Captopril inhibits ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATPase

Captopril has been reported to inhibit ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATPase activity in erythrocyte membrane fragments. We investigated the effect of captopril on two physiological measures of Na+/K+ pump activity: 22Na+ efflux from human erythrocytes and K+-induced relaxation of rat tail artery segments. Captopril inhibited 22Na+ efflux from erythrocytes in a concentration-dependent fashion, with 50% inhibition of total 22Na+ efflux at a concentration of 4.8 X 10(-3) M. The inhibition produced by captopril (5 X 10(-3) M) and ouabain (10(-4) M) was not greater than that produced by ouabain alone (65.3 vs. 66.9%, respectively), and captopril inhibited 50% of ouabain-sensitive 22Na+ efflux at a concentration of 2.0 X 10(-3) M. Inhibition by captopril of ouabain-sensitive 22Na efflux was not explained by changes in intracellular sodium concentration, inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme or a sulfhydryl effect. Utilizing rat tail arteries pre-contracted with norepinephrine (NE) or serotonin (5HT) in K+-free solutions, we demonstrated dose-related inhibition of K+-induced relaxation by captopril (10(-6) to 10(-4) M). Concentrations above 10(-4) M did not significantly inhibit K+-induced relaxation but did decrease contractile responses to NE, although not to 5HT. Inhibition of K+-induced relaxation by captopril was not affected by saralasin, teprotide or indomethacin. We conclude that captopril can inhibit membrane Na+/K+-ATPase in intact red blood cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. The mechanism of pump suppression is uncertain, but inhibition of ATPase should be considered when high concentrations of captopril are employed in physiological studies.     

Kinetics of Mg2+-ATPase inhibition by benthiocarb and its recovery by oximes and L-cysteine in brain of albino rat (Wistar strain)

Effects in vitro of benthiocarb on rat brain Mg2+-ATPase were studied to elucidate the interaction of benthiocarb with Mg2+-ATPase. Based on IC50 values, it was evident that Mg2+-ATPase was sensitive to benthiocarb. Non-competitive inhibition with respect to activation by ATP was indicated by decreased maximal velocity (V) without change in Michaelis Menten constant (Km). It was also noted that pyridine-2-aldoxime (30 microM), pyridine-4-aldoxime (35 microM) and L-cysteine (90 microM) neutralized the inhibition of benthiocarb (8 microM).     

Involvement of sulfhydryl groups in the inhibition of brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by pyrithiamin

Brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was protected by low concentrations of GSH from the inhibitory effect of pyrithiamin. The possible involvement of sulfhydryl groups in the inhibition was then studied by comparing the effect of pyrithiamin with that of N-ethylmaleimide on the enzyme. The treatment of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with thesee inhibitors caused a significant decrease in reactivity of the enzyme to N-ethyl[3H]maleimide. N-Ethylmaleimide, like pyrithiamin, inhibited the partial reactions of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase system in parallel with the inhibition of the overall reaction. An SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis procedure indicated that pyrithiamin and N-ethylmaleimide inhibited Na+-dependent phosphorylation of the alpha(+) form of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase more than that of alpha, though the selectivity for the alpha(+) seemed to be higher with the former inhibitor than in the latter. The treatment also decreased sensitivity of the enzyme to ouabain inhibition. However, pyrithiamin- and N-ethylmaleimide-induced inactivations of the enzyme differed in the efficacy of GSH for protection and in the effect of the kind of ligands present during the reaction. Furthermore, pyrithiamin did not appear to interact directly with sulfhydryl groups, but caused the formation of disulfide in bovine brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. In contrast to N-ethylmaleimide, pyrithiamin did not affect the sulfhydryl-enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase and L-alanine dehydrogenase. It is concluded that pyrithiamin modifies the functional sulfhydryl groups of brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in a way different from N-ethylmaleimide and causes a structural change and inactivation of the enzyme.     

Phosphorylation of two isozymes of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by inorganic phosphate

The phosphorylation of two isozymes (alpha(+) and alpha) of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by 32Pi was studied under equilibrium conditions in various enzyme preparations from rat medulla oblongata, rat cerebral cortex, rat cerebellum, rat kidney, guinea pig kidney, and rabbit kidney. In ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPases such as the brain, guinea pig kidney, and rabbit kidney enzymes, ouabain stimulated the Mg2+-dependent phosphorylation at lower concentrations, while a higher concentration was required for the stimulation of rat kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, an ouabain-insensitive enzyme. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that two isozymes of the brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were also phosphorylated by 32Pi in the presence of ouabain. The properties of the phosphorylation were compared between the medullar oblongata (referred to as alpha(+] and the kidney (referred to as alpha) (Na+ + K+)-ATPases. The steady-state level of phosphorylation was achieved faster in the kidney enzymes than in the medulla oblongata enzyme. Phosphorylation without ouabain was greater in the kidney enzymes than in the brain enzymes. Furthermore, the former enzymes were inhibited by K+ much more than the latter. These findings suggest that the two isozymes of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase differ in their conformational changes during enzyme turnover.     

Difference in phospholipid dependence between two isozymes of brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

The effect of phospholipase C on two isozymes (alpha (+) and alpha forms) of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the temperature-dependence of their activities were investigated. Phospholipase C from Clostridium welchii inhibited the activities of the enzymes treated with and without pyrithiamin or N-ethylmaleimide, a preferential inhibitor of the alpha (+) form, but the extent of the inhibition was higher in the control enzyme than in the treated enzymes. The treatment of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with phospholipase C altered a ratio between high- and low-affinity components for ouabain inhibition. It also caused the similar change in a ratio between the alpha (+) and alpha forms of Na+-stimulated phosphorylation from [gamma-32P]ATP. These findings indicate that the alpha (+) form of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is more sensitive to phospholipase C than the alpha form. Analysis of Arrhenius plots of the activities of the control and pyrithiamin-treated enzymes showed that there was a difference between the two enzymes in a break point. We suggest that two isozymes of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase differ in the interaction with phospholipids or in the lipid-environment.     

Inhibition of cardiac Na+, K+-ATPase activity by dynorphin-A and ethylketocyclazocine

The effect of various opioids on Na+, K+ -ATPase partially purified from rat heart was examined. Dynorphin-A (1-13), dynorphin-A (1-17) and ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), which are k-type opiate agonists, markedly inhibited the enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner; IC50 values were 12 microM, 21 microM and 0.38 mM, respectively. Morphine (mu-type agonist), methionine- and leucine-enkephalin (delta-type agonist) at the concentration of 1 mM did not affect the enzyme activity. The effect of dynorphin-A (1-13) and EKC was not antagonized by naloxone. Dynorphin-A (1-13) mainly decreased Vmax value without the change of Km value in the activation of Na+, K+-ATPase by ATP, Na+ and K+. Dynorphin-A(1-13) inhibited the partial reactions of Na+, K+-ATPase at the different degree of the potency; the inhibition of K+-stimulated phosphatase was greater than that of Na+-dependent phosphorylation. The present study suggests that dynorphin-A and EKC have an effect on cardiovascular system which is mediated by the inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase in the heart.     

Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase in Penaeus indicus postlarvae by lead

The plasma membrane/mitochondrial fractions of Penaeus indicus postlarvae contain Mg2+-dependent ATPase, Na+,K+-stimulated ATPase, Na+-stimulated ATPase and K+-stimulated ATPase. The Na+,K+-activated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase was investigated further in relation to different pH and temperature conditions, and at various concentrations of protein, ouabain, ATP and ions in the incubation medium. In vitro and in vivo effects of lead were studied on the enzyme activity. In vitro lead inhibited the enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 204.4 microM. In correlation with in vitro studies, in vivo investigations (both concentration and time dependent) of lead also indicated a gradual inhibition in enzyme activity. A maximum decrease of 85.3% was observed at LC50 (7.2 ppm) of lead for concentration-dependent experiments. In time-dependent studies, the decrease was maximal (81.7%) at 30 days of sublethal exposure (1.44 ppm). In addition, the substrate- and ion-dependent kinetics of Na+,K+-ATPase was studied in relation to in vitro exposure of lead; these studies suggest a non-competitive type of inhibition.     

A monoclonal antibody against horse kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase inhibits sodium pump and E2K to E1 conversion of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from outside of the cell membrane

Monoclonal antibodies against horse kidney outer medulla (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were prepared. One of these antibodies (M45-80), was identified as an IgM, recognized the alpha subunit of the enzyme. M45-80 had the following effects on horse kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase: (1) it inhibited the enzyme activity by 50% in 140 mM Na+ and by 80% in 8.3 mM Na+; (2) it increased the Na+ concentration necessary for half-maximal activation (K0.5 for Na+) from 12.0 to 57.6 mM, but did not affect K0.5 for K+; (3) it slightly increased the K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K-pNPPase) activity; (4) it inhibited phosphorylation of the enzyme with ATP by 30%, but did not affect the step of dephosphorylation; and (5) it enhanced the ouabain binding rate. These data are compatible with a stabilizing effect on the E2 form of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. M45-80 was concluded to bind to the extracellular surface of the plasmamembrane, based on the following evidence: (1) M45-80 inhibited by 50% the ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake in human intact erythrocytes from outside of the cells; (2) the inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in right-side-out vesicles of human erythrocytes was greater than that in inside-out vesicles; and (3) the fluorescence intensity due to FITC-labeled rabbit anti-mouse IgM that reacted with M45-80 bound to the right-side-out vesicles was much greater than that in the case of the inside-out vesicles.     

Control of brain slice respiration by (Na+ + K+)-activated adenosine triphosphate and the effects of enzyme inhibitors.

The involvement of membrane (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (Mg2+-dependent, (Na+ + K+)-activated ATP phosphohydrolase, E.C. 3.6.1.3) in the oxygen consumption of rat brain cortical slices was studied in order to determine whether (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in intact cells can be estimated from oxygen consumption. The stimulation of brain slice respiration with K+ required the simultaneous presence of Na+. Ouabain, a specific inhibitor of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, significantly inhibited the (Na+ + K+)-stimulation of respiration. These observations suggest that the (Na+ + K+)-stimulation of brain slice respiration is related to ADP production as a result of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. However, ouabain also inhibited non-K+ -stimulated respiration. Additionally, ouabain markedly reduced the stimulation of respiration by 2,4-dinitrophenol in a high (Na+ + K+)-medium. Thus, ouabain depresses brain slice respiration by reducing the availability of ADP through (Na+ + K+)-ATPase inhibition and acts additionally by increasing the intracellular Na+ concentration. These studies indicate that the use of ouabain results in an over-estimation of the respiration related to (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. This fraction of the respiration can be estimated more precisely from the difference between slice respiration in high Na+ and K+ media and that in choline, K+ media. Studies were performed with two (Na+ + K+)-ATPase inhibitors to determine whether administration of these agents to intact rats would produce changes in brain respiration and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. The intraperitoneal injection of digitoxin in rats caused an inhibition of brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and related respiration, but chlorpromazine failed to alter either (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity or related respiration.     

Buffer systems variably affect the interaction of norepinephrine with brain Na+-K+ ATPase

The reported effects of norepinephrine (NE) on brain Na+-K+ ATPase are quite variable. Different investigators have reported activation, inhibition, or no effect. An investigation of the importance of reaction conditions on brain Na+-K+ ATPase activity was undertaken to resolve some of these discrepancies. Using porcine cerebral cortical Na+-K+ ATPase and rat brain synaptosomal membrane preparations, it was observed that NE strongly inhibited brain Na+-K+ ATPase in Tris-HCl buffer. This inhibition of the enzyme was reversed by the addition of EDTA. In contrast, NE did not significantly inhibit Na+-K+ ATPase in imidazole-glycylglycine and Krebs-Ringer-phosphate buffers. This buffer dependence of NE inhibition of the enzyme was consistently demonstrated with three different established methods for phosphate measurement. Kinetic analysis indicated that NE, in Tris-HCl buffer, inhibited the enzyme noncompetitively at high affinity, and competitively at low affinity, ATP substrate sites.     

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

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

The influence of potassium ion (K+) on digoxin-induced inhibition of porcine cerebral cortex Na+ / K+-ATPase

The in vitro influence of potassium ion modulations, in the concentration range 2 mM-500 mM, on digoxin-induced inhibition of porcine cerebral cortex Na+ / K+-ATPase activity was studied. The response of enzymatic activity in the presence of various K+ concentrations to digoxin was biphasic, thereby, indicating the existence of two Na+ / K+-ATPase isoforms, differing in the affinity towards the tested drug. Both isoforms showed higher sensitivity to digoxin in the presence of K+ ions below 20 mM in the medium assay. The IC50 values for high/low isoforms 2.77 x 10(-6) M / 8.56 x 10(-5) M and 7.06 x 10(-7) M / 1.87 x 10(-5) M were obtained in the presence of optimal (20 mM) and 2 mM K+, respectively. However, preincubation in the presence of elevated K+ concentration (50-500 mM) in the medium assay prior to Na+ / K+-ATPase exposure to digoxin did not prevent the inhibition, i.e. IC50 values for both isoforms was the same as in the presence of the optimal K+ concentration. On the contrary, addition of 200 mM K+ into the medium assay after 10 minutes exposure of Na+ / K+-ATPase to digoxin, showed a time-dependent recovery effect on the inhibited enzymatic activity. Kinetic analysis showed that digoxin inhibited Na+ / K+-ATPase by reducing maximum enzymatic velocity (Vmax) and Km, implying an uncompetitive mode of interaction.     

Kinetic studies on the (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase evidence for coexisting sites for Na+, K+ and Mg2+

Na+-ATPase activity of a dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase enzyme preparation was inhibited by a high concentration of NaCl (100 mM) in the presence of 30 microM ATP and 50 microM MgCl2, but stimulated by 100 mM NaCl in the presence of 30 microM ATP and 3 mM MgCl2. The K0.5 for the effect of MgCl2 was near 0.5 mM. Treatment of the enzyme with the organic mercurial thimerosal had little effect on Na+ -ATPase activity with 10 mM NaCl but lessened inhibition by 100 mM NaCl in the presence of 50 microM MgCl2. Similar thimerosal treatment reduced (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity by half but did not appreciably affect the K0.5 for activation by either Na+ or K+, although it reduced inhibition by high Na+ concentrations. These data are interpreted in terms of two classes of extracellularly-available low-affinity sites for Na+: Na+-discharge sites at which Na+-binding can drive E2-P back to E1-P, thereby inhibiting Na+-ATPase activity, and sites activating E2-P hydrolysis and thereby stimulating Na+-ATPase activity, corresponding to the K+-acceptance sites. Since these two classes of sites cannot be identical, the data favor co-existing Na+-discharge and K+-acceptance sites. Mg2+ may stimulate Na+-ATPase activity by favoring E2-P over E1-P, through occupying intracellular sites distinct from the phosphorylation site or Na+-acceptance sites, perhaps at a coexisting low-affinity substrate site. Among other effects, thimerosal treatment appears to stimulate the Na+-ATPase reaction and lessen Na+-inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase reaction by increasing the efficacy of Na+ in activating E2-P hydrolysis.     

Protective effect of L-cysteine and glutathione on rat brain Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition induced by free radicals

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the preincubation of brain homogenates with L-phenylalanine (Phe), L-cysteine (Cys) or reduced glutathione (GSH) could reverse the free radical effects on Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Two well established systems were used for the production of free radicals: 1) FeSO4 (84 microM) plus ascorbic acid (400 microM) and 2) FeSO4, ascorbic acid and H2O2 (1 mM) for 10 min at 37 degrees C in homogenates of adult rat whole brain. Changes in brain Na+,K+-ATPase activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) were studied in the presence of each system separately, with or without Phe, Cys or GSH. TAS value reflects the amount of free radicals and the capacity of the antioxidant enzymes to limit the free radicals in the homogenate. Na+,K+-ATPase was inhibited by 35-50% and TAS value was decreased by 50-60% by both systems of free radical production. The enzymatic inhibition was completely reversed and TAS value increased by 150-180% when brain homogenates were preincubated with 0.83 mM Cys or GSH. However, this Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition was not affected by 1.80 mM Phe, which produced a 45-50% increase in TAS value. It is suggested that the antioxidant action of Cys and GSH may be due to the binding of free radicals to sulfhydryl groups of the molecule, so that free radicals cannot induce Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition. Moreover, Cys and GSH could regulate towards normal values the neural excitability and metabolic energy production, which may be disturbed by free radical action on Na+,K+-ATPase.     

Exaprolol as a modulator of heart sarcolemmal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Evidence for interaction with an essential sulfhydryl group in the catalytic centre of the enzyme

Beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents may have, in addition to their primary action, also ancillary effects on the cell membrane. In the present paper the non-specific interaction of exaprolol with the ATPase systems in isolated rat heart sarcolemmal membranes was investigated. When preincubated with sarcolemmal membranes in vitro, exaprolol in concentrations below 10(-4) mol.l-1 had no significant effect on sarcolemmal Mg2+-, Ca2+- and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activities. At exaprolol concentration of 10(-4) mol.l-1 the Mg2+- and Ca2+-ATPase activities became inhibited whereas the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity was markedly stimulated. A kinetic analysis of these interactions revealed a non-competitive inhibition of Mg2+- and Ca2+-ATPase. In the case of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase a synergistic type of stimulation characterized by an exaprolol-induced conversion of an essential sulfhydryl group in the active site of the enzyme to the more reactive [S-] form has been observed thus increasing the affinity of the enzyme to ATP. Exaprolol concentrations exceeding 5 X 10(-4) mol.l-1 induced an overall depression of the investigated enzyme activities.     

Influence of pH and sodium on the inhibition of guinea-pig heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by calcium.

The inhibition of guinea-pig heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3) by calcium has been studied at pH 7.4, 6.8 and 6.4. 1. A decrease in pH reduced the threshold inhibitory concentration of calcium and the calcium concentration producing an inhibition of 50% of the enzyme activity. 2. Calcium reduced the apparent affinity of the enzyme of Na+, this effect occurred only at pH 7.4. 3. Calcium increased the apparent affinity of the enzyme for K+, this effect was enhanced at acidic pH. 4. Activation of the enzyme by Na+ for a constant Na+ : K+ ratio has been studied at pH 7.4 and at pH 6.8 in the absence and in the presence of 3.10(-4) M Ca 2+; the results of this experiment indicate that Ca2+ effect at pH 7.4 was not influenced by Na+ -- K+ competition and was probably due to a Na+ -- Ca2+ interaction. 5. At pH 7.4, the calcium inhibitory threshold concentration and the concentration producing 50% inhibition were reduced when Na+ was low; at pH 6.8, the calcium inhibition was not markedly modified by the change of Na+ concentration. 6. The Ca2+ -activated ATPase of myosin B which is related to the contractile behaviour of muscle and the Ca2+ -ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum which is related to the ability of this structure to accumulate calcium were activated in a range of calcium concentration producing an inhibition of (Na2+ + K+) -ATPase. The present results indicate that the increase by acidity of the (Na2+ + K+) -ATPase sensitivity to calcium might be due to a suppression of a Na+ -Ca2+ interaction. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that calcium might inhibit the Na+ -pump during the repolarization phase of the action potential and that, by this effect, it might control cell excitability.     

Mode of inhibition of brain Na+,K+-ATPase by agelasidines and agelasines from a sea sponge

The Na+,K+-ATPase from brain or kidney and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase were inhibited potently by agelasidine C (Agd-C) and agelasine B (Ags-B), the bioactive principles of sea sponge, while Agd-C and Ags-B exerted less potent inhibition of heart Na+,K+-ATPase. The ionized moiety in Agd-C and the long nonpolar side chains in Ags-B play important roles in their inhibitory action. The inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase by Agd-C or Ags-B was virtually reversed by diluting with the inhibitor-free solution. Kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effects of Agd-C and Ags-B indicates that the inhibition of pig brain Na+,K+-ATPase is parabolic and noncompetitive with respect to ATP. This may indicate that the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase results from the binding of two molecules of Agd-C or Ags-B to one enzyme. The sigmoidal behavior (n = 1.3-1.4) in the K+ activation curve for Na+,K+-ATPase was strikingly intensified (n = 2.1) by Agd-C, whereas it was almost eliminated (n = 1.1) by Ags-B. These results suggest that the cooperative interaction between K+-binding sites on the enzyme was dramatically altered.     

The effect of galactose metabolic disorders on rat brain Na+,K+-ATPase activity

To evaluate the effect of galactose metabolic disorders on the brain Na+,K+-ATPase in suckling rats. Separate preincubations of various concentrations (1-16 mM) of the compounds galactose-1-phosphate (Gal-1-P) and galactitol (galtol) with whole brain homogenates at 37 degrees C for 1 h resulted in a dose dependent inhibition of the enzyme whereas the pure enzyme (from porcine cerebral cortex) was stimulated. Glucose-1-phosphate (Glu-1-P) or galactose (Gal) stimulated both rat brain Na+,K+-ATPase and pure enzyme. A mixture of Gal-1-P (2 mM), galtol (2 mM) and Gal (4 mM), concentrations commonly found in untreated patients with classical galactosemia, caused a 35% (p < 0.001) rat brain enzyme inhibition. Additionally, incubation of a mixture of galtol (2 mM) and Gal (1 mM), which is usually observed in galactokinase deficient patients, resulted in a 25% (p < 0.001) brain enzyme inactivation. It is suggested that: a) The indirect inhibition of the brain Na+,K+-ATPase by Gal-1-P should be due to the presence of the epimer Gal and phosphate and that the pure enzyme direct activation by Gal-1-P and Glu-1-P to the presence of phosphate only. b) The observed brain Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitions in the presence of toxic concentrations of Gal-1-P and/or galtol could modulate the neural excitability, the metabolic energy production and the catecholaminergic and serotoninergic system.     

Trifluoperazine inhibition of calmodulin-sensitive Ca2+ -ATPase and calmodulin insensitive (Na+ +K+)- and Mg2+ -ATPase activities of human and rat red blood cells

Trifluoperazine dihydrochloride-induced inhibition of calmodulin-activated Ca2+ -ATPase and calmodulin-insensitive (Na+ +K+)- and Mg2+ -ATPase activities of rat and human red cell lysates and their isolated membranes was studied. Trifluoperazine inhibited both calmodulin-sensitive and calmodulin-insensitive ATPase activities in these systems. The concentration of trifluoperazine required to produce 50% inhibition of calmodulin-sensitive Ca2+ -ATPase was found to be slightly lower than that required to produce the same level of inhibition of other ATPase activities. Drug concentrations which inhibited calmodulin-sensitive ATPase completely, produced significant reduction in calmodulin-insensitive ATPases as well. The data presented in this report suggest that trifluoperazine is slightly selective towards calmodulin-sensitive Ca2+ -ATPase but that it is also capable of inhibiting calmodulin-insensitive (Na+ +K+)-ATPase and Mg2+ -ATPase activities of red cells at relatively low concentrations. Thus the action of the drug is not due entirely to its interaction with calmodulin-mediated processes, and trifluoperazine cannot be assumed to be a selective inhibitor of calmodulin interactions under all circumstances.     

Inhibition of rat brain microsomal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase by periodic acid

The effects of mild periodate exposure on the kinetics of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase were studied using rat cerebral microsome preparations. Fifty percent inhibition of both enzyme activities was attained near 3 microM periodate concentrations. This inhibition was biphasic with time. Mg2+-ATPase and Mg2+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities were much less inhibited by periodate. Periodate inhibition was partially reversed by dimercaprol and dithiothreitol but not by diffusion. The possible reaction products formic acid, formaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, and acetaldehyde had no inhibitory effects in similar concentrations. Periodate exposure produced no detectable changes in the activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by Na+, K+, Mg2+, or ATP. Residues shared by both (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase are both critical to hydrolytic function and sensitive to mild oxidation by periodate.