Influence of deionized water supplemented or not with different ions on prolactin cell activity and osmotic regulation in the goldfish

• 1.1. Goldfish were kept in deionized water (DW), DW + Na⁺ (0.35 mM), DW + K⁺ (0.05 mM), DW + Ca²⁺ (2mM) and DW + Mg²⁺ (0.2 mM). In Ca-free environments, prolactin cells appear unaffected. Stimulated calcium-sensitive cells (pars intermedia) may elaborate a hypercalcemic factor.
• 2.2. Fecal excretion, reduced in all groups, remains noticeable in DW + Ca²⁺
• 3.3. Ionic losses, very low in all groups, are minimal in DW. Supplementation with K⁺ increases Na⁺ loss.
• 4.4. Plasma Na⁺ Ca²⁺, and osmolarity decrease in DW, and still more in DW + K⁺. Ca²⁺' and Mg²⁺ partly suppress hyponatremia.
• 5.5. In goldfish kept in DW and subsequently in DW + Ca²⁺, calcemia increases.

     

The exchange of radioactive cations by somatic and cardiac muscles of the crayfish

• 1.1. Intracellular concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were measured in a somatic muscle and in the heart of the crayfish. The uptake and the efflux of Na²⁴, K⁴², Ca⁴⁵ and of Sr⁸⁹ were also measured.
• 2.2. The initial influx rates of the ions from van Harreveld's solution into resting somatic muscle (in μEq/g cell water/hr) are: K⁺ = 25; Na⁺ = 56; Ca²⁺ = 38. Similar figures were obtained for the heart muscle.
• 3.3. The calculated permeability constants (× 10⁸ cm/sec) are: P_K = 64; P_Na = 30 P_Ca = 10; P_Sr = 1·5.
• 4.4. The stimulation of the muscle fiber leads to an additional Ca²⁺ influx of about 2·8 pEq/cm² fiber surface. The additional Ca²⁺ uptake is sufficient to account for the change in potential on the membrane.
• 5.5. When muscles were immersed in Sr²⁺ solutions, no additional Sr⁸⁹ uptake was found with stimulation. However, there is a high resting Sr⁸⁹ uptake and the muscle in Sr²⁺ has a long refractory period, so a reasonable increase in Sr⁸⁹ uptake would not be detectable.
• 6.6. The results are discussed in relation to the divalent cation mechanism for generating action potentials and to the part played by Ca²⁺ in triggering contraction.

     

Biochemical characterization of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pumping ATPase activity present in the gill cells of Mytilus galloprovincialis LAM

• 1.1. In the plasma membrane of mussel gill cells an ouabain insensitive, Ca²⁺-activated ATPase activity is present. The ATPase has high Ca²⁺ affinity (K_ma = 0.3 μM).
• 2.2. The optimum assay conditions to evaluate the enzymatic activity of the Ca²⁺-stimulated ATPase at 19°C are: 120–300 mM KCl ionic strength, pH 7.0 and 2 mM ATP. As for mammalian enzymes, the Ca²⁺ ATPase activity is stimulated by DTT (0.5–1 mM) and it is inhibited by low concentrations of vanadate (10–50 μM) and -SH inhibitors such as PCMB and PCMBS (10 μM); the enzyme appears to be calmodulin insensitive.
• 3.3. Electrophoretic analyses of plasma membrane proteins demonstrate that: (a) Ca²⁺ at n-μM concentrations is necessary to activate ATP hydrolysis with consequent formation of the enzyme-phosphate complex; (b) the steady state concentration of the phosphorylated intermediate is increased in the presence of La³⁺; (c) the mol. wt of Ca²⁺ ATPase is about 140 kDa.
• 4.4. Low Ca²⁺ concentrations (n-μM) are sufficient to stimulate the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake by plasma membrane inside-out vesicles.
• 5.5. The results indicate that the Ca²⁺ pump present in the gill plasma membranes could be responsible for Ca²⁺ extrusion and therefore involved in maintaining the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration within physiological levels.

     

Activation of gastric mucosal calcium channels by epidermal growth factor

• 1.1. Gastric mucosal calcium channel complex was isolated from the solubilized epithelial cell membranes by affinity chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin.
• 2.2. The complex following labeling with [³H]PN200-110 was reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine vesicles which exhibited active ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake into intravesicular space as evidenced by La³⁺ displacement and osmolarity measurements. The ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake was independent of sodium and potassium gradients indicating the electroneutral nature of the process.
• 3.3. The gastric mucosal channels on epidermal growth factor binding in the presence of ATP responded by an increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation of 55 and 170 kDa subunits of calcium channel.
• 4.4. The phosphorylated channels following reconstitution into vesicles displayed at 48% greater ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake, thus indicating the tyrosine kinase involvement in EGF dependent activation of calcium channel.
• 5.5. The results point towards the importance of epidermal growth factor in the maintenance of gastric mucosal calcium homeostasis.

     

The possibility that Ca2+-ATPase from the plasma membrane-rich fraction of bovine parotid gland is ecto-Ca2+-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase

• 1.1. Parotid plasma membrane nonpump low-affinity Ca²⁺-ATPase, which possesses high-affinity (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ )-ATPase activity, was characterized.
• 2.2. Purified Ca²⁺-ATPase hydrolyzed the nucleoside triphosphates, GTP, ITP, CTP, UTP, TTP (67–93% of ATP) and nucleoside diphosphates, ADP. GDP, IDP, CDP, TDP (12–40% of ATP) but not AMP and p-NPP.
• 3.3. The maximum activities of Ca²⁺- and (Ca²⁺ +Mg²⁺ )-ATPases were obtained in the presence of 1 mM and 0.13 μ M Ca²⁺, respectively.
• 4.4. The K_m values for Ca²⁺ in Ca²⁺- and (Ca²⁺+ Mg²⁺ )-ATPases were 0.2 mM and 22 nM. respectively.
• 5.5. The activities of both Ca²⁺- and (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ )-ATPases were found in the right-side-out-vesicles obtained from the plasma membrane-rich fraction.
• 6.6. These features suggest that Ca²⁺-ATPase is an ecto-Ca²⁺-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase.

     

Calcium-dependent potassium conductance in the photoresponse of a nudibranch mollusk

• 1.1. The response to light of Hermissenda photoreceptors when recorded intracellularly without interference from synaptic and action potentials consisted of three phases: an early depolarization (ED) followed by hyperpolarization (dip) and subsequent depolarization (tail).
• 2.2. The ED and the dip were associated with increased membrane conductance while decreased membrane conductance was involved with the tail.
• 3.3. The dip reversal potential was − 82.1 ± 5.3 mV and its amplitude varied inversely with the log of [K⁺].
• 4.4. Perfusing with agents which block K⁺ current like 4AP, Quinine, Quinidine or injection of TEA eliminated the dip and its associated increased membrane conductance, thus further supporting the role of K⁺ conductance in producing the dip.
• 5.5. The dip was enhanced by increased [Ca²⁺]_o, reduced by decreased [Ca²⁺]_o and abolished together with its associated increased membrane conductance when perfused with either D600, Cd²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, or Co²⁺, which block transmembrane Ca²⁺ current.
• 6.6. The dip and its associated increased membrane conductance were abolished by intracellular injection of EGTA and enhanced by perfusion with Ruthenium red.
• 7.7. Intracellular injection of Ca²⁺ mimicked the dip: membrane conductance was increased and the cell hyperpolarized.
• 8.8. These results indicate that the increase in intracellular [Ca²⁺] is primarily responsible for the light-induced increase of K⁺ conductance during the dip. The possible source of the Ca²⁺ is, at least in part, extracellular due to activation of an inward Ca²⁺ current.

     

Salinity-dependence of the properties of gill (Na++K+-ATPase in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

• 1.1. The expected higher gill (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity in rainbow trout adapted to brackish water (BW) with respect to fresh water (FW) is accompanied by some changes in the enzyme kinetics while the enzyme sensitivity to ouabain is unaffected
• 2.2. Maximal activation is attained under the optimal conditions of 4 mM ATP, 7.5 mM Mg²⁺, 50 mM Na⁺, 2.5 mM K⁺, pH 7.0 in FW, and 3 mM ATP, 10 mM Mg²⁺, 100 mM Na⁺, 10 mM K⁺, pH 7.5 in BW.
• 3.3. The change of the enzyme activation kinetics by Mg²⁺, ATP, Na⁺ and K⁺ from simple saturation in FW to cooperativity in BW and other habitat-dependent variations including the pH alkaline shift in BW are hypothetically related to an adaptive significance to the different environmental salinity.
• 4.4. Gill total lipids and phospholipids are 30% lower in BW than in FW while their ratio is constant; some differences in gill total lipid fatty acid composition between FW and BW do not significantly affect the unsaturation parameters.

     

Ca2+ - and Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in the deoxycholate-treated rat heart sarcolemma

• 1.1. Isolated rat heart sarcolemma was treated with different concentrations of an ionic detergent, deoxycholate (DOC) and ATP hydrolysis in the presence of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ was determined.
• 2.2. Both Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase and Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activities were decreased in the DOC-treated membranes; however, the depression of Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activity was greater than that of Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase.
• 3.3. The differential changes in Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase and Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activities were apparent when incubations with DOC were carried out for different time intervals and at different temperatures.
• 4.4. In DOC-treated preparations, the K_m value for Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase was decreased whereas that for Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase was increased. The half maximal velocities of the Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase and Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase enzyme reactions in the treated preparations were obtained at a DOC: membrane protein ratio of 3.0 and 0.6, respectively.
• 5.5. In the DOC-treated membranes exhibiting the half maximal velocities of enzyme reactions, the K_i value for Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase was drastically reduced but remained unchanged for Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase.
• 6.6. The DOC treatment was associated with a loss of protein as well as phospholipids and resulted in changes in the ultrastructural integrity of the membrane.
• 7.7. Varying degrees of decreases in the activities of sarcolemmal adenylate cyclase. (Na⁻-K⁺)-ATPase. 5'-nucleotidase and calcium binding were seen upon DOC treatment.
• 8.8. The extent of reduction in Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase and Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activities were also different when the membrane was treated with a non-ionic detergent, Lubrol PX.
• 9.9. These data suggest that Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase in heart sarcolemma is more resistant than Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase to detergent treatments and further indicate some differences in the properties of these enzymes.

     

Crayfish retinular cells: Influence of extracellular sodium and calcium upon receptor potential

• 1.1. In crayfish, light stimulation of the retinular cells induces a depolarizing receptor potential.
• 2.2. Experiments were designed to determine the role of Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ on receptor potential during dark And light states.
• 3.3. Depolarization depends on Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ availability to the retinular cell.
• 4.4. Repolarization velocity and response duration depend on extracellular Ca²⁺ availability.
• 5.5. Light adaptation increases receptor potential dependence on calcium and sodium ions.
• 6.6. We analyse these results with respect to other invertebrate photoreceptors.

     

Modulation of the ATP induced [Ca2+]c increase in as-30D hepatoma cells

• 1.1. The regulation of the increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]c) induced by extracellular ATP in AS-30D hepatoma cells was studied.
• 2.2. Homologous desensitization involving the refilling of intracellular calcium pools and the participation of protein kinase C was found.
• 3.3. Isoproterenol, forskolin and dibutyril-cyclic AMP also induced an increase in [Ca²⁺]c.
• 4.4. Interestingly, synergism was found for isoproterenol or forskolin and ATP.
• 5.5. The results suggest that there are two pathways for mobilizing [Ca²⁺] in AS-30D hepatoma cells; one is activated by ATP receptors and the other by cyclic AMP.

     

Calcium uptake in the gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata. The effects of atpase inhibitors

• 1.1. Longitudinally split or completely regenerated branch tips from Leplogorgia virgulata show no differences in calcium uptake between control and ouabain treatments. This indicates that there is no ouabain sensitive Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase involved in calcium uptake.
• 2.2. The tissue fractions of both regenerated and split branch tips show, at certain times, higher calcium uptake than control fractions. In the spicule fractions of these tips calcium uptake decreases in vandate treated specimens.
• 3.3. Pulse-chase experiments show an initial rapid release of calcium from the tips into surrounding seawater.
• 4.4. The results may suggest the presence of outwardly directed calcium pumps on the basal/lateral and apical plasma membranes of the epithelial cells. Outwardly directed calcium pumps may also be envisaged on the cell membranes of scleroblasts. In addition, pumps may move calcium into specific organelles of the scleroblasts en route to the spicule forming vacuoles.
• 5.5. These pumps are likely to be Ca²⁺-ATPase.

     

Behaviour and haemolymphatic ionic composition of the intertidal crab Chasmagnathus granulata dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Decapoda) during emersion

• 1.1. Behavioural observations and haemolymphatic measurements of Na⁺ K⁺ and Ca⁺ were performed in Chasmagnalhus granulata during emersion.
• 2.2. Activity levels were found to be higher during voluntary emersion periods than when the animals were submerged. A lt₅₀ of 39.45 hr was observed when no access to water was allowed.
• 3.3. The Na⁺ and K⁺ and Ca⁺ levels increased during aerial exposure. The Na⁺ and K⁺ levels were restored prior the end of the experimental period. Mechanisms for such regulation are therefore discussed. The Ca²⁺ levels, remaining high during emersion, are probably a result of acid-base balance adjustments.

     

Mg2+-dependent (Na+ + K+)- and Na+-ATPases in the kidneys of the gilthead bream (Sparus auratus L.)

• 1.1. The (Na⁺ + K⁺)- and Na⁺-ATPases, both present in kidney microsomes of Sparus auratus L., have different activities and optimal assay conditions as, in the first of the two stocks of fish used (A), the spec. act. of the former is 51.7 μmol P_i mg prot⁻¹ hr⁻¹ at pH 7.5, 100 mM Na⁺, 10 mM K⁺, 17.5 mM Mg²⁺, 7.5 mM ATP and that of the latter is 6.5 μmol P_i mg prot⁻¹ hr⁻¹ at pH 6.5, 40 mM Na⁺, 4.0 mM Mg²⁺, 2.5 mM ATP.
• 2.2. Ouabain and vanadate specifically inhibit the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase but not the Na⁺-ATPase that is preferentially inhibited by ethacrynic acid.
• 3.3. While the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase is strictly specific for ATP and Na⁺, Na⁺-ATPase can be activated by various monovalent cations and, apart from ATP, hydrolyses CTP, though less efficiently.
• 4.4. The second stock B, subjected to higher salinity than A, shows an acidic shifted Na⁺-ATPase optimal pH, opposed to the stability of that of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase, a decreased (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase and a strikingly depressed Na⁺-ATPase.
• 5.5. The results are compared with literature data and discussed on the basis of the presumptive different roles as well as functional prevalence in various salinities of the two ATPases.

     

Osmolality and electrolyte concentration of hemolymph and the problem of ion and volume regulation of cells in higher insects

• 1.1. The study was carried out on 22 species of insects from 5 orders. The osmolality of their hemolymph varied from 319 to 421 mOsm/kg H₂O, concentration of Na⁺ 4.6 to 118 mM/l, K⁺ 6.3 to 73mM/l, Ca²⁺ 3.6 to 12.9 mM/l, Mg²⁺ 2.3 to 76 mM/l. The most abundant cation in the hemolymph of insects from higher orders is either K⁺ or Mg²⁺.
• 2.2. In the muscles of lower and higher insects K⁺ is usually within 80–120 mM/kg wet wt.
• 3.3. Most Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in hemolymph is bound with protein and low molecular anions, concentration of free Ca²⁺ is 0.9-2.1mM/l Mg²⁺ 3.7–8.0 mM/l.
• 4.4. It is concluded that, in insects, potassium hemolymph, cell volume regulation and accumulation of ions in the cell, are ensured by an increased osmolality of hemolymph due to a high percentage contribution of low molecular organic substances which are retained in the hemolymph due to the absence of filtration apparatus in the Malpighian tubules.

     

High-affinity Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in kidney of euryhaline Gillichthys mirabilis: kinetics,subcellular distribution and effects of salinity

• 1.1. Two components of Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase are observed in kidneys of G. mirabilis. The high-affinity component has a K_0.5Ca of 0.23μM; the low-affinity activity K_0.5Ca is 90–110μM. The high-affinity activity requires Mg²⁺, displays Michaelis-Menten kinetics, has peak activity at 1.2 μM Ca²⁺, and is insensitive to ouabain and Na⁺ azide.
• 2.2. In subcellular fractions, the high-affinity component segregates with Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and is localized predominantly in BLM. The low-affinity component is broadly distributed among membranous organelles, including brush border, and may be equivalent to alkaline phosphatase.
• 3.3. Specific activity of the high-affinity Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase is modestly increased following adaptation of fish to FW, but total renal high-affinity activity is greatest in the hypertrophied kidneys of FW-adapted fish and is least in kidneys of fish adapted to 200% SW.
• 4.4. High-affinity Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase may be associated with active Ca²⁺ transport or with regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration of tubular cells.

     

Aluminium and calcium affect the perivitelline fluid in fish eggs

• 1.1. Microelectrodes have been used to measure K⁺ activities and electrical potential differences between the perivitelline fluid (pvf) of the eggs of pike (Esox lucius) and surrounding water in a range of pH, calcium and aluminium concentrations.
• 2.2. Potential differences between pvf and water are decreased by Ca²⁺ (10⁻³ M) while Al³⁺ (18 × 10⁻⁶ M) reverses the polarity of the potential difference.
• 3.3. K⁺ activities in the pvf of eggs in 10⁻⁴M KCl + 10⁻⁵M NaCl are decreased by Ca²⁺(10⁻³ M).
• 4.4. The results are discussed with reference to ion-exchange theory and chorion permeability.

     

Effects of Na+ and/or K+ on the Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in shrimp (Macrobrachium amazonicum) gill homogenates

• 1.1. Homogenates of gills from the freshwater shrimp M. amazonicum exhibit the following ATPase activities: (i) a basal, Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase; (ii) an ouabain-sensitive, Na⁺ + K⁺-stimulated ATPase; (iii) an ouabain-insensitive, Na⁺-stimulated ATPase; and (iv) an ouabain-insensitive, K⁺-stimulated ATPase.
• 2.2. K⁺ suppresses the Na⁺-stimulated ATPase activity in a mixed-type kind of inhibition, whereas Na⁺ does not exert any noticeable effect on the K⁺-stimulated ATPase activity.
• 3.3. The Na⁺- and the K⁺-stimulated ATPase activities are totally inhibited by 5 mM ethacrynic acid in the incubation medium.
• 4.4. The Na⁺- and the K⁺-stimulated ATPase activities are not expressions of the activation of a Ca-ATPase.
• 5.5. The possible localization and roles of the described ATPases within the gill epithelium are briefly discussed and evaluated.

     

Isolation of chromaffin cell thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ store in light microsomes from bovine adrenal medulla

• 1.1. A subcellular fractionation procedure for bovine adrenal glands was designed with the aim to study the biochemical properties of Ca²⁺ stores in chromaffin cells.
• 2.2. The thapsigargin-sensitive compartment of Ca²⁺ stores was found to be highly enriched in a light microsomal fraction (LMF) on a 15–30% linear sucrose gradient, and was found to be essentially devoid of contamination by plasma, mitochondrial or secretory granule membranes.
• 3.3. A Ca²⁺-pumping ATPase was identified in this LMF as a 97 kDa protein forming an acid-stable, Ca²⁺-dependent, thapsigargin-sensitive phosphorylated intermediate upon incubation with [γ-³²P]ATP, suggesting this protein to represent a SERCA-3 isoform of Ca²⁺ ATPases.
• 4.4. A major 162 kDa protein, previously demonstrated in the isolated chromaffin cells, was enriched in the LMF, distributing on sucrose gradients in parallel with the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca²⁺ uptake.
• 5.5. LMF appears to represent a part of the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca²⁺ store of chromaffin cells, and should be useful for further studies of the store properties at the subcellular and molecular level.

     

Bioelectrical potentials across the mantle epithelium of Achatina fulica

• 1.1. The shell side of the mantle of Achatina fulica is several millivolts positive to the blood side in vitro.
• 2.2. The electrical potential does not depend on Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ or HCO₃⁻ but requires the presence of chloride on the shell side.
• 3.3. The potential difference and short-circuit current ranged from 3.0 to 30.0 mV and 15.0 to 75 μA/cm² with averages at 10m V and 50 μA/cm² respectively.
• 4.4. The electrical gradient is reduced by 2,4-dinitrophenol, thiocyanate and furosemide but not by ouabain, CO₂ or acetozolamide.
• 5.5. It is suggested that the nature and mechanism of electrogenesis in Achatina parallels that of the Helix mantle.

     

A comparison of the effect of alternating current electronarcosis,rectified current electronarcosis and chemical anaesthesia on the blood physiology of the freshwater bream Oreochromis mossambicus (peters)—III. The effect on the plasma electrolytes Ca2+, Na+ and K+ and on the osmotic pressure of the blood

• 1.1. The effects of alternating current electronarcosis, rectified current electronarcosis and chemical anaesthesia (benzocaine hydrochloride) on plasma electrolytes and on the osmotic pressure of the blood of the freshwater bream Oreochromis mossambicus were evaluated.
• 2.2. Plasma Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations and the osmotic pressure of the blood were monitored over a period of 7 days.
• 3.3. The results showed that the different electrolytes respond differently to the different techniques.
• 4.4. Chemical anaesthesia exhibited the least effects on the parameters studied.