Characterization of the phosphorylated intermediate of the isolated high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of human erythrocyte membranes

Phosphorylation of solubilized and purified high-affinity (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) of human erythrocyte membranes shows no dependence on cyclic AMP concentration in the range 0.1–1000 μM.Ca²⁺-dependent phosphoprotein is sensitive to hydroxylamine and molybdate treatment. The phosphate linkage shows maximum stability at low pH values, which is progressively lost as the pH rises, with a shoulder around pH 6. SDS gel electrophoresis of the phosphorylated protein yields a peak which shows relative mobility corresponding to a molecular weight of 145 000 and sensitivity to MgATP-chase and hydroxylamine treatment. This indicates that the phosphoprotein represents the phosphorylated intermediate of the high-affinity (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of human erythrocyte membranes.     

Investigation of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase phosphoprotein formation in erythrocyte membranes of patients with cystic fibrosis

The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase present per mg of protein in erythrocyte membranes of controls and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) was determined by estimation of the levels of its phosphoprotein. In the presence of 10 mM free Ca2+, which inhibits phosphoprotein decomposition, significantly less phosphoprotein intermediate, ECaP, was found in erythrocyte membranes from CF patients than in age- and sex-matched controls; this correlated with a significant decrease in (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity. These observations indicate a decrease in the number of functional (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase molecules in erythrocyte membranes from CF patients or an alteration in either the structure of the pump protein or the composition of its environment.     

Phosphorylated intermediates of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase in renal plasma membranes

Renal basal-lateral and brush border membrane preparations were phosphorylated in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP. The 32P-labeled membrane proteins were analysed on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The phosphorylated intermediates formed in different conditions are compared with the intermediates formed in well defined membrane preparations such as erythrocyte plasma membranes and sarcoplasmic reticulum from skeletal muscle, and with the intermediates of purified renal enzymes such as (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase. Two Ca2+-induced, hydroxylamine-sensitive phosphoproteins are formed in the basal-lateral membrane preparations. They migrate with a molecular radius Mr of about 130 000 and 100 000. The phosphorylation of the 130 kDa protein was stimulated by La3+-ions (20 microM) in a similar way as the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from erythrocytes. The 130 kDa phosphoprotein also comigrated with the erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. In addition in the same preparation, another hydroxylamine-sensitive 100 kDa phosphoprotein was formed in the presence of Na+. This phosphoprotein comigrates with a preparation of renal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. In brush border membrane preparations the Ca2+-induced and the Na+-induced phosphorylation bands are absent. This is consistent with the basal-lateral localization of the renal Ca2+-pump and Na+-pump. The predominant phosphoprotein in brush border membrane preparations is a 85 kDa protein that could be identified as the phosphorylated intermediate of renal alkaline phosphatase. This phosphoprotein is also present in basal-lateral membrane preparations, but it can be accounted for by contamination of those membranes with brush border membranes.     

Enhancement of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity of human erythrocyte membranes by hemolysis in isosmotic imidazole buffer. I. General properties of variously prepared membranes and the mechanism of the isosmotic imidazole effect.

1. Membranes prepared from human erythrocytes hemolyzed in isosmotic (310 imosM) imidazole buffer, pH 7.4, show enhanced and stabilized (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity compared with membranes prepared from erythrocytes hemolyzed in hypotonic (20 imosM) phosphate or imidazole buffer, pH 7.4. 2. Exposure of intact erythrocytes or well-washed erythrocyte membranes to isosmotic imidazole does not cause enhanced (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity. 3. Exposure of erythrocyte membranes, in the presence of isosmotic imidazole, to the supernatant of erythrocyte hemolysis or to a partially purified endogenous (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activator, promotes enhanced (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity. Under appropriate conditions, NaCl can be shown to substitute for imidazole. The results demonstrate that imidazole does not act directly on the erythrocyte membrane but rather by promoting interaction between an endogenous (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activator and the erythrocyte membrane.     

Calmodulin. An activator of human erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)ATPase phosphorylation

The effect of purified calmodulin on the calcium-dependent phosphorylation of human erythrocyte membranes was studied. Under the conditions employed, only one major peak of phosphorylation was observed when solubilized membrane proteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of this phosphorylated protein band was estimated to be 130000 and in the presence of purified red blood cell calmodulin, the rate of phosphorylation of this band was increased. These data suggest that calmodulin activation of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase could be a partial reflection of an increased rate of phosphorylation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of human erythrocyte membranes.     

Identification of Ca2+-pump-related phosphoprotein in plasma membrane vesicles of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

Plasma membrane vesicles of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells have been isolated to a high degree of purity. In the presence of Mg2+, the plasma membrane preparation exhibits a Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity of 2 mumol Pi per h per mg protein. It is suggested that this (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity is related to the measured Ca2+ transport which was characterized by Km values for ATP and Ca2+ of 44 +/- 9 microM and 0.25 +/- 0.10 microM, respectively. Phosphorylation of plasma membranes with [gamma-32P]ATP and analysis of the radioactive species by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a Ca2+-dependent hydroxylamine-sensitive phosphoprotein with a molecular mass of 135 kDa. Molecular mass and other data differentiate this phosphoprotein from the catalytic subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and from the catalytic subunit of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of endoplasmic reticulum. It is suggested that the 135 kDa phosphoprotein represents the phosphorylated catalytic subunit of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. This finding is discussed in relation to previous attempts to identify a Ca2+-pump in plasma membranes isolated from nucleated cells.     

Phosphorylation of the isolated high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+) ATPase of the human erythrocyte membrane

Solubilized and purified high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) of the human erythrocyte membrane (Wolf, H.U., Dieckvoss, G. and Lichtner, R. (1977) Acta Biol. Ger. 36, 847) has been phosphorylated and dephosphorylated under various conditions with respect to Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations. In the range, 0.001--100 mM, the rate of phosphorylation was dependent on Ca2+ concentration, showing a maximum at 10 mM. The phosphorylation rate was nearly independent of the Mg2+ concentration within the range 0.01-1 mM. This enzyme has at least three Ca2+ binding sites with different affinities and regulatory functions: (1) binding to the high-affinity site yields phosphorylation of the enzyme; (2) binding to a low-affinity site (Ca2+ concentrations higher than 40 microM) inhibits dephosphorylation or the conformational change which is necessary for dephosphorylation; (3) by binding to an additional low-affinity site, Ca2+ at concentrations higher than 1 mM abolishes negative cooperative behaviour (shown below 1 mM Ca2+) and causes weak positive cooperativity between at least two catalytic subunits in the phosphorylation reaction. The phosphoprotein obtained at Ca2+ concentrations above 1 mM dephosphorylates spontaneously after removal of the divalent metal ions. Addition of Mg2+ accelerates the dephosphorylation rate. Affinities of the inhibitory Ca2+ binding sites are reduced by the binding of substrate or K+.     

Observations on the (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activator found in various mammalian erythrocytes.

1. A soluble activator of membrane (Ca2+ plus Mg2)-ATPase is present in hemolysates of the newborn calf and cow, the new born and adult pig as well as human erythrocytes. 2. The activator is also found in reticulocytes of the adult pig. 3. The activator obtained from any of the above species is capable of stimulating the membrane (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPases of the other species, regardless of the age of the animals. 4. The results obtained from density fractionation of human erythrocytes revealed that the soluble factor has little simulatory effect on membranes of young erythrocytes from which it is derived but caused a marked stimulation on (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activity of the intermediate aged and old erythrocyte membranes. 5. The above observations support the following conclusions: (a) the extremely low levels of (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase in cow erythrocytes is not due to the lack of a (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activator; (b) the distribution of (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-atpase activator is not species specific and the differences in the level of membrane (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activity in various species of cells is an inherent property of that particular membrane (c) the (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activator is present at least from the time of reticulocyte formation and remain during tthe life span of the erythrocyte.     

Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase of microsomal membranes from bovine aortic smooth muscle. Identification and characterization of an acid-stable phosphorylated intermediate of the Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase

An acid-stable phosphoprotein was formed in a microsomal membrane fraction isolated from bovine aortic smooth muscle in the presence of Mg2+ + ATP and Ca2+. The microsomes also showed Ca2+ uptake activity. The Ca2+ dependence of phosphoprotein formation and of Ca2+ uptake occurred over the same range of Ca2+ concentration (1-10 microM), and resembled similar findings from rabbit skeletal microsomes. The molecular weight of the phosphorylated protein, estimated by SDS-gel electrophoresis, was approximately 105,000. The phosphoprotein was labile at alkaline pH, and its decomposition was accelerated by hydroxylamine. Half-maximum incorporation of 32P in the presence of 10 microM Ca2+ occurred at 60 nM ATP. The calcium-dependent phosphoprotein formation was not affected by 5 mM NaN3, but was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by ADP with a 50% inhibition occurring at 180 microM. Fifty mM MgCl2 was required for the maximal phosphorylation. The rate of phosphoprotein decomposition after adding 2 mM EGTA was accelerated by varying the Mg2+ concentration from 10 microM to 3 mM. Alkaline pH (9.0) slowed the rate of phosphoprotein decay. Optimal Ca2+-dependent phosphoprotein occurred at 15 degrees C over a broad pH range (6.4 to 9.0). The activation energy of EGTA-induced phosphoprotein decomposition was 25.6 kcal/mol between 0 and 16 degrees C and 14.6 kcal/mol between 16 and 30 degrees C. The phosphoprotein formed by aortic microsomes was thus quite similar to the acid-stable phosphorylated intermediate of the Ca2+-transport ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum from skeletal and cardiac muscle. These data suggest that the Ca2+-dependent phosphoprotein is a reaction intermediate of the Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase of the aortic microsomes.     

Studies on an activator of the (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase of human erythrocyte membranes.

1. An activator of the (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-stimulated ATPase present in the human erythrocytes (membrane) has been isolated in soluble form from hemolysates of these cells. Partial purification has been achieved through use of carboxymethyl-Sephadex chromatography. The resulting activator fraction contained no hemoglobin and only 0.3% of the total adenylate kinase activity of the cell. 2. Whereas the activator was released from erythrocytes subjected to hemolysis in 20 miosM buffer at pH 7.6 or at pH 5.8, only the membranes prepared at pH 7.6 were affected by it. 2. Whereas the activator was released from erythrocytes subjected to hemolysis in 20 miosM buffer at pH 7.6 or at pH 5.8, only the membranes prepared at pH 7.6 were affected by it. 3. When (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activity was measured by 32Pi release from (gamma-32P)ATP, freeze-thawed erythrocytes, as well as membranes prepared at pH 5.8 and at pH 7.6, expressed lower values than noted by assay for total Pi release. When ADP instead of ATP was used as substrate, significant amount of Pi were released by these erythrocyte preparations. Further study revealed (a) production of ATP and AMP from ADP with membranes and hemolysate alone, and (b) exchange of the gamma-and B-position phosphate on (gama-32P)ATP in the presence of membranes plus hemolysates. These observations established the presence of adenylate kinase activity in the (membrane-free) hemolysates and in membranes. It further supports the conclusion that Pi release from ADP by human erythrocytes (freeze-thawed) and by their isolated membranes is due to formation of ATP by adenylate kinase and hydrolysis of this generated ATP by (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase. 4. The following points were also established: (a) absence of an ADPase in human erythrocytes; (b) the (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activator enhanced cleavage only of the gama-position of ATP and (c) the (Ca2+ plus Mg2+)-ATPase activator is neither adenylate kinase nor hemoglobin.     

Characterisation of a high affinity Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase in the rat parotid plasma membrane

Two Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activities have been identified in the plasma membrane of rat parotid: (a) a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase with high affinity for free Ca2+ (apparent Km = 208 nM, Vmax = 188 nmol/min per mg) and requiring micromolar concentration of Mg2+ and (b) a (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase with relatively low affinity for free Ca2+ (K0.5 = 23 microM) or free Mg2+ (K0.5 = 26 microM). The low-affinity (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase can be maximally stimulated by Ca2+ alone or Mg2+ alone. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase exhibits sigmoidal kinetics with respect to ATP concentration with K0.5 = 0.4 mM and a Hill coefficient of 1.91. It displays low substrate specificity with respect to nucleotide triphosphates. Although trifluoperazine inhibits the activity of the high affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase only slightly, it inhibits the activity of the low-affinity (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase quite potently with 22 microM trifluoperazine inhibiting the enzymic activity by 50%. Vanadate, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, Na+,K+ and ouabain had no effect on the activities of both ATPases. Calmodulin added to the plasma membranes does not stimulate the activities of both ATPases. The properties of the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase are distinctly different from those of the previously reported Ca2+-pump activity of the rat parotid plasma membrane.     

The effect of calmodulin on the interaction of carbodiimides with the purified human erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase

The activity of the solubilized and purified (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from human erythrocyte membranes was inhibited by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in a concentration-dependent manner. The carbodiimide prevented formation of the phosphorylated intermediate during the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. Treatment of the enzyme with N,N'-dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide resulted in the formation of a 14C-labelled polypeptide corresponding to the enzyme monomer (molecular weight 136,000). The tryptic fragmentation of this 14C-labelled enzyme resulted in the formation of three major 14C-labelled fragments with molecular weights of 58,000, 36,500 and 23,000, the latter two probably representing transmembrane and calmodulin-binding domains of the enzyme, respectively. In the absence of calmodulin, 6.7 molecules of N,N'-dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide covalently bound to each molecule of Ca2+-ATPase; in the presence of calmodulin, the number of molecules of carbodiimide bound was 13.1. The binding of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase greatly reduced its ability to bind to a calmodulin-agarose gel.     

Phosphorylated intermediate of (Ca2+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent transport ATPase in endoplasmic reticulum from rat pancreatic acinar cells

Formation and decomposition of the phosphorylated intermediate of endoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from pancreatic acinar cells have been studied using lithium dodecyl sulfate- and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP is Ca2+-dependent (approximate Km for free [Ca2+] = 2-3 X 10(-8) mol/liter). Formation of the 100-kDa phosphoprotein is rapid, reaching maximal 32Pi incorporation within 1 s at room temperature. At 4 degrees C, phosphorylation is slower and dephosphorylation is drastically decreased. For dephosphorylation, Mg2+ and monovalent cations such as K+ or Na+ are necessary. Vanadate inhibits both 32P incorporation and 32P liberation dose dependently (Km = 3 X 10(-6) mol/liter), whereas mitochondrial inhibitors and ouabain have no effect. The phosphoprotein is stable at pH 2 and destabilizes with increasing pH being completely decomposed at pH 9. Reduction of 32P incorporation in the presence of high concentrations of cold ATP and hydroxylamine suggests formation of acylphosphate present in the ATPase intermediate. The characteristics of Ca2+, cation, and pH dependencies of the ATPase activity are similar to those previously described for MgATP-dependent Ca2+ transport into rough endoplasmic reticulum from pancreatic acinar cells (Bayerd?rffer, E., Streb, H., Eckhardt, L., Haase, W., and Schulz, I. (1984) J. Membr. Biol. 81, 69-82). The data suggest that the 100-kDa phosphoprotein as described in this study is the intermediate of this Ca2+ transport ATPase.     

Inhibitory antibodies to plasmalemmal Ca2+-transporting ATPases. Their use in subcellular localization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase activity in smooth muscle.

Antibodies directed against the purified calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase [(Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase] from pig erythrocytes and from smooth muscle of pig stomach (antral part) were raised in rabbits. Both the IgGs against the erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and against the smooth-muscle (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase inhibited the activity of the purified calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from smooth muscle. Up to 85% of the total (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in a preparation of KCl-extracted smooth-muscle membranes was inhibited by these antibodies. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity and the Ca2+ uptake in a plasma-membrane-enriched fraction from this smooth muscle were inhibited to the same extent, whereas in an endoplasmic-reticulum-enriched membrane fraction the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity was inhibited by only 25% and no effect was observed on the oxalate-stimulated Ca2+ uptake. This supports the hypothesis that, in pig stomach smooth muscle, two separate types of Ca2+-transport ATPase exist: a calmodulin-binding ATPase located in the plasma membrane and a calmodulin-independent one present in the endoplasmic reticulum. The antibodies did not affect the stimulation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity by calmodulin.     

A monoclonal antibody to the calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase from pig stomach smooth muscle inhibits plasmalemmal (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase activity.

A monoclonal antibody (2B3) directed against the calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase from pig stomach smooth muscle was prepared. This antibody reacts with a 130,000-Mr protein that co-migrates on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with the calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase purified from smooth muscle by calmodulin affinity chromatography. The antibody causes partial inhibition of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in plasma membranes from pig stomach smooth muscle, in pig erythrocytes and human erythrocytes. It appears to be directed against a specific functionally important site of the plasmalemmal Ca2+-transport ATPase and acts as a competitive inhibitor of ATP binding. Binding of the antibody does not change the Km of the ATPase for Ca2+ and its inhibitory effect is not altered by the presence of calmodulin. No inhibition of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity or of the oxalate-stimulated Ca2+ uptake was observed in a pig smooth-muscle vesicle preparation enriched in endoplasmic reticulum. These results confirm the existence in smooth muscle of two different types of Ca2+-transport ATPase: a calmodulin-binding (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase located in the plasma membrane and a second one confined to the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Characterization of the plasma membrane Mg2+-ATPase from the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a Mg2+-dependent ATPase which is distinct from the mitochondrial Mg2+-ATPase and at the pH optimum of 5.5 has a Km for ATP of 1.7 mM and a Vmax of 0.42 mumol of ATP hydrolyzed/mg/min. At least three protein components of the crude membrane (Mr = 210,000, 160,000 and 115,000) are labeled with [gamma"32P]ATP at pH 5.5. These phosphoproteins form rapidly in the presence of Mg2+, rapidly turn over the bound phosphate when unlabeled ATP is added, and dephosphorylate after incubation in the presence of hydroxylamine. Vanadate, an inhibitor of the Mg2+-ATPase activity, blocks the phosphorylation of the 210,000- and 115,000-dalton proteins. At pH 7.0, only the 210,000- and 160,000-dalton proteins are phosphorylated. While these three phosphorylated intermediates have not been unambiguously identified as components of the Mg2+-ATPase, the finding of such phosphorylated components in association with that activity implies that this enzyme differs in mechanism from the mitochondrial proton pump and that it is similar in mechanism to the metal ion pumps ((Na+-K+)-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase) of the mammalian plasma membrane.     

Long-term stabilization and crystallization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of detergent-solubilized erythrocyte plasma membrane.

Conditions which were optimal for the stabilization of Ca2(+)-transporting ATPase in solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes (Piku?la, S., Mullner, N., Dux, L. and Martonosi, A. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 5277-5286) were also found conducive for preservation of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in detergent-solubilized erythrocyte plasma membrane for up to 60 days. Of particular importance for the stabilization of calmodulin-stimulated Ca2(+)-dependent activity of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of solubilized erythrocyte plasma membrane was the presence of Ca2+ (10-20 mM), glycerol, anti-oxidants, proteinase inhibitors and appropriate detergents. Among eight detergents tested octaethylene glycol dodecyl ether, polyoxyethylene glycol(10) lauryl alcohol and polydocanol were found to be promotive in long-term preservation of the enzyme activity. Under these conditions (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of erythrocyte ghosts became highly stable and developed microcrystalline arrays after storage for 35 days. Electron micrographs of the negatively stained and thin sectioned material indicated that crystals of purified, detergent-solubilized, lipid-stabilized erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase differ from those of Ca2(+)-ATPase of detergent-solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum microsomes.     

A high-affinity, calmodulin-sensitive (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and associated calcium-transport pump in the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell plasma membrane

A unique cytoplast preparation from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (G. V. Henius, P. C. Laris, and J. D. Woodburn (1979) Exp. Cell. Res. 121, 337-345), highly enriched in plasma membranes, was employed to characterize the high-affinity plasma membrane calcium-extrusion pump and its associated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase). An ATP-dependent calcium-transport system which had a high affinity for free calcium (K0.5 = 0.040 +/- 0.005 microM) was identified. Two different calcium-stimulated ATPase activities were detected. One had a low (K0.5 = 136 +/- 10 microM) and the other a high (K0.5 = 0.103 +/- 0.077 microM) affinity for free calcium. The high-affinity enzyme appeared to represent the ubiquitous high-affinity plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (calcium-stimulated, magnesium-dependent ATPase) seen in normal cells. Both calcium transport and the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase were significantly stimulated by the calcium-dependent regulatory protein calmodulin, especially when endogenous activator was removed by treatment with the calcium chelator ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Other similarities between calcium transport and the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase included an insensitivity to ouabain (0.5 mM), lack of activation by potassium (20 mM), and a requirement for magnesium. These similar properties suggested that the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase represents the enzymatic basis of the high-affinity calcium pump. The calcium pump/enzyme system was inhibited by orthovanadate at comparatively high concentrations (calcium transport: K0.5 congruent to 100 microM; (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase: K0.5 greater than 100 microM). Upon Hill analysis, the tumor cell (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase failed to exhibit cooperative activation by calcium which is characteristic of the analogous enzyme in the plasma membrane of normal cells.     

The calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in hemoglobin S erythrocyte membranes: effects of sickling and oxidative agents

A decrease in the reactivity of erythrocyte membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase to calmodulin stimulation has been observed in aging red cells and in various types of hemolytic anemias, particularly in sickle red cell membranes. Unlike the aging process, the defect in the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from SS red blood cells is not secondary to a decrease in calmodulin activity and is already present in the least dense SS red blood cells separated on a discontinuous density gradient. Deoxygenated AS red cells were forced to sickle by lowering the pH, raising the osmolarity of the buffer (sickling pulse). Under these conditions an inhibition of the calmodulin-stimulated enzyme was observed only if several cycles of oxygenation/deoxygenation were applied. No alteration of the enzyme could be detected after submitting AS red blood cells to other conditions or in AA red blood cells submitted to the same treatments. This suggests that oxidative processes are involved in the alterations of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity. Treatment of membranes from AA erythrocytes by thiol group reagents and malondialdehyde, a by-product of auto-oxidation of membrane unsaturated lipids and a cross-linking agent of cytoskeletal proteins, led to a partial inhibition of the calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. We postulate that the hyperproduction of free radicals described in the SS red blood cells and involved in the destabilization of the membrane may be also responsible for the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase failure.     

Calcium transport and phosphorylated intermediate of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of rat liver

We have identified and characterized calcium transport and the phosphorylated intermediate of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in plasma membrane vesicles prepared from rat liver. The calcium transport did not absolutely require the presence of oxalate and was completely inhibited by 1 microM of ionophore A23187. Oxalate, which serves as a trapping agent in calcium uptake of skeletal muscle and liver microsomes, was not absolutely required to maintain the net accumulation of calcium. The Vmax and Km for calcium uptake were 35.2 +/- 10.1 pmol of calcium/mg of protein/min, and 17.6 +/- 2.5 nM of free calcium, respectively. Ten mM magnesium was required for the maximal accumulation of calcium. Substitution of 5 and 10 mM ADP, CTP, GTP, and UTP for ATP could not support calcium uptake. The calcium uptake was not affected by 0.5 mM ouabain, 20 mM azide, or 2 micrograms/ml of oligomycin but was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by vanadate, with a Ki of approximately 20 microM for vanadate. The substrate affinities and specificities of this calcium-transport activity suggest that it is closely associated with the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase reported in the plasma membranes of liver (Lotersztajn, S., Hanoune, J., and Pecker, F. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 11209-11215). A calcium-stimulated and magnesium-dependent phosphoprotein was also demonstrated in the same membrane vesicles. The free calcium concentration at which its phosphorylation was half-maximal was 15.5 +/- 5.6 nM. Sodium fluoride, ouabain, sodium azide, oligomycin, adriamycin, and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide did not affect its formation while vanadate at 100 microM inhibited the calcium-dependent phosphorylation by approximately 60%. The properties of this phosphoprotein suggest that it may be the phosphorylated intermediate of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in the plasma membranes of rat liver.