Tag Archives: electro-mechanical coupling

Nitric oxide as the regulator of intracellular homeostasis in the uterus myocytes

Yu. V. Danylovych

Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences, Kyiv, Ukraine;
e-mail: danylovych@biochem.kiev.ua

The published data on the mechanisms and regulation of active and passive Ca2+ transport in the myometrium have been analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the cGMP-dependent and independent pathways of action of nitric oxide or its derivatives on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of uterine smooth muscle and its contractile activi­ty. Information on the effect of nitric oxide on Ca2+-transport systems of other types of smooth muscles is provided in a comparative aspect. Based on own experimental results and literature data a scheme of NO action in the myometrium is suggested in which nitric oxide or its derivatives cause­ Ca2+-dependent polarization of the sarcolemma. In accordance with our results, this effect may be based on the increase of sarcolemma Ca2+ permeability under the influence of NO or its derivatives and the stimulation of at least the initial passive transport of the cation in the myocytes mediated by dihydropyridine-sensitive channels. Additional factors that contribute to the polarization of the membrane are the increase of protons transport from the muscle cells and stimulation of Na+, K+-ATPase. Acting on the sarcoplasmic reticulum, nitrosactive compounds activate the inclusion of calcium in this compartment and inhibit Ca2+-induced release of the cation. The latter effects are able to provide compensation for NO-induced Ca2+ increase in myocytes and supress the electro-mechanical coupling at Ca2+ release from the reticulum. NO-derivates also inhibit a key link in the smooth muscle contractile act – the formation of the Ca2+-calmodulin complex.