Identification and functional implication of a Rho kinase-dependent moesin-EBP50 interaction in noradrenaline-stimulated artery

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2010 Dec;299(6):C1530-40. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00175.2010. Epub 2010 Oct 6.

Abstract

Ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) proteins are known to be substrates of Rho kinase (ROCK), a key player in vascular smooth muscle regulation. Their function in arteries remains to be elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate ERM phosphorylation and function in rat aorta and mesenteric artery and the influence of ERM-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50), a scaffold partner of ERM proteins in several cell types. In isolated arteries, ERM proteins are phosphorylated by PKC and ROCK with different kinetics after either agonist stimulation or KCl-induced depolarization. Immunoprecipitation of EBP50 in noradrenaline-stimulated arteries allowed identification of its interaction with moesin and several other proteins involved in cytoskeleton regulation. This interaction was inhibited by Y27632, a ROCK inhibitor. Moesin or EBP50 depletion after small interfering RNA transfection by reverse permeabilization in intact mesenteric arteries both potentiated the contractility in response to agonist stimulation without any effect on contractile response induced by high KCl. This effect was preserved in ionomycin-permeabilized arteries. These results indicate that, in agonist-stimulated arteries, the activation of ROCK leads to the binding of moesin to EBP50, which interacts with several components of the cytoskeleton, resulting in a decrease in the contractile response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / metabolism
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ionomycin / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Arteries / drug effects
  • Mesenteric Arteries / metabolism*
  • Microfilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism*
  • Potassium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinase C / analysis
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • rho-Associated Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amides
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Pyridines
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
  • sodium-hydrogen exchanger regulatory factor
  • Y 27632
  • moesin
  • Ionomycin
  • Potassium Chloride
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Norepinephrine