Gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity correlates with basolateral membrane lipid composition in seawater- but not freshwater-acclimated Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus)

The successful migration of euryhaline teleost fish from freshwater to seawater requires the upregulation of gill Na+-K+-ATPase, an ion transport enzyme located in the basolateral membrane (BLM) of gill chloride cells. Following 39 days of seawater exposure, Arctic char had similar plasma sodium and chloride levels as individuals maintained in freshwater, indicating they had successfully acclimated to seawater. This acclimation was associated with an eightfold increase in gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity but only a threefold increase in gill Na+-K+-ATPase protein number, suggesting that other mechanisms may also modulate gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity. We therefore investigated the influence of membrane composition on Na+-K+-ATPase activity by examining the phospholipid, fatty acid, and cholesterol composition of the gill BLM from freshwater- and seawater-acclimated Arctic char. Mean gill BLM cholesterol content was significantly lower ( approximately 22%) in seawater-acclimated char. Gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity in individual seawater Arctic char was negatively correlated with BLM cholesterol content and positively correlated with %phosphatidylethanolamine and overall %18:2n6 (linoleic acid) content of the BLM, suggesting gill Na+-K+-ATPase activity of seawater-acclimated char may be modulated by the lipid composition of the BLM and may be especially sensitive to those parameters known to influence membrane fluidity. Na+-K+-ATPase activity of individual freshwater Arctic char was not correlated to any membrane lipid parameter measured, suggesting that different lipid-protein interactions may exist for char living in each environment.     

Muscle Na+-K+-ATPase activity and isoform adaptations to intense interval exercise and training in well-trained athletes.

The Na+ -K+ -ATPase enzyme is vital in skeletal muscle function. We investigated the effects of acute high-intensity interval exercise, before and following high-intensity training (HIT), on muscle Na+ -K+ -ATPase maximal activity, content, and isoform mRNA expression and protein abundance. Twelve endurance-trained athletes were tested at baseline, pretrain, and after 3 wk of HIT (posttrain), which comprised seven sessions of 8 x 5-min interval cycling at 80% peak power output. Vastus lateralis muscle was biopsied at rest (baseline) and both at rest and immediately postexercise during the first (pretrain) and seventh (posttrain) training sessions. Muscle was analyzed for Na+ -K+ -ATPase maximal activity (3-O-MFPase), content ([3H]ouabain binding), isoform mRNA expression (RT-PCR), and protein abundance (Western blotting). All baseline-to-pretrain measures were stable. Pretrain, acute exercise decreased 3-O-MFPase activity [12.7% (SD 5.1), P < 0.05], increased alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 mRNA expression (1.4-, 2.8-, and 3.4-fold, respectively, P < 0.05) with unchanged beta-isoform mRNA or protein abundance of any isoform. In resting muscle, HIT increased (P < 0.05) 3-O-MFPase activity by 5.5% (SD 2.9), and alpha3 and beta3 mRNA expression by 3.0- and 0.5-fold, respectively, with unchanged Na+ -K+ -ATPase content or isoform protein abundance. Posttrain, the acute exercise induced decline in 3-O-MFPase activity and increase in alpha1 and alpha3 mRNA each persisted (P < 0.05); the postexercise 3-O-MFPase activity was also higher after HIT (P < 0.05). Thus HIT augmented Na+ -K+ -ATPase maximal activity despite unchanged total content and isoform protein abundance. Elevated Na+ -K+ -ATPase activity postexercise may contribute to reduced fatigue after training. The Na+ -K+ -ATPase mRNA response to interval exercise of increased alpha- but not beta-mRNA was largely preserved posttrain, suggesting a functional role of alpha mRNA upregulation.     

Preconditioning attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced remodeling of Na+-K+-ATPase in hearts

The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in protein content and/or gene expression of Na+-K+-ATPase subunits underlie its decreased enzyme activity during ischemia and reperfusion. We measured protein and mRNA subunit levels in isolated rat hearts subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion (I/R). The effect of ischemic preconditioning (IP), induced by three cycles of ischemia and reperfusion (10 min each), was also assessed on the molecular changes in Na+-K+-ATPase subunit composition due to I/R. I/R reduced the protein levels of the alpha2-, alpha3-, beta1-, and beta2-isoforms by 71%, 85%, 27%, and 65%, respectively, whereas the alpha1-isoform was decreased by <15%. A similar reduction in mRNA levels also occurred for the isoforms of Na+-K+-ATPase. IP attenuated the reduction in protein levels of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha2-, alpha3-, and beta2-isoforms induced by I/R, without affecting the alpha1- and beta1-isoforms. Furthermore, IP prevented the reduction in mRNA levels of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha2-, alpha3-, and beta1-isoforms following I/R. Similar alterations in protein contents and mRNA levels for the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger were seen due to I/R as well as IP. These findings indicate that remodeling of Na+-K+-ATPase may occur because of I/R injury, and this may partly explain the reduction in enzyme activity in ischemic heart disease. Furthermore, IP may produce beneficial effects by attenuating the remodeling of Na+-K+-ATPase and changes in Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in hearts after I/R.     

Parathyroid hormone-mediated regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase requires ERK-dependent translocation of protein kinase Calpha

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase activity by serine phosphorylation of the alpha1 subunit through protein kinase C (PKC)- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent pathways. Based on previous studies we postulated that PTH regulates sodium pump activity through isoform-specific PKC-dependent activation of ERK. In the present work utilizing opossum kidney cells, a model of renal proximal tubule, PTH stimulated membrane translocation of PKCalpha by 102 +/- 16% and PKCbetaI by 41 +/- 7% but had no effect on PKCbetaII and PKCzeta. Both PKCalpha and PKCbetaI phosphorylated the Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit in vitro. PTH increased the activity of PKCalpha but not PKCbetaI. Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that treatment with PTH enhanced the association between Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit and PKCalpha, whereas the association between Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit and PKCbetaI remained unchanged. A PKCalpha inhibitory peptide blocked PTH-stimulated serine phosphorylation of the Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit and inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Pharmacologic inhibition of MEK-1 blocked PTH-stimulated translocation of PKCalpha, whereas transfection of constitutively active MEK-1 cDNA induced translocation of PKCalpha and increased phosphorylation of the Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit. In contrast, PTH-stimulated ERK activation was not inhibited by pretreatment with the PKCalpha inhibitory peptide. Inhibition of PKCalpha expression by siRNA did not inhibit PTH-mediated ERK activation but significantly reduced PTH-mediated phosphorylation of the Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit. Pharmacologic inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase blocked PTH-stimulated ERK activation, translocation of PKCalpha, and phosphorylation of the Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit. We conclude that PTH stimulates Na+-K+-ATPase phosphorylation and decreases the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase by ERK-dependent activation of PKCalpha.     

Phospholemman overexpression inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase in adult rat cardiac myocytes: relevance to decreased Na+ pump activity in postinfarction myocytes.

Messenger RNA levels of phospholemman (PLM), a member of the FXYD family of small single-span membrane proteins with putative ion-transport regulatory properties, were increased in postmyocardial infarction (MI) rat myocytes. We tested the hypothesis that the previously observed reduction in Na+-K+-ATPase activity in MI rat myocytes was due to PLM overexpression. In rat hearts harvested 3 and 7 days post-MI, PLM protein expression was increased by two- and fourfold, respectively. To simulate increased PLM expression post-MI, PLM was overexpressed in normal adult rat myocytes by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. PLM overexpression did not affect the relative level of phosphorylation on serine68 of PLM. Na+-K+-ATPase activity was measured as ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+ pump current (Ip). Compared with control myocytes overexpressing green fluorescent protein alone, Ip measured in myocytes overexpressing PLM was significantly (P < 0.0001) lower at similar membrane voltages, pipette Na+ ([Na+]pip) and extracellular K+ ([K+]o) concentrations. From -70 to +60 mV, neither [Na+]pip nor [K+]o required to attain half-maximal Ip was significantly different between control and PLM myocytes. This phenotype of decreased V(max) without appreciable changes in K(m) for Na+ and K+ in PLM-overexpressed myocytes was similar to that observed in MI rat myocytes. Inhibition of Ip by PLM overexpression was not due to decreased Na+-K+-ATPase expression because there were no changes in either protein or messenger RNA levels of either alpha1- or alpha2-isoforms of Na+-K+-ATPase. In native rat cardiac myocytes, PLM coimmunoprecipitated with alpha-subunits of Na+-K+-ATPase. Inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase by PLM overexpression, in addition to previously reported decrease in Na+-K+-ATPase expression, may explain altered V(max) but not K(m) of Na+-K+-ATPase in postinfarction rat myocytes.     

Hyperglycemia increases endothelial superoxide that impairs smooth muscle cell Na+-K+-ATPase activity

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the control of numerous vascular functions including basal Na+-K+-ATPase activity in arterial tissue. Hyperglycemia inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase activity in rabbit aorta, in part, through diminished bioactivity of NO. The precise mechanism(s) for such observations, however, are not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of superoxide in modulating NO-mediated control of Na+-K+-ATPase in response to hyperglycemia. Rabbit aorta incubated with hyperglycemic glucose concentrations (44 mM) demonstrated a 50% reduction in Na+-K+-ATPase activity that was abrogated by superoxide dismutase. Hyperglycemia also produced a 50% increase in steady-state vascular superoxide measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence that was closely associated with reduced Na+-K+-ATPase activity. Specifically, the hyperglycemia-induced increase in vascular superoxide was endothelium dependent, inhibited by L-arginine, and stimulated by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine. Aldose reductase inhibition with zopolrestat also inhibited the hyperglycemia-induced increase in vascular superoxide. In each manipulation of vascular superoxide, a reciprocal change in Na+-K+-ATPase activity was observed. Finally, a commercially available preparation of Na+-K+-ATPase was inhibited by pyrogallol, a superoxide generator. These data suggest that hyperglycemia induces an increase in endothelial superoxide that inhibits the stimulatory effect of NO on vascular Na+-K+-ATPase activity.     

Seasonal changes in glycogen content and Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the brain of crucian carp

Changes in the number of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha-subunits, Na+-K+-ATPase activity and glycogen content of the crucian carp (Carassius carassius) brain were examined to elucidate relative roles of energy demand and supply in adaptation to seasonal anoxia. Fish were collected monthly around the year from the wild for immediate laboratory assays. Equilibrium dissociation constant and Hill coefficient of [3H]ouabain binding to brain homogenates were 12.87+/-2.86 nM and -1.18+/-0.07 in June and 11.93+/-2.81 nM and -1.17+/-0.06 in February (P>0.05), respectively, suggesting little changes in Na+-K+-ATPase alpha-subunit composition of the brain between summer and winter. The number of [3H]ouabain binding sites and Na-K-ATPase activity varied seasonally (P<0.001) but did not show clear connection to seasonal changes in oxygen content of the fish habitat. Six weeks' exposure of fish to anoxia in the laboratory did not affect Na+-K+-ATPase activity (P>0.05) confirming the anoxia resistance of the carp brain Na pump. Although anoxia did not suppress the Na pump, direct Q10 effect on Na+-K+-ATPase at low temperatures resulted in 10 times lower catalytic activity in winter than in summer. Brain glycogen content showed clear seasonal cycling with the peak value of 203.7+/-16.1 microM/g in February and a 15 times lower minimum (12.9+/-1.2) in July. In winter glycogen stores are 15 times larger and ATP requirements of Na+-K+-ATPase at least 10 times less than in summer. Accordingly, brain glycogen stores are sufficient to fuel brain function for about 8 min in summer and 16 h in winter, meaning about 150-fold extension of brain anoxia tolerance by seasonal changes in energy supply-demand ratio.     

Renal Na+-K+-ATPase in weanling and adult spontaneously hypertensive rats

The interrelationships among plasma renin activity (PRA, ng AI/ml plasma/hr), aldosterone concentration (ng%), and renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity (mumole PO4/mg protein/hr) were studied in 9 weanling normotensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), 9 adult hypertensive SHR, and 9 weanling and 9 adult normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). All groups were placed on a normal (0.4% sodium) diet. PRA and plasma aldosterone, measured in samples drawn from the ether-anesthetized rat, were higher in weanling SHR (15.2 +/- 2.0, 37 +/- 4.2) than in WKY. PRA measured in samples collected from a separate group of unanesthetized weanling SHR was also greater than in age-matched WKY. In adult SHR, PRA (6.1 +/- 0.9) and plasma aldosterone (20.0 +/- 2.7) were decreased. During the weanling period Na+-K+-ATPase activity in SHR was not only greater than in age-matched WKY but was also increased compared to adult normotensive and hypertensive rats (137 +/- 9 weanling SHR, 89 +/- 7 weanling WKY, 73 +/- 11 adult SHR, 84 +/- 17 adult WKY). Thus, during the weanling period the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (R-A-A) system and renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity are activated in SHR. The elevation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity may be due to increased aldosterone levels. It was noted, however, that plasma aldosterone was similar in adult WKY and weanling SHR, while Na+-K+-ATPase activity was higher in SHR. These findings involving R-A-A and renal Na+-K+-ATPase activity prior to the elevation of blood pressure suggest that the kidneys may play a role in the initiation of hypertension in SHR.     

Involvement of PI 3-kinase in IGF-I stimulation of jejunal Na+-K+-ATPase activity and nutrient absorption

Mechanisms responsible for increased jejunal transport rates observed in tissues treated with orally administered insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were studied in 5-day-old colostrum-deprived piglets. Human recombinant IGF-I (3.5 mg. kg(-1). day(-1)) or control vehicle was given orogastrically for 4 days. Disaccharidase activity, fructose uptake, and Na+-glucose cotransporter SGLT-1 protein abundance were similar between groups. Oral IGF-I produced greater rates of enterocyte Na+-K+-ATPase activity with no significant differences in Na+-K+-ATPase abundance. Cellular mechanisms responsible for transport changes were studied in Ussing chambers. In control tissues, the presence of IGF-I in mucosal solutions increased basal short-circuit current (I(sc)), potential difference, D-glucose-stimulated I(sc), and Na+-K+-ATPase activity; these changes were abolished by preincubation of tissues with wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor. The results suggest that the effect of IGF-I on jejunal ion and nutrient transport involves activation of PI 3-kinase and stimulation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity in enterocytes.     

温度和盐度对吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼鳃Na+-K+-ATPase活力的联合效应

试验采用中心组合设计(central composite face-centered design,CCF)和响应曲面法(response surface methodology,RSM)研究了温度(12—34℃)和盐度(0—26)两因素对体长为(4.36±0.105)cm,体重为(2.45±0.153)g的吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼(GIFT Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus;简称吉富罗非鱼)幼鱼鳃Na+-K+-ATPase活力的联合效应。结果表明:(1)温度和盐度的一次效应和二次效应对Na+-K+-ATPase活力影响极显著(P<0.01),温度和盐度的互作效应不显著(P>0.05);(2)经响应曲面法分析,随着温度和盐度的增大,Na+-K+-ATPase活力呈先减小后增大的趋势;(3)建立了Na+-K+-ATPase活力与温度、盐度间关系的模型方程(R2=0.9829,Pred.R2=0.8550,P<0.01),并可用于预测吉富罗非鱼幼鱼鳃Na+-K+-ATPase的活力;(4)优化结果显示,温度为24.15℃,盐度为11.75时,Na+-K+-ATPase活力最小为0.62μmol无机磷.mg-1蛋白.h-1,满意度函数值高达0.961。Na+-K+-ATPase活力可以作为检测罗非鱼生长性能的指标,其活力较低时,一般反映了鱼体生存环境适宜,生长代谢旺盛,消耗于渗透调节的能量较少。     

Both enalapril and losartan attenuate sarcolemmal Na+-K+-ATPase remodeling in failing rat heart due to myocardial infarction

To investigate the mechanisms underlying the depressed sarcolemmal (SL) Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in congestive heart failure (CHF), different isoforms and gene expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase were examined in the failing left ventricle (LV) at 8 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). In view of the increased activity of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in CHF, these parameters were also studied after 5 weeks of treatment with enalapril (10 mg x kg-1 x day-1), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and losartan (20 mg.kg-1.day-1), an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, starting at 3 weeks after the coronary ligation in rats. The infarcted animals showed LV dysfunction and depressed SL Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. Protein content and mRNA levels for Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha2 isoform were decreased whereas those for Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha3 isoform were increased in the failing LV. On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in protein content or mRNA levels for Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha1 and beta1 isoforms. The treatment of infarcted animals with enalapril or losartan improved LV function and attenuated the depression in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha2 isoform as well as the increase in alpha3 isoform, at both the protein and mRNA levels; however, combination therapy with enalapril and losartan did not produce any additive effects. These results provide further evidence that CHF due to MI is associated with remodeling of SL membrane and suggest that the blockade of RAS plays an important role in preventing these alterations in the failing heart.     

Segmental heterogeneity in the biochemical properties of the Na+-K+-ATPase along the intestine of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

The activity of the Na+-K+-ATPase along the intestinal mucosa of the gilthead seabream has been examined. Under optimal assay conditions, found at 35 degrees C, pH 7.5, 2-5 mM MgCl2, 5 mM ATP, 10 mM K+ and 200 mM Na+, maximal Na+-K+-ATPase activities were found in the microsomal fraction of pyloric caeca (PC) and anterior intestine (AI), which were more than two-fold the activity measured in the microsomes from the posterior intestine (PI). Na+-K+-ATPase activities from PC, AI and PI displayed similar pH dependence, optimal Mg2+/ATP and Na+/K+ ratios, affinities for Mg2+ and ATP, and inhibition by vanadate. However, considerable differences regarding sensitivity to ouabain, inhibition by calcium and responses to ionic strength were observed between segments. Thus, Na+-K+-ATPase activity from the AI was found to be ten-fold more sensitive to ouabain and calcium than the enzyme from the PC and PI and displayed distinct kinetic behaviours with respect to Na+ and K+, compared to PC and PI. Analysis of the data from the AI revealed the presence of two Na+-K+-ATPase activities endowed with distinguishable biochemical characteristics, suggesting the involvement of two different isozymes. Regional differences in Na+-K+-ATPase activities in the intestine of the gilthead seabream are compared with literature data on Na+-K+-ATPase isozymes and discussed on the basis of the physiological differences between intestinal regions.     

Prolonged exercise to fatigue in humans impairs skeletal muscle Na+-K+-ATPase activity, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, and Ca2+ uptake.

Prolonged exhaustive submaximal exercise in humans induces marked metabolic changes, but little is known about effects on muscle Na+-K+-ATPase activity and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ regulation. We therefore investigated whether these processes were impaired during cycling exercise at 74.3 +/- 1.2% maximal O2 uptake (mean +/- SE) continued until fatigue in eight healthy subjects (maximal O2 uptake of 3.93 +/- 0.69 l/min). A vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was taken at rest, at 10 and 45 min of exercise, and at fatigue. Muscle was analyzed for in vitro Na+-K+-ATPase activity [maximal K+-stimulated 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphatase (3-O-MFPase) activity], Na+-K+-ATPase content ([3H]ouabain binding sites), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release rate induced by 4 chloro-m-cresol, and Ca2+ uptake rate. Cycling time to fatigue was 72.18 +/- 6.46 min. Muscle 3-O-MFPase activity (nmol.min(-1).g protein(-1)) fell from rest by 6.6 +/- 2.1% at 10 min (P <0.05), by 10.7 +/- 2.3% at 45 min (P <0.01), and by 12.6 +/- 1.6% at fatigue (P <0.01), whereas 3[H]ouabain binding site content was unchanged. Ca2+ release (mmol.min(-1).g protein(-1)) declined from rest by 10.0 +/- 3.8% at 45 min (P <0.05) and by 17.9 +/- 4.1% at fatigue (P < 0.01), whereas Ca2+ uptake rate fell from rest by 23.8 +/- 12.2% at fatigue (P=0.05). However, the decline in muscle 3-O-MFPase activity, Ca2+ uptake, and Ca2+ release were variable and not significantly correlated with time to fatigue. Thus prolonged exhaustive exercise impaired each of the maximal in vitro Na+-K+-ATPase activity, Ca2+ release, and Ca2+ uptake rates. This suggests that acutely downregulated muscle Na+, K+, and Ca2+ transport processes may be important factors in fatigue during prolonged exercise in humans.     

Increases in transepithelial vectorial Na+ transport facilitates Na+-dependent L-DOPA transport in renal OK cells

The present study evaluated the hypothesis of whether increases in vectorial Na+ transport translate into facilitation of Na+-dependent L-DOPA uptake in cultured renal epithelial tubular cells. Increases in vectorial Na+ transport were obtained in opossum kidney (OK) cells engineered to overexpress Na+-K+-ATPase after transfection of wild type OK cells with the rodent Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit. The most impressive differences between wild type and transfected OK cells are that the latter overexpressed Na+-K+-ATPase accompanied by an increased activity of the transporter. Non-linear analysis of the saturation curve for l-DOPA uptake revealed a Vmax value (in nmol mg protein/6 min) of 62 and 80 in wild type and transfected cells, respectively. The uptake of a non-saturating concentration (0.25 microM) of [14C]-L-DOPA in OK-WT cells was not affected by Na+ removal, whereas in OK-alpha1 cells accumulation of [14C]-L-DOPA was clearly dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+. When Na+ was replaced by choline, the inhibitory profile of neutral l-amino acids, but not of basic and acidic amino acids, upon [14C]-L-DOPA uptake in both cell types, was significantly greater than that observed in the presence of extracellular Na+. It is concluded that enhanced ability of OK cells overexpressing Na+-K+-ATPase to translocate Na+ from the apical to the basal cell side correlates positively with their ability to accumulate L-DOPA, which is in agreement with the role of Na+ in taking up the precursor of renal dopamine.     

Na+-K+-ATPase in rat skeletal muscle: content, isoform, and activity characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that muscle Na+-K+-ATPase activity is directly related to Na+-K+-ATPase content and the content of the alpha2-catalytic isoform in muscles of different fiber-type composition. To investigate this hypothesis, tissue was sampled from soleus (Sol), red gastrocnemius (RG), white gastrocnemius (WG), and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles at rest from 38 male Wistar rats weighing 413 +/- 6.0 g (mean +/- SE). Na+-K+-ATPase activity was determined in homogenates (Hom) and isolated crude membranes (CM) by the regenerating ouabain-inhibitable hydrolytic activity assay (ATPase) and the 3-O-methylfluorescein K+-stimulated phosphatase (3-O-MFPase) assay in vitro. In addition, Na+-K+-ATPase content (Bmax) and the distribution of alpha1-, alpha2-, beta1-, and beta2-isoforms were determined by [3H]ouabain binding and Western blot, respectively. For the ATPase assay, differences (P < 0.05) in enzyme activity between muscles were observed in Hom (EDL > WG) and in CM (Sol > EDL = WG). For the 3-O-MFPase assay, differences (P < 0.05) were also found for Hom (Sol > RG = EDL > WG) and CM (Sol = WG > RG). For Bmax, differences in the order of RG = EDL > Sol = WG (P < 0.05) were observed. Isoform distribution was similar between Hom and CM and indicated in CM, a greater density (P < 0.05) of alpha1 in Sol than WG and EDL (P < 0.05), but more equal distribution of alpha2 between muscles. The beta1 was greater (P < 0.05) in Sol and RG, and the beta2 was greater in EDL and WG (P < 0.05). Over all muscles, the correlation (r) between Hom 3-O-MFPase and Bmax was 0.45 (P < 0.05) and between Hom alpha2 and Bmax, 0.59 (P < 0.05). The alpha1 distribution correlated to Hom 3-O-MFPase (r = 0.79, P < 0.05) CM ATPase (r = 0.69, P < 0.005) and CM 3-O-MFPase activity (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). The alpha2 distribution was not correlated with any of the Na+-K+-ATPase activity measurements. The results indicate generally poor relationships between activity and total pump content and alpha2 isoform content of the Na+-K+-ATPase. Several factors, including the type of preparation and the type of assay, appear important in this regard.     

19(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is a potent stimulator of renal Na+-K+-ATPase

Omega- and omega-1 hydroxylations are the major pathways by which arachidonic acid is metabolized in cortical and outer medullary microsomes of rat and rabbit kidneys. It is a cytochrome P450-dependent oxidation leading to the formation of 20-hydroxy- and 19-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. In this study, we compared the effects of the synthetically prepared omega- and omega-1 metabolites of arachidonic acid on the activity of the renal Na+-K+-ATPase partially purified from rat renal cortical microsomes. 19(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid caused a dose related stimulation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity with an EC50 of 3 x 10(-7) M. In contrast, neither 19(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid nor arachidonic acid at 10(-6) M had any effect on Na+-K+-ATPase activity. In the same preparation, ouabain at 10(-3) M and 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid at 10(-6) M inhibited the enzyme activity by 75% and 60%, respectively. We conclude that 19(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is a specific stimulator of renal Na+-K+-ATPase. Therefore, the formation of 19(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by renal cortical cytochrome P450 omega-1-hydroxylase may contribute to the regulation of renal function by regulating Na+-K+-ATPase which is essential for transtubular transport processes.     

Influence of chronic and acute spinal cord injury on skeletal muscle Na+-K+-ATPase and phospholemman expression in humans

Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is an integral membrane protein crucial for the maintenance of ion homeostasis and skeletal muscle contractibility. Skeletal muscle Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase content displays remarkable plasticity in response to long-term increase in physiological demand, such as exercise training. However, the adaptations in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase function in response to a suddenly decreased and/or habitually low level of physical activity, especially after a spinal cord injury (SCI), are incompletely known. We tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle content of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and the associated regulatory proteins from the FXYD family is altered in SCI patients in a manner dependent on the severity of the spinal cord lesion and postinjury level of physical activity. Three different groups were studied: 1) six subjects with chronic complete cervical SCI, 2) seven subjects with acute, complete cervical SCI, and 3) six subjects with acute, incomplete cervical SCI. The individuals in groups 2 and 3 were studied at months 1, 3, and 12 postinjury, whereas individuals with chronic SCI were compared with an able-bodied control group. Chronic complete SCI was associated with a marked decrease in [(3)H]ouabain binding site concentration in skeletal muscle as well as reduced protein content of the α(1)-, α(2)-, and β(1)-subunit of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. In line with this finding, expression of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase α(1)- and α(2)-subunits progressively decreased during the first year after complete but not after incomplete SCI. The expression of the regulatory protein phospholemman (PLM or FXYD1) was attenuated after complete, but not incomplete, cervical SCI. In contrast, FXYD5 was substantially upregulated in patients with complete SCI. In conclusion, the severity of the spinal cord lesion and the level of postinjury physical activity in patients with SCI are important factors controlling the expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and its regulatory proteins PLM and FXYD5.