Static and dynamic pH-dependent components of calcium exchange in the fraction of smooth muscle sarcolemma vesicles

It is proved that in the fraction of inverted vesicles of the myometrium sarcolemma there are two components of calcium metabolism which depend on the proton concentration in the incubation medium. The first component, a static one, identified under alkalization of the incubation medium from pH 6.0 up to pH 8.0 under equilibrium conditions (Ca2+ concentration inside and outside vesicles is the same) is manifested as an increase of the calcium capacity of vesicles at the expense of Ca2+-binding centres of the inner surface of membrane vesicles. The second component, a dynamic one, is represented as a passive transmembrane flow of Ca2+ outflowing from the vesicles induced by alkalization of the extravesicle space. Alkalization-stimulated Ca2+ release from vesicles is analyzed kinetically. Possible functional role of two components of pH-dependent metabolism of Ca2+ in providing the electrical and pharmacological-mechanical conjugation in the smooth-muscular tissue is under discussion.     

A method for determining the kinetic characteristics of Ca2+-transporting systems of subcellular structures in smooth muscle

A simple method is suggested to determine kinetic characteristics of the Ca2+ active transport systems in the smooth muscle. The use of this method has shown that the initial rate of Ca2+ accumulation in the myometrium mitochondria (57.5 nmol per 1 mg of protein/1 min) is 50 times higher than in the sarcolemma vesicles. The calcium capacity of mitochondria (254 nmol per 1 mg of protein) also exceeds essentially (36 times) that of the membrane vesicles. Meanwhile, the Ca2+-transporting systems of these two subcellular structures practically do not differ from each other in the magnitude of the cation semiaccumulation period (4-7 min).     

Effect of inhibitors of energy-dependent Ca2+-transporting systems on ATP-hydrolase activity of smooth muscle actomyosin

Comparative investigation of of smooth muscle actomyosine ATP-ase sensitivity to some inhibitors of energy-dependent Ca(2+)-transporting systems has been carried out. It is proved that the ATP-ase of actomyosine is nonselectively inhibited by thapsigargin (imaginary inhibition constant Ki is equal 29.4 +/- 5.2 nM), cyclopiazonic acid (Ki = 626 +/- 118 nM), eosin Y (Ki = 70 +/- 14 nM) and p-chlormercurybenzoate (Ki = 380 +/- 151 nM). The data obtained could be used for the further development of the ideas about regularities of Ca(2+)-dependent control of the smooth muscles contraction-relaxation.     

Effect of ethanol on accumulation of Ca ions in intracellular structures of rat myometrium under conditions of first creating ethanol-dependent models

In the experiments which have been conducted on digitonin-treated myometrium cell suspensions of nonpregnant rats the direct influence of ethanol in concentration 0-10% on the Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum have been studied. Studies have been conducted on the different models, such as, control (model I), subacute (model II), acute (model III) and chronic ethanol consumption (model IV). It has been shown for all models that the dependence of Ca2+ accumulation by mitochondria on the concentration of ethanol in incubation medium is bell-shaped. Acute and chronic ethanol consumption resulted in statistically reliable decrease in the amount of accumulated cations. Nevertheless the I50 values were the same for the models I-III and were 8-9%, although in the case of model IV this one was only 4.0 +/- 0.6%. The increase of ethanol concentration in the incubation medium caused of Ca2+ accumulation decreasing in the endoplasmic reticulum for all studied models, the values of I50 also decreased for models II-IV (2.8 +/- 0.2; 2.5 +/- 0.2 and 2.3 +/- 0.3% respectively) relative to the control (3.8 +/- 0.2%). At the level of model I oxytocin-inhibited component of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake was more stable to the ethanol effects than oxytocin-independent one. Although the sensitivity of the first one to the ethanol effects at the level of models II-IV rose, that parameter for the oxytocin-independent component was not changed. The mechanisms of ethanol effects on Ca2+ accumulation in the myometrium intracellular structures have been discussed.     

Identification and characterization of "basal" Ca2+-independent Mg2+-dependent ATP-hydrolase enzymatic activity in smooth muscle cell plasma membrane fractions

It is shown, that for correct definition of "basal" Ca(2+)-independent Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase ac-activity (10-13 mmol Pi/hour on 1 mg of protein) in a fraction of uterus smooth muscle cell plasma membranes is necessary to use in medium without calcium of an incubation not only EGTA and digitonin--of the factor of infringement in activity by this subcellular structure, but inhibitors of others Mg(2+)-dependent ATP-hydrolyse enzymatic systems localized as in plasma membrane (Na+, K(+)-ATPase) and in others subcellular frames, first of all, in mitochondria (Mg(2+)-ATPase) and endoplasmic reticulum (transport Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase). In the case of a sacolemal fraction of a smooth muscle the contribution of others Mg(2+)-dependent ATP-hydrolyse systems in a common enzymatic hydrolysis ATP, which unconnected to functioning "basal" Ca(2+)-independent Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase, is very appreciable and achieves 35%. The researches, carried out in the frameworks of definition of initial velocity of enzymatic reaction, have enabled to define its some properties--cationic and anionic specificity, and also sensitivity to action of some inhibitors. It has appeared, that the "basal" Ca(2+)-independent Mg(2+)-dependent ATP-hydrolyse reaction is nonspecific rather both in relation to cations of divalent metals Me2+, and cations of monovalent metals and anions, which were utilized for support of ionic strength. The cations La--antagonist of cations Ca--practically did not influence enzymatic activity. The non-specific inhibitors transport of ATPases--p-chloromercuribenzoate, o-vanadate and eosine Y with a various degree of efficiency inhibited "basal" Ca(2+)-independent Mg(2+)-dependent ATP-hydrolyse reaction. On the basis of the analysis of the own and literary data the conclusion is made that "basal" Ca(2+)-independent Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase of a smooth muscle cell plasma membrane is considerably less sensitive to action of nonspecific inhibitors of the Ca(2+)-transporting systems, than these systems.     

Coefficient of inhibition i50 and its application in biochemistry and biophysics

A new interpretation of the apparent inhibitory constant i50 is suggested.     

Mathematical model of trans-sarcomere exchange of calcium ions and Ca2+-dependent control of smooth muscle contractile activity

The mathematical model of smooth muscles contractile activity Ca(2+)-dependent control has been proposed on the base of Ca ions trans-sarcomal exchange biochemical mechanisms interpretation in myocytes. While analysing the model the conclusion should be made that kinetic parameters changes (in relation to Ca ions) Mg2+, ATP-dependent calcium pump of plasma membrane--Michaelis constant Km and transport process maximal velocity Vmax-render the effect on the character of the intracellular calcium transients and profile of full mechanokinetic curve. As well one more conclusion has been made that plasma membrane Mg2+, ATP-dependent calcium pump, which kinetic parameters under the physiologic conditions are subjected to modulation as the result of metabolic, pharmacologic and physico-chemical factors fulfills the essential role in supplying Ca(2+)-dependent control of the smooth muscles contractile response full cycle.     

Utilization of purified myometrium cell plasma membrane Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase for comparative estimation of the efficiency of energy-dependent Ca2+-transport inhibitors

With the aim of comparative estimation of efficacy of well-known inhibitors of energy-dependent Ca(2+)-transporting systems their effects were investigated on the activity of purified Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase of the myometrium cell plasma membranes. From the approved inhibitors (eosin Y, o-vanadate, thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid, ruthenium red, sodium azide) only eosin Y and o-vanadate are potent inhibitors of myometrium sarcolemma Ca(2+)-pump: the values of Ki equal 0.8 and 4.7 microM, respectively. Thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid as well as ruthenium red in concentrations inhibiting, respectively, endo(sarco)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-pump and energy-dependent Ca(2+)-transport in mitochondria had no effect on the Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase of the uterus smooth muscle cell plasma membrane. Sodium azide (10 mM) blocking completely Ca(2+)-transport in mitochondria inhibited activity of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase by 14%.     

Kinetics and energy aspects of the effect of incubation medium dielectric permeability on the catalytic and transporting activity of Mg2+-ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump plasma membranes

The results suggest that changes in polarity of the incubation medium markedly affect the activity of transport Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase solubilized from smooth muscle cell plasma membranes and that the electrostatic interactions between the enzyme active center and specific ligands (MgADP-, in particular) significantly contribute to the energetics of ATP hydrolysis.     

Effect of ethanol on the activity of the energy-dependent Ca2+-transporting system of myometrial cells

In order of estimating some regularities of ethanol direct (effectory) effect to transmembrane calcium metabolism in the myometrium the action of this substance on the energy-dependent Ca(2+)-transporting systems of the uterine myocytes subcellular structures has been studied. The systems of Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport regarding their sensitivity to ethanol inhibitory effect were displayed as satisfying the following sequences: endoplasmic reticulum calcium pump > plasma membrane solubilized Ca2+, Mg2+, ATP-ase > mitochondrial Ca(2+)-accumulating system = plasma membrane calcium pump. Alongside with the latter, the oxytocin-insensitive component of Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum was defined to be less resistant to inhibitory effect of ethanol if compared with the oxytocin-sensitive one. On the base of the data received some mechanisms of ethanol effectory action on the intracellular calcium homeostasis in the myometrium cells are under the discussion.