Biochemical characterization of sporadic/familial hemiplegic migraine mutations

Sporadic hemiplegic migraine type 2 (SHM2) and familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2) are rare forms of hemiplegic migraine caused by mutations in the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α2 gene. Today, more than 70 different mutations have been linked to SHM2/FHM2, randomly dispersed over the gene. For many of these mutations, functional studies have not been performed. Here, we report the functional characterization of nine SHM2/FHM2 linked mutants that were produced in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf)9 insect cells. We determined ouabain binding characteristics, apparent Na⁺ and K⁺ affinities, and maximum ATPase activity. Whereas membranes containing T345A, R834Q or R879W possessed ATPase activity significantly higher than control membranes, P796S, M829R, R834X, del 935–940 ins Ile, R937P and D999H membranes showed significant loss of ATPase activity compared to wild type enzyme. Further analysis revealed that T345A and R879W showed no changes for any of the parameters tested, whereas mutant R834Q possessed significantly decreased Na⁺ and increased K⁺ apparent affinities as well as decreased ATPase activity and ouabain binding. We hypothesize that the majority of the mutations studied here influence interdomain interactions by affecting formation of hydrogen bond networks or interference with the C-terminal ion pathway necessary for catalytic activity of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, resulting in decreased functionality of astrocytes at the synaptic cleft expressing these mutants.     

Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood-Related Neural and Behavioural Phenotypes in Na+,K+-ATPase α3 Missense Mutant Mice

Missense mutations in ATP1A3 encoding Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α3 have been identified as the primary cause of alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), a motor disorder with onset typically before the age of 6 months. Affected children tend to be of short stature and can also have epilepsy, ataxia and learning disability. The Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase has a well-known role in maintaining electrochemical gradients across cell membranes, but our understanding of how the mutations cause AHC is limited. Myshkin mutant mice carry an amino acid change (I810N) that affects the same position in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α3 as I810S found in AHC. Using molecular modelling, we show that the Myshkin and AHC mutations display similarly severe structural impacts on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α3, including upon the K⁺ pore and predicted K⁺ binding sites. Behavioural analysis of Myshkin mice revealed phenotypic abnormalities similar to symptoms of AHC, including motor dysfunction and cognitive impairment. 2-DG imaging of Myshkin mice identified compromised thalamocortical functioning that includes a deficit in frontal cortex functioning (hypofrontality), directly mirroring that reported in AHC, along with reduced thalamocortical functional connectivity. Our results thus provide validation for missense mutations in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α3 as a cause of AHC, and highlight Myshkin mice as a starting point for the exploration of disease mechanisms and novel treatments in AHC.     

Changes in Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase Activity and Alpha 3 Subunit Expression in CNS After Administration of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase Inhibitors

The expression of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 subunit and synaptosomal membrane Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity were analyzed after administration of ouabain and endobain E, respectively commercial and endogenous Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitors. Wistar rats received intracerebroventricularly ouabain or endobain E dissolved in saline solution or Tris–HCl, respectively or the vehicles (controls). Two days later, animals were decapitated, cerebral cortex and hippocampus removed and crude and synaptosomal membrane fractions were isolated. Western blot analysis showed that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 subunit expression increased roughly 40% after administration of 10 or 100 nmoles ouabain in cerebral cortex but remained unaltered in hippocampus. After administration of 10 μl endobain E (1 μl = 28 mg tissue) Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 subunit enhanced 130% in cerebral cortex and 103% in hippocampus. The activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in cortical synaptosomal membranes diminished or increased after administration of ouabain or endobain E, respectively. It is concluded that Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitors modify differentially the expression of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase α3 subunit and enzyme activity, most likely involving compensatory mechanisms.     

Characterization of the stimulation of neuronal Na+, K+-ATPase activity by low concentrations of ouabain

Low concentrations (< 10^?7 M) of ouabain stimulate the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in whole homogenates of rat brain. The magnitude of this stimulation varies from 5 to 70%. The concentrations of ouabain which induces maximal stimulation is also highly variable and ranges between 10^?9 to 10^?7 M. The ouabain stimulation disappears following 1:50 dilution and 2 h preincubation or freezing and thawing of the membranes or their treatment with deoxycholate. “Aging” of a preparation of ATPase also results in loss of its ability to be stimulated by ouabain but ouabain inhibition is preserved. No stimulation of enzyme activity by ouabain is observed in rat brain microsomal fraction. The β-adrenergic blocker propranolol does not inhibit the ouabain induced stimulation of ATPase activity. It is suggested that the stimulation of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity by low concentrations of cardiac glycosides if a result of either the displacement of an endogenous ouabain-like compound from the enzyme or an indirect effect by changing membrane surrounding environment of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase.     

Cardiac Glycosides Ouabain and Digoxin Interfere with the Regulation of Glutamate Transporter GLAST in Astrocytes Cultured from Neonatal Rat Brain

Glutamate transport (GluT) in brain is mediated chiefly by two transporters GLT and GLAST, both driven by ionic gradients generated by (Na⁺, K⁺)-dependent ATPase (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase). GLAST is located in astrocytes and its function is regulated by translocations from cytoplasm to plasma membrane in the presence of GluT substrates. The phenomenon is blocked by a naturally occurring toxin rottlerin. We have recently suggested that rottlerin acts by inhibiting Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. We now report that Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitors digoxin and ouabain also blocked the redistribution of GLAST in cultured astrocytes, however, neither of the compounds caused detectable inhibition of ATPase activity in cell-free astrocyte homogenates (rottlerin inhibited app. 80% of Pi production from ATP in the astrocyte homogenates, IC50 = 25 μM). Therefore, while we may not have established a direct link between GLAST regulation and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity we have shown that both ouabain and digoxin can interfere with GluT transport and therefore should be considered potentially neurotoxic.     

Insensitivity of lepidopteran tissues to ouabain: Physiological mechanisms for protection from cardiac glycosides

Neuronal tissues from Manduca sexta, the tobacco hornworm, Hyalophora cecropia, the silkmoth and Danaus plexippus, the Monarch Butterfly, contain Na⁺K⁺-ATPase which is sensitive to cardiac glycoside (ouabain). The K_m for K⁺ stimulation of Na⁺K⁺-ATPase in M. sexta and D. plexippus is 2.2 mM and for Na⁺ stimulation in D. plexippus, 6.0 mM. In vitro ouabain concentrations of 1.0 × 10^?5 M and 5.0 × 10^?5 M in the presence of 7.5 mM K⁺ inhibited Na⁺K⁺-ATPase activity in H. cecropia and M. sexta by 50% respectively. Na⁺K⁺-ATPase from D. plexippus was approximately 300 times less sensitive. High concentrations (10^?3 M in haemolymph) of ouabain had no effect on M. sexta in vivo. This is largely explained by haemolymph K⁺ (>; 30 mM) antagonizing the binding of ouabain to Na⁺K⁺-ATPase. As demonstrated in vitro, 30 mM K⁺ totally protects Na⁺K⁺-ATPase from inhibition by 7.5 × 10^?3 M ouabain in D. plexippus and protects the enzyme by 65% in M. sexta. At least part of the physiological burden incurred in utilization of cardiac glycoside ingestion and storage for protection from predation, however, is probably related to the toxic effects of cardiac glycosides on neuronal Na⁺K⁺-ATPase.     

Purification and characterization of the ouabain-sensitive H/K-ATPase from guinea-pig distal colon

Distal colon absorbs K⁺ through a Na⁺-independent, ouabain-sensitive H⁺/K⁺-exchange, associated to an apical ouabain-sensitive H⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Expression of HKα2, gene associated with this ATPase, induces K⁺-transport mechanisms, whose ouabain susceptibility is inconsistent. Both ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-insensitive K⁺-ATPase activities have been described in colonocytes. However, native H⁺/K⁺-ATPases have not been identified as unique biochemical entities. Herein, a procedure to purify ouabain-sensitive H⁺/K⁺-ATPase from guinea-pig distal colon is described. H⁺/K⁺-ATPase is Mg²⁺-dependent and activated by K⁺, Cs⁺ and NH₄⁺ but not by Na⁺ or Li⁺, independently of K⁺-accompanying anion. H⁺/K⁺-ATPase was inhibited by ouabain and vanadate but insensitive to SCH-28080 and bafilomycin-A. Enzyme was phosphorylated from [³²P]-γ-ATP, forming an acyl-phosphate bond, in an Mg²⁺-dependent, vanadate-sensitive process. K⁺ inhibited phosphorylation, effect blocked by ouabain. H⁺/K⁺-ATPase is an α/β-heterodimer, whose subunits, identified by Tandem-mass spectrometry, seems to correspond to HKα2 and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase β1-subunit, respectively. Thus, colonic ouabain-sensitive H⁺/K⁺-ATPase is a distinctive P-type ATPase.     

Digitalis-induced cell signaling by the sodium pump: On the relation of Src to Na/K-ATPase

In addition to performing its essential transport function, the sodium pump also activates multiple cell signaling pathways in response to digitalis drugs such as ouabain. Based mainly on cell-free studies with mixtures of purified Src kinase and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, a well-advocated hypothesis on how ouabain initiates the activation of signaling pathways is that there is a preexisting physiological complex of inactive Src bound to the α-subunit of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, and that ouabain binding to this subunit disrupts the bound Src and activates it. Because of the published disagreements of the results of such cell-free experiments of two other laboratories, our aim was to attempt the resolution of these discrepancies. We reexamined the effects of ouabain, vanadate, and oligomycin on mixtures of Src, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Mg²⁺, and ATP as specified in prior studies; and assayed for Src-418 autophosphorylation as the measure of Src activation. In contrast to the findings of the proponents of the above hypothesis, our results showed similar effects of the three inhibitors of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase; indicating that Src activation in such experiments is primarily due to the ATP-sparing effect of the ATPase inhibitor on the mixture of two enzymes competing for ATP. We conclude that there is no solid evidence for direct molecular interaction of Src with Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase under physiological conditions.     

Effects of ouabain on proliferation of human endothelial cells correlate with Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>,K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase activity and intracellular ratio of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and K<Superscript>+</Superscript>

Side-by-side with inhibition of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase ouabain and other cardiotonic steroids (CTS) can affect cell functions by mechanisms other than regulation of the intracellular Na⁺ and K⁺ ratio ([Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i). Thus, we compared the doseand time-dependences of the effect of ouabain on intracellular [Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i ratio, Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity, and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Treatment of the cells with 1-3 nM ouabain for 24-72 h decreased the [Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i ratio and increased cell proliferation by 20-50%. We discovered that the same ouabain concentrations increased Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity by 25-30%, as measured by the rate of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx. Higher ouabain concentrations inhibited Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, increased [Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i ratio, suppressed cell growth, and caused cell death. When cells were treated with low ouabain concentrations for 48 or 72 h, a negative correlation between [Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i ratio and cell growth activation was observed. In cells treated with high ouabain concentrations for 24 h, the [Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i ratio correlated positively with proliferation inhibition. These data demonstrate that inhibition of HUVEC proliferation at high CTS concentrations correlates with dissipation of the Na⁺ and K⁺ concentration gradients, whereas cell growth stimulation by low CTS doses results from activation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and decrease in the [Na⁺]_i/[K⁺]_i ratio.     

Relationship between Intracellular Na+ Concentration and Reduced Na+ Affinity in Na+,K+-ATPase Mutants Causing Neurological Disease

The neurological disorders familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2), alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), and rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism (RDP) are caused by mutations of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α₂ and α₃ isoforms, expressed in glial and neuronal cells, respectively. Although these disorders are distinct, they overlap in phenotypical presentation. Two Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase mutations, extending the C terminus by either 28 residues (“+28” mutation) or an extra tyrosine (“+Y”), are associated with FHM2 and RDP, respectively. We describe here functional consequences of these and other neurological disease mutations as well as an extension of the C terminus only by a single alanine. The dependence of the mutational effects on the specific α isoform in which the mutation is introduced was furthermore studied. At the cellular level we have characterized the C-terminal extension mutants and other mutants, addressing the question to what extent they cause a change of the intracellular Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations ([Na⁺]_i and [K⁺]_i) in COS cells. C-terminal extension mutants generally showed dramatically reduced Na⁺ affinity without disturbance of K⁺ binding, as did other RDP mutants. No phosphorylation from ATP was observed for the +28 mutation of α₂ despite a high expression level. A significant rise of [Na⁺]_i and reduction of [K⁺]_i was detected in cells expressing mutants with reduced Na⁺ affinity and did not require a concomitant reduction of the maximal catalytic turnover rate or expression level. Moreover, two mutations that increase Na⁺ affinity were found to reduce [Na⁺]_i. It is concluded that the Na⁺ affinity of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is an important determinant of [Na⁺]_i.     

Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>,K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase Activity in the Posterior Gills of the Blue Crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callinectes ornatus</Emphasis> (Decapoda,Brachyura): Modulation of ATP Hydrolysis by the Biogenic Amines Spermidine and Spermine

We investigated the effect of the exogenous polyamines spermine, spermidine and putrescine on modulation by ATP, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and Mg²⁺ and on inhibition by ouabain of posterior gill microsomal Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in the blue crab, Callinectes ornatus, acclimated to a dilute medium (21‰ salinity). This is the first kinetic demonstration of competition between spermine and spermidine for the cation sites of a crustacean Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Polyamine inhibition is enhanced at low cation concentrations: spermidine almost completely inhibited total ATPase activity, while spermine inhibition attained 58%; putrescine had a negligible effect on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. Spermine and spermidine affected both V and K for ATP hydrolysis but did not affect ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity. ATP hydrolysis in the absence of spermine and spermidine obeyed Michaelis–Menten behavior, in contrast to the cooperative kinetics seen for both polyamines. Modulation of V and K by K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and Mg²⁺ varied considerably in the presence of spermine and spermidine. These findings suggest that polyamine inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity may be of physiological relevance to crustaceans that occupy habitats of variable salinity.     

Effects of nucleotides and Na + on ouabain activation of the phosphatase associated with Na + , K + -ATPase

Ouabain activation of the phosphatase associated with Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is a time-dependent process which is stimulated by ATP and other nucleotides. Further stimulation by Na⁺ is observed under certain conditions. The stimulatory effect of ATP was found to be due to an increase in the affinity of the enzyme for ouabain. The time required for maximal ouabain activation to be achieved was decreased by ATP and further decreased by ATP + Na⁺.These conditions for maximal activation by ouabain are similar to those required for maximal ouabain binding and suggest that the same ouabain site is responsible for activation of Mg²⁺-dependent phosphatase and for inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and K⁺-phosphatase.     

Transport ATPase of erythrocyte membrane: sensitivities of Na plus, K, plus-ATPase and Kplus-phosphatase activities to ouabain.

Cardiac glycosides are inhibitors of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, and K⁺-phosphatase activities of the transport enzyme. Previous studies have shown that when the sensitivities of these two activities to ouabain are compared by the addition of varying concentrations of the drug to the assay media, the K⁺-phosphatase is significantly less sensitive than Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. This work was done to seek an explanation for this phenomenon. 3-O-Methyl-fluorescein phosphate was used as substrate for the continuous fluorimetric assay of K⁺-phosphatase obtained from human red cells. When ouabain was added to the assay medium, a time-dependent inhibition of K⁺-phosphatase was observed. The rate of inhibition was also influenced by the order of additions of K⁺ and ouabain. In view of these results, several enzyme samples exposed to ouabain for varying lengths of time were prepared, and their Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and K⁺-phosphatase activities were then determined. A good correlation between the extent of inhibition of the two activities was obtained. These results prove that the previously observed discrepancies between the sensitivities of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and K⁺-phosphatase to ouabain are due to the different kinetics of drug interaction with the enzyme under the different conditions of the two assays and that once a certain level of ouabain binding to the enzyme is achieved, both activities are equally inhibited.     

An Endogenous Na+, K+-ATPase Inhibitor Enhances Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis in Neonatal but Not in Adult Rat Brain Cortex

The effect of an endogenous Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitor, termed endobain E, on phosphoinositide hydrolysis was studied in rat brain cortical prisms and compared with that of ouabain. As already shown for ouabain, a transient effect was obtained with endobain E; maximal accumulation of inositol phosphates induced by endobain E was 604 ± 138% and 186 ± 48% of basal values in neonatal and adult rats, respectively. The concentration-response plot for the interaction between endobain E and phosphoinositide turnover differed from that of ouabain, thus suggesting the involvement of distinct mechanisms. In the presence of endobain E plus ouabain at saturating concentrations, no additive effect was recorded, suggesting that both substances share at least a common step in their activation mechanism of inositol phosphates metabolism or that they enhance phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate breakdown from the same membrane precursor pool, until its exhaustion. Experiments with benzamil, a potent blocker of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, showed that it partially and dose-dependently inhibited endobain E effect. These results indicate that the endogenous Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase inhibitor endobain E, like ouabain, is able to stimulate phosphoinositide turnover transiently during postnatal brain development.     

Variable ATPase composition of human tumor plasma membranes

Purified plasma membranes from several transplantable human tumors exhibit very high Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activities. Three types of Mg²⁺-dependent ATPases can be demonstrated: (1) an ouabain sensitive Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, which is a minor component of the tumor plasma membrane ATPase, (2) a Mg²⁺-activated ATPase, which is a non-specific nucleoside triphosphatase, and (3) an ATPase activity stimulated by Na⁺ (or K⁺) alone. In three human melanomas, only the first two activities are found. In an astrocytoma and an oat cell carcinoma, all three activities are found. In the same two tumors, the plasma membrane Mg²⁺-ATPase is also stimulated by Con A. The relationship of these ATPases are discussed.     

Role of the Na+,K+-ATPase α2 isoform in the positive inotropic effect of ouabain and marinobufagenin in the rat diaphragm

It was found that ouabain and marinobufagenin, specific inhibitors of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, increased the contraction of the isolated rat diaphragm by ～15% (positive inotropic effect) at EC₅₀ = 1.2 ± 0.3 nM and 0.3 ± 0.1 nM, respectively, which was indicative of the participation of the ouabain-sensitive Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α2 isoform. Analysis of the dose-response curves for the effect of ouabain on the resting membrane potential of muscle fibers in the absence and in the presence of 100 nM acetylcholine (hyperpolarizing the membrane) showed the presence of two pools of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α2 that differed in affinity for ouabain. Only the high-affinity pool (IC₅₀ ～ 9 nM) mediates the hyperpolarizing effect of nanomolar concentrations of acetylcholine. Most likely, it is this pool of that is involved in the positive inotropic effect of ouabain, which can be a mechanism of regulation of the muscle function by circulating endogenous inhibitors of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase.     

Novel mutations affecting the Na,K ATPase alpha model complex neurological diseases and implicate the sodium pump in increased longevity

Mutations affecting the Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase alpha subunit have been implicated in at least two distinct human diseases, rapid-onset dystonia Parkinsonism (RDP), and familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM). Over 40 mutations have been mapped to the human ATP1A2 and ATP1A3 genes and are known to result in RDP, FHM or a variant of FHM with neurological complications. To develop a genetically tractable model system for investigating the role of the Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase in neural pathologies we performed genetic screens in Drosophila melanogaster to isolate loss-of-function alleles affecting the Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase alpha subunit. Flies heterozygous for these mutations all exhibit reduced respiration, consistent with a loss-of-function in the major ATPase. However, these mutations do not affect all functions of the Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase alpha protein since embryos homozygous for these mutations have normal septate junction paracellular barrier function and tracheal morphology. Importantly, all of these mutations cause neurological phenotypes and, akin to the mutations that cause RDP and FHM, these new alleles are missense mutations. All of these alleles exhibit progressive stress-induced locomotor impairment suggesting neuromuscular dysfunction, yet neurodegeneration is observed in an allele-specific manner. Surprisingly, studies of longevity demonstrate that mild hypomorphic mutations in the sodium pump significantly improve longevity, which was verified using the Na⁺, K⁺ ATPase antagonist ouabain. The isolation and characterization of a series of new missense alleles of ATPalpha in Drosophila provides the foundation for further studies of these neurological diseases and the role of sodium pump impairment in animal longevity.     

Some in vivo and in vitro effects of ethacrynic acid on renal Na+,K+ -ATPase

Binding of [¹⁴C]ethaerynic acid [EA]at concentrations of EA from 10^?4m to 10^?2m to a membrane preparation containing Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in vitro occurred in a nonsaturable manner; binding was stimulated by Na⁺ or K⁺, but was not affected by Mg²⁺ and/or ATP. [¹⁴C]EA significantly bound to a microsomal preparation with low Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity as well as to a heat-denatured enzyme; this binding reaction was not stimulated by Na⁺. These observations suggest that EA binds non-specifically or to nonspecific sites on membrane preparations. Nonselective binding of [¹⁴C]EA to subcellular particles after fractionation of slices also suggested the presence of nonspecific EA binding sites in vivo. In vitro [³H]ouabain binding to medullary and cortical Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase preparations was partially reduced by pretreatment with EA. On the other hand, [¹⁴C]EA binding to Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase was not affected by pretreatment of the preparation with ouabain (10^?6m to 5 × 10^?4m). EA reduced the sensitivity of [³H]ouabain binding to the enzyme preparation to Na⁴ and K⁺.EA was infused (0.1, 1.0, and 10 mg/min) into one renal artery of hydropenic dogs. A prompt natriuresis in the infused kidney occurred. Similar changes were observed in the contralateral kidney 20 min after starting the infusion. Both kidneys were removed 30 min after the beginning of the infusion, and Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase was isolated from the cortex and the medulla. Enzyme activity from cortex and medulla of either kidney was not significantly different from enzyme activity from cortex and medulla of control, uninfused dogs, regardless of dose of EA or method of enzyme isolation. Furthermore, in vitro binding of [³H]ouabain to Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase membrane preparations from cortex and medulla was the same for experimental and control kidneys. In vitro incubation of 2 × 10^?3m EA with a membrane preparation caused the same inhibition of ATPase activity when the enzyme was isolated either from control or EA-infused dogs. The inhibition could not be reversed by recentrifugation or rehomogenization of the enzyme. Our results do not support the concept that Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is a pharmacological receptor for ethacrynic acid.     

An unusual conformation from Na+-sensitive non-gastric proton pump mutants reveals molecular mechanisms of cooperative Na+-binding

The Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase (NKA) and non-gastric H⁺,K⁺- ATPase (ngHKA) share ~65 % sequence identity, and nearly identical catalytic cycles. These pumps alternate between inward-facing (E1) and outward-facing (E2) conformations and differ in their exported substrate (Na⁺ or H⁺) and stoichiometries (3 Na⁺:2 K⁺ or 1 H⁺:1 K⁺). We reported that structures of the NKA-mimetic ngHKA mutant K794S/A797P/W940/R949C (SPWC) with 2 K⁺ occluded in E2-P_i and 3 Na⁺-bound in E1·ATP states were nearly identical to NKA structures in equivalent states. Here we report the cryo-EM structures of K794A and K794S, two poorly-selective ngHKA mutants, under conditions to stabilize the E1·ATP state. Unexpectedly, the structures show a hybrid with both E1- and E2-like structural features. While transmembrane segments TM1-TM3 and TM4's extracellular half adopted an E2-like conformation, the rest of the protein assumed an E1 configuration. Two spherical densities, likely bound Na⁺, were observed at cation-binding sites I and III, without density at site II. This explains the E2-like conformation of TM4's exoplasmic half. In NKA, oxygen atoms derived from the unwound portion of TM4 coordinated Na⁺ at site II. Thus, the lack of Na⁺ at site II of K794A/S prevents the luminal portion of TM4 from taking an E1-like position. The K794A structure also suggests that incomplete coordination of Na⁺ at site III induces the halfway rotation of TM6, which impairs Na⁺-binding at the site II. Thus, our observations provide insight into the molecular mechanism of E2-E1 transition and cooperative Na⁺-binding in the NKA and other related cation pumps.     

A kinetic comparison of cardiac glycoside interactions with Na+,K+-ATPases from skeletal and cardiac muscle and from kidney

The rates of association of [³H]ouabain to Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and the rates of dissociation of the enzyme-ouabain complexes were determined for enzymes isolated from dog skeletal muscle, beef heart muscle, and lamb kidney medulla. The rates of association were strongly influenced by the presence of ligands such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, ATP, and inorganic phosphate. For a particular set of binding ligands, the rates of association did not vary much amongst the three enzymes studied, although enzyme from skeletal muscle was the fastest. In contrast, the rates of dissociation were relatively independent of the ligand conditions. The rates of dissociation also varied greatly amongst the enzyme sources, with skeletal muscle Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase being the fastest. Although the major determinant of the affinity of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase for ouabain is the rate of dissociation, the rate of association also plays a role. Since the binding of ouabain to the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in the presence of magnesium, ATP, sodium, and potassium is very slow, it is difficult to obtain an I₅₀ (equilibrium) value for the inhibition of hydrolytic activity by ouabain. If measurements of activity are made after a long period of time (3 h), the affinity of the enzyme for ouabain, estimated from inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity, approached the value calculated from [³H]ouabain binding. The ratio of the I₅₀ value for ouabagenin to that for ouabain for the skeletal muscle enzyme was the same as that for cardiac muscle enzyme, indicating that the sugar moiety of ouabain was interacting with the receptor of both enzymes. It is apparent, therefore, that the absence of a sugar binding site in skeletal Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is not the reason for the faster dissociation rate of this enzyme.