Cyclic nucleotide regulation of neurotransmission in guinea pig mesenteric artery

The possible involvement of three different second-messenger systems, namely cyclic AMP/protein kinase (PK)-A, cyclic GMP/PK-G, and diacylglycerol (DG)/PK-C systems, in the perivascular nerve terminals of guinea pig mesenteric artery was examined by intracellular microelectrode recording. Excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) were evoked by perivascular nerve stimulation. Isoproterenol (0.1 microM) enhanced the EJP amplitude without modifying the passive membrane properties of the vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells. The facilitatory effect of isoproterenol on EJP amplitude was completely abolished by beta-adrenergic blockade (0.3 microM propranolol). Forskolin (activator of adenylate cyclase) also augmented the EJP amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 congruent to 10 microM), without affecting the passive membrane properties of the VSM cells. In addition, forskolin (1-10 mM) markedly potentiated the isoproterenol-induced stimulation of EJP amplitude (EC50 congruent to 2 microM). A permeant analogue of cyclic AMP, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (0.1 and 1 mM), enhanced the EJP amplitude, thus mimicking the effects of isoproterenol and forskolin. 8-Bromo-cyclic AMP had no effect on the resting potential or current-voltage relationship of the VSM cells, thus suggesting that the membrane properties of the VSM cells were not altered. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP (1 mM) also augmented the EJP amplitude, but its facilitatory effect was weaker than that of 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP hyperpolarized the VSM membrane by 4 mV and decreased the input resistance, presumably due to an increase in K+ conductance. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 30-300 nM), a direct activator of PK-C, significantly enhanced the EJP amplitude after 40 min in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting the resting potential of the VSM cells. From these results, we suggest that cyclic AMP/PK-A, cyclic GMP/PK-G, and DG/PK-C systems might be involved in regulation of the release of neurotransmitter in the perivascular nerve terminals. However, the possibility of some action on the postsynaptic VSM cell cannot be excluded.