Two-photon and UV-laser flash photolysis of the Ca2+ cage, dimethoxynitrophenyl-EGTA-4

We report efficient two-photon and UV-laser flash photolysis of dimethoxynitrophenyl-EGTA-4 (DMNPE-4), a newly-developed photolabile Ca(2+)-specific chelator. This compound exhibits good two-photon absorption at 705 nm, has a low Mg2+ affinity (approximately 7 mM), a Kd for Ca2+ of 19 nM, a quantum yield of 0.20 and changes its Ca2+ affinity by 21,000-fold upon photolysis. Two-photon excitation photolysis (TPP) experiments were performed with a Ti:Sapphire laser in solutions containing DMNPE-4 with either 0 or 10 mM Mg2+ and compared to that of the widely used Ca2+ cage, DM-nitrophen (Kd for Ca2+ 5 nM, Kd for Mg2+ 2.5 microM, quantum yield 0.18, affinity change 600,000-fold). The resulting Ca2+ signals were recorded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3 and a laser-scanning confocal microscope in the line-scan mode. In vitro, photolysis of DMNPE-4:Ca2+ produced Ca(2+)-release signals that had comparable amplitudes and time courses in the presence and absence of Mg2+. However, photorelease of Ca2+ from DM-nitrophen was obviated by the presence of Mg2+. In patch-clamped isolated cardiac myocytes, equivalent TPP results were obtained in analogous experiments. Single-photon excitation of DMNPE-4 by Nd:YAG laser flashes produced Na-Ca exchange currents of comparable amplitude in the absence and presence of Mg2+. However, only very small currents were observed in DM-nitrophen solution containing 10 mM Mg2+. In conclusion, both DMNPE-4 and DM-nitrophen undergo TPP, however, only DMNPE-4 exhibits efficient release of Ca2+ in the presence of Mg2+.     

Kinetic studies of Ca2+ binding and Ca2+ clearance in the cytosol of adrenal chromaffin cells.

The Ca2+ binding kinetics of fura-2, DM-nitrophen, and the endogenous Ca2+ buffer, which determine the time course of Ca2+ changes after photolysis of DM-nitrophen, were studied in bovine chromaffin cells. The in vivo Ca2+ association rate constants of fura-2, DM-nitrophen, and the endogenous Ca2+ buffer were measured to be 5.17 x 10(8) M-1 s-1, 3.5 x 10(7) M-1 s-1, and 1.07 x 10(8) M-1 s-1, respectively. The endogenous Ca2+ buffer appeared to have a low affinity for Ca2+ with a dissociation constant around 100 microM. A fast Ca2+ uptake mechanism was also found to play a dominant role in the clearance of Ca2+ after flashes at high intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]), causing a fast [Ca2+]i decay within seconds. This Ca2+ clearance was identified as mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Its uptake kinetics were studied by analyzing the Ca2+ decay at high [Ca2+]i after flash photolysis of DM-nitrophen. The capacity of the mitochondrial uptake corresponds to a total cytosolic Ca2+ load of approximately 1 mM.     

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

Submaximum and maximum forces of the cardiac muscle contractile apparatus, activated by Ca2+ or Sr2+, were determined as a function of Mg2+ concentration. Apical left ventricular tissue from Sprague-Dawley rats was broken by homogenization into small bundles of fibers with disrupted sarcolemmas (skinned). Tension generation was activated by and graded according to the concentration of Ca2+ or Sr2+ in solutions bathing the skinned fibers and measured with a photodiode force transducer. Steady-state tensions for various levels of activation at each of four concentrations of Mg2+ (5 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-3), 5 x 10(-3), and 10 x 10(-3) M) in the bathing solutions were analyzed. Other bathing solution constituents and parameters mimicked significant normal intracellular conditions while providing adequate buffering of [H+], [Ca2+], and [MgATP2-] (magnesium adenosine triphosphate). To assess changes in sensitivity of the mechanical system to activation by Ca2+ (or Sr2+), each submaximum tension was expressed as a percentage of the given fiber bundle's maximum force generated at saturating [Ca2+] (or [Sr2+]) at the same [Mg2+]. When plotted as saturation curves these data demonstrate that increasing [Mg2+] depresses Ca2+ sensitivity of the force-generating mechanism. The Ca2+ and Sr2+ sensitivity of the cardiac force-generating apparatus is similar at every [Mg2+], indicating that the magnitude of Mg2+ effect is similar for both types of activation. However, absolute maximum tensions at saturating activating cation concentration increased as [Mg2+] increased; the effect of Mg2+ on maximum force was proportionately the same for Ca2+ and Sr2+ activation. But because saturating [Ca2+] always resulted in a lower maximum force than saturating [Sr2+], this site of Ca2+-Mg2+ interaction appears distinct from the one influencing Ca2+ sensitivity.     

Rate of release of Ca2+ following laser photolysis of the DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ complex.

The determination of the rate of release of Ca2+ by pulsed photolysis of the photolabile chelator DM-nitrophen is important for its use in time-resolved physiological studies: the rate of substrate or effector release should be faster than the processes they initiate. Flash photolysis of DM-nitrophen using a 50-ns pulse from a frequency-doubled ruby laser (with emission at 347 nm having energy of ca. 10-20 mJ) yields short-lived photochromic or aci-nitro intermediates. At pH 6.9, double-exponential decay of a photochromic intermediate was observed for DM-nitrophen itself and its Ca2+ complex (tau 1/2 values of 24 and 570 microseconds, and 32 and 220 microseconds respectively), while only monoexponential decay of the DM-nitrophen-Mg2+ complex was detected (tau 1/2 = 31 microseconds). Only the photochemistry of DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ was found to be pH sensitive (monoexponential decay, tau 1/2 approximately 115 microseconds at pH 7.9 and 8.9). Use of the Ca(2+)-sensitive metallochromic dye antipyrylazo III in conjunction with pulsed photolysis of DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ enabled an upper limit of the half-time of release of Ca2+ to be established of ca. 180 microseconds (the rate of association of Ca2+ with the dye was probably rate determining). The rate of Ca2+ photorelease may, however, be faster than this. Thus, the DM-nitrophen-Ca2+ complex releases Ca2+ on photolysis sufficiently rapidly for the study of many Ca(2+)-dependent physiological processes with improved kinetic resolution over conventional mixing methods.     

Contribution of the Mg2+-, ATP- AND Na+-dependent Ca2+-transport systems to the regulation of Ca2+ concentration in myometrial cells

Studies with sarcolemma from cattle myometrium containing inside-out cytoplasmic vesicles, using Ca2+-EGTA buffer, showed that the affinity of ionized Ca2+ for the Mg2+- or ATP-dependent transport is higher than that for the Na+-Ca2+ exchange system (Kd = 3,2 X 10(-6) and (4.3-5.3) X 10(-5) M), respectively. The Km values for MgATP are 2.15 mM. Oxytocin added to the homogenization medium containing rabbit and cattle myometrium cells, i.e. during the formation of closed sarcolemmal fragments, resulted in inhibition of Mg2+, ATP-dependent accumulation of 45Ca2+ by plasma membranes. However, an addition of oxytocin to the incubation medium did not affect the kinetics of active accumulation of Ca2+. It was assumed that the system of non-electrogenic Na+-Ca2+ exchange in the myometrium possessing a low affinity for Ca2+ provides for the maintenance of ionized Ca2+ concentration in the myocytes at 10(-5) M. Therefore, this system cannot induce relaxation of mechanical tension of the uterus. Further decrease of Ca2+ in the myoplasm from 10(-5) to 10(-7) M and, correspondingly, the relaxation of myometrium is provided for by the Mg2+, ATP-dependent efflux of Ca2+ from the myocytes having a high affinity for this cation. The decrease of the activity of ATP-dependent Ca2+-pump by oxytocin is the cause of Ca2+ elevation in the myoplasm and, consequently, of myometrium contraction.     

Decrease of apparent calmodulin affinity of erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase at low Ca2+ concentrations

The calmodulin activation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) in human erythrocyte membranes was studied in the range of 1 nM to 40 microM of purified calmodulin. The apparent calmodulin-affinity of the ATPase was strongly dependent on Ca2+ and decreased approx. 1000-times when the Ca2+ concentration was reduced from 112 to 0.5 microM. The data of calmodulin (Z) activation were analyzed by the aid of a kinetic enzyme model which suggests that 1 molecule of calmodulin binds per ATPase unit and that the affinities of the calcium-calmodulin complexes (CaiZ) decreases in the order of Ca3Z greater than Ca4Z greater than Ca2Z greater than or equal to CaZ. Furthermore, calmodulin dissociates from the calmodulin-saturated Ca2+-ATPase in the range of 10(-7)-10(-6) M Ca2+, even at a calmodulin concentration of 5 microM. The apparent concentration of calmodulin in the erythrocyte cytosol was determined to be 3 to 5 microM, corresponding to 50-80-times the cellular concentration of Ca2+-ATPase, estimated to be approx. 10 nmol/h membrane protein. We therefore conclude that most of the calmodulin is dissociated from the Ca2+-transport ATPase in erythrocytes at the prevailing Ca2+ concentration (probably 10(-7)-10(-8) M) in vivo, and that the calmodulin-binding and subsequent activation of the Ca2+-ATPase requires that the Ca2+ concentration rises to 10(-6)-10(-5) M.     

Kinetic effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on ATP hydrolysis by the purified ATP diphosphohydrolase

ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5) catalyzes the hydrolysis of diphospho- and triphosphonucleosides and is sensitive to divalent cations. In this paper, we investigated the dependence of ATP hydrolysis on the concentration of free Mg2+ and Ca2+ and the cation ATP complexes. The enzyme was isolated from porcine zymogen granule membranes, solubilized in Triton X-100, and purified on a 5'-AMP-Sepharose 4B affinity column resulting in a 1500-fold purification. Free unprotonated ATP4- was hydrolyzed in the presence of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. When hydrolysis rate was measured at different concentrations of the cation-ATP complex at constant free cation concentrations, normal hyperbolic curves were obtained. In CaCl2, both Kapp and Vapp increased as free Ca2+ increased from 25 to 1000 microM. In MgCl2, Kapp increased and Vapp decreased as free Mg2+ increased from 25 to 500 microM. From the rapid equilibrium rate equation, Ks and Vmax values of the substrates were calculated. We found that free ATP4-, Ca-ATP2-, and Mg-ATP2- are substrates and free cations do not bind the enzyme.     

Ca2+- or Mg2+-Stimulated ATPase Activity in Bullfrog Spinal Nerve: Relation to Ca2+ Requirements for Fast Axonal Transport

Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity stimulated by Ca2+ or Mg2+ was characterized in spinal nerve and spinal sensory ganglion of bullfrog. Enzyme activity of homogenates from both sources reached a maximum at a 1-2 mM concentration of either cation, although the level of maximal activity in nerve trunks was approximately twice that in ganglia. Enzyme activation was not observed with 2 mM-Sr2+ or Ba2+. Co2+ or Mn2+, at 2 mM, depressed Ca2+ activation of the enzyme by 50-60% in nerve but had no inhibitory effect on ganglia activity. In intact spinal ganglion/spinal nerve preparations, incubated for 20 h in medium containing 0.2 mM-Co2+, no effect was detected on Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase activity in ganglia or nerve trunks whereas fast axonal transport was inhibited by 80%. Incubation in medium containing 0.02 mM-Hg2+ depressed enzyme activity in ganglia by 64% and in nerve trunks by 44%, whereas fast transport was again inhibited by 80%. When only nerve trunks were exposed to these ions, Hg2+ but not Co2+ was observed to slow the rate of fast axonal transport. The divalent cation specificity of the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase activity is distinct from the ion specificities, determined in previous work, of the Ca2+ requirement during initiation of fast axonal transport in the soma, and of the Ca2+ requirement during translocation in the axon. Thus, previous observations of Ca2+-dependent events in fast axonal transport cannot be taken per se to suggest the involvement of Ca2+/Mg+ ATPase in the transport process.     

Effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ influx in A-431 human epidermoidal carcinoma cells

Upon stimulation with 10(-6) -10(-3) M ATP, A-431 human epidermoidal carcinoma cells incorporated radioactive calcium from their medium in a temperature-dependent manner. The rate of incorporation of 45Ca2+ was rapid for the initial 5 min, but decreased immediately thereafter. The preincubation of cells for 2 h in medium depleted of both Ca2+ and Mg2+ abolished the ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ incorporation, irrespective of whether or not the subsequent incubation medium contained Mg2+ ions. ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ incorporation could be restored by a second preincubation (1 h) in medium containing 1 mM Mg2+, but no Ca2+. The Mg2+ ions in the second preincubation medium could be replaced by Ca2+, Co2+, or Cu2+ for restoration of such activity. Elevation of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) was observed in cells depleted of either Ca2+ or Mg2+, but not in cells depleted of both ions. A parallel effect was observed in changes in [Ca2+]i. Since the concentration of cytosolic calcium ions does not change by incubation of cells in medium depleted of and (or) restored with calcium ions, we conclude that either calcium or magnesium ions associated with some cellular component(s) are responsible for production of InsP3, which then supposedly mobilizes Ca2+ and provokes 45Ca2+ influx.     

Ca2+ and Mg2+ as modulators of mitochondrial L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

1. Physiological concentrations of either Ca2+ or Mg2+ stimulated L-glycerol 3-phosphate oxidation by intact mitochondria isolated from various mammalian tissues (hamster brown adipose tissue, rat brain, liver of normal and hyperthyroid rats). A higher cation concentration was required for stimulation by Mg2+ than by Ca2+. L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was the target of the stimulation by both cations as revealed by measurements with intact mitochondria as well as with the solubilized enzyme. With different electron acceptors Ca2+ and Mg2+ stimulation occurred at significantly different cation concentrations. 2. Substrate activation of mitochondrial L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed in intact mitochondria and with the solubilized enzyme isolated from hyperthyroid rats in the absence of Ca2+ and Mg2+. According to kinetic analysis two independent binding sites, functioning with different turnovers and with different affinities for the substrate, could account for the phenomenon. In the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ substrate activation could not be detected; the kinetic parameters apparently correspond to the tight substrate-binding site functioning with high turnover. 3. Thiol group(s), which in the absence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ did not participate in the functioning of the enzyme, played an essential role in the binding of these cations to the enzyme, as shown by chemical modification studies. 4. From the solubilized mitochondrial proteins L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was bound selectively to the hydrophobic phenyl-Sepharose 4B matrix in the presence Ca2+, and the bound enzyme could be eluted with EDTA. This suggests that Ca2+ caused an alteration in the conformation of the enzyme.     

Crystal structure of Mg2+- and Ca2+-bound Gla domain of factor IX complexed with binding protein

Factor IX is an indispensable protein required in the blood coagulation cascade. It binds to the surface of phospholipid membrane by means of a gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain situated at the N terminus. Recently, we showed that physiological concentrations of Mg2+ ions affect the native conformation of the Gla domain and in doing so augment the biological activity of factor IXa and binding affinity with its binding protein even in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Here we report on the crystal structures of the Mg2+/Ca2+-bound and Ca2+-bound (Mg2+-free) factor IX Gla domain (IXGD1-46) in complex with its binding protein (IX-bp) at 1.55 and 1.80 A resolutions, respectively. Three Mg2+ and five Ca2+ ions were bound in the Mg2+/Ca2+-bound IXGD1-46, and the Mg2+ ions were replaced by Ca2+ ions in Mg2+-free IXGD1-46. Comparison of Mg2+/Ca2+-bound with Ca2+-bound structures of the complexes showed that Mg2+ ion, which formed a bridge between IXGD1-46 and IX-bp, forced IXGD1-46 to rotate 4 degrees relative to IX-bp and hence might be the cause of a more tight interaction between the molecules than in the case of the Mg2+-free structure. The results clearly suggest that Mg2+ ions are required to maintain native conformation and in vivo function of factor IX Gla domain during blood coagulation.     

Cationic specificity of a Ca2+-accumulating system in smooth muscle cell mitochondria

In the experiments conducted with application of an isotopic technique (45Ca2+) on the myometrium cells suspension treated by digitonin solution (0.1 mg/ml) some properties of Ca ions accumulation system in the mitochondria--cationic and substrate specificity as well as effects of Mg2+ and some other bivalent metals ions on the Ca2+ accumulation velocity have been estimated. Ca ions accumulation from the incubation medium containing 3 mM sodium succinate Na, 2 mM Pi (as potassium K(+)-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C), 0.01 mM (40CaCl2 + 45CaCl2) and 100 nM thapsigargin--selective inhibiting agent of endoplasmatic reticulum calcium pump were demonstrated as detected just only in presence of Mg, while not Ni, Co or Cu ions. The increase of Mg2+ concentration from 1 x 10(-6) to 10(-3) M induced the ATP dependent transport activation in the myometrium mitochondria. Under [Mg2+] increase till 40 mM this cation essentially decreased Ca2+ accumulation (by 65% from the maximal value). The optimum for Ca2+ transport in the myometrium cells suspension is Mg2+ 10 mM concentration. Ka activation apparent constant along Mg2+ value (in presence 3 mM ATP and 3 mM sodium succinate) is 4.27 mM. The above listed bivalent metals decreased Mg2+, ATP-dependent accumulation of calcium, values of inhibition apparent constants for ions Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+ were--2.9 x 10(-4) M, 5.1 x 10(-5) M and 4.2 x 10(-6) M respectively. For Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in the uterus myocytes mitocondria a high substrate specificity is a characteristic phenomenon in elation to ATP: GTP, CTP and UTP practically fail to provide for Ca accumulation process.     

Enhancement by Ca2+ or Mg2+ of catalytic activity of the superoxide-producing NADPH oxidase in membrane fractions of human neutrophils and monocytes

To examine the role of divalent cations in the generation of superoxide anion (O2-) by the NADPH oxidase system of phagocytic cells, membrane-rich fractions were prepared from human neutrophils and monocytes. O2- generation by the fractions in sucrose was enhanced by addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+. EDTA inhibited most of the O2- generation; Ca2+ or Mg2+ reversed the inhibition. Zn2+, Mn2+, or Cu2+ completely inhibited O2- production. Neutrophil membrane fraction solubilized with Triton X-100, then passed through a chelating column, lost 80% of its oxidase activity; the loss could be reversed by addition of Ca2+ or Mg2+. Addition of 0.3 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+ protected against thermal instability of the enzyme. Kinetic analysis of the neutrophil oxidase activity as a function of NADPH and Ca2+ or Mg2+ concentrations showed that cation did not interact with NADPH in solution or affect the binding of NADPH to the oxidase; rather, cation bound directly to the oxidase, or to some associated regulatory component, to activate the enzyme. For the neutrophil oxidase, the Km for NADPH was 51 +/- 6 (S.D.) microM. Hyperbolic saturation was observed with Ca2+ and Mg2+, and the Kd values were 1.9 +/- 0.3 and 2.9 +/- 0.3 microM, respectively, suggesting that the oxidase, or some associated component, has a relatively high-affinity binding site for Ca2+ and Mg2+.     

Improved resolution of the initial fast phase of heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake by Ca2+:antipyrylazo III dual-wavelength spectroscopy

The effect of ATP upon difference absorbance due to Ca2+ and Mg2+ complexation with the metallochromic dye, Antipyrylazo III (AP III), was investigated. At divalent cation concentrations appropriate for Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ transport, wavelengths (greater than 670 nm) were found whereupon the addition of up to 1mM nucleotide did not alter divalent cation:AP III difference absorbance. At these sample wavelengths an initial rapid uptake of Ca2+ by Heavy SR (HSR) was clearly resolved by dual wavelength spectroscopy of Ca2+:dye difference absorbance. Elimination of ATP interference of Ca2+:AP III absorbance by Mg2+ elevation (3-10mM) was shown to be an inappropriate general strategy for AP III spectroscopic studies of HSR Ca2+ transport due to Mg2+ inhibition of ryanodine receptor mediated Ca2+ release.     

Modulation of Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ channels by internal Mg2+ in salivary acinar cells

High-conductance K+ channels are known to be activated by internal Ca2+ and membrane depolarization. The effects of changes in internal Mg2+ concentration have now been investigated in patch-clamp single-channel current experiments on excised membrane fragments from mouse acinar cells. It is shown that Mg2+ in the concentration range 10(-6)-10(-3) M evokes a dose-dependent K+ channel activation at a constant Ca2+ concentration of 10(-8) M. The demonstration that changes in [Mg2+]i between 2.5 X 10(-4) and 1.13 X 10(-3) M has effects on the channel open-state probability indicates that fluctuations in [Mg2+]i in intact cells may influence the control of channel opening.     

Effect of Mg ions and spermine on ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in myometrial intracellular structures. I. Comparative study of Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum

In experiments, which were carried out with the use of a radioactive label (45Ca2+) on the suspension of rat uterus myocytes treated by digitonin solution (0.1 mg/ml), influence of Mg ions and spermine on Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum was investigated. Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria (1324 +/- 174 pmol Ca2+/10(6) cells for 1 min - the control) was tested as such which was not sensitive to thapsigargin (100 nM) and was blocked by ruthenium red (10 microM). Oxalate-stimulated Ca2+ accumulation in sarcoplasmic reticulum (136 +/- 17 pmol Ca2+/10(6) cells for 1 min - the control) was tested as such which was not sensitive to ruthenium red and was blocked by thapsigargin. It has been shown, that initial speed and level of energy-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria considerably exceeded the values of these parameters for sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-accumulation system. Ca2+ accumulation kinetic in mitochondria was characterized by a steady-state phase (for 5-10 min. of incubation) while accumulation kinetic of this cation in sarcoplasmic reticulum corresponded to zero order reaction. Increase of Mg2+ concentration up to 5 mM led to activation of Ca2+-accumulation systems in mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum (values of activation constants K(Mg) for Mg2+ were 2.8 and 0.6 mM, accordingly). Concentration dependence of spermine action on Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria was described by a dome-shaped curve with a maximum at 1 mM spermine. In case of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump only the inhibition phase was tested at spermine concentration above 1 mM. However values of inhibition constants for both transporting systems were practically identical--5.2 +/- 0.6 and 5.7 +/- 0.7 mM, accordingly. Hence, Mg ions carry out the important role in regulation of energy-dependent Ca2+ transporting systems both in uterus smooth muscle mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum. Spermine acts first of all on mitochondrial calcium uniporter.     

Kinetics of dissociation of alpha-lactalbumin complexes with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions

Kinetics of dissociation of the complexes of bovine alpha-lactalbumin with Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions induced by mixing of the Ca2+- or Mg2+-loaded protein with the chelator of divalent cations EDTA has been studied by means of intrinsic fluorescence stopped flow method. Within the temperature region from 10 to approximately 37 degrees C the fluorescence kinetics curves for the Ca2+ removal are well fitted by one exponent with the rate constant ranging from 6.10(-3) to 1 s-1. Taking into account rather low rate of the fluorescence changes, one can assume that the limiting stage in this case is the dissociation of the single bound Ca2+ ion from the protein but not a conformational change which occurs after the Ca2+ dissociation. At temperatures above 37 degrees C the kinetics curves are best fitted by two exponents. The second exponent seems to be due to the denaturation of the apo-form of alpha-lactalbumin which takes place at these temperatures. The values of the dissociation rate constants of Mg2+ practically coincide with the values for Ca2+.     

Activation of AMPA/kainate receptors but not acetylcholine receptors causes Mg2+ influx into Retzius neurones of the leech Hirudo medicinalis

In Retzius neurones of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, kainate activates ionotropic glutamate receptors classified as AMPA/kainate receptors. Activation of the AMPA/kainate receptor-coupled cation channels evokes a marked depolarization, intracellular acidification, and increases in the intracellular concentrations of Na+ ([Na+]i) and Ca2+. Qualitatively similar changes are observed upon the application of carbachol, an activator of acetylcholine receptor-coupled cation channels. Using multibarrelled ion-selective microelectrodes it was demonstrated that kainate, but not carbachol, caused additional increases in the intracellular free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i). Experiments were designed to investigate whether this kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increase was due to a direct Mg2+ influx through the AMPA/kainate receptor-coupled cation channels or a secondary effect due to the depolarization or the ionic changes. It was found that: (a) Similar [Mg2+]i increases were evoked by the application of glutamate or aspartate. (b) All kainate-induced effects were inhibited by the glutamatergic antagonist DNQX. (c) The magnitude of the [Mg2+]i increases depended on the extracellular Mg2+ concentration. (d) A reduction of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration increased kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increases, excluding possible Ca2+ interference at the Mg2+-selective microelectrode or at intracellular buffer sites. (e) Neither depolarizations evoked by the application of 30 mM K+, nor [Na+]i increases induced by the inhibition of the Na+/K+ ATPase caused comparable [Mg2+]i increases. (f) Inhibitors of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels did not affect the kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increases. Moreover, previous experiments had already shown that intracellular acidification evoked by the application of 20 mM propionate did not cause changes in [Mg2+]i. The results indicate that kainate-induced [Mg2+]i increases in leech Retzius neurones are due to an influx of extracellular Mg2+ through the AMPA/kainate receptor-coupled cation channel. Mg2+ may thus act as an intracellular signal to distinguish between glutamatergic and cholinergic activation of leech Retzius neurones.     

Dependence on Ca2+ and tropomyosin of the actin-activated ATPase activity of phosphorylated gizzard myosin in the presence of low concentrations of Mg2+

Ca2+ and tropomyosin are required for activation of ATPase activity of phosphorylated gizzard myosin by gizzard actin at less than 1 mM Mg2+, relatively low Ca2+ concentrations (1 microM), producing half-maximal activation. At higher concentrations, Mg2+ will replace Ca2+, 4 mM Mg2+ increasing activity to the same extent as does Ca2+ and abolishing the Ca2+ dependence. Above about 1 mM Mg2+, tropomyosin is no longer required for activation by actin, activity being dependent on Ca2+ between 1 and 4 mM Mg2+, but independent of [Ca2+] above 4 mM Mg2+. Phosphorylation of the 20,000-Da light chain of gizzard myosin is required for activation of ATPase activity by actin from chicken gizzard or rabbit skeletal muscle at all concentrations of Mg2+ employed. The effect of adding or removing Ca2+ is fully reversible and cannot be attributed either to irreversible inactivation of actin or myosin or to dephosphorylation. After preincubating in the absence of Ca2+, activity is restored either by adding micromolar concentrations of this cation or by raising the concentration of Mg2+ to 8 mM. Similarly, the inhibition found in the absence of tropomyosin is fully reversed by subsequent addition of this protein. Replacing gizzard actin with skeletal actin alters the pattern of activation by Ca2+ at concentrations of Mg2+ less than 1 mM. Full activation is obtained with or without Ca2+ in the presence of tropomyosin, while in its absence Ca2+ is required but produces only partial activation. Without tropomyosin, the range of Mg2+ concentrations over which activity is Ca2+-dependent is restricted to lower values with skeletal than with gizzard actin. The activity of skeletal muscle myosin is activated by the gizzard actin-tropomyosin complex without Ca2+, although Ca2+ slightly increases activity. The Ca2+ sensitivity of reconstituted gizzard actomyosin is partially retained by hybrid actomyosin containing gizzard myosin and skeletal actin, but less Ca2+ dependence is retained in the hybrid containing skeletal myosin and gizzard actin.     

The effects of Mg2+ on the Ca2+-binding properties and Ca2+-induced tyrosine-fluorescence changes of calmodulin isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle

Calmodulin from phosphorylase kinase (the delta subunit) was obtained as a homogeneous protein in a spectroscopically pure form, and its interaction with Ca2+ and Mg2+ was studied. 1. Determination of the binding of Ca2+ to calmodulin in a buffer of low ionic strength (0.001 M) show that it contained six binding sites for this divalent cation. 2. Employment of a buffer of high ionic strength (0.18 M) allowed two Ca2+/Mg2+-binding sites (KdCa2+ = 4.0 microM), which showed Ca2+ - Mg2+ competition (KdMg2+ = 0.75 mM), to be distinguished from two Ca2+-specific binding sites (KdCa2+ = 40 microM). The remaining two Ca2+-binding sites are not observed under these conditions and are probably Mg2+-specific binding sites. Thus, the binding sites on calmodulin are remarkably similar to those of the homologous Ca2+-binding protein, troponin C [Potter and Gergely (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 4628, 4633]. 3. The conformational states of calmodulin are defined by Ca2+, Mg2+ and salt concentrations, which can be differentiated by their Ca2+ affinity and their relative tyrosine fluorescence intensity. In a buffer of high ionic strength, Mg2+ induces a conformation which enhances the apparent affinity for Ca2+. Addition of Ca2+ leads to an enhancement of the tyrosine fluorescence intensity, which remains enhanced even upon removal of Ca2+ by chelation with EGTA. Only additional chelation of Mg2+ with EDTA reduces the tyrosine fluorescence intensity. 4. Comparison of the Ca2+-binding parameters of phosphorylase kinase, which were previously determined under identical experimental conditions [Kilimann and Heilmeyer (1977) Eur. J. Biochem. 73, 191-197], with those reported here on calmodulin isolated from this enzyme, allows the conclusion that Ca2+ binding to the holoenzyme occurs by binding to the delta subunit exclusively. 5. Ca2+ binding and Ca2+ activation of phosphorylase kinase are compared and discussed in relation to the Ca2+ and Mg2+-induced conformation changes of calmodulin.