Cytosolic Ca2+ and phosphoinositide hydrolysis linked to constitutively active α1D-adrenoceptors in vascular smooth muscle

In the present study, we analyzed changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels and inositol phosphate accumulation related to a population of alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors in rat aorta resembling constitutively active receptors. Following intracellular Ca2+ store depletion by noradrenaline in Ca2+-free medium and removal of the agonist, restoration of extracellular Ca2+ induced four signals: a biphasic (transient and sustained) increase in [Ca2+](i), inositol phosphate accumulation, and a contractile response in the aorta. The transient increase in Ca2+, the inositol phosphate accumulation, and the contractile response were not observed in aortae incubated with prazosin or BMY 7378 [8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5]decane-7,9-dione] (a selective alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor ligand), relating the three signals to alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor activity. In the presence of nimodipine, only the sustained increase in Ca2+ and the inositol phosphate accumulation were observed, relating both signals to calcium entry through L-channels. The four signals were abolished by Ni2+. In the rat tail artery, where alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors are not functionally active, restoration of extracellular Ca2+ after store depletion induced only a sustained increase in [Ca2+](i) without inositol phosphate accumulation nor contractile response. Taken together these results suggest that in the aorta, Ca2+ entry is required for the recovery of cytosolic calcium levels and the display of the membrane signals related to the constitutive activity of alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors, i.e., inositol phosphate formation and Ca2+ entry through L-type channels, which maintains a contractile response once the agonist has been removed.