Activation energy and phospholipid requirements of membrane-bound adenosine triphosphatases

Seasonal changes in microsomal fraction enriched with Na,K-ATPase from kidneys of the ground squirrel Spermophilus undulatus

The Na,K-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction isolated from kidneys of winter hibernating ground squirrels was found to be 1.8-2.0-fold lower than that in active animals in summer. This is partially connected with a decrease in Na,K-ATPase protein content in these preparations (by 25%). Using antibodies to different isoforms of Na,K-ATPase α-subunit and analysis of enzyme inhibition by ouabain, it was found that the decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity during hibernation is not connected with change in isoenzyme composition. Seasonal changes of Na,K-ATPase α-subunit phosphorylation level by endogenous protein kinases were not found. Proteins which could be potential regulators of Na,K-ATPase activity were not found among phosphorylated proteins of the microsomes. Analysis of the composition and properties of the lipid phase of microsomes showed that the total level of unsaturation of fatty acids and the lipid/protein ratio are not changed significantly during hibernation, whereas the cholesterol content in preparations from kidneys of hibernating ground squirrels is approximately twice higher than that in preparations from kidneys of active animals. However, using spin and fluorescent probes it was shown that this difference in cholesterol content does not affect the integral membrane microviscosity of microsomes. Using the cross-linking agent cupric phenanthroline, it was shown that Na,K-ATPase in membranes of microsomes from kidneys of hibernating ground squirrels is present in more aggregated state in comparison with membranes of microsomes from kidneys of active animals. We suggest that the decrease in Na,K-ATPase activity in kidneys of ground squirrels during hibernation is mainly connected with the aggregation of proteins in plasma membrane.

Temperature dependence of EEG frequencies during natural hypothermia

We have investigated the effects of changes in brain temperature on the electroencephalogram (EEG) during entrance into daily torpor, a natural hypothermic state, in the Djungarian hamster. A systematic shift of single EEG frequencies was found as cortical temperature decreased. The relation between EEG frequency and cortical temperature was very similar to the temperature dependence of the Na(+)-K(+)-pump, suggesting that the pump is the rate-limiting step in determining EEG frequency.

Inhibition of sodium-potassium-ATPase: a potentially ubiquitous mechanism contributing to central nervous system neuropathology

Direct and indirect evidence suggests that Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity is reduced or insufficient to maintain ionic balances during and immediately after episodes of ischemia, hypoglycemia, epilepsy, and after administration of excitotoxins (glutamate agonists). Recent results show that inhibition of this enzyme results in neuronal death, and thus a hypothesis is proposed that a reduction and/or inhibition of this enzyme contributes to producing the central neuropathy found in the above disorders, and identifies potential mechanisms involved. While the extent of inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase during ischemia, hypoglycemia and epilepsy may be insufficient to cause neuronal death by itself, unless the inhibition is severe and prolonged, there are a number of interactions which can lead to a potentiation of the neurotoxic actions of glutamate, a prime candidate for causing part of the damage following trauma. Presynaptically, inhibition of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase destroys the sodium gradient which drives the uptake of acidic amino acids and a number of other neurotransmitters. This results in both a block of reuptake and a stimulation of the release not only of glutamate but also of other neurotransmitters which modulate the neurotoxicity of glutamate. An exocytotic release of glutamate can also occur as inhibition of the enzyme causes depolarization of the membrane, but exocytosis is only possible when ATP levels are sufficiently high. Postsynaptically, the depolarization could alleviate the magnesium block of NMDA receptors, a major mechanism for glutamate-induced neurotoxicity, while massive depolarization results in seizure activity. With less severe inhibition, the retention of sodium results in osmotic swelling and possible cellular lysis. A build-up of intracellular calcium also occurs via voltage-gated calcium channels following depolarization and as a consequence of a failure of the sodium-calcium exchange system, maintained by the sodium gradient.

Temperature-dependencies of various catalytic activities of membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase from ox brain, ox kidney and shark rectal gland and of C12E8-solubilized shark Na+/K+-ATPase

The temperature dependence of ouabain-sensitive ATPase and phosphatase activities of membrane fragments containing the Na+/K+-ATPase were investigated in tissue from ox kidney, ox brain and from shark rectal glands. The shark enzyme was also tested in solubilized form. Arrhenius plots of the Na+/K+-ATPase activity seem to be linear up to about 20 degrees C, and non-linear above this temperature. The Arrhenius plots of mammalian enzyme (ox brain and kidney) were steeper, especially at temperatures below 20-30 degrees C, than that of shark enzyme. The Na+-ATPase activity showed a weaker temperature-dependence than the Na+/K+-ATPase activity. The phosphatase reactions measured, K+-stimulated, Na+/K+-stimulated and Na+/K+/ATP-stimulated, also showed a weaker temperature-dependence than the overall Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Among the phosphatase reactions, the largest change in slope of the Arrhenius plot was observed with the Na+/K+/ATP)-stimulated phosphatase reaction. The Arrhenius plots of the partial reactions were all non-linear. Solubilization of shark enzyme in C12E8 did not change the curvature of Arrhenius plots of the Na+/K+-ATPase activity or the K+-phosphatase activity. Since solubilization involves a disruption of the membrane and an 80% delipidation, the observed curvature of the Arrhenius plot can not be attributed to a property of the membrane as such.

Biochemical basis of alcoholism: statements and hypotheses of present research

Experimental results and theoretical considerations on the biology of alcoholism are devoted to the following topics: genetically determined differences in metabolic tolerance; participation of the alternative alcohol metabolizing systems in chronic alcohol intake; genetically determined differences in functional tolerance of the CNS to the hypnotic effect of alcohol; cross tolerance between alcohol and centrally active drugs; dissociation of tolerance and cross tolerance from physical dependence; permanent effect of uncontrolled drinking behavior induced by alkaloid metabolites in the CNS; genetically determined alterations in the function of opiate receptors; and genetic predisposition to addiction due to innate endorphin deficiency. For the purpose of introducing the most important research teams and their main work, statements from selected publications of individual groups have been classified as to subject matter and summarized. Although the number for summary-quotations had to be restricted, the criterion for selection was the relevance to the etiology of alcoholism rather than consequences of alcohol drinking.

Effect of chlordecone on pH and temperature dependent substrate activation kinetics of rat brain synaptosomal ATPases

Chlordecone, a polycyclic chlorinated insecticide known as Kepone, inhibited the activities of (Na+-K+)ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase in rat brain synaptosomes. Altered pH and specific activity curves for both enzymes demonstrated significant inhibition by chlordecone in buffered acidic, neutral and alkaline pH ranges. Noncompetitive inhibition with respect to activation by ATP in the case of (Na+-K+)ATPase was indicated by altered Vmax values with no significant change in Km values at any pH studied, except at pH 9.5. Mg2+-ATPase was inhibited uncompetitively as evidenced by altered Vmax and Km values. The activities of both ATPase were decreased in the presence of chlordecone at higher temperatures. Activation energy (delta E) values were found to be decreased significantly in the presence of chlordecone at 37 degrees. Arrhenius plots of both ATPases preincubated with chlordecone were found to be nonlinear. In the presence of chlordecone, Vmax was decreased without significant change in Km values for (Na+-K+)ATPase at all temperatures, suggesting a noncompetitive type of inhibition. In the case of Mg2+-ATPase, similar noncompetitive type inhibition was obtained at 27 degrees but not at 32 and 37 degrees. The kinetic data in general suggest that the chlordecone inhibited (Na+-K+)ATPase noncompetitively and Mg2+-ATPase uncompetitively at all pHs and temperatures studied. The present data suggest that inhibition of (Na+-K+)ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase, the two membrane-bound enzymes in synaptosomes, by chlordecone is temperature dependent and pH independent.

Influence of cationic amphiphilic drugs on the characteristics of ouabain-binding to cardiac Na+/K+-ATPase

The influence of 12 cationic amphiphilic compounds on the equilibrium and kinetic characteristics of the binding of tritium-labelled ouabain to the lipoprotein Na+/K+-ATPase present in a crude membrane suspension of guinea pig myocardium was investigated. The drugs, e.g. local anaesthetic, antiarrhythmic and psychotropic agents, inhibited specific binding of ouabain in a concentration-dependent manner by reducing its affinity without affecting the number of binding sites. In the presence of chlorpromazine, propranolol and dibucaine, the decreased affinity of ouabain was due to both a diminished association rate and an increased dissociation rate, while in the presence of the weakly potent procaine only the association rate of ouabain was found to be reduced. The different potency of the catamphiphilic drugs was well correlated to the degree of their hydrophobicity. Evidence is presented that the protonized form of the drugs is the effective one. Concerning the mode of action, the catamphiphilic drugs are proposed to interact with the phospholipid part of the lipoprotein Na+/K+-ATPase, thereby indirectly altering the conformation of the embedded protein moiety and thus reducing the proper fit between ouabain and its receptor.

Lipid-protein interactions of reconstituted membrane-associated adenosinetriphosphatases. Use of a gel-filtration procedure to examine phospholipid-activity relationships

A gel-filtration procedure is described for the reconstitution of partially delipidated membrane adenosinetriphosphatases (Mg2+-ATPase and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase) into liposomes of defined composition. After detergent solubilization of membrane enzyme preparations, reconstitution of these ATPases was achieved by the rapid removal of deoxycholate by Sephadex G-50 chromatography. Proteoliposomes were separated from unincorporated enzyme by chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B. Sedimentation characteristics in sucrose density gradients and electron microscopy confirmed that both Mg2+-ATPase and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were reconstituted into liposomes of phosphatidylcholine and yielded preparations having high recoveries of enzyme activity by comparison with the control membrane preparations. Reconstitution of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase into synthetic phosphatidylcholines of defined fatty acid composition reveals an inverse relationship between enzyme activity and the chain length of the saturated fatty acids DMPC, DPPC and DSPC. Higher recoveries were obtained when one or more fatty acid chains was unsaturated. Full reactivation occurred with DOPC (18:1/18:1). There was a positive correlation between the specific activity of reconstituted (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the temperature of the thermal phase transition of the synthetic phosphatidyl cholines studied. This was not seen with Mg2+-ATPase. It is suggested that 'membrane fluidity' influences the catalytic activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase but not that of Mg2+-ATPase.

Electrostatic control by lipids upon the membrane-bound (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

In this paper, the membrane-bound (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from bovine brain is shown to be controlled by electrostatic alterations of the charged lipids surrounding the enzyme. The properties under investigation are the enzymatic activity, activation energy and the response of the enzymatic system to temperature. Arrhenius plots of the ATPase activity are biphasic with a break at temperature Ti. The temperature Ti, the activation energies at temperatures above and below Ti, and the enzymatic activity at any constant temperature have been shown to depend upon the concentrations of alkali and alkaline-earth metal ions in the solution. These electrolyte dependencies are ascribed to changes of electrostatic conditions at the lipids surrounding the ATPase. If the higher electrostatic screening ability of divalent ions is taken into account, the results in the presence of mono- and divalent ions become virtually the same. As a result of this work, it is concluded that electrostatic alterations are transmitted to the ATPase from the lipids of the membrane in which the enzyme is embedded. Inhibition and activation of the enzyme by mono-and divalent metal ions may thus be explained without any auxiliary hypothesis, particularly without postulating specific binding sites for the different ionic species at the protein. In addition, the specific lipid requirement of the ATPase may be understood better in the light of this interpretation.

Erythrocyte ghost Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Erythrocyte ghost membranes have been prepared by two different methods from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), carriers of DMD, patients with other neuromuscular diseases, and normal individuals. The susceptibility of the membrane Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) to the cardiac glycoside, ouabain, has been investigated using various assay conditions. A stimulation of the enzyme has not been detected under any of the conditions employed. Using either a "high salt" (100 mM NaCl, 20 mM KCl) or a "low salt" (1 mM NaCl, 2 mM KCl) assay in the presence of EGTA a reduced susceptibility of the enzyme to ouabain was observed in preparations from patients with DMD compared with those from normal individuals. This behaviour was not manifest in preparations from NAD carriers or from patients with other neuromuscular diseases. The response of the erythrocyte membrane Na+,K+-ATPase activity to changes in temperature has also been investigated. The temperature response of the enzyme from DMD and DMD carrier preparations was indistinguishable from that of normal preparations. In all cases a break in the Arrhenius plot occurred at 21 degrees C.

Study of erythrocytes in a hereditary hemolytic syndrome (HHS): comparison with erythrocytes in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency

Erythrocyte membrane abnormalities in 3 members of a family with a hereditary haemolytic syndrome (HHS) were compared to those previously described in a family with lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency. Despite similarities including an increase in membrane phosphatidylcholine, a decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine, stomatocytosis, and a marked decrease in erythrocyte osmotic fragility a number of differences were observed. These included membrane cholesterol content (increased in homozygotes with LCAT deficiency), changes in sodium and potassium content and Na+,k+-ATPase activity (the latter being increased in HHS), changes in acetylcholinesterase and sulfhydryl group latency (present in LCAT deficiency, but not in HHS) and 2,3 DPG content (decreased in HHS, normal in LCAT deficiency. Full compensation of the erythrocyte defect occurred in HHS but the homozygotes for LCAT deficiency were slightly anaemic. It is concluded that, although similar abnormalities in phospholipid composition, osmotic fragility, and erythrocyte morphology exist in these two disorders, the molecular nature of the erythrocyte membrane structural and functional changes in HHS and LCAT deficiency is clearly different.

Receptor and membrane function in the alcohol tolerant/dependent animal

Neurochemical changes which are associated with the development or expression of tolerance to or physical dependence on ethanol may be expected to display a time course of appearance and disappearance which correlates positively with the time course for tolerance or dependence. Previous studies of striatal dopaminergic receptor function indicated that ethanol-withdrawn mice displayed decreased physiological and biochemical responses to dopamine (DA) agonists, which could be best explained by postulating an inefficient coupling between DA receptors and various receptor-mediated processes, possibly as a result of ethanol-induced changes in neuronal membrane properties. The membrane-bound enzyme, (Na+-K+)ATPase, obtained from ethanol-withdrawn animals, displays an altered transition temperature and resistance to the effects of ethanol on enzyme activity. These changes also suggest compensatory alterations in neuronal membrane properties. All of these alterations show a time course of disappearance which corresponds to that for the disappearance of tolerance to the hypothermic and sedative effects of ethanol. Ethanol-withdrawn mice also display increased numbers of hippocampal muscarinic cholinergic receptors; however, the time course for the increase in receptor number appears to correlate with that of withdrawal symptomatology. Thus, compensatory changes in neuronal membrane properties in response to ethanol may be expressed via diverse functional changes.

A thermal transition of passive calcium efflux in fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum

The temperature dependence of passive Ca2+ efflux from skeletal muscle fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum (FSR) was studied by dilution of a suspension of the vesicles into which 1 mM (CaCl2 + 45Ca) had been passively incorporated by overnight incubation at 3 degrees. It was found that in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+, Ca2+ efflux could be resolved into two simultaneous first-order processes between 5 degrees and 35 degrees, but only a single first-order process appeared between 37 degrees and 55 degrees. Two independent functional transitions were found at 30 degrees, indicating an abrupt membrane molecular reorganization at that temperature: (1) The two components of Ca2+ efflux at 5 degrees--35 degrees contributed equally to the total observed initial efflux at temperatures up to 30 degrees. Between 30 degrees and 35 degrees, the relative contribution of the fast component progressively diminished until, by 37 degrees, only the slow component remained. (2) The slow component, which persisted throughout the entire temperature range 5 degrees--55 degrees, exhibited a break in its Arrhenius plot at 30 degrees--32 degrees. Elevation of internal Ca2+ concentration to 10 mM failed either to produce saturation kinetics of efflux or appreciably change its first-order rate constant. Omitting Mg2+ in the low temperature range accelerated Ca2+ efflux about 20-fold and eliminated the fast component, whereas including Ca2+ in the external medium in the high temperature range retarded Ca2+ efflux by about the same factor and generated a fast component. Omitting Mg2+ in the high-temperature range, however, had little effect on Ca2+ efflux. The failure of external divalent cation to stimulate Ca2+ efflux thus precludes an obligatory carrier-mediated exchange mechanism. Furthermore, participation of the catalytic turnover function of the Ca2+-ATPase molecule in Ca2+ efflux was unlikely because (1) the 30 degrees transition temperature for efflux did not coincide with those previously determined for active Ca2+ uptake, ATPase activity, and reversal of the Ca2+ pump, and (2) above the transition temperature, the activation enthalpy and activation entropy increased for efflux but decreased for both active Ca2+ uptake and ATPase activity. Ca2+ efflux therefore probably involved simple diffusion through a membrane pore (Ca2+ "leak"). By comparison to the results of others using artificial and biological membranes, the effect of external divalent cation to produce a fast component of Ca2+ efflux from FSR is tentatively attributed to the formation of aggregates of SR vesicles.

Temperature dependence of active K+ transport in cation dimorphic sheep erythrocytes

Arrhenius diagrams of K+ pump fluxes measured between 15 degrees C and 41 degrees C were discontinuous in high K+ but not in low K+ sheep red cells. Exposure of low K+ cells to anti-L caused a bimodal temperature response of K+ pump flux with a transition temperature, Tc, similar to that found in high K+ cells but with comparatively higher activation energies above Tc.

Role of negatively charged phospholipids in highly purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from rabbit kidney outer medulla studies on (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase, XXXIX

1. The requirement for specific polar head groups of phospholipids for activity of purified (Na+ + K+)ATPase from rabbit kidney outer medulla has been investigated. 2. Comparison of content and composition of phospholipids in microsomes and the purified enzyme indicates that purification leads to an increase in the phospholipid/protein ratio and in phosphatidylserine content. 3. The purified preparation contains 267 molecules phospholipid per molecule (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, viz. 95 phosphatidylcholine, 74 phosphatidylethanolamine, 48 spingomyelin, 35 phosphatidylserine and 15 phosphatidylinositol. 4. Complete conversion of phosphatidylserine into phosphatidylethanolamine by the enzyme phosphatidylserine decarboxylase has no effect on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of the purified preparation. 5. Complete hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol by a phospholipase C from Staphylococcus aureus, which is specific for this phospholipid, has no effect on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity. 6. Hydrolysis of 95% of the phosphatidylcholine and 60--70% of the spingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine by another phospholipase C (Clostridium welchii) lowers the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity by about 20%. 7. Combination of the phospholipid-converting enzymes has the same effect as can be calculated from the effects of the enzymes separately. Only complete conversion of both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol results in a loss of 44% of the (NA+ + K+)-ATPase activity and 36% of the potassium 4-nitrophenylphosphatase activity. 8. These experiments indicate that there is no absolute requirement for one of the polar head groups, although in the absence of negative charges the activity is lower than in their presence.

Variations in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activity of the ground squirrel brain during hibernation

1. The specific activity of brain (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Mg2+ -ATPase of the ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii) is significantly increased after long-term hibernation. 2. The markedly non-linear thermal dependence of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is unchanged during hibernation whereas the near linear thermal dependence of Mg2+-ATPase undergoes minor alteration after prolonged hibernation. 3. The sensitivity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase to inhibition by ouabain is significantly decreased after 100 days of hibernation as is both the rate and amount of [3H]-ouabain binding. 4. These changes may be related to alteration in the phospholipid matrix of the membrane rather than alteration in the protein structure of the enzyme.

Seasonal variations in the renal cortical (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase of a hibernator, the ground squirrel (Spermophilus richardsonii)

1. The specific activity of renal cortical (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of the Richardson ground squirrel is markedly reduced during hibernation, in contrast to the specific activity of the accompanying Mg2+-ATPase which is markedly increased. 2. The sensitivity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase to inhibition by ouabain is unchanged by hibernation. 3. Both the non-linear thermal dependence of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the linear thermal dependence of Mg2+-ATPase are also unchanged by hibernation. 4. The energy of activation of both enzymes is unchanged during hibernation, or by comparison with that determined in awake controls. 5. There is no evidence for inherent "cold resistance" in these enzyme preparations compared to similar preparations from the non-hibernating rabbit. This parameter does not change during hibernation. 6. Both the rate and amount of specific [3H]-ouabain binding to the renal cortical preparations of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase decrease during hibernation. This decrease matches the fall in enzyme activity so that the ratio of pumping sites/unit of enzyme activity shows no seasonal variations. 7. These findings suggest that the amount of renal cortical (Na+ + K+)-ATPase enzyme falls during hibernation, but that the enzyme which remains functions with the same thermodynamic efficiency and identical biochemical characteristics of that found in the awake summer controls.

Variation in sensitivity of the cardiac glycoside receptor characteristics of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase to lipolysis and temperature

1. The rate of binding of [3H]ouabain to untreated membrane preparations of [Na+ +K+]-ATPase is a timperature--dependent process displaying a thermal transition close to 25degreesC. The apparent energies of activation which can be calculated above and below this transition are similar to, but not identical with, those previously reported for activation of the enzyme by cations. 2. Treatment of the enzyme preparation with detergents or lipolysis with phospholipase A eliminates the thermal transition resulting in linear Arrhenius plots. 3. The number of sites available for [3H]ouabain binding is not temperature dependent as the amount of [3H]ouabain bound at equillbrium is not changed between 10 and 37 degrees C. 4. Treatment of the enzyme with phospholipase A results in time-dependent changes in the number of binding sites for [3H]ouabain at equilibrium. 5. Treatment of the membrane enzyme preparations with detergents reveals additional [3H]ouabain binding sites which are extremely sensitive to lipolysis with phospholipase A. 6. There are a number of [3H]ouabain binding sites which remain resistant to lipolysis by phospholipase A in either untreated or detergent-treated membrane preparations. 7. It is suggested that [3H]ouabain binding sites exist in the membrane in at least two different environments, one of which is resistant the other sensitive to attack by phopholipase A.

Differential lipid control of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in homeotherms and poikilotherms

1. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from homeotherms and poikilotherms demonstrate non-linear thermal dependence for ATP hydrolysis. Apparent energies of activation from crab nerve preparations are less than those of brain or kidney preparations from beef, rabbit, sheep or ground squirrel. 2. Crab nerve (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is less sensitive to inhibition by ouabain than that from beef or ground squirrel; lower rates of [3H]-ouabain binding and reduced amount of drug bound at equilibrium are found. 3. K+-activated acyl-phosphatase is similar in all preparations. 4. Fluorescence polarization of 12-AS labelled membranes demonstrate greater mobility of crab nerve lipids compared to beef brain which has a thermal transition at 20-25 degrees C. Crab nerve is linear in this range.

A possible molecular mechanism of the action of digitalis: ouabain action on calcium binding to sites associated with a purified sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase from kidney

Calcium binding at 0 degrees C to a purified sheep kidney Na+,K+-ATPase was described by linear Scatchard plots. Binding at saturating free calcium was 65-80 nmol/mg of protein, or 30-40 mol of calcium/mol of enzyme. Aqueous emulsions of lipids extracted from Na+,K+-ATPase yielded dissociation constants and maximum calcium-binding values that were similar to those for native Na+,K+-ATPase. Phospholipase A treatment markedly reduced calcium binding. Pretreatment of native Na+,K+-ATPase with ouabain increased the dissociation constant for calcium binding from 131 +/- 7 to 192 +/- 7 muM without altering maximum calcium binding. Ouabain pretreatment did not affect calcium binding to extracted phospholipids, ouabain-insensitive ATPases, or heat denatured Na+,K+-ATPase, Na+ and K+ (5-20 mM) increased the dissociation constants for calcium, which suggests competition between the monovalent cations and calcium for the binding sites. At higher concentrations of monovalent cations, ouabain increased the apparent affinity of binding sites for calcium. Extrapolation to physiological cation concentrations revealed that the ouabain-induced increase in apparent affinity for calcium may be as much as 2- to 3-fold. These results suggest: (1) calcium binds to phospholipids associated with Na+,K+-ATPase; (2) ouabain interaction with Na+,K+-ATPase induces a perturbation that is transmitted to adjacent phospholipids, altering their affinity for calcium; and (3) at physiological concentrations of Na+ or K+, or both, ouabain interaction with Na+,K+-ATPase may lead to an increased pool of membrane-bound calcium.

Erythrocyte ghosts (Na+ + K+) ATPase activity in Duchenne's dystrophy and myotonia

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy the activity of (Na+ + K+)ATPase in erythrocyte ghosts is reduced and its reaction to ouabain is paradoxical both in low sodium and high sodium systems. No such changes were seen in a case of Becker dystrophy, in limb-girdle dystrophy, and in neurogenic atrophy of muscles. In myotonic dystrophy and congenital myotonia the activity of ATPase and its inhibition by ouabain were depressed.

Cultured cells from renal cortex of hibernators and nonhibernators. Regulation of cell K+ at low temperature

Cells were grown as primary monolayer cultures from kidney cortex of guinea pigs (nonhibernators), hamsters and ground squirrels (both hibernating species). When plates of cells were placed at 5 degrees C, cells of guinea pigs lost 37% of their K+ in 2 h and those of the hibernator lost about 10%. Uptake of 42K into the cells exhibited a simple, single exponential time course at both temperatures. Unidirectional efflux of K+ was equal to K+ influx in all cultures at 37 degrees C and, within limits of error, in hibernator cells at 5 degrees C. Efflux was 3-to 5-fold greater than influx in guinea pig cells at 5 degrees C. After 2 h in the cold the ouabain sensitive K+ influx remaining (7-15% of that at 37 degrees C) was about the same in the cells of the 3 species. Cells from active hamsters and from hibernating ground squirrels, however, exhibited significantly greater pump activity after 45 min in the cold (19 and 14%, respectively). The stimulation of K+ influx by increasing [K+] did not show an increase in Km+ at 5 degrees C in cells of guinea pigs and ground squirrels. Lowering [K+]c and/or raising [Na+]c by treatment in low- and high-K+ media caused only slight stimulation of K+ influx, except in cells of ground squirrels at 5 degrees C in which the stimulation was at least 11-times greater than at 37 degrees C or in cells of guinea pigs at either temperature. This altered kinetic response of K+ transport to cytoplasmic ion stimulation with cooling accounted for about one-third of the improved regulation of K+ at 5 degrees C in ground squirrel cells; the other two-thirds was attributable to a greater decrease in K+ leak with cooling. The inhibition of active transport by cold in all 3 species was much less severe than that previously seen in any (Na++K+)-ATPase of mammalian cells.

Isolation and characterization of the components of the sodium pump

A satisfactory understanding of the functions of the sodium pump, the system responsible for the active transport of sodium and potassium, require the isolation and characterization of its protein and lipid components which are integrated in the structure of the cell membrane. The enzyme system (Na++ K+)-ATPase, is located in membrane fragments and behaves in the test tube like the transport system in the intact cell membrane (Skou,1957) Purified preparations of this enzyme will contain some, if not all, of the components of the sodium pump.