Protein phosphorylation in rat cardiac microsomes: Effects of inhibitors of protein kinase A and of phosphatases

The phosphorylation of rat cardiac microsomal proteins was investigated with special attention to the effects of okadaic acid (an inhibitor of protein phosphatases), inhibitor 2 of protein phosphatase 1 and inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A). The results showed that okadaic acid (5 µM) modestly but reproducibly augmented the protein kinase A-catalyzed phospholamban (PLN) phosphorylation, although exerted little effect on the calcium/calmodulin kinase-catalyzed PLN phosphorylation. Microsomes contained three other substrates (M_r 23, 19 and 17 kDa) that were phosphorylated by protein kinase A but not by calcium/calmodulin kinase. The protein kinase A-catalyzed phosphorylation of these three substrates was markedly (2-3 fold) increased by 5 µM okadaic acid. Calmodulin was found to antagonize the action of okadaic acid on such phosphorylation. Protein kinase A inhibitor was found to decrease the protein kinase A-catalyzed phosphorylation of microsomal polyp eptides. Unexpectedly, inhibitor 2 was also found to markedly decrease protein kinase A-catalyzed phosphorylation of phospholamban as well these other microsomal substrates. These results are consistent with the views that protein phosphatase 1 is capable of dephosphorylating membrane-associated phospholamban when it is phosphorylated by protein kinase A, but not by calcium/calmodulin kinase, and that under certain conditions, calcium/calmodulin-stimulated protein phosphatase (protein phosphatase 2B) is also able to dephosphorylate PLN phosphorylated by protein kinase A. Additionally, the observations show that protein phosphatase 1 is extremely active against the three protein kinase A substrates (M_r 23, 19 and 17 kDa) that were present in the isolated microsomes and whose state of phosphorylation was particularly affected in the presence of dimethylsulfoxide. Protein phosphatase 2B is also capable of dephosphorylating these three substrates. (Mol Cell Biochem 175: 109–115, 1997     

Partial purification and characterization of thrombolamban, a 22,000 dalton cAMP-dependent protein kinase substrate in platelets

In preparations of human platelet microsomes, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase induced the rapid phosphorylation of a single protein that was electrophoretically identical to the 22,000 dalton protein (P22) phosphorylated by cAMP in intact platelets. Phosphorylation of the microsomal protein was maximal at one minute and was followed by slow dephosphorylation. Although the protein was associated with a microsomal fraction, it could be separated from the membrane by 2 M NaCl indicating that it was a peripheral protein. Molecular weight was estimated by NaDodSO4-PAGE and by gel filtration chromatography. The molecular weight estimated by NaDodSO4-PAGE was 22,400 daltons and was somewhat larger than the 16,000 molecular weight estimated by gel filtration in the presence of NaDodSO4. In the absence of NaDodSO4, the protein chromatographed as a 36,000 dalton form. The presence of the 36,000 dalton form was not dependent on the phosphorylation state of the protein. The partially purified protein contained phosphoserine, but no phosphothreonine or phosphotyrosine. Two dimensional NaDodSO4-PAGE and isoelectric focusing of the phosphorylated protein revealed isomers with pl values of 5.9 and 6.3. These studies indicate that the 22 kDa microsomal protein and P22 in intact platelets are the same protein and that the 22 kDa protein is tightly bound to the microsomal membrane although the nature of this binding and the microsomal component(s) to which it is bound remain to be determined. We conclude that the 22 kDa protein in platelet microsomes is structurally distinct from, but functionally similar to, phospholamban, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase substrate in muscle, and may play a similar role in calcium transport. Based on this similarity, it is proposed that the 22 kDa protein in platelets be called thrombolamban.     

The physical mechanism of calcium pump regulation in the heart.

The Ca-ATPase in the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane is regulated by an amphipathic transmembrane protein, phospholamban. We have used time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy to detect the microsecond rotational dynamics, and thereby the self-association, of the Ca-ATPase as a function of phospholamban phosphorylation and physiologically relevant calcium levels. The phosphorylation of phospholamban increases the rotational mobility of the Ca-ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum bilayer, due to a decrease in large-scale protein association, with a [Ca2+] dependence parallel to that of enzyme activation. These results support a model in which phospholamban phosphorylation or calcium free the enzyme from a kinetically unfavorable associated state.     

Regulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum function by phospholamban

Calcium fluxes across the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane are regulated by phosphorylation of a 27,000-dalton membrane-bound protein termed phospholamban. Phospholamban is phosphorylated by three different protein kinases (cAMP-dependent, Ca2+.CAM-dependent and Ca2+.phospholipid dependent) at apparently distinct sites. Phosphorylation by each of the protein kinases increases the rates of active calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. The stimulatory effects of protein kinases on the calcium pump may be reversed by an endogenous protein phosphatase activity. The phosphoprotein phosphatase can dephosphorylate both the cAMP-dependent and the Ca2+.CAM-dependent sites of phospholamban. Phosphorylation of phospholamban also occurs in situ, in perfused beating hearts, during the peak of the inotropic response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. Reversal of the stimulatory effects is associated with dephosphorylation of phospholamban. Thus, in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that phospholamban is a regulator for the calcium pump in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. The degree of phospholamban phosphorylation determined by the interaction of specific protein kinases and phosphatases may represent an important control for sarcoplasmic reticulum function and, thus, for the contraction-relaxation cycle in the myocardium. In this review, we summarize recent evidence on physical and structural properties of phospholamban, the proposed structural molecular models for this protein, and the significance of its regulatory role both in vitro and in situ.     

Effects of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase on sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from cardiac and slow and fast contracting skeletal muscles.

Effects of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent protein kinase were studied in sarcoplasmic reticulum prepared from cardiac and slow and fast (white) skeletal muscle. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase failed to catalyze phosphorylation of fast skeletal muscle microsomes as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was without effect on calcium uptake by these microsomes. Treatment of cardiac microsomes obtained from dog, cat, rabbit, and guinea pig with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP resulted in phosphorylation of a 22,000-dalton protein component in the amounts of 0.75, 0.25, 0.30, and 0.14 nmol of phosphorus/mg of microsomal protein, respectively. Calcium uptake by cardiac microsomes was stimulated 1.8- to 2.5-fold when microsomes were treated with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Protein kinases partially purified from bovine heart and rabbit skeletal muscle were both effective in mediating these effects on phosphorylation and calcium transport in dog cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Slow skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum also contains a protein with a molecular weight of approximately 22,000 that can be phosphorylated by protein kinase. Phosphorylation of this component ranged from 0.005 to 0.016 nmol of phosphorous/mg of microsomal protein in dog biceps femoris. A statistically significant increase in calcium uptake by these membranes was produced by the protein kinase. Increases in protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of a low molecular weight microsomal component and in calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac and slow skeletal muscle may be related to the relaxation-promoting effects of epinephrine seen in these types of muscle. Conversely, the absence of a relaxation-promoting effect of epinephrine in fast skeletal muscle may be associated with the lack of effect of cyclic AMP and protein kinase on calcium transport by the sarcoplasmic reticulum of this type of muscle.     

Phospholamban involvement in the maintenance of basal calcium transport in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Phosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane vesicles by exogenous c-AMP and c-AMP-dependent protein kinase stimulates calcium uptake and Ca2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis by 40-50% and results in the incorporation of 32P into a 22-KDa protein, phospholamban. Treatment of the membrane with DOC (0.0002% or 5 X 10(-6) M) solubilizes phospholamban from the membrane and induces a 90% inhibition of basal calcium uptake. This inhibition cannot be attributed to an alteration in vesicle integrity or membrane permeability. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase remains associated with the membrane fraction and exhibits optimal levels of Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolysis. Phosphorylation prior to DOC treatment allows retention of the phospholamban in the membrane, concomitant with maintenance of the calcium transport activity. The results presented suggest that phospholamban is involved in the maintenance of basal calcium transport function in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum and that its phosphorylation stimulates Ca2+ transport.     

Role of phospholamban in regulating cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a critical role in the excitation-contraction cycle and hormonal regulation of heart cells. Catecholamines exert their ionotropic action through the regulation of calcium transport into the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Cyclic 3'-5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) causes the cAMP-dependent protein kinase to phosphorylate the regulatory protein phospholamban, which results in the stimulation of calcium transport. Calmodulin also phosphorylates phospholamban by a calcium-dependent mechanism. We have reported the isolation and purification of phospholamban with low deoxycholate (DOC) concentrations (5 X 10(-6) M). We have also reported the isolation and purification of Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase with a similar procedure. Both phospholamban and Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase retained their native properties associated with sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Further, we have shown that the removal of phospholamban from membranes of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles uncouples Ca2+-uptake from ATPase without any effect on Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase activity or Ca2+ efflux. Phospholamban appears to be the substrate for both the Ca2+-calmodulin system and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase system. It is found that the phosphorylation of phospholamban by the Ca2+-calmodulin system is required for the normal basal level of Ca2+ transport, and that the phosphorylation of phospholamban at another site by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase system causes the stimulation of Ca2+-transport above the basal level. The functional effects of the phosphorylation of phospholamban by cAMP-dependent protein kinase system are expressed only after the phosphorylation of phospholamban with Ca2+-calmodulin system. We propose a model for the cardiac Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase, whereby the enzyme is normally uncoupled from Ca2+ uptake. The enzyme becomes coupled to Ca2+ transport after the first site of phospholamban is phosphorylated with the Ca2+-calmodulin system. When the second site of phospholamban is phosphorylated with cAMP-dependent protein kinase both Ca2+ transport and ATPase are stimulated and phospholamban becomes inaccessible to DOC solubilization and trypsin.     

The role of phospholamban in the regulation of calcium transport by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

The calcium transport mechanism of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is regulated by a phosphoregulatory mechanism involving the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of an integral membrane component, termed phospholamban. Phospholamban, a 27,000 Da proteolipid, contains phosphorylation sites for three independent protein kinases: 1) cAMP-dependent, 2) Ca²⁺-calmodulin-dependent, and 3) Ca²⁺-phospholipid-dependent. Phosphorylation of phospholamban by any one of these kinases is associated with stimulation of the calcium transport rates in isolated SR vesicles. Dephosphorylation of phosphorylated phospholamban results in the reversal of the stimulatory effects produced by the protein kinases. Studies conducted on perfused hearts have shown that during exposure to beta-adrenergic agents, a good correlation exists between the in situ phosphorylation of phospholamban and the relaxation of the left ventricle. Phosphorylation of phospholamban in situ is also associated with stimulation of calcium transport rates by cardiac SR, similar to in vitro findings. Removal of beta-adrenergic agents results in the reversal of the inotropic response and this is associated with dephosphorylation of phospholamban. These findings indicate that a phospho-regulatory mechanism involving phospholamban may provide at least one of the controls for regulation of the contractile properties of the myocardium.     

Modulation by polyelectrolytes of canine cardiac microsomal calcium uptake and the possible relationship to phospholamban

Calcium uptake and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in canine cardiac microsomes were found to be stimulated by heparin and various other polyanions. Prior treatment of the microsomes with the ionophores alamethicin or A23187 produced no change in the extent of stimulation of the ATPase activity by heparin yet eliminated net calcium uptake. This finding and a lack of change in the stoichiometric ratio of mol of calcium transported/mol of ATP hydrolyzed (calcium:ATP) suggest that the effect of heparin is on the calcium pump rather than on a parallel calcium efflux pathway. Certain polycationic compounds including poly-L-arginine and histone inhibited both cardiac and fast skeletal muscle microsomal calcium uptake and also produced no change in the stoichiometric ratio of calcium to ATP. Several lines of evidence indicate that the polyanionic compounds tested stimulate calcium uptake by interacting with phospholamban, the putative phosphorylatable regulator of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump, whereas polycationic compounds appear to interact with the pump. (i) Heparin stimulated calcium uptake to the same extent as protein kinase A or trypsin, whereas prior phosphorylation or tryptic cleavage of phospholamban from the membrane abolished the stimulatory effect of heparin. (ii) Calcium uptake and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in fast skeletal muscle microsomes, which lack phospholamban, were unaffected by heparin. (iii) Purified cardiac (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity was no longer stimulated by heparin yet was still inhibited by polycationic compounds. The heparin-induced stimulation of calcium uptake was dependent on the pH and ionic strength of the heparin-containing preincubation medium, hence electrostatic interactions appear to play a significant role in heparin's stimulatory action. The data are consistent with an inhibitory role of the positively charged cytoplasmic domain of phospholamban with respect to calcium pump activity and the relief of the inhibition upon reduction in phospholamban's positive charge by phosphorylation or binding of polyanions.     

Lethal, hereditary mutants of phospholamban elude phosphorylation by protein kinase a

The sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (SERCA) and its regulator, phospholamban, are essential components of cardiac contractility. Phospholamban modulates contractility by inhibiting SERCA, and this process is dynamically regulated by β-adrenergic stimulation and phosphorylation of phospholamban. Herein we reveal mechanistic insight into how four hereditary mutants of phospholamban, Arg(9) to Cys, Arg(9) to Leu, Arg(9) to His, and Arg(14) deletion, alter regulation of SERCA. Deletion of Arg(14) disrupts the protein kinase A recognition motif, which abrogates phospholamban phosphorylation and results in constitutive SERCA inhibition. Mutation of Arg(9) causes more complex changes in function, where hydrophobic substitutions such as cysteine and leucine eliminate both SERCA inhibition and phospholamban phosphorylation, whereas an aromatic substitution such as histidine selectively disrupts phosphorylation. We demonstrate that the role of Arg(9) in phospholamban function is multifaceted: it is important for inhibition of SERCA, it increases the efficiency of phosphorylation, and it is critical for protein kinase A recognition in the context of the phospholamban pentamer. Given the synergistic consequences on contractility, it is not surprising that the mutants cause lethal, hereditary dilated cardiomyopathy.     

Mechanism of the stimulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump by calmodulin

Calmodulin has been shown to stimulate the initial rates of Ca2+-uptake and Ca2+-ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, when it is present in the reaction assay media for these activities. To determine whether the stimulatory effect of calmodulin is mediated directly through its interaction with the Ca2+-ATPase, or indirectly through phosphorylation of phospholamban by an endogenous protein kinase, two approaches were taken in the present study. In the first approach, the effects of calmodulin were studied on a Ca2+-ATPase preparation, isolated from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, which was essentially free of phospholamban. The enzyme was preincubated with various concentrations of calmodulin at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C, but there was no effect on the Ca2+-ATPase activity assayed over a wide range of [Ca2+] (0.1-10 microM). In the second approach, cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were prephosphorylated by an endogenous protein kinase in the presence of calmodulin. Phosphorylation occurred predominantly on phospholamban, an oligomeric proteolipid. The sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were washed prior to assaying for Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-ATPase activity in order to remove the added calmodulin. Phosphorylation of phospholamban enhanced the initial rates of Ca2+-uptake and Ca2+-ATPase, and this stimulation was associated with an increase in the affinity of the Ca2+-pump for calcium. The EC50 values for calcium activation of Ca2+-uptake and Ca2+-ATPase were 0.96 +/- 0.03 microM and 0.96 +/- 0.1 microM calcium by control vesicles, respectively. Phosphorylation decreased these values to 0.64 +/- 0.12 microM calcium for Ca2+-uptake and 0.62 +/- 0.11 microM calcium for Ca2+-ATPase. The stimulatory effect was associated with increases in the apparent initial rates of formation and decomposition of the phosphorylated intermediate of the Ca2+-ATPase. These findings suggest that calmodulin regulates cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum function by protein kinase-mediated phosphorylation of phospholamban.     

The use of a water-soluble carbodiimide to cross-link cytochrome c to plastocyanin

Canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is phosphorylated by adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent and by Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinases on an Mr 22 000 protein called phospholamban. Both types of phosphorylation are associated with an increase in the initial rate of Ca2+ transport. Thus, phospholamban appears to be a regulator for the calcium pump in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. However, there is conflicting evidence as to the degree of association of the Ca2+-ATPase with its regulator, phospholamban. In this study, we report that phospholamban does not copurify with a Ca2+-ATPase preparation of high specific activity. Although 32P-labeled phospholamban is solubilized in the same fraction as the Ca2+-ATPase from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, it dissociates from the Ca2+ pump during subsequent purification steps. Our isolation procedure results in an increase of over 4-fold in the specific activity of the Ca2+-ATPase, but a decrease of 2.5-fold in the specific activity of 32Pi-phosphoester bonds (pmol Pi/mg). Furthermore, the purified Ca2+-ATPase enzyme preparation is not a substrate for protein kinase in vitro to any significant extent. These data indicate that phospholamban does not copurify with the Ca2+-ATPase from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Isolation of a Ca2+-ATPase preparation essentially free of phospholamban will aid in future kinetic studies designed to elucidate similarities and differences in the Ca2+-ATPase parameters from cardiac and skeletal muscle (which is known not to contain phospholamban).     

Adenylyl cyclase type VI corrects cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake defects in cardiomyopathy

Calcium malfunction plays a central role in heart failure. Here, we provide evidence that adenylyl cyclase type VI restores sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum 2a (SERCA2a) affinity for calcium and maximum velocity of cardiac calcium uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum in murine dilated cardiomyopathy. Restoration of normal SERCA2a affinity for calcium is associated not only with decreased phospholamban protein expression but also with increased phospholamban phosphorylation by PKA activation. The ratio of phosphorylated ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) to RyR2 protein was increased, but the amount of phosphorylated RyR2 was unaffected. These data provide a possible mechanism by which adenylyl cyclase type VI (in contrast to other signaling elements associated with increased cAMP generation) has a salutary effect in the failing heart.     

Proteolytic activation of the canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump

Mild trypsin treatment of canine cardiac microsomes consisting largely of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles produced a severalfold activation of oxalate-facilitated calcium uptake. The increase in calcium uptake was associated with an increase in ATP hydrolysis. Proteases other than trypsin were also effective although to a lesser degree. Trypsin produced a shift of the Ca2+ concentration dependency curve for calcium uptake toward lower Ca2+ concentrations, which was almost identical with that produced by phosphorylation of microsomes by cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase when the trypsin and the protein kinase were present at maximally activating concentrations. The Hill numbers (+/- SD) of the Ca2+ dependency after treatment of microsomes with trypsin (1.5 +/- 0.1) or protein kinase (1.7 +/- 0.1) were similar and were not significantly different from those for untreated control microsomes (1.6 +/- 0.1 and 1.8 +/- 0.1, respectively). Autoradiograms of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoretic gels indicate that 32P incorporation into phospholamban (Mr 27.3K) or its presumed monomeric subunit (Mr 5.5K) was markedly reduced when trypsin-treated microsomes were incubated in the presence of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase and [gamma-32P]ATP compared to control microsomes incubated similarly but pretreated with trypsin inhibitor inactivated trypsin. The activation of calcium uptake by increasing concentrations of trypsin was paralleled by the reduction of phosphorylation of phospholamban. Trypsin treatment of microsomes previously thiophosphorylated in the presence of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase and [gamma-35S]thio-ATP did not result in a loss of 35S label from phospholamban, which suggests that phosphorylation of phospholamban protects against trypsin attack.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization and quantitation of phospholamban and its phosphorylation state using antibodies

Quantitative immunoassays to discriminate and quantitate phospholamban and its phosphorylation states in heart homogenates were developed using known amounts of protein determined by amino acid analysis. Synthetic 1-52 phospholamban, the hydrophilic 1-25 peptide, and 1-25 phosphopeptides containing P-Ser(16), P-Thr(17), and dually phosphorylated (P-Ser(16), P-Thr(17)) were used to calibrate immunoblot systems. In addition, synthetic 1-52 peptide was phosphorylated using cAMP-dependent protein kinase (P-Ser(16)) or Ca(2+)-calmodulin protein kinase (P-Thr(17)) and then separated from unphosphorylated 1-52 by HPLC prior to quantitation. Further, canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was phosphorylated in vitro using [gamma-(32)P]-ATP with cAMP-dependent protein kinase and/or Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase as well as sequential phosphorylation in both orders to assess the veracity of antibody recognition of phosphorylated forms. Western blots proved useful in characterizing the reactivity of the different antibodies to phospholamban and phosphorylated phospholamban, but were inefficient for accurate quantitation and problems with antibody recognition of dually phosphorylated phospholamban were found. mAb 1D11 recognized all forms of phospholamban, polyclonal antibodies 285 and PS-16 were highly selective for P-Ser(16) phospholamban but had diminished reactivity to diphosphorylated (P-Ser(16), P-Thr(17)) phospholamban, and polyclonal antibody PT-17, although selective for P-Thr(17) phospholamban, generated very weak signals on Western blots and reacted poorly with diphosphorylated phospholamban. Results in quantitative immunodot blot experiments were even more compelling. None of the phosphorylation specific antibodies reacted with the diphospho 1-25 phospholamban peptide. Transgenic mouse hearts expressing varying levels of PLB and ferret heart biopsy samples taken before and after isoproterenol perfusion were analyzed. In all samples containing phospholamban, a basal level of Ser(16) phosphorylation (about 4% of the total PLB population) and a lesser amount of Thr(17) phosphorylation was observed. Upon isoproterenol perfusion, Ser(16) phosphorylation increased only to 17% of the total phospholamban population with a similar change in Thr(17) phosphorylation. This suggests that phospholamban phosphorylation may serve as an electrostatic switch that dissociates inactive calcium pump complexes into catalytically active units. Thus, direct correlations between phospholamban phosphorylation state and contractile parameters may not be valid.     

Structural and functional modifications of phospholamban and regulation of calcium transport in the sarcoplasmic reticulum under conditions of metabolic cardiac insufficiency

The phosphorylation of phospholamban from dog myocardium is shown to correlate with the protein sensitivity to tryptic attack both in undamaged myocardium and under conditions of circulatory hypoxia and experimental infarction. In the absence of "exogenous" protein kinase a decreased phosphorylation of phospholamban is observed in the incubation mixture containing 10(-6) M cAMP both for circulatory hypoxia and myocardial infarction. In the latter case the phosphorylation remains diminished in the presence of "exogenous" protein kinase as well. The sarcoplasmic reticulum from damaged myocardium exhibited changes in the velocity of the oxalate-dependent transport of calcium which correlated with the corresponding degree of the phospholamban phosphorylation.     

Regulation of calcium transport by protein phosphatase activity associated with cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is phosphorylated by an endogenous calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase on a 22,000 proteolipid, called phospholamban. Phosphorylation by the calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase is associated with stimulation of the initial rates of calcium transport (Davis, B. A., Schwartz, A., Samaha, F. J., and Kranias, E. G. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 13587-13591). The present study shows that protein phosphatase activity, associated with canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, can catalyze dephosphorylation of the calcium-calmodulin-dependent sites on phospholamban. The activity was maximally stimulated by manganese; fluoride was inhibitory, but its effect was reversible. Dephosphorylation of phospholamban, which was prephosphorylated by calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, resulted in a reduction of the stimulation on calcium transport rates, particularly at submaximal calcium concentrations. The decrease in calcium transport was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the apparent affinity (EC50) for calcium. Rephosphorylation of phospholamban by the endogenous calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase caused full recovery of the stimulation on calcium transport rates and reversal of the effects mediated by the protein phosphatase. Thus, the calcium pump in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum appears to be under reversible regulation mediated by endogenous calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and protein phosphatase. Such regulation may represent an important control mechanism for the myocardium.     

The role of protein kinases and protein phosphatases in the regulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum function

Summary Canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is phosphorylated by adenosine 3,5-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent and by calcium · calmodulin-dependent protein kinases on a 27 000 proteolipid, called phospholamban. Both types of phosphorylation are associated with an increase in the initial rates of Ca²⁺ transport by SR vesicles which reflects an increased turnover of elementary steps of the calcium ATPase reaction sequence. The stimulatory effects of the protein kinases on the calcium pump may be reversed by an endogenous protein phosphatase, which can dephosphorylate both the CAMP-dependent and the calcium · calmodulin-dependent sites on phospholamban. Thus, the calcium pump in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum appears to be under reversible regulation mediated by protein kinases and protein phosphatases.     

Phosphorylation of phospholamban by calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase. Stimulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake

Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) is able to catalyze the phosphorylation of phospholamban in a canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum preparation. This phosphorylation is associated with a 2-fold stimulation of Ca2+ uptake by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum similar to that seen following phosphorylation of phospholamban by an endogenous calmodulin-dependent protein kinase or by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Two-dimensional peptide maps of the tryptic fragments of phospholamban indicate that the three protein kinases differ in their selectivity for sites of phosphorylation. However, one common peptide appears to be phosphorylated by all three protein kinases. These findings suggest that protein kinase C may play a role similar to those played by cAMP- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinases in the regulation of Ca2+ uptake by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, and raise the possibility that the effects of all three protein kinases are mediated through phosphorylation of a common peptide in phospholamban.     

Regulation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium transport by calcium-calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum contains an endogenous calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and a 22,000-Da substrate, phospholamban. This kinase is half-maximally activated (EC50) by 3.8 +/- 0.3 microM calcium and is absolutely dependent on exogenous calmodulin (EC50 = 49 nM). To determine the effect of this phosphorylation on calcium transport, sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles (0.5 mg/ml) were preincubated under conditions for optimal phosphorylation (50 mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.0, 10 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mM EGTA, 0.478 mM CACl2, 0.1 microM calmodulin, 0.5 mM ATP). Control sarcoplasmic reticulum was preincubated under identical conditions but in the absence of ATP to avoid phosphorylation. Both control and phosphorylated vesicles were centrifuged and resuspended in 0.3 M sucrose, 20 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM KCl, pH 7.0, to remove calmodulin and subsequently assayed for calcium (45Ca) transport in the presence of 2.5 mM Tris-oxalate. Phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase resulted in a significant increase (2- to 4-fold) in the rate of calcium transport at low calcium concentrations (less than 3 microM), while calcium transport was minimally affected at higher calcium. Hill coefficients (n) derived from Hill plots of transport data showed no difference between control and phosphorylated sarcoplasmic reticulum (n = 2.0), indicating that phosphorylation does not alter the cooperativity between calcium sites on the calcium pump. The EC50 for calcium activation of calcium transport by control vesicles was 0.86 +/- 0.1 microM calcium, and phosphorylation of phospholamban decreased this value to 0.61 +/- 0.07 microM calcium (n = 7, p less than 0.028), indicating an increase in the apparent affinity for calcium upon phosphorylation. These results were found to be specific for calcium-calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban. Control experiments on the effects of the reactants used in the phosphorylation assay and subsequent centrifugation of sarcoplasmic reticulum showed no alteration of the rate of calcium transport. Therefore, the calcium pump in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum appears to be regulated by an endogenous calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and this may provide an important regulatory mechanism for the myocardium.