Neurochemical Evidence that Pristanic Acid Impairs Energy Production and Inhibits Synaptic Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase Activity in Brain of Young Rats

Pristanic acid (Prist) accumulates in some peroxisomal disorders characterized by neurologic dysfunction and brain abnormalities. The present work investigated the in vitro effects of Prist on important parameters of energy metabolism in brain cortex of young rats. CO₂ production from labeled acetate and the activities of the respiratory chain complexes I–IV, creatine kinase and synaptic Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were measured. Prist decreased CO₂ production and the activities of complexes I, II and II–III. Prist also reduced Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, but did not affect the activity of creatine kinase. Considering the importance of the citric acid cycle and the electron flow through the respiratory chain for brain energy production and of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase for the maintenance of membrane potential, the present data indicate that Prist compromises brain bioenergetics and neurotransmission. It is presumed that these pathomechanisms may be involved in the neurological damage found in patients affected by disorders in which Prist accumulates.     

Disruption of oxidative phosphorylation and synaptic Na,K-ATPase activity by pristanic acid in cerebellum of young rats

Aims

Peroxisomal biogenesis disorders (PBD) are inherited disorders clinically manifested by neurological symptoms and brain abnormalities, in which the cerebellum is usually involved. Biochemically, patients affected by these neurodegenerative diseases accumulate branched-chain fatty acids, including pristanic acid (Prist) in the brain and other tissues.

Main methods

In the present investigation we studied the in vitro influence of Prist, at doses found in PBD, on oxidative phosphorylation, by measuring the activities of the respiratory chain complexes I–IV and ATP production, as well as on creatine kinase and synaptic Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activities in rat cerebellum.

Key findings

Prist significantly decreased complexes I–III (65%), II (40%) and especially II–III (90%) activities, without altering the activities of complex IV of the respiratory chain and creatine kinase. Furthermore, ATP formation and synaptic Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity were markedly inhibited (80–90%) by Prist. We also observed that this fatty acid altered mitochondrial and synaptic membrane fluidity that may have contributed to its inhibitory effects on the activities of the respiratory chain complexes and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase.

Significance

Considering the importance of oxidative phosphorylation for mitochondrial homeostasis and of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase for the maintenance of cell membrane potential, the present data indicate that Prist compromises brain bioenergetics and neurotransmission in cerebellum. We postulate that these pathomechanisms may contribute to the cerebellar alterations observed in patients affected by PBD in which Prist is accumulated.     

Disruption of mitochondrial bioenergetics and calcium homeostasis by phytanic acid in the heart: Potential relevance for the cardiomyopathy in Refsum disease

Refsum disease is an inherited peroxisomal disorder caused by severe deficiency of phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase activity. Affected patients develop severe cardiomyopathy of poorly known pathogenesis that may lead to a fatal outcome. Since phytanic acid (Phyt) concentrations are highly increased in tissues of individuals with this disease, it is conceivable that this branched-chain fatty acid is cardiotoxic. The present study investigated whether Phyt (10–30 μM) could disturb important mitochondrial functions in rat heart mitochondria. We also determined the influence of Phyt (50–100 μM) on cell viability (MTT reduction) in cardiac cells (H9C2). Phyt markedly increased mitochondrial state 4 (resting) and decreased state 3 (ADP-stimulated) and uncoupled (CCCP-stimulated) respirations, besides reducing the respiratory control ratio, ATP synthesis and the activities of the respiratory chain complexes I-III, II, and II-III. This fatty acid also reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and induced swelling in mitochondria supplemented by exogenous Ca²⁺, which were prevented by cyclosporin A alone or combined with ADP, suggesting the involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore opening. Mitochondrial NAD(P)H content and Ca²⁺ retention capacity were also decreased by Phyt in the presence of Ca²⁺. Finally, Phyt significantly reduced cellular viability (MTT reduction) in cultured cardiomyocytes. The present data indicate that Phyt, at concentrations found in the plasma of patients with Refsum disease, disrupts by multiple mechanisms mitochondrial bioenergetics and Ca²⁺ homeostasis, which could presumably be involved in the cardiomyopathy of this disease.     

Evidence That Antioxidants Prevent the Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase Activity Induced by Octanoic Acid in Rat Cerebral Cortex in Vitro

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of octanoic acid, which accumulates in medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency and in Reye syndrome, on key enzyme activities of energy metabolism in the cerebral cortex of young rats. The activities of the respiratory chain complexes I–IV, creatine kinase, and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were evaluated. Octanoic acid did not alter the electron transport chain and creatine kinase activities, but, in contrast, significantly inhibited Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity both in synaptic plasma membranes and in homogenates prepared from cerebral cortex. Furthermore, decanoic acid, which is also increased in MCAD deficiency, and oleic acid strongly reduced Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity, whereas palmitic acid had no effect. We also examined the effects of incubating glutathione and trolox (-tocopherol) alone or with octanoic acid on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. Tested compounds did not affect Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity by itself, but prevented the inhibitory effect of octanoic acid. These results suggest that inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity by octanoic acid is possibly mediated by oxidation of essential groups of the enzyme. Considering that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase is critical for normal brain function, it is feasible that the significant inhibition of this enzyme activity by octanoate and also by decanoate may be related to the neurological dysfunction found in patients affected by MCAD deficiency and Reye syndrome.     

3-Methylcrotonylglycine Disrupts Mitochondrial Energy Homeostasis and Inhibits Synaptic Na+,K+-ATPase Activity in Brain of Young Rats

Deficiency of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase activity is an inherited metabolic disease biochemically characterized by accumulation and high urinary excretion of 3-methylcrotonylglycine (3MCG), and also of 3-hydroisovalerate in lesser amounts. Affected patients usually have neurologic dysfunction, brain abnormalities and cardiomyopathy, whose pathogenesis is still unknown. The present study investigated the in vitro effects of 3MCG on important parameters of energy metabolism, including CO₂ production from labeled acetate, enzyme activities of the citric acid cycle, as well as of the respiratory chain complexes I–IV (oxidative phosphorylation), creatine kinase (intracellular ATP transfer), and synaptic Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase (neurotransmission) in brain cortex of young rats. 3MCG significantly reduced CO₂ production, implying that this compound compromises citric acid cycle activity. Furthermore, 3MCG diminished the activities of complex II-III of the respiratory chain, mitochondrial creatine kinase and synaptic membrane Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Furthermore, antioxidants were able to attenuate or fully prevent the inhibitory effect of 3MCG on creatine kinase and synaptic membrane Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activities. We also observed that lipid peroxidation was elicited by 3MCG, suggesting the involvement of free radicals on 3MCG-induced effects. Considering the importance of the citric acid cycle and the electron flow through the respiratory chain for brain energy production, creatine kinase for intracellular energy transfer, and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase for the maintenance of the cell membrane potential, the present data indicate that 3MCG potentially impairs mitochondrial brain energy homeostasis and neurotransmission. It is presumed that these pathomechanisms may be involved in the neurological damage found in patients affected by 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency.     

Isovaleric Acid Reduces Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase Activity in Synaptic Membranes from Cerebral Cortex of Young Rats

1. Patients affected by isovaleric acidemia (IVAcidemia) suffer from acute episodes of encephalopathy. However, the mechanisms underlying the neuropathology of this disease are poorly known. The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vitro effects of the metabolites that predominantly accumulate in IVAcidemia, namely isovaleric acid (IVA), 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (3-OHIVA) and isovalerylglycine (IVG), on important parameters of energy metabolism, such as ¹⁴CO₂ production from acetate and the activities of the respiratory chain complexes I–IV, creatine kinase and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in synaptic plasma membranes from cerebral cortex homogenates of 30-day-old rats. 2. We observed that 3-OHIVA acid and IVG did not affect all the parameters analyzed. Similarly, ¹⁴CO₂ production from acetate (Krebs cycle activity), the activities of creatine kinase, and of the respiratory chain complexes was not modified by IVA. In contrast, IVA exposition to cortical homogenates provoked a marked inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity. However, this activity was not changed when IVA was directly exposed to purified synaptic plasma membranes, suggesting an indirect effect of this organic acid on the enzyme. Furthermore, pretreatment of cortical homogenates with α-tocopherol and creatine totally prevented IVA-induced inhibition on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity from synaptic plasma membranes, whereas glutathione (GSH) and the NO synthase inhibitor N^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) did not alter this inhibition. 3. These data indicate that peroxide radicals were probably involved in this inhibitory effect. Since Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase is a critical enzyme for normal brain development and functioning and necessary to maintain neuronal excitability, it is presumed that the inhibitory effect of IVA on this activity may be involved in the pathophysiology of the neurological dysfunction of isovaleric acidemic patients.     

Assessment of Antioxidant Effect of 2,5-Dihydroxybenzoic Acid and Vitamin A in Brains of Rats with Induced Hyperoxia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, a salicylate derived from Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and vitamin A (vit A) on Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase enzyme and GSH levels in brain of rats exposed to hyperoxia (Hyp) as oxidant protocol. Rats were treated as follow: group I (control), group II (Hyp), group III (Hyp, ASA), group IV (vit A), group V (Hyp, vit A), group VI (Hyp, vit A, ASA). Vit A was given 5 days before and during Hyp, aspirin at the end of Hyp. Na⁺,K⁺ ATPase and total ATPase activity was significantly increased in group V. Levels of GSH showed a significant increase in group III, besides, levels of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid as salicylate in plasma were significantly increased in group II. These results elucidate differences in the biochemical response of animal towards intake of various types of antioxidant substances, with increased GSH and salicylate in hyperoxia.     

Effects of Na+ and/or K+ on the Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in shrimp (Macrobrachium amazonicum) gill homogenates

• 1.1. Homogenates of gills from the freshwater shrimp M. amazonicum exhibit the following ATPase activities: (i) a basal, Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase; (ii) an ouabain-sensitive, Na⁺ + K⁺-stimulated ATPase; (iii) an ouabain-insensitive, Na⁺-stimulated ATPase; and (iv) an ouabain-insensitive, K⁺-stimulated ATPase.
• 2.2. K⁺ suppresses the Na⁺-stimulated ATPase activity in a mixed-type kind of inhibition, whereas Na⁺ does not exert any noticeable effect on the K⁺-stimulated ATPase activity.
• 3.3. The Na⁺- and the K⁺-stimulated ATPase activities are totally inhibited by 5 mM ethacrynic acid in the incubation medium.
• 4.4. The Na⁺- and the K⁺-stimulated ATPase activities are not expressions of the activation of a Ca-ATPase.
• 5.5. The possible localization and roles of the described ATPases within the gill epithelium are briefly discussed and evaluated.

     

Glutathione S‐transferase π complexes with and stimulates Na+,K+‐ATPase

Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) was found to complex with the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase as shown by binding assay using quartz crystal microbalance. The complexation was obstructed by the addition of antiserum to the α‐subunit of the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase, suggesting the specificity of complexation between GST and the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments, using the anti‐α‐subunit antiserum to precipitate the GST‐Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase complex and then using antibodies specific to an isoform of GST to identify the co‐precipitated proteins, revealed that GSTπ was complexed with the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase. GST stimulated the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity up to 1.4‐fold. The level of stimulation exhibited a saturable dose–response relationship with the amount of GST added, although the level of stimulation varied depending on the content of GSTπ in the lots of GST received from supplier. The stimulation was also obtained when recombinant GSTπ was used, confirming the results. When GST was treated with reduced glutathione, GST activity was greatly stimulated, whereas the level of stimulation of the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was similar to that when untreated GST was added. When GST was treated with H₂O₂, GST activity was greatly diminished while the stimulation of the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was preserved. The results suggest that GSTπ complexes with the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase and stimulates the latter independent of its GST activity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Partial characterization of an endogenous factor which modulates the effect of catecholamines on synaptosomal Na+, K+-ATPase

We have previously presented evidence for the existence of a brain soluble factor which mediates the stimulation of synaptosomal ATPases by catecholamines. The stimulation of synaptosomal ATPases by dopamine plus brain soluble fraction was not modified if the soluble fraction was heated for 5 min at 95°C. One day after preparation, the soluble factor inhibited the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, but not the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, and subsequent addition of noradrenaline stimulated the ATPases activities. The inhibitory effect of a 24 h soluble fraction disappeared if the soluble fraction was dialyzed; in this case, noradrenaline did not activate the enzyme activities. Gel filtration in Sephadex G-50 permitted separating a subfraction which inhibited ATPase activity (peak II) from another which stimulated ATPase activity (peak I). Peak I stimulated both Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ ATPases. Peak II inhibited only Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, and when stored acidified, it mediated ATPases stimulation by noradrenaline.Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Eduardo De Robertis.     

Ultrastructural and cytochemical analysis of Na+, K+, ATPase and H+, K+, ATPase in parietal cells of gastric mucosa in the rabbit

Summary Rabbit gastric secretion has the physiological peculiarity of being continuous and uninfluenced by food intake. In this respect, ultrastructural analysis of rabbit parietal cells has revealed morphofunctional features situated between states of rest and very active acid secretion. Our cytochemical study shows that Mg²⁺ ATPase and ADPase activities vary from cell to cell and can even be totally absent. These activities concern either microcanaliculi or laterobasal folds or both, but never tubulovesicles. Application of the technique of Mayahara to K⁺ pNPP, associated or not with inhibitors (ouabain, vanadate, N-ethyl-maleimide, sodium fluoride), enabled us to confirm the coexistence of H⁺, K⁺, ATPase and Na⁺, K⁺, ATPase activities in the rabbit and to determine that these activities concern basolateral folds, microcanaliculi, hyaloplasm and tubulovesicles. The global activity of K⁺, pNPPase varied considerably in intensity. The results of using inhibitors suggest that proton transport ceases completely in certain cells. The signs of functional alternation found in this study are in agreement with physiological data relative to this animal.     

Properties of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase in rat liver plasma membranes enriched with bile canaliculi

Liver plasma membranes enriched in bile canaliculi were isolated from rat liver by a modification of the technique of Song et al. (J. Cell Biol. (1969) 41, 124–132) in order to study the possible role of ATPase in bile secretion. Optimum conditions for assaying (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase in this membrane fraction were defined using male rats averaging 220 g in weight. (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase activity was documented by demonstrating specific cation requirements for Na⁺ and K⁺, while the divalent cation, Ca²⁺, and the cardiac glycosides, ouabain and scillaren, were inhibitory. (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase activity averaged 10.07 ± 2.80 μmol P_i/mg protei per h compared to 50.03 ± 11.41 for Mg²⁺-activated ATPase and 58.66 ± 10.07 for 5′-nucleotidase. Concentrations of ouabain and scillaren which previously inhibited canalicular bile secretion in the isolated perfused rat liver produced complete inhibition of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase without any effect on Mg²⁺-activated ATPase. Both (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase and Mg²⁺-activated ATPase demonstrated temperature dependence but differed in temperature optima. Temperature induced changes in specific activity of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase directly paralleled previously demonstrated temperature optima for bile secretion. These studies indicate that (Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase is present in fractions of rat liver plasma membranes that are highly enriched in bile canaliculi and provide a model for further study of the effects of various physiological and chemical modifiers of bile secretion and cholestasis.     

Novel interactions of CLN3 protein link Batten disease to dysregulation of fodrin-Na+, K+ ATPase complex

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, Batten disease) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder of childhood. CLN3, the transmembrane protein underlying JNCL, is proposed to participate in multiple cellular events including membrane trafficking and cytoskeletal functions. We demonstrate here that CLN3 interacts with the plasma membrane-associated cytoskeletal and endocytic fodrin and the associated Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase. The ion pumping activity of Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase was unchanged in Cln3^−/− mouse primary neurons. However, the immunostaining pattern of fodrin appeared abnormal in JNCL fibroblasts and Cln3^−/− mouse brains suggesting disturbances in the fodrin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the basal subcellular distribution as well as ouabain-induced endocytosis of neuron-specific Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase were remarkably affected in Cln3^−/− mouse primary neurons. These data suggest that CLN3 is involved in the regulation of plasma membrane fodrin cytoskeleton and consequently, the plasma membrane association of Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase. Most of the processes regulated by multifunctional fodrin and Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase are also affected in JNCL and Cln3-deficiency implicating that dysregulation of fodrin cytoskeleton and non-pumping functions of Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase may play a role in the neuronal degeneration in JNCL.     

Prostaglandin E2 modulates Na+,K+-ATPase activity in rat hippocampus: implications for neurological diseases

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is quantitatively one of the major prostaglandins synthesized in mammalian brain, and there is evidence that it facilitates seizures and neuronal death. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in such excitatory effects. Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase is a membrane protein which plays a key role in electrolyte homeostasis maintenance and, therefore, regulates neuronal excitability. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that PGE₂ decreases Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity, in order to shed some light on the mechanisms underlying the excitatory action of PGE₂. Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was determined by assessing ouabain‐sensitive ATP hydrolysis. We found that incubation of adult rat hippocampal slices with PGE₂ (0.1–10 μM) for 30 min decreased Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. However, PGE₂ did not alter Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity if added to hippocampal homogenates. The inhibitory effect of PGE₂ on Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was not related to a decrease in the total or plasma membrane immunocontent of the catalytic α subunit of Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase. We found that the inhibitory effect of PGE₂ (1 μM) on Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was receptor‐mediated, as incubation with selective antagonists for EP1 (SC‐19220, 10 μM), EP3 (L‐826266, 1 μM) or EP4 (L‐161982, 1 μM) receptors prevented the PGE₂‐induced decrease of Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity. On the other hand, incubation with the selective EP2 agonist (butaprost, 0.1–10 μM) increased enzyme activity per se in a concentration‐dependent manner, but did not prevent the inhibitory effect of PGE₂. Incubation with a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor (H‐89, 1 μM) and a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (GF‐109203X, 300 nM) also prevented PGE₂‐induced decrease of Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity. Accordingly, PGE₂ increased phosphorylation of Ser943 at the α subunit, a critical residue for regulation of enzyme activity. Importantly, we also found that PGE₂ decreases Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity in vivo. The results presented here imply Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase as a target for PGE₂‐mediated signaling, which may underlie PGE₂‐induced increase of brain excitability.     

Effect of corpus cardiacum extracts on the ATPase activity of locust rectum

The Mg²⁺ dependent and Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase activities of microsomal preparations from the rectum of Locusta migratoria were both stimulated, to varying extents, by crude extracts of the corpora cardiaca of this species. Mg²⁺ ATPase activity increased by approximately 549% whereas the hormonal stimulation of Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase depended upon the concentration of sodium and potassium ions. At 100 mM Na⁺ and 20 mM K⁺, conditions which approximate to optimum for this enzyme system, Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase activity increased by about 14%. At sub-optimum concentrations of these ions, i.e. 50 and 5 mM Na⁺ and K⁺ respectively, the increase in Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase activity was about 205%. Ouabain at a concentration of 10^?3 M completely abolished this stimulated activity and was consistently effective in partially reducing the stimulation of Mg²⁺ ATPase activity by corpora cardiaca extracts.     

Kinetic Studies of a (Na++ K++ Mg2+) ATPase in Sugar Beet Roots

Kinetic studies of a dithiothreitol treated membrane ATPase fraction from sugar beet roots led to the following conclusions: 1) In the presence of MgATP, Na⁺ and K⁺ stimulate the ATPase activity in different ways following simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Thus separate sites for Na⁺ and K⁺ are suggested. 2) In the absence of K⁺, Na⁺ acts as an uncompetitive modifier raising the apparent K_m and V_max for MgATP. 3) In the absence of Na⁺, K⁺ activates non-competitively with respect to MgATP. Thus K⁺ increases V_max but does not affect the apparent affinity constant. 4) K⁺ and Na⁺ double the rate constants. 5) In the presence of Na⁺ or K⁺, Mg²⁺ in excess acts as a weak inhibitor to Na⁺ and/or K⁺ activity. 6) The temperature-activity dependence in the 5–40°C interval shows biphasic Arrhenius plots with the transition point between 15–18°C. The activation energy is lowered at temperatures > 18°C.     

Metabolic and ionoregulatory responses of the Amazonian cichlid, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astronotus ocellatus</Emphasis>, to severe hypoxia

We examined the metabolic and ionoregulatory responses of the Amazonian cichlid, Astronotus ocellatus, to 20 h exposure to severe hypoxia (0.37 ± 0.19 mg O₂/l; 4.6% air saturation) or 8 h severe hypoxia followed by 12 h recovery in normoxic water. During 20 h exposure to hypoxia, white muscle [ATP] was maintained at normoxic levels primarily through a 20% decrease in [creatine phosphate] (CrP) and an activation of glycolysis yielding lactate accumulation. Muscle lactate accumulation maintained cytoplasmic redox state ([NAD⁺]/[NADH]) and was associated with an inactivation of the mitochondrial enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). The inactivation of PDH was not associated with significant changes in cytoplasmic allosteric modulators ([ADP_free], redox state, or [pyruvate]). Hypoxia exposure caused a ∼65% decrease in gill Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity, which was not matched by changes in Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase α-subunit protein abundance indicating post-translational modification of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase was responsible for the decrease in activity. Despite decreases in gill Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase activity, plasma [Na⁺] increased, but this increase was possibly due to a significant hemoconcentration and fluid shift out of the extracellular space. Hypoxia caused an increase in Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase α-subunit mRNA abundance pointing to either reduced mRNA degradation during exposure to hypoxia or enhanced expression of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase α-subunit relative to other genes.     

Kinetic analysis of gill (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase activity in selected ontogenetic stages of the Amazon River shrimp, Macrobrachium amazonicum (Decapoda, Palaemonidae): interactions at ATP- and cation-binding sites

We investigated modulation by ATP, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ and inhibition by ouabain of (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase activity in microsomal homogenates of whole zoeae I and decapodid III (formerly zoea IX) and whole-body and gill homogenates of juvenile and adult Amazon River shrimps, Macrobrachium amazonicum. (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase-specific activity was increased twofold in decapodid III compared to zoea I, juveniles and adults, suggesting an important role in this ontogenetic stage. The apparent affinity for ATP (K _M = 0.09 ± 0.01 mmol L⁻¹) of the decapodid III (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase, about twofold greater than the other stages, further highlights this relevance. Modulation of (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase activity by K⁺ also revealed a threefold greater affinity for K⁺ (K _0.5 = 0.91 ± 0.04 mmol L⁻¹) in decapodid III than in other stages; NH₄ ⁺ had no modulatory effect. The affinity for Na⁺ (K _0.5 = 13.2 ± 0.6 mmol L⁻¹) of zoea I (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase was fourfold less than other stages. Modulation by Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and NH₄ ⁺ obeyed cooperative kinetics, while K⁺ modulation exhibited Michaelis-Menten behavior. Rates of maximal Mg²⁺ stimulation of ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity differed in each ontogenetic stage, suggesting that Mg²⁺-stimulated ATPases other than (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase are present. Ouabain inhibition suggests that, among the various ATPase activities present in the different stages, Na⁺-ATPase may be involved in the ontogeny of osmoregulation in larval M. amazonicum. The NH₄ ⁺-stimulated, ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity seen in zoea I and decapodid III may reflect a stage-specific means of ammonia excretion since functional gills are absent in the early larval stages.     

Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood mutations have a differential effect on Na+,K+-ATPase activity and ouabain binding

De novo mutations in ATP1A3, the gene encoding the α3-subunit of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, are associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC). The aim of this study was to determine the functional consequences of six ATP1A3 mutations (S137Y, D220N, I274N, D801N, E815K, and G947R) associated with AHC. Wild type and mutant Na⁺,K⁺-ATPases were expressed in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression system. Ouabain binding, ATPase activity, and phosphorylation were absent in mutants I274N, E815K and G947R. Mutants S137Y and D801N were able to bind ouabain, although these mutants lacked ATPase activity, phosphorylation, and the K⁺/ouabain antagonism indicative of modifications in the cation binding site. Mutant D220N showed similar ouabain binding, ATPase activity, and phosphorylation to wild type Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Functional impairment of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in mutants S137Y, I274N, D801N, E815K, and G947R might explain why patients having these mutations suffer from AHC. Moreover, mutant D801N is able to bind ouabain, whereas mutant E815K shows a complete loss of function, possibly explaining the different phenotypes for these mutations.     

The disparity between effects of vanadate (V) and vanadyl (IV) ions on (Na+-K+)-ATPase and K+-phosphatase in skeletal muscle

On crude membrane fractions of skeletal musccle, vanadyl (IV) and vanadate (V) compounds inhibited the membrane (Na⁺K⁺)-ATPase and neutral (K⁺-)p-nitrophenylphosphatase equally with K_i 4×10^?8 mol.1^?1. Only vanadate (V) inhibited significantly the muscle (Na⁺K⁺)ATPase with K_i 1×10^?6 mol.1^?1, whereas vanadyl (IV) ions were almost without effect. Extracellular application of both forms of vanadium failed to inhibit the electrogenic (Na⁺K⁺) pump in intact mouse diaphragm fibres.