Roles of CaM kinase II and phospholamban in SNP-induced relaxation of murine gastric fundus smooth muscles. 
The mechanisms by which nitric oxide (NO) relaxes smooth muscles are unclear.  The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has been reported to increase the Ca2+ release frequency (Ca2+ sparks) through ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and activate spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs), resulting in smooth muscle relaxation.  Our findings that caffeine relaxes and hyperpolarizes murine gastric fundus smooth muscles and increases phospholamban (PLB) phosphorylation by Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) suggest that PLB phosphorylation by CaM kinase II participates in smooth muscle relaxation by increasing sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ uptake and the frequencies of SR Ca2+ release events and STOCs.  Thus, in the present study, we investigated the roles of CaM kinase II and PLB in SNP-induced relaxation of murine gastric fundus smooth muscles.  SNP hyperpolarized and relaxed gastric fundus circular smooth muscles and activated CaM kinase II.  SNP-induced CaM kinase II activation was prevented by KN-93.  Ryanodine, tetracaine, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate, and cyclopiazonic acid inhibited SNP-induced fundus smooth muscle relaxation and CaM kinase II activation.  The Ca2+-activated K+ channel blockers iberiotoxin and apamin inhibited SNP-induced hyperpolarization and relaxation.  The soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one inhibited SNP-induced relaxation and CaM kinase II activation.  The membrane-permeable cGMP analog 8-bromo-cGMP relaxed gastric fundus smooth muscles and activated CaM kinase II.  SNP increased phosphorylation of PLB at Ser16 and Thr17.  Thr17 phosphorylation of PLB was inhibited by cyclopiazonic acid and KN-93.  Ser16 and Thr17 phosphorylation of PLB was sensitive to 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-alpha]quinoxalin-1-one.  These results demonstrate a novel pathway linking the NO-soluble guanylyl cyclase-cGMP pathway, SR Ca2+ release, PLB, and CaM kinase II to relaxation in gastric fundus smooth muscles.