H(2)O(2) opens BK(Ca) channels via the PLA(2)-arachidonic acid signaling cascade in coronary artery smooth muscle.

H(2)O(2) is a reactive oxygen species that contracts or relaxes vascular smooth muscle, but the molecular basis of these effects remains obscure. We previously demonstrated that H(2)O(2) opens the large-conductance, calcium- and voltage-activated (BK(Ca)) potassium channel of coronary myocytes (2) and now report physiological and biochemical evidence that the effect of H(2)O(2) on coronary smooth muscle involves the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))/arachidonic acid (AA) signaling cascades. H(2)O(2) stimulation of BK(Ca) channel activity was inhibited by arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, an inhibitor of cytosolic PLA(2). Furthermore, H(2)O(2) stimulated release of [(3)H]AA from coronary myocytes, and exogenous AA mimicked the effect of H(2)O(2) on BK(Ca) channels. Inhibitors of protein kinase C activity attenuated the effect of H(2)O(2) on BK(Ca) channels, [(3)H]AA release, or intact coronary arteries. In addition, the effect of H(2)O(2) or AA on BK(Ca) channels was inhibited by blockers of lipoxygenase metabolism. In contrast, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase or cytochrome P-450 had no effect. We propose that H(2)O(2) relaxes coronary arteries by stimulating BK(Ca) channels via the PLA(2)/AA signaling cascade and that lipoxygenase metabolites mediate this response.