stimulated cAMP levels. However, stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) by both vasoconstrictors and growth factors was inhibited by 50% in cells grown on Matrigel as compared with plastic. This decrease in agonist-induced MAP kinase was associated with a decrease in the levels of both p42 and p44 MAP kinase protein and a decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of both isoforms in cells grown on Matrigel. Alterations in MAP kinase activation can account at least in part for the observed physiologic responses of contractile vascular smooth muscle. Growth of vascular smooth muscle cells on Matrigel represents a useful model to examine phenotypic-dependent alterations in post-receptor signaling.

Identification of novel alternatively spliced isoforms of the tropomyosin-encoding gene, TMnm, in the rat cochlea

Analysis of a rat cochlear cDNA library for the expression of the non-muscle (nm) tropomyosin (TM)-encoding gene ( TMnm), demonstrated that four nm isoforms were present. These four TMnm variants are NM-1, NM-2, NM-3 and NM-4. Nucleotide (nt) sequencing revealed that all these isoforms expressed the nm exon 1b sequence, but varied in their usage of the alternatively spliced exons 6a and b and 9a/b and d, representing skeletal muscle (sk) (exons 6b and 9a/b) and nm (6a and 9d) sequences. A novel exon 9 (designated as exon 9c) was associated with the NM-4 isoform and was also found to be expressed in the cochlea. Comparisons of the nt and amino acid (aa) sequences demonstrated a high homology between rat, mouse and human sequences encoding the ‘classical’ nm isoform, TM30nm, which is designated herein as NM-1. The rat NM-1 nt homology with mouse and human sequences also included the 3' untranslated region. Homologies were found between aa sequences of the C termini of NM-1 and the TMa smooth muscle and TMβ nm isoforms, between the sk sequence of NM-3 and the TMα and β sk isoforms, and between the novel 9c sequence of NM-4 and the TMα brain-1 isoform. These data predict that the nm isoforms share biochemical properties described for the other TM isoforms.

Culture of pulmonary microvascular smooth muscle cells from intraacinar arteries of the rat: characterization and inducible production of nitric oxide.

Pulmonary arterial microvascular smooth muscle function governs many aspects of lung physiology and pathophysiology. Acutely, microvascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) modulate pulmonary vascular resistance; chronically, they contribute to vascular remodeling. Recent work has also suggested a possible immune function for pulmonary smooth muscle through cytokine-stimulated nitric oxide production. To facilitate study of the mechanisms underlying these functions, we have developed methods for isolating pulmonary arterial microvessels from the rat and culturing SMC from these vessels. The pulmonary arterial circulation was filled with a suspension of iron oxide in agar, and a subpleural tissue sample was obtained. The vessels were cleared of surrounding lung parenchyma by partial collagenase digestion, and the iron-containing arteries were separated magnetically. The diameter of the harvested arteries confirmed an intraacinar origin, and the cultured cells expressed smooth muscle isoforms of alpha-actin and myosin but did not take up acetylated low density lipoprotein. To assess a possible immune effector role for these cells, confluent monolayers were stimulated with cytokines and endotoxin. At 24 h, immunofluorescent staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase was prominent within these cells. Nitric oxide production, as measured by nitrite levels in the cell-conditioned medium, was also markedly elevated but reduced by adding NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. We conclude that rat pulmonary arterial microvascular SMC can be obtained by the iron oxide infusion method and that these cells express an inducible nitric oxide synthase after cytokine stimulation.

Embryonic chicken gizzard: smooth muscle and non-muscle myosin isoforms

Embryonic chicken gizzard: smooth muscle and non-muscle myosin isoforms

Embryonic chicken gizzard: smooth muscle and non-muscle myosin isoforms

Antibodies to smooth muscle and non-muscle myosin allow the development of smooth muscle and its capillary system in the embryonic chicken gizzard to be followed by immunofluorescent techniques. Although smooth muscle development proceeds in a serosal to luminal direction, angiogenetic cell clusters develop independently at the luminal side close to the epithelial layer, and the presumptive capillaries invade the developing muscle in a luminal to serosal direction. The smooth muscle and non-muscle myosin heavy chains in this avian system cannot be separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and do not show isoform specificity in immunoblotting, unlike the system found in mammals. Only two myosin heavy chains with M(r) of 200 and 196 kDa were separable and considerable immunological cross-reactivity was found between the denatured myosin isoform heavy chains.

Synthesis of L-thiocitrulline, L-homothiocitrulline, and S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline: a new class of potent nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.

Nitric oxide synthase catalyzes the NADPH- and O2-dependent conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline and nitric oxide. L-Thiocitrulline, L-homothiocitrulline, and S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline, novel citrulline analogs, have been synthesized and are shown to be potent inhibitors of both the constitutive brain and the inducible smooth muscle isoforms of nitric oxide synthase. Although many N omega-monosubstituted arginine derivatives inhibit nitric oxide synthase, inhibitory citrulline derivatives have not previously been reported. S-Methyl-L-thiocitrulline is significantly more potent than N omega-methyl-L-arginine, the prototypic nitric oxide synthase inhibitor.

Alterations in the expression of the beta-cytoplasmic and the gamma-smooth muscle actins in hypertrophied urinary bladder smooth muscle.

The obstruction of the bladder outlet induces a marked increase in bladder mass, and this is accompanied by reduced contractility of bladder smooth muscle and alteration in the cellular architecture. In this study, we show that the composition of various isoforms of actin, a major component of the contractile apparatus and the cytoskeletal structure of smooth muscle, is altered in response to the obstruction-induced bladder hypertrophy. Northern blot analysis of the total RNA isolated from hypertrophied urinary bladder muscle, using a cDNA probe specific for smooth muscle gamma-actin, shows over 200% increase in the gamma-actin mRNA. However, the estimate of the amount of actin from the 2D gel reveals only a 16% increase in gamma-actin, since the 2D gel electrophoresis does not distinguish gamma-smooth muscle actin from gamma-cytoplasmic actin. The bladder smooth muscle alpha-actin and the smooth muscle alpha-actin mRNA are not altered in response to the hypertrophy. The obstructed bladder also reveals a decrease in the beta-cytoplasmic actin (37%) and a concomitant diminution in the beta-cytoplasmic actin mRNA (29%). Hence, the composition of the actin isoforms in bladder smooth muscle is altered in response to the obstruction-induced hypertrophy. This alteration of the actin isoforms is observed at both the protein and mRNA levels.

Myosin isoforms in smooth muscle: how may they affect function and structure?

Myosin isoforms in smooth muscle: how may they affect function and structure?