Invited Review: Regulation of myosin phosphorylation in smooth muscle

Phosphorylation of the regulatory light chains of myosin II (rMLC) by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) and dephosphorylation by a type 1 phosphatase (MLCP), which is targeted to myosin by a regulatory subunit (MYPT1), are the predominant mechanisms of regulation of smooth muscle tone. The activities of both enzymes are modulated by several protein kinases. MLCK is inhibited by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, whereas the activity of MLCP is increased by cGMP and perhaps also cAMP-dependent protein kinases. In either case, this results in a decrease in the Ca(2+) sensitivity of rMLC phosphorylation and force production. The activity of MLCP is inhibited by Rho-associated kinase, one of the effectors of the monomeric GTPase Rho, and protein kinase C, leading to an increase in Ca(2+) sensitivity. Hence, smooth muscle tone appears to be regulated by a network of activating and inactivating intracellular signaling cascades.