Figure 2.

Schematic representation of the Vav2–Rac1-dependent pathway promoting blood vessel vasodilatation (red color). The previously known signaling elements of the NO signaling route in vSMCs are shown in black. The vasoconstriction pathway is shown in brown. Activation steps are indicated by arrows. Inhibitory steps are indicated by blunted lines. See further details in main text. Abbreviations used are: sGC, soluble guanylate cyclase; cGKI, cGMP–dependent protein kinase type I; GMP, guanosine monophosphate; MLCK, MLC₂₀ kinase. The rest of the abbreviations have already been described in the main text.