Activation of bovine heart ATP-MG2+-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase: isolation of a phosphoenzyme intermediate and its conversion to the active form via a Mg2+-dependent autodephosphorylation reaction

The ATP-Mg2+-dependent protein phosphatase, a holoenzyme form of type I protein phosphatase (phosphatase-1) requires the action of phosphatase-1 kinase (FA) for activation. The enzyme (75 kDa) purified from bovine heart consists of a catalytic (C) and a regulatory (R) subunit of 40 kDa and 34 kDa, respectively, and activation is associated with phosphorylation of the R-sub-unit. A procedure has been developed for isolation of [32P]phosphatase-1 ( [32P]E-P) in non-denatured form. In the absence of divalent cation, [32P]E-P is catalytically inactive and the phosphorylation is stable. Addition of Mg2+ triggers autodephosphorylation of [32P]E-P with concomitant generation of phosphorylase phosphatase activity. The autodephosphorylation/activation process is dependent on Mg2+ concentration. The KA value for Mg2+ is 0.6 mM. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity generated from the release of 1 mol. 32P is 1.1 X 10(12) units which is equivalent to 15,000 units per mg enzyme protein. The present findings provide direct evidence that the phosphorylated phosphatase-1 is not the active form (Ea). Instead, Ea is directly produced from the intermediate by a Mg2+-dependent autodephosphorylation reaction.     

Purification, subunit composition and regulatory properties of the ATP X Mg2+-dependent form of type I phosphoprotein phosphatase from bovine heart

The ATP X Mg2+-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase has been purified from bovine heart to near-homogeneity. It is a heterodimer (75 kDa) consisting of a catalytic (C) subunit (40 kDa) and a regulatory (R) subunit (35 kDa). The R subunit, which is identical to inhibitor-2, is transiently phosphorylated during activation of the enzyme catalyzed by phosphatase-1 kinase (FA). Maximal activation requires preincubation of the phosphatase with FA and ATP X Mg2+. However, relatively low yet definitively demonstrable basal activity can be expressed by Mg2+ alone (ranging from 3% to 10% of the FA X ATP X Mg activity, depending on the degree of endogenous proteolytic damage of the phosphatase during purification), but not by either FA or ATP alone. Limited trypsinization results in a rapid and total degradation of the R subunit and partial degradation of the 40-kDa C subunit to active proteins of 35-38 kDa. The resulting 'nicked' C subunit of 35-38 kDa is no longer dependent on FA for activation and can be fully activated by Mg2+ (or Mn2+) alone. Endogenous proteolytic damage of the R subunit also results in an increase of activity that can be expressed by M2+ alone with a concomitant decrease of the FA-dependent activation. Although Mn2+ is slightly more effective than Mg2+ in expressing the holoenzyme basal activity, the activation by Mn2+ is only about 60% of that of Mg2+ when FA and ATP are also present. In the activation by adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (ATP[gamma S]), Co2+ is the most effective cofactor. The activation by ATP[gamma S] X Co2+ is more than 50% of that by ATP X Mg2+. The present studies indicate that Mg2+ is the natural divalent cation for the FA-catalyzed activation in which Mg2+ plays two distinctly different roles: it forms Mg2+ X ATP which serves as a substrate for the kinase; it acts as an essential cofactor for the catalytic function of the phosphatase. The discrepancies between the results obtained by this and other laboratories with respect to the effectiveness of Mg2+ and ATP[gamma S] in the activation of the phosphatase are discussed.     

ATP sulfurylase-dependent assays for inorganic pyrophosphate: applications to determining the equilibrium constant and reverse direction kinetics of the pyrophosphatase reaction, magnesium binding to orthophosphate, and unknown concentrations of pyrophosphate

A continuous, coupled, spectrophotometric assay is described in which the enzyme ATP sulfurylase is employed to measure the concentration of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) at equilibrium with known concentrations of inorganic orthophosphate (Pi) in the presence of excess inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPitase). In agreement with previous reports, the apparent equilibrium constant (Keq,app) of the PPi hydrolysis reaction was shown to decrease as the concentration of Mg2+ is increased. At pH 7.3, 30 degrees C, in the presence of 150 mM NaCl and 1 mM free Mg2+, Keq,app (calculated as [Pi]t2/[PPi]t) was 1950. Measurements of Keq,app at different total concentrations of Mg2+ and Pi permitted the determination of K0, the dissociation constant of the Mg-Pi complex. In 0.05 M Tris-Cl, pH 8.0, at 30 degrees C, K0 was 3.6 mM. In the presence of excess ATP sulfurylase, yeast PPitase catalyzed PPi formation from Pi with a specific activity (Vmax) of 9 units X mg protein-1 at pH 8.0, 30 degrees C, and 1 mM free Mg2+. Half-maximum reverse reaction velocity was observed at a total Pi concentration of 18 mM. (Under the same conditions, Vmax of the PPi hydrolysis reaction was 530 units X mg protein-1.) A radiochemical end point ("reaction-to-completion") assay for measuring unknown concentrations of PPi was devised. In the presence of excess 35S-adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate ([35S]APS) as the cosubstrate, 35SO2-4 formation was stoichiometric with added PPi. (The 35SO2-4 and [35S]APS are separated by adsorption of the latter onto charcoal.) The sensitivity of the assay can be adjusted by varying the specific radioactivity of the [35S]APS. In the absence of interfering substances, as little as 2 pmol of PPi per 1.0 ml assay volume can be measured. The sensitivity of the assay is reduced in the presence of ATP plus perchlorate (which synergistically inhibit the enzyme). However, if the bulk of the ATP is removed from perchloric acid extracts of tissues with glucose and hexokinase, initial intracellular levels as low as 1 microM can be measured. The possibility that most of the cellular PPi extracted with perchloric acid was originally enzyme bound is discussed.     

Demonstration of an Mg2+-induced conformational change by photoaffinity labelling of the high-affinity ATP-binding site of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with 8-azido-ATP

8-Azido-ATP (8-N3ATP) is a substrate of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from pork kidney and photoinactivates it by binding to the Mr = 100 000 alpha-subunit. The photoinactivation requires the presence of Mg2+ even though 8-azido-ATP is recognized by the high-affinity ATP binding site (Kd = 3.1 microM). K+ ions protect the enzyme against photoinactivation as does excess ATP. To see whether the Mg2+-requirement of the photoinactivation is due to the action of free Mg2+ or to the existence of an Mg X 8-azido-ATP complex, the action of the stable Mg X ATP complex analogue, chromium X 8-N3ATP (Cr X 8-N3ATP), was studied. Cr X 8-N3ATP photoinactivates (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in the absence of Mg2+, but the photoinactivation is enhanced by Mg2+, indicating that the formation of a Mg X ATP complex is an absolute requirement for photoinactivation. However, the interaction of Mg2+ with a low-affinity site also enhances the photoinactivation. It is therefore concluded that interactions with MgATP and free Mg induce conformational changes in the purine subsite of the high-affinity ATP binding site. Controlled trypsinolysis of the [alpha-32P]8-N3ATP-photolabelled enzyme in the presence of K+ results in the formation of an Mr = 56 000 radioactive peptide, whereas trypsinolysis of a [gamma-32P]Cr X ATP-labelled enzyme under identical conditions forms an Mr = 41 000 radioactive peptide. Extensive trypsinolysis of the [alpha-32P] 8-N3ATP-photolabelled alpha-subunit leads to the formation of a radioactive peptide of Mr = 1800.     

Characterization of the human melanoma nerve growth factor receptor

Monoclonal antibodies to the human nerve growth factor receptor have been used to biochemically characterize the receptor in the human melanoma cell line A875. Labeling of A875 cell proteins by culture with [35S]cysteine or labeling of cell surface proteins with 125I followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-nerve growth factor receptor antibody reveals a receptor protein with an apparent Mr of 70,000-75,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.9-5.2. Incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into this species indicates it is a glycoprotein. The receptor becomes phosphorylated on serine residues in intact cells and in isolated membranes incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. The receptor appears to exist, at least partially, in the form of a disulfide-linked oligomer (probably a dimer) of Mr = 75,000 subunits. Kinetic [35S]cysteine labeling studies reveal an Mr = 59,000 core protein which is glycosylated via N-linked and probably also O-linked sugar moieties to produce the mature (Mr = 70,000-75,000) receptor.     

Interaction of adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) with Ca2+,Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase of sarcoplasmic reticulum

Interaction of adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) with Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum was studied. The nucleotide was slowly hydrolyzed by the ATPase at 30 degrees C at a rate of about 0.5% that of ATP hydrolysis. Whereas at 0 degrees C, ATP gamma S showed only a limited reactivity toward the ATPase in that a thiophosphorylated intermediate was formed and ADP was released, but hydrolysis of the intermediate to complete the catalytic cycle did not occur. A fairly stable analog of the E-P intermediate could thus be obtained. Presence of the thiophosphorylated intermediate was indicated by the [3H]ADP in equilibrium ATP gamma S exchange reaction and also by using [35S]ATP gamma S. When the ATPase was reacted with ATP gamma S at 0 degrees C in the presence of ferricyanide, EP-forming activity was rapidly lost. Free Ca2+ ions were required for this inactivation. Disulfide bond formation between a cysteinyl residue located near the substrate binding site and the enzyme-bound ATP gamma S or the thiophosphorylated intermediate was suggested by the fact that 2-mercaptoethanol reversed the inactivation. The reaction may prove to be a useful tool for affinity labeling of the active site of the ATPase.     

Energetics of the calcium-transporting ATPase

A thermodynamic cycle for catalysis of calcium transport by the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase is described, based on equilibrium constants for the microscopic steps of the reaction shown in Equation 1 under a single set of experimental (formula; see text) conditions (pH 7.0, 25 degrees C, 100 mM KCl, 5 mM MgSO4): KCa = 5.9 X 10(-12) M2, K alpha ATP = 15 microM, Kint = 0.47, K alpha ADP = 0.73 mM, K'int = 1.7, K"Ca = 2.2 X 10(-6) M2, and Kp = 37 mM. The value of K"Ca was calculated by difference, from the free energy of hydrolysis of ATP. The spontaneous formation of an acylphosphate from Pi and E is made possible by the expression of 12.5 kcal mol-1 of noncovalent binding energy in E-P. Only 1.9 kcal mol-1 of binding energy is expressed in E X Pi. There is a mutual destabilization of bound phosphate and calcium in E-P X Ca2, with delta GD = 7.6 kcal mol-1, that permits transfer of phosphate to ADP and transfer of calcium to a concentrated calcium pool inside the vesicle. It is suggested that the ordered kinetic mechanism for the dissociation of E-P X Ca2, with phosphate transfer to ADP before calcium dissociation outside and phosphate transfer to water after calcium dissociation inside, preserves the Gibbs energies of these ligands and makes a major contribution to the coupling in the transport process. A lag (approximately 5 ms) before the appearance of E-P after mixing E and Pi at pH 6 is diminished by ATP and by increased [Pi]. This suggests that ATP accelerates the binding of Pi. The weak inhibition by ATP of E-P formation at equilibrium also suggests that ATP and phosphate can bind simultaneously to the enzyme at pH 6. Rate constants are greater than or equal to 115 s-1 for all the steps in the reaction sequence to form E-32P X Ca2 from E-P, Ca2+ and [32P]ATP at pH 7. E-P X Ca2 decomposes with kappa = 17 s-1, which shows that it is a kinetically competent intermediate. The value of kappa decreases to 4 s-1 if the intermediate is formed in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+. This decrease and inhibition of turnover by greater than 0.1 mM Ca2+ may result from slow decomposition of E-P X Ca3.     

Biosynthesis and turnover of a Mr = 110,000 glycoprotein localized to the hepatocyte bile canaliculus

Antiserum was raised in rabbits against a bile canalicular glycoprotein of Mr = 110,000 purified to homogeneity from of rat liver. The antisera specifically immunoprecipitated a Mr = 110,000 polypeptide from hepatocytes metabolically labeled with [35S]methionine. When hepatocytes in primary culture were incubated with tunicamycin before labeling with [35S]methionine in the presence of tunicamycin, the major polypeptide immunoprecipitated by the specific antiserum from Triton X-100 extracts of cells had a molecular weight of 59,000. Enzymatic removal of N-linked carbohydrates from the Mr = 110,000 glycoprotein by N-glycanase digestion also yielded a polypeptide with minimum Mr = 59,000. In pulse-chase experiments using [35S]methionine, the Mr = 110,000 protein detected by the specific antisera first appears as Mr = 85,000 and 75,000 intermediate species which are endoglycosidase H sensitive. The Mr = 85,000 intermediate form is lost first with time followed by the Mr = 75,000 form giving rise to the Mr = 110,000 form that is endoglycosidase H resistant. Neuraminidase digestion of the Mr = 110,000 form generated an Mr 85,000 form but with a different carbohydrate structure than the intermediate Mr 85,000 form detected in the pulse-chase experiments. The time required to accomplish the processing of the Mr = 85,000 and 75,000 forms is relatively slow. Finally, the terminal sugars are added and the mature Mr = 110,000 glycoprotein is rapidly transported to the cell surface. A minimum time of 90 min is required for the Mr = 110,000 bile canalicular glycoprotein to be synthesized, processed, and reach the cell surface which is long relative to the time required (10 min) for another domain-specific protein, the receptor for asialoglycoproteins, to reach the sinusoidal surface. The Mr = 110,000 bile canalicular glycoprotein turns over in the bile canalicular domain with a half-life of 43 h while the asialoglycoprotein receptor turns over in the sinusoidal domain with a half-life of 23 h.     

Molecular movements promoted by metal nucleotides in the heavy-chain regions of myosin heads from skeletal muscle

Molecular movements generated in the heavy-chain regions (27-50-20(X 10(3)) Mr) of myosin S1 on interaction with nucleotides ATP, AMPPNP, ADP and PPi were investigated by limited proteolysis of several enzyme-metal nucleotide complexes in the absence and presence of reversibly bound and crosslinked F-actin. The rate and extent of the nucleotide-promoted conversion of the NH2-terminal 27 X 10(3) Mr and 50 X 10(3) Mr segments into products of 22 X 10(3) Mr and 45 X 10(3) Mr, respectively, were estimated to determine the amplitude of the molecular movements. The 22 X 10(3) Mr peptide was identified by amino acid sequence studies as being derived from cleavage of the peptide bond between Arg and Ile (at position 23 to 24). The 45 X 10(3) Mr peptide, previously shown to represent the NH2-terminal part of the 50 X 10(3) Mr region, would be connected to the adjacent C-terminal 20 X 10(3) Mr region by a pre-existing loop segment of about 5 X 10(3) Mr; the proteolytic sensitivity of the latter region is increased particularly by nucleotide binding. The tryptic reaction proved to be a sensitive indicator of the conformational state of the liganded heavy chain as the rate of peptide bond cleavage in the two regions is dependent on the nature of the bound ligand; it decreases in the order: ATP greater than AMPPNP greater than ADP greater than PPi. It depends also on the nature of the metal present, Mg2+ and Ca2+ being much more effective than K+. Binding of F-actin to the S1-MgAMPPNP complex affords significant protection against breakdown of 27 X 10(3) Mr and 50 X 10(3) Mr peptides, but with concomitant hydrolysis of the 50 X 10(3) Mr-20 X 10(3) Mr junction. Additionally, interaction of MgATP with HMM modulates the tryptic fission of the S1-S2 region. The overall data provide a molecular support for the two-state model of the myosin head and emphasize the involvement of the 50 X 10(3) Mr unit in the mechanism of coupling between the actin and nucleotide binding sites.     

Studies on conformational transitions of Ca2+,Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase of sarcoplasmic reticulum. II. Conformational characteristics of stabilized reaction intermediates as revealed by fluorescent and paramagnetic probes

Various reaction intermediates of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase were stabilized and accumulated by modifying a specific SH group or by using nucleotide analogs. Conformational changes of the Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase during the catalytic cycle were studied in the stabilized intermediates by the use of fluorescent and spin probes, which were introduced at specific SH groups of ATPase, namely one highly reactive but functionally nonessential (SHN) and one essential for the decomposition of the E-P intermediate (SHD) [Kawakita, M., et al. (1980) J. Biochem. 87, 609-617]. The fluorescence intensity of N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methyl-3-coumarinyl)maleimide attached to SHD decreased by 2.5% upon addition of 10 microM AMP-P(NH)P provided that Ca2+ was also present. The AMP-P(NH)P-induced fluorescence change could also be detected by using other fluorescent probes such as N-[p-(2-benzimidazolyl)phenyl]maleimide and N-(1-anilinonaphthyl-4)maleimide. Moreover, labeling at SHN gave similar results. When SHN was labeled with N-[p-(2-benzimidazolyl)phenyl]maleimide, the fluorescence intensity also decreased by 2.5% upon addition of ATP only in the presence of Ca2+, where E-P formation took place. A conformational difference between ECa1-P X ADP and ECa1-P was suggested from saturation transfer ESR measurement of spin-labeled ATPase by using ADP beta S as an ADP analog to cause accumulation of ECa1-P X ADP beta S complex. Possible structural similarities among some of the intermediates are discussed based on these findings.     

Direct demonstration of an acid-labile phosphoenzyme in the cycle of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase

The Ca2(+)-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (Ca2(+)-ATPase) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rat skeletal muscles is phosphorylated by inorganic phosphate (Pi) in the absence of Ca2+. The reaction can be described by the following simplified scheme: [formula: see text] where E-P is a covalent, acid-stable and ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme, and E.Pi is a noncovalent and acid-labile complex. The reaction is Mg2(+)-dependent. Membrane fragments deposited on Millipore filters were successively perfused with two solutions, at constant flow. The effluent samples were analyzed. The perfused solutions were Ca2+ free and always contained 40% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), plus other reactants. Following the successive perfusion of solutions without and with [32P]Pi, 32P binding is only detected in the presence of Mg2+, indicating the formation of the phosphoenzymes (E.Pi and E-P). Following perfusions of the phosphoenzymes with 5% trichloroacetic acid, 32P release indicates the amount of the acid-labile moiety (E.Pi). After phosphorylations, the filters were washed with acid and unlabeled Pi, and the remaining radioactivity was measured to evaluate the acid-stable phosphoenzyme (E-P). The acid-labile and acid-stable phosphoenzymes amounted, respectively, 0.72 +/- 0.12, and 1.48 +/- 0.10 nmol of Pi/mg of protein ( +/- S.E., n = 5), after phosphorylations with 20 microM Pi. The results indicate: (1) The method allowed the evaluation of the acid-labile intermediate of the SR Ca2(+)-ATPase cycle. Keq = k2/k-2), in the above scheme, approaches 2.0. (2) The substrate of the phosphorylation reaction, in the presence of DMSO, is likely to be the Mg.Pi complex, since Mg2+ is necessary for step 1 in the above scheme.     

A stereochemical and positional isotope-exchange study of the mechanism of activation of methionine by methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli

Methionyl-tRNA synthetase from Escherichia coli catalyses the activation of [18O2]methionine by adenosine 5'-[(R)-alpha 17O]triphosphate with inversion of configuration at P alpha. Furthermore methionyl-tRNA synthetase does not catalyse positional isotope exchange in adenosine 5'-[beta-18O2]triphosphate in the absence of methionine or in the presence of the competitive inhibitor, methioninol, which eliminates the possibility of either adenylyl-enzyme or adenosine metaphosphate intermediates being involved. These observations require that methionyl-tRNA synthetase catalyses the activation of methionine by an associative 'in-line' nucleotidyl transfer mechanism. A kinetic study of positional isotope exchange in adenosine 5'-[beta-18O2]triphosphate in the presence of methionine, Mg2+ and methionyl-tRNA synthetase showed that torsional equilibration (18O exchange into the P alpha--O--P beta bridge) occurs faster than tumbling (18O exchange into P gamma by rotation about the C2 axis of Mg[18O2]PPi), demonstratings that the positional isotope exchange occurs at least in part in the E X Met-AMP X Mg[18O2]PPi complex.     

Pb2+ and imidazole-activated phosphorylation by ATP of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

In order to study whether Pb2+ and imidazole increase the ATP phosphorylation level of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by the same mechanism, the effects of both compounds on phosphorylation and dephosphorylation reactions of the enzyme have been studied. Imidazole in the presence of Mg2+ increases steady-state phosphorylation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by decreasing, in a competitive way, the K+-sensitivity of the formed phospho-enzyme (E-P . Mg). If Pb2+ is present during phosphorylation, the rate of phosphorylation increases and a K+- and ADP-insensitive phosphointermediate (E-P . Pb) is formed. Pb2+ has no effect on the K+-sensitivity of E-P . Mg and EDTA is unable to affect the K+-insensitivity of E-P . Pb. These effects indicate that Pb2+ acts before or during phosphorylation with the enzyme. Binding of Na+ to E-P . Pb does not restore K+-sensitivity either. However, increasing Na+ during phosphorylation in the presence of Pb2+ leads to formation of the K+-sensitive intermediate (E-P . Mg), indicating that E-P . Pb is formed via a side path of the Albers-Post scheme. ATP and ADP decrease the dephosphorylation rate of both E-P . Mg and E-P . Pb. Above optimal concentration, Pb2+ also decreases the steady-state phosphorylation level both in the absence and in the presence of Na+. This inhibitory effect of Pb2+ is antagonized by Mg2+.     

Kinetic regularities of the proceeding and possible reaction mechanism of Mg2+-dependent enzymatic hydrolysis of ATP in the fraction of plasmatic membranes of the smooth muscle

Kinetic regularities of the reaction of Ca2+-independent Mg2+-dependent enzymatic hydrolysis of ATP catalyzed by the so-called "basal" Mg2+-ATPase localized in the plasmatic membrane of the uterus smooth-muscle cells have been studied using the methods of kinetic analysis performed under the equilibrium conditions. The analysis was based on the study of the concentration dependence of initial velocity of nucleoside triphosphate hydrolysis in EGTA-containing medium under the change of general concentrations of ATP [ATP]o and Mg2+[Mg2+]o in conditions of their equimolar ratio ([ATP]o/ [Mg2+]o)= 1; here the ratio between the concentrations of free reagents ([ATP4-]o/[Mg2+]o) was equal to 1.25. The obtained concentration dependence was interpreted in terms of two practically possible alternative mechanisms of Mg2+-dependent ATP-hydrolase enzymatic reaction. Mechanism I. Two separate independent centres of Mg ions and ATP binding by the enzymatic protein are supposed to exist, while Mg2+-dependent ATP-hydrolase enzymatic reaction proceeds independent of the equilibrium reaction of Mg ions chelatization of muscleside triphosphate. Mechanism II. The existence of the only centre of the chelate complex Mg2+ATP2- binding is postulated on the enzymatic protein; this process is also realized independent of the binding of Mg2+ and ATP-hydralase reaction catalized by it.     

Kinetic studies on the ADP-ATP exchange reaction catalyzed by Na+, K+-dependent ATPase. Evidence for the K.S.T. mechanism with two enzyme-ATP complexes and two phosphorylated intermediates of high-energy type.

The kinetic properties of the [3H]ADP-ATP exchange reaction catalyzed by Na+, K+-dependent ATPase [EC 3.6.1,3] were investigated, using NaI-treated microsomes from bovine brain, and the following results were obtained. 1. The rates of the Na+-dependent exchange reaction in the steady state were measured in a solution containing 45 micronM free Mg2+, 100 mMNaCl, 80 micronM ATP, and 160 micronM ADP at pH 6.5 and 4-5 degrees. The rate and amount of decrease in phosphorylated intermediate on adding ADP, i.e., the amount of ADP-sensitive EP, were measured while varying one of the reaction parameters and fixing the others mentioned above. Plots of the exchange rate and the amount of ADP-sensitive EP against the logarithm of free Mg2+ concentration gave bell-shaped curves with maximum values at 50-60 micronM free Mg2+. Plots of the exchange rate and the amount of ADP-sensitive EP against pH also gave bell-shaped curves with maximum values at pH 6.9-7. They both increased with increase in the concentration of NaCl to maximum values at 150-200 mM NaCl, and then decreased rapidly with increase in the NaCl concentration above 200 mM. The dependences of the exchange rate and the amount of ADP-sensitive EP on the concentration of ADP followed the Michaelis-Menten equation, and the Michaelis constants Km, for both were 43 micronM. The dependence of the exchange rate on the ATP concentration also followed the Michaelis-Menten equation, and the Km value was 30 micronM. The amount of ADP-sensitive EP increased with increase in the ATP concentration, and reached a maximum value at about 5 micronM ATP. 2. The N+-dependent [3H]ADP-ATP exchange reaction was started by adding [3H]ADP to EP at low Mg2+-concentration. The reaction consisted of a rapid initial phase and a slow steady phase. The amount of [3H]ATP formed during the rapid initial phase, i.e. the size of the ATP burst, was equal to that of ADP-sensitive EP, and was proportional to the rate in the steady state. At high Mg2+ concentration, the rate of Na+-dependent exchange in the steady state was almost zero, and EP did not show any ADP sensitivity. However, rapid formation of [3H]ATP was observed in the pre-steady state, and the size of the ATP burst increased with increase in the KCl concentration. From these findings, we concluded that an enzyme-ATP complex (E2ATP) formed at low Mg2+ concentration is in equilibrium with EP + ADP, that the rate-limiting step for the exchange reaction is the release of ATP from the enzyme-ATP complex, that the ADP-insensitive EP (formula: see text) produced at high Mg2+ concentration is in equilibrium with the enzyme-ATP complex, and that the equilibrium shifts towards the enzyme-ATP complex on adding KCl. Actually, the ratio of the size of the ATP burst to the amount of EP was equal to the reciprocal of the equilibrium constant of step (formula: see text), determined by a method previously reported by us.     

Effect of triiodo-L-thyronine treatment on Ca2+ sequestration in rat liver microsomes

T3 administration to rats exerts quite different effects on enzyme activities associated to liver microsomal membranes such as G-6-Pase, Mg ATPase and Ca2(+)-dependent ATPase: in fact G-6-Pase activity is significantly enhanced, Mg ATPase is not affected whereas Ca2(+)-dependent ATPase is drastically inhibited. The T3 induced decrease in Ca2(+)-dependent ATPase activity is associated with a net reduction (to about 50% with respect to controls) of the Ca2+ sequestration in liver microsomal vesicles. The enhanced level of inorganic phosphate in the endoplasmic reticulum due to the stimulation of G-6-Pase activity does not significantly affect the uptake of calcium in microsomal vesicles. The decreased Ca2(+)-dependent ATPase activity is associated to an enhanced level of the enzyme in the phosphorylated form (E-P). This suggests that in liver preparations from T3 treated rats the turnover of ATP and cleavage of E-P is reduced, thus resulting in the accumulation of the phosphorylated intermediate. The accumulation of E-P is in agreement with the inhibition of the calcium sequestration since the active transport of this cation in microsomal membranes requires the hydrolysis of the E-P complex.     

Binding of manganese ions to the Na+/K+-ATPase during phosphorylation by ATP

The aim of the present work was to study the Mg2+-Na+/K+-ATPase interaction that was proposed to lead to the formation of a stable Mg-enzyme complex during phosphorylation from ATP. Instead of Mg we used Mn, which can replace Mg as essential activator of Na+/K+-ATPase activity. The amounts of steady-state Mn bound to the enzyme were estimated at 0 degree C on the basis of the 54Mn remaining in the effluent after passing the reaction mixture through a cation exchange resin column. As a function of the MnCl2 concentration, the amount of Mn retained by the enzyme in the absence and presence of ATP showed a saturable and a linear component; the slope of the linear component was the same in both instances (0.016 nmol/mg per microM). The ATP-dependent Mn binding could be adjusted to a hyperbolic function with a Km of 0.76 microM. The ratio [ATP-dependent E-Mn]/[E-P] measured at 5 microM MnCl2 and 5 microM ATP was not different from 1.0, both in native (Mn-E2-P) as well as in a chymotrypsin treated enzyme (Mn-E1-P). When the Mn.E-P complex was allowed to react with KCl (E2-P form) or ADP (E1-P form), the enzyme was dephosphorylated and simultaneously lost the strongly bound Mn in such a way that the ratio [ATP-dependent E-Mn]/[E-P] remained 1:1. These results show the existence of strongly bound Mn ions to Na+/K+-ATPase during phosphorylation by ATP. That binding is (i) of high affinity for Mn, (ii) probably on a single site, and (iii) with a stoichiometry Mn-Pi of 1:1.     

Assembly of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Cell-free synthesis of te Ca2+ + Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase and calsequestrin

Polyadenylated RNA prepared from neonatal rat muscle was translated in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system. Two sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins, the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and calsequestrin, were isolated from the translation mixture by immunoprecipitation, followed by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The [35S]methionine-labeled translation products were characterized by molecular weight, peptide mapping, and NH2-terminal sequence analysis. The ATPase synthesized in the cell-free system was found to have the same molecular weight (Mr = 100,000) and [35S]-methionine-labeled peptide map as the mature ATPase. The methionine residue present at the NH2 terminus of the mature ATPase was donated by initiator methionyl-tRNArMet and it became acetylated during translation. These results suggest that the ATPase was synthesized without an NH2-terminal signal sequence. Calsequestrin (Mr - 63,000) was synthesized as a higher molecular weight precursor (Mr = 66,000) that contained an additional [35S]methionine-labeled peptide when compared to mature calsequestrin. The NH2-terminal sequence of the precursor was different from the mature protein. The precursor was processed to a polypeptide with a molecular weight identical with mature calsequestrin when microsomal membranes prepared from canine pancreas were included during translation. These results show that calsequestrin is synthesized with an NH2-terminal signal sequence that is removed during translation. These data add to the evidence that the ATPase and calsequestrin follow distinctly different biosynthetic pathways, even though, ultimately, they are both located in the same membrane.     

Effects of spermine and spermidine on the inorganic pyrophosphatase of Streptococcus faecalis. Interactions between polyamines and inorganic pyrophosphate.

We have shown a dual role for Mg2+ in the hydrolysis of PPi catalysed by inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase; EC 3.6.1.1) of Streptococcus faecalis; Mg2+ is necessary for the formation of the substrates, Mg1PPi2- and Mg2PPi0, and it also acts as an allosteric activator [Lahti + Jokinen (1985) Biochemistry 24, 3526-3530]. No activity can be observed with S. faecalis PPase in the absence of bivalent cations, which indicates that free PPi cannot serve as a substrate for this enzyme. However, significant activities were observed in the presence of spermine and spermidine, even though no bivalent cations were present. It was shown by particle-induced gamma-ray emission and particle-induced X-ray-emission analysis that the polyamines used were not contaminated with Mg2+ or any other bivalent cations that could support PPase activity. Hence it is obvious that polyamines are able to form a complex with PPi that serves as a substrate for PPase. The apparent stability constants for the 1:1 adducts of spermine and spermidine were estimated by a resin competition method. The values obtained at pH 7.5 were 2.7 X 10(3) M-1 and 6.4 X 10(2) M-1 respectively. Kinetic results further suggested that polyamines can also substitute for Mg2+ as an activator in vitro. The physiological significance of these polyamine effects were discussed.     

The role of ATP and divalent cations in the regulation of a cardiac phosphorylase phosphatase (phosphoprotein phosphatase) of Mr = 35,000.

The effects of ATP and divalent cations on a divalent cation-independent phosphorylase phosphatase of Mr = 35,000 (phosphatase S) purified from canine cardiac muscle have been studied. The enzyme can be rapidly inactivated by ATP or other nucleoside di- and triphosphates and PPi, but not by AMP, adenosine, adenine, Pi, EDTA, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N' -tetraacetic acid, 1,10-phenanthroline, or 8-hydroxyquinoline. After removing the inactivating agent, such as ATP or PPi, by gel filtraiton followed by exhaustive dialysis, the inactivated enzyme (apophosphatase S) can be reactivated by preincubating with Mn2+ or Co2+, but not with Mg2+, Ca2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Ba2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, or Cd2+. The Mn2+ -reactivated enzyme, which is less active than the Co2+ -reactivated enzyme, can be again inactivated by preincubating with ATP. The present findings indicate that phosphatase S contains a tightly bound divalent cation, probably Mn2+, in the active site. ATP and PPi, due to their structural similarity to the phosphoprotein substrate and their ability to chelate metal ions, can readily enter the active site to remove the divalent cation(s) essential for the catalytic function. The present findings also indicate that phosphatase S, a common catalytic subunit of several larger molecular forms of nospecific phosphoprotein phosphatase in cardiac muscle, can exist in two interconvertible forms, a metallized form (active) and a demetallized form (inactive). ATP and metal ions may regulate this class of isozymes by mediating the interconversions.