Human plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase. On the substrate efficiency of cholest-5-ene-3 beta-thiol as a fatty acyl acceptor

Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is a plasma enzyme which catalyses cholesteryl ester formation from lecithin and cholesterol present in the surface of plasma lipoproteins. Sterol fatty acid acceptors have previously been shown to require the presence of a trans conformation of the A/B ring and a 3 beta-OH group. Our laboratory has, however, demonstrated that two thiol sites within LCAT can become fatty acylated following lecithin cleavage although this does not appear to be essential for catalysis. In order to assess the ability of LCAT to donate a fatty acid derived from the sn-2 position of lecithin and present as an acyl enzyme intermediate (linked via an oxyester bond to Ser-181) to a sulfhydryl residue, we evaluated the ability of cholest-5-ene-3 beta-thiol to act as a substrate for cholesterol ester formation by LCAT. Thiocholesterol was a good terminal fatty acyl acceptor when incorporated into synthetic proteoliposomes containing lecithin/thiocholesterol/apo A-I in the molar ratios of 250:15:0.8. The Km for thiocholesterol was 203.6 microM with a Vmax of 5.3 nmol thiocholesteryl ester formed/h per microgram. The Km for cholesterol when substituted for thiocholesterol in the proteoliposomes was 29.5 microM with a Vmax of 8.8 nmol cholesteryl ester formed/h per microgram. Thiocholesterol and cholesterol were shown to occupy the same catalytic site in LCAT. Thus, thiocholesterol exhibits approx. 10% of the substrate efficiency of cholesterol when incubated with pure human LCAT. We conclude that LCAT can transacylate a fatty acyl moiety from the sn-2 position of lecithin to the 3 beta-SH group of thiocholesterol forming a cholesteryl thioester. Although the 3 beta-SH group is not as good a terminal acceptor as the 3 beta-OH group of cholesterol, LCAT is clearly capable of transacylating a fatty acid esterified via an oxyester linkage to one containing a thioester.

ATP synthesis by purified ATP-synthase from beef heart mitochondria after coreconstitution with bacteriorhodopsin

An ATP-synthase complex active in ATP synthesis was isolated from beef heart mitochondria by solubilization of submitochondrial particles with dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside and purified in a one-step procedure by subsequent ion-exchange chromatography. The electrophoretic analysis resulted in 14 subunits for the F0 F1 complex. ATP hydrolysis activity of the purified enzyme was 25 mumol ATP min-1 mg-1F0F1. ATP hydrolysis could be stimulated by addition of lipid vesicles. Further stimulation was observed in the presence of uncoupler. The inhibitors dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and oligomycin reduced hydrolytic activity to 70 and 40%, respectively. The preservation of ATP synthesis capability was demonstrated by reconstitution of the purified enzyme together with the light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. Upon illumination of ATP-synthase/bacteriorhodopsin proteoliposomes ATP synthesis activity was detectable for at least 7 min. At reduced temperature this time could be increased to 20 min. The maximum synthesis rate of 58 nmol ATP min-1 mg-1 F0F1 was obtained after reconstitution into liposomes made from crude soy bean lecithin by a detergent dialysis procedure using octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and monomeric bacteriorhodopsin. ATP synthesis was partially inhibited by oligomycin or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and was completely abolished in the presence of uncoupler. The ability of the purified enzyme to synthesize ATP shows that the described isolation procedure results in an ATP-synthase complex which is intact in structure and function.

Allosteric regulation of proton translocation by a vacuolar adenosinetriphosphatase

The kinetics of nucleoside-triphosphate-dependent proton translocation by a vacuolar-type adenosine-triphosphatase have been studied, using the enzyme from bovine chromaffin-granule membranes, purified and reconstituted into proteoliposomes. The reaction was followed by recording the quenching of the fluorescence of the permeant weak base 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine; fluorescence data were collected and stored in digital form, and the initial reaction rates estimated by linear regression. In the absence of nucleoside diphosphate, the dependence of initial rates of proton translocation on substrate concentration were fitted well by the Michaelis-Menten equation, as were the kinetics of ATP hydrolysis. ADP and other nucleoside diphosphates were potent inhibitors of the ATPase, effecting a reduction in the maximum velocity of the reaction, and producing sigmoid substrate-saturation curves which could be fitted by the empirical Hill equation, the Hill coefficient approaching 2 at high inhibitor concentrations. Data sets containing initial-rate estimates were collected over a wide range of independently varied concentrations of substrate and inhibitor and were modeled, using rate equations derived from several different models based on the concerted-transition model of allosteric inhibition proposed by Monod, Wyman and Changeux. These equations were fitted to the data by weighted non-linear regression, using an iterative computer program to obtain the best estimates of kinetic parameters. One model consistently fitted all of the data sets better than all the others, and this model was based on the following assumptions: that the ATPase exists in two conformational states, R and T; that only the R state is catalytically active; that each state contains three kinetically equivalent catalytic sites, and one regulatory site; that nucleoside triphosphates bind only to the catalytic sites, and that nucleoside diphosphates bind both to the catalytic sites and to the regulatory site. The optimized values of the kinetic parameters indicate that in the absence of nucleoside diphosphate, the enzyme is almost completely in the R state; that nucleoside triphosphates bind more tightly to the R than to the T state; that binding of nucleoside diphosphates to the regulatory site is very tight, but occurs only in the T state; and that competitive binding of nucleoside diphosphates at the catalytic sites is stronger in the T state than in the R state. Experiments conducted with varying total magnesium concentrations indicated that the magnesium complexes of nucleoside diphosphates are much stronger inhibitors than the free nucleotides, and that free nucleoside triphosphates are weakly inhibitory, probably competing with the magnesium complexes for binding at the catalytic sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenophostin-medicated quantal Ca2+ release in the purified and reconstituted inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1

Kinetics of Ca2+ release by adenophostin, a novel agonist of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor, in the purified and reconstituted IP3 receptor type 1 (IP3R1) was investigated using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3. Submaximal concentrations of adenophostin caused quantal Ca2+ release from the purified IP3R1 as IP3 did. Adenophostin-induced Ca2+ release by the purified IP3R1 exhibited a high positive cooperativity (nH = 3.9 +/- 0.2, EC50 = 11 nM), whereas the IP3-induced Ca2+ release exhibited a moderate one (nH = 1.8 +/- 0.1, EC50 = 100 nM). Inhibition of [3H]IP3 binding to the purified IP3R1 by adenophostin exhibited a positive cooperativity (nH = 1.9, Ki = 10 nM), whereas IP3 did not (nH = 1.1, Ki = 41 nM).

Topology of the alpha-subunit of Na,K-ATPase based on proteolysis. Lability of the topological organization

Topology of the alpha-subunit of Na,K-ATPase has been analyzed utilizing proteolytic digestion. Evidence is presented for a model with 10 transmembrane segments and lability of the C-terminal domain (M7-M10). Using reconstituted proteoliposomes, inside-out oriented pumps were digested with trypsin at the cytoplasmic surface. Evidence was obtained for the M7/M8 pair and cytoplasmic splits between M8 and M9 and between M9 and M10. Because an extracellular split between M9 and M10 was also observed, using right-side-out oriented renal microsomes, we propose that the M9/M10 pair either is destabilized by cytoplasmic digestion or is intrinsically mobile. Using renal microsomes, extracellular digestion of the alpha-subunit by trypsin, chymotrypsin, or an endogenous protease has been observed, after incubation at 55 or at 45 degrees C with beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) and n-butanol. Both perturbations inactivate enzyme activity. Rb ions protect against inactivation and digestion. At 45 degrees C, with beta-ME and n-butanol, trypsin and chymotrypsin cut between M7 and M8 and between M9 and M10, consistent with the 10-segment model. At 55 degrees C, the topological organization is altered, the M8/M9 connecting loop is exposed at the extracellular surface, and an additional split between M8 and M9 is observed. Extracellular digestion of the alpha-subunit is associated with digestion of the beta-subunit near the first extracellular S-S bridge. Rb ions protect the beta-subunit. Exposure to proteases of extracellular domains of both subunits appears to be caused by disruption of subunit interactions.

Promoter regulation of a differentially expressed gene in the human colonic epithelial cell lines HT29-18 and HT29-18-C1

Gene A4 is transcriptionally activated upon enterocyte differentiation of the human colonic epithelial cell line HT29-18 and its highly differentiated subclone HT29-18-C1 [Oliva et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 302 (1993) 183-192]. To characterize the mechanisms regulating the differential transcription of A4, we analyzed its immediate 5'-flanking region for regulatory elements. Promoter-linked transfection experiments of progressively deleted A4 5'-flanking sequences fused to the bacterial cat reporter gene suggest the presence of one negative and two positive DNA elements within the first 371 bp of the A4 promoter (pA4). DNase I footprint and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrate that one positive element which contains the core binding sequence for the transcription factor, Sp1, mediates an equal level of transcription in the two cell types. The second positive element, localized between nucleotide positions--169 and -152, contains a sequence previously unrecognized as a transcription factor-binding site. This element mediates a twofold increase in the activity of pA4 in HT29-18-C1, as compared to HT29-18. Furthermore, nuclear extracts obtained from HT29-18-C1 contain a higher binding activity for this element than those from HT29-18. Southwestern blot analysis suggests that the protein interacting with this element has an estimated molecular mass of 50 kDa. We conclude that this protein may be involved in the differential regulation of A4 in these intestinal cell lines.

Engineered liposomes and virosomes for delivery of macromolecules

In order to utilize virosomes or proteoliposomes for the delivery of drugs or macromolecules to specific pathologic target cells we elaborated a system to shuttle drugs to solid tissue (liver) as well as to the macrophages, a crucial cellular compartment of the immune system. Using virosomes prepared from the P3HR1 strain of Epstein-Barr virus, we demonstrated that these particles fused with human hepatocarcinoma cell line Li7A and therefore might be used as drug vectors. Furthermore, we report that proteoliposomes prepared by reconstituting in a cocktail of phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine the anion transporter band 3 protein markedly increased the phagocytic activity of macrophages in culture. This could represent a new device to be used as a drug delivery system to enhance specific macrophagic functions.

Immobilized proteoliposome affinity chromatography for quantitative analysis of specific interactions between solutes and membrane proteins. Interaction of cytochalasin B and D-glucose with the glucose transporter Glut1

An affinity gel bed was prepared by reconstitution of a transmembrane protein, the human red cell glucose transporter (Glut1), followed by steric immobilization of the proteoliposomes in small and rigid gel beads by freeze-thawing. The specific interactions between the reconstituted Glut1, the transport inhibitor cytochalasin B (CB), and the transported solute D-glucose were analyzed by isocratic chromatography of CB on the Glut1-proteoliposome gel bed. Specific retardation of CB which decreased upon inclusion of the competitor D-glucose in the eluent was observed on-line. The equilibrium constants for CB and D-glucose interaction with Glut1 (Kd 1.5 x 10(-7) M and 67 mM, respectively) obtained by use of equations derived for the affinity chromatographic analysis were consistent with values obtained by others by conventional methods. Effects of liposome composition, pH, and time on the CB binding activity of Glut1 were studied. Reconstitution of a membrane protein into a lipid environment and steric immobilization of the proteoliposomes favor retention of the protein activity. Immobilized proteoliposome affinity chromatography (IPAC) is a novel, powerful method for analysis of interactions between membrane proteins and solutes.

A cloned renal epithelial Na+ channel protein displays stretch activation in planar lipid bilayers

We have previously cloned a bovine renal epithelial channel homologue (alpha-bENaC) belonging to the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) family. With the use of a rabbit nuclease-treated in vitro translation system, mRNA coding for alpha-bENaC was translated and the polypeptide products were reconstituted into liposomes. On incorporation into planar lipid bilayers, in vitro-translated alpha-bENaC protein 1) displayed voltage-independent Na+ channel activity with a single-channel conductance of 40 pS, 2) was mechanosensitive in that the single-channel open probability was maximally activated with a hydrostatic pressure gradient of 0.26 mmHg across the bilayer, 3) was blocked by low concentrations of amiloride [apparent inhibitory constant of amiloride (K(i)amil approximately 150 nM], and 4) was cation selective with a Li+:Na+:K+ permselectivity of 2:1:0.14 under nonstretched conditions. These pharmacological and selectivity characteristics were altered to a lower amiloride affinity (K(i)amil > 25 microM) and a lack of monovalent cation selectivity in the presence of a hydrostatic pressure gradient. This observation of stretch activation (SA) of alpha-bENaC was confirmed in dual electrode recordings of heterologously expressed alpha-bENaC whole cell currents in Xenopus oocytes swelled by the injection of 15 nl of a 100 mM KCl solution. We conclude that alpha-bENaC, and by analogy other ENaCs, represent a novel family of cloned SA channels.

Evidence for a cGMP gated cation channel in photoreceptor cell membranes of Sepia officinalis

It is assumed that cyclic nucleotides are involved in signal transduction of invertebrate photoreceptors. In this study, membranes of photoreceptor cells from freshly caught cuttlefish were isolated, and the membrane proteins were reconstituted into proteoliposomes. With the dye Neutral red it was possible to measure cyclic nucleotide induced Na+ fluxes into the liposomes. cGMP and cAMP concentrations for half maximal activation of Na+ fluxes are 77 microM and 224 microM, respectively, with Hill coefficients of 2.0 for cGMP and 2.4 for cAMP. These fluxes may demonstrate the presence of at least one cyclic nucleotide gated cation channel in the membranes of the photoreceptor cells of the invertebrate Sepia officinalis.

Electrical currents generated by a partially purified Na/Ca exchanger from lobster muscle reconstituted into liposomes and adsorbed on black lipid membranes: activation by photolysis of Ca2+

The Na/Ca exchanger from lobster muscle crossreacts specifically with antibodies raised against the dog heart Na/Ca exchanger. Immunoblots of the lobster muscle and mammalian heart exchangers, following SDS-PAGE, indicate that the invertebrate and mammalian exchangers have similar molecular weights: about 120 kDa. The exchanger from lobster muscle was partially purified and functionally reconstituted into asolectin vesicles which were loaded with 160 mM NaCl. 45Ca uptake by these proteoliposomes was promoted by replacing 160 mM NaCl in the external medium with 160 mM KCl to produce an outwardly-directed Na+ concentration gradient. When the proteoliposomes were adsorbed onto black lipid membranes (BLM), and DM-Nitrophen-Ca2+ ("caged Ca2+") was added to the KCl medium, photolytically-evoked Ca2+ concentration jumps elicited transient electric currents. These currents corresponded to positive charge exiting from the proteoliposomes, and were consistent with the Na/Ca exchanger-mediated exit of 3 Na+ in exchange for 1 entering Ca2+. The current was dependent upon the Ca2+ concentration jump, the protein integrity, and the outwardly directed Na+ gradient. KCl-loaded proteoliposomes did not produce any current. Low external Na+ concentrations augmented the current, whereas Na+ concentrations > 25 mM reduced the current. The dependence of the current on free Ca2+ was Michaelis-Menten-like, with half-maximal activation (KM(Ca)) at < 10 microM Ca2+. Caged Sr2+ and Ba2+, but not Mg2+, also supported photolysis-evoked outward current, as did Ni2+, but not Mn2+. However, Mg2+ and Mn2+ augmented the Ca-dependent current, perhaps by facilitating the adsorption of proteoliposomes to the BLM. The Ca-dependent current was irreversibly blocked by La3+ (added as 200 microM DMN-La3+). The results indicate that the properties of the Na/Ca exchanger can be studied with these electro-physiological methods.

ADP controls the electrogenicity of Na/Na exchange catalyzed by dog kidney Na,K-ATPase proteoliposomes

Sodium pump mediated Na/Na exchange was studied using Na(+)-loaded proteoliposomes prepared from dog kidney Na,K-ATPase. Measurements of both 22Na+ influx and pump-generated electrical potentials were carried out, the latter using the anionic dye, oxonol VI. In the presence of ATP, the formation of a strophanthidin-sensitive membrane potential confirms that Na/Na exchange associated with ATP hydrolysis can be electrogenic depending on the source of the enzyme. With the addition of varying concentrations of ADP, electrogenic exchange is progressively inhibited and replaced by electroneutral exchange. ADP is equally effective in activating (ATP + ADP)-dependent electroneutral exchange. With sufficient ADP, electrogenic Na/Na exchange is completely replaced by electroneutral exchange.

The fungal H(+)-ATPase from Neurospora crassa reconstituted with fusicoccin receptors senses fusicoccin signal

Fusicoccin affects several physiological processes regulated by the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase in higher plants while other organisms having P-type H(+)-ATPases (e.g., fungi) are fusicoccin-insensitive. We have previously shown that fusicoccin binding to its receptor is necessary for H(+)-ATPase stimulation and have achieved the functional reconstitution into liposomes of fusicoccin receptors and the H(+)-ATPase from maize. In this paper we show that fusicoccin sensitivity can be conferred on the H(+)-ATPase from Neurospora crassa, a fungus insensitive to fusicoccin. In fact, H+ pumping by purified H(+)-ATPase from Neurospora crassa reconstituted into liposomes containing crude or partially purified fusicoccin receptors from maize was markedly enhanced by fusicoccin. The stimulation of H+ pumping by fusicoccin is dependent upon pH, fusicoccin, and protein concentration, as was reported for the system reconstituted with both proteins from maize.

The native F0F1-inhibitor protein complex from beef heart mitochondria and its reconstitution in liposomes

A functional F0F1 ATP synthase that contains the endogenous inhibitor protein (F0F1I) was isolated by the use of two combined techniques [Adolfsen, R., McClung, J.A., and Moudrianakis, E. N. (1975). Biochemistry 14, 1727-1735; Dreyfus, G., Celis, H., and Ramirez, J. (1984). Anal. Biochem. 142, 215-220]. The preparation is composed of 18 subunits as judged by SDS-PAGE. A steady-state kinetic analysis of the latent ATP synthase complex at various concentrations of ATP showed a Vmax of 1.28 mumol min-1 mg-1, whereas the Vmax of the complex without the inhibitor was 8.3 mumol min-1 mg-1. In contrast, the Km for Mg-ATP of F0F1I was 148 microM, comparable to the Km value of 142 microM of the F0F1 complex devoid of IF1. The hydrolytic activity of the F0F1I increased severalfold by incubation at 60 degrees C at pH 6.8, reaching a maximal ATPase activity of 9.5 mumol min-1 mg-1; at pH 9.0 a rapid increase in the specific activity of hydrolysis was followed by a sharp drop in activity. The latent ATP synthase was reconstituted into liposomes by means of a column filtration method. The proteoliposomes showed ATP-Pi exchange activity which responded to phosphate concentration and was sensitive to energy transfer inhibitors like oligomycin and the uncoupler p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone.

Reconstitution of ATP-dependent aminophospholipid translocation in proteoliposomes

In addition to ion-pumping ATPases, most plasma membranes of animal cells contain a Mg2+ ATPase activity, the function of which is unknown. This enzyme, of apparent molecular mass 110 kDa, was purified from human erythrocyte membranes by a series of column chromatographic procedures after solubilization in Triton X-100. When reincorporated into artificial bilayers formed from phosphatidylcholine, it was able to transport a spin-labeled phosphatidylserine analogue from the inner to the outer membrane leaflet provided Mg2+ ATP was present in the incubation mixture. The ATP-dependent transport of the phosphatidylethanolamine analogue required the presence of an anionic phospholipid (e.g., phosphatidylinositol) in the outer membrane leaflet. In contrast the transmembrane distribution of spin-labeled phosphatidylcholine was unaffected in the same experimental conditions. This transmembrane movement of aminophospholipid analogues was inhibited by treatment of the proteoliposomes with a sulfhydryl reagent. We conclude that the Mg2+ ATPase is sufficient for the biochemical expression of the aminophospholipid translocase activity, which is responsible for the inward transport of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine within the erythrocyte membrane. The presence of this transport activity in many animal cell plasma membranes provides a function for the Mg2+ ATPase borne by these membranes.

The reconstituted ADP/ATP carrier can mediate H+ transport by free fatty acids, which is further stimulated by mersalyl

In a reconstituted system, the participation of the ATP/ADP carrier (AAC) in the free fatty acid (FFA)-induced proton transport was demonstrated (i) by direct measuring of the proton transport through the membranes of AAC proteoliposomes and (ii) by monitoring of the transmembrane potential delta psi in AAC-cytochrome-c oxidase (COX)-coreconstituted proteoliposomes. FFA increased the initial rate of proton transport in AAC proteoliposomes and decreased delta psi in AAC-COX proteoliposomes. Inhibitors of AAC suppressed the effects of FFA. Without AAC or with inactive AAC, FFA cannot maintain proton leakage through the membrane. In these cases, even a small increase of delta psi was induced by FFA. These results demonstrate for the first time with purified components a participation of AAC in FFA-induced proton transport supporting an earlier suggestion (Skulachev, V.P. (1991) FEBS Lett. 294, 158-162). Mersalyl treatment of the AAC-COX proteoliposomes resulted in an increase of the AAC-mediated protonophoric action of FFA. Mersalyl also sensitized the protonophoric action of the FFA against nucleotides so that even guanine nucleotides, which are inactive in transport, become inhibitory. The effect of mersalyl is rationalized in terms of a specific interaction with cysteine 159 being attracted as anion by surrounding positive charges. This might open a gate similarly as suggested for eosin 5-maleimide interaction (Majima, E., Koike, H., Hong, Y.-M., Shinohara, Y., and Terada, H. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 22181-22187) and, thus, transform the AAC into undirectional transport mode.

Organic anion-transporting ATPase of rat liver. II. Functional reconstitution of active transport and regulation by phosphorylation

We have previously purified to homogeneity from rat liver plasma membranes a 90-kDa glycoprotein with S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione-stimulated ATPase activity and other properties which identify it as the multispecific organic anion transporter (MOAT) specific for the transport into bile of non-bile acid organic anions (Pikula, S., Hayden, J. B., Awasthi, S., Awasthi, Y. C., and Zimniak, P. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 27566-27573). In the present communication, we report the functional reconstitution of this protein into artificial proteoliposomes. The reconstituted protein catalyzed time- and concentration-dependent uptake of S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione into the vesicles. The transport required the presence of ATP. Phosphorylation of the 90-kDa protein by protein kinase C prior to reconstitution more than tripled the Vmax of transport but did not change the Km for S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione. The protein created and, at steady state, maintained a more than 200-fold and 500-fold S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)glutathione gradient across the membrane for the unphosphorylated and phosphorylated form, respectively. The transport activity of the 90-kDa protein is sufficient to account for the hepatic secretory maximum of non-bile acid organic anions in the rat.

Enhancement of anti-Shigella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) response by addition of the cholera toxin B subunit to oral and intranasal proteosome-Shigella flexneri 2a LPS vaccines

Addition of the cholera toxin B subunit to oral and intranasal proteosome-Shigella flexneri 2a lipopolysaccharide vaccines improved their immunogenicities. Enhancement of anti-O-Shigella immunoglobulin A levels was most evident in lung lavages following oral immunization and in lung and intestinal fluids when suboptimal doses were used with either immunization route.

Thermal uncoupling of the Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum. Changes in surface properties of light vesicles

It is known that the light fraction of rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles can release Ca2+ from the intravesicular space, although the Ca(2+)-conductive channels are present only in the heavy fraction of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. To study the possible pathways of the Ca2+ leakage from light vesicles we have used a short-term treatment for 4.5 min at 45 degrees C which quickly decreases the efficiency of Ca(2+)-transporting ATPase operation without any visible effects on the hydrolytic activity of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in the membranes. The treatment of the vesicles decreased the negative membrane surface potential created by the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Comparative titration of control and heat-treated preparations of light sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by K+, Na+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ revealed clear differences in their surface properties. The short-term heating resulted in release of Ca2+ from the vesicles previously loaded with 45Ca2+, which indicates an increase in passive membrane permeability to Ca2+. Study of Ca(2+)-ATPase protein arrangement in the membrane indicated that the heat treatment induced protein oligomerization and some of the Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules acquired intermolecular and intramolecular covalent bonds. From these data, we have concluded that the changes in the surface and structure properties of the vesicle membranes after the short-term heat treatment were the result of clustering of the Ca(2+)-ATPase molecules. This protein rearrangement may create channels for calcium leakage from light sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles.

Evidence that a calmodulin-like calcium-binding domain of the FSH beta-subunit is involved in FSH-induced calcium uptake by Sertoli cells

We have previously shown that a synthetic peptide amide corresponding to residues 1-15 of the human FSH beta-subunit (hFSH-beta-(1-15)) possesses structural characteristics and calcium-binding properties similar to the calcium-binding loops of calmodulin (CaM). The calcium-binding property of hFSH-beta-(1-15) correlated well with its ability to stimulate uptake of calcium (as 45Ca2+) by cultured rat Sertoli cells and proteoliposomes enriched with bovine calf testis FSH receptors. A sequence found in the calcium-binding loops of CaM and a number of other calcium-binding proteins can be represented by the motif +-+-+-+-+--+, where + represents a calcium-binding residue and - represents a non-binding residue. A sequence containing a similar motif appears in hFSH-beta-(1-15) between residues 4 and 15: +-++-+---+-+. Using a synthetic peptide strategy, we undertook to determine whether the first three residues of hFSH-beta-(1-15) were required to induce uptake of calcium by cultured rat Sertoli cells and FSH receptor-enriched proteoliposomes, and to assess whether rearrangement of the putative calcium-binding ligands (+) of hFSH-beta-(1-15) to correspond to their linear sequence in CaM would enhance the ability of hFSH-beta-(1-15) to induce calcium uptake in these two model systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytochrome c oxidase in proteoliposomes visualised by platinum-carbon and by tungsten-tantalum shadowing: image analysis

Beef heart cytochrome c oxidase complexes incorporated into phospholipid liposomes were examined by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Enzyme molecules are inserted into the membrane asymmetrically, with larger projections on the 'C' side, where cytochrome c binding occurs, than on the 'M' (matrix-facing) side. Visualisation of the complexes was improved by: (i) image analysis, to determine details of size and shape, and (ii) tungsten-tantalum (W/Ta) rather than platinum-carbon (Pt/C) shadowing, which permits examination of smaller entities. Enzyme molecules are incorporated as dimers in the proteoliposomes. Some surface structural details of the embedded molecules can be discerned. Around each complex is seen a small area of modified lipid, the frozen annulus whose existence has been predicted with other methods.

ADP binding and ATP synthesis by reconstituted H(+)-ATPase from chloroplasts

The H(+)-ATPase from chloroplasts, CF0F1, was isolated, purified and reconstituted into asolectin liposomes. The enzyme was brought either into the oxidized state or into the reduced state, and the rate of ATP synthesis was measured after energisation of the proteoliposomes with an acid-base transition delta pH (pHin = 5.0, pHout = 8.5) and a K+/valinomycin diffusion potential, delta phi (Kin+ = 0.6 mM, Kout+ = 60 mM). A rate of 250 s-1 was observed with the reduced enzyme (85 s-1 in the absence of delta phi). A rate of 50 s-1 was observed with the oxidized enzyme under the same conditions (15 s-1 in the absence of delta phi). The reconstituted enzyme contained 2 ATPbound per CF0F1 and 1 ADPbound per CF0F1. Upon energisation the enzyme was activated and 0.9 ADP per CF0F1 was released. Binding of ADP to the active reduced enzyme was observed under different conditions. In the absence of phosphate the rate constant for ADP binding was 10(5) M-1.s-1 under energized and de-energized conditions. In the presence of phosphate the rate of ADP binding drastically increased under energized conditions, and strongly decreased under de-energized conditions.