Inhibition of red cell Ca-ATPase by vanadate

1. 1. The Mg²⁺- plus Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase (Ca²⁺-ATPase) in human red cell membranes is susceptible to inhibition by low concentrations of vanadate.

2. 2. Several natural activators of Ca²⁺-ATPase (Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ and calmodulin) modify inhibition by increasing the apparent affinity of the enzyme for vanadate.

3. 3. Among the ligands tested, K⁺, in combination with Mg²⁺, had the most pronounced effect on inhibition by vanadate.

4. 4. Under conditions optimal for inhibition of Ca²⁺-ATPase, the K for vanadate was 1.5 μM and inhibition was nearly complete at saturating vanadate concentrations.

5. 5. There are similarities between the kinetics of inhibition of red cell Ca²⁺-ATPase and (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase prepared from a variety of sources; however, (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase is approx. 3 times more sensitive to inhibition by vanadate.

Vanadate inhibition of the Ca-ATPase from human red cell membranes

1. (1) VO₃⁻ combines with high affinity to the Ca²⁺-ATPase and fully inhibits Ca²⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-phosphatase activities. Inhibition is associated with a parallel decrease in the steady-state level of the Ca²⁺-dependent phosphoenzyme.

2. (2) VO₃⁻ blocks hydrolysis of ATP at the catalytic site. The sites for VO₃⁻ also exhibit negative interactions in affinity with the regulatory sites for ATP of the Ca²⁺-ATPase.

3. (3) The sites for VO₃⁻ show positive interactions in affinity with sites for Mg²⁺ and K⁺. This accounts for the dependence on Mg²⁺ and K⁺ of the inhibition by VO₃⁻. Although, with less effectiveness, Na⁺ substitutes for K⁺ whereas Li⁺ does not. The apparent affinities for Mg²⁺ and K⁺ for inhibition by VO₃⁻ seem to be less than those for activation of the Ca²⁺-ATPase.

4. (4) Inhibition by VO₃⁻ is independent of Ca²⁺ at concentrations up to 50 μM. Higher concentrations of Ca²⁺ lead to a progressive release of the inhibitory effect of VO₃⁻.

Metal requirement of the isolated red cell Ca-pump ATPase after elimination of calmodulin dependence by trypsin attack

Mild proteolysis by trypsin activates the purified (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺) - ATPase protein from human red cells in a way which is similar to the effect obtained by addition of calmodulin. The trypsin concentration required to reach half maximal effect in 3 minutes at 37°C is 2.5 – 3.5 μg/ml. SDS-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis reveals a degradation of the main protein (150'000 Dalton) into a large fragment (95'000 – 100'000 Dalton) and a small fragment (35'000 – 40'000 Dalton). Increasing ATPase activity correlates with the degree of proteolysis.The _Ca of the digested (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase is 0.85 ± 0.1 μM Ca²⁺ as compared to 8.0 ± 0.75 μM Ca²⁺ before digestion and is statistically significantly different from _Ca = 1.66 ± 0.22 μM Ca²⁺ observed in activation by a saturating calmodulin concentration. Addition of calmodulin to the trypsinized enzyme has neither an effect on the Ca²⁺-affinity nor achieves any large increase of the maximal rate.High Ca²⁺ concentrations (above 0.05 – 0.1 mM) after trypsin treatment still inhibit the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. Mg²⁺ activates in the same concentration range ( _Mg = 25 μM) as in the undigested preparation ( _Mg = 27 μM) and retains its competitive behaviour towards Ca²⁺ after trypsin treatment.It is concluded that (1) trypsin treatment unmasks high affinity sites for Ca²⁺ ( _Ca 1 μM) and that, therefore, such sites are not added to the system by calmodulin, and (2) that inhibition by high Ca²⁺-concentrations is not due to Ca - Mg competition at sites located on the calmodulin molecule.     

Ca-stimulated, Mg-independent ATP hydrolysis and the high affinity Ca-pumping ATPase. Two different activities in rat kidney basolateral membranes

The Mg²⁺-dependency of Ca²⁺-induced ATP hydrolysis is studied in basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat kidney cortex in the presence of CDTA and EGTA as Mg²⁺- and Ca²⁺-buffering ligands. ATP hydrolysis is strongly stimulated by Mg²⁺ with a K_m of 13 μ M in the absence or presence of 1 μ M free Ca²⁺. At free Mg²⁺ concentrations of 1 μ M and lower, ATP hydrolysis is Mg²⁺ -independent, but is strongly stimulated by submicromolar Ca²⁺ concentrations K_m = 0.25 μM, V_max = 24 μmol P_i/h per mg protein). The Ca²⁺-stimulated ATP hydrolysis strongly decreases at higher Mg²⁺ concentrations. The Ca²⁺-stimulated Mg²⁺-independent ATP hydrolysis is not affected by calmodulin or trifluoperazine and shows no specificity for ATP over ADP, ITP and GTP. In contrast, at high Mg²⁺ concentrations calmodulin and trifluoperazine affect the high affinity Ca²⁺-ATPase activity significantly and ATP is the preferred substrate. Control studies on ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-pumping in renal basolaterals and on Ca²⁺-ATPase in erythrocyte ghosts suggest that the Ca²⁺-pumping enzyme requires Mg²⁺. In contrast, a role of the Ca²⁺-stimulated Mg²⁺-independent ATP hydrolysis in active Ca²⁺ transport across basolateral membranes is rather unlikely.     

Stimulatory effect of hormonal signaling factors on (Ca2+−Mg2+)-ATPase activity in rat liver plasma membranes: Cross talk with regucalcin

The effect of hormonal signaling factors on (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in rat liver plasma membranes was investigated. The presence of inositol-glycan (10^–7–10^–5M), dibutyryl cAMP (10^–4 and 10^–3M) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃; 10^–6 and 10^–5 M) in the enzyme reaction mixture produced a significant increase in (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. These effects were completely inhibited by the presence of vanadate (10^–4 M), an inhibitor of the enzyme phosphorylation, and N-ethylmaleimide (5×10^–3 M), a SH group modifying reagent. Meanwhile, regucalcin, a Ca²⁺-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytosol, increased the enzyme activity by binding to the SH groups of (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase in liver plasma membranes. The presence of regucalcin (0.25 M) with an effective concentration completely inhibited the effect of inositol-glycan (10^–5 M) to increase (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity, while the effect of dibutyryl cAMP (10^–3M) or IP₃ (10^–5M) was not altered. The inositol-glycan effect was not modulated by the presence of dibutyryl cAMP or IP₃. Now, the preincubation of the plasma membranes with regucalcin did not modify the effect of inositol-glycan on the enzyme activity, suggesting that regucalcin competes with inositol-glycan for the binding to the plasma membranes. The present results suggest that there may be a cross talk with regucalcin and hormonal signaling factors in the regulation of (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in liver plasma membranes.     

Regucalcin modulates hormonal effect on (Ca2+−Mg2+)-ATPase activity in rat liver plasma membranes

The interaction of various hormones and regucalcin on (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in rat liver plasma membranes was investigated. The presence of epinephrine (10^–6–10^–4 M), and insulin (10^–8–10^– M) in the reaction mixture produced a significant increase in (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity, while the enzyme activity was decreased significantly by calcitonin, (3×10^–8–3×10^–6 M). These hormonal effects, except for calcitonin, were clearly inhibited by the presence of vanadate (10^–4 M) which can inhibit the Ca²⁺-dependent phosphorylation of enzyme. Meanwhile, regucalcin (0.25 and 0.50 M), isolated from rat liver cytosol, elevated significantly (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in the plasma membranes, although this elevation was not inhibited by vanadate (10^–4 M). the epinephrine (10^–5 M) or phenylephrine (10^–4 M)-induced increase in (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was disappeared in the presence of regucalcin; in this case the effect of regucalcin was also weakened. However, the inhibitory effect of calcitonin (3×10^–6 M) was not weakened by the presence of regucalcin (0.5 M). Moreover, GTP (10^–5 and 10^–4 M)-induced increase in (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was not seen in the presence of regucalcin (0.25 M). The present finding suggests that the activating mechanism of regucalcin on (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase is not involved on GTP-binding protein which modulates the receptor-mediated hormonal effect in rat liver plasma membranes.     

Activating effect of regucalcin on (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase in rat liver plasma membranes: relation to sulfhydryl group

The activating mechanism of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytosol, on (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase in the plasma membranes of rat liver was investigated. (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was markedly increased by a sulfhydryl (SH) group protecting reagent dithiothreitol (DTT; 2.5 and 5 mM as a final concentration), while the enzyme activity was significantly decreased by a SH group modifying reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM; 0.5–5 mM). The effect of DTT (5 mM) to increase the enzyme activity was clearly blocked by NEM (5 mM). Regucalcin (0.25–1.0 M) significantly increased (Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. This increase was completely blocked by NEM (5 mM). Meanwhile, digitonin (0.04%), which can solubilize the membranous lipids, significantly decreased (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. Digitonin did not have an effect on the DTT (5 mM)-increased enzyme activity. However, the effect of regucalcin (0.25 M) increasing (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was entirely blocked by the presence of digitonin. The present results suggest that regucalcin activates (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase by the binding to liver plasma membrane lipids, and that the activation is involved in the SH groups which are an active site of the enzyme.     

Cadmium interactions with ATPase activity in the euryhaline alga Dunaliella bioculata

To further study the toxicity of cadmium in the euryhaline alga, Dunaliella bioculata, ATPase activity and Cd²⁺ interactions were investigated in this species.Ultracytochemical studies showed the presence of ATPase reaction after incubation with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, on different cell structures, the cytoplasm, the nucleoplasm, the axoneme and the membrane of the flagellae. In the cytoplasm, the localization of the lead precipates suggests that they are associated with the endoplasmic reticulum.The in vitro measurement of enzyme activity in crude cell extracts obtained by a partial solubilization of deflagellated algae with Triton X100, revealed a high Mg²⁺ dependent pyrophosphatase activity, a weak Mg²⁺-ATPase and a Ca²⁺-ATPase (Km = 0.12 mM) which was little sensitive to vanadate. In these extracts, a Ca²⁺ dependent ATPase was detected at the level of a double band by a non-denaturing electrophoresis. The same activity was found in the supernatant of sonicated cells in the absence of detergent, which suggests that this ATPase could be a cytosolic enzyme.In plasma membrane fractions, vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity was measured. This reaction was activated either by Mg²⁺ at relatively low concentrations (Km = 150µm) or by Ca² +, but required unusually high concentrations of this ion, 50–100 mM.The inhibitory effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ ATPase activity in cell extracts were compared with those of other cations. The range of toxicity was: Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > La³⁺ > Co²⁺. For Cd²⁺, the IC₅₀ was 42 µM. The nature of inhibition, though, mixed was for the most part competitive, since the competitive constant value (Ki = 7 µM) was lower than the non-competitive constant value (Ki = 35 µM).In plasma membrane fractions, ATPase activity showed a high sensitivity to the heavy metal. It was non-competitively inhibited by cadmium in a narrow range of micromolar concentrations.     

Phospholipid requirement of Ca2+-stimulated,Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis in rat brain synaptic membranes

The phospholipid requirement for Ca²⁺-stimulated, Mg²⁺-dependent ATP hydrolysis (Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase) and Mg²⁺-stimulated ATP hydrolysis (Mg²⁺-ATPase) in rat brain synaptosomal membranes was studied employing partial delipidation of the membranes with phospholipase A₂ (Hog pancreas), phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus) and phospholipase D (cabbage). Treatment with phospholipase A₂ caused an increase in the activities of both Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase whereas with phospholipase C treatment both the enzyme activities were inhibited. Phospholipase D treatment had no effect on Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase but Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was inhibited. Inhibition of Mg²⁺-ATPase activity after phospholipase C treatment was relieved with the addition of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) and to a lesser extent with phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidic acid (PA), PIP and PIP₂ brought about the reactivation of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase. Phosphatidylinositol (PI) and PA inhibited Mg²⁺-ATPase activity.K _ms for Ca²⁺ (0.47 M) and Mg²⁺ (60 M) of the enzyme were found to be unaffected after treatment with the phospholipases.     

Erythrocyte Membrane Digoxin-Sensitive (Na+–K+)-ATPase of Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetic Humans

Erythrocyte plasma membranes of non-insulin dependent diabetic humans (NIDDM) and healthy humans were prepared by hypotonic lysis. The specific activity of (Na⁺–K⁺)-ATPase of NIDDM membranes, both in the absence and presence of digoxin were lower than the specific activity of normal enzymes (83.6 percent and 74.0 percent of the normal enzyme respectively). Addition of digoxin decreased the activity of this enzyme (38.0 percent in NIDDM and 30.0 percent in normal enzyme).Although the affinity of the pump for ATP was similar in both membranes of NIDDM and normal humans (K_m for ATP=19.9±0.24M ATP and 20.0±0.21 M ATP respectively), the V_max of NIDDM membranes was more than 20 percent lower than that of the normal enzyme. The specific activity of Mg²⁺-dependent Ca²⁺-pumping ATPase (Ca²⁺–Mg²⁺)-ATPase) of NIDDM membrane was lower than 80 percent of the specific activity of the normal enzymes. While the affinity of the pump for ATP was lower in the membranes of NIDDM (K_m for ATP=50.0±4.3 M ATP) in comparison to normal membranes (K_m for ATP=63.1±38M ATP), the V_max of NIDDM membranes was similar to the normal enzyme. Altogether, these findings suggest that both the (Na⁺–K⁺)-ATPase and Ca²⁺-pumping ATPase of NIDDM membranes are less functional than the enzymes in normal erythrocytes.     

Studies on (NA + K)-activated ATPase XLV. Magnesium induces two low-affinity non-phosphorylating nucleotide binding sites per molecule

ATP and adenylylimidodiphosphate (AdoPP[NH]P) bind to (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase in the absence of Mg²⁺ (EDTA present) with a homogeneous but 15-fold different affinity, the K_d values being 0.13 μM and 1.9 μM, respectively. The binding capacities of the two nucleotides are nearly equal and amount to 3.9 and 4 nmol/mg protein or 1.7 and 1.8 mol/mol (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase, respectively. The K_d value for ATP is equal to the K_m for phosphorylation by ATP (0.05–0.25 μM) and the binding capacity is equivalent to the phosphorylation capacity of 1.8 mol/mol (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase. Hence, the enzyme contains two high-affinity nucleotide binding and phosphorylating sites per molecule, or one per α-subunit. Additional low-affinity nucleotide binding sites are elicited in the presence of Mg²⁺, as shown by binding studies with the non-phosphorylating (AdoPP[NH]P). The K_d and binding capacity for AdoPP[NH]P at these sites is dependent on the Mg²⁺ concentration. The K_d increases from 0.06 mM at 0.5 mM Mg²⁺ to a maximum of 0.26 mM at 2 mM Mg²⁺ and the binding capacity from 1.5 nmol/mg protein at 0.5 mM Mg²⁺ to 3.3 nmol/mg protein at 4 mM Mg²⁺. Extrapolation of a double reciprocal plot of binding capacity vs. total Mg²⁺ concentration yields a maximal binding capacity at infinite Mg²⁺ concentration of 3.8 nmol/mg protein or 1.7 mol/mol (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase. The K_d for Mg²⁺ at the sites, where it exerts this effect, is 0.8 mM. The K_d for the high-affinity sites increases from 1.5–1.9 μM in the absence of Mg²⁺ to a maximum of 4.2 μM at 2 mM Mg²⁺ concentration. The binding capacity of these sites (1.8 mol/mol enzyme) is independent of the Mg²⁺ concentration. Hence, Mg²⁺ induces two low-affinity non-phosphorylating nucleotide binding sites per molecule (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase in addition to the two high-affinity, phosphorylating nucleotide binding sites.     

Elevation of Different Ion-Specific ATPase Activities by L-Thyroxine (T4) in Different Tissues of Tasar Silkworm, Antheraea mylitta (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) during Developmental Stages

Tissue-specific age-dependent changes were observed in Na⁺K⁺-, Ca²⁺-, and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities in tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury. Maximum enzyme activity was recorded in all the tissues on day 12 (before spinning) in control group of animals. In testis, Na⁺K⁺-, Ca²⁺-, and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities gradually increased from day 2 to day 12 during fifth larval age and level was maintained up to adult eclosion while, in ovary, a marked decline was noted up to day of adult emergence. Further, a significant and sharp rise was found in ATPase activity in silk gland tissue up to day 12 and afterwards a drastic fall was noted on day 15 (end of spinning) during fifth larval age.Administration of T4 to fifth stage larvae (1 hr old) at doses 0.5–2.0 μg/g significantly elevated the Na⁺K⁺-, Ca²⁺-, and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities in larval and pupal gonads in a dose-dependent fashion. But, in moths, the enhancement was very much confined to Na⁺K⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPase in testes and only Ca²⁺-ATPase in ovaries. Again, in silk glands thyroxine (0.5–2.0 μg/g) caused a significant rise in the all ion-dependent ATPase activities only during the fifth larval stage. Interestingly, higher doses of T4 (4.0 μg/g) caused a significant reduction in Na⁺K⁺-, Ca²⁺- and Mg²⁺-ATPase in all the tissues almost all the days studied so far. However, lower doses of T4 (0.1 and 0.25 μg/g) remained ineffective in altering the different ion-specific ATPase activities. This study suggests, that mammalian thyroxine has a metabolic influence showing biphasic nature of action in tasar silkworm ATPase system.     

Effect of antihistamines and chlorpromazine on the calcium-induced hyperpolarization of the Amphiuma red cell membrane

1. 1. It has previously been demonstrated that an increase in extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration induces a transient increase in K⁺ permeability and associated hyperpolarization of the red cell membrane of the giant salamander, Amphiuma means. This phenomenon is analogous to the Ca²⁺-induced KCl loss observed in ATP-depleted human red cells and red cell ghosts.

2. 2. Histamine, which enhances the Ca²⁺-induced K⁺ loss from depleted human red cells, is without effect on this Ca²⁺-induced hyperpolarization of Amphiuma red cells.

3. 3. Promethazine (10 μM) and mepyramine (1 mM), which inhibit the Ca²⁺-induced K⁺ loss in depleted human red cells, also block the Ca²⁺-related hyperpolarization of Amphiuma erythrocytes.

4. 4. Chlorpromazine (25 μM), despite being a weak antihistamine, is equally effective in blocking the Ca²⁺-induced hyperpolarization of Amphiuma red cells.

5. 5. Ionophore A23187 causes a large and sustained Ca²⁺/K⁺-dependent hyperpolarization even in the presence of normal (1.8 mM) concentrations of Ca²⁺. This hyperpolarization is relatively insensitive to chlorpromazine and promethazine.

6. 6. The inhibition of the Ca²⁺-induced hyperpolarization of the Amphiuma red cell membrane by chlorpromazine and promethazine may be related to their properties as local anaesthetics.

Disulfiram lowers Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase activity of rat brain synaptosomes

The chronic administration of disulfiram (DS) to rats resulted in significant decrease of synaptosomal Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. In vitro studies indicated that DS (ID₅₀=20 M) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase. However, diethyldithio-carbamate, a metabolite of DS, failed to modify Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, implying that the decrease in ATPase activity in DS administered rats was due to the effect of parent compound. The DS-mediated inhibition (48%) of ATPase activity was comparable with a similar degree of inhibition (49%) achieved by treating the synaptosomal membranes with N-ethylmaleimide (ID₅₀=20 M) in vitro. Furthermore, the inhibition by DS was neither altered by washing the membranes with EGTA nor reversed by treatment with sulfhydryl reagents such as GSH or dithiothreitol. About 74% and 68% decrease of synaptosomal Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase specific activity was observed when treated with DS (30 M) and EGTA (100 M) respectively. The remaining 25–30% of total activity is suggested to be of Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activity. This indicates that both these drugs may act on a common target, calmodulin component that represents 70–75% of total Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. Therefore, DS-mediated modulation of synaptosomal Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase activity could affect its function of maintaining intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. This could contribute to the deleterious effects on CNS.     

Specific cation modulation of anion transport across the human erythrocyte membrane

The specific modulation by three cations, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and tetracaine of the equilibrium exchange of SO₄²⁻ across the erythrocyte membrane was investigated. While external calcium had no effect on SO₄²⁻ exchange, internal calcium, and external calcium in the presence of 10 μM A23187 were found to be potent inhibitors of the exchange reaction. The apparent inhibition constants (K₁) for Ca²⁺ were calculated to be 6.1 μM and 5 μM for the above two conditions, respectively.Unlike Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ was shown to be a weak activator of SO₄²⁻ exchange with an apparent dissociation constant of 3.6 μM. Competition experiments demonstrated that the Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ sites associated with anion transport are distinct and noninteracting.Tetracaine, a cation at neutral pH, was also found to be an inhibitor of SO₄²⁻ exchange with an apparent K₁ of 0.8 mM. Although tetracaine was observed to displace calcium from non-specific sites on the erythrocyte membrane, it showed no effect on the apparent inhibition constant of Ca²⁺ for SO₄²⁻ exchange. Thus, the Ca²⁺ and tetracaine sites also appear to be independent. The difficulty of situating three mutually independent sites on a single subunit protein, i.e., band 3, is considered.Using the experimental data obtained from five individuals, the concentration of free calcium in the red cell cytoplasm was calculated to range from 0.2 to 0.7 μM. This concentration was sufficient to reduce SO₄²⁻ exchange only 3–8%. It was concluded that calcium inhibition of anion exchange, and, hence, impairment of CO₂ transport, may be physiologically significant only in senescent cells and in certain types of anemia where calcium concentrations are significantly increased.     

Properties of an ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in brain synaptosome membrane vesicles from the bertha armyworm,Mamestra configurata Wlk

Biochemical and kinetic properties under identical substrate and reaction conditions were obtained for an ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ pump and (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase in synaptosome membrane vesicles prepared from the brain of the moth, Mamestra configurata. Both the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ pump and (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase had single, high-affinity binding sites for ATP (K_m = 14 and 116 μM, respectively), Ca²⁺_free (K_m = 0.13 nM and 0.072 nM, respectively), and Mg²⁺ (K_m = 1.1 mM and 0.07 mM, respectively). Both systems were relatively little affected by K⁺ and were insensitive to ouabain, an inhibitor of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase. The results indicate that the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ pump and (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase are functionally coupled in synaptic membranes and constitute a mechanism for Ca²⁺ transport in the brain of M. configurata. Although moth brain (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase is maximally active at nanomolar concentrations of free calcium ion, the enzyme retains at least one-half of its maximal activity at micromolar calcium concentrations, indicating either that the enzyme has two binding sites for calcium (a high-affinity site at nanomolar Ca²⁺_free and a low-affinity site at micromolar Ca²⁺_free), or that there are two enzymes with high and low affinity for calcium, respectively. Calcium extrusion from brain neurones of M. configurata may operate in a two-stage, concentration-dependent process in which a first stage, low-affinity pump reduces intraneuronal calcium to a concentration at which a second stage, high-affinity pump becomes activated.