Calcium- and calmodulin-dependent phosphorylase kinase activity in porcine uterine smooth muscle

Porcine uterine smooth muscle phosphorylase kinase has been partially purified. The enzyme was activated about 1.5-2.0-fold by exogenous calmodulin. Half maximal stimulation was observed at about 100 nM calmodulin. The activation was dependent on calcium and was maximum at pH 7.5 in the range of pH from 6 to 9. This activation was completely abolished by 100 microM trifluoperazine. The result suggested that unlike slow and cardiac muscles, phosphorylase kinase of uterine smooth muscle showed similar response to calmodulin with that of fast muscle. The physiological role of the calcium and calmodulin-dependent activation of myometrium phosphorylase kinase is briefly discussed.