Abstract
The p66shc adaptor protein mediates age-associated oxidative stress. We examined the role of p66shc in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling. Overexpression of p66shc inhibited eNOS-dependent NO production. RNAi-mediated down-regulation of endogenous p66shc led to activation of the proto-oncogene ras, and Akt kinase, with a corresponding increase in phosphorylation of eNOS at S1177 (S1179 on bovine eNOS). In rat aortic rings, down-regulation of p66shc suppressed the vasoconstrictor response to phenyephrine that was abrogated by treatment with the NOS inhibitor l-NAME, and enhanced vasodilation induced by sub-maximal doses of acetylcholine. These findings highlight a pivotal role for p66shc in inhibiting endothelial NO production, and endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, that may provide important mechanistic information about endothelial dysfunction seen with aging.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 992-995 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2005 |
Keywords
- Endothelium
- Nitric oxide
- P66shc
- Ras
- Vascular tone
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine