A reconstituted Na++K+ pump in liposomes containing purified (Na++K+-ATPase from kidney medulla

Liposomes containing either purified or microsomal (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase preparations from lamb kidney medulla catalyzed ATP-dependent transport of Na⁺ and K⁺ with a ratio of approximately 3Na⁺ to 2K⁺, which was inhibited by ouabain. Similar results were obtained with liposomes containing a partially purified (Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase from cardiac muscle. This contrasts with an earlier report by Goldin and Tong (J. Biol. Chem. 249, 5907–5915, 1974), in which liposomes containing purified dog kidney (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase did not transport K⁺ but catalyzed ATP-dependent symport of Na⁺ and Cl^?. When purified by our procedure, dog kidney (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase showed some ability to transport K⁺ but the ratio of Na⁺ : K⁺ was 5 : 1.     

The effects of long-chain alcohols on membrane lipids and the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

The (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase obtained from sheep kidney outer medulla is irreversibly denatured by long-chain aliphatic alcohols. The denaturation proceeds by causing a change in the structure of the membrane lipids rather than by binding directly to the protein. The alcohols decrease the ability of the membrane lipid bilayer to orient the spin label 3-(4′,4′-dimethyloxazolidinyl)-5α-androstan-17β-ol. For the low molecular weight alcohols the ability of the membrane to orient the label is completely lost while for alcohols with more than five carbons only partial loss of the orienting ability of the membrane occurs. The alcohol concentrations necessary to denature the enzyme correspond to the concentrations that produce the maximal change in the ability of the membrane to orient the label, and correlate well with the hydrophobicity of the alcohols as measured by their water-octanol partition coefficients.     

Interaction of Ca2+ with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase: Properties of the Ca2+-stimulated phosphatase activity

Ca²⁺ inhibited the Mg²⁺-dependent and K⁺-stimulated p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of a highly purified preparation of dog kidney (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase. In the absence of K⁺, however, a Mg²⁺-dependent and Ca²⁺-stimulated phosphatase was observed, the maximal velocity of which, at pH 7.2, was about 20% of that of the K⁺-stimulated phosphatase. The Ca²⁺-stimulated phosphatase, like the K⁺-stimulated activity, was inhibited by either ouabain or Na⁺ or ATP. Ouabain sensitivity was decreased with increase in Ca²⁺, but the K_0.5 values of the inhibitory effects of Na⁺ and ATP were independent of Ca²⁺ concentration. Optimal pH was 7.0 for Ca²⁺-stimulated activity, and 7.8–8.2 for the K⁺-stimulated activity. The ratio of the two activities was the same in several enzyme preparations in different states of purity. The data indicate that (a) Ca²⁺-stimulated phosphatase is catalyzed by (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase; (b) there is a site of Ca²⁺ action different from the site at which Ca²⁺ inhibits in competition with Mg²⁺; and (c) Ca²⁺ stimulation can not be explained easily by the action of Ca²⁺ at either the Na⁺ site or the K⁺ site.     

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.     

Relationship between intracellular K+ concentrations and K+ fluxes in growing and contact-inhibited cells

The K⁺ content and the K⁺ flux were measured in the cell lines ME₂ and MF₂ isolated from plasmocytoma MOPC 173. Both cell lines were shown to have the same K⁺ content and the same K⁺ steady state flux per unit of surface area.In ME₂ cells, no modification of the exchange movement was observed during contact inhibition. However, contact-inhibited cells exhibited an increased resistance to depletion, characterized by a lower K⁺ net movement.The (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase measured in homogenates is poorly correlated to in vivo cation fluxes both because of the enhancement due, presumably, to the drop of K⁺ concentration on the cytoplasmic face of the membrane and because of losses during preparation which can be conspicuous, especially in contact-inhibited cells.The K⁺ net flux is considerably increased when the intracellular K⁺ level is reduced after preincubation of the cells in a K⁺-free medium. Thus, internal K⁺ seems to regulate the K⁺ influx.     

(Des-Histidine1) (Nϵ-phenylthiocarbamoyllysine12)-glucagon: Effects on glycogenolysis in perfused rat liver

(Des-Histidine¹) (N^?-phenylthiocarbamoyllysine¹²)-glucagon, synthesized by the one-step Edman degradation procedure is a competitive inhibitor of glucagon action in the rat liver plasma membrane adenylate cyclase system. However, in the perfused rat liver, the compound did not inhibit glucagon stimulated glycogenolysis even when used at a concentration 100-fold in excess of native glucagon. Instead, it showed a weak potency, but full agonist activity, stimulating liver glycogenolysis to 100% of the level obtained by glucagon. These results are discussed in terms of the possible mechanism(s) of glucagon action.     

Inhibition of active K+ transport in the tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) midgut after ingestion of Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin

The effect of Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin after ingestion on the K⁺ transport of Manduca sexta midgut is described. Direct measurements of short circuit current and transepithelial potential demonstrate that the transport is inhibited at the end of 1 hr with many of the insects exhibiting both negative short circuit current and transepithelial potential by the end of a 4-hr ingestion period.     

Properties of 3H-cimetidine binding in rat brain membrane fractions

In an attempt to characterize the brain histamine H₂ receptor, experiments were undertaken to study the binding properties of (N-methyl-³H) -cimetidine, an H₂ receptor antagonist, in rat brain membranes. Using a centrifugation assay, ³H-cimetidine binding having a K_d of 0.40μM and a Bmax of 3.9 pmoles/mg protein was detected. Of fourteen anions and cations tested, one, Cu⁺⁺, dramatically increased specific ³H-cimetidine binding, the increase being due mainly to a change in Bmax. Studies of substrate specificity for ³H-cimetidine binding revealed that Cu⁺⁺, while not significantly affecting the potency of H₂ receptor agonists and antagonists, dramatically decreases the potency of H₁ receptor substances on the ³H-cimetidine binding site. In addition, both the relative and absolute potencies of various H₂ receptor agonistsv and antagonists in displacing the ligand in the presence of Cu⁺⁺ parallels their potencies in biological systems. These findings suggest that, under these conditions, ³H-cimetidine may be labelling a biologically relevant H₂ binding site in brain and that Cu⁺⁺ may regulate the substrate specificity for this site. The brain regional distribution and kinetic analysis of the binding suggest that it is not localized solely to the synaptic receptor for histamine, but may also be associated with histamine receptors at other neuronal, glial or vascular sites.     

Membrane (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of canine brain, heart and kidney. Tissue-dependent differences in kinetic properties and the influence of purification procedures.

Effects of commonly used purification procedures on the yield and specific activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (Mg2+-dependent, Na+ + K+-activated ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3), the turnover number of the enzyme, and the kinetic parameters for the ATP-dependent ouabain-enzyme interaction were compared in canine brain, heart and kidney. Kinetic parameters were estimated using a graphical analysis of non-steady state kinetics. The protein recovery and the degree of increase in specific activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the ratio between (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities during the successive treatments with deoxycholate, sodium iodide and glycerol were dependent on the source of the enzyme. A method which yields highly active (Na+ + K+)-ATPase preparations from the cardiac tissue was not suitable for obtaining highly active enzyme preparations from other tissues. Apparent turnover numbers of the brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase preparations were not significantly affected by the sodium iodide treatment, but markedly decreased by deoxycholate or glycerol treatments. Similar glycerol treatment, however, failed to affect the apparent turnover number of cardiac enzymes preparations. Cerebral and cardiac enzyme preparations obtained by deoxycholate, sodium iodide and glycerol treatments had lower affinity for ouabain than renal enzyme preparations, primarily due to higher dissociation rate constants for the ouabain.enzyme complex. This tissue-dependent difference in ouabain sensitivity seems to be an artifact of the purification procedure, since less purified cerebral or cardiac preparations had lower dissociation rate constants. Changes in apparent association rate constants were minimal during the purfication procedure. These results indicate that the presentyl used purification procedures may alter the properties of membrane (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and affect the interaction between cardiac glycosides and the enzyme. The effect of a given treatment depends on the source of the enzyme. For the in vitro studies involving purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase preparations, the influence of the methods used to obtain the enzyme preparation should be carefully evaluated.     

2-Methylacetoacetyl-coenzyme A reductase from Ascaris muscle: purification and properties

2-Methylacetoacetyl-CoA and 3-keto-2-methyl pentanoyl-CoA have been proposed to be intermediates in the synthesis of 2-methylbutyrate and 2-methylvalerate, respectively, by Ascaris lumbricoides muscle. These volatile acids are major fermentation products of Ascaris metabolism. 2-Methylacetoacetyl-CoA reductase has been purified 532-fold from Ascaris muscle to yield a homogeneous preparation which contained a single protein species as observed on discontinuous polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The purification procedure utilized subcellular fractionation, affinity chromatography on NAD+ agarose, and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. A constant activity ratio for ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate and acetoacetyl-CoA was observed during purification, indicating that the same enzyme catalyzed both reactions. In addition, the purified protein catalyzed the NADH-dependent reduction of ethyl-3-keto-2-methyl pentanoate at essentially the same rate as it did ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate. The purified enzyme is a basic protein with an isoelectric point of 8.45 at 4 degrees C. The molecular weight of the native protein (Mr = 64,000 by exclusion chromatography) and the size of the subunit (Mr = 30,000 by dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis) indicate that the enzyme is composed of two subunits of the same molecular weight. Substrate-specificity studies, undertaken with the purified protein, demonstrated that the ethyl esters can substitute for the coenzyme A derivatives but this substitution results in an active substrate only when a branched 2-methyl group is present. The straight-chain ethyl ester is inactive. Kinetic constants for the substrates and nucleotides were determined. The role of the CoA esters as the physiological substrates for the Ascaris enzyme is substantiated. When assayed in the reductive direction with ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate as substrate, the activity of the purified enzyme was inhibited not only by coenzyme A as previously reported, but also by acetyl-CoA. The physiological implications of these inhibitions are discussed.     

An accumulation of galactocerebroside in kidney from mouse globoid cell leukodystrophy (twitcher)

The twitcher mouse is genetically determined mutant characterized by a deficiency of galactocerebroside beta-galactosidase. In this study, a significant accumulation of galactocerebroside was demonstrated in twitcher mouse kidney. The data suggest that mouse Krabbe's disease is not only involved in CNS, but also in visceral organs.     

The effect of A13+ on the physical properties of membrane lipids in Thermoplasma acidophilum.

Using Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Al³⁺ was shown to produce a dramatic decrease of membrane lipid fluidity on the microorganism $\text{Thermoplasma}\text{acidophilum}$ at a pH > 2. The ability of Al³⁺ to alter lipid fluidity was enhanced with increasing pH (from 3 to 5). At pH 4, 10^?2 M Al³⁺ increased the lower lipid phase transition by 39°C, and a detectable change was observed with AlCl₃ concentrations as low as 10^?5 M. The ability of Al³⁺ to increase the lower lipid phase transition temperature of $\text{T.}\text{acidophilum}$ is the largest of any cation/lipid interaction yet reported.     

Rapid efflux of Ca2+ from heart mitochondria in the presence of inorganic pyrophosphate

Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in the intracellular concentration range causes rapid efflux of Ca2+ from rat heart mitochondria oxidizing pyruvate + malate in a low Na+ medium. Half-maximal rates of Ca2+ efflux were given by 20 microM PPi. During and after PPi-stimulated Ca2+ efflux the mitochondria retain their structural integrity and complete respiratory control. Carboxyatractyloside inhibits PPi-stimulated Ca2+ efflux, indicating PPi must enter the matrix in order to promote Ca2+ efflux. Heart mitochondria have a much higher affinity for PPi uptake and PPi-induced Ca2+ efflux than liver mitochondria.     

pH kinetic studies of the N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylaniline catalyzed by chloroperoxidase

The effect of pH on the kinetic parameters for the chloroperoxidase-catalyzed N-demethylation of N,N-dimethylaniline supported by ethyl hydroperoxide was investigated from pH 3.0 to 7.0. Chloroperoxidase was found to be stable throughout the pH range studied. Initial rate conditions were determined throughout the pH range. The V_max for the demethylation reaction exhibited a pH optimum at approximately 4.5. The K_m for N,N-dimethylaniline increased with decreasing pH, while the K_m for ethyl hydroperoxide varied in a manner paralleling V_max. Comparison of the $\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{m}}$ values for N,N-dimethylaniline and ethyl hydroperoxide indicated that the interaction of N,N-dimethylaniline with chloroperoxidase compound I was rate-limiting below pH 4.5, while compound I formation was rate-limiting above pH 4.5. The log of the $\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{m}}$ for ethyl hydroperoxide was independent of pH, indicating that chloroperoxidase compound I formation is not affected by ionizations in this pH range. The plot of the log of the $\text{V}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{m}}$ for N,N-dimethylaniline versus pH indicated an ionization on compound I with a pK of approximately 6.8. The plot of the log of the V_max versus pH indicated an ionization on the compound I-N,N-dimethylaniline complex, with a pK of approximately 3.1. The results show that chloroperoxidase can demethylate both the protonated and neutral forms of N,N-dimethylaniline (pK approximately 5.0), suggesting that hydrophobic binding of the arylamine substrate is more important in catalysis than ionic bonding of the amine moiety. For optimal catalysis, a residue in the chloroperoxidase compound I-N,N-dimethylaniline complex with a pK of approximately 3.1 must be deprotonated, while a residue in compound I with a pK of approximately 6.8 must be protonated.     

Equimolar interaction between calmodulin and the Ca2+ ATPase from human erythrocyte membranes

The interaction between calmodulin and the pure, solubilized Ca²⁺ ATPase from human erythrocyte membranes was examined by kinetic titration. The data indicated that the two proteins interacted in a molar ratio of 1:1 with a K_d of 4.2 nm. The dependence of enzyme activity on calmodulin concentration agreed quantitatively with that predicted by kinetic theory.     

Strain-dependent differences in responses to chronic administration of morphine: lack of relationship to brain catecholamine levels in mice.

When measured for weight loss, mortality and degree of physical dependence, 4 strains of mice exhibited widely differing sensitivities to chronically administered morphine. However, no obvious relationship existed between the pharmacological responses to morphine and the steady-state levels of either norepinephrine or dopamine in brain striatal sections of the strains tested. In addition, the injection of naloxone into morphine-dependent mice, which elicits withdrawal jumping, brought about an increase in dopamine levels in the striatal sections of only 1 of the 3 strains tested. Thus, the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping response may not be associated with an elevation of brain dopamine levels.     

Prostacyclin-induced hypothermia: Involvement of central histamine H2-receptors

Some of the biological activities of prostacyclin (PGI₂) are known to be mediated through cyclic AMP (cAMP). The purpose of this study was to assess the involvement of histamine and serotonin receptors as well as cAMP in the PGI₂-induced hypothermia in conscious guinea pig. Intracerebroventricular administration of 50–500 μg/kg PGI₂ produced a dose-related hypothermia, whereas its stable metabolite 6-keto prostaglandin F₁α had an insignificant effect. Low central doses (10–50 μg/kg) of dibutyryl cAMP (DBC) were hyperthermic, but high doses (100–500 μg/kg) caused hypothermia. Theophylline and low doses of DBC given centrally attenuated the PGI₂-induced hypothermia. Mepyramine and methysergide did not antagonize the effects of PGI₂ or DBC. However, central administration of metiamide (10–100 μg/kg) attenuated the hypothermic responses to both PGI₂ and DBC. These results suggest that histamine H₂-receptors are involved in the hypothermia induced by PGI₂.