Involvement of Ca²⁺-sensing receptor in activation of nitric oxide synthase of human vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract

Ca²⁺-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), and is activated by an increase in extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. In vascular endothelial cells, stimulation of CaSR induces nitric oxide (NO) release via activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and membrane hyperpolarization via activation of intermediate Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels, contributing to vasodilation. In the present study, we have pharmacologically characterized eNOS activation in response to stimulation of CaSR in human endothelial EA.hy926 cells. In 2 mM Ca²⁺-containing Krebs-HEPES solution, the phosphorylation level of eNOS at serine 1177 was markedly reduced by NPS 2143 (a CaSR antagonist) and YM-254890 (a G_q/11 protein inhibitor). In organ bath study with endothelium-removed ring preparations of rat thoracic aorta, addition of EA.hy926 cell suspension produced relaxation of the rings precontracted with phenylephrine. The endothelium-dependent relaxant response was inhibited by pretreatment of EA.hy926 cells with NPS 2143, YM-254890, and L-NAME (an eNOS inhibitor). These results suggest that stimulation of CaSR expressed in endothelial cells with extracellular Ca²⁺ induces NO-mediated vasorelaxation via G_q/11-protein-dependent activation of eNOS.