Molecular Mechanism of Contraction in Smooth Muscle

Craig, Roger W.

Abstract

The overall objective of this project is to obtain a detailed understanding of the molecular structure of the action and myosin filaments of relaxed vertebrate smooth muscle, and their arrangement in the contractile apparatus. Using these structures as a starting point, we also wish to determine how changes in the arrangement of the molecules or filaments are related to contraction of smooth muscle. The results should provide fundamental insights into the molecular mechanism of smooth muscle contraction and its regulation, and provide a basis for understanding structural defects that may occur in diseased states.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
• Type: Research Program Projects (P01)
• Project #: 5P01HL047530-05
• Application #: 6110120
• Project Start: 1997-05-01
• Project End: 1999-04-30
• Support Year: 5
• Fiscal Year: 1997

Institution

• Name: University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
• DUNS #: 660735098
• City: Worcester
• State: MA
• Country: United States
• Zip Code: 01655

Publications

Kargacin, Gary J; Hunt, Donald; Emmett, Teresa et al. (2006) Localization of telokin at the intercalated discs of cardiac myocytes. Arch Biochem Biophys 456:151-60

Craig, Roger; Lehman, William (2002) The ultrastructural basis of actin filament regulation. Results Probl Cell Differ 36:149-69

Zou, Hui; Lifshitz, Lawrence M; Tuft, Richard A et al. (2002) Visualization of Ca2+ entry through single stretch-activated cation channels. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:6404-9

Kirber, M T; Etter, E F; Bellve, K A et al. (2001) Relationship of Ca2+ sparks to STOCs studied with 2D and 3D imaging in feline oesophageal smooth muscle cells. J Physiol 531:315-27

Li, X D; Saito, J; Ikebe, R et al. (2000) The interaction between the regulatory light chain domains on two heads is critical for regulation of smooth muscle myosin. Biochemistry 39:2254-60

Drummond, R M; Mix, T C; Tuft, R A et al. (2000) Mitochondrial Ca2+ homeostasis during Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ release in gastric myocytes from Bufo marinus. J Physiol 522 Pt 3:375-90

Zou, H; Lifshitz, L M; Tuft, R A et al. (1999) Imaging Ca(2+) entering the cytoplasm through a single opening of a plasma membrane cation channel. J Gen Physiol 114:575-88

Drummond, R M; Tuft, R A (1999) Release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum increases mitochondrial [Ca2+] in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. J Physiol 516 ( Pt 1):139-47

Ikebe, M; Yamada, M; Mabuchi, K et al. (1999) Registration of the rod is not critical for the phosphorylation-dependent regulation of smooth muscle myosin. Biochemistry 38:10768-74

Zhu, T; Beckingham, K; Ikebe, M (1998) High affinity Ca2+ binding sites of calmodulin are critical for the regulation of myosin Ibeta motor function. J Biol Chem 273:20481-6