cGMP reduces the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ loading in airway smooth muscle cells: a putative mechanism in the regulation of Ca2+ by cGMP.

Ca(2+) and cGMP have opposite roles in many physiological processes likely due to a complex negative feedback regulation between them. Examples of opposite functions induced by Ca(2+) and cGMP are smooth muscle contraction and relaxation, respectively. A main Ca(2+) storage involved in contraction is sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR); nevertheless, the role of cGMP in the regulation of SR-Ca(2+) has not been completely understood. To evaluate this role, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) was determinated by a ratiometric method in isolated myocytes from bovine trachea incubated with Fura-2/AM. The release of Ca(2+) from SR induced by caffeine was transient, whereas caffeine withdrawal was followed by a [Ca(2+)]i undershoot. Caffeine-induced Ca(2+) transient peak and [Ca(2+)]i undershoot after caffeine were reproducible in the same cell. Dibutyryl cGMP (db-cGMP) blocked the [Ca(2+)]i undershoot and reduced the subsequent caffeine peak (SR-Ca(2+) loading). Both, the opening of SR channels with ryanodine (10 μM) and the blockade of SR-Ca(2+) ATPase with cyclopiazonic acid inhibited the [Ca(2+)]i undershoot as well as the SR-Ca(2+) loading. The addition of db-cGMP to ryanodine (10 μM) incubated cells partially restored the SR-Ca(2+) loading. Cyclic GMP enhanced [Ca(2+)]i undershoot induced by the blockade of ryanodine channels with 50 μM ryanodine. In conclusion, the reduction of SR-Ca(2+) content in airway smooth muscle induced by cGMP can be explained by the combination of SR-Ca(2+) loading and the simultaneous release of SR-Ca(2+). The reduction of SR-Ca(2+) content induced by cGMP might be a putative mechanism limiting releasable Ca(2+) in response to a particular stimulus.