Two novel peripheral membrane proteins, pasin 1 and pasin 2, associated with Na+,K(+)-ATPase in various cells and tissues

Purification of pig kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase at low concentrations of SDS (0.5%) allowed copurification of several peripheral membrane proteins. Some of these associated proteins were identified as components of the membrane cytoskeleton. Here we describe two novel globular proteins of of Mr 77,000 (pasin 1) and Mr 73,000 (pasin 2) which copurify and coimmunoprecipitate with Na+,K(+)-ATPase and can be stripped off Na+,K(+)-ATPase microsomes by 1 M KCl. Pasin 1 and pasin 2 were detected by immunoblot analysis in various cells and tissues including erythrocytes and platelets. Immunostaining revealed colocalization of pasin 1 and Na+,K(+)-ATPase along the basolateral cell surface of epithelial cells of kidney tubules and parotid striated ducts (titers of pasin 2 antibodies were too weak for immunocytochemistry). In erythrocytes, pasin 1 and pasin 2 are minor components bound to the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane. Pasin 1 showed the same electrophoretic mobility as protein 4.1b. However, both proteins have different isoelectric points (pasin 1, pI 6; protein 4.1, pI 7), different chymotryptic fragments, and are immunologically unrelated. Short pieces of sequence obtained from pasin 1 and pasin 2 were not found in any other known protein sequence. The occurrence of pasin 1 and pasin 2 in diverse cells and tissues and their association with Na+,K(+)-ATPase suggests a general role of these proteins in Na+,K(+)- ATPase function.     

Association of kidney and parotid Na+, K(+)-ATPase microsomes with actin and analogs of spectrin and ankyrin

Kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase has been recently shown to bind erythroid ankyrin and to colocalize with ankyrin at the basolateral cell surface of kidney epithelial cells. These observations suggest that Na+,K(+)-ATPase is linked via ankyrin to the spectrin/actin-based membrane cytoskeleton. In the present study we show that Na+,K(+)-ATPase and analogs of spectrin, ankyrin and actin copurify from detergent extracts of pig kidney and parotid gland membranes. Actin, spectrin and ankyrin were extracted from purified Na+,K(+)-ATPase microsomes at virtually identical conditions as their counterparts from the erythrocyte membrane, i.e., 1 mM EDTA (spectrin, actin) and 1 M KCl (ankyrin). Visualization of the stripped proteins by rotary shadowing revealed numerous elongated spectrin-like dimers (100 nm) and tetramers (215 nm), a fraction of which (17%) was associated with globular (10 nm) ankyrin-like particles. Like erythrocyte ankyrin, kidney ankyrin was cleaved into a soluble 72 kDa fragment and a membrane-bound 90 kDa fragment. Consistent with our previous immunocytochemical findings on the pig kidney, Na+,K(+)-ATPase and ankyrin were found to be colocalized at the basolateral plasma membrane of striated ducts and acini of the pig parotid gland. The present findings confirm and extend the recently proposed concept that in polarized epithelial cells Na+,K(+)-ATPase may serve as major attachment site for the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton to the basolateral cell domain. Connections of integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton may help to place these proteins at specialized domains of the cell surface and to prevent them from endocytosis.     

Translocation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is induced by Rho small GTPase in renal epithelial cells

The distribution of transmembrane proteins is considered to be crucial for their activities because these proteins mediate the information coming from outside of cells. A small GTPase Rho participates in many cellular functions through its downstream effectors. In this study, we examined the effects of RhoA on the distribution of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, one of the transmembrane proteins. In polarized renal epithelium, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is known to be localized at the basolateral membrane. By microinjection of the constitutively active mutant of RhoA (RhoA(Val14)) into cultured renal epithelial cells, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase was translocated to the spike-like protrusions over the apical surfaces. Microinjection of the constitutively active mutant of other Rho family GTPases, Rac1 or Cdcd42, did not induce the translocation. The translocation induced by RhoA(Val14) was inhibited by treatment with Y-27632, a Rho-kinase specific inhibitor, or by coinjection of the dominant negative mutant of Rho-kinase. These results indicate that Rho and Rho-kinase are involved in the regulation of the localization of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. We also found that Na(+),K(+)-ATPase seemed to be colocalized with ERM proteins phosphorylated at T567 (ezrin), T564 (radixin), and T558 (moesin) in cells microinjected with RhoA(Val14).     

Colocalization and coprecipitation of ankyrin and Na+,K+-ATPase in kidney epithelial cells

Interactions between integral proteins of the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton may be important for localizing certain membrane proteins in a nonrandom fashion at specialized domains of the cell surface. Here, we show that ankyrin, the key protein for the linkage of the erythrocyte anion exchanger (band 3) to the spectrin-based membrane cytoskeleton, is also present in kidney distal tubular cells where ankyrin is precisely colocalized with Na+,K+-ATPase. Both proteins are confined to the basolateral plasma membrane and are absent from the apical membrane, the junctional complex and the membrane surface that contacts the basal lamina. Purified Na+,K+-ATPase of sheep and pig kidney contains a binding site for erythrocyte ankyrin as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation experiments. A band 3-like binding site for ankyrin is likely, since binding of ankyrin to Na+,K+-ATPase could be inhibited in a competitive fashion by the isolated cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte band 3.     

Distinguishing roles of the membrane-cytoskeleton and cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion in generating different Na+,K(+)-ATPase distributions in polarized epithelia

In simple epithelia, the distribution of ion transporting proteins between the apical or basal-lateral domains of the plasma membrane is important for determining directions of vectorial ion transport across the epithelium. In the choroid plexus, Na+,K(+)-ATPase is localized to the apical plasma membrane domain where it regulates sodium secretion and production of cerebrospinal fluid; in contrast, Na+,K(+)-ATPase is localized to the basal-lateral membrane of cells in the kidney nephron where it regulates ion and solute reabsorption. The mechanisms involved in restricting Na+,K(+)-ATPase distribution to different membrane domains in these simple epithelia are poorly understood. Previous studies have indicated a role for E-cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion and membrane-cytoskeleton (ankyrin and fodrin) assembly in regulating Na+,K(+)-ATPase distribution in absorptive kidney epithelial cells. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy reveals that in chicken and rat choroid plexus epithelium, fodrin, and ankyrin colocalize with Na+,K(+)-ATPase at the apical plasma membrane, but fodrin, ankyrin, and adducin also localize at the lateral plasma membrane where Na+,K(+)- ATPase is absent. Biochemical analysis shows that fodrin, ankyrin, and Na+,K(+)-ATPase are relatively resistant to extraction from cells in buffers containing Triton X-100. The fractions of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, fodrin, and ankyrin that are extracted from cells cosediment in sucrose gradients at approximately 10.5 S. Further separation of the 10.5 S peak of proteins by electrophoresis in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels revealed that fodrin, ankyrin, and Na+,K(+)-ATPase comigrate, indicating that these proteins are in a high molecular weight complex similar to that found previously in kidney epithelial cells. In contrast, the anion exchanger (AE2), a marker protein of the basal- lateral plasma membrane in the choroid plexus, did not cosediment in sucrose gradients or comigrate in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels with the complex of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, ankyrin, and fodrin. Ca(++)- dependent cell adhesion molecules (cadherins) were detected at lateral membranes of the choroid plexus epithelium and colocalized with a distinct fraction of ankyrin, fodrin, and adducin. Cadherins did not colocalize with Na+,K(+)-ATPase and were absent from the apical membrane. The fraction of cadherins that was extracted with buffers containing Triton X-100 cosedimented with ankyrin and fodrin in sucrose gradients and comigrated in nondenaturing gels with ankyrin and fodrin in a high molecular weight complex. Since a previous study showed that E-cadherin is an instructive inducer of Na+,K(+)-ATPase distribution, we examined protein distributions in fibroblasts transfected with B- cadherin, a prominent cadherin expressed in the choroid plexus epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The anion exchanger and Na+K(+)-ATPase interact with distinct sites on ankyrin in in vitro assays

This report demonstrates that the high affinity binding of ankyrin to two well characterized ankyrin-binding proteins, the erythrocyte anion exchanger and kidney Na+K(+)-ATPase, requires interaction of these proteins with unique sites on the ankyrin molecule. Binding of 125I-labeled erythrocyte ankyrin and ankyrin proteolytic domains was measured to the anion exchanger and Na+K(+)-ATPase incorporated into phosphatidylcholine liposomes. 125I-Labeled ankyrin associated with both anion exchanger and Na+K(+)-ATPase liposomes with a high affinity (KD ranging from 10 to 25 nM), and a capacity approaching 1 mol of ankyrin/2 mol of ATPase and 1 mol of ankyrin/8 mol of anion exchanger. The 43 kDa cytoplasmic domain of the erythrocyte anion exchanger inhibited binding of ankyrin to both the anion exchanger and Na+K(+)-ATPase liposomes with a 50% reduction at approximately 90 nM for both proteins. Further binding experiments using proteolytic domains derived from ankyrin demonstrated the following differences between the anion exchanger and Na+K(+)-ATPase in interactions with ankyrin: 1) 125I-Labeled Na+K(+)-ATPase associated with both the 89-kDa domain as well as the spectrin binding domain of ankyrin, while the anion exchanger only associated with the 89-kDa domain. 2) The 125I-labeled 89-kDa domain of ankyrin associated with Na+K(+)-ATPase liposomes with at least a 20-fold lower affinity compared with intact ankyrin while this domain associated with the anion exchanger with a 2-3-fold increase in affinity compared with intact ankyrin. 3) The 125I-labeled spectrin-binding domain of ankyrin associated with the Na+K(+)-ATPase liposomes to at least an 8-fold greater extent than to anion exchanger liposomes. The data are consistent with an independent acquisition of high affinity ankyrin binding activity for the anion exchanger and Na+K(+)-ATPase proteins through a convergent evolutionary process.     

Phospholemman expression is high in the newborn rabbit heart and declines with postnatal maturation

Phospholemman (PLM) is a small sarcolemmal protein that modulates the activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and the Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX), thus contributing to the maintenance of intracellular Na(+) and Ca(2+) homeostasis. We characterized the expression and subcellular localization of PLM, NCX, and the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha1-subunit during perinatal development. Western blotting demonstrates that PLM (15kDa), NCX (120kDa), and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha-1 (approximately 100kDa) proteins are all more than 2-fold higher in ventricular membrane fractions from newborn rabbit hearts (1-4-day old) compared to adult hearts. Our immunocytochemistry data demonstrate that PLM, NCX, and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase are all expressed at the sarcolemma of newborn ventricular myocytes. Taken together, our data indicate that PLM, NCX, and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha-1 proteins have similar developmental expression patterns in rabbit ventricular myocardium. Thus, PLM may have an important regulatory role in maintaining cardiac Na(+) and Ca(2+) homeostasis during perinatal maturation.     

Phe(475) and Glu(446) but not Ser(445) participate in ATP-binding to the alpha-subunit of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase

The ATP-binding site of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase is localized on the large cytoplasmic loop of the alpha-subunit between transmembrane helices H(4) and H(5). Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to identify residues involved in ATP binding. On the basis of our recently developed model of this loop, Ser(445), Glu(446), and Phe(475) were proposed to be close to the binding pocket. Replacement of Phe(475) with Trp and Glu(446) with Gln profoundly reduced the binding of ATP, whereas the substitution of Ser(445) with Ala did not affect ATP binding. Fluorescence measurements of the fluorescent analog TNP-ATP, however, indicated that Ser(445) is close to the binding site, although it does not participate in binding.     

Identification of a critical ankyrin-binding loop on the cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte membrane band 3 by crystal structure analysis and site-directed mutagenesis

The cytoplasmic domain of erythrocyte membrane band 3 (cdb3) serves as a center of membrane organization, interacting with such proteins as ankyrin, protein 4.1, protein 4.2, hemoglobin, several glycolytic enzymes, a tyrosine phosphatase, and a tyrosine kinase, p72(syk). The crystallographic structure of the cdb3 dimer has revealed that residues 175-185 assume a beta-hairpin loop similar to a putative ankyrin-binding motif at the cytoplasmic surface of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. To test whether this hairpin loop constitutes an ankyrin-binding site on cdb3, we have deleted amino acids 175-185 and substituted the 11-residue loop with a Gly-Gly dipeptide that bridges the deletion without introducing strain into the structure. Although the deletion mutant undergoes the same native conformational changes exhibited by wild type cdb3 and binds other peripheral proteins normally, the mutant exhibits no affinity for ankyrin. This suggests that the exposed beta-hairpin turn indeed constitutes a major ankyrin-binding site on cdb3. Other biochemical studies suggest that ankyrin also docks at the NH(2) terminus of band 3. Thus, antibodies to the NH(2) terminus of cdb3 block ankyrin binding to the cdb3, and ankyrin binding to cdb3 prevents p72(syk) phosphorylation of cdb3 at its NH(2) terminus (predominantly at Tyr-8). However, a truncation mutant of cdb3 lacking the NH(2)-terminal 50 residues displays the same binding affinity as wild type cdb3. These data thus suggest that the NH(2) terminus of cdb3 is proximal to but not required for the cdb3-ankyrin interaction.     

Structure of the ERM protein moesin reveals the FERM domain fold masked by an extended actin binding tail domain

The ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) protein family link actin filaments of cell surface structures to the plasma membrane, using a C-terminal F-actin binding segment and an N-terminal FERM domain, a common membrane binding module. ERM proteins are regulated by an intramolecular association of the FERM and C-terminal tail domains that masks their binding sites. The crystal structure of a dormant moesin FERM/tail complex reveals that the FERM domain has three compact lobes including an integrated PTB/PH/ EVH1 fold, with the C-terminal segment bound as an extended peptide masking a large surface of the FERM domain. This extended binding mode suggests a novel mechanism for how different signals could produce varying levels of activation. Sequence conservation suggests a similar regulation of the tumor suppressor merlin.     

Ezrin controls the macromolecular complexes formed between an adapter protein Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) is an adapter protein that is responsible for organizing a number of cell receptors and channels. NHERF contains two amino-terminal PDZ (postsynaptic density 95/disk-large/zonula occluden-1) domains that bind to the cytoplasmic domains of a number of membrane channels or receptors. The carboxyl terminus of NHERF interacts with the FERM domain (a domain shared by protein 4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin) of a family of actin-binding proteins, ezrin-radixin-moesin. NHERF was shown previously to be capable of enhancing the channel activities of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Here we show that binding of the FERM domain of ezrin to NHERF regulates the cooperative binding of NHERF to bring two cytoplasmic tails of CFTR into spatial proximity to each other. We find that ezrin binding activates the second PDZ domain of NHERF to interact with the cytoplasmic tails of CFTR (C-CFTR), so as to form a specific 2:1:1 (C-CFTR)(2).NHERF.ezrin ternary complex. Without ezrin binding, the cytoplasmic tail of CFTR only interacts strongly with the first amino-terminal PDZ domain to form a 1:1 C-CFTR.NHERF complex. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting confirm the specific interactions of NHERF with the full-length CFTR and with ezrin in vivo. Because of the concentrated distribution of ezrin and NHERF in the apical membrane regions of epithelial cells and the diverse binding partners for the NHERF PDZ domains, the regulation of NHERF by ezrin may be employed as a general mechanism to assemble channels and receptors in the membrane cytoskeleton.     

The structure of the Na+,K+-ATPase and mapping of isoform differences and disease-related mutations

The Na+,K+-ATPase transforms the energy of ATP to the maintenance of steep electrochemical gradients for sodium and potassium across the plasma membrane. This activity is tissue specific, in particular due to variations in the expressions of the alpha subunit isoforms one through four. Several mutations in alpha2 and 3 have been identified that link the specific function of the Na+,K+-ATPase to the pathophysiology of neurological diseases such as rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism and familial hemiplegic migraine type 2. We show a mapping of the isoform differences and the disease-related mutations on the recently determined crystal structure of the pig renal Na+,K+-ATPase and a structural comparison to Ca2+-ATPase. Furthermore, we present new experimental data that address the role of a stretch of three conserved arginines near the C-terminus of the alpha subunit (Arg1003-Arg1005).     

A novel 4.1 ezrin radixin moesin (FERM)-containing protein, 'Willin'

The 4.1 superfamily of proteins contain a 4.1 Ezrin Radixin Moesin (FERM) domain and are described as linking the cytoskeleton with the plasma membrane. Here, we describe a new FERM domain-containing protein called Willin. Willin has a recognizable FERM domain within its N-terminus and is capable of binding phospholipids. Its intra-cellular distribution can be cytoplasmic or at the plasma membrane where it can co-localize with actin. However, the plasma membrane location of Willin is not influenced by cytochalasin D induced actin disruption but it is induced by the addition of epidermal growth factor.     

Branchial chamber tissues in two caridean shrimps: the epibenthic Palaemon adspersus and the deep-sea hydrothermal Rimicaris exoculata

The structure of the epithelia of the branchial chamber organs (gills, branchiostegites, epipodites) and the localization of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase were investigated in two caridean shrimps, the epibenthic Palaemon adspersus and the deep-sea hydrothermal Rimicaris exoculata. The general organization of the phyllobranchiate gills, branchiostegites and epipodites is similar in P. adspersus and in R. exoculata. The gill filaments are formed by a single axial epithelium made of H-shaped cells with thin lateral expansions and a basal lamina limiting hemolymph lacunae. In P. adspersus, numerous ionocytes are present in the epipodites and in the inner-side of the branchiostegites; immunofluorescence reveals their high content in Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. In R. exoculata, typical ionocytes displaying a strong Na(+),K(+)-ATPase specific fluorescence are observed in the epipodites only. While the epipodites and the branchiostegites appear as the main site of osmoregulation in P. adspersus, only the epipodites might be involved in ion exchanges in R. exoculata. In both species, the gill filaments are mainly devoted to respiration.     

Effects of palytoxin on cation occlusion and phosphorylation of the (Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>,K<Superscript>+</Superscript>)-ATPase

Palytoxin (PTX) inhibits the (Na(+) + K+)-driven pump and simultaneously opens channels that are equally permeable to Na+ and K+ in red cells and other cell membranes. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which PTX induces these fluxes, we have studied the effects of PTX on: 1) K+ and Na+ occlusion by the pump protein; 2) phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the enzyme when a phosphoenzyme is formed from ATP and from P(i); and 3) p-nitro phenyl phosphatase (p-NPPase) activity associated with the (Na+, K+)-ATPase. We have found that palytoxin 1) increases the rate of deocclusion of K+(Rb+) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, whereas Na+ occluded in the presence of oligomycin is unaffected by the toxin; 2) makes phosphorylation from P(i) insensitive to K+, and 3) stimulates the p-NPPase activity. The results are consistent with the notion that PTX produces a conformation of the Na+, K(+)-pump that resembles the one observed when ATP is bound to its low-affinity binding site. Further, they suggest that the channels that are formed by PTX might arise as a consequence of a perturbation in the ATPase structure, leading to the loss of control of the outside "gate" of the enzyme and hence to an uncoupling of the ion transport from the catalytic function of the ATPase.     

Posterior Midgut Epithelial Cells Differ in Their Organization of the Membrane Skeleton from Other Drosophila Epithelia

In epithelial cells, the various components of the membrane skeleton are segregated within specialized subregions of the plasma membrane, thus contributing to the development and stabilization of cell surface polarity. It has previously been shown that, in various Drosophila epithelia, the membrane skeleton components ankyrin and alphabeta-spectrin reside at the lateral surface, whereas alphabeta(H)-spectrin is restricted to the apical domain. By use of confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, the present study characterizes the membrane skeleton of epithelial cells in the posterior midgut, leading to a number of unexpected results. First, ankyrin and alphabeta-spectrin are not detected on the entire lateral surface but appear to be restricted to the apicolateral area, codistributing with fasciclin III at smooth septate junctions. The presumptive ankyrin-binding proteins neuroglian and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, however, do not colocalize with ankyrin. Second, alphabeta(H)-spectrin is enriched at the apical domain but is also present in lower amounts on the entire lateral surface, colocalizing apicolaterally with ankyrin/alphabeta-spectrin. Finally, despite the absence of zonulae adherentes, F-actin, beta(H)-spectrin, and nonmuscle myosin-II are enriched in the midlateral region. Thus, the model established for the organization of the membrane skeleton in Drosophila epithelia does not hold for the posterior midgut, and there is quite some variability between the different epithelia with respect to the organization of the membrane skeleton.     

A structural determinant for the control of PIP2 sensitivity in G protein-gated inward rectifier K+ channels

Inward rectifier K(+) (Kir) channels are activated by phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP(2)), but G protein-gated Kir (K(G)) channels further require either G protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) or intracellular Na(+) for their activation. To reveal the mechanism(s) underlying this regulation, we compared the crystal structures of the cytoplasmic domain of K(G) channel subunit Kir3.2 obtained in the presence and the absence of Na(+). The Na(+)-free Kir3.2, but not the Na(+)-plus Kir3.2, possessed an ionic bond connecting the N terminus and the CD loop of the C terminus. Functional analyses revealed that the ionic bond between His-69 on the N terminus and Asp-228 on the CD loop, which are known to be critically involved in Gβγ- and Na(+)-dependent activation, lowered PIP(2) sensitivity. The conservation of these residues within the K(G) channel family indicates that the ionic bond is a character that maintains the channels in a closed state by controlling the PIP(2) sensitivity.     

Effect of Cd(2+) and Hg(2+) on the activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase adsorbed on polystyrene microtiter plates.

In the present study a polystyrene microtiter plate was tested as a support material for synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) immobilization by adsorption. The adsorption was carried out by an 18-h incubation at +4 degrees C of SPM with a polystyrene matrix, at pH 7.4. Evaluation of the efficiency of the applied immobilization method revealed that 10% protein fraction of initially applied SPM was bound to the support and that two SPM enzymes, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase, retained 70-80% activity after the adsorption. In addition, adsorption stabilizes Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase, since the activities are substantial 3 weeks after the adsorption. Parallel kinetic analysis showed that adsorption does not alter significantly the kinetic properties of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase and their sensitivity to and mechanism of Cd(2+)- or Hg(2+)-induced inhibition. The only exception is the "high affinity" Mg(2+)-ATPase moiety, whose affinity for ATP and sensitivity toward Cd(2+) were increased by the adsorption. The results show that such system may be used as a practical and comfortable model for the in vitro toxicological investigations.     

Involvement of the membrane-cytoskeleton in development of epithelial cell polarity

The generation of cell surface polarity in transporting epithelial cells occurs in three distinct stages that involve cell-cell recognition and adhesion, cell surface remodelling to form biochemically and functionally distinct cell surface domains, and development of vectorial function. A widely used model system to study mechanisms involved in these stages is the Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line. Under appropriate growth conditions, MDCK cells develop in similar stages into polarized, multicellular epithelial structures. Analysis of membrane-cytoskeletal proteins ankyrin and fodrin during development of MDCK cell surface polarity shows that they gradually assemble into an insoluble protein complex on the basal-lateral membrane domain upon cell-cell adhesion, concomitantly with the redistribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase, a marker protein of the basal-lateral membrane. Biochemical analysis shows that ankyrin, fodrin occur in a complex with Na+,K(+)-ATPase and the cell adhesion molecule uvomorulin in MDCK cells. A model is presented in which assembly of membrane-cytoskeletal complexes at sites of uvomorulin-induced cell-cell contact causes a remodelling of the cell surface distribution of specific membrane proteins which, in turn, contributes to the generation of epithelial cell surface polarity.     

Dimethyl sulfoxide-induced conformational state of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase studied by proteolytic cleavage

Effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO) on substrate affinity for phosphorylation by inorganic phosphate, on phosphorylation by ATP in the absence of Na(+), and on ouabain binding to the free form of the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase have been attributed to changes in solvation of the active site or Me(2)SO-induced changes in the structure of the enzyme. Here we used selective trypsin cleavage as a procedure to determine the conformations that the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase acquires in Me(2)SO medium. In water or in Me(2)SO medium, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase exhibited after partial proteolysis two distinct groups of fragments: (1) in the presence of 0.1 M Na(+) or 0.1 M Na(+) + 3 mM ADP (enzyme in the E1 state) cleavage produced a main fragment of about 76 kDa; and (2) in the presence of 20 mM K(+) (E2 state) a 58-kDa fragment plus two or three fragments of 39-41 kDa were obtained. Cleavage in Me(2)SO medium in the absence of Na(+) and K(+) exhibited the same breakdown pattern as that obtained in the presence of K(+), but a 43-kDa fragment was also observed. An increase in the K(+) concentration to 0.5 mM eliminated the 43-kDa fragment, while a 39- to 41-kDa doublet was accumulated. Both in water and in Me(2)SO medium, a strong enhancement of the 43-kDa band was observed in the presence of either P(i) + ouabain or vanadate, suggesting that the 43-kDa fragment is closely related to the conformation of the phosphorylated enzyme. These results indicate that Me(2)SO acts not only by promoting the release of water from the ATP site, but also by inducing a conformation closely related to the phosphorylated state, even when the enzyme is not phosphorylated.