Collagen fibril aggregation-inhibitor from sea cucumber dermis

Collagen fibrils from the dermis of the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa are aggregated in vitro by the dermal glycoprotein stiparin (Trotter et al., 1996). Under physiological ionic conditions stiparin appears to be both necessary and sufficient to cause fibrils to aggregate (Trotter et al., 1997). We report here the initial biochemical and biophysical characterization of a sulfated glycoprotein from C. frondosa dermis that binds stiparin and inhibits its fibril-aggregating activity. This inhibitory glycoprotein, which has been named 'stiparin-inhibitor,' has the highest negative charge density of all the macromolecules extracted from the dermis. SDS-PAGE reveals three approximately 31-kDa bands that stain with alcian blue but not with Coomassie blue. Analytical ultracentrifugation indicates a native molecular weight of 62 kDa. Transmission electron microscopy of rotary-shadowed molecules shows curved rods about 22 nm long. The glycoprotein does not bind collagen fibrils, but does bind stiparin with a 1:1 stoichiometry. The binding of stiparin-inhibitor to stiparin prevents the binding of stiparin to collagen fibrils. The carbohydrate moiety produced by papain-digestion of the glycoprotein retains all of its inhibitory activity. The carbohydrate moiety of the inhibitor is dominated by galactose and sulfate.     

Glycerinated catch apparatus of sea urchin spines: the effects of cations on its mechanical properties and ultrastructure

Sea urchin spinal ligaments (the catch apparatus) were extracted with glycerin, and electron microscopic observations comfirmed that no cell membranes remained intact after glycerination. We studied the effects of cations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+)) on the mechanical properties of the glycerinated ligaments. Monovalent cations decreased whereas divalent cations increased the viscosity of the ligaments. The ion dependencies were similar to previous results with detergent-extracted holothurian dermis, which suggests that the echinoid ligament shares a similar mechanism for changes in mechanical properties with other catch connective tissues. This provides evidence against the hypothesis of that muscles in the catch apparatus are responsible for the changes in mechanical properties of the ligament. Fine projections cross-bridging collagen fibrils were observed in the glycerin-extracted ligaments as well as in the intact ligaments. They were found in all the ionic conditions studied.     

Divalent cation effects on acetylcholine-activated channels at the frog neuromuscular junction

The effects of the divalent cations Ca and Mg on the properties of ACh-activated channels at the frog neuromuscular junction were studied using a two-microelectrode voltage clamp. The divalent cation concentration was varied from 2 to 40 mM in solutions containing 50% normal Na. The reversal potential was determined by interpolation of the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced current versus voltage relationship. The single-channel conductance and the mean channel lifetime were calculated from fluctuation analysis of the ACh-induced end-plate current. Extracellular Na and/or divalent cations affected the reversal potential of endplate channels in a way that cannot be described by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation or by a simple two-barrier, one-binding site model of the channel if the assumption was made that permeability ratios were constant and not a function of ion concentrations. Increasing the divalent cation concentration decreased the single-channel conductance to approximately 10 pS in solutions with 50% Na and 40 mM divalent cation concentrations. The effect of the divalent cations Ca and Mg on the mean channel lifetime was complex and dependent on whether the divalent cation was Ca or Mg. The mean channel lifetime was not significantly changed in most solutions with increased Ca concentration, while it was slightly prolonged by increased Mg concentration.     

Reductions in external divalent cations evoke novel voltage-gated currents in sensory neurons

It has long been recognized that divalent cations modulate cell excitability. Sensory nerve excitability is of critical importance to peripheral diseases associated with pain, sensory dysfunction and evoked reflexes. Thus we have studied the role these cations play on dissociated sensory nerve activity. Withdrawal of both Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) from external solutions activates over 90% of dissociated mouse sensory neurons. Imaging studies demonstrate a Na(+) influx that then causes depolarization-mediated activation of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (Ca(V)), which allows Ca(2+) influx upon divalent re-introduction. Inhibition of Ca(V) (ω-conotoxin, nifedipine) or Na(V) (tetrodotoxin, lidocaine) fails to reduce the Na(+) influx. The Ca(2+) influx is inhibited by Ca(V) inhibitors but not by TRPM7 inhibition (spermine) or store-operated channel inhibition (SKF96365). Withdrawal of either Mg(2+) or Ca(2+) alone fails to evoke cation influxes in vagal sensory neurons. In electrophysiological studies of dissociated mouse vagal sensory neurons, withdrawal of both Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) from external solutions evokes a large slowly-inactivating voltage-gated current (I(DF)) that cannot be accounted for by an increased negative surface potential. Withdrawal of Ca(2+) alone fails to evoke I(DF). Evidence suggests I(DF) is a non-selective cation current. The I(DF) is not reduced by inhibition of Na(V) (lidocaine, riluzole), Ca(V) (cilnidipine, nifedipine), K(V) (tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine) or TRPM7 channels (spermine). In summary, sensory neurons express a novel voltage-gated cation channel that is inhibited by external Ca(2+) (IC(50)～0.5 μM) or Mg(2+) (IC(50)～3 μM). Activation of this putative channel evokes substantial cation fluxes in sensory neurons.     

Binding of divalent cation to phosphoenzyme of sodium- and potassium-transport adenosine triphosphatase.

In order to study the action of the divalent cation which is essential for phosphorylation of sodium- and potassium-transport adenosine triphosphatase, magnesium ion, the normal ligand, was replaced with calcium ion, which had properties diffeerent from those of Mg2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, or Zn2+. Phosphorylation of the enzyme from ATP at pH 7.4 in the presence of Na+ and Ca2+ yielded a Ca.phosphoenzyme (60% of the maximal level) with a normal rate of dephosphorylation following a chase with unlabeled Ca.ATP (PK = 0.092S-1 at 0 degrees C). In contrast, after a chase by a chelator, namely ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid, or ethylene glycol bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid, dephosphorylation slowed within 5 s and half of the initial phosphoenzyme remained with a stability about 5-fold greater than normal. Three states of the phosphoenzyme were distinguished according to their relative sensitivity to ADP or to K+ added during a chase. Normally prepared Mg.phosphoenzyme was sensitive to K+ but not to ADP; Ca.phosphoenzyme was sensitive either to ADP or to K+; and the stabilized phosphoenzyme prepared from Ca.phosphoenzyme by addition of a chelator was sensitive neither to ADP nor to K+ nor to both together. Addition of Ca2+ to the stabilized phosphoenzyme restored the reactivity to that of Ca.phosphoenzyme. Addition of Mg2+ to the stabilized phosphoenzyme changed the reactivity to that of Mg.phosphoenzyme. Therefore, this unreactive, stabilized state of the phosphoenzyme appeared to be a divalent cation-free phosphoenzyme. With respect to sensitivity to ouabain, Ca.phosphoenzyme was as sensitive as Mg.phosphoenzyme but calcium-free phosphoenzyme was much less sensitive. It was concluded that the divalent cation required for phosphorylation normally remains tightly bound to the phosphoenzyme and is required for normal reactivity. Calcium ion was almost unique in dissociating relatively easily from the phosphoenzyme. Strontium ion appeared to act similarly to Ca2+.     

Effect of divalent cations on ion fluxes and leaf photochemistry in salinized barley leaves

Photosynthetic characteristics, leaf ionic content, and net fluxes of Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-) were studied in barley (Hordeum vulgare L) plants grown hydroponically at various Na/Ca ratios. Five weeks of moderate (50 mM) or high (100 mM) NaCl stress caused a significant decline in chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, and stomatal conductance (g(s)) in plant leaves grown at low calcium level. Supplemental Ca(2+) enabled normal photochemical efficiency of PSII (F(v)/F(m) around 0.83), restored chlorophyll content to 80-90% of control, but had a much smaller (50% of control) effect on g(s). In experiments on excised leaves, not only Ca(2+), but also other divalent cations (in particular, Ba(2+) and Mg(2+)), significantly ameliorated the otherwise toxic effect of NaCl on leaf photochemistry, thus attributing potential targets for such amelioration to leaf tissues. To study the underlying ionic mechanisms of this process, the MIFE technique was used to measure the kinetics of net Na(+), K(+), and Cl(-) fluxes from salinized barley leaf mesophyll in response to physiological concentrations of Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Mg(2+), and Zn(2+). Addition of 20 mM Na(+) as NaCl or Na(2)SO(4) to the bath caused significant uptake of Na(+) and efflux of K(+). These effects were reversed by adding 1 mM divalent cations to the bath solution, with the relative efficiency Ba(2+)>Zn(2+)=Ca(2+)>Mg(2+). Effect of divalent cations on Na(+) efflux was transient, while their application caused a prolonged shift towards K(+) uptake. This suggests that, in addition to their known ability to block non-selective cation channels (NSCC) responsible for Na(+) entry, divalent cations also control the activity or gating properties of K(+) transporters at the mesophyll cell plasma membrane, thereby assisting in maintaining the high K/Na ratio required for optimal leaf photosynthesis.     

Influence of monovalent cation identity on parvalbumin divalent ion-binding properties

Rat alpha- and beta-parvalbumins have distinct monovalent cation-binding properties [Henzl et al. (2000) Biochemistry 39, 5859-5867]. Beta binds two Na(+) or one K(+), and alpha binds one Na(+) and no K(+). Ca(2+) abolishes these binding events, suggesting that the monovalent ions occupy the EF-hand motifs. This study compares alpha and beta divalent ion affinities in Na(+) and K(+) solutions. Solvent cation identity seriously affects alpha. In Hepes-buffered NaCl, at 5 degrees C, the macroscopic Ca(2+)-binding constants are 2.6 x 10(8) and 6.4 x 10(7) M(-1) and the Mg(2+) constants, 1.8 x 10(4) and 4.3 x 10(3) M(-1). In Hepes-buffered KCl, the Ca(2+) values increase to 2.9 x 10(9) and 6.6 x 10(8) M(-1) and the Mg(2+) values to 2.2 x 10(5) and 3.7 x 10(4) M(-1). Monte Carlo simulation of alpha binding data-employing site-specific constants and explicitly considering Na(+) binding-yields a K(Na) of 630 M(-1) and indicates that divalent ion-binding is positively cooperative. NMR data suggest that the lone Na(+) ion occupies the CD loop. Solvent cation identity has a smaller impact on beta. In Na(+), the Ca(2+) constants for the EF and CD sites are 2.3 x 10(7) and 1.5 x 10(6) M(-1), respectively; the Mg(2+) constants are 9.2 x 10(3) and 1.7 x 10(2) M(-1). In K(+), these values shift to 3.1 x 10(7) and 3.8 x 10(6) M(-1) and the latter to 1.4 x 10(4) and 2.9 x 10(2) M(-1). These data suggest that parvalbumin divalent ion affinity, particularly that of rat alpha, can be significantly attenuated by increased intracellular Na(+) levels.     

Studies on the cation permeability of human red cell ghosts. Characterization and biological significance of two membrane sites with high affinities for Ca.

Net K movements in reconstituted human red cell ghosts and the resealing of ghosts to cations after osmotic hemolysis of red cells have been studied as functions of the free Ca ion concentration. The Ca-dependent specific increase in K permeability was shown to be mediated by a site close to the internal surface of the membrane with an apparent dissociation constant ap pH 7.2 for Ca (K'p1) of 3-5 X 10(-7) M, for Sr of 7 X 10(-6) M. Ba and Mg did not increase the K-permeability of the membrane but inhibited the Ca-mediated permeability changes. K'D1 decreased in a nonlinear fashion when the pH was increased from 6.0 to 8.5. Two different pK' values of this membrane site were found at pH 8.3 and 6.3. The Ca-activated net K efflux into a K-free medium was almost completely inhibited by an increase in intracellular Na from 4 to 70mM. Extracellular K antagonized this Na effect. Changes in the extracellular Na (0.1-140 mM) or K (0.1-6 mM) concentrations had little effect and did not change K'p1. The Ca-stimulated recovery of a low cation permeability in ghost cells appeared to be mediated by a second membrane site which was accessible to divalent cations only during the process of hemolysis in media of low ionic strength. The apparent dissociation constant for Ca at this site (K'p2) varied between 6 X 10(-7) and 4 X 10(-6) M at pH 7.2 Mg, Sr, and Ba could replace Ca functionally. The selectivity sequence was Ca greater than Sr greater than Ba greater than Mg. K'p2 was independent on the pH value in the range between 6.0 and 8.0 Hill coefficients of 2 were observed for the interaction of Ca with both membrane sites suggesting that more than one Ca ion is bound per site. The Hill cofficients were affected neither by the ion composition nor by the Ph values of the intra-and extracellular media. It is concluded that two different pathways for the permeation of cations across the membrane are controlled by membrane sites with high affinities for Ca: One specific for K, one unspecific with respect to cations. The K-specific "channel" has properties similar to the K channel in excitable tissues.     

Cation concentrations in the hemolymph of Loligo pealei.

Hemolymph and protein-free hemolymph obtained from Loligo pealei were analyzed for cation concentration by the method of atomic absorption spectroscopy, for the following ions: Na+, K+, Ca++, and Mg++. No significant differences were seen in ion concentration between hemolymph and protein-free hemolymph. Of particular neurophysiological significance is that K+ ion concentration is much closer to that of seawater than previously reported.     

Collagen fibril assembly and deposition in the developing dermis: segmental deposition in extracellular compartments

The hierarchy of extracytoplasmic compartmentalization and fibrillar organization as well as the assembly and deposition of collagen fibrils was characterized in the 15-day chick embryo dermis using transmission electron microscopy. At least two levels of extracellular compartmentalization are recognizable at this stage of dermal development. The first compartment consists of a series of narrow channels containing single or small groups (less than 5) of collagen fibrils. These channels course deep within the cell and are open to the extracellular space. The second extracellular compartment consists of fibrils grouped as small bundles in close association with the cell surface and is most often defined by a single fibroblast. A third level of fibril organization and compartmentalization is sometimes apparent at this stage of dermal development consisting of laterally associated bundles, more characteristic of the mature dermis. This compartment is associated with the fibroblast surface, but is less well defined than the fibril channels or bundle-forming compartments. Dermal collagen fibrils within bundles are discontinuous. Numerous fibrils ends are identified from serial sections and the ends gradually taper. These data indicate that the dermal fibroblast compartmentalizes the extracellular space and deposits collagen fibril segments during dermal morphogenesis. A model for the genesis of the extracellular compartments and their role in collagen fibrillogenesis and development of regularly arranged connective tissues, tendon, and cornea has been proposed. Dermal development conforms to this model and we suggest that extracytoplasmic compartmentalization of the steps in matrix assembly and segmental deposition of collagen fibrils are important mechanisms in the development of a wide variety of connective tissues.     

Divalent cation and ionic strength effects on Vinca alkaloid-induced tubulin self-association.

We present here a systematic study of ionic strength and divalent cation effects on Vinca alkaloid-induced tubulin spiral formation. We used sedimentation velocity experiments and quantitative fitting of weight-average sedimentation coefficients versus free drug concentrations to obtain thermodynamic parameters under various solution conditions. The addition of 50-150 mM NaCl to our standard buffer (10 mM piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid), 1 mM Mg, 50 microM GDP or GTP, pH 6.9) enhances overall vinblastine- or vincristine-induced tubulin self-association. As demonstrated in previous studies, GDP enhances overall self-association more than GTP, although in the presence of salt, GDP enhancement is reduced. For example, in 150 mM NaCl, GDP enhancement is 0.24 kcal/mol for vinblastine and 0.36 kcal/mol for vincristine versus an average enhancement of 0.87 (+/- 0.34) kcal/mol for the same drugs in the absence of salt. Wyman linkage analysis of experiments with vinblastine or vincristine over a range of NaCl concentrations showed a twofold increase in the change in NaCl bound to drug-induced spirals in the presence of GTP compared to GDP. These data indicate that GDP enhancement of Vinca alkaloid-induced tubulin self-association is due in part to electrostatic inhibition in the GTP state. In the absence of NaCl, we found that vinblastine and 1 mM Mn2+ or Ca2+ causes immediate condensation of tubulin. The predominant aggregates observed by electron microscopy are large sheets. This effect was not found with 1 mM Mg2+. At 100 microM cation concentrations (Mn2+, Mg2+, or Ca2+), GDP enhances vinblastine-induced spiral formation by 0.55 (+/- 0.26) kcal/mol. This effect is found only in K2, the association of liganded heterodimers at the ends of growing spirals. There is no GDP enhancement of K1, the binding of drug to heterodimer, although K1 is dependent upon the divalent cation concentration. NaCl diminishes tubulin condensation, probably by inhibiting lateral association, and allows an investigation of higher divalent cation concentrations. In the presence of 150 mM NaCl plus 1 mM divalent cations (Mn2+, Mg2+, or Ca2+) GDP enhances vinblastine-induced spiral formation by 0.35 (+/- 0.21) kcal/mol. Relaxation times determined by stopped-flow light scattering experiments in the presence of 150 mM NaCl and vincristine are severalfold longer than those in the presence of vinblastine, consistent with a mechanism involving the redistribution of longer polymers. Unlike previous results in the absence of NaCl, relaxation times in the presence of NaCl are only weekly protein concentration dependent, suggesting the absence of annealing or an additional rate-limiting step in the mechanism.     

Selectivity of pyruvate kinase for Na+ and K+ in water/dimethylsulfoxide mixtures.

In aqueous media, muscle pyruvate kinase is highly selective for K+ over Na+. We now studied the selectivity of pyruvate kinase in water/dimethylsulfoxide mixtures by measuring the activation and inhibition constants of K+ and Na+, i.e. their binding to the monovalent and divalent cation binding sites of pyruvate kinase, respectively [Melchoir J.B. (1965) Biochemistry 4, 1518-1525]. In 40% dimethylsulfoxide the K0.5 app for K+ and Na+ were 190 and 64-fold lower than in water. Ki app for K+ and Na+ decreased 116 and 135-fold between 20 and 40% dimethylsulfoxide. The ratios of Ki app/K0.5 app for K+ and Na+ were 34-3.5 and 3.3-0.2, respectively. Therefore, dimethylsulfoxide favored the partition of K+ and Na+ into the monovalent and divalent cation binding sites of the enzyme. The kinetics of the enzyme at subsaturating concentrations of activators show that K+ and Mg2+ exhibit high selectivity for their respective cation binding sites, whereas when Na+ substitutes K+, Na+ and Mg2+ bind with high affinity to their incorrect sites. This is evident by the ratio of the affinities of Mg2+ and K+ for the monovalent cation binding site, which is close to 200. For Na+ and Mg2+ this ratio is approximately 20. Therefore, the data suggest that K+ induces conformational changes that prevent the binding of Mg2+ to the monovalent cation binding site. Circular dichroism spectra of the enzyme and the magnitude of the transfer and apparent binding energies of K+ and Na+ indicate that structural arrangements of the enzyme induced by dimethylsulfoxide determine the affinities of pyruvate kinase for K+ and Na+.     

Cation-induced aggregation and fusion of N-acyl-N-methyl-phosphatidylethanolamine vesicles.

Aggregation and fusion of unilamellar vesicles consisting of N-acyl-N-methylphosphatidylethanolamine were studied as a function of mono- and divalent cation concentrations. The aggregation reactions were irreversible processes, as demonstrated by changes in monovalent ion concentrations and by the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to chelate divalent cations, suggesting the possibility of some cation-induced vesicle fusion. An increase in the NaCl ionic strength of the vesicle suspension solutions diminishes the threshold concentration for Li+ and K+ and increases that corresponding to Mn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+. However NaCl concentrations above 300 mM yield smaller threshold values for the divalent cation-induced processes, probably due to the increased size of phospholipid vesicles as the ionic strength of the medium increases.     

NaCl对碱谷幼苗无机离子含量和生长的影响

用等离子耦合吸收光谱（ICP）和DDS－11A型电导仪进行的分析表明,培养在含NaCl营养液中,碱谷（EleusinecoracanaL）幼苗根吸收大量Na ,而对K ,Ca 和Mg 的吸收降低,Na ／K 比值增加,同时质膜相对透性提高,K ,Na ,Ca2 ,Mg2 和Pi5 的相对外渗百分率增加。在NaCl的胁迫下,碱谷种子的发芽率降低,幼苗的生长受抑制。     

Magnesium-dependent attachment and neurite outgrowth by PC12 cells on collagen and laminin substrata

We report a study of the substratum and medium requirements for attachment and neurite outgrowth by cells of the pheochromocytoma-derived PC12 line. In attachment medium containing both Ca2+ and Mg2+, more than 50% of cells attached within 1 hr to petri dishes coated with native collagen Types I/III or II, native or denatured collagen Type IV, laminin, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), or poly-L-lysine; attachment to dishes coated with nerve growth factor (NGF) was only about 20% and attachment to uncoated dishes or to dishes coated with fibronectin or gelatin was almost nil. Neither prior culturing in the presence of NGF nor addition of NGF to the attachment medium significantly affected the extent of attachment to collagen or laminin. With Ca2+ (1 mM) as the sole divalent cation, cells attached normally to WGA, polylysine, and NGF, but failed to attach to collagen or laminin. With Mg2+ (1 mM) as the only divalent cation, attachment to all substrata was about the same as in medium with both Ca2+ and Mg2+. Like the ionic requirements, the kinetics of attachment, insensitivity to protease treatment of the cells, and inhibition by low temperature and sodium azide were similar for PC12 attachment to collagen and laminin, suggesting that a common molecular mechanism may underlie attachment to these substrata. The only significant difference observed was that addition of WGA (30 micrograms/ml) to the attachment medium inhibited attachment to collagen but promoted attachment to laminin. Finally, PC12 cells extended neurites on laminin, on native collagens I/III, II, and IV, and on denatured collagen IV; they did not extend neurites on denatured collagens I/III or II, NGF, or WGA. Neurite outgrowth on collagen and laminin occurred with Mg2+ as the sole divalent cation. These results suggest that the same Mg2+-dependent adhesion mechanism operates at the cell body and at the growth cone.     

The sodium and potassium activated ATPase. II. Comparative study of intestinal epithelium and red cells

The Na-K ATPase found in sedimentable fractions of intestinal epithelium of rats hydrolyzed cytidine triphosphate nearly as well as ATP (25% to 50%); was active only in presence of divalent cations, with specificity for Mg (100%), Mn (50%) and Ca (10%); showed a plateau of activation when Mg concentrations were in excess of substrate; and was inhibited by a second divalent cation (Zn > Mn > Ca), and by 3 × 10^?4 M ouabain (50%). Parallel assays of rat red cell ghosts showed differences in substrate specificity (CTP was not utilized), in activation kinetics (activation peak with Mg) and in greater specificity to Mg (Mn was a weaker activator and Zn was a weaker inhibitor). Stabilities also differed in the two preparations: Na? K ATPase of intestinal epithelium was activated by sucrose extraction and denatured during cytolysis at room temperature, while that of red cell fragments was denatured during sucrose extraction and preserved by hemolysis at room temperature. Other properties of Na? K ATPase studied in the two tissues included activation by monovalent cations (optimum at 160 mM Na, 15 mM K), specificity to monovalent cations, and sensitivity to lipid solvents and to some drugs. The data were discussed in terms of comparative properties of Na? K ATPases of various cells. Residual ATPase activities of intestinal epithelium and red cell ghosts were shown to differ in substrate specificity, inhibition and activation. “Residual ATPase” from intestinal epithelium was a zinc-activated nucleoside polyphosphate phosphohydrolase, while ghosts contained Mg? ATPase. Only the latter enzyme was specific to ATP and Mg, activated by Ca in presence of Mg, and sensitive to inhibition by PCMB and Zn.     

Cationic modulation of follicle-stimulating hormone binding to granulosa cell receptor

Magnesium (Mg2+) increases binding of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to membrane-bound receptors and increases adenylyl cyclase activity. We examined the effects of divalent and monovalent cations on FSH binding to receptors in granulosa cells from immature porcine follicles. Divalent and monovalent cations increased binding of [125I]iodo-porcine FSH (125I-pFSH). The divalent cations Mg2+, calcium (Ca2+) and manganese, (Mn2+) increased specific binding a maximum of 4- to 5-fold at added concentrations of 10 mM. Mg2+ caused a half-maximal enhancement of binding at 0.6 mM, whereas Ca2+ and Mn2+ had half-maximal effects at 0.7 mM and 0.8 mM, respectively. The monovalent cation potassium (K+) increased binding a maximum of 1.5-fold at an added concentration of 50 mM, whereas the monovalent cation (Na+) did not increase binding at any concentration tested. The difference between K+ and Na+ suggested that either enhancement of binding was not a simple ionic effect or Na+ has a negative effect that suppresses its positive effect. Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, a chelator of Mg2+, prevented binding of 125I-pFSH only in the presence of Mg2+, whereas pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin, a competitor with FSH for the receptor, prevented binding in both the absence and the presence of Mg2+. Guanyl-5-ylimidodiphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) inhibited binding of 125I-pFSH in the absence or presence of Mg2+, but only at Gpp(NH)p concentrations greater than 1 mM. We used Mg2+ to determine if divalent cations enhanced FSH binding by increasing receptor affinity or by increasing the apparent number of binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Increased Ca++ or mg++ concentration reduces relative tight-junction permeability to Na+ in the cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop of rabbit kidney

We have tested whether increased Ca++ and Mg++ concentrations have an effect on transepithelial voltage (PDte) and transepithelial resistance (Rte) in isolated perfused cortical thick ascending limbs (cTAL) of rabbit kidney. The divalent cations added at 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol.l-1 to the lumen or peritubular bath perfusate led to a concentration-dependent increase in Rte. The maximal response in Rte was observed between 5 and 10 mmol.l-1. No significant change in active transepithelial potential difference (PDte) was observed. The increase in Rte still occurred when the transcellular current was reduced by Ba++ (3 mmol.l-1) added to the lumen perfusate. This suggests that the increase in Rte caused by Ca++ and Mg++ is due to a modification of the paracellular shunt pathway. In the absence of active transport, i.e. when furosemide (5.10(-5) mol.l-1) was added to the lumen perfusate. Ca++ and Mg++ reduced the transepithelial diffusion potential generated by a NaCl gradient established across the epithelium, and thus produced a reduction of the relative permeability for Na+ over Cl- (PNa+/PCl-) of the paracellular shunt pathway. This indicates that divalent cations increase Rte by reducing the sodium permeability of the tight junctions. The observed Ca++ and Mg++ induced reduction of the sodium permeability of the paracellular pathway corresponds to a decrease in net Na+ reabsorption by 5-10%. Since it has been demonstrated that peptide hormones such as parathyrin (PTH) modulate divalent cation and NaCl reabsorptions, in a second series of experiments we tested the effects of PTH (2-20 USP.l-1) and dbcAMP (10(-3) mol.l-1) on PDte and Rte of isolated perfused cTAL segments of rabbit nephron. Neither Rte nor PDte were affected by PTH or dbcAMP.     

Effect of ATP,EDTA and EGTA on the simultaneous binding of Na,K, Mg and Ca by rat liver microsomes

In the presence of Na, K, Mg and Ca at physiological pH, complexing agents can affect cation binding by rat liver microsomes in a manner not always readily predictable simply from a knowledge of individual formation constants. Increasing concentrations (0 to 20 mM) of the strong nonbiological complexing agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), produced a sharp decrease almost to zero in bound Ca, an increase to a high plateau in bound Na and K and an initial increase followed by a sharp decrease in bound Mg. Increasing concentrations of the Ca-preferring analogue of EDTA, ethylene bisglycol (β-aminoethylether) tetraacetate (EGTA), produced similar changes except that bound Mg increased and remained elevated, indicating that this agent complexes Mg very weakly at physiological pH. The biological complexing agent, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), caused a gradual rectilinear and parallel decrease in bound Mg and Ca and a concomitant and parellel increase in bound Na and K at about 4°C and pH 6.4. Results with EDTA and EGTA suggest, however, that under different conditions, enhancement by ATP of divalent cation binding may be possible. Reactions of this nature may be of significance in ATP stimulated divalent cation uptake by subcellular particles.     

Inorganic cation transport and the effects on C4 dicarboxylate transport in Bacillus subtilis

The complex interrelationships between the transport of inorganic cations and C4 dicarboxylate were examined using mutants defective in potassium transport and retention, divalent cation transport, or phosphate transport. The potassium transport system, studied using 86Rb+ as a K+ analogue, kinetically appeared as a single system (Km 200 microM for Rb+, Ki 50 microM for K+), the activity of which was only slightly reduced in K+ retention mutants. Divalent cation transport, studied using 54Mn2+, 60Co2+, and 45Ca2+, was more complex being represented by at least two systems, one with a high affinity for Mn2+ (Km 2.5 microM) and a more general one of low affinity (Km 1.3-10 mM) for Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca/2+, and Co2+. Divalent cation transport was repressed by Mg2+, derepressed in K+ retention mutants, and defective in Co2+-resistant mutants. Phosphate was required for both divalent cation and succinate transport, and phosphate transport mutants (arsenate resistant) were found to be defective in both divalent cation and succinate transport. Divalent cations, especially Mg2+ and Co2+, decreased Km for succinate transport approximately 20-fold over that achieved with K+; neither cation was required stoichiometrically for succinate transport. The loss of divalent cation transport in cobalt-resistant mutants has been correlated with the loss of a 55,000 molecular weight membrane protein. Similarly, the loss of phosphate transport in arsenate-resistant mutants has been correlated with the loss of a 35,000 molecular weight membrane component.