PGF-induced contraction of cat esophageal and lower esophageal sphincter circular smooth muscle

Abstract
Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone depends on PGFand thromboxane A2acting on receptors linked to Gi3and Gqto activate phospholipases and produce second messengers resulting in muscle contraction. We therefore examined PGFsignal transduction in circular smooth muscle cells isolated by enzymatic digestion from cat esophagus (Eso) and LES. In Eso, PGF-induced contraction was inhibited by antibodies against the α-subunit of G13and the monomeric G proteins RhoA and ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF)1 and by the C3 exoenzyme of Clostridium botulinum. A [35S]GTPγS-binding assay confirmed that G13, RhoA, and ARF1 were activated by PGF. Contraction of Eso was reduced by propranolol, a phospholipase D (PLD) pathway inhibitor and by chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor. In LES, PGF-induced contraction was inhibited by antibodies against the α-subunit of Gqand Gi3, and a [35S]GTPγS-binding assay confirmed that Gqand Gi3were activated by PGF. PGF-induced contraction of LES was reduced by U-73122 and D609 and unaffected by propranolol. At low PGFconcentration, contraction was blocked by chelerythrine, whereas at high concentration, contraction was blocked by chelerythrine and CGS9343B. Thus, in Eso, PGFactivates a PLD- and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway through G13, RhoA, and ARF1. In LES, PGFreceptors are coupled to Gqand Gi3, activating phosphatidylinositol- and phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C. At low concentrations, PGFactivates PKC. At high concentration, it activates both a PKC- and a calmodulin-dependent pathway.