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Biopolym. Cell. 1996; 12(4):5-24.
Biochemical mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction regulation
1Danilova V. M.
  1. Petr Bogach Institute of Physiology
    Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
    2, Academika Glushkova Ave Str., Kyiv, Ukraine, 03187
In the review the analysis of the last achievement in the field of biochemistry and molecular physiology of contraction processes in smooth muscle are presented. Smooth muscle contraction involves myosin phosphorylation. This process is associated with intracellular Ca2+ influx followed by Ca2+-caltnodulin complex formation and myosin light chain kinase activation. The relaxation is provided by dephosphorylation of myosin through the agency of myosin light chain phosphatase. Dephosphorylation process is suggested not to be regulated. Other possible regulatory mechanisms include such thin filament linked proteins as caldesmonandcalponin.