Effects of tricyclohexylhydroxytin on the kinetics of adenosine triphosphatase system and protection by thiol reagents

Tricyclohexylhydroxytin, commonly known as Plictran® inhibited Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase activity of rat brain synaptosomes in a concentration-dependent manner with median inhibitory concentration (IC-50) of 2 μM. Both K⁺ -stimulated para-nitrophenylphosphatase and [3-H]-ouabain binding to synaptosomes were also inhibited by Plictran with IC-50 values of 11 and 30 μM, respectively. Altered pH and Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase activity curves demonstrated comparable inhibition in buffered neutral and alkaline pH ranges, and no inhibition was observed in acidic pH. The inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase was independent of temperature. Kinetic studies of substrate (ATP) activation of Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase indicated uncompetitive inhibition. Results also showed noncompetitive inhibition for p-nitrophenylphosphate and uncompetitive inhibition for K⁺ activations of p-nitrophenylphosphatase. Preincubation of synaptosomes with dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl (SH) agent, resulted in the complete protection of Plictran inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase, K⁺ -para-nitrophenylphosphatase, and [3-H]-ouabain binding. The protection was specific and concentration dependent since cysteine and glutathione did not afford protection. These results indicate that Plictran inhibited Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase by interacting with dephosphorylation of the enzyme-phosphoryl complex and exerted a similar effect to that of SH-blocking agents.     

Tricyclohexyltin hydroxide effects on cationic and substrate activation kinetics of beta-adrenergic-stimulated cardiac Ca2+-ATPase

Previous studies from this laboratory have indicated that tricyclohexyltin hydroxide (Plictran) is a potent inhibitor of both basal- and isoproterenol-stimulated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase, with an estimated IC-50 of 2.5 X 10(-8) M. The present studies were initiated to evaluate the mechanism of inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase by Plictran. Data on substrate and cationic activation kinetics of Ca2+-ATPase indicated alteration of Vmax and Km by Plictran (1 and 5 X 10(-8) M), suggesting a mixed type of inhibition. The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol increased Vmax of both ATP- and Ca2+-dependent enzyme activities. However, the Km of enzyme was decreased only for Ca2+. Plictran inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated Ca2+-ATPase activity by altering both Vmax and Km of ATP as well as Ca2+-dependent enzyme activities, suggesting that after binding to a single independent site, Plictran inhibits enzyme catalysis by decreasing the affinity of enzyme for ATP as well as for Ca2+. Preincubation of enzyme with 15 microM cAMP or the addition of 2mM ATP to the reaction mixture resulted in slight activation of Plictran-inhibited enzyme. Pretreatment of SR with 5 X 10(-7) M propranolol and 5 X 10(-8) M Plictran resulted in inhibition of basal activity in addition to the loss of stimulated activity. Preincubation of heart SR preparation with 5 X 10(-5) M coenzyme A in combination with 5 X 10(-8) M Plictran partly restored the beta-adrenergic stimulation. These results suggest that some critical sites common to both basal- and beta-adrenergic-stimulated Ca2+-ATPase are sensitive to binding by Plictran, and the resultant conformational change may lead to inhibition of beta-adrenergic stimulation.     

Effects of rubratoxin B on the kinetics of cationic and substrate activation of (Na+-K+)-ATPase and p-nitrophenyl phosphatase.

Rubratoxin B, a lactone-containing bisanhydride metabolite of certain toxigenic molds, inhibited (Na+-K+)-stimulated ATPase activity of mouse brain microsomes in a dose-dependent manner with an estimated IC50 of 6 x 10(-6) M. Hydrolysis of ATP was linear with time and enzyme concentration, with or without rubratoxin in reaction mixtures. Altered pH and activity curves for (Na+-K+)-ATPase demonstrated comparable inhibition by rubratoxin in buffered acidic, neutral, and alkaline pH ranges. Kinetic studies of cationic-substrate activation of (Na+-K+)-ATPase indicated classical competitive inhibition for Na+ and K+. Results also showed competitive inhibition for K+ activated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase as demonstrated by altered binding site parameters without change in the catalytic velocity of dephosphorylation of the enzyme . phosphoryl complex. Noncompetitive inhibition with regards to activation by ATP and p-nitrophenyl phosphate was indicated by altered Vmax values with no change in Km values. Inhibition was partially restored by repeated washings. Preincubation with sulfhydryl agents protected the enzyme from inhibition. Cumulative inhibition studies with rubratoxin and ouabain indicated possible interaction between the two inhibitors of (Na+-K+)-ATPase. Rubratoxin appeared to exert its effects on (Na+-K+)-ATPase by interacting at Na+ and K+ sites.     

Inhibition of calcium ATPase by phencyclidine in rat brain

Phencyclidine (PCP) is a potent psychotomimetic drug of abuse and has profound effect on the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). Many of the CNS functions are known to be mediated by calcium (Ca2+). In the present study we have investigated the effects of PCP on Ca2+ ATPase activity in rat brain both in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro studies, synaptic membrane fractions prepared from normal rat brain were incubated with PCP at different concentrations (25-100 M) before the addition of substrate. For n vivo studies, rats were treated with a single moderate dose of PCP (10 mg/kg, IP) and animals were sacrificed at 1,2, 6 and 12 h after treatment. Ca2+ ATPase activity in synaptic membrane fractions was assayed by estimation of inorganic phosphate. PCP inhibited the Ca2+ ATPase in vitro in a concentration dependent manner with significant effect at 50 and 100 M. A significant time-dependent reduction of the Ca2+ ATPase activity was evident in vivo. As early as 2 h after the treatment of rats with PCP the ATPase activity was significantly reduced. The reduction of Ca2+ ATPase observed even at 12 h after treatment suggesting a prolonged presence of the drug in the brain tissue. Further, kinetic studies in vitro indicated PCP to be a competitive inhibitor of Ca2+ ATPase with respect to the substrate, ATP. The present findings indicate that PCP inhibits synaptic membrane Ca2+ ATPase thus altering cellular Ca2+ homeostasis in CNS which may partially explain the pharmacological effects of the drug and/or its neurotoxicity.     

Inhibition of Escherichia coli Mg2+ ATPase: Synergism between a fire ant,Solenopsis richteri (Forel) abdomen factor and a photoreduction product of Mirex

Fire ant, Solenopsis richteri (Forel), abdomen was found to contain a water-soluble and heat-stable inhibitor of the ATPase activity in an E- Escherichia coli membrane preparation. A photoreduction product of Mirex was also inhibitory toward Escherichia coli Mg²⁺ ATPase, but was less effective in total enzyme activity inhibition that the fire ant inhibitor. However, the two compounds were found to be strongly synergistic in their inhibitory action. Surprisingly, Mirex had little or no effect on the bacterial membrane enzyme activity.     

Mechanism of inhibition of rat brain (Na +-K +)-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase reaction by cadmium and methyl mercury

The mechanisms of inhibition of rat brain Na ⁺-K ⁺- ATPase by cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) and methylmercuric chloride (CH₃HgCl) were studied in vitro by assessing the effects of these heavy metals on this enzyme and associated component parameters. Both the heavy metals significantly inhibited the overall Na ⁺-K ⁺ -ATPase in a concentration-dependent manner with an estimated median inhibitory concentration (IC-50) of 3.2 × 10^?5M for CdCl₂ and 6 × 10^?6M for CH₃HgCl. Protection of enzyme against heavy metal inhibition by 5 × 10^?5M to 1 × 10^?4 M dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH) or cysteine (CST) indicates that both monothiols and dithiols have the same ability in regenerating sulfhydryl (–SH) groups or chelating the metals. Inhibition of K⁺-p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K⁺-PNPPase), the component enzyme catalyzing the K⁺-dependent dephosphorylation in the overall Na ⁺-K ⁺ATPase reaction by these heavy metals, indicates that the mechanism of inhibition involves binding to this phosphatase. Reversal of K⁺-PNPPase inhibition by DTT, GSH, and CST suggests sulfhydryl groups as binding sites. Binding of ³H-oubain, a cardiac glycocide and inhibitor of both phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, to brain fraction was significantly decreased by CH₃HgCl, and this inhibition was reversed by the three thiol compounds, suggesting presence of –SH group(s) in the ouabain receptor site. Cadmium chloride failed to inhibit the binding of this receptor, indicating that the mechanics of inhibition of ATPase by CH₃HgCl and CdCl₂ are different from each other. The results suggest that the critical conformational property of enzyme common to both kinase (E₁) and phosphatase (E₂) is susceptible to CH₃HgCl whereas only phosphatase is sensitive to CdCl₂.     

Microsomal Ca2+ flux modulation as an indicator of heavy metal toxicity

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphatee (IP3), an intracellular messenger, releases Ca2+ from microsomes. Ca2+ plays a major role in regulating various cellular events like neural transmission and regulation of hormones and growth factors. Aluminum (Al), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were reported to alter Ca(2+)-regulated events thereby causing neurotoxicity. Hence, an attempt was made characterize IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from rat brain microsomes under the influence of Al, Pb and Hg. Different concentrations of metals were tested over a designated time scale and their effects on IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from microsomes were monitored using Fura-2 technique. All the three metals inhibited IP3 mediated Ca2+ release, Pb being more potent. The order of potency of these three metals was Pb>Hg>Al. Except for Al, both Hg and Pb independently released Ca2+ from microsomes. Re-uptake of Ca2+ into microsomes was inhibited by all the three metals, Pb being more potent. Microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was also inhibited by all the three metals. These results suggest that neurotoxicity exerted by Al, Pb and Hg may be due to the interference of these metals with IP3 mediated calcium release and also interfering with the microsomal Ca2+ sequestration mechanism. Differential effects of heavy metal induced changes in Ca2+ flux can be used as an index of relative toxicity.     

Kepone induction of hepatic mixed function oxidases in the male rat.

Effect of preexposure to kepone on hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and several parameters of mixed function oxidase (MFO) system was investigated. Male rats were exposed to 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm kepone in the daily ration for 16 days. Gain in body weight was declined after kepone to 86, 62 and 33% of controls for 50, 100 and 150 ppm kepone respectively. Liver weight was unaltered at all three levels of kepone. While hydroxylation of both aniline and pentobarbital was enhanced, the increased in aliphatic hydroxylation (i.e., pentobarbital) were greater at all levels of exposure to kepone. Aminopyrine demethylase was enhanced roughly 3 fold at 50 ppm kepone and was not further increased at higher levels of kepone. Cytochrome P₄₅₀, NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and aniline binding were all increased suggesting that there were general increases with intermediate steps of the electron transfer and drug oxidation system. Cytochrome b₅ and NADPH dehydrogenase were unaltered after kepone treatment. These results suggest that kepone is an efficient inducer of hepatic MFO system.     

Sensitivity of ATPase activities to fire ant venom and abdomen preparations.

The sensitivity of fire ant, $\text{Solenopsis richteri}$ (Forel), head homogenate ATPase to its venom and to a cyclohexane extract of whole fire ants were investigated. Na⁺K⁺ and oligomycin-sensitive Mg²⁺ ATPase activities were inhibited by both preparations. Oligomycin-insensitive Mg²⁺ ATPase activity was inhibited by low concentrations but showed strong stimulation at high concentrations of the venom preparations. Lineweaver-Burk plots of enzyme data in the presence or absence of inhibitor indicated that the inhibitor action was non-competitive with ATP for Na⁺K⁺ and oligomycin-sensitive Mg²⁺ ATPase activities. However, the oligomycin-insensitive Mg²⁺ ATPase activity showed a mixed type response to the inhibitor. Tests on pure samples of known venom components indicate that they cause the observed effects on the ATPase activities.