The role of calcium at the sarcolemma in the control of myocardial contractility

The importance of sarcolemmal-bound calcium (Ca) in the control of contraction in mammalian myocardium is indicated by the following results. The curve that relates [Ca]o (from 50 microM to 10 mM) to force development and that which relates [Ca]o to Ca bound to a highly purified sarcolemmal fraction are superimposable. The ability of a series of cations to uncouple excitation from contraction is the same as their relative ability to displace Ca from the sarcolemma. Dimethonium, which specifically displaces cation from the diffuse double layer of the cellular surface, has little effect on contractile force. This indicates that the Ca actually bound to the sarcolemma is the surface Ca important in contractile control. Polymyxin B, a highly charged cationic amphiphilic peptidolipid, specifically competes for Ca-binding sites on anionic and zwitterionic phospholipid. It is a potent displacer of Ca from myocardial cells and purified sarcolemma and a potent uncoupler. Phospholipase D cleaves the nitrogenous base from sarcolemmal phospholipid with production of anionic phosphatidic acid. Phospholipase D treatment increases Ca bound to cells and purified sarcolemma and increases force development of ventricular tissue from both neonatal rat and adult rabbit. Insertion of charged amphiphiles in the sarcolemma as phospholipid analogues modulate interaction of Ca with the sarcolemma, e.g., anionic dodecylsulfate increases Ca bound to sarcolemmal vesicles by more than 80% and increases force development in rabbit papillary muscle by 100%. The effect of pH variation on Ca binding to phospholipid extracted from sarcolemma indicates that phospholipid accounts for at least 75% of the binding. The current model proposes a two-site control of Ca binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of lipid intermediates on Ca2+ and Na+ permeability and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of cardiac sarcolemma. A possible role in myocardial ischemia

The effect of fatty acid and acylcarnitine on Ca2+ and Na+ transporting enzymes and carriers was studied in sealed cardiac sarcolemma vesicles of mixed polarity. Palmitoylcarnitine markedly reduced the Na+ gradient-induced Ca2+ uptake. Half-maximal reduction was obtained at 15 microM of the carnitine derivative. In a same concentration range palmitoylcarnitine caused a rapid release of accumulated Ca2+ when added to Ca2+-filled vesicles, which suggests that palmitoylcarnitine increases the permeability of the sarcolemma vesicles to Ca2+. A rapid release of Ca2+ was also observed if Ca2+ was taken up by action of the Ca2+ pump. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, which most likely drives this active Ca2+ uptake, was 90% increased by 50 microM palmitoylcarnitine and evidence was presented that the acylcarnitine effect again was linked to an alteration of Ca2+ permeability of the vesicles. At the same concentration acylcarnitine was not able to unmask the latent protein kinase, so that probably the sarcolemma ATP permeability was not affected. Palmitoylcarnitine at 25 microM did not affect the ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+) -ATPase in native sarcolemma vesicles, however, it inhibited markedly if the enzyme was measured in SDS-treated vesicles. The effect of increased free fatty acid concentration on some of the sarcolemma transporting properties was tested by adding oleate-albumin complexes with different molar ratios to the sarcolemma vesicles. In contrast to molar ratios 1 and 5, the ratio of 7 was able to induce a rapid Ca2+ release and to inhibit (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in either native or SDS-treated vesicles markedly. 22Na release from 22Na-preloaded sarcolemma vesicles was shown to be stimulated by either palmitoylcarnitine (50 microM) or oleate-albumin complex (with a molar ratio of 7). The possible significance of the observed effects of lipid intermediates on ion permeability and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in isolated sarcolemma vesicles for the derangement of cardiac cell function in ischemia is discussed.     

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase. Activation by palmitoyl-CoA and inactivation by malonyl-CoA

Extraction of rat liver mitochondria twice with 0.5% Triton X-100 in a salt-free medium leaves less than 10% of the carnitine palmitoyltransferase membrane bound. The remaining membrane-bound enzyme is inhibited virtually completely by 10 microM malonyl-CoA. Preincubation of the extracted membranes with palmitoyl-CoA and salts (KCI) for several minutes activates the enzyme and makes it increasingly insensitive to malonyl-CoA. Addition of malonyl-CoA to the preincubation reverses this desensitization. In albumin-containing media salts also decrease the binding of palmitoyl-CoA to albumin and stimulate carnitine palmitoyltransferase by increasing substrate availability in free solution. The reverse reaction shows accelerated desensitization by palmitoylcarnitine and resensitization by malonyl-CoA.     

Skeletal muscle sarcolemma in malignant hyperthermia: evidence for a defect in calcium regulation

Sarcolemmal properties implicated in the skeletal muscle disorder, malignant hyperthermia (MH), were examined using sarcolemma-membrane vesicles isolated from normal and MH-susceptible (MHS) porcine skeletal muscle. MHS and normal sarcolemma did not differ in the distribution of the major proteins, cholesterol or phospholipid content, vesicle size and sidedness, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, ouabain binding, or adenylate cyclase activity (total and isoproterenol sensitivity). The regulation of the initial rates of MHS and normal sarcolemmal ATP-dependent calcium transport (calcium uptake after 1 min) by Ca2+ (K1/2 = 0.64-0.81 microM), calmodulin, and cAMP-dependent protein kinase were similar. However, when sarcolemmal calcium content was measured at either 2 or 20 min after the initiation of active calcium transport, a significant difference between MHS and normal sarcolemmal calcium uptake became apparent, with MHS sarcolemma accumulating approximately 25% less calcium than normal sarcolemma. Calcium transport by MHS and normal sarcolemma, at 2 or 20 min, had a similar calmodulin dependence (C1/2 = 150 nM), and was stimulated to a similar extent by cAMP-dependent protein kinase or calmodulin. Halothane inhibited MHS and normal sarcolemmal active calcium uptake in a similar fashion (half-maximal inhibition at 10 mM halothane), while dantrolene (30 microM) and nitrendipine (1 microM) had little effect on either MHS or normal sarcolemmal calcium transport. After 20 min of ATP-supported calcium uptake, 2 mM EGTA plus 10 microM sodium orthovanadate were added to initiate sarcolemmal calcium efflux. Following an initial rapid phase of calcium release, an extended slow phase of calcium efflux (k = 0.012 min-1) was similar for both MHS and normal sarcolemma vesicles. We conclude that although a number of sarcolemmal properties, including passive calcium permeability, are normal in MH, a small but significant defect in MHS sarcolemmal ATP-dependent calcium transport may contribute to the abnormal calcium homeostasis and altered contractile properties of MHS skeletal muscle.     

Heart sarcolemmal Ca2+ transport in endotoxin shock: II. Mechanism of impairment in ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport

The role of the phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of sarcolemma and that of the alteration of membrane lipids in the endotoxin-induced impairment of the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport in canine cardiac sarcolemma were investigated. The results indicate that the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport in canine cardiac sarcolemma was decreased by 30–35% 4h after endotoxin administration. Phosphorylation of sarcolemma by the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase or calmodulin stimulated ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport in both groups, however, the phosphorylation-stimulated activities remained significantly lower in endotoxic animals. Dephosphorylation of sarcolemma decreased ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport in both groups, yet, the time required to reach maximal dephosphorylation was reduced from 120 to 90 min 4 h post-endotoxin. Analysis of sarcolemmal membranes reveals that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine contents were decreased while their respective lysophosphatide levels were increased significantly after endotoxin injection. Digestion of control heart sarcolemma with phospholipase A₂ inhibited Ca²⁺ transport and the inhibition was reversible by phosphatidylcholine. The inhibition caused by the in vivo administration of endotoxin was completely reversible by the addition of phosphatidylcholine. Based on these data, it is concluded that endotoxin administration impairs ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport in canine cardiac sarcolemma and that the impairment may be due to i) a defective phosphorylation of sarcolemma; ii) a reduced number of Ca²⁺ pumps; iii) an accelerated dephosphorylation of sarcolemma; and iv) an alteration in membrane phospholipid profile in response to phospholipase A activation.     

Production of lysophospholipids and free fatty acids by a sarcolemmal fraction from canine myocardium.

The potential for injury of myocardial sarcolemma by endogenous lipases was studied. The sarcolemmal fraction was incubated for 30 min under conditions found optimal for hydrolysis of exogenous phosphatidylethanolamine (5 mM calcium, pH 7.0, 37°C). Incubation of the sarcolemmal fraction increased significantly the level of total free fatty acids (14.1 to 31.1 nmoles/mg protein, P < 0.001); in addition, production of arachidonic acid was increased significantly (P < 0.01). Lysophosphatidylcholine was increased significantly (P < 0.01) but the content of lysophosphatidylethanolamine was unchanged. A large proportion of the above free fatty acids (10.2 nmoles/mg protein) was derived from the hydrolysis of triacylglycerols. These data demonstrate that the sarcolemmal fraction preferentially hydrolyses endogenous membrane phosphatidylcholine at neutral pH in the presence of calcium with the formation of lysophosphatidylcholine and free fatty acids including arachidonic acid.     

Effects of the mode of addition of acyl-CoA on the initial rate of formation of acylcarnitine in the presence of carnitine by intact rat liver mitochondria in vitro.

Time courses for the formation of palmitoylcarnitine from palmitoyl-CoA and carnitine, catalysed by the overt activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT I) in rat liver mitochondria, were obtained. Significant initial non-linearity was observed only when reactions were started by addition of a concentrated solution of palmitoyl-CoA (4mM, to give a final concentration of 100 microM) uncomplexed to albumin. Minimal effects were observed when the reactions were started by addition of palmitoyl-CoA-albumin mixtures, even though the final palmitoyl-CoA/albumin molar ratios in the assay medium were identical in the two sets of experiments.     

Enzyme release and mitochondrial activity in reoxygenated cardiac muscle: relationship with oxygen-induced lipid peroxidation

The aim of this work was to precisely determine the sites of the peroxidative action on unsatured lipids by oxygen-derived free radicals and the lytic cell damage on reoxygenated perfused hearts. The cellular load of lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) during the reoxygenation was dependent on PO2. This unfavorable biochemical response was linked to creatine kinase leakage, alteration of coronary flow and mitochondrial injury. When an enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, 290 IU/minute) or tripeptide scavenger of oxygen radicals (reduced glutathione, 0.5 mmol/l) was administered at the end of hypoxia and during reoxygenation, the abnormal intolerance of hypoxic heart to molecular oxygen was significantly weakened; the load of lipid peroxides load, enzyme release, and vascular alteration were all reduced. Moreover, mitochondrial activity was enhanced and the oxygen-induced uncoupling of mitochondrial remained limited: both the respiratory control ratio (RCR) and the ADP/O ratio were higher than in control reoxygenated hearts. The inhibition by rotenone (100 mumol/l) of reoxidation of electron chain transfer during oxygen readmission also reduced the unfavorable cardiac accumulation of lipid peroxidation products and the release of creatine kinase. These data demonstrate that in the oxygen paradox, the peroxidative attack on lipids plays an important role in inducing alterations of sarcolemmal permeability and mitochondrial activity. An uncontrolled reactivation of oxidative function of mitochondria during reoxygenation enhances the synthesis of oxygen-derived free radicals and triggers the peroxidation of cardiac lipids resulting in irreversible injury to cellular and intracellular membranes.     

Temporary blockade of contractility during reperfusion elicits a cardioprotective effect of the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB-203580

p38 MAP kinase activation is known to be deleterious not only to mitochondria but also to contractile function. Therefore, p38 MAP kinase inhibition therapy represents a promising approach in preventing reperfusion injury in the heart. However, reversal of p38 MAP kinase-mediated contractile dysfunction may disrupt the fragile sarcolemma of ischemic-reperfused myocytes. We, therefore, hypothesized that the beneficial effect of p38 MAP kinase inhibition during reperfusion can be enhanced when contractility is simultaneously blocked. Isolated and perfused rat hearts were paced at 330 rpm and subjected to 20 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion. p38 MAP kinase was activated after ischemia and early during reperfusion (<30 min). Treatment with the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB-203580 (10 microM) for 30 min during reperfusion, but not the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase inhibitor SP-600125 (10 microM), improved contractility but increased creatine kinase release and infarct size. Cotreatment with SB-203580 and the contractile blocker 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM, 20 mM) or the ultra-short-acting beta-blocker esmorol (0.15 mM) for the first 30 min during reperfusion significantly reduced creatine kinase release and infarct size. In vitro mitochondrial ATP generation and myocardial ATP content were significantly increased in the heart cotreated with SB-203580 and BDM during reperfusion. Dystrophin was translocated from the sarcolemma during ischemia and reperfusion. SB-203580 increased accumulation of Evans blue dye in myocytes depleted of sarcolemmal dystrophin during reperfusion, whereas cotreatment with BDM facilitated restoration of sarcolemmal dystrophin and mitigated sarcolemmal damage after withdrawal of BDM. These results suggest that treatment with SB-203580 during reperfusion aggravates myocyte necrosis but concomitant blockade of contractile force unmasks cardioprotective effects of SB-203580.     

Purification of rabbit myocardial cytosolic acyl-CoA hydrolase, identity with lysophospholipase, and modulation of enzymic activity by endogenous cardiac amphiphiles

Rabbit myocardial cytosolic acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) hydrolase activity was purified to near-homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation and ion-exchange, gel filtration, chromatofocusing, and hydroxylapatite chromatographies. Kinetic analysis of the purified protein demonstrated a maximum velocity of 24 mumol/(mg . min) and an apparent Michaelis constant of 50 microM. Cytosolic acyl-CoA hydrolase and lysophospholipase activities cochromatographed in every fraction of every step. The purified protein was a single band (Mr 23 000) after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. These results suggest that cytosolic lysophospholipase and palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activities are catalyzed by a single polypeptide with dual activities. Palmitoyl-CoA competitively inhibited lysophospholipase activity (Ki = 4 microM). Low concentrations (20 microM) of lysophosphatidylcholine or L-palmitoylcarnitine increased palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity at low palmitoyl-CoA concentrations but had little effect at high concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA. In contrast, high concentrations (100 microM) of lysophosphatidylcholine or L-palmitoylcarnitine inhibited palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase activity. The results suggest that interactions between endogenous cardiac amphiphiles and palmitoyl-CoA hydrolase contribute to the regulation of intracellular long-chain acyl-CoA concentrations and therefore potentially modulate fluxes of fatty acid through several biochemical pathways.     

Control of cardiac sodium pump by long-chain acyl coenzymes A

Since we had shown recently that fatty acyl-CoA derivatives stimulate (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity at suboptimal ATP concentrations, we used sealed vesicles of beef heart sarcolemma to examine the effects of these compounds on the transport function of the enzyme. The sodium pump was detected in inside-out vesicles as a component of Na+ uptake that was dependent on intravesicular (extracellular) K+ and extravesicular (intracellular) ATP and was sensitive to vanadate and digitoxigenin. The pump flux was stimulated without a lag by palmitoyl-CoA (K0.5 = 3 microM) when ATP concentration was 50 microM, but not when it was 2 mM. Saturating palmitoyl-CoA reduced the K0.5 of ATP for the pump by a factor of 3-6. Raising the intracellular K+ concentration increased the K0.5 of ATP, and this effect of K+ was antagonized by palmitoyl-CoA. At concentrations up to 0.5 mM, palmitoyl-CoA had no effect on ATP-independent (passive) Na+ uptake. All tested long-chain acyl-CoA derivatives had effects similar to that of palmitoyl-CoA; but CoA, acetyl-CoA, and palmitic acid were ineffective. Palmitoyl carnitine and docosahexanoic acid, amphiphilic compounds with inhibitory and biphasic effects on the hydrolytic activity of purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, had purely inhibitory effects on the pump at high concentrations that also affected the passive fluxes. The data support the proposition that fatty acyl-CoA derivatives mimic the effect of ATP at a regulatory site and suggest that these intracellular liponucleotides may be involved in the control of the pump.     

Dihydropyridine binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in rabbit heart sarcolemma and skeletal muscle transverse-tubules: role of disulfide, sulfhydryl and phosphate groups

The dihydropyridine receptor is associated with the L-type Ca2+ channel in the cell membrane. In this study we have examined the effects of group-specific modification on dihydropyridine binding in heart sarcolemmal membranes isolated from the rabbit. Specifically, dithiothreitol and glutathione were employed to assess the possible role of disulfide (-SS-) bonds in the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines. NEM, PCMS and iodoacetamide were employed to examine the effect of blocking free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) on the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines to their receptor in heart sarcolemma. Glutathione inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to sarcolemmal membranes 100%, with an IC50 value of 50 microM, while DTT inhibited maximally by 75% with an IC50 value in the millimolar range. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups by NEM or iodoacetamide inhibited binding of [3H]PN200-110 binding in cardiac sarcolemma approx. 40-60%. Blocking of free sulfhydryl groups by PCMS completely inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to their receptor in sarcolemmal membranes in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 20 microM. These results suggest the involvement of disulfide bonds and free sulfhydryl groups in DHP binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in heart muscle. We also examined the effect of membrane phosphorylation on the specific binding of the dihydropyridine [3H]nitrendipine to its receptor. Phosphorylation was studied in cardiac sarcolemmal as well as skeletal muscle transverse-tubule membranes. Phosphorylation due to endogenous protein kinase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase was without effect on [3H]nitrendipine binding in both cardiac sarcolemmal and skeletal muscle membranes. Addition of exogenous calmodulin under conditions known to promote Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation increased [3H]nitrendipine binding 20% with no alteration in KD in both types of membrane preparation. These results suggest a role for calmodylin in dihydropyridine binding to L-type Ca2+ channels.     

Effect of dietary lipid and vitamin E on mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and hepatic injury in the bile duct-ligated rat.

To assess whether lipid peroxidation of hepatic mitochondria is associated with cholestatic hepatic injury we examined the effect of bile duct ligation (BDL) versus sham surgery on mitochondrial lipids of rats maintained on one of seven diets. Diets included vitamin E-deficient (E-) and vitamin E-sufficient (E+) combined with normal lipid (11.9% calories as stripped corn oil), high lipid (35% calories as stripped corn oil), or n-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplementation. Rats were killed 17 days after surgery, mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation, and lipid-conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) were measured in mitochondrial lipids as indices of lipid peroxidation. BDL resulted in significant increases in lipid peroxidation in all dietary groups. The E- high lipid diets (with either corn oil or fish oil) were associated with higher lipid peroxide and serum bilirubin values in BDL rats compared to the normal lipid diets. Fish oil supplementation did not ameliorate cholestatic or oxidative injury. Serum alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and cholylglycine levels correlated significantly with levels of mitochondrial conjugated dienes and TBARS. These data suggest that free radical stress occurs during BDL in the rat and may result in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, and that diets high in lipid may increase free radical damage to hepatic mitochondria. The role of free radicals in cholestatic hepatic injury requires further investigation.     

The relationship between palmitoyl-coenzyme A synthetase activity and esterification of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate by the microsomal fraction of guinea-pig intestinal mucosa

1. With microsomal fractions of guinea-pig intestinal mucosa the mean specific activity of palmitoyl-CoA synthetase was approx. 1.3-fold the esterification of sn-glycerol 3-phosphate with palmitoyl-CoA generated by the endogenous synthetase. The latter activity was approx. 2.5- and 5-fold that when palmitoyl-CoA was generated from palmitoylcarnitine or when it was added directly to the assay system. 2. There were significant correlations (P<0.001) between the specific activities of palmitoyl-CoA synthetase and glycerolipid synthesis from either palmitate or palmitoylcarnitine. 3. The mean molar composition of glycerolipid synthesized from palmitate or palmitoylcarnitine was approx. 18% lysophosphatidate, 75% phosphatidate and 7% neutral lipid. 4. Glycerolipid synthesis from palmitate was inhibited by 80–90% after preincubation of microsomal fractions at 37°C for 40min and was caused by inactivation of palmitoyl-CoA synthetase. 5. Addition of 100–400mm-KCl inhibited palmitoyl-CoA synthetase activity and glycerolipid synthesis from palmitate but stimulated glycerol phosphate acyltransferase activity. 6. Diversion of palmitoyl-CoA synthesized by the endogenous synthetase to palmitoylcarnitine resulted in an almost stoicheiometric decrease in glycerolipid synthesis. 7. Addition of rac-1-monopalmitin promoted utilization of palmitoyl-CoA by the monoglyceride pathway but did not inhibit phosphatidate biosynthesis. 8. With rate-limiting concentrations of CoA and Mg²⁺ the relative decreases in velocity for palmitoyl-CoA synthetase and glycerolipid synthesis from palmitate were almost identical. However, low concentrations of palmitate and ATP produced greater decreases in synthetase activity than in glycerolipid synthesis. 9. There appears to be a fine balance between the activities of palmitoyl-CoA synthetase and glycerol phosphate acyltransferase, with neither activity being in excess with respect to phosphatidate synthesis.     

Na+-H+ exchange in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

The transport of Na+ by a purified sarcolemmal vesicular preparation from canine ventricular tissue was studied as a function of both internal and external pH. The uptake of Na+ into sarcolemmal vesicles increased upon raising the extravesicular pH of the reaction medium. Half-maximal uptake of Na+ was observed at a pHo of about 8.1 and maximal uptake occurred at pH 8.6. The uptake of Na+ by sarcolemma was also dependent upon the intravesicular pH. Na+ uptake into sarcolemmal vesicles was greatly attenuated in the absence of a H+ gradient across the membrane. Transport of Na+ was potently inhibited by amiloride, a known blocker of Na+-H+ exchange. LiCl was also an effective inhibitor of Na+ transport. In the presence of optimal H+ gradients, Na+ uptake was linear for the first 5 seconds of the reaction and exhibited a Vmax of 290 nmol Na+/mg per min and a KNa of 3.5 mM. These experiments strongly indicate the presence of a Na+-H+ exchange system in cardiac sarcolemma. This activity appeared to be relatively specific for this membrane fraction. The identification of Na+-H+ exchange activity in a sarcolemmal vesicular fraction from the heart will permit extensive characterization of the regulation and kinetics of this antiporter in future investigations.     

Involvement of pertussis-toxin-sensitive G protein in muscarinic-receptor-mediated inhibition of K(+)-activated 4-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of cardiac sarcolemma

The effects of the cholinergic agonist carbachol on ouabain-sensitive K(+)-activated 4-nitrophenylphosphatase (K(+)-O2NPhPase) activity of rabbit and pig ventricular sarcolemma were examined. Carbachol (0.01-1000 microM) alone had no effect on K(+)-O2NPase. However, in the presence of GTP (100 microM) or its analog guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S], 1 microM) the agonist reduced this enzymatic activity (IC50 = 0.3 microM) by about 45% in a concentration-dependent manner. The GTP[S]-dependent effect of carbachol was blocked by 10 microM atropine, an antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAcChoR). In the presence of micromolar concentrations of ATP or the GDP analog guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate, carbachol did not change sarcolemmal K(+)-O2NPhPase activity. GTP[S] alone reduced this activity (IC50 = 2 microM) by about 40% in a concentration-dependent manner with a lag period of about 3 min. This lag disappeared in the presence of carbachol. Treatment of sarcolemmal membranes with 20 micrograms/ml pertussis toxin, which catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the 40-41-kDa alpha-subunits of inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gi), abolished the GTP[S]-promoted inhibitory effect of carbachol. Immunochemically, these alpha-subunits were identified as alpha 12- and alpha i3-subunits. It is suggested that the carbachol-induced inhibition of ouabain-sensitive K(+)-O2NPhPase activity of mammalian myocardial sarcolemma is a result of a negative coupling between mAcChoR and Na+/K(+)-ATPase via Gi protein.     

Calmodulin-dependent Ca2+-pump ATPase of human smooth muscle sarcolemma

An enzymatically active Ca2+-stimulated ATPase has been isolated from the sarcolemmal sheets of human smooth muscle (myometrium). Ca2+-ATPase activity was quantitated in an assay medium which simulated the characteristic free ionic concentrations of the cytosol. New computer programs for calculating the composition of solutions containing metals (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and ligands (EGTA, ATP), based on the updated stability constants, were used. In detergent-soluble form the enzyme has a high Ca2+-affinity expressed by an apparent Km (Ca2+) of 0.25 +/- 0.04 microM. The maximum specific activity (about 20 nmol of Pi/mg protein/min) was found in the micromolar domain of free-Ca2+ concentrations, the same levels required for normal maximal contractions in smooth muscle. The variation of free-Ca2+ concentration in the assay medium over 4 orders of magnitude (pCa 9 to pCa 5) resulted in a sigmoidal dependence of enzymatic activity, with a Hill coefficient of 1.4, which suggested the regulation of Ca2+-ATPase by allosteric effectors. The presence and the activator role of endogenous calmodulin in smooth muscle sarcolemma was proved by calmodulin-depletion experiments and by using suitable anticalmodulinic concentrations of trifluoperazine. The addition of exogenous calmodulin restored the enzyme activity. Apparently, the concentration of calmodulin in isolated smooth muscle sarcolemma is about 0.1% of sarcolemmal proteins, as deduced from the comparison of calmodulin-depletion and calmodulin-readdition experiments. Calmodulin increased significantly the enzyme Ca2+-affinity and Vmax (by a factor of about 10). At variance with the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, the sarcolemmal Ca2+-ATPase is extremely sensitive to orthovanadate, half-maximal inhibition being observed at 0.8 microM vanadate. In conclusion, the Ca2+-ATPase isolated from smooth muscle sarcolemma appears very similar to the well-known Ca2+-pump ATPases of erythrocyte membrane, heart sarcolemma or axolemma. We suggest that this high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase represents the calmodulin-regulated Ca2+-extrusion pump of the smooth muscle sarcolemma.     

Specific inhibition of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation by 2-bromopalmitate and its co-enzyme A and carnitine esters

1. The CoA and carnitine esters of 2-bromopalmitate are extremely powerful and specific inhibitors of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. 2. 2-Bromopalmitoyl-CoA, added as such or formed from 2-bromopalmitate, inhibits the carnitine-dependent oxidation of palmitate or palmitoyl-CoA, but not the oxidation of palmitoylcarnitine, by intact liver mitochondria. 3. 2-Bromopalmitoylcarnitine inhibits the oxidation of palmitoylcarnitine as well as that of palmitate or palmitoyl-CoA. It has no effect on succinate oxidation, but inhibits that of pyruvate, 2-oxoglutarate or hexanoate; however, the oxidation of these substrates (but not of palmitate, palmitoyl-CoA or palmitoyl-carnitine) is restored by carnitine. 4. In damaged mitochondria, added 2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA does inhibit palmitoylcarnitine oxidation; pyruvate oxidation is unaffected by the inhibitor alone, but is impaired if palmitoylcarnitine is subsequently added. 5. The findings have been interpreted as follows. 2-Bromopalmitoyl-CoA inactivates (in a carnitine-dependent manner) a pool of carnitine palmitoyltransferase which is accessible to external acyl-CoA. This results in inhibition of palmitate or palmitoyl-CoA oxidation. A second pool of carnitine palmitoyltransferase, inaccessible to added acyl-CoA in intact mitochondria, can generate bromopalmitoyl-CoA within the matrix from external 2-bromopalmitoylcarnitine; this reaction is reversible. Such internal 2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA inactivates long-chain beta-oxidation (as does added 2-bromopalmitoyl-CoA if the mitochondria are damaged) and its formation also sequesters intramitochondrial CoA. Since this CoA is shared by pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenases, the oxidation of their substrates is depressed by 2-bromopalmitoylcarnitine, unless free carnitine is available to act as a ;sink' for long-chain acyl groups. 6. These effects are compared with those reported for other inhibitors of fatty acid oxidation.     

Attenuation of daunorubicin-augmented microsomal lipid peroxidation and oxygen consumption by calcium channel antagonists.

Daunorubicin (20 microM) stimulated NADPH-dependent microsomal lipid peroxidation about 2-fold over control values and enhanced the rate of oxygen utilization by microsomes. The calcium channel blockers tested inhibited daunorubicin-augmented lipid peroxidation and O2 consumption to varying degrees. Inhibition of daunorubicin-stimulated lipid peroxidation was found to be dose dependent; the IC50 (drug concentration producing 50% inhibition of lipid peroxidation) values for verapamil, nifedipine and diltiazem were approximately 150 microM, 200 microM, and 600 microM respectively. Our in vitro studies suggest that calcium channel antagonists may modulate the free radical-mediated, cardiotoxic effects of daunorubicin.     

大鼠心肌整体缺血及离体再灌注致生物膜的损伤作用

目的和方法：利用整体大鼠异丙肾上腺素损伤（ISO）和离体大鼠全心停灌／再灌（I／R）两种模型,观察了心肌缺血和缺血／再灌注对心肌生物膜－线粒体膜及肌纤维膜损伤的影响。结果：ISO（5mg/kg,皮下注射）和I／R（20min/20min)可导致大鼠心脏生物膜产生严重损伤,表现为心肌线粒体脂质过氧化产物明显增加,线粒体磷脂酶A2（PLA2）激活,从而导致线粒体膜磷脂（PL）含量减少,磷脂分解产物游离脂肪酸（FFA）增加,膜脂流动性（LFU）降低,线粒体Ca^2 -ATPase及肌纤维膜Na^ ,K^ -ATPase活性降低,线粒体呼吸功能降低、呼吸链氧化磷酸化解偶联,高能磷酸化合物生成减少。结论：整体ISO和离体I／R可导致大鼠心肌线粒体、肌纤维膜结构和功能损伤。