Specificity of interaction of hexokinase isozyme II with mitochondrial membranes

Study on the mechanism of hexokinase isozyme II adsorption on mitochondrial membranes in the presence of 10 mM MgCl2 demonstrated that 0.16% of the total proteins of the soluble fraction and the total hexokinase pool are capable of reversible binding to the membrane. The plot for the dependence of the degree of enzyme adsorption on Mg2+ concentration is hyperbolic. Under these conditions, hexokinase competes favourably for the binding sites with lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase. Analysis of the adsorption capacity of natural and artificial phospholipid membranes showed that hexokinase isozyme II is adsorbed in much the same way on inner and outer mitochondrial membranes as well as on a mixture of membranes obtained from various sources and on lecithin liposomes. The adsorption properties of hexokinase isozyme II and of its functional analog--isozyme I--point to marked differences in the mechanism of their interaction with the membrane. In contrast with isozyme I, isozyme II of hexokinase undergoes kinetic alterations. Besides, it was found that mild autolysis of isozyme II is accompanied by a loss of the enzyme ability to bind to mitochondrial membranes. The data obtained suggest that the specificity of hexokinase isozyme II adsorption depends on the structural peculiarities of the protein but not on those of the mitochondrial membrane.     

Characterization of the high and low affinity components of the renal Ca2(+)-Mg2+ ATPase

The purpose of this study was to characterize the interrelationship between free calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in the Ca2+ ATPase enzyme cycle of kidney membranes. Experiments were performed with basolateral membranes from rat renal cortex and microdissected proximal and distal tubules from mice. Results were similar in the three types of preparations. We first investigated the effect of ATP concentration on Ca2(+)- and Mg2(+)-dependent ATP hydrolysis. With 0.2 microM Ca2+, the enzyme activity, as a function of ATP concentration, showed two saturable components: a high affinity component with a Km of 33 microM ATP and a low affinity component with a Km of 0.63 mM ATP. These components may represent either two distinct sites of ATP binding or two forms of the same site. For the sake of simplicity, it was assumed that the two components correspond to a high affinity and a low affinity substrate site. At the high affinity site (ATP = 50 microM), the Ca2+ dependence of ATP hydrolysis followed a single Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km for Ca2+ of 0.08 microM. The addition of 1 mM Mg2+ resulted in a relatively constant increase in ATP hydrolysis at all Ca2+ concentrations, indicating that the effects of the two cations were additive. With high ATP concentration (ATP = 3 mM), Ca2+ also induced an ATP hydrolysis according to a saturable process, with a Km for Ca2+ of 0.2 microM. In contrast with what occurred with low concentrations of ATP, addition of millimolar Mg2+ completely curtailed the sensitivity of the enzyme to Ca2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of calcium binding to brush-border membranes from rat duodenum.

The Ca2+-binding properties of isolated brush-border membranes at physiological ionic strength and pH were examined by rapid Millipore filtration. A comprehensive analysis of the binding data suggested the presence of two types of Ca2+-binding sites. The high-affinity sites, Ka = (6.3 +/- 3.3) X 10(5) M-1 (mean +/- S.E.M.), bound 0.8 +/- 0.1 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein and the low-affinity sites, Ka = (2.8 +/- 0.3) X 10(2) M-1, bound 33 +/- 3.5 nmol of Ca2+/mg of protein. The high-affinity site exhibited a selectivity for Ca2+, since high concentrations of competing bivalent cations were required to inhibit Ca2+ binding. The relative effectiveness of the competing cations (1 and 10 mM) for the high-affinity site was Mn2+ approximately equal to Sr2+ greater than Ba2+ greater than Mg2+. Data from the pH studies, treatment of the membranes with carbodi-imide and extraction of phospholipids with aqueous acetone and NH3 provided evidence that the low-affinity sites were primarily phospholipids and the high-affinity sites were either phosphoprotein or protein with associated phospholipid. Two possible roles for the high-affinity binding sites are suggested. Either high-affinity Ca2+ binding is involved with specific enzyme activities or Ca2+ transport across the luminal membrane occurs via a Ca2+ channel which contains a high-affinity Ca2+-specific binding site that may regulate the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and gating of the channel.     

Modulation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by pentobarbital

The dependence of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles upon the concentration of pentobarbital shows a biphasic pattern. Concentrations of pentobarbital ranging from 2 to 8 mM produce a slight stimulation, approximately 20-30%, of the ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles made leaky to Ca2+, whereas pentobarbital concentrations above 10 mM strongly inhibit the activity. The purified ATPase shows a higher sensitivity to pentobarbital, namely 3-4-fold shift towards lower values of the K0.5 value of inhibition by this drug. These effects of pentobarbital are observed over a wide range of ATP concentrations. In addition, this drug shifts the Ca2+ dependence of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity towards higher values of free Ca2+ concentrations and increases several-fold the passive permeability to Ca2+ of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. At the concentrations of pentobarbital that inhibit this enzyme in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, pentobarbital does not significantly alter the order parameter of these membranes as monitored with diphenylhexatriene, whereas the temperature of denaturation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase is decreased by 4-5 C degrees, thus, indicating that the conformation of the ATPase is altered. The effects of pentobarbital on the intensity of the fluorescence of fluorescein-labeled (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum also support the hypothesis of a conformational change in the enzyme induced by millimolar concentrations of this drug. It is concluded that the inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase by pentobarbital is a consequence of its binding to hydrophobic binding sites in this enzyme.     

Divalent cation-induced changes in conformation of protein kinase C

Using physical techniques, circular dichroism and intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence, the binding of divalent cations to soluble protein kinase C and their effects on protein conformation were analyzed. The enzyme copurifies with a significant concentration of endogenous Ca2+ as measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, however, this Ca2+ was insufficient to support enzyme activity. Intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence quenching occurred upon addition to the soluble enzyme of the divalent cations, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+ or Mn2+, which was irreversible and unaffected by monovalent cations (0.5 M NaCl). Far ultraviolet (200-250 nm) circular dichroism spectra provided estimations of secondary structure and demonstrated that the purified enzyme is rich in alpha-helices (42%) suggesting a rather rigid structure. At Ca2+ or Mg2+ concentrations similar to those used for fluorescence quenching, the enzyme undergoes a conformational transition (42-24% alpha-helix, 31-54% random structures) with no significant change in beta-sheet structures (22-26%). Maximal effects on 1 microM enzyme were obtained at 200 microM Ca2+ or 100 microM Mg2+, the divalent cation binding having a higher affinity for Mg2+ than for Ca2+. The Ca2(+)-induced transition was time-dependent, while Mg2+ effects were immediate. In addition, there was no observed energy transfer for protein kinase C with the fluorescent Ca2(+)-binding site probe, terbium(III). This study suggests that divalent cation-induced changes in soluble protein kinase C structure may be an important step in in vitro analyses that has not yet been detected by standard biochemical enzymatic assays.     

Interaction of hexokinase II isoenzyme from rat skeletal muscles with lecithin liposomes

It was found that in the presence of Mg2+ (pH 7.5) rat skeletal muscle hexokinase isozyme II is firmly adsorbed on mitochondrial and artificial phospholipid membranes (lecithin liposomes). In both cases the adsorption isotherm has similar quantitative and qualitative characteristics, which points to the absence of specific binding sites on the membranes. Under these conditions, immobilization of hexokinase on various membranes is concomitant with similar changes in the enzyme stability upon storage as well as with the pH-dependence of the enzyme activity. It was demonstrated that the bound hexokinase form has a greater value of V, an increased affinity for glucose and a decreased sensitivity to the inhibitory action of glucose-6-phosphate as compared to the free form. Besides, this form is in a greater degree subjected to the inhibitory influence of ADP with respect to glucose. In this case, the enzyme affinity for ATP and the Ki value for ADP with respect to ATP is practically the same both for the free and membrane-bound forms. The data obtained suggest that the phospholipid component of mitochondrial membranes participates in the enzyme binding in the presence of Mg2+. It was assumed that the model system used in the present study, i.e., hexokinase-Mg2+-liposomes, may be successfully used for the analysis of an adsorption mechanism of regulation of hexokinase activity in the cell.     

Ca2+ and Mg2+ as modulators of mitochondrial L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase

1. Physiological concentrations of either Ca2+ or Mg2+ stimulated L-glycerol 3-phosphate oxidation by intact mitochondria isolated from various mammalian tissues (hamster brown adipose tissue, rat brain, liver of normal and hyperthyroid rats). A higher cation concentration was required for stimulation by Mg2+ than by Ca2+. L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was the target of the stimulation by both cations as revealed by measurements with intact mitochondria as well as with the solubilized enzyme. With different electron acceptors Ca2+ and Mg2+ stimulation occurred at significantly different cation concentrations. 2. Substrate activation of mitochondrial L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was observed in intact mitochondria and with the solubilized enzyme isolated from hyperthyroid rats in the absence of Ca2+ and Mg2+. According to kinetic analysis two independent binding sites, functioning with different turnovers and with different affinities for the substrate, could account for the phenomenon. In the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ substrate activation could not be detected; the kinetic parameters apparently correspond to the tight substrate-binding site functioning with high turnover. 3. Thiol group(s), which in the absence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ did not participate in the functioning of the enzyme, played an essential role in the binding of these cations to the enzyme, as shown by chemical modification studies. 4. From the solubilized mitochondrial proteins L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase was bound selectively to the hydrophobic phenyl-Sepharose 4B matrix in the presence Ca2+, and the bound enzyme could be eluted with EDTA. This suggests that Ca2+ caused an alteration in the conformation of the enzyme.     

Differences in the responses of brain cytosolic and mitochondrial hexokinases to three essential divalent metal ions

Rat brain cytosolic and mitochondrial hexokinase activities were undetectable without added divalent cations. Mg2+ activated cytosolic (K0.5 of Mg2+ = 343 +/- 13 microM) and mitochondrial (K0.5 of Mg2+ = 183 +/- 8 microM) hexokinase in a concentration-related manner. The corresponding values for Mn2+ were 702 +/- 99 and 413 +/- 21 microM respectively. Ca2+, however, activated both forms of hexokinase poorly. In the presence of Mg2+, both Mn2+ and Cu2+ were more potent inhibitors of cytosolic hexokinase than mitochondrial hexokinase, whereas the inhibition of Cd2+ and Ca2+ did not show such selectivity. These results demonstrate that brain mitochondrial and cytosolic hexokinases differ significantly in their responses to divalent cations.     

Coexisting independent sodium-sensitive and sodium-insensitive mechanisms of genetic hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

Some essential hypertensive patients and genetic hypertensive rat strains have less than the normal levels of Mg2+ tightly bound to the plasma membranes of their erythrocytes and other cells, i.e., the magnesium binding defect (MgBD). This binding defect appears to cause increased passive permeability of the membrane to Na+ and thereby its increased intracellular concentration, particularly if the Na+-extrusion enzyme systems of the cell are also defective. The Na+-Ca2+ exchange system in the cell membrane exports Na+ and imports Ca2+, increasing the tone of the smooth muscle cell and thus producing hypertension (HTn). This HTn is Na+-sensitive. Evidence supporting this postulate was obtained by determining the intraerythrocyte total concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+ in two strains of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR and SS/Jr rats, having the MgBD together with the other requisites of the Na+-sensitive pathway) and their respective controls (WKY and SR/Jr rats, in which this complete pathway is absent). The Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations in the hypertensive rats were increased, and that of K+ was decreased. The concentrations of these cations were very similar in the two hypertensive strains. The level of membrane tightly bound Ca2+ in SHR erythrocyte membranes was significantly higher than those in the other three rat strains, which were not statistically different from each other. These results support previously reported evidence of the existence of a novel HTn-generating mechanism in the SHR rat, in which the intracellular Ca2+ concentration is increased as the result of the enhanced diffusion of this ion into the cell and the accompanying deficiency of the Ca2+ extrusion enzyme systems. This pathway is therefore Na+-insensitive, i.e., Ca2+-sensitive.     

Differential Modulation by Divalent Cations of [3H]MK-801 Binding in Brain Synaptic Membranes

Endogenous divalent cations, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and Zn2+, differentially affected the binding of (+)-[3H]5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imi ne maleate ([3H]MK-801) to an ion channel associated with an N-methyl-D-aspartate-sensitive subclass of excitatory amino acid receptors in different preparations of brain synaptic membranes. Both Mg2+ and Ca2+ were weak inhibitors of the binding in membranes which had not been extensively washed (nonwashed membranes), over a concentration range effective in markedly potentiating the binding in the absence of any added stimulants in membranes which had been extensively washed, but not treated with a detergent (untreated membranes). In membranes extensively washed and treated with Triton X-100 (Triton-treated membranes), both cations significantly potentiated the binding in the presence of added glutamate alone. In contrast, Zn2+ was invariably active as a potent inhibitor of the binding irrespective of the membrane preparations used. In untreated membranes, Ca2+ markedly accelerated the initial association rate of [3H]MK-801 binding without affecting the binding at equilibrium in a manner similar to that found with glycine, as well as with glutamate; Mg2+, however, facilitated the initial association rate with a concomitant reduction of the binding at equilibrium. Zn2+ was effective in accelerating the initial rapid phase of association, with the initial slow phase being delayed, and in markedly reducing the binding at equilibrium. Both Mg2+ and Ca2+ also facilitated dissociation of the bound [3H]MK-801 and Zn2+ slowed the dissociation in untreated membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mitochondrial boundary membrane contact sites in brain: points of hexokinase and creatine kinase location, and control of Ca2+ transport

The location of hexokinase at the surface of brain mitochondria was investigated by electron microscopy using immuno-gold labelling techniques. The enzyme was located where the two mitochondrial limiting membranes were opposed and contact sites were possible. Disruption of the outer membrane by digitonin did not remove bound hexokinase and creatine kinase from brain mitochondria, although the activity of outer membrane markers and adenylate kinase decreased, suggesting a preferential location of both enzymes in the contact sites. In agreement with that, a membrane fraction was isolated from osmotically lysed rat brain mitochondria in which hexokinase and creatine kinase were concentrated. The density of this kinase-rich fraction was specifically increased by immuno-gold labelling of hexokinase, allowing a further purification by density gradient centrifugation. The fraction was composed of inner and outer limiting membrane components as shown by the specific marker enzymes, succinate dehydrogenase and NADH-cytochrome-c-oxidase (rotenone insensitive). As reported earlier for the enriched contact site fraction of liver mitochondria the fraction from brain mitochondria contained a high activity of glutathione transferase and a low cholesterol concentration. Moreover, the contacts showed a higher Ca2+ binding capacity in comparison to outer and inner membrane fractions. This finding may have regulatory implications because glucose phosphorylation via hexokinase activated the active Ca2+ uptake system and inhibited the passive efflux, resulting in an increase of intramitochondrial Ca2+.     

The effect of berbamine derivatives on activated Ca2+-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase in erythrocyte membranes.

Ca2+-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase (Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase) stimulated by calmodulin, by partial proteolysis or by oleic acid in erythrocyte membranes was inhibited by various derivatives of the naturally occurring alkaloid berbamine. The ability of these derivatives to inhibit trypsin-activated Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase correlated well with their ability to inhibit the calmodulin-stimulated enzyme. Inhibition of the trypsin-activated Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase by O-4-(ethoxybutyl)berbamine (EBB) was competitive with respect to ATP. The Ki for inhibition was about 8 microM. These results suggest that the binding site of EBB on the activated Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase may bear structural similarity to that on calmodulin, and may be closely related to the ATP-binding site on the enzyme.     

Inwardly rectifying current-voltage relationship of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels rendered by intracellular divalent cation blockade

Small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK(Ca) channels) are a group of K+-selective ion channels activated by submicromolar concentrations of intracellular Ca2+ independent of membrane voltages. We expressed a cloned SK(Ca) channel, rSK2, in Xenopus oocytes and investigated the effects of intracellular divalent cations on the current-voltage (I-V) relationship of the channels. Both Mg2+ and Ca2+ reduced the rSK2 channel currents in voltage-dependent manners from the intracellular side and thus rectified the I-V relationship at physiological concentration ranges. The apparent affinity of Mg2+ was changed as a function of both transmembrane voltage and intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Extracellular K+ altered the voltage dependence as well as the apparent affinities of Mg2+ binding from intracellular side. Thus, the inwardly rectifying I-V relationship of SK(Ca) channels is likely due to the voltage-dependent blockade of intracellular divalent cations and that the binding site is located within the ion-conducting pathway. Therefore, intracellular Ca2+ modulates the permeation characteristics of SK(Ca) channels by altering the I-V relationship as well as activates the channel by interacting with the gating machinery, calmodulin, and SK(Ca) channels can be considered as Ca2+-activated inward rectifier K+ channels.     

Comparative kinetics of D-xylose and D-glucose isomerase activities of the D-xylose isomerase from Thermus aquaticus HB8

The D-xylose isomerase from T. aquaticus accepts, besides D-xylose, also D-glucose, and, with lower efficiency, D-ribose, and D-arabinose as alternative substrates. The activity of the enzyme is strictly dependent on divalent cations. Mn2+ is most effective in the D-xylose isomerase reaction and Co2+ in the D-glucose isomerization. Mg2+ is active in both reactions, Zn2+ only in the further one. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by Cu2+, and weakly by Ni2+, Fe2+, and Ca2+. A hyperbolic dependence of the reaction velocity of the D-xylose isomerase on the concentration of D-xylose xylose and of D-glucose was found, while biphasic saturation curves were obtained by variation of the metal ion concentrations. The D-glucose isomerization reaction shows normal behaviour with respect to the metal ions. A kinetic model was derived on the basis of the assumption of two binding sites for divalent cations, one cofactor site with higher affinity and a second, low affinity site, which modulates the activity of the enzyme.     

Kinetic effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on ATP hydrolysis by the purified ATP diphosphohydrolase

ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5) catalyzes the hydrolysis of diphospho- and triphosphonucleosides and is sensitive to divalent cations. In this paper, we investigated the dependence of ATP hydrolysis on the concentration of free Mg2+ and Ca2+ and the cation ATP complexes. The enzyme was isolated from porcine zymogen granule membranes, solubilized in Triton X-100, and purified on a 5'-AMP-Sepharose 4B affinity column resulting in a 1500-fold purification. Free unprotonated ATP4- was hydrolyzed in the presence of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. When hydrolysis rate was measured at different concentrations of the cation-ATP complex at constant free cation concentrations, normal hyperbolic curves were obtained. In CaCl2, both Kapp and Vapp increased as free Ca2+ increased from 25 to 1000 microM. In MgCl2, Kapp increased and Vapp decreased as free Mg2+ increased from 25 to 500 microM. From the rapid equilibrium rate equation, Ks and Vmax values of the substrates were calculated. We found that free ATP4-, Ca-ATP2-, and Mg-ATP2- are substrates and free cations do not bind the enzyme.     

Tests of an electrostatic screening hypothesis of the inhibition of neurotransmitter release by cations at the frog neuromuscular junction.

We have investigated an electrostatic screening hypothesis of cationic inhibition of quantal release at the neuromuscular junction of the frog (Rana pipiens). According to this hypothesis, increasing the extracellular concentration of an inhibitory cation reduces the quantal content (m) of the end-plate potential by reducing the ability of negative surface charge to attract Ca2+ to the external surface of the presynaptic membrane. The inhibitory power of various cations should depend only on their net ionic charge and should increase strongly with increasing charge. We have demonstrated, in Ringer's solutions containing modified concentrations of Na+, Ca+, and Mg2+, that at fixed concentrations of Ca2+ and Na+ (a) the dependence of m on [Mg2+]0 is satisfactorily accounted for by electrostatic theory and (b) the dependence of m on the univalent cation concentration of the modified Ringer's solution is satisfactorily predicted from the Mg2+ inhibition of m. (Glucosamine or arginine was used to replace a fraction of the Na+ content of Ringer's solution in the latter experiments.) These results are consistent with electrostatic screening actions of Mg2+ and univalent cations in the inhibition of m. We have also re-examined the inhibition of m caused by the addition to Ringer's solution of two trace concentration divalent cations, Mn2+ and Sr2+. Our data suggest that the inhibition of m by Sr2+ at high quantal contents may also be due to surface charge screening, while the potent inhibitory actions of Mn2+ may be due to its ability to bind negative surface charge.     

The control of adenylate cyclase by calcium in turkey erythrocyte ghosts.

The adenylate cyclase of turkey erythrocytes is inhibited by low concentrations of calcium. Calcium binds to the enzyme system so tightly that the enzyme can compete with ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N, N1-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) for the metal. The calcium binding site is shown to be distinct from the magnesium binding sites required for activity. Thus Ca2+ functions as a negative allosteric effector. Calcium decreases dramatically the V max of the catecholamine-stimulated activity without affecting the affinity for the hormone or for the substrate ATP. The cooperativity in the response toward Mg2+ dependence (Hill coefficient, nH equals 3) is also unaffected by Ca2+ where as the S0.5 (concentration yielding one-half V max) for Mg2+ is affected only slightly. The Ca2+ effect is cooperative (nH equals 2) and therefore brought about by a cluster of Ca2+ binding sites. Mn2+ can substitute for Mg2+ as the enzyme activator but the Mn2+-activated enzyme is no longer inhibited by Ca2+. The possible physiological significance of the Ca2+ effect is discussed.     

Mg2+- or Ca2+-activated ATPase activities of plasma membranes isolated from vascular smooth muscle

Studies of ATP hydrolysis by various subcellular fractions isolated from rat mesenteric arteries and veins indicate that an apparent ATPase activity, which can be activated by Mg2+ or Ca2+, is primarily associated with the plasma membranes. Although both Mg2+-activated and Ca2+-activated ATPase activities under the optimal condition are substantially lower in venous than in arterial plasma membrane fraction, their dependence on the concentration of Mg2+ and Ca2+ are quite similar in arterial as well as venous plasma membrane fractions. No synergistic effect on ATP hydrolysis was observed in the presence of both Mg2+ and Ca2+. In addition, Mg2+-activated and Ca2+-activated ATPase activities show similar pH dependence, inhibition by deoxycholate, stability toward heat inactivation and substrate specificity. Furthermore, Mg2+-activated and Ca2+-activated ATPase activities were similarly reduced in vascular smooth muscles of spontaneously hypertensive rats. These results suggest that the activation of ATP hydrolysis by Mg2+ or Ca2+ may represent a single enzyme moiety in the plasma membrane of vascular smooth muscle. The possible involvement of such ATPase in the Ca2+ transport function of vascular smooth muscle is discussed.     

Characterization of Calcium-Activated and Magnesium-Activated ATPases of Brain Nerve Endings

The properties of Ca2+-activated and Mg2+-activated ATPases of nerve endings from mouse brain were investigated. Ca2+ and Mg2+ each can activate ATP hydrolysis in synaptosomes and its subfractions. Both Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase exhibit high and low affinity for their respective cations. At millimolar concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+, several nucleoside triphosphates could serve as substrate for the two enzymes and their specific activities were about three to four times higher in synaptic vesicles than in synaptosomal plasma membranes (SPM). Both in SPM and in synaptic vesicles the relative activity in the presence of Ca2+ was in the order of CTP greater than UTP greater than GTP = ATP, but with Mg2+ the activity was higher with ATP than with the other three triphosphates. Mg2+-ATPase was more active than Ca2+-ATPase in SPM, but in synaptic vesicles the two enzymes exhibited similar activity. Kinetic studies revealed that Mg2+-ATPase was inhibited by excess ATP and not by excess Mg2+. The simultaneous presence of Na+ + K+ stimulated Mg2+-ATPase and inhibited Ca2+-ATPase activity in intact synaptosomes and SPM. The stimulation of Mg2+-ATPase by Na+ + K+ was further increased by increasing Mg2+ concentration and was inhibited by Ca2+ and by ouabain. When Ca2+ and Mg2+ are present together in SPM or synaptic vesicles, the total Pi liberated by the two cations may either increase or decrease, depending on their relative concentrations. Kinetic analyses indicate that Ca2+ and Mg2+ bind independently to the enzyme alone or together at different sites. The results suggest that Ca2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase in SPM or synaptic vesicles may be separate and distinct systems.     

cAMP-dependent regulation of the active transport of Ca2+ in plasma membranes of the swine myometrium

Plasma membranes of pig myometrium show the ability for endogenous phosphorylation (160 +/- 45 pmol 32P/mg.min); the initial rate of this process increases 2.5-fold in the presence of 10(-6) cAMP. Micromolar concentrations of cAMP activate the ATP-dependent transport of Ca2+ in myometrium plasma membranes; cAMP at concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-4) M has no effect on Ca,Mg-ATPase. Myometrium plasma membranes possess the Mg2+-dependent phosphatase activity. Dephosphorylation of membranes is accompanied by a decrease (by 25-50%) of the Ca,Mg-ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake, respectively. The exogenous catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase increases the activity of Ca,Mg-ATPase in native and dephosphorylated membranes. Tolbutamide diminishes the activity of Ca,Mg-ATPase in native membranes by 25% without causing any appreciable influence on the enzyme activity in dephosphorylated membranes. Taking into account the similarity of dependence of Ca2+ uptake on Ca2+ concentration in native and cAMP-phosphorylated vesicles, it can be assumed that the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation affects the enzyme turnover number but not its affinity for Ca2+. The dephosphorylation-induced inhibition of Ca,Mg-ATPase activity and accumulation of Ca2+ are reversible processes.