Ca-binding properties of a unique ATPase inhibitor protein isolated from mitochondria of bovine heart and rat skeletal muscle

Previous studies showed that Ca²⁺ induced monomer to active dimer interconversion of a mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor protein from bovine heart or rat skeletal muscle (Yamada, E.W., Huzel, N.J. and Dickison, J.C. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. , 10203–10207). Initial equilibrium dialysis measurements of Ca²⁺ binding showed that this unique protein possesses three binding sites of high affinity with a maximum of one mol of Ca²⁺ bound/mol of protein monomer. Magnesium (1 mM) did not affect the first association constant but increased the second and third by about 1.2 and 1.5 fold, respectively. That the apparent association constants varied with concentration of protein monomer was in agreement with the self-associating nature of the protein. Scatchard plots at three concentrations of protein intersected at a molar ratio of about 0.5 (Ca²⁺/monomer). K_a1 and K_a2 values of 4.2 μM and 12.1 μM, respectively, were estimated by extrapolation of apparent constants to infinite dilution of protein. K_a3 (51.3 μM) was estimated by extrapolation of double reciprocal plots of apparent constants versus protein concentration to infinite levels of protein. A model for Ca²⁺ binding by this self-associating protein is described. Trifluoperazine had no effect on the activity of the inhibitor protein from either tissue.     

Relationship between calcium ion transport and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum

Calcium uptake by adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum was studied in a rapidly obtained microsomal fraction. The kinetics and ionic requirements of Ca²⁺ transport in this preparation were characterized and compared to those of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. The time course of Ca²⁺ uptake in the presence of 5 mM oxalate was nonlinear, approaching a steady-state level of 10.8–11.5 nmol Ca²⁺/mg protein after 3–4 min of incubation. The rate of Ca²⁺ transport was increased by higher oxalate concentrations with a near linear rate of uptake at 20 mM oxalate. The calculated initial rate of calcium uptake was 18.5 nmol Ca²⁺/mg protein per min. The double reciprocal plot of ATP concentration against transport rate was nonlinear, with apparent $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ values of 100 μM and 7 μM for ATP concentration ranges above and below 50 μM, respectively. The apparent $\text{K}\text{m}$ values for Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were 132 μM and 0.36–0.67 μM, respectively. The energy of activation was 23.4 kcal/mol. These kinetic properties were strikingly similar to those of the microsomal ($\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$)-ATPase. The presence of potassium was required for maximum Ca²⁺ transport activity. The order of effectiveness of monovalent cations in stimulating both Ca²⁺ transport and ($\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{-}\text{ATPase}$ activity was $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{>}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{=}\text{NH}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{>}\text{Li}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{.}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$ transport and ($\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity were both inhibited 10–20% by 6 mM procaine and less than 10% by 10 mM sodium azide. Both processes were completely inhibited by 3 mM dibucaine or 50 μM $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuribenzene}$ sulfonate. The results indicate that Ca²⁺ transport in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum is mediated by a $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ and suggest an important role for endoplasmic reticulum in control of intracellular Ca²⁺ distribution.     

Regulatory interaction between calmodulin and ATP on the red cell Ca2+ pump

The interactions between calmodulin, ATP and Ca²⁺ on the red cell Ca²⁺ pump have been studied in membranes stripped of native calmodulin or rebound with purified red cell calmodulin. Calmodulin stimulates the maximal rate of $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ by 5–10-fold and the rate of Ca²⁺-dependent phosphorylation by at least 10-fold. In calmodulin-bound membranes ATP activates $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ along a biphasic concentration curve ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext><mtext>1</mtext>}}\text{≈ 1.4 μ}\text{M}\text{, K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{≈ 330 μ}\text{M}$), but in stripped membranes the curve is essentially hyperbolic ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}\text{≈ 7 μ}\text{M}$). In calmodulin-bound membranes Ca²⁺ activates $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ at low concentrations ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}\text{< 0.28 μ}\text{M}$) in stripped membranes the apparent Ca²⁺ affinities are at least 10-fold lower.The results suggest that calmodulin (and perhaps ATP) affect a conformational equilibrium between E₂ and E₁ forms of the Ca²⁺ pump protein.     

A high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cells

The activity of calcium-stimulated and magnesium-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase which possesses a high affinity for free calcium (high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$, EC 3.6.1.3) has been detected in rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cell plasma membranes. The high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ had an apparent half saturation constant of $\text{77 ± 31}\text{nM}$ for free calcium, a maximum reaction velocity of $\text{9.9 ± 3.5}\text{nmol}$ ATP hydrolyzed/mg protein per min, and a Hill number of 0.8. Maximum activity was obtained at 0.2 μM free calcium. The high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ was absolutely dependent on 3–10 mM magnesium and the pH optimum was within physiological range (pH 7.2–7.5). Among the nucleoside trisphosphates tested, ATP was the best substrate, with an apparent $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ of 30 μM. The distribution pattern of this enzyme in the subcellular fractions of the ascites hepatoma cell homogenate (as shown by the linear sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation method) was similar to that of the known plasma membrane marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), indicating that the ATPase was located in the plasma membrane. Various agents, such as K⁺, Na⁺, ouabain, KCN, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and NaN₃, had no significant effect on the activity of high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$. Orthovanadate inhibited this enzyme activity with an apparent half-maximal inhibition constant of 40 μM. The high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ was neither inhibited by trifluoperazine, a calmodulin-antagonist, nor stimulated by bovine brain calmodulin, whether the plasma membranes were prepared with or without ethylene glycol $\text{bis}\text{(β-}\text{aminoethyl ether}\text{)-N,N,N′,N′-}\text{tetraacetic acid}$. Since the kinetic properties of the high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ showed a close resemblance to those of erythrocyte plasma membrane $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$, the high-affinity $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ of rat ascites hepatoma cell plasma membrane is proposed to be a calcium-pumping ATPase of these cells.     

Decrease of apparent calmodulin affinity of erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase at low Ca2+ concentrations

The calmodulin activation of the ($\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) in human erythrocyte membranes was studied in the range of 1 nM to 40 μM of purified calmodulin. The apparent calmodulin-affinity of the ATPase was strongly dependent on Ca²⁺ and decreased approx. 1000-times when the Ca²⁺ concentration was reduced from 112 to 0.5 μM. The data of calmodulin (Z) activation were analyzed by the aid of a kinetic enzyme model which suggests that 1 molecule of calmodulin binds per ATPase unit and that the affinities of the calcium-calmodulin complexes (Ca_iZ) decreases in the order of $\text{Ca}{}_3\text{Z}\text{>}\text{Ca}{}_4\text{Z}\text{>}\text{Ca}{}_2\text{Z}\text{?}\text{CaZ}$. Furthermore, calmodulin dissociates from the calmodulin-saturated Ca²⁺-ATPase in the range of 10^?7–10^?6 M Ca²⁺, even at a calmodulin concentration of 5 μM. The apparent concentration of calmodulin in the erythrocyte cytosol was determined to be 3 to 5 μM, corresponding to 50–80-times the cellular concentration of Ca²⁺-ATPase, estimated to be approx. 10 nmol/g membrane protein. We therefore conclude that most of the calmodulin id dissociated from the Ca²⁺-transport ATPase in erythrocytes at the prevailing Ca²⁺ concentration (probably 10^?7 – 10^?8 M) in vivo, and that the calmodulin-binding and subsequent activation of the Ca²⁺-ATPase requires that the Ca²⁺ concentration rises to 10^?6 – 10^?5 M.     

Partial purification and characterization of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase from squid optic nerve plasma membrane

A membrane fraction enriched in axolemma was obtained from optic nerves of the squid (Sepiotheutis sepioidea) by differential centrifugation and density gradient fractionation. The preparation showed an oligomycin- and NaN₃-insensitive (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity. The dependence of the ATPase activity on calcium concentration revealed the presence of two saturable components. One had a high affinity for calcium ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}{}^1\text{= 0.12 μ}\text{M}$) and the second had a comparatively low affinity ($\text{K}{}^2{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 49.5 μ}\text{M}$). Only the high-affinity component was specifically inhibited by vanadate (K₁ = 35 μM). Calmodulin (12.5 μ/ml) stimulated the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase by approx. 50%, and this stimulation was abolished by trifluoperazine (10 μM). Further treatment of the membrane fraction with 1% Nonidet P-40 resulted in a partial purification of the ATPase about 15-fold compared to the initial homogenate. This (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase from squid optic nerve displays some properties similar to those of the uncoupled Ca²⁺-pump described in internally dialyzed squid axons, suggesting that it could be its enzymatic basis.     

The presence of two (Na+ + K+)-ATPase inhibitors in equine muscle ATP: Vanadate and a dithioerythritol-dependent inhibitor

A potent inhibitor of $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ activity was purified from Sigma equine muscle ATP by cation- and anion-exchange chromatography. The isolated inhibitor was identified by atomic absorption spectroscopy and proton resonance spectroscopy to be an inorganic vanadate. The isolated vanadate and a solution of V₂O₅ inhibit sarcolemma $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ with an $\text{I}{}_{50}$ of 1 μM in the presence of 1 mM $\text{ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethylether)}\text{-N,N′-}\text{tetraacetic}$ acid (EGTA), 145 mM NaCl, 6mM MgCl₂, 15 mM KCl and 2 mM synthetic ATP. The potency of the isolated vanadate in increased by free Mg²⁺. The inhibition is half maximally reversed by 250 μM epinephrine. Equine muscle ATP was also found to contain a second $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ inhibitor which depends on the sulfhydryl-reducing agent dithioerythritol for inhibition. This unknown inhibitor does not depend on free Mg²⁺ and is half maximally reversed by 2 μM epinephrine. Prolonged storage or freeze-thawing of enzyme preparations decreases the susceptibility of the $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ to this inhibitor. The adrenergic blocking agents, propranolol and phentolamine, do not block the catecholamine reactivation. The inhibitors in equine muscle ATP also inhibit highly purified $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ from shark rectal gland and eel electroplax. The inhibitors in equine muscle ATP have no effect on the other sarcolemmal ATPases, Mg²⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺-ATPase and $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$.     

Identification of Ca2+-pump-related phosphoprotein in plasma membrane vesicles of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

Plasma membrane vesicles of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells have been isolated to a high degree of purity. In the presence of Mg²⁺, the plasma membrane preparation exhibits a Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase activity of 2 μmol P_i per h per mg protein. It is suggested that this $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity is related to the measured Ca²⁺ transport which was characterized by $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ values for ATP and Ca²⁺ of $\text{44 ± 9 μ}\text{M}$ and $\text{0.25 ± 0.10 μ}\text{M}$, respectively. Phosphorylation of plasma membranes with [γ-³²P]ATP and analysis of the radioactive species by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a Ca²⁺-dependent hydroxylamine-sensitive phosphoprotein with a molecular mass of 135 kDa. Molecular mass and other data differentiate this phosphoprotein from the catalytic subunit of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and from the catalytic subunit of $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ of endoplasmic reticulum. It is suggested that the 135 kDa phosphoprotein represents the phosphorylated catalytic subunit of the $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ of the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. This finding is discussed in relation to previous attempts to identify a Ca²⁺-pump in plasma membranes isolated from nucleated cells.     

(Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in enriched sarcolemma from dog heart

An enriched fraction of plasma membranes was prepared from canine ventricle by a process which involved thorough disruption of membranes by vigorous homogenization in dilute suspension, sedimentation of contractile proteins and mitochondria at $\text{3000 × g}$ followed by sedimentation of a microsomal fraction at $\text{200 000 × g}$. The microsomal suspension was then fractionated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient. Particles migrating in the density range 1.0591–1.1083 were characterized by ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ activity and [³H]ouabain binding as being enriched in sarcolemma and were comprised of nonaggregated vesicles of diameter approx. 0.1 μm. These fractions contained $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ which appeared endogenous to the sarcolemma. The enzyme was solubilized using Triton X-100 and 1 M KCl and partially purified. Optimal Ca²⁺ concentration for enzyme activity was 5–10 μM. Both Na⁺ and K⁺ stimulated enzyme activity. It is suggested that the enzyme may be involved in the outward pumping of Ca²⁺ from the cardiac cell.     

Ligand binding properties of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase labelled with N-cyclohexyl-N′-(4-dimethylamino-α-naphthyl)carbodiimide

The $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum, when labelled at two Ca²⁺-protected sites with $\text{N-}\text{cyclohexyl}\text{-N′-(4-}\text{dimethylamino}\text{-α-}\text{naphthyl}\text{)}\text{carbodiimide}$ (NCD-4) retains Ca²⁺ binding capacity at the sites with $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}$ values of approx. 3 μM and 0.12 mM as assessed by fluorescence titration. The sites correspond to the two high-affinity Ca²⁺ binding sites present in the native ATPase. The NCD-4 labelled ATPase exhibits slow conformational changes at each site on addition of Ca²⁺. It retains the ability to form phosphoenzyme, and can most likely translocate Ca²⁺.     

Calcium uptake and release by skeletal-muscle mitochondria

THE EGTA — ruthenium red quench technique was used to obtain initial-velocity plots of Ca²⁺ uptake by skeletal-muscle mitochondria. The K_m was 5 μM and the Hill coefficient 1.9 at both 0° and 10°C. Inorganic phosphate stimulated and Mg²⁺ inhibited initial rates of transport. In experiments on Ca²⁺ release, the $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$ exchange was demonstrated. Factors influencing Ca²⁺ release during anaerobiosis include phosphate concentration and extent of Ca²⁺ loading. The results are discussed in relation to the possible participation of mitochondria in the calcium-ion regulation of muscle.     

Ca2+-cardiolipin interaction in a model system Selectivity and apparent high affinity

The interaction of cardiolipin with Ca²⁺ was assessed by measuring the cardiolipin-mediated extraction of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ from an aqueous to an organic (methylene chloride) phase. Cardiolipin binds Ca²⁺ with high affinity [$\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}\text{(}\text{apparent}\text{)=0.70±0.17 μ}\text{M (S.D.)}$]. Cation-cardiolipin interactions are selective. Interaction of cardiolipin with Ca²⁺ is insensitive to Na⁺, but is inhibited by divalent cations with $\text{Mn}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{>}\text{Zn}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{>}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$. In addition La³⁺ and Ruthenium red are particularly potent inhibitors of Ca²⁺ binding by cardiolipin. Cardiolipin-mediated extraction of Ca²⁺ into an aqueous phase is also inhibited by phosphatidylcholine. Inhibition of Ca²⁺-cardiolipin interaction by phosphatidylcholine (a phospholipid known to stabilize the bilayer conformation) may implicate inverted, non-bilayer lipid structures in the binding.     

Regulation of the Ca2+-pump by calmodulin in intact cells

ATP-enriched human red cells display high rates of Ca²⁺-dependent ATP hydrolysis (16 mmol·litre cells^?1·h^?1) with a high Ca²⁺ affinity ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}\text{～0.2 μ}\text{M}$). The finding suggests a mechanism for regulation of cell Ca²⁺ levels, involving highly-cooperative stimulation of active Ca²⁺ extrusion following binding of calmodulin to the $\text{(}\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$.     

Stimulating effects of monovalent cations on activator-dissociated and activator-associated states of Ca2+-ATPase in human erythrocytes

The additional activation by monovalent cations of the $\text{(Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+ Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-dependent}$ ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) in human erythrocyte membranes was studied.The Ca²⁺-ATPase occurs in two different states. In the A-state the enzyme is virtually free of protein activator and the kinetics of Ca²⁺ activation is characterized by low apparent Ca²⁺ affinity and low maximum activity. In the B-state the enzyme is associated with activator and the kinetics is characterized by high Ca²⁺ affinity and high maximum activity.At optimum concentrations of Ca²⁺ the additional activation of the B-state by K⁺, NH₄⁺, Na⁺ and Rb⁺ exceeded the corresponding activations of the A-state, and half-maximum activations by K⁺, NH₄⁺, and Na⁺ were achieved at lower concentrations in the B-state than in the A-state. Li⁺ and Cs⁺ activated the two states almost equally but maximum activation was obtained at lower cation concentrations in the B-state than in the A-state.The activation of the B-state by the various cations decreased in the order $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{> NH}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{> Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{= Rb}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{> Li}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{= Cs}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$. The A-state was activated almost equally by K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺, and Rb⁺ and to a smaller extent by Li⁺ and Cs⁺.At sub-optimum concentrations of Ca²⁺ high concentrations of monovalent cations (100 mM) activated the Ca²⁺-ATPase equally in the A-state and the B-state. In the absence of Ca²⁺ the monovalent cations inhibited the Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase in both types of membranes. This dependence on Ca²⁺ indicates that the monovalent cations interact with the Ca²⁺ sites in the B-state.The results suggest that K⁺ or Na⁺, or both, contribute to the regulation of the Ca²⁺ pump in erythrocytes.     

The interaction of ions with phosphatidylcholine bilayers

The interaction of lanthanides and other cations with phosphatidylcholine bilayers present as single bilayer vesicles in ²H₂O has been investigated in terms of stoichiometry, apparent binding constants and environmental conditions.Lanthanides are shown to form 2 : 1 (molar ratio) phosphatidylcholine to metal ion complexes.The apparent binding constant $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>b</mtext>}}$ varies as a function of the quantity of metal ion bound and as a function of the Cl^? concentration. The apparent binding constant at “zero loading” is $\text{K}{}_0\text{= 1.25 · 10}{}^4\text{L}{}^2\text{·}\text{M}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{at}\text{0.15}\text{M KCl}$. It decreases exponentially with increased “loading” expressed as the molar ratio of metal ion bound to effective phosphatidylcholine concentration and increases exponential with Cl^? concentration.The interaction of lanthanides and divalent cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ is independent of pH in the pH range 3–7⁺ and 3–10 respectively, but is sensitive to the nature of the anion. The presence of anions enhances the interaction with polyvalent cations, the chaotropic anions showing the largest effect. The order of enhancement is $\text{Cl}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{< Br}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{< NO}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{< SCN}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{< I}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{< ClO}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{?}}$. The nature of the monovalent counterion (cation) has little effect on the enhanced binding of lanthanides in the presence of the above anions.The affinity of other polyvalent cations for phosphatidylcholine bilayers has been determined by competition with lanthanides. The physiologically important divalent cations Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ both bind less strongly (by about an order of magnitude) to the lipid surface. The order of binding of cations reflects direct binding to the phosphodiester group, with UO₂²⁺ showing the highest affinity.     

Cooperative lipid activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase as a consequence of non-cooperative lipid-protein interactions

Lipid activation data for $\text{(Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+ K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-ATPase}$ (Ottolenghi, P. (1979) Eur. J. Biochem. 99, 113–131) have been subjected to a regression and fitting analysis based on a recent kinetic model (Sandermann, H. (1982) Eur. J. Biochem, 127, 123–128). The observed kinetic cooperativity could be generated from strictly non-cooperative binding events involving the known number of 30 boundary lipid-binding sites per ATPase monomer. Apparent lipid dissociation equilibrium constants of between 0.3 and 5 μM were obtained, enzyme activity being associated only with the fully lipid-substituted enzyme and enzyme-lipid complexes with less than six unoccupied lipid-binding sites. The enzyme appeared to operate close to a maximum of cooperativity.     

Activation of heart sarcolemmal Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.

The sarcolemmal membrane obtained from rat heart by hypotonic shock-LiBr treatment method was found to incorporate ³²P from [γ-³²P] ATP in the absence and presence of cyclic AMP and protein kinase. The phosphorylated membrane showed an increase in Ca²⁺ ATPase and Mg²⁺ ATPase activities without any changes in Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activity. The observed increase in $\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$ ATPase activity was found to be associated with an increase in V_max value of the reaction whereas K_a value for $\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$ was not altered. These results provide information concerning biochemical mechanism for increased calcium entry due to hormones which are known to elevate cyclic AMP levels in myocardium and produce a positive inotropic effect.     

Reconstitution of calcium transporters from Azotobacter vinelandii membranes

Plasma membranes from Azotobacter vinelandii contain two Ca²⁺ transport activities: an electrophoretic uniporter and an electroneutral $\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{2}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ exchanger (P. Zimniak and E. M. Barnes, Jr. J. Biol. Chem.255, 10,140 (1980)). Both activities were reconstituted by the freeze-thaw technique of M. Kasahara and P. C. Hinkle (J. Biol. Chem.252, 7384 (1977)) using phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine (1:1) at a lipid-to-protein ratio of 40. Reconstitution was evidenced both by expansion of the intravesicular volume accessible to Ca²⁺ and by transfer of the transport activities to vesicles with a buoyant density less than that of native membranes. The Ca²⁺ transporters, reconstituted into K⁺-filled proteoliposomes, retained their dependence on the membrane potential or ΔpH induced by the addition of valinomycin or nigericin, respectively. The kinetic parameters of the reconstituted activities were similar to those in native membranes, as was their sensitivity to inhibitors. The sensitivities of the electrophoretic Ca²⁺ transporter to ruthenium red, morpholinoethanesulfonate, and external K⁺ and of the $\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{2}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ antiporter to Sr²⁺ and heat treatment were also retained by the reconstituted system.