Potential signal mediators for CA2+ sensitization of smooth muscle contraction: Rho-associated kinase, atypical protein kinase C, and arachidonic acid

Abstract This chapter reviews interesting, potential mechanisms of G protein-coupled Ca 2+ sensitization, which include a RhoA and Rho-kinase signaling cascade, an AA-mediating pathway, some isoforms of PKCs (most likely aPKC, and an unidentified phosphatase-associated kinase. These possibilities are not mutually exclusive, may function in parallel, and even contribute to crosstalk.