MEK/MAPK as a signaling element in ATP control of endothelial myosin light chain

Phosphorylation of endothelial myosin light chains (MLC) is a key mechanism in control of endothelial contractile machinery. Extracellular ATP influences endothelial MLC phosphorylation by either activation of Ca2+-dependent MLC kinase or Ca2+-independent MLC phosphatase. Here, the role of the MEK/MAPK pathway in this signaling was investigated in porcine aortic endothelial cells. Phosphorylation of ERK2 and phosphorylation of MLC were analyzed in cultured aortic endothelial cells. ATP (10 μM) increased ERK2 phosphorylation from basal 17 ± 3 to 53 ± 4%, an effect suppressed in the presence of the MEK inhibitors PD-98059 (20 μM) or U0126 (10 μM). Phosphorylation of ERK2 was not dependent on the ATP-induced cytosolic Ca2+ rise, because it was unaltered when this was suppressed by the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA (10 μM) or xestospongin C (3 μM), an inhibitor of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ release mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum. Phosphorylation of ERK2 was neither induced by the adenosine ...