Purpose: The activation of cyclic nucleotide-dependent signaling pathways i
n vascular smooth muscle is important for the prevention of vein graft spas
m and neointimal hyperplasia. Cyclic nucleotide-dependent relaxation is ass
ociated with an increase in the phosphorylation of a small heat shock-relat
ed protein (HSP20). In this investigation, we examined the mechanisms by wh
ich HSP20 may modulate relaxation.
Methods: The relaxation responses of the bovine carotid artery smooth muscl
es were determined in a muscle bath. HSP20 phosphorylation was quantitated
with isoelectric-focusing immunoblots. The association with actin was deter
mined with coimmunoprecipitation and cosedimentation. Molecular sieving col
umns were used to examine the macromolecular associations of HSP20.
Results: The activation of cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways leads to th
e complete relaxation of carotid smooth muscle. This relaxation response is
associated with an increase in the phosphorylation of HSP20. Actin coimmun
oprecipitated with HSP20, and the association of actin with recombinant HSP
20 in vitro was phosphorylation-state dependent. Finally, HSP20 exists in l
arge (>100 kDa) aggregates, which dissociate with the activation of cyclic
nucleotide signaling pathways.
Conclusion: These data support a role of HSP20 phosphorylation in mediating
smooch muscle relaxation, possibly via a direct interaction of large aggre
gates of HSP20 with the contractile elements.