Objective-The purpose of this study was to characterize a phosphorylation motif at serine 225 as a molecular switch that regulates the pressure-dependent activation of sphingosine kinase 1 (Sk1) in resistance artery smooth muscle cells. Methods and Results-In isolated hamster gracilis muscle resistance arteries, pressure-dependent activation/translocation of Sk1 by ERK1/2 was critically dependent on its serine 225 phosphorylation site. Specifically, expression of Sk1 S225A reduced resting and myogenic tone, resting Ca 2ϩ , pressure-induced Ca 2ϩ elevations, and Ca 2ϩ sensitivity. The lack of function of the Sk1 S225A mutant could not be entirely overcome by forced localization to the plasma membrane via a myristoylation/palmitylation motif; the membrane anchor also significantly inhibited the function of the wild-type Sk1 enzyme. In both cases, Ca 2ϩ sensitivity and myogenic tone were attenuated, whereas Ca 2ϩ handling was normalized/ enhanced. These discrete effects are consistent with cell surface receptor-mediated effects (Ca 2ϩ sensitivity) and intracellular effects of S1P (Ca 2ϩ handling). Accordingly, S1P 2 receptor inhibition (1mol/L JTE013) attenuated myogenic tone without effect on Ca 2ϩ . Conclusions-Translocation and precise subcellular positioning of Sk1 is essential for full Sk1 function; and two distinct S1P pools, proposed to be intra-and extracellular, contribute to the maintenance of vascular tone. Key Words: myogenic vasoconstriction Ⅲ signal transduction Ⅲ transfection Ⅲ ERK1/2 Ⅲ sphingosine-1-phosphate W hen transmural pressure increases, resistance arteries undergo myogenic vasoconstriction, an intrinsic response of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to elevated mechanical load. 1 Under normal physiological conditions, myogenic vasoconstriction acts as a critical element in the regulation of tissue perfusion, which also leads to further augmentation of systemic blood pressure. Several cellular events and signaling mediators have been proposed to control myogenic vasoconstriction 2 ; we have recently identified sphingosine kinase 1 (Sk1) and its product, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), as mandatory components of the pressureinduced signaling cascade. 3 Although Sk1 is activated in response to elevated transmural pressure, the mechanisms through which its product, S1P, act are only partially described. S1P can activate signaling cascades as both an intracellular second messenger and as an extracellular receptor ligand (via the S1P-specific membrane receptors S1P 1 , S1P 3 and S1P 5 ). 4 Although the intracellular targets of S1P are not well described, S1P receptor stimulation via extracellular S1P is known to activate RhoA/Rho kinase 3,5 and stimulate the generation of reactive oxygen species, 6 purportedly via the small GTPase Rac. Both of these signaling events possess a modulatory role in the control of the Ca 2ϩ sensitivity of the VSMC contractile apparatus, with important functional consequences with respect to myogenic vasoconstriction. 3,6 In the absence of stimulation, Sk1 posses...