Activation of MAP kinase and translocation with HSP27 in bombesin-induced contraction of rectosigmoid smooth muscle.

We have investigated whether mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade is essential for sustained contraction of smooth muscle cells of the rabbit rectosigmoid. We have identified MAP kinase as one of the enzymes activated by bombesin, performed immunologic studies blocking the activation of MAP kinase, and conducted confocal localization of MAP kinase in relation to heat-shock protein (HSP27), postulated to be involved in the sustained contraction of smooth muscle. Immunoblotting revealed two forms of MAP kinase (42 and 44 kDa). Activation of MAP kinase by bombesin was rapid, reaching a maximum in 30 s and subsequently declining. [D-Phe6,Leu13,psi(CH2NH),Phe14]BN-(6-14), a potent bombesin antagonist, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine, calphostin C, and chelerythrine inhibited the increase in MAP kinase induced by bombesin. Immunofluorescent dual labeling and confocal microscopy indicate that these two proteins are closely distributed in resting cells and that during bombesin-induced contraction MAP kinase translocates accompanied by HSP27. In conclusion, a series of events involving PKC activation, MAP kinase activation, and MAP kinase-HSP27 translocation could be the signaling pathway involved in bombesin-induced sustained contraction.