Decrease in calcium transport associated with phosphoprotein phosphatase-catalyzed dephosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Phosphoprotein phosphatase activity is found in preparations of sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from canine heart when assayed with either phosphate or phosphorylated sarcoplasmic reticulum as substrate. Phosphoprotein phosphatase-catalyzed dephosphorylation of the 22,000 dalton phosphoprotein of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is stimulated markedly by MnCl2 (5 mM) and to a lesser extent by MgCl2 (5 mM); inorganic phosphate (50 mM) and NaF (25 mM) are inhibitory. Dephosphorylation of this 22,000 dalton phosphoprotein is correlated with a decreased initial rate of calcium transport. The close structural and functional relationship of phosphoprotein phosphatase to the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum suggests a possible role of this enzyme in reversing the relaxation-promoting effects of catecholamines on the intact heart.