Prostacyclin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in cultured myocytes: differences between rabbit aorta and mesenteric artery

Prostacyclin relaxes isolated strips of rabbit mesenteric artery and stimulates cholesteryl ester hydrolysis in rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells. Both effects are considered to be mediated by an increase in intracellular cAMP levels. Here we report that prostacyclin, prostaglandin E1 and two stable analogues of prostacyclin (5,6-dihydroprostacyclin and carbacyclin) dose dependently stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in membranes of cultured myocytes from both rabbit aorta and mesenteric artery. The rank order of potency in both systems was prostacyclin greater than carbacyclin greater than prostaglandin E1 greater than 5,6-dihydroprostacyclin, which parallels the order of potency observed for the vasodilator actions. Three other prostanoids, with limited vasoactive properties, prostaglandin D2, BW245C and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha failed to stimulate significantly adenylate cyclase activity. The two cell types differ in that the enzyme activation in aortic cell involves the interaction of each prostaglandin with one component of the adenylate cyclase system, while in mesenteric arterial cells the activation is brought about by the interaction with a higher and a lower affinity class of components.