The 20-kD regulatory light chain (RLC) plays a central role in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. Little is known about the structure or expression of smooth muscle myosin light chain (MLC) genes. A cDNA library was constructed in the expression vector, lambda gt-11, with mRNA derived from cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Using antibody generated against tracheal smooth muscle...

RATIONALE Recent findings have demonstrated that muscarinic M(3) receptor stimulation enhances airway smooth muscle proliferation to peptide growth factors in vitro. Because both peptide growth factor expression and acetylcholine release are known to be augmented in allergic airway inflammation, it is possible that anticholinergics protect against allergen-induced airway smooth muscle remodelin...

Jones, Keith A., Robert R. Lorenz, Y. S. Prakash, Gary C. Sieck, and David O. Warner. ATP hydrolysis during contraction of permeabilized airway smooth muscle. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 21): L334–L342, 1999.— This study determined whether the time-dependent decline in the rate of ATP hydrolysis by actomyosin ATPase during sustained isometric force can occur in the absence of ...

BACKGROUND Tracheomalacia (TM) is a condition of excessive tracheal collapse during exhalation. Both acquired and congenital forms of TM are believed to result from morphological changes in cartilaginous, fibrous and/or smooth muscle tissues reducing airway mechanical properties to a degree that precipitates collapse. However, neither the specific amount of mechanical property reduction nor the...

At the end of development, organs acquire functionality, thereby ensuring autonomy of an organism when it separates from its mother or a protective egg. In insects, respiratory competence starts when the tracheal system fills with gas just before hatching of the juvenile animal. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of this process are not fully understood. Analyses of the phenotype of Drosophila e...

introduction: we did this study because there were a few studies about aorto-branch junction. methods: four light microscope and electron microscope study, the abdominal aorta, renal artery, and the adjoining right and left renal arteries were dissected out from 4 neonate dogs. results: based on the results, there is only one cell type in the tunica intima of endothelium in both arteries. in ab...

objective(s): thyroid hormones play an essential role in fetal growth and maternal hypo-thyroidism which leads to cardiovascular deficiency in their offspring.  considering this, we intended to investigate the impact of gestational hypothyroidism on offspring vascular contractibility and possible underlying mechanisms. materials and methods: hypothyroidism was induced in female rats by administ...

saffron, crocus sativus l. (c. sativus) is rich in carotenoids and used in traditional medicine for treatment of various conditions such as coughs, stomach disorders, amenorrhea, asthma and cardiovascular disorders. these therapeutic effects of the plant are suggested to be due to its relaxant effect on smooth muscles. the effect of c. sativus and its constituents on different smooth muscles an...

At the end of development, organs acquire functionality, thereby ensuring autonomy of an organism when it separates from its mother or a protective egg. In insects, respiratory competence starts when the tracheal system fills with gas just before hatching of the juvenile animal. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of this process are not fully understood. Analyses of the phenotype of Drosophila e...

At the end of development, organs acquire functionality, thereby ensuring autonomy of an organism when it separates from its mother or a protective egg. In insects, respiratory competence starts when the tracheal system fills with gas just before hatching of the juvenile animal. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of this process are not fully understood. Analyses of the phenotype of Drosophila e...