RhoA/rock signaling mediates peroxynitrite-induced functional impairment of Rat coronary vessels

BACKGROUND: Diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction may arise from reduced nitric oxide (NO) availability, following interaction with superoxide to form peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite can induce formation of 3-nitrotyrosine-modified proteins. RhoA/ROCK signaling is also involved in diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction. The study aimed to investigate possible links between Rho/ROCK signaling, hyperglycemia, and peroxynitrite in small coronary arteries. METHODS: Rat small coronary arteries were exposed to normal (NG; 5.5 mM) or high (HG; 23 mM) D-glucose. Vascular ring constriction to 3 mM 4-aminopyridine and dilation to 1 μM forskolin were measured. Protein expression (immunohistochemistry and western blot), mRNA expression (real-time PCR), and protein activity (luminescence-based G-LISA and kinase activity spectroscopy assays) of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were determined. RESULTS: Vascular ring constriction and dilation were smaller in the HG group than in the NG group (P < 0.05); inhibition of RhoA or ROCK partially reversed the effects of HG. Peroxynitrite impaired vascular ring constriction/dilation; this was partially reversed by inhibition of RhoA or ROCK. Protein and mRNA expressions of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were higher under HG than NG (P < 0.05). This HG-induced upregulation was attenuated by inhibition of RhoA or ROCK (P < 0.05). HG increased RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 activity (P < 0.05). Peroxynitrite also enhanced RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 activity; these actions were partially inhibited by 100 μM urate (peroxynitrite scavenger). Exogenous peroxynitrite had no effect on the expression of the voltage-dependent K(+) channels 1.2 and 1.5. CONCLUSIONS: Peroxynitrite-induced coronary vascular dysfunction may be mediated, at least in part, through increased expressions and activities of RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2.