H-ATPase Activity from Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris: II. H/ATP Stoichiometry of an Anion-Sensitive H-ATPase

The H⁺/ATP stoichiometry was determined for an anion-sensitive H⁺-ATPase in membrane vesicles believed to be derived from tonoplast. Initial rates of proton influx were measured by monitoring the alkalinization of a weakly buffered medium (pH 6.13) following the addition of ATP to a suspension of membrane vesicles of Beta vulgaris L. Initial rates of ATP hydrolysis were measured in an assay where ATP hydrolysis is coupled to NADH oxidation and monitored spectrophotometrically (A₃₄₀) or by monitoring the release of ³²P from [γ-³²P]ATP. Inasmuch as this anion-sensitive H⁺-ATPase is strongly inhibited by NO₃⁻, initial rates of H⁺ influx and ATP hydrolysis were measured in the absence and presence of NO₃⁻ to account for ATPase activity not involved in H⁺ transport. The NO₃⁻-sensitive activities were calculated and used to estimate the ratio of H⁺ transported to ATP hydrolyzed. These measurements resulted in an estimate of the H⁺/ATP stoichiometry of 1.96 ± 0.14 suggesting that the actual stoichiometry is 2 H⁺ transported per ATP hydrolyzed. When compared with the reported values of the electrochemical potential gradient for H⁺ across the tonoplast measured in vivo, our result suggests that the H⁺-ATPase does not operate near equilibrium but is regulated by cellular factors other than energy supply.     

H-ATPase Activity from Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris: IV. N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide Binding and Inhibition of the Plasma Membrane H-ATPase

The molecular weight and isoelectric point of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase from red beet storage tissue were determined using N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) and a H⁺-ATPase antibody. When plasma membrane vesicles were incubated with 20 micromolar [¹⁴C]-DCCD at 0°C, a single 97,000 dalton protein was visualized on a fluorograph of a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. A close correlation between [¹⁴C]DCCD labeling of the 97,000 dalton protein and the extent of ATPase inhibition over a range of DCCD concentration suggests that this 97,000 dalton protein is a component of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase. An antibody raised against the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase of Neurospora crassa cross-reacted with the 97,000 dalton DCCD-binding protein, further supporting the identity of this protein. Immunoblots of two-dimensional gels of red beet plasma membrane vesicles indicated the isoelectric point of the H⁺-ATPase to be 6.5.     

H-ATPase Activity from Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris: III. Modulation of ATPase Activity by Reaction Substrates and Products

Two distinct membrane fractions containing H⁺-ATPase activity were prepared from red beet. One fraction contained a H⁺-ATPase activity that was inhibited by NO₃⁻ while the other contained a H⁺-ATPase inhibited by vanadate. We have previously proposed that these H⁺-ATPases are associated with tonoplast (NO₃⁻-sensitive) and plasma membrane (vanadate-sensitive), respectively. Both ATPase were examined to determine to what extent their activity was influenced by variations in the concentration of ATPase substrates and products. The substrate for both ATPase was MgATP²⁻, and Mg²⁺ concentrations in excess of ATP had only a slight inhibitory effect on either ATPase. Both ATPases were inhibited by free ATP (i.e. ATP concentrations in excess of Mg²⁺) and ADP but not by AMP. The plasma membrane ATPase was more sensitive than the tonoplast ATPase to free ATP and the tonoplast ATPase was more sensitive than the plasma membrane ATPase to ADP.

Inhibition of both ATPases by free ATP was complex. Inhibition of the plasma membrane ATPase by ADP was competitive whereas the tonoplast ATPase demonstrated a sigmoidal dependence on MgATP²⁻ in the presence of ADP. Inorganic phosphate moderately inhibited both ATPases in a noncompetitive manner.

Calcium inhibited the plasma membrane but not the tonoplast ATPase, apparently by a direct interaction with the ATPase rather than by disrupting the MgATP²⁻ complex.

The sensitivity of both ATPases to ADP suggests that under conditions of restricted energy supply H⁺-ATPase activity may be reduced by increases in ADP levels rather than by decreases in ATP levels per se. The sensitivity of both ATPases to ADP and free ATP suggests that modulation of cytoplasmic Mg²⁺ could modulate ATPase activity at both the tonoplast and plasma membrane.

     

Transport Properties of the Tomato Fruit Tonoplast : I. Identification and Characterization of an Anion-Sensitive H-ATPase

An anion-sensitive H⁺-translocating ATPase was identified in membrane vesicles isolated from mature green tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit. The H⁺-ATPase was associated with a low density membrane population having a peak density of 1.11 grams per cubic centimeter, and its activity was inhibited by NO₃⁻, N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and diethylstilbestrol but not by vanadate, azide, molybdate, or oligomycin. This H⁺-ATPase has an unusual pH dependence indicating both a slightly acidic and a near neutral peak of activity. Chloride was found to be a potent stimulator of ATPase activity. The K_m for the H⁺-ATPase was approximately 0.8 millimolar ATP. The characteristics of this H⁺-ATPase are very similar to those described for a number of plant cell tonoplast H⁺-ATPases suggesting that the activity identified in tomato fruit membranes is tonoplast-associated. This report demonstrates the feasibility of isolating tonoplast vesicles from acidic fruit tissues for studies of transport activities associated with fruit development and maturation.     

Water Flow in Beta vulgaris Storage Tissue

The relative magnitudes of the hydraulic resistances, water capacities, and water potential equilibration time constants for the single cell, for the apoplast, and for the symplast in higher plant tissue are assessed. Swelling of beetroot (Beta vulgaris, var. `Detroit Red') storage tissue sections in pure water is measured using a displacement transducer. This method of measurement avoids the difficulty of solute diffusion in the apoplast. Theoretical analysis of the experimental results shows that the main path of water flow into the tissue is the apoplast rather than the symplast, that the main resistance to water flow into the cells is usually the cell membrane rather than the apoplast, but that in some cases the apoplast resistance and water capacity can contribute significantly to the water potential equilibration time constant of the tissue.     

Determination of H/ATP Stoichiometry for the Plasma Membrane H-ATPase from Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Storage Tissue

The H⁺/ATP stoichiometry was determined for the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase from red beet (Beta vulgaris L., var Detroit Dark Red) storage tissue associated with native vesicles. The determination of H⁺/ATP stoichiometry utilized a kinetic approach where rates of H⁺ influx, estimated by three different methods, were compared to rates of ATP hydrolysis measured by the coupled enzyme assay under identical conditions. These methods for estimating H⁺ influx were based upon either determining the initial rate of alkalinization of the external medium from pH 6.13, measuring the rate of vesicle H⁺ leakage from a steadystate pH gradient after stopping the H⁺-ATPase or utilizing a mathematical model which describes the net transport of H⁺ at any given point in time. When the rate of H⁺ influx estimated by each of these methods was compared to the rate of ATP hydrolysis, a H⁺/ATP stoichiometry of about 1 was observed. In consideration of the maximum free energy available from ATP hydrolysis (ΔG_atp), this value for H⁺/ATP stoichiometry is sufficient to account for the magnitude of the proton electrochemical gradient observed across the plasma membrane in vivo.     

Isolation of Vacuoles from Root Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris L

Morphologically intact and osmotically active vacuoles were isolated from root storage tissue of the red beet Beta vulgaris L., and the factors influencing both yield and stability of the vacuoles were determined. Successful isolation depended upon slicing the tissue in an apparatus specifically designed to cut open plant cells without the use of high shear forces and to liberate cellular organelles into an undisturbed reservoir of osmoticum. The resulting brei was centrifuged at 2,000g for 10 min to yield a pellet which contained many vacuoles but which also contained tissue fragments, nuclei, mitochondria, and plastids. The vacuoles were further purified by accelerated flotation through a Metrizamide step gradient. Biochemical assays, light microscopy, and electron microscopy confirmed that there was only trace contamination of the final vacuole preparation by other organelles. Isolated vacuoles were intact and retained their in vivo coloration.     

Characterization of glutamine-synthetase from Beta vulgaris

Glutamine-synthetase (GS) from Beta vulgaris seedlings, purified 150-fold, was characterized with regard to its physiological substrate NH₃. The data were compared to the unphysiological substrate NH₂−OH frequently used in the assay (both synthetase and transferase reaction). The pH-optimum was found at pH 7.5 for the synthetase and at pH 6.3 for the transferase reaction. Through plots of pKm vs pH, the pKe values for dissociable groups in the reaction center were found to be in the range from pH 7–8. Mg²⁺-ion serves as an allosteric effector with a Hill coefficient of 4.2. The results are discussed in relation to the control of nitrogen metabolism in Beta .     

Calcium Transport in Sealed Vesicles from Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Storage Tissue : I. Characterization of a Ca-Pumping ATPase Associated with the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Calcium transport was examined in microsomal membrane vesicles from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue using chlorotetracycline as a fluorescent probe. This probe demonstrates an increase in fluorescence corresponding to calcium accumulation within the vesicles which can be collapsed by the addition of the calcium ionophore A23187. Calcium uptake in the microsomal vesicles was ATP dependent and completely inhibited by orthovanadate. Centrifugation of the microsomal membrane fraction on a linear 15 to 45% (w/w) sucrose density gradient revealed the presence of a single peak of calcium uptake which comigrated with the marker for endoplasmic reticulum. The calcium transport system associated with endoplasmic reticulum vesicles was then further characterized in fractions produced by centrifugation on discontinous sucrose density gradients. Calcium transport was insensitive to carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone indicating the presence of a primary transport system directly linked to ATP utilization. The endoplasmic reticulum vesicles contained an ATPase activity that was calcium dependent and further stimulated by A23187 (Ca(2+), A23187 stimulated-ATPase). Both calcium uptake and Ca(2+), A23187 stimulated ATPase demonstrated similar properties with respect to pH optimum, inhibitor sensitivity, substrate specificity, and substrate kinetics. Treatment of the red beet endoplasmic reticulum vesicles with [gamma-(32)P]-ATP over short time intervals revealed the presence of a rapidly turning over 96 kilodalton radioactive peptide possibly representing a phosphorylated intermediate of this endoplasmic reticulum associated ATPase. It is proposed that this ATPase activity may represent the enzymic machinery responsible for mediating primary calcium transport in the endoplasmic reticulum linked to ATP utilization.     

Na/H Antiport in Isolated Tonoplast Vesicles from Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris

The pH-dependent fluorescence quenching of acridine orange was used to study the Na⁺- and K⁺-dependent H⁺ fluxes in tonoplast vesicles isolated from storage tissue of red beet and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). The Na⁺-dependent H⁺ flux across the tonoplast membrane could be resolved into two components: (a) a membrane potential-mediated flux through conductive pathways; and (b) an electroneutral flux which showed Michaelis-Menten kinetics relationship to Na⁺ concentration and was competitively inhibited by amiloride (K_i = 0.1 millimolar). The potential-dependent component of H⁺ flux showed an approximately linear dependence on Na⁺ concentration. In contrast, the K⁺-dependent H⁺ flux apparently consisted of a single component which showed an approximately linear dependence on K⁺ concentration, and was insensitive to amiloride. Based on the Na⁺- and K⁺-dependent H⁺ fluxes, the passive permeability of the vesicle preparation to Na⁺ was about half of that to K⁺.

The apparent K_m for Na⁺ of the electroneutral Na⁺/H⁺ exchange varied by more than 3-fold (7.5-26.5 millimolar) when the internal and external pH values were changed in parallel. The results suggest a simple kinetic model for the operation of the Na⁺/H⁺ antiport which can account for the estimated in vivo accumulation ratio for Na⁺ into the vacuole.

     

Calcium Transport in Sealed Vesicles from Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Storage Tissue : II. Characterization of Ca Uptake into Plasma Membrane Vesicles

Calcium uptake was examined in sealed plasma membrane vesicles isolated from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue using (45)Ca(2+). Uptake of (45)Ca(2+) by the vesicles was ATP-dependent and radiotracer accumulated by the vesicles could be released by the addition of the calcium ionophore A23187. The uptake was stimulated by gramicidin D but slightly inhibited by carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. Although the latter result might suggest some degree of indirect coupling of (45)Ca(2+) uptake to ATP utilization via deltamuH(+), no evidence for a secondary H(+)/Ca(2+) antiport in this vesicle system could be found. Following the imposition of an acid-interior pH gradient, proton efflux from the vesicle was not enhanced by the addition of Ca(2+) and an imposed pH gradient could not drive (45)Ca(2+) uptake. Optimal uptake of (45)Ca(2+) occurred broadly between pH 7.0 and 7.5 and the transport was inhibited by orthovanadate, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and diethylstilbestrol but insensitive to nitrate and azide. The dependence of (45)Ca(2+) uptake on both calcium and Mg:ATP concentration demonstrated saturation kinetics with K(m) values of 6 micromolar and 0.37 millimolar, respectively. While ATP was the preferred substrate for driving (45)Ca(2+) uptake, GTP could drive transport at about 50% of the level observed for ATP. The results of this study demonstrate the presence of a unique primary calcium transport system associated with the plasma membrane which could drive calcium efflux from the plant cell.     

Syringomycin-Stimulated Phosphorylation of the Plasma Membrane H-ATPase from Red Beet Storage Tissue

The syringomycin-stimulated in vitro protein phosphorylation of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue was investigated. Peptides representing the H⁺-ATPase N and C termini and nucleotide binding site (P-2, P-3, and P-1, respectively) were synthesized, and rabbit antisera against each were produced. In western immunoblots of purified plasma membranes, these antisera immunoreacted with the 100-kilodalton polypeptide of the H⁺-ATPase and with other smaller polypeptides. The smaller polypeptides appeared to be degraded forms of the intact 100-kilodalton polypeptide. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that plasma membranes treated with syringomycin had increased protein phosphorylation rates of the 100-kilodalton polypeptide. Optimal phosphorylation levels were achieved with 25 micromolar free Ca²⁺. Phosphoserine and phosphothreonine were detected in the immunoprecipitates. Washed immunoprecipitates generated with anti-P-1 possessed protein phosphorylation activity. This immunoprecipitate activity was not stimulated by syringomycin, but it was inhibited when plasma membranes were treated with sodium deoxycholate before immunoprecipitation. The findings show that syringomycin stimulates the phosphorylation of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase and that specific protein kinase(s) are probably associated with the enzyme.     

Kinetics of Ca/H Antiport in Isolated Tonoplast Vesicles from Storage Tissue of Beta vulgaris L

Artificial pH gradients across tonoplast vesicles isolated from storage tissue of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) were used to study the kinetics of a Ca²⁺/H⁺ antiport across this membrane. Ca²⁺-dependent H⁺ fluxes were measured by the pH-dependent fluorescence quenching of acridine orange. ΔpH-dependent Ca²⁺ influx was measured radiometrically. Both H⁺ efflux and Ca²⁺ influx displayed saturation kinetics and an identical dependence on external calcium with apparent K_m values of 43.9 and 41.7 micromolar, respectively. Calcium influx was unaffected by an excess of Mg²⁺ but was inhibited by La³⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The apparent K_m for external calcium was greatly affected (5-fold) by internal pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5 and a transmembrane effect of internal proton binding on the affinity for external calcium is suggested.     

Phosphorylation by Inorganic Phosphate of the Plasma Membrane H-ATPase from Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The phosphorylation of plasma membrane proteins from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) by radioactive inorganic phosphate was studied. Only few proteins were phosphorylated, among them was one polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of about 100,000. The phosphorylation of this protein was decreased when orthovanadate was present in the reaction mixture, or when the phosphorylated protein was treated with hydroxylamine. These facts suggest that this protein is a transport ATPase which is phosphorylated in a carboxyl group during the catalytic cycle. This protein was identified immunologically as the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase. The phosphorylation level of this enzyme was enhanced by dimethyl sulfoxide, whereas potassium ions did not have a significant effect on this level unless ATP was present. ATP stimulated the phosphorylation by inorganic phosphate. This stimulation was more apparent in the presence of potassium ions.     

Mechanism of Stimulation and Inhibition of Tonoplast H-ATPase of Beta vulgaris by Chloride and Nitrate

The H⁺-ATPase of tonoplast vesicles isolated from red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) storage tissue was studied with respect to the kinetic effects of Cl⁻ and NO₃⁻. N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM) was employed as a probe to investigate substrate binding and gross conformational changes of the enzyme. Chloride decreased the K_m of the enzyme for ATP but caused relatively little alteration of the V_max. Nitrate increased K_m only. Michaelis-Menten kinetics applied throughout with respect to ATP concentration. Nitrate yielded similar kinetics of inhibition in both the presence and absence of Cl⁻. Other monovalent anions that specifically increased the K_m of the ATPase for ATP were, in order of increasing K_i, SCN⁻, ClO₄⁻, and ClO₃⁻. Sulfate, although inhibitory, manifested noncompetitive kinetics with respect to ATP concentration. ADP, like NO₃⁻, was a competitive inhibitor of the ATPase but ADP and NO₃⁻ did not interact cooperatively nor did either interfere with the inhibitory action of the other. It is concluded that NO₃⁻ does not show competitive kinetics because of its stereochemical similarity to the terminal phosphoryl group of ATP. NEM was an irreversible inhibitor of the tonoplast ATPase. Both Mg·ADP and Mg·ATP protected the enzyme from inactivation by NEM but Mg·ADP was the more potent of the two. Chloride and NO₃⁻ exerted little or no effect on the protective actions of Mg·ADP and Mg·ATP suggesting that neither Cl⁻ nor NO₃⁻ are involved in substrate binding.     

Effects of Inorganic Phosphate on the Plasma Membrane H-ATPase from Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The effects of inorganic phosphate on the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) were studied. ATPase activity was inhibited weakly and noncompetitively by phosphate. This anion also relieved the inhibition caused by vanadate by displacing it from the enzyme. From this effect, a dissociation constant for phosphate of 25 millimolar and an extrapolated activity at infinite phosphate concentration of 84% of the activity without inhibitors were calculated. The partial inhibition by phosphate indicates the existence of a catalytically active enzyme-phosphate complex. In the presence of 24% dimethylsulfoxide, the inhibition of ATPase activity by phosphate is much greater than in its absence. This suggests that the active enzyme-phosphate complex could be converted into a covalent phosphoenzyme through a dehydration promoted by the low water activity of the medium. The inhibitory ability of phosphate in 24% dimethylsulfoxide was dependent on the presence of potassium. Potassium ions increased both the affinity for phosphate and the inhibition caused by an infinite phosphate concentration, suggesting that potassium stimulates both phosphate binding and phosphoenzyme formation.     

CHAPS Solubilization and Functional Reconstitution of beta-Glucan Synthase from Red Beet Root (Beta vulgaris L.) Storage Tissue

A method for the solubilization and reconstitution of red beet (1,3)-β-d-glucan synthase with the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS) was developed. Glucan synthase was effectively solubilized from microsomal or plasma membranes by 0.6% CHAPS in the presence of EGTA and EDTA. Chelators were found essential for effective solubilization and divalent cations inhibitory. A preextraction of membranes with 0.3% CHAPS and 5 millimolar Mg²⁺ prior to the solubilization step was found to remove protein contaminants and increase the specific activity of the solubilized enzyme. Conditions for recovering activity from Sepharose 4B gel filtration columns were defined. Addition of phospholipids and low levels of CHAPS in column elution buffers resulted in complete functional reconstitution with 100% recovery of added activity. Specific activities were increased 20- to 22-fold over microsomes. Active vesicles were recovered by centrifugation. These results provide independent and direct confirmation of the enzyme's requirement for a phospholipid environment.     

Invertase Development in Storage Tissue 4Beta vulgaris; its Nature, Extent, and Location

The development of invertase activity in storage tissue disksof Beta vulgaris during ageing under aseptic conditions hasbeen studied. The invertase is formed initially in the cellwall and subsequently appears in the cytoplasm. In disks upto 1.0 mm thick, invertase is formed throughout the tissue,but in thicker disks only limited activity appears in the interior.In disks up to 1.0 mm thick, treatment with ethyl acetate priorto enzyme assay increases the measured activity by rendering‘inaccessible’ soluble invertase available to sucrosein the assay medium. In thicker disks, pretreatment with ethylacetate also increases the measured invertase activity by facilitatingsucrose penetration to the centre of the tissue. Osmotic shockaffects invertase activity in the same manner as ethyl acetatetreatment. The significance of these results is discussed inrelation to the induction and development of invertase activityin the disk and in the cell.     

Synthesis of a Vacuolar Acid Invertase in Washed Discs of Storage Root Tissue 11Beta vulgaris L)

The synthesis of acid invertase during washing of red beet storageroots has been investigated using protein synthesis inhibitors,antibiotics, and antibodies raised against the purified invertase.Acid invertase increased during the first 3 d of washing thendecreased, with the rates of both processes dependent on temperature.Concomitantly, acid phosphatase declined throughout this period.Activity gels confirmed the increase in the level of activeinvertase protein. The increase in activity was prevented bycycloheximide, monensin, tunicamycin, and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone.Leakage of betanin was measured and ultrastructural observationsundertaken to ensure these compounds had no non-specific effects.Immunoblotting confirmed the synthesis of a new 65 kDa invertaseduring washing and its subsequent loss. The location of theinvertase was investigated by immunoblotting of proteins invacuoles isolated from fresh and washed storage root discs,and indicated that the invertase is localized in the vacuole.The results are discussed in relation to the synthesis and targetingof invertase during the changes induced by washing. Key words: Acid invertase, Beta vulgaris L., protein synthesis, protein targeting, vacuole     

Purification of an Acid Invertase from Washed Discs of Storage Roots of Red Beet (Beta vulgaris L)

The purification of an acid invertase from washed discs of storageroots of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is described. An overallpurification of 1210-fold was obtained using a combination of(NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, size-exclusion chromatography, ion-exchangechromatography, conA-sepharose chromatography and two roundsof FPLC on Mono Q HR 5/5, the first at pH 7·5, the secondat pH 6·5. The purified enzyme had a specific activityof 206