(Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in enriched sarcolemma from dog heart

An enriched fraction of plasma membranes was prepared from canine ventricle by a process which involved thorough disruption of membranes by vigorous homogenization in dilute suspension, sedimentation of contractile proteins and mitochondria at $\text{3000 × g}$ followed by sedimentation of a microsomal fraction at $\text{200 000 × g}$. The microsomal suspension was then fractionated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Particles migrating in the density range 1.0591–1.1083 were characterized by ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ activity and [³H]ouabain binding as being enriched in sarcolemma and were comprised of nonaggregated vesicles of diameter approx. 0.1 μm. These fractions contained $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ which appeared endogenous to the sarcolemma. The enzyme was solubilized using Triton X-100 and 1 M KCl and partially purified. Optimal Ca²⁺ concentration for enzyme activity was 5–10 μM. Both Na⁺ and K⁺ stimulated enzyme activity. It is suggested that the enzyme may be involved in the outward pumping of Ca²⁺ from the cardiac cell.     

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 [γ-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 $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and alkaline phosphatase. Two Ca²⁺-induced, hydroxylamine-sensitive phosphoproteins are formed in the basal-lateral membrane preparations. They migrate with a molecular radius $\text{M}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>r</mtext>}}$ of about 130 000 and 100 000. The phosphorylation of the 130 kDa protein was stimulated by La³⁺-ions (20 μM) in a similar way as the $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from erythrocytes. The 130 kDa phosphoprotein also comigrated with the erythrocyte $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$. 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 $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$. 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.     

Characterization of partially purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from porcine lens

The partial purification of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from pig lens has been achieved by treatment with deoxycholate followed by density gradient centrifugation. The specific activity of the final preparation, ranging from 300 to 500 nmol/h per mg protein, is increased approx. 100-fold compared to the homogenate. A parallel increase in $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity is also observed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis reveals six major protein bands, one of which is the 93 kDa α subunit of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ which can be phosphorylated by reaction with [γ-³²P]ATP. A second band contains a glycoprotein which displays an apparent molecular weight of 51 000 and thus appears to be the β subunit of the enzyme. The enzyme is sensitive to ouabain with the $\text{I}{}_{50}$ for $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ inhibition being 1.2 and 1.3 μM, respectively. Several agents which inhibit $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from other tissues such as oligomycin, Ca²⁺, vanadate, $\text{N-}\text{ethylmaleimide}$, $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid}$ (PCMBS) and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) also inhibit the lens enzyme. Monovalent cations other than K⁺ are partially effective in activating the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$)-ATPase and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activities. The K⁺ congeners were relatively more effective in supporting $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ compared to $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity. Other kinetic properties of the lens enzyme are also comparable to those of the enzyme from other tissues. Utilizing the partially purified membrane bound enzyme, discontinuities in Arrhenius plots of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity, $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity and fluoresence polarization of the fluidity probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), are observed near the physiological temperature of lens. The possible significance of these observations for the mechanism of cataract formation are discussed.     

A high affinity,calmodulin-responsive (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in isolated bone cells

Although acute alterations in Ca²⁺ fluxes may mediate the skeletal responses to certain humoral agents, the processes subserving those fluxes are not well understood. We have sought evidence for Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase activity in isolated osteoblast-like cells maintained in primary culture. Two Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase components were found in a plasma membrane fraction: a high affinity component (half-saturation constant for Ca²⁺ of 280 nM, $\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}$ of 13.5 nmol/mg per min) and a low affinity component, which was in reality a divalent cation ATPase, since Mg²⁺ could replace Ca²⁺ without loss of activity. The high affinity component exhibited a pH optimum of 7.2 and required Mg²⁺ for full activity. It was unaffected by potassium or sodium chloride, ouabain or sodium azide, but was inhibited by lanthanum and by the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine. This component was prevalent in a subcellular fraction which was also enriched in 5′-nucleotidase and adenylate cyclase activities, suggesting the plasma membrane as its principal location. Osteosarcoma cells, known to resemble osteoblasts in their biological characteristics and responses to bone-seeking hormones, contained similar ATPase activities. Inclusion of purified calmodulin in the assay system caused small non-reproducible increases in the Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase activity of EGTA-washed membranes. Marked, consistent calmodulin stimulation was demonstrated in membranes exposed previously to trifluoperazine and then washed in trifluoperazine-free buffer. These results indicate the presence of a high affinity, calmodulin-sensitive Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase in osteoblast-like bone cells. As one determinant of Ca²⁺ fluxes in bone cells, this enzyme may participate in the hormonal regulation of bone cell function.     

Structural changes in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase accompanying detergent inactivation

Structural changes in the purified $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ accompanying detergent inactivation were investigated by monitoring changes in light scattering, intrinsic protein fluorescence, and tryptophan to β-parinaric acid fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Two phases of inactivation were observed using the non-ionic detergents, digitonin, Lubrol WX and Triton X-100. The rapid phase involves detergent monomer insertion but little change in protein structure or little displacement of closely associated lipids as judged by intrinsic protein fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Lubrol WX and Triton X-100 also caused membrane fragmentation during the rapid phase. The slower phase of inactivation results in a completely inactive enzyme in a particle of 400 000 daltons with 20 mol/mol of associated phospholipid. Fluorescence changes during the course of the slow phase indicate some dissociation of protein-associated lipids and an accompanying protein conformational change. It is concluded that non-parallel inhibition of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphate}$ activity by digitonin (which occurs during the rapid phase of inactivation) is unlikely to require a change in the oligomeric state of the enzyme. It is also concluded that at least 20 mol/mol of tightly associated lipid are necessary for either $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ or $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity and that the rate-limiting step in the slow inactivation phase involves dissociation of an essential lipid.     

Reconstitution of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase into phospholipid vesicles with full recovery of its specific activity

(1) ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from rectal glands of the spiny dogfish has been reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. The nonionic detergent octaethyleneglycoldodecyl monoether (C₁₂E₈) is used to dissolve both the enzyme and the lipids and reconstitution is accomplished by subsequent removal of the detergent by adsorption to polystyrene beads. (2) About 60% of the enzyme incorporates in the right-side-out orientation (r/o). The fraction of molecules in the inside-out orientation (i/o) increases from about 10% to about 30% with a parallel decrease in the fraction of ‘non-oriented’ (n-o) molecules (both sides exposed) when the protein/lipid ratio decreases from 1:10 to 1:75. (3) The orientation of enzyme molecules detected from vanadate binding is the same as measured from activity, i.e., the turnover of the enzyme molecule in the diffrent orientations is the same. (4) The recovery of the specific activity of the incorporated enzyme increases with an increase in the protein/lipid ratio and is 100% with a protein/lipid ration of about 1:20 or higher. Full recovery is only obtained provided a proper lipid composition is chosen which includes both negatively charged phospholipids, preferably phosphatidylinositol, and cholesterol. (5) The ATP-dependent, K⁺-stimulated Na⁺-influx is found to be about 35 μmol Na⁺ per mg (i/o)-protein per min at 22°C in 1:10 protein/lipid liposomes. The specific activity corresponds to 3 Na⁺ transported per ATP molecule hydrolyzed.     

Ligand-dependent reactivity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with showdomycin

Showdomycin inhibited pig brain ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ with pseudo first-order kinetics. The rate of inhibition by showdomycin was examined in the presence of 16 combinations of four ligands, i.e., Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP, and was found to depend on the ligands added. Combinations of ligands were divided into five groups in terms of the magnitude of the rate constant; in the order of decreasing rate constants these were: (1)$\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, (2) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and none, (3) $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{,}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, (4) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{,}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{, (5)}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and ATP. The highest rate was obtained in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP. The apparent concentrations of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP for half-maximum stimulation of inhibition ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>s</mtext>}}$) were 3 mM, 0.13 mM and 4μM, respectively. The rate was unchanged upon further increase in Na⁺ concentration from 140 to 1000 mM. The rates of inhibition could be explained on the basis of the enzyme forms present, including E₁, E₂, ES, E₁-P and E₂-P, i.e., E₂ has higher reactivity with showdomycin than E₁, while E₂-P has almost the same reactivity as E₁-P. We conclude that the reaction of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ proceeds via at least four kinds of enzyme form (E₁, E₂, E₁ · nucleotide and EP), which all have different conformations.     

Annular and non-annular binding sites on the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase

Quenching of the fluorescence of the $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ purified from muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum can be used to measure relative binding constants of hydrophobic compounds to the phospholipid-protein interface. We show that the binding constant for cholesterol is considerably less than that for phosphatidylcholine, so that cholesterol is effectively excluded from the phospholipid annulus around the ATPase. However, dibromocholestan-3β-ol causes quenching of the fluorescence of the ATPase, and so has access to other, non-annular sites. We suggest that these non-annular sites could be at protein/protein interfaces in ATPase oligomers. Oleic acid can bind at the phospholipid/protein interface, although its binding constant is less than that for a phosphatidylcholine, and it can also bind at the postulated non-annular sites. The effects of these compounds on the activity of the ATPase depend on the structure of the phospholipid present in the systems.     

ATP/ADP exchange activity of gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase

The ATP/ADP exchange is shown to be a partial reaction of the $\text{(}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ by the absence of measurable nucleoside diphosphokinase activity and the insensitivity of the reaction to $\text{P}{}^1$, $\text{P}{}^5$ -di(adenosine-5′) pentaphosphate, a myokinase inhibitor. The exchange demonstrates an absolute requirement for Mg²⁺ and is optimal at an ADP/ATP ratio of 2. The high ATP concentration ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}\text{= 116 μ}\text{M}$) required for maximal exchange is interpreted as evidence for the involvement of a low affinity form of nucleotide site. The ATP/ADP exchange is regarded as evidence for an ADP-sensitive form of the phosphoenzyme. In native enzyme, pre-steady state kinetics show that the formation of the phosphoenzyme is partially sensitive to ADP while modification of the enzyme by pretreatment with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) in the absence of Mg²⁺ results in a steady-state phosphoenzyme population, a component of which is ADP sensitive. The ATP/ADP exchange reaction can be either stimulated or inhibited by the presence of K⁺ as a function of pH and Mg²⁺.     

The distribution of (Na++K+)-ATPase along the villus crypt-axis in the rabbit small intestine

The migration of intestinal epithelial cells from the crypts to the tips of villi is associated with progressive cell differentiation. The changes in Na⁺-pump levels during migration have been measured in epithelial cells isolated from rabbit small intestine. A significant proportion of ouabain-sensitive ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ in the cell homogenates was latent but could be unmasked by detergent treatment. Highest detergent activation was observed in villus cells. The distribution of pumping sites was also assessed by measuring ouabain binding to intact cells. The kinetics of specific binding was consistent with the interaction of the cardiac glycoside with a single population of binding sites with an apparent $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}$ of around 10^?7 M. Both enzyme assay and ouabain-binding measurements suggest that a 2–3-fold increase in the number of Na⁺-pumping sites accompanies cell differentiation in rabbit jejunal epithelium. This increase in pumping capacity might be an adaptation of the cells to their absorptive function.     

Inhibition of Ouabain-binding to (Na+ + K+)ATPase by antibody against the catalytic subunit but not by antibody against the glycoprotein subunit

Antibodies against purified ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)}\text{ATPase}$ from the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias, as well as against its catalytic subunit, inhibited ouabain binding by as much as 50%. However, antibodies against the glycoprotein subunit did not inhibit ouabain binding. These data suggest that binding of antibody against the catalytic subunit to the enzyme either covers the ouabain binding site or destroys its conformation, while binding of antibody against the glycoprotein has no such effect.     

Effects of oligomycin and quercetin on the hydrolytic activities of the (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase

Quercetin inhibited a dog kidney ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ preparation without affecting $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ for ATP or $\text{K}{}_{0.5}$ for cation activators, attributable to the slowly-reversible nature of its inhibition. Dimethyl sulfoxide, a selector of E₂ enzyme conformations, blocked this inhibition, while the K⁺-phosphatase activity was at least as sensitive to quercetin as the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity, all consistent with quercetin favoring E₁ conformations of the enzyme. Oligomycin, a rapidly-reversible inhibitor, decreased the $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ for ATP and the $\text{K}{}_{0.5}$ for cation activators, and its inhibition was also diminished by dimethyl sulfoxide. Although oligomycin did not inhibit the K⁺-phosphatase activity under standard assay conditions, a reaction presumably catalyzed by E₂ conformations, its effects are nevertheless accommodated by a quantitative model for that reaction depicting oligomycin as favoring E₁ conformations. The model also accounts quantitatively for effects of both dimethyl sulfoxide and oligomycin on $\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}$, $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ for substrate, and $\text{K}{}_{0.5}$ for K⁺, as well as for stimulation of phosphatase activity by both these reagents at low K⁺ but high Na⁺ concentrations.     

Electrokinetic properties of (Na+, K+)-ATPase vesicles as studied by laser doppler spectroscopy

The technique of laser Doppler electrophoresis was applied for the study of the surface charge properties of (Na⁺,⁺)-ATPase containing microsomal vesicles derived from guinea-pig kidney. The influence of pH, the screening and binding of uni- and divalent cations and the binding of ATP show: (1) one net negative charge per protein unit with a $\text{p}\text{K = 3.9}$; (2) deviation from the Debye relation between surface potential and ionic strength for univalent cations, with no difference in the effect of Na⁺ and K⁺; (3) Mg²⁺ binds with an association constant of $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{= 1.1 · 10}{}^2\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ while ATP binds with an apparent $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>a</mtext>}}\text{= 1.1 · 10}{}^4\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{?2}}$ for 1 mM Nacl, 0.2 mM KCI, 0.1 mM MgCl₂, 0.1 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.3). The binding is weaker at higher Mg²⁺ concentrations. There is no ATP binding in the absence of Mg²⁺. In addition, the average vesicle size derived from the linewidth of the quasi-elastic light scattering spectrum is $\text{203.7 ± 15.2}\text{nm}$. In the presence of ATP a reduction in size is observed.     

Phospholipase A2 from sheep erythrocyte membrane CA2+ dependence and localization

The calcium dependence and the time course of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine degradation by sheep erythrocyte membrane suspensions in presence of Triton X-100 were investigated. One enzyme with phospholipase A₂ specificity was found to be responsible for both phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine degradation.The localization of this enzyme in the membrane of the sheep erythrocyte was investigated by proteolytic treatment of sealed erythrocyte ghosts from the outside and of ghosts which had both sides of the membrane exposed to chymotrypsin. The inability of sealed ghosts to take up chymotrypsin was followed by flux measurements of [¹⁴C]dextran carboxyl previously trapped in the ghosts. No efflux of the marker was found during the proteolytic treatment. By comparing the residual phospholipase activities in the membranes from both ghost preparations, we concluded that the phospholipase is oriented to the exterior of the sheep erythrocyte.     

Purification from brain of an intrinsic membrane protein fraction enriched in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

A microsomal fraction from canine brain gray matter has been extracted with the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate to partially purify the membrane bound $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-stimulated}$ adenosine triphosphatase. Phospholipid, glycolipid, and a family of other glycoproteins are also enriched by the procedure; it is proposed that the product is an intrinsic membrane protein fraction. 6–8-fold purification of $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ is obtained without solubilizing the enzyme and without irreversibly altering its turnover number. Final specific activities are 350–400 μmol of ATP hydrolyzed/h per mg protein. The stimulation and reversible inactivation of the $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ by dodecyl sulfate were examined for information relevant to the mechanism of action of the detergent.     

Regulation of rat brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity by cyclic AMP

The interaction between the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and the adenylate cyclase enzyme systems was examined. Cyclic AMP, but not 5′-AMP, cyclic GMP or 5′-GMP, could inhibit the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ enzyme present in crude rat brain plasma membranes. On the other hand, the cyclic AMP inhibition could not be observed with purified preparations of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ enzyme. Rat brain synaptosomal membranes were prepared and treated with either NaCl or cyclic AMP plus NaCl as described by Corbin, J., Sugden, P., Lincoln, T. and Keely, S. ((1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 3854–3861). This resulted in the dissociation and removal of the catalytic subunit of a membrane-bound cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The decrease in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity was accompanied by an increase in $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity. Exposure of synaptosomal membranes containing the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme to a specific cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor resulted in an increase in $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ enzyme activity. Synaptosomal membranes lacking the catalytic subunit of the cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase did not show this effect. Reconstitution of the solubilized membrane-bound cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, in the presence of a neuronal membrane substrate protein for the activated protein kinase, with a purified preparation of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$, resulted in a decrease in overall $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity in the presence of cyclic AMP. Reconstitution of the protein kinase alone or the substrate protein alone, with the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ has no effect on $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity in the absence or presence of cyclic AMP. Preliminary experiments indicate that, when the activated protein kinase and the substrate protein were reconstituted with the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ enzyme, there appeared to be a decrease in the Na⁺-dependent phosphorylation of the Na⁺-ATPase enzyme, while the K⁺-dependent dephosphorylation of the $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ was unaffected.     

t-Butyl hydroperoxide-induced changes in the physicochemical properties of human erythrocytes

Treatment of human erythrocytes with micromolar concentrations of $\text{t-}\text{butyl}$ hydroperoxide causes a variety of changes in the physical properties of the cells. Red cells exposed to concentrations of $\text{t-}\text{butyl}$ hydroperoxide of less than 750 μM for 15 min exhibited significant decreases in cellular and membrane deformability, increases in membrane-associated protein crosslinking, osmotic fragility and the viscosity of the intracellular hemoglobin solution. No changes in the volume or density of the cells were observed. Changes in cellular deformability are probably attributable solely to changes in the mechanical properties of the cell membrane. Conversely, when red cells are exposed to $\text{t-}\text{butyl}$ hydroperoxide concentrations in excess of 750 μM for 15 min they exhibited decreases in cellular deformability which may be related to increases in cell volume as well as membrane rigidity.