Smooth muscle demonstrates several unique properties that are poorly understood. These include the ability to generate force with reduced myosin and the ability to maintain tension with low energy expenditure. Fultz and his team have proposed that active remodeling of the cytoskeleton may explain these properties.
Selected Publications
Matrix Metalloproteinases -14, -9 and -2 are Localized to the Podosome and Involved in Podosome Development in the A7r5 Smooth Muscle Cell. Thatcher SE, Black JE, Tanaka H, Kohama K, Fultz ME, Cassis LA, Wright GL.J Cardiobiol. 2017 May;5(1):10. doi: 10.13188/2332-3671.1000020. Epub 2017 May 10.PMID: 30931350
Myosin light chain kinase/actin interaction in phorbol dibutyrate-stimulated smooth muscle cells. Thatcher SE, Fultz ME, Tanaka H, Hagiwara H, Zhang HL, Zhang Y, Hayakawa K, Yoshiyama S, Nakamura A, Wang HH, Katayama T, Watanabe M, Lin Y, Wright GL, Kohama K.J Pharmacol Sci. 2011;116(1):116-27. doi: 10.1254/jphs.10296fp. Epub 2011 May 3.PMID: 21551973
Characterization of osteoblastic properties of 7F2 and UMR-106 cultures after acclimation to reduced levels of fetal bovine serum. Ganguly S, Ashley LA, Pendleton CM, Grey RD, Howard GC, Castle LD, Peyton DK, Fultz ME, DeMoss DL.Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2008 Jul;86(7):403-15. doi: 10.1139/y08-055.PMID: 18641689
Differential actin isoform reorganization in the contracting A7r5 cell. Brown D, Dykes A, Black J, Thatcher S, Fultz ME, Wright GL.Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Aug-Sep;84(8-9):867-75. doi: 10.1139/y06-027.PMID: 17111031
Effect of fasting on vascular contractility in lean and obese Zucker rats. Wright GL, Morrison R, Fultz ME, Wright G, Mccumbee W, Wehner P, Studeny M.Clin Nutr. 2003 Aug;22(4):359-63. doi: 10.1016/s0261-5614(03)00030-x.PMID: 12880602
Myosin remodelling in the contracting A7r5 smooth muscle cell. Fultz ME, Wright GL.Acta Physiol Scand. 2003 Feb;177(2):197-205. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-201X.2003.01054.x.PMID: 12558556
Ca2+-dependent actin remodeling in the contracting A7r5 cell. Li C, Fultz ME, Parkash J, Rhoten WB, Wright GL.J Muscle Res Cell Motil. 2001;22(6):521-34. doi: 10.1023/a:1015026530258.PMID: 12038586
Effect of vitamin A deficiency on cardiovascular function in the rat. Wright GL, Wang S, Fultz ME, Arif I, Matthews K, Chertow BS.Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2002 Jan;80(1):1-7. doi: 10.1139/y01-093.PMID: 11911220
PKC-alpha shows variable patterns of translocation in response to different stimulatory agents. Li C, Fultz ME, Wright GL.Acta Physiol Scand. 2002 Mar;174(3):237-46. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-201x.2002.00945.x.PMID: 11906323
Concentration-dependent phorbol stimulation of PKCalpha localization at the nucleus or subplasmalemma in A7r5 cells. Li C, Fultz ME, Geng W, Ohno S, Norton M, Wright GL.Pflugers Arch. 2001 Oct;443(1):38-47. doi: 10.1007/s004240100627.PMID: 11692264
Regulation of expression and activity of four PKC isozymes in confluent and mechanically stimulated UMR-108 osteoblastic cells. Geng WD, Boskovic G, Fultz ME, Li C, Niles RM, Ohno S, Wright GL.J Cell Physiol. 2001 Nov;189(2):216-28. doi: 10.1002/jcp.10019.PMID: 11598907
Remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in the contracting A7r5 smooth muscle cell. Fultz ME, Li C, Geng W, Wright GL.J Muscle Res Cell Motil. 2000;21(8):775-87. doi: 10.1023/a:1010396429297.PMID: 11392559
PKCalpha translocation is microtubule-dependent in passaged smooth muscle cells. Battistella-Patterson AS, Fultz ME, Li C, Geng W, Norton M, Wright GL.Acta Physiol Scand. 2000 Oct;170(2):87-97. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-201x.2000.00755.x.PMID: 11114946
Short-term exposure to homocysteine depresses rat aortic contractility by an endothelium-dependent mechanism. Wang S, Wright G, Harrah J, Touchon R, McCumbee W, Geng W, Fultz ME, Abdul-Jalil MN, Wright GL.Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2000 Jun;78(6):500-6.PMID: 10914640
