cGMP/cGKI signaling in peripheral vascular smooth muscle does not involve TrpC3 or TrpC6 channels

Background Signaling by intracellular cGMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI) is the major pathway in vascular smooth muscle, by which endothelial NO regulates vascular tone. The most important targets of cGKI include the myosin-interacting subunit of myosin phosphatase 1, the regulator of G-protein signaling 2, the inositol receptor associated cGKI-substrate, and the BK channel. Recent evidence suggest that TrpC channels are also targets of cGKI in smooth muscle and mediate, at least partially, the relaxant effects of cGMP.