Partial characterization of an endogenous factor which modulates the effect of catecholamines on synaptosomal Na+, K+-ATPase

We have previously presented evidence for the existence of a brain soluble factor which mediates the stimulation of synaptosomal ATPases by catecholamines. The stimulation of synaptosomal ATPases by dopamine plus brain soluble fraction was not modified if the soluble fraction was heated for 5 min at 95°C. One day after preparation, the soluble factor inhibited the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, but not the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, and subsequent addition of noradrenaline stimulated the ATPases activities. The inhibitory effect of a 24 h soluble fraction disappeared if the soluble fraction was dialyzed; in this case, noradrenaline did not activate the enzyme activities. Gel filtration in Sephadex G-50 permitted separating a subfraction which inhibited ATPase activity (peak II) from another which stimulated ATPase activity (peak I). Peak I stimulated both Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ ATPases. Peak II inhibited only Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, and when stored acidified, it mediated ATPases stimulation by noradrenaline.Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Eduardo De Robertis.     

Cyclic AMP and calcium modulated ATPase activity in the salivary glands of the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum (L.)

Na⁺,K⁺-activated ATPase activity in tick salivary glands increases during the rapid stage of tick feeding paralleling similar increases in dopamine and cAMP-stimulated fluid secretion. High concentrations of cyclic AMP increase Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in a plasma membrane-enriched fraction from the salivary glands of rapidly feeding ticks. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor protein blocks activation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity at low but not high concentrations of cAMP indicating that both activator and inhibitor modulator phosphoproteins of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity exist in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction.ATPase activity in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction is not measurable in the absence of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. Ca-stimulated nucleotidase activity is highest with ATP serving as the preferred substrate in a series including CTP, UTP, GTP and ADP. Calcium, Mg²⁺ stimulated ATPase activity is activated further by calmodulin and partially inhibited by low concentration of vanadate, trifluoperazine and oligomycin. Results suggest that the plasma membrane-enriched fraction of tick salivary glands contains both Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and oligomycin-sensitive Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, the latter likely from a small amount of mitochondria in the partially purified organelle fraction.     

The interaction between calcium and the activation of Na+, K+-ATPase by noradrenaline

Summary The interaction of noradrenaline, various cation chelators and calcium on Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase from rat cerebral cortex plasma membranes was studied. It was shown that chelation of inhibitory cations by EGTA, EDTA and dipyridyl activated Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase to the same extent as noradrenaline but at higher concentrations; increasing concentrations of EGTA depressed the activation by noradrenaline; calcium in the form of a calcium-EGTA buffer depressed Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase at physiological concentrations; the inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase by calcium is dependent on the magnesium concentration in the assay and the inhibition by calcium was partially reversed by noradrenaline.     

Glutathione S‐transferase π complexes with and stimulates Na+,K+‐ATPase

Glutathione S‐transferase (GST) was found to complex with the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase as shown by binding assay using quartz crystal microbalance. The complexation was obstructed by the addition of antiserum to the α‐subunit of the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase, suggesting the specificity of complexation between GST and the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase. Co‐immunoprecipitation experiments, using the anti‐α‐subunit antiserum to precipitate the GST‐Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase complex and then using antibodies specific to an isoform of GST to identify the co‐precipitated proteins, revealed that GSTπ was complexed with the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase. GST stimulated the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity up to 1.4‐fold. The level of stimulation exhibited a saturable dose–response relationship with the amount of GST added, although the level of stimulation varied depending on the content of GSTπ in the lots of GST received from supplier. The stimulation was also obtained when recombinant GSTπ was used, confirming the results. When GST was treated with reduced glutathione, GST activity was greatly stimulated, whereas the level of stimulation of the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was similar to that when untreated GST was added. When GST was treated with H₂O₂, GST activity was greatly diminished while the stimulation of the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase activity was preserved. The results suggest that GSTπ complexes with the Na⁺,K⁺‐ATPase and stimulates the latter independent of its GST activity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of corpus cardiacum extracts on the ATPase activity of locust rectum

The Mg²⁺ dependent and Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase activities of microsomal preparations from the rectum of Locusta migratoria were both stimulated, to varying extents, by crude extracts of the corpora cardiaca of this species. Mg²⁺ ATPase activity increased by approximately 549% whereas the hormonal stimulation of Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase depended upon the concentration of sodium and potassium ions. At 100 mM Na⁺ and 20 mM K⁺, conditions which approximate to optimum for this enzyme system, Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase activity increased by about 14%. At sub-optimum concentrations of these ions, i.e. 50 and 5 mM Na⁺ and K⁺ respectively, the increase in Na⁺K⁺-activated ATPase activity was about 205%. Ouabain at a concentration of 10^?3 M completely abolished this stimulated activity and was consistently effective in partially reducing the stimulation of Mg²⁺ ATPase activity by corpora cardiaca extracts.     

Trypsinization unmasks a Ca+2- stimulated ATPase activity from purified pig gastric microsomes

Trypsinization of gastric microsomal K⁺- stimulated ATPase in absence of ATP nearly abolished the K⁺- stimulated component of the enzyme activity without any significant effect on the basal (with Mg⁺² alone) activity. The K⁺- stimulated component, however, was completely restored by the ‘activator protein” partially purified form the soluble supernatant fraction of the pig gastric cells. On the other hand, trypsinization of the microsomes in presence of ATP significantly increased (2–3 fold) the basal rate with virtual elimination of the K⁺- stimulated component. Assay of the trypsinized microsomes in presence of the activator protein not only demonstrated complete restoration of the K⁺- stimulated ATPase but also revealed an additional activity which has been characterized as a Ca⁺²- stimulated ATPase.Tryptic digestion has recently been used as a tool to understand the mechanism of action of various transport enzymes such as Na⁺, K⁺- ATPase (1), Ca⁺²- ATPase (2,3) and gastric H⁺, K⁺- ATPase (4). Controlled tryptic digestion of purified enzymes under various conditions of ligand binding may provide us with many valuable informations regarding the molecular architecture of the enzyme protein. However, when dealing with a membrane system containing a host of many different intrinsic and extrinsic proteins one must be cautious about the interpretation of the trypsin effects. In the present paper we report the effects of trypsin digestion of the purified pig gastric microsomes on the microsomal K⁺- stimulated ATPase activity. Our studies demonstrated that digestion of the microsomes with trypsin in absence of ATP inactivated the K⁺- stimulated ATPase but the activity could be fully restored by the addition of partially purified activator protein (5). Microsomes treated with trypsin in presence of ATP responded to the activator protein to the same extent as that without ATP but in addition demonstrated the manifestation of another enzymatic activity which has been characterized as a Ca⁺²- stimulated ATPase. This is a preliminary report dealing primarily with the unmasking of a new ATPase after trypsin treatment. Detailed reports on the characterization and mechanism of action of the gastric Ca⁺²- stimulated ATPase will be published elsewhere.     

Prostaglandin F2alpha and insulin stimulate phosphate uptake and (Na+, K+) ATPase activity in resting mouse fibroblast cultures.

The (Na⁺, K⁺)ATPase transport system in resting 3T3 Swiss mouse fibroblasts is rapidly activated by prostaglandin F₂α and insulin, which initiate DNA synthesis in these cells. Prostaglandin F₂α, but not insulin, promotes a rapid increase in P_i uptake which is partially coupled to the Na⁺ pump. This rapid activation of both transport systems occurs by a mechanism which does not require fluctuation of cyclic AMP levels or new protein synthesis. A subsequent protein synthesis-dependent increase in P_i uptake is stimulated by insulin and prostaglandin F₂α. These results suggest that different types of control of membrane transport occur during growth stimulation.     

Enhancement of ornithine decarboxylase and Na+, K+ ATPase in osteoblastoma cells by intermittent compression

Rat osteoblatoma cells (ROS $\text{2}\text{3}$) were subjected in culture to a physiologic, intermittent, compressive force. The mechanical perturbation enhanced the activity of ornithine decarboxylase by 60%. Investigation of the mechanism of enzyme activation revealed an increase in ouabain inhibitable ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake, indicating an elevated Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase activity. Ouabain (1 μM) reduced ornithine decarboxylase activity by 75% in control cultures. This inhibition was partially overcome by intermittent compression. It appears that a functioning Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase is essential for the maintenance of ornithine decarboxylase activity and that activation of Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase may be associated with the trophic effects of mechanical stimuli in these cells.     

Na+/Ca2+ exchange of isolated sarcolemmal membrane: effects of insulin,oxidants and insulin deficiency

In this study we prepared sarcolemmal fractions from bovine and rat hearts; their Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activities, measured in the presence of saponin to unmask latent Na⁺K⁺ ATPase, were 59.4 and 48.8 µ mol Pi/mg protein · h, respectively. The rate of Na⁺dependent Ca2⁺ uptake was linear for the first 10 s and a plateau was reached in 3 min. Oxidation by free radical generation either with H₂O₂, FeSO₄ plus DTT or xanthine oxidase plus hypoxanthine stimulated Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange in a time-dependent manner. The stimulation was abolished by deferoxamine or o-phenanthroline. By contrast, oxidation by HOCI inhibited Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange in proportion to its concentration, and this inhibition was antagonized by DTT. DTT alone had no effect on the exchange. Insulin stimulated Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange, its maximal effect was attained after 30min incubation with 100 µ units/ml. N-ethylmaleimide inhibited the exchange both in the presence and in the absence of insulin. Sarcolemmal fractions prepared from hearts of alloxan-treated, acutely diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange. Addition of insulin in vitro significantly stimulated Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange of both diabetic and control groups. The results indicate that sarcolemmal Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange function is modulated by oxidation-reduction states and by the presence of insulin.     

Effects of vanadate on Na+,K+-ATPase and on the force of contraction in guinea-pig hearts.

Vanadate has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of isolated Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Since the inhibition of this enzyme system has been implicated in a mechanism for the positive inotropic action of cardiac glycosides, the cardiac actions of vanadate were examined in connection with its action on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Vanadate inhibited isolated Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase obtained from various tissues. The differences in the vanadate sensitivity due to enzyme source were relatively small. K⁺-stimulated phosphatase activity was more sensitive than Na⁺,K⁺-stimulated ATP hydrolysis. The compounds was more potent than phosphate in supporting [³H] oubain binding in the presence of Mg²⁺, indicating a higher affinity of the enzyme for vanadate. It, however, failed to inhibit oubain sensitive ⁸⁶Rb uptake in electrically stimulated atrial muscle of guinea-pig hearts in concentrations which would inhibit isolated Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. These latter concentrations of vanadate also failed to produce positive inotropic effects in electrically stimulated left atrial preparations of guinea-pig hearts. Higher concentrations produced marked negative inotropic effects associated with a shortening of the action potential duration. These results indicate that vanadate is a potent inhibitor of isolated Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, but cannot inhibit the enzyme in intact myocardial cells or produce positive inotropic effects when applied extracellularly. Inhibitory sites on the enzyme are probably located at the internal surface of the cell membrane which are normally inaccessible to vanadate in intact tissue.     

Activation of Rb+ and Na+ uptake into yeast by monovalent cations

⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake by yeast was not only stimulated by Rb⁺ or K⁺ but also by Na⁺. The uptake of ²²Na⁺ was enhanced by both Rb⁺ and K⁺, but not by Na⁺, which was inhibitory at all concentrations applied. Inhibition of ²²Na⁺ uptake by inactive Na⁺ occurred in two phases: one phase refers to inhibition at low Na⁺ concentrations and the other to inhibition at high Na⁺ concentrations. Our results can be qualitatively described by a two-site transport mechanism, having two cation binding sites, which must be occupied with monovalent cations before transport can occur.     

Na+ K+ ATPase activity in synaptosomes and myelin of developing control and intra-uterine growth retarded rats: effects of lead and serotonin

An intrauterine growth retarded (IUGR) model based on restriction of blood supply to fetuses at 17 days of pregnancy in rats was studied. We investigated in vitro the effects of lead on Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activity in synaptosomes and myelin of IUGR and control rats from 6 to 60 days after birth. In both groups an age-dependent effects existed in synaptosomes for the lowest doses of lead. The experimental group tended to be more sensitive to the metal than the control group and the Na⁺K⁺ATPase activity was less inhibited in the younger rats as compared to mature rats. Serotonin (5-HT) added to the subcellular preparations produced different changes in Na⁺K⁺ATPase activity. In synaptosomes, 5-HT stimulated the enzyme activity in a dose-related manner and apparently reversed the inhibiton induced by lead up to 22 days after birth in the control group. This action was less marked in the IUGR group. In myelin fractions, the Na⁺K⁺ATPase activity was inhibited by lead in both groups but the “protective effect of monoamines” was never observed. The Na⁺K⁺ ATPase activity was modulated by monoamines in synaptosomes and not in myelin, perhaps through a mechanism involving soluble factor(s).     

Effects of mitogens on sodium-potassium transport, H-ouabain binding, and adenosine triphosphatase activity in lymphocytes

The effect of various mitogens was studied on sodium (Na⁺) potassium (K⁺) transport, ³H-ouabain binding, and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity in human and sheep peripheral lymphocytes. Concanavalin A (ConA), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), horse anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS), and anti-IgG antisera, in order of decreasing potency, stimulated in particular the ouabain-sensitive K⁺ pump influx, while the cardiac glycoside-insensitive K⁺ leak flux was only slightly affected. Sheep lymphocytes primed in vivo with human IgG as antigen also responded with K⁺ pump flux activation when exposed to the antigen in vitro. Both PHA and ConA also stimulated active Na⁺ efflux in human lymphocytes. Apparently these mitogens activate the Na⁺K⁺ pump system in the lymphocyte membrane—an assumption supported by the finding of a significant activation of the ouabain-sensitive Na⁺K⁺-ATPase. From rate studies of ³H-ouabain binding carried out at 37 °C in presence and absence of sodium azide, and at 0 °C, it is concluded that PHA alters the rate of ouabain uptake to these cells. Thus PHA may alter the affinity of the pump for ouabain, equivalent to an increased cation turnover per pump site. However, our findings do not completely discount the possibility that PHA also increases the total number of ouabain molecules bound and therefore of Na⁺K⁺ pumps.     

The role of potassium and chloride ions on the Na+/acidic amino acid cotransport system in rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles

The Na⁺/l-glutamate (l-aspartate) cotransport system present at the level of rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles is specifically activated by the ions K⁺ and Cl^?. The presence of 100 mM K⁺ inside the vesicles drastically enhances the uptake rate and the transient intravesicular accumulation (overshoot) of the two acidic amino acids. It has been demonstrated that the activation of the transport system depended only in the intravesicular K⁺ concentration and that in the absence of any sodium gradient, an outward K⁺ gradient was unable to influence the Na⁺/acidic amino acid transport system. It was also found that Cl^? could specifically activate the Na⁺-dependent l-glutamate (l-aspartate) uptake either in the presence or in the absence of K⁺. Also the effect of Cl^? was observed only in the presence of an inward Na⁺ gradient and it was noted to be higher when chloride ion was present on both sides of the membrane vesicles. No influence (activation or accumulation) was observed in the absence of the Na⁺ gradient and in the presence of chloride gradient. l-Glutamate uptake measured in the presence of an imposed diffusion potential and in the presence of K⁺ or Cl^? did not show any translocation of net charge.     

Proton transport by gastric membrane vesicles

A highly purified membrane fraction was derived from hog gastric mucosa by a combination of differential and density gradient centrifugation and free flow electrophoresis. This final fraction was 35-fold enriched with respect to cation activated ouabain-insensitive ATPase. Antibody against this fraction was shown to be bound to the luminal surface of the gastric glands. The addition of ATP to this fraction or the density gradient fraction resulted in H⁺ uptake into an osmotically sensitive space. The apparent K_m for ATP was 1.7 · 10^?4 M in the absence of a K⁺ gradient similar to that found for ATPase activity. The reaction is specific for ATP and requires cation in the sequence K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺ and is inhibited by ATPase inhibitors such as N,N′-dicylclohexylcarbodiimide. Maximal H⁺ uptake occurs with an outward K⁺ gradient but the minimal apparent K_A is found in the absence of a K⁺ gradient. The pH optimum for H⁺ uptake is between 5.8 and 6.2 which corresponds to the pH range for phosphorylation of the enzyme, but is considerably less than the pH maximum of the K⁺ dependent dephosphorylation. In the presence of an inward K^? gradient, protonophores such as tetrachlorsalicylanilide only partially abolish the H⁺ gradient but valinomycin dissipates 75% of the gradient, and nigericin abolishes the gradient. The vesicles therefore have a low K⁺ conductance but a measurable H⁺ conductance, hence a K⁺ gradient can produce an H⁺ gradient in the presence of valinomycin. The uptake and spontaneous leak of H⁺ are temperature sensitive skin with a similar transition temperature. Ultraviolet irradiation inactivates ATPase and proton transport at the same rate, approximately at twice the rate of p-nitrophenylphosphatase inactivation. It is concluded that H⁺ uptake by these vesicles is probably due to a dimeric (H⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase and is probably non-electrogenic.     

Effect of nickel on certain physiological and biochemical behaviors of an acid tolerantChlorella vulgaris

This study concerns the inhibitory effects of acid pH and nickel on growth, nutrient (NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺) uptake, carbon fixation, O₂ evolution, electron transport chain and enzyme (nitrate reductase and ATPase) activities of acid tolerant and wild-type strains of Chlorella vulgaris. Though a general reduction in all these variables was noticed with decreasing pH, the tolerant strain was found to be metabolically more active than the wild-type. A reduced cation (NH₄ ⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺) uptake, coupled with a facilitated influx of anions (NH₄ ⁺, PO₄ ^3- and HCO₃ ^-), suggested the development of a positive membrane potential in acid tolerant Chlorella. Nevertheless, a tremendous increase in ATPase activity at decreasing pH revealed the involvement of superactive ATPase in exporting H⁺ ions and keeping the internal pH neutral. A difference in Na⁺ and K⁺ efflux of the two strains at decreasing pH suggests there is a difference in membrane permeability. The low toxicity of Ni in the acid tolerant strain may be due to the low Ni uptake brought about by a change in membrane potential as well as in permeability. Hence, the development of superactive ATPase and a change in both membrane potential and permeability not only offers protection against acidity, but also co-tolerance to metals.     

Sodium gradient- and sodium plus potassium gradient-dependentl-glutamate uptake in renal basolateral membrane vesicles

Summary A membrane preparation enriched in the basolateral segment of the plasma membrane was isolated from the rat renal cortex by a procedure that included separation of particulates on a self-generating Percoll gradient. The uptake ofl-glutamate by the basolateral membrane vesicles was studied. A Na⁺ gradient ([Na⁺] _o >[Na⁺] _i ) stimulated the uptake ofl-glutamate and provided the driving force for the uphill transport of the acidic amino acid, suggesting a Na⁺-l-glutamate cotransport system in the basolateral membrane. A K⁺ gradient ([K⁺] _i >[K⁺] _o ) increased the uptake additionally. This effect was specific for K⁺ (Rb⁺). The action of the K⁺ gradient in enhancing the uptake ofl-glutamate had an absolute requirement for Na⁺. In the presence of Na⁺, but in the absence of a Na⁺ gradient. i.e., [Na⁺] _o =[Na⁺] _i , the K⁺ gradient also energized the concentrative uptake ofl-glutamate. This effect of the K⁺ gradient was not attributable to an alteration in membrane potential. The finding of a concentrative uptake system forl-glutamate energized by both Na⁺ ([Na⁺] _o >[Na⁺] _i and K⁺ ([K⁺] _i >[K⁺] _o ) gradients in the basolateral membrane, combined with previous reports of an ion gradient-dependent uphill transport system for this amino acid in the brush border membrane, suggests a mechanism by whichl-glutamate is accumulated intracellularly in the renal proximal tubule to extraordinarily high concentrations.     

Sodium-potassium exchange in sea urchin egg. I. Kinetic and biochemical characterization at fertilization

Biochemical and kinetic characteristics of the Na⁺-K⁺ exchange were studied in Paracentrotus lividus eggs. Measurement of the ⁸⁶Rb uptake shows that ouabain-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb uptake is dramatically stimulated within the first minute following fertilization. The Na⁺-K⁺ pump-mediated K⁺ entry presents a maximal rate at 8 min postfertilization and then decreases to reach a plateau within 30 min. We assess that the steep rise in cell K⁺ occurring at fertilization (J.P. Girard, P. Payan, C. Sardet, Exp. Cell. Res. 142:215–221, 1982) does not originate from a net entry of external K⁺. Measured 30 min postfertilization, the half-maximal activation by K⁺ of the ouabain-sensitive Na⁺-K⁺ exchange is 5–6 mM and the ouabain lC₅₀ is 5.10^?5 M. Egg cortices from unfertilized and fertilized eggs show comparable Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity with a 50% ouabain-sensitive fraction. V_m and K_m for Na⁺ and K⁺ of the enzyme are of the same order of magnitude in cortices of unfertilized and fertilized eggs. Cortical Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase from unfertilized eggs shows a ten fold increase of activity between pH 6.7 and pH 7.7. The results strongly suggest that the plasma membrane of unfertilized eggs contains a preexisting Na⁺-K⁺ transporting system which is obligatorily stimulated at fertilization.     

Characterization of monovalent ion transport systems in an insect cell line (Manduca sexta embryonic cell line che)

The monovalent ion transport systems of an immortalized insect cell line (CHE) have been investigated. These cells are unusual in that unlike most vertebrate cells, their normal extracellular environment consists of high potassium and low sodium concentrations. CHE cells maintained high intracellular [K⁺] through both a furosemide-inhibitable and a vanadate-inhibitable transport system. Intracellular exchangeable [Na⁺] was slightly lower than the extracellular [Na⁺] and was maintained at this level through a vanadate-sensitive transport system. Na⁺ uptake was also inhibited by furosemide: however, the stoichiometry of furosemide-sensitive Na⁺ uptake when compared with furosemide-sensitive K⁺ uptake indicated that these cations are not cotransported. 4,4′-Diisothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS) inhibited Na⁺, K⁺, and Cl^? uptake. Vanadate and furosemide decreased cytoplasmimic pH, while cytoplasmic pH increased in the presence of DIDS. A model is presented explaining how Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, H⁺ and HCO₃ ^? fluxes are regulated in these cells.     

Interactions of ouabain and vanadate with (Na+,K+)ATPase and isolated cardiac muscle

The interactions of ouabain and vanadate with (Na⁺,K⁺)ATPase were investigated at different potassium concentrations. Also, the contractile effects of a mixture of these two inhibitors were compared to those produced by ouabain or vanadate alone. The results from the enzyme and contractile studies suggested that inhibition of sarcolemmal (Na⁺,K⁺)ATPase was involved in mediating the positive inotropic effect of vanadate.