Rho-kinase-mediated regulation of receptor-agonist-stimulated smooth muscle contraction

Rho kinase was shown to regulate smooth muscle contraction through modulating myosin phosphatase (MLCP) activity, but the in vivo mechanism remains to be clarified. This study examined the effects of Rho kinase inhibition on the phosphorylation time course of MLCP subunit MYPT1 at Thr697 and Thr855 and MLCP inhibitory protein CPI-17 at Thr38 and on actin polymerization during the contraction of rat tail artery (RTA) smooth muscle. Rho kinase...