Monoclonal antibodies to the Ca2+ + Mg2+-dependent ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum identify polymorphic forms of the enzyme and indicate the presence in the enzyme of a classical high-affinity Ca2+ binding site

Phospholamban deficiency does not alter skeletal muscle SERCA pumping efficiency or predispose mice to diet-induced obesity

The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (SERCA) pump is a major contributor to skeletal muscle Ca²⁺ homeostasis and metabolic rate. SERCA activity can become adaptively uncoupled by its regulator sarcolipin (SLN) to increase the energy demand of Ca²⁺ pumping, preventing excessive obesity and glucose intolerance in mice. Several other SERCA regulators bear structural and functional resemblance to SLN, including phospholamban (PLN). Here, we sought to examine whether endogenous levels of skeletal muscle PLN control SERCA Ca²⁺ pumping efficiency and whole body metabolism. Using PLN-null mice ( Pln^-/-), we found that soleus (SOL) muscle's SERCA pumping efficiency (measured as an apparent coupling ratio: Ca²⁺ uptake/ATP hydrolysis) was unaffected by PLN. Expression of Ca²⁺-handling proteins within the SOL, including SLN, were comparable between Pln^-/- and wild-type (WT) littermates, as were fiber-type characteristics. Not surprisingly then, Pln^-/- mice developed a similar degree of diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance as WT controls when given a "Western" high-fat diet. Lack of an excessively obesogenic phenotype of Pln^-/- could not be explained by compensation from skeletal muscle SLN or brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein-1 content. In agreement with several other reports, our study lends support to the notion that PLN serves a functionally distinct role from that of SLN in skeletal muscle physiology.

Sarcolipin deletion exacerbates soleus muscle atrophy and weakness in phospholamban overexpressing mice

Sarcolipin (SLN) and phospholamban (PLN) are two small proteins that regulate the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase pumps. In a recent study, we discovered that Pln overexpression (Pln^OE) in slow-twitch type I skeletal muscle fibers drastically impaired SERCA function and caused a centronuclear myopathy-like phenotype, severe muscle atrophy and weakness, and an 8 to 9-fold upregulation of SLN protein in the soleus muscles. Here, we sought to determine the physiological role of SLN upregulation, and based on its role as a SERCA inhibitor, we hypothesized that it would represent a maladaptive response that contributes to the SERCA dysfunction and the overall myopathy observed in the Pln^OE mice. To this end, we crossed Sln-null (Sln^KO) mice with Pln^OE mice to generate a Pln^OE/Sln^KO mouse colony and assessed SERCA function, CNM pathology, in vitro contractility, muscle mass, calcineurin signaling, daily activity and food intake, and proteolytic enzyme activity. Our results indicate that genetic deletion of Sln did not improve SERCA function nor rescue the CNM phenotype, but did result in exacerbated muscle atrophy and weakness, due to a failure to induce type II fiber compensatory hypertrophy and a reduction in total myofiber count. Mechanistically, our findings suggest that impaired calcineurin activation and resultant decreased expression of stabilin-2, and/or impaired autophagic signaling could be involved. Future studies should examine these possibilities. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the importance of SLN upregulation in combating muscle myopathy in the Pln^OE mice, and since SLN is upregulated across several myopathies, our findings may reveal SLN as a novel and universal therapeutic target.

Diaphragm assessment in mice overexpressing phospholamban in slow-twitch type I muscle fibers

AIMS

Phospholamban (PLN) and sarcolipin (SLN) are small inhibitory proteins that regulate the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) pump. Previous work from our laboratory revealed that in the soleus and gluteus minimus muscles of mice overexpressing PLN (Pln (OE)), SERCA function was impaired, dynamin 2 (3-5 fold) and SLN (7-9 fold) were upregulated, and features of human centronuclear myopathy (CNM) were observed. Here, we performed structural and functional experiments to evaluate whether the diaphragm muscles of the Pln (OE) mouse would exhibit CNM pathology and muscle weakness.

METHODS

Diaphragm muscles from Pln (OE) and WT mice were subjected to histological/histochemical/immunofluorescent staining, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Ca(2+) uptake assays, Western blotting, and in vitro electrical stimulation.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that PLN overexpression reduced SERCA's apparent affinity for Ca(2+) but did not reduce maximal SERCA activity or rates of Ca(2+) uptake. SLN was upregulated 2.5-fold, whereas no changes in dynamin 2 expression were found. With respect to CNM, we did not observe type I fiber predominance, central nuclei, or central aggregation of oxidative activity in diaphragm, although type I fiber hypotrophy was present. Furthermore, in vitro contractility assessment of Pln (OE) diaphragm strips revealed no reductions in force-generating capacity, maximal rates of relaxation or force development, but did indicate that ½ relaxation time was prolonged.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, the effects of PLN overexpression on skeletal muscle phenotype differ between diaphragm and the postural soleus and gluteus minimus muscles. Our findings here point to differences in SLN expression and type I fiber distribution as potential contributing factors.

Phospholamban overexpression in mice causes a centronuclear myopathy-like phenotype

Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) is a congenital myopathy that is histopathologically characterized by centrally located nuclei, central aggregation of oxidative activity, and type I fiber predominance and hypotrophy. Here, we obtained commercially available mice overexpressing phospholamban (Pln^OE), a well-known inhibitor of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPases (SERCAs), in their slow-twitch type I skeletal muscle fibers to determine the effects on SERCA function. As expected with a 6- to 7-fold overexpression of phospholamban, SERCA dysfunction was evident in Pln^OE muscles, with marked reductions in rates of Ca²⁺ uptake, maximal ATPase activity and the apparent affinity of SERCA for Ca²⁺. However, our most significant discovery was that the soleus and gluteus minimus muscles from the Pln^OE mice displayed overt signs of myopathy: they histopathologically resembled human CNM, with centrally located nuclei, central aggregation of oxidative activity, type I fiber predominance and hypotrophy, progressive fibrosis and muscle weakness. This phenotype is associated with significant upregulation of muscle sarcolipin and dynamin 2, increased Ca²⁺-activated proteolysis, oxidative stress and protein nitrosylation. Moreover, in our assessment of muscle biopsies from three human CNM patients, we found a significant 53% reduction in SERCA activity and increases in both total and monomeric PLN content compared with five healthy subjects, thereby justifying future studies with more CNM patients. Altogether, our results suggest that the commercially available Pln^OE mouse phenotypically resembles human CNM and could be used as a model to test potential mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. To date, there is no cure for CNM and our results suggest that targeting SERCA function, which has already been shown to be an effective therapeutic target for murine muscular dystrophy and human cardiomyopathy, might represent a novel therapeutic strategy to combat CNM.

Summary: Phospholamban overexpression in mouse slow-twitch muscle impairs SERCA function and causes histopathological features associated with human centronuclear myopathy.

The neonatal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase gives a clue to development and pathology in human muscles

The sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 1 (SERCA1) has two muscle specific splice isoforms; SERCA1a in fast-type adult and SERCA1b in neonatal and regenerating skeletal muscles. At the protein level the only difference between these two isoforms is that SERCA1a has C-terminal glycine while SERCA1b has an octapeptide tail instead. This makes the generation of a SERCA1a specific antibody not feasible. The switch between the two isoforms is a hallmark of differentiation so we describe here a method based on the signal ratios of the SERCA1b specific and pan SERCA1 antibodies to estimate the SERCA1b/SERCA1a dominance on immunoblot of human muscles. Using this method we showed that unlike in mouse and rat, SERCA1b was only expressed in pre-matured infant leg and arm muscles; it was replaced by SERCA1a in more matured neonatal muscles and was completely absent in human foetal and neonatal diaphragms. Interestingly, only SERCA1a and no SERCA1b were detected in muscles of 7-12 years old boys with Duchenne, a degenerative-regenerative muscular dystrophy. However, in adult patients with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2), the SERCA1b dominated over SERCA1a. Thus the human SERCA1b has a different expression pattern from that of rodents and it is associated with DM2.

The expression of the neonatal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump (SERCA1b) hints to a role in muscle growth and development

The neonatal isoform of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 1 (SERCA1b) is a Ca2+ pump with a well-known developmentally regulated transcript level but an undefined protein expression and function. Specific antibodies were generated to show that SERCA1b is exclusively expressed in myoblasts and myotubes of cultured and regenerating muscle. However, the SERCA1b protein was not detectable in normal adult fast and slow muscles. Studies of the in vitro differentiating myogenic cell lines C2C12 and sol8 showed that SERCA1b is the main SERCA1 protein isoform induced during differentiation and that it is found in the myotubes. Remarkably in BC3H1 cells, which show incomplete differentiation and are reluctant to form myotubes, express the SERCA1b mRNA but not the corresponding protein. SERCA1b protein was also absent from stretched or denervated adult soleus, in spite of the fact that its mRNA level was upregulated. SERCA1b accounts for nearly the total of SERCA1 expression in the diaphragm of newborn mice, which suggests that the insufficient function and development of the diaphragm in the SERCA1 null mutant mice may be due to the lack of SERCA1b. Our studies point to an important regulation of SERCA1b expression at the protein level and hints to a role in the growth of the developing muscle.

The calcineurin activity and MCIP1.4 mRNA levels are increased by innervation in regenerating soleus muscle

The level of active subunit of calcineurin and the calcineurin (Cn) enzyme activity are increased in innervated but not in denervated slow type regenerating skeletal soleus muscle. These nerve-dependent increases were not accompanied by similar increases in the mRNA levels. The changes in the mRNA level of the modulatory calcineurin interacting protein, MCIP1.4, reflected the calcineurin activity and did not increase in denervated regenerating muscles compared to the innervated regenerating controls. The increases in Cn activity and in MCIP1.4 mRNA levels occurred before the switch from fast to slow-type myosin heavy chain isoforms, a phenomenon similarly known to be dependent on innervation. This highlights the role of mediators, acting between the nerve and calcineurin, in the formation of slow fiber identity.

Effect of endurance exercise on the Ca2+ pumps from transverse tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum of rabbit skeletal muscle

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) pump is the main homeostatic regulatory mechanism in fast skeletal muscle that maintains intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) at the nanomolar level at rest. The transverse tubule (TT) Ca(2+) pump transports cytosolic Ca(2+) to the extracellular space. During prolonged muscular activity, [Ca(2+)](i) may increase. TT and SR isolated microsomal vesicles were highly purified, and the purity was checked by immunoblotting. The present study shows the effects of endurance exercise on the activities and structures of the TT and SR Ca(2+) pumps of fast skeletal muscle from rabbit at rest. The Ca(2+) pump activity increased manifolds in TT but did not change in SR. The protein denaturalization profiles obtained by differential scanning calorimetry showed 1) a shift in the transition temperature and an increase in the enthalpy of the TT Ca(2+) pump and 2) a significant change in the transition temperature of the SR Ca(2+) pump Ca(2+)-binding domain. We conclude that the TT Ca(2+) pump activity was upgraded in association with structural changes to handle the changes in [Ca(2+)](i) and TT lumen Ca(2+) concentration that occur during endurance exercise.

Accumulation of βm, a structural member of X,K-ATPase β-subunit family, in nuclear envelopes of perinatal myocytes

Recently discovered muscle-specific βmprotein is structurally closely related to the X,K-ATPase β-subunits. However, it has a number of unique properties such as predominant localization in intracellular stores and lack of association with known X,K-ATPase α-subunits on heterologous coexpression. In this study, the primary structure of mouse βmwas determined and developmental regulation of the gene (ATP1B4) was analyzed. The expression is first detected at day 14 of gestation, is sharply increased at day 16, and reaches its maximum at day 18. After birth, the expression quickly decreases and is hardly detectable in adult mice. A more detailed subcellular localization study was undertaken, and its results indicate that βmnot only is located in sarcoplasmic reticulum but is concentrated in nuclear envelopes of both prenatal and postnatal skeletal muscles. Immunohistochemical studies show that βmis specific to myocytes and, at the subcellular level, many nuclear envelopes are intensively labeled in both fetal and newborn skeletal muscles. Accordingly, βmis detected by immunoblotting in purified nuclei and nuclear membranes from neonatal skeletal muscles. On transfection of human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD, green fluorescent protein-tagged βmresides intracellularly with significant enrichment in nuclear envelopes, whereas βmwith transmembrane domain deleted localizes in both cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Nuclear βmapparently is not in association with Na,K-ATPase because we never detected its α-subunit in myonuclear membranes. These results indicate that βmhas a specialized function in mammalian perinatal myocytes, different from functions of other X,K-ATPase β-subunits. The unique temporospatial distribution of βmprotein expression suggests its important role in development of growing skeletal muscle.

Sarcolipin regulates sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) by binding to transmembrane helices alone or in association with phospholamban

Phospholamban (PLN), a regulator of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPases (SERCAs), interacts with both the cytosolic N domain and transmembrane helices M2, M4, M6, and M9 of SERCA. Amino acids in the transmembrane domain of PLN that are predicted to interact with SERCA1a are conserved in sarcolipin (SLN), a functional PLN homologue. Accordingly, the effects of critical mutations in SERCA1a, PLN, and NF-SLN (SLN tagged N-terminally with a FLAG epitope) on NF-SLN/SERCA1a and PLN/NF-SLN/SERCA1a interactions were compared. Critical mutations in SERCA1a and NF-SLN diminished functional interactions between SERCA1a and NF-SLN, indicating that NF-SLN and PLN interact with some of the same amino acids in SERCA1a. Mutations in PLN or NF-SLN affected the amount of SERCA1a that was coimmunoprecipitated in each complex with antibodies against either PLN or SLN, but not the pattern of coimmunoprecipitation. PLN mutations had more dramatic effects on SERCA1a coimmunoprecipitation than SLN mutations, suggesting that PLN dominates in the primary interaction with SERCA1a. Coimmunoprecipitation also confirmed that PLN and NF-SLN form a heterodimer that interacts with SERCA1a in a regulatory fashion to form a very stable PLN/NF-SLN/SERCA1a complex. Modeling showed that the SLN/SERCA1a complex closely resembles the PLN/SERCA1a complex, but with the luminal end of SLN extending to the loop connecting M1 and M2, where Tyr-29 and Tyr-31 interact with aromatic residues in SERCA1a. Modeling of the PLN/SLN/SERCA1a complex predicts that the regulator binding cavity in the E(2) conformation of SERCA1a can accommodate both SLN and PLN helices, but not two PLN helices.

The PEST sequence does not contribute to the stability of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

BACKGROUND

Endoplasmic reticulum retention of misfolded cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutants and their rapid degradation is the major cause of cystic fibrosis (CF). An important goal is to understand the mechanism of how the misfolded proteins are recognized, retained, and targeted for degradation.

RESULTS

Using a web-based algorithm, PESTFind, we found a PEST sequence in the regulatory (R) domain of CFTR. The PEST sequence is found in many short-lived eukaryotic proteins and plays a role in their degradation. To determine its role in the stability and degradation of misprocessed CFTR, we introduced a number of site-directed mutations into the PEST sequence in the cDNA of DeltaF508 CFTR, the most prevalent misprocessed mutation found in CF patients. Analysis of these mutants showed that the disruption of the PEST sequence plays a minor role in the degradation of the CFTR mutants. Multiple mutations to the PEST sequence within the R domain of CFTR inhibit maturation of CFTR and prevent the formation of a 100 kDa degradation product. The mutations, however, do not improve the stability of the mutant DeltaF508 CFTR.

CONCLUSION

These observations show that disruption of the structure of the R domain of CFTR can inhibit maturation of the protein and that the predicted PEST sequence plays no significant role in the degradation of CFTR.

Sarcolipin inhibits polymerization of phospholamban to induce superinhibition of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases (SERCAs)

Sarcolipin (SLN), a regulator of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase of fast-twitch skeletal muscle (SERCA1a), is also expressed in cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscles where phospholamban (PLN) and SERCA2a are expressed. Co-expression in HEK-293 cells of SLN tagged N-terminally with a FLAG epitope (NF-SLN), PLN, and SERCAs followed by measurement of the Ca(2+) dependence of Ca(2+) transport activity in isolated microsomal fractions showed that NF-SLN can reduce the apparent Ca(2+) affinity of both SERCA1a (DeltaK(Ca) = -0.22 +/- 0.01 pCa units) and SERCA2a (DeltaK(Ca) = -0.37 +/- 0.04 pCa units). When SERCA1a or SERCA2a were co-expressed with both NF-SLN and PLN, inhibition was synergistic, reducing DeltaK(Ca) by about -1.0 pCa units. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that NF-SLN increased the binding of PLN to SERCA, whereas PLN did not increase the binding of NF-SLN to SERCA. Elevated Ca(2+) dissociates both PLN and NF-SLN from their complexes with both SERCA1a and SERCA2a, but NF-SLN induced resistance to Ca(2+) dissociation of the PLN.SERCA complex. Co-immunoprecipitation of PLN and NF-SLN without SERCA showed that NF-SLN binds directly to PLN and that NF-SLN inhibits the formation of PLN pentamers. Thus the ability of NF-SLN to elevate the content of PLN monomers can account, at least in part, for the superinhibitory effects of NF-SLN in the presence of PLN.

Dual gene therapy with SERCA1 and Kir2.1 abbreviates excitation without suppressing contractility

Heart failure is characterized by depressed contractility and delayed repolarization. The latter feature predisposes the failing heart to ventricular arrhythmias and represents a logical target for gene therapy. Unfortunately, unopposed correction of the delay in repolarization will decrease the time available for calcium cycling during each heartbeat, potentially aggravating the depression of contractility. Here we describe the development and application of a novel gene therapy strategy designed to abbreviate excitation without depressing contraction. The calcium ATPase SERCA1 was coexpressed with the potassium channel Kir2.1 in guinea pig hearts. Myocytes from the hearts had bigger calcium transients and shorter action potentials. In vivo, repolarization was abbreviated, but contractile function remained unimpaired. Dual gene therapy of the sort described here can be generalized to exploit opposing or synergistic therapeutic principles to achieve a tailored phenotype.

Physical interactions between phospholamban and sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases are dissociated by elevated Ca2+, but not by phospholamban phosphorylation, vanadate, or thapsigargin, and are enhanced by ATP

Previous co-immunoprecipitation studies (Asahi, M., Kimura, Y., Kurzydlowski, K., Tada, M., and MacLennan, D. H. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 32855-32862) revealed that physical interactions between phospholamban (PLN) and the fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA1a) were retained, even with PLN monoclonal antibody 1D11 bound to an epitope lying between PLN residues 7 and 17. Because the 1D11 antibody relieves inhibitory interaction between the two proteins, it was of interest to determine whether PLN phosphorylation or elevation of Ca(2+), which also relieves inhibitory interactions between PLN and SERCA, would disrupt physical interactions. Co-immunoprecipitation was measured in the presence of increasing concentrations of Ca(2+) or after phosphorylation of PLN by protein kinase A. Physical interactions were dissociated by elevated Ca(2+) but not by PLN phosphorylation. The addition of ATP enhanced interactions between PLN and SERCA. The further addition of vanadate and thapsigargin, both of which stabilize the E(2) conformation, did not diminish binding of PLN to SERCA. These data suggest that physical interactions between PLN and SERCA are stable when SERCA is in the Ca(2+)-free E(2) conformation but not when it is in the E(1) conformation and that phosphorylation of PLN does not dissociate physical interactions between PLN and SERCA.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator has an altered structure when its maturation is inhibited

Inefficient maturation and trafficking to the cell surface of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is the primary cause of cystic fibrosis. CFTR protein that fails to mature accumulates as an immature core-glycosylated protein and is rapidly degraded. To determine how the structures of mature and immature CFTR are different, we compared the properties of CFTR that had been expressed in the presence or absence of the proteasome inhibitor, MG-132 (carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal). Transient expression of wild-type CFTR in the presence of submicromolar concentrations of MG-132 blocks maturation of the protein. We found that expression of CFTR in the presence of MG-132 trapped the protein in a trypsin-sensitive conformation. In addition, the structure of the carboxyl-terminus of immature and mature CFTR differed as histidine-tagged mature CFTR was preferentially recovered by metal-chelate chromatography. No chloride channel activity was detected when membranes containing immature CFTR were fused with planar lipid bilayers. These results show that expression of CFTR in the presence of MG-132 traps the protein in an altered conformation that may be inactive.

Determining the structure and mechanism of the human multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein using cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and thiol-modification techniques

The multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein is an ATP-dependent drug pump that extrudes a broad range of hydrophobic compounds out of cells. Its physiological role is likely to protect us from exogenous and endogenous toxins. The protein is important because it contributes to the phenomenon of multidrug resistance during AIDS and cancer chemotherapy. We have used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and thiol-modification techniques to map the topology of the protein, show that both nucleotide-binding domains are essential for activity, examine packing of the transmembrane segments, map the drug-binding site, and show that there is cross-talk between the ATP-binding sites and the transmembrane segments.

Transmembrane helix M6 in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase forms a functional interaction site with phospholamban. Evidence for physical interactions at other sites

In an earlier study (Kimura, Y., Kurzydlowski, K., Tada, M., and MacLennan, D. H. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 15061-15064), mutation of amino acids on one face of the phospholamban (PLN) transmembrane helix led to loss of PLN inhibition of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) molecules. This helical face was proposed to form a site of PLN interaction with a transmembrane helix in SERCA molecules. To determine whether predicted transmembrane helices M4, M5, M6, or M8 in SERCA1a interact with PLN, SERCA1a mutants were co-expressed with wild-type PLN and effects on Ca(2+) dependence of Ca(2+) transport were measured. Wild-type inhibitory interactions shifted apparent Ca(2+) affinity of SERCA1a by an average of -0.34 pCa units, but four of the seven mutations in M4 led to a more inhibitory shift in apparent Ca(2+) affinity, averaging -0.53 pCa units. Seven mutations in M5 led to an average shift of -0.32 pCa units and seven mutations in M8 led to an average shift of -0.30 pCa units. Among 11 mutations in M6, 1, Q791A, increased the inhibitory shift (-0.59 pCa units) and 5, V795A (-0.11), L802A (-0.07), L802V (-0.04), T805A (-0.11), and F809A (-0.12), reduced the inhibitory shift, consistent with the view that Val(795), Leu(802), Thr(805), and Phe(809), located on one face of a predicted M6 helix, form a site in SERCA1a for interaction with PLN. Those mutations in M4, M6, or M8 of SERCA1a that enhanced PLN inhibitory function did not enhance PLN physical association with SERCA1a, but mutants V795A and L802A in M6, which decreased PLN inhibitory function, decreased physical association, as measured by co-immunoprecipitation. In related studies, those PLN mutants that gained inhibitory function also increased levels of co-immunoprecipitation of wild-type SERCA1a and those that lost inhibitory function also reduced association, correlating functional interaction sites with physical interaction sites. Thus, both functional and physical data confirm that PLN interacts with M6 SERCA1a.

Enhanced myocardial contractility and increased Ca2+ transport function in transgenic hearts expressing the fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase

In this study, we investigated whether the fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport pump (SERCA1a) can functionally substitute the cardiac SERCA2a isoform and how its overexpression affects cardiac contractility. For this purpose, we generated transgenic (TG) mice that specifically overexpress SERCA1a in the heart, using the cardiac-specific alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter. Ectopic expression of SERCA1a resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in the amount of total SERCA protein. At the same time, the level of the endogenous SERCA2a protein was decreased by 50%, whereas the level of other muscle proteins, including calsequestrin, phospholamban, actin, and tropomyosin, remained unchanged. The steady-state level of SERCA phosphoenzyme intermediate was increased 2.5-fold, and the maximal velocity of Ca2+ uptake was increased 1.7-fold in TG hearts, demonstrating that the overexpressed protein is functional. Although the basal cytosolic calcium signal was decreased by 38% in TG cardiomyocytes, the amplitude of cytosolic calcium signal was increased by 71.8%. The rate of calcium resequestration was also increased in TG myocytes, which was reflected by a 51.6% decrease in the normalized time to 80% decay of calcium signal. This resulted in considerably increased peak rates of myocyte shortening and relengthening (50.0% and 66.6%, respectively). Cardiac functional analysis using isolated work-performing heart preparations revealed significantly faster rates of contraction and relaxation in TG hearts (41.9% and 39.5%, respectively). The time to peak pressure and the time to half-relaxation were shorter (29.1% and 32.7%, respectively). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the SERCA1a pump can functionally substitute endogenous SERCA2a, and its overexpression significantly enhances Ca2+ transport and contractile function of the myocardium. These results also demonstrate that the SERCA pump level is a critical determinant of cardiac contractility.

Expression of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-transport ATPase protein isoforms during regeneration from notexin-induced necrosis of rat soleus muscle

Expression levels of fast-twitch (SERCA1), slow-twitch (SERCA2a) and "housekeeping" (SERCA2b) isoforms of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-transport ATPase were monitored during regeneration of rat soleus muscles following necrosis induced by the toxin notexin at the tissue level by Western blot analysis and at the cellular level by immunocytochemical analysis. Due to necrosis, levels of muscle-specific SERCA1 and SERCA2a isoforms dropped to low levels on the third day after injection of the toxin. Subsequently, during regeneration both isoforms recovered but with a different time course. Expression of the fast type SERCA1 increased first. This type showed its most pronounced increase between day 3 and 10. Expression of the slow type SERCA2a was biphasic. After an increase to approximately one third of the control value on days 5-10, it showed its main increase up to the control level between day 10 and 21. Expression levels of the house-keeping SERCA2b isoform remained relatively constant throughout the 4 weeks of regeneration. Between day 10 and 28, when new innervation is established, SERCA2a expression spread gradually over almost all fibers whereas the number of SERCA1-expressing fibers decreased and only a limited number of fibers co-expressed SERCA1 and SERCA2a. At 4 weeks of regeneration, expression of the fast isoform was found only in 12% of the fibers, whereas the slow form was found in 98% of the fibers. In the contralateral untreated soleus muscles, 26% SERCA1-positive and 81% SERCA2a-positive fibers were observed. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that SERCA1 and SERCA2a were co-expressed with fast and slow myosin isoforms in fibers of normal muscles but in regenerated muscle only slow myosin and slow SERCA isoforms correlated. The results show that during regeneration levels of fast and slow SERCA proteins change in a similar way as their mRNAs do. However, in regenerated soleus, unlike in normal muscle, expression of slow SERCA is coregulated only with the slow myosin isoform. This finding is in agreement with the fact that the number of slow type fibers is increased in regenerated soleus.

Expression of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPases in the rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle regenerating from notexin-induced necrosis

The level of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) mRNAs and proteins have been assessed by RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry in the rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles during regeneration from notexin-induced necrosis. As a result of the necrosis, SERCA1 and SERCA2 declined on days 1 and 3 after administration of the toxin. Thereupon the mRNA of the fast isoform SERCA1 rapidly increased between days 5 and 10 to the normal level. The mRNA level of the "housekeeping" SERCA2b isoform increased markedly during the actual necrosis at days 1 and 5, probably due to invading cells. Then the mRNA level of the neonatal SERCA1b splice variant increased first, and exceeded the level of the adult SERCA1a transcript on day 5. At later stages of regeneration the neonatal form was gradually replaced by the adult SERCA1a form, thus recapitulating similar changes known to occur during normal ontogenesis. Along with SERCA1, the levels of the slow isoform (SERCA2a) mRNA and protein increased on day 5, but the SERCA2a mRNA levels never rose above 10% of SERCA1 and after 10 days gradually declined again. In the normal and regenerated muscles, SERCA1 was expressed in 97% of the fibres which accounted for the population of fast-twitch fibres (type IIa, type IIb and probably type IIx/d). SERCA2a was present in 6% of the fibres of normal muscle (mostly in the slow-twitch type I fibres). At the end of regeneration the number of fibres expressing SERCA2a was twice as high and were found in small groups, unlike in normal EDL, but about 50% of these clustered fibres also expressed SERCA1.

Site-directed disulfide mapping of helices M4 and M6 in the Ca2+ binding domain of SERCA1a, the Ca2+ ATPase of fast twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

In an attempt to define the spatial relationships among SERCA1a transmembrane helices M4, M5, M6, and M8, involved in Ca2+ binding, all six cysteine residues were removed from predicted transmembrane sequences by substitution with Ser or Ala. The cysteine-depleted protein retained 44% of wild type Ca2+ transport activity. Pairs of cysteine residues were then reintroduced to determine whether their juxtaposition would result in the formation of disulfide cross-links between transmembrane helices. In initial studies designed to map the juxtaposition of Ca2+ binding residues, Cys was substituted for Glu309 or Gly310 in transmembrane sequence M4, in combination with the substitution of Cys for Glu771 in M5; for Asn796, Thr799, or Asp800 in M6; or for Glu908 in M8. These double mutants all retained the capacity to form a phosphoenzyme intermediate from Pi (but not from ATP in the presence of Ca2+), and in all but mutants E309C/N796C and G310C/N796C, phosphoenzyme formation was insensitive to 100 microM Ca2+. These results support the view that both Glu309 and Asn796 contribute to Ca2+ binding site II, which is not required for conversion of E2, the substrate for Pi phosphorylation, to E1. Cross-linking in mutants E309C/N796C and G310C/D800C established reference points for the orientation of M4 and M6 relative to each other and provided the basis for the prediction of potential additional cross-links. Strong links were formed with the pairs T317C/A804C and T317C/L807C near the cytoplasmic ends of the two helices and with A305C/L792C and A305C/L793C near the lumenal ends. These combined results support the conclusion that M4 and M6 form a right-handed coiled-coil structure that forms part of the pathway of Ca2+ translocation. In addition to providing a possible explanation for the mutation sensitivity of several pairs of residues in these helices, the proposed association of M4 and M6 supports a new model for the orientation of the two Ca2+ binding sites among transmembrane helices M4, M5, and M6.

Skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase gene expression in congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure leads to skeletal muscle abnormalities, one of which is a prolongation of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ flux. The purpose of this study was to determine whether skeletal muscle of spontaneous hypertensive and heart failure rats have alterations in the expression of the sarcoplasmic (or endoplasmic) reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) gene. Northern analysis revealed that SERCA1, the predominant skeletal muscle isoform, was decreased by 45%, 43%, and 58% in the tibialis anterior, plantaris, and diaphragm muscles, respectively. Ribonuclease protection assay showed that the decrease was due to the adult isoform, SERCA1a, with minor changes in the alternatively spliced neonatal isoform, SERCA1b. There was no change in SERCA1 mRNA levels in gastrocnemius muscles. No change was found in SERCA2a (cardiac/slow skeletal isoform) mRNA or protein levels or in SERCA2b (smooth muscle isoform), dihydropyridine receptor, or alpha-actin mRNA levels in diaphragm muscle. Northern blot and ribonuclease protection assays showed that SERCA2a decreased 61% in the heart while the alternatively spliced isoform, SERCA2b, decreased 27%. Western analysis of the tibialis anterior, diaphragm, and gastrocnemius muscles showed a decrease in SERCA1 protein levels by 46%, 64%, and 42%, respectively, whereas sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, a functional correlate of SERCA expression, was decreased by 38%, 38%, and 40% in the same muscles, SERCA2 protein expression decreased by 36% in the failing heart. Decreases in both mRNA and protein suggest pretranslational control of SERCA1 expression, whereas the lack of decreased SERCA1 mRNA in gastrocnemius muscle suggests translational regulation. The decreased SERCA1 protein expression in all muscles studied probably contributes to contractile abnormalities related to excitation-contraction coupling function in heart failure.

Correction of defective protein kinesis of human P-glycoprotein mutants by substrates and modulators

There is growing evidence that abnormal protein folding or trafficking (protein kinesis) leads to diseases. We have used P-glycoprotein as a model protein to develop strategies to overcome defects in protein kinesis. Misprocessed mutants of the human P-glycoprotein are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum as core-glycosylated biosynthetic intermediates and rapidly degraded. Synthesis of the mutant proteins in the presence of drug substrates or modulators such as capsaicin, cyclosporin, vinblastine, or verapamil, however, resulted in the appearance of a fully glycosylated and functional protein at the cell surface. These effects were dose-dependent and occurred within a few hours after the addition of substrate. The ability to facilitate processing of the misfolded mutants appeared to be independent of the cell lines used and location of the mutation. P-glycoproteins with mutations in transmembrane segments, extracellular or cytoplasmic loops, the nucleotide-binding domains, or the linker region were processed to the fully mature form in the presence of these substrates. These drug substrates or modulators acted as specific chemical chaperones for P-glycoprotein because they were ineffective on the deltaF508 mutant of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Therefore, one possible strategy to prevent protein misfolding is to carry out synthesis in the presence of specific substrates or modulators of the protein.

Scanning mutagenesis reveals a similar pattern of mutation sensitivity in transmembrane sequences M4, M5, and M6, but not in M8, of the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA1a)

Scanning mutagenesis was performed on all amino acids in transmembrane sequences M5, M6, and M8, which, together with M4, make up the Ca2+ binding domain of the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA1a). When these transmembrane sequences were displayed on a helical net, examination of the effects of 101 novel point mutations and 95 prior mutations carried out on 92 transmembrane amino acids revealed "patches" of sensitivity to mutation in M4, M5, and M6 but not in M8. The patches of mutation-sensitive residues spanned 6 of the 7 tiers of the helical net and covered about 240 degrees at their widest point in tiers 3 or 4 and 140 degrees in tiers 2 and 5. A contiguous column of mutation-insensitive hydrophobic amino acids was found in M4 and M6 and in tiers 4 to 7 of M5. A six-residue motif, (E/D)GLPA(T/V) in tiers 3 and 4 of M4 and M6 with Ca2+-binding residues Glu309 and Asp800 as the first residue, was highlighted by mutation sensitivity. Elements of the motif could also be discerned in M5, but reading in the C-terminal to N-terminal direction. Mutation sensitivity in tier 5 of M4 mirrored mutation sensitivity of tier 5 in M6, although the amino acid sequences were not similar. The motif or its counterpart was found in a region in M4, M5, and M6 that is made up of tiny or small amino acids but is bounded by tiers with a larger percentage of bulky amino acids. Tiers 3, 4, and 5 of M4, M5, and M6 contain Ca2+ binding and affinity mutations, E1P to E2P block mutations and E2P dephosphorylation mutations, indicating an important role for these central tiers in Ca2+ binding and in the conformational changes that accompany Ca2+ translocation. Analysis of M8 revealed only a single mutation-sensitive residue, the Ca2+-binding amino acid, Glu908. This residue and a mutation-insensitive residue, Ala912, were the only vestiges of the motif that was found in M4 and M6. Additional mutations to Glu908 provided further evidence for its role in Ca2+ binding. Since mutation of M8 failed to identify residues involved in blocking conformational changes or altering Ca2+ affinity, it is apparent that M8 plays a peripheral role in Ca2+ binding and translocation in comparison with M4, M5, and M6.

Inhibition of oxidative cross-linking between engineered cysteine residues at positions 332 in predicted transmembrane segments (TM) 6 and 975 in predicted TM12 of human P-glycoprotein by drug substrates

Each homologous half of P-glycoprotein consists of a transmembrane domain with six potential transmembrane segments and an ATP-binding domain. Labeling studies with photoactive drug analogs show that labeling occurs within or close to predicted transmembrane segments (TM) 6 (residues 331-351) and TM12 (residues 974-994). To test if these segments are in near-proximity we generated 42 different P-glycoprotein mutants in which we re-introduced a pair of cysteine residues into a Cys-less P-glycoprotein, one within TM6 (residues 332-338) and one within TM12 (residues 975-980) and assayed for cross-linking between the cysteines. All the mutants retained verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity. We found that only the mutant containing Cys-332 and Cys-975 was cross-linked in the presence of oxidant as judged by its decreased mobility on SDS gels. Similar results were obtained when the same mutations were introduced into Cys-less NH2-terminal and COOH-terminal half-molecules of P-glycoprotein followed by coexpression and treatment with oxidant. Cross-linking between Cys-332 and Cys-975, however, was inhibited by verapamil or vinblastine but not by colchicine. These results suggest that residues Cys-332 and Cys-975, which occupy equivalent positions when TM6 and TM12 are aligned, are close to each other in the tertiary structure of P-glycoprotein.

The minimum functional unit of human P-glycoprotein appears to be a monomer

Several studies have demonstrated the presence of oligomers of P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant cells. The minimum functional unit of P-glycoprotein, however, is not known. In order to determine whether the functional unit is an oligomer, we tested for associations between P-glycoproteins containing either a histidine tag or the epitope tag for monoclonal antibody A52 at the COOH-terminal end of the molecule. Both tagged molecules were active and had indistinguishable drug resistance profiles. The tagged P-glycoproteins were expressed contemporaneously in HEK 293 cells, purified by nickel-chelate chromatography followed by immunoblot analysis. We found that P-glycoprotein-A52 did not copurify with functionally active P-glycoprotein-(His)10, even when the former was overexpressed relative to the histidine-tagged protein. Similar results were obtained with phosphorylation-deficient mutants of P-glycoprotein. By contrast, we could purify and reconstitute drug-stimulated ATPase activity when the half-molecules NH2-terminal half-(His)10/COOH-terminal half-A52 or NH2-terminal half-A52/COOH-terminal half-(His)10 were coexpressed in HEK 293 cells. These results suggest that nickel-chelate chromatography may be a suitable method for studying protein-protein interactions in membrane proteins and that the minimal functional unit of P-glycoprotein is likely to be a monomer.

Mutational analysis of the predicted first transmembrane segment of each homologous half of human P-glycoprotein suggests that they are symmetrically arranged in the membrane

A recent study of P-glycoprotein membrane topology using phoA gene fusions provided evidence that the orientation of the first transmembrane segment of each homologous half of P-glycoprotein was different (Béjà, O., and Bibi, E. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 12351-12354). To test this hypothesis, we compared the functional consequences of mutations to residues in transmembrane segments (TMs) TM1 and TM7. Mutations to 3 residues occupying homologous positions in TM1 and TM7 resulted in mutant P-glycoproteins that were inactive. These mutants were found to be misprocessed. By contrast, mutations to other residues in TM1 resulted in functional P-glycoproteins. When putative TM1 was replaced with TM7 or TM7 with TM1 to yield TM7/TM7 or TM1/TM1 chimeras, both constructs yielded P-glycoproteins that were capable of conferring drug resistance in transfected cells. The purified P-glycoproteins from mutants TM7/TM7 and TM1/TM1 retained 59 and 28% of verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity, respectively. By contrast, interchanging TM6 and TM12 to yield TM6/TM6, TM12/TM12, or TM12/TM6 constructs resulted in P-glycoproteins that did not have any detectable ATPase activity and did not confer drug resistance in transfected cells. These results suggest that TM1 and TM7 likely have similar structural and functional roles in P-glycoprotein and that they have identical topologies.

Expression and functional characterization of isoforms 4 of the plasma membrane calcium pump

PMCA isoforms 4CII (generated by splicing at the C-terminus) and 4BICI (a pump version lacking the 10th transmembrane domain) were expressed in Sf9 cells using the baculovirus system. The purified PMCA4CII had a 20-fold lower affinity for calmodulin than the PMCA4CI, the PMCA4 isoform of the erythrocytes' membranes, but had a higher activity in the absence of calmodulin. The amount of phosphoenzyme intermediate formed by PMCA4CII in the presence of Ca2+ alone was almost 3 times higher than in PMCA4CI and was increased by La3+ less than in the PMCA4CI. The isoform lacking the 10th transmembrane domain (PMCA4BICI) had no Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity, but was still able to form the phosphoenzyme intermediate starting from phosphate. When expressed in COS cells, this isoform was retained in the endoplasmic reticulum; changes in membrane architecture apparently occurred during its expression; the C-terminal portion of the isoform was located in the cytosol, indicating that the deletion of the 10th transmembrane domain resulted in the loss of at least another transmembrane domain.

Expression and insulin-regulated distribution of caveolin in skeletal muscle. Caveolin does not colocalize with GLUT4 in intracellular membranes

Caveolin is believed to play an important role in sorting processes, vesicular trafficking, transmembrane signaling, and molecular transport across membranes. In this study we have evaluated the expression and distribution of caveolin in skeletal muscle and its interaction with GLUT4 glucose carriers. Caveolin was expressed to substantial levels in muscle and its expression was regulated in muscle; aging and high fat diet enhanced caveolin expression in skeletal muscle and inversely, myogenesis down-regulated caveolin in L6E9 cells. Under fasting conditions, most of caveolin was found in intracellular membranes and the caveolin present in the cell surface was found in both sarcolemma and T-tubules. Insulin administration led to a redistribution of caveolin from intracellular high density membrane fractions to intracellular lighter density fractions and to the cell surface; this pattern of insulin-induced redistribution was different to what was shown by GLUT4. These results suggests that caveolin is a component of an insulin-regulated machinery of vesicular transport in muscle. Quantitative immunoisolation of GLUT4 vesicles obtained from different intracellular GLUT4 populations revealed the absence of caveolin which substantiates the lack of colocalization of intracellular GLUT4 and caveolin. This indicates that caveolin is not involved in intracellular GLUT4 trafficking in skeletal muscle.

The T-tubule is a cell-surface target for insulin-regulated recycling of membrane proteins in skeletal muscle

(1) In this study we have determined the distribution of various membrane proteins involved in insulin-activated glucose transport in T-tubules and in sarcolemma from rat skeletal muscle. Two independent experimental approaches were used to determine the presence of membrane proteins in T-tubules: (i) the purification of T-tubules free from sarcolemmal membranes by lectin agglutination, and (ii) T-tubule vesicle immunoadsorption. These methods confirmed that T-tubules from rat skeletal muscle were enriched with dihydropyridine receptors and tt28 protein and did not contain the sarcolemmal markers dystrophin or beta 1-integrin. Both types of experiments revealed an abundant content of GLUT4 glucose carriers, insulin receptors and SCAMPs (secretory carrier membrane proteins) in T-tubule membranes. (2) Acute administration in vivo of insulin caused an increased abundance of GLUT4 in T-tubules and sarcolemma. On the contrary, insulin led to a 50% reduction in insulin receptors present in T-tubules and in sarcolemma, demonstrating that insulin-induced insulin receptor internalization affects T-tubules in the muscle fibre. The alteration in the content of GLUT4 and insulin receptors in T-tubules was a consequence of insulin-induced redistribution of these proteins. SCAMPs also redistributed in muscle membranes in response to insulin. They were recruited by insulin from intracellular high-density fractions to intracellular lighter-density fractions and to the cell surface, showing a pattern of insulin-induced cellular redistribution distinct from those of GLUT4 and the insulin receptor. (3) In conclusion, the T-tubule is a cell-surface target for membrane proteins involved in recycling such as SCAMPs or for membrane proteins that acutely redistribute in response to insulin such as GLUT4 or insulin receptors.

Covalent modification of human P-glycoprotein mutants containing a single cysteine in either nucleotide-binding fold abolishes drug-stimulated ATPase activity

The ATPase activity of P-glycoprotein is inactivated by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), which is postulated to modify cysteine residues within either of the homology A consensus sequences for nucleotide binding (GNSGCGKS and GSSGCGKS, respectively) (Al-Shawi, M. K., Urbatsch, I. L., and Senior, A. E. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 8986-8992). To test this postulate as well as determine the contribution of either nucleotide-binding domain to function, a Cys-less mutant was constructed, and then a single cysteine residue was reintroduced back into each nucleotide-binding consensus sequence. We then tested the sensitivity of the ATPase activity of each mutant to covalent modification by NEM. It was found that covalent modification of a single cysteine residue within either nucleotide-binding consensus sequence (Cys-431 and Cys-1074, respectively) with NEM inhibited drug-stimulated ATPase activity of P-glycoprotein. The concentrations of NEM required for half-maximal inactivation of ATPase activity were 7 and 35 microM for mutants Cys-431 and Cys-1074, respectively. In both cases, inactivation of ATPase activity by NEM was prevented by ATP. These results suggest that both nucleotide-binding domains may need to bind ATP to couple drug binding to ATPase activity.

Isolation and characterization of distinct domains of sarcolemma and T-tubules from rat skeletal muscle

1. Several cell-surface domains of sarcolemma and T-tubule from skeletal-muscle fibre were isolated and characterized. 2. A protocol of subcellular fractionation was set up that involved the sequential low- and high-speed homogenization of rat skeletal muscle followed by KCl washing, Ca2+ loading and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. This protocol led to the separation of cell-surface membranes from membranes enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum and intracellular GLUT4-containing vesicles. 3. Agglutination of cell-surface membranes using wheat-germ agglutinin allowed the isolation of three distinct cell-surface membrane domains: sarcolemmal fraction 1 (SM1), sarcolemmal fraction 2 (SM2) and a T-tubule fraction enriched in protein tt28 and the alpha 2-component of dihydropyridine receptor. 4. Fractions SM1 and SM2 represented distinct sarcolemmal subcompartments based on different compositions of biochemical markers: SM2 was characterized by high levels of beta 1-integrin and dystrophin, and SM1 was enriched in beta 1-integrin but lacked dystrophin. 5. The caveolae-associated molecule caveolin was very abundant in SM1, SM2 and T-tubules, suggesting the presence of caveolae or caveolin-rich domains in these cell-surface membrane domains. In contrast, clathrin heavy chain was abundant in SM1 and T-tubules, but only trace levels were detected in SM2. 6. Immunoadsorption of T-tubule vesicles with antibodies against protein tt28 and against GLUT4 revealed the presence of GLUT4 in T-tubules under basal conditions and it also allowed the identification of two distinct pools of T-tubules showing different contents of tt28 and dihydropyridine receptors. 7. Our data on distribution of clathrin and dystrophin reveal the existence of subcompartments in sarcolemma from muscle fibre, featuring selective mutually exclusive components. T-tubules contain caveolin and clathrin suggesting that they contain caveolin- and clathrin-rich domains. Furthermore, evidence for the heterogeneous distribution of membrane proteins in T-tubules is also presented.

Membrane topology of a cysteine-less mutant of human P-glycoprotein

A human P-glycoprotein devoid of cysteine residues was constructed by site-directed mutagenesis for studying its topology. The cDNA for human P-glycoprotein-A52 in which codons for cysteines 137, 431, 717, 956, 1074, 1125, 1227, 1288, and 1304 were changed to Ala, was transfected into NIH 3T3 cells and analyzed with respect to its ability to confer resistance to various drugs. The cysteine-less P-glycoprotein-A52 retained the ability to confer resistance to vinblastine, colchicine, doxorubicin, and actinomycin D with only a small decrease in efficiency relative to wild-type enzyme. Cysteine residues were then reintroduced into predicted extracellular or cytoplasmic loops of the cysteine-less P-glycoprotein-A52, and the topology of the protein was determined using membrane-permeant and impermeant thiol-specific reagents. It was found that 8 of 15 cysteine residues introduced into P-glycoprotein-A52 could be biotinylated, when cells expressing the mutant P-glycoprotein were incubated with membrane-permeant biotin maleimide. Biotinylation of a cysteine residue placed in predicted extracellular loops between transmembrane segment (TM) 5 and TM6, TM7 and TM8, or TM11 and TM12 was blocked by pretreatment of the cells with a membrane-impermeant maleimide, suggesting that these residues have an extracellular location. By contrast, biotinylation of cysteine residues located in the predicted cytoplasmic loops between TM2 and TM3, TM4 and TM5, TM8 and TM9, or TM10 and TM11 were not blocked by pretreatment with membrane impermeant maleimide, suggesting that these residues were in the cytoplasm. These results are consistent with the model of P-glycoprotein, which predicts six transmembrane segments in each of the two homologous halves of the molecule.

Mutations to amino acids located in predicted transmembrane segment 6 (TM6) modulate the activity and substrate specificity of human P-glycoprotein

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to investigate whether amino acids located in the predicted transmembrane segment, TM6 (residues 330-351), of human P-glycoprotein play essential roles in drug transport. Mutant cDNAs were expressed in mouse NIH 3T3 cells and analyzed with respect to their ability to confer resistance to cytotoxic drugs. Four mutations were found to strongly alter the drug resistance profile conferred by P-glycoprotein. Mutation of Val338 to Ala resulted in a mutant P-glycoprotein which conferred enhanced resistance to colchicine and reduced relative resistance to vinblastine. By contrast, mutant Gly341 to Val conferred little resistance to colchicine or doxorubicin, while its ability to confer resistance to vinblastine or actinomycin D was retained. A reduction in the ability of P-glycoprotein to confer resistance to all four drugs was observed for mutant Ala342 to Leu. Mutation of Ser344 to Ala, Thr, Cys, or Tyr resulted in mutant P-glycoproteins which were unable to confer drug resistance. Photolabeling of P-glycoprotein with azidopine in the presence of varying amounts of vinblastine showed that mutation of Ser344 to Tyr required approximately 15-fold more vinblastine to inhibit photolabeling when compared to wild-type enzyme. All of the Ser344 mutants were found to have reduced drug-stimulated ATPase activity relative to wild-type enzyme. These results, together with our previous demonstration that changes to Phe335 affected dissociation of vinblastine, suggest that TM6 may play an important role in drug--protein interaction and coupling of drug binding to ATPase activity.

Differential regulation of the expression of fast-type sarcoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase by thyroid hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in the L6 muscle cell line

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism(s) underlying the thyroid-hormone (L-tri-iodothyronine, T3)-induced elevation of fast-type sarcoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1) levels in L6 myotubes and the potentiating effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) [Muller, van Hardeveld, Simonides and van Rijn (1991) Biochem. J. 275, 35-40]. T3 increased the SERCA1 protein level (per microgram of DNA) by 160%. The concomitant increase in the SERCA1 mRNA level was somewhat higher (240%). IGF-I also increased SERCA1 protein (110%) and mRNA levels (50%), whereas IGF-I + T3 increased SERCA1 protein and mRNA levels by 410% and 380% respectively. These SERCA1 mRNA analyses show that the more-than-additive action of T3 and IGF-I on SERCA1 expression is, at least in part, pre-translational in nature. Further studies showed that the half-life of SERCA1 protein in L6 cells (17.5 h) was not altered by T3. In contrast, IGF-I prolonged the half-life of SERCA1 protein 1.5-1.9-fold, which may contribute to the disproportional increase in SERCA1 protein content compared with mRNA by IGF-I. Measurements of SERCA1 mRNA half-life (as determined by actinomycin D chase) showed no difference from the control values (15.5 h) in the presence of T3 or IGF-I alone. When T3 and IGF-I were both present, the SERCA1 mRNA half-life was prolonged 2-fold. No significant effects of T3 and IGF-I were observed on the half-life of total protein (37.4 h) and total RNA (37.0 h). The absence of an effect of T3 on SERCA1 protein and mRNA stability, when it was present alone, suggested transcriptional regulation, which was confirmed by nuclear run-on experiments, showing a 3-fold increase in transcription frequency of the SERCA1 gene by T3. We conclude that the synergistic stimulating effects of T3 and IGF-I on SERCA1 expression are the result of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. T3 acts primarily at the transcriptional level by increasing the transcription frequency of the SERCA1 gene, whereas IGF-I seems to act predominantly at post-transcriptional levels by enhancing SERCA1 protein and mRNA stability, the latter, however, only in the presence of T3.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump expression in denervated skeletal muscle

This study was undertaken as one approach to better understand how contractile activity regulates excitation-contraction coupling phenotype in skeletal muscle. The effects of denervation on the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), a key protein of the contraction-relaxation cycle, was analyzed in fast-twitch (FT) and slow-twitch (ST) skeletal muscle. Muscle mass, mRNA, and protein expression of specific isoforms of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) and contractile parameters related to muscle relaxation were measured in rat soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles at 1, 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after sciatic nerve transection. Wet muscle mass decreased to 35% of control by 28 days of denervation in both soleus and EDL muscles (P < 0.05). Northern and Western analyses showed decreases in mRNA and protein expression of the slow Ca2+ pump isoform (SERCA2a) in the denervated soleus muscle and in the fast Ca2+ pump isoform (SERCA1) in the denervated EDL muscle, particularly at later time points. There was no change in the expression of the alternate isoform in either muscle type. Prolongation of twitch contraction times, slowed rates of tension development, and leftward shifts in frequency-tension curves were consistent with the reduced Ca2+ pump density and suggested slowed Ca2+ handling in SR or denervated ST and FT muscles. The results are in marked contrast with those previously reported in non-weight-bearing muscle induced by biomechanical unloading.

Skeletal muscle overload upregulates the sarcoplasmic reticulum slow calcium pump gene

Functional data suggest that the kinetics of force production and relaxation are slowed in hypertrophied skeletal muscle because of chronic overload. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gene expression of the slow/cardiac isoform of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) pump is upregulated in overloaded fast-twitch plantaris muscles. Increased active muscle loading was induced in rat plantaris muscles bilaterally by surgical removal of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Mass of the plantaris muscle was 80% greater 5 wk after surgery than in age-matched unoperated control rats (P < 0.05). Expression of the slow pump mRNA was 135% greater in hypertrophied muscles, as determined from autoradiograms of Northern blots with use of a cDNA probe specific for the slow/cardiac isoform. A monoclonal antibody (7E6) was used to quantify slow Ca2+ pump in SR vesicles with use of Western blot analysis. Densitometry of blots showed that the relative expression of the slow pump protein was 130% greater in hypertrophied plantaris muscles. Expression of the fast SR Ca2+ pump protein isoform, assessed using monoclonal antibody A52, was 25% less in hypertrophied than in control muscles. The Ca2+ uptake rate and ATPase activity of SR vesicles was approximately 15% lower in hypertrophied plantaris muscles (P < 0.05). Differential phospholamban expression could not account for changes in SR Ca2+ handling, because it could not be detected in rat slow- or fast-twitch skeletal muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Deletion of NH2- and COOH-terminal sequences destroys function of the Ca2+ ATPase of rabbit fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

Deletion mutants of the Ca2+ ATPase of rabbit fast-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA1a) were constructed and expressed in COS-1 cells. The mutants were expressed at levels 7- to 15-fold lower than the wild-type and were inactive. In vitro transcription-translation-insertion experiments showed that deletion of transmembrane sequences M1 and M2, but not of M8, M9, M10 or the NH2-terminal 30 amino acids inhibited the stable insertion of the enzyme into the membrane. Thus there was no correlation between loss of function and membrane insertion. A signal sequence for membrane insertion may exist in M1 and M2.

Ca2+ homeostasis and fast-type sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase expression in L6 muscle cells. Role of thyroid hormone

The effect of thyroid hormone (L-tri-iodothyronine; T3) on the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in L6 myotubes was studied at rest and during activation to explore the possible mediating role of [Ca2+]i in the T3-induced net synthesis of fast-type sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase. The mean [Ca2+]i at rest was approx. 115 nM in myoblasts, control myotubes and T3-treated myotubes. Therefore it is unlikely that the T3-induced elevation of Ca(2+)-ATPase levels is mediated by [Ca2+]i changes. To investigate the influence of the 4-fold higher Ca(2+)-ATPase levels in T3-treated myotubes (compared with controls) on [Ca2+]i, interventions with caffeine (10 mM) and a high extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) (30 mM) were applied which initially mobilize Ca2+ predominantly from the SR. The results showed a lower (caffeine) or not significantly different (high [K+]o) increase in [Ca2+]i in T3-treated myotubes compared with controls. No rise in [Ca2+]i was found in myoblasts with caffeine or high [K+]o. The role of [Ca2+]i in the regulation of Ca(2+)-ATPase levels was investigated by varying [Ca2+]i through exposure of cells to different concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ (0.2-1.8 mM) and ionomycin (0.1-0.25 microM). At subnormal [Ca2+]i (55 nM) the T3-induced net synthesis of Ca(2+)-ATPase was virtually abolished, and at supranormal [Ca2+]i (195 nM) it was greatly depressed. Intermediate stimulation of net Ca(2+)-ATPase synthesis was found at [Ca2+]i of 95 and 165 nM, with an optimum at approx. 125 nM. Similar but less pronounced effects were found for the basal Ca(2+)-ATPase levels. In contracting primary rat myotubes, Ca(2+)-ATPase levels were significantly lower than in tetrodotoxin-arrested myotubes. The same results were obtained in the presence of T3. Since the mean [Ca2+]i in contracting cells is higher than in resting cells, these data agree with those obtained in the L6 cells with ionomycin. A major conclusion of this study is the existence of a [Ca2+]i optimum, near resting levels, for the expression of the fast-type Ca(2+)-ATPase in the L6 muscle cell line.