Role of protein kinase D1 in vasoconstriction and haemodynamics in rats

Aims

Protein kinase D (PKD), once considered an effector of protein kinase C (PKC), now plays many pathophysiological roles in various tissues. However, little is known about role of PKD in vascular function. We investigated the role of PKD in contraction of rat aorta and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and in haemodynamics in rats.

Methods and results

Isometric tension of rat aortic was measured to examine norepinephrine-induced contraction in the presence of PKD, PKC and Rho-kinase inhibitors. Phosphorylation of PKD1, myosin targeting subunit-1 (MYPT1), myosin light chain (MLC), CPI-17 and heat-shock protein 27 (HSP27), and actin polymerization were measured in the aorta. Phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MLC was also measured in HASMCs knocked down with specific siRNAs of PKD 1, 2 and 3. Intracellular calcium concentrations and cell shortening were measured in HASMCs.

Norepinephrine-induced aortic contraction was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of PKD1, MYPT1 and MLC and actin polymerization, all of which were attenuated with PKD inhibitor CRT0066101. PKD1 phosphorylation was not inhibited by PKC inhibitor, chelerythrine or Rho kinase inhibitor, fasudil. In HASMCs, the phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MLC was attenuated by PKD1, but not PKD2, 3 knockdown. In HASMCs, CRT0066101 inhibited norepinephrine-induced cell shortening without affecting calcium concentration. Administration of CRT0066101 decreased systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure without affecting cardiac output in rats.

Conclusions

PKD1 may play roles in aorta contraction and haemodynamics via phosphorylation of MYPT1 and actin polymerization in a calcium-independent manner.