Fig. 4. Decreased isometric force generation of aortic rings from SMAKO mice. (A) Original tracings and (B) statistical analysis of contractions of isolated aortic rings from control (Ctr) and SMAKO (KO) mice. Force generation in response to 85 mM K⁺ (K85) and 1 µM PE measured with or without 1 µM isradipine (Isra) or 5 µM Y-27632 as indicated. Force in (B) is normalized to vessel length. (C) Relaxation of aortic rings pre-contracted with 1 µM PE by 1 µM isradipine and 5 µM Y-27632. Force levels are expressed as a percentage of the maximum contractile force in SMAKO mice. *P < 0.05 versus the same condition in control mice.