Dissociation and Reassembly of the Vacuolar H-ATPase Complex from Oat Roots

Conditions for the dissociation and reassembly of the multi-subunit vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (H⁺-ATPase) from oat roots (Avena sativa var Lang) were investigated. The peripheral sector of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase is dissociated from the membrane integral sector by chaotropic anions. Membranes treated with 0.5 molar KI lost 90% of membrane-bound ATP hydrolytic activity; however, in the presence of Mg²⁺ and ATP, only 0.1 molar KI was required for complete inactivation of ATPase and H⁺-pumping activities. A high-affinity binding site for MgATP (dissociation constant = 34 micromolar) was involved in this destabilization. The relative loss of ATPase activity induced by KI, KNO₃, or KCl was accompanied by a corresponding increase in the peripheral subunits in the supernatant, including the nucleotide-binding polypeptides of 70 and 60 kilodaltons. The order of effectiveness of the various ions in reducing ATPase activity was: KSCN > KI > KNO₃ > KBr > K-acetate > K₂SO₄ > KCl. The specificity of nucleotides (ATP > GTP > ITP) in dissociating the ATPase is consistent with the participation of a catalytic site in destabilizing the enzyme complex. Following KI-induced dissociation of the H⁺-ATPase, the removal of KI and MgATP by dialysis resulted in restoration of activity. During dialysis for 24 hours, ATP hydrolysis activity increased to about 50% of the control. Hydrolysis of ATP was coupled to H⁺ pumping as seen from the recovery of H⁺ transport following 6 hours of dialysis. Loss of the 70 and 60 kilodalton subunits from the supernatant as probed by monoclonal antibodies further confirmed that the H⁺-ATPase complex had reassembled during dialysis. These data demonstrate that removal of KI and MgATP resulted in reassociation of the peripheral sector with the membrane integral sector of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase to form a functional H⁺ pump. The ability to dissociate and reassociate in vitro may have implications for the regulation, biosynthesis, and assembly of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase in vivo.     

Proton Transport Activity of the Purified Vacuolar H-ATPase from Oats : Direct Stimulation by Cl

To determine whether the detergent-solubilized and purified vacuolar H⁺-ATPase from plants was active in H⁺ transport, we reconstituted the purified vacuolar ATPase from oat roots (Avena sativa var Lang). Triton-solubilized ATPase activity was purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Incorporation of the vacuolar ATPase into liposomes formed from Escherichia coli phospholipids was accomplished by removing Triton X-100 with SM-2 Bio-beads. ATP hydrolysis activity of the reconstituted ATPase was stimulated twofold by gramicidin, suggesting that the enzyme was incorporated into sealed proteoliposomes. Acidification of K⁺-loaded proteoliposomes, monitored by the quenching of acridine orange fluorescence, was stimulated by valinomycin. Because the presence of K⁺ and valinomycin dissipates a transmembrane electrical potential, the results indicate that ATP-dependent H⁺ pumping was electrogenic. Both H⁺ pumping and ATP hydrolysis activity of reconstituted preparations were completely inhibited by <50 nanomolar bafilomycin A₁, a specific vacuolar type ATPase inhibitor. The reconstituted H⁺ pump was also inhibited by N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or NO₃⁻ but not by azide or vanadate. Chloride stimulated both ATP hydrolysis by the purified ATPase and H⁺ pumping by the reconstituted ATPase in the presence of K⁺ and valinomycin. Hence, our results support the idea that the vacuolar H⁺-pumping ATPase from oat, unlike some animal vacuolar ATPases, could be regulated directly by cytoplasmic Cl⁻ concentration. The purified and reconstituted H⁺-ATPase was composed of 10 polypeptides of 70, 60, 44, 42, 36, 32, 29, 16, 13, and 12 kilodaltons. These results demonstrate conclusively that the purified vacuolar ATPase is a functional electrogenic H⁺ pump and that a set of 10 polypeptides is sufficient for coupled ATP hydrolysis and H⁺ translocation.     

Subunit composition,biosynthesis, and assembly of the yeast vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase

The yeast vacuole is acidified by a vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (H⁺-ATPase) that closely resembles the vacuolar H⁺-ATPases of other fungi, animals, and plants. The yeast enzyme is purified as a complex of eight subunits, which include both integral and peripheral membrane proteins. The genes for seven of these subunits have been cloned, and mutant strains lacking each of the subunits (vma mutants) have been constructed. Disruption of any of the subunit genes appears to abolish the function of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase, supporting the subunit composition derived from biochemical studies. Genetic studies of vacuolar acidification have also revealed an additional set of gene products that are required for vacuolar H⁺-ATPase activity, but may not be part of the final enzyme complex. The biosynthesis, assembly, and targeting of the enzyme is being elucidated by biochemical and cell biological studies of thevma mutants. Initial results suggest that the peripheral and integral membrane subunits may be independently assembled.     

Mechanism of the Decline in Vacuolar H -ATPase Activity in Mung Bean Hypocotyls during Chilling

The mechanism responsible for the decrease in the activity of vacuolar H⁺ -ATPase during chilling was investigated in seedlings of mung bean (Vigna radiata). After chilling at 0°C for 3 d, the activity of vacuolar H⁺ -ATPase, calculated on the basis of membrane protein, decreased to 47% of the original value. Of the nine subunits of the ATPase, the specific contents of at least six subunits, of 68, 57, 44, 38, 37, and 32 kD, decreased in vacuolar membranes after chilling, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These subunits were released by treatment with chaotropic anions such as thiocyanate. The level of the 16-kD subunit did not change. Immunoblot analyses showed the decrease in the levels of the subunits of 68, 57, and 32 kD. Furthermore, the specific activity of the ATPase purified from chilled hypocotyls was two-thirds of that of the enzyme from nonchilled seedlings, and the enzyme from chilled tissue retained only a small amount of the 32-kD subunit. These results suggest that a selective release of the peripheral subunits of the ATPase from the membrane and a partial degradation of the ATPase complex may occur in vivo during chilling.     

Biochemical characterization of the yeast vacuolar H(+)-ATPase

The yeast vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase was isolated by two different methods. A previously reported purification of the enzyme (Uchida, E., Ohsumi, Y., and Anraku, Y. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 1090-1095) was repeated. This procedure consisted of isolation of vacuoles, solubilization with the zwitterionic detergent ZW3-14, and glycerol gradient centrifugation of the solubilized vacuoles. The fraction with the highest specific activity (11 mumol of ATP hydrolyzed mg-1 min-1) included eight polypeptides of apparent molecular masses of 100, 69, 60, 42, 36, 32, 27, and 17 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme may be more complex than the three-subunit composition proposed from the original purification. The 69-kDa polypeptide was recognized by antisera against the catalytic subunits of two other vacuolar ATPases and labeled with the ATP analog 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole, indicating that it contains all or part of the catalytic site. A monoclonal antibody was prepared against this subunit. Under nondenaturing conditions, the antibody immunoprecipitated eight polypeptides, of the same molecular masses as those seen in the glycerol gradient fraction, from solubilized vacuolar vesicles. All eight of these polypeptides are therefore good candidates for being genuine subunits of the enzyme. The structure and function of the yeast vacuolar H+-ATPase were further characterized by examining the inhibition of ATPase activity by KNO3. In the presence of 5 mM MgATP, 100 mM KNO3 inhibited 71% of the ATPase activity of vacuolar vesicles, and the 69- and 60-kDa subunits (and possibly the 42-kDa subunit) were removed from the vacuolar membrane to a similar extent. At concentrations of less than 200 mM KNO3, the stripping of the ATPase subunits and the inhibition of ATPase activity were dependent on the presence of MgATP, suggesting that this is a conformation-specific disassembly of the enzyme. The yeast vacuolar H+-ATPase is a multisubunit enzyme, consisting of a combination of peripheral and integral membrane subunits. Its structure and subunit composition are very similar to other vacuolar ATPase, and it shares some characteristics with the F1F0-ATPases.     

Vacuolar H+-translocating ATPases from plants: Structure,function, and isoforms

The vacuolar H⁺-translocating ATPase (V-type ATPase) plays a central role in the growth and development of plant cells. In a mature cell, the vacuole is the largest intracellular compartment, occupying about 90% of the cell volume. The proton electrochemical gradient (acid inside) formed by the vacuolar ATPase provides the primary driving force for the transport of numerous ions and metabolites against their electrochemical gradients. The uptake and release of solutes across the vacuolar membrane is fundamental to many cellular processes, such as osmoregulation, signal transduction, and metabolic regulation. Vacuolar ATPases may also reside on endomembranes, such as Golgi and coated vesicles, and thus may participate in intracellular membrane traffic, sorting, and secretion.Plant vacuolar ATPases are large complexes (400–650 kDa) composed of 7–10 different subunits. The peripheral sector of 5–6 subunits includes the nucleotide-binding catalytic and regulatory subunits of 70 and 60 kDa, respectively. Six copies of the 16-kDa proteolipid together with 1–3 other subunits make up the integral sector that forms the H⁺ conducting pathway. Isoforms of plant vacuolar ATPases are suggested by the variations in subunit composition observed among and within plant species, and by the presence of a small multigene family encoding the 16-kDa and 70-kDa subunits. Multiple genes may encode isoforms with specific properties required to serve the diverse functions of vacuoles and endomembrane compartments.Abbreviations DCCD N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - CAM Crassulacean acid metabolism - Nbd-Cl 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole - Bz-ATP 3-O-(4-benzoyl)benzolyadenosine 5-triphosphate - DIDS 4,4-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid - NEM N-ethylmaleimide - IP₃ inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate - H⁺-PPase H⁺-translocating pyrophosphatase - V-type vacuolar-type - P-type phosphorylated intermediate- or plasma membrane-type - F-type F₁F_o-type - V-ATPase vacuolar-type H⁺-ATPase     

Biosynthesis of the Tonoplast H-ATPase from Oats

To determine whether the tonoplast-type H⁺-ATPase was differentially synthesized in various parts of the oat seedling, sections of 4-day-old oat (Avena sativa L. var Lang) seedlings were labeled in vivo with [³⁵S]methionine and ATPase subunits were precipitated with polyclonal antisera. ATPase subunits were detected in all portions of the seedling with the exception of the seed. Lesser amounts of the 60 and 72 kilodalton polypeptides of the ATPase were found in apical regions (0-5 millimeter) than in maturing regions (10-15, or 20-25 millimeter from the tip) of the roots or shoots. To initiate a study of the biosynthesis of the ATPase, the intracellular site of synthesis for two peripheral ATPase subunits was investigated. Poly(A) RNA from either free or membrane-bound polysomes was isolated and translated in vitro. Message encoding the 72 kilodalton (catalytic) subunit was found predominantly in mRNA isolated from membrane-bound polysomes. In contrast, the message for the 60 kilodalton (putative regulatory) subunit was found predominantly on free polysomes. Polypeptides synthesized in vivo or obtained from RNA translated in vitro exhibited no apparent size differences (limit of resolution, approximately 1 kilodalton), suggesting the absence of cleaved precursors for the 72 or 60 kilodalton subunits. These data suggest a complex mechanism for the synthesis and assembly of the tonoplast ATPase.     

Lysosomal H+-translocating ATPase has a similar subunit structure to chromaffin granule H+-ATPase complex

Subunit structure of the lysosomal H+-ATPase was investigated using cold inactivation, immunological cross-reactivity with antibodies against individual subunits of the H+-ATPase from chromaffin granules and chemical modification with N,N'-dicyclohexyl[14C]carbodiimide. The lysosomal H+-ATPase was irreversibly inhibited when incubated at 0 degrees C in the presence of chloride or nitrate and MgATP. Inactivation in the cold resulted in the release of several polypeptides (72, 57, 41, 34 and 33 kDa) from the membrane, which had the same electrophoretic mobility as the corresponding subunits of chromaffin granule H+-ATPase. Cross-reactivity of antibodies revealed that the 72, 57 and 34 kDa polypeptides were immunologically identical to the corresponding subunits of chromaffin granule H+-ATPase. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, which inhibits proton translocation in the vacuolar ATPase, predominantly labeled two polypeptides of 18 and 15 kDa, which compose the membrane sector of the enzyme. These results suggest that the lysosomal H+-ATPase is a multimeric enzyme, whose subunit structure is similar to the chromaffin granule H+-ATPase. The subunit structure of other vacuolar H+-ATPases, revealed by cold inactivation and immunological cross-reactivity, is also presented.     

Electron-microscopic structure of the V-ATPase from mung bean

The vacuolar H⁺-ATPase from mung bean (Vigna radiata L. cv. Wilczek) was purified to homogeneity. The purified complex contained all the reported subunits from mung bean, but also included a 40-kDa subunit, corresponding to the membrane-associated subunit d, which has not previously been observed. The structure of the V-ATPase from mung bean was studied by electron microscopy of negatively stained samples. An analysis of over 6,000 single-particle images obtained by electron microscopy of the purified complex revealed that the complex, similar to other V-ATPases, is organized into two major domains V₁ and V_o with overall dimensions of 25 nm×13.7 nm and a stalk region connecting the V₁ and V_o domains. Several individual areas of protein density were observed in the stalk region, indicating its complexity. The projections clearly showed that the complex contained one central stalk and at least two peripheral stalks. Subcomplexes containing subunits A, B and E, dissociated from the tonoplast membrane by KI, were purified. The structure of the subcomplex was also studied by electron microscopy followed by single-molecule analysis of 13,000 projections. Our preliminary results reveal an area of high protein density at the bottom of the subcomplex immediately below the cavity formed by the A and B subunits, indicating the position of subunit E.Abbreviations MSA Multivariate statistical analysis - 2D, 3D Two-, three-dimensional - V-ATPase Vacuolar H⁺-ATPase     

High purity preparations of higher plant vacuolar H+-ATPase reveal additional subunits. Revised subunit composition

A fast protein liquid chromatography procedure for purification of the V-type H+-ATPase from higher plant vacuolar membrane to yield near-homogeneous enzyme with a specific activity of 20-25 mumol/mg.min is described. When precautions are taken to ensure the quantitative recovery of protein before sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the preparation is found to be constituted of seven major polypeptides of 100, 67, 55, 52, 44, 32, and 16 kDa, respectively, and two minor components of 42 and 29 kDa. The 52-, 44-, and 32-kDa polypeptides do not cross-react with antisera raised to the 67- and 55-kDa subunits of the enzyme, and two independent sample preparation procedures yield the same apparent subunit composition. The additional polypeptides are not breakdown products or aggregates of the previously identified subunits of the ATPase. The ATPase of tonoplast vesicles is subject to MgATP-dependent cold inactivation, and the conditions for inactivation are identical to those for the bovine chromaffin granule H+-ATPase (Moriyama, Y., and Nelson, N. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3577-3582). Cold inactivation is accompanied by the detachment of five major polypeptides of 67, 55, 52, 44, and 32 kDa from the membrane, and all five components co-migrate with the corresponding polypeptides of the purified ATPase upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The 100- and 16-kDa polypeptides of the ATPase are not removed from the membrane during cold inactivation, but the latter can be purified to homogeneity by chloroform:methanol extraction of the fast protein liquid chromatography-purified enzyme. It is concluded that the tonoplast H+-ATPase is constituted of 6-7 major polypeptides organized into a peripheral sector comprising the 67-, 55-, 52-, 44-, and 32-kDa components and an integral sector consisting of the 100- and 16-kDa polypeptides. The V-type H+-ATPase from animal endomembranes and higher plant vacuolar membranes therefore have remarkably similar subunit compositions and gross topographies.     

Structure and properties of the coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase

Clathrin-coated vesicles play an important role in both receptor-mediated endocytosis and intracellular membrane traffic in eukaryotic cells. The coated vesicle (H⁺)-ATPase functions to provide the acidic environment within endosomes and other intracellular compartments necessary for receptor recycling and intracellular membrane traffic. The coated vesicle (H⁺)-ATPase is composed of nine different subunits which are divided into two distinct domains. The peripheral V₁ domain, which has the structure 73₃:58₃:40₁:34₁:33₁, possesses the nucleotide binding sites of the (H⁺)-ATPase. The integral V₀ domain, which has the composition 100₁:38₁:19₁:17₆, contains the pathway for proton conduction across the membrane. Topographical analysis indicates a structure for the coated vesicle (H⁺)-ATPase very similar to that of the F-type ATPases. Reassembly studies have allowed us to probe the function of particular subunits in this complex and the activity properties of the separate domains. These studies have led to insights into possible mechanisms of regulating vacuolar acidification.     

High-Pressure Effects on Vacuolar H+-ATPase from Etiolated Mung Bean Seedlings

A high-hydrostatic-pressure technique was employed to study the structure-function relationship of plant vacuolar H⁺-ATPase from etiolated mung bean seedlings (Vigna radiata L.). When isolated vacuolar H⁺-ATPase was subjected to hydrostatic pressure, the activity of ATP hydrolysis was markedly inhibited in a time-, protein concentration- and pressure-dependent manner. The pressure treatment decreased both V _max and K _m of solubilized vacuolar H⁺-ATPase, implying an increase in ATP binding affinity, but a decrease in the ATP hydrolysis activity. Physiological substrate, Mg²⁺-ATP, augmented the loss of enzymatic activity upon pressure treatment. However, ADP, AMP, and Pi exerted substantial protective effects against pressurization. Steady-state ATP hydrolysis was more sensitive to pressurization than single-site ATPase activity. The inactivation of solubilized vacuolar H⁺-ATPase by pressure may result from changes in protein–protein interaction. The conformational change of solubilized vacuolar H⁺-ATPase induced by hydrostatic pressure was further determined by spectroscopic techniques. The inhibition of vacuolar H⁺-ATPase under pressurization involved at least two steps. Taken together, our work indicates that subunit–subunit interaction is crucial for the integrity and the function of plant vacuolar H⁺-ATPase. It is also suggested that the assembly of the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase complex is probably not random, but follows a sequestered pathway.     

Lack of immunological cross reactivity between the transport enzymes (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and (K+ + H+)-ATPase

Goat antisera against (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase and its isolated subunits and against (K⁺ + H⁺)-ATPase have been prepared in order to test for immune cross-reactivity between the two enzymes, whose catalytic subunits show great chemical similarity. None of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase antisera cross-reacted with (K⁺ + H⁺)-ATPase or inhibited its enzyme activity. The same was true for the (K⁺ + H⁺)-ATPase antiserum with regard to (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase and its subunits and its enzyme activity. So not withstanding the chemical similarity of their subunits, there is no immunological cross-reactivity between these two plasma membrane ATPases.Number LIII in the series Studies on (Na⁺ + K⁺)-Activated ATPase.     

Molecular Interactions and Cellular Itinerary of the Yeast RAVE (Regulator of the H+-ATPase of Vacuolar and Endosomal Membranes) Complex

The RAVE complex (regulator of the H⁺-ATPase of vacuolar and endosomal membranes) is required for biosynthetic assembly and glucose-stimulated reassembly of the yeast vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase). Yeast RAVE contains three subunits: Rav1, Rav2, and Skp1. Rav1 is the largest subunit, and it binds Rav2 and Skp1 of RAVE; the E, G, and C subunits of the V-ATPase peripheral V₁ sector; and Vph1 of the membrane V_o sector. We identified Rav1 regions required for interaction with its binding partners through deletion analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, two-hybrid assay, and pulldown assays with expressed proteins. We find that Skp1 binding requires sequences near the C terminus of Rav1, V₁ subunits E and C bind to a conserved region in the C-terminal half of Rav1, and the cytosolic domain of Vph1 binds near the junction of the Rav1 N- and C-terminal halves. In contrast, Rav2 binds to the N-terminal domain of Rav1, which can be modeled as a double β-propeller. Only the V₁ C subunit binds to both Rav1 and Rav2. Using GFP-tagged RAVE subunits in vivo, we demonstrate glucose-dependent association of RAVE with the vacuolar membrane, consistent with its role in glucose-dependent V-ATPase assembly. It is known that V₁ subunit C localizes to the V₁-V_o interface in assembled V-ATPase complexes and is important in regulated disassembly of V-ATPases. We propose that RAVE cycles between cytosol and vacuolar membrane in a glucose-dependent manner, positioning V₁ and V₀ subcomplexes and orienting the V₁ C subunit to promote assembly.     

V H-ATPase along the yeast secretory pathway: Energization of the ER and Golgi membranes

H⁺ transport driven by V H⁺-ATPase was found in membrane fractions enriched with ER/PM and Golgi/Golgi-like membranes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae efficiently purified in sucrose density gradient from the vacuolar membranes according to the determination of the respective markers including vacuolar Ca²⁺-ATPase, Pmc1::HA. Purification of ER from PM by a removal of PM modified with concanavalin A reduced H⁺ transport activity of P H⁺-ATPase by more than 75% while that of V H⁺-ATPase remained unchanged. ER H⁺ ATPase exhibits higher resistance to bafilomycin (I₅₀ = 38.4 nM) than Golgi and vacuole pumps (I₅₀ = 0.18 nM). The ratio between a coupling efficiency of the pumps in ER, membranes heavier than ER, vacuoles and Golgi is 1.0, 2.1, 8.5 and 14 with the highest coupling in the Golgi. The comparative analysis of the initial velocities of H⁺ transport mediated by V H⁺-ATPases in the ER, Golgi and vacuole membrane vesicles, and immunoreactivity of the catalytic subunit A and regulatory subunit B further supported the conclusion that V H⁺-ATPase is the intrinsic enzyme of the yeast ER and Golgi and likely presented by distinct forms and/or selectively regulated.     

The structure and biochemistry of the vacuolar H+ ATPase in proximal and distal urinary acidification

Vacuolar H⁺ ATPases participate in renal hydrogen ion secretion in both the proximal and distal nephron. These plasma membrane forms of the vacuolar H⁺ ATPase are regulated physiologically to maintain the acid-base balance of the organism. Proton transporting renal cells have requirements for constitutive acidification of intracellular compartments for normal endocytic and secretory functions. Recent experiments have begun to reveal how the kidney regulates these proton pumps independently. Vacuolar H⁺ ATPases are a family of structurally similar enzyme which differ in the composition of specific subunits. Cytosolic regulatory enzymes are present in renal cells which may affect vacuolar H⁺ ATPases in certain membrane compartments selectively. The vacuolar H⁺ ATPase in the plasma membrane of intercalated cells resides in a specialized proton-transporting apparatus that translocates the enzyme between an intracellular membrane pool and the plasma membrane in response to physiologic stimuli.This review will focus on the structure, enzymology, and regulation of the vacuolar H⁺ ATPase in the mammalian kidney. Because of space limitations, it will cover predominantly work from our laboratory. However, a number of investigators, including Brown (Brownet al., 1987, 1988a,b, 1989), Burckhardt (Sabolicet al., 1985; Turriniet al., 1989; Simon and Burckhardt, 1990), Madsen and Tisher (Madsen and Tisher, 1985; Verlanderet al., 1987, 1989). Steinmetz (Steinmetz, 1986; Stetson and Steinmetz, 1986), Schwartz (Scwartzet al., 1985, 1988; Satlin and Schwartz, 1989), Sabatini and Kurtzman (Sabatiniet al., 1990a,b), DuBose (Diaz-Diazet al., 1986; Gurich and DuBose, 1989), Al-Awqati (Van Adelsberg and Al-Awqati, 1986), and their coworkers, and many other investigators have made important contributions to this field.     

Assembly and targeting of peripheral and integral membrane subunits of the yeast vacuolar H(+)-ATPase.

Previous purification and characterization of the yeast vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (H(+)-ATPase) have indicated that it is a multisubunit complex consisting of both integral and peripheral membrane subunits (Uchida, E., Ohsumi, Y., and Anraku, Y. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 1090-1095; Kane, P. M., Yamashiro, C. T., and Stevens, T. H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 19236-19244). We have obtained monoclonal antibodies recognizing the 42- and 100-kDa polypeptides that were co-purified with vacuolar ATPase activity. Using these antibodies we provide further evidence that the 42-kDa polypeptide, a peripheral membrane protein, and the 100-kDa polypeptide, an integral membrane protein, are genuine subunits of the yeast vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. The synthesis, assembly, and targeting of three of the peripheral subunits (the 69-, 60-, and 42-kDa subunits) and two of the integral membrane subunits (the 100- and 17-kDa subunits) were examined in mutant yeast cells containing chromosomal deletions in the TFP1, VAT2, or VMA3 genes, which encode the 69-, 60-, and 17-kDa subunits, respectively. The steady-state levels of the various subunits in whole cell lysates and purified vacuolar membranes were assessed by Western blotting, and the intracellular localization of the 60- and 100-kDa subunits was also examined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The results suggest that the assembly and/or the vacuolar targeting of the peripheral subunits of the yeast vacuolar H(+)-ATPase depend on the presence of all three of the 69-, 60-, and 17-kDa subunits. The 100-kDa subunit can be transported to the vacuole independently of the peripheral membrane subunits as long as the 17-kDa subunit is present; but in the absence of the 17-kDa subunit, the 100-kDa subunit appears to be both unstable and incompetent for transport to the vacuole.     

Proton-pumping adenosine triphosphatase in membrane vesicles of tobacco callus: Sensitivity to vanadate and K+

H⁺-pumping adenosinetriphosphatases (ATPases, EC 3.6.1.3) were demonstrated in sealed microsomal vesicles of tobacco callus. Quinacrine fluorescence quenching was induced specifically by MgATP and stimulated by EGTA and Cl^?. Fluorescence quenching reflected a relative measure of pH gradient formation (inside acid), as it could be reversed by gramicidin (an H⁺/cation conductor) or 10 mM NH₄Cl (an uncoupler). H⁺ pumping was inhibited by tributyltin (an ATPase inhibitor) and sodium vanadate, but it was insensitive to oligomycin or fusicoccin. The vanadate concentration required to inhibit pH gradient formation was similar to that needed to inhibit KCl-stimulated Mg²⁺-ATPase activity and generation of a membrane potential (measured by ATP-dependent ³⁵SCN^? uptake). About 45% of all three activities (ATPase, pH gradient, membrane potential generation) were vanadate-insensitive, supporting the idea that non-mitochondrial membranes of plants have at least two types of electrogenic H⁺ pump.A vanadate-insensitive, H⁺-pumping ATPase previously shown by methylamine accumulation was characterized to be anion-sensitive and possibly enriched in vacuolar membranes (Churchill, K.A. and Sze, H. (1983) Plant Physiol. 71, 610–617). Yet, pH gradient formation determined by quinacrine fluorescence quenching was decreased by monovalent cations with a sequence K⁺, Rb⁺, Na⁺ > Cs⁺,Li⁺> choline, bisTris-propane. Since K⁺ stimulated ATPase activity more than Bistris-propane, K⁺ appeared to collapse formation of the pH gradient by an H⁺/K⁺ countertransport. The sensitivity to vanadate and K⁺ provides evidence that the plasma-membrane ATPase is an electrogenic H⁺ pump.     

The vacuolar ATPase ofNeurospora crassa

The filamentous fungusNeurospora crassa has many small vacuoles which, like mammalian lysosomes, contain hydrolytic enzymes. They also store large amounts of phosphate and basic amino acids. To generate an acidic interior and to drive the transport of small molecules, the vacuolar membranes are densely studded with a proton-pumping ATPase. The vacuolar ATPase is a large enzyme, composed of 8–10 subunits. These subunits are arranged into two sectors, a complex of peripheral subunits called V₁ and an integral membrane complex called V₀. Genes encoding three of the subunits have been isolated.vma-1 andvma-2 encode polypeptides homologous to the and subunits of F-type ATPases. These subunits appear to contain the sites of ATP binding and hydrolysis.vma-3 encodes a highly hydrophobic polypeptide homologous to the proteolipid subunit of vacuolar ATPases from other organisms. This subunit may form part of the proton-containing pathway through the membrane. We have examined the structures of the genes and attempted to inactivate them.