Isoosmotic isolation of rat brain synaptic vesicles, some of which contain tyrosine hydroxylase

Rat brain synaptic vesicles were isoosmotically isolated and examined for Mg(2+)-ATPase [EC 3.6.1.3.] and tyrosine hydroxylase [EC 1.14.16.2.] associated with the synaptic vesicles. Synaptosomes in 0.32 M sucrose were disrupted by freezing and thawing treatment, and the cytosol fraction was fractionated on a Sephacryl S-500 column with a mean exclusion size of 200 nm. Peak I at the void volume was a mixture of large vesicular membranes, small amounts of synaptic vesicles and coated vesicles, etc. Peak II consisted of non- and granulated synaptic vesicles of 35-40 nm diameter, and peak III of soluble proteins. The synaptic vesicles in peak II reacted with antibodies against the H(+)-ATPase A-subunit, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and vesicular monoamine transporter. However, they showed little Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. Tyrosine hydroxylase was observed in either peak II or III on blotting with an anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibody. These results imply that tyrosine hydroxylase exists in soluble and bound forms to synaptic vesicles in nerve terminals.     

Rat brain synaptic vesicles are devoid of Mg2+-ATPase activity and contain beta-amyloid precursor protein

Rat brain synaptic vesicles (SVs) isolated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-500 had little Mg2+(H+)-ATPase activity, though it was identified by Western blots with antibodies against the H+-ATPase A-subunit and other vesicle proteins. In contrast, tyrosine hydroxylase and dopa decarboxylase activities in the SVs were substantial, suggesting that the absence of Mg2+(H+)-ATPase activity was not due to inactivation during isolation but rather to the nature of the SVs. The vesicle component reactive to H+-ATPase antibody was also identified in the synaptosomal cytosol, so the antibody for the A-subunit seemed unnecessary to detect H+-ATPase. The SVs contained beta-amyloid precursor protein of approximately 100 kDa. Based on these observations, SVs without Mg2+(H+)-ATPase seemed to play a role(s) in the delivery of cytoplasmic and plasma membrane proteins to nerve terminals as well as in neurotransmission.     

The basal Mg2(+)-dependent ATPase activity is not part of the (H(+)+K+)-transporting ATPase reaction cycle.

Purified gastric (H(+)+K+)-transporting ATPase [(H(+)+K+)-ATPase] from the parietal cells always contains a certain amount of basal Mg2(+)-dependent ATPase (Mg2(+)-ATPase) activity. lin-Benzo-ATP (the prefix lin refers to the linear disposition of the pyrimidine, benzene and imidazole rings in the 'stretched-out' version of the adenine nucleus), an ATP analogue with a benzene ring formally inserted between the two rings composing the adenosine moiety, is an interesting substrate not only because of its fluorescent behaviour, but also because of its geometric properties. lin-Benzo-ATP was used in the present study to elucidate the possible role of the basal Mg2(+)-ATPase activity in the gastric (H(+)+K+)-ATPase preparation. With lin-benzo-ATP the enzyme can be phosphorylated such that a conventional phosphoenzyme intermediate is formed. The rate of the phosphorylation reaction, however, is so low that this reaction with subsequent dephosphorylation cannot account for the much higher rate of hydrolysis of lin-benzo-ATP by the enzyme. This apparent kinetic discrepancy indicates that lin-benzo-ATP is not a substrate for the (H(+)+K+)-ATPase reaction cycle. This idea was further supported by the finding that lin-benzo-ATP was unable to catalyse H+ uptake by gastric-mucosa vesicles. The breakdown of lin-benzo-ATP by the (H(+)+K+)-ATPase preparation must be due to a hydrolytic activity which is not involved in the ion-transporting reaction cycle of the (H(+)+K+)-ATPase itself. Comparison of the basal Mg2(+)-ATPase activity (with ATP as substrate) with the hydrolytic activity of (H(+)+K+)-ATPase using lin-benzo-ATP as substrate and the effect of the inhibitors omeprazole and SCH 28080 support the notion that lin-benzo-ATP is not hydrolysed by the (H(+)+K+)-ATPase, but by the basal Mg2(+)-ATPase, and that the activity of the latter enzyme is not involved in the (H(+)+K+)-transporting reaction cycle (according to the Albers-Post formalism) of (H(+)+K+)-ATPase.     

Transverse tubules from frog skeletal muscle. Purification and properties of vesicles sealed with the inside-out orientation

Transverse tubule vesicles were isolated from frog skeletal muscle by a procedure initially described by Rosemblatt et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 256, 8140-8148 (1981)) and later modified by Hidalgo et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 258, 13937-13945 (1983]. A large fraction of the isolated vesicles (80-90%) were sealed, as indicated by the detergent induced increase in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and ATP-dependent ouabain binding. To determine the orientation of the sealed vesicles binding of digoxin, a lipid soluble derivative of ouabain, was measured. The same values of ATP-dependent digoxin binding were found with or without detergents, indicating that all the vesicles that are sealed have the ATP site accessible, and hence are sealed with the cytoplasmic side-out (inside-out orientation). The transverse tubule preparation isolated from frog muscle is highly purified, as indicated by its cholesterol content and its (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity; negligible contamination with sarcoplasmic reticulum was observed, as indicated by the protein composition and the lack of measurable Ca2+-ATPase activity of the isolated transverse tubules. High initial rates of Mg2+-ATPase activity were found, with the peculiar property of being inhibited during the course of the reaction. Addition of lysophosphatidylcholine or saponin partially prevented the inhibition of Mg2+-ATPase activity during the reaction.     

Role of transmembrane segment M8 in the biogenesis and function of yeast plasma-membrane H(+)-ATPase

Of the four transmembrane helices (M4, M5, M6, and M8) that pack together to form the ion-binding sites of P(2)-type ATPases, M8 has until now received the least attention. The present study has used alanine-scanning mutagenesis to map structure-function relationships throughout M8 of the yeast plasma-membrane H(+)-ATPase. Mutant forms of the ATPase were expressed in secretory vesicles and at the plasma membrane for measurements of ATP hydrolysis and ATP-dependent H(+) pumping. In secretory vesicles, Ala substitutions at a cluster of four positions near the extracytoplasmic end of M8 led to partial uncoupling of H(+) transport from ATP hydrolysis, while substitution of Ser-800 (close to the middle of M8) by Ala increased the apparent stoichiometry of H(+) transport. A similar increase has previously been reported following the substitution of Glu-803 by Gln (Petrov, V. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 275:15709-15718, 2000) at a position known to contribute directly to Ca(2+) binding in the Ca(2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (Toyoshima, C., et al., Nature 405: 647-655, 2000). Four other mutations in M8 interfered with H(+)-ATPase folding and trafficking to the plasma membrane; based on homology modeling, they occupy positions that appear important for the proper bundling of M8 with M5, M6, M7, and M10. Taken together, these results point to a key role for M8 in the biogenesis, stability, and physiological functioning of the H(+)-ATPase.     

Inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase by metal ions and prevention and recovery of inhibited activities by chelators

Kinetics and inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activity from rat synaptic plasma membrane (SPM), by separate and simultaneous exposure to transition (Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Fe(2+) and Co(2+)) and heavy metals (Hg(2+) and Pb(2+)) ions were studied. All investigated metals produced a larger maximum inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase than Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. The free concentrations of the key species (inhibitor, MgATP(2-), MeATP(2-)) in the medium assay were calculated and discussed. Simultaneous exposure to the combinations Cu(2+)/Fe(2+) or Hg(2+)/Pb(2+) caused additive inhibition, while Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) or Fe(2+)/Zn(2+) inhibited Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity synergistically (i.e., greater than the sum metal-induced inhibition assayed separately). Simultaneous exposure to Cu(2+)/Fe(2+) or Cu(2+)/Zn(2+) inhibited Mg(2+)-ATPase activity synergistically, while Hg(2+)/Pb(2+) or Fe(2+)/Zn(2+) induced antagonistic inhibition of this enzyme. Kinetic analysis showed that all investigated metals inhibited Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity by reducing the maximum velocities (V(max)) rather than the apparent affinity (Km) for substrate MgATP(2-), implying the noncompetitive nature of the inhibition. The incomplete inhibition of Mg(2+)-ATPase activity by Zn(2+), Fe(2+) and Co(2+) as well as kinetic analysis indicated two distinct Mg(2+)-ATPase subtypes activated in the presence of low and high MgATP(2-) concentration. EDTA, L-cysteine and gluthathione (GSH) prevented metal ion-induced inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase with various potencies. Furthermore, these ligands also reversed Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity inhibited by transition metals in a concentration-dependent manner, but a recovery effect by any ligand on Hg(2+)-induced inhibition was not obtained.     

Ca(2+) sequestering in the early-branching amitochondriate protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus: an important role of the Golgi complex and its Ca(2+)-ATPase

Total membrane vesicles isolated from Tritrichomonas foetus showed an ATP-dependent Ca(2+) uptake, which was not sensitive to 10 microM protonophore FCCP but was blocked by orthovanadate, the inhibitor of P-type ATPases (I(50)=130 microM), and by the Ca(2+)/H(+) exchanger, A-23187. The Ca(2+) uptake was prevented also by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the SERCA Ca(2+)-ATPases. The sensitivity of the Ca(2+) uptake by the protozoan membrane vesicles to thapsigargin was similar to that of Ca(2+)-ATPase from rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Fractionation of the total membrane vesicles in sucrose density gradient revealed a considerable peak of Ca(2+) transport activity that co-migrated with the Golgi marker guanosine diphosphatase (GDPase). Electron microscopy confirmed that membrane fractions of the peak were enriched with the Golgi membranes. The Golgi Ca(2+)-ATPase contributed to the Ca(2+) uptake by all membrane vesicles 80-85%. We conclude that: (i) the Golgi and/or Golgi-like vesicles form the main Ca(2+) store compartment in T. foetus; (ii) Ca(2+) ATPase is responsible for the Ca(2+) sequestering in this protozoan, while Ca(2+)/H(+) antiporter is not involved in the process; (iii) the Golgi pump of this ancient eukaryotic microorganism appears to be similar to the enzymes of the SERCA family by its sensitivity to thapsigargin.     

ATP-dependent renal H+ translocation: regional localization, kinetic characteristics, and chloride dependence.

We characterized Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase activity in membranes from the renal cortex, the outer and inner stripes of the outer medulla, and papillary vesicles. In all regions, there was Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase activity that was resistant to oligomycin and vanadate and sensitive to N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), N-ethylmaleimide, and filipin. DCCD-Sensitive Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was highest in the inner stripe of the outer medulla and lowest in the cortex, with intermediate values in the outer stripe of the outer medulla and papilla. The Km for ATP, however, was similar among the different regions of the kidney. DCCD-Sensitive Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was critically dependent upon chloride with Km for Cl- in the range of 2-5 mM. In the presence of ATP, this ATPase was capable of H+ translocation, as assessed by acridine orange quenching. Inhibitors of ATPase activity prevented H+ translocation, which suggests that the Mg(2+)-ATPase represents, at least in part, an H(+)-ATPase. H+ transport was likewise critically dependent upon chloride, with similar Km. The effect of chloride on H+ translocation was blocked by the chloride channel inhibitor, diphenylamine-2 carboxylic acid. In the absence of chloride, H+ transport was abolished, but it could be partially restored by the creation of a favorable electric gradient by K+ and valinomycin. These studies demonstrate that the renal H(+)-ATPase exhibits different activities in various regions of the kidney. The ATPase activity and H+ translocation are critically dependent upon the presence of chloride, which suggests that chloride influences H+ translocation by dissipating the H+ gradient and acting at the catalytic site of the ATPase.     

Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition by an endogenous peptide, SPAI-1, isolated from porcine duodenum.

SPAI-1, a peptide isolated from porcine duodenum, has been shown to inhibit Na+,K(+)-ATPase in vitro (Araki et al. (1989) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 164, 496-502). The characteristics of ATPase inhibition by this novel peptide were examined. SPAI-1 inhibited Na+,K(+)-ATPase preparations isolated from various organs of dog or rat or from sheep kidney with similar potency. Three isoforms of rat Na+,K(+)-ATPase had similar sensitivity to inhibition by SPAI-1 although these isoforms had remarkable differences in their sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of ouabain. Ca(2+)-ATPase isolated from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle was insensitive to inhibition by SPAI-1. Ouabain-insensitive Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was unaffected by low concentrations of SPAI-1, but was stimulated at high concentrations. SPAI-1 inhibited H+,K(+)-ATPase from hog stomach in concentrations similar to that required for Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition. These results indicate that SPAI-1 is a specific inhibitor for monovalent cation transporting ATPases.     

Effect of Cd(2+) and Hg(2+) on the activity of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase adsorbed on polystyrene microtiter plates.

In the present study a polystyrene microtiter plate was tested as a support material for synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) immobilization by adsorption. The adsorption was carried out by an 18-h incubation at +4 degrees C of SPM with a polystyrene matrix, at pH 7.4. Evaluation of the efficiency of the applied immobilization method revealed that 10% protein fraction of initially applied SPM was bound to the support and that two SPM enzymes, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase, retained 70-80% activity after the adsorption. In addition, adsorption stabilizes Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase, since the activities are substantial 3 weeks after the adsorption. Parallel kinetic analysis showed that adsorption does not alter significantly the kinetic properties of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase and their sensitivity to and mechanism of Cd(2+)- or Hg(2+)-induced inhibition. The only exception is the "high affinity" Mg(2+)-ATPase moiety, whose affinity for ATP and sensitivity toward Cd(2+) were increased by the adsorption. The results show that such system may be used as a practical and comfortable model for the in vitro toxicological investigations.     

Partial Purification and Characterization of the Vacuolar H+-ATPase of Mammalian Synaptic Vesicles

Several major proteins of synaptic vesicles from rat or cow brain sediment as a large complex on sucrose density gradients when solubilized in nonionic detergents. A vacuolar H(+)-ATPase identified by sensitivity to bafilomycin A1 appears to be associated with this oligomeric protein complex. Two subunits of this complex, synaptic vesicle proteins S and U, correspond to the 57-kDa (B) and 39-kDa accessory (Ac39) subunits, respectively, of bovine chromaffin granule vacuolar H(+)-ATPase as shown by Western immunoblot analysis. The five subunits of the oligomeric complex constitute approximately 20% of the total protein of rat brain synaptic vesicles. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the abundant, multisubunit complex partially purified from brain synaptic vesicles by density gradient centrifugation is a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Bafilomycin A1 completely blocks proton pumping in rat brain synaptic vesicles as measured by [14C]methylamine uptake and also blocks catecholamine accumulation measured by [3H]dopamine uptake. Moreover, ATPase activity, [14C]methylamine uptake, and [3H]dopamine uptake are inhibited by bafilomycin A1 at similar I50 values of approximately 1.7 nmol/mg of protein. These findings indicate that the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase is essential for proton pumping as well as catecholamine uptake by mammalian synaptic vesicles.     

Tissue ATPase activity and recovery in the freshwater crab Oziotelphusa senex senex exposed to a sublethal concentration of endosulfan for varying periods of time.

1. Na(+)-K+ and Mg(2+)-tissue ATPases of the freshwater crab Oziotelphusa senex senex showed increasing inhibition when exposed to a sublethal concentration (1.86 mg/l = 0.1 of LC50) of endosulfan for 1-30 days. 2. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in all tissues (thoracic nerve mass, gill, hepatopancreas and claw muscle) was higher than Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. 3. After 30 days exposure tissue Mg(2+)-ATPase was less affected than Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. 4. Crabs exposed to endosulfan and then returned to uncontaminated water showed greater recovery of Mg(2+)-ATPase than Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase with 90-95% recovery after 1 day exposure and 60-65% recovery after 30 days exposure. 5. Changes in behaviour of the crabs were noted after 7 days exposure to endosulfan with progressive loss of coordination, decreased activity and increased exudation of mucus.     

Orientation of synaptic plasma membrane vesicles containing calcium pump and sodium-calcium exchange activities

Sidedness of synaptic plasma membrane vesicles isolated from brain synaptosomes has been assessed by two distinct experimental approaches: first, analysis of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase, and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activities before and after permeabilization of vesicles; second, analysis of Ca2+ fluxes via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, before and after modification of an imposed Na+ gradient by penetrating or nonpenetrating Na+ channel-modifying drugs. 0.05% saponin, which completely permeabilizes the vesicles, increases digitoxigenin-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, basal Mg2+-ATPase, and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activities by 51.0, 47.4, and 83.6%, respectively. Saponin increases only the Vmax of the latter activity, the Km for Ca2+ (0.13 microM; the same as that for Ca2+-pumping) being unaltered by saponin. An increment of 20.5% in the Vmax of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity with 10 microM A23187, reveals that the enzyme activity in nonpermeabilized vesicles is limited by the formation of a Ca2+ gradient. Thus, the saponin-induced increment in (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase due only to exposure of occluded sites (as opposed to Ca2+ gradient dissipation) is actually 52%, which is similar to values for both other ATPases, and suggests that 32-35% of plasma membranes exist in an inverted orientation. Vesicle orientation was independently assessed by the differential actions of tetrodotoxin (a membrane impermeant blocker) and veratridine (a membrane permeant agonist) on Na+-channel opening measured indirectly by dissipation of an imposed Na+ gradient utilized to drive a large 45Ca2+ accumulation via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Tetrodotoxin reverses 35-44% of veratridine-mediated Na+ gradient-dissipation, the relative membrane-permeability of the two channel modifiers, suggesting that 56-65% of sealed vesicles are inverted. The concurrence of these two independent measurements of vesicle orientation reinforces their validity.     

Cytochemical demonstration of NPPase activity for detecting proton-translocating ATPase of Golgi complex in rat pancreatic acinar cells

An attempt at cytochemical demonstration of acidification proton-translocating ATPase (H(+)-ATPase) of Golgi complex in rat pancreatic acinar cells has been made by using p-nitrophenylphosphatase (NPPase) cytochemistry which is used for detecting of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (Mayahara et al. 1980) and gastric H(+)-K(+)-ATPase (Fujimoto et al. 1986). K(+)-independent NPPase activity was observed on the membrane of the trans cisternae of Golgi complex, but not inside of cisternae. The localization of NPPase activity is different from that of acid phosphatase activity where reaction products were seen on the inside of the trans Golgi cisternae. Since this activity was insensitive to vanadate, ouabain and independent of potassium ions, it was distinct from plasma membranous ATPases such as Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca2(+)-ATPase. The K(+)-independent NPPase activity was diminished by the inhibitors of H(+)-ATPase such as N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). The NPPase reaction products were also seen on the membranes of other acidic organelles, i.e., lysosomes, endosomes, autophagosomes and coated vesicles. These results suggest that NPPase activity on the membrane of the Golgi complex and other acidic organelles corresponds with H(+)-ATPase which plays a role in acidification.     

The epitope for monoclonal antibody A20 (amino acids 870-890) is located on the luminal surface of the Ca2(+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The epitope for monoclonal antibody A20 was mapped to amino acids 870-890 of the Ca2(+)-ATPase of rabbit fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. The antibody did not react with the epitope in intact sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles but reacted with the epitope when the vesicles were solubilized with the detergent C12E8 or made permeable by incubation in a hypotonic medium. By contrast, antibody A52, which binds to a cytoplasmic epitope consisting of amino acids 657-672, reacted with the Ca2(+)-ATPase in vesicular, permeabilized vesicular, and C12E8-solubilized states. These results clearly demonstrate that antibody A20 binds to a luminal epitope and provide the first demonstration that a specific segment of the Ca2(+)-ATPase is located on the luminal surface of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results are consistent with, and support, our model for folding of the Ca2(+)-ATPase (Brandl, C. J., Korczak, B., Green, N. M., and MacLennan, D. H. (1986) Cell 44, 597-607) in which residues 657-672 were proposed to form part of the cytoplasmic nucleotide binding domain, while residues 870-890 were proposed to form a luminal loop between proposed transmembrane sequences M7 and M8.     

Transverse tubule Mg(2+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle. Evidence for extracellular orientation of the chicken and rabbit enzymes.

The orientation of the enzyme Mg(2+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) in the transverse tubule (TT) membranes of skeletal muscle was investigated using highly purified chicken and rabbit TT vesicles. The percentage of sealed vesicles present in these preparations averaged 88 and 78%, respectively, as calculated from the detergent-induced increase in ouabain-sensitive (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity, ATP-dependent ouabain binding, and lactate dehydrogenase activity (sarcoplasmic enzyme trapped in the TT vesicles). Sidedness of the sealed vesicles, estimated from latency of 5'-nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase, and adenylate cyclase, was predominantly right-side out (69-76%, chicken TT and 62-70%, rabbit TT). In both chicken and rabbit native vesicles, high Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was detected by addition of ATP to the extravesicular medium; this activity was increased 14-12% by alamethicin pointing to the external localization of the active site. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity resulted partially inhibited by treatment of the chicken TT vesicles with proteinase K or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. Concanavalin A stimulated 4-fold the chicken TT Mg(2+)-ATPase activity, an effect not potentiated by detergent permeabilization of the intact vesicles, indicating that lectin-binding sites were also solvent accessible. This stimulatory effect was not observed in native or permeabilized rabbit TT vesicles. From these results we conclude that the TT Mg(2+)-ATPase is an ectoenzyme with its nucleotide-hydrolyzing site and glycosylated regions facing the extracellular space. Inhibitors of ion-motive ATPases did not modify the enzyme activity, suggesting a different physiological role for the TT Mg(2+)-ATPase which may be involved in the regulation of muscle fiber functions affected by extracellular ATP levels.     

Vesicular ATPase inserted into the plasma membrane of motor terminals by exocytosis alkalinizes cytosolic pH and facilitates endocytosis

Key components of vesicular neurotransmitter release, such as Ca(2+) influx and membrane recycling, are affected by cytosolic pH. We measured the pH-sensitive fluorescence of Yellow Fluorescent Protein transgenically expressed in mouse motor nerve terminals, and report that Ca(2+) influx elicited by action potential trains (12.5-100 Hz) evokes a biphasic pH change: a brief acidification (～ 13 nM average peak increase in [H(+)]), followed by a prolonged alkalinization (～ 30 nM peak decrease in [H(+)]) that outlasts the stimulation train. The alkalinization is selectively eliminated by blocking vesicular exocytosis with botulinum neurotoxins, and is prolonged by the endocytosis-inhibitor dynasore. Blocking H(+) pumping by vesicular H(+)-ATPase (with folimycin or bafilomycin) suppresses stimulation-induced alkalinization and reduces endocytotic uptake of FM1-43. These results suggest that H(+)-ATPase, known to transfer cytosolic H(+) into prefused vesicles, continues to extrude cytosolic H(+) after being exocytotically incorporated into the plasma membrane. The resulting cytosolic alkalinization may facilitate vesicular endocytosis.     

High-affinity calcium-stimulated, magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase in Trypanosoma cruzi.

1. A high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and a low-affinity Mg(2+)-ATPase were identified in the 105,000 g fraction from epimastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease (Tulahuen strain). 2. Activities were conserved after enzyme solubilization with deoxycholate. 3. The Ca(2+)-stimulated ATPase activity was (a) lower than that of the Mg(2+)-ATPase; (b) inhibited by p-chloromercurobenzoate and orthovanadate and (c) insensitive to oligomycin. 4. Optimal stimulation by Ca2+ was observed at pH 6.5-6.8 in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2 and 0.1 M KCl. 5. The Mg(2+)-ATPase was insensitive to p-chloromercurobenzoate and orthovanadate and did not require KCl for activity. 6. Kinetic analysis of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase yielded a half-maximal stimulating concentration of 1.1 microM for Ca2+ and a Km of 66 microM for ATP. 7. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase clearly differed from the Ca(2+)- or Mg(2+)-ATPases previously characterized in the same strain of T. cruzi (Frasch et al., 1978; Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 60B, 271-275).     

Effects of denervation on the contents of cholesterol and membrane systems involved in muscle contraction in rabbit fast-twitch sarcotubular system.

Denervated fast-twitch rabbit muscles were progressively losing their fresh weight and the yield of sarcotubular protein was increasing. The activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase was affected but very slightly, the basal Mg(2+)-ATPase and the Mg(2+)-ATPase/Ca(2+)-ATPase ratio however increased together with a simultaneous depression of the membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase activity. We did not observe any differences in density properties of sarcotubular fractions between control and denervated muscle. However, a relative enrichment in SM and H fraction could be seen after denervation with small changes in the content of the Ca(2+)-pump protein, increased levels of calsequestrin and cholesterol, mostly in the heavy and the SM fraction. After denervation the binding sites for 3H-PN-200-110 did not show any changes in receptor affinity, but the number of putative Ca(2+)-channels increased twice along with a depression of 3H-ouabain binding sites. We suggest that the denervation of fast-twitch muscle leads to the hypertrophy of the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum and the T-system. Changes in the cholesterol content, in the number of putative Ca(2+)-channels and in Na+, K(+)-ATPase can affect the muscle contraction.     

Distinction between Ca(2+) pump and Ca(2+)/H(+) antiport activities in synaptic vesicles of sheep brain cortex

Synaptic vesicles, isolated from a sheep brain cortex, accumulate Ca(2+) in a manner that depends on the pH and pCa values. In the presence of 100 microM CaCl(2), most of the Ca(2+) taken up by the vesicles was vanadate-inhibited (86%) at pH 7.4, whereas at pH 8.5, part of the Ca(2+) accumulated (36%) was DeltapH-dependent (bafilomycin and CCCP inhibited) and part was insensitive to those drugs (31%). We also observed that both vanadate-sensitive and bafilomycin-sensitive Ca(2+) accumulations were completely released by the Ca(2+) ionophore, ionomycin, and that these processes work with high (K(0.5)=0.6 microM) and low (K(0.5)=217 microM) affinity for Ca(2+), respectively. The DeltapH-dependent Ca(2+) transport appears to be largely operative at Ca(2+) concentrations (>100 microM) which completely inhibited the vanadate-sensitive Ca(2+) uptake. These Ca(2+) effects on the Ca(2+) accumulation were well correlated with those observed on the vanadate-inhibited Ca(2+)-ATPase and bafilomycin-inhibited H(+)-ATPase, respectively. The Ca(2+)-ATPase activity reached a maximum at about 25 microM (pH 7.4) and sharply declined at higher Ca(2+) concentrations. In contrast, Ca(2+) had a significant stimulatory effect on the H(+)-ATPase between 250 and 500 microM Ca(2+) concentration. Furthermore, we found that DeltapH-sensitive Ca(2+) transport was associated with proton release from the vesicles. About 21% of the maximal proton gradient was dissipated by addition of 607.7 microM CaCl(2) to the reaction medium and, if CaCl(2) was present before the proton accumulation, lower pH gradients were reached. Both vanadate-inhibited and bafilomycin-inhibited systems transported Ca(2+) into the same vesicle pool of our preparation, suggesting that they belong to the same cellular compartment. These results indicate that synaptic vesicles of the sheep brain cortex contain two distinct mechanisms of Ca(2+) transport: a high Ca(2+) affinity, proton gradient-independent Ca(2+) pump that has an optimal activity at pH 7.4, and a low Ca(2+) affinity, proton gradient-dependent Ca(2+)/H(+) antiport that works maximally at pH 8.5.