The possibility that Ca2+-ATPase from the plasma membrane-rich fraction of bovine parotid gland is ecto-Ca2+-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase

• 1.1. Parotid plasma membrane nonpump low-affinity Ca²⁺-ATPase, which possesses high-affinity (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ )-ATPase activity, was characterized.
• 2.2. Purified Ca²⁺-ATPase hydrolyzed the nucleoside triphosphates, GTP, ITP, CTP, UTP, TTP (67–93% of ATP) and nucleoside diphosphates, ADP. GDP, IDP, CDP, TDP (12–40% of ATP) but not AMP and p-NPP.
• 3.3. The maximum activities of Ca²⁺- and (Ca²⁺ +Mg²⁺ )-ATPases were obtained in the presence of 1 mM and 0.13 μ M Ca²⁺, respectively.
• 4.4. The K_m values for Ca²⁺ in Ca²⁺- and (Ca²⁺+ Mg²⁺ )-ATPases were 0.2 mM and 22 nM. respectively.
• 5.5. The activities of both Ca²⁺- and (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ )-ATPases were found in the right-side-out-vesicles obtained from the plasma membrane-rich fraction.
• 6.6. These features suggest that Ca²⁺-ATPase is an ecto-Ca²⁺-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase.

     

Activation of the human red cell calcium ATPase by calcium pretreatment

Some kinetic parameters of the human red cell Ca²⁺-ATPase were studied on calmodulin-free membrane fragments following preincubation at 37°C. After 30 min treatment with EGTA(1 mm) plus dithioerythritol (1 mm), a V _max of about 0.4 μmol P_i/mg × hr and a K _s of 0.3 μm Ca²⁺ were found. When Mg²⁺ (10 mm) or Ca²⁺(10 μm) were also added during preincubation, V _maxbut not Kwas altered. Ca²⁺ was more effective than Mg²⁺, thus increasing V _max to about 1.3 μmol P_i/mg × hr. The presence of both Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ during pretreatment decreasedKto 0.15 μm, while having no apparent effect on V _max. Conversely, addition of ATP (2 mm) with either Ca²⁺ or Ca²⁺ plus Mg²⁺increased V_max without affecting K. Preincubation with Ca²⁺ for periods longer than 30 min further increased V_maxand reduced Kto levels as low as found with calmodulin treatment. The Ca²⁺ activation was not prevented by adding proteinase inhibitors (iodoacetamide, 10 mm; leupeptin, 200 μm; pepstatinA, 100 μm; phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, 100 μm). The electrophoretic pattern of membranes preincubated with or without Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Ca²⁺ plus Mg²⁺ did not differ significantly from each other. Moreover, immunodetection of Ca²⁺-ATPase by means of polyclonal antibodiesrevealed no mobility change after the various treatments. The above stimulation was not altered by neomycin (200 μm), washing with EGTA (5 mm) or by both incubating and washing with delipidized serum albumin (1 mg/ml), or omitting dithioerythritol from the preincubation medium. On the other hand, the activation elicited by Ca²⁺ plus ATP in the presence of Mg²⁺ was reduced 25–30% by acridine orange (100 μm), compound 48/80 (100 μm) or leupeptin (200 μm) but not by dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (1 mm). The fluorescence depolarization of 1,6-diphenyl-and l-(4-trimethylammonium phenyl)-6-phenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene incorporated into membrane fragments was not affected after preincubating under the different conditions. The results show that proteolysis, fatty acid production, an increased phospholipid metabolism or alteration of membrane fluidity are not involved in the Ca²⁺ effect. Ca²⁺ preincubation may stimulate the Ca²⁺-ATPase activity by stabilizing or promoting the E₁ conformation.     

Biochemical characterization of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pumping ATPase activity present in the gill cells of Mytilus galloprovincialis LAM

• 1.1. In the plasma membrane of mussel gill cells an ouabain insensitive, Ca²⁺-activated ATPase activity is present. The ATPase has high Ca²⁺ affinity (K_ma = 0.3 μM).
• 2.2. The optimum assay conditions to evaluate the enzymatic activity of the Ca²⁺-stimulated ATPase at 19°C are: 120–300 mM KCl ionic strength, pH 7.0 and 2 mM ATP. As for mammalian enzymes, the Ca²⁺ ATPase activity is stimulated by DTT (0.5–1 mM) and it is inhibited by low concentrations of vanadate (10–50 μM) and -SH inhibitors such as PCMB and PCMBS (10 μM); the enzyme appears to be calmodulin insensitive.
• 3.3. Electrophoretic analyses of plasma membrane proteins demonstrate that: (a) Ca²⁺ at n-μM concentrations is necessary to activate ATP hydrolysis with consequent formation of the enzyme-phosphate complex; (b) the steady state concentration of the phosphorylated intermediate is increased in the presence of La³⁺; (c) the mol. wt of Ca²⁺ ATPase is about 140 kDa.
• 4.4. Low Ca²⁺ concentrations (n-μM) are sufficient to stimulate the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake by plasma membrane inside-out vesicles.
• 5.5. The results indicate that the Ca²⁺ pump present in the gill plasma membranes could be responsible for Ca²⁺ extrusion and therefore involved in maintaining the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration within physiological levels.

     

High-affinity Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in kidney of euryhaline Gillichthys mirabilis: kinetics,subcellular distribution and effects of salinity

• 1.1. Two components of Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase are observed in kidneys of G. mirabilis. The high-affinity component has a K_0.5Ca of 0.23μM; the low-affinity activity K_0.5Ca is 90–110μM. The high-affinity activity requires Mg²⁺, displays Michaelis-Menten kinetics, has peak activity at 1.2 μM Ca²⁺, and is insensitive to ouabain and Na⁺ azide.
• 2.2. In subcellular fractions, the high-affinity component segregates with Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and is localized predominantly in BLM. The low-affinity component is broadly distributed among membranous organelles, including brush border, and may be equivalent to alkaline phosphatase.
• 3.3. Specific activity of the high-affinity Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase is modestly increased following adaptation of fish to FW, but total renal high-affinity activity is greatest in the hypertrophied kidneys of FW-adapted fish and is least in kidneys of fish adapted to 200% SW.
• 4.4. High-affinity Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase may be associated with active Ca²⁺ transport or with regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration of tubular cells.

     

PLA2 activity in rat liver nuclei

• 1.1. Subcellular fractions of rat liver were assayed for PLA₂ activity.
• 2.2. The PLA₂ assay measures the release of [³ H]oleic acid from phospholipids, using labeled E. coli as substrate.
• 3.3. Nuclear fractions contained PLA₂ activity, which was Ca²⁺ dependent and could not be explained from mitochondrial, microsomal or plasma membrane contamination.
• 4.4. The V_max value of nuclear PLA₂ is 0.30 ± 0.04 pmol oleic acid/min/mg protein; its K_m value is 0.86±0.12μM, similar to that of mitochondrial PLA₂.
• 5.5. We conclude that rat liver nuclei contain PLA₂ activity.

     

Osmolality and electrolyte concentration of hemolymph and the problem of ion and volume regulation of cells in higher insects

• 1.1. The study was carried out on 22 species of insects from 5 orders. The osmolality of their hemolymph varied from 319 to 421 mOsm/kg H₂O, concentration of Na⁺ 4.6 to 118 mM/l, K⁺ 6.3 to 73mM/l, Ca²⁺ 3.6 to 12.9 mM/l, Mg²⁺ 2.3 to 76 mM/l. The most abundant cation in the hemolymph of insects from higher orders is either K⁺ or Mg²⁺.
• 2.2. In the muscles of lower and higher insects K⁺ is usually within 80–120 mM/kg wet wt.
• 3.3. Most Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in hemolymph is bound with protein and low molecular anions, concentration of free Ca²⁺ is 0.9-2.1mM/l Mg²⁺ 3.7–8.0 mM/l.
• 4.4. It is concluded that, in insects, potassium hemolymph, cell volume regulation and accumulation of ions in the cell, are ensured by an increased osmolality of hemolymph due to a high percentage contribution of low molecular organic substances which are retained in the hemolymph due to the absence of filtration apparatus in the Malpighian tubules.

     

Cytoplasmic Ca2+ inhibits the ryanodine receptor from cardiac muscle

Ca²⁺-dependent inhibition of native and isolated ryanodine receptor (RyR) calcium release channels from sheep heart and rabbit skeletal muscle was investigated using the lipid bilayer technique. We found that cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ inhibited cardiac RyRs with an average K _m = 15 mm, skeletal RyRs with K _m = 0.7 mm and with Hill coefficients of 2 in both isoforms. This is consistent with measurements of Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in skinned fibers and with [³H]-ryanodine binding to SR vesicles, but is contrary to previous bilayer studies which were unable to demonstrate Ca²⁺-inhibition in cardiac RyRs (Chu, Fill, Stefani &; Entman (1993) J. Membrane Biol. 135, 49–59). Ryanodine prevented Ca²⁺ from inhibiting either cardiac or skeletal RyRs. Ca²⁺-inhibition in cardiac RyRs appeared to be the most fragile characteristic of channel function, being irreversibly disrupted by 500 mm Cs⁺, but not by 500 mm K⁺, in the cis bath or by solublization with the detergent CHAPS. These treatments had no effect on channel regulation by AMP-PNP, caffeine, ryanodine, ruthenium red, or Ca²⁺-activation. Ca²⁺-inhibition in skeletal RyRs was retained in the presence of 500 mm Cs⁺. Our results provide an explanation for previous findings in which cardiac RyRs in bilayers with 250 mm Cs⁺ in the solutions fail to demonstrate Ca²⁺-inhibition, while Ca²⁺-inhibition of Ca²⁺ release is observed in vesicle studies where K⁺ is the major cation. A comparison of open and closed probability distributions from individual RyRs suggested that the same gating mechanism mediates Ca²⁺-inhibition in skeletal RyRs and cardiac RyRs, with different Ca²⁺ affinities for inhibition. We conclude that differences in the Ca²⁺-inhibition in cardiac and skeletal channels depends on their Ca²⁺ binding properties.     

Calcium alters the properties of [3H]diazepam binding sites in rat brain membranes

• 1.1. [³H]diazepam ([³H]DZ) was used as a ligand to study the effects of Ca²⁺ on benzodiazepine binding to rat brain membranes.
• 2.2. [³H]DZ bound at a single class of binding sites showing K_D and B_max values of 5.4 nM and 852 fmol/mg protein respectively. These values are consistent with previous reports.
• 3.3. Amongst the various divalent cations tested Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Sr²⁺ had no significant effect on [³H]DZ binding. Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ and La²⁺ enhanced radioligand binding, whereas Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ inhibited [³H]DZ binding to brain freeze-thawed membranes.
• 4.4. The inhibition of [³H]DZ binding by Ca²⁺ was concentration-dependent. 50% inhibition occurred at a Ca²⁺ concentration of 5.6mM. The Hill coefficient for the inhibition was 1.03, displaying noncoperativity. The effect of Ca²⁺ on [³H]DZ binding could be prevented by La³⁺ but was not reversed by EGTA.
• 5.5. A kinetic analysis of Ca²⁺ inhibition of [³H]DZ binding indicates that Ca²⁺ inhibited competitively. Analysis of binding isotherms indicates that both K_D and B_max were altered at the [³H]DZ binding sites. The marked increase in K_D value in the presence of Ca²⁺ (5 mM) can be explained by a drastic increase in the dissociation rate constant.
• 6.6. It was suggested that Ca²⁺ may induce a conformational change in the diazepam binding sites on rat brain membranes. The unchanged Hill coefficient in the presence or absence of Ca²⁺ indicates that a single population of binding sites was labeled by [³H]DZ.
• 7.7. The calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine and W-7 were weak inhibitors of [³h]dz binding.

     

Bioelectrical potentials across the mantle epithelium of Achatina fulica

• 1.1. The shell side of the mantle of Achatina fulica is several millivolts positive to the blood side in vitro.
• 2.2. The electrical potential does not depend on Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺ or HCO₃⁻ but requires the presence of chloride on the shell side.
• 3.3. The potential difference and short-circuit current ranged from 3.0 to 30.0 mV and 15.0 to 75 μA/cm² with averages at 10m V and 50 μA/cm² respectively.
• 4.4. The electrical gradient is reduced by 2,4-dinitrophenol, thiocyanate and furosemide but not by ouabain, CO₂ or acetozolamide.
• 5.5. It is suggested that the nature and mechanism of electrogenesis in Achatina parallels that of the Helix mantle.

     

Modulation of the ATP induced [Ca2+]c increase in as-30D hepatoma cells

• 1.1. The regulation of the increase in the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]c) induced by extracellular ATP in AS-30D hepatoma cells was studied.
• 2.2. Homologous desensitization involving the refilling of intracellular calcium pools and the participation of protein kinase C was found.
• 3.3. Isoproterenol, forskolin and dibutyril-cyclic AMP also induced an increase in [Ca²⁺]c.
• 4.4. Interestingly, synergism was found for isoproterenol or forskolin and ATP.
• 5.5. The results suggest that there are two pathways for mobilizing [Ca²⁺] in AS-30D hepatoma cells; one is activated by ATP receptors and the other by cyclic AMP.

     

Inhibition kinetics of brain butyrylcholinesterase by Cd2+ and Zn2+, Ca2+ or Mg2+ reactivates the inhibited enzyme

• 1.1. The inhibition kinetics of sheep brain butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (acylcholine acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.8) by Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ has been studied.
• 2.2. K_s has been determined as 0.14mM. Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ were the hyperbolic mixed-type inhibitors of BChE. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ had no effect on the enzyme activity in the experimental conditions.
• 3.3. But when the enzyme was inhibited by 0.1 mM Cd²⁺ or Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ reactivated the inhibited form of BChE.

     

An alkaline phosphatase from Thermus sp strain Rt41A

• 1.1. A thermostable orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.1) from Thermus sp strain Rt41A has been purified 400-fold to give a specific activity of 25 U/mg at 60°C in IM diethanolamine (pH 11.1).
• 2.2. The enzyme has a M_r of 160,000 and is trimeric.
• 3.3. The half-life of the enzyme is 5 min at 85°C.
• 4.4. The enzyme has a wide specificity for a number of phosphate monoesters.
• 5.5. The H_m of the enzyme is pH dependent, so the pH optimum of the enzyme is affected by the substrate concentration.
• 6.6. The enzyme is inhibited 50% by 20 mM Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺.
• 7.7. The K_i for phosphate, EDTA-di sodium salt and arsenate (in 1 M diethanolamine, pH 11.1) is approx 1.2, 1.6 and 4mM respectively.
• 8.8. Urea (200 mM) is not inhibitory.

     

Behaviour and haemolymphatic ionic composition of the intertidal crab Chasmagnathus granulata dana, 1851 (Crustacea: Decapoda) during emersion

• 1.1. Behavioural observations and haemolymphatic measurements of Na⁺ K⁺ and Ca⁺ were performed in Chasmagnalhus granulata during emersion.
• 2.2. Activity levels were found to be higher during voluntary emersion periods than when the animals were submerged. A lt₅₀ of 39.45 hr was observed when no access to water was allowed.
• 3.3. The Na⁺ and K⁺ and Ca⁺ levels increased during aerial exposure. The Na⁺ and K⁺ levels were restored prior the end of the experimental period. Mechanisms for such regulation are therefore discussed. The Ca²⁺ levels, remaining high during emersion, are probably a result of acid-base balance adjustments.

     

l-lysinamidase from Cryptococcus laurenti 112. Purification and properties

• 1.1. The purified enzyme hydrolyzes the linear l-lysinamide and the cycle amide of l-lysine—l-α-amino-ϵ-caprolactam.
• 2.2. The apparent relative molecular mass is 180,000. The enzyme consists of four subunits and the molecular mass of a single subunit was found to be 47,000.
• 3.3. The coefficient of molecular sedimentation equals 8.3 S, the isoelectric point was determined to be pH 4.3
• 4.4. The enzyme is not a glycoprotein. p-Mercuribenzoate binds 10 SH-groups of the native enzyme molecule and 20 SH-groups in the presence of 0.7% SDS.
• 5.5. pH- optimum for the hydrolysis of l-lysine amides was observed to be 7.5–7.7. The enzyme is strictly dependent on Mn²⁺ and Mg²⁺.
• 6.6. The kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of l-lysinamide where K_m = 3.8 mM and k_cat = 3000 sec⁻¹ For the hydrolysis of cyclic L-lysinamide K_m = 4.8 mM and k_cat = 2600 sec⁻.

     

Phosphofructokinase from the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilvs edulis: Modification of the enzyme in anoxia and by endogenous protein kinases

• 1.1. Anoxia exposure resulted in a stable modification of the kinetic properties of 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK) from the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of the sea mussel Mytilus edulis L.
• 2.2. Compared to the aerobic enzyme, the anoxic form of PFK. showed a reduced affinity for both substrates, fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) and ATP, and an increased sensitivity to inhibition by phosphoenolpyruvate.
• 3.3. To analyze the involvement of protein kinases in the modification of PFK, extracts from aerobic or anoxic muscle were incubated with ATP and Mg²⁺ plus protein kinase second messengers cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) or Ca²⁺ plus phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA).
• 4.4. Both forms of the enzyme responded to the presence of cAMP with a strong increase in affinity for F6P.
• 5.5. In response to cGMP affinity of the aerobic enzyme for F6P decreased whereas that of the anoxic enzyme form was not affected (at 0.5 mM ATP) or increased (at 3 mM ATP).
• 6.6. Incubation with Ca²⁺ + PMA had only a limited effect on PFK kinetics but appeared to enhance the response to cGMP when the three compounds were given together.
• 7.7. Treatment of PFK-aerobic with alkaline phosphatase resulted in a strong decrease in enzyme activity and affinity for F6P; subsequent treatment with cAMP reversed the effect on S_0.5 F6P.
• 8.8. The data indicate that PFK activity is altered during the aerobic-anaerobic transition by a change in the phosphorylation state of the enzyme and that cAMP and cGMP act oppositely to regulate PFK activity, and thereby alter glycolytic rate, during this transition.

     

Evidence for the presence of ion pumps in the photophores of two mesopelagic fishes: Argyropelecus and maurolicus

• 1.l. Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity has been measured on homogenates of photophores from the two mesopelagic fishes Argyropelecus and Maurolicus. This activity is equivalent for both fishes when reported to the protein content as is their O₂ consumption.
• 2.2. The activity is optimal at pH 6.8–7.5. It is not specific for ATP since GTP, ITP, UTP and CTP are also hydrolyzed to a significant extent. It is also not specific for Mg²⁺, the activity being equivalent (Argyropelecus) or higher (Maurolicus) with Ca²⁺ and high also with Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺
• 3.3. Twenty to 30 per cent of the activity measured at pH 7.4 is probably due to the mitochondrial ATPase as it is shown by oligomycin and venturicidin inhibition.
• 4.4. Activities of both fishes photophores are partly inhibited by N-N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), azide, LaCl₃, vanadate, diethylstilbestrol (DES) and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) which are all inhibitors of ionic pumps.
• 5.5. Argyropelecus activity is sensitive to ouabaïn.
• 6.6. Our results show the presence of ionic pumps in Argyropelecus and Maurolicus photophores. If there is evidence for the absence or very low activity of a H⁺ pump, it is sure that Argyropelecus at least possess a Na⁺K⁺-ATPase.
• 7.7. The significance of a high protein content in Maurolicus photophores and of a large inorganic phosphate concentration in Argyropelecus is discussed.

     

Dual role for extracellular calcium in blowfly phototransduction

1. The effect of inhibiting Ca²⁺-entry during phototransduction in the compound eye of Calliphora vicina has been investigated in a newly developed semiintact preparation. Simultaneous measurements were made of the receptor potential and the light-induced mitochondrial activation while changing the composition of the extracellular fluid.
2. Lowering the extracellular calcium concentration with EGTA: (i) slows down the kinetics of excitation until the peak of the receptor potential is completely suppressed; and (ii) induces a collapse of the plateau phase after 1 s, although illumination continues. Both effects are reversible.
3. Superfusing the preparation with Ringer solution containing the Ca²⁺-antagonist Co²⁺ initially only affects the peak. Prolonged superfusion with Co²⁺ reduces both the peak and the plateau phase. The latter effect of Co²⁺ is similar to introduction of Co²⁺ into the cell via the recording pipette, suggesting that these effects are due to Co²⁺-entry. These effects of Co²⁺ are irreversible.
4. The results with EGTA and Co²⁺ are compared with the reported effect of the Ca²⁺-antagonist La²⁺, which induces a collapse of the plateau phase while leaving the peak relatively unaffected. It is suggested that two [Ca²⁺]_e-dependent processes contribute to blowfly phototransduction. Both processes are sensitive to EGTA, whereas Co²⁺ affects only one and La²⁺ the other.
5. In the presence of EGTA or Co²⁺ the light-induced mitochondrial activation was inhibited. This result supports the hypothesis that upon illumination a rise in the intracellular calcium concentration activates mitochondrial respiration.

     

Charakterisierung eines phagenähnlichen Partikels aus Zellen von Nitrobacter

1. Polyhedral particles were isolated from cells of Nitrobacter winogradskyi and of Nitrobacter strains K₁, K₄ and α₁. Their physical and biological properties are characterized.
2. The investigated strains contain polyhedral particles, 1000–1200 Å in size. With increasing age of the culture more particles are found in cells of Nitrobacter. Simultaneously the number of colony producing nitritoxidants decreases.
3. In strain α₁ the loss of the capability to form colonies is connected with partial lysis of the cell and release of particles.
4. A homogeneous fraction of particles was obtained by zone density gradient centrifugation in Tris-Mg-SH-buffer.
5. The polyhedral particles have a sedimentation coefficient of s _w,20 ⁰ =825S and a CsCl-buoyant density of ?²⁵ g/cm³.
6. Based on the determined properties the particles are classified as phage-like Nitrobacter particles Nb₁.

     

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase in mantle of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk—I. Purification and ion requirements

• 1.1. The enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase was purified from the mantle of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk. The purified enzyme showed a single band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The mol. wt and subunit mol. wt of the enzyme were 105,000 and 27,000, respectively.
• 2.2. Divalent cations are essential for the enzyme activity. In the absence of chelating agents, FBPase 1 exhibits hyperbolic kinetics with respect to Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The K_m for Mg²⁺ is lower than the physiological concentration of cation in the tissue, whereas its K_m for Mn²⁺ and Zn²⁺ is greater than the respective in vivo concentrations.
• 3.3. The joint action of Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺ increases the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate Fru-1,6-P₂, though V_max is reduced.
• 4.4. Na⁺ strongly inhibits the enzyme even at very low concentrations. K⁺ has no effect whatsoever.