Possible role of phosphorylation-dephosphorylation in the regulation of calcium metabolism in cardiovascular tissues of SHR.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive rats (WKY) were compared for phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanism(s) in aorta, caudal artery, inferior vena cava, and right and left ventricles. Reduction of cAMP-induced phosphorylation of microsomes and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was significant in the aorta and caudal artery of SHR compared with WKY. These changes were not observed in the vena cava of SHR. Phosphoprotein phosphatase activity was significantly increased (p less than 0.05) in the soluble fraction of arterial smooth muscle. No changes were observed, however, in the myocardium or vein. Furthermore, the extent of phosphorylation, and Ca2+ uptake ability and the protein kinase activity in the soluble and the microsomal fractions were not reduced in the myocardium of SHR compared with WKY. These data suggest that phosphorylation-dephosphorylation mechanisms are altered in the microsomal fraction of the aorta and caudal artery of SHR, which may result in reduced Ca2+ uptake by the intracellular organelle. The changes observed could have a significant effect on vasodilatation of arteries in the hypertensive state. The lesion appears specific to the arterial smooth muscle in the cardiovascular tissues.