Determination of the concentration of free Ca2+ in the presence of magnesium (or manganese) and chelating effectors of the NAD+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase.

An equation was formulated that enabled the calculation of the concentration of free Ca²⁺ in a reaction medium containing calcium, magnesium (or manganese), and up to five metal chelators. The concentrations of all ionic and chelating species present in the incubation mixture could also be estimated. The equation, a polynomial to the sixth power with respect to free Ca²⁺, is expressed in terms of known equilibrium (formation) constants and concentrations of reactants. The calculated values of free Ca²⁺ were compared with those determined experimentally, using a calcium ion-specific electrode, and the two were found to be in excellent agreement. To illustrate the usefulness of the technique, we examined the inhibition by calcium of NAD⁺-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase, in the presence of ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), ADP, ATP, isocitrate, citrate, and magnesium. The effect of manganese on the concentration of free Ca²⁺ in solutions of calcium and EGTA was also deseribed. It was found that manganese, but not magnesium, displaced calcium from the Ca-EGTA cholate resulting in a much higher than expected concentration of free Ca²⁺. This raises questions about the inhibition of the isocitrate dehydrogenase by physiological concentrations of calcium previously reported.     

Purification and properties of NADP+:Isocitrate dehydrogenase from lactating bovine mammary gland

NADP⁺:isocitrate dehydrogenase has been purified to homogeneity from lactating bovine mammary gland. Purification was achieved through the use of affinity and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The isolated enzyme gives one band when stained for protein or enzyme activity on discontinuous alkaline gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 55,000 as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis and a Stokes radius of 4.1 nm as measured by gel chromatography. The enzyme will not use NAD⁺ in place of NADP⁺ and has an absolute requirement for divalent cations. The apparent K_m values for dl-isocitrate, Mn²⁺, and NADP⁺ were found to be 8, 6, and 11 μm, respectively. The Mn²⁺-d_s-isocitrate complex is the most likely substrate for the mammary enzyme with a K_m of 3 μm. The properties of mammary NADP⁺:isocitrate dehydrogenase are compared with those of the homologous enzymes from pig heart and bovine liver, and its characteristics are discussed with respect to the function of the enzyme in lactating mammary gland.     

Characterization of Mg2+- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum

The presence of an energy-dependent calcium uptake system in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum (D. E. Bruns, J. M. McDonald, and L. Jarett, 1976, J. Biol. Chem.251, 7191–7197) suggested that this organelle might possess a calcium-stimulated transport ATPase. This report describes two types of ATPase activity in isolated microsomal vesicles: a nonspecific, divalent cation-stimulated ATPase (Mg²⁺-ATPase) of high specific activity, and a specific, calcium-dependent ATPase (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺-ATPase) of relatively low activity. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was present in preparations of mitochondria and plasma membranes as well as microsomes, whereas the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity appeared to be localized in the endoplasmic reticulum component of the microsomal fraction. Characterization of microsomal Mg²⁺-ATPase activity revealed apparent K_m values of 115 μm for ATP, 333 μm for magnesium, and 200 μm for calcium. Maximum Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was obtained with no added calcium and 1 mm magnesium. Potassium was found to inhibit Mg²⁺-ATPase activity at concentrations greater than 100 mm. The energy of activation was calculated from Arrhenius plots to be 8.6 kcal/mol. Maximum activity of microsomal (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase was 13.7 nmol ³²P/mg/min, which represented only 7% of the total ATPase activity. The enzyme was partially purified by treatment of the microsomes with 0.09% deoxycholic acid in 0.15 m KCl which increased the specific activity to 37.7 nmol ³²P/mg/min. Characterization of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in this preparation revealed a biphasic dependence on ATP with a Hill coefficient of 0.80. The apparent K_m^s for magnesium and calcium were 125 and 0.6–1.2 μm, respectively. (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was stimulated by potassium with an apparent K_m of 10 mm and maximum activity reached at 100 mm potassium. The energy of activation was 21.5 kcal/mol. The kinetics and ionic requirements of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase are similar to those of the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum functions as a calcium transport enzyme.     

The interaction of Ga2+ with mitochondria from human myometrium.

Mitochondria prepared from human myometrium contain large amounts of endogenous Ca²⁺ (up to 200 nmol/mg of protein) even if isolated in media containing ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethylether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid. The endogenous Ca⁺², however, is not irreversibly sequestered, since it can be rapidly and quantitatively discharged by uncouplers. Human myometrial mitochondria are capable of efficient energy-linked Ca²⁺ transport. In the absence of phosphate, the amount of Ca²⁺ accumulated is reduced to insignificant levels. Mg²⁺ has a strong inhibitory effect, which has been exploited to develop an inhibitor-stop method which has permitted the determination of the affinity of myometrial mitochondria for Ca²⁺ (K_m, ~5 μM) and of the maximal velocity of uptake (0.55 nmol/mg of protein/s). The respiration of human myometrial mitochondria is stimulated by Ca²⁺, with respiratory control indexes of the order of 4–5. In contrast, ADP induces an insignificant stimulation, or no stimulation at all. The response of respiration to ADP is somewhat improved if mitochondria are preincubated under conditions which decrease their endogenous Ca²⁺ content. The adenine nucleotide exchange in human myometrial mitochondria is deficient with respect to liver mitochondria.     

Pathway for ATP synthesis by sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase

Millisecond mixing and quenching experiments were performed in order to study the rate of phosphorylation by P_i of the Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. A rapid phosphoenzyme formation was observed when the vesicles were preincubated in the absence of Ca²⁺ prior to the addition of P_i and Mg²⁺ to the medium, the half-time being in the range of 6 to 10 ms. A lag phase and a 5- to 10-fold slower rate of phosphoenzyme formation were observed when the enzyme was preincubated with Ca²⁺ prior to the addition to the reaction mixture of P_i, Mg²⁺, and an excess of ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N′-tetraacetic acid. The rate of phosphoenzyme hydrolysis was measured either by the addition of Ca²⁺ or, in the absence of Ca²⁺, by tracing the hydrolysis of radioactive phosphoenzyme upon the addition of nonradioactive P_i. In the presence of Ca²⁺, the rate of phosphoenzyme hydrolysis was found to be one order of magnitude slower than the rate of hydrolysis measured in the absence of Ca²⁺. Different rates of phosphoenzyme formation and cleavage were found depending on whether sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles or purified Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase were used. A transient phosphorylation by P_i was observed when the enzyme was preincubated in the absence of Ca²⁺ and then added to a medium containing P_i, Mg²⁺, and excess of Ca²⁺. The enzyme was phosphorylated during the initial 100 ms, the phosphoenzyme formed being slowly hydrolyzed in the subsequent incubation intervals. In these conditions ATP synthesis was observed if ADP was added to the mixture 100 ms after starting the reaction. No transient phosphorylation by P_i was observed when the enzyme was preincubated with Ca²⁺. Synthesis of a small but significant amount of ATP was observed when the enzyme was preincubated in the absence of Ca²⁺ and then added to a medium containing P_i, ADP, Mg²⁺, and 20 mm CaCl₂. This was not observed when the enzyme was preincubated in the presence of Ca²⁺.     

Terbium binding to axonal membrane vesicles from lobster (Homarus Americanus) peripheral nerve. A probe of calcium binding sites

Tb³⁺, a fluorescent trivalent cation with physicochemical properties similar to Ca²⁺, binds to peripheral nerve membrane vesicles prepared from the walking leg nerve bundle of the lobster (Homarus americanus). Saturable binding is measured for at least two classes of binding site. Bound Tb³⁺ can be displaced by other cations in the order: Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ = Zn²⁺ > NH₄⁺. The binding of Tb³⁺ to the lower affinity site (K_D(app) = 6.0 μM) is inhibitable by Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, whereas the higher affinity site (K_D(app) = 2.2 μM) is only sensitive to Ca²⁺. Using this spectral probe the role of Ca²⁺ in peripheral nerve membrane function can be investigated.     

Regulation of rat brainstem tryptophan 5-monooxygenase. Calcium-dependent reversible activation by ATP and magnesium.

Tryptophan 5-monooxygenase in rat brainstem cytosol was activated about twofold by incubation with 0.5 mm ATP and 5 mm MgCl₂. The activation required micromolar concentrations of Ca²⁺ but was not dependent on either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. Rat brain cytosol was shown to possess an endogenous protein kinase which was markedly stimulated by the addition of Ca²⁺ using endogenous protein substrates. Following activation by ATP and Mg²⁺ in the presence of Ca²⁺, tryptophan 5-monooxygenase was reversibly deactivated to the original level by incubation at 30 °C after removal of Ca²⁺ by adding ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether)N,N′-tetraacetic acid and was then reactivated by incubation at 30 °C after subsequent addition of Ca²⁺ and ATP. The deactivation was markedly inhibited by the omission of Mg²⁺ or by the addition of NaF.     

The effect of metal ions on the amidolytic activity of human factor Xa (Activated Stuart-Prower Factor)

The effect of metal ions on human activated Factor X (Factor X_a) hydrolysis of the chromogenic substrate benzoyl-Ile-Glu-Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide (S2222) was studied utilizing initial rate enzyme kinetics. The divalent metal ions Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Mg²⁺ enhanced Factor X_a amidolytic activity with K_m values of 30 μm, 20 μm, and 1.4 mm, respectively. Na⁺ activation of Factor X_a amidolytic activity was also found. The K_m for Na⁺ activation was 0.31 m. Both the divalent metal ions and Na⁺ increased the affinity of Factor X_a for S2222 and had no effect on the maximal velocity of the reaction. Other monovalent cations were unable to activate Factor X_a. However, K⁺ was a competitive inhibitor of the Na⁺ activation (K_i = 0.14 m). Lanthanide ions inhibited Factor X_a amidolytic activity. Gd³⁺ inhibition of Factor X_a hydrolysis of S2222 was noncompetitive and had a K_i of 3 μm. The lanthanide ion inhibition could not be reversed by Ca²⁺ even when Ca²⁺ was present in a 1000-fold excess over its K_m indicating nonidentity of the Factor X_a lanthanide and Ca²⁺ binding sites. It is concluded that the Factor X_a Ca²⁺ binding sites have characteristics different from those previously described for the Factor X molecule and that Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ may be physiological regulators of Factor X_a activity.     

Relationship between Ca2+-transport and ATP hydrolytic activities in guinea-pig pancreatic acinar plasma membranes

Partially purified plasma membrane fractions were prepared from guinea-pig pancreatic acini. These membrane preparations were found to contain an ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-transporter as well as a heterogenous ATP-hydrolytic activity. The Ca²⁺-transporter showed high affinity for Ca²⁺ (K_Ca ²⁺ = 0.04 ± 0.01 M), an apparent requirement for Mg²⁺ and high substrate specificity. The major component of ATPase activity could be stimulated by either Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ but showed a low affinity for these cations. At low concentrations, Mg²⁺ appeared to inhibit the Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase activity expressed by these membranes. However, in the presence of high Mg²⁺ concentration (0.5–1 mM), a high affinity Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase activity was observed (K_Ca ²⁺ = 0.08 ± 0.02 M). The hydrolytic activity showed little specificity towards ATP. Neither the Ca²⁺-transport nor high affinity Ca²⁺-ATPase activity were stimulated by calmodulin. The results demonstrate, in addition to a low affinity Ca²⁺ (or Mg⁺)-ATPase activity, the presence of both a high affinity Ca²⁺-pump and high affinity Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase. However, the high affinity Ca²⁺-ATPase activity does not appear to be the biochemical expression of the Ca²⁺-pump.Abbreviations Ca²⁺-ATPase calcium-activated, magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase - CaM calmodulin - CDTA trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetate - EDTA ethylene-diaminetetraacetate - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetate - NADPH reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate     

Enzymic mechanism of starch stynthesis in ripening rice grains. VII. Purification and enzymic properties of sucrose synthetase

Sucrose synthetase (UDP-glucose:d-fructose-2-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.13) from ripening rice seeds was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography of microgranular DEAE-cellulose (DE-32) and Neusilin (MgO· Al₂O₃·2SiO₂). An enzyme preparation obtained was homogeneous as examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme, having a molecular weight, 4.0 × 10⁵, consists of 4 identical subunits, each having a molecular weight, 1.0 × 10⁵.Examination of reaction kinetics of both sucrose synthesis and cleavage catalyzed by sucrose synthetase revealed that the rate of synthesis follows a Michaelis-Menten equation having the following parameters: K_m(fructose)_UDP-glucose, 6.9 mm; K_m(fructose)_ADP-glucose, 40 mm; K_m(UDP-glucose), 5.3 mm; and K_m(ADP-glucose), 3.8 mm. The cleavage reaction yielded the following values: K_m(UDP), 0.8 mm; K_m(ADP), 3.3 mm; and K_m(sucrose)_UDP, 290 mm. In the latter reaction the rate deviated from the Michaelis equation when ADP was used as the glucose acceptor, the n value being 1.6 by the Hill plot analysis and S_0.5(sucrose)_ADP, 400 mm. At high concentration of ADP the cleavage reaction was inhibited, while the synthesis reaction was inhibited with high concentrations of fructose.     

Kinetics and ion specificity of Na/Ca exchange mediated by the reconstituted beef heart mitochondrial Na/Ca antiporter

The Na⁺/Ca²⁺ antiporter was purified from beef heart mitochondria and reconstituted into liposomes containing fluorescent probes selective for Na⁺ or Ca²⁺. Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange was strongly inhibited at alkaline pH, a property that is relevant to rapid Ca²⁺ oscillations in mitochondria. The effect of pH was mediated entirely via an effect on the K_m for Ca²⁺. When present on the same side as Ca²⁺, K⁺ activated exchange by lowering the K_m for Ca²⁺ from 2  to 0.9 μM. The K_m for Na⁺ was 8 mM. In the absence of Ca²⁺, the exchanger catalyzed high rates of Na⁺/Li⁺ and Na⁺/K⁺ exchange. Diltiazem and tetraphenylphosphonium cation inhibited both Na⁺/Ca²⁺ and Na⁺/K⁺ exchange with IC₅₀ values of 10 and 0.6 μM, respectively. The V_max for Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange was increased about fourfold by bovine serum albumin, an effect that may reflect unmasking of an autoregulatory domain in the carrier protein.     

Sensing of volume changes by poterioochromonas involves a ca-regulated system which controls activation of isofloridoside-phosphate synthase

In Poterioochromonas, osmotically induced shrinkage is reversed by an accumulation of isofloridoside. In crude extracts, the isofloridosidephosphate synthase is activated by an enzyme system, the activity of which is increased at reduced cell volume and decreases again when cells reswell. The synthase-activating enzyme system also spontaneously gains activity in cell homogenates. This process is affected by the presence of ethylene glycol-bis-(2-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetate or ethylenediaminetetraacetate in the homogenization buffer and can also be irreversibly initiated by addition of Ca²⁺ ions to homogenates. Pretreatment of the cells with the Ca²⁺-ionophore A 23187 also enhances spontaneous operation of the activation system in homogenates. Addition of the calmodulin-binding drugs trifluoperazine, fluphenazine, or chlorpromazine to homogenates promotes the activation process. The results suggest that detection of volume changes involves a Ca²⁺-controlled and possibly calmodulin-mediated reaction sequence located in membranes. This mechanism might involve zymogens and, after stimulation by cell shrinkage, appears to produce or activate a specific protease capable of activating the isofloridosidephosphate synthase.     

Respiratory and calcium transport properties of spiny lobster hepatopancreas mitochondria

Mitochondria were isolated from the hepatopancreas of the Florida spiny lobster Panulirus argus using a high osmolarity medium containing 600 mm mannitol, 83 mm sucrose, 5 mm 4-morpholinepropanesulfonic acid, pH 7.6, 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and 1 mm EDTA. O₂ uptake and Ca²⁺ transport were measured by electrode methods in similar media (plus 4 mm KP_i, 3.3 mm MgCl₂, and 0.67 mg/ml BSA, with 80 mm KCl replacing a portion of the osmotic support). Substrate-supported respiration was observed to be coupled to phosphorylation of ADP or uptake of Ca²⁺ ions. State 3 rates (nanogram atoms O × minute^?1 × milligram protein^?1 ± SEM (N)) were: 49.2 ± 3.9 (19), succinate; 30.9 ± 3.9 (6), dl-palmitoyl carnitine; 29.0 ± 2.7 (9), l-malate; 40.0 ± 2.3 (3), l-glutamate; 27.7 ± 2.2 (5), d-3-hydroxybutyrate; and 26.4 ± 2.4 (18), l-proline ± pyruvate. α-Glycerol phosphate was not oxidized. Ca²⁺ uptake driven by succinate oxidation proceeded with Ca:O ratios of 4.0 ± 0.2 (SEM). Hepatopancreas mitochondria were not uncoupled by Ca²⁺ uptake in excess of 1100 ng atoms × mg protein^?1. Ca²⁺ efflux could be induced by ruthenium red, indicating the presence of an active Ca²⁺ cycle. These mitochondria may provide a favorable model system in which to study regulation of the Ca²⁺ cycle.     

Cytoplasmic Ca2+ inhibits the ryanodine receptor from cardiac muscle

Ca²⁺-dependent inhibition of native and isolated ryanodine receptor (RyR) calcium release channels from sheep heart and rabbit skeletal muscle was investigated using the lipid bilayer technique. We found that cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ inhibited cardiac RyRs with an average K _m = 15 mm, skeletal RyRs with K _m = 0.7 mm and with Hill coefficients of 2 in both isoforms. This is consistent with measurements of Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in skinned fibers and with [³H]-ryanodine binding to SR vesicles, but is contrary to previous bilayer studies which were unable to demonstrate Ca²⁺-inhibition in cardiac RyRs (Chu, Fill, Stefani &; Entman (1993) J. Membrane Biol. 135, 49–59). Ryanodine prevented Ca²⁺ from inhibiting either cardiac or skeletal RyRs. Ca²⁺-inhibition in cardiac RyRs appeared to be the most fragile characteristic of channel function, being irreversibly disrupted by 500 mm Cs⁺, but not by 500 mm K⁺, in the cis bath or by solublization with the detergent CHAPS. These treatments had no effect on channel regulation by AMP-PNP, caffeine, ryanodine, ruthenium red, or Ca²⁺-activation. Ca²⁺-inhibition in skeletal RyRs was retained in the presence of 500 mm Cs⁺. Our results provide an explanation for previous findings in which cardiac RyRs in bilayers with 250 mm Cs⁺ in the solutions fail to demonstrate Ca²⁺-inhibition, while Ca²⁺-inhibition of Ca²⁺ release is observed in vesicle studies where K⁺ is the major cation. A comparison of open and closed probability distributions from individual RyRs suggested that the same gating mechanism mediates Ca²⁺-inhibition in skeletal RyRs and cardiac RyRs, with different Ca²⁺ affinities for inhibition. We conclude that differences in the Ca²⁺-inhibition in cardiac and skeletal channels depends on their Ca²⁺ binding properties.     

Mitochondrial Free [Ca] Increases during ATP/ADP Antiport and ADP Phosphorylation: Exploration of Mechanisms

ADP influx and ADP phosphorylation may alter mitochondrial free [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_m) and consequently mitochondrial bioenergetics by several postulated mechanisms. We tested how [Ca²⁺]_m is affected by H₂PO₄⁻ (P_i), Mg²⁺, calcium uniporter activity, matrix volume changes, and the bioenergetic state. We measured [Ca²⁺]_m, membrane potential, redox state, matrix volume, pH_m, and O₂ consumption in guinea pig heart mitochondria with or without ruthenium red, carboxyatractyloside, or oligomycin, and at several levels of Mg²⁺ and P_i. Energized mitochondria showed a dose-dependent increase in [Ca²⁺]_m after adding CaCl₂ equivalent to 20, 114, and 485 nM extramatrix free [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_e); this uptake was attenuated at higher buffer Mg²⁺. Adding ADP transiently increased [Ca²⁺]_m up to twofold. The ADP effect on increasing [Ca²⁺]_m could be partially attributed to matrix contraction, but was little affected by ruthenium red or changes in Mg²⁺ or P_i. Oligomycin largely reduced the increase in [Ca²⁺]_m by ADP compared to control, and [Ca²⁺]_m did not return to baseline. Carboxyatractyloside prevented the ADP-induced [Ca²⁺]_m increase. Adding CaCl₂ had no effect on bioenergetics, except for a small increase in state 2 and state 4 respiration at 485 nM [Ca²⁺]_e. These data suggest that matrix ADP influx and subsequent phosphorylation increase [Ca²⁺]_m largely due to the interaction of matrix Ca²⁺ with ATP, ADP, P_i, and cation buffering proteins in the matrix.     

Activation of the human red cell calcium ATPase by calcium pretreatment

Some kinetic parameters of the human red cell Ca²⁺-ATPase were studied on calmodulin-free membrane fragments following preincubation at 37°C. After 30 min treatment with EGTA(1 mm) plus dithioerythritol (1 mm), a V _max of about 0.4 μmol P_i/mg × hr and a K _s of 0.3 μm Ca²⁺ were found. When Mg²⁺ (10 mm) or Ca²⁺(10 μm) were also added during preincubation, V _maxbut not Kwas altered. Ca²⁺ was more effective than Mg²⁺, thus increasing V _max to about 1.3 μmol P_i/mg × hr. The presence of both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ during pretreatment decreasedKto 0.15 μm, while having no apparent effect on V _max. Conversely, addition of ATP (2 mm) with either Ca²⁺ or Ca²⁺ plus Mg²⁺increased V_max without affecting K. Preincubation with Ca²⁺ for periods longer than 30 min further increased V_maxand reduced Kto levels as low as found with calmodulin treatment. The Ca²⁺ activation was not prevented by adding proteinase inhibitors (iodoacetamide, 10 mm; leupeptin, 200 μm; pepstatinA, 100 μm; phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, 100 μm). The electrophoretic pattern of membranes preincubated with or without Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Ca²⁺ plus Mg²⁺ did not differ significantly from each other. Moreover, immunodetection of Ca²⁺-ATPase by means of polyclonal antibodiesrevealed no mobility change after the various treatments. The above stimulation was not altered by neomycin (200 μm), washing with EGTA (5 mm) or by both incubating and washing with delipidized serum albumin (1 mg/ml), or omitting dithioerythritol from the preincubation medium. On the other hand, the activation elicited by Ca²⁺ plus ATP in the presence of Mg²⁺ was reduced 25–30% by acridine orange (100 μm), compound 48/80 (100 μm) or leupeptin (200 μm) but not by dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (1 mm). The fluorescence depolarization of 1,6-diphenyl-and l-(4-trimethylammonium phenyl)-6-phenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene incorporated into membrane fragments was not affected after preincubating under the different conditions. The results show that proteolysis, fatty acid production, an increased phospholipid metabolism or alteration of membrane fluidity are not involved in the Ca²⁺ effect. Ca²⁺ preincubation may stimulate the Ca²⁺-ATPase activity by stabilizing or promoting the E₁ conformation.     

A non-specific Ca2+ (or Mg2+)-stimulated ATPase in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum

ATPase activity in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum was stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner by both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the complete absence of the other cation. Increasing concentrations of Mg²⁺ produced an apparent inhibition of the Ca²⁺-dependent ATP hydrolysis. CDTA (trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetate) had no effect on these responses. The results indicate the presence of a low affinity non-specific divalent cation-stimulated ATPase in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum. However, sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles transported Ca²⁺ with a high affinity (K_0.5 Ca²⁺ = 0.41 M) suggesting the presence of a high affinity Ca²⁺-transporting ATPase. Calmodulin did not stimulate rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase activity over a range of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations and failed to stimulate membrane phosphorylation and Ca²⁺ transport into sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and compound 48180 did not affect the ATPase activity. Catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was also ineffective in stimulating the ATPase activity. These results suggest the presence of an ATPase activity in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum with different properties from the high affinity Ca²⁺-pumping ATPase previously characterized in dog heart and other species.Abbreviations cAMP adenosine 3,5-monophosphate - CaM calmodulin - CDTA trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetate - EDTA ethylene-diaminetetraacetate - EGTA ethylene glycol bis(-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N,N-tetraacetate - PLB phospholamban - SR sarcoplasmic reticulum - TFP trifluoperazine     

Effects of Cations on (Ca2++ Mg2+)-Activated ATPase from Rat Brain

Abstract: With a partially purified, membrane-bound (Ca + Mg)-activated ATPase preparation from rat brain, the K_0.5 for activation by Ca²⁺ was 0.8 p μm in the presence of 3 mm -ATP, 6 mm -MgCl₂, 100 m_M-KCI, and a calcium EGTA buffer system. Optimal ATPase activity under these circumstances was with 6-100 μm -Ca²⁺, but marked inhibition occurred at higher concentrations. Free Mg²⁺ increased ATPase activity, with an estimated K_0.5, in the presence of 100 μm -CaCl₂, of 2.5 mm ; raising the MgCl₂ concentration diminished the inhibition due to millimolar concentrations of CaCl₂, but antagonized activation by submicromolar concentrations of Ca²⁺. Dimethylsulfoxide (10%, v/v) had no effect on the K_0.5 for activation by Ca²⁺, but decreased activation by free Mg²⁺ and increased the inhibition by millimolar CaCl₂. The monovalent cations K⁺, Na⁺, and TI⁺ stimulated ATPase activity; for K⁺ the K_0.5 was 8 mm , which was increased to 15 mm in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide. KCI did not affect the apparent affinity for Ca²⁺ as either activator or inhibitor. The preparation can be phosphorylated at 0°C by [γ-³²P]-ATP; on subsequent addition of a large excess of unlabeled ATP the calcium dependent level of phosphorylation declined, with a first-order rate constant of 0.12 s^?1. Adding 10 mm -KCI with the unlabeled ATP increased the rate constant to 0.20 s^?1, whereas adding 10 mm -NaCl did not affect it measurably. On the other hand, adding dimethyl-sulfoxide slowed the rate of loss, the constant decreasing to 0.06 s^?1. Orthovanadate was a potent inhibitor of this enzyme, and inhibition with 1 μm -vanadate was increased by both KCI and dimethylsulfoxide. Properties of the enzyme are thus reminiscent of the plasma membrane (Na + K)-ATPase and the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca + Mg)-ATPase, most notably in the K⁺ stimulation of both dephosphorylation and inhibition by vanadate.     

Dependence of membrane potential on Ca2+ transport in cultured cytotrophoblasts of human immature placentas

The electrical membrane properties of cultured human cytotrophoblast were examined by means of a standard electrophysiological technique. The mean values of the membrane potential (E_m) and the membrane resistance in a physiological medium were around ?49 mV and 12 MΩ, respectively. The membrane potential was dependent, to a large extent, on the external Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]₀). Deprivation of external Ca²⁺ reduced membrane potential to about ?20 mV, and an increase in [Ca²⁺]₀ caused a hyperpolarization in a saturable manner. The Ca²⁺-dependency of membrane potential was affected remarkably by [K⁺]₀, but not by [Na⁺]₀ or [Cl^?]₀. The intracellular Ca²⁺ injection hyperpolarized the membrane in a Ca²⁺-free medium. A Ca²⁺ channel blocker, verapamil, completely abolished the Ca²⁺-dependent E_m. The Ca²⁺-dependent E_m was also suppressed by cooling or by the application of metabolic inhibitors. It is suggested that the Ca²⁺-dependent E_m in cultured human cytotrophoblast is caused by a Ca²⁺ influx which, in turn, increases the K⁺ conductance of the cell membrane, presumably due to stimulation of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel.     

The Ca2+-induced membrane transition in mitochondria. II. Nature of the Ca2+ trigger site.

The permeability of isolated mitochondria which have undergone the Ca²⁺-induced transition can be modulated over a wide range simply by adjusting the concentration of free Ca²⁺ in the medium. The effect varies sigmoidally with respect to Ca²⁺ concentration, with an apparent K_m of 16 μm at pH 7.0. It is concluded that the trigger site (by “trigger site” we mean the site of binding of Ca²⁺ which, when Ca²⁺ is bound, will allow the transition in permeability to occur) is possibly also the site for high-affinity Ca²⁺ uptake. Added ADP, NADH and Mg²⁺ inhibit the Ca²⁺-induced permeability of mitochondria which have undergone the Ca²⁺-induced transition. Mg²⁺ and other ions, including H⁺, act like competitive inhibitors of the Ca²⁺ effect. In the presence of Ca²⁺, both neutral and charged molecules of molecular weight <1000 pass readily through the membrane. This response to Ca²⁺ is interpreted as a gating effect at the internal end of hydrophilic channels which span the inner membrane.