Prostacyclin receptor is a receptor for prostacyclin

Prostacyclin

Prostacyclin is a member of the family of lipid molecules known as eicosanoids.As a drug, it is also known as "epoprostenol". The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.-History:...

.

Transduction

When binding a prostacyclin

Prostacyclin

Prostacyclin is a member of the family of lipid molecules known as eicosanoids.As a drug, it is also known as "epoprostenol". The terms are sometimes used interchangeably.-History:...

-molecule, the receptor changes conformation and activates G_s

Gs alpha subunit

The Gs alpha subunit is a heterotrimeric G protein subunit that activates the cAMP-dependent pathway by activating adenylate cyclase.-Receptors:The G protein-coupled receptors that couple to this kind of G-protein include:...

, with its activation of cAMP and increase in protein kinase A (PKA) activity.

In vasodilation

In vasodilation

Vasodilation

Vasodilation refers to the widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, particularly in the large arteries, smaller arterioles and large veins. The process is essentially the opposite of vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels. When...

, the PKA activity causes phosphorylation of MLCK, decreasing its activity, resulting in dephosphorylation of MLC of myosin

Myosin

Myosins comprise a family of ATP-dependent motor proteins and are best known for their role in muscle contraction and their involvement in a wide range of other eukaryotic motility processes. They are responsible for actin-based motility. The term was originally used to describe a group of similar...

. The smooth muscle relaxation leads to vasodilation.

Further reading