cAMP and cGMP help

[JaSam]

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I've been having trouble with the effects of cAMP and cGMP on smooth muscle. Is there a good rule of thumb to know when increased levels of them causes constriction or relaxation? Like is increased cAMP mean constriction and does incr cGMP mean relaxation of these smooth muscles? Or is there no set pattern? Much thanks.

 

[opb]

I think they both cause vasodilation. The difference is their distribution and which effector molecules they activate. cAMP activates protein kinase A, and cGMP activates protein kinase G. But in blood vessels, I think they both cause vasodilation.

 

[VPDcurt]

IP3/Ca is the mechanism that will pretty much almost always produce contraction of some sort.

 

[medstu2006]

IP3/Ca is the mechanism that will pretty much almost always produce contraction of some sort.

That makes sense. Increased intramuscular Ca levels will always lead to muscle contraction.

 

[VPDcurt]

That makes sense. Increased intramuscular Ca levels will always lead to muscle contraction.

yes it does.

 

[Nicholaus]

I've been having trouble with the effects of cAMP and cGMP on smooth muscle. Is there a good rule of thumb to know when increased levels of them causes constriction or relaxation? Like is increased cAMP mean constriction and does incr cGMP mean relaxation of these smooth muscles? Or is there no set pattern? Much thanks.

General rule of thumb I used while studying these 2nd messengers was: cAMP = Sympathetic while cGMP = Parasympathetic!

Good luck 🙂