Coordinated Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Activation by Translocation and Phosphorylation Determines Flow-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in Resistance Vessels

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is associated with caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in plasma membrane. We tested the hypothesis that eNOS activation by shear stress in resistance vessels depends on synchronized phosphorylation, dissociation from Cav-1 and translocation of the membrane-bound enzyme to Golgi and cytosol. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In isolated, perfused rat arterial mesenteric beds, we evaluated the effect of changes in flow rate (2-10 ml/min) on nitric oxide (NO) production, eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177, eNOS subcellular distribution and co-immunoprecipitation with Cav-1, in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Increases in flow induced a biphasic rise in NO production: a rapid transient phase (3-5-min) that peaked during the first 15 s, followed by a sustained phase, which lasted until the end of stimulation. Concomitantly, flow caused a rapid translocation of eNOS from the microsomal compartment to the cytosol and Golgi, paralleled by an increase in eNOS phosphorylation and a reduction in eNOS-Cav-1 association. Transient NO production, eNOS translocation and dissociation from Cav-1 depended on extracellular Ca²⁺, while sustained NO production was abolished by the PI3K-Akt blocker wortmannin. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In intact resistance vessels, changes in flow induce NO production by transient Ca²⁺-dependent eNOS translocation from membrane to intracellular compartments and sustained Ca²⁺-independent PI3K-Akt-mediated phosphorylation.