Affinity chromatography for human Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitors in plasma and urine

Semi-purified dog kidney Na+,K+-ATPase cross-linked with ovalbumin was used in batch-wise affinity chromatography for the detection of endogenous Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor in human plasma and urine. Ammonium acetate 1 M washed off the endogenous inhibitor from the immobilized enzyme. The inhibitory activity of the eluate from hypertensive plasma and urine was significantly higher (p less than 0.0025, n = 5 and p less than 0.005, n = 6 respectively) than that of normotensive. This latter was correlated with the ability of plasma from the same subjects to compete with ouabain binding to erythrocytes. Plasma and urine extracts inhibited the activity of Na+, K+-ATPase in a dose-dependent manner as ouabain does and were shown to contain 3 or 4 active compounds by high pressure liquid chromatography. The activity of some of these compounds was lost after peptidase treatment. These data support the heterogeneity of endogenous inhibitors of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in plasma and urine.     

Comparative study of calixarene effect on Mg2+ -dependent ATP-hydrolase enzymatic systems from smooth muscle cells of the uterus

Investigation the influence of calyx[4]arenes C-90, C-91, C-97 and C-99 (codes are indicated) on the enzymatic activity of four functionally different Mg2+ -dependent ATPases from smooth muscle of the uterus: actomyosin ATPase, transporting Ca2+, Mg2+ -ATPase, ouabain-sensible Na+, K+ -ATPase and basal Mg2+ -ATPase. It was shown that calixarenes C-90 and C-91 in concentration 100 microM act multidirectionally on the functionally different Mg2+ -dependent ATP-hydrolase enzymatic systems. These compounds activate effectively the actomyosin ATPase (Ka = 52 +/- 11 microM [Ukrainian character: see text] 8 +/- 2 microM, accordingly), at the same time calixarene C-90 inhibited effectively activity of transporting Ca2+, Mg2+ -ATPase of plasmatic membranes (I(0,5) = 34.6 +/- 6.4 microM), but influence on membrane-bound Na+, K+ -ATPase and basal Mg2+ -ATPase. Calixarene C-91 reduce effectively basal Mg2+ -ATPase activity, insignificantly activating Na+, K+ -ATPase but has no influence on transporting Ca2+, Mg2+ -ATPase activity of plasmatic membranes. Calixarenes C-97 and C-99 (100 microM), which have similar structure, have monodirectional influence on activity of three functionally different Mg2+-dependent ATPases of the myometrium: actomyosin ATPase and two ATPases, that related to the ATP-hydrolases of P-type--Ca2+, Mg2+ -ATPase and Na+, K+ -ATPase of plasmatic membranes. Basal Mg2+ -ATPase is resistant to the action of these two connections. Results of comparative experiments that were obtained by catalytic titration of calixarenes C-97 and C-99 by actomyosin ATPase (I(0,5) = 88 +/- 9 and 86 +/- 8 microM accordingly) and Na+, K+ -ATPase from plasmatic membranes (I(0,5) = 33 +/- 4 and 98 +/- 8 nM accordingly) indicate to the considerably more sensitiveness of Na+, K+ -ATP-ase to these calixarenes than ATPase of contractile proteins. Thus, it is shown that calixarenes have influence on activity of a number of important enzymes, involved in functioning of the smooth muscle of the uterus and related to energy-supplies of the process of the muscle contracting and support of intracellular ionic homeostasis. The obtained results can be useful in further researches, directed at the use of calixarenes as pharmaceutical substance, able to normalize the contractile function of the uterus at some pregnancy pathologies in women's.     

Potassium ion influx and Na+,K+-ATPase activity are required for the hamster sperm acrosome reaction

The role of a K+ ion influx and Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the hamster sperm acrosome reaction (AR) was examined, using a range of concentrations of K+,K+ ionophores and a Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor. Washed epididymal hamster sperm, capacitated in vitro in an artificial medium containing 2 mM Ca2+, 147 mM Na+, and 3, 6, 12, 18, or 24 mM K+, began undergoing the AR after 3 h of incubation. Sperm incubated in low K+ (0.9 mM) failed to undergo the AR even after 5 h of incubation. Sperm in 0.9 mM K+ could be induced to undergo the AR when either K+ (12 mM) alone or K+ (12 mM) with 0.1 microM nigericin was added after 3.5 h of incubation. The addition of K+ alone stimulated the AR in 30 min, whereas nigericin plus K+ stimulated the AR 15 min after addition. Neither nigericin added alone (0.9 mM K+) nor nigericin plus 12 mM K+ added to a low Ca2+ (0.35 mM) system resulted in acrosome reactions. Valinomycin (1 nM) did not stimulate the AR when added together with K+ (3-24 mM) to sperm incubated in 0.9 mM K+ for 3.5 h but markedly decreased sperm motility. Micromolar levels of ouabain blocked the AR when added between t = 0--3 h to sperm incubated with 3-24 mM K+. Inhibition of AR by the addition of 1 microM ouabain to sperm incubated with 3 mM K+ was completely reversed by the addition of 0.1 microM nigericin at t = 3.5 h. These results suggest that Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the resulting K+ influx are important for the mammalian sperm AR. Some similarities between requirements for the hamster sperm AR and secretory granule exocytosis are discussed.     

Biphasic effect of protein kinase C on rat renal cortical Na+, K+-ATPase.

We examined the dependence of rat renal Na+, K+-ATPase activity on protein kinase C (PKC) stimulation. Infusion of either phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) into rat abdominal aorta resulted in dose-dependent changes of renal cortical Na+, K+-ATPase activity. Low doses of these esters (3 x 10(-11) mol/kg/min) increased activity of Na+, K+-ATPase whereas high doses (3 x 10(-9) mol/kg/min) decreased it. The changes in Na+, K+-ATPase activity induced by PDBu and PMA were prevented by staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor. 4Alpha phorbol didecanoate (4alpha PDD), phorbol ester which does not activate PKC had no effect on cortical Na+, K+-ATPase. PDBu and PMA did not change Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the renal medulla. The stimulatory effect of PDBu (3 x 10(-11) mol/kg/min) was neither mimicked by amphotericin B, a sodium ionophore nor blocked by amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+-exchanger. The inhibitory effect of 3 x 10(-9) mol/kg/min PDBu was not mimicked by amiloride indicating that the observed effects of PKC stimulation are not secondary to alterations in intracellular sodium concentration. The inhibitory effect of PDBu was prevented by infusion of ethoxyresorufin, an inhibitor of cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonate metabolism. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of PKC on renal cortical Na+, K+-ATPase is mediated by cytochrome P450-dependent arachidonate metabolites.     

Characterization of gill (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

Bass gill microsomal preparations contain both a Na+, K+ and Mg2+-dependent ATPase, which is completely inhibited by 10(-3)M ouabain and 10(-2)M Ca2+, and also a ouabain insensitive ATP-ase activity in the presence of both Mg2+ and Na+. Under the optimal conditions of pH 6.5, 100 mM Na+, 20 mM K+, 5 mM ATP and 5 mM Mg2+, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity at 30 degrees C is 15.6 mumole Pi hr/mg protein. Bass gill (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is similar to other (Na+ + K+)-ATPases with respect to the sensitivity to ionic strength, Ca2+ and ouabain and to both Na+/K+ and Mg2+/ATP optimal ratios, while pH optimum is lower than poikilotherm data. The enzyme requires Na+, whereas K+ can be replaced efficiently by NH+4 and poorly by Li+. Both Km and Vm values decrease in the series NH+4 greater than K+ greater than Li+. The break of Arrhenius plot at 17.7 degrees C is close to the adaptation temperature. Activation energies are scarcely different from each other and both lower than those generally reported. The Km for Na+ poorly decreases as the assay temperature lowers. The comparison with literature data aims at distinguishing between distinctive and common features of bass gill (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.     

The calixarenes C-97 and C-107 stimulate influence of ouabain on the Na+,K+-ATPase activity in plasmatic membrane of smooth muscle cells

In the experiments carried out with the suspension of the myometrium cell plasmatic membranes treated with 0.1% digitonin solution the authors investigated influence of the calix[4]arenes C-97 and C-107 (codes are shown) on ouabain effect on the Na+,K+-ATPase activity. It was shown that calixarenes in concentration 100 tiM inhibited by 97-98% the enzymatic Na+,K+-ATPase activity, while they did not practically influence on the basal Mg2+-ATPase activity, and suppressed much more effective than ouabain the sodium pump enzymatic activity: in the case of the action of the calixarenes the value of the apparent constant of inhibition I0.5 was < 0.1 microM while for ouabain it was 15-25 microM. The negative cooperative effect was typical of the inhibitory action of calixarenes, as well as ouabain: the value of Hills factor nH = 0.3-0.5 <1. The modelling compound M-3 (0.1 microM 4 microM)--a fragment of the calixarene C-107--did not practically influence the enzymatic activities as Na+,K+-ATPase and basal Mg2+-ATPase. Hence the influence of calixarene C-107 on the Na+, K+-ATPase activity is caused by cooperative action of two fragments M-3 and effect of calixarene bowl, rather than by simple action of the fragment M-3. Calixarenes C-97 and C-107, used in concentration corresponding to values of I0.5 (40 and 60 nM, accordingly), essentially stimulated inhibiting action of ouabain on the specific Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the memrane fraction. Under coaction of ouabain with calixarene C-97 or C-107 there was no additive effect of the action of these inhibitors on the Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Calixarene C-97 brought in the incubation medium in concentration of 10 nM not only led to inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase activity relative to control, but also simultaneously increased the affinity of the enzyme for the cardiac glycoside: the magnitudes of the apparent constant of inhibition I0.5 were 21.0 +/- 5.2 microM and 5.3 +/- 0.7 microM. It is concluded, that highly effective inhibitors of the Na+,K+-ATPase activity--calixarenes C-97 and C-107 can enhance the effect of the sodium pump conventional inhibitor--ouabain, increasing the affinity of the enzyme for the cardiac glycoside (on the example of calixarene C-97).     

Spectrophotometric method for the determination of renal ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase activity

The aim of this work was to develop a method for renal H+,K+-ATPase measurement based on the previously used Na+,K+-ATPase assay (Beltowski et al.: J Physiol Pharmacol.; 1998, 49: 625-37). ATPase activity was assessed by measuring the amount of inorganic phosphate liberated from ATP by isolated microsomal fraction. Both ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-resistant K+-stimulated and Na+-independent ATPase activity was detected in the renal cortex and medulla. These activities were blocked by 0.2 mM imidazolpyridine derivative, Sch 28080. The method for ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase assay is characterized by good reproducibility, linearity and recovery. In contrast, the assay for ouabain-resistant H+,K+-ATPase was unsatisfactory, probably due to low activity of this enzyme. Ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase was stimulated by K+ with Km of 0.26 +/- 0.04 mM and 0.69 +/- 0.11 mM in cortex and medulla, respectively, and was inhibited by ouabain (Ki of 2.9 +/- 0.3 microM in the renal cortex and 1.9 +/- 0.4 microM in the renal medulla) and by Sch 28080 (Ki of 1.8 +/- 0.5 microM and 2.5 +/- 0.9 microM in cortex and medulla, respectively). We found that ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase accounted for about 12% of total ouabain-sensitive activity in the Na+,K+-ATPase assay. Therefore, we suggest to use Sch 28080 during Na+,K+-ATPase measurement to block H+,K+-ATPase and improve the assay specificity. Leptin administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) decreased renal medullary Na+,K+-ATPase activity by 32.1% at 1 h after injection but had no effect on H+,K+-ATPase activity suggesting that the two renal ouabain-sensitive ATPases are separately regulated.     

The effect of micromolar Ca2+ on the activities of the different Na+/K(+)-ATPase isozymes in the rat myometrium.

In the present work we show the existence of two Na+/K(+)-ATPase isozymes in rat myometrial microsomes and suggest that they have different Ca2+ sensitivities. The catalytic subunits (alpha 1, alpha 2) of Na+/K(+)-ATPase were labelled by fluorescein-isothiocyanate and separated by SDS gel electrophoresis. The two isozyme Ca2(+)-sensitivities were studied by comparing the kinetics of Ca2+, strophantidin, ouabain and N-ethylmaleimide inhibitions. Our results indicate that the activity of the high ouabain-sensitive part (alpha 2 type) of Na+/K(+)-ATPase enzyme could only be inhibited by micromolar Ca2+. Furthermore, treatment of the microsomal preparation with 1mM N-ethylmaleimide selectively inactivated the high Ca2+ sensitive isoform of myometrial Na+/K(+)-ATPase.     

The mechanism of insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity in muscle

Since the mechanism underlying the insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity observed in multiple tissues has remained undetermined, we have examined (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity (ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake) and Na+/H+ exchange transport (amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx) in differentiated BC3H-1 cultured myocytes as a model of insulin action in muscle. The active uptake of 86Rb+ was sensitive to physiological insulin concentrations (1 nM), yielding a maximum increase of 60% without any change in 86Rb+ permeability. In order to determine the mechanism of insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity, we demonstrated that insulin also stimulates passive 22Na+ influx by Na+/H+ exchange transport (maximal 200% increase) and an 80% increase in intracellular Na+ concentration with an identical time course and dose-response curve as insulin-stimulated (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity. Incubation of the cells with high [Na+] (195 mM) significantly potentiated insulin stimulation of ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb+ uptake. The ionophore monensin, which also promotes passive Na+ entry into BC3H-1 cells, mimics the insulin stimulation of ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb+ uptake. In contrast, incubation with amiloride or low [Na+] (10 mM), both of which inhibit Na+/H+ exchange transport, abolished the insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity. Furthermore, each of these insulin-stimulated transport activities displayed a similar sensitivity to amiloride. These results indicate that insulin stimulates a large increase in Na+/H+ exchange transport and that the resulting Na+ influx increases the intracellular Na+ concentration, thus activating the internal Na+ transport sites of the (Na+,K+)-ATPase. This Na+ influx is, therefore, the mediator of the insulin-induced stimulation of membrane (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity classically observed in muscle.     

(Na+ + K+)- and Na+-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in kidney of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

1. Sea bass kidney microsomal preparations contain two Mg2+ dependent ATPase activities: the ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and an ouabain-insensitive Na+-ATPase, requiring different assay conditions. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase under the optimal conditions of pH 7.0, 100 mM Na+, 25 mM K+, 10 mM Mg2+, 5 mM ATP exhibits an average specific activity (S.A.) of 59 mumol Pi/mg protein per hr whereas the Na+-ATPase under the conditions of pH 6.0, 40 mM Na+, 1.5 mM MgATP, 1 mM ouabain has a maximal S.A. of 13.9 mumol Pi/mg protein per hr. 2. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is specifically inhibited by ouabain and vanadate; the Na+-ATPase specifically by ethacrynic acid and preferentially by frusemide; both activities are similarly inhibited by Ca2+. 3. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is specific for ATP and Na+, whereas the Na+-ATPase hydrolyzes other substrates in the efficiency order ATP greater than GTP greater than CTP greater than UTP and can be activated also by K+, NH4+ or Li+. 4. Minor differences between the two activities lie in the affinity for Na+, Mg2+, ATP and in the thermosensitivity. 5. The comparison between the two activities and with what has been reported in the literature only partly agree with our findings. It tentatively suggests that on the one hand two separate enzymes exist which are related to Na+ transport and, on the other, a distinct modulation in vivo in different tissues.     

Taurine stimulation of isolated hamster brain Na+,K+-ATPase: activation kinetics and chemical specificity

Epileptic foci are associated with locally reduced taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) concentration and Na+,K+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) specific activity. Topically applied and intraperitoneally administered taurine can prevent the development and/or spread of foci in many animal models. Taurine has been implicated as a possible cytosolic modulator of monovalent ion distribution, cytosolic "free" calcium activity, and neuronal excitability. Taurine may act in part by modulating Na+,K+-ATPase activity of neuronal and glial cells. We characterized the requirements for in vitro modulation of Na+,K+-ATPase by taurine. Normal whole brain homogenate Na+,K+-ATPase activity is 5.1 +/- 0.4 (4) mumol Pi X h-1 X mg-1 Lowry protein. Partial purification of the plasma membrane fraction to remove cytosolic proteins and extrinsic proteins and to uncouple cholinergic receptors yields a membrane-bound Na+,K+-ATPase activity of 204.6 +/- 5.8 (4) mol Pi X h-1 X mg-1 Lowry protein. Taurine activates the Na+,K+-ATPase at all levels of purification. The concentration dependence of activation follows normal saturation kinetics (K1/2 = 39 mM taurine, activation maximum = +87%). The activation exhibits chemical specificity among the taurine analogues and metabolites: taurine = isethionic acid greater than hypotaurine greater than no activation = beta-alanine = methionine = choline = leucine. Taurine can act as an endogenous activator/modulator of Na+,K+-ATPase. Its action is mediated by a membrane-bound protein.     

Ouabain-insensitive Na+ stimulation of a microsomal Mg2+ -ATPase in gills of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

Bass gill microsomal preparations contain a Mg2+-dependent Na+-stimulated ATPase activity in the absence of K+, whose characteristics are compared with those of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of the same preparations. The activity at 30 degrees C is 11.3 mumol Pi X mg-1 protein X hr-1 under optimal conditions (5 mM MgATP, 75 mM Na+, 75 mM HEPES, pH 6.0) and exhibits a lower pH optimum than the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. The Na+ stimulation of ATPase is only 17% inhibited by 10-3M ouabain and completely abolished by 2.5 mM ethacrinic acid which on the contrary cause, respectively, 100% and 34% inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Both Na+-and (Na+ + K+)-stimulated activities can hydrolyze nucleotides other than ATP in the efficiency order ATP greater than CTP greater than UTP greater than GTP and ATP greater than CTP greater than GPT greater than UTP, respectively. In the presence of 10(-3)M ouabain millimolar concentrations of K+ ion lower the Na+ activation (90% inhibition at 40 mM K+). The Na+-ATPase is less sensitive than (Na+ + K+)-ATPase to the Ca2+ induced inhibition as the former is only 57.5% inhibited by a concentration of 1 X 10(-2)M which completely suppresses the latter. The thermosensitivity follows the order Mg2+--greater than (Na+ + K+)--greater than Na+-ATPase. A similar break of the Arrhenius plot of the three enzymes is found. Only some of these characteristics do coincide with those of a Na+-ATPase described elsewhere. A presumptive physiological role of Na+-ATPase activity in seawater adapted teleost gills is suggested.     

The role of the Na+/H+ exchange system in cardiac cells in relation to the control of the internal Na+ concentration. A molecular basis for the antagonistic effect of ouabain and amiloride on the heart

Cardiac cells in culture (from rat and chick heart) have a membrane Na+/H+ exchange system that is inhibited by amiloride (K0.5 = 5 microM) and by its more potent N-5-disubstituted derivatives dimethylamiloride (K0.5 = 300 nM) and ethylisopropylamiloride (K0.5 = 30 nM). The properties of the cardiac Na+/H+ exchange system are similar to those found for the Na+/H+ exchanger in other cellular types. The Na+/H+ exchange system is a major pathway for Na+ uptake by cardiac cells. Ouabain which inhibits the (Na+,K+)-ATPase, a major pathway for Na+ efflux, is known to provoke Na+ accumulation and to stimulate 45Ca2+ entry via the Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism, thereby producing an inotropic effect. N-5-Disubstituted amiloride derivatives, by blocking Na+ entry into cardiac cells, antagonize both ouabain-induced intracellular Na+ accumulation and the ouabain-induced acceleration of 45Ca2+ uptake.     

Impairment of Na+/H+ exchange underlies inhibitory effects of Na+-free media on leukocyte function

Inhibition of activation has been reported when neutrophils are suspended in Na+-free media. We considered the possibility that impairment of cellular pH (pHi) regulation due to elimination of Na+/H+ exchange underlies this effect. In the absence of Na+, the phorbol ester-induced respiratory burst was partially inhibited and a concomitant cytoplasmic acidification recorded. Using nigericin/K+ to clamp pHi we demonstrated that the acidification accounts for the inhibition of O2 uptake. Moreover, in Na+-free media, relieving the acidification by means of ionophores restored maximal O2 consumption. It was concluded that Na+ is not directly involved in signal transduction during stimulation. Instead, omission of Na+ affects neutrophils activation indirectly, by impairing pHi regulation.     

The hormone-sensitive hepatic Na+-pump. Evidence for regulation by diacylglycerol and tumor promoters

Ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by isolated rat hepatocytes was studied to elucidate how Ca2+-mobilizing hormones stimulate the Na+-pump. Stimulation of this uptake was observed with concentrations of vasopressin ([8-arginine]vasopressin, AVP), angiotensin II, and norepinephrine which elicited Ca2+ mobilization and phosphorylase activation. These results suggested that changes in cytosolic Ca2+, mediated by inositol trisphosphate, might trigger sodium pump stimulation by AVP. However, in hepatocytes incubated in Ca2+-free Krebs-Henseleit buffer, Na+-pump activity was not altered over 15 min by either 1.5 mM EGTA or 1.5 mM Ca2+. Furthermore, incubation of cells in 5 mM EGTA for 15-30 min drastically impaired the ability of AVP to increase cytosolic Ca2+, but only modestly attenuated AVP-stimulated Na+-pump activity. Two tumor promoters, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and mezerein, stimulated Na+/K+-ATPase-mediated transport activity. Similarly, addition of synthetic diacylglycerols or of exogenous phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens to increase endogenous diacylglycerol levels also resulted in a stimulation of the Na+-pump in the absence of changes in cytosolic or total cellular Ca2+ levels. Stimulation of the Na+-pump by the combination of maximal concentrations of PMA and AVP did not produce an additive response, and both agents displayed a transient time course, suggesting that the two agents share a common mechanism. Stimulation of the Na+-pump by AVP and PMA was not blocked by amiloride analogs which inhibit Na+/H+ exchange, but these compounds blocked the action of insulin. These data suggest that the elevated Na+/K+-ATPase-mediated transport activity observed in hepatocytes following exposure to Ca2+-mobilizing hormones is a consequence of stimulated diacylglycerol formation and may involve protein kinase C.     

Regulation of Na+, K+ -ATPase Isoforms in Rat Neostriatum by Dopamine and Protein Kinase C

Our previous studies showed that dopamine inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase activity in acutely dissociated neurons from striatum. In the present study, we have found that in this preparation, dopamine inhibited significantly (by approximately 25%) the activity of the alpha3 and/or alpha2 isoforms, but not the alpha1 isoform, of Na+,K+-ATPase. Dopamine, via D1 receptors, activates cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in striatal neurons. Dopamine is also known to activate the calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (PKC) in a number of different cell types. The PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate reduced the activity of Na+,K+-ATPase alpha3 and/or alpha2 isoforms (by approximately 30%) as well as the alpha1 isoform (by approximately 15%). However, dopamine-mediated inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity was unaffected by calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor. Dopamine did not affect the phosphorylation of Na+,K+-ATPase isoforms at the PKA-dependent phosphorylation site. Phorbol ester treatment did not alter the phosphorylation of alpha2 or alpha3 isoforms of Na+,K+-ATPase in neostriatal neurons but did increase the phosphorylation of the alpha1 isoform. Thus, in rat neostriatal neurons, treatment with either dopamine or PKC activators results in inhibition of the activity of specific (alpha3 and/or alpha2) isoforms of Na+,K+-ATPase, but this is not apparently mediated through direct phosphorylation of the enzyme. In addition, PKC is unlikely to mediate inhibition of rat Na+,K+-ATPase activity by dopamine in neostriatal neurons.     

Synergistic Effect of Prostaglandin E2 and Ouabain on Catecholamine Release from Cultured Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

We recently reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulated phosphoinositide metabolism in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells and that PGE2 and ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+,K+-ATPase, synergistically induced a gradual secretion of catecholamines from the cells. The effect on catecholamine release was specific for prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and PGE2 among prostaglandins tested (E1 = E2 greater than F2 alpha greater than D2). The release evoked by PGE2 plus ouabain was greatly reduced in Na+-depleted medium and not observed in Ca2+-free medium. Here we examined the synergistic effect of PGE2 and ouabain on the release with specific reference to ion fluxes. Regardless of the presence of PGE2, ouabain stimulated the release in a dose-dependent manner with half-maximal stimulation at 1 microM, and omission of K+ from the medium, a condition which suppresses the Na+,K+-ATPase activity, also enhanced the release from chromaffin cells exposed to PGE2. Ouabain induced a continuous accumulation of 22Na+ and 45Ca2+, as well as secretion of catecholamines. Although PGE2 itself showed hardly any effects on these cellular responses, PGE2 potentiated all of them induced by ouabain. The time course of catecholamine release was correlated with that of accumulation of 45Ca2+ rather than with that of 22Na+. The release evoked by PGE2 and ouabain was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by amiloride and the analogue ethylisopropylamiloride, inhibitors of the Na+,H+-antiport, but not by the Na+-channel inhibitor tetrodotoxin nor by the nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium. Ethylisopropylamiloride at 1 microM inhibited PGE2-enhanced accumulation of 22Na+ and 45Ca2+ and release of catecholamine by 40, 83, and 71%, respectively. Activation of the Na+,H+-antiport by elevation of the extracellular pH from 6.6 to 8.0 increased the release of catecholamines linearly. Furthermore, PGE2 induced a sustained increase in intracellular pH by about 0.1 pH unit above the resting value, which was abolished by amiloride or in Na+-free medium. These results taken together indicate that PGE2 activates the Na+,H+-antiport by stimulating phosphoinositide metabolism and that the increase in intracellular Na+ by both inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase and activation of Na+,H+-antiport may lead to the redistribution of Ca2+, which is the initial trigger of catecholamine release.     

Salt intake and intestinal dopaminergic activity in adult and old Fischer 344 rats

We have earlier shown that the renal dopaminergic system failed to respond to high salt (HS) intake in old (24-month-old) Fisher 344 rats (Hypertension 1999;34:666-672). In the present study, intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity and intestinal dopaminergic tonus were evaluated in adult and old Fischer 344 rats during normal salt (NS) and HS intake. Basal intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity (nmol Pi/mg protein/min) in adult rats (142+/-6) was higher than in old Fischer 344 rats (105+/-7). HS intake reduced intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity by 20% (P<0.05) in adult, but not in old rats. Dopamine (1 microM) failed to inhibit intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity in both adult and old Fischer 344 rats (NS and HS diets). In adult animals, co-incubation of pertussis toxin with dopamine (1 microM) produced a significant inhibitory effect in the intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity. L-DOPA and dopamine tissue levels in the intestinal mucosa of adult rats were higher (45+/-9 and 38+/-4 pmol/g) than those in old rats (27+/-9 and 14+/-1 pmol/g). HS diet did not change L-DOPA and DA levels in both adult and old rats. DA/L-DOPA tissue ratios, an indirect measure of dopamine synthesis, were higher in old (1.1+/-0.2) than in adult rats (0.6+/-0.1). Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity in the intestinal mucosa of old rats was higher than in adult rats. HS diet increased the AADC activity in adult rats, but not in old rats. It is concluded that intestinal dopaminergic tonus in old Fisher 344 rats is higher than in adult rats and is accompanied by lower basal intestinal Na+,K+-ATPase activity. In old rats, HS diet failed to alter the intestinal dopaminergic tonus or Na+,K+-ATPase activity, whereas in adult rats increases in AADC activity were accompanied by decreases in Na+,K+-ATPase activity. The association between salt intake, increased dopamine formation and inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase at the intestinal level was not as straightforward as that described in renal tissues.     

Interaction of palytoxin and cardiac glycosides on erythrocyte membrane and (Na+ + K+) ATPase

Palytoxin (PTX), at extremely low concentrations (0.01-1 nM), caused K+ release from rabbit erythrocytes. Among the various chemical compounds tested, cardiac glycosides potently inhibited the PTX-induced K+ release. The order of inhibitory potency (IC50) was cymarin (0.42 microM) greater than convallatoxin (0.9 microM) greater than ouabain (2.3 microM) greater than digitoxin (88 microM) greater than digoxin (90 microM). Their corresponding aglycones, even at 10 microM, did not inhibit the K+ release, but competitively antagonized the inhibitory effect of the glycosides. All these cardiotonic steroids inhibited the activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase prepared from hog cerebral cortex in narrow concentration ranges (IC50 = 0.15-2.4 microM), suggesting that the inhibition of K+ release is not related to their inhibitory potency on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, and the sugar moiety of cardiac glycosides is involved in the inhibition. On the other hand PTX, at higher concentrations (greater than 0.1 microM), inhibited the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. However, this inhibitory effect of PTX was not antagonized by ouabain. It is suggested that, compared with ouabain, PTX has additional binding site(s) on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.     

Further biochemical characterization of an Na+ pump inhibitor purified from human urine

An increase in endogenous Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor(s) with digitalis-like properties has been reported in chronic renal insufficiency, in Na+-dependent experimental hypertension and in some essential hypertensive patients. The present study specifies some properties and some biochemical characteristics of a semipurified compound from human urine having digitalis-like properties. The urine-derived inhibitor (endalin) inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase activity and [3H]-ouabain binding, and cross-reacts with anti-digoxin antibodies. The inhibitory effect on ATPases of endalin is higher on Na+,K+-ATPase than on Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase. The mechanism of endalin action on highly purified Na+,K+-ATPase was compared to that of ouabain and was similar in that it reversibly inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase activity; it inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase non-competitively with ATP; its inhibitory effect was facilitated by Na+; K+ decreased its inhibitory effect on Na+,K+-ATPase; it competitively inhibited ouabain binding to the enzyme; its binding was maximal in the presence of Mg2+ and Pi; it decreased the Na+ pump activity in human erythrocytes; it reduced serotonin uptake by human platelets; and it was diuretic and natriuretic in rat bioassay. The endalin differed from ouabain in only three aspects: its inhibitory effect was not really specific for Na+,K+-ATPase; its binding to the enzyme was undetectable in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP; it was not kaliuretic in rat bioassay. Endalin is a reversible and partial specific inhibitor of Na+,K+-ATPase, its Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition closely resembles that of ouabain and it could be considered as one of the natriuretic hormones.