NO upregulation of a cyclic nucleotide-gated channel contributes to calcium elevation in endothelial cells

We investigated whether nitric oxide (NO) upregulates a cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel and whether this contributes to sustained elevation of intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+](i)) in porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). Exposure of PAEC to an NO donor, NOC- 18 (1 mM), for 18 h increased the protein and mRNA levels of CNGA2 40 and 50%, respectively (P < 0.05). [Ca2+](i) in NO-treated cells was increased 50%, and this increase was maintained for up to 12 h after removal of NOC-18 from medium. Extracellular calcium is required for the increase in [Ca2+](i) in NO-treated cells. Thapsigargin induced a rapid cytosolic calcium rise, whereas both a CNG and a nonselective cation channel blocker caused a faster decline in [Ca2+](i), suggesting that capacitive calcium entry contributes to the elevated calcium levels. Antisense inhibition of CNGA2 expression attenuated the NO-induced increases in CNGA2 expression and [Ca2+](i) and in capacitive calcium entry. Our results demonstrate that exogenous NO upregulates CNGA2 expression and that this is associated with elevated [Ca2+](i) and capacitive calcium entry in porcine PAEC.