Method for the preparation of human erythrocyte membrane with low basal calcium ATPase, responsive to stimulation

Erythrocyte Na+,K(+)-ATPase properties and adenylate energy charge in normotensives and in essential hypertensives

The activity and some kinetic properties of RBC Na+,K(+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37) were investigated in essential hypertensives (EH; 40 subjects) and normotensives (NT; 20 subjects). A decrease in ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake as well as ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity was found in EH. [Na+]i and [K+]i of EH did not show any statistical difference from NT. Na+,K(+)-ATPase showed a reduced Mg2+ activation and the apparent Km value for Mg2+ was 2-fold increased in the EH group. The influence of temperature on the Na+,K(+)-ATPase showed a reduced modulation and a minor activity peak at 37 degrees C in the patients, consequently the calculated activation energy of the enzyme was increased at temperatures lower than 40 degrees C. Increased RBC adenylate energy charge (EC) was observed in EH when compared with NT. A negative correlation between EC and total Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was found when all subjects were compared and also in both groups, showing a possible pump involvement in the regulation of the RBC metabolic flux in EH. These data provide evidence about some modifications in active Na+,K+ transport and in EC in RBC which allows a further characterization of membrane cation fluxes in EH.

Effect of acylphosphatase on human erythrocyte membrane Ca2(+)-ATPase

We studied the effect of human acylphosphatase on the activity of human erythrocyte membrane Ca2(+)-ATPase. Both the acylphosphatase that is contained in hemolysate and the purified enzyme isolated from red blood cells were able to stimulate Ca2(+)-ATPase activity in erythrocyte membranes. Given the same acylphosphatase activity, however, the hemolysate showed higher stimulatory effect than the purified enzyme. Acylphosphatase stimulation was additive to that induced by calmodulin, thus indicating that acylphosphatase acts in a calmodulin-independent manner. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, did not inhibit acylphosphatase-induced stimulation of Ca2(+)-ATPase activity. Acylphosphatase significantly decreased the rate of Ca2+ influx into inside-out erythrocyte membrane vescicles, thus acting as Ca2+ pump inhibitor. Taken together these findings indicate that acylphosphatase is a soluble, non-calmodulin activator of erythrocyte membrane Ca2(+)-ATPase and might be involved in the control of calcium transport across the plasma membrane.

Erythrocyte membrane ATPase and calcium pumping activities in porcine malignant hyperthermia

To investigate possible abnormalities in erythrocyte membrane enzyme activities in the pharmacogenetic disorder MH, membrane ATPase activities have been examined in erythrocyte ghosts prepared from red blood cells of MHS and normal swine. While no differences were noted in Mg2+-ATPase activities, the (Na+, K+)-ATPase activity of MHS erythrocyte ghosts was less than that of normal ghosts. Ca2+-ATPase activity exhibited low- and high-affinity Ca2+-binding sites in both types of erythrocyte ghost. While the Km for Ca2+ was greater for normal than for MHS erythrocyte ghosts at the high-affinity Ca2+-binding site, the reverse was true at the low-affinity Ca2+-binding site. Irrespective of the type of calcium binding site occupied, the Vmax for normal erythrocyte ghost Ca2+-ATPase activity was greater than that for MHS ghosts. In the presence of calmodulin, there was now no difference between MHS and normal erythrocyte ghosts in either the Km for Ca2+ or the Vmax of the Ca2+-ATPase activity. To determine if the calcium pumping activity of intact MHS and normal pig erythrocytes differed, calcium efflux from the 45Ca-loaded erythrocytes was determined; this activity was significantly greater for MHS than for normal erythrocytes. Thus, the present study confirms that there are abnormalities in the membranes of MHS pig red blood cells. However, we conclude that these abnormalities are unlikely to result in an impaired ability of MHS erythrocytes to regulate their cytosolic Ca2+ concentration.