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

A potent inhibitor of (Na+ + K+)-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 (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with an I50 of 1 micrometer in the presence of 1 mM ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 145 mM NaCl, 6mM MgCl2, 15 mM KCl and 2 mM synthetic ATP. The potency of the isolated vanadate is increased by free Mg2+. The inhibition is half maximally reversed by 250 micrometer epinephrine. Equine muscle ATP was also found to contain a second (Na+ + K+)-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 micrometer epinephrine. Prolonged storage or freeze-thawing of enzyme preparations decreases the susceptibility of the (Na+ + K+)-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 (Na+ + K+)-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 (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase.     

Characteristics of functioning of electromechanical coupling in striated muscles of higher and lower vertebrates

A comparative pharmacological analysis of relative contributions of different signal transduction pathways in the activation of contraction (excitation-contraction coupling, ECC) in intact fast striated muscles of frog and lamprey was performed. It was found that the major mechanism responsible for the ECC in muscles of both animals is Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through the ryanodine-sensitive channels. However, the ECC in lamprey muscle displays some important differences in the units of electromechanical coupling, which precede the calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. The maximum contraction force in frog muscle develops during caffeine-induced contracture, which indicates that all Ca2+ stored in sarcoplasmic reticulum is released through ryanodine-sensitive channels. In contrast, in lamprey muscle, the maximum force develops not in response to high caffeine concentration, but in response to repetitive electrical stimulation. Hence, in addition to stores liberated by ryanodine-sensitive channels, some other sources of calcium ions should exist, which contribute to the contraction activation. A source of this additional Ca2+ ions can be external medium, because acetylcholine contracture is abolished in a calcium-free medium. In frog muscle, the acetylcholine contracture was abolished in a Na(+)-free solution. It was concluded that in frog muscle ECC can be triggered by changes in the transmembrane potential (depolarization-induced calcium release), while in lamprey muscle the entry of calcium ions into myoplasm as the trigger in ECC (calcium-induced calcium release). The lamprey muscle was found to be more resistant to tetrodotoxin and tetracaine, which is indicative of a role in the activation of contraction of tetrodotoxin-resistant Na+ and/or Ca2+ channels. It was concluded, that ECC mechanism in striated muscles of low vertebrates is not limited by the generally accepted scheme of depolarization-induced calcium release but can include some other schemes, which require the Ca2+ influx into the cell.     

Site density of the sodium-calcium exchange carrier in reconstituted vesicles from bovine cardiac sarcolemma

The site density of the Na2+-Ca2+ exchanger in bovine cardiac sarcolemma was estimated from measurements of the fraction of reconstituted proteoliposomes exhibiting exchange activity. Sarcolemmal vesicles were solubilized with 1% Triton X-100 in the presence of either 100 mM NaCl or 100 mM KCl; after a 20-40-min incubation period on ice, sufficient KCl, NaCl, CaCl2, and soybean phospholipids were added to each extract to give final concentrations of 40 mM NaCl, 120 mM KCl, 0.1 mM CaCl2, and 10 mg/ml phospholipid. These mixtures were then reconstituted into proteoliposomes, and the rate of 45Ca2+ isotopic exchange was measured under equilibrium conditions. Control studies showed that Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity was completely lost if Na+ was not present during solubilization. The difference in 45Ca2+ uptake between vesicles initially solubilized in the presence or absence of NaCl therefore reflected exchange activity and corresponded to 3.1 +/- 0.3% of the total 45Ca2+ uptake by the entire population of vesicles, as measured in the presence of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Assuming that each vesicle with exchange activity contained 1 molecule of the Na+-Ca2+ exchange carrier, a site density of 10-20 pmol/mg of protein for the exchanger was calculated. The Vmax for Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity in the proteoliposomes was approximately 20 nmol/mg of protein.s which indicates that the turnover number of the exchange carrier is 1000 s-1 or more. Thus, the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger is a low density, high turnover transport system.     

The properties of the extraocular muscles of the frog. I. Mechanical properties of the isolated superior oblique and superior rectus muscles.

The mechanical properties of two extraocular muscles (superior oblique and superior rectus muscles) of the frog were studied and compared with those of a frog's skeletal muscle (iliofibularis muscle) which contains the same types of muscle fibres as the oculorotatory muscles. The extraocular muscles are very fast twitching muscles. They exhibit a smaller contraction time, a smaller half-relaxation time, a higher fusion frequency, and a lower twitch-tetanus ratio than the skeletal muscles. The maximum isometric tetanic tension produced per unit cross-sectional area is lower in the extraocular muscles than in skeletal muscles. However, the extraocular muscles show a higher fatigue resistance than the skeletal muscles. With respect to the dynamic properties there are some differences between the various oculorotatory muscles of the frog. The superior rectus muscle exhibits a faster time-course of the contraction, a higher fusion frequency, and a higher fatigability than the superior oblique muscle. An increase of the extracellular K+-concentration evokes sustained contractures not only in the extraocular muscles but also in the iliofibularis muscle; between these muscles there are no striking differences in the mechanical threshold of the whole muscle preparation. The mechanical threshold depends on the Ca++-concentration of the bathing solution and it is found in a range between 12.5 and 17.5 mM K+ in a normal Ringer solution containing 1.8 mM Ca++. The static-mechanical properties of the extraocular muscles of the frog and the dependence of the active developed tension on the muscle extension are very similar to those which are known to exist in the extraocular muscles of other vertebrates. In tetanic activated frog's oculorotatory muscles a linear relationship exists between length and tension. A variation of the stimulation frequency does not change the slope of this curve but causes parallel shifts of the curve. The peculiar properties of the extraocular muscles of the frog are discussed with respect to the muscle fibre types in these muscles and to the diameter of the muscle fibres.     

Distinct α2 Na,K-ATPase membrane pools are differently involved in early skeletal muscle remodeling during disuse

The Na,K-ATPase is essential for the contractile function of skeletal muscle, which expresses the α1 and α2 subunit isoforms of Na,K-ATPase. The α2 isozyme is predominant in adult skeletal muscles and makes a greater contribution in working compared with noncontracting muscles. Hindlimb suspension (HS) is a widely used model of muscle disuse that leads to progressive atrophy of postural skeletal muscles. This study examines the consequences of acute (6–12 h) HS on the functioning of the Na,K-ATPase α1 and α2 isozymes in rat soleus (disused) and diaphragm (contracting) muscles. Acute disuse dynamically and isoform-specifically regulates the electrogenic activity, protein, and mRNA content of Na,K-ATPase α2 isozyme in rat soleus muscle. Earlier disuse-induced remodeling events also include phospholemman phosphorylation as well as its increased abundance and association with α2 Na,K-ATPase. The loss of α2 Na,K-ATPase activity results in reduced electrogenic pump transport and depolarized resting membrane potential. The decreased α2 Na,K-ATPase activity is caused by a decrease in enzyme activity rather than by altered protein and mRNA content, localization in the sarcolemma, or functional interaction with the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The loss of extrajunctional α2 Na,K-ATPase activity depends strongly on muscle use, and even the increased protein and mRNA content as well as enhanced α2 Na,K-ATPase abundance at this membrane region after 12 h of HS cannot counteract this sustained inhibition. In contrast, additional factors may regulate the subset of junctional α2 Na,K-ATPase pool that is able to recover during HS. Notably, acute, low-intensity muscle workload restores functioning of both α2 Na,K-ATPase pools. These results demonstrate that the α2 Na,K-ATPase in rat skeletal muscle is dynamically and acutely regulated by muscle use and provide the first evidence that the junctional and extrajunctional pools of the α2 Na,K-ATPase are regulated differently.     

Calcium inhibition of the ATPase and phosphatase activities of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

In experiments performed at 37 degrees C, Ca2+ reversibly inhibits the Na+-and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activities and the K+-dependent phosphatase activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. With 3 mM ATP, the Na+-ATPase was less sensitive to CaCl2 than the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. With 0.02 mM ATP, the Na+-ATPase and the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activities were similarly inhibited by CaCl2. The K0.5 for Ca2+ as (Na+ + K+)-ATPase inhibitor depended on the total MgCl2 and ATP concentrations. This Ca2+ inhibition could be a consequence of Ca2+-Mg2+ competition, Ca . ATP-Mg . ATP competition or a combination of both mechanisms. In the presence of Na+ and Mg2+, Ca2+ inhibited the K+-dependent dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme formed from ATP, had no effect on the dephosphorylation in the absence of K+ and inhibited the rephosphorylation of the enzyme. In addition, the steady-state levels of phosphoenzyme were reduced in the presence both of NaCl and of NaCl plus KCl. With 3 mM ATP, Ca2+ alone sustained no more than 2% of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and about 23% of the Na+-ATPase activity observed with Mg2+ and no Ca2+. With 0.003 mM ATP, Ca2+ was able to maintain about 40% of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and 27% of the Na+-ATPase activity seen in the presence of Mg2+ alone. However, the E2(K)-E1K conformational change did not seem to be affected. Ca2+ inhibition of the K+-dependent rho-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase followed competition kinetics between Ca2+ and Mg2+. In the presence of 10 mM NaCl and 0.75 mM KCl, the fractional inhibition of the K+-dependent rho-nitrophenylphosphatase activity as a function of Ca2+ concentration was the same with and without ATP, suggesting that Ca2+ indeed plays the important role in this process. In the absence of Mg2+, Ca2+ was unable to sustain any detectable ouabain-sensitive phosphatase activity, either with rho-nitrophenylphosphate or with acetyl phosphate as substrate.     

Physiology and excitation-contraction coupling in the intestinal muscle of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii

The intestinal muscles of Procambarus clarkii are striated and yet they are specialized to produce slow peristaltic waves of contraction, not unlike those seen in vertebrate visceral smooth muscle. These muscles cannot be tetanized either by repetitive stimulation or by elevated potassium saline. The excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling mechanism was explored and compared with that known in crustacean skeletal muscle. Contraction is dependent on external Ca2+ which triggers the release of intracellular calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) via calcium-induced calcium release (CICR). Whereas contraction force is proportional to [Ca2+]o up to that in normal saline (13.4 mM), higher levels of Ca2+ reduce force. Ryanodine, which blocks calcium release from the SR, abolishes electrically stimulated contractions and CICR. Relaxation is achieved by removal of calcium from the cytosol in at least two ways, first by the re-loading of calcium into the SR by Ca2+-ATPases and second by the movement of calcium out of the cell by extruding it across the sarcolemma via Na+/Ca2+-exchangers. It is hypothesized that the inability of this muscle to show tetanus arises from inactivation of the voltage-gated calcium channels by high calcium. This is supported by the result that caffeine application causes an increase in tonus and size of phasic contractions by circumventing the sarcolemma and dumping SR calcium stores.     

Soluble phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase in normal and denervated fast and slow muscles of the rat.

Phosphatidylinositol phosphodiesterase activity was determined in cytosol prepared from rat slow (soleus) and fast (extensor digitorum longus) muscles. The substrate was prepared by incubation of sarcoplasmic reticulum with myo-[2-3H]inositol. The enzyme hydrolysed both membrane-bound and extracted phosphatidylinositol. The activity determined with the isolated phospholipid exhibited an optimum at pH 5.5. Ca2+ ions stimulated the activity. The enzyme specific activity was higher in cytosol prepared from soleus muscle than in that from extensor digitorum longus muscle. After section of the motor nerve, the activity of the enzyme increased in both muscles up to 36 h and then declined. A function for this enzyme in the control of acetylcholine sensitivity in muscle is discussed.     

Characterization of membrane-bound adenosinetriphosphatase activity of sarcolemma-enriched fraction from vascular smooth muscle

Membrane-bound adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities of the sarcolemma-enriched fraction from bovine aorta were characterized. The membranes, isolated by a sucrose density gradient method, were enriched about 31-fold in sodium- and potassium-stimulated, magnesium-dependent ATPase (Na,K-ATPase) activity, and about 8-fold in 5'-nucleotidase activity compared to the homogenate, suggesting that the isolated membranes were substantially enriched with the sarcolemma. The membranes exhibited about 31, 33 and 42 mumol Pi/mg protein/h of Na,K-ATPase, magnesium-dependent ATPase and calcium-dependent ATPase activities, respectively, in the presence of 4 mmol/l ATP. The sarcolemma-enriched membranes required considerably high concentrations of well-known inhibitors for Na,K-ATPase such as vanadate (more than 1 mumol/l), lanthanum (more than 1 mmol/l) and calcium (10 mmol/l), to induce a significant inhibition in the Na,K-ATPase activity. Treatments of the membrane with physical disruptions and sodium dodecyl sulfate or deoxycholate reduced the total Na,K-ATPase activity, and did not expose fully the ouabain sensitivity of the Na,K-ATPase. These results indicate that there are marked differences in the properties of the ATPase between vascular smooth muscle sarcolemma and cardiac sarcolemma.     

The ATP4- receptor-operated ion channel of human lymphocytes: inhibition of ion fluxes by amiloride analogs and by extracellular sodium ions.

Extracellular ATP is known to increase the membrane permeability of a variety of cells. Addition of ATP to human leukemic lymphocytes loaded with the Ca2+ indicator, fura-2, induced a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration which was attenuated or absent in NaCl media compared with KCl, choline Cl, or NMG Cl media. In contrast, anti-immunoglobulin antibody gave similar Ca2+ transients in NaCl and KCl media. A half-maximal inhibition of peak ATP-induced Ca2+ response was observed at 10-16 mM extracellular Na+. Basal 45Ca2+ influx into lymphocytes was stimulated 9.6-fold by ATP added to cells in KCl media, but the effect of ATP was greatly reduced for cells in NaCl media. Hexamethylene amiloride blocked 74% of the ATP-stimulated Ca45 uptake of cells in KCl media. Flow cytometry measurements of fluo-3-loaded cells confirmed that the ATP-induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+ was inhibited either by extracellular Na+ or by addition of hexamethylene amiloride. Extracellular ATP stimulated 86Rb efflux from lymphocytes 10-fold and this increment was inhibited by the amiloride analogs in a rank order of potency 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride greater than 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride greater than 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride greater than amiloride. ATP-induced 86Rb efflux showed a sigmoid dependence on the concentration of ATP and Hill analysis gave K1/2 of 90 and 130 microM and n values of 2.5 and 2.5 for KCl and NaCl media, respectively. However, the maximal ATP-induced 86Rb efflux was 3-fold greater in KCl than in NaCl media. Raising extracellular Na+ from 10 to 100 mM increased ATP-induced Na+ influx from a mean of 2.0 to 3.7 nEq/10(7) cells/min, suggesting either saturability or self-inhibition by Na+ of its own influx. These data suggest that ATP opens a receptor-operated ion channel which allows increased Ca2+ and Na+ influx and Rb+ efflux and these fluxes are inhibited by extracellular Na+ ions as well as by the amiloride analogs.     

Properties of a phosphorylated intermediate of the Ca,Mg-activated ATPase of microsomal vesicles from uterine smooth muscle

A phosphorylated intermediate of the CaMg-ATPase is demonstrated in microsomal preparations from uterine smooth muscle. Characterization included the use of activators, inhibitors, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis. The phosphorylation was a function of the ATP and Ca concentrations. The dissociation constant KATP was 2.7 X 10(-6) M and KCa was 1.7 X 10(-6) M. Mg was obligatory for the reaction. Na azide, ouabain, or the substitution of NaCl for KCl did not affect the reaction. Phosphorylation was inhibited by Salyrgan, ADP, or 20 mM calcium. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 2.4 demonstrated phosphorylation of predominantly one protein with a molecular weight of 100,000. Hydroxylamine and, to a lesser extent, neutral and alkaline pH caused dephosphorylation. This indicates the presence of an acylphosphate bond in the phosphoprotein. The above findings are consistent with the phosphorylated intermediate being a Ca,Mg-ATPase. The inhibition by 20 mM calcium indicates that the Ca,Mg-ATPase of smooth muscle differs from that of striated muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Localization of Mg2+-ATPase in the membranes of the skeletal muscles and myocardium of the frog Rana temporaria

Using differential centrifugation in sucrose density gradient, from muscles of the frog fractions were obtained which contain fragments of sarcolemma, as well as membranes of T-system tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum. In isolated membrane fractions, studies were made on the activity of cation-stimulated ATPases (Na+, K+-, Ca2+, Mg2+- and Mg2+-ATPases). Enzymic and electrophoretic analyses showed that the highest content of Mg2+-ATPases is typical of the fractions which are located on the surface of 35% sucrose. The data obtained indicate that Mg2+-ATPase is the enzyme which is specific for the membranes of T-system tubules in skeletal muscles of not only birds but amphibians as well. From cardiac muscle of the frog, membrane fraction was isolated which is similar (with respect to its predominant content of Mg2+-ATPase) to the membranes of T-system tubules. It is suggested that the presence of Mg2+-ATPase in these membranes is a common property of phasic striated muscle fibers in all mature vertebrate animals.     

Mechanisms of regulation of intracellular distribution of Ca2+ in adipose tissue

The kinetics of influx and efflux of 45Ca and its accumulation by the subcellular membranes of adipose tissue have been studied. The initial rate of Ca2+ efflux does not depend on the intracellular concentration of Na+ and K+. The rate of exchange between intracellular 45Ca and 40Ca of the incubation medium is independent on concentration of Na+ and K+ in the incubation mixture. This suggests the absence of Na,Ca-transmembrane exchange in the adipocytes. The changes in the ratio of intracellular concentration of Na+ and K+ by the factors inhibiting the activity ofNa,K-ATPase cause redistribution of Ca in the intracellular pools of the adipocytes. The lypolytic agents (adrenalin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, caffeine) but not dibutytyl-3' : 5'-AMP, accelerate Ca2+ efflux from the adipocytes. At physiological concentrations of ATP, succinate and Pi the highest Ca-accumulating activity is observed in adipose tissue mitochondria. The highest initial rate of Ca uptake, as in the case of contractile tissues, is detected in the endoplasmic reticulum membranes. In contrast to the plasma membranes and reticulum, in which the Ca-accumulating capacity is independent of ATP concentration up to 0.5 mM, the Ca-accumulating capacity of mitochondria decreases 8--9-fold with a reduction in ATP concentration from 4 down to 1 mM. The physiological significance of this phenomenon in the action mechanism of lipolytic agents, which reduce the ATP content in the adipocytes, is discussed.     

Regulation of ATP synthesis catalyzed by the calcium pump of sarcoplasmic reticulum

The role of pH, KCl, ATP, water activity, and temperature in ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi was investigated in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. In totally aqueous medium, the synthesis of ATP was inhibited by ATP, KCl, and pH values above 6.5. When the water activity of the medium was decreased by the addition of 30% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide, the synthesis of ATP was no longer inhibited by ATP; it was activated by KCl and the optimum pH changed from 6.5 to 7.5. In totally aqueous medium, the concentration of MgCl2 needed for half-maximal synthesis of ATP was found to vary with the temperature of the assay medium; at 35 degrees C it was 1 mM and increased to a value higher than 10 mM when the temperature was decreased to 15 degrees C. In the presence of 30% dimethyl sulfoxide, maximal synthesis of ATP was attained in presence of 0.05 mM MgCl2 at both 15 and 35 degrees C. The hypothesis is raised that in the living cell water structure may play a role in regulating the synthesis of ATP observed during the reversal of the Ca2+ pump of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

Involvement of Na,K-pump in SEPYLRFamide-mediated reduction of cholinosensitivity in Helix neurons

SEPYLRFamide acts as an inhibitory modulator of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in Helix lucorum neurones. Ouabain, a specific inhibitor of Na,K-pump, (0.1 mM, bath application) decreased the ACh-induced inward current (ACh-current) and increased the leak current. Ouabain decreased the modulatory SEPYLRFamide effect on the ACh-current. There was a correlation between the effects of ouabain on the amplitude of the ACh-current and on the modulatory peptide effect. Ouabain and SEPYLRFamide inhibited the activity of Helix aspersa brain Na,K-ATPase. Activation of Na,K-pump by intracellular injection of 3 M Na acetate or 3 M NaCl reduced the modulatory peptide effect on the ACh-current. An inhibitor of Na/Ca-exchange, benzamil (25 muM, bath application), and an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-pump in the endoplasmic reticulum, thapsigargin (TG, applied intracellularly), both prevented the effect of ouabain on SEPYLRFamide-mediated modulatory effect. Another inhibitor of Ca(2+)-pump in the endoplasmic reticulum, cyclopiazonic acid (applied intracellularly), did not prevent the effect of ouabain on SEPYLRFamide-mediated modulatory effect. These results indicate that Na,K-pump is responsible for the SEPYLRFamide-mediated inhibition of ACh receptors in Helix neurons. Na/Ca-exchange and intracellular Ca(2+) released from internal pools containing TG-sensitive Ca(2+)-pump are involved in the Na,K-pump pathway for the SEPYLRFamide-mediated inhibition of ACh receptors.     

Early biochemical consequences of denervation in fast and slow skeletal muscles and their relationship to neural control over muscle differentiation

1. One week after denervation several biochemical characteristics of the fast extensor digitorum longus and slow soleus muscles from adult rats were investigated and compared with the characteristics of the corresponding unoperated contralateral muscles. 2. After these short periods of denervation-induced atrophy, the isolated myosins showed unchanged ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) activities, but there was the expected difference between fast and slow muscle. 3. The specific activities of several soluble enzymes and their characteristic patterns were found to be only slightly modified in both the extensor and soleus muscles after denervation, as were most of the activities measured in the isolated mitochondria. 4. The most significant modifications were in the isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum, and appeared to be specific to either slow or fast muscle. 5. Denervation of slow muscle led to a marked increase of Ca(2+)-transport rates, and of the specific activity of the Mg(2+)-activated K(+)-modulated Ca(2+)-stimulated ATPase, together with changes in the polyacrylamide-electrophoretic profiles of the microsomal membrane protein. Transformation of these several properties of slow muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum to those of fast muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum was further substantiated by electron-microscopic analysis after negative staining. Control experiments with tenotomized soleus muscle gave negative results. 6. The isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum from fast muscle showed a slight diminution of ATPase-linked Ca(2+)-transport activity and a selective increase of rotenone-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity, in addition to a greater emphasis on slow-type electrophoretic components of the structural membrane protein. 7. The significance of these results in relation to specific differentiating influences from motor nerves is discussed.     

Ouabain-induced blockade of alpha2 isoform of the Na,K-ATPase on electrophysiological and contractile characteristics of the rat diaphragm

In experiments with isolated neuromuscular preparation of the rat diaphragm, selective blockade of alpha2 isoform of the Na,K-ATPase with ouabain (1 mcmol/L) induced steady depolarization of muscle fibers that reached a maximum of 4 mV, a decrease in amplitude of muscle fiber action potential, and prolonged raising and decline phases of the action potential. At the same time, the force, time to peak, and half relaxation time of the isometric muscle twitch were increased, as well as the area under the contraction curve. During continuous fatiguing stimulation (2/s), a more pronounced decline of contraction speed was observed in presence of ouabain; dynamics of the half-relaxation time remaining unchanged. It is suggested that blockade of alpha2 isoform of the Na,K-ATPase impairs excitation-contraction coupling resulting in a delay of Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. The increase in contraction force seems to result from a mechanism similar to that of positive inotropic effect of cardiac glycosides in heart muscle. Physiological significance of the skeletal muscle alpha2 isoform of the Na,K-ATPase in regulation of Ca2+ and Na+ concentrations near triadic junctions and in regulatory processes involving the Na,K-ATPase endogenous modulators or transmitter acetylcholine is discussed.     

Protonation-dependent inactivation of Na,K-ATPase by hydrostatic pressure developed at high-speed centrifugation

Irreversible inactivation of membranous Na,K-ATPase by high-speed centrifugation in dilute aqueous solutions depends markedly on the protonation state of the protein. Pig kidney Na,K-ATPase is irreversibly inactivated at pH 5 but is fully protected at pH 7 and above. Shark rectal gland Na,K-ATPase is irreversibly inactivated at neutral or acidic pH and partially protected at an alkaline pH. The overall Na,K-ATPase activity and the K-dependent pNPPase activity were denatured in parallel. Cryoprotectants such as glycerol or sucrose at concentrations of 25-30% fully protect both enzymes against inactivation. The specific ligands NaCl and KCl protect the Na,K-ATPase activity partially and the pNPPase activity fully at concentrations of 0.2-0.3 M. Electron microscope analysis of the centrifuged Na,K-ATPase membranes revealed that the ultrastructure of the native membranes is preserved upon inactivation. It was also observed that the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase and hog gastric H, K-ATPase are susceptible to inactivation by high-speed centrifugation in a pH-dependent fashion. H,K-ATPase is protected at alkaline pH, whereas Ca-ATPase is protected only in the neutral pH range.     

Effect of heparin modification on its circular dichroism spectrum

The sarcoplasmic reticulum and glycogen pellet derived from rabbit skeletal muscle and the sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum from pig skeletal muscle contains NAD:dependent mono ADP-ribosyltransferase activity toward the guanidine analog, P- nitrobenzylidine aminoguanidine. No or little activity could be found in the sarcolemma or sarcoplasmic reticulum derived from canine cardiac muscle. Seventy percent of activity extracted from rabbit skeletal muscle is localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 7.4, and KM of 0.5 mM and 0.35 mM for NAD and p-nitro benzylidine aminoguanidine, respectively. Inorganic phosphate, KCl, and guanidine derivatives inhibit the reaction. Incubation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum or glycogen pellet with (adenylate-32P) NAD or [adenosine-14C(U)]-labeled NAD results in the incorporation of radioactivity into proteins. A large number of proteins are labeled in the sarcoplasmic reticulum fraction. The major labeled band in the glycogen pellet corresponds to a protein of molecular weight of 83 K.     

Sulfonylurea binding to a low-affinity site inhibits the Na/K-ATPase and the KATP channel in insulin-secreting cells

We have used hamster insulinoma tumor (HIT) cells, an insulin-secreting tumor cell line, to investigate modulation of the Na/K-ATPase and of the ATP-sensitive K channel (K(ATP)) by the sulfonylurea glyburide. Membrane proteins from cells cultured in RPMI with 11 mM glucose have at least two glyburide receptor populations, as evidenced by high and low binding affinity constants, (K(d) = 0.96 and 91 nM, respectively). In these cells K(ATP) channel activity was blocked by low glyburide concentrations, IC(50) = 5.4 nM. At 12.5 nM glyburide the inhibition developed slowly, tau = 380 s, and caused reduction of channel activity by 75 percent. At higher concentrations, however, inhibition occurred at a fast rate, tau = 42 s at 100 nM, and was almost complete. Na/K- ATPase activity measured enzymatically and electrophysiologically was also suppressed by glyburide, but higher concentrations were needed, IC(50) = 20-40 nM. Inhibition occurred rapidly, tau = 30 s at 50 nM, when maximum, activity was reduced by 40 percent. By contrast, cells cultured in RPMI supplemented with 25 mM glucose exhibit a single receptor population binding glyburide with low affinity, K(d)= 68 nM. In these cells inhibition of the Na/K-ATPase by the sulfonylurea was similar to that observed in cells cultured in 11 mM glucose, but K(ATP) channel inhibition was markedly altered. Inhibition occurred only at high concentrations of glyburide and at a fast rate; maximum inhibition was observed at 100 nM. Based on these data, we propose that glyburide binding to the high affinity site affects primarily K(ATP) channel activity, while interaction with the low affinity site inhibits both Na/K-ATPase and K(ATP) channel activities. The latter observation suggests possible functional interactions between the Na/K-ATPase and the K(ATP) channel.