It is well known that beta-adrenoceptor agonists (beta-agonists) cause relaxation in airway smooth muscle mediated by a reduction in the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+(i)). However, little is currently known regarding whether reduced sensitization to Ca2+ is involved in the beta-adrenergic relaxation. This study was designed to determine the intracellular mechanisms underlying suppression of Ca2+ sensitization in beta-adrenergic relaxation (Ca(2+)-independent relaxation by beta-agonists). Methods Isometric tension and Ca2+(i) were simultaneously measured in fura-2-loaded strips isolated from guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscles. The relationships between tension and Ca2+(i) were examined in the inhibitory action of isoprenaline (ISO) and other cAMP-related agents against methacholine-induced contraction. The concentration-inhibition curve for ISO against methacholine in tension was significantly dissociated from the curve for ISO in Ca2+(i). In ISO-induced relaxation, a reduction in tension was significantly greater than that in Ca2+(i.) This phenomenon was mimicked by other cAMP-related agents: forskolin and dibutyryl-cAMP. In contrast, the inhibitory action of SKF-96365, a non-selective inhibitor of Ca(2+) channels, was associated with that in Ca2+(i). In the presence of Rp-cAMPS, an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), ISO caused an equivalent relaxation with less reduction in Ca2+(i). The effects of ISO were not affected by Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-kinase, or by bisindolylmaleimide, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. ISO failed to inhibit contraction elicited by calyculin A, an inhibitor of myosin phosphatase. Conclusion beta-Adrenergic action antagonizes not only Ca2+ mobilization but also Ca2+ sensitization in methacholine-induced contraction. The cAMP/PKA-independent, G(s)-direct action is more potent in Ca(2+)-independent relaxation by beta-agonists than the cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway. Moreover, myosin phosphatase is a fundamentally affected protein in the reduced response to Ca2+ mediated by beta-agonist. Our results may provide evidence that this Ca2+ desensitization is a novel target for a reliever medication using rapid-acting beta-agonists in acute asthma management.