A molecular complex of Ca v 1.2/CaMKK2/CaMK1a in caveolae is responsible for vascular remodeling via excitation–transcription coupling

Abstract

Significance Excitation–transcription (E-T) coupling can initiate and modulate essential physiological or pathological responses in cells, such as neurons and cardiac myocytes. Although vascular myocytes also exhibit E-T coupling in response to membrane depolarization, the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Our study reveals that E-T coupling in vascular myocytes converts intracellular Ca 2+ signals into selective gene transcription related to chemotaxis, leukocyte adhesion, and inflammation. Our discovery identifies a mechanism for vascular remodeling as an adaptation to increased circumferential stretch.