Effect of urea on the partial reactions and crystallization pattern of sarcoplasmic reticulum adenosine triphosphatase

Steady-state ATPase activity, calcium binding, formation of phosphorylated enzyme intermediate with ATP in the presence of Ca2+, or with Pi in the absence of Ca2+, and association of ATPase molecules into bidimensional crystals, were studied using vesicular fragments of sarcoplasmic reticulum. The vesicles were exposed to increasing concentrations of urea in order to produce stepwise perturbations of protein structure and to test the effect of such perturbations on the partial reactions and crystallization pattern of sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase. It was found that low concentrations of urea produce specific inhibition of Pi binding and enzyme phosphorylation with Pi (but not with ATP). Intermediate concentrations of urea reduce calcium binding affinity and cooperativity, while the ability of the enzyme to be phosphorylated with ATP and to form dimeric arrays is retained. These observations demonstrate that the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase is sensitive to physical perturbations producing specific and reversible changes in the Pi and calcium binding domains. These changes interfere with enzyme turnover, indicating that conformational effects related to binding and dissociation of Pi and calcium are tightly coupled to catalysis and energy transduction. Higher concentrations of urea produce irreversible denaturation, accompanied by total inhibition of calcium binding, enzyme phosphorylation with ATP, and association of ATPase chains in bidimensional crystals. Under these conditions, protein unfolding is manifested by a sharp reduction in the fluorescence of intrinsic tryptophan residues and of a covalently bound probe. These observations suggest that dimeric association and a tendency to form bidimensional crystals correspond to a basic property of the enzyme, which is linked to its native structure and whose character may change in the presence of ligands and/or during the catalytic cycle. On the other hand, the decavanadate-induced crystallization pattern cannot be interpreted in terms of a mechanistic relationship of ATPase dimerization with one of the intermediate states of the catalytic cycle.     

Conformational changes of renal sodium plus potassium ion-transport adenosine triphosphatase labeled with fluorescein

We studied conformational changes of purified renal sodium plus potassium ion-transport adenosine triphosphatase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Fluorescein covalently binds to the alpha-subunit of the enzyme and inhibits the ATPase but not the p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity. Four unphosphorylated and three phosphorylated conformations were distinguished by the level of fluorescence and by the rate of its change (relative fluorescence is shown in percentages). Fluorescence of the ligand-free form (E1, 100%) was increased by Na+ (E1.Na form, 103%) and quenched by K+ (E2.K, 78%) at a site of high affinity (K0.5 for K+ = 0.07 mM). Mg2+ did not alter fluorescence of E1 or E1.Na but raised that of E2.K (E2.K.Mg form, 85-90%). Addition of excess Na+ to the E2.K.Mg form restored high fluorescence but the rate of transition from E2.K.Mg to E1.Na became progressively slower with increasing Mg2+ concentration. Two phosphorylated conformations, (E2-P).Mg (82%) and (E2-P).Mg.K (82%) were differentiated by a faster turnover of the latter form. A third conformation, (E2-P).Mg.ouabain, had the lowest fluorescence (56%) and its formation allowed the binding of ouabain to the phosphoenzyme. Reversible blocking of sulfhydryl groups with thimerosal inhibited the formation of E2.K and (E2-P).Mg.ouabain but not that of the other conformations of the fluorescein-enzyme. The thimerosal-treated fluorescein-enzyme retained K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity, inhibition of this activity by ouabain and ouabain binding. The unphosphorylated enzyme had low (K0.5 = 1.2 mM) and the phosphoenzyme had high affinity (K0.5 = 0.03 - 0.09 mM) for Mg2+ in the absence of nucleotides. Since low and high affinity for Mg2+ alternates as the enzyme turns over, Mg2+ may be bound and released sequentially during the catalytic cycle.     

Catalysis of partial reactions of ATP synthesis by beef heart mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase

We have found that when the ATP hydrolysis activity of beef heart mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase (F1) is eliminated by either cold treatment or chemical modification, the enzyme attains the ability to catalyze the Pi in equilibrium ATP exchange reaction. The ATP hydrolysis activity of isolated F1 was lost upon chemical modification by phenyglyoxal, butanedione, or 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzene-2-oxa-1,3-diazole. The F1 thus chemically modified was able to catalyze an ADP-dependent Pi in equilibrium ATP exchange reaction. In addition F1 that had been cold-treated to eliminate ATP hydrolysis activity, also catalyzed the Pi in equilibrium ATP exchange reaction. The Pi in equilibrium ATP exchange catalyzed by modified F1 was shown to be totally inhibited by the F1-specific antibiotic efrapeptin. We have previously shown that isolated beef heart mitochondrial ATPase will catalyze the formation of a transition state analog of the ATP synthesis reaction (Bossard, M. J., Vik, T. A., and Schuster, S. M. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 5342-5346). While the F1-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis activity was lost rapidly upon chemical modification or cold treatment, the ability of the enzyme to produce Pi . adenosine 5'-diphosphate (chromium(III) salt) from phosphate and monodentate adenosine 5'-diphosphate (chromium(III) salt) was unimpaired. The implications of these data with regard to the mechanism of ATP synthesis are discussed.     

The partial reactions in the catalytic cycle of the calcium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase purified from erythrocyte membranes

A preparation of purified erythrocyte membrane ATPase whose activation by Ca2+ is or is not dependent on calmodulin depending on the enzyme dilution was used in the low dilution state for these studies. In appropriate conditions, the purified ATPase in the absence of calmodulin exhibited a Ca2+ concentration dependence identical to that of the native enzyme in the erythrocyte membrane ghost in the presence of calmodulin. Accordingly, an apparent Kd approximately equal to 1 X 10(-7) M was derived for cooperative calcium binding to the activating and transport sites of the nonphosphorylated enzyme. The kinetics of enzyme phosphorylation in the transient state following addition of ATP to enzyme activated with calcium were then resolved by rapid kinetic methods, demonstrating directly that phosphoenzyme formation precedes Pi production, consistent with the phosphoenzyme role as an intermediate in the catalytic cycle. Titration of a low affinity site (Kd approximately equal to 2 X 10(-3) M) with calcium produced inhibition of phosphoenzyme cleavage and favored reversal of the catalytic cycle, indicating that calcium dissociation from the transport sites precedes hydrolytic cleavage of the phosphoenzyme. The two different calcium dissociation constants of the nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated enzyme demonstrate that a phosphorylation-induced reduction of calcium affinity is the basic coupling mechanism of catalysis and active transport, with an energy expenditure of approximately 6 kcal/mol of calcium in standard conditions. From the kinetic point of view, a rate-limiting step is identified with the slow dissociation of calcium from the phosphoenzyme; another relatively slow step following hydrolytic cleavage and preceding recycling of the enzyme is suggested by the occurrence of a presteady state phosphoenzyme overshoot.     

Molecular organization of subunits of electroplax (sodium plus potassium)--activated adenosine triphosphatase.

Antisera against each of the two major subunits of detergent-solubilized electroplax (sodium plus potassium)-activated adenosine triphosphatase from Electrophorus electricus were prepared. Antiserum against the small subunit (a glycoprotein, Mr = 58,000) partially inhibits [3H]ouabain binding to the enzyme, but does not interfere with the phosphorylation of enzyme. Conversely, antiserum against the large subunit (the catalytic subunit Mr = 96,000) partially inhibits phosphorylation of the enzyme, but does not interfere with the binding of [3H]ouabain to the enzyme. Since ouabain only interacts with enzyme from the outer surface of the membrane and phosphorylation of enzyme takes place on the inner surface of the membrane, the results suggest that the small subunits are exposed on the outer surface of the membrane, whereas the large subunits are oriented predominantely facing the cytoplasmic side.     

Long chain fatty acid inhibition of sodium plus potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase from rat heart.

Long chain fatty acids were found to inhibit (Na+ + K+)-ATPase prepared from rat heart. Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were more inhibitory than saturated fatty acids with myristic acid being the most inhibitory saturated fatty acid tested and linoleic the most inhibitory unsaturated fatty acid. As an example of fatty acid modification of the enzyme, inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by oleate was examined. When compared to ouabain, inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by oleate was found to be similar in that both were dependent on K+ concentration, but, in contrast to the almost instantaneous inhibition by ouabain, oleate inhibition was a slow process requiring over 20 min incubation at 37 degrees to produce maximum inhibition. Inhibition of rat heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by oleate was found to be readily reversible by washout. In the presence of albumin an oleate/albumin molar ratio greater than 7.5 was required for inhibition to occur. The activity of rat heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase had a temperature optimum above 40 degrees and a discontinuous Arrhenius' plot with a transition temperature of 25 degrees. In the presence of oleate, however, the enzyme's optimum temperature decreased to below 40 degrees, the activation energy of the reaction at temperatures below 25 degrees was lowered from 24.7 kcal/mol to 12.6 kcal/mol and the enzyme had a linear Arrhenius' plot. The possibility of in vivo inhibition of cardiac (Na+ + K+)-ATPase under conditions of elevated fatty acids is discussed.     

Inhibition of (Na+, K+)adenosine triphosphatase and its partial reactions by quercetin.

The bioflavonoid, quercetin, inhibited the (Na+, K+)adenosine triphosphatase purified from the electric organ of electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) or from lamb kidney. An analysis of its mode of action revealed that the formation of phosphoenzyme from Pi but not from ATP was inhibited. Quercetin increased the amount of ADP-sensitive phosphoenzyme (E1--P), indicating an inhibition of the conversion of E1--P to the ADP-insensitive form (E2--P). The rate of dephosphorylation of the phosphoenzyme formed from ATP was slowed by quercetin. These results suggest that quercetin inhibits the formation of E2--P from either Pi or E1-P as well as the hydrolysis of the phosphoenzyme. Its mode of action is therefore different from that of ouabain and other inhibitors of the Na+, K+)adenosine triphosphatase.     

The relationship between the bovine heart mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase, lipophilic compounds, and oligomycin.

The lipid-free particulate preparations of the mitochondrial ATPase require phospholipid for activity and can be inhibited by oligomycin, as has been demonstrated previously. In this communication a steady state analysis of the activation of a particulate preparation of the ATPase by phospholipids and its subsequent inhibition by oligomycin has been carried out. The relative affinity of the ATPase for purified phospholipids has been determined by measuring the Km for activation (Ka) for several phospholipids. The Ka values varied from 30 to 100 mum. The Vmax in the presence of phosphatides varies from 0.29 to 1.11 mumol ATP hydrolyzed/min/mg of protein; no correlation is noted between the relative affinity of the enzyme for a phospholipid and the V max value. Higher V max values are noted with the more acidic phospholipids, however. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and monoolein also activate with Ka values of 25 and 800 mum, respectively. Diglycerides, however, do not activate. With all lipids the ATPase activity stimulated is oligomycin-sensitive. The Ki values for oligomycin range from 0.1 to 0.6 mum. Oligomycin is a competitive inhibitor with respect to all the phospholipids tested except phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidyglycerol. It is also competitive with respect to sodium dodecyl sulfate (k-i equals 0.94 mum). In reciprocal plots of activity versus ATP concentration, with and without oligomycin, an intercept consistent with either mixed or partial noncompetitive inhibition kinetics is noted. Comparable K-i values for oligomycin are obtained when calculated assuming either mixed or partial noncompetitive inhibition. The Km for ATP is the same in the unactivated and the lipid activated particulate ATPase; the value obtained is slightly lower than the Km for ATP in the solubilized, purified ATPase. Using a spectrophotometric assay the time required for activation with phospholipid and inhibition with oligomycin has also been determined. This investigation suggests the possibility that activation of the ATPase is due a position to interact with the water-soluble substrate. Consistent with the above suggestion is the supposition that the lipids do not necessarily confer inhibitor sensitivity to the ATPase, but rather allow an oligomycin-sensitive activity to be expressed.     

Phosphorylation by inorganic phosphate of sodium plus potassium ion transport adenosine triphosphatase. Four reactive states.

Native solium and potassium adenosine triphosphatase from guinea pig kidney accepted a phosphate group from radioactive inorganic phosphate to form an acyl phosphate bond at the active site in the presence or absence of sodium ion. Magnesium ion was always required. In the presence of sodium ion and absence of adenosine triphosphate, there was no phosphorylation by inorganic phosphate. Addition of unlabeled adenosine triphosphate produced a potassium-sensitive phosphoenzyme which exchanged its phosphate-group with radioactive inorganic phosphate. The dephosphoenzyme was an intermediate in this exchange. The rate constant for dephosphorylation was about 0.05 per second. Addition of rubidium ion, a congener of potassium ion, to the potassium-sensitive phosphoenzyme produced a phosphoenzyme labeled from inorganic phosphate with a corresponding rate constant of 0.26 per s. This was a rubidium-complexed phosphoenzyme. Addition of magnesium ion to potassium-sensitive phosphoenzyme converted it into insensitive phosphoenzyme, the splitting of which was not accelerated by potassium ion or by adenosine diphosphate. Its rate constant was 0.07 per s. In the absence of sodium ion and adenosine triphosphate, inorganic phosphate was incorporated directly into a similar insensitive phosphoenzyme. In the presence of potassium ion or rubidium ion, inorganic phosphate was incorporated into a potassium-complexed or rubidium-complexed phosphoenzyme which exchanged 32-P with inorganic phosphate completely in less than 3 s. Incorporation of inorganic phosphate into a complex of the enzyme with the inhibitor, ouabain, is already described in the literature. Its rate constant was about 0.02 per s. Thus there appear to be at least four reactive states of the phosphoenzyme which equilibrate measurably with inorganic phosphate, namely, potassium-sensitive phosphoenzyme, potassium-complexed phosphoenzyme, insensitive phosphoenzyme, and ouabain phosphoenzyme. Two of these reactive states are functional intermediates in native sodium and potassium ion transport adenosine triphosphatase. The results are compatible with control of the reactivity of the active site by conformational changes in the surrounding active center and with regulation of the energy level of the phosphate group according to the kind of monovalent cation bound to the enzyme.     

Lysosomal membrane adenosine triphosphatase; solubilization and partial characterization

Membranes prepared from Triton WR-1339-filled lysosomes (tritosomes) contained ATPase activity with a pH optimum of 5–8. These membranes also showed adenosine diphosphatase, adenosine monophosphatase, acid β-glycerol phosphatase, and acid pyrophosphatase activities. The soluble (nonmembrane) fraction of the tritosomes also contained these activities, but the properties of the soluble adenine nucleotide phosphatase activities were different from the membrane-associated enzymes. The pH optimum of tritosomal membrane ATPase changed to 5 after solubilization with Triton X-100, but ADPase and AMPase optima remained at 6–7. The pH optimum of intact membrane ATPase was also 5 when the substrate was α,β-methylene-ATP. Thus, tritosomal membrane ATPase apparently exhibits a pH 8 optimum only when acting in concert with ADPase and AMPase in intact membranes. Rates of ATP hydrolysis to adenosine were also significantly greater in intact membranes than in Triton X-100-solubilized fraction. Centrifugation of Triton X-100-solubilized tritosomal membranes in sucrose density gradients showed that ATPase and ADPase activities sedimented to one peak, and that AMPase, acid phosphatase, and pyrophosphatase were grouped in another peak. Thus, tritosomal membrane ATPase activity was not due to the latter enzymes. The resulting purification was about fourfold for ATPase. The Mr for ATPase and ADPase was estimated to be about 65,000 and for AMPase, acid phosphatase, and pyrophosphatase about 200,000.