Denervation alters protein-lipid interactions in membrane fractions from electrocytes of Electrophorus electricus (L.)

Protein-lipid interactions are studied in normal and denervated electrocytes from Electrophorus electricus (L.). Structural modifications of the lipid micro-environment encircling integral membrane proteins in membrane fractions presenting Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity are investigated using ESR spectroscopy of stearic acid spin labeled at the 14th carbon (14-SASL). The microsomal fraction derived from the innervated electric organ exhibits, on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, a bimodal distribution of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, bands a and b. Band b is almost absent in microsomes from the denervated organ, and band a', with the same density as band a has lower Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. Band a' presents a larger ratio of protein-interacting lipids than band a. Analysis of the lipid stoichiometry at the protein interface indicates that denervation causes at least a twofold average decrease on protein oligomerization. Physical inactivity and denervation have similar effects on protein-lipid interactions. Denervation also influences the selectivity of proteins for fatty acids. Experiments in decreasing pH conditions performed to verify the influence of stearic acid negative charge on protein interaction revealed that denervation produces loss of charge selectivity. The observed modifications on molecular interactions induced by denervation may have importance to explain modulation of enzyme activity.     

Localization of actin in the electrocyte of Electrophorus electricus L.

Summary The cytoplasm of the electrocyte of Electrophorus electricus possesses a meshwork of 7-nm thick filaments distributed throughout the cell. Observation of stereopairs of transmission electron micrographs shows association of the filaments with the plasma membrane and the membranes of cytoplasmic organelles. Intense fluorescence, indicative of the presence of actin, was observed in the cytoplasm of electrocytes incubated in the presence of NBD-phallacidin or anti-actin antibodies.     

Localization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, Ca2+ pump and other ATPase activities in cardiac sarcolemma

N-Ethylmaleimide was employed as a surface label for sarcolemmal proteins after demonstrating that it does not penetrate to the intracellular space at concentrations below 1.10(-4) M. The sarcolemmal markers, ouabain-sensitive (Na+ +K+)-ATPase and Na+/Ca2+-exchange activities, were inhibited in N-ethylmaleimide perfused hearts. Intracellular activities such as creatine phosphokinase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase and the internal phosphatase site of the Na+ pump (K+-p-nitrophosphatase) were not affected. Almost 20% of the (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ pump were inhibited indicating the localization of a portion of this activity in the sarcolemma. Sarcolemma purified by a recent method (Morcos, N.C. and Drummond, G.I. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 598, 27-39) from N-ethylmaleimide-perfused hearts showed loss of approx. 85% of its (Ca2+ +Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+ pump compared to control hearts. (Ca2+ +Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ pump activities showed two classes of sensitivity to vanadate ion inhibition. The high vanadate affinity class (K1/2 for inhibition approx. 1.5 microM) may be localized in the sarcolemma and represented approx. 20% of the total inhibitable activity in agreement with estimates from N-ethylmaleimide studies. Sucrose density fractionation indicated that only a small portion of Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase may be associated with the sarcolemma. The major portion of these activities seems to be associated with high density particles.     

Patch recordings from the electrocytes of Electrophorus electricus. Na currents and PNa/PK variability

Sodium currents were recorded in cell-attached and inside-out patches from the innervated membrane of Electrophorus electrocytes. Electrocytes from Sachs and main electric organs were prepared as described by Pasquale et al. (1986. J. Membr. Biol. 93:195.). Maximal currents in the Sachs organ, measured with 1-2 microns diameter patch pipettes and at room temperature, were in the range of 20 to 300 pA (27 patches) and were obtained near +10 mV. This range of current corresponds to approximately 70 to 1,300 channels in a patch. Maximal current in main organ cells also occurred near +10 mV and were in the range of 100 to 400 pA. Delayed K current was observed in a few patches. The inactivation phase of the currents during maintained depolarizations appears to be a single-exponential relaxation. The time constant decreases from 1 ms near -55 mV to a minimum of 0.3 ms near 0 mV, and then gradually increases with stronger depolarization. The mean currents are half inactivated near -90 mV with an apparent voltage dependence of e-fold per 6 mV. No apparent differences were observed in the decay time course or steady-state inactivation of the currents in the same patch before and after excision. From ensemble fluctuation analysis the peak open probability was found to be approximately 0.5 at +25 mV and increased only gradually with larger depolarizations. The single channel conductances were approximately 20 pS with 200 mM Na outside and 200 mM K inside, and 40 pS in 400 mM solutions. Reversal potentials in the 200 Na parallel 200 K solutions ranged from +51 to +94 mV in multichannel patches, corresponding to selectivity ratios PNa/PK from 8 to 43. Large differences in reversal potentials were seen even among patches from the same cell. Several controls rule out obvious sources of error in the reversal potential measurements. It is concluded that there is heterogeneity in the selectivity properties of the Na channels.     

Characterization of the Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase of transverse tubule membranes isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle

Transverse tubule membranes isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle have high levels of a Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase with Km values for Ca-ATP or Mg-ATP in the 0.2 mM range, but do not display detectable levels of ATPase activity activated by micromolar [Ca2+]. The transverse tubule enzyme is less temperature or pH dependent than the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum and hydrolyzes equally well ATP, ITP, UTP, CTP, and GTP. Of several ionic, non-ionic, and zwitterionic detergents tested, only lysolecithin solubilizes the transverse tubule membrane while preserving ATPase activity. After extraction of about 50% of the transverse tubule proteins by solubilization with lysolecithin most of the ATPase activity remains membrane bound, indicating that the Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase is an intrinsic membrane enzyme. A second extraction of the remaining transverse tubule proteins with lysolecithin results in solubilization and partial purification of the enzyme. Sedimentation of the Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase, partially purified by lysolecithin solubilization, through a continuous sucrose gradient devoid of detergent leads to additional purification, with an overall 3- to 5-fold purification factor. The purified enzyme preparation contains two main protein components of molecular weights 107,000 and 30,000. Cholesterol, which is highly enriched in the transverse tubule membrane, copurifies with the enzyme. Transverse tubule membrane vesicles also display ATP-dependent calcium transport which is not affected by phosphate or oxalate. The possibility that the Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase is the enzyme responsible for the Ca2+ transport displayed by isolated transverse tubules is discussed.     

Characterization of Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase of the excitable ciliary membrane from Paramecium tetraurelia: comparison with a soluble Ca2+-dependent ATPase

We have characterized divalent-cation-stimulated nucleoside triphosphate hydrolase activity of the excitable ciliary membrane and compared it with a soluble Ca2+-ATPase released upon deciliation of Paramecium. The membrane-bound activity is strongly dependent on a divalent cation; calcium stimulates the basal activity of this enzyme at least 10-fold; magnesium and manganese stimulate less well, and strontium and barium, although less effective, also give measurable stimulation. This membrane-bound activity prefers ATP and GTP as substrates but also hydrolyzes UTP and CTP at measurable rates. The maximum velocity at saturating ATP concentrations and optimal calcium concentrations is 0.3 mumol/min per mg. The pH optimum for the membrane-bound activity is broad and centers around pH 7. From the temperature dependence of ATP hydrolysis, we calculate activation energies of 14 and 11 kcal/mol for the Ca2+- and Mg2+-stimulated activities, respectively. The Arrhenius plot is linear over the temperature range of 4 to 25 degrees C. The membrane ATPase is relatively insensitive to ouabain, oligomycin, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, vanadate, Ruthenium red and two calmodulin antagonists. Polyclonal antisera raised against the purified soluble ATPase from the deciliation supernatant show low reactivity with the membrane-bound ATPase. We conclude from the comparison of properties of the two activities that the ciliary membrane-bound ATPase is distinct from the soluble ATPase released by deciliation.     

Conversion of coupling factor 1 of Rhodospirillum rubrum from a Ca2+-ATPase into a Mg2+-ATPase

Isolation of F1-ATPase from Rhodospirillum rubrum by chloroform extraction of chromatophores, followed by purification on a glycerol gradient, results in a very pure enzyme preparation containing five subunits with high Ca2+-ATPase activity (15 mumol per min per mg protein). Furthermore, conditions are reported under which the purified F1 exhibits Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity of about 35 mumol per min per mg protein. NaHCO3 stimulates the Mg2+-activity from 1.5 mumol per min per mg protein to 5 mumol per min per mg protein giving a maximal activity at a concentration of about 60 mM NaHCO3. Lauryl dimethylamine oxide (LDAO), octyl glucoside and nonanoyl N-methylglucamide enhance the Mg2+-ATPase activity from 1.5 to 14, 22 and 35 mumol per min per mg protein, respectively, in the absence of NaHCO3, and from 5 to 34, 30 and 37 mumol per min per mg protein, respectively, in the presence of 50 mM NaHCO3. The Vmax is increased, but the Km for ATP remains the same, about 0.22 mM, both in the absence of activators and in the presence of NaHCO3, LDAO or NaHCO3 plus LDAO. Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity is slightly stimulated by NaHCO3 but strongly inhibited by octyl glucoside.     

Localization of a Mg2+- or Ca2+-activated ("basic") ATPase in skeletal muscle.

A chicken pectoralis muscle membrane fraction enriched in a Mg²⁺- or Ca²⁺-activated (‘basic’) ATPase was obtained by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Enzymatic properties of the ‘basic’ ATPase were determined and used to localize its enzymatic activity in situ by ultrastructural cytochemistry. The enzyme was activated by Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺ but not by Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺ or Pb²⁺. It was present in a membranous fraction with a buoyant density of 1.10-1.12 (24–27.5% ($\text{w}\text{w}$) sucrose). ‘Basic’ ATPase activity had a sedimentation pattern similar to the putative plasma membrane enzymes, 5′-nucleotidase and leucyl β-naphthylamidase, but different from that of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase. Also unlike sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase, ‘basic’ ATPase was resistant to N-ethylmaleimide and aldehyde fixatives, was active in a medium containing a high Ca²⁺ concentration (3 mM), and was lost when exposed to Triton X-100 or deoxycholate. In cytochemical studies, a low Pb²⁺ concentration was used to capture the enzymatically released phosphate ions. Under conditions which eliminated interfering (Na⁺ + K⁺) ATPase and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase activities, electron-dense lead precipitates were present at the plasmalemma and T-system membranes. These studies suggest that ‘basic’ ATPase activity is associated with plasmalemma and T-system membranes of skeletal muscle.     

Characterization of Mg2+- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum

The presence of an energy-dependent calcium uptake system in adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum (D. E. Bruns, J. M. McDonald, and L. Jarett, 1976, J. Biol. Chem.251, 7191–7197) suggested that this organelle might possess a calcium-stimulated transport ATPase. This report describes two types of ATPase activity in isolated microsomal vesicles: a nonspecific, divalent cation-stimulated ATPase (Mg²⁺-ATPase) of high specific activity, and a specific, calcium-dependent ATPase (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺-ATPase) of relatively low activity. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was present in preparations of mitochondria and plasma membranes as well as microsomes, whereas the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity appeared to be localized in the endoplasmic reticulum component of the microsomal fraction. Characterization of microsomal Mg²⁺-ATPase activity revealed apparent K_m values of 115 μm for ATP, 333 μm for magnesium, and 200 μm for calcium. Maximum Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was obtained with no added calcium and 1 mm magnesium. Potassium was found to inhibit Mg²⁺-ATPase activity at concentrations greater than 100 mm. The energy of activation was calculated from Arrhenius plots to be 8.6 kcal/mol. Maximum activity of microsomal (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase was 13.7 nmol ³²P/mg/min, which represented only 7% of the total ATPase activity. The enzyme was partially purified by treatment of the microsomes with 0.09% deoxycholic acid in 0.15 m KCl which increased the specific activity to 37.7 nmol ³²P/mg/min. Characterization of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in this preparation revealed a biphasic dependence on ATP with a Hill coefficient of 0.80. The apparent K_m^s for magnesium and calcium were 125 and 0.6–1.2 μm, respectively. (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity was stimulated by potassium with an apparent K_m of 10 mm and maximum activity reached at 100 mm potassium. The energy of activation was 21.5 kcal/mol. The kinetics and ionic requirements of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase are similar to those of the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that the (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase of adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum functions as a calcium transport enzyme.     

Localization of Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in adult rat papillary muscle

Localization of the Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in rat papillary muscle was determined by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoferritin labeling of cryostat and ultracryotomy sections, respectively. The Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase was found to be rather uniformly distributed in the free sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane but to be absent from both peripheral and interior junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, transverse tubules, sarcolemma, and mitochondria. This suggests that the Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum is antigenically unrelated to the Ca2+ + Mg2+-ATPase of the sarcolemma. These results are in agreement with the idea that the sites of interior and peripheral coupling between sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane and transverse tubules and between sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemmal membranes play the same functional role in the excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle.     

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of Mg2+-independent Ca2+-ATPase from goat spermatozoa

We reported previously that a Ca²⁺-ATPase in rat testes and goat spermatozoa could be activated by Ca²⁺ alone without Mg²⁺, though it has a lot of similarities with the well known Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase. Recently, we were successful in isolating the phosphorylated intermediate of the former enzyme under control conditions i.e., in the presence of low concentration of Ca²⁺ and at low temperature. Increase of the concentration of Ca²⁺ and/or temperature lead to dephosphorylation. Based on our observations, we proposed a reaction scheme comparable to that of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase. The findings strengthened our previous report that Mg²⁺-independent Ca²⁺-ATPase is involved in Ca²⁺ transport and Ca²⁺ uptake like Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase.     

Localization and properties of a high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in isolated kidney cortex plasma membranes

Surface membrane fractions from Paramecium tetraurelia cells contain a calmodulin-stimulated Ca²⁺-ATPase responding to low levels of free Ca²⁺ and with features characteristic of a membrane-bound ATPase responding to low levels of free Ca²⁺ and with features characteristics of a membrane-bound ATPase. Among the different strains analyzed this enzyme was practically absent selectively from the ‘non-discharge” mutant nd9—28°C (from J. Beisson); if cultured at a permissive temperature (18°C), this strain showed identical values of calmodulin-stimulated Ca²⁺-ATPase activity as wild-type cells (7S) or strains with mutations which do not affect exocytosis performance. We conclude that this calmodulin-stimulated Ca²⁺-activated ATPase might be a prerequisite for membrane fusion in the course of exocytosis performance.     

Myofibrillar Ca2+-stimulated Mg2+-ATPase from chronically ischemic canine heart

Functional properties of myofibrils from chronically ischemic canine myocardium were evaluated. Ischemia was produced by tight stenosis of left anterior descending artery (LAD), followed by 40 min acute ischemia with prior preconditioning. Animals of the first group were sacrificed after 8 weeks. In the second group, angioplasty of LAD was performed after 8 weeks of ischemia and animals were kept alive for other 4 weeks. Control animals were sham operated. Activity and kinetic parameters of myofibrillar Ca2+-stimulated Mg2+-ATPase were measured in myofibrils isolated from anterior and posterior parts of all hearts. We did not find any differences in maximal velocity (Vmax), half-maximal activation constant for calcium (K(Ca2+)50) and cooperativity coefficient (n(hill)) of myofibrils from different experimental groups as compared to controls, either at pH 7, pH 6.5 (acidosis) or pH 7.5 (alkalosis). K(Ca2+)50 increased in medium simulated acidosis (12.6-33.5 times) and n(hill) decreased significantly in all groups as compared with values obtained at pH 7. These results indicate that activity and Ca2+-sensitivity of myofibrillar Mg2+-ATPase remain unchanged despite deteriorated heart function 8 weeks after LAD obstruction. Experiments have confirmed that Ca2+-stimulated-ATPase from canine heart myofibrils responded to pH decrease by a decreased sensitivity to Ca2+ and a decreased cooperativity. However, sensitivity of the enzyme to the pH changes is unaltered by 8 weeks of chronic ischemia.     

Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent stimulation of smooth muscle actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase by fodrin

Fodrin, a spectrin-like actin and calmodulin binding protein, was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from a membrane fraction of bovine brain. The effect of fodrin on smooth muscle actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase activity was examined by using a system reconstituted from skeletal muscle actin and smooth muscle myosin and regulatory proteins. The simulation of actomyosin Mg2+-ATPase by fodrin showed a biphasic dependence on fodrin concentration and on the time of actin and myosin preincubation at 30 degrees C. Maximal stimulation (50-70%) was obtained at 3 nM fodrin following 10 min of preincubation of actin and myosin. This stimulation was also dependent on the presence of tropomyosin. In the absence of myosin light chain kinase, the fodrin stimulation of Mg2+-ATPase could not be demonstrated with normal actomyosin but could be demonstrated with acto-thiophosphorylated myosin, suggesting that fodrin stimulation depends on the phosphorylation of myosin. Fodrin stimulation was shown to require the presence of both Ca2+ and calmodulin when acto-thiophosphorylated myosin was used. These observations suggest a possible functional role of fodrin in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction and demonstrate an effect on Ca2+ and calmodulin on fodrin function.     

Alpha-actinin in the electric organ of Electrophorus electricus, L

We have identified Alpha-actinin from the electric organ of the Electrophorus electricus, L. It was analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and identified by immunoblotting. This protein was also found in a membrane fraction of the electric organ enriched with components of the cytoskeleton. Our results suggest that this protein might play a role either in the organization of the microfilaments or its interactions with the membrane to maintain a polarized electrocyte.     

(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 3000 X g followed by sedimentation of a microsomal fraction at 200 000 X 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 (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain binding as being enriched in sarcolemma and were comprised of nonaggregated vesicles of diameter approx. 0.1 micron. These fractions contained (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase which appreared 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 microM. 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.