Myosin phosphorylation and contraction of feline esophageal smooth muscle.

We tested the hypothesis that phosphorylation of the 20,000-Da light chain of myosin (LC 20) is related to mechanical activation of esophageal smooth muscle. Circular muscle layer strips of cat esophagus were taken from the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the distal esophageal body (EB). The LES strips developed tone spontaneously, and the EB strips were tonically contracted with carbachol. Both tissues relaxed in response to electrical-field stimulation. Phosphorylation of the LC 20 was determined in tissues quick-frozen during relaxation and during stress redevelopment after cessation of field stimulation. Stress and phosphorylation levels were low after 30 s of field stimulation, and a rapid contraction followed field stimulation. Phosphorylation in the LES increased from 0.043 +/- 0.029 to 0.328 +/- 0.043 mol Pi/mol LC 20 within 10 s after stimulation of the inhibitory nerves was terminated, while stress was still rising rapidly. Phosphorylation in the LES then declined to a steady-state value of 0.162 +/- 0.034 mol Pi/mol LC 20 after 10 min. Isotonic shortening velocities at a constant afterload following a quick release showed changes with time that were proportional to the level of phosphorylation. This was also true for values of maximal shortening velocity estimated for zero external load and for the rate of stress redevelopment after a step shortening. Comparable measurements were made in the carbachol-contracted EB. These results indicate that visceral smooth muscles, which normally function tonically (LES) or phasically (EB), exhibit an initial rapid mechanical activation associated with myosin phosphorylation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)