花生幼苗下胚轴质膜Ca2+-ATP酶及其对低温胁迫的反应

经６％－１２％ＤｅｘｔｒａｎＴ７０密度梯度离心,获得了纯度较高的７ｄ龄花生幼苗下胚轴质膜制剂,质膜Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ在反应系统不存在Ｍｇ＾２＋时,可正常表现水解ＡＴＰ的活性,但此活性明显低于Ｍｇ＾２＋激活的ＡＴＰａｓｅ,Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ不受Ｎａ３ＶＯ４抑制,不被Ｋ＾＋激活,而被Ｃｌ＾－抑制,Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的最适,ｐＨ不同于Ｍｇ＾２＋激活的ＡＴＰａｓｅ,低温胁迫显著提高质膜Ｃ     

稀土离子对CaM及Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase活力及CD研究

研究了稀土离子（Ｌｎ３＋）对钙调蛋白（ＣａＭ）调控的Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的活力影响。结果表明,在ＣａＭ和Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的体系中,一些Ｌｎ３＋（Ｌａ３＋、Ｇｄ３＋）对由ＣａＭ调节的Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的活力影响呈现双相效应,即Ｌｎ３＋在低浓度时,能提高激活Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的水解活力;在高浓度时,则抑制ＣａＭ调节Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力的能力;少数Ｌｎ３＋（Ｓｍ３＋）仅表现出抑制效应。在无ＣａＭ的Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ体系中,高浓度的Ｌｎ３＋抑制Ｃａ２＋－Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的基础活力。结合圆二色（ＣＤ）谱信息对Ｌｎ３＋和ＣａＭ相互作用的分子机制进行了初步的探讨。     

实验性氟中毒大鼠中缝背核酶细胞化学研究

以饮用高氟水（１００ｐｐｍ）的方法制造了雄性大鼠慢性氟中毒模型。对中缝背核神经元Ｍｇ２＋－腺苷三磷酸酶（Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ）和硫胺素焦磷酸酶（ＴＰＰａｓｅ）进行了定性、定量分析。结果表明：氟中毒大鼠中缝背核神经元内Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ、ＴＰＰａｓｅ染色均浅于对照组,定量分析Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ、ＴＰＰａｓｅ含量均减少。电镜观察氟中毒大鼠神经元内ＴＰＰａｓｅ颗粒减少,同时出现超微结构改变。这些结果提示：高氟可抑制某些酶的活性,并对中枢神经系统有直接损害     

小麦根液泡膜上存在两种类型ATPase

采用Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ ４Ｂ柱层析的方法在小麦根液泡膜中分离出两种ＡＴＰａｓｅ,一种需Ｍｇ＾２＋存在于表现催化活性,受质子通道抑制剂ＤＣＣＤ（二环已基碳二亚胺）的抑制和Ｃｌ＾－的激活,为需Ｍｇ＾２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ,另一种不需Ｍｇ＾２＋就可表现出催化活性,受Ｃａ＾２＋的强烈激活,不受ＤＣＣＤ的抑制和Ｃｌ＾－激活,可能前者与转运质子有关,后者与Ｃａ＾２＋的转运有关。     

骤冷与饥饿对小鼠肝脏影响的实验研究

为探讨饥饿及饥饿与骤冷对动物肝脏的影响,本实验用健康昆明种小鼠２５只,随机分成正常组５只,饥饿组１０只,饥饿后再予冷刺激组１０只（下称骤冷组）。采用组织化学及酶组织化学方法观察糖原（ＰＡＳ反应）、ＳＤＨ（琥珀酸脱氢酶）,ＬＤＨ（乳酸脱氢酶）,ＣｈＥ（胆碱酯酶）、Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ（镁激活三磷酸腺苷酶）,ＡＣＰ（酸性磷酸酶）。结果提示：饥饿时肝脏ＰＡＳ反应,ＳＤＨ,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ、ＣｈＥ活性显著下降,而ＡＣＰ活性明显增强;饥饿后骤冷时ＰＡＳ（反应）、ＳＤＨ、ＣｈＥ更显著下降,而ＡＣＰ及Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性反而增强。     

铝对大白鼠海马所致损害的实验研究

为探讨铝对海马的损害,用３０只健康大白鼠,体重２００～３００克,分为Ａ组（正常对照）１０只,Ｂ组（低铝组饲料中加５００ｍｇ／ｋｇＡｌＣｌ３）１０只,Ｃ组（高铝组饲料中加２５００ｍｇ／ｋｇ／ＡｌＣｌ３）１０只。分别饲养１２个月后,分组断头取脑海马,按组织化学及酶组织化学常规做“铝定性”反应,琥珀酸脱氢酶（ＳＤＨ）、乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）、硫胺素焦磷酸酶（ＴＰＰａｓｅ）、镁激活三磷酸腺苷酶（Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ）、胆碱酯酶（ＣｈＥ）测定。按电镜常规做超微结构的观察。结果提示：Ｃ组,海马ＳＤＨ、Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ、ＣｈＥ活性明显减弱（由强阳性（）下降为阳性（＋）,铝反应增强（在海马的神经细胞内强阳性（）;同时海马神经元内线粒体嵴断裂、肿胀、空泡样变,神经纤维髓鞘变性（如不规则卷曲、松散）。说明铝对海马的功能与结构均有损害     

神经节苷脂（Gangliosides）对人红细胞膜Ca~（2＋）－Mg~（2＋）ATPase的影响

神经节苷脂（Ｇａｎｇｌｉｏｓｉｄｅｓ）是红细胞膜Ｃａ~（２＋）－Ｍｇ~（２＋）ＡＴＰａｓｅ的一种激活剂,这种激活作用也是依赖于Ｃａ~（２＋）存在。在２００μｍｏｌ／ＬＣａ~（２＋）存在的反应体系中,１００μｇ／ｍＬＧａｎｇｌｉｏｓｉｄｅｓ对Ｃａ~（２＋）－Ｍｇ~（２＋）ＡＴＰａｓｅ的激活作用最大,为基本酶活性的１５０％以上。实验还发现ＣａＭ拮抗剂三氟拉嗪（ＴＦＰ）、粉防已碱（Ｔｅｔ）等也同样抑制Ｇａｎｇｌｉｏｓｉｄｅｓ的这种激活作用。其抑制的ＩＣ_（５０）值为２５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ和３０μｍｏ１／Ｌ;而此浓度下抑制剂存在的反应体系中,对Ｃａ~（２＋）－Ｍｇ~（２＋）ＡＴＰａｓｅ的基本活性影响不大。     

不同磷脂和糖脂对莱氏衣原体膜上Mg~（2＋）－ATPase活性的影响

莱氏衣原体膜上Ｍｇ~（２＋）－ＡＴＰａｓｅ用ＤＯＣ溶解后,经Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ－６Ｂ和ＤＥＡＥ－ＣｅｌｌｕｌｏｓｅＤＥ－５２离子交换柱,得到了部分纯化的Ｍｇ~（２＋）ＡＴＰａｓｅ,并将此ＡＴＰａｓｅ与不同极性头部的磷脂和膜糖脂重组,研究了不同的极性头部的磷脂和膜糖脂对ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性的影响。此酶的活性不依赖酸性磷脂,ＰＧ、ＤＰＧ、大豆磷脂等明显抑制酶活性,中性磷脂ＤＭＰＣ、ＰＥ、ＰＣ则能增加酶活性,其中尤以非双层脂ＰＥ的作用最为明显。从莱氏衣原体膜上提取的糖脂（ＭＧＤＧ,ＤＧＤＧ）单独和ＡＴＰａｓｅ重组时,酶活性增加并不明显,当ＭＧＤＧ和ＤＧＤＧ以等比例混合时,能大大地增加酶活性。这表明Ｍｇ~（２＋）－ＡＴＰａｓｅ的活性很大程度上与磷脂的表面电荷及磷脂的组成相关。     

神经节苷脂（Gangliosides）对人红细胞膜Ca^2＋—Mg^2＋ATPase的影响

神经节苷脂（Ｇａｎｇｌｉｏｓｉｄｅｓ）是红细胞膜Ｃａ＾２＋－Ｍｇ２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ的一种激活剂,这种激活作用也是依赖于Ｃａ＾２＋存在。在２００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ Ｃａ＾２＋存在的反应体系中,１００μｇ／ｍＬ Ｇａｎｇｌｉｏｓｉｄｅｓ对Ｃａ＾２＋－Ｍｇ＾２＋ＡＴＰａｓｅ的激活作用最大,为基本酶活性的１５０％以上。实验还发现ＣａＭ拮抗剂三氟嗪（ＴＥＰ）、粉防已碱（Ｔｅｔ）等也同样抑制Ｇａｎｇｌｉｏｓｉｄｅｓ的     

盐或低温胁迫对花生幼苗下胚轴ATP酶和质膜中PIP2含量的影响

经６％－１２％Ｄｅｘｔｒａｎ Ｔ７０密度梯度离心,获得了纯度较高的７ｄ龄花生幼苗下胚轴质膜和液泡膜制剂。１５０ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ ＮａＣｌ或１０℃低温处理花生幼苗２４ｈ,其下胚轴质膜上的Ｍｇ＾２＋激活的ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性分别提高了３７．６％和１７．２％;Ｃａ＾２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性分别提高４５．８％和３３．６％。上述盐或低温处理也提高了液泡膜上Ｍｇ＾２＋激活的ＡＴＰａｓｅ活性,分别为对照的１４１．２％和１     

Investigation of adenosinetriphosphatase activity of rat liver and thymus cell nuclei]

The activity of ATPase was studied in highly purified rat liver and thymus cell nuclei, HCO3-, CO3(2-) and SO3(2-) stimulated nuclear ATPase in 1.5--2 times. HSO3- did not affect the enzyme activity, and NO3-, J-, ClO4-,F- and SCN- inhibited it. Bicarbonate increased V and decreased Ka for ATP. SCN- inhibited HCO3--ATPase activity non-competitively with respect to HCO3-. Mg2+-ATPase activity did not depend on pH, and HCO3-component of the activity was decreased under alkaline pH. Mg2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ increased the initial ATPase activity and helped its stimulation with HCO3-. Ba2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ inhibited the ATPase activity, and Ca2+ did not affect it, Nuclear ATPase is sensitive to 2,4-dinitrophenol and DNAase. It is suggested that cell nuclei have their own H+-ATPase differing for some characteristics from mitochondrial H+-ATPase.     

Kinetics of rapid Ca2+ release by sarcoplasmic reticulum. Effects of Ca2+, Mg2+, and adenine nucleotides

A radioisotope flux-rapid-quench-Millipore filtration method is described for determining the effects of Ca2+, adenine nucleotides, and Mg2+ on the Ca2+ release behaviour of "heavy" sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. Rapid 45Ca2+ efflux from passively loaded vesicles was blocked by the addition of Mg2+ and ruthenium red. At pH 7 and 10(-9) M Ca2+, vesicles released 45Ca2+ with a low rate (k = 0.1 s-1). An increase in external Ca2+ concentration to 4 microM or the addition of 5 mM ATP or the ATP analogue adenosine 5'-(beta,gamma-methylenetriphosphate) (AMP-PCP) resulted in intermediate 45Ca2+ release rates. The maximal release rate was observed in media containing 4 microM Ca2+ and 5 mM AMP-PCP and had a first-order rate constant of 30-100 s-1. Mg2+ partially inhibited Ca2+- and nucleotide-induced 45Ca2+ efflux. In the absence of AMP-PCP, 45Ca2+ release was fully inhibited at 5 mM Mg2+ or 5 mM Ca2+. The composition of the release media was systematically varied, and the flux data were expressed in the form of Hill equations. The apparent n values of activation of Ca2+ release by ATP and AMP-PCP were 1.6-1.9. The Hill coefficient of Ca2+ activation (n = 0.8-2.1) was dependent on nucleotide and Mg2+ concentrations, whereas the one of Mg2+ inhibition (n = 1.1-1.6) varied with external Ca2+ concentration. These results suggest that heavy SR vesicles contain a "Ca2+ release channel" which is capable of conducting Ca2+ at rates comparable with those found in intact muscle. Ca2+, AMP-PCP (ATP), and Mg2+ appear to act at noninteracting or interacting sites of the channel.     

Modification of myosin subfragment 1 by carbodiimide in the presence of a nucleophile. Effect on adenosinetriphosphatase activities

The modification of myosin subfragment 1 by N-cyclohexyl-N'-[2-(4-morpholinyl)ethyl]carbodiimide methyl p-toluenesulfonate in the presence of the nucleophile nitrotyrosine ethyl ester was investigated. For elimination of interference of the thiol groups, the two most reactive thiols were protected by cyanylation with 2-nitro-5-(thiocyanato)benzoic acid. The ATPase activity of the cyanylated myosin subfragment 1 was not lost, but had changed. At pH 5.9, carbodiimide in the presence of the nucleophile rapidly inactivated the cyanylated enzyme. The inactivation followed first-order kinetics. The K+(EDTA)--, Ca2+--, and Mg2+--ATPase activities decreased at the same rate. Inactivation and incorporation of nucleophile occurred simultaneously. A full loss of activity resulted from the incorporation of 1 mol of nitrotyrosine per mol of myosin subfragment 1. Pyrophosphate, ITP, ADP, and ATP protected against inactivation, and the efficiency of the protection was parallel to the ligand binding strength. These results suggested that one carboxyl group was essential for the active conformation of myosin.     

Enzyme distribution and transport activities in electrophoretically isolated fractions of the muscle sarcotubular system

A simple electrophoretic method is introduced allowing to isolate five fractions of skeletal muscle ST-system vesicles. In a previous study differences in lipid content, 3H-ouabain binding and in presence of triads in individual fractions (Lehotsky et. al. 1986) were analysed. In the present study biochemical characterization was extended, and (in accordance with previous results) major differences were observed to exist between fraction 1 and fractions 3 and 4. SDS-PAGE showed that fractions 3 and 4 were enriched in a protein with m.w. 100 kD, these fractions showing the highest specific activities of (Mg2+ + Ca2+)-ATPase and oxalate-supported Ca2+-uptake; activities of Mg2+-ATPase and surface membrane marker enzymes were the lowest in these fractions. On the other hand, in fraction 1 the highest activities of Mg2+-ATPase and marker enzymes of the surface membrane were observed together with a decreased content of the 100 kD protein and activities of Ca2+ transport. It could be concluded that the method is suitable to differentiate between relatively pure SR (fractions 3 and 4) and fractions rich in sarcolemma or T-tubules components (fractions 1 and 5).     

Platelet-activating factor increases endothelial [Ca2+]i and NO production in individually perfused intact microvessels

We have demonstrated that inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) in endothelial cells by either the NOS inhibitor N(omega)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) or the internalization of caveolin-1 scaffolding domain attenuated platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced increases in microvessel permeability (Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 286: H195-H201, 2004) indicating the involvement of an NO-dependent signaling pathway. To investigate whether an increase in endothelial cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) is the initiating event and Ca(2+)-dependent NO production is crucial for permeability increases, PAF (10 nM)-induced changes in endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) and NO production were measured in individually perfused rat mesenteric venular microvessels via fluorescence microscopy. When venular microvessels were exposed to PAF, endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) increased from 69 +/- 8 nM to a peak value of 374 +/- 26 nM within 3 min and then declined to a sustained level at 190 +/- 12 nM after 15 min. Inhibition of NOS did not modify PAF-induced increases in endothelial [Ca(2+)](i). PAF-induced NO production was visualized and quantified at cellular levels in individually perfused microvessels using 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate and fluorescence imaging. Increased fluorescence intensity (FI), which is an indication of increased NO production, occurred in 75 +/- 7% of endothelial cells in each vessel. The mean maximum FI increase was 140 +/- 7% of baseline value. This increased FI was abolished by pretreatment of the vessel with l-NMMA and attenuated in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+). These results provide direct evidence from intact microvessels that increased endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) is the initial signal that activates endothelial NOS, and the subsequent increased NO production contributes to PAF-induced increases in microvessel permeability.     

Increased [Mg2+]o reduces Ca2+ influx and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential during reoxygenation

Increase in extracellular Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]o) reduces Ca2+ accumulation during reoxygenation of hypoxic cardiomyocytes and exerts protective effects. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of increased [Mg(2+)](o) on Ca2+ influx and efflux, free cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Mg2+ concentrations ([Mg2+]i), Ca2+ accumulation in the presence of inhibitors of mitochondrial or sarcoplasmatic reticulum Ca2+ transport, and finally mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta(psi)m). Isolated adult rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to 1 h of hypoxia and subsequent reoxygenation. Cell Ca2+ was determined by 45Ca2+ uptake, and the levels of [Mg2+]i and [Ca2+]i were determined by flow cytometry as the fluorescence of magnesium green and fluo 3, respectively. Ca2+ influx rate was significantly reduced by approximately 40%, whereas Ca2+ efflux was not affected by increased [Mg2+]o (5 mM) during reoxygenation. [Ca2+]i and [Mg2+]i were increased at the end of hypoxia, fell after reoxygenation, and were unaffected by increased [Mg2+]o. Clonazepam, a selective mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor (100 microM), significantly reduced Ca2+ accumulation by 70% and in combination with increased [Mg2+]o by 90%. Increased [Mg2+]o, clonazepam, and the combination of both attenuated the hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced reduction in Delta(psi)m, determined with the cationic dye JC-1 by flow cytometry. A significant inverse correlation was observed between Delta(psi)m and cell Ca2+ in reoxygenated cells treated with increased [Mg2+]o and clonazepam. In conclusion, increased [Mg2+]o (5 mM) inhibits Ca2+ accumulation by reducing Ca2+ influx and preserves Delta(psi)m without affecting [Ca2+]i and [Mg2+]i during reoxygenation. Preservation of mitochondria may be an important effect whereby increased [Mg2+]o protects the postischemic heart.     

Heat capacity and entropy changes of the major isotype of the toad (Bufo) parvalbumin induced by calcium binding

The possible structural changes in the major isotype of parvalbumin from the toad (Bufo bufo japonicus) skeletal muscle caused by Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding have been analyzed by microcalorimetric titrations. Parvalbumin was titrated with Ca2+ in both the absence and presence of Mg2+ and with Mg2+ in the absence of Ca2+, at pH 7.0, and at 5 degrees, 15 degrees, and 25 degrees C. The two sites in a molecule were equivalent on Mg2(+)-Ca2+ exchange, but distinguishable on Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding. The reactions of parvalbumin with Ca2+ are exothermic at every temperature in both the absence and presence of Mg2+, but those with Mg2+ are always endothermic except for the binding to site 1 at 25 degrees C. The magnitudes of the hydrophobic and internal vibrational contributions to the heat capacity and entropy changes of parvalbumin on Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding and Mg2(+)-Ca2+ exchange have been estimated by the empirical method of Sturtevant [Sturtevant, J. M. (1977) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 74, 2236-2240]. Although no major conformational changes were noted between Ca2(+)- and Mg2(+)-bound forms of toad parvalbumin, the conformational difference was larger in Ca2+ (or Mg2+) binding to site 1 than site 2. This may indicate that the metal-free form is much less stable than any form with Ca2+ (or Mg2+) bound at one site at least. On Mg2(+)-Ca2+ exchange, the vibrational as well as hydrophobic entropy is only slightly increased in a parallel manner. In contrast, on Ca2+ (or Mg2+) binding, the hydrophobic entropy increases but the vibrational entropy decreases; the former indicates the sequestering of nonpolar groups from the surface to the interior of a molecule, and the latter suggests that the overall structures are tightened on Ca2+ (or Mg2+) binding but loosened on Mg2(+)-Ca2+ exchange. Despite the clear distinctions in the thermodynamic features, the conformational changes of toad parvalbumin are essentially the same as those of the two isotypes of bullfrog parvalbumins on Ca2+ binding and Mg2(+)-Ca2+ exchange.     

fMLP-stimulated neutrophils increase endothelial [Ca2+]i and microvessel permeability in the absence of adhesion: role of reactive oxygen species

Our previous study demonstrated that firm attachment of leukocytes to microvessel walls does not necessarily increase microvessel permeability (Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 283: H2420-H2430, 2002). To further understand the mechanisms of the permeability increase associated with leukocyte accumulation during acute inflammation, we investigated the direct relation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) release during neutrophil respiratory burst to changes in microvessel permeability and endothelial intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in intact microvessels. ROS release from activated neutrophils was quantified by measuring changes in chemiluminescence. When isolated rat neutrophils (2 x 10(6)/ml) were exposed to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-OH (fMLP, 10 microM), chemiluminescence transiently increased from 1.2 +/- 0.2 x 10(4) to a peak value of 6.7 +/- 1.0 x 10(4) cpm/min (n = 12). Correlatively, perfusing individual microvessels with fMLP-stimulated neutrophils in suspension (2 x 10(7)/ml) increased hydraulic conductivity (L(p)) to 3.7 +/- 0.4 times the control value (n = 5) and increased endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) from 84 +/- 7 nM to a mean peak value of 170 +/- 7 nM. In contrast, perfusing vessels with fMLP alone did not affect basal L(p). Application of antioxidant agents, superoxide dismutase, vitamin C, or an iron chelator, deferoxamine mesylate, attenuated ROS release in fMLP-stimulated neutrophils and abolished increases in L(p). These results indicate that release of ROS from fMLP-stimulated neutrophils increases microvessel permeability and endothelial [Ca(2+)](i) independently from leukocyte adhesion and the migration process.     

Characterization of the effects of Mg2+ on Ca2+- and Sr2+-activated tension generation of skinned skeletal muscle fibers

Changes in [Mg2+] in a millimolar range have a significant inverse effect on the Ca2+- (or Sr2+)activated tension generation of skeletal muscle fibers. Single frog (Rana pipiens) semitendinosus muscle fibers were "skinned" (sarcolemma removed) and contracted isometrically in bathing solutions of varying [Ca2+] or [Sr2+] and [Mg2+] but a constant pH, [MgATP2-], [K+], [CP2-], [CPK], and ionic strength. Ca2+- (or Sr2+- )activated steady-state tensions were recorded for three [Mg2+]'s: 5 X 10(-5)M, 1 X 10(-3) M, and 2 X 10(-3) M; and these tensions were expressed as the percentages of maximum tension generation of the fibers for the same [Mg2+]. Maximum tension was not affected by [Mg2+] within Ca2+-activating or Sr2+-activating sets of solutions; however, the submaximum Ca2+-(or Sr2+)activated tension is strongly affected in an inverse fashion by increasing [Mg2+]. Mg2+ behaves as a competitive inhibitor of Ca2+ and also affects the degree of cooperativity in the system. At [Mg2+] = 5 X 10(-5)M the shape of tension versus [Ca2+] (or [Sr2+]) curve showed evidence of cooperativity of Ca2+ (or Sr2+) binding or activation of the contractile system. As [Mg2+] increased, the apparent affinity for Ca2+ or Sr2+ and cooperativity of the contractile system declined. The effect on cooperativity suggests that as [Mg2+] decreases a threshold for Ca2+ activation appears.     

Calcium binding to calmodulin. Cooperativity of the calcium-binding sites

The effects of Mg2+ ion, pH, and KCl concentration on Ca2+ binding to calmodulin were studied by using a Ca2+ ion-sensitive electrode. The Ca2+ ion affinity of calmodulin increased with increasing pH or decreasing KCl concentration. Cooperativity between the Ca2+-binding sites was observed, and increased with decreasing pH or increasing KCl concentration. Free Ca2+ ion concentration was decreased by adding MgCl2 ion at low Mg2+ concentration and increased at higher concentrations in the presence of small amounts of Ca2+ ion. The decrease of free Ca2+ ion concentration by Mg2+ ion strongly suggests cooperativity between the Ca2+-binding sites, and it is difficult to explain the decrease in terms of the ordered binding models previously proposed. These results can be explained by a simple model which has four equivalent binding sites that bind Ca2+ and Mg2+ competitively, and showing cooperativity when either Ca2+ or Mg2+ is bound. Mg2+ ion binding to calmodulin was measured in the presence or absence of Ca2+ to confirm the validity of this model, and no Mg2+-specific site was observed.