[Effect of nitric oxide on ATPase activity of smooth muscle actomyosin]

The effects of nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on ATPase activities of smooth muscle actomyosin and myosin were investigated. The effect of SNP on actomyosin ATPase activity was biphasic: the low concentration of this reagent increased the actomyosin ATPase activity while the high concentration exerted opposite effect. These effects were similar to those induced by the specific thiol-alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide. These data demonstrate that nitric oxide exert the direct effect on smooth muscle contractile proteins. Such effect may be involved in physiological action of NO on smooth muscle.