Na+-independent Mg2+ efflux from Mg2+-loaded human erythrocytes

Net Mg2+ efflux from Mg2+-loaded human erythrocytes was maximal after reincubation in sucrose. Net Mg2+ efflux was not inhibited by furosemide or bumetanide and, therefore, was not performed by the (Na,K,Cl)- or (K,Cl)-cotransport system. A component of net Mg2+ efflux was inhibited by extracellular NaC1, KCl, LiCl, choline Cl and SITS, in analogy to the inhibition of net Cl- and SITS. Therefore, it was concluded that net Mg2+ efflux is dependent on net Cl- efflux for charge compensation. Cl- -dependent net Mg2+ efflux was inhibited by amiloride. Only 10% of the maximal net Mg2+ efflux may depend on extracellular Na+.     

Mg2+ homeostasis: the Mg2+nificent TRPM chanzymes

TRPM6 and TRPM7 are distinct from all other ion channels in that they are composed of linked channel and protein kinase domains. Recent studies demonstrate that these 'chanzymes' are essential for Mg(2+) homeostasis, which is critical for human health and cell viability.     

Characterization of Na+/Mg2+ antiport by simultaneous 28Mg2+ influx

During net Mg2+ efflux from Mg2+-preloaded chicken erythrocytes, which occurs via Na+/Mg2+ antiport, 28Mg2+ is taken up intracellularly. Km of 28Mg2+ influx amounted to 1 mM. In Na+-free medium Vmax of 28Mg2+ influx was increased and Km was reduced to 0.2 mM. 28Mg2+ influx was noncompetitively inhibited by amiloride as was found for Na+/Mg2+ antiport. The results indicate that, extracellularly, Mg2+ can compete with Na+ for common binding sites of the Na+/Mg2+ antiporter, resulting in 28Mg2+-24Mg2+ exchange. The rate of Mg2+ exchange depends on extracellular Na+ and on the rate of net Mg2+ efflux.     

Quantification of Mg2+ extrusion and cytosolic Mg2+-buffering in Xenopus oocytes

Intracellular Mg(2+) buffering and Mg(2+) extrusion were investigated in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mg(2+) or EDTA were pressure injected and the resulting changes in the intracellular Mg(2+) concentration were measured simultaneously with Mg(2+)-selective microelectrodes. In the presence of extracellular Na(+), injected Mg(2+) was extruded from the oocytes with an estimated v(max) and K(M) of 74 pmol cm(-2)s(-1) and 1.28 mM, respectively. To investigate genuine cytosolic Mg(2+) buffering, measurements were carried out in the nominal absence of extracellular Na(+) to block Mg(2+) extrusion, and during the application of CCCP (inhibiting mitochondrial uptake). Under these conditions, Mg(2+) buffering calculated after both MgCl(2) and EDTA injections could be described by a buffer equivalent with a concentration of 9.8mM and an apparent dissociation constant, K(d-app), of 0.6mM together with an [ATP](i) of 0.9 mM with a K(d-app) 0.12 mM. Xenopus oocytes thus possess highly efficient mechanisms to maintain their intracellular Mg(2+) concentration.     

Transmembrane Mg2+ Currents and Intracellular Free Mg2+ Concentration in Paramecium tetraurelia

The properties of Mg²⁺ conductances in Paramecium tetraurelia were investigated under two-electrode voltage clamp. When bathed in physiological Mg²⁺ concentrations (0.5 mm), depolarizing steps from rest elicited a prominent Mg²⁺-specific current (I _Mg) that has been noted previously. The dependence of this current on extracellular Mg²⁺ approximated that of Mg²⁺-induced backward swimming, demonstrating that I _Mg contributes to normal membrane excitation and behavior in this ciliate. Closer analysis revealed that the Mg²⁺ current deactivated biphasically. While this might suggest the involvement of two Mg²⁺-specific pathways, both tail-current components were affected similarly by current-specific mutations and they had similar ion selectivities, suggesting a common pathway. In contrast, a Mg²⁺ current activated upon hyperpolarization could be separated into three components. The first, I _Mg, had similar properties to the current activated upon depolarization. The second was a nonspecific divalent cation current (I _NS) that was revealed following suppression of I _Mg by eccentric mutation. The final current was relatively minor and was revealed following suppression of I _Mg and I _NS by obstinate A gene mutation. Reversal-potential analyses suggested that I _Mg and I _NS define two intracellular compartments that contain, respectively, low (0.4 mm) and high (8 mm) concentrations of Mg²⁺. Measurement of intracellular free Mg²⁺ using the fluorescent dye, Mag-fura-2, suggested that bulk [Mg²⁺] _i rests at around 0.4 mm in Paramecium. Received: 12 January 1998/Revised: 16 March 1998     

Mg2+ efflux is accomplished by an amiloride-sensitive Na+/Mg2+ antiport

Mg2+ efflux from Mg2+-preloaded chicken erythrocytes is caused by an electroneutral Na+/Mg2+ antiport. It depends specifically on extracellular Na+, according to Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km = 25 mM), and is reversibly noncompetitively inhibited by amiloride (Ki = 0.59 mM). In contrast to Na+/H+ antiport, Li+, Ca2+ and N-ethylmaleimide do not interfere with Na+/Mg2+ antiport. The Na+/Mg2+ antiport is driven by the intracellular/extracellular Mg2+ gradient.     

Characterization of Mg2+- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum

The presence of an energy-dependent calcium uptake system in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum (D. E. Bruns, J. M. McDonald, and L. Jarett, 1976, J. Biol. Chem.251, 7191–7197) suggested that this organelle might possess a calcium-stimulated transport ATPase. This report describes two types of ATPase activity in isolated microsomal vesicles: a nonspecific, divalent cation-stimulated ATPase (Mg²⁺-ATPase) of high specific activity, and a specific, calcium-dependent ATPase (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺-ATPase) of relatively low activity. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was present in preparations of mitochondria and plasma membranes as well as microsomes, whereas the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity appeared to be localized in the endoplasmic reticulum component of the microsomal fraction. Characterization of microsomal Mg²⁺-ATPase activity revealed apparent K_m values of 115 μm for ATP, 333 μm for magnesium, and 200 μm for calcium. Maximum Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was obtained with no added calcium and 1 mm magnesium. Potassium was found to inhibit Mg²⁺-ATPase activity at concentrations greater than 100 mm. The energy of activation was calculated from Arrhenius plots to be 8.6 kcal/mol. Maximum activity of microsomal (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase was 13.7 nmol ³²P/mg/min, which represented only 7% of the total ATPase activity. The enzyme was partially purified by treatment of the microsomes with 0.09% deoxycholic acid in 0.15 m KCl which increased the specific activity to 37.7 nmol ³²P/mg/min. Characterization of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in this preparation revealed a biphasic dependence on ATP with a Hill coefficient of 0.80. The apparent K_m^s for magnesium and calcium were 125 and 0.6–1.2 μm, respectively. (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was stimulated by potassium with an apparent K_m of 10 mm and maximum activity reached at 100 mm potassium. The energy of activation was 21.5 kcal/mol. The kinetics and ionic requirements of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase are similar to those of the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum functions as a calcium transport enzyme.     

Mg2+-induced tRNA folding

Mg(2+)-induced folding of yeast tRNA(Phe) was examined at low ionic strength in steady-state and kinetic experiments. By using fluorescent labels attached to tRNA, four conformational transitions were revealed when the Mg(2+) concentration was gradually increased. The last two transitions were not accompanied by changes in the number of base pairs. The observed transitions were attributed to Mg(2+) binding to four distinct types of sites. The first two types are strong sites with K(diss) of 4 and 16 microM. The sites of the third and fourth types are weak with a K(diss) of 2 and 20 mM. Accordingly, the Mg(2+)-binding sites previously classified as "strong" and "weak" can be further subdivided into two subtypes each. Fluorescent transition I is likely to correspond to Mg(2+) binding to a unique strong site selective for Mg(2+); binding to this site causes only minor A(260) change. The transition at 2 mM Mg(2+) is accompanied by substantial conformational changes revealed by probing with ribonucleases T1 and V1 and likely enhances stacking of the tRNA bases. Fast and slow kinetic phases of tRNA refolding were observed. Time-resolved monitoring of Mg(2+) binding to tRNA suggested that the slow kinetic phase was caused by a misfolded tRNA structure formed in the absence of Mg(2+). Our results suggest that, similarly to large RNAs, Mg(2+)-induced tRNA folding exhibits parallel folding pathways and the existence of kinetically trapped intermediates stabilized by Mg(2+). A multistep scheme for Mg(2+)-induced tRNA folding is discussed.     

Mg2+‐dependent gating of bacterial MgtE channel underlies Mg2+ homeostasis

The MgtE family of Mg²⁺ transporters is ubiquitously distributed in all phylogenetic domains. Recent crystal structures of the full‐length MgtE and of its cytosolic domain in the presence and absence of Mg²⁺ suggested a Mg²⁺‐homeostasis mechanism, in which the MgtE cytosolic domain acts as a ‘Mg²⁺ sensor’ to regulate the gating of the ion‐conducting pore in response to the intracellular Mg²⁺ concentration. However, complementary functional analyses to confirm the proposed model have been lacking. Moreover, the limited resolution of the full‐length structure precluded an unambiguous characterization of these regulatory divalent‐cation‐binding sites. Here, we showed that MgtE is a highly Mg²⁺‐selective channel gated by Mg²⁺ and elucidated the Mg²⁺‐dependent gating mechanism of MgtE, using X‐ray crystallographic, genetic, biochemical, and electrophysiological analyses. These structural and functional results have clarified the control of Mg²⁺ homeostasis through cooperative Mg²⁺ binding to the MgtE cytosolic domain.     

Newly developed Mg2+-selective fluorescent probe enables visualization of Mg2+ dynamics in mitochondria

Mg(2+) plays important roles in numerous cellular functions. Mitochondria take part in intracellular Mg(2+) regulation and the Mg(2+) concentration in mitochondria affects the synthesis of ATP. However, there are few methods to observe Mg(2+) in mitochondria in intact cells. Here, we have developed a novel Mg(2+)-selective fluorescent probe, KMG-301, that is functional in mitochondria. This probe changes its fluorescence properties solely depending on the Mg(2+) concentration in mitochondria under physiologically normal conditions. Simultaneous measurements using this probe together with a probe for cytosolic Mg(2+), KMG-104, enabled us to compare the dynamics of Mg(2+) in the cytosol and in mitochondria. With this method, carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP)-induced Mg(2+) mobilization from mitochondria to the cytosol was visualized. Although a FCCP-induced decrease in the Mg(2+) concentration in mitochondria and an increase in the cytosol were observed both in differentiated PC12 cells and in hippocampal neurons, the time-courses of concentration changes varied with cell type. Moreover, the relationship between mitochondrial Mg(2+) and Parkinson's disease was analyzed in a cellular model of Parkinson's disease by using the 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)). A gradual decrease in the Mg(2+) concentration in mitochondria was observed in response to MPP(+) in differentiated PC12 cells. These results indicate that KMG-301 is useful for investigating Mg(2+) dynamics in mitochondria. All animal procedures to obtain neurons from Wistar rats were approved by the ethical committee of Keio University (permit number is 09106-(1)).     

Effects of Mg2+, anions and cations on the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

In a previous paper [Gould, East, Froud, McWhirter, Stefanova & Lee (1986) Biochem. J. 237, 217-227] we presented a kinetic model for the activity of the Ca2+ + Mg2+-activated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Here we extend the model to account for the effects on ATPase activity of Mg2+, cations and anions. We find that Mg2+ concentrations in the millimolar range inhibit ATPase activity, which we attribute to competition between Mg2+ and MgATP for binding to the nucleotide-binding site on the E1 and E2 conformations of the ATPase and on the phosphorylated forms of the ATPase. Competition is also suggested between Mg2+ and MgADP for binding to the phosphorylated form of the ATPase. ATPase activity is increased by low concentrations of K+, Na+ and NH4+, but inhibited by higher concentrations. It is proposed that these effects follow from an increase in the rate of dephosphorylation but a decrease in the rate of the conformational transition E1'PCa2-E2'PCa2 with increasing cation concentration. Li+ and choline+ decrease ATPase activity. Anions also decrease ATPase activity, the effects of I- and SCN- being more marked than that of Cl-. These effects are attributed to binding at the nucleotide-binding site, with a decrease in binding affinity and an increase in 'off' rate constant for the nucleotide.     

TRPM6 forms the Mg2+ influx channel involved in intestinal and renal Mg2+ absorption

Mg2+ is an essential ion involved in a multitude of physiological and biochemical processes and a major constituent of bone tissue. Mg2+ homeostasis in mammals depends on the equilibrium between intestinal Mg2+ absorption and renal Mg2+ excretion, but little is known about the molecular nature of the proteins involved in the transepithelial transport of Mg2+ in these organs. Recently, it was shown that patients with mutations in TRPM6, a member of the transient receptor potential family of cation channels, suffer from hypomagnesemia with secondary hypocalcemia (HSH) as a result of impaired renal and/or intestinal Mg2+ handling. Here, we show that TRPM6 is specifically localized along the apical membrane of the renal distal convoluted tubule and the brush-border membrane of the small intestine, epithelia particularly associated with active Mg2+ (re)absorption. In kidney, parvalbumin and calbindin-D28K, two divalent-binding proteins, are co-expressed with TRPM6 and might function as intracellular Mg2+ buffers in the distal convoluted tubule. Heterologous expression of wild-type TRPM6 but not TRPM6 mutants identified in HSH patients induces a Mg2+- and Ca2+-permeable cation channel tightly regulated by intracellular Mg2+ levels. The TRPM6-induced channel displays strong outward rectification, has a 5-fold higher affinity for Mg2+ than for Ca2+, and is blocked in a voltage-dependent manner by ruthenium red. Our data indicate that TRPM6 comprises all or part of the apical Mg2+ channel of Mg2+-absorbing epithelia.     

Na+/Mg2+ transporter acts as a Mg2+ buffering mechanism in PC12 cells

Mg(2+) buffering mechanisms in PC12 cells were demonstrated with particular focus on the role of the Na(+)/Mg(2+) transporter by using a newly developed Mg(2+) indicator, KMG-20, and also a Na(+) indicator, Sodium Green. Carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP), a protonophore, induced a transient increase in the intracellular Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)](i)). The rate of decrease of [Mg(2+)](i) was slower in a Na(+)-free extracellular medium, suggesting the coupling of Na(+) influx and Mg(2+) efflux. Na(+) influxes were different for normal and imipramine- (a putative inhibitor of the Na(+)/Mg(2+) transporter) containing solutions. FCCP induced a rapid increase in [Na(+)](i) in the normal solution, while the increase was gradual in the imipramine-containing solution. The rate of decrease of [Mg(2+)](i) in the imipramine-containing solution was also slower than that in the normal solution. From these results, we show that the main buffering mechanism for excess Mg(2+) depends on the Na(+)/Mg(2+) transporter in PC12 cells.     

Species-specific Mn2+/Mg2+ antiport from Mg2(+)-loaded erythrocytes.

Mg2(+)-loaded rat erythrocytes performed Mn2+/Mg2+ antiport, which was nonspecifically stimulated by anions and cations. Mn2+/Mg2+ antiport was shown to operate via the Na+/Mg2+ antiporter because extracellular Na+ and Mn2+ inhibited the intracellular uptake of each other's ions competitively. Furthermore, Mn2+/Mg2+ antiport and Na+/Mg2+ antiport were identically inhibited by various amiloride derivatives. Na+/Mg2+ antiport of chicken and human erythrocytes cannot perform Mn2+/Mg2+ antiport although chicken erythrocytes took up more Mn2+ than rat erythrocytes.     

K+-and Mg2+-dependent hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate catalyzed by the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum

The (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum catalyzes the hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate in the presence of Mg²⁺ and EGTA and is stimulated by Ca²⁺. The Mg²⁺-dependent hydrolysis of acetyl phosphate measured in the presence of 6 mM acetyl phosphate, 5mM MgCl₂, and 2 mM EGTA is increased 2-fold by 20% dimethyl sulfoxide. This activity is further stimulated 1.6-fold by the addition of 30 mM KCl. In this condition addition of Ca²⁺ causes no further increase in the rate of hydrolysis and Ca²⁺ uptake is reduced to a low level. In leaky vesicles, hydrolysis continues to be back-inhibited by Ca²⁺ in the millimolar range. Unlike ATP, acetyl phosphate does not inhibit phosphorylation by P_i unless dimethyl sulfoxide is present. The presence of dimethyl sulfoxide also makes it possible to detect P_i inhibition of the Mg²⁺-dependent acetyl phosphate hydrolysis. These results suggest that dimethyl sulfoxide stabilizes a P_i-reactive form of the enzyme in a conformation that exhibits comparable affinities for acetyl phosphate and P_i. In this conformation the enzyme is transformed from a Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase into a (K⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase.     

Mg2+ transport in the kidney

Magnesium is abundant in biological systems and an important divalent cation in the human body. Mg²⁺ helps mediate cellular energy metabolism, ribosomal and membrane integrity. Additionally Mg²⁺ modulates the activity of several membrane transport and signal transduction systems. Despite its importance however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of Mg²⁺ transport and homeostasis in mammals. In mammals the amount of Mg²⁺ absorption is about the same as the amount of Mg²⁺ excretion in urine. Additionally, when total Mg²⁺ intake is deficient, the kidney is capable of reabsorbing all filtered Mg²⁺. This balance between intake and excretion indicates that the kidney plays a principal role in maintenance of total body Mg²⁺ homeostasis. Within the kidney, Mg²⁺ filtered by the glomerulus is handled in different ways along the nephron. About 10–20% of Mg²⁺ is reabsorbed by the proximal tubule. the bulk of Mg²⁺ (about 50–70%) is reabsorbed by the cortical thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. In this region, Mg²⁺ moves across the epithelium through the paracellular pathway, driven by the positive lumenal transepithelial voltage. A recently cloned human gene, paracellin-1 was shown to encode a protein localized to the tight junctions of the cortical thick ascending limb and is thought to mediate Mg²⁺ transport via the paracellular space of this epithelium. The distal convoluted tubule reabsorbs the remaining 5–10% of filtered Mg²⁺. This segment seems to play an important role in determining final urinary excretion, since there is no evidence for significant Mg²⁺ absorption beyond the distal tubule. Although many renal Mg²⁺ transport activities have been characterized, no Mg²⁺ transporter cDNAs have been cloned from mammalian tissues. Recent research has certainly expanded our knowledge of Mg²⁺ transport in kidney; but details of the transport processes and the mechanisms by which they control Mg²⁺ excretion must await cloning of renal Mg²⁺ transporters and/or channels. Such information would provide new concepts in our understanding of renal Mg²⁺ handling.