Potency of GABA at human recombinant GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes: a mini review

GABA_A receptors are members of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily that mediate inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. They are thought to be composed of 2 alpha (α), 2 beta (β) subunits and one other such as a gamma (γ) or delta (δ) subunit. The potency of GABA is influenced by the subunit composition. However, there are no reported systematic studies that evaluate GABA potency on a comprehensive number of subunit combinations expressed in Xenopus oocytes, despite the wide use of this heterologous expression system in structure–function studies and drug discovery. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic characterization of the potency of GABA at 43 human recombinant GABA_A receptor combinations expressed in Xenopus oocytes using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. The results show that the α-subunits and to a lesser extent, the β-subunits influence GABA potency. Of the binary and ternary combinations with and without the γ2L subunit, the α6/γ2L-containing receptors were the most sensitive to GABA, while the β2- or β3-subunit conferred higher sensitivity to GABA than receptors containing the β1-subunit with the exception of the α2β1γ2L and α6β1γ2L subtypes. Of the δ-subunit containing GABA_A receptors, α4/δ-containing GABA_A receptors displayed highest GABA sensitivity, with mid-nanomolar concentrations activating α4β1δ and α4β3δ receptors. At α4β2δ, GABA had low micromolar activity.     

Protective effect of Na+ and K+ against inactivation of (Na+ + K+-ATPase by high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol at high temperatures

Purified dog kidney (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) was inactivated with high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol at 50–55°C. The inactivation was prevented by NaCl or KCl, with KCl being more effective than NaCl (the former ion being about one order more efficient under a typical set of experimental conditions). A disulfide bond in the β-subunit of the enzyme protein was prevented from reductive cleavage by NaCl or KCl in accordance with protection of the enzyme activity. Choline chloride did not exert a significant protective effect over a similar concentration range. (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was also inactivated with high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol in the presence of low concentrations of dodecyl sulfate. This inactivation was also prevented by NaCl or KCl, with the latter being again more efficient than the former. These results indicate that Na⁺ and K⁺ bound to their respective ion-binding sites on the α-subunit exert a protective effect on a disulfide bond on the β-subunit. This suggests some sort of interaction between the α- and the β-subunits.     

Purification and reversible subunit dissociation of overproduced Escherichia coli phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase

Phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (EC 6.1.1.20) has been purified to homogeneity from a 100-fold overproducing Escherichia coli strain carrying a hybrid pBR322 plasmid containing the pheS-pheT locus. The purified enzyme is identical to the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase isolated from an haploid strain. The enzyme was found to dissociate in the presence of 0.5 M NaSCN and the α- and β-subunits composing the native α₂β₂ enzyme were separated by gel filtration. Neither isolated subunit showed significant catalytic activity. A complex indistinguishable from the native enzyme with full catalytic activity is recovered upon mixing the subunits. The N- and C-terminal sequences and the amino acid composition of each subunit were determined. They are compared to the available data concerning the primary structure of the subunits, as deduced from nucleotide sequencing of the pheS-pheT operon.     

Thermodynamic analysis reveals that GTP binding affects the interaction between the alpha- and gamma-subunits of translation initiation factor 2

Eukaryotic and archaeal translation initiation factors 2, heterotrimers that consist of α-, β-, and γ-subunits, deliver methionylated initiator tRNA to a small ribosomal subunit in a manner that depends on GTP. To evaluate correlation of the function and association of the subunits, we used isothermal titration calorimetry to analyze the thermodynamics of the interactions between the α- and γ-subunits in the presence or absence of a nonhydrolyzable GTP analog or GDP. The α-subunits bound to the γ-subunit with large heat capacity change (ΔC_p) values. The ΔH and ΔC_p values for the interaction between the α- and γ-subunits varied in the presence of the GTP analog but not in the presence of GDP. These results suggest that the binding of both the α-subunit and GTP changes the conformation of the switch region of the γ-subunit and increases the affinity of the γ-subunit for tRNA.     

Autophosphorylation of type 2 casein kinase TS at both its α- and β-subunits: Influence of different effectors

Rat liver casein kinase TS (Ck-TS) having quarternary structure α₂β₂, autophosphorylates at its 25 kDa, β-subunits, incorporating up to 1.2 mol P/mol enzyme. According to their effects on the autophosphorylation pattern the effectors of Ck-TS activity can be grouped into 3 classes: (i) inhibitors, like heparin, which also prevent the autophosphorylation of the β-subunit; (ii) stimulators possessing several amino groups (like spermine) which increase the autophosphorylation at the β-subunit; (iii) stimulators possessing several guanido groups, like protamines and related peptides, which prevent the phosphorylation of the β-subunit, while promoting the autophosphorylation of the 38 kDa α-subunit. In the presence of such polyarginyl effectors the 130 kDa Ck-TS is converted into forms with higher sedimentation coefficient.     

Purification and properties of a novel recombinant human hybrid interferon, σ-4 α2/α1

The human interferon (huIFN) σ-4 α2_5–62/α1_64–166 is a genetically engineered hybrid that consists of residues 5–62 of huIFN α2 and residues 64–166 of huIFN α1. This variant contains four cysteine residues at positions 29, 86, 99 and 139, but does not contain the cysteine at position 1 that is characteristic of naturally occurring huIFN α subtypes. This novel recombinant hybrid was purified fromEscherichia coli to greater than 95% homogeneity. The purification was based on ethanol extraction of a trichloroacetic acid precipitate and Matrex Gel Blue A chromatography followed by either a selective precipitation or DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The purified protein that was treated with 2-mercaptoethanol exhibited two closely migrating bands on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with apparent molecular weight values of 17 800 and 17 100, both of which exhibited antiviral activity. Electrophoresis performed without prior reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol indicated only a minor extent of intermolecular disulfide bonding. The purified protein exhibited a high specific antiviral activity of 7·10⁷ units/mg when assayed on human fibroblast cells and, in distinction to the parental huIFN α2, it also demonstrated antiviral activity on murine L929 cells. The level of antiproliferative activity of huIFN δ-4 α2_5–62/α1_64–166 on various cell lines of different histological origin appeared to be more comparable to that of huIFN α1 than huIFN α2. The data suggest that huIFN δ-4 α2_5–62/α1_64–166 hybrid may be a useful tool for understanding huIFN structure-function relations.     

Asymmetric orientation of amino groups in the α-subunit and the β-subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in tight right-side-out vesicles of basolateral membranes from outer medulla

The orientation of amino groups in the membrane in the α- and β-subunits of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was examined by labeling with Boldon-Hunter reagent, N-succinimidyl 3-(4-hydroxy,5-[¹²⁵I]iodophenyl)propionate), in right-side-out vesicles or in open membrane fragments from the thick ascending limbs of the Henles loop of pig kidney. Sealed right-side-out vesicles of basolateral membranes were separated from open membrane fragments by centrifugation in a linear metrizamide density gradient. After labeling, (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was purified using a micro-scale version of the ATP-SDS procedure. Distribution of label was analyzed after SDS-gel electrophoresis of α-subunit, β-subunit and proteolytic fragments of α-subunit. Both the α- and the β-subunit of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase are uniformly labeled, but the distribution of labeled residues on the two membrane surfaces differs markedly. All the labeled residues in the β-subunit are located on the extracellular surface. In the α-subunit, 65–80% of modified groups are localized to the cytoplasmic surface and 20–35% to the extracellular membrane surface. Proteolytic cleavage provides evidence for the random distribution of ¹²⁵I-labeling within the α-subunit. The preservation of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity and the observation of distinct proteolytic cleavage patterns of the E₁- and E₂-forms of the α-subunit show that the native enzyme structure is unaffected by labeling with Bolton-Hunter reagent. Bolton-Hunter reagent was shown not to permeate into sheep erythrocytes under the conditions of the labeling experiment. The data therefore allow the conclusion that the mass distribution is asymmetric, with all the labeled amino groups in the β-subunit being on the extracellular surface, while the α-subunit exposes 2.6-fold more amino groups on the cytoplasmic than on the extracellular surface.     

A nitrate reductase inactivating enzyme from the maize root

The nitrate reductase in the mature root extract of 3-day maize (Zea mays) seedlings was relatively labile in vitro. Insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone used in the extraction medium produced only a slight increase in the stability of the enzyme. Mixing the mature root extract with that of the root tip promoted the inactivation of nitrate reductase in the latter. The inactivating factor in the mature root was separated from nitrate reductase by (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation. Nitrate reductase was found in the 40% (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitate, while the inactivating factor was largely precipitated by 40 to 55% (NH₄)₂SO₄. The latter fraction of the mature root inactivated the nitrate reductase isolated from the root tip, mature root, and scutellum. The inactivating factor, which has a Q₁₀ 15 to 25 C of 2.2, was heat labile, and hence has been designated as a nitrate reductase inactivating enzyme. The reduced flavin mononucleotide nitrate reductase was also inactivated, while an NADH cytochrome c reductase in nitrate-grown seedlings was inactivated but at a slower rate. The inactivating enzyme had no influence on the activity of nitrite reductase, glutamate dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, and isocitrate lyase. The activity of the nitrate reductase inactivating enzyme was not influenced by nitrate and was also found in the mature root of minus nitrate-grown seedlings.     

Large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (BKCa) activating properties of a series of novel N-arylbenzamides: Channel subunit dependent effects

Large conductance calcium activated potassium channels (BK_Ca) are fundamental in the control of cellular excitability. Thus, compounds that activate BK_Ca channels could provide potential therapies in the treatment of pathologies of the cardiovascular and central nervous system. A series of novel N-arylbenzamide compounds, and the reference compound NS1619, were evaluated for BK_Ca channel opener properties in Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293) cells expressing the human BK_Ca channel α-subunit alone or α + β1-subunit complex.Channel activity was determined using a non-radioactive Rb⁺ efflux assay to construct concentration effect curves for each compound. All N-arylbenzamide compounds and NS1619 evoked significant (p <0.05) concentration related increases in Rb⁺ efflux both in cells expressing α-subunit alone or α + β1-subunits. Co-expression of the β1-subunit modified the Rb⁺ efflux responses, relative to that obtained in cells expressing the α-subunit alone, for most of the N-arylbenzamide compounds, in contrast to NS1619. The EC₄₀ values of NS1619, BKMe1 and BKOEt1 were not significantly affected by the co-expression of the BK_Ca channel α + β1-subunits. In contrast, 5 other N-arylbenzamides (BKPr2, BKPr3, BKPr4, BKH1 and BKVV) showed a significant (p <0.05) 2- to 10-fold increase in EC₄₀ values when tested on the BK_Ca α + β1-subunit expressing cells compared to BK_Ca α-subunit expressing cells. Further, the E_max values for BKPr4, BKVV and BKH1 were lower in the BK_Ca channel α + β1-subunit expressing cells.In conclusion, the N-arylbenzamides studied, like NS1619, were able to activate BK_Ca channels formed of the α-subunit only. The co-expression of the β1-subunit, however, modified the ability of certain compounds to active the channel leading to differentiated pharmacodynamic profiles.     

Trypsin cleavage of the α-subunit of beef heart F1-ATPase abolishes ATP synthesis and ATP-driven energy-transduction capabilities

Previous work has shown that mild trypsin treatment eliminates energy-transduction capability and tight (non-exchangeable) nucleotide binding in beef heart mitochondrial F₁-ATPase (Leimgruber, R.M. and Senior, A.E. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 7103–7109). The structural change brought about by trypsin was, however, too subtle to be identified by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and was not defined. In this work we have applied two-dimensional electrophoresis (isoelectric focussing then sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gradient electrophoresis) to the problem, and have determined that the α-subunit of F₁ is altered by the mild trypsin treatment, whereas no change was detected in β-, γ-, δ- or ?-subunits. Binding of ADP to the trypsin-treated F₁ was compared to binding to control enzyme over a range of 0–40 μM ADP in a 30 min incubation period. There was no difference between the two enzymes, K^ADP_d in Mg²⁺-containing buffer was about 2 μM in each. Since the tight (nonexchangeable) sites are abolished in trypsin-treated F₁, this shows that tight exchangeable ADP-binding sites are different from the tight nonexchangeable ADP-binding sites. There was no effect of trypsin cleavage of the α-subunit on β-subunit conformation as judged by aurovertin fluorescence studies. The cleavage of the α-subunit which occurred was judged to occur very close to the C- or N-terminus of the subunit and constitutes therefore a small and specific chemical modification which abolishes overall function in F₁ but leaves partial functions intact.     

Characteristics of a nuclear protein kinase from rat epididymis

Purified rat epididymal nuclei possess a cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase activity that phosphorylates of casein. The enzymic activity was solubilized by treating intact nuclei with 1 M (NH4)₂SO₄. One major peak of kinase activity was obtained when the solubilized enzyme preparation was subjected to diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex chromatography. The activity of the kinase was dependent on a bivalent metal ion such as Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ca²⁺ or Mn²⁺. NaCl (0.3 M) caused a further activation (approx. 200%) of the metal (Co²⁺)-dependent enzyme. The apparentK _m values of the enzyme for casein, ATP and Co²⁺ are approx. 0.6 mg/ml, 10 ΜM and 2.2 mM respectively. The enzyme was maximally active at pH 5.5. The enzyme showed high specificity for phosphorylation of the acidic protein casein but did not phosphorylate basic proteins, such as histones and protamine. The properties of the nuclear protein kinase were clearly different from those of the cytosolic enzymes previously characterized.     

Respiratory inhibition of Sphaerotilus by potassium ferrate

Potassium ferrate (K₂FeO₄) is a strong oxidant that might replace chlorine in the disinfection of water. K₂FeO₄ strongly inhibited the respiration of the bacterium Sphaerotilus, which frequently causes filamentous bulking in activated sludge. To identify the mechanism by which K₂FeO₄ caused inhibition, the distribution of iron sorbed by the bacterium was investigated by a modification of the method of Romano and Peloquin. Iron that penetrated into the cells inhibited the endogenous respiration of Sphaerotilus. The inhibition of the dehydrogenase activity of the bacterium by the ferrate was then studied. This enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by K₂FeO₄, but was restored by the addition of 2-mercaptoethanol. Lineweaver-Burk plots showed that K₂FeO₄ was a non-competitive inhibitor of the respiration of Sphaerotilus.     

Compensatory expression of human N-Acetylglucosaminyl-1-phosphotransferase subunits in mucolipidosis type III gamma

The N-Acetylglucosaminyl-1-phosphotransferase plays a key role in the generation of mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) recognition markers essential for efficient transport of lysosomal hydrolases to lysosomes. The phosphotransferase is composed of six subunits (α₂, β₂, γ₂). The α- and β-subunits are catalytically active and encoded by a single gene, GNPTAB, whereas the γ-subunit encoded by GNPTG is proposed to recognize conformational structures common to lysosomal enzymes. Defects in GNPTG cause mucolipidosis type III gamma, which is characterized by missorting and cellular loss of lysosomal enzymes leading to lysosomal accumulation of storage material. Using plasmon resonance spectrometry, we showed that recombinant γ-subunit failed to bind the lysosomal enzyme arylsulfatase A. Additionally, the overexpression of the γ-subunit in COS7 cells did not result in hypersecretion of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes expected for competition for binding sites of the endogenous phosphotransferase complex. Analysis of fibroblasts exhibiting a novel mutation in GNPTG (c.619insT, p.K207IfsX7) revealed that the expression of GNPTAB was increased whereas in γ-subunit overexpressing cells the GNPTAB mRNA was reduced. The data suggest that the γ-subunit is important for the balance of phosphotransferase subunits rather for general binding of lysosomal enzymes.     

Sensitivity of oocyte-expressed epithelial Na channel to glibenclamide

The effect of glibenclamide on heterologously expressed amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ENaCs) was investigated in Xenopus oocytes. The ENaC is a heteromer and consists of α-, β- and γ-subunits and the α- and β-subunits have previously been shown to confer sensitivity to glibenclamide. We coexpressed either colonic rat α- (rα) or guinea-pig α-subunit (gpα) with Xenopus βγ-subunits. The gpαxβγ was significantly stimulated by glibenclamide (100 μM) (184±15%), whereas the rα-combination was slightly down-regulated by the sulfonylurea (79±4%). The stimulating effect did not interfere with Na⁺-self-inhibition resulting from intracellular accumulation of Na⁺-ions. We exchanged cytosolic termini between both orthologs but the gpα-chimera with the termini from rat retained sensitivity to glibenclamide. The effect of glibenclamide on Xenopus ENaC (xENaC) was inhibited by ADP-β-S but not by ATP-γ-S, when applied intracellularly. Intracellular loading with Na⁺-ions after inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases with ouabain prevented an up-regulation of ENaC activity by glibenclamide. Pretreatment of oocytes expressing xENaC with edelfosine (ET-18-OCH₃) slightly reduced stimulation of I_ami (118±12%; control: 132±9%) while phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate (PIP₂) significantly reduced the effect of glibenclamide to 101±3%.     

The depletion of F1 subunit ε in yeast leads to an uncoupled respiratory phenotype that is rescued by mutations in the proton-translocating subunits of F0

The central stalk of the ATP synthase is an elongated hetero-oligomeric structure providing a physical connection between the catalytic sites in F₁ and the proton translocation channel in F₀ for energy transduction between the two subdomains. The shape of the central stalk and relevance to energy coupling are essentially the same in ATP synthases from all forms of life, yet the protein composition of this domain changed during evolution of the mitochondrial enzyme from a two- to a three-subunit structure (γ, δ, ε). Whereas the mitochondrial γ- and δ-subunits are homologues of the bacterial central stalk proteins, the deliberate addition of subunit ε is poorly understood. Here we report that down-regulation of the gene (ATP15) encoding the ε-subunit rapidly leads to lethal F₀-mediated proton leaks through the membrane because of the loss of stability of the ATP synthase. The ε-subunit is thus essential for oxidative phosphorylation. Moreover, mutations in F₀ subunits a and c, which slow the proton translocation rate, are identified that prevent ε-deficient ATP synthases from dissipating the electrochemical potential. Cumulatively our data lead us to propose that the ε-subunit evolved to permit operation of the central stalk under the torque imposed at the normal speed of proton movement through mitochondrial F₀.     

The β1-Subunit of the MaxiK Channel Associates with the Thromboxane A2 Receptor and Reduces Thromboxane A2 Functional Effects

The large conductance voltage- and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (MaxiK, BK_Ca, BK) is composed of four pore-forming α-subunits and can be associated with regulatory β-subunits. One of the functional roles of MaxiK is to regulate vascular tone. We recently found that the MaxiK channel from coronary smooth muscle is trans-inhibited by activation of the vasoconstricting thromboxane A₂ prostanoid receptor (TP), a mechanism supported by MaxiK α-subunit (MaxiKα)-TP physical interaction. Here, we examined the role of the MaxiK β1-subunit in TP-MaxiK association. We found that the β1-subunit can by itself interact with TP and that this association can occur independently of MaxiKα. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that β1 and TP are closely associated at the cell periphery. The molecular mechanism of β1-TP interaction involves predominantly the β1 extracellular loop. As reported previously, TP activation by the thromboxane A₂ analog U46619 caused inhibition of MaxiKα macroscopic conductance or fractional open probability (FP_o) as a function of voltage. However, the positive shift of the FP_o versus voltage curve by U46619 relative to the control was less prominent when β1 was coexpressed with TP and MaxiKα proteins (20 ± 6 mV, n = 7) than in cells expressing TP and MaxiKα alone (51 ± 7 mV, n = 7). Finally, β1 gene ablation reduced the EC₅₀ of the U46619 agonist in mediating aortic contraction from 18 ± 1 nm (n = 12) to 9 ± 1 nm (n = 12). The results indicate that the β1-subunit can form a tripartite complex with TP and MaxiKα, has the ability to associate with each protein independently, and diminishes U46619-induced MaxiK channel trans-inhibition as well as vasoconstriction.     

Selective inhibition of [D-ALA2, GLU4]deltrophin antinociception by supraspinal,but not spinal,administration of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to an opioid delta receptor

Evidence in vivo has suggested the existence of subtypes of the δ opioid receptor (DOR), which have been termed δ₁ and δ₂. These proposed DOR subtypes are thought to be activated by [D-Pen², D- Pen⁵]enkephalin (DPDPE, δ₁) and [D-Ala², Glu⁴]deltorphin (δ₂). Recent work in which an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (oligo) to a cloned DOR was administered by the intrathecal (i.th.) route has demonstrated a reduction in the antinociceptive actions of both i.th. DPDPE and [D-Ala², Glu⁴]deltorphin, but not of [D-Ala², NMPhe⁴, Gly-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO, μ agonist) in mice. The present investigation has extended these observations by administering the same DOR antisense oligo sequence by the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) route and evaluating the antinociceptive actions of i.c.v. agonist selective for δ, μ and κ receptors. I.th. treatment with DOR antisense oligo, but not mismatch oligo, significantly inhibited the antinociceptive actions of both i.th. DPDPE and [D-Ala², Glu⁴deltorphin but not of i.th. DAMGO or U69, 593 (κ agonist), confirming previous data. In contrast, i.c.v. DOR antisense oligo, but not mismatch oligo, seletively inhibited the anitinociceptive response to i.c.v. [D-Ala², Glu⁴]deltorphin without altering the antinociceptive actions of i.c.v. DPDPE, DAMGO or U69,593. The data suggest that the cloned DOR corresponds to that pharmacologically classified as δ₂ and further, suggest that this δ receptor subtype may play a major role in eliciting spinal δ-mediated antinociception.     

Differential expression of BK channel isoforms and β-subunits in rat neuro-vascular tissues

We investigated the expression of splice variants and β-subunits of the BK channel (big conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel, Slo1, MaxiK, K_Ca1.1) in rat cerebral blood vessels, meninges, trigeminal ganglion among other tissues. An α-subunit splice variant X1_+ 24 was found expressed (RT-PCR) in nervous tissue only where also the SS4_+ 81 variant was dominating with little expression of the short form SS4₀. SS4_+ 81 was present in some cerebral vessels too. The SS2_+ 174 variant (STREX) was found in both blood vessels and in nervous tissue. In situ hybridization data supported the finding of SS4_+ 81 and SS2_+ 174 in vascular smooth muscle and trigeminal ganglion. β-subunits β2 and β4 showed high expression in brain and trigeminal ganglion and some in cerebral vessels while β1 showed highest expression in blood vessels. β3 was found only in testis and possibly brain. A novel splice variant X2_+ 92 was found, which generates a stop codon in the intracellular C-terminal part of the protein. This variant appears non-functional as a homomer but may modulate the function of other splice-variants when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In conclusion a great number of splice variant and β-subunit combinations likely exist, being differentially expressed among nervous and vascular tissues.     

Isolation and characterization of an inhibitor-sensitive and a polycation-stimulated protein phosphatase from rat liver nuclei

Two protein phosphatases were isolated from rat liver nuclei. The enzymes, solubilized from crude chromatin by 1 M NaCl, were resolved by column chromatography on Sephadex G-150, DEAE-Sepharose and heparin-Sepharose. The phosphorylase phosphatase activity of one of the enzymes (inhibitor-sensitive phosphatase) was inhibited by heat-stable phosphatase inhibitor proteins and also by histone H1. This phosphatase had a molecular weight of approx. 35 000 both before and after 4 M urea treatment. Its activity was specific for the β-subunit of phosphorylase kinase. Pretreatment with 0.1 mM ATP inhibited the enzyme only about 10%, and it did not require divalent cations for activity. On the basis of these properties, this nuclear enzyme was identified as the catalytic subunit of phosphatase 1. The other phosphatase (polycation-stimulated phosphatase) was insensitive to inhibition by inhibitor 1, and it was stimulated 10-fold by low concentrations of histone H1 (A_0.5 = 0.6 μM). This enzyme had a molecular weight of approx. 70 000 which was reduced to approx. 35 000 after treatment with 4 M urea. It dephosphorylated both the α- and β-subunits of phosphorylase kinase. The enzyme was inhibited more than 90% by preincubation with 0.1 mM ATP and did not require divalent cations for activity. On the basis of these properties, this nuclear enzyme was identified as phosphatase 2A.