Identification of a Ca2+/H+ antiport in the plant chloroplast thylakoid membrane

To assess the availability of Ca2+ in the lumen of the thylakoid membrane that is required to support the assembly of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II, we have investigated the mechanism of 45Ca2+ transport into the lumen of pea (Pisum sativum) thylakoid membranes using silicone-oil centrifugation. Trans-thylakoid Ca2+ transport is dependent on light or, in the dark, on exogenously added ATP. Both light and ATP hydrolysis are coupled to Ca2+ transport through the formation of a transthylakoid pH gradient. The H+-transporting ionophores nigericin/K+ and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone inhibit the transport of Ca2+. Thylakoid membranes are capable of accumulating up to 30 nmol Ca2+ mg-1 chlorophyll from external concentrations of 15 μM over the course of a 15-min reaction. These results are consistent with the presence of an active Ca2+/H+ antiport in the thylakoid membrane. Ca2+ transport across the thylakoid membrane has significant implications for chloroplast and plant Ca2+ homeostasis. We propose a model of chloroplast Ca2+ regulation whereby the activity of the Ca2+/H+ antiporter facilitates the light-dependent uptake of Ca2+ by chloroplasts and reduces stromal Ca2+ levels.     

Evidence for a zinc/proton antiporter in rat brain

The data presented in this paper are consistent with the existence of a plasma membrane zinc/proton antiport activity in rat brain. Experiments were performed using purified plasma membrane vesicles isolated from whole rat brain. Incubating vesicles in the presence of various concentrations of 65Zn2+ resulted in a rapid accumulation of 65Zn2+. Hill plot analysis demonstrated a lack of cooperativity in zinc activation of 65Zn2+ uptake. Zinc uptake was inhibited in the presence of 1 mM Ni2+, Cd2+, or CO2+. Calcium (1 mM) was less effective at inhibiting 65Zn2+ uptake and Mg2+ and Mn2+ had no effect. The initial rate of vesicular 65Zn2+ uptake was inhibited by increasing extravesicular H+ concentration. Vesicles preloaded with 65Zn2+ could be induced to release 65Zn2+ by increasing extravesicular H+ or addition of 1 mM nonradioactive Zn2+. Hill plot analysis showed a lack of cooperativity in H+ activation of 65Zn2+ release. Based on the Hill analyses, the stoichiometry of transport may include Zn2+/Zn2+ exchange and Zn2+/H+ antiport, the latter being potentially electrogenic. Zinc/proton antiport may be an important mode of zinc uptake into neurons and contribute to the reuptake of zinc to replenish presynaptic vesicle stores after stimulation.     

Copper uptake in wild type and copper metallothionein-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Kinetics and mechanism

The mechanism of copper uptake in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated using a combination of 64Cu2+ and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A wild type copper-resistant CUP 1R-containing strain and a strain carrying a deletion of the CUP1 locus (yeast copper metallothionein) exhibited quantitatively similar saturable energy-dependent 64Cu2+ uptake when cultures were pregrown in copper-free media (medium [Cu] approximately 15 nM). The kinetic constants for uptake by the wild type strain were Vmax = 0.21 nmol of copper/min/mg of protein and Km = 4.4 microM. This accumulation of 64Cu2+ represented net uptake as confirmed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. This uptake was not seen in glucose-starved cells, but was supported in glycerol- and ethanol-grown ones. Uptake was inhibited by both N3- and dinitrophenol and was barely detectable in cultures at 4 degrees C. When present at 50 microM, Zn2+ and Ni2+ inhibited by 50% indicating that this uptake process was relatively selective for Cu2+. 64Cu2+ accumulation was qualitatively and quantitatively different in cultures either grown in or preincubated with cold Cu2+. Either treatment resulted in the appearance of a fast phase (t 1/2 approximately 1 min) of 64Cu2+ accumulation which represented isotopic exchange since it did not lead to an increase in the mass of cell-associated copper; also, it was not energy-dependent. Exchange of 64Cu2+ into this pool was not inhibited by Zn2+. Pretreatment with Cu2+ caused a change in the rate of net accumulation as well; a 3-h incubation of cells in 5 microM medium Cu2+ caused a 1.6-fold increase in the velocity of energy-dependent uptake. Prior addition of cycloheximide abolished this Cu2(+)-dependent increase and, in fact, inhibited the 64Cu2+ uptake velocity by greater than 85%. The exchangeable pool was also absent in cycloheximide, Cu2(+)-treated cells suggesting that exchangeable Cu2+ derived from the copper taken up initially by the energy-dependent process. The thionein deletion mutant was similar to wild type in response to medium Cu2+ and cycloheximide indicating that copper metallothionein is not directly involved in Cu2+ uptake (as distinct from retention) in yeast.     

Accumulation and storage of Zn2+ by Candida utilis.

Starved cells of Candida utilis accumulated Zn2+ by two different processes. The first was a rapid, energy- and temperature-independent system that probably represented binding to the cell surface. The cells also possessed an energy-, pH-, and temperature-dependent system that was capable of accumulating much greater quantities of the cation than the binding process. The energy-dependent system was inhibited by KCN, Na2HAsO4, m-chlorophenyl carbonylcyanide hydrazone, N-ethylmaleimide, EDTA and diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid. The system was specific inasmuch as Ca2+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Co2+ or Cu2+ did not compete with, inhibit, or enhance the process, Zn2+ uptake was inhibited by Cd2+. The system exhibited saturation kinetics with a half-saturation value of 1.3 muM and a maximum rate of 0.21 (nmol Zn2+) min(-1) (mg dry wt(-1)) at 30 degrees C. Zn2+ uptake required intact membranes since only the binding process was observed in the presence of nystatin, toluene, or sodium dodecyl sulphate. Cells did not exchange recently accumulated toluene, or sodium dodecyl sulphate. Cells did not exchange recently accumulated 65Zn following the addition of a large excess of non-radioactive Zn2+. Similarly, cells pre-loaded with 65Zn did not lose the cation during starvation, and efflux did not occur when glucose and exogenous Zn2+ were supplied after the starvation period. Efflux was only observed after the addition of toluene or nystatin, or when cells were heated to 100 degrees C. Cells fed a large quantity of Zn2+ contained a protein fraction resembling animal cell metallothionein. In batch culture, cells of C. utilis accumulated Zn2+ only during the lag phase and the latter half of the exponential-growth phase.     

Cadmium uptake in Escherichia coli K-12.

109Cd2+ uptake by Escherichia coli occurred by means of an active transport system which has a Km of 2.1 microM Cd2+ and a Vmax of 0.83 mumol/min X g (dry weight) in uptake buffer. 109Cd2+ accumulation was both energy dependent and temperature sensitive. The addition of 20 microM Cd2+ or Zn2+ (but not Mn2+) to the cell suspensions preloaded with 109Cd2+ caused the exchange of Cd2+. 109Cd2+ (0.1 microM) uptake by cells was inhibited by the addition of 20 microM Zn2+ but not Mn2+. Zn2+ was a competitive inhibitor of 109Cd2+ uptake with an apparent Ki of 4.6 microM Zn2+. Although Mn2+ did not inhibit 109Cd2+ uptake, the addition of either 20 microM Cd2+ or Zn2+ prevented the uptake of 0.1 microM 54Mn2+, which apparently occurs by a separate transport system. The inhibition of 54Mn2+ accumulation by Cd2+ or Zn2+ did not follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics and had no defined Ki values. Co2+ was a competitive inhibitor of Mn2+ uptake with an apparent Ki of 34 microM Co2+. We were unable to demonstrate an active transport system for 65Zn2+ in E. coli.     

Ferrous iron uptake by Bifidobacterium bifidum var. pennsylvanicus: the effect of metals and metabolic inhibitors

Ferrous iron uptake studies in Bifidobacterium bifidum var. pennsylvanicus were carried out in a well-defined salt solution termed "modified Hanks solution" at both high iron concentrations (LAFIUS conditions) and low concentrations (HAFIUS conditions). Various divalent metals, Mn2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+, inhibited iron uptake under HAFIUS conditions in a non-competitive manner, and in a pseudo-competitive manner under LAFIUS conditions. Cr2+ had no effect. Co2+ inhibited iron uptake competitively under HAFIUS conditions. Metabolic affectors that inhibited iron uptake both under HAFIUS and LAFIUS conditions were: tetraphenylphosphonium chloride, diethylstilbesterol, vanadate, carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone, and a mixture of valinomycin and nigericin. Substances that stimulated iron uptake were KCl, valinomycin, and nigericin. Iron uptake under LAFIUS conditions in piperazine-buffered modified Hanks solution was higher than that in the acetate-buffered solution, and acetate inhibited iron uptake in the piperazine buffer. HAFIUS showed no difference. It is concluded that iron uptake in bifidobacteria is driven by an ATPase-dependent proton-motive force and that both the pH gradient and membrane potential are involved in this process. Mn2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ may be transported via LAFIUS, but not HAFIUS. HAFIUS may transport only Co2+ in addition to Fe2+.     

Effect of phorbol esters and diacylglycerols on calcium transport by human platelet membranes

The effects of phorbol esters and diacylglycerols on Ca2+ transport in isolated human platelet membranes were determined. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated Ca2+-ATPase activity in crude and purified internal platelet membranes approximately 2-fold with half-maximal stimulation occurring at 10 nM. Dilauroylglycerol also stimulated Ca2+-ATPase activity half-maximally at a concentration of 7.5 microM, but dioctanoylglycerol was without effect at up to 30 microM. PMA also inhibited Ca2+ uptake when added before or after commencement of ATP-dependent transport. PMA (25 nM) doubled the rate of Ca2+ efflux from passively loaded membranes in the absence of ATP. No protein kinase C activity was detected in crude or purified membranes by histone phosphorylation or endogenous protein phosphorylation assays. These results suggest that PMA and dilauroylglycerol stimulate Ca2+-ATPase activity and inhibit ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport by increasing the permeability of the membranes to Ca2+.     

Chloride ion transport and its inhibition in thylakoid membranes

Cl- translocation across energized and nonenergized thylakoid membranes was found to be inhibited by piretanide, an inhibitor of active Cl- transport in fish intestinal epithelia. Piretanide has no effect on photophosphorylation catalyzed by phenazine methosulfate or on Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity of isolated chloroplast coupling factor (CF1). Light-dependent Cl- uptake, contrary to H+ uptake, is severalfold greater at pH 8.0 than at pH 6.7.     

The role of zinc ions in reverse transport mediated by monoamine transporters

The human dopamine transporter (hDAT) contains an endogenous high affinity Zn2+ binding site with three coordinating residues on its extracellular face (His193, His375, and Glu396). Upon binding to this site, Zn2+ causes inhibition of [3H]1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ([3H]MPP+) uptake. We investigated the effect of Zn2+ on outward transport by superfusing hDAT-expressing HEK-293 cells preloaded with [3H]MPP+. Although Zn2+ inhibited uptake, Zn2+ facilitated [3H]MPP+ release induced by amphetamine, MPP+, or K+-induced depolarization specifically at hDAT but not at the human serotonin and the norepinephrine transporter (hNET). Mutation of the Zn2+ coordinating residue His(193) to Lys (the corresponding residue in hNET) eliminated the effect of Zn2+ on efflux. Conversely, the reciprocal mutation (K189H) conferred Zn2+ sensitivity to hNET. The intracellular [3H]MPP+ concentration was varied to generate saturation isotherms; these showed that Zn2+ increased V(max) for efflux (rather than K(M-Efflux-intracellular)). Thus, blockage of inward transport by Zn2+ is not due to a simple inhibition of the transporter turnover rate. The observations provide evidence against the model of facilitated exchange-diffusion and support the concept that inward and outward transport represent discrete operational modes of the transporter. In addition, they indicate a physiological role of Zn2+, because Zn2+ also facilitated transport reversal of DAT in rat striatal slices.     

The liver cell plasma membrane Ca2+ inflow systems exhibit a broad specificity for divalent metal ions.

1. The inflow of Mn2+ across the plasma membranes of isolated hepatocytes was monitored by measuring the quenching of the fluorescence of intracellular quin2, by atomic absorption spectroscopy and by the uptake of 54Mn2+. The inflow of other divalent metal ions was measured using quin2. 2. Under ionic conditions which resembled those present in the cytoplasmic space, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cd2+ each quenched the fluorescence of a solution of Ca2(+)-quin2. 3. The addition of Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ or Cd2+ to cells loaded with quin2 caused a time-dependent decrease in the fluorescence of intracellular quin2. Plots of the rate of decrease in fluorescence as a function of the concentration of Mn2+ reached a plateau at 100 microM-Mn2+. 4. The rate of decrease in fluorescence induced by Mn2+ was stimulated by 20% in the presence of vasopressin. The effect of vasopressin was completely inhibited by 200 microM-verapamil. Adrenaline, angiotensin II and glucagon also stimulated the rate of decrease in the fluorescence of intracellular quin2 induced by Mn2+. 5. The rate of decrease in fluorescence induced by Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ or Cd2+ was stimulated by between 20 and 190% in the presence of vasopressin or angiotensin II. 6. The rates of uptake of Mn2+ measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy or by using 54Mn2+ were inhibited by about 20% by 1.3 mM-Ca2+o and stimulated by 30% by vasopressin. 7. Plots of Mn2+ uptake, measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy or with 54Mn2+, as a function of the extracellular concentration of Mn2+ were biphasic over the range 0.05-1.0 mM added Mn2+ and did not reach a plateau at 1.0 mM-Mn2+. 8. It is concluded that (i) hepatocytes possess both a basal and a receptor-activated divalent cation inflow system, each of which has a broad specificity for metal ions, and (ii) the receptor-activated divalent cation inflow system is the receptor-operated Ca2+ channel.     

Sealed reticulocyte ghosts. An experimental model for the study of Fe2+ transport.

Sealed right-side-out reticulocyte ghosts transported and accumulated iron offered as 59Fe(2+)-ascorbate (Km = 1.1 microM). The uptake of iron by ghosts presented the characteristics of a transporter-mediated process: it responded to osmotic challenge, the rate of transport increased when iron was present in the opposing side, and the transport rate showed the temperature dependence typical of membrane-mediated processes. The transport of iron was dependent on an associated influx of Cl- in order to keep electroneutrality. Other transition metals, such as Cu2+, Zn2+, and Co2+, inhibited the transport of Fe2+. The overall characteristics of the system make reticulocyte sealed ghosts a very useful model in determining the basic mechanisms of membrane iron transport.     

Proton potential-dependent polyamine transport by vacuolar membrane vesicles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Vacuolar membrane vesicles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae accumulated spermine and spermidine in the presence of ATP, not in the presence of ADP. Spermine and spermidine transport at pH 7.4 showed saturation kinetics with Km values of 0.2 mM and 0.7 mM, respectively. Spermine uptake was competitively inhibited by spermidine and putrescine, but was not affected by seven amino acids, substrates of active transport systems of vacuolar membrane. Spermine transport was inhibited by the H(+)-ATPase-specific inhibitors bafilomycin A1 and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, but not by vanadate. It was also sensitive to Cu2+ or Zn2+ ions, inhibitors of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Both 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzilidenemalononitrile (SF6847) and nigericin blocked completely the spermine uptake, but valinomycin did not. [14C]Spermine accumulated in the vesicles was exchangeable with unlabeled spermine and spermidine. However, it was released by a protonophore only in the presence of a counterion such as Ca2+. These results indicate that a polyamine-specific transport system depending on a proton potential functions in the vacuolar membrane of this organism.     

Biochemical Properties and Inhibition Kinetics of Phosphatase from Wheat Thylakoid Membranes

A phosphetase that hydrolyses phosphate monoesters has been Isolated from wheat thylakold membranes. Biochemical properties and inhibition kinetics of the phosphatase were Investigated using several Ions, organlc solvents, and Inhlbltors. Wheat （Trltlcum aestivum L. cv. PH82-2-2） thylakold membrane phosphatase activity was activated by Mg^2＋, Ca^2＋, and Fe^2＋ and was inhibited by Mn^2＋ and Cu^2＋. For example, enzyme activity was acUvated 34.81% by 2 mmol/l. Mg^2＋, but was Inhibited 22.3% and 8.5% by 2 and 1 mmol/L Cu^2＋, respectively. Methanol, ethanol and glycol were all able to activate enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was activated 58.5%, 48.2%, and 8.7% by 40% ethanol, methanol and glycol, respectively. From these results, It can be seen that the degree of actlvetlon of the phosphetase was greatest for ethanol and the type of acUvatlon was uncompetltlve. Moreover, the activity of the thylakold membrane phosphetase was Inhibited by molybdate, vanadete, phosphate, and fluoride and the type of Inhibition produced by these elements was uncompetltlve, non-competitive, competltlve and mixed, respectively.     

Characterization of Ca2+ transport in rat renal brush-border membranes and its modulation by phosphatidic acid.

The Ca2+ transport process by isolated renal brush-border membranes was characterized and the influence of the acidic phospholipid phosphatidic acid (PtdA) on this transport process was assessed. Ca2+ uptake by brush-border membranes exhibited saturation kinetics. It was inhibitable by a variety of multivalent cations, as well as by Ca2+-entry inhibitors, including verapamil, Ruthenium Red and gentamicin. It was selective for Ca2+ compared with Mg2+. This process was also electrophoretic since generation of K+ and anion-diffusion potentials, negative inside the vesicle, increased Ca2+ uptake. Elevations in PtdA content of brush-border membranes by either exogenous addition or endogenous generation of PtdA by incubating brush-border membranes with MgATP2- elevated the rate of Ca2+ uptake. This ATP effect could not be attributed to (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-dependent ATPase or contaminating membrane fragments. PtdA also increased the magnitude and rate of Ca2+ efflux from brush-border membranes preloaded with Ca2+. These modulations in uptake and efflux were not observed with phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylinositol. In summary, these results are consistent with the presence of an electrophoretic uniport system for Ca2+ in renal brush-border membranes, and demonstrate that PtdA uniquely among phospholipids tested appears to facilitate transmembrane flux of Ca2+ across this membrane preparation.     

The effect of Cu2+, Zn2+ cations and biogenic amines on the nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity in the rat brain

Study of the effects of Cu2+, Zn2+ cations and polyamines, spermine and spermidine, on the nuclear poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase activity of rat brain was carried out. It was shown that low concentrations of Cu2+ stimulate the activity of purified poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase. The poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase activity was increased 1.4-fold at 5 microM Cu2+. A further increase of Cu2+ concentration inhibited the enzymatic activity; at 50 microM Cu2+ the polymerase activity appeared to be fully inhibited. It was shown that Zn2+ inhibited only the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase activity. Zn2+ at a concentration of 125 microM fully inhibited the enzymatic activity. Spermine and spermidine stimulated the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase activity of brain nuclei of newborn and old rats.     

Competitive inhibition of an energy-dependent nickel transport system by divalent cations in Bradyrhizobium japonicum JH.

Both nickel-specific transport and nickel transport by a magnesium transporter have been described previously for a variety of nickel-utilizing bacteria. The derepression of hydrogenase activity in Bradyzhizobium japonicum JH and in a gene-directed mutant of strain JH (in an intracellular Ni metabolism locus), strain JHK7, was inhibited by MgSO4. For both strains, Ni2+ uptake was also markedly inhibited by Mg2+, and the Mg(2+)-mediated inhibition could be overcome by high levels of Ni2+ provided in the assay buffer. The results indicate that both B. japonicum strains transport Ni2+ via a high-affinity magnesium transport system. Dixon plots (1/V versus inhibitor) showed that the divalent cations Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+, like Mg2+, were competitive inhibitors of Ni2+ uptake. The KiS for nickel uptake inhibition by Mg2+, Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ were 48, 22, 12, and 8 microM, respectively. Cu2+ strongly inhibited Ni2+ uptake, and molybdate inhibited it slightly. Respiratory inhibitors cyanide and azide, the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, the ATPase inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and ionophores nigericin and valinomycin significantly inhibited short-term (5 min) Ni2+ uptake, showing that Ni2+ uptake in strain JH is energy dependent. Most of these conclusions are quite different from those reported previously for a different B. japonicum strain belonging to a different serogroup.     

Competitive inhibition of an energy-dependent nickel transport system by divalent cations in Bradyrhizobium japonicum JH.

Both nickel-specific transport and nickel transport by a magnesium transporter have been described previously for a variety of nickel-utilizing bacteria. The derepression of hydrogenase activity in Bradyzhizobium japonicum JH and in a gene-directed mutant of strain JH (in an intracellular Ni metabolism locus), strain JHK7, was inhibited by MgSO4. For both strains, Ni2+ uptake was also markedly inhibited by Mg2+, and the Mg(2+)-mediated inhibition could be overcome by high levels of Ni2+ provided in the assay buffer. The results indicate that both B. japonicum strains transport Ni2+ via a high-affinity magnesium transport system. Dixon plots (1/V versus inhibitor) showed that the divalent cations Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+, like Mg2+, were competitive inhibitors of Ni2+ uptake. The KiS for nickel uptake inhibition by Mg2+, Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ were 48, 22, 12, and 8 microM, respectively. Cu2+ strongly inhibited Ni2+ uptake, and molybdate inhibited it slightly. Respiratory inhibitors cyanide and azide, the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, the ATPase inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and ionophores nigericin and valinomycin significantly inhibited short-term (5 min) Ni2+ uptake, showing that Ni2+ uptake in strain JH is energy dependent. Most of these conclusions are quite different from those reported previously for a different B. japonicum strain belonging to a different serogroup.     

Effects of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors on Proton Exchange and Photosynthesis in Pea Protoplasts

At concentrations of 100–200 M, ethoxyzolamide, a lipophilic inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, considerably (by 60%) inhibited light-induced CO₂-dependent oxygen evolution in pea protoplasts at the optimum concentration of inorganic carbon (100 M CO₂) in the medium. At the same concentrations of the inhibitor, electron transport in isolated pea thylakoids was inhibited only by 6–9%. Acetazolamide, a water-soluble inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, affected neither the rate of CO₂-dependent O₂evolution in protoplasts nor electron transport in thylakoid membranes. A light-dependent proton uptake by protoplasts was demonstrated. At pH 7.2, the induction kinetics and the rate of proton uptake were similar to those for CO₂-dependent O₂evolution. The rate of proton uptake was decreased twofold by 1 mM acetazolamide. This fact agrees with the notion that a membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase is operative in the plasma membrane of higher plant cells. A mechanism of its functioning is suggested. Possible functions of carbonic anhydrases in the cells of C₃-plants are discussed.     

Ferrous ion transport across chloroplast inner envelope membranes

The initial rate of Fe(2+) movement across the inner envelope membrane of pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplasts was directly measured by stopped-flow spectrofluorometry using membrane vesicles loaded with the Fe(2+)-sensitive fluorophore, Phen Green SK. The rate of Fe(2+) transport was rapid, coming to equilibrium within 3s. The maximal rate and concentration dependence of Fe(2+) transport in predominantly right-side-out vesicles were nearly equivalent to those measured in largely inside-out vesicles. Fe(2+) transport was stimulated by an inwardly directed electrochemical proton gradient across right-side-out vesicles, an effect that was diminished by the addition of valinomycin in the presence of K(+). Fe(2+) transport was inhibited by Zn(2+), in a competitive manner, as well as by Cu(2+) and Mn(2+). These results indicate that inward-directed Fe(2+) transport across the chloroplast inner envelope occurs by a potential-stimulated uniport mechanism.     

Studies on sodium transport in rat brain nerve-ending particles

(1) Nerve-ending particles isolated from crude mitochondrial preparations from rat brain by discontinuous Ficoll density gradient ultracentrifugation were shown to possess a Mg2+ and energy-dependent transport system for Na+. (2) Ouabain or iodoacetate plus cyanide exerted an inhibitory effect on the outflux but not the influx of Na+. (3) When K+ was added to a medium containing particles loaded with Na+ (22Na), an immediate release of Na+ from these particles was observed; this suggests the existence of a Na+-K+ exchange transport system. (4) The K+ effect was inhibited by 10(-4) M-ouabain only at low (about 3.3 mM), but not at high (20 mM), K+ concentrations. (5) The uptake and release of Na+ by the nerve-ending particles were found to be temperature-dependent. (6) Only nerve-ending particles with intact synaptosomal membranes were found to transport Na+ actively.