Human urotensin II-induced contraction and arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation are mediated by RhoA and Rho-kinase.

Sauzeau, V; Le Mellionnec, E; Bertoglio, J; Scalbert, E; Pacaud, P; Loirand, G · Circ Res · 2001

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the coupling of human urotensin II (hU-II) to RhoA activation and regulation of RhoA-dependent functions. The use of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and the development of a membrane-permeant RhoA inhibitor (TAT-C3) allowed us to demonstrate that hU-II induced arterial smooth muscle contraction, actin stress fiber formation, and proliferation through the activation of the small GTPase RhoA and its downstream effector Rho-kinase.

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