Na+-K+ pumps in the transverse tubular system of skeletal muscle fibers preferentially use ATP from glycolysis

The Na⁺-K⁺ pumps in the transverse tubular (T) system of a muscle fiber play a vital role keeping K⁺ concentration in the T-system sufficiently low during activity to prevent chronic depolarization and consequent loss of excitability. These Na⁺-K⁺ pumps are located in the triad junction, the key transduction zone controlling excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, a region rich in glycolytic enzymes and likely having high localized ATP usage and limited substrate diffusion. This study examined whether Na⁺-K⁺ pump function is dependent on ATP derived via the glycolytic pathway locally within the triad region. Single fibers from rat fast-twitch muscle were mechanically skinned, sealing off the T-system but retaining normal EC coupling. Intracellular composition was set by the bathing solution and action potentials (APs) triggered in the T-system, eliciting intracellular Ca²⁺ release and twitch and tetanic force responses. Conditions were selected such that increased Na⁺-K⁺ pump function could be detected from the consequent increase in T-system polarization and resultant faster rate of AP repriming. Na⁺-K⁺ pump function was not adequately supported by maintaining cytoplasmic ATP concentration at its normal resting level (8 mM), even with 10 or 40 mM creatine phosphate present. Addition of as little as 1 mM phospho(enol)pyruvate resulted in a marked increase in Na⁺-K⁺ pump function, supported by endogenous pyruvate kinase bound within the triad. These results demonstrate that the triad junction is a highly restricted microenvironment, where glycolytic resynthesis of ATP is critical to meet the high demand of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump and maintain muscle excitability. muscle fatigue; sodium-potassium-adenosinetriphosphatase; excitation-contraction coupling; T-system; excitability     

Alloxan-induced diabetes reduces sarcolemmal Na+-K+ pump function in rabbit ventricular myocytes

The effect of diabetes on sarcolemmal Na⁺-K⁺ pump function is important for our understanding of heart disease associated with diabetes and design of its treatment. We induced diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia but no other major metabolic disturbances in rabbits. Ventricular myocytes isolated from diabetic rabbits and controls were voltage clamped and internally perfused with the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Electrogenic Na⁺-K⁺ pump current (I_p, arising from the 3:2 Na⁺-to-K⁺ exchange ratio) was identified as the shift in holding current induced by Na⁺-K⁺ pump blockade with 100 µmol/l ouabain in most experiments. There was no effect of diabetes on I_p recorded when myocytes were perfused with pipette solutions containing 80 mmol/l Na⁺ to nearly saturate intracellular Na⁺-K⁺ pump sites. However, diabetes was associated with a significant decrease in I_p measured when pipette solutions contained 10 mmol/l Na⁺. The decrease was independent of membrane voltage but dependent on the intracellular concentration of K⁺. There was no effect of diabetes on the sensitivity of I_p to extracellular K⁺. Pump inhibition was abolished by restoration of euglycemia or by in vivo angiotensin II receptor blockade with losartan. We conclude that diabetes induces sarcolemmal Na⁺-K⁺ pump inhibition that can be reversed with pharmacological intervention. sodium transport; insulin; angiotensin II; cardiomyopathy; hyperglycemia     

Glutathionylation-Dependence of Na+-K+-Pump Currents Can Mimic Reduced Subsarcolemmal Na+ Diffusion

The existence of a subsarcolemmal space with restricted diffusion for Na⁺ in cardiac myocytes has been inferred from a transient peak electrogenic Na⁺-K⁺ pump current beyond steady state on reexposure of myocytes to K⁺ after a period of exposure to K⁺-free extracellular solution. The transient peak current is attributed to enhanced electrogenic pumping of Na⁺ that accumulated in the diffusion-restricted space during pump inhibition in K⁺-free extracellular solution. However, there are no known physical barriers that account for such restricted Na⁺ diffusion, and we examined if changes of activity of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump itself cause the transient peak current. Reexposure to K⁺ reproduced a transient current beyond steady state in voltage-clamped ventricular myocytes as reported by others. Persistence of it when the Na⁺ concentration in patch pipette solutions perfusing the intracellular compartment was high and elimination of it with K⁺-free pipette solution could not be reconciled with restricted subsarcolemmal Na⁺ diffusion. The pattern of the transient current early after pump activation was dependent on transmembrane Na⁺- and K⁺ concentration gradients suggesting the currents were related to the conformational poise imposed on the pump. We examined if the currents might be accounted for by changes in glutathionylation of the β₁ Na⁺-K⁺ pump subunit, a reversible oxidative modification that inhibits the pump. Susceptibility of the β₁ subunit to glutathionylation depends on the conformational poise of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump, and glutathionylation with the pump stabilized in conformations equivalent to those expected to be imposed on voltage-clamped myocytes supported this hypothesis. So did elimination of the transient K⁺-induced peak Na⁺-K⁺ pump current when we included glutaredoxin 1 in patch pipette solutions to reverse glutathionylation. We conclude that transient K⁺-induced peak Na⁺-K⁺ pump current reflects the effect of conformation-dependent β₁ pump subunit glutathionylation, not restricted subsarcolemmal diffusion of Na⁺.     

Insulin increases the turnover rate of Na+-K+-ATPase in human fibroblasts

Insulin stimulates K⁺ transport by theNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase in human fibroblasts. In othercell systems, this action represents an automatic response to increasedintracellular [Na⁺] or results from translocation oftransporters from an intracellular site to the plasma membrane. Here weevaluate whether these mechanisms are operative in human fibroblasts.Human fibroblasts expressed the ₁ but not the₂ and ₃ isoforms ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase. Insulin increased the influx ofRb⁺, used to trace K⁺ entry, but did not modifythe total intracellular content of K⁺, Rb⁺, andNa⁺ over a 3-h incubation period. Ouabain increasedintracellular Na⁺ more rapidly in cells incubated withinsulin, but this increase followed insulin stimulation ofRb⁺ transport. Bumetanide did not prevent the increasedNa⁺ influx or stimulation ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase. Stimulation of theNa⁺-K⁺- ATPase by insulin did not produce anymeasurable change in membrane potential. Insulin did not affect theaffinity of the pump toward internal Na⁺ or the number ofmembrane-bound Na⁺-K⁺-ATPases, as assessed byouabain binding. By contrast, insulin slightly increased the affinityof Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase toward ouabain. Phorbol estersdid not mimic insulin action on Na⁺-K⁺-ATPaseand inhibited, rather than stimulated, Rb⁺ transport. Theseresults indicate that insulin increases the turnover rate ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPases of human fibroblasts withoutaffecting their number on the plasma membrane or modifying theirdependence on intracellular [Na⁺].

     

SGK1 activates Na+-K+-ATPase in amphibian renal epithelial cells

Serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1) is thought to be an important regulator of Na⁺ reabsorption in the kidney. It has been proposed that SGK1 mediates the effects of aldosterone on transepithelial Na⁺ transport. Previous studies have shown that SGK1 increases Na⁺ transport and epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) activity in the apical membrane of renal epithelial cells. SGK1 has also been implicated in the modulation of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity, the transporter responsible for basolateral Na⁺ efflux, although this observation has not been confirmed in renal epithelial cells. We examined Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase function in an A6 renal epithelial cell line that expresses SGK1 under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter. The results showed that expression of a constitutively active mutant of SGK1 (SGK1^T_S425D) increased the transport activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase 2.5-fold. The increase in activity was a direct consequence of activation of the pump itself. The onset of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activation was observed between 6 and 24 h after induction of SGK1 expression, a delay that is significantly longer than that required for activation of ENaC in the same cell line (1 h). SGK1 and aldosterone stimulated the Na⁺ pump synergistically, indicating that the pathways mediated by these molecules operate independently. This observation was confirmed by demonstrating that aldosterone, but not SGK1^T_S425D, induced an 2.5-fold increase in total protein and plasma membrane Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase ₁-subunit abundance. We conclude that aldosterone increases the abundance of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, whereas SGK1 may activate existing pumps in the membrane in response to chronic or slowly acting stimuli. sodium transport; serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase; A6 cells; sodium pump     

Na+ influx and Na+-K+ pump activation during short-term exposure of cardiac myocytes to aldosterone

To examine the effect of aldosterone on sarcolemmalNa⁺ transport, we measuredouabain-sensitive electrogenicNa⁺-K⁺pump current(I_p) involtage-clamped ventricular myocytes and intracellularNa⁺ activity(aⁱ_Na) in right ventricularpapillary muscles. Aldosterone (10 nM) induced an increase in bothI_p and the rateof rise of aⁱ_Na duringNa⁺-K⁺pump blockade with the fast-acting cardiac steroid dihydroouabain. Thealdosterone-induced increase inI_p and rate ofrise of aⁱ_Na was eliminated bybumetanide, suggesting that aldosterone activates Na⁺ influx through theNa⁺-K⁺-2Clcotransporter. To obtain independent support for this, theNa⁺,K⁺, andCl concentrations in thesuperfusate and solution of pipettes used to voltage clamp myocyteswere set at levels designed to abolish the inward electrochemicaldriving force for theNa⁺-K⁺-2Clcotransporter. This eliminated the aldosterone-induced increase inI_p. We concludethat in vitro exposure of cardiac myocytes to aldosterone activates theNa⁺-K⁺-2Clcotransporter to enhance Na⁺influx and stimulate theNa⁺-K⁺pump.

     

Dependence of Na+-K+ pump current-voltage relationship on intracellular Na+, K+, and Cs+ in rabbit cardiac myocytes

To examine effects of cytosolicNa⁺, K⁺, and Cs⁺ on the voltagedependence of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump, we measuredNa⁺-K⁺ pump current (I_p)of ventricular myocytes voltage-clamped at potentials(V_m) from 100 to +60 mV. Superfusates weredesigned to eliminate voltage dependence at extracellular pump sites.The cytosolic compartment of myocytes was perfused with patch pipette solutions with a Na⁺ concentration ([Na]_pip)of 80 mM and a K⁺ concentration from 0 to 80 mM or withsolutions containing Na⁺ in concentrations from 0.1 to 100 mM and K⁺ in a concentration of either 0 or 80 mM. When[Na]_pip was 80 mM, K⁺ in pipette solutionshad a voltage-dependent inhibitory effect on I_pand induced a negative slope of theI_p-V_m relationship. Cs⁺ in pipette solutions had an effect onI_p qualitatively similar to that ofK⁺. Increases in I_p with increasesin [Na]_pip were voltage dependent. The dielectriccoefficient derived from[Na]_pip-I_p relationships at thedifferent test potentials was 0.15 when pipette solutions included 80 mM K⁺ and 0.06 when pipette solutions were K⁺ free.

     

Changes in Na+-K+-ATPase activity influence cell attachment to fibronectin

Most vital cellular functions aredependent on a fine-tuned regulation of intracellular ion homeostasis.Here we have demonstrated, using COS cells that were untransfected ortransfected with wild-type rat ouabain-resistantNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase, that partial inhibition ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase has a dramatic influence oncell attachment to fibronectin. Ouabain dose-dependently decreasedattachment in untransfected cells and in cells expressing wild-typeNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase, but not in cells expressingouabain-insensitive Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, whereasinhibition of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase by loweringextracellular K⁺ concentration decreased attachment in allthree cell types. Thirty percent inhibition ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase significantly attenuatedattachment. Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase inhibition caused asustained increase in the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrationthat obscured Ca²⁺ transients observed in untreated cellsduring attachment. Inhibitors of Ca²⁺ transporterssignificantly decreased attachment, but inhibition ofNa⁺/H⁺ exchanger did not. Ouabain reduced focaladhesion kinase autophosphorylation but had no effect on cell surfaceintegrin expression. These results suggest that the level ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity strongly influences cellattachment, possibly by an effect on intracellular Ca²⁺.

     

Insulin increases plasma membrane content and reduces phosphorylation of Na+-K+ pump alpha 1-subunit in HEK-293 cells

Insulin stimulates K⁺ uptake andNa⁺ efflux via the Na⁺-K⁺ pump inkidney, skeletal muscle, and brain. The mechanism of insulin action inthese tissues differs, in part, because of differences in the isoformcomplement of the catalytic -subunit of theNa⁺-K⁺ pump. To analyze specifically the effectof insulin on the ₁-isoform of the pump, we have studiedhuman embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells stably transfected with the ratNa⁺-K⁺ pump ₁-isoform tagged onits first exofacial loop with a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope. The plasmamembrane content of ₁-subunits was quantitated bybinding a specific HA antibody to intact cells. Insulin rapidly increased the number of ₁-subunits at the cell surface.This gain was sensitive to the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinaseinhibitor wortmannin and to the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitorbisindolylmaleimide. Furthermore, the insulin-stimulated gain insurface -subunits correlated with an increase in the binding of anantibody that recognizes only the nonphosphorylated form of₁ (at serine-18). These results suggest that insulinregulates the Na⁺-K⁺ pump in HEK-293 cells, atleast in part, by decreasing serine phosphorylation and increasingplasma membrane content of ₁-subunits via a signalingpathway involving PI 3-kinase and PKC.

     

Role of endosomal Na+-K+-ATPase and cardiac steroids in the regulation of endocytosis

Plasma membrane Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, which drives potassium into and sodium out of the cell, has important roles in numerous physiological processes. Cardiac steroids (CS), such as ouabain and bufalin, specifically interact with the pump and affect ionic homeostasis, signal transduction, and endocytosed membrane traffic. CS-like compounds are present in mammalian tissues, synthesized in the adrenal gland, and considered to be new family of steroid hormones. In this study, the mechanism of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase involvement in the regulation of endocytosis is explored. We show that the effects of various CS on changes in endosomal pH are mediated by the pump and correspond to their effects on endosomal membrane traffic. In addition, it was found that CS-induced changes in endocytosed membrane traffic were dependent on alterations in [Na⁺] and [H⁺] in the endosome. Furthermore, we show that various CS differentially regulate endosomal pH and membrane traffic. The results suggest that these differences are due to specific binding characteristics. Based on our observations, we propose that Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase is a key player in the regulation of endosomal pH and endocytosed membrane traffic. Furthermore, our results raise the possibility that CS-like hormones regulate differentially intracellular membrane traffic. bufalin; ouabain; endosomal pH     

K+Nutrition and Na+Toxicity: The Basis of Cellular K+/Na+Ratios

The capacity of plants to maintain a high cytosolic K⁺/Na⁺ratiois likely to be one of the key determinants of plant salt tolerance.Important progress has been made in recent years regarding theidentification and characterization of genes and transportersthat contribute to the cytosolic K⁺/Na⁺ratio. For K⁺uptake,K⁺efflux and K⁺translocation to the shoot, genes have been isolatedthat encode K⁺uptake and K⁺release ion channels and K⁺carriersthat are coupled to either a H⁺or Na⁺gradient. Although thepicture is less clear for the movement of Na⁺, one pathway,in the form of non-selective ion channels, is likely to playa role in Na⁺uptake, whereas Na⁺efflux and compartmentationare likely to be mediated by H⁺-coupled antiport. In addition,several proteins have been characterized that play prominentroles in the regulation of K⁺and/or Na⁺fluxes. In this BotanicalBriefing we will discuss the functions and interactions of thesegenes and transporters in the broader context of K⁺nutritionand Na⁺toxicity. Copyright 1999 Annals of Botany Company Salinty, K⁺/N⁺ratio, transporter, membrane.     

K+-Na+ Exchange and Selectivity in Barley Root Cells: Effect of Na+ on the Na+ Fluxes

Using the compartmental analysis the unidirectional Na⁺ fluxesin cortical cells of barley roots, the cytoplasmic and vacuolarNa⁺ contents Q_c and Q_v, and the trans-root Na⁺ transport R'have been studied as a function of the external Na⁺ concentration.Using the re-elution technique the effect of low K⁺ concentrationson the plasmalemma efflux _co of Na⁺ (K+-Na+ exchange) and onR' was investigated at different Na+ concentrations and correspondinglydifferent values of the cytoplasmic sodium content Qc. The relationof the K+-dependent Na+ efflux coK+-dep to Qc or to the cytoplasmicNa+ concentration obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. This isconsistent with a linkage of co, K+-dep to K+ influx by a K⁺-Na⁺exchange system. The apparent Km corresponded to a cytoplasmicNa⁺ concentration of 28 mM at 0·2 mM K⁺ and about 0·2mM Na⁺ in the external solution. 0·2 mM K⁺ stimulatedthe plasma-lemma efflux of Na⁺ and inhibited Na⁺ transport selectivelyeven in the presence of 10 mM Na⁺ in the external medium showingthe high efficiency of the K⁺-Na⁺ exchange system. However,_co, K⁺-dep was inhibited at 10 mM Na¹ compared to lower Na¹concentrations suggesting some competition of Na¹ with K¹ atthe external site of the exchange system. The effect of theNa+ concentration on Na¹ influx _oc is discussed with respectto kinetic models of uuptake.     

Modeling cell volume regulation in nonexcitable cells: the roles of the Na+ pump and of cotransport systems

The purpose of this study is to contribute to understanding therole ofNa⁺-K⁺-ATPaseand of ionic cotransporters in the regulation of cell volume, byemploying a model that describes the rates of change of theintracellular concentrations ofNa⁺,K⁺, andCl, of the cell volume, andof the membrane potential. In most previous models of dynamic cellularphenomena,Na⁺-K⁺-ATPaseis incorporated via phenomenological formulations; the enzyme isincorporated here via an explicit kinetic scheme. Another feature ofthe present model is the capability to perform short-term cell volumeregulation mediated by cotransporters of KCl and NaCl. The model isemployed to perform numerical simulations for a "typical" nonpolarized animal cell. Basically, the results are consistent withthe view that the Na⁺ pump mainlyplays a long-term role in the maintenance of the electrochemicalgradients of Na⁺ andK⁺ and that short-term cell volumeregulation is achieved via passive transport, exemplified in this caseby the cotransport of KCl and NaCl.

     

Oxidative inhibition of the vascular Na+-K+ pump via NADPH oxidase-dependent β1-subunit glutathionylation: Implications for angiotensin II-induced vascular dysfunction

Glutathionylation of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump’s β₁-subunit is a key molecular mechanism of physiological and pathophysiological pump inhibition in cardiac myocytes. Its contribution to Na⁺-K⁺ pump regulation in other tissues is unknown, and cannot be assumed given the dependence on specific β-subunit isoform expression and receptor-coupled pathways. As Na⁺-K⁺ pump activity is an important determinant of vascular tone through effects on [Ca²⁺]_i, we have examined the role of oxidative regulation of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump in mediating angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced increases in vascular reactivity. β₁-subunit glutathione adducts were present at baseline and increased by exposure to Ang II in rabbit aortic rings, primary rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and human arterial segments. In VSMCs, Ang II-induced glutathionylation was associated with marked reduction in Na⁺-K⁺ATPase activity, an effect that was abolished by the NADPH oxidase inhibitory peptide, tat-gp91ds. In aortic segments, Ang II-induced glutathionylation was associated with decreased K⁺-induced vasorelaxation, a validated index of pump activity. Ang II-induced oxidative inhibition of Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase and decrease in K⁺-induced relaxation were reversed by preincubation of VSMCs and rings with recombinant FXYD3 protein that is known to facilitate deglutathionylation of β₁-subunit. Knock-out of FXYD1 dramatically decreased K⁺-induced relaxation in a mouse model. Attenuation of Ang II signaling in vivo by captopril (8 mg/kg/day for 7 days) decreased superoxide-sensitive DHE levels in the media of rabbit aorta, decreased β₁-subunit glutathionylation, and enhanced K⁺-induced vasorelaxation. Ang II inhibits the Na⁺-K⁺ pump in VSMCs via NADPH oxidase-dependent glutathionylation of the pump’s β₁-subunit, and this newly identified signaling pathway may contribute to altered vascular tone. FXYD proteins reduce oxidative inhibition of the Na⁺-K⁺ pump and may have an important protective role in the vasculature under conditions of oxidative stress.     

Cytosolic potassium controls CFTR deactivation in human sweat duct

Absorptive epithelial cells must admit large quantities of salt (NaCl) during the transport process. How these cells avoid swelling to protect functional integrity in the face of massive salt influx is a fundamental, unresolved problem. A special preparation of the human sweat duct provides critical insights into this crucial issue. We now show that negative feedback control of apical salt influx by regulating the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl^– channel activity is key to this protection. As part of this control process, we report a new physiological role of K⁺ in intracellular signaling and provide the first direct evidence of acute in vivo regulation of CFTR dephosphorylation activity. We show that cytosolic K⁺ concentration ([K⁺]_c) declines as a function of increasing cellular NaCl content at the onset of absorptive activity. Declining [K⁺]_c cause parallel deactivation of CFTR by dephosphorylation, thereby limiting apical influx of Cl^– (and its co-ion Na⁺) until [K⁺]_c is stabilized. We surmise that [K⁺]_c stabilizes when Na⁺ influx decreases to a level equal to its efflux through the basolateral Na⁺-K⁺ pump thereby preventing disruptive changes in cell volume. electrolytes; phosphatases; protein kinase A; cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator; epithelial Na⁺ channel     

(Na+-K+)-stimulated ATPase in Leaves of C4 Plants: Possible Involvement in Active Transport of C4 Acids

Leaves of three C₄ plants, Setaria italica, Pennisetum typhoides,and Amaranthus paniculatus possessed five- to ten-fold higheractivities of a (Na⁺-K⁺)-dependent ATPase than those of twoC₃ plants, Oryza sativa and Rumex vesicarius. Na⁺-K⁺ ATPasefrom leaves of Amarathus exhibited an optimal pH of 7?5 andan optimal temperature of 35 ?C. It required 40 mM K⁺ and 80mM Na⁺ for maximal activity. Ouabain partially inhibited (Na⁺-K⁺)-dependentATPase activity in leaves of C₄ plants. Ouabain also blockedthe movement of label from initially formed C₄ acids into endproducts in leaves of only C₄ plants, Setaria and Amaranthusbut not in a C₃ plant, Rumex. We propose that Na⁺-K⁺ ATPasemay mediate transfer of energy during active transport of C₄acids from mesophyll into the bundle sheath.     

Ammonium transport by the colonic H+-K+-ATPase expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Functional expression of the rat colonicH⁺-K⁺-ATPasewas obtained by coexpressing its catalytic -subunit and the₁-subunit of theNa⁺-K⁺-ATPasein Xenopus laevis oocytes. We observedthat, in oocytes expressing the rat colonicH⁺-K⁺-ATPasebut not in control oocytes (expressing₁ alone),NH₄Cl induced a decrease in⁸⁶Rb uptake and the initial rateof intracellular acidification induced by extracellularNH₄Cl was enhanced, consistentwith NH⁺₄ influx via the colonicH⁺-K⁺-ATPase.In the absence of extracellularK⁺, only oocytes expressing thecolonicH⁺-K⁺-ATPasewere able to acidify an extracellular medium supplemented withNH₄Cl. In the absence ofextracellular K⁺ and in thepresence of extracellular NH⁺₄, intracellular Na⁺ activity in oocytes expressingthe colonicH⁺-K⁺-ATPasewas lower than that in control oocytes. A kinetic analysis of⁸⁶Rb uptake suggests thatNH⁺₄ acts as a competitive inhibitor of thepump. Taken together, these results are consistent withNH⁺₄ competition forK⁺ on the external site of thecolonicH⁺-K⁺-ATPaseand with NH⁺₄ transport mediated by this pump.

     

Activation of Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase by spermine.

Spermine activated Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase when the concentrations of K⁺ and ATP were low, whereas it inhibited K⁺-dependent and ouabain-inhibitable monophosphatase. The activating effect of sperimine was not due to the substitution for K⁺ or Na⁺. Excess K⁺ inhibited Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase partially, and reduced the spermine activation. When 1 mM ATP was used, spermine at higher concentrations inhibited Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, and did not activate at all. It is suggested that the K⁺-sites essential to Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and the K⁺-phosphatase co-exist at different places of the enzyme.     

Beta-subunit of cardiac Na+-K+-ATPase dictates the concentration of the functional enzyme in caveolae

Previous studies showed the presence of a significant fraction of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase -subunits in cardiac myocyte caveolae, suggesting the caveolar interactions of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase with its signaling partners. Because both - and -subunits are required for ATPase activity, to clarify the status of the pumping function of caveolar Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, we have examined the relative distribution of two major subunit isoforms (₁ and ₁) in caveolar and noncaveolar membranes of adult rat cardiac myocytes. When cell lysates treated with high salt (Na₂CO₃ or KCl) concentrations were fractionated by a standard density gradient procedure, the resulting light caveolar membranes contained 30–40% of ₁-subunits and 80–90% of ₁-subunits. Use of Na₂CO₃ was shown to inactivate Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase; however, caveolar membranes obtained by the KCl procedure were not denatured and contained 75% of total myocyte Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity. Sealed isolated caveolae exhibited active Na⁺ transport. Confocal microscopy supported the presence of ,-subunits in caveolae, and immunoprecipitation showed the association of the subunits with caveolin oligomers. The findings indicate that cardiac caveolar inpocketings are the primary portals for active Na⁺-K⁺ fluxes, and the sites where the pumping and signaling functions of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase are integrated. Preferential concentration of ₁-subunit in caveolae was cell specific; it was also noted in neonatal cardiac myocytes but not in fibroblasts and A7r5 cells. Uneven distributions of ₁ and ₁ in early and late endosomes of myocytes suggested different internalization routes of two subunits as a source of selective localization of active Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase in cardiac caveolae. cardiac myocyte; caveolin; oligomer; ouabain; sodium pump     

Moderate-to-severe ischemic conditions increase activity and phosphorylation of the cerebral microvascular endothelial cell Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter

Brain edema that forms during the early stages of stroke involves increased transport of Na⁺ and Cl^– across an intact blood-brain barrier (BBB). Our previous studies have shown that a luminal BBB Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^– cotransporter is stimulated by conditions present during ischemia and that inhibition of the cotransporter by intravenous bumetanide greatly reduces edema formation in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model of stroke. The present study focused on investigating the effects of hypoxia, which develops rapidly in the brain during ischemia, on the activity and expression of the BBB Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^– cotransporter, as well as on Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity, cell ATP content, and intracellular volume. Cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were assessed for Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^– cotransporter and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activities as bumetanide-sensitive and ouabain-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb influxes, respectively. ATP content was assessed by luciferase assay and intracellular volume by [³H]-3-O-methyl-D-glucose and [¹⁴C]-sucrose equilibration. We found that 30-min exposure of CMECs to hypoxia ranging from 7.5% to 0.5% O₂ (vs. 19% normoxic O₂) significantly increased cotransporter activity as did 7.5% or 2% O₂ for up to 2 h. This was not associated with reduction in Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity or ATP content. CMEC intracellular volume increased only after 4 to 5 h of hypoxia. Furthermore, glucose and pyruvate deprivation increased cotransporter activity under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Finally, we found that hypoxia increased phosphorylation but not abundance of the cotransporter protein. These findings support the hypothesis that hypoxia stimulation of the BBB Na⁺-K⁺-Cl^– cotransporter contributes to ischemia-induced brain edema formation. edema; blood-brain barrier; bumetanide; cell volume