Characterisation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases from rat mesenteric artery

Four cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities (PDEs) could be resolved from rat mesenteric artery by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography: a calmodulin-activated fraction, a cyclic GMP-inhibited fraction, a cyclic AMP-specific rolipram-sensitive fraction and a cyclic GMP-specific fraction containing PDE I, III, IV and V. Cardiotonic drugs (CI 930 and LY 195115) selectively inhibited PDE III; rolipram and zaprinast selectively inhibited PDE IV and PDE V, respectively. These results show that the rat mesenteric artery contains the same PDEs as previously found in the aorta, and suggest that these PDEs may be implicated in the regulation of arterial contraction.