Vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction is dependent on MAPKerk1/2 phosphorylation

Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2004 Feb;18(1):45-50. doi: 10.1046/j.1472-8206.2003.00221.x.

Abstract

To investigate the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2 (MAPKerk1/2) in the vasopressin-mediated vasoconstriction in the rat aorta. Vasopressin-induced vasoconstriction was measured in isolated rat thoracic aortae in the presence or absence of MAPKerk1/2 kinase (MKKmek1/2) inhibitors. Thereafter the MAPKerk1/2 phosphorylation in the rat aorta was quantified using Western blot analysis. Vasopressin (1-300 nm) induced a concentration-dependent vasoconstriction, which could be inhibited concentration dependently by the selective MKKmek1/2 inhibitors, PD 98059 (10 and 100 microm) and U 0126 (10 and 100 microm). Western blot analysis revealed a 2.7 +/- 0.6-fold increase in the MAPKerk1/2 phosphorylation induced by vasopressin (300 nm). This phosphorylation could be dose dependently prevented by both PD 98059 (100 microm) and U 0126 (10 and 100 microm). These results indicate that vasoconstriction induced by vasopressin is partly regulated by the MAPKerk1/2 pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Butadienes / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Myocardial Contraction / drug effects
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Potassium / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology*
  • Vasopressins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Butadienes
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Nitriles
  • U 0126
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Vasopressins
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Potassium
  • 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one