Mechanisms of inhibition of (Na,K)-ATPase by hydrostatic pressure studied with fluorescent probes

protomers of Na+,K+-ATPase from microsomes of duck salt gland are mostly monomeric: Formation of higher oligomers does not modify molecular activity

The distance that separates alphabeta protomers of the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase in microsomes and in purified membranes prepared from duck nasal salt glands was estimated by measuring fluorescence resonance energy transfer between anthroylouabain bound to a population of alphabeta protomers and either N-[7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diazol-4-yl]-6-aminohexyl ouabain or 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein-6-aminohexyl ouabain bound to the rest. Energy transfer between probes bound in the microsomal preparation was less than in the purified membranes. The efficiency of energy transfer between anthroylouabain and N-[7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diazol-4-yl]-6-aminohexyl ouabain was 29.2% in the microsomes compared with 62.6% in the purified preparation. Similar results were obtained with 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein-6-aminohexyl ouabain as acceptor. We calculate that either the protomer bound probes were on the average 13 A farther apart in the microsomes than in the purified membranes, or that 53% of the protomers are monomeric in the microsome preparation. Microsomes prepared in the presence of phalloidin (a toxin that binds to F actin and stabilizes the actin-based cytoskeleton) showed less quench than those prepared in its absence. The data support the hypothesis that protomers are kept apart by their association with the cytoskeleton. The turnover rate while hydrolyzing ATP is the same in the microsomal and purified preparations; higher oligomer formation has no significant effect on the enzyme reaction mechanism.

Origin of 4-hydroxynonenal incubation-induced inhibition of dopamine transporter and Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphate in rat striatal synaptosomes

Previous experiments reported that an incubation of striatal synaptosomes with 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) resulted in an inhibition of dopamine (DA) uptake and Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphate (ATPase) activity. The present work investigated whether theses inhibitions are related to a 4-HNE binding to the DA transporter (DAT) and the Na+/K+ ATPase. The number of specific [125I]-PE21 binding sites on the DAT was significantly reduced after incubation with 4-HNE. The Na+/K+ ATPase activity decrease induced by 4-HNE was partially reversed, in a dose-dependent manner, by veratridine, a pump stimulator agent. Our previous data (Morel, P., Tallineau, C., Pontcharraud, R., Piriou, A. and Huguet, F., Effects of 4-hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation product, on dopamine transport and Na+/K+ ATPase in rat striatal synaptosomes. Neurochem. Int., 33 (1999) 531-540) combining with the data observed in this study suggest that changes in DA uptake in striatal synaptosomes are directly related to 4-HNE binding to the DAT, whereas the decrease in Na+/K+ ATPase activity resulted only partially from 4-HNE binding to the pump and is mainly secondary to membrane lipid disruption.

Thyroid hormones modulate zinc transport activity of rat intestinal and renal brush-border membrane

Thyroid hormone status influences the Zn2+ and metallothionein levels in intestine, liver, and kidney. To evaluate the impact of thyroid hormones on Zn2+ metabolism, Zn2+ uptake studies were carried out in intestinal and renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Steady-state Zn2+ transport in intestinal and renal cortical BBMV was increased in hyperthyroid (Hyper-T) rats and decreased in the hypothyroid (Hypo-T) rats relative to euthyroid (Eu-T) rats. In both the intestinal and renal BBMV, Hyper-T rats showed a significant increase in maximal velocity compared with Eu-T and Hypo-T rats. Apparent Michaelis constant was unaltered in intestinal and renal BBMV prepared from the three groups. Fluorescence anisotropy of diphenyl hexatriene was decreased significantly in intestinal and renal brush-border membrane (BBM) isolated from Hyper-T rats compared with Hypo-T and Eu-T rats. A significant reduction in the microviscosity and transition temperature for Zn2+ uptake in intestinal and renal BBM from Hyper-T rats is in accordance with the increased fluidity of these BBMs. These findings suggest that the increased rate of Zn2+ transport in response to thyroid hormone status could be associated with either an increase in the number of Zn2+ transporters or an increase in the active transporters due to alteration in the membrane fluidity. Thus the thyroid hormone-mediated change in membrane fluidity might play an important role in modulating Zn2+ transport activity of intestinal and renal BBM.

Response to high-pressure, low-temperature treatment in vegetables: determination of survival rates of microbial populations using flow cytometry and detection of peroxidase activity using confocal microscopy

Application of high hydrostatic pressure (200, 300, 350 and 400 MPa) at 5 degrees C for 30 min to different micro-organisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, moulds and yeasts, proved to be more effective in inactivating these organisms than treatments at 20 degrees C for 10 min and at 10 degrees C for 20 min. Moulds, yeasts, Gram-negative bacteria and Listeria monocytogenes were most sensitive, and their populations were completely inactivated at pressures between 300 and 350 MPa. The same conditions of pressure, temperature, and time were applied to different vegetables (lettuce, tomato, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower and onion), achieving reductions of from 2-4 log units in both viable mesophiles and moulds and yeasts at pressures of between 300 and 400 MPa. Sensory characteristics were unaltered, especially in asparagus, onion, tomato and cauliflower, though slight browning was observed in cauliflower at 350 MPa. Flow cytometry was applied to certain of the microbial populations used in the above experiment before and after the pressurization treatment. The results were indicative of differing percentage survival rates depending on micro-organism type, with higher survival rates for Gram-positive bacteria, except L. monocytogenes, than in the other test micro-organisms. Growth of survivors was undetectable using the plate count method, suggesting that micro-organisms suffering from pressure stress were metabolically inactive though alive. The pressurization treatments did not inactivate the peroxidase responsible for browning in vegetables. Confocal microscopic examination of epidermal tissue from onion showed that the enzyme had been displaced to the cell interior. Use of low temperatures and moderately long pressurization times yielded improved inactivation of micro-organisms and better sensorial characteristics of the vegetables, and should lower industrial costs.

The internal calcium concentration of human platelets increases during chilling

Human platelets must be stored at 22 degreesC in blood banks, because of the well-known phenomenon of cold-induced activation. When human platelets are chilled below room temperature, they undergo shape change and vesicle secretion that resembles physiological agonist-mediated activation. The trigger for the cascade of events leading to platelet activation at hypothermic temperatures is not known, although an increase in the internal calcium concentration ([Ca]i) due to passage of the platelet membranes through their thermotropic phase transition has been proposed. We report here that the fluorescent calcium-sensitive probe, Indo-1, has been used to estimate the internal calcium concentration of human platelets during a reduction in temperature from 20 degreesC to 5 degreesC at a rate of 0.5 degreesC/min. An increase on the order of 100 nM was recorded. Almost all of the increase in [Ca2+]i occurs during the chilling process, as incubation of platelets for 1 h at low temperature did not lead to a continued calcium concentration increase. The increase in [Ca2+]i during chilling is likely to be due to more than a single mechanism, but might include some release of the calcium stores from the dense tubule system. Loading platelets with the calcium chelator BAPTA (1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid) dramatically reduced the increase in [Ca2+]i seen during chilling. Antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) isolated from the blood serum of Antarctic fishes, which are known to protect platelets from cold-induced activation, did not eliminate the rise in [Ca2+]i during chilling, suggesting that signaling mechanisms are likely to be involved in cold-induced activation.

Membrane fluidization by ether, other anesthetics, and certain agents abolishes P-glycoprotein ATPase activity and modulates efflux from multidrug-resistant cells

The anesthetics benzyl alcohol and the nonaromatic chloroform and diethyl ether, abolish P-glycoprotein (Pgp) ATPase activity in a mode that does not fit classical competitive, noncompetitive, or uncompetitive inhibition. At concentrations similar to those required for inhibition of ATPase activity, these anesthetics fluidize membranes leading to twofold acceleration of doxorubicin flip-flop across lipid membranes and prevent photoaffinity labeling of Pgp with [125I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin. Similar concentrations of ether proved nontoxic and modulated efflux from Pgp-overexpressing cells. A similar twofold acceleration of doxorubicin flip-flop rate across membranes was observed with neutral mild detergents, including Tween 20, Nonidet P-40 and Triton X-100, and certain Pgp modulators, such as verapamil and progesterone. Concentrations of these agents, similar to those required for membrane fluidization, inhibited Pgp ATPase activity in a mode similar to that observed with the anesthetics. The mode of inhibition, i.e. lack of evidence for classical enzyme inhibition and the correlation of Pgp ATPase inhibition with membrane fluidization over a wide range of concentrations and structures of drugs favors the direct inhibition of Pgp ATPase activity by membrane fluidization. The unusual sensitivity of Pgp to membrane fluidization, as opposed to acceleration of ATPase activity of ion transporters, could fit the proposed function of Pgp as a 'flippase', which is in close contact with the membrane core.

Effects of 4-hydroxynonenal, a lipid peroxidation product, on dopamine transport and Na+/K+ ATPase in rat striatal synaptosomes

Incubation of rat striatal synaptosomes in ascorbic acid induced the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a lipid peroxidation aldehydic product. Incubations with 4-HNE, used at a range of concentrations comparable to those obtained during peroxidation, induced a simultaneous, dose-dependent decrease of dopamine (DA) uptake and Na+/K+ ATPase activity and a loss of sulfhydryl (SH) groups. Similar results were observed in a previous study when lipid peroxidation was induced after incubation of synaptosomes in ascorbic acid. Taken together, these data suggest that 4-HNE is an important mediator of oxidative stress and may alter DA uptake after binding to SH groups of the DA transporter and to Na+/K+ ATPase. These toxic events may contribute to the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease.

Effects of High Pressure on Inactivation Kinetics and Events Related to Proton Efflux in Lactobacillus plantarum

Knowledge of the mechanism of pressure-induced inactivation of microorganisms could be helpful in defining an effective, relatively mild pressure treatment as a means of decontamination, especially in combination with other physical treatments or antimicrobial agents. We have studied the effect of high pressure on Lactobacillus plantarum grown at pH 5.0 and 7.0. The classical inactivation kinetics were compared with a number of events related to the acid-base physiology of the cell, i.e., activity of F(0)F(1) ATPase, intracellular pH, acid efflux, and intracellular ATP pool. Cells grown at pH 5.0 were more resistant to pressures of 250 MPa than were cells grown at pH 7.0. This difference in resistance may be explained by a higher F(0)F(1) ATPase activity, better ability to maintain a DeltapH, or a higher acid efflux of the cells grown at pH 5.0. After pressure treatment at 250 MPa, the F(0)F(1) ATPase activity was decreased, the ability to maintain a DeltapH was reduced, and the acid efflux was impaired. The ATP pool increased initially after mild pressure treatment and finally decreased after prolonged treatment. The observations on acid efflux and the ATP pool suggest that the glycolysis is affected by high pressure later than is the F(0)F(1) ATPase activity. Although functions related to the membrane-bound ATPase activity were impaired, no morphological changes of the membrane could be observed.

Volume regulation of spermatozoa by quinine-sensitive channels

Bovine spermatozoa were shown to exhibit rapid regulatory volume decrease (RVD) when exposed to hypotonic saline media. This quinine- and quinidine-sensitive regulatory volume decrease was coincident with K+ release due to stretch-activation of inhibitor-specific presumptive K+ channels. The regulatory volume decrease response was much faster than a similar phenomenon observed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Studies on volume changes in different electrolyte and nonelectrolyte media suggested that: (1) this inhibitor-specific channel could also be a nonspecific pore in the spermatozoal membrane for nonelectrolytes below 150 daltons; (2) subpopulations (of nearly equal size) of the spermatozoa differ in the expression of the pore; (3) capacitation abolishes this distinction between subpopulations of spermatozoa; and (4) the general case of RVD for other mammalian spermatozoa was also established.

Interpretation of extraordinary kinetics of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase by a phase change

We interpret at a molecular level an extraordinary response in the transient kinetics of the phosphointermediate of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (I. Klodos, R. L. Post, and B. Forbush III. J. Biol. Chem. 269: 1734-1743, 1994). The phosphointermediate comprises two principal states. The partition between these states varies with salt concentration. A jump in salt concentration changes the partition of some of the molecules more rapidly than they interconvert in a steady state at constant salt concentration. We propose that interconversion is limited by free volume in the lipid of the surrounding membrane. This lipid is partitioned into phases that vary with salt concentration. Free volume is larger at the interface between these phases than within the phases themselves. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase molecules are distributed at random in the membrane. When the phase boundary moves in response to a jump in salt concentration, it crosses some Na+ -K+ -ATPase molecules, which transiently experience an increase in free volume of the surrounding lipid. Thus their phosphointermediate states equilibrate more rapidly than at a constant salt concentration. Functional and structural heterogeneity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase molecules is discussed.

Increased hepatic Na,K-ATPase activity during hepatic regeneration is associated with induction of the beta1-subunit and expression on the bile canalicular domain

Cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of the sodium pump or Na,K-ATPase during proliferation of hepatocytes following 70% liver resection have not been defined. Na,K-ATPase may be regulated by synthesis of its alpha- and beta-subunits, by sorting to either the sinusoidal or apical plasma membrane domains, or by increasing membrane lipid fluidity. This study investigated the time course of changes during hepatic regeneration for Na, K-ATPase activity, lipid composition and fluidity, and protein content of liver plasma membrane subfractions. As early as 4 h after hepatic resection, Na,K-ATPase activity was increased selectively in the bile canalicular fraction. It reached a new steady state at 12 h and remained elevated for 2 days. Although hepatic regeneration was associated with a reduced cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio and increased fluidity, measured with two different probes, these changes in lipid metabolism were in the sinusoidal membrane domain. The Na,K-ATPase beta1-subunit, but not the alpha1-subunit, was increased selectively at the bile canalicular surface as shown by immunoblotting of liver plasma membrane subfractions and the morphological demonstration at both the light and electron microscopic levels. Furthermore, cycloheximide blocked the rise in beta1-subunit mRNA levels. Since the time course for beta1-subunit accumulation was similar to that for activation of Na,K-ATPase activity, this change implicated the beta1-subunit in activating sodium pump activity.

Modulation of the Ca2+ pump by the hypothalamic-hypophysary inhibitory factor

We previously purified to homogeneity an endogenous sodium pump inhibitor from bovine hypothalamus and hypophysis that is different from digoxin or ouabain and studied the effects of this factor on the total Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of plasma membrane of synaptosomes. This factor inhibits the calcium pump and the total Mg(2+)-ATPase activity of these membranes with approximately the same K0.5 values of inhibition. The potency of this factor as an inhibitor depends on the membrane concentration in the assay medium. The inhibition of the magnesium-dependent ATPase activities of these membranes was of a noncompetitive type with respect to the substrate Mg(2+)-ATP and did not significantly shift the calcium dependence of the Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase activity. We suggest that the calcium pump of the synaptosomal plasma membrane is inhibited by this factor through disruption of the lipid annulus; this inhibition could play a role in the control of calcium homeostasis by increasing the cytosolic free calcium concentration.

Oleic acid inhibition of Na+/D-glucose transport in isolated renal brush-border membranes: role of lipid physical parameters and trans Na(+)-inhibition

Inhibition of Na+/D-glucose transport by oleic acid was investigated in renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV). Lipid physical parameters were determined by spectrofluorometry. cis-Unsaturated C16-C22 long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) as oleic acid reduced nonzero limiting anisotropy r infinity with DPH and 12-AS as probes and decreased rotational correlation time phi of 12-AS. At 8 s and 15 s Na+/D-glucose transport was competitively inhibited. A positive correlation existed between decrease in r infinity (acyl chain order) or decrease in rotational correlation time phi (= increase in 'fluidity') and inhibition of Na+/D-glucose transport. Except elaidic acid trans unsaturated and saturated LCFA had no effect on fluorescence anisotropy and Na+/D-glucose transport. Per cent transport inhibition was unaffected by 0 voltage clamping and by FCCP. Ki for trans Na(+)-inhibition of D-glucose transport was 29 mmol/l. Na(+)-transport was stimulated by oleic acid, exceeding the Ki value for trans Na+ inhibition.

CONCLUSION

oleic acid inhibits Na+/D-glucose transport by a decrease in lipid acyl chain order and an increase in 'fluidity', by trans Na(+)-inhibition and presumably by a third unknown mechanism.

Bacterial solute transport proteins in their lipid environment

The cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria is a selective barrier that restricts entry and exit of solutes. Transport of solutes across this membrane is catalyzed by specific membrane proteins. Integral membrane proteins usually require specific lipids for optimal activity and are inhibited by other lipid species. Their activities are also sensitive to the lipid bilayer dynamics and physico-chemical state. Bacteria can adapt to changes in the environments (respective temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and pH) by altering the lipid composition of the membrane. Homeoviscous adaptation results in the maintenance of the liquid-crystalline phase through alterations in the degree of acyl chain saturation and branching, acyl chain length and the sterol content of the membrane. Homeophasic adaptation prevents the formation of non-bilayer phases, which would disrupt membrane organization and increase permeability. A balance is maintained between the lamellar phase, preferring lipids, and those that adopt a non-bilayer organization. As a result, the membrane proteins are optimally active under physiological conditions. The molecular basis of lipid-protein interactions is still obscure. Annular lipids stabilize integral membrane proteins. Stabilization occurs through electrostatic and possibly other interactions between the lipid headgroups and the charged amino acid residues close to the phospholipid-water interface, and hydrophobic interactions between the fatty acyl chains and the membrane-spanning segments. Reconstitution techniques allow manipulation of the lipid composition of the membrane in a way that is difficult to achieve in vivo. The physical characteristics of membrane lipids that affect protein-mediated transport functions have been studied in liposomal systems that separate an inner and outer compartment. The activity of most transport proteins is modulated by the bulk physical characteristics of the lipid bilayer, while specific lipid requirements appear rare.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on the Na+, K(+)-ATPase and membrane fluidity of cerebrocortical membranes after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

It is reported that CNS hemorrhage causes membrane dysfunction and may exacerbate this damage as a result of secondary ischemia or hypoxia. Since hyperbaric oxygenation improves oxygen metabolism, it may reduce this membrane damage. The present study was conducted to reveal whether hyperbaric oxygenation influences membrane alteration after hemorrhage. Thirty minutes after subarachnoid hemorrhage induction, rats were treated with hyperbaric oxygenation 2 ATA for 1 hour. Rats were decapitated 2 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage induction. Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity measurement and spin-label studies were performed on crude synaptosomal membranes. Subarachnoid hemorrhage decreased Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity. Spin label studies showed that hydrophobic portions of near the membrane surface became more rigid and the mobility of the membrane protein labeled sulfhydryl groups decreased after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Hyperbaric oxygenation significantly ameliorated most of the subarachnoid hemorrhage induced alterations. We conclude that hyperbaric oxygenation may be a beneficial treatment for acute subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Surface behavior of axolemma monolayers: physico-chemical characterization and use as supported planar membranes for cultured Schwann cells

The axolemma membrane forms a stable and reproducible monomolecular layer at the air-aqueous interface. The major lipids and proteins are present in this monolayer in molar ratios similar to the original membrane. Acetylcholinesterase and Na-K-ATPase activities are preserved in the monolayer to levels of 64% and 25%, respectively. The total lipid fraction forms a homogeneously mixed phase. The presence of proteins in the monolayer introduces surface inhomogeneties. Among other features, this is revealed by the presence of two values of lateral pressure at which the monolayer shows partial or total collapse: a broad partial collapse at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m and a sharp collapse point at 46 mN/m. The average molecular areas, the broad collapse point, and the variation of the surface potential per molecule suggest the relocation of protein components at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m. The behavior is consistent with the extrusion and exposure of proteins toward the aqueous medium that depends on the lateral pressure. Schwann cells grown on coverslips coated with axolemma monolayers at 13 mN/m (beginning of the broad collapse) and 34 mN/m (above the broad collapse) recognize the difference in the surface organization of axolemma caused by the lateral pressure which affects their proliferation, morphology, and spatial pattern of organization. Our results show for the first time that response of Schwann cells depends on the intermolecular organization of the axolemma surface with which they interact. These results suggest that the local expression of putative surface molecules of axolemma that may mediate membrane recognition and the signalling of morphological and proliferative changes can be modulated by long range supramolecular properties.

FTIR spectroscopic kinetic analysis of alkaline phosphatase under hyperbaric manipulation

For the first time, high-pressure infrared spectroscopy has been used in an enzyme kinetics study. This technique allows not only the investigation of kinetics under very high pressure, but it also allows simultaneous determinion of changes in the secondary structure of enzymes at the corresponding pressures. In the present study, a classical enzyme reaction, the conversion of p-nitrophenol phosphate into p-nitrophenol by alkaline phosphatase was selected to demonstrate the potential of infrared spectroscopy as an alternative physical method in the high-pressure study of enzyme kinetics. The rate constants of this enzyme reaction have been determined as a function of pressure in the pressure range 0.001-14 kbar. The first-order rate constants thus obtained increases with increasing pressure up to 8.3 kbar. At this pressure, the reaction rate decreases abruptly due to the denaturation of the enzyme arising from the conformational changes of some alpha-helical segments in the enzyme molecules into beta-sheet structure. The present results suggest that the pressure-enhanced overall hydrogen-bond strength in the amide groups of the enzyme is one of the factors which stimulate the enzyme activity. Moreover, the dissociation of the dimeric enzyme into its subunits does not inhibit the enzyme activity but only attributes to a slight change in activation volume.

Biochemical ecology of deep-sea animals

Deep-sea ecosystems contain unique endemic species whose distributions show strong vertical patterning in the case of pelagic animals and sharp horizontal patterning in the case of benthic animals living in or near the deep-sea hydothermal vents. This review discusses the biochemical adaptations that enable deep-sea animals to exploit diverse deep-sea habitats and that help establish biogeographic patterning in the deep-sea. The abilities of deep-sea animals to tolerate the pressure and temperature conditions of deep-sea habitats are due to pervasive adaptations at the biochemical level: enzymes exhibit reduced perturbation of function by pressure, membranes have fluidities adapted to deep-sea pressures and temperatures, and proteins show enhanced structural stability relative to homologous proteins from cold-adapted shallow-living species. Animals from the warmest habitable regions of hydrothermal vent ecosystems have enzymes and mitochondria adapted to high pressure and relatively high temperatures. The low metabolic rates of bathypelagic fishes correlate with greatly reduced capacities for ATP turnover in locomotory muscle. Reduced light and food availability in bathypelagic regions select for low rates of energy expenditure in locomotory activity. Deep-sea animals thus reflect the importance of biochemical adaptations in establishing species distribution patterns and appropriate rates of metabolic turnover in different ecosystems.

Mechanism of inhibition of the (Ca2(+)-Mg2+)-ATPase by nonylphenol

The effects of nonylphenol and 3,5-dibutyl-4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the activity of the (Ca2(+)-Mg2+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum have been studied. At high concentrations, both inhibit the ATPase activity of the ATPase either in native lipid or in bilayers of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine but, at low concentrations, an increase in ATPase activity is observed, particularly for the ATPase reconstituted into dimyristoleoylphosphatidylcholine. Neither nonylphenol nor BHT binds at the lipid-protein interface of the ATPase. Nonylphenol decreases the effective equilibrium constant for phosphorylation of the ATPase by Pi probably through an increase in the effective rate of dephosphorylation of the phosphorylated ATPase. It also decreases the effective rate of the E2-Ca2E1 transition and increases the effective equilibrium constant E2/E1 for the ATPase. Inhibition of ATPase activity follows from the slowing of the E2-E1 transition despite increases in effective rates for dephosphorylation and for the transport step, Ca2E1P-E2P. Since nonylphenol has been shown to affect equilibrium constants for various steps in the reaction pathway of the ATPase, inhibition of activity of the ATPase cannot follow from effects on the fluidity (viscosity) of the membrane, since fluidity alone cannot affect equilibrium properties of the system.

Polarized infrared absorption of Na+/K+-ATPase studied by attenuated total reflection spectroscopy

Na+/K+-ATPase can be isolated from the outer medulla of mammalian kidney in the form of flat membrane fragments containing the enzyme in a density of 10(3)-10(4) protein molecules per microm2 (Deguchi et al. (1977) J. Cell. Biol. 75, 619-634). In this paper we show that these membrane fragments can be bound to a germanium plate coated with a phospholipid bilayer. With this system infrared spectroscopic studies of the enzyme have been carried out using the technique of attenuated total reflection (ATR). At a coverage of the lipid surface corresponding to 30-40% of a monolayer of membrane fragments, characteristic infrared bands of the protein such as the amide I and II bands can be resolved. About 24% of the NH-groups of the peptide backbone are found to be resistant to proton/deuterium exchange within a time period of several days. Evidence for orientation of the protein with respect to the supporting lipid layer is obtained from experiments with polarized light, the largest polarization effects being associated with the -COO- band at 1400 cm-1. Experiments with aqueous media of different ionic composition indicate that the average orientation of transition moments changes when K+ in the medium is replaced by Tris+ or Na+.

The adaptation of biological membranes to temperature and pressure: fish from the deep and cold

The homeostatic regulation of bilayer order is a property of functional importance. Arguably, it is best studied in those organisms which experience and must overcome disturbances in bilayer order which may be imposed by variations in temperature of hydrostatic pressure. This article reviews our recent work on the adaptations of order in brain membranes of those fish which acclimate to seasonal changes in temperature or which have evolved in extreme thermal or abyssal habitats. The effects of temperature and pressure upon hydrocarbon order and phase state are reviewed to indicate the magnitude of the disturbances experienced by animals in their environments over the seasonal or evolutionary timescale. Acclimation of fish to altered temperature leads to a partial correction of order, while comparison of fish from extreme cold environments with those from temperate or tropical waters reveals a more complete adaptation. Fish from the deep sea also display adaptations of bilayer order which largely overcome the ordering effects of pressure.

Interactions of lipids and proteins: some general principles

Methods to describe the binding of phospholipids to membrane proteins are described. It is shown that it is difficult to obtain estimates of the number of phospholipids bound to the surface of a membrane protein from ESR experiments in which plots of free to bound spin label (y) vs. molar ratio of lipid to protein are extrapolated to y = 0. The relative advantages and disadvantages of ESR and fluorescence methods for measuring relative binding constants of phospholipids to membrane proteins are discussed. The particular problems associated with comparing binding constants of molecules of very different sizes (e.g., fatty acids and cardiolipin) are described and equations are presented to account for these problems. The possible effects of membrane viscosity and thickness on activity of membrane proteins are discussed, but it is concluded that effects of phospholipid structure on activity can only be understood in terms of a reasonably complete kinetic model for the protein.

Static and dynamic components of renal cortical brush border and basolateral membrane fluidity: role of cholesterol

Static polarization and differential polarized phase fluorimetry studies on rat renal cortical brush border (BBM) and basolateral membranes (BLM) were undertaken to determine the membrane components responsible for differences in BBM and BLM fluidity, whether these differences were due to the order or dynamic components of membrane fluidity and if a fluidity gradient existed within the bilayer. Surface membrane proteins rigidified both BBM and BLM fluidity. Neutral lipid extraction, on the other hand, caused a larger decrease in BBM than BLM fluorescence polarization (0.104 vs. 0.60, P less than 0.01) using diphenyl hexatriene (DPH). Cholesterol addition to phospholipid fractions restored membrane fluidity to total lipid values in both BBM and BLM phospholipids. The response to cholesterol in the BBM was biphasic, while the BLM response was linear. Lateral mobility, quantitated using dipyrenylpropane, was similar in both BBM and BLM fractions at 35 degrees C. BBM and BLM differed primarily in the order component of membrane fluidity as DPH-limiting anisotropy (r infinity) (0.212 vs. 0.154, P less than 0.01) differed markedly between the two membrane fractions. The two membrane components also differed with respect to 2 and 12-anthroyloxy stearate (2-AS, 12-AS) probes, indicating a difference in the dynamic component of membrane fluidity may also be present. DPH and 12-AS probes were also used to quantitate inner core membrane fluidity and showed the BBM was less fluid than the BLM for intact membranes, total lipid extracts and phospholipids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)