Intestinal calcium transport in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their genetically matched WKY rats

Calcium transport across the basolateral membranes of the enterocyte represents the active step in calcium translocation. This step occurs by two mechanisms, an ATP-dependent pump and a Ca2+/Na+ exchange process. These studies were designed to investigate these two processes in jejunal basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their genetically matched controls, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The ATP-dependent calcium uptake was stimulated several-fold compared with no ATP condition in both SHR and WKY, but no differences were noted between rate of calcium uptake in SHR and WKY. Kinetics of ATP-dependent calcium uptake at concentrations between 0.01 and 1.0 microM revealed a Vmax of 0.67 +/- 0.03 nmol/mg protein/20 sec and a Km of 0.2 +/- 0.03 microM in SHR and Vmax of 0.69 +/- 0.12 and a Km of 0.32 +/- 0.14 microM in WKY rats. Ca2+/Na+ exchange in jejunal BLMV of SHR and WKY was investigated in two ways. First, sodium was added to the incubation medium (cis-Na+). Second, Ca2+ efflux from BLMV was studied in the presence of extravesicular Na+ (trans-Na+). Both studies suggest a decreased exchange of calcium and Na+. Kinetic parameters of Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ uptake at concentrations between 0.01 and 1.0 microM exhibited Vmax of 0.05 +/- 0.01 nanmol/mg protein/5 sec and a Km of 0.21 +/- 0.13 microM in SHR and Vmax of 0.11 +/- 0.02 nanmol/mg protein/5 sec and a Km of 0.09 +/- 0.05 in WKY, respectively. These results confirm that the intestinal BLMV of SHR and WKY rats have two mechanisms for calcium extrusion, an ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport process and a Na+/Ca2+ exchange process. The ATP-dependent process appears to be functional in SHR; however, the Ca2+/Na+ exchange mechanism appears to have a marked decrease in its maximal capacity. These findings suggest that calcium extrusion via Ca2+/Na+ is impaired in the SHR, which may lead to an increase in intracellular calcium concentration. These findings may have relevance to the development of hypertension.     

Intestinal brush border calcium uptake in spontaneously hypertensive rats and their genetically matched WKY rats

The current studies were designed to characterize calcium transport by intestinal brush border membrane in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and normotensive control, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. The biochemical and functional purity of the intestinal brush border membranes in SHR and WKY rats was validated by marker enzymes and the ability to transiently transport D-glucose in the presence of Na+ gradient. Calcium transport into duodenal and jejunal vesicles represented a minor binding component and transmembrane movement as evident by initial rate studies, A23187 studies, and lanthanum displacement experiments. Initial rate and time course of calcium uptake was lower in SHR compared with WKY rats. Kinetic analysis of calcium uptake by the jejunum (total uptake minus binding component) showed a Vmax of 6.98 +/- 0.2 and 1.8 +/- 0.2 nmol/mg protein/7 sec in WKY rats and SHR, respectively (P less than 0.001), whereas Km values were 0.76 +/- 0.04 and 0.87 +/- 0.1 mM for WKY rats and SHR, respectively. Similar kinetic analysis of calcium uptake by the duodenal segments showed a Vmax of 10.3 +/- 0.8 and 2.8 +/- 0.2 nmol/mg protein/7 sec in WKY rats and SHR, respectively (P less than 0.01). Km values were 0.7 +/- 0.2 and 0.3 +/- 0.06 mM (P greater than 0.05). Vmax of calcium uptake in the 2-week-old rats (prehypertensive period) was 6.0 +/- 0.3 and 3.53 +/- 0.3 nmol/mg protein/7 sec in WKY rats and SHR, respectively (P less than 0.001), whereas Km values were 0.60 +/- 0.07 and 0.5 +/- 0.01 mM, respectively. These results suggest that calcium binding and uptake by duodenal and jejunal intestinal brush border membranes of SHR is significantly decreased compared with WKY rats. The decrease in transmembrane calcium uptake is secondary to decrease in Vmax and is present before the appearance of hypertension, implying a genetically determined defect in calcium uptake in intestinal brush border membranes of the SHR.     

Erythropoietin increases cytosolic free calcium concentration and thrombin induced changes in cytosolic free calcium in platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Using fura-2 cytosolic free calcium concentrations were measured in intact washed platelets from 9 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and from 9 age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In resting platelets cytosolic free calcium concentration was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY (171.8 +/- 64.4 nM vs 93.1 +/- 59.0 nM, p less than 0.05). After preincubation with erythropoietin cytosolic free calcium concentration was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY (197.5 +/- 83.2 vs 93.0 +/- 60.1, p less than 0.01). Using platelets from SHR erythropoietin increased mean resting cytosolic free calcium concentration by 14.9% (p less than 0.05) and mean thrombin induced changes of cytosolic free calcium by 58.3% (p less than 0.01). In contrast, erythropoietin caused no significant increase in the resting calcium concentration or in thrombin induced changes of cytosolic free calcium in platelets from WKY. It is concluded that erythropoietin is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension by elevating cytosolic free calcium concentration.     

Calcium-Dependent Calmodulin Binding to Chromaffin Granule Membranes: Presence of a 65-Kilodalton Calmodulin-Binding Protein

The presence of calmodulin-binding sites on chromaffin granule membranes has been investigated. Saturable, high-affinity 125I-calmodulin-binding sites (KD = 9.8 nM; Bmax = 25 pmol/mg protein) were observed in the presence of 10(-4) M free calcium. A second, nonsaturable, calmodulin-binding activity could also be detected at 10(-7) M free calcium. No binding occurred at lower calcium levels. When chromaffin granule membranes were delipidated by solvent extraction, calmodulin binding was observed at 10(-4) M free calcium. However no binding was detected at lower calcium concentrations. Thus it appears that a calcium concentration of 10(-7) M promotes the binding of calmodulin to some solvent-soluble components of the chromaffin granule membrane. Calmodulin-binding proteins associated with the granule membrane identified by photoaffinity cross-linking. A calmodulin-binding protein complex, of molecular weight 82K, was formed in the presence of 10(-4) M free calcium. This cross-linked product was specific because it was not detected either in the absence of calcium, in the presence of nonlabeled calmodulin, or in the absence of cross-linker activation. When solvent-treated membranes were used, a second, specific, calmodulin-binding protein complex (70K) was formed. Since the apparent molecular weight of calmodulin in our electrophoresis system was 17K, these experiments suggested the presence of two calmodulin-binding proteins, of molecular weights 65K and 53K, in the chromaffin granule membrane. This result was confirmed by the use of calmodulin-affinity chromatography. When detergent-solubilized membranes were applied on the column in the presence of calcium, two polypeptides of apparent molecular weights of 65K and 53K were specifically eluted by EGTA buffers. Since detergent treatments or solvent extractions are necessary to detect the 53K calmodulin-binding protein, it is concluded that only the 65K calmodulin-binding polypeptide may play a role in the interaction between calmodulin and secretory granules in chromaffin cells.     

Magnesium uptake by intestinal brush-border membranes of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Magnesium uptake by intestinal brush-border membranes (BBM) was studied in duodenal and jejunal vesicles of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and normotensive control, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. In the duodenum, no statistical difference was evidenced between the two types of rats. By contrast, initial rates of magnesium uptake in jejunal vesicles were lower in SHR (5.4 +/- 2.1 nmol/mg protein x 10 sec) in comparison to WKY rats (11.0 +/- 2.5 nmol/mg protein x 10 sec) at a magnesium concentration of 1 mM (P less than 0.01). In jejunal BBM, kinetic analysis of magnesium uptake showed three components in WKY rats, with one being diffusional. In SHR, only two components were seen, with the diffusional one being absent. The two saturable components showed Vmax of 6.5 +/- 1.3 and 26.2 +/- 6.0 nmol/mg protein x 10 sec and apparent Km of 0.22 +/- 0.12 mM and 1.9 +/- 0.4 mM in WKY rats, and Vmax of 10.9 +/- 3.5 and 14.8 +/- 5.9 nmol/mg protein x 10 sec and apparent Km of 0.43 +/- 0.23 mM and 1.3 +/- 0.2 mM in SHR. Only the component with the lowest apparent affinity appeared statistically different in SHR as compared with WKY rats for both Vmax and apparent Km (P less than 0.05). Time course evolution of magnesium uptake in jejunal BBM indicated, by extrapolation at zero time, that 2.5 and 5.1 nmol magnesium/mg protein in SHR and WKY rats, respectively, would be in the bound state. The study of the influence of medium osmolarity on 60-min magnesium uptakes was also indicative of a smaller binding compartment in jejunal BBM of SHR (3.70 and 8.26 nmol/mg protein in SHR and WKY rats, respectively); at the four osmolarities assayed, the 60-min uptakes were significantly lower in SHR as compared with WKY rats (P less than 0.01). From 60-min glucose uptakes, a smaller volume of jejunal BBM vesicles was determined for SHR as compared with WKY rats (0.34 +/- 0.06 and 0.63 +/- 0.17 microliter/mg of protein in SHR and WKY rats respectively, P less than 0.05), this volume being significantly augmented by the presence of 1 mM MgCl2 (0.48 +/- 0.05 and 1.27 +/- 0.02 microliter/mg of protein in SHR and WKY rats respectively, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that magnesium uptake and binding by jejunal BBM are altered in SHR in comparison to WKY rats, implying a possible role of the small intestine in the abnormalities of magnesium metabolism in genetic hypertension.     

Calcium inhibition of cardiac adenylyl cyclase. Evidence for two distinct sites of inhibition

Increasing the free calcium concentration from 10(-8) M to 10(-4) M inhibited cardiac sarcolemmal adenylyl cyclase activated by the addition of 5 X 10(-4) M forskolin or 1 X 10(-4) M GTP or Gpp(NH)p. The calcium inhibition curve in the presence of all three activators was shallow and best fit by a two site model of high affinity (less than 1.0 microM) and low affinity (greater than 0.1 mM). Gpp(NH)p appeared to decrease the sensitivity of adenylyl cyclase to inhibition by calcium at the high affinity site. Similar inhibition constants were obtained with each of the activators. Calmodulin content of native freeze-thaw vesicles was 76.2 +/- 14.2 ng/mg. Treatment of the vesicles with 1 mM EGTA to remove calmodulin significantly reduced calmodulin content to 19.7 +/- 1.35 ng/mg. This treatment had no significant effect on the calcium inhibition profile. Increasing free calcium to 3 X 10(-6) M was shown to have no effect on the EC50 estimated for either Gpp(NH)p or forskolin but did slightly increase the EC50 estimated for Mg2+ in the presence of maximal concentrations of either activator. Nevertheless, maximally stimulating concentrations of Mg2+ were unable to overcome calcium inhibition. Pretreatment of sarcolemmal membranes with pertussis toxin was shown to have no significant effect on calcium inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The results suggest that the overall inhibitory action of calcium was most likely calmodulin independent and involved a direct interaction with the catalytic subunit at two distinct sites of high and low affinity. At the low affinity site calcium most likely competes with Mg2+ for an allosteric divalent cation binding site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A-type natriuretic peptide receptor in the spontaneously hypertensive rat kidney

Renal NPR-A binding characteristics was examined in SHR. Renal ANP binding sites of NPR-A showed a lower maximal binding capacity and higher affinity in SHR than in WKY at all intrarenal sites. Despite the lower B(max) in SHR, both ANP(1-28) and ANP(5-25) stimulate similar or greater cGMP production in isolated glomeruli. Studies on guanylate cyclase from glomerular and papillary membranes have reported an increased basal and stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in SHR. The present study provides further evidences for altered NPR-A receptors in SHR kidney, which might act as a negative feedback in response to hypertension.     

Plasma membrane vesicles prepared from unadhered monocytes: Characterization of calcium transport and the calcium ATPase

We have purified unadhered human monocytes in sufficient quantities to prepare monocyte plasma membrane vesicles and study vesicular calcium transport. Monocytes were isolated from plateletpheresis residues by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. By combining this source and procedure, 7 x 10(8) monocytes of over 90% purity were obtained. The membranes, isolated on a sucrose step gradient, had an 18-fold enrichment in Na,K-ATPase, a 29-fold diminution of succinate dehydrogenase activity and were vesicular on transmission electron micrographs. The membrane vesicles loaded with oxalate accumulated calcium only in the presence of Mg and ATP. Calcium uptake did not occur if ATP was replaced by any of five nucleotide phosphates or if Mg was omitted. Calcium transport had a maximal velocity of 4 pmoles calcium/micrograms vesicle protein/min and a Km for calcium of 0.53 microM. The ionophore A23187 completely inhibited calcium accumulation while 5 mM sodium cyanide and 10 microM ouabain had no effect. A calcium-activated ATPase was present in the same plasma membrane vesicles. The calcium ATPase had a maximal velocity of 18.0 pmoles calcium/micrograms vesicle protein/min and a Km for calcium of 0.60 microM. Calcium-activated ATPase activity was absent if Mg was omitted or if (gamma - 32P) GTP replaced (gamma - 32P) ATP. Monocyte plasma membranes that were stripped of endogenous calmodulin by EGTA treatment showed a reduced level of calcium uptake and calcium ATPase activity. The addition of exogenous calmodulin restored the transport activity to that of unstripped monocyte plasma membranes. Thus, monocyte plasma membrane vesicles contain a highly specific, ATP-dependent calcium transport system and a calcium-ATPase with similar high calcium affinities.     

Calmodulin and ATP dependence of the high and low calcium affinity p-nitrophenylphosphatase from human erythrocyte membranes

In calmodulin depleted membranes from human erythrocytes, the Ca2+-dependent phosphatase showed different sensitivity to calmodulin and ATP with variable affinity towards free calcium concentrations: a calmodulin-dependent activity with high calcium affinity, K1/2 = 1.2 X 10(-7) mol/l calcium, that was fully activated at submicromolar calcium concentrations, higher concentrations being rather inhibitory; an ATP-dependent activity with lower calcium affinity, K1/2 = 10(-6) mol/l calcium, that was fully activated at 10(-5) mol/l calcium in the presence of 50-200 mumol/l ATP and was insensitive to calmodulin, and a calcium dependent phosphatase that was active at a wider ranger of free calcium, 10(-8)-10(-5) mol/l, and required the presence of both calmodulin and ATP.     

Characterization of ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in the basolateral membrane vesicles from proximal and distal tubules of the rabbit kidney

Basolateral membrane vesicles were prepared from purified proximal and distal tubules of the rabbit kidney. The properties of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport were investigated. In both membranes, there was a high affinity, ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system (Km = 0.1 microM). The optimal concentration of Mg2+ was 0.5 mM and the optimal concentration of ATP was 1 mM. The nucleotide specificity and pH dependence of the Ca2+ transport in both membranes were similar. In basolateral membrane vesicles, calmodulin had no effect on Ca2+ transport. However, in basolateral membrane vesicles depleted of calmodulin, exogenous calmodulin increased the Ca2+ transport by increasing maximal velocity. There were no major differences in the properties of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system in these two membranes. These findings are discussed in relation to why parathyroid hormone differentially modulates Ca2+ transport in these two segments of the nephron.     

Activation of an islet cell plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by calmodulin and Ca-EGTA

Islet cell plasma membranes contain a calcium-stimulated and magnesium-dependent ATPase (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase) which requires calmodulin for maximum enzyme activity (Kotagal, N., Patke, C., Landt, M., McDonald, J., Colca, J., Lacy, P., and McDaniel, M. (1982) FEBS Lett. 137, 249-252). Investigations indicated that exogenously added calmodulin increases the velocity and decreases the Km for Ca2+ of the high affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. These studies routinely employed the chelator ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) to maintain Ca2+ concentrations in the submicromolar range. During the course of these investigations, it was found unexpectedly that increasing the concentrations of EGTA (0.1-4 mM) and total calcium in the media, while maintaining constant free Ca2+ levels, increased the velocity of the high affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. The free calcium concentrations under these conditions were verified by a calcium-sensitive electrode. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase maximally activated by 2-4 mM EGTA was not further stimulated by calmodulin, whereas camodulin stimulation increased as the concentration of EGTA in the media was decreased. A similar enhancement by Ca-EGTA was observed on active calcium transport by the plasma membrane-enriched fraction. Moreover, Ca-EGTA had a negligible effect on both active calcium transport as well as Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity by the islet cell endoplasmic reticulum, processes which are not stimulated by calmodulin. The results indicate that stimulation by Ca-EGTA may be used to differentiate calcium transport systems by these subcellular organelles. Furthermore, the concentration of EGTA routinely employed to maintain free Ca2+ levels may itself obscure effects of calmodulin and other physiological agents on calcium-dependent activities.     

Comparison of the properties of active Ca2+ transport by the islet-cell endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane

The properties of active or ATP-dependent calcium transport by islet-cell endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane-enriched subcellular fractions were directly compared. These studies indicate that the active calcium transport systems of the two membranes are fundamentally distinct. In contrast to calcium uptake by the endoplasmic reticulum-enriched fraction, calcium uptake by islet-cell plasma membrane-enriched vesicles exhibited a different pH optimum, was not sustained by oxalate, and showed an approximate 30-fold greater affinity for ionized calcium. A similar difference in affinity for calcium was exhibited by the Ca²⁺-stimulated ATPase activities which are associated with these islet-cell subcellular fractions. Consistent with the effects of calmodulin on calcium transport, calmodulin stimulated Ca²⁺-ATPase in the plasma membranes, but did not increase calcium-stimulated ATPase activity in the endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The physiological significance of the differences observed in calcium transport by the endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane fractions relative to the regulation of insulin secretion by the islets of Langerhans is discussed.     

Characterization of calcium transport by basal plasma membranes from human placental syncytiotrophoblast.

We have studied the mechanisms involved in calcium (Ca2+) transport through the basal plasma membranes (BPM) of the syncytiotrophoblast cells from full-term human placenta. These purified membranes were enriched 25-fold in Na+/K(+)-adenosine triphosphate (ATPase), 37-fold in [3H] dihydroalprenolol binding sites, and fivefold in alkaline phosphatase activity compared with the placenta homogenates. In the absence of ATP and Mg2+, a basal Ca2+ uptake was observed, which followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a Km Ca2+ of 0.18 +/- 0.05 microM and Vmax of 0.93 +/- 0.11 nmol/mg/min. The addition of Mg2+ to the incubation medium significantly decreased this uptake in a concentration-dependent manner, with a maximal inhibition at 3 mM Mg2+ and above. The Lineweaver-Burk plots of Ca2+ uptake in the absence and in the presence of 1 mM Mg2+ suggest a noncompetitive type of inhibition. Preloading the BPM vesicles with 5 mM Mg2+ had no significant effect on Ca2+ uptake, eliminating the hypothesis of a Ca2+/Mg2+ exchange mechanism. This ATP-independent Ca2+ uptake was not sensitive to 10(-6) M nitrendipine nor to 10(-4) M verapamil. An ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport was also detected in these BPM, whose Km Ca2+ was 0.09 +/- 0.02 microM and Vmax 3.4 +/- 0.2 nmoles/mg/3 min. This Ca2+ transport requires Mg2+, the optimal concentration of Mg2+ being approximately 1 mM. Preincubation of the membrane with 10(-6) M calmodulin strongly enhanced the initial ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. Finally, no Na+/Ca2+ exchange process could be demonstrated.     

Calcium transport in basolateral plasma membranes from kidney cortex of Milan hypertensive rats

Ca2+ transport was investigated in basolateral plasma membranes (BLM) isolated from kidney cortex of the Milan strain of genetically hypertensive rats (MHS) and their normotensive controls (MNS) during a pre-hypertensive stage (age 3-4 weeks). It was found that the Vmax of ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport (in the presence of calmodulin) was about 16% lower in MHS than in control rats. In membranes from MNS rats which had been isolated in the presence of EGTA, the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport showed a hyperbolic Ca2+ concentration dependence, a high Km (Ca2+) and a low Vmax; upon addition of exogenous calmodulin, the kinetics became sigmoidal, the Km (Ca2+) was decreased and the Vmax was increased. In membranes from MHS rats, the Ca2+ concentration dependence of ATP-driven Ca2+ transport was sigmoidal and the Ca2+ affinity was high in the absence of added calmodulin. Addition of exogenous calmodulin to these membranes resulted in an increase in Vmax, but no change in other kinetic parameters. Low-affinity hyperbolic kinetics of Ca2+ transport could only be obtained in MHS rats if the membranes were extracted with hypotonic EDTA and hypertonic KCl. These data suggest that the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase, which catalyses the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport, exists in BLM of pre-hypertensive MHS rats predominantly in an activated, high-affinity form.     

Cocaine-induced changes in 3H-naloxone binding in brain membranes isolated from spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats

Effects of sub-acute cocaine treatment on 3H-naloxone binding to 6 brain regions were examined in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Cocaine hydrochloride (3 mg/kg, i.v.) was given by bolus injection daily for five days. Rats were decapitated 24 hr following the final injection and crude membrane fractions prepared from the cortex (CT), hippocampus (HI), striatum (ST), hypothalamus (HY), midbrain (MB) and medulla/pons (MD). Binding of 3H-naloxone was consistent with a single site model in CT, HI, HY, MB and MD from vehicle-treated SHR and WKY. Cocaine treatment of SHR significantly decreased the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 3H-naloxone in the HI, ST and HY and the binding affinity was increased in HI. In contrast, a significant increase in Bmax was noted in CT and HI membranes isolated from cocaine-treated WKY. The binding affinity of 3H-naloxone to MB membranes of WKY was significantly decreased by cocaine treatment. The binding characteristics of 3H-naloxone in MD membranes were not different following cocaine treatment or between strains. Scatchard analysis indicated biphasic binding of 3H-naloxone binding to ST membranes from both SHR and WKY. Our results indicate that cocaine produces complex and differential changes in opiate receptors and, presumably, opioid peptide neuronal function in SHR and WKY.     

Phosphodiesterase protein activator stimulates calcium transport in cardiac microsomal preparations enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Protein activator of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine brain (9 μg/0.5 ml) was found to stimulate ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ - transport in dog cardiac microsomal preparations enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum. Both oxalate-dependent calcium uptake and ATP-dependent calcium binding were increased. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (Sigma, type 1, 25 μg/0.5 ml) and cyclic AMP (1 μM) also stimulated calcium uptake and the presence of a maximal stimulatory concentration of the phosphodiesterase activator produced an additive elevation of calcium uptake indicating separate mechanisms of action and potentially different modulatory roles for these two systems in the control of calcium transport.     

Effects of ATP on calcium binding to synaptic plasma membrane

The release of labeled norepinephrine from preloaded synaptosomes requires the presence of potassium and calcium. ATP-dependent binding of calcium to synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) may provide a means of maintaining the cation in a readily available pool for the triggering of transmitter release. A high Ca-binding capacity was demonstrated in SPM. The Km for calcium is 5.5 X 10(-5) M. The dependence of the system on the gamma phosphate of ATP was demonstrated by an increase in Ca-binding with increasing ATP concentration and by competitive inhibition of binding by ADP and AMP. Magnesium is also required for ATP-dependent Ca-binding. The optimum pH for the Ca binding was 7.0. Pretreatment of SPM with phospholipase A2 lowered the binding capacity. Sulfhydryl groups are also critical for ATP-dependent Ca binding to occur. A model for ATP-dependent Ca-binding was proposed.     

Stimulatory effect of regucalcin on ATP-dependent calcium transport in rat liver plasma membranes

The effect of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytoplasm, on ATP-dependent calcium transport in the plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver was investigated. (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in the liver plasma membranes was significantly increased by the presence of regucalcin (0.1-0.5 \sgmaelig;M) in the enzyme reaction mixture. This increase was completely inhibited by the presence of sulfhydryl group modifying reagent Nethylmaleimide (5.0 mM NEM) or digitonin (0.04%), which can solubilize the membranous lipids. When ATP-dependent calcium uptake by liver plasma membrane vesicles was measured by using 45CaCl2, the presence of regucalcin (0.1-0.5 \sgmaelig;M) in the reaction mixture caused a significant increase in the 45Ca2+ uptake. This increase was about 2-fold with 0.5 \sgmaelig;M regucalcin addition. An appreciable increase was seen by 5 min incubation with regucalcin addition. The regucalcin-enhanced ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake by the plasma membrane vesicles was completely inhibited by the presence of NEM (5.0 mM) or digitonin (0.04%). These results demonstrate that regucalcin activates (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase in the liver plasma membranes and that it can stimulate ATP-dependent calcium transport across the plasma membranes.     

Calmodulin X (Ca2+)4 is the active calmodulin-calcium species activating the calcium-, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum in the regulation of the calcium pump

Calcium-, calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum increases the rate of calcium transport. The complex dependence of calmodulin-dependent phosphoester formation on free calcium and total calmodulin concentrations can be satisfactorily explained by assuming that CaM X (Ca2+)4 is the sole calmodulin-calcium species which activates the calcium-, calmodulin-dependent, membrane-bound protein kinase. The apparent dissociation constant of the E X CaM X (Ca2+)4 complex determined from the calcium dependence of calmodulin-dependent phosphoester formation over a 100-fold range of total calmodulin concentrations (0.01-1 microM) was 0.9 nM; the respective apparent dissociation constant at 0.8 mM free calcium, 1 mM free magnesium with low calmodulin concentrations (0.1-50 nM) was 2.60 nM. These results are in good agreement with the apparent dissociation constant of 2.54 nM of high affinity calmodulin binding determined by 125I-labelled calmodulin binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum fractions at 1 mM free calcium, 1 mM free magnesium and total calmodulin concentration ranging from 0.1 to 150 nM, i.e. conditions where approximately 98% of the total calmodulin is present as CaM X (Ca2+)4. The apparent dissociation constant of the calcium-free calmodulin-enzyme complex (E X CaM) is at least 100-fold greater than the apparent dissociation constant of the E X CaM X (Ca2+)4 complex, as judged from non-saturation 125I-labelled calmodulin binding at total calmodulin concentrations of up to 150 nM, in the absence of calcium.     

Calmodulin Stimulation of Ca2+-Dependent ATP Hydrolysis and ATP-Dependent Ca2+ Transport in Synaptic Membranes

We report here characterization of calmodulin-stimulated Ca2+ transport activities in synaptic plasma membranes (SPM). The calcium transport activity consists of a Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis coupled with ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into membraneous sacs on the cytosolic face of the synaptosomal membrane. These transport activities have been found in synaptosomal subfractions to be located primarily in SPM-1 and SPM-2. Both Ca2+-ATPase and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake require calmodulin for maximal activity (KCm for ATPase = 60 nM; KCm for uptake = 50 nM). In the reconstituted membrane system, KCa was found to be 0.8 microM for Ca2+-ATPase and 0.4 microM for Ca2+ uptake. These results demonstrate for the first time the calmodulin requirements for the Ca2+ pump in SPM when Ca2+ ATPase and Ca2+ uptake are assayed under functionally coupled conditions. They suggest that calmodulin association with the membrane calcium pump is regulated by the level of free Ca2+ in the cytoplasm. The activation by calmodulin, in turn, regulates the cytosolic Ca2+ levels in a feedback process. These studies expand the calmodulin hypothesis of synaptic transmission to include activation of a high-affinity Ca2+ + Mg2+ ATPase as a regulator for cytosolic Ca2+.