Na+ for H+ exchange in rabbit erythrocytes

The effect of a transmembrane pH gradient on the ouabain, bumetanide, and phloretin resistant H+ efflux was studied in rabbit erythrocytes. Proton equilibration was reduced by the use of DIDS (125 microM) and acetazolamide (1 mM). H+ efflux from acid loaded erythrocytes (pHi = 6.1) was measured in a K+ (145 mM) medium, pH0 = 8.0, in the presence and absence of 60 microM 5,N,N-dimethyl-amiloride (DMA). The H+ efflux rate in a K+-containing medium was 116.38 +/- 4.5 mmol/l cell X hr. Substitution of Nao+ for Ko+ strongly stimulated H+ efflux to 177.89 +/- 7.9 mmol/l cell X hr. The transtimulation of H+ efflux by Nao+ was completely abolished by DMA falling to values not different from controls with an ID50 of about 8.6 X 10(-7) M. The sequence of substrate selectivities for the external transport site were Na greater than greater than greater than Li greater than choline, Cs, K, and Glucamine. The transport system has no specific anion requirement, but is inhibited by NO3-. The DMA sensitive H+ efflux was a saturable function of [Na+]o, with an apparent Km and Vmax of about 14.75 +/- 1.99 mM and 85.37 +/- 7.68 mmol/l cell X hr, respectively. However, the Nao+-dependent and DMA-sensitive H+ efflux was sigmoidally activated by [H+]i, suggesting that Hi+ interacts at both transport and modifier sites. An outwardly directed H+ gradient (pHi 6.1, pH = 8.0) also promoted DMA sensitive Na+ entry (61.2 +/- 3.0 mmol/l cell X hr) which was abolished when pHo was reduced to 6.0. The data is therefore consistent with the presence of a Na+/H+ exchange system in rabbit erythrocytes.     

The assimilation of tri- and tetrapeptides by human erythrocytes

Evidence is presented that tripeptides enter human erythrocytes via saturable transport system(s) at rates similar to those previously described for dipeptides (King, G.F. and Kuchel, P.W. (1985) Biochem. J. 227, 833-842) but that the transmembrane flux rates for tetrapeptides are considerably less. 1H spin-echo NMR spectroscopy was used to monitor the coupled uptake and hydrolysis of peptides by red cells, since it enabled the simultaneous measurement of the levels of substrates and products of peptidase-catalysed reactions in suspensions with haematocrits similar to those found in vivo. Weighted non-linear least-squares regression of the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation onto progress curves obtained from the hydrolysis of Tyr-Gly-Gly and Gly-Gly-Gly in RBC lysates gave Km = 2.11 +/- 0.08 and 23.4 +/- 0.9 mmol/l and Vmax = 307 +/- 3 and 905 +/- 22 mmol/h per 1 packed cells, respectively. In whole cell suspensions, the rate of hydrolysis was considerably less and was dominated by the transmembrane flux of tripeptide. Progress curve analysis thus yielded the steady-state kinetic parameters for peptide transport; the values were Km = 11.6 +/- 1.1 and 56 +/- 18 mmol/l and Vmax = 12.9 +/- 3.0 and 36.4 +/- 3.2 mmol/h per 1 packed cells, respectively, for the previously mentioned peptides. The rate of transport of the tetrapeptide Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly was considerably less than either of the tripeptides. The above mentioned steady-state kinetic parameters were used in computer simulations of the coupled uptake and hydrolysis of tripeptides by human erythrocytes under physiological conditions; these simulations revealed certain similarities between the rates of peptide uptake by erythrocytes and the intestine in vivo.     

gamma-Glutamylcyclotransferase: inhibition by D-beta-aminoglutaryl-L-alanine and analysis of the solvent kinetic isotope effect

Spin-echo NMR spectroscopy was used to record the cleavage of a gamma-glutamyl--amino-acid by (5-L-glutamyl)-L-amino-acid 5-glutamyltransferase (cyclizing) (gamma-glutamylcyclotransferase) in human erythrocyte hemolysates. The Michaelis-Menten steady-state kinetic parameters were obtained by fitting the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation to the reaction time curves. The product, L-5-oxoproline, was shown to be an inhibitor of the reaction. The active site of the enzyme was probed by studies of the inhibition by D- and L-beta-aminoglutaryl-L-alanine which are the beta-amino-acid isomers of D- and L-gamma-glutamyl-L-alanine (the latter being a natural substrate of the enzyme); the D-isomer was the more potent inhibitor (Ki = 0.30 +/- 0.02 mmol/l water). When the alanyl alpha-carboxyl of the inhibitor was reduced to a hydroxyl (i.e. to give D-beta-aminoglutaryl-L-alaninol) the potency of inhibition was reduced. The previously reported kinetic isotope effect of solvent 2H2O on the enzyme-catalyzed reaction has been further studied using a proton inventory. We propose that the solvent kinetic isotope effect is due to an intramolecular proton transfer between the glutamyl amino group and the peptide bond nitrogen.     

Assimilation of alpha-glutamyl-peptides by human erythrocytes. A possible means of glutamate supply for glutathione synthesis.

Human erythrocytes are essentially impermeable to glutamate and yet there is a continual requirement for the amino acid for glutathione synthesis. In addition, the intracellular glutamate concentration is approximately five times that of plasma. We present evidence that glutamate enters the red cell as small peptides which are rapidly hydrolysed by cytoplasmic peptidase(s) and that with the estimated physiological levels of plasma glutamyl-peptides the rate of inward flux would be adequate to maintain the glutamate pool at its observed level. Experimentally, we used 1H spin-echo n.m.r. spectroscopy to follow peptide hydrolysis, since peptide spectra are different from those of the free amino acids and the spin-echo sequence enables the monitoring of reactions in concentrated lysates and whole cell suspensions. Thus, the system was studied under near-physiological conditions. Weighted non-linear regression analysis of progress curves using the integrated Michaelis-Menten equation was used to obtain estimates of Km and Vmax. for the hydrolysis of alpha-L-glutamyl-L-alanine and L-alanyl-alpha-L-glutamate in lysates and whole cell suspensions; the values for lysates were Km = 3.60 +/- 0.29 and 5.4 +/- 0.4 mmol/l and Vmax. = 120 +/- 4 and 46.7 +/- 1.7 mmol/h per 1 of packed cells respectively. In whole cell suspensions the rate of peptide hydrolysis was much slower and dominated by the transmembrane flux-rate. The estimates of the steady-state kinetic parameters for the transport were Kt = 2.35 +/- 0.41 and 11.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/l and Vmax. = 3.26 +/- 0.13 and 19.7 +/- 0.7 mmol/h per 1 of packed cells respectively for the previously mentioned peptides. Using the n.m.r. procedure we failed to detect any glutaminase activity in whole cells or lysates; thus, we exclude the possibility that glutamate gains entry to the cell as glutamine which is subsequently hydrolysed by glutaminase.     

Activation of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/H<Superscript>+</Superscript> exchange by protein phosphatase inhibitors in red blood cells of the frog<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Rana ridibunda</Emphasis>

The present study was designed to evaluate the role of protein phosphatases in regulation of sodium transport in the marsh frog erythrocytes using 22Na as a tracer. For this purpose the cells were treated with several known inhibitors of protein phosphatases. In standard isotonic medium, exposure of the cells to 10 mmol l(-1) NaF, 20 nmol l(-1) calyculin A or 0.1 mmol l(-1) cantharidin resulted in a significant (1.7-fold) increase in unidirectional ouabain-insensitive Na+ influx. The Na+ influx in frog red cells was progressively activated as the medium osmolality was increased by addition of 100, 200 or 300 mmol l(-1) sucrose to standard isotonic medium. The stimulatory effect of protein phosphatase blockers on Na+ influx was much higher in hypertonic medium containing 100 or 200 mmol l(-1) sucrose than that in isotonic medium. Stimulation of Na+ transport enhanced with increasing concentrations of calyculin A, and half-maximal activation (EC50) was obtained at 16 nmol l(-1). However, Na+ influx induced by strong hypertonic treatment (+300 mmol l(-1) sucrose) was not altered further in the presence of protein phosphatase inhibitors. The changes in Na+ influx evoked by protein phosphatase inhibitors and hypertonic treatment were associated with a rise in the intracellular Na+, but not K+, content. Enhancement in Na+ influx after addition of protein phosphatase blockers to cell suspension in isotonic or hypertonic media was almost completely inhibited by Na+/H+ exchange inhibitors, amiloride and ethyl-isopropyl-amiloride. The basal Na+ influx in frog erythrocytes in isotonic medium was relatively low (1.7 mmol/l cells/h) and not affected by 1 mmol l(-1) amiloride. Thus, the data obtained clearly indicate that Na+/H+ exchanger in the marsh frog red blood cells is under tight regulatory control, in all likelihood via protein phosphatases of types PP-1 and PP-2A.     

Suicide-peroxide inactivation of microperoxidase-11: a kinetic study

The kinetics of microperoxidase-11 (MP-11) in the oxidation reaction of guaiacol (AH) by hydrogen peroxide was studied, taking into account the inactivation of enzyme during reaction by its suicide substrate, H2O2. Concentrations of substrates were so selected that: 1) the reaction was first-order in relation to benign substrate, AH and 2) high ratio of suicide substrate to the benign substrate, [H2O2] > [AH]. Validation and reliability of the obtained kinetic equations were evaluated in various nonlinear and linear forms. Fitting of experimental data into the obtained integrated equation showed a close match between the kinetic model and the experimental results. Indeed, a similar mechanism to horseradish peroxidase was found for the suicide-peroxide inactivation of MP-11. Kinetic parameters of inactivation including the intact activity of MP-11, alphai, and the apparent inactivation rate constant, ki, were obtained as 0.282 +/- 0.006 min(-1) and 0.497 +/- 0.013(-1) min at [H2O2] = 1.0 mM, 27 degrees C, phosphate buffer 5.0 mM, pH = 7.0. Results showed that inactivation of microperoxidase as a peroxidase model enzyme can occur even at low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (0.4 mM).     

Real-time measurement of nitric oxide by luminol-hydrogen peroxide reaction in crystalloid perfused rat heart

The objective of this study was to develop an assay system that allows continuous monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) released from crystalloid perfused hearts. We utilized chemiluminescence reaction between NO and luminol-H(2)O(2) to quantify the NO level in coronary effluent. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to ordinary Langendorff's perfusion, and the right ventricle was cannulated to sample coronary effluent. After equilibration, the coronary flow rate was set constant and the hearts were paced at 300 bpm. Coronary effluent was continuously sampled and mixed with the chemiluminescent probe containing 0.018 mmol/l luminol plus 10 mmol/l H(2)O(2). Chemiluminescence from the mixture of coronary effluent and the probe was continuously measured. NO concentration was calibrated by various concentrations (0.5-400 pmol/l) of standard NO solution. The lower detection limit of NO was 1 pmol/l. Basal NO release from isolated perfused rat heart was 0.41 +/- 0.17 pmol/min/g of heart weight, and that was significantly suppressed by 0.1 mmol/l of L-NAME to 0.18 +/- 0.10 pmol/min/g of heart weight (n = 7). Application of 0.1 and 0.3 micromol/l acetylcholine increased NO level in the coronary effluent, in a concentration-dependent manner, from 6.6 +/- 1.7 in a baseline condition to 16.3 +/- 7.4 and 30.3 +/- 16.1 pmol/l at each peak, respectively. Thrombin at 1 and 10 U/ml also increased NO level from 17.6 +/- 4.3 in control to 35.5 +/- 10.4 and 48.7 +/- 8.7 pmol/l at each peak, respectively (n = 7). Thus, this assay system is applicable to the continuous real-time measurement of NO released from crystalloid perfused hearts, and it may be useful for the study of physiological or pathophysiological role of NO in coronary circulation.     

Amiloride-sensitive sodium transport in lamprey red blood cells: evidence for two distinct transport pathways

To determine Na+/H+ exchange in lamprey erythrocyte membranes, the cells were acidified to pH(i) 6.0 using the K+/H+ ionophore nigericin. Incubation of acidified erythrocytes in a NaCl medium at pH 8.0 caused a considerable rise in 22Na+ influx and H+ efflux during the first 1 min of exposure. In addition, exposure of acidified red cells to NaCl medium was associated with rapid elevation of intracellular Na+ content. The acid-induced changes in Na+ influx and H+ efflux were almost completely inhibited by amiloride and dimethylamiloride. In native lamprey erythrocytes, amiloride-sensitive Na+ influx progressively increased as the osmolality of incubation medium was increased by addition of 100, 200, or 300 mmol/l sucrose. Unexpectedly, the hypertonic stress induced a small, yet statistically significant decrease in intracellular Na+ content in these cells. The reduction in the cellular Na+ content increased with hypertonicity of the medium. The acid- and shrinkage-induced Na+ influxes were inhibited by both amiloride and 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA) in a dose-dependent manner. For both blockers, the half-maximal inhibitory values (IC50) were much greater for the shrinkage-induced (44 and 15 micromol/l for amiloride and EIPA, respectively) than for the acid-induced Na+ influx (5.1 and 3.3 micromol/l, respectively). The data obtained are the first demonstration of the presence of a Na+/H+ exchanger with high activity in acidified (pH(i) 6.0) lamprey red blood cells (on average, 512 +/- 56 mmol/l cells/h, n = 13). The amiloride-sensitive Na+ influxes produced by hypertonic cell shrinkage and acid load are likely to be mediated by distinct ion transporters in these cells.     

Helicobacter pylori catalase

Helicobacter pylori is the major aetiological agent of gastroduodenitis in humans. Due to the potential importance of catalase in the growth and survival of Helicobacter pylori on the surface of inflamed mucosae, we have characterized catalase from H. pylori as a prelude to further studies on the function of the enzyme in vivo. The catalase activity of H. pylori was significantly affected by the presence of blood, serum or erythrocytes in the growth medium: the greatest activity was expressed when the bacterium was grown on medium containing serum. H. pylori catalase is a tetramer with a subunit Mr of 50,000. The enzyme had a pI of 9.0-9.3, was active over a broad pH range and was stable at 56 degrees C. It was non-competitively inhibited by sodium azide, and had no detectable peroxidase activity. The Km for the purified catalase was measured as 43 +/- 3 mM-H2O2 and the V as 60 +/- 3 mmol H2O2 min-1 (mg protein)-1. The native catalase has absorption maxima at 280 nm and 405 nm with further minor shoulders or peaks at 510 nm, 535 nm and 625 nm, consistent with the presence of an iron-porphyrin prosthetic group.     

An Na+-stimulated Mg2+-transport system in human red blood cells

The initial rate of net Mg2+ efflux was measured in human red blood cells by atomic absorption. In fresh erythrocytes incubated in Na+,K+-Ringer's medium this rate was 7.3 +/- 2.8 mumol/l cells per h (mean +/- S.D. of 14 subjects) with an energy of activation of 13 200 cal/mol. Cells with total Mg2+ contents ([ Mg]i) ranging from 1.8 to 24 mmol/l cells were prepared by using a modified p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonate method. Mg2+ efflux was strongly stimulated by increases in [Mg]i and in external Na+ concentrations ([ Na]o). A kinetic analysis of Mg2+ efflux as a function of [Mg]i and [Na]o revealed the existence of two components: an Na+-stimulated Mg2+ efflux, which exhibited a Michaelian-like dependence of free internal Mg2+ content (apparent dissociation constant = 2.6 +/- 1.4 mmol/l cells; mean +/- S.D. of six subjects) and on external Na+ concentration (apparent dissociation constant = 20.5 +/- 1.9 mM; mean +/- S.D. of four subjects) and a variable maximal rate ranging from 35 to 370 mumol/l cells per h, and an Na+-independent Mg2+ efflux, which showed a linear dependence on internal Mg2+ content with a rate constant of (6.6 +/- 0.7) X 10(-3) h-1. Fluxes catalyzed by the Na+-stimulated Mg2+ carrier were partially dependent on the ATP content of the cells and completely inhibited by quinidine (IC50 = 50 microM) and by Mn2+ (IC50 = 0.5-1.0 mM).     

In vivo study of the influence of adenine and guanosine on the erythrocytes of ACD (pH 5.0 and 5.6) preserved blood

Data are presented for percentage of recovery, survival time (T1/2) and mode of sequestration of erythrocytes from ACD [disodium citrate 95 mmol/l and glucose (C6H12O6 X H2O)] 152 mmol/l or ACD--adenine or adenine + guanosine (pH ranging from 5.0 to 5.6) preserved blood for 35 days at 4-8 degrees C (277-281 K). With the availability of guanosine in 0.25 mmol/l or 0.5 mmol/l final concentration in ACD + 0.25 or 0.5 mmol/l adenine preserved blood a positive effect can be exerted on erythrocyte 24 hrs recovery and survival time (T1/2). This effect is particularly evident when pH of the preservative solution is raised to 5.6. Final concentrations of 0.25 mmol/l adenine and guanosine in ACD preserved blood (whole or packed erythrocytes, pH 5.6, Hct. 0.73 or 0.61) are sufficient to ensure 35 days of storage at 4-8 degrees C (277-281 K).     

Oxygen binding and acid base status of the blood from the freshwater turtle, Phrynops hilarii

Oxygenation studies with the whole blood of Phrynops hilarii show a P50 of 38 torr at extracellular pH (pHe) of 7.4 which corresponds to an intracellular pH (pHi) of 7.05 at 25 degrees C. The blood CO2 Bohr effect was -0.56 when related to pHi. pHi is related to pHe by the following equation: pHi = 0.75.pHe + 1.54 (r = 0.99); pHi = 0.72. pHe + 1.72 (r = 0.96) at 10 and 25 degrees C respectively. Blood pHe, for 25 degrees C, was 7.519 +/- 0.254 (n = 6). Blood gas partial pressures were: pCO2 = 25.8 +/- 3.8 torr (n = 6); pO2 = 61.7 +/- 21.2 torr (n = 6). The major red cell phosphates, in mmole/l erythrocytes, n = 6, were: ATP (3.66 +/- 0.86); GTP (0.53 +/- 0.28); 2.3-DPG (0.32 +/- 0.12) and inorganic phosphates (2.00 +/- 0.35). The plasma inorganic ion composition, n = 6, was, in mEq/l: K+ (3.04 +/- 0.40); Na+ (148.4 +/- 12.6); Ca2+ (4.75 +/- 1.32); Cl- (106.6 +/- 5.0). Additional blood parameters of interest (n = 6) were: lactate (2.07 +/- 1.72 mM in plasma); erythrocytes/mm3 (416 X 10(3) +/- 4.6 X 10(3)); leucocytes/mm3 (44636 +/- 2618); haematocrit (%) (14.5 +/- 3.6); haemoglobin, g/dl (3.2 +/- 0.5); plasma protein g/dl (4.4 +/- 0.4); osmolarity (293 +/- 10 mOsm/l). The non-bicarbonate buffer value was -22.6 mmol/kg H2O/pH. For a constant CO2 content, delta pHe/delta t = 0.0141 +/- 0.002 (n = 18) and delta pHi/delta t = 0.0157 +/- 0.003 (n = 18).     

Peptide hydra morphogen activates Na/H-exchange in human erythrocytes

The effect of peptide morphogen of hydra (PMH) on Na+/H+ exchange in human erythrocytes was studied. It was shown that this peptide leads to 2-7 fold activation of the rate of protons efflux from the human erythrocytes at concentration 100 nM. It was assumed, that peptide controls and regulates proliferation via the activation Na+/H+ exchange.     

Determination of serum cholinesterase activity by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A sensitive enzymatic assay to measure cholinesterase activity in serum using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection has been devised and used to examine cholinesterase inhibition in mice treated with diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate. Acetylcholine was used as substrate, and a postcolumn reactor containing immobilized choline oxidase converted the enzymatic product, choline, and the internal standard, ethylhomocholine, into the electrochemically active H2O2. The postcolumn reactor also contained acetylcholinesterase to allow the indirect detection of the substrate. Assay optimization included investigations of substrate concentration, buffer pH and ionic strength, enzyme concentration, incubation time, and reaction termination method. The optimized procedure is applicable to samples with activities of 0.11 to 269 mmol/ml/h. Intrasample coefficient of variation for mouse serum samples was 1.7% (n = 12), while intersample coefficient of variation was 8.0% (n = 5). The mean +/- SE serum cholinesterase activity found for controls and mice treated with diisopropyl phosphofluoridate (6.3 mg/kg, ip, 24 h prior) was 158.7 +/- 5.7 mumol/ml/h and 36.6 +/- 3.1 mumol/ml/h, respectively (P less than 0.001).     

Kinetics and effects of trace elements and electron complexes on 2-keto-4-methylthiobutyric acid-dependent biosynthesis of ethylene in soil

AIMS: 2-Keto-4-methylthiobutyric acid (KMBA) is an established intermediate in microbial biosynthesis of ethylene from methionine. This study demonstrates the kinetics and effects of trace elements and electron complexes on substrate (KMBA)-derived C2H4 biosynthesis in soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have previously reported KMBA-dependent C2H4 production in soil. We studied the kinetics and effects of various trace elements and electron complexes on KMBA-derived C2H4 biosynthesis in soil by gas chromatography. Kinetic analysis revealed that ethylene forming enzyme (EFE) reaction was linear (R2 = 0.9448) when velocity of reaction (V) was plotted against substrate [S] over the range from 2.5 to 10 mmol l(-1) and thus followed a first order reaction. Application of three linear transformations of the Michaelis-Menten equation indicated high affinity of EFE for the substrate because Km values ranged between 5.4 and 6.67 mmol l(-1) and Vmax of reaction was between 22.4 and 35.7 nmol kg(-1) soil 120 cm(-1). Most of the trace elements exhibited positive effects on KMBA-dependent C2H4 production in soil. Maximum stimulatory effect on C2H4 biosynthesis was observed in response to Co(II) application, while Fe(III) inhibited the biotransformation of KMBA into C2H4. Contrarily, most of the tested electron complexes inhibited KMBA-derived C2H4 biosynthesis in the soil. However, lower concentrations (1.0 mmol l(-1)) of mannitol and hydroquinone were stimulatory to C2H4 production in soil compared with controls (substrate only). Conclusions: The results revealed that both kind and concentration of trace elements and electron complexes affected the substrate-dependent production of C2H4 in soil with different degrees of efficacy. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The C2H4 in the root environment could be physiologically active even at low concentrations, so knowledge regarding various factors which regulate C2H4 biosynthesis in soil could be of significance for plant growth and development.     

Galanin in the porcine pancreas.

Galanin, a 29 amino acid neuropeptide, was recently isolated from pig intestine. We studied the localization, nature and effect of galanin in pig pancreas. Galanin immunoreactive nerve fibers were regularly found in the pancreas. A peptide chromatographically similar to synthetic galanin was identified in pancreas extracts. The effect of galanin on the endocrine and exocrine secretion was studied in isolated pancreases, perfused with a synthetic medium containing 3.5, 5 or 8 mmol/l glucose and synthetic galanin (10(-10)-10(-8) mol/l). There was no effect on the basal exocrine secretion. The output of insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) was measured in the effluent. There was no effect on PP secretion. At a perfusate glucose concentration of 5 mmol/l, galanin at 10(-9) mol/l increased insulin secretion by 55 +/- 14% (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 5) of basal secretion, and at 10(-8) mol/l by 58 +/- 27% (n = 6). At 8 mmol/l glucose, insulin secretion increased by 25 +/- 10% (n = 6) and 62 +/- 17% (n = 8). At 5 mmol/l glucose glucagon secretion was increased by 15 +/- 3% (n = 5) by galanin at 10(-9) mol/l and by 29 +/- 11% (n = 5) by galanin at 10(-8) mol/l, and at 8 mmol/l glucose by 66 +/- 27% and 41 +/- 25%. Somatostatin secretion was inhibited to 72 +/- 2% (n = 5) of basal secretion by galanin at 10(-9) mol/l and to 65 +/- 7% (n = 7) at galanin at 10(-8) mol/l, both at 5 mmol/l glucose. At 8 mmol/l the figures were 83 +/- 6% and 70 +/- 10%. Insulin secretion in response to square wave increases in glucose concentration from 3.5 to 11 mmol/l (n = 5) increased 2-fold during simultaneous perfusion with galanin (10(-8) mol/l).     

Nitrophenylphosphate as a tool to characterize gill Na, K-ATPase activity in hyperregulating Crustacea

The kinetic properties of a gill Na(+), K(+)-ATPase from the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium olfersii were studied using p-nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP) as a substrate. Sucrose gradient centrifugation of the microsomal fraction revealed a single protein fraction that hydrolyzed PNPP. The Na(+), K(+)-ATPase hydrolyzed PNPP (K(+)-phosphatase activity) obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics with K(M)=1.72+/-0.06 mmol l(-1) and V(max)=259.1+/-11.6 U mg(-1). ATP was a competitive inhibitor of K(+)-phosphatase activity with a K(i)=50.1+/-2.5 micromol l(-1). A cooperative effect for the stimulation of the enzyme by potassium (K(0.5)=3.62+/-0.18 mmol l(-1); n(H)=1.5) and magnesium ions (K(0.5)=0.61+/-0.02 mmol l(-1), n(H)=1.3) was found. Sodium ions had no effect on K(+)-phosphatase activity up to 1.0 mmol l(-1), but above 80 mmol l(-1) inhibited the original activity by approximately 75%. In the range of 0-10 mmol l(-1), sodium ions did not affect stimulation of the K(+)-phosphatase activity by potassium ions. Ouabain (K(i)=762.4+/-26.7 micromol l(-1)) and orthovanadate (K(i)=0.25+/-0.01 micromol l(-1)) completely inhibited the K(+)-phosphatase activity, while thapsigargin, oligomycin, sodium azide and bafilomycin were without effect. These data demonstrate that the activity measured corresponds to that of the K(+)-phosphatase activity of the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alone and suggest that the use of PNPP as a substrate to characterize K(+)-phosphatase activity may be a useful technique in comparative osmoregulatory studies of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in crustacean gill tissues, and for consistent comparisons with well known mechanistic properties of the vertebrate enzyme.     

The cyclin-dependent kinases cdk2 and cdk5 act by a random, anticooperative kinetic mechanism

cdk2.cyclin E and cdk5.p25 are two members of the cyclin-dependent kinase family that are potential therapeutic targets for oncology and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. In this study we have investigated the mechanism for these enzymes. Kinases catalyze the transfer of phosphate from ATP to a protein acceptor, thus utilizing two substrates, ATP and the target protein. For a two-substrate reaction, possible kinetic mechanisms include: ping-pong, sequential random, or sequential ordered. To determine the kinetic mechanism of cdk2.GST-cyclin E and cdk5.GST-p25, kinase activity was measured in experiments in which concentrations of peptide and ATP substrates were varied in the presence of dead-end inhibitors. A peptide identical to the peptide substrate, but with a substitution of valine for the phosphoacceptor threonine, competed with substrate with a K(i) value of 0.6 mm. An aminopyrimidine, PNU 112455A, was identified in a screen for inhibitors of cdk2. Nonlinear least squares and Lineweaver-Burk analyses demonstrated that the inhibitor PNU 112455A was competitive with ATP with a K(i) value of 2 microm. In addition, a co-crystal of PNU 112455A with cdk2 showed that the inhibitor binds in the ATP binding pocket of the enzyme. Analysis of the inhibitor data demonstrated that both kinases use a sequential random mechanism, in which either ATP or peptide may bind first to the enzyme active site. For both kinases, the binding of the second substrate was shown to be anticooperative, in that the binding of the first substrate decreases the affinity of the second substrate. For cdk2.GST-cyclin E the kinetic parameters were determined to be K(m, ATP) = 3.6 +/- 1.0 microm, K(m, peptide) = 4.6 +/- 1.4 microm, and the anticooperativity factor, alpha = 130 +/- 44. For cdk5.GST-p25, the K(m, ATP) = 3.2 +/- 0.7 microm, K(m, peptide) = 1.6 +/- 0.3 microm, and alpha = 7.2 +/- 1.8.     

Influence of simulated ischemia on apoptosis induction by oxidative stress in adult cardiomyocytes of rats

Oxidative stress may cause apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in ischemic-reperfused myocardium. We investigated whether ischemia-reperfusion modifies the susceptibility of cardiomyocyte induction of apoptosis by oxidative stress. Ischemia was simulated by incubating isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats in an anoxic, glucose-free medium, pH 6.4, for 3 h. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining and the detection of DNA laddering were used as apoptotic markers. H(2)O(2) (7.5 micromol/l) induced apoptosis in 20.1 +/- 1.8% of cells under normoxic conditions but only 14.4 +/- 1.6% (n = 6, P < 0.05) after ischemia-reoxygenation. This partial protection of ischemic-reoxygenated cells was observed despite a reduction in their cellular glutathione content, from 11.4 +/- 1.9 in normoxic controls to 2.9 +/- 0.8 nmol/mg protein (n = 3, P < 0.05). Elevation of end-ischemic glutathione contents by pretreatment with 1 mmol/l N-acetylcysteine entirely protected ischemic-reoxygenated cells against induction of apoptosis by H(2)O(2). In conclusion, ischemia-reperfusion can protect cardiomyocytes against induction of apoptosis by exogenous oxidative stress. This endogenous protective effect is most clearly demonstrated when control and postischemic cardiomyocytes are compared at similar glutathione levels.