Efflux of inorganic phosphate from rat hepatocytes: lack of effect of insulin

Efflux of Pi from rat hepatocytes suspended in phosphate free-medium was studied by chemical assay of released Pi and by monitoring the loss in radioactivity of cells pre-labelled with [32P]-Pi. The release follows first-order kinetics fairly closely with a rate constant of 7 x 10(-3) min-1 approximately. Insulin at a concentration of 10(-8) M had no effect on the rate of Pi release and it is concluded therefore, that the insulin-stimulated accumulation of Pi described in the literature is the result of hormone action on Pi uptake by liver rather than on its release.     

Skeletal muscle Pi transport and cellular [Pi] studied in L6 myoblasts and rabbit muscle-membrane vesicles.

In the rat skeletal myoblast line L6 and in a rabbit skeletal muscle sarcolemma/t-tubule vesicle preparation, [32P]Pi uptake was largely dependent on the transmembrane Na gradient. Na-dependent [32P]Pi uptake had a hyperbolic relationship to [Pi] and [Na], being half-maximal at 0.2-0.3 mM [Pi] and at 25-40 mM [Na]. In vesicles the Na-dependence suggests that approx. two Na are transported with each Pi, but the inhibition of [32P]Pi uptake at high pH suggests that the Pi monoanion is the transported form. Together these imply electrogenic transport and this is confirmed by the results of manipulating the vesicle membrane potential. Thus, electrogenic Na-Pi co-transport exploits both the sodium gradient and the cell membrane potential to maintain muscle cellular [Pi] against an unfavourable electrochemical gradient. The low [Pi] for half-maximal flux may partly explain the small effect of altered extracellular [Pi] on cellular [Pi]. In L6 myoblasts most 32P was first detectable in an organic phosphate pool rather than cellular Pi, while the specific activity of cell Pi rapidly reached 40% of that of extracellular Pi and was stable for at least 3 h. These results are discussed in terms of the organisation of cellular phosphate metabolism.     

Increase in IP3 and intracellular Ca2+ induced by phosphate depletion in LLC-PK 1 cells

The mechanisms by which Pi depletion rapidly regulates gene expression and cellular function have not been clarified. Here, we found a rapid increase in intracellular ionized calcium [Ca(2+)](i) by phosphate depletion in LLC-PK(1) cells using confocal microscopy with the green-fluorescence protein based calcium indicator "yellow cameleon 2.1." The increase of [Ca(2+)](i) was observed in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca(2+). At the same time, an approximately twofold increase in intracellular inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)) occurred in response to the acute Pi depletion in the medium. Furthermore, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate completely blocked the [Ca(2+)](i) increase induced by Pi depletion. These results suggest that Pi depletion causes IP(3)-mediated release of Ca(2+) from intracellular Ca(2+) pools and rapidly increases [Ca(2+)](i) in LLC-PK(1) cells.     

Inorganic phosphate in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and its distribution across the cell membrane

A regulatory function of the cell membrane in controlling the cytoplasmic level of Pi has been proposed, and in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells an active influx of primary phosphate has been reported in the literature. In the present study, Ehrlich cells were incubated at 1.5--50 mM extracellular Pi at pH 7.4 (Pi mainly secondary phosphate) and at pH 6.0 (mainly primary phosphate), and the measured cell Pi was compared with the value expected from a passive distribution of Pi. At a low extracellular Pi concentration the cell Pi was 3--6 mumol/g or even more. It is suggested that a major part of this cell Pi can be accounted for by enzymic release of Pi during the sampling procedure. If this interpretation is correct, the present results show that both ionic species of Pi are in electrochemical equilibrium across the cell membrane at steady state. Moreover, in vivo the concentration of free Pi in the cytosol will presumably be maintained at a steady-state level of about 0.4 mM, one order of magnitude below the directly measured values. This implies that the ratio [ATP]/[ADP][Pi] which is important in the regulation of energy metabolism, is higher than reported in the literature.     

Phosphate release during microtubule assembly: what stabilizes growing microtubules?

The molecular mechanism underlying microtubule dynamic instability depends on the relationship between the addition of tubulin-GTP to a growing microtubule and its hydrolysis in the microtubule lattice to tubulin-GDP, with release of inorganic phosphate (Pi). Since this relationship remains controversial, we have re-examined the release of Pi upon microtubule assembly using a fluorometric assay for Pi, based on the phosphate-binding protein of Escherichia coli [Brune M., Hunter, J. L., Corrie, J. E. T., and Webb, M. R. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 8262-8271]. Microtubule assembly and Pi release were monitored simultaneously in a standard fluorimeter as an increase in the turbidity and fluorescence, respectively, in tubulin-GTP solutions assembled under conditions supporting dynamic instability. At the steady state of assembly, Pi release is nonlinear with respect to time, proceeding at a rate determined by the following: (a) the intrinsic GTPase activity of the nonpolymerized tubulin-GTP, and (b) the microtubule number concentration, which decreases progressively. Direct observation of the time course of nucleated microtubule assembly indicates that Pi release is closely coupled to microtubule elongation, even during the initial stages of assembly when uncoupling of tubulin-GTP addition and GTP hydrolysis would be most evident. Studies of the inhibition and reversal of the growth phase by cytostatic drugs show no evidence of a burst of Pi release. We conclude that nucleotide hydrolysis can keep pace with tubulin-GTP addition rates of 200 molecules per second per microtubule and that extended caps of tubulin-GTP or tubulin-GDP-Pi are not generated in normal assembly, nor are they required to stabilize growing microtubules or to support the phenomenon of dynamic instability of microtubules at the steady state.     

Stimulation of phosphate uptake in human platelets by thrombin and collagen. Changes in specific 32P labeling of metabolic ATP and polyphosphoinositides

The uptake of [32P]phosphate by human, gel-filtered blood platelets and its incorporation into cytoplasmic ATP and polyphosphoinositides was studied. In unstimulated platelets, uptake was Na+o-dependent and saturable at approximately 20 nmol/min/10(11) cells with a half-maximal rate at 0.5 mM extracellular phosphate. Upon stimulation with thrombin or collagen, net influx of [32P]Pi was accelerated 5- to 10-fold. With thrombin, [32P]Pi efflux was also increased. After the first 2 min, efflux exceeded influx, resulting in the net release of [32P]Pi from the platelets. Since the stimulus-induced burst in [32P]Pi uptake paralleled the secretory responses, it might be an integral part of stimulus-response coupling in platelets. The stimulus-induced burst in net [32P]Pi uptake led to an enhanced labeling of metabolic ATP, which was already detectable at 5 s after stimulation with thrombin. Concomitantly, the incorporation of [32P]Pi into phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was accelerated. The thrombin-induced increase in specific 32P radioactivity of cytoplasmic ATP fully accounted for the simultaneous increase in specific 32P radioactivity of these phosphoinositides. In studying the extent of 32P labeling of phosphorylated compounds in response to a cellular stimulus, it is therefore essential to measure the effect of the stimulus on the specific radioactivity of cytoplasmic ATP.     

A new method for the simultaneous estimation of phosphate efflux and influx during glucose stimulation of isolated pancreatic islets

Isolated rat pancreatic islets were prelabeled with [33Pi] and then incubated with basal (2.8 mM) or stimulatory (16.7 mM) glucose in the presence of [32Pi]. Subsequent changes in islet [33P] and [32P] were utilized as respective indices of net efflux and influx. During the initial eight min, (the period usually spanning the first phase of stimulated insulin secretion) efflux was significantly greater with 16.7 than 2.8 mM glucose whereas the lesser amount of phosphate influx did not differ in the two systems. During the subsequent seven min (a time usually associated with the onset of the second phase of stimulated insulin secretion), efflux was dampened in the presence of 16.7 mM glucose and Pi influx significantly exceeded the 2.8 mM glucose values. Thus, acute stimulation with glucose effects an initial phosphate depletion in pancreatic islets as efflux exceeds influx and repletion occurs thereafter as efflux is attenuated and influx is enhanced. These oscillations in islet phosphate may contribute to the biphasic pattern of glucose-stimulated insulin release.     

Individual actin filaments in a microfluidic flow reveal the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis and give insight into the properties of profilin

The hydrolysis of ATP associated with actin and profilin-actin polymerization is pivotal in cell motility. It is at the origin of treadmilling of actin filaments and controls their dynamics and mechanical properties, as well as their interactions with regulatory proteins. The slow release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) that follows rapid cleavage of ATP gamma phosphate is linked to an increase in the rate of filament disassembly. The mechanism of Pi release in actin filaments has remained elusive for over 20 years. Here, we developed a microfluidic setup to accurately monitor the depolymerization of individual filaments and determine their local ADP-Pi content. We demonstrate that Pi release in the filament is not a vectorial but a random process with a half-time of 102 seconds, irrespective of whether the filament is assembled from actin or profilin-actin. Pi release from the depolymerizing barbed end is faster (half-time of 0.39 seconds) and further accelerated by profilin. Profilin accelerates the depolymerization of both ADP- and ADP-Pi-F-actin. Altogether, our data show that during elongation from profilin-actin, the dissociation of profilin from the growing barbed end is not coupled to Pi release or to ATP cleavage on the terminal subunit. These results emphasize the potential of microfluidics in elucidating actin regulation at the scale of individual filaments.     

Mechanokinetics of rapid tension recovery in muscle: the Myosin working stroke is followed by a slower release of phosphate

Crystallographic and biochemical evidence suggests that the myosin working stroke that generates force in muscle is accompanied by the release of inorganic phosphate (Pi), but the order and relative speed of these transitions is not firmly established. To address this problem, the theory of A. F. Huxley and R. M. Simmons for the length-step response is averaged over elastic strains imposed by filament structure and extended to include a Pi-release transition. Models of this kind are applied to existing tension-recovery data from length steps at different phosphate concentrations, and from phosphate jumps upon release of caged phosphate. This body of data is simulated by the model in which the force-generating event is followed by Pi release. A version in which the Pi-release transition is slow provides a better fit than a version with rapid Pi release and a slow transition preceding force generation. If Pi is released before force generation, the predicted rate of slow recovery increases with the size of the step, which is not observed. Some implications for theories of muscle contraction are discussed.     

IGF-I mediates the stimulatory effect of high phosphate concentration on osteoblastic cell proliferation

Although high concentrations of inorganic phosphate (Pi) are known to have a distinct anabolic effect on bone structure and metabolism, the precise mechanism by which phosphate possesses anabolic effect on bone formation has not been elucidated. The present study was performed to examine the effects of an increase in extracellular Pi concentration ([Pi](e)) on the proliferation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Increase in [Pi](e)(2-4 mM) dose-dependently stimulated DNA synthesis. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, did not affect high [Pi](e)-induced DNA synthesis. DNA synthesis first increased affer a 3 h exposure to 4 mM [Pi](e) and its stimulatory effect was observed in a time-dependent manner up to 24 h. On the other hand, DNA synthesis was significantly but partially blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that this stimulatory effect of high [Pi](e) was at least in part dependent on new protein synthesis. There is recent evidence that MG3T3-E1 cells constitutively produce and secrete insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and possess IGF-I receptors. IGF-I antiserum (1:10,000 to 1:100) significantly but partially blocked the stimulatory effect of [Pi](e) (4 mM) on DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. A neutralizing IGF-I antibody as well as IGF-I receptor antibody also significantly but partially blocked DNA synthesis stimulated by high [Pi](e) in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that IGF-I at least in part mediated the high [Pi](e)-induced effect. Actually, high [Pi](e) significantly increased the secretion of immunoreactive IGF-I into the medium as well as the expression of IGF-I mRNA. Present findings indicate that an increase in [Pi](e) stimulated DNA synthesis partly via an increase in IGF-I action.     

A kinetic model that explains the effect of inorganic phosphate on the mechanics and energetics of isometric contraction of fast skeletal muscle

A conventional five-step chemo-mechanical cycle of the myosin–actin ATPase reaction, which implies myosin detachment from actin upon release of hydrolysis products (ADP and phosphate, Pi) and binding of a new ATP molecule, is able to fit the [Pi] dependence of the force and number of myosin motors during isometric contraction of skeletal muscle. However, this scheme is not able to explain why the isometric ATPase rate of fast skeletal muscle is decreased by an increase in [Pi] much less than the number of motors. The question can be solved assuming the presence of a branch in the cycle: in isometric contraction, when the force generation process by the myosin motor is biased at the start of the working stroke, the motor can detach at an early stage of the ATPase cycle, with Pi still bound to its catalytic site, and then rapidly release the hydrolysis products and bind another ATP. In this way, the model predicts that in fast skeletal muscle the energetic cost of isometric contraction increases with [Pi]. The large dissociation constant of the product release in the branched pathway allows the isometric myosin–actin reaction to fit the equilibrium constant of the ATPase.     

Development of Multicellular Tumor Spheroid (MCTS) Culture from Breast Cancer Cell and a High Throughput Screening Method Using the MTT Assay

In comparison to monolayer cells, MCTS has been claimed as more suitable candidate for studying drug penetration due to the high resemblance to solid tumors. However, the cultivation of MCTS is cumbersome, time consuming, and most technique fail to generate spheroids with uniform sizes. Therefore, the application of spheroid cultures in high throughput screening has been rather limiting. Besides, the lack of a well established screening protocol method that is applicable to spheroid could also be attributed to this limitation. Here we report a simple way of cultivating homogenous MCTS cultures with compact and rigid structure from the MCF-7 cells. Besides, we had also made some modifications to the standard MTT assay to realize high throughput screening of these spheroids. Using the modified protocol, tamoxifen showed cytotoxicity effect towards MCTS cultures from MCF-7 with high consistency. The results correlated well with the cultures' response assessed by LDH release assay but the latter assay was not ideal for detecting a wide range of cytotoxicity due to high basal background reading. The MTT assay emerged as a better indicator to apoptosis event in comparison to the LDH release assay. Therefore, the method for spheroid generation and the modified MTT assay we reported here could be potentially applied to high throughput screening for response of spheroid cultures generated from MCF-7 as well as other cancer cell lines towards cytotoxic stimuli.     

Mechanism of action of clostridial glycine reductase: isolation and characterization of a covalent acetyl enzyme intermediate

Clostridial glycine reductase consists of proteins A, B, and C and catalyzes the reaction glycine + Pi + 2e(-)----acetyl phosphate + NH4+. Evidence was previously obtained that is consistent with the involvement of an acyl enzyme intermediate in this reaction. We now demonstrate that protein C catalyzes exchange of [32P]Pi into acetyl phosphate, providing additional support for an acetyl enzyme intermediate on protein C. Furthermore, we have isolated acetyl protein C and shown that it is qualitatively catalytically competent. Acetyl protein C can be obtained through the forward reaction from protein C and Se-(carboxymethyl)selenocysteine-protein A, which is generated by the reaction of glycine with proteins A and B [Arkowitz, R. A., & Abeles, R. H. (1990) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112, 870-872]. Acetyl protein C can also be generated through the reverse reaction by the addition of acetyl phosphate to protein C. Both procedures lead to the same acetyl enzyme. The acetyl enzyme reacts with Pi to give acetyl phosphate. When [14C]acetyl protein C is denaturated with TCA and redissolved with urea, radioactivity remained associated with the protein. At pH 11.5 radioactivity was released with t1/2 = 57 min, comparable to the hydrolysis rate of thioesters. Exposure of 4 N neutralized NH2OH resulted in the complete release of radioactivity. Treatment with KBH4 removes all the radioactivity associated with protein C, resulting in the formation of [14C]ethanol. We conclude that a thiol group on protein C is acetylated. Proteins A and C together catalyze the exchange of tritium atoms from [3H]H2O into acetyl phosphate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stabilization of microtubules by inorganic phosphate and its structural analogues, the fluoride complexes of aluminum and beryllium

In order to elucidate how the elementary reactions of GTP cleavage and subsequent inorganic phosphate (Pi) release, which accompany microtubule assembly, regulate microtubule dynamics, the effect of Pi and of its structural analogues AlF4- and BeF3- on the stability of GDP-microtubules has been investigated. Inorganic phosphate binds to microtubules with a low affinity (KD = 25 mM) and slows down the rate of GDP-subunit dissociation by about 2 orders of magnitude. AlF4- and BeF3- exhibit phosphate-like effects with 1000-fold higher affinity. Evidence has been obtained for direct binding of BeF3- to microtubules with a stoichiometry of 1 mol of BeF3- per mole of GDP-subunit and an equilibrium dissociation constant of 12-15 microM. AlF4- and Pi compete for this site. Phosphate analogues abolish oscillatory polymerization kinetics and slow down microtubule turnover at steady state. In view of these results, we propose that Pi and its structural analogues bind to the site of the gamma-phosphate of GTP in the E site and reconstitute a GDP-Pi-microtubule, from which tubulin subunits dissociate very slowly. We therefore understand that, following GTP cleavage on microtubules, Pi release in the medium is accompanied by a structural change resulting in a large destabilization of the polymer. A cap of slowly dissociating GDP-Pi-subunits prevents depolymerization of the microtubule GDP-core at steady state. The similarity with the actin system [Carlier, M.-F., & Pantaloni, D. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 817-825] is underlined.     

4-Azido-2-nitrophenyl phosphate, a new photoaffinity derivative of inorganic phosphate. Study of its interaction with the inorganic phosphate binding site of beef heart mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase

4-Azido-2-nitrophenyl phosphate (ANPP) was synthesized and characterized. ANPP, unlabeled or labeled by 32P, was used as a photoreactive analogue of Pi to study the Pi binding site(s) in isolated F1-ATPase and inside-out particles from beef heart mitochondria. In the dark, the phosphate bond of ANPP was cleaved by alkaline phosphatase but not by mitochondrial F1-ATPase. ANPP bound reversibly to the phosphate site of F1-ATPase as shown by competitive inhibition of binding of Pi to F1-ATPase by ANPP in the dark; the Ki value was 60 microM. Upon photoirradiation with visible light, [32P]ANPP bound covalently to F1-ATPase and inactivated the enzyme. Part of the added ANPP was, however, photolyzed with release of Pi. By extrapolation, it could be calculated that complete inactivatin of F1-ATPase was accompanied by incorporation of 32P radioactivity corresponding to 1 mol of [32P]ANPP per mol of F1-ATPase. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of [32P]-ANPP-labeled F1-ATPase revealed only one radioactive peptide with a Mr of 50000. This peptide was characterized as the beta subunit of F1-ATPase by specific labeling with [14C]dicyclohexylcarbodiimide [Pougeois, R., Satre, M., & Vignais, P. V. (1979) Biochemistry 18, 1408-1413]. Photoirradiation of inside-out submitochondrial particles with [32P]ANPP resulted in the labeling of two peptides with a Mr of 50000 and 30000-32000; both labelings were significantly decreased by incubation of the particles with Pi prior to photoirradiation. The Mr 50000 peptide is most probably the beta subunit of F1-ATPase; the other peptide might be the Pi carrier protein.     

Theoretical analysis of distribution of [18O]Pi species during exchange with water. Application to exchanges catalyzed by yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase

A theoretical analysis has been derived which allows the analytical calculation of the complete distribution of 18O-labeled Pi species expected to occur during medium Pi equilibrium HOH exchange of [18O]Pi and to be produced by intermediate Pi equilibrium HOH exchange during net hydrolysis of [18O]PPi or other labeled phosphate compounds. The observed distributions with catalysis by yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase are found to agree closely with the theoretical values indicating that the exchange reaction can be adequately described by a unique value of the partitioning of bound Pi between release from the enzyme versus formation of bound PPi with loss of an oxygen to the water. The limitations on the exclusion of other mechanisms are discussed. The extent of this partitioning does change, however, under some experimental conditions. At low pH, with activation by Mg2+ or Mn2+, the relative rate of release of Pi is found to increase. The extent of exchange is also dependent on the nature of the activating metal, being greatest with Co2+. During PPi hydrolysis with PPi in excess over Mg2+, a shift to lower extents of exchange is observed.     

Catalytic sites of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase. Characterization of unisite catalysis at varied pH.

Using manual rapid-mixing procedures in which small, equal volumes of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase and [gamma-32P]ATP were combined at final concentrations of 2 and 0.2 microM, respectively (i.e., unisite catalysis conditions), it was shown that greater than or equal to 66% of the 32P became bound to the enzyme, with the ratio of bound ATP/bound Pi equal to 0.4 and the rate of dissociation of bound [32P]Pi equal to 3.5 x 10(-3) s-1, similar to previously published values. Azide is known to inhibit cooperative but not unisite catalysis in F1-ATPase [Noumi, T., Maeda, M., & Futai, M. (1987) FEBS Lett. 213, 381-384]. In the presence of 1 mM sodium azide, 99% of the 32P became bound to the enzyme, with the ratio of bound ATP/bound Pi being 0.57. These experiments demonstrated that when conditions are used which minimize cooperative catalysis, most or all of the F1 molecules bind substoichiometric ATP tightly, hydrolyze it with retention of bound ATP and Pi, and release the products slowly. The data justify the validity of previously published rate constants for unisite catalysis. Unisite catalysis in E. coli F1-ATPase was studied at varied pH from 5.5 to 9.5 using buffers devoid of phosphate. Rate constants for ATP binding/release, ATP hydrolysis/resynthesis, Pi release, and ADP binding/release were measured; the Pi binding rate constant was inferred from the delta G for ATP hydrolysis. ATP binding was pH-independent; ATP release accelerated at higher pH. The highest KaATP (4.4 x 10(9) M-1) was seen at physiological pH 7.5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Over-expression of PHO1 in Arabidopsis leaves reveals its role in mediating phosphate efflux

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) homeostasis in multi-cellular eukaryotes depends not only on Pi influx into cells, but also on Pi efflux. Examples in plants for which Pi efflux is crucial are transfer of Pi into the xylem of roots and release of Pi at the peri-arbuscular interface of mycorrhizal roots. Despite its importance, no protein has been identified that specifically mediates phosphate efflux either in animals or plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana PHO1 gene is expressed in roots, and was previously shown to be involved in long-distance transfer of Pi from the root to the shoot. Here we show that PHO1 over-expression in the shoot of A. thaliana led to a two- to threefold increase in shoot Pi content and a severe reduction in shoot growth. (31) P-NMR in vivo showed a normal initial distribution of intracellular Pi between the cytoplasm and the vacuole in leaves over-expressing PHO1, followed by a large efflux of Pi into the infiltration medium, leading to a rapid reduction of the vacuolar Pi pool. Furthermore, the Pi concentration in leaf xylem exudates from intact plants was more than 100-fold higher in PHO1 over-expressing plants compared to wild-type. Together, these results show that PHO1 over-expression in leaves leads to a dramatic efflux of Pi out of cells and into the xylem vessel, revealing a crucial role for PHO1 in Pi efflux.     

Enzymatic removal of alkaline phosphatase from renal brush-border membranes. Effect on phosphate transport and on phosphate binding

Brush-border membrane vesicles prepared from rabbit kidney cortex were incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. This maneuver resulted in a release of approx. 85% of the brush-border membrane-linked enzyme alkaline phosphatase as determined by its enzymatic activity. Transport of inorganic [32P]phosphate (100 microM) by the PI-specific phospholipase C-treated brush-border membrane vesicles was measured at 20-22 degrees C in the presence of an inwardly directed 100 mM Na+ gradient. Neither initial uptake rates, as estimated from 10-s uptake values (103.5 +/- 6.8%, n = 7 experiments), nor equilibrium uptake values, measured after 2 h (102 +/- 3.4%) were different from controls (100%). Control and PI-specific phospholipase C-treated brush-border membrane vesicles were extracted with chloroform/methanol to obtain a proteolipid fraction which has been shown to bind Pi with high affinity and specificity (Kessler, R.J., Vaughn, D.A. and Fanestil, D.D. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14311-14317). Phosphate binding (at 10 microM Pi) by the extracted proteolipid was measured. No significant difference in binding was observed between the two types of preparations: 31.0 +/- 9.37 in controls and 29.8 +/- 8.3 nmol/mg protein in the proteolipid extracted from PI-specific phospholipase C-treated brush-border membrane vesicles. It appears therefore that alkaline phosphatase activity is essential neither for Pi transport by brush-border membrane vesicles nor for Pi binding by proteolipid extracted from brush-border membrane. These results dissociate alkaline phosphatase activity, but not brush-border membrane vesicle transport of phosphate, from phosphate binding by proteolipid.     

Investigating a back door mechanism of actin phosphate release by steered molecular dynamics

In actin-based cell motility, phosphate (Pi) release after ATP hydrolysis is an essential biochemical process, but the actual pathway of Pi separation from actin is not well understood. We report a series of molecular dynamics simulations that induce the dissociation of Pi from actin. After cleavage from ATP, the singly protonated phosphate (HPO4(2-)) rotates about the ADP-associated Ca2+ ion, turning away from the negatively charged ADP towards the putative exit near His73. To reveal the microscopic processes underlying the release of Pi, adhesion forces were measured when pulling the substrate out of its binding pocket. The results suggest that the separation from the divalent cation is the rate-limiting step in Pi release. Protonation of HPO4(2-) to H2PO4- lowers the electrostatic barrier during Pi liberation from the ion. The simulations revealed a propensity of charged His73+ to form a salt bridge with HPO4(2-), but not with H2PO4-. His73 stabilizes HPO4(2-) and, thereby, inhibits rapid Pi release from actin. Arg177 remains attached to Pi along the putative back door pathway, suggesting a shuttle function that facilitates the transport of Pi to a binding site on the protein surface.