A difference in effects of physiological Ca2+ concentrations on activity of guanylate cyclase preparations obtained from the taenia caecum of guinea pig and from the longitudinal muscle of rat duodenum.

A cholinergic stimulant, butyltrimethylammonium bromide and serotonin increased the tissue levels of cyclic GMP in the taenia caecum of guinea pig but not those in the longitudinal muscle of rat duodenum. On the other hand, physiological Ca2+ concentrations enhanced the activity of a guanylate cyclase preparation obtained from the taenia caecum of guinea pig, while guanylate cyclase in the longitudinal muscle of rat duodenum was not influenced by Ca2+. The difference in the effects of the smooth muscle stimulants on the tissue levels of cyclic GMP in two different smooth muscles in attributed to differences in the properties of guanylate cyclase of smooth muscles.