New insights into mechanisms of anion uniport through the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria.

GDP-sensitive Cl- uniport is a widely studied property of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria; nevertheless, little is known about its mechanism and there is even controversy over whether this protein transports Cl-. Using a fluorescent probe assay, we have demonstrated non-ohmic, electrophoretic, GDP-sensitive Cl- uniport into proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified uncoupler protein. We have also identified a large number of new anionic substrates for this porter that also inhibit Cl- uniport competitively. Anion transport, its inhibition by GDP and anion inhibition of Cl- uniport are all strongly dependent on anion hydrophobicity. These surprising results are consequential for hypotheses of common transport mechanisms in the gene family of mitochondrial anion porters.     

Reconstitution of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Demonstration of GDP-sensitive halide anion uniport

The fluorescent anion indicator 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium was trapped in proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified 32-kDa uncoupling protein and used to detect GDP-sensitive uniports of Cl-, Br-, and I-. Transport of these halide anions was rapid and potential-dependent. F- and nitrate were found to inhibit Cl- uptake competitively, suggesting that these anions are also substrates for transport. This preparation also exhibited H+(OH-) transport, showing that the reconstituted uncoupling protein possesses both halide and H+ transport functions, as is observed in intact brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Cl- transport was inhibited to the residual level observed in liposomes without protein when GDP was present on both sides of the membrane. Cl- transport was inhibited by about 50% when GDP was present only on one side of the membrane. We infer that uncoupling protein reconstitutes into proteoliposomes with a 1:1 ratio of sidedness orientation. The Km values for Cl- uniport were 100 and 65 mM, respectively, in GDP-loaded and non-GDP-loaded vesicles. Participation of the inner membrane anion channel in the observed transport is rendered unlikely by the fact that this carrier is insensitive to GDP. A variety of additional experiments probing for inner membrane anion channel yielded uniformly negative results, confirming the absence of contamination by this protein. Our results therefore demonstrate that the uncoupling protein mediates anion translocation, a function previously reported as lacking in the reconstituted system.     

Control of uncoupling protein in brown-fat mitochondria by purine nucleotides. Chemical modification by diazobenzenesulfonate

The uncoupling protein (UP) of isolated brown adipose tissue mitochondria was studied with respect to the mechanism of control of UP function by purine nucleotides. Passive transport of H+ and Cl- was followed simultaneously in a KCl medium. With both GDP and ATP a higher sensitivity of Cl- transport (apparent Ki = 2.2 microM and 4.7 microM respectively) than of H+ transport (apparent Ki = 7.7 microM and 34 microM respectively) was observed. Chemical modification of isolated mitochondria by diazobenzenesulfonate (DABS) up to 75 mumol/mg protein did not affect the transport, its ionic selectivity and regulation by endogenous free fatty acids. In contrast, the sensitivity to purine nucleotides of both H+ and Cl- translocation was decreased (apparent Ki increased 71 and 47 times respectively). DABS decreased the affinity of [3H]GDP for the specific nucleotide-binding site on mitochondria (Kd increased from 2.7 microM to 13 microM) and depressed, to a smaller extent, the GDP-binding capacity. Correlation between occupancy of the specific nucleotide-binding site by GDP and inhibition of transport yielded a linear relationship for Cl- transport in control mitochondria. For H+ transport in the control, and for both H+ and Cl- transports in DABS-treated mitochondria, a biphasic correlation was obtained. The results show that different structural parts of UP are involved in transport and its control by the regulatory ligands and that, in addition to binding of purine nucleotides to UP, the inhibition of ion transport by purine nucleotides depends on an intrinsic factor modulating the inhibitory effect.     

Sulfhydryl groups of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Distinction between sulfhydryl groups of the H+ channel and the nucleotide binding site

Mersalyl, 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoate) (Nbs2) and fluorescent Thiolyte DB react with SH groups in the H+ channel (SHc) of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria, as inferred from their inhibition of H+ transport. Cl- transport by the uncoupling protein was unaffected. Using these modifiers and N-ethylmaleimide (MalNEt), distinct SH groups (SHB) in the purine nucleotide binding site were identified. Nbs2 reacts more readily with the SHB than with the SHc groups, but mersalyl and Thiolyte DB are more reactive with the SHc groups. MalNEt reacts exclusively with the SHB. GDP inhibition is fully prevented after sufficient modification of the SHB. Pretreatment with p-diazobenzenesulfonate (N2PhSO2) suppresses only 20-25% of fluorescence of Thiolyte-DB-labeled uncoupling protein on SDS/PAGE gels, while MalNEt suppresses 66% and Nbs2 80-90%. Since N2PhSO2 also affects the GDP binding site, these results demonstrate that the N2PhSO2-reactive residue is not identical with the SHB.     

Functional reconstitution of rat uncoupling protein following its high level expression in yeast

Small mammals, including human infants, rely on nonshivering thermogenesis for a substantial portion of their body heat during exposure to cold. This thermogenesis is mediated in large part by the uncoupling protein, which is found exclusively within the inner membrane of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. The sole function of uncoupling protein is to provide a regulated transport pathway for electrophoretic back-flux of H+ ions into the mitochondrial matrix, thereby dissipating the protonmotive force and producing heat. Thus, uncoupling protein is unique with respect to both its physiological role and its tissue expression. We have now achieved high level expression of rat uncoupling protein in yeast, with import into yeast mitochondria at levels, 70-100 micrograms/mg of mitochondrial protein, similar to those observed in brown adipose tissue mitochondria from cold-adapted rats. When the expressed protein was purified and reconstituted into liposomes, the proteoliposomes exhibited GDP-sensitive proton and chloride uniports that were inhibited by GDP with Ki values similar to those obtained with native protein. Moreover, the molecular activities of the expressed protein with respect to Cl- and H+ transport were indistinguishable from those of native protein. The availability of unlimited amounts of functional, expressed uncoupling protein will now permit application of site-directed mutagenesis to the many intriguing aspects of uncoupling protein structure and function.     

Sulfhydryl groups are involved in H+ translocation via the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria

Mersalyl inhibits H+ transport via the uncoupling protein (UP) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) mitochondria estimated as swelling in potassium acetate (Ki 67 microM) or as valinomycin-induced H+ extrusion in K2SO4 (Ki 55 microM) and KCl. The swelling in KCl is depressed only slightly. Some other SH-reagents (p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and thiolyte DB), but not hydrophobic reagents (N-ethylmaleimide and eosin-5-maleimide), exhibit analogous inhibition. Thus an essential SH-group localized at the water-accessible cytosolic surface of UP was found to be involved in H+ transport via UP but not in Cl- transport.     

Effect of pCMBS on anion transport in human red cell membranes.

The kinetics of binding of the mercurial sulfhydryl reagent, pCMBS (p-chloromercuribenzene sulfonate), to the extracellular site(s) at which pCMBS inhibits water and urea transport across the human red cell membrane, have previously been characterized. To determine whether pCMBS binding alters Cl- transport, we measured Cl-/NO3- exchange by fluorescence enhancement, using the dye SPQ (6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium). An essentially instantaneous extracellular phase of pCMBS inhibition is followed by a much slower intracellular phase, correlated with pCMBS permeation. We attribute the instantaneous phase to competitive inhibition of Cl- binding to band 3 by the pCMBS anion. The ID50 of 2.0 +/- 0.1 mM agrees with other organic sulfonates, but is very much greater than that of pCMBS inhibition of urea and water transport, showing that pCMBS reaction with water and urea transport inhibition sites has no effect on anion exchange. The intracellular inhibition by 1 mM pCMBS (1 h) is apparently non-competitive with Ki = 5.5 +/- 6.3 mM, presumably an allosteric effect of pCMBS binding to an intracellular band 3-related sulfhydryl group. After N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) treatment to block these band 3 sulfhydryl groups, there is apparent non-competitive inhibition with Ki = 2.1 +/- 1.2 mM, which suggests that pCMBS reacts with one of the NEM-insensitive sulfhydryl groups on a protein that links band 3 to the cytoskeleton, perhaps ankyrin or bands 4.1 and 4.2.     

Use of niflumic acid to determine the nature of the asymmetry of the human erythrocyte anion exchange system

Niflumic acid is a noncompetitive inhibitor of chloride exchange, which binds to a site different from the transport or modifier sites. When the internal Cl- concentration is raised, at constant extracellular Cl- , the inhibitory potency of niflumic acid increases. This effect cannot be attributed to changes in membrane potential, but rather it suggests that niflumic acid binds to the anion exchange protein band 3 only when the transport site faces outward. When the chloride gradient is reversed, with Clo greater than Cli , the inhibitory potency of niflumic acid decreases greatly, which indicates that the affinity of niflumic acid for band 3 with the transport site facing inward is almost 50 times less than when the transport site faces outward. Experiments in which Cli = Clo show no significant change in the inhibition by niflumic acid when Cl- is lowered from 150 to 10 mM. These data suggest that the intrinsic dissociation constants for Cl- at the two sides of the membrane are nearly equal. Thus, the chloride- loaded transport sites have an asymmetric orientation like that of the unloaded transport sites, with approximately 15 times more sites facing the inside than the outside. The asymmetry reflects an approximately 1.5 kcal/mol free energy difference between the inward-facing and outward-facing chloride-loaded forms of band 3. High concentrations of chloride (with Cli = Clo), which partially saturate the modifier site, have no effect on niflumic acid inhibition, which indicates that chloride binds equally well to the modifier site regardless of the orientation of the transport site.     

Chemical modification of the brown-fat-mitochondrial uncoupling protein with tetranitromethane and N-ethylmaleimide. A cysteine residue is implicated in the nucleotide regulation of anion permeability

Treatment of brown adipose tissue mitochondria with tetranitromethane or N-ethylmaleimide decreases the affinity with which inhibitory nucleotide GDP binds to the tissue-specific uncoupling protein. Both reagents modify cysteine residues which are 'accessible' and 'buried' to 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (Nbs2). Modification of the single Nbs2-accessible residue correlates with the loss of high-affinity binding sites for GDP. Tetranitromethane does not affect the Cl- or H+ permeability of the protein in the absence of nucleotide, while N-ethylmaleimide increases both by 70-80%. Bound GDP is a less effective inhibitor of Cl- permeability after N-ethylmaleimide or tetranitromethane treatment, but retains much of the ability to inhibit H+ permeation.     

Inhibition of inorganic anion transport across the human red blood cell membrane by chloride-dependent association of dipyridamole with a stilbene disulfonate binding site on the band 3 protein

The inhibition of inorganic anion transport by dipyridamole (2,6-bis(diethanolamino)-4,8-dipiperidinopyrimido[5,4-d] pyrimidine) takes place only in the presence of Cl-, other halides, nitrate or bicarbonate. At any given dipyridamole concentration, the anion flux relative to the flux in the absence of dipyridamole follows the equation: Jrel = (1 + alpha 2[Cl-])/(1 + alpha 4[Cl-]) where alpha 2 and alpha 4 are independent of [Cl-] but dependent on dipyridamole concentration. At high [Cl-] the flux approaches alpha 2/alpha 4, which decreases with increasing dipyridamole concentration. Even when both [Cl-] and dipyridamole concentration assume large values, a small residual flux remains. The equation can be deduced on the assumption that Cl- binding allosterically increases the affinity for dipyridamole binding to band 3 and that the bound dipyridamole produces a non-competitive inhibition of sulfate transport. The mass-law constants for the binding of Cl- and dipyridamole to their respective-binding sites are about 24 mM and 1.5 microM, respectively (pH 6.9, 26 degrees C). Dipyridamole binding leads to a displacement of 4,4'-dibenzoylstilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DBDS) from the stilbenedisulfonate binding site of band 3. The effect can be predicted quantitatively on the assumption that the Cl- -promoted dipyridamole binding leads to a competitive replacement of the stilbenedisulfonates. For the calculations, the same mass-law constants for binding of Cl- and dipyridamole can be used that were derived from the kinetic studies on Cl- -promoted anion transport inhibition. The newly described Cl- binding site is highly selective with respect to Cl- and other monovalent anion species. There is little competition with SO4(2-), indicating that Cl- binding involves other than purely electrostative forces. The affinity of the binding site to Cl- does not change over the pH range 6.0-7.5. Dipyridamole binds only in its deprotonated state. Binding of the deprotonated dipyridamole is pH-independent over the same range as Cl- binding.     

The role of UCP 1 in production of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria isolated from brown adipose tissue

We provide evidence that ablation or inhibition of, uncoupling protein 1 increases the rate of reactive oxygen containing species production by mitochondria from brown adipose tissue, no matter what electron transport chain substrate is used (succinate, glycerol-3-phosphate or pyruvate/malate). Consistent with these data are our observations that (a) the mitochondrial membrane potential is maximal when uncoupling protein 1 is ablated or inhibited and (b) oxygen consumption rates in mitochondria from uncoupling protein 1 knock-out mice, are significantly lower than those from wild-type mice, but equivalent to those from wild-type mice in the presence of GDP. In summary, we show that uncoupling protein 1 can affect reactive oxygen containing species production by isolated mitochondria from brown adipose tissue.     

The uncoupling protein from brown-adipose-tissue mitochondria. Chymotrypsin-induced structural and functional modifications

Mitoplasts prepared from brown adipose tissue mitochondria were treated with chymotrypsin and the fragments derived from the 32-kDa uncoupling protein identified by immunoblotting. Extensive proteolysis of the uncoupling protein occurred, the polypeptide pattern being affected by binding of the inhibitory nucleotide GDP. Chymotrypsin modifies the nucleotide binding site, lowering its affinity from 1.7 microM to 21 microM but without decreasing its binding capacity. Nucleotide bound to the modified site can still inhibit the permeation of H+ and Cl- through the protein. The ion conducting pathway itself is also sensitive to chymotrypsin, Cl- and H+ transport being partially inhibited in parallel. The ability of fatty acids to increase the H+ permeability of the protein is also inhibited in parallel with the basal H+ permeability. The results confirm that the transport of H+ and Cl-, and the fatty acid regulation of H+ permeation all share a common structural element within the 32-kDa protein.     

Channel character of uncoupling protein-mediated transport

Mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCPs) are pure anion uniporters, which mediate fatty acid (FA) uniport leading to FA cycling. Protonated FAs then flip-flop back across the lipid bilayer. An existence of pure proton channel in UCPs is excluded by the equivalent flux-voltage dependencies for uniport of FAs and halide anions, which are best described by the Eyring barrier variant with a single energy well in the middle of two peaks. Experiments with FAs unable to flip and alkylsulfonates also support this view. Phylogenetically, UCPs took advantage of the common FA-uncoupling function of SLC25 family carriers and dropped their solute transport function.     

Interactions of bromide, iodide, and fluoride with the pathways of chloride transport and diffusion in human neutrophils

Isolated human neutrophils possess three distinct pathways by which Cl- crosses the plasma membrane of steady state cells: anion exchange, active transport, and electrodiffusion. The purpose of the present work was to investigate the selectivity of each of these separate processes with respect to other external halide ions. (a) The bulk of total anion movements represents transport through an electrically silent anion-exchange mechanism that is insensitive to disulfonic stilbenes, but which can be competitively inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (CHC; Ki approximately 0.3 mM). The affinity of the external translocation site of the carrier for each of the different anions was determined (i) from substrate competition between Cl- and either Br-, F-, or I-, (ii) from trans stimulation of 36Cl- efflux as a function of the external concentrations of these anions, (iii) from changes in the apparent Ki for CHC depending on the nature of the replacement anion in the bathing medium, and (iv) from activation of 82Br- and 125I- influxes by their respective ions. Each was bound and transported at roughly similar rates (Vmax values all 1.0-1.4 meq/liter cell water.min); the order of decreasing affinities is Cl- greater than Br- greater than F- greater than I- (true Km values of 5, 9, 23, and 44 mM, respectively). These anions undergo 1:1 countertransport for internal Cl-. (b) There is a minor component of total Cl- influx that constitutes an active inward transport system for the intracellular accumulation of Cl- [( Cl-]i approximately 80 meq/liter cell water), fourfold higher than expected for passive distribution. This uptake is sensitive to intracellular ATP depletion by 2-deoxy-D-glucose and can be inhibited by furosemide, ethacrynic acid, and CHC, which also blocks anion exchange. This active Cl- uptake process binds and transports other members of the halide series in the sequence Cl- greater than Br- greater than I- greater than F- (Km values of 5, 8, 15, and 41 mM, respectively). (c) Electrodiffusive fluxes are small. CHC-resistant 82Br- and 125I- influxes behave as passive leak fluxes through low-conductance ion channels: they are nonsaturable and strongly voltage dependent. These anions permeate the putative Cl- channel in the sequence I- greater than Br- greater than Cl- with relative permeability ratios of 2.2:1.4:1, respectively, where PCl approximately 5 X 10(-9) cm/s.     

Alkylsulfonates as probes of uncoupling protein transport mechanism. Ion pair transport demonstrates that direct H(+) translocation by UCP1 is not necessary for uncoupling

The mechanism of fatty acid-dependent uncoupling by mitochondrial uncoupling proteins (UCP) is still in debate. We have hypothesized that the anionic fatty acid head group is translocated by UCP, and the proton is transported electroneutrally in the bilayer by flip-flop of the protonated fatty acid. Alkylsulfonates are useful as probes of the UCP transport mechanism. They are analogues of fatty acids, and they are transported by UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3. We show that undecanesulfonate and laurate are mutually competitive inhibitors, supporting the hypothesis that fatty acid anion is transported by UCP1. Alkylsulfonates cannot be protonated because of their low pK(a), consequently, they cannot catalyze electroneutral proton transport in the bilayer and cannot support uncoupling by UCP. We report for the first time that propranolol forms permeant ion pairs with the alkylsulfonates, thereby removing this restriction. Because a proton is transported with the neutral ion pair, the sulfonate is able to deliver protons across the bilayer, behaving as if it were a fatty acid. When ion pair transport is combined with UCP1, we now observe electrophoretic proton transport and uncoupling of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. These experiments confirm that the proton transport of UCP-mediated uncoupling takes place in the lipid bilayer and not via UCP itself. Thus, UCP1, like other members of its gene family, translocates anions and does not translocate protons.     

Differential interaction of fatty acids and fatty acyl CoA esters with the purified/reconstituted brown adipose tissue mitochondrial uncoupling protein

Proteoliposomes containing highly purified uncoupling protein generated by a modified purification/reconstitution procedure carried out active GDP dependent proton conductance. It was further established that long chain acyl CoA esters as well as fatty acids stimulated proton influx by the uncoupling protein, and, moreover, that the acyl CoA esters were partially effective in overcoming the inhibition by GDP. GDP binding to the purified uncoupling protein was inhibited by acyl CoA esters but not fatty acids. Phenylglyoxal which prevents GDP binding to the uncoupling protein eliminated the acyl CoA but not the fatty acid effect on proton conductance. These results substantiate the fact that nucleotides and acyl CoA esters act at the same regulatory site on the uncoupling protein, whereas, fatty acids act at a separate site. The properties of the purified/reconstituted uncoupling protein confirm they are identical to those inherent in brown adipose tissue mitochondria.     

Interaction of anions and ATP with the coated vesicle proton pump

ATP-driven proton transport in intact clathrin-coated vesicles requires the presence of a permeant anion, such as Cl-, to provide charge compensation during the electrogenic movement of protons. Using the purified (H+)-ATPase from clathrin-coated vesicles in both the detergent-solubilized and reconstituted states, we have studied the direct effects of anions on the activity of this enzyme. Both proton transport and ATP hydrolysis by the purified enzyme are independent of the presence of Cl-. In addition, proton transport does not occur even at high Cl- concentrations unless K+ and valinomycin are present to dissipate the membrane potential generated. These results indicate that the anion channel which provides for Cl- flux in intact coated vesicles is not a component of the purified (H+)-ATPase. Inhibition of ATPase activity is observed in the presence of I-, NO3-, or SO4(2-), with 50% inhibition occurring at 350 mM I-, 50 mM NO3-, or 40 mM SO4(2-). The presence of ATP lowers the concentration of I- required for 50% inhibition from 350 mM to 100 mM and increases the maximal inhibition observed in the presence of NO3- from 65% to 100%. Two separate mechanisms appear to be responsible for anion inhibition of the (H+)-ATPase. Thus, I- and high concentrations of NO3- (in the presence of ATP) cause inhibition by dissociation of the (H+)-ATPase complex, while SO4(2-) and NO3- (in the absence of ATP) cause inhibition without dissociation of the complex, suggesting the existence of an inhibitory anion binding site on the enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Anion and amine uptake and uncoupling in submitochondrial particles.

1. Unlike chloroplasts, submitochondrial particles are not uncoupled by nigericin + KCl or NH4Cl. Also the uncoupling effect of lipophilic anions is largely independent of the addition of weak bases. 2. Low concentrations of permeant anions cause a shift of the steady-state energy level rather than a cycle of energy utilization. The degree of inhibition of ATP synthesis by tetraphenylboron is larger than required for the uptake of the anion. 3. Lipophilic anions such as bromthymolblue, bromcresolpurple, and 8-anilino-1-napthalene sulphonate cause a pH-independent, 50% uncoupling in submitochondrial particles at concentrations of 3, 30 and 30 muM, respectively. The passive interaction of bromthymolblue and bromcresolpurple appears as a pH-dependent distribution between two pHases. ATP causes a pH-independent slight shift in the anion distribution, with negligible anion accumulation. 4. Addition of amines to energized submitochondrial particles results in two types of effects; uptake of amines and uncoupling. While in chloroplasts amine uptake and uncoupling are closely associated, this is not the case in submitochondrial particles. The uncoupling effect is observed only with lipophilic and not with hydrophilic amines, and the degree of uncoupling increases with the lipophilicity of the amines. The amine uptake, on the other hand, is accompanied by negligible uncoupling. 5. While the uptake of amines is dependent on the presence of non-permeant anions, such as Cl-, the uncoupling effect is independent of Cl-. Furthermore the amine uncoupling is markedly enhanced by lipophilic anions. 6. The view is discussed that the uncoupling effect of lipophilic anions and lipophilic amines in submitochondrial particles is due to a catalytic energy dissipation rather than to a stoichiometry energy utilization. The molecular mechanism of uncoupling presumably involves a cycling of charges after a perturbation of the membrane structure.     

The anion-transfer system of erythrocyte membranes. N-(7-Nitrobenzofurazan-4-yl)taurine, a fluorescent substrate-analogue of the system.

The fluorescent probe Nbd-Tau [N-(7-nitrobenzofurazan-4-yl)taurine] was synthesized and evaluated as a potential substrate of the anion-transport system of human erythrocyte membrane. The probe inhibited Cl- exchange in a competitive manner from either surface of the membrane, displaying Ki values in the mM range at the inner surface and in the microM range at the outer surface. Inhibition from within cells was via interaction with Cl--transport sites, whereas from it was via interaction with sites of unidentified nature. Nbd-Tau efflux from cells was monitored fluorimetrically in a continuous mode by a novel method that circumvents separation of the cells from the medium. Using this method, it is shown that Nbd-Tau efflux fulfils the following criteria of a substrate of the anion transport system: (a) susceptibility to classical and specific inhibitors of the system; (b) competitive inhibition with Cl- for anion-transport sites; and (c) temperature coefficient comparable with that of Cl- exchange. The fluorometric method is highly sensitive, versatile, and kinetically informative. With minor modifications it can be used for measuring anion transport across "ghost" and isolated membrane vesicles.     

Anion dependence of Ca2+ transport and (Ca2+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent transport ATPase in rat pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum

Anion dependence of (Ca2+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent transport ATPase and its phosphorylated intermediate have been characterized in both "intact" and "broken" vesicles from endoplasmic reticulum of rat pancreatic acinar cells using adenosine 5'-[gamma-32P] triphosphate ([gamma-32P]ATP). In intact vesicles (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+-ATPase activity was higher in the presence of Cl- or Br- as compared to NO3-, SCN-, cyclamate-, SO4(2-) or SO3(2-). Incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into the 100-kDa intermediate of this Ca2+ATPase was also higher in the presence of Cl-, Br-, NO3- or SCN- as compared to cyclamate-, SO4(2-) or SO3(2-). When the membrane permeability barrier to anions was abolished by breaking vesicle membrane with the detergent Triton X-100 (0.015%) (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase activity in the presence of weakly permeant anions, such as SO4(2-) and cyclamate-, increased to the level obtained with Cl-. However, 32P incorporation into 100-kDa protein was still higher in the presence of Cl- as compared to cyclamate-, indicating a direct effect of Cl- on the Ca2+ATPase molecule. The anion transport blocker 4,4-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DIDS) inhibited (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase activity to about 10% of the Cl- stimulation level, irrespective of the sort of anions present in both intact and broken vesicles. This indicates a direct effect of DIDS on (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase. K+ ionophore valinomycin influenced (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase activity according to the actual K+ gradient: Ko+ greater than Ki+ caused inhibition, Ko+ less than Ki+ caused stimulation. From these results we conclude that Ca2+ transport into endoplasmic reticulum is coupled to ion movements which must occur to maintain electroneutrality.