Kinetics and Energetics of Mg2+,ATP-Dependent Ca2+ Transport in the Plasma Membrane of Smooth Muscle Cells

Calcium ions play a crucial role in the excitation/contraction coupling in smooth muscles. I would like to interpret the biochemical mechanisms underlying Ca²⁺ exchange and dynamics of such an exchange in the smooth muscles. Particular emphasis is laid on the examination of kinetic, energetic, and catalytic properties of the membrane-linked energy-dependent Ca²⁺-transporting systems involved in regulation of the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in smooth muscle cells (SMC). It was suggested that the Mg²⁺,ATP-dependent plasma membrane calcium pump (Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase) plays a key role in regulation of the Ca²⁺ concentration in SMC. The purpose of this review is to analyze some of our own results concerning kinetic, energetic, and catalytic properties of the calcium pump of the SMC plasma membrane. In our experiments, we used different biochemical models (namely, fractions of the membrane subcellular structures, highly purified Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase of the SMC plasma membrane solubilized and reconstituted in the lyposomes, and suspension of digitonin-treated SMC) and a number of methods (including preparative biochemistry, enzymology, membranology, tracer ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ flux analysis, and chemical and enzymological kinetics). We have shown that sodium azide-insensitive Mg²⁺,ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ accumulation in ureter smooth muscle microsomes is determined by two components. One component represents the Mg²⁺,ATP-dependent calcium pump of the sarcoplasmic reticulum functionally potentiated by Ca²⁺-precipitating permeating anions, oxalate or phosphate and inhibited by thapsigargin or cyclopiazonic acid, the highly selective inhibitors of the calcium pump of sarco(endo)plasmic rerticulum. Another component represents the Mg²⁺,ATP-dependent calcium pump of the plasma membrane functionally potentiated by phosphate. This pump is not inhibited by thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid. The effects of temperature, dielectric permeability (D), and ionic strength on the activity of purified Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase solubilized from the myometrial sarcolemma were studied. The results suggest that changes in the polarity of the incubation medium markedly affect the activity of transport Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase, and electrostatic interactions between the enzyme activity center and specific ligands (Mg·ADP^-, in particular) significantly contribute to the energetics of ATP hydrolysis. Therefore, our data show that changes in the incubation medium polarity significantly affects the ATP-hydrolase activity of Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase solubilized from the SMC plasma membranes, and electrostatic interactions between the enzyme active sites and reactants (in particular, Mg·ADP^-) contribute to a significant extent to the energetics of ATP hydrolysis. We cannot rule out that under physiological conditions the local D values of the myoplasm may differ from that of water, and, moreover, may change (especially near the membrane surface) depending on the metabolic level of SMC. We suppose that local changes in the cytoplasmic D value will affect the plasma membrane calcium pump and, consequently, the efficiency of control of intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis in smooth muscle. So, our biochemical models are suitable experimental objects for studying the kinetic, energetic, and catalytic properties of the Mg²⁺,ATP-dependent calcium pump of the SMC plasma membrane. In addition, our data might be useful for screening of the mechanisms underlying the action of different physico-chemical factors involved in modulation of the contraction/relaxation cycle.     

Calix[4]arenes C-136 and C-137 hyperpolarize myometrium mitochondria membranes

Calixarenes are supramolecular compounds interacting with bioactive molecules and ions, causing changes in biochemical and biophysical processes. The aim of this work was to study the effects of calix[4]arenes C-136, C-137, and C-138 at the level of polarization of the rat myometrium mitochondria membrane. The structure of synthesized calix[4]arene molecules was confirmed by the methods of ¹H NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Calix[4]arenes C-136 and C-137 each possess two chalcone amide moieties at the lower rim, while calix[4]arene C-138, only one. Calix[4]arenes C-136 and C-137 differ by the presence of ether or hydroxyl groups, respectively, at the lower rim of calix[4]arene skeleton, as well as the length of alkyl spacer between chalcone amide group and the macrocycle. It was shown that calix[4]arenes C-136, C-137, and C-138 form micelles in aqueous medium and in dimethylformamide (DMF). Irradiation of micelles with an argon laser on the flow cytometer results in the rise of autofluorescence. In an aqueous medium, calix[4]arene micelles interact with a positively charged voltage-sensitive fluorescent probe TMRM, which can testify to the presence of negative charge in these structures. However, calix[4]arene micelles do not interact with TMRM in DMF solution. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured using fluorescent dyes MTG and TMRM with confocal microscopy and fluorescent dye TMRM with flow cytometry. Experiments were conducted on myometrium cells in culture and on suspension of digitonin-permeabilized uterus myocytes. It was shown that the fluorescent signal was stable during the time of experiment. Calix[4]arenes C-136 and C-137 (10 μM) hyperpolarize mitochondria membranes. At maximum, the effect was 173% relative to the control. At the same time, calix[4]arene C-138 did not influence the mitochondria membrane potential. The relationship between the structural organization of investigated calix[4]arene molecules and their effect on polarization of the mitochondria membrane is discussed.     

The effect of oxytocin and sigetin on Ca2+ transport in the fraction of plasma membranes of myometrial cells

Oxytocin and sigetin were studied for their effect on the active and passive transport of Ca2+ in the fraction of myometrium sarcolemma in women. Oxytocin (5.10(-7) M) introduced into the sarcolemma vesicles and sigetin (5.10(-3) M) added into the incubation medium inhibit Mg2+, ATP-dependent accumulation of Ca2+ in these structures. The both agents in the mentioned concentration do not affect the passive release of cation from vesicles. A conclusion is drawn that inhibition of the calcium pump of myometrium cell plasma membranes underlies the physiological action of oxytocin and sigetin as stimulators of the contractile activity of the myometrium.     

Synergism of energy-dependent calcium fluxes through smooth muscle cell membrane]

Some peculiarities of Ca2+ exchange in the vesiculate fraction of myometrium sarcolemma during separate and combined functioning of the Ca-pump and Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter in the presence of initial physiologically significant transmembrane gradients of Ca2+ and Na+ were studied. The effect of synergistic activation of the transfer substrate accumulation inside the vesicles was demonstrated. This effect was observed both in the presence of inside-out directed Ca2+ gradient and in its absence. At Ca2+ concentrations in the extravesicular space equimolar to those in contracted myocytes (5 x 10(-6)-10(-5) M), the co-functioning of the cationic antiporter and Ca-pump provided for effective translocation of the transfer substrate to the vesicles which fully prevented the dissipation of the initial oppositely directed Ca2+ gradient. The synergism of energy-dependent calcium fluxes seemed to be unrelated to changes in the chemical composition of the ATP-containing incubation medium responsible for the induction of Mg2+, ATP- and Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ transfer (addition to the medium of Mg2+ and isotonic replacement of Na+ for choline+, respectively). It is concluded that the observed synergism is due to the stimulating effect of the Na+ gradient on the turnover number of the myometrium sarcolemma Ca-pump.     

Passive transport of Ca2+ in a myometrium mitochondria fraction

Na+, pH, prostaglandin F2 alpha are studied for their effect on Ca2+ transport into fractions of cow's myometrium mitochondria. Na+ does not affect a passive release of Ca2+ from mitochondria and its energy-dependent accumulation. A decrease of the incubation medium pH from 7.5 to 6.5 stimulates Ca2+ release from mitochondria and inhibits its energy-dependent pumping into them. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (10(-8)--2 X 10(-4) M) does not affect the activity of Ca2+ accumulation and release systems. A conclusion is made that the Na+-Ca2+-exchange system is absent in mitochondria of smooth muscle cells and Ca2+ release proceeds as a result of H+-Ca2+-antiport system functioning.     

pH-dependence of inhibitory action of eosin Y on ATPase activity of smooth muscle actomyosin complex of the uterus

Research of pH-dependence of inhibitory action of eosin Y (2',4',5',7'-tetrabromofluorescin) on ATPase of contractile proteins of smooth muscles of the uterus has shown that the increase of concentration of this inhibitor (from 0.1 to 10 microM) influenced the profile of pH-dependence of ATPase activity of actomyosin: in the presence of 0.1 microM eosin Y the change of optimal value of pH has been observed in more sour side in relation to the control; at the increase of concentration of eosin Y (from 0.5 to 10 microM) the strongly pronounced optimum of pH is absents in general. The ability of eosin Y to inhibit the ATPase activity of contractile complex is dependent on pH of incubation environment. The change of pH from 6.0 to 7.2 results in a 9-fold decrease of magnitude of apparent constant of inhibition Ki (from 6.5 +/- 0.8 microM to 0.74 +/- 0.07 microM). The obtained results indicate that the diminishing of concentration of H+ in an incubation environment favors the increase of affinity ATPase of actomyosin for eosin Y and prove the important role of ionization processes in the system "enzyme-substrate-inhibitor" for realization of inhibitory action of eosin Y.     

Identification of mechanism of enzyme/transport process in the system of "enzyme/ transporter--substrate--effector" using the "ratio" method

Using equilibrium assumption the analysis of kinetics of enzyme/transport process has been developed. In the course of this process the enzyme can interact simultaneously with substrate S and effector E and as a result two products are generated: P1 (from substrate) and P2 (from effector) after catalytic effect of enzyme or transportation across the biological membrane. It has been demonstrated that the ratio (R = V0,1/V0,2) of initial rates of formation of reaction products P, (V0,1) and P2 (V0,2) represented in linearized form as a dependence on concentration of both substrate S0 and effector E0 allows to identify a specific mechanism of the present process. An algorithm of such identification has been developed.     

Effect of oxytocin on the calcium pump in myometrium sarcolemma

Oxytocin (10(-7) M) administered inside the myometrium sarcolemma vesicles closed outward by the cytoplasmic side is shown to inhibit Mg2+, ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in these structures having no effect on the passive release of cation out of them. According to these results and to the data available in literature on the inhibitory action of the peptide hormone on Mg2+, Ca2+-ATPase of myometrium sarcolemma a conclusion is drawn that oxytocin inhibits the Ca pump activity in plasma membranes of the myometrium cells.     

Effect of organic solvents on catalytic and functional activity of transport Ca2+,Mg2+-ATPase from smooth muscle cell membrane

It was shown that organic solvents (dioxane, acetone, ethanol, dimethylsulfoxide) at concentrations of < 10% suppress the activity of transport Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase solubilized from plasmatic membranes of smooth muscle cells and Mg(2+)-ATP-dependent accumulation of Ca2+ ions in inverted membrane vesicles. It was found that one of the reasons for the inhibition of enzymatic and transport activity of Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase by the action of these solvents is an increase in the attractive force between oppositely charged active center of the enzyme and the product (products) of the ATP-hydrolase reaction, which is induced by a decrease in the dielectric permeability of incubation medium.     

Adaptive nature of interspecies variation of histone H1 in insects

Summary An electrophoretic analysis of histone H1 and its fragments was carried out for several orders of insects. A total of more than 500 histone H1 variants were examined. For some of them a study of general molecular structure was performed by the method of incomplete succinylation. The molecular length of the fragment containing the C-terminal domain presumably responsible for chromatin condensation was found to be highly variable. The variance of the logarithm of the electrophoretic mobility of H1, which reflects its molecular length, was estimated for seven insect orders. There was no relationship between this variance and the evolutionary age of an order. On the other hand, the variance turned out to correlate strongly with the recent species number in the order, indicating that the accumulation of variation in H1 molecular length was in line with the general intensity of adaptive processes in the orders. This result seems to provide evidence for an adaptive mode of the evolution of the molecular length of H1. The possible role of H1 variability in adaptive evolution is discussed.