Leukocyte adenosine triphosphatases and the effect of endotoxin on their activity

Ecto-ATPases: identities and functions

Ecto-ATPases are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells. They hydrolyze extracellular nucleoside tri- and/or diphosphates, and, when isolated, they exhibit E-type ATPase activity, (that is, the activity is dependent on Ca2+ or Mg2+, and it is insensitive to specific inhibitors of P-type, F-type, and V-type ATPases; in addition, several nucleotide tri- and/or diphosphates are hydrolysed, but nucleoside monophosphates and nonnucleoside phosphates are not substrates). Ecto-ATPases are glycoproteins; they do not form a phosphorylated intermediate during the catalytic cycle; they seem to have an extremely high turnover number; and they present specific experimental problems during solubilization and purification. The T-tubule Mg2+-ATPase belongs to this group of enzymes, which may serve at least two major roles: they terminate ATP/ADP-induced signal transduction and participate in adenosine recycling. Several other functions have been discussed and identity to certain cell adhesion molecules and the bile acid transport protein was suggested on the basis of cDNA clone isolation and immunological work.

Comparison of the rat microsomal Mg-ATPase of various tissues

The microsomal Mg-ATPase from various rat tissues was compared. After fractionating the microsomal vesicles by sucrose gradient centrifugation, the highest specific activity of the Mg-ATPase was found in the low-density vesicles which contained plasma membrane. A large fraction (25-90%) of the microsomal Ca-independent Mg-ATPase found in each tissue had the following properties: (1) the Km for ATP was 0.2 mM; (2) the rate of ATP hydrolysis by the Mg-ATPase was nonlinear due to an ATP-stimulated inactivation of the enzyme; (3) wheat germ agglutinin, concanavalin A, glutaraldehyde, and antiserum prevented inactivation induced by ATP or AdoPP[NH]P; (4) detergents at relatively low detergent:protein ratios increased the rate of inactivation with little change in the initial rate of ATP hydrolysis; (5) the Mg-ATPase was inactivated by irradiation in the presence of 8-azido ATP. (6) in addition to ATP, the Mg-ATPase was able to hydrolyze CTP, GTP, UTP, ITP, and GTP but was unable to hydrolyze any of the 10 nonnucleotide phosphocompounds which were tested; (7) the bivalent cation requirement of the Mg-ATPase could be provided by Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, or Co2+ but the enzyme was inactive in the presence of Cu2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, or Be2+; (8) the Mg-ATPase activity was not altered by ionophores or inhibitors of the Na,K-ATPase, the Ca,Mg-ATPase or the mitochondrial F1ATPase. These data suggest that a major portion of the microsomal, basal Mg-ATPase activity is due to one unique enzyme found in most if not all tissues.

Biologic activity of hydroxylamine: a review

Although hydroxylamine, as such, is a product of normal cellular metabolism it is also a potent mutagen in vitro. However, in spite of this potential, it has not been shown to possess carcinogenic capabilities. Indeed, this chemical has demonstrated carcinostatic activity against certain tumors in animals. In addition, hydroxylamine has been shown to inactivate or inhibit a number of cellular enzymes and some viruses in vitro. It is also a skin irritant and sensitizer. It causes dermatitis and it is corrosive to the eyes. Acute and chronic exposures to hydroxylamine have caused methemoglobinemia and sulfhemoglobinemia.

Inhibition of rat brain Na+,K+-ATPase activity by serum from patients with fulminant hepatic failure

Among the toxins accumulating in the circulation of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) are substances which inhibit leucocyte ouabain-sensitive sodium transport. A similar inhibition of brain Na+,K+-ATPase could lead to both coma and cerebral edema found in these patients which are associated with high mortality. In this study, we have investigated the effect of sera from FHF on normal rat brain Na+,K+-ATPase activity in vitro. Serum from patients with FHF significantly decreased the ouabain-sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase activity (13.58 +/- S.D. 2.60 mumoles Pi mg protein-1 hr-1) in the rat brain membrane preparation in vitro as compared to normal serum (20.33 +/- 3.24 mumoles Pi mg protein-1 hr-1, p less than 0.001). A final serum dilution of 1 in 40 was required to abolish the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Cerebrospinal fluid obtained at postmortem from FHF patients also contained the inhibitory substances. Serum from patients in coma due to decompensated chronic liver disease inhibited the Na+,K+-ATPase activity (17.25 +/- 1.37 mumoles Pi mg protein-1 hr-1), but this was less marked than with FHF serum. Hence, the inhibition of brain Na+,K+-ATPase by substances accumulating in the serum in FHF may be important in the pathogenesis of hepatic coma.

Ecto-protein kinase activity in rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leucocytes

An ectoprotein kinase activity has been identified on intact rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leucocytes and the time course of phosphate incorporation into proteins has been followed at different ATP levels. Saturation is reached at around 3 mM ATP and the activity is inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate. The possibility that the observed protein phosphorylation arises through the action of a membrane ATPase liberating phosphate for transfer into the cell, incorporation into ATP and its utilisation by endogenous kinases, has been excluded by studying both enzymes concomitantly and measuring the rate of [32P]orthophosphate uptake. Lactate dehydrogenase measurements in the extracellular media also exclude the possibility of kinase liberation from lysed cells. Moreover, the pattern of 32P-labelling of polypeptides when intact cells are exposed to [32P]ATP is quite different from that when homogenates are incubated with [32P]ATP or intact cells with [32P]-orthophosphate. We have been unable to demonstrate any cAMP dependency for this ectokinase activity.

Ecto-ATPase

An ecto-adenosine triphosphatase (E.C. 3.6.1.4 ATP-phosphohydrolase) is shown to be localized on the outer surface of varieties of cell membrane. The enzyme is different from the ATPase involved in biological energy transduction and ion transport mechanism. The characteristic of the enzyme lies in having a very broad substrate specificity and is inhibited by EDTA and higher concentration of ATP. The enzyme is dependent on bivalent metal ions, Mg++ or Ca++ for its optimum activity. The enzyme is highly sensitive to SH-reagents but insensitive to inhibitors of mitochondrial ATPase or Na+- K+- ATPase. The possible functions of the enzyme in being oriented outside the cell membrane is discussed.

Electron microscopic cytochemical localization of nucleoside phosphatases in normal and chronic granulocytic leukaemic human neutrophils

Using electron microscope cytochemistry and cells separated on Ficoll-Hypaque, Mg2+-dependent ATPase, ADPase and 5'-nucleotidase were predominantly localized as ectoenzymes on normal human granulocytes. Large deposits of ATPase final reaction product and more finely granular deposits of 5'-nucleotidase final reaction product were firmly attached to the outer surface of cell plasma membranes. The final reaction product from ecto-ADPase was, however, only loosely associated with the plasma membrane. In addition, finer deposits of ADPase final reaction product were seen in specific granules and in background cytoplasm. No nucleotidase phosphatase activity was localized to the alkaline phosphatase-containing granules (phosphasomes) recently described by Rustin et al. In granulocytes from patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia, ecto-ATPase had a patchy distribution on the plasma membranes. There was considerable heterogeneity between cells with regard to ADPase and 5'-nucleotidase localization. In some cells, ADPase was seen only at both site, while in some cells no activity was detected. 5'-Nucleotidase localization was normal in some cells but lacking from many. No correlation was found between enzyme heterogeneity and the degree of morphological cell maturity.

Subcellular localization and properties of adenosine triphosphatase in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Mg2+-ATPase) activities wee studied in human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Kinetic studies on whole leucocyte homogenates produced curvilinear kinetics suggesting the presence of at least two forms of Mg2+-ATPase. Neutrophils were homogenized in isotonic sucrose and, after low-speed centrifugation, the supernatant was subjected to analytical subcellular fractionation. Gradient fractions were assayed for Mg2+-ATPase and for principal organelle marker enzymes. Mg2+-ATPase was distributed between the plasma membrane, mitochondrial and cytosol fractions. Kinetic and inhibitor studies on Mg2+-ATPase from each localization indicated the presence of three forms of the enzyme. The plasma membrane and mitochondrial activities had a Km value of 0.2 mmol/l for ATP, whilst the Km for the cytosolic enzyme was 1.8 mmol/l. Inhibitor studies showed further differences between the three enzymes. Neutrophils were isolated from control subjects, patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia and patients in the third trimester of pregnancy. The specific activities (mUnits/mg protein) of Mg2+-ATPase, in contrast to those of alkaline phosphatase, were similar in all three patient groups. This result, together with the fractionation experiments and inhibitor studies, strongly suggest that the ATPase is not attributable to neutrophil alkaline phosphatase.

Metabolism of adenine nucleotides by ectoenzymes of vascular endothelial and smooth-muscle cells in culture

1. Pig aortic endothelial and smooth-muscle cells in culture rapidly catabolize exogenous ATP, ADP or AMP. 2. In both cell types catabolism is due to Mg2+-stimulated ectoenzymes. 3. Inhibition and substrate-specificity studies suggest that both cell types possess three distinct ectonucleotidases, namely nucleoside triphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.15), nucleoside diphosphatase (EC 3.6.1.6) and 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5), as well as nucleoside diphosphate kinase (EC 2.7.4.6). 4. These ectonucleotidase systems could be of importance in the regulation of neurotransmission, blood platelet function and vasodilation.

Lipopolysaccharide effects on sensitive and resistant variant Chinese hamster ovary cell lines

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO . K1 . PRO) cell growth was inhibited by addition of a gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the cell culture medium. Growth inhibition began after three or four days of incubation, was dose-dependent up to a maximum at an LPS concentration of 500 microgram/ml and was accompanied by cell shape changes and enhanced cytoplasmic vacuolization. Formation of bizarre CHO . K1 . PRO cell shapes and vacuole formation were most pronounced after seven days of incubation with LPS and could be observed by light and electron microscopy. An LPS-resistant cell population was obtained by intermittent in vitro exposure to high levels of LPS; these variant cells or clones derived from them failed to display growth inhibition in the presence of LPS. A clone from the LPS-resistant variant population showed altered cell properties compared to the parental cell line which included changes in cell morphology, adhesion, and endocytosis. Parental cells was markedly density-inhibited, whereas the cariant clone exhibited considerable growth after confluency. The LPS-resistant variant cells showed a more elongated morphology than the parental line. No significant differences were observed between rates of detachment of parental and variant cells when sparse cultures of either line were removed from tissue culture dishes by ethylenediaminetetracetate (EDTA). However, at confluency approximately 100% of the variant cells versus 35% of the parental cells were removed by EDTA in one hour. Measurements of 125I-ferritin uptake by parental and variant cells showed approximately twenty-fold and twofold increases, respectively, in uptake induced by LPS when compared to untreated control cultures.

Ecto-enzyme of granulocytes: 5'-nucleotidase

The 5'-nucleotidase of guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes is localized exclusively on the plasma membrane of intact cells. The active site of this enzyme faces the external medium, not the cytoplasm.

Mechanisms of pathogenesis in Listeria monocytogenes infection. V. Early imbalance in host energy metabolism during experimental listeriosis

Early changes in hepatic carbohydrate metabolism without apparent hepatocyte dysfunction were reported previously in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. This study was undertaken to examine possible imbalance in host regulatory mechanisms which might be responsible for these changes. Female CD-1 mice fasted 12 hr prior to the experiments were injected intraperitoneally with 10(5), 10(6), or 10(7)Listeria. Control mice received either 10(9) heat-killed Listeria or 150 mug of Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide. Hepatic glycogen, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (NAD(+), NADH, NADP(+), and NADPH) levels were assayed periodically. Activities of ATP hydrolyzing enzyme and NAD glycohydrolase were measured at various intervals after infection. Decreases in glycogen occurred as early as 10 hr after infection. Responses in the controls differed from those in infected mice. Hepatic ATP levels decreased as early as 10 hr after infection, with concomitant increases noted in ADP. Hepatic ATP hydrolyzing enzyme activity increased as the infection progressed. Decreases were noted in hepatic NAD levels, with the greatest reduction in the reduced form of NAD. Slight changes were observed after 10 hr, and greater differences were noted 20 hr after infection. The magnitude of these biochemical changes appeared to be dose-dependent. Significant increases in hepatic NAD glycohydrolase activity were noted as the infection progressed. Small but significant increases in serum inorganic phosphate were noted 10 and 20 hr after infection, with a larger increase observed 30 hr after infection. The results indicate impairment of host energy metabolism early in the course of experimental listeriosis.

Effect of alkali-treated lipopolysaccharide on erythrocyte membrane stability

The interaction of various lipopolysaccharides (LPS) with sheep erythrocytes was studied. When subjected to mild alkaline hydrolysis, the affinity of LPS for the red cell surface was greatly increased, as others have reported. In addition, excessive quantities of alkali-treated LPS (but not parent or heated products) were found to cause hemolysis of red cells. Experiments indicated that the hemolysis was caused by the LPS particles themselves and not by liberated free fatty acids.

Evidence for a bilayer structure in gram-negative lipopolysaccharide: relationship to toxicity

Additional evidence for a bilayer structure in isolated gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is demonstrated. Both heating in an electron beam and cleavage of ester-bound fatty acids by alkali were found to split the bilayer structure of LPS into apparent monolayers. The altered structure of LPS resulting from alkaline hydrolysis may explain some of the altered biological activities possessed by the hydrolyzed product.

Effect of endotoxin on pyruvate kinase activity in mouse liver

The pyruvate kinase (PK) activity of mouse liver increases after injection of endotoxin. It decreases in animals given cortisone alone and remains essentially unchanged in those given cortisone and endotoxin at the same time. CCl(4) causes an increase in liver PK activity, but neither it nor endotoxin changes the activity of muscle PK. Addition of octonoate to liver homogenates inhibits the activity of liver PK. These results suggest that the rapid depletion in liver glycogen after administration of endotoxin or CCl(4) may be related to increased PK activity. Induction of tolerance does not prevent the increase in liver PK activity in challenged animals.