A decrease in the amount and function of the stimulatory GTP-binding protein in the small resistance arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We investigated the concentration of stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs protein) in the peripheral resistance arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), and renovascular hypertensive rats (RHR). Changes in the function of Gs protein in SHR and WKY were also investigated by microcannulation techniques. The localization and abundance of Gs protein were determined immunohistochemically in 4-, 10- and 20-week-old SHR and age-matched WKY (control), as well as in RHR.