INOSITOL 1,4,5-TRISPHOSPHATE, INOSITIDE FLUX RATES AND POOL SIZES DURING SMOOTH-MUSCLE RELAXATION

Decreases in D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] content and changes in inositol phospholipid contents occurred during the time of atropine-induced relaxation of swine tracheal smooth muscle contracted with 55-mu-M carbachol. Decrease in Ins(1,4,5)P3 occurred in a pool which makes up 40% of the total content of this inositol phosphate and which has access to Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase and/or 3-kinase. A 50% decrease in this pool occurred at 16 s after addition of atropine and within 6-10 s after inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC). The maximal fall in Ins(1,4,5)P3 occurred at a time when force had only decreased 30% of the maximal response. A phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) pool linked to muscarinic receptor-activation increased 160% after addition of atropine, the maximal response occurring at a time when relaxation was 80% complete. The mechanisms for this increase were the maintained formation of PIP and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) even though PIP2 hydrolysis was inhibited and the apparent chemical equilibrium between PIP and PIP2.