Contribution of Cav1.2 Ca2+ channels and store-operated Ca2+ entry to pig urethral smooth muscle contraction

Urethral smooth muscle (USM) generates tone to prevent urine leakage from the bladder during filling. USM tone has been thought to be a voltage-dependent process, relying on Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in USM cells, modulated by the activation of Ca2+-activated Cl− channels encoded by Ano1. However, recent findings in the mouse have suggested that USM tone is voltage independent, relying on Ca2+ influx through Orai channels via store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). We explored if this pathway also occurred in the pig using isometric tension recordings of USM tone. Pig USM strips generated myogenic tone, which was nearly abolished by the Cav1.2 channel antagonist nifedipine and the ATP-dependent K+ channel agonist pinacidil. Pig USM tone was reduced by the Orai channel blocker GSK-7975A. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) led to phentolamine-sensitive contractions of USM strips. Contractions of pig USM were also induced by phenylephrine. Phenylephrine-evoked and EFS-evoked contractions of pig USM were reduced by ~50–75% by nifedipine and ~30% by GSK-7975A. Inhibition of Ano1 channels had no effect on tone or EFS-evoked contractions of pig USM. In conclusion, unlike the mouse, pig USM exhibited voltage-dependent tone and agonist/EFS-evoked contractions. Whereas SOCE plays a role in generating tone and agonist/neural-evoked contractions in both species, this dominates in the mouse. Tone and agonist/EFS-evoked contractions of pig USM are the result of Ca2+ influx primarily through Cav1.2 channels, and no evidence was found supporting a role of Ano1 channels in modulating these mechanisms.