Inhibition of smooth muscle cell growth by nitric oxide and activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by cGMP

A study of the NO- and cGMP-dependent inhibition of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) suggested that the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP kinase) by cGMP was responsible for the growth-suppression of rat aortic SMC in an NO-dependent manner. Interleukin-1beta induced a rise in cGMP that stimulated cAMP kinase activity. cAMP kinase activity decreased with the introduction of factors that prevent NO and cGMP production.