Endothelial dysfunction and activation occur in the vasculature and are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. We have shown that 8,11,, a cytochrome P450 4A-derived eicosanoid that promotes vasoconstriction in the microcirculation, uncouples endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and reduces nitric oxide (NO) levels via the dissociation of the 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) from eNOS. It also causes endothelial activation by stimulating nuclear factor-B (NF-B) and increasing levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we examined signaling mechanisms that may link 20-HETE-induced endothelial dysfunction and activation. Under conditions in which 20-HETE inhibited NO production, it also stimulated inhibitor of NF-B (IB) phosphorylation. Both effects were prevented by inhibition of tyrosine kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). It is noteworthy that inhibitor of IB kinase (IKK) activity negated the 20-HETE-mediated inhibition of NO production. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that treatment of ionophore-stimulated cells with 20-HETE brings about a decrease in HSP90-eNOS association and an increase in HSP90-IKK association, suggesting that the activation by 20-HETE of NF-B is linked to its action on eNOS. Furthermore, addition of inhibitors of tyrosine kinase MAPK and IKK restored the 20-HETE-mediated impairment of acetylcholine-induced relaxation in rat renal interlobar arteries. The results indicate that 20-HETE mediates eNOS uncoupling and endothelial dysfunction via the activation of tyrosine kinase, MAPK, and IKK, and these effects are linked to 20-HETE-mediated endothelial activation.The integrity of the vascular endothelium is vital to the regulation of the cardiovascular system. The endothelium serves as a protective barrier between tissues and circulating blood and functions to maintain vascular homeostasis by releasing bioactive factors in response to hemodynamic changes and blood-borne signals. An uncontrolled endothelial cell response is involved in many disease processes, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. These diseases are related to endothelial injury, dysfunction and activation. Nitric oxide (NO), generated from L-arginine by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS), is a key endothelial-derived factor, the bioavailability of which is essential to the integrity and function of the endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction occurs as a result of a loss of NO bioavailability that is due to either reduced formation or accelerated degradation of NO, and it is often associated with endothelial activation. NO actively mediates many functions of the endothelium. In addition to its Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at http://jpet.aspetjournals.org. doi:10.1124/jpet.109.159863.ABBREVIATIONS: NO, nitric oxide; eNOS, endothelial nitric-oxide synthase; SMC, smooth muscle cell; 20-HETE, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid; HSP90, 90-kDa heat shock prot...