Sulfhydryl groups of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Distinction between sulfhydryl groups of the H+ channel and the nucleotide binding site

Mersalyl, 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoate) (Nbs2) and fluorescent Thiolyte DB react with SH groups in the H+ channel (SHc) of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria, as inferred from their inhibition of H+ transport. Cl- transport by the uncoupling protein was unaffected. Using these modifiers and N-ethylmaleimide (MalNEt), distinct SH groups (SHB) in the purine nucleotide binding site were identified. Nbs2 reacts more readily with the SHB than with the SHc groups, but mersalyl and Thiolyte DB are more reactive with the SHc groups. MalNEt reacts exclusively with the SHB. GDP inhibition is fully prevented after sufficient modification of the SHB. Pretreatment with p-diazobenzenesulfonate (N2PhSO2) suppresses only 20-25% of fluorescence of Thiolyte-DB-labeled uncoupling protein on SDS/PAGE gels, while MalNEt suppresses 66% and Nbs2 80-90%. Since N2PhSO2 also affects the GDP binding site, these results demonstrate that the N2PhSO2-reactive residue is not identical with the SHB.     

The uncoupling protein from brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria. Chymotrypsin-induced structural and functional modifications

Mitoplasts prepared from brown adipose tissue mitochondria were treated with chymotrypsin and the fragments derived from the 32-kDa uncoupling protein identified by immunoblotting. Extensive proteolysis of the uncoupling protein occurred, the polypeptide pattern being affected by binding of the inhibitory nucleotide GDP. Chymotrypsin modifies the nucleotide binding site, lowering its affinity from 1.7 microM to 21 microM but without decreasing its binding capacity. Nucleotide bound to the modified site can still inhibit the permeation of H+ and Cl- through the protein. The ion conducting pathway itself is also sensitive to chymotrypsin, Cl- and H+ transport being partially inhibited in parallel. The ability of fatty acids to increase the H+ permeability of the protein is also inhibited in parallel with the basal H+ permeability. The results confirm that the transport of H+ and Cl-, and the fatty acid regulation of H+ permeation all share a common structural element within the 32-kDa protein.     

ATP-dependent proton transport by isolated brain clathrin-coated vesicles. Role of clathrin and other determinants of acidification

We have systematically investigated certain characteristics of the ATP-dependent proton transport mechanism of bovine brain clathrin-coated vesicles. H+ transport specific activity was shown by column chromatograpy to co-purify with coated vesicles, however, the clathrin coat is not required for vesicle acidification as H+ transport was not altered by prior removal of the clathrin coat. Acidification of the vesicle interior, measured by fluorescence quenching of acridine orange, displayed considerable anion selectively (Cl- greater than Br- much greater than NO3- much greater than gluconate, SO2-(4), HPO2-(4), mannitol; Km for Cl- congruent to 15 mM), but was relatively insensitive to cation replacement as long as Cl- was present. Acidification was unaffected by ouabain or vanadate but was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide (IC50 less than 10 microM), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) (IC50 congruent to 10 microM), chlorpromazine (IC50 congruent to 15 microM), and oligomycin (IC50 congruent to 3 microM). In contrast to N-ethylmaleimide, chlorpromazine rapidly dissipated preformed pH gradients. Valinomycin stimulated H+ transport in the presence of potassium salts (gluconate much greater than NO3- greater than Cl-), and the membrane-potential-sensitive dye Oxonol V demonstrated an ATP-dependent interior-positive vesicle membrane potential which was greater in the absence of permeant anions (mannitol greater than potassium gluconate greater than KCl) and was abolished by N-ethylmaleimide, protonophores or detergent. Total vesicle-associated ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity was inhibited 64% by 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide, and correlated poorly with H+ transport, however N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive ATPase activity correlated well with proton transport (r = 0.95) in the presence of various Cl- salts and KNO3. Finally, vesicles prepared from bovine brain synaptic membranes exhibited H+ transport activity similar to that of the coated vesicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Partial chemical characterization of cyclopyrrolones ([3H] suriclone) and benzodiazepines ([3H]flunitrazepam) binding site: differences

Rat hippocampus membranes were treated with several protein modifying reagents (iodoacetamide, N-ethylmaleimide, tetranitromethane and N-acetylimidazole). The effects of these treatments on the binding sites of cyclopyrrolones ([3H] suriclone), a new chemical family of minor tranquilizers, and benzodiazepines ([3H] flunitrazepam) were investigated. Here we show that both ligands are similarly sensitive to cysteine alkylation: [3H] suriclone and [3H] flunitrazepam binding are reduced by iodoacetamide and slightly increased by N-ethylmaleimide. On the contrary they are clearly differenciated by tyrosine modification: [3H] suriclone binding is not changed whereas [3H] flunitrazepam binding is increased by tetranitromethane and decreased by N-acetylimidazole. Our present findings and published evidence suggest cyclopyrrolones and benzodiazepines bind to distinct sites or to different allosteric forms of the benzodiazepine receptor.     

The lysosomal H+ pump: 8-azido-ATP inhibition and the role of chloride in H+ transport

Lysosomes (tritosomes) were purified from the livers of rats injected with Triton WR 1339. The lysosomes developed an Mg2+-ATP-dependent pH gradient as measured by Acridine orange accumulation. H+ transport was supported by chloride, but not sulfate, and was independent of the cation used. H+ transport and Mg2+-stimulated ATPase was inhibited by diethylstilbesterol (K0.5 = 2 microM). N-Ethylmaleimide inhibited H+ transport (K0.5 = 30 microM). At low concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide, ATP partially protected H+ transport from inhibition with N-ethylmaleimide. Photolysis with 8-azido-ATP inhibited H+ transport and Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity. Under these same conditions, 8-azido-[alpha-32P]ATP reacted with a number of polypeptides of the intact lysosome and lysosomal membranes. Pump-dependent potentials were measured using the fluorescent potential-sensitive dye, DiSC3(5) (3,3'-dipropylthiocarbocyanine) and ATP-dependent potential generation was inhibited by diethylstilbesterol. Chloride, but not sulfate reduced the magnitude of the ATP-dependent membrane potential, as measured using merocyanine 540. The chloride conductance, independent of ATP, was of sufficient magnitude to generate a H+ gradient driven by external chloride in the presence of tetrachlorosalicylanilide. In Cl- free media, ATP-dependent H+ transport was restored to control levels by outwardly directed K+ gradients in the presence of valinomycin. The role of cell Cl- is to provide the necessary conductance for supporting lysosomal acidification by the electrogenic proton pump.     

Sulfhydryl groups are involved in H+ translocation via the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria

Mersalyl inhibits H+ transport via the uncoupling protein (UP) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) mitochondria estimated as swelling in potassium acetate (Ki 67 microM) or as valinomycin-induced H+ extrusion in K2SO4 (Ki 55 microM) and KCl. The swelling in KCl is depressed only slightly. Some other SH-reagents (p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and thiolyte DB), but not hydrophobic reagents (N-ethylmaleimide and eosin-5-maleimide), exhibit analogous inhibition. Thus an essential SH-group localized at the water-accessible cytosolic surface of UP was found to be involved in H+ transport via UP but not in Cl- transport.     

Different classes of nucleotide binding sites in the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase studied by affinity labeling and nucleotide-dependent SH-group modifications

The ATP analog 6-[(3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl)thiol]-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine 5'-triphosphate (Nbs6ITP) is slowly hydrolyzed at pH 7.4 by the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, whereas it binds covalently at pH 8.5 and inhibits the enzyme irreversibly. Time courses of irreversible inhibition could only be fitted to a model in which the enzyme can exist in two slowly interchangeable states, one of which is enzymatically active and binds Nbs6ITP first reversibly and then covalently. Arguments that the covalent binding occurs at a low affinity nucleotide binding site are: (a) similarity of the Ki Nbs6ITP for the reversible and the irreversible inhibition and of K0.5 for ATP protection; (b) stoichiometry of covalent Nbs6ITP binding per alpha subunit of 0.8; and (c) change of complex substrate dependence of the enzyme to a Michaelis-Menten type after Nbs6ITP modification. This change in kinetics and the finding that the Nbs6ITP inactivation at a low affinity nucleotide binding site is increased by micromolar ADP concentrations indicates that the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase contains two different nucleotide binding sites. Since studies of nucleotide effects on enzyme inactivation by 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) did not confirm the hypothesis of an SH-group in a nucleotide binding site, Nbs6ITP may bind to another functional group, e.g. to an OH-group of tyrosine.     

Reactivity of the sulphydryl groups of the mitochondrial phosphate carrier

The rate of reaction of - SH groups of the mitochondrial phosphate carrier with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (Nbs2) and N-ethylmaleimide (MalNEt) was followed by measuring the inhibition of phosphate transport. The changes in the rate of reaction caused by alterations of the ionic composition of the matrix were compared with changes of the total intramitochondrial phosphate content, the intramitochondrial K+ content and the value of intramitochondrial pH. The ionic composition was manipulated by addition of valinomycin to non-respiring or to respiring mitochondria and by addition of inorganic phosphate to respiring and non-respiring mitochondria. From all these variables it was the changes of the intramitochondrial pH which correlated with the - SH group reactivity. Internal acidification decreased and internal alkalinization increased the rate of reaction of mitochondrial phosphate carrier with both Nbs2 and MalNEt. Nbs2 did not penetrate the inner mitochondrial membrane as assayed by determination of the acid-soluble thiol content of the matrix. From this fact it follows that the Nbs2-reactive SH groups of the carrier were accessible from the outer surface of the inner membrane in our experiments. It is concluded that intramitochondrial pH modifies the reactivity of the externally oriented - SH groups indirectly. A hypothesis is presented according to which protonation and deprotonation of the carrier molecule on the inner side could induce a conformational change of the whole protein altering also the microenvironment of the - SH groups near the opposite surface.     

Studies on K+ permeability of rat gastric microsomes

A population of gastric membrane vesicles of high K+ permeability and of lower density than endoplasmic tubulovesicles containing (H+-K+)-ATPase was detected in gastric mucosal microsomes from the rat fasted overnight. The K+-transport activity as measured with 86RbCl uptake had a Km for Rb+ of 0.58 +/- 0.11 mM and a Vmax of 13.7 +/- 1.9 nmol/min X mg of protein. The 86Rb uptake was reduced by 40% upon substituting Cl- with SO2-4 and inhibited noncompetitively by ATP and vanadate with a Ki of 3 and 30 microM, respectively; vanadate also inhibited rat gastric (H+-K+)-ATPase but with a Ki of 0.03 microM. Carbachol or histamine stimulation decreased the population of the K+-permeable light membrane vesicles, at the same time increased K+-transport activity in the heavy, presumably apical membranes of gastric parietal cells, and enabled the heavy microsomes to accumulate H+ ions in the presence of ATP and KCl without valinomycin. The secretagogue-induced shift of K+ permeability was blocked by cimetidine, a H2-receptor antagonist. Four characteristics of the K+ permeability as measured with 86RbCl were common in the resting light and the carbachol-stimulated heavy microsomes; (a) Km for +Rb, (b) anion sensitivity (Cl- greater than SO2-4), (c) potency of various divalent cations (Hg2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+) to inhibit Rb+ uptake, and (d) inhibitory effect of ATP, although the nucleotide sensitivity was latent in the stimulated heavy microsomes. The Vmax for 86RbCl uptake was about 10 times greater in the resting light than the stimulated heavy microsomes. These observations led us to propose that secretagogue stimulation induces the insertion of not only the tubulovesicles containing (H+-K+)-ATPase, but also the light membrane vesicles containing KCl transporter into the heavy apical membranes of gastric parietal cells.     

Isolation of rat liver endocytic vesicles using the proton pump as a marker

ATP-driven acidification visualized by the delta pH indicator acridine orange was used as marker for isolation of endocytic vesicles from rat liver. By differential and Percoll density gradient centrifugation, a vesicle fraction was obtained with an approx. 80-fold enriched H+-pump activity. The preparation contained vesicles that had taken up fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran or horseradish peroxidase injected into rats in vivo, proving the presence of endosomes. The H+-pump in these vesicles showed: (a) strict preference for ATP; (b) stimulation by Mg2+ and Mn2+, but not by monovalent cations; (c) stimulation by Cl-, I- and Br-; (d) electrogenicity; (e) insensitivity to vanadate, slight inhibition by oligomycin and strong inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodimide (DCCD). The vesicles exhibited an ouabain-, oligomycin- and levamisole-resistant ATPase activity, which was slightly stimulated by Cl-, unaffected by vanadate and inhibited by NEM and DCCD. Thus, a simple and efficient high-speed centrifugation method is available for isolation of endocytic vesicles from mammalian liver.     

Effects of N-ethylmaleimide on ouabain-insensitive cation fluxes in human red cell ghosts

In red cells of several species, the sulfhydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide activates a Cl- -dependent, ouabain-resistant K+ transport pathway. Here we report our attempts to demonstrate ouabain-resistant Cl- -dependent K+ fluxes stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide in resealed human red cell ghosts using Rb+ as a K+ analogue. In contrast to intact cells, the rate constants of the base level Rb+ efflux in ghosts were similar in NaNO3 and NaCl (okRb = 0.535 +/- 0.079 h-1 and 0.534 +/- 0.085 h-1, respectively), while 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide stimulated Rb+ efflux strongly in NaNO3 (okRb = 14.26 +/- 1.32 h-1) and moderately in NaCl (okRb = 2.73 +/- 0.54 h-1). This effect was dependent on the presence of internal ATP. Stimulation of Rb+ efflux was observed in the presence of greater than or equal to 0.2 mM N-ethylmaleimide and increased at pH values approaching 8.0, consistent with titration of SH groups. N-Ethylmaleimide-stimulated Rb+ efflux was approx. 50% inhibited by 100 microM quinine sulfate whereas 1 microM bumetanide had no effect. In NaCl the N-ethylmaleimide-stimulated efflux saturated with initial internal ghost Rb+ concentration, but rates increased linearly in NaNO3. Replacement of external Na+ with glucamine or choline decreased the N-ethylmaleimide-stimulated Rb+ efflux, suggesting a role for external Na+. N-Ethylmaleimide-stimulated Rb+ efflux was greater in buffers with lipophilic anions such as SCN- or NO3- than in solutions with Cl- or acetate. However, the cation selectivity of the pathway studied was low, as Li+ efflux was also stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide. We conclude that the effect of N-ethylmaleimide on ouabain-resistant cation effluxes of human red cell ghosts is very different from the selective action of N-ethylmaleimide on Rb+ influxes in intact red cells.     

Protein synthesis in Drosophila melanogaster embryos. Two mechanisms for guanine nucleotide exchange on eukaryotic initiation factor 2

The mechanism for guanine nucleotide exchange with eukaryotic initiation factor-2 (eIF-2) from Drosophila melanogaster embryos was studied using the reaction eIF-2 X [3H]GDP + GDP (GTP) in equilibrium eIF-2 X GDP (GTP) + [3H]GDP. When highly purified eIF-2 is used the rate of nucleotide exchange is greatly reduced by Mg2+ and this reduction is overcome by the guanine-nucleotide-exchange factor (GEF) of rabbit reticulocytes. This GEF-dependent exchange is inhibited when Drosophila eIF-2 is either phosphorylated by the hemin-controlled inhibitor (HCI) of rabbit reticulocytes or treated with phosphatidylserine or a rabbit eIF-2 X phosphatidylserine complex. The Mg2+ impairment of guanine nucleotide exchange is less severe when highly purified eIF-2 is incubated at a higher temperature (37 degrees C) and is not observed at any temperature if partially purified eIF-2 is used instead of the highly purified factor. In the latter two cases the exchange is not inhibited by either phosphorylation with HCI or phospholipid treatment of Drosophila eIF-2, possibly suggesting that the observed exchange is not mediated by a GEF-like factor. Our data support two possible mechanisms for GDP/GTP exchange with Drosophila embryos eIF-2: a GEF-dependent exchange, similar to that described in rabbit reticulocytes, which may be regulated by phosphorylation of eIF-2, and a factor-independent exchange which appears to be insensitive to this type of control.     

Volume-regulating behavior of human platelets

Human platelets exposed to hypotonic media undergo an initial swelling followed by shrinking (regulatory volume decrease [RVD]). If the RVD is blocked, the degree of swelling is in accord with osmotic behavior. The cells could swell at least threefold without significant lysis. Two methods were used to follow the volume changes, electronic sizing and turbidimetry. Changes in shape produced only limited contribution to the measurements. The RVD was very rapid, essentially complete in 2 to 8 minutes, with a rate proportional to the degree of initial cell swelling. RVD involved a loss of KCl via volume-activated conductive permeability pathways for K+ and anions, presumably Cl-. In media containing greater than 50 mM KCl, the shrinking was inhibited and with higher concentrations was reversed (secondary swelling), suggesting that it is driven by the net gradient of K+ plus Cl-. The K+ pathway was specific for Rb+ and K+ compared to Li+ and Na+. The Cl- pathway accepted NO-3 and SCN- but not citrate or SO4(2-). In isotonic medium, the permeability of platelets to Cl- appeared to be low compared to that of K+. After hypotonic swelling both permeabilities were increased, but the Cl- permeability exceeded that of K+. The Cl- conductive pathway remained open as long as the cells were swollen. RVD was incomplete unless amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange, was present or unless Na+ was replaced by an impermeant cation. In addition, acidification of the cytoplasm occurred upon cell swelling. This reduction in pHi appeared to activate Na+/H+ exchange, with a resultant uptake of Na+ and reduction in the rate and amount of shrinking. Like other cells, platelets responded to hypertonic shrinking with activation of Na+/H+ exchange, but regulatory volume increase was not detectable.     

Control of uncoupling protein in brown-fat mitochondria by purine nucleotides. Chemical modification by diazobenzenesulfonate

The uncoupling protein (UP) of isolated brown adipose tissue mitochondria was studied with respect to the mechanism of control of UP function by purine nucleotides. Passive transport of H+ and Cl- was followed simultaneously in a KCl medium. With both GDP and ATP a higher sensitivity of Cl- transport (apparent Ki = 2.2 microM and 4.7 microM respectively) than of H+ transport (apparent Ki = 7.7 microM and 34 microM respectively) was observed. Chemical modification of isolated mitochondria by diazobenzenesulfonate (DABS) up to 75 mumol/mg protein did not affect the transport, its ionic selectivity and regulation by endogenous free fatty acids. In contrast, the sensitivity to purine nucleotides of both H+ and Cl- translocation was decreased (apparent Ki increased 71 and 47 times respectively). DABS decreased the affinity of [3H]GDP for the specific nucleotide-binding site on mitochondria (Kd increased from 2.7 microM to 13 microM) and depressed, to a smaller extent, the GDP-binding capacity. Correlation between occupancy of the specific nucleotide-binding site by GDP and inhibition of transport yielded a linear relationship for Cl- transport in control mitochondria. For H+ transport in the control, and for both H+ and Cl- transports in DABS-treated mitochondria, a biphasic correlation was obtained. The results show that different structural parts of UP are involved in transport and its control by the regulatory ligands and that, in addition to binding of purine nucleotides to UP, the inhibition of ion transport by purine nucleotides depends on an intrinsic factor modulating the inhibitory effect.     

Mechanism of the nucleotide exchange reaction in eukaryotic polypeptide chain initiation. Characterization of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor as a GTP-binding protein

Polypeptide chain initiation in mammalian systems is regulated at the level of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF). This multisubunit protein catalyzes the exchange of GDP bound to eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) for GTP. Although various models have been proposed for its mode of action, the exact sequence of events involved in nucleotide exchange is still uncertain. We have studied this reaction by three different experimental techniques: (a) membrane filtration assays to measure the release of [3H]GDP from the eIF-2.[3H]GDP binary complex, (b) changes in the steady-state polarization of fluorescamine-GDP during the nucleotide exchange reaction, and (c) sucrose gradient analysis of the total reaction. The results obtained do not support the reaction as written: eIF-2.GDP + GEF in equilibrium eIF-2.GEF + GDP. The addition of GEF alone does not result in the displacement of eIF-2-bound GDP. The release of bound GDP is dependent on the presence of both GTP and GEF, and this argues against the possibility of a substituted enzyme (ping-pong) mechanism for the guanine nucleotide exchange reaction. An important finding of the present study is the observation that GTP binds to GEF. The Kd value of 4 microM for GTP was estimated (a) by the extent of quenching of tryptophan fluorescence of GEF in the presence of GTP and (b) by the binding of [3H]GTP to GEF as measured on nitrocellulose membranes. The GEF-dependent release of eIF-2-bound GDP was studied at several constant concentrations of one substrate (GTP or eIF-2.GDP) while varying the second substrate concentration, and the results were then plotted according to the Lineweaver-Burk method. Taken together, the results of GTP and eIF-2.GDP binding to GEF and the pattern of the double-reciprocal plots strongly suggest that the guanine nucleotide exchange reaction follows a sequential mechanism.     

Relationships between Ca2+ release, Ca2+ cycling, and Ca2+-mediated permeability changes in mitochondria

Ruthenium red and/or EGTA prevent cyclic uptake and release of Ca2+ in mitochondria. These compounds inhibit but do not prevent the swelling of liver mitochondria induced by Ca2+ plus t-butyl hydroperoxide or Ca2+ plus N-ethylmaleimide. Ruthenium red and/or EGTA have complex effects on the release rate of Ca2+ and other cations induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide or N-ethylmaleimide. To determine the relationship between permeability changes and Ca2+ release in the absence of Ca2+ cycling, a novel method of data collection and analysis is developed which allows the relative time courses of Ca2+ release and Mg2+ release or swelling to be accurately and quantitatively compared. This method eliminates errors in time course comparisons which arise from the aging of mitochondrial preparations and allows data from different preparations to be directly contrasted. Using the method, it is shown that permeability changes caused by Ca2+-releasing agents are not secondary effects arising from Ca2+ cycling between uptake and release carriers. In the absence of Ca2+-cycling inhibitors, Ca2+ release induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide or N-ethylmaleimide is, in part, carrier-mediated. In the presence of EGTA and ruthenium red, Ca2+ release induced by either agent is mediated solely by the permeability pathway. No differences are apparent in the solute selectivity of the inner membrane permeability defect induced by Ca2+ plus t-butyl hydroperoxide or Ca2+ plus N-ethylmaleimide. A novel type of Ca2+ release from energized liver mitochondria is reported. This release is induced by EGTA, occurs in the absence of other releasing agents or nonspecific permeability changes, and is rapid (greater than or equal to 50 nmol/min/mg protein).     

Effect of chloride and bicarbonate ions on Mg2+ -ATPase of plasma membranes of bream (Abramis brama L.) brain sensitive to GABAA-ergic compounds

Effect of Cl and HCO3- ions on the Mg2+ -ATPase activity of the plasma membrane of bream brain was investigated. Cl- (5 or 10 mM) and HCO3- (1-5 mM) individually have low effect on the "basal" Mg2+ -ATPase. Simultaneous presence of Cl- and HCO3- in the incubation medium significantly increased the enzyme activity. Maximum effect of anions on the enzyme is observed in the presence of Cl- (approximately 7 mM) and HCO3- (approximately 3 mM). Br- can replace Cl- under joint effect with HCO3-, while I- has half maximum activity compared with Cl-. Bicuculline (7 microM) inhibits completely the joint effect of Cl- and HCO3- on the enzyme, while it has no effect on the "basal" Mg2+ -ATPase activity. SH-reagents (5, 5-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid, N-ethylmaleimide), oligomycine and orthovanadate inhibited the Cl-, HCO3- -activated Mg2+ -ATPase. The obtained results demonstrated that Mg2+ -ATPase of the bream brain sensitive to GABAergic ligands at a fixed concentrations of Cl- and HCO3- ions in the incubation medium is Cl-, HCO3- -activated by Mg2+ -ATPase, whose activity meets a number of requirements to the system which may be involved by GABAA receptors in the Cl-/HCO3- -exchange processes.     

Microfluorometric analysis of Cl- permeability and its relation to oscillatory Ca2+ signalling in glucose-stimulated pancreatic beta-cells

The cytoplasmic concentrations of Cl-([Cl-]i) and Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were measured with the fluorescent indicators N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinilinum bromide (MQAE) and fura-2 in pancreatic beta-cells isolated from ob/ob mice. Steady-state [Cl-]i in unstimulated beta-cells was 34 mM, which is higher than expected from a passive distribution. Increase of the glucose concentration from 3 to 20 mM resulted in an accelerated entry of Cl- into beta-cells depleted of this ion. The exposure to 20 mM glucose did not affect steady-state [Cl-]i either in the absence or presence of furosemide inhibition of Na+, K+, 2 Cl- co-transport. Glucose-induced oscillations of [Ca2+]i were transformed into sustained elevation in the presence of 4,4' diisothiocyanato-dihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (H2DIDS). A similar effect was noted when replacing 25% of extracellular Cl- with the more easily permeating anions SCN-, I-, NO3- or Br-. It is concluded that glucose stimulation of the beta-cells is coupled to an increase in their Cl- permeability and that the oscillatory Ca2+ signalling is critically dependent on transmembrane Cl- fluxes.     

Chloride-ion stimulation of the tonoplast H+-translocating ATPase from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) latex. A dual mechanism.

The effect of Cl- and other anions on the tonoplast H+-translocating ATPase (H+-ATPase) from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) latex was investigated. Cl- and other anions stimulated the ATPase activity of tightly sealed vesicles prepared from Hevea tonoplast, with the following decreasing order of effectiveness: Cl- greater than Br- greater than SO4(2-) greater than NO3-. As indicated by the changes of the protonmotive potential difference, anion stimulation of tonoplast H+-ATPase was caused in part by the ability of these anions to dissipate the electrical potential. This interpretation assumes not a channelling of these anions against a membrane potential, negative-inside, but a modification of the permeability of these ions through the tonoplast membrane. In addition, Cl- and the other anions stimulated the ATPase activity solubilized from the tonoplast membrane. Consequently, the tonoplast H+-pumping ATPase can be considered as an anion-stimulated enzyme. These results are discussed in relation to various models described in the literature for the microsomal H+-ATPase systems claimed as tonoplast entities.     

Effect of pH and KCl on aggregation state and sulphydryl groups reactivity of rat skeletal muscle AMP deaminase

The effects of pH and KCl on sedimentation properties and SH groups reactivity of rat skeletal muscle AMP deaminase have been investigated. The values obtained for apparent molecular weight are consistent with an association of AMP deaminase subunits in response to increasing KCl concentration. Increasing pH value from 6.0 to 8.0 causes a reduction in the apparent molecular weight of the enzyme at high KCl concentration, which can be interpreted as due to a deprotonation-induced isomerization process. Removal of Zn2+ from AMP deaminase has effect similar to alkalinization in modifying the sedimentation properties of the enzyme. In the native enzyme at high K+ concentration about 7, 9 and 12 SH groups can be titrated with Nbs2, approximately 1, 2 and 4 SH groups reacting as fast sets, at pH 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0, respectively. Substitution of the 12 SH groups reactive with Nbs2 at pH 8.0 has no effect on the pH-dependent allosteric behaviour of the enzyme. Removal of K+ causes considerable changes in the reactivity of AMP deaminase towards Nbs2, unmasking a class of additional SH groups, so that the total number of titratable SH groups approaches that of 30 determined in denaturing conditions. In the enzyme previously treated with N-ethylmaleimide to alkylate the fast reacting class of SH groups, the class of additional SH groups are substituted by Nbs2 at basic pH, but not at acidic pH, with a concomitant reduction of the enzyme activity.