Phosphorylation of caldesmon by mitogen‐activated protein kinase with no effect on Ca2+ sensitivity in rabbit smooth muscle.

Abstract

1. Recombinant, activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (3.3 microM; p42mapk) phosphorylated caldesmon in phasic (rabbit portal vein) and tonic (rabbit femoral artery) smooth muscle strips permeabilized with Triton X-100. 2. Phosphorylation of caldesmon by p42mapk neither induced contraction of relaxed smooth muscle nor affected the Ca2+ sensitivity of submaximally contracted permeabilized phasic or tonic smooth muscle.