A kinetic study of mitochondrial calcium transport.

This report describes a kinetic analysis of energy-linked Ca2+ transport in rat liver mitochondria, in which a ruthenium red/EGTA [ethanedioxy-bis(ethylamine)-tetraacetic acid] quenching technique has been used to measure rates of 45Ca2+ transport. Accurately known concentrations of free 45Ca2+ were generated with Ca2+/nitrilotriacetic acids buffers for the determination of substrate/velocity relationships. The results show that the initial velocity of transport is a sigmoidal function of Ca2+ concentration (Hill coefficient = 1.7), the Km being 4 muM Ca4 at 0 degrees C and pH 7.4. These values for the Hill coefficient and the Km remain constant in the presence of up to 2 mM phosphate, but with 10 mM acetate both parameters are increased slightly. Both permeant acids increase the maximum velocity to an extent dependent on their concentration. The Ca2+-binding site(s) of the carrier contains a group ionizing at pH approximately 7.5 at 0 degrees C, which is functional in the dissociated state. The stimulatory effect of permeant acids is ascribed to their facilitating the release of Ca2+ from the carrier to the internal phase, an interpretation which is strengthened by the lack of effect of the permeant anion SCN- on Ca2+ transport. Studies on the time-course of Ca2+ uptake and of EFTA-induced Ca2+ efflux from pre-loaded mitochondria demonstrate the reversibility of the carrier in respiring mitochondria and the extent to which this property is influenced by permeant acids. These data are accommodated in a carrier mechanism based on electrophoretic transport of Ca2+ bound to pairs of interacting acidic sites.     

Translation of polyuridylic acid in lysed mitochondria

After osmotic shock with 50 mM Tricine buffer (pH 7.9), isolated mitochondria from D. Melanogaster embryos are treated with a low concentration of Triton X-100 (25 micrograms/mg of protein). The lysed mitochondria are still capable of RNA and protein synthesis. While incorporation of labeled precursor is often higher in lysed than in intact mitochondria, neosynthesized proteins exhibit similar electrophoretic patterns. Studies of labeled precursor incorporation in the presence of various effectors indicate a better accessibility to the translation machinery in lysed mitochondria than in intact mitochondria. Such a system has proven capable of translating an exogenous synthetic mRNA, i.e., poly (U).     

Interactions between diphtheria toxin entry and anion transport in Vero cells. IV. Evidence that entry of diphtheria toxin is dependent on efficient anion transport

Entry of prebound diphtheria toxin at low pH occurred rapidly in the presence of isotonic NaCl, NaBr, NaSCN, NaI, and NaNO3, but not in the presence of Na2SO4, 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid neutralized with Tris, or in buffer osmotically balanced with mannitol. SCN- was the most efficient anion to facilitate entry. Uptake studies with radioactively labeled anions showed that SCN- was transported into cells 3 times faster than Cl-, while the entry of SO2-4 occurred much more slowly. The anion transport inhibitors 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and piretanide inhibited entry at low pH even in the presence of permeant anions. When cells with bound toxin were exposed to low pH in the absence of permeant anions, then briefly exposed to neutral pH and subsequently exposed to pH 4.5 in the presence of isotonic NaCl, toxin entry was induced. The data indicate that efficient anion transport at the time of exposure to low pH is required for entry of surface-bound diphtheria toxin into the cytosol. Since insertion of diphtheria toxin into the membrane occurs even in the absence of permeant anions, the results indicate that low pH is required not only for insertion of fragment B into the membrane, but also for the subsequent entry of fragment A into the cytosol.     

Proton translocation of the bovine chromaffin-granule membrane.

Bovine chromaffin granules were lysed and their membranes resealed to give osmotically sensitive 'ghosts'. These swell in the presence of salts and MgATP. It is shown that this is due to proton entry accompanied by anions. The rate of swelling depends on the anion present, but swelling is not limited to media containing permeant anions. It is quite marked in solutions of sulphates, phosphates and acetates. It is not uncoupler-sensitive, suggesting that at least one component of swelling is due to coupled proton and anion entry (non-electrogenic proton translocation). Direct measurements of transmembrane pH and potential gradients generated in the presence of MgATP shows that these are rapidly established in sucrose media, and are rather little affected by the presence of salts. They contribute roughly equally to the total protonmotive force. The potential gradient is establihsed very rapidly, but the pH gradient is generated over several minutes. The gradients are not completely dissipated by uncoupler, and it is shown that, in media containing sulphate but no permeant anion, sulphate can be taken up by the 'ghosts'. There thus appear to be two mechanisms of proton translocation across the membrane, both dependent on ATP hydrolysis: an electrogenic transfer of protons, and proton movement linked to an anion transporter of broad specificity.     

Ion and pH gradients across the transport membrane of mitochondria following Mn ++ uptake in the presence of acetate

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of Mn⁺⁺ loaded mitochondria is affected by the presence of the permeant anion acetate (Ac^?) in the medium. The hyperfine sextet, shown earlier to have spectral characteristics like those expected of osmotically active Mn⁺⁺ in the matrix space, grows in intensity with increasing [Ac^?]. From estimates of mitochondrial water, the free internal [Mn⁺⁺] can be calculated. The gradient of free [Mn⁺⁺] across the inner mitochondrial membrane is believed to be at least 500:1 under conditions of high [Ac^?]. Since Mn⁺⁺ solubility is limited by [OH^?], it is possible to place an upper limit on the pH in the matrix space. The variation of free internal [Mn⁺⁺], as measured by EPR, with external pH indicates that the [H⁺] gradient is 1–1.5 pH units in the absence of permeant anions and considerably less in the presence of 100 mM acetate.     

Interactions between diphtheria toxin entry and anion transport in Vero cells. I. Anion antiport in Vero cells

In sodium-free buffer of low ionic strength, the uptake of chloride and sulfate in Vero cells was found to occur mainly by antiport which was very sensitive to inhibition by 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Efflux of anions from the cells appeared to energize the uptake. While the uptake of Cl- occurred over a wide pH range, that of SO4(2-) showed a clear maximum at pH 6-7. The rate of efflux of 36Cl- and 35SO4(2-) was strongly increased by the presence of permeant anions in the efflux buffer. Preincubation of the cells at slightly alkaline pH strongly increased the rate of C1- efflux into buffers nominally free of permeant anions, as well as the efflux by exchange. This increase did not occur if the cells were depleted for ATP during the preincubation. Depolarization of the cells reduced the rate of efflux into buffers without permeant anions, indicating that the efflux is at least partly due to net, electrogenic, anion transport. The efflux by antiport was not affected by manipulations of the membrane potential, indicating electroneutral exchange. The uptake and efflux were increased to the same extent with increasing temperature, the activation energies were Ea = 25 kcal/mol of Cl- and Ea = 12 kcal/mol of SO4(2-). Similar anion antiport appears to occur in L, baby hamster kidney, and HeLa S3 cells.     

Accumulation of lanthanum by rat liver mitochondria

The interaction of La(3+) with rat liver mitochondria was examined with a wide variety of techniques permitting measurement of respiratory and structural responses. It is concluded that La(3+) is accumulated by mitochondria in a process that is at least partially energy-dependent, and is bound with quite high affinity to membrane-associated sites both external and internal to the inner membrane. The relative insensitivity of the accumulation process to respiratory inhibitors and to the permeant anion acetate has interesting implications for the mechanism of active cation transport.     

Acidification and ion permeabilities of highly purified rat liver endosomes

While it is well established that acidic pH in endosomes plays a critical role in mediating the orderly traffic of receptors and ligands during endocytosis, little is known about the bioenergetics or regulation of endosome acidification. Using highly enriched fractions of rat liver endosomes prepared by free flow electrophoresis and sucrose density gradient centrifugation, we have analyzed the mechanism of ATP-dependent acidification and ion permeability properties of the endosomal membrane. This procedure permitted the isolation of endosome fractions which were up to 200-fold enriched as indicated by the increased specific activity of ATP-dependent proton transport. Acidification was monitored using hepatocyte and total liver endosomes selectively labeled with pH-sensitive markers of receptor-mediated endocytosis (fluorescein isothiocyanate asialoorosomucoid) or fluid-phase endocytosis (fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran). In addition, changes in membrane potential accompanying ATP-dependent acidification were directly measured using the voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye Di-S-C3(5). Our results indicate that ATP-dependent acidification of liver endosomes is electrogenic, with proton transport being accompanied by the generation of an interior-positive membrane potential opposing further acidification. The membrane potential can be dissipated by the influx of permeant external anions or efflux of internal alkali cations. Replacement externally of permeable anions with less permeable anions (e.g. replacing Cl- with gluconate) diminished acidification, as did replacement internally of a more permeant cation K+ with less permeant species (such as Na+ or tetramethylammonium). ATP-dependent H+ transport was not coupled to any specific anion or cation, however. The endosomal membrane was found to be extremely permeable to protons, with protons able to leak out almost as fast as they are pumped in. Thus, the internal pH of endosomes is likely to reflect a dynamic equilibrium of protons regulated by the intrinsic ion permeabilities of the endosomal membrane, in addition to the activity of an ATP-driven proton pump.     

Electrochemical potential of protons in vesicles reconstituted from purified, proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase.

Measurements were made of the difference in the electrochemical potential of protons (delta-mu H+) across the membrane of vesicles restituted from the ATPase complex (TF0.F1) purified from a thermophilic bacterium and P-lipids. Two fluorescent dyes, anilinonaphthalene sulfonate (ANS) and 9-aminoacridine (9AA) were used as probes for measuring the membrane potential (delta psi) and pH difference across the membrane (delta pH), respectively. In the presence of Tris buffer the maximal delta psi ans no delta pH were produced, while in the presence of the permeant anion NO-3 the maximal delta pH and a low delta psi were produced by the addition of ATP. When thATP concentration was 0.24 mm, the delta psi was 140-150 mV (positive inside) in Tris buffer, and the delta pH was 2.9-3.5 units (acidic inside) in the presence of NO-3. Addition of a saturating amount of ATP produced somewhat larger delta psi and delta pH values, and the delta -muH+attained was about 310mV. By trapping pH indicators in the vesicles during their reconstitution it was found that the pH inside the vesicles was pH 4-5 during ATP hydrolysis. The effects of energy transfer inhibitors, uncouplers, ionophores, and permeant anions on these vesicles were studied.     

Ion transport in heart mitochondria. XIII. The effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetate on monovalent ion uptake

1. Ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) markedly activates the accumulation of Na⁺ and Li⁺ and the swelling which accompanies the ion uptake by isolated heart mitochondria. This activation is reflected in the removal of limited amounts of endogenous Mg²⁺ and extensive loss of K⁺. The removal of these cations requires the presence of Na⁺, a source of energy, and a permeant anion as well as EDTA. The effects of EDTA on the activation of Na⁺ uptake and cation removal are duplicated by chelators with a high affinity for Mg²⁺, but not by ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethylether)-N, N′-tetraacetic acid. Mg²⁺ at concentrations 5 to 6 times less than EDTA prevents both activation of Na⁺ uptake and cation removal.

2. EDTA does not appear to be bound by heart mitochondria. At neutral pH the chelator penetrates into the mitochondrial water volume to the same extent as sucrose and mannitol. At pH 8.1 where the removal of mitochondrial Mg²⁺ by EDTA is more effective, EDTA penetrates virtually the entire water volume. This penetration requires the presence of a source of energy, a transported cation such as Na⁺, and a permeant anion. It appears possible that the oscillations in ion uptake and swelling observed in the presence of EDTA at pH 8.1 may be related to the presence of the chelator in the interior compartment under these conditions.     

The immediate uptake of potassium ion by mitochondria requiring gramicidin and 2,2-dimethylsuccinic anhydride.

The addition of 2,2-dimethylsuccinic anhydride to mitochondrial suspensions fortified with gramicidin and potassium ion but without any permeant anion caused an immediate and rapid increase in volume (as indicated by absorbance change at 520 nm) and the uptake of potassium ion (as indicated by a cation-specific electrode). The phenomena was not inhibited by rutamycin but was inhibited by either rotenone, antimycin or 2,4-dinitrophenol. Rotenone inhibition was relieved by succinate thus one of the requirements of the process was energy derived from endogenous substrates. Potassium ion could be replaced by rubidium and cesium ions but not by lithium or sodium ions. Since 2,2-dimethylsuccinate could not replace the anhydride and was not a permeant anion there must also be a requirement for the anhydride bond. The action of the anhydride on the mitochondria must be direct. Only closely related anhydrides were capable of engendering the effect of a highly effective permeant anion.     

THE COMBINATION OF DEAMINIZED GELATIN WITH HYDROCHLORIC ACID

1. The analysis of isoelectric gelatin by the Van Slyke method indicates 0.00040 equivalents of amino N per gm. gelatin. 2. If deaminized gelatin is prepared without heating, the product contains less nitrogen than the original gelatin by an amount equal to 0.00040 equivalents N per gm. protein. 3. Deaminized gelatin, prepared either with or without heating, contains no amino nitrogen detectable with certainty by either the Van Slyke or the formol titration method. 4. The isoelectric point of deaminized gelatin prepared without heating is at pH 4.0. 5. The maximum combining capacity of this protein for HCl is 0.00044 equivalents per gm. 6. The maximum combining capacity of gelatin for HCl should be corrected to 0.00089 equivalents per gm. 7. The difference between these maximum combining capacities, 0.00045, is nearly equivalent to the loss in amino or total nitrogen occurring in the deaminizing reaction. 8. This equivalence constitutes a new indication that the combination of protein with acid is chemical combination.     

Ca2+-release pathways from mitochondria of the yeast Endomyces magnusii

Ca2+-release pathways from Ca2+-preloaded mitochondria of the yeast Endomyces magnusii were studied. In the presence of phosphate as a permeant anion, Ca2+ was released from respiring mitochondria only after massive cation loading at the onset of anaerobiosis. Intensive aeration of the mitochondrial suspension rapidly inhibited the efflux of Ca2+ and induced its reuptake. The Ca2+ release was not affected by cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of the nonselective permeability transition of mammalian mitochondria. With acetate as the permeant anion, a spontaneous net Ca2+ efflux began after uptake of about 75% of the added cation. The rate of this efflux was insensitive to cyclosporin A, aeration, and Na+ and was proportional to the Ca2+ load. The Ca2+ release was inhibited by La3+, Mn2+, Mg2+, TPP+, and nigericin (in the presence of KCl) and activated by spermine and hypotonicity. We conclude that Ca2+ efflux from preloaded E. magnusii mitochondria is very similar to the Na+-independent specific pathway for Ca2+ release operative in mitochondria from nonexcitable mammalian tissues.     

CFTR: what's it like inside the pore?

The Cystic Fibrosis Conductance Regulator (CFTR) functions as a cAMP-activated, anion-selective channel, but the structural basis for anion permeation is not well understood. Here we summarize recent studies aimed at understanding how anions move through the CFTR channel, and the nature of the environment anions experience inside the pore. From these studies it is apparent that anion permeability selectivity and anion binding selectivity of the pore are consistent with a model based on a "dielectric tunnel." The selectivity pattern for halides and pseudohalides can be predicted if it is assumed that permeant anions partition between bulk water and a polarizable space that is characterized by an effective dielectric constant of about 19. Covalent labeling of engineered cysteines and pH titration of engineered cysteines and histidines lead to the conclusion that the CFTR anion conduction path includes a positively charged outer vestibule. A residue in transmembrane segment 6 (TM6) (R334) appears to reside in the outer vestibule of the CFTR pore where it creates a positive electrostatic potential that enhances anion conduction.     

芝麻木脂素超声提取工艺优化及其抗氧化性能

以料液比、超声时间、超声温度和静置时间为考察因素进行单因素试验和正交试验确定芝麻木脂素的最佳提取条件。通过改良邻苯三酚自氧化法测定芝麻木脂素清除O-2·能力来研究芝麻木脂素的抗氧化活性;用H2O2-Fe2＋体系诱导线粒体脂质过氧化,测定芝麻木脂素对丙二醛（MDA）含量的影响。结果表明：芝麻木脂素最佳提取条件为料液比1∶12（g/mL）,超声温度55℃,超声时间30 min,静置时间2 h,超声波辅助法提取芝麻渣中芝麻木脂素的提取量最高达到0.120 g（以100 g芝麻渣计）。芝麻渣提取物能有效清除O-2·,具有良好的抑制脂质过氧化的作用。     

一种安全高效的血红蛋白纯化方法

目的:建立一种适用于大量制备的,安全、高效的血红蛋白纯化方法。方法: 将压积红细胞装入透析袋,以含有还原剂的Tris缓冲液透析破碎,破碎的上清经两级硫酸铵沉淀后透析至上样缓冲体系,离心后取上清即得血红蛋白提取液;红细胞提取液通过阴离子交换柱层析进一步分离,计算回收率。纯化产物浓缩后以SDS-PAGE及HPLC鉴定纯度,进行紫外-可见光谱扫描并以ABL800血气分析仪分析血气指标,以鲎试剂测定内毒素含量,以磷测定法测定脂质含量。结果: 血红蛋白提取液中脂质去除率98%,容易通过0.45μm滤膜;经阴离子交换层析纯化的血红蛋白经SDS-PAGE(银染法)及WB分析没有杂蛋白条带,HPLC分析纯度>99%、总回收率>85%;内毒素含量<2 EU,高铁血红蛋白含量<5%。结论: 该血红蛋白纯化方法安全高效、成本低廉、易于放大生产,具有较好的应用前景。     

pH gradients generated by polyprotic buffers. II. Experimental validation

The experimental validation refers to the computer program reported in the companion paper, able to simulate the course of pH, buffering power (beta) and ionic strength (I) of polyprotic buffers (either singly or in a mixture) titrated over any pH range. With simple oligoamines (up to five nitrogens) it is shown that it is impossible to generate linear pH gradients in the pH 4-10 interval, unless they are mixed in appropriate ratios. With pentaethylene hexamine, when used alone, it is possible to create a linear pH 4-10 interval, provided the molarity ratios are altered in the two chambers of the gradient mixer. The general rule operating for generation of linear pH intervals is constancy of buffering power throughout the titration. Local minima of beta produce steeper gradients, while local beta maxima flatten it. The ideal delta pK to arrange for linear pH gradients during titration is centred around 1 pH unit; thus polyprotic buffers with very large delta pK values (e.g., EDTA) appear to be totally useless for this purpose. The present computing algorithms should be quite efficient for optimizing existing buffer recipes for chromatofocusing or ampholyte displacement chromatography or for creating new, properly tailored, buffer mixtures.     

Complexes between uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation

Summary We have examined the effects of two weak acid uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, 2,4-dinitrophenol and 5,6-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-benzimidazole, on the electrical properties of phospholipid bilayer membranes. All the effects they produce are consistent with the charged permeant species being a HA ₂ ^– complex formed between the neutral acid HA and its anion A^– and the current in the aqueous phases being carried by buffered hydrogen ions. When both uncouplers are present simultaneously, all the evidence we have obtained is consistent with the charged permeant species being a HAB^– complex formed between the neutral acid HA of one uncoupler and the anion B^– of the other. It was necessary, however, to take into account interfacial processes and the unstirred layers adjacent to the membrane, the adsorption of anions to the bilayer and the buffer level in the aqueous phases to explain the results in terms of this model. The degree to which these factors will complicate a comparison of results obtained on artificial systems and mitochondria is also discussed.     

Role of intracellular buffering power on the mitochondria-cytosol pH gradient in the rat liver perfused at 4 degrees C

The factors regulating the amplitude and the pH gradient between cytosol and mitochondria (DeltapHmito-cyt) were investigated in the isolated rat liver perfused at 4 degrees C. Liver ATP content, pH, and buffering power of cytosolic and mitochondrial compartments were evaluated in situ using phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. No DeltapHmito-cyt was detected in the liver perfused without bicarbonate. Permeant weak acid in the perfusate (H2CO3, 25 mM, or isobutyric acid, 25, 50, or 100 mM) acidified both cytosol and mitochondria and revealed a DeltapHmito-cyt from 0.06 to 0.31 pH unit. Nevertheless, the manipulations of the DeltapHmito-cyt were more effective under bicarbonate-free conditions, due to the absence of buffering by H2CO3/HCO-3. In the absence of bicarbonate, the intracellular buffering power was threefold higher in the mitochondria (110 mmol/pH unit at pHmito 7.16) than in the cytosol (44 mmol/pH unit at pHcyt 7.30) and dependent on the matrix and cytosol pH, respectively. These buffering powers were almost double in the presence of bicarbonate. In the bicarbonate-free perfused liver, the respiratory activity was 0.08 +/- 0.02 micromol O2/min. g liver wet weight and the ATP turnover was only 40 +/- 7 nmol/min. g liver wet weight, indicating the weak activity of liver mitochondria when DeltapHmito-cyt was <0.05 pH unit. The ATP turnover during a 50 mM isobutyric acid load was 35 +/- 4 nmol/min. g liver wet weight whereas DeltapHmito-cyt rose to 0.26 +/- 0.02 pH unit and pHmito remained alkaline. Hence, although DeltapHmito-cyt was increased the ATP turnover remained unchanged. This work is the first evaluation of the mitochondrial buffering power in the isolated liver. The DeltapHmito-cyt observed within various acid loads reflected the differential titration of cytosol and mitochondria containing proteins and H2CO3/HCO-3 buffering systems. Moreover, no direct relationship between DeltapHmito-cyt and ATP turnover could be shown.     

Active proton uptake by chromaffin granules: observation by amine distribution and phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance techniques.

The hydrogen ion activity within isolated chromaffin granules can be estimated from the distribution of the weak base methylamine and from phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of ATP contained in the granules. Following the addition of ATP to the external medium, the internal pH drops by 0.2 to 0.5 unit. This change occurs only in medium containing a permeant anion such as chloride and is abolished by an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation. These results indicate that the chromaffin granule membrane possess an electrogenic proton pump directed inward.