Low-affinity Na+ sites on (Na+ +K+)-ATPase modulate inhibition of Na+-ATPase activity by vanadate

Na+-ATPase activity is extremely sensitive to inhibition by vanadate at low Na+ concentrations where Na+ occupies only high-affinity activation sites. Na+ occupies low-affinity activation sites to reverse inhibition of Na+-ATPase and (Na+, K+)-ATPase activities by vanadate. This effect of Na+ is competitive with respect to both vanadate and Mg2+. The apparent affinity of the enzyme for vanadate is markedly increased by K+. The principal effect of K+ may be to displace Na+ from the low-affinity sites at which it activates Na+-ATPase activity.     

Effects of the ATP, ADP and inorganic phosphate on the transport rate of the Na+,K+-pump

(Na+ + K+)-ATPase from kidney outer medulla was incorporated into artificial dioleoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles. In the reconstituted system the pump can be activated by adding ATP to the external medium. ATP-driven potassium extrusion by the Na+,K+-pump was studied using a voltage-sensitive dye in the presence of valinomycin. ADP strongly reduced the turnover rate of the pump with a concentration for half-maximal inhibition of cD,1/2 = 0.1 mM. cD,1/2 was found to be virtually independent of ATP concentration, indicating that the inhibition is non-competitive with respect to ATP. The non-competitive inhibition by ADP can be explained on the basis of the Post-Albers reaction cycle of the Na+,K+-pump, assuming that the main action of ADP is the reversal of the phosphorylation step. A similar 'product inhibition' was observed with inorganic phosphate, but at much higher concentrations (cP,1/2 = 14 mM).     

Regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase: effect of Mg and Ca ions

The participation of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in complicated mechanisms of Na+, K(+)-ATPase regulation is discussed in the survey. The regulatory actions of Mg2+ on Na+, K(+)-ATPase such as its participation in phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the enzyme, ADP/ATP-exchange inhibition, cardiac glycosides and vanadate binding with the enzyme, conformational changes induction during ATPase cycle are reviewed in detail. Some current views of mechanisms of above mentioned Mg2+ regulatory effects are discussed. The experimental evidence of Ca2+ immediate influence on the functional activity of Na+, K(+)-ATPase (catalytic, transport and glycoside-binding) are given. It's noted that these effects are based on the conformational changes in the enzyme and also on the phase transition in membrane induced by Ca2+. Unimmediate action of Ca2+ on Na+, K(+)-ATPase is also discussed, especially due to its effect on other membrane systems functionally linked with Na(+)-pump (for instance, due to Na+/Ca(+)-exchanger activation). It's concluded that Mg2+ and Ca2+ as "universal regulators" of the cell effectively influence the functional activity and conformational states of Na+, K(+)-ATPase.     

Inhibition by lead ion of Electrophorus electroplax (Na+ + K+)-adenosine triphosphatase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase.

Inorganic lead ion in micromolar concentrations inhibits Electrophorus electroplax microsomal (Na+ + K+)-adenosine triphosphatase ((Na+ + K+)-ATPase) and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase (NPPase). Under the same conditions, the same concentrations of PbCl2 that inhibit ATPase activity also stimulate the phosphorylation of electroplax microsomes in the absence of added Na+. Enzyme activity is protected from inhibition by increasing concentrations of microsomes, ATP, and other metal ion chelators. The kinetics follow the pattern of a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor. No kinetic evidence is elicited for interactions of Pb2+ with Na+, K+, Mg2+, ATP, or p-nitrophenylphosphate. Na+- ATPase, in the absence of K+, and (Na+ + K+)-NPPase activity at low [K+] are also inhibited. ATP inhibition of NPPase is not reversed by Pb2+. The calculated concentrations of free [Pb2+] that produce 50% inhibition are similar for ATPase and NPPase activities. Pb2+ may act at a single independent binding site to produce both stimulation of the kinase and inhibition of the phosphatase activities.     

Na+, K+-ATPase of the canine mesenteric artery

Na+,K+-ATPase, the enzymatic moiety that operates as the electrogenic sodium-potassium pump of the cell plasma membrane, is inhibited by cardiac glycosides, and this specific interaction of a drug with an enzyme has been considered to be responsible for digitalis-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction. Although studies aimed at localization, isolation, and measurement of the Na+,K+-ATPase activity (or Na+, K- pump activity) indicate its presence in vascular smooth muscle sarcolemma, its characterization as the putative vasopressor receptor site for cardiac glycosides has depended on pharmacological studies of vascular response in vivo and on isolated artery contractile responses in vitro. More recently, radioligand-binding studies using [3H]ouabain have aided in the characterization of drug-enzyme interaction. Such studies indicate that in canine superior mesenteric artery (SMA), Na+,K+-ATPase is the only specific site of interaction of ouabain with resultant inhibition of the enzyme. The characteristics of [3H]ouabain binding to this site are similar to those of purified or partially purified Na+,K+-ATPase of other tissues, which suggests that if Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition is causally related to digitalis-mediated effects on vascular smooth muscle contraction, then therapeutic concentrations of cardiac glycosides could act to cause SMA vasoconstriction. The additional finding from radioligand-binding studies that Na+,K+-ATPase exists in much smaller quantities (density of sites per cell) in SMA than in either heart or kidney may have implications concerning its physiological, biochemical or pharmacological role in modulating vascular muscle tone.     

Kinetic studies on the (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase evidence for coexisting sites for Na+, K+ and Mg2+

Na+-ATPase activity of a dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase enzyme preparation was inhibited by a high concentration of NaCl (100 mM) in the presence of 30 microM ATP and 50 microM MgCl2, but stimulated by 100 mM NaCl in the presence of 30 microM ATP and 3 mM MgCl2. The K0.5 for the effect of MgCl2 was near 0.5 mM. Treatment of the enzyme with the organic mercurial thimerosal had little effect on Na+ -ATPase activity with 10 mM NaCl but lessened inhibition by 100 mM NaCl in the presence of 50 microM MgCl2. Similar thimerosal treatment reduced (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity by half but did not appreciably affect the K0.5 for activation by either Na+ or K+, although it reduced inhibition by high Na+ concentrations. These data are interpreted in terms of two classes of extracellularly-available low-affinity sites for Na+: Na+-discharge sites at which Na+-binding can drive E2-P back to E1-P, thereby inhibiting Na+-ATPase activity, and sites activating E2-P hydrolysis and thereby stimulating Na+-ATPase activity, corresponding to the K+-acceptance sites. Since these two classes of sites cannot be identical, the data favor co-existing Na+-discharge and K+-acceptance sites. Mg2+ may stimulate Na+-ATPase activity by favoring E2-P over E1-P, through occupying intracellular sites distinct from the phosphorylation site or Na+-acceptance sites, perhaps at a coexisting low-affinity substrate site. Among other effects, thimerosal treatment appears to stimulate the Na+-ATPase reaction and lessen Na+-inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase reaction by increasing the efficacy of Na+ in activating E2-P hydrolysis.     

Mechanisms and consequences of Na+,K+-pump regulation by insulin and leptin.

Hormonal control of the Na+,K+-pump modulates membrane potential in mammalian cells, which in turn drives ion coupled transport processes and maintains cell volume and osmotic balance. Na+,K+-pump regulation is particularly important in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and renal systems. Decreased Na+,K+-pump activity can result in a rise in intracellular Na+ concentrations which in turn increase Na+/Ca2+ exchange, thereby raising intracellular Ca2+ levels. In cardiac and skeletal muscle, this could interfere with normal contractile activity. Similarly, in vascular smooth muscle the result would be resistance to vasodilation. Inhibition of the Na+,K+-pump can also reduce the driving force for renal tubular Na+ reabsorption, elevating Na+ excretion. By virtue of decreasing the membrane potential, thus allowing more efficient depolarization of nerve endings and by increasing intracellular Ca2+, inhibition of the Na+,K+-pump can increase nervous tone. The ability of insulin to stimulate the Na+,K+-pump in various cells and tissues, and the physiological significance thereof, have been well documented. Much less is known about the effect of leptin on the Na+,K+-pump. We have shown that leptin inhibits Na+,K+-pump function in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Defects in insulin and leptin action are associated with diabetes and obesity, respectively, both of which are commonly associated with cardiovascular complications. In this review we discuss the mechanisms of Na+,K+-pump regulation by insulin and leptin and highlight how, when they fail, they may contribute to the pathophysiology of hypertension associated with diabetes and obesity.     

The effects of several ligands on the potassium-vanadate interaction in the inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the Na+, K+ pump

Inhibition by vanadate of the K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity catalyzed by the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase partially purified from pig kidney showed competitive behavior with the substrate, K+ and Mg2+ acted as cofactors in promoting that inhibition. Ligands which inhibited the K+-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis (Na+, nucleotide polyphosphates, inorganic phosphate) protected against inhibition by vanadate. The magnitude of that protection was proportional to the inhibition produced in the absence of vanadate. In the presence of only p-nitrophenyl phosphate and Mg2+, or when the protective ligands were tested alone, the activation of p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis by K+ followed a sigmoid curve in the presence as well in the absence of vanadate. However, the combination of 100 mM NaCl and 3 mM ATP resulted in a biphasic effect of K+ on the p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis in the presence of vanadate. After an initial rise at low K+ concentration, the p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity declined at high K+ concentrations; this decline became more pronounced as the vanadate concentration was increased. This biphasic response was not seen when a nonphosphorylating ATP analog was combined with Na+ (which favors the nucleotide binding) or with inorganic phosphate (a requirement for K+ - K+ exchange). Experiments with inside-out resealed vesicles from human red cells showed that in the absence of Na+ plus ATP, K+ promoted vanadate inhibition of p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in a nonbiphasic manner, acting at cytoplasmic sites. On the other hand, in the presence of Na+ plus ATP, the biphasic response of p-nitrophenyl phosphate hydrolysis is due to K+ acting on extracellular sites. In vanadate-poisoned intact red blood cells, the biphasic response of the ouabain-sensitive Rb+ influx as a function of the external Rb+ concentration failed to develop when there was no Na+ in the extracellular media. In addition, in the absence of extracellular Na+, external Rb+ did not influence the magnitude of inhibition. The present findings indicate that external K+ favors vanadate inhibition by displacing Na+ from unspecified extracellular membrane sites.     

Ouabain Binding, ATP Hydrolysis, and Na+,K+-Pump Activity During Chemical Modification of Brain and Muscle Na+,K+-ATPase

The effects of 16 group-specific, amino acid-modifying agents were tested on ouabain binding, catalytical activity of membrane-bound (rat brain microsomal), sodium dodecyl sulfate-treated Na+,K(+)-ATPase, and Na+,K(+)-pump activity in intact muscle cells. With few exceptions, the potency of various tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine, amino, and carboxy group-oriented drugs to suppress ouabain binding and Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity correlated with inhibition of the Na+,K(+)-pump electrogenic effect. ATP hydrolysis was more sensitive to inhibition elicited by chemical modification than ouabain binding (membrane-bound or isolated enzyme) and than Na+,K(+)-pump activity. The efficiency of various drugs belonging to the same "specificity" group differed markedly. Tyrosine-oriented tetranitromethane was the only reagent that interfered directly with the cardiac receptor binding site as its inhibition of ouabain binding was completely protected by ouabagenin preincubation. The inhibition elicited by all other reagents was not, or only partially, protected by ouabagenin. It is surprising that agents like diethyl pyrocarbonate (histidine groups) or butanedione (arginine groups), whose action should be oriented to amino acids not involved in the putative ouabain binding site (represented by the -Glu-Tyr-Thr-Trp-Leu-Glu- sequence), are equally effective as agents acting on amino acids present directly in the ouabain binding site. These results support the proposal of long-distance regulation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase active sites.     

Further biochemical characterization of an Na+ pump inhibitor purified from human urine

An increase in endogenous Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor(s) with digitalis-like properties has been reported in chronic renal insufficiency, in Na+-dependent experimental hypertension and in some essential hypertensive patients. The present study specifies some properties and some biochemical characteristics of a semipurified compound from human urine having digitalis-like properties. The urine-derived inhibitor (endalin) inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase activity and [3H]-ouabain binding, and cross-reacts with anti-digoxin antibodies. The inhibitory effect on ATPases of endalin is higher on Na+,K+-ATPase than on Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase. The mechanism of endalin action on highly purified Na+,K+-ATPase was compared to that of ouabain and was similar in that it reversibly inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase activity; it inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase non-competitively with ATP; its inhibitory effect was facilitated by Na+; K+ decreased its inhibitory effect on Na+,K+-ATPase; it competitively inhibited ouabain binding to the enzyme; its binding was maximal in the presence of Mg2+ and Pi; it decreased the Na+ pump activity in human erythrocytes; it reduced serotonin uptake by human platelets; and it was diuretic and natriuretic in rat bioassay. The endalin differed from ouabain in only three aspects: its inhibitory effect was not really specific for Na+,K+-ATPase; its binding to the enzyme was undetectable in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP; it was not kaliuretic in rat bioassay. Endalin is a reversible and partial specific inhibitor of Na+,K+-ATPase, its Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition closely resembles that of ouabain and it could be considered as one of the natriuretic hormones.     

Inhibition of rat brain microsomal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase by periodic acid

The effects of mild periodate exposure on the kinetics of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase were studied using rat cerebral microsome preparations. Fifty percent inhibition of both enzyme activities was attained near 3 microM periodate concentrations. This inhibition was biphasic with time. Mg2+-ATPase and Mg2+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities were much less inhibited by periodate. Periodate inhibition was partially reversed by dimercaprol and dithiothreitol but not by diffusion. The possible reaction products formic acid, formaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, and acetaldehyde had no inhibitory effects in similar concentrations. Periodate exposure produced no detectable changes in the activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by Na+, K+, Mg2+, or ATP. Residues shared by both (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase are both critical to hydrolytic function and sensitive to mild oxidation by periodate.     

Cis-allosteric effects of cytoplasmic Na+/K+ discrimination at varying pH. Low-affinity multisite inhibition of cytoplasmic K+ in reconstituted Na+/K(+)-ATPase engaged in uncoupled Na(+)-efflux.

In liposomes with reconstituted shark Na+/K(+)-ATPase the effect of cytoplasmic K+ was investigated in the absence of extracellular alkali ions. During such conditions the Na+/K(+)-ATPase is engaged in the so called uncoupled Na+ efflux mode in which cytoplasmic Na+ activates and binds to the enzyme and becomes translocated without countertransport of K+ as in the physiological Na+/K+ exchange mode. In this uncoupled flux mode only low-affinity inhibition by K+cyt is found to be present. The inhibition pattern is consistent with a model in which cytoplasmic K+ exhibit mixed inhibition of Na+ activation, probably by binding at the three cytoplasmic loading sites on E1ATP (E1A). With determined intrinsic binding constants for cytoplasmic Na+ to this form of KS1, KS2, KS3 = 40 mM, 2 mM, 2 mM the inhibition pattern can be simulated assuming three K+cyt sites with equal affinity for Ki = 40 mM, similar to KS1 for the first Na+cyt site. The discrimination between cytoplasmic Na+ and K+ is therefore enhanced by allosteric interaction initiated from the cis-side due to binding of the first Na+, as opposed to K+, which induces the positive cooperatively in the successive Na+ bindings. pH is found to influence the pattern of K+cyt inhibition: A lowering of the pH potentiates the K+cyt inhibition, whereas at increased pH the inhibition is decreased and transformed into a pure competitive competition.     

(Na+, K+)-activated adenosinetriphosphatase of axonal membranes, cooperativity and control. Steady-state analysis.

1. The ATP sites. Homotropic interactions between ATP sites have been studied in a very large range of Na+ and K+ concentrations. The ( Na+, K+)-activated ATPase displays Michaelis-Menten kinetics for ATP under standard concentration conditions of Na+ (100 mM) and K+ (10 mM). The steady-state kinetics behavior changes at very low concentrations of K+ where negative cooperativity is observed. The existence of a high affinity and a low affinity site for ATP was clearly demonstrated from the study of the ATP stimulated hydrolysis of p-nitrophenylphosphate in the presence of Na+ and K+. The ratio of apparent affinities of high and low affinity sites for ATP is 86 at pH 7.5. 2. The Na+ sites. The binding of Na+ to its specific stimulatory sites (internal sites) is characterized by positive cooperativity with a Hill coefficient n(H(Na+))=2.0. Homotropic interactions between Na+ sites are unaffected by variations of the K+ concentration. 3. The K+ sites. (a) Binding of K+ to the (external) stimulatory site of the ATPase has been analyzed by following the (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity as well as the p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in the presence of Na+ and K+ (with or without ATP). Binding is characterized by a Hill coefficient of 1.0 and a K(0.5(K+))=0.1 to 0.8 mM. The absence of positive or negative cooperativity persists between 5 mM and 100 mM Na+. (b) The analysis of the p-nitrophenylphosphatase or of the 2, 4 dinitrophenylphosphatase activity in the presence of K+ alone indicates the existence of low affinity sites for K+ with positive homotropic interactions. The characteristics of stimulation in that case are, K(0.5)=5 mM, n(H)=1.9. The properties of this family of site(s) are the following: firstly, saturation of the low affinity site(s) by K+ prevents ATP binding to its high affinity internal site. Secondly, saturation of the low affinity sites for K+ prevents binding of Na+ to its internal sites. Thirdly, this family of sites disappears in the presence of ATP, p-nitrophenylphosphate or of both substrates, when Na+ binds to its internal sites. Na+ binding to its specific stimulatory sites provokes the formation of the high affinity type of site for K+. 4. Mg2+ stimulation of the (Na+, K+)-ATPase is characterized by a Hill coefficient n(H(Mg2+))=1.0 and a K(0.5(Mg2+))=1 mM stimulation is essentially a V effect. Heterotropic effects between binding of Mg2+ and substrate to their respective sites are small. Heterotropic interactions between the Ms2+, Na+ and K+ sites are also small. 5. The fluidity of membrane lipids also controls the (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity. Phase transitions or separations in the membrane hardly affect recognition properties of substrates, Na+, K+ and Mg2+ for their respective sites on both sides of the membrane. Only the rate of the catalytic transformation is affected.     

Ouabain-insensitive Na+ stimulation of a microsomal Mg2+ -ATPase in gills of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

Bass gill microsomal preparations contain a Mg2+-dependent Na+-stimulated ATPase activity in the absence of K+, whose characteristics are compared with those of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of the same preparations. The activity at 30 degrees C is 11.3 mumol Pi X mg-1 protein X hr-1 under optimal conditions (5 mM MgATP, 75 mM Na+, 75 mM HEPES, pH 6.0) and exhibits a lower pH optimum than the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. The Na+ stimulation of ATPase is only 17% inhibited by 10-3M ouabain and completely abolished by 2.5 mM ethacrinic acid which on the contrary cause, respectively, 100% and 34% inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Both Na+-and (Na+ + K+)-stimulated activities can hydrolyze nucleotides other than ATP in the efficiency order ATP greater than CTP greater than UTP greater than GTP and ATP greater than CTP greater than GPT greater than UTP, respectively. In the presence of 10(-3)M ouabain millimolar concentrations of K+ ion lower the Na+ activation (90% inhibition at 40 mM K+). The Na+-ATPase is less sensitive than (Na+ + K+)-ATPase to the Ca2+ induced inhibition as the former is only 57.5% inhibited by a concentration of 1 X 10(-2)M which completely suppresses the latter. The thermosensitivity follows the order Mg2+--greater than (Na+ + K+)--greater than Na+-ATPase. A similar break of the Arrhenius plot of the three enzymes is found. Only some of these characteristics do coincide with those of a Na+-ATPase described elsewhere. A presumptive physiological role of Na+-ATPase activity in seawater adapted teleost gills is suggested.     

Inhibition of rat cardiac and renal Na+,K+-ATPase by high sodium concentrations and vanadate

In the present study, rat renal Na+,K+-ATPase was found to be more sensitive to inhibition by high Na+ concentrations (100-400 mM) than was rat cardiac Na+,K+-ATPase. K+ was more effective in reversing the inhibition by Na+, of cardiac relative to renal Na+,K+-ATPase. Rat renal Na+,K+-ATPase was also more sensitive than cardiac Na+,K+-ATPase to inhibition by vanadate over this range of Na+ concentrations. These results support the hypothesis that vanadate may selectively regulate Na+,K+-ATPase in the kidney, and they may also help explain the natriuretic and diuretic effects of vanadate in rats. Inhibition of renal Na+,K+ATPase by Na+, may also help explain, in part, the natriuretic and diuretic effects of acute saline loading.     

Novel regulation of Na, K-ATPase by Src tyrosine kinases in cortical neurons

The Na+, K+-ATPase or Na+, K+-pump plays a critical role in ion homeostasis and many cellular events. The Na+, K+-pump activity is regulated by serine/threonine phosphorylation, the role of tyrosine kinases in the regulation, however, is obscure. We now present novel evidence showing that tyrosine phosphorylation activates the Na+, K+-pump in cortical neurons. The electrogenic activity of the Na+, K+-pump was measured using whole-cell voltage clamp. A tonic activity was revealed by an inward current induced by the specific inhibitor ouabain or strophanthidin; an outward current due to activation of the pump was triggered by raising extracellular K+. The inward and outward currents were attenuated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, herbimycin A, or lavendustin A, while blocking tyrosine phosphatases increased the pump current. Down-regulation of the pump current was also seen with the Src inhibitor PP1 and intracellularly applied anti-Lyn or anti-Yes antibody. Consistently, intracellular application of Lyn kinase up-regulated the pump current. Immunoprecipitation and western blotting showed tyrosine phosphorylation and a direct interaction between Lyn and the alpha3 subunit of the Na+, K+-pump. The tyrosine phosphorylation of the alpha3 subunit was reduced by serum deprivation. These data suggest that the Na+, K+-ATPase activity in central neurons is regulated by specific Src tyrosine kinases via a protein-protein mechanism and may play a role in apoptosis.     

Influence of pH and sodium on the inhibition of guinea-pig heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by calcium.

The inhibition of guinea-pig heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3) by calcium has been studied at pH 7.4, 6.8 and 6.4. 1. A decrease in pH reduced the threshold inhibitory concentration of calcium and the calcium concentration producing an inhibition of 50% of the enzyme activity. 2. Calcium reduced the apparent affinity of the enzyme of Na+, this effect occurred only at pH 7.4. 3. Calcium increased the apparent affinity of the enzyme for K+, this effect was enhanced at acidic pH. 4. Activation of the enzyme by Na+ for a constant Na+ : K+ ratio has been studied at pH 7.4 and at pH 6.8 in the absence and in the presence of 3.10(-4) M Ca 2+; the results of this experiment indicate that Ca2+ effect at pH 7.4 was not influenced by Na+ -- K+ competition and was probably due to a Na+ -- Ca2+ interaction. 5. At pH 7.4, the calcium inhibitory threshold concentration and the concentration producing 50% inhibition were reduced when Na+ was low; at pH 6.8, the calcium inhibition was not markedly modified by the change of Na+ concentration. 6. The Ca2+ -activated ATPase of myosin B which is related to the contractile behaviour of muscle and the Ca2+ -ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum which is related to the ability of this structure to accumulate calcium were activated in a range of calcium concentration producing an inhibition of (Na2+ + K+) -ATPase. The present results indicate that the increase by acidity of the (Na2+ + K+) -ATPase sensitivity to calcium might be due to a suppression of a Na+ -Ca2+ interaction. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that calcium might inhibit the Na+ -pump during the repolarization phase of the action potential and that, by this effect, it might control cell excitability.     

Dog kidney (Na+,K+)-ATPase is more sensitive to inhibition by vanadate than human red cell (Na+,K+)-ATPase

(Na+,K+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) from kidney is more sensitive to inhibition by vanadate than red cell (Na+,K+)-ATPase. The difference appears to be in the apparent affinities of the two enzymes for K+ and Na+ at sites where K+ promotes and Na+ opposes vanadate binding. As a result of Na+-K+ competition at these sites, reversal of vanadate inhibition was accomplished at lower Na+ concentrations in red cell than in kidney (NA+,K+)-ATPase. It is possible that vanadate could selectively regulate Na+ transport in the kidney.     

Inactivation of Na+, K+ -ATPase from cattle brain by sodium fluoride

The influence of the physiological ligands and modifiers on the plasma membrane Na+, K+ -ATPase from calf brain inactivation by sodium fluoride (NaF) is studied. ATP-hydrolyzing activity of the enzyme was found to be more stable as to NaF inhibition than its K+ -pNPPase activity. The activatory ions of Na+, K+ -ATPase have different effects on the process of the enzyme inhibition by NaF. K+ intensifies inhibition, but Na+ does not affect it. An increase of [Mg2+free] in the incubation medium (from 0.5 to 3.0 mM) rises the sensitivity of Na+, K+ -ATPase to NaF inhibition. But an increase of [ATP] from 0.3 to 1.5 mM has no effect on this process. Ca and Mg ions modify Na+, K+ -ATPase inhibition by fluoride differently. Ca2+free levels this process, and Mg2+free on the contrary increases it. In the presence of Ca ions and in the neutral-alkaline medium (pH 7.0-8.5) the recovery of activity of the transport ATPase inhibited by-NaF takes place. Sodium citrate also protects both ATP-hydrolizing and K-pNPPase activity of the Na+, K+ -ATPase from NaF inhibition. Under the modifing membranous effects (the treatment of plasma membranes by Ds-Na and digitonin) the partial loss of Na+, K+ -ATPase sensitivity to NaF inhibition is observed. It is concluded that Na+, K+ -ATPase inactivation by NaF depends on the influence of the physiological ligands and modifiers as well as on the integrity of membrane structure.     

Mutant Phe788 --> Leu of the Na+,K+-ATPase is inhibited by micromolar concentrations of potassium and exhibits high Na+-ATPase activity at low sodium concentrations.

Mutant Phe788 --> Leu of the rat kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase was expressed in COS cells to active-site concentrations between 40 and 60 pmol/mg of membrane protein. Analysis of the functional properties showed that the discrimination between Na+ and K+ on the two sides of the system is severely impaired in the mutant. Micromolar concentrations of K+ inhibited ATP hydrolysis (K(0.5) for inhibition 107 microM for the mutant versus 76 mM for the wild-type at 20 mM Na+), and at 20 mM K+, the molecular turnover number for Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was reduced to 11% that of the wild-type. This inhibition was counteracted by Na+ in high concentrations, and in the total absence of K+, the mutant catalyzed Na(+)-activated ATP hydrolysis ("Na(+)-ATPase activity") at an extraordinary high rate corresponding to 86% of the maximal Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity. The high Na(+)-ATPase activity was accounted for by an increased rate of K(+)-independent dephosphorylation. Already at 2 mM Na+, the dephosphorylation rate of the mutant was 8-fold higher than that of the wild-type, and the maximal rate of Na(+)-induced dephosphorylation amounted to 61% of the rate of K(+)-induced dephosphorylation. The cause of the inhibitory effect of K+ on ATP hydrolysis in the mutant was an unusual stability of the K(+)-occluded E2(K2) form. Hence, when E2(K2) was formed by K+ binding to unphosphorylated enzyme, the K(0.5) for K+ occlusion was close to 1 microM in the mutant versus 100 microM in the wild-type. In the presence of 100 mM Na+ to compete with K+ binding, the K(0.5) for K+ occlusion was still 100-fold lower in the mutant than in the wild-type. Moreover, relative to the wild-type, the mutant exhibited a 6-7-fold reduced rate of release of occluded K+, a 3-4-fold increased apparent K+ affinity in activation of the pNPPase reaction, a 10-11-fold lower apparent ATP affinity in the Na+,K(+)-ATPase assay with 250 microM K+ present (increased K(+)-ATP antagonism), and an 8-fold reduced apparent ouabain affinity (increased K(+)-ouabain antagonism).