The thermodynamic essence of the reversible inactivation of Na+/K+-transporting ATPase by various digitalis derivatives is relaxation of enzyme conformational energy

This paper reports on the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters describing the interaction of selected digitalis derivatives with hog and guinea-pig cardiac (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (Na+/K+-transporting ATPase EC 3.6.1.37). 32 digitalis derivatives were characterized as to the values of the delta G0', delta G----not equal to, and delta G----not equal to quantities in their interaction with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from hog cardiac muscle in the presence of ATP, Mg2+, Na+ and K+. Nine derivatives were additionally characterized as to the values of the delta H0', delta S0', delta H----not equal to, delta S----not equal to, delta H not equal to, and delta S not equal to quantities in their interaction with the hog enzyme promoted by ATP, Mg2+ and Na+ in the presence or absence of K+. The formation of the inhibitory complexes is in any case an endothermic, entropically driven process. The Gibbs energy barriers in the formation and dissociation of the complexes, delta G----not equal to and delta G----not equal to, are imposed by large, unfavourable delta H not equal to values. K+ decreases the delta G0' value by increasing the delta G----not equal to value more than the delta G----not equal to value. In comparison with hog (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, the interaction of three derivatives with guinea-pig cardiac enzyme in the presence of ATP, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ is characterized by lower delta G0' values caused by lower favourable delta S0' values, and is accompanied by lower delta G----not equal to values. The magnitude of the kinetic parameters and the characteristic of the thermodynamic quantities describing the interaction between various digitalis derivatives and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, indicate the induction of substantial conformational changes in the enzyme protein. A large entropy gain in the enzyme protein, observed irrespective of enzyme origin and ligation, appears to be the common denominator of the inhibitory action of all digitalis derivatives studied, suggesting that the digitalis-elicited relaxation of high conformational energy (negentropy strain) of the enzyme protein is the thermodynamic essence of the reversible inactivation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.     

The use of a model water-lipid system for the study of the electric function of Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum

The method of dynamic capacity in the model organic phase-water system was used to investigate a possibility of studying the electrical function of Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum of the rabbit hind limb skeletal muscles. Decane and decane solution of azolectin were used as an organic phase. It is stated that in the model systems the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase did not cause ATP-dependent changes in the boundary Volta potential (delta phi) irrespective of the presence of polyvalent cation chelates in the organic phase. The fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum is able of realizing Mg-ATP, Ca2+-dependent generation of delta phi only with phospholipids present in the organic phase. It is supposed that generation of delta phi of the fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum is due to the active transport of calcium ions by the reticulum Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase.     

Characterization of a H+-ATPase in rat brain synaptic vesicles. Coupling to L-glutamate transport

Synaptic vesicles contain a H+-ATPase that generates a proton electrochemical gradient (delta mu H+) required for the uptake of neurotransmitters into the organelles. In this study, the synaptic vesicle H+-ATPase was examined for structural and functional similarities with other identified ATPases that generate a delta mu H+ across membranes. The synaptic vesicle H+-ATPase displayed immunological similarity with the 115-, 72-, and 39-kDa subunits of a vacuolar-type H+-ATPase purified from chromaffin granules. Functionally, the ATP-dependent H+ pumping across synaptic vesicles and ATP hydrolysis were sensitive to the sulfhydryl-modifying reagents, N-ethylmaleimide and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole, at concentrations known to affect vacuolar-type H+-ATPases. In addition, as with vacuolar-type H+-ATPases, the presence of NO3-, SO4(2-), or F- inhibited the generation of a delta mu H+, but addition of vanadate or oligomycin had no effect. The delta mu H+ is a function of the pH gradient (delta pH) and membrane potential (delta psi sv) across the synaptic vesicle. Acidification (delta pH) of the synaptic vesicle interior was enhanced in the presence of permeant anions, such as Cl-, or the K+ ionophore, valinomycin. In the absence of permeant anions, the H+-ATPase generated a delta psi sv that effected the transport of L-glutamate into the synaptic vesicles. Dissipation of delta psi sv by incubation with increased external Cl- or nigericin resulted in the abolition of glutamate uptake, despite the continued maintenance of a delta mu H+ across the synaptic vesicle as a substantial delta pH. The results suggest that the synaptic vesicle H+-ATPase is of a vacuolar type and energizes the uptake of anionic glutamate by virtue of the delta psi sv component of the delta mu H+ it generates.     

The nature of H+-K+-exchange in anaerobically and aerobically grown S. typhimurium

H+-K+-exchange via the Trk-like system of K+ accumulation takes place in anaerobically grown S. typhimurium LT-2 with stable ratio of DCC-sensitive ionic fluxes, equal to 2H+ of a cell for one K+ of the medium. This exchange is now observed in the mutant S. typhimurium TH-31 with unfunctional H+-ATPase. H+-K+-exchange in aerobically grown S. typhimurium LT-2 has unstable ratio of ionic fluxes. The rate of K+ uptake in anaerobically grown bacteria is higher than that in the aerobically grown ones. Q10 is about 1.8 both for H+ transfer and K+ uptake in anaerobically grown bacteria, but it is 1.7 and 0.9 respectively in the aerobically grown ones. Delta psi is not changed by different temperatures both in anaerobically and aerobically grown bacteria. The distribution of K+ in anaerobically grown bacteria is higher than 10(3) and the potassium equilibrium potential is much higher than the measured delta psi. In aerobically grown bacteria the distribution of K+ is in good conformity with the measured delta psi. H+ and K+ transport in anaerobically grown cells is likely to proceed by the same mechanism, which includes H+-ATPase and the Trk-like system. In aerobically grown bacteria these transport systems work separately, and the Trk-like system as K+-ionophore serving for K+ uptake across the electrical field on the membrane.     

Delta endotoxin is a potent inhibitor of the (Na,K)-ATPase

A 68-kDa protein, delta endotoxin, produced by Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. Kurstaki inhibits ion transport, (Na,K)-ATPase, and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity catalyzed by the Na+ pump. The Ki for inhibition of the K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of purified dog kidney (Na,K)-ATPase was approximately 0.37 microM. Delta endotoxin had a similar Ki for inhibition of (Na,K)-ATPase activity when assayed at low Na+ concentration (10 mM) but the inhibition was reversed when high concentrations of Na+ (100 mM NaCl) were added to the assay. Phosphorylation of the active site aspartyl residue with 32PO3-4 was also blocked by delta endotoxin. Ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake into intact human red blood cells was not inhibited by externally added toxin; however, strophanthidin-inhibitable 22Na+ uptake into inside-out vesicles from red blood cells was completely blocked by delta endotoxin (Ki = 0.73 microM). These data suggest that delta endotoxin must enter the cell before it can inhibit the Na+ pump.     

Proteolytic digestion of Cl(-)-ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes

Upon tryptic digestion of synaptosomes, ATPase activities decreased in the order of Cl(-)-ATPase greater than or equal to Na+,K+-ATPase greater than anion-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase. Upon synaptosome treatment with hypotonic solution, Cl(-)-ATPase or anion-insensitive Mg2+-ATPase was slightly inactivated, while Na+,K+-ATPase underwent a much larger degree of inactivation. ATP-Mg inhibited the ATPase digestion in the hypotonic-solution-treated synaptosomes in a concentration-dependent manner, but not in the untreated synaptosomes. These results suggest that trypsin-digestible site of Cl(-)-ATPase are present on both sides of the synaptosomal plasma membrane, and the ATP-Mg binding site of the enzyme is located on the inner surface of the membrane.     

The membrane ATPase of alkalophilic Bacillus firmus RAB is an F1-type ATPase

At the optimal pH for growth (pH 10.5), alkalophilic Bacillus firmus RAB, an obligate aerobe, exhibits normal rates of oxidative phosphorylation despite the low transmembrane proton electrochemical gradient, about -60 mV (delta psi = -180 mV and delta pH = +120 mV). This bioenergetic problem might be resolved by use of an Na+ coupled ATP synthase; otherwise an F1F0-ATPase must be able to utilize low driving forces in this organism. The ATPase activity was extracted from everted membrane vesicles by low ionic strength treatment and purified to homogeneity by hydrophobic interaction chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The ATPase preparation had the characteristic F1-ATPase subunit structure, with Mr values of 51,500 (alpha), 48,900 (beta), 34,400 (gamma), 23,300 (delta), and 14,500 (epsilon); the identity of the alpha and beta subunits was confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-beta of Escherichia coli and anti-B. firmus RAB F1. Methanol and octyl glucoside, agents that stimulated the low basal membrane ATPase activity 10- to 12-fold, dramatically elevated the MgATPase activity of the purified F1, more than 150-fold, to 50 mumol min-1 mg protein-1. Anti-F1 inhibited membrane ATPase activity greater than or equal to 80%. The membranes exhibited no Na+-stimulated or vanadate-sensitive ATPase activity when prepared in the absence or presence of Na+ or ATP. These findings, which are consistent with previous studies, establish that in alkalophilic bacteria, ATP hydrolysis, and presumably ATP synthesis is catalyzed by an F1F0-ATPase rather than a Na+ ATPase.     

Active electrogenic transport H+ in plasma membrane vesicles of cow parsnip phloem cells

Generation of electric (delta psi) and chemical (delta pH) components of electrochemical proton gradient delta muH+, in plasma membrane vesicles of Heracleum sosnovskyi phloem cells was investigated. ATP-dependent generation of delta psi at pH 6.0 in the presence of Mg2+ and K+ was established with the help of fluorescent probes AU+ and ANS-. Protonophore CCCP and proton ATPase inhibitor DCCD suppressed generation, whereas oligomycin, the inhibitor of mitochondrial ATPases did not affect it. Measurings of delta psi value indicated its oscillations within the limits from 10 to 60 mV. ATP-dependent generation of delta pH was established by means of fluorescent probe 9-AA. The effect was eliminated by CCCP and stimulated by K+, that may testify to the transformation of a part of delta psi into delta pH at antiport H+/K+. Existence of H+-ATPase in the plasma membranes of higher plant cells insuring generation of delta muH+ is supposed.     

Is there a plasma membrane-located anion-sensitive ATPase? IV. Distribution of the enzyme in rat pancreas.

The intracellular localization of anion-sensitive Mg2+-ATPase in rat pancreas was studied by differential centrifugation, density gradient centrifugation and by the use of inhibitors of mitochondrial Mg2+-ATPase. The anion-sensitive MG2+-ATPase appears to be localized almost exclusively in a mitochondrial (15 min, 15 000 times g) fraction which shows two peaks after density gradient centrifugation. Both peaks coincide with the highest levels of cytochrome c oxidase activity, but not with alkaline phosphatase, (Na+ plus K+)-ATPase and leucine aminopeptidase activities or RNA. They appear to be equal sensitive to inhibition by oligomycin, aurovertin D and the rat liver mitochondrial inhibitor protein, at least when 1 mM EDTA is present in the isolation media. We conclude that no significant plasma membrane-located anion-sensitive Mg2+-ATPase activity is present in rat pancreas.     

Phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of rat renal Na+, K+-ATPase by classical PKC isoforms

In this study we have evaluated the specificity of different PKC isozymes for the phosphorylation of the catalytic alpha1 subunit of rat renal Na+,K+-ATPase (alpha1 Na+,K+-ATPase). Using in vitro phosphotransferase assays we found that classical PKCs (cPKCs) alpha, betaI, and gamma efficiently phosphorylate alpha1 Na+,K+-ATPase. However, alpha1 Na+,K+-ATPase was a poor substrate for the novel PKCs (nPKCs) delta and epsilon. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping revealed a similar pattern of phosphorylation by all cPKCs. The functional significance of this finding was evaluated by measuring Na+,K+-ATPase activity (assessed by 86Rb+ uptake) in COS-7 cells expressing the rat alpha1 Na+,K+-ATPase. 1-oleoyl-2-acetoyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), a nonselective PKC activator, inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase activity in this system. On the other hand, 12-deoxyphorbol-13-phenylacetate (DPP), which preferentially activates nPKCepsilon, did not affect 86Rb+ uptake. These results indicate a differential pattern of phosphorylation and regulation of rat renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity by PKC isoforms and suggest an important role for cPKCs in the physiological regulation of the pump.     

Mitochondrial ATP synthase: dramatic Mg2+-induced alterations in the structure and function of the F1-ATPase moiety

The ATPase activity of the F1 moiety of rat liver ATP synthase is inactivated when incubated prior to assay at 25 degrees C in the presence of MgCl2. The concentration of MgCl2 (130 microM) required to induce half-maximal inactivation is over 30 times higher than the apparent Km (MgCl2) during catalysis. Moreover, the relative efficacy of divalent cations in inducing inactivation during prior incubation follows an order significantly different from that promoting catalysis. Inactivation of F1-ATPase activity by Mg2+ is accompanied by the dramatic dissociation from the F1 complex of alpha subunits and part of the gamma-subunit population. The latter form a precipitate while the beta, delta, and epsilon subunits, and the remaining part of the gamma-subunit population, remain soluble. Dissociation is not a sudden "all or none" event but parallels loss of ATPase activity until alpha subunits have almost completely dissociated together with about 50% of the gamma-subunit population. Mg2+-induced loss of F1-ATPase activity cannot be prevented by including either the hydrolytic substrates ATP, GTP, or ITP in the incubation medium or the product ADP. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, mercaptoethanol, and dithiothreitol are also ineffective in preventing loss of ATPase activity. Significantly, KPi at high concentration (greater than or equal to 200 mM) is effective in partially protecting F1 against inactivation. However, the most effective means of preventing Mg2+-induced inactivation of F1-ATPase activity is to rebind F1 to its F0 moiety in F1-depleted particles. When bound to F0, F1 is protected completely against divalent cation induced inactivation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

High-pressure effect on the equilibrium and kinetics of cyanide binding to chloroperoxidase

The kinetics of cyanide binding to chloroperoxidase were studied using a high-pressure stopped-flow technique at 25 degrees C and pH 4.7 in a pressure range from 1 to 1000 bar. The activation volume change for the association reaction is delta V not equal to + = -2.5 +/- 0.5 ml/mol. The total reaction volume change, determined from the pressure dependence of the equilibrium constant, is delta V degrees = -17.8 +/- 1.3 ml/mol. The effect of temperature was studied at 1 bar yielding delta H not equal to + = 29 +/- 1 kJ/mol, delta S not equal to + = -58 +/- 4 J/mol per K. Equilibrium studies give delta H degrees = -41 +/- 3 kJ/mol and delta S degrees = -59 +/- 10 J/mol per K. Possible contributions to the binding process are discussed: changes in spin state, bond formation and conformation changes in the protein. An activation volume analog of the Hammond postulate is considered.     

Anion-sensitive ATPase of the rat heart mitochondria]

The properties of anion-sensitive ATPase of rat heart mitochondria were studied. Na2CO3, NaHCO3 and Na2SO3 stimualted ATPase activity by 69, 41 and 110%, respectively. Azide, tiocinate and perchlorate inhibited bicarbonate-stimulated ATPase. Bivalent cations increased ATPase activity in such a sequence: Zn2+ greater than or equal to Cd2+ greater than or equal to Co2+ greater than or equal to Mg2+ greater than or equal to Mn2+ greater than Ni2+. In the presence of bicarbonate and sulfite. ATPase activity was maximally stimulated with magnesium. Ni2+ and Ca2+-ions inhibited Mg2+-dependent activity of bicarbonate-stimulated ATPase. AMP uninhibited ATPase activity. The 4 mM concentration of ADP inhibited activity of HCO-3-ATPase. Activity of ATPases decreased at lower temperatures. The properties of anion-sensitive ATPase of rat heart mitochondria and that of HCO-2-ATPase of other cells are discussed.     

The reaction sequence of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase: rapid kinetic measurements distinguish between alternative schemes.

Conformational changes between E1 and E2 enzyme forms of a dog kidney Na+/K(+)-ATPase preparation labeled with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein were followed with a stopped-flow fluorimeter, in terms of the rate constant, kobs, and the steady-state magnitude, % delta F of fluorescence change. On rapid mixing of enzyme plus Mg2+ plus Na+ with saturating (0.5 mM) ATP in the absence of K+, kobs varied with Na+ concentration in the range 0-155 mM, with a K1/2 of 10 mM, while % delta F was relatively insensitive to Na+, with a K1/2 of 0.5 mM. Oligomycin reduced kobs by 98-99% for Na+ greater than or equal to 10 mM, but only by 50% for Na+ = 1 mM; % delta F was reduced at most by 20%. At 155 mM Na+, both kobs and % delta F changed if K+ was present with the enzyme. kobs decreased by 50% when K+ was increased from 0 to 0.2 mM, but increased when K+ was varied in the range 0.2-5 mM. K+ increased % delta F by a factor of 3 with a K1/2 of 0.3-0.5 mM as measured in both stopped-flow and steady-state experiments. These data are considered in terms of the derived presteady-state equations for two alternate schemes for the enzyme, with the E1P to E2P conformational change either preceding (Albers-Post) or following (N?rby-Yoda-Skou) Na+ transport and release. The analysis indicates that: (i) Na+ must be released before the conformational transition, from an E1 form; (ii) the step in which the second and/or third Na+ is released is rate-limiting, but this release is accelerated by Na+; and (iii) the release is also accelerated by K+ acting with low affinity (possibly at extracellular sites).     

Side-specific effects of sodium on (Na,K)-ATPase. Studies with inside-out red cell membrane vesicles.

Using inside-out vesicles of human red cell membranes, the side-specific effects of Na+ on phosphorylation of (Na,K)-ATPase have been studied using low concentrations of [gamma-32P]ATP (less than or equal to 0.1 microM). Phosphorylation is stimulated by Na+ at the cytoplasmic membrane surface (extravesicular Na+) alone and not by Na+ at the external surface (intravesicular Na+). At 37 degrees C, external Na+ (less than or equal to 10 mM) does, however, increase the steady state level (approximately 2 1/2-fold) of phosphoenzyme above that observed with cytoplasmic Na+ alone; hydrolysis is increased to only a small extent. Little stimulation by external Na+ is observed at 0 degrees C. As Na+ at the cytoplasmic side is decreased to very low levels (less than or equal to 0.2 mM) several kinetic changes are observed: (i) the apparent turnover of phosphoenzyme (ratio Na+-ATP-ase/phosphoenzyme level) is markedly increased (approximately 3-fold, (ii) Rbext sensitivity (inhibition of (Na)-ATPase at low ATP levels) is reduced, and (iii) the ratio of Na+ ions transported per molecule of ATP hydrolyzed is decreased. These results are compatible with a reaction pathway involving a transition from one form of phosphoenzyme, E1-P, to another, E2-P of which the hydrolysis is decreased by moderate levels of external Na+. It is suggested also that an alternate reaction pathway for Na+-ATPase occurs at very low cytoplasmic Na+, one via hydrolysis of E1-P and not associated with Na+ translocation.     

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the kinetics of tryptic fragments of calmodulin upon calcium binding

The kinetics of the Ca2+-dependent conformational change of the tryptic fragments F12 (residues 1-75) and F34 (residues 78-148) of calmodulin were studied by 1H-NMR. Resonances of two phenylalanines, 16 (or 19) and 65 (or 68), N epsilon, N epsilon, N epsilon-trimethyllysine-115 and tyrosine-138 were examined by the saturation-transfer technique or computer-aided line-shape simulation to obtain the rate of the conformational exchange between the Ca2+-free form and the Ca2+-bound form. The rates for F12 and F34 in the presence of 0.2 M KCl at 22 degrees C were 300-500 s-1 and 3-10 s-1, respectively. Activation parameters are as follows: Delta H not equal to = 11(+/- 2) kcal X M-1 and delta S not equal to = -9(+/- 5) cal X K-1 X M-1 for F12, and delta H not equal to = 16(+/- 2) kcal X M-1 and delta S not equal to = -2(+/- 5) cal X K-1 X M-1 for F34. These kinetic data for the conformational exchange are in agreement with those of Ca2+ dissociation from the binding sites obtained by 43Ca-NMR and stopped-flow fluorescence studies.     

Fusicoccin stimulates the H+-ATPase of plasmalemma in isolated membrane vesicles from radish

The effect of fusicoccin on the plasmalemma H+-ATPase has been investigated in a membrane fraction from 24 h old radish seedlings, in which Mg:ATP-dependent H+-transport is mediated only by the plasmalemma H+-ATPase. Fusicoccin stimulated the plasmalemma H+-ATPase - i.e. Mg:ATP-dependent intravesicular acidification, hyperpolaryzation of delta psi and ATPase activity -, when these activities were measured at the physiologically relevant pHs of 7.3 to 7.6. No effect of FC on the plasmalemma H+-ATPase was evident at pH 6.6.     

Further study on the role of Mg2+ in lipid-protein interaction in reconstituted porcine heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase

Porcine heart mitochondrial H+-ATPase was reconstituted by cholate dialysis method in liposomes containing neutral (PC, PE), acidic (PG, PI, PA, PS, DPG) or neutral and acidic phospholipids. The Mg2+ effect on the ATPase activity and its sensitivity to oligomycin, ATP-induced delta psi and delta pH formation was observed for the proteoliposomes containing acidic but not neutral phospholipids. Maleimide spin labels with varying arm lengths or bromoacetamide spin probe were used to monitor the conformational difference of H+-ATPase in the Mg2+-containing and Mg2+-'free' samples. A difference in W/S ratio (weakly immobilized/strongly immobilized component in the ESR spectra) could be detected for the F0.F1-containing and F1-depleted, (F0)-containing proteoliposomes, suggesting conformational difference in the F0-F1 complex and F0 portion induced by the Mg2+ effect. A conformational change of the beta-subunits in the F1 portion was also deduced from the ATP-induced fluorescence quenching of aurovertin-complex for Mg2+-containing samples. The results obtained are in favor of our previous assumption that Mg2+ may play its role by altering the physical state of the lipid bilayer, which would induce a conformational change in F0 (buried in the lipid core), which in turn is transmitted to the catalytic F1, resulting in a higher enzyme activity.     

Brain (Na+,K+)-ATPase. Opposite effects of ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide on temperature dependence of enzyme conformation and univalent cation binding

We examined effects of ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide on the regulation and apparent thermodynamic properties of moderate affinity Na+ and K+ binding that regulates the K+-dependent phosphatase activity of (Na+,K+)-ATPase. Ethanol and other alcohols reduced the apparent affinity for Na+ and K+ at their moderate affinity sites and increased the negative delta H and delta S of cation binding. Dimethyl sulfoxide had the opposite effects. Inhibition by ethanol was favored by high temperature or low K+. Ethanol potentiated inhibition of K+ binding by ATP or Mg2+. Ethanol also shifted the equilibrium between K+-sensitive and -insensitive forms of (Na+,K+)-ATPase toward the K+-sensitive form; in this case, it reduced the negative delta H and delta S for the transition to K+-sensitive enzyme. Again, dimethyl sulfoxide had the opposite effects. These data indicate that ethanol and other agents considered to affect membrane fluidity act by a combination of membrane (on cation binding) and solvent (on conformation) effects. The most important effect of ethanol and similar agents on the enzyme is to prevent the formation of K+-sensitive enzyme by cation binding and to destabilize K+-sensitive enzyme in the presence of ATP. These results also add further evidence that the sites by which Na+ and K+ produce K+-sensitive enzyme are similar or identical.     

Effects of C-terminal truncations on trafficking of the yeast plasma membrane H+-ATPase

Within the large family of P-type cation-transporting ATPases, members differ in the number of C-terminal transmembrane helices, ranging from two in Cu2+-ATPases to six in H+-, Na+,K+-, Mg2+-, and Ca2+-ATPases. In this study, yeast Pma1 H+-ATPase has served as a model to examine the role of the C-terminal membrane domain in ATPase stability and targeting to the plasma membrane. Successive truncations were constructed from the middle of the major cytoplasmic loop to the middle of the extended cytoplasmic tail, adding back the C-terminal membrane-spanning helices one at a time. When the resulting constructs were expressed transiently in yeast, there was a steady increase in half-life from 70 min in Pma1 delta452 to 348 min in Pma1 delta901, but even the longest construct was considerably less stable than wild-type ATPase (t(1/2) = 11 h). Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed that 11 of 12 constructs were arrested in the endoplasmic reticulum and degraded in the proteasome. The only truncated ATPase that escaped the ER, Pma1 delta901, traveled slowly to the plasma membrane, where it hydrolyzed ATP and supported growth. Limited trypsinolysis showed Pma1 delta901 to be misfolded, however, resulting in premature delivery to the vacuole for degradation. As model substrates, this series of truncations affirms the importance of the entire C-terminal domain to yeast H+-ATPase biogenesis and defines a sequence element of 20 amino acids in the carboxyl tail that is critical to ER escape and trafficking to the plasma membrane.