Biomaterial Database

Signal transduction and regulation in smooth muscle. 1994

A P Somlyo, and A V Somlyo

Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.

Smooth muscle cells in the walls of many organs are vital for most bodily functions, and their abnormalities contribute to a range of diseases. Although based on a sliding-filament mechanism similar to that of striated muscles, contraction of smooth muscle is regulated by pharmacomechanical as well as by electromechanical coupling mechanisms. Recent studies have revealed previously unrecognized contractile regulatory processes, such as G-protein-coupled inhibition of myosin light-chain phosphatase, regulation of myosin light-chain kinase by other kinases, and the functional effects of smooth muscle myosin isoforms. Abnormalities of these regulatory mechanisms and isoform variations may contribute to diseases of smooth muscle, and the G-protein-coupled inhibition of protein phosphatase is also likely to be important in regulating non-muscle cell functions mediated by cytoplasmic myosin II.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009126	Muscle Relaxation	That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position.	Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D009130	Muscle, Smooth	Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed)	Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D009135	Muscular Diseases	Acquired, familial, and congenital disorders of SKELETAL MUSCLE and SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Muscle Disorders,Myopathies,Myopathic Conditions,Muscle Disorder,Muscular Disease,Myopathic Condition,Myopathy
D010749	Phosphoprotein Phosphatases	A group of enzymes removing the SERINE- or THREONINE-bound phosphate groups from a wide range of phosphoproteins, including a number of enzymes which have been phosphorylated under the action of a kinase. (Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992)	Phosphoprotein Phosphatase,Phosphoprotein Phosphohydrolase,Protein Phosphatase,Protein Phosphatases,Casein Phosphatase,Ecto-Phosphoprotein Phosphatase,Nuclear Protein Phosphatase,Phosphohistone Phosphatase,Phosphoprotein Phosphatase-2C,Phosphoseryl-Protein Phosphatase,Protein Phosphatase C,Protein Phosphatase C-I,Protein Phosphatase C-II,Protein Phosphatase H-II,Protein-Serine-Threonine Phosphatase,Protein-Threonine Phosphatase,Serine-Threonine Phosphatase,Threonine Phosphatase,Ecto Phosphoprotein Phosphatase,Phosphatase C, Protein,Phosphatase C-I, Protein,Phosphatase C-II, Protein,Phosphatase H-II, Protein,Phosphatase, Casein,Phosphatase, Ecto-Phosphoprotein,Phosphatase, Nuclear Protein,Phosphatase, Phosphohistone,Phosphatase, Phosphoprotein,Phosphatase, Phosphoseryl-Protein,Phosphatase, Protein,Phosphatase, Protein-Serine-Threonine,Phosphatase, Protein-Threonine,Phosphatase, Serine-Threonine,Phosphatase, Threonine,Phosphatase-2C, Phosphoprotein,Phosphatases, Phosphoprotein,Phosphatases, Protein,Phosphohydrolase, Phosphoprotein,Phosphoprotein Phosphatase 2C,Phosphoseryl Protein Phosphatase,Protein Phosphatase C I,Protein Phosphatase C II,Protein Phosphatase H II,Protein Phosphatase, Nuclear,Protein Serine Threonine Phosphatase,Protein Threonine Phosphatase,Serine Threonine Phosphatase
D011494	Protein Kinases	A family of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of ATP and a protein to ADP and a phosphoprotein.	Protein Kinase,Kinase, Protein,Kinases, Protein
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012519	Sarcoplasmic Reticulum	A network of tubules and sacs in the cytoplasm of SKELETAL MUSCLE FIBERS that assist with muscle contraction and relaxation by releasing and storing calcium ions.	Reticulum, Sarcoplasmic,Reticulums, Sarcoplasmic,Sarcoplasmic Reticulums