Studies on (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase. XLII. Evidence for two classes of essential sulfhydryl groups.

1. Preincubation of purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) preparations from rabbit kidney outer medulla with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) inhibits the (Na+ + 5+)-ATPase and K+-stimulated 4-nitro-phenylphosphatase activities. Phosphorylation of the enzyme by ATP and the Na+-stimulated ATPase activity are inhibited to the same extent as the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, whereas the K+-stimulated 4-nitrophenylphosphatase activity is inhibited much less. 2. Titration with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) in sodium dodecyl sulphate shows the presence of 36 reactive sulfhydryl groups per molecule (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (Mr = 250 000). 3. Treatment with N-ethylmaleimide, resulting in complete inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, leads to modification of 26 sulfhydryl groups, whereas treatment with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) results in modification of 12 sulfhydryl groups under the same conditions. 4. The reaction of N-ethylmaleimide with an essential SH-group is not prevented by previous blocking of sulfhydryl groups with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). 5. These findings indicate the existence of at least two classes of sulfhydryl groups on the enzyme, each containing at least one vital group. The difference between these classes consists in their different reactivity towards 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and N-ethylmaleimide.     

Studies on (Na+ +K+) activated ATPase. XLI. Effects of N-ethylmaleimide on overall and partial reactions.

1. Preincubation with N-ethylmaleimide inhibits the overall activity of highly purified (Na+ +K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) preparations of rabbit kidney outer medulla. 2. This inhibition is decreased by addition of ATP or 4-nitrophenylphosphate under non-phosphorylating conditions, and also by addition of ADP or adenylylimidodiphosphate. 3. N-ethylmaleimide treatment leads to inhibition of K+-stimulated 4-nitrophenylphosphatase activity, Na+-stimulated ATPase activity, and phosphorylation by ATP as well as by inorganic phosphate. These inhibitions strictly parallel that of the overal (Na+ +K+)-ATPase reaction. 4. N-ethylmaleimide lowers the number of sites which are phosphorylated by inorganic phosphate, without affecting the dissociation constant of the enzyme-phosphate complex. 5. N-ethylmaleimide does not affect the relative stimulation by ATP of the K+-stimulated 4-nitrophenylphosphatase activity. 6. These effects of N-ethylmaleimide can be explained as a complete loss of active enzyme, either by reaction of N-ethylmaleimide inside the active center, or by alterations in the quaternary structure through reactions outside the active center.     

Sulphydryl groups of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from rectal glands of Squalus acanthias. Titrations and classification

1. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from rectal glands of Squalus acanthias contains 34 SH groups per mol (Mr 265000). 15 are located on the alpha subunit (Mr 106000) and two on the beta subunit (Mr 40000). The beta subunit also contains one disulphide bridge. 2. The reaction of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with N-ethylmaleimide shows the existence of at least three classes of SH groups. Class I contains two SH groups on each alpha subunit and one on each beta subunit. Reaction of these groups with N-ethylmaleimide in the presence of 40% glycerol or sucrose does not alter the enzyme activity. Class II contains four SH groups on each alpha subunit, and the reaction of these groups with 0.1 mM N-ethylmaleimide in the presence of 150 mM K+ leads to an enzyme species with about 16% activity. The remaining enzyme activity can be completely abolished by reaction with 5-10 mM N-ethylmaleimide, indicating a third class of SH groups (Class III). This pattern of inactivation is different from that of the kidney enzyme, where only one class of SH groups essential to activity is observed. 3. It is also shown that N-ethylmaleimide and DTNB inactivate by reacting with the same Class II SH groups. 4. Spin-labelling of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with a maleimide derivative shows that Class II groups are mostly buried in the membrane, whereas Class I groups are more exposed. It is also shown that spin label bound to the Class I groups can monitor the difference between the Na+- and K+-forms of the enzyme.     

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.     

The effect of micromolar Ca2+ on the activities of the different Na+/K(+)-ATPase isozymes in the rat myometrium.

In the present work we show the existence of two Na+/K(+)-ATPase isozymes in rat myometrial microsomes and suggest that they have different Ca2+ sensitivities. The catalytic subunits (alpha 1, alpha 2) of Na+/K(+)-ATPase were labelled by fluorescein-isothiocyanate and separated by SDS gel electrophoresis. The two isozyme Ca2(+)-sensitivities were studied by comparing the kinetics of Ca2+, strophantidin, ouabain and N-ethylmaleimide inhibitions. Our results indicate that the activity of the high ouabain-sensitive part (alpha 2 type) of Na+/K(+)-ATPase enzyme could only be inhibited by micromolar Ca2+. Furthermore, treatment of the microsomal preparation with 1mM N-ethylmaleimide selectively inactivated the high Ca2+ sensitive isoform of myometrial Na+/K(+)-ATPase.     

Proton transport catalyzed by the sodium pump. Ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity and the phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase in the absence of sodium ions

The possibility that H+ might substitute for Na+ at Na+ sites of Na+,K+-ATPase was studied. Na+,K+-ATPase purified from pig kidney showed ouabain-sensitive K+-dependent ATPase activity in the absence of Na+ at acid pH (H+,K+-ATPase). The specific activity was 1.1 mumol Pi/mg/min at pH 5.7, whereas the specific activity of Na+,K+-ATPase was 14 mumol Pi/mg/min at pH 7.5. The enzyme was phosphorylated from ATP in the absence of Na+ at the acid pH. The initial rate of the phosphorylation was also accelerated at the acid pH in the absence of Na+, and the maximal rate obtained at pH 5.5 without Na+ was 9% of the rate at pH 7.0 with Na+. The phosphoenzyme was sensitive to K+ but almost insensitive to ADP. The phosphoenzyme was sensitive to hydroxylamine treatment and the alpha-subunit of the enzyme was found to be phosphorylated. H+,K+-ATPase was inhibited as effectively as Na+,K+-ATPase by N-ethylmaleimide but was less inhibited by oligomycin or dimethyl sulfoxide. These results indicate that protons have an Na+-like effect on the Na+ sites of Na+,K+-ATPase and suggest that protons can be transported by the sodium pump in place of Na+.     

Localization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, Ca2+ pump and other ATPase activities in cardiac sarcolemma

N-Ethylmaleimide was employed as a surface label for sarcolemmal proteins after demonstrating that it does not penetrate to the intracellular space at concentrations below 1.10(-4) M. The sarcolemmal markers, ouabain-sensitive (Na+ +K+)-ATPase and Na+/Ca2+-exchange activities, were inhibited in N-ethylmaleimide perfused hearts. Intracellular activities such as creatine phosphokinase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and the internal phosphatase site of the Na+ pump (K+-p-nitrophosphatase) were not affected. Almost 20% of the (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ pump were inhibited indicating the localization of a portion of this activity in the sarcolemma. Sarcolemma purified by a recent method (Morcos, N.C. and Drummond, G.I. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 598, 27-39) from N-ethylmaleimide-perfused hearts showed loss of approx. 85% of its (Ca2+ +Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+ pump compared to control hearts. (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ pump activities showed two classes of sensitivity to vanadate ion inhibition. The high vanadate affinity class (K1/2 for inhibition approx. 1.5 microM) may be localized in the sarcolemma and represented approx. 20% of the total inhibitable activity in agreement with estimates from N-ethylmaleimide studies. Sucrose density fractionation indicated that only a small portion of Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase may be associated with the sarcolemma. The major portion of these activities seems to be associated with high density particles.     

ATPase and phosphatase activities from human red cell membranes: I. The effects of N-ethylmaleimide.

In human red cell membranes the sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide of Ca2+-dependent ATPase and phosphatase activities is at least ten times larger than the sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-activated phosphatase activities. All activities are partially protected against N-ethylmaleimide by ATP but not by inorganic phosphate or by p-nitrophenylphosphate. (ii) Protection by ATP of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is impeded by either Na+ or K+ whereas only K+ impedes protection by ATP of K+-activated phosphatase. On the other hand, Na+ or K+ slightly protects Ca2+-dependent activities against N-ethylmaleimide, this effect being independent of ATP. (iii) The sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide of Ca2+-dependent ATPase and phosphatase activities is markedly enhanced by low concentrations of Ca2+. This effect is half-maximal at less than 1 micron Ca2+ and does not require ATP, which suggests that sites with high affinity for Ca2+ exist in the Ca2+-ATPase in the absence of ATP. (IV) Under all conditions tested the response to N-ethylmaleimide of the ATPase and phosphatase activities stimulated by K+ or Na+ in the presence of Ca2+ parallels that of the Ca2+-dependent activities, suggesting that the Ca2+-ATPase system possesses sites at which monovalent cations bind to increase its activity.     

Effects of Systemic Kainic Acid Administration on Regional Na+, K+-ATPase Activity in Rat Brain

Changes in the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase and in the water, Na+, and K+ levels in the parietal cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus were investigated in rats 1, 3, 6, and 24 h following systemic kainic acid injection. An increase in Na+,K+-ATPase activity was observed in all three regions 3 h after the treatment, with a subsequent decrease in enzyme activity. The elevation in Na+,K+-ATPase activity was accompanied by an increase in the Na+ content and a decrease in the K+ content. These changes are presumed to occur because of repeated discharges and excessive prolonged depolarization in response to kainic acid. The decreases in Na+,K+-ATPase activity 6 and 24 h following kainic acid treatment coincide with neuropathological damage and edema formation, mainly in the hippocampus and thalamus.     

Purification of Na+,K+-ATPase expressed in Pichia pastoris reveals an essential role of phospholipid-protein interactions

Na+,K+-ATPase (porcine alpha/his10-beta) has been expressed in Pichia Pastoris, solubilized in n-dodecyl-beta-maltoside and purified to 70-80% purity by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid chromatography combined with size exclusion chromatography. The recombinant protein is inactive if the purification is done without added phospholipids. The neutral phospholipid, dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, preserves Na+,K+-ATPase activity of protein prepared in a Na+-containing medium, but activity is lost in a K+-containing medium. By contrast, the acid phospholipid, dioleoylphosphatidylserine, preserves activity in either Na+- or K+-containing media. In optimal conditions activity is preserved for about 2 weeks at 0 degrees C. Both recombinant Na+,K+-ATPase and native pig kidney Na+,K+-ATPase, dissolved in n-dodecyl-beta-maltoside, appear to be mainly stable monomers (alpha/beta) as judged by size exclusion chromatography and sedimentation velocity. Na+,K+-ATPase activities at 37 degrees C of the size exclusion chromatography-purified recombinant and renal Na+,K+-ATPase are comparable but are lower than that of membrane-bound renal Na+,K+-ATPase. The beta subunit is expressed in Pichia Pastoris as two lightly glycosylated polypeptides and is quantitatively deglycosylated by endoglycosidase-H at 0 degrees C, to a single polypeptide. Deglycosylation inactivates Na+,K+-ATPase prepared with dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, whereas dioleoylphosphatidylserine protects after deglycosylation, and Na+,K+-ATPase activity is preserved. This work demonstrates an essential role of phospholipid interactions with Na+,K+-ATPase, including a direct interaction of dioleoylphosphatidylserine, and possibly another interaction of either the neutral or acid phospholipid. Additional lipid effects are likely. A role for the beta subunit in stabilizing conformations of Na+,K+-ATPase (or H+,K+-ATPase) with occluded K+ ions can also be inferred. Purified recombinant Na+,K+-ATPase could become an important experimental tool for various purposes, including, hopefully, structural work.     

Identification of N-[p-(2-benzimidazolyl)phenyl]maleimide-modified residue participating in dynamic fluorescence changes accompanying Na+,K+-dependent ATP hydrolysis

Na+,K+-ATPase from pig kidney was specifically modified with a sulfhydryl fluorescent reagent, N-[p-(2-benzimidazolyl)phenyl]maleimide (BIPM), by pretreatment of N-ethylmaleimide. The preparation thus obtained retained 100% of initial Na+,K+-ATPase activity and contained 1 BIPM residue/alpha-chain, and it showed almost 2-fold larger fluorescence changes accompanying ATP hydrolysis than the previous preparations which retained 60% of initial activity and contained 3-4 BIPM residues/alpha-chain (Taniguchi, K., Suzuki, K., and Iida, S. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 10659-10667). Extensive trypsin (Sigma type I) treatment of the new preparation produced mainly two different fluorescent peptide peaks in both ion-exchange and reverse-phase chromatography. Amino acid sequence analysis of both peptides showed that they had the same common sequence, Ser-Tyr-X-Pro-Gly-Met-Gly-Val, except that the larger one contained Ala-Leu next to the Val residue. From the comparison of the amino acid sequence deduced from cDNA from sheep kidney (Shull, G. E., Schwartz, A., and Lingrel, J. B. (1985) Nature 316, 691-695), X was shown to correspond to Cys-964 of the alpha-chain in Na+,K+-ATPase. The data suggest that the microenvironment of the BIPM residue covalently bound to the sulfhydryl group of Cys-964 changes accompanying sequential appearance of reaction intermediates of Na+,K+-ATPase.     

Na+-ATPase in the gills of bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The authors evidence a Mg2+ dependent ATPase activity stimulated by Na+ in absence of K+ in bass gill microsomes. As this stimulated ATPase shows different features from "baseline" activity measured in the absence of both Na+ and K+ ions (Mg2+-ATPase) and from 1mM ouabain sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, it has been ascribed to a distinct Na+-ATPase. In the present paper the optimal conditions for bass gill Na+-ATPase assay and the temperature dependence of the enzyme are reported. Moreover the Na+-ATPase appears to be insensitive to 1mM ouabain and 100% inhibited by 2,5mM ethacrynic acid. It is suggested a parallel diffusion of Na+- and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and a possible physiological role of Na+ATPase in osmoregulation.     

An essential arginine residue in the ATP-binding centre of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.

1. Incubation of purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3) from rabbit kidney outer medulla with butanedione in borate buffer leads to reversible inactivation of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. 2. The reaction shows second-outer kinetics, suggesting that modification of a single amino acid residue is involved in the inactivation of the enzyme. 3. The pH dependence of the reaction and the effect of borate ions strongly suggest that modification of an arginine residue is involved. 4. Replacement of Na+ by K+ in the butanedione medium decreases inactivation. 5. ATP, ADP and adenylyl imido diphosphate, particularly in the presence of trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid to complex Mg2+, protect the enzyme very efficiently against inactivation by butanedione. 6. The (Na+ + Mg2+)-dependent phosphorylation capacity of the enzyme is inhibited in the same degree as the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity by butanedione. 7. The K+-stimulated p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity is much less inhibited than the (Na+ + K+)ATPase activity. 8. The ATP stimulation of the K+-stimulated p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity is inhibited by butanedione to the same extent as the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. 9. Modification of sulfhydryl groups with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) protects partially against the inactivating effect of butanedione. 10. The results suggest that an arginine residue is present in the nucleotide binding centre of the enzyme.     

ATPase and phosphatase activities from human red cell membranes. III. Stimulation of K+-activated phosphatase by phospholipase C.

Treatment of red cell membranes with pure phospholipase C inactivates (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and Na+-dependent phosphorylation but increases K+-dependent phosphatase activity. When phospholipase A2 replaces phospholipase C, all activities are lost. Activation of K+-dependent phosphatase by treatment with phospholipase C is caused by an increase in the maximum rate of hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylphosphate and in the maximum activating effect of K+, the apparent affinities for substrate and cofactors being little affected. After phospholipase C treatment K+-dependent phosphatase is no longer sensitive to ouabain but becomes more sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide. In treated membranes Na+ partially replaces K+ as an activator of the phosphatase. Although ATP still inhibits phosphatase activity, neither ATP, nor ATP+Na+ are able to modify the apparent affinity for K+ of K+-dependent phosphatase in these membranes.     

Mechanism of the control of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by long-chain acyl coenzyme A

Long-chain fatty acid esters of CoA activate (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (the sodium pump) when ATP is suboptimal. To explore the nature of the interactions of these CoA derivatives with the pump, reversible effects of palmitoyl-CoA on the purified membrane-bound kidney enzyme were studied under conditions where interference from the irreversible membrane-damaging effect of the compound was ruled out. With 50 microM ATP, while saturating palmitoyl-CoA increased (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, it caused partial inhibition of Na+-ATPase activity without affecting the steady-state level of the phosphoenzyme. Palmitoyl-CoA did not change the K0.5 of ATP for Na+-ATPase, but it altered the complex Na+ activation curve to suggest the antagonism of the low-affinity, but not the high-affinity, Na+ sites. At a low ATP concentration (0.5 microM), K+ inhibited Na+-ATPase as expected. In the presence of palmitoyl-CoA and 0.5 microM ATP, however, K+ became an activator, as it is at high ATP concentrations. The activating effect of palmitoyl-CoA on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity was reduced with increasing pH (6.5-8.5), but its inhibitory effect on Na+-ATPase was not altered in this pH range. The data show two distinct actions of palmitoyl-CoA: 1) blockade of the extracellular "allosteric" Na+ sites whose exact role in the control of the pump is yet to be determined, and 2) activation of the pump through increased rate of K+ deocclusion. Since in their latter action the fatty acid esters of CoA are far more effective than ATP at a low-affinity regulatory site, we suggest that these CoA derivatives may be the physiological ligands of this regulatory site of the pump.     

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.     

Ouabain-insensitive Na+ stimulation of a microsomal Mg2+ -ATPase in gills of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

Bass gill microsomal preparations contain a Mg2+-dependent Na+-stimulated ATPase activity in the absence of K+, whose characteristics are compared with those of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of the same preparations. The activity at 30 degrees C is 11.3 mumol Pi X mg-1 protein X hr-1 under optimal conditions (5 mM MgATP, 75 mM Na+, 75 mM HEPES, pH 6.0) and exhibits a lower pH optimum than the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. The Na+ stimulation of ATPase is only 17% inhibited by 10-3M ouabain and completely abolished by 2.5 mM ethacrinic acid which on the contrary cause, respectively, 100% and 34% inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Both Na+-and (Na+ + K+)-stimulated activities can hydrolyze nucleotides other than ATP in the efficiency order ATP greater than CTP greater than UTP greater than GTP and ATP greater than CTP greater than GPT greater than UTP, respectively. In the presence of 10(-3)M ouabain millimolar concentrations of K+ ion lower the Na+ activation (90% inhibition at 40 mM K+). The Na+-ATPase is less sensitive than (Na+ + K+)-ATPase to the Ca2+ induced inhibition as the former is only 57.5% inhibited by a concentration of 1 X 10(-2)M which completely suppresses the latter. The thermosensitivity follows the order Mg2+--greater than (Na+ + K+)--greater than Na+-ATPase. A similar break of the Arrhenius plot of the three enzymes is found. Only some of these characteristics do coincide with those of a Na+-ATPase described elsewhere. A presumptive physiological role of Na+-ATPase activity in seawater adapted teleost gills is suggested.     

Reductions of Γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate Uptake and (Na++ K+)-ATPase Activity in Brain Slices and Synaptosomes by Arachidonic Acid

Arachidonic acid, a major polyunsaturated fatty acid of membrane phospholipids in the CNS, reduced the high-affinity uptake of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in both rat brain cortical slices and synaptosomes. alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid uptake was not affected. Intrasynaptosomal sodium was increased concomitant with decreased (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in synaptosomal membranes. The reduction of GABA uptake in synaptosomes could be partially reversed by alpha-tocopherol. The inhibition of membrane-bound (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by arachidonic acid was not due to a simple detergent-like action on membranes, since sodium dodecyl sulfate stimulated the sodium pump activity in synaptosomes. These data indicate that arachidonic acid selectively modifies membrane stability and integrity associated with reductions of GABA and glutamate uptake and of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity.     

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.     

Low-affinity Na+ sites on (Na+ +K+)-ATPase modulate inhibition of Na+-ATPase activity by vanadate

Na+-ATPase activity is extremely sensitive to inhibition by vanadate at low Na+ concentrations where Na+ occupies only high-affinity activation sites. Na+ occupies low-affinity activation sites to reverse inhibition of Na+-ATPase and (Na+, K+)-ATPase activities by vanadate. This effect of Na+ is competitive with respect to both vanadate and Mg2+. The apparent affinity of the enzyme for vanadate is markedly increased by K+. The principal effect of K+ may be to displace Na+ from the low-affinity sites at which it activates Na+-ATPase activity.