Mg2+-induced changes of lipid order and conformation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

Na+/K+-ATPase and lipid peroxidation in forebrain cortex and hippocampus of sleep-deprived rats treated with therapeutic lithium concentration for different periods of time

Lithium (Li) is a typical mood stabilizer and the first choice for treatment of bipolar disorder (BD). Despite an extensive clinical use of Li, its mechanisms of action remain widely different and debated. In this work, we studied the time-course of the therapeutic Li effects on ouabain-sensitive Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in forebrain cortex and hippocampus of rats exposed to 3-day sleep deprivation (SD). We also monitored lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) production. In samples of plasma collected from all experimental groups of animals, Li concentrations were followed by ICP-MS. The acute (1 day), short-term (7 days) and chronic (28 days) treatment of rats with Li resulted in large decrease of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in both brain parts. At the same time, SD of control, Li-untreated rats increased Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase along with increased production of MDA. The SD-induced increase of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and MDA was attenuated in Li-treated rats. While SD results in a positive change of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, the inhibitory effect of Li treatment may be interpreted as a pharmacological mechanism causing a normalization of the stress-induced shift and return the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase back to control level. We conclude that SD alone up-regulates Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase together with increased peroxidative damage of lipids. Chronic treatment of rats with Li before SD, protects the brain tissue against this type of damage and decreases Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase level back to control level.

Dietary fatty acids and membrane protein function

In recent years, there has been growing public awareness of the potential health benefits of dietary fatty acids, and of the distinction between the effects of the omega6 and omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are concentrated in vegetable and fish oils, respectively. A part of the biologic effectiveness of the two families of polyunsaturated fatty acids resides in their relative roles as precursors of the eicosanoids. However, we are also beginning to appreciate that as the major components of the hydrophobic core of the membrane bilayer, they can interact with and directly influence the functioning of select integral membrane proteins. Among the most important of these are the enzymes, receptors, and ion channels that are situated in the plasma membrane of the cell, since they carry out the communication and homeostatic processes that are necessary for normal cell function. This review examines current information regarding the effects of diet-induced changes in plasma membrane fatty acid composition on several specific enzymes (adenylate cyclase, 5'-nucleotidase, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase) and cell-surface receptors (opiate, adrenergic, insulin). Dietary manipulation studies have demonstrated a sensitivity of each to a fatty acid environment that is variably dependent on the nature of the fatty acid(s) and/or source of the membrane. The molecular mechanisms appear to involve fatty acid-dependent effects on protein conformation, on the "fluidity" and/or thickness of the membrane, or on protein synthesis. Together, the results of these studies reinforce the concept that dietary fats have the potential to regulate physiologic function and to further our understanding of how this occurs at a membrane level.

Modifications induced by insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus on human placental Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase

The causes of the reduced activity of Na+/K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in human diabetes are still the object of controversy. The aim of this work was to investigate the mechanisms of inhibition by means of the study of the Na+/K+-ATPase purified from human placenta. We purified Na+/K+-ATPase from term placentas of six healthy women and six age-matched women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in good metabolic control. The enzymatic activity was reduced in both the microsomal fraction and the purified Na+/K+-ATPase obtained from diabetic women, whereas no difference was found in the number of active molecules determined by anthroyl ouabain binding. The Na+/K+-ATPase purified from women with IDDM did not show any modification in the ouabain affinity or changes in the physicochemical structure of the ouabain binding site investigated by dynamic fluorescence or alterations in lateral diffusion. The activation energy of the enzyme was increased, whereas the tryptophan accessibility of the enzyme was lower in women with IDDM. The fluidity of the lipid anulus of the enzyme was higher in women with IDDM than in control women, as suggested by fluorescence polarization of 1-(4-trimethylaminophenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. The adenosine triphosphate-binding site, investigated by anisotropy decay studies of the fluorescent probe pyrene isothiocyanate, was modified in women with IDDM. It appears that the Na+/K+-ATPase of human placenta is altered in its disposition in IDDM.

Fluoresceinyl-ethylenediamine-ouabain detects an acidic environment in the cardiac glycoside binding site of Na+/K+-ATPase

To probe the pH value in the microenvironment of the cardiac glycoside-binding site of Na+/K+-ATPase, pH-sensitive fluorescent derivatives of ouabain were synthesized. The fluoresceinyl derivative of ethylenediamino-ouabain (FEDO) had a pKs of 6.0 and showed a H+-dependent fluorescence change, when its ratio of excitation at 490 nm/450 nm was recorded at 530 nm. Binding of FEDO inactivated Na+/K+-ATPase at 37 degrees C and pH 7.25 in a slow time-dependent process under the conditions of backdoor phosphorylation with k(on) of 891 s(-1) M(-1). The complex dissociated with k(on) of 0.35 x 10(-3) s(-1) resulting in a Kd value of 0.4 microM for the FEDO x enzyme complex. Binding of FEDO was associated with a decrease of the excitatory fluorescence ratio at 490 nm/450 nm which could be used to convert this change into a pH value. A pH value of 5.1 +/- 0.2 was calculated to exist in the microenvironment of the FEDO x enzyme complex. This pH value was independent of the pH of the incubation medium used to form the FEDO x enzyme complex. Analysis of the accessibility of the fluorophore in the FEDO x enzyme complex to the dynamic quencher potassium iodide detected a decrease of the Stern-Volmer constant from 6.2 mM(-1) (free FEDO) to 1.5 mM(-1) (FEDO x enzyme complex) indicating thereby a limited accessibility of the fluorophore to anions. Analysis of the microenvironment of the fluorescein residue of the FEDO x enzyme complex by measurements of the anisotropy and the fluorescence half-life time revealed that both processes differed significantly when H2O was replaced by D2O. We conclude, therefore, that a pH of 5.1 +/- 0.2 exists in the vicinity of ouabain that is hidden in the depth of the receptor site when the ouabain receptor complex has been formed.

The effects of calcium and calcium channel blockers on sodium pump

The effects of 10 mM Ca2+ and Ca2+ channel blockers verapamil, diltiazem and flunarizine on the ouabain-sensitive electrogenic Na+, K+ pump activity of mouse diaphragm muscle fibres enriched with Na+ were compared with the changes in cytosolic [Ca2+]. The electrogenic Na+ pump activity produced by adding K+ to muscles previously bathed for 4 h in a K(+)-free, 2-mM [Ca2+] solution increased the resting membrane potential by about 18 mV. This hyperpolarization was completely inhibited after 10 min incubation in 10 mM Ca2+. Verapamil 10(-5) M, 10(-5) M diltiazem and 10(-7) M flunarizine effectively prevented the effect of elevated [Ca2+]. At these concentrations, these drugs did not affect the K(+)-induced hyperpolarization. In mouse diaphragm, the basal cytosolic [Ca2+] measured by the fluorescent indicator 1-[2-(5-carboxyoxazol-2-yl)-6- aminobenzofuran-5-oxy]2-(2'-amino-5'-methylphenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N '- tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (fura-2/AM) was 261 +/- 6 nM. After 4 h in a Liley K(+)-free, 2 mM [Ca2+] solution, the cytosolic [Ca2+] increased to 314 +/- 28 nM. Increase in [Ca2+] from 2 to 10 mM caused a twofold increase of cytosolic [Ca2+] to 637 +/- 26 nM. This rise was, like the Ca(2+)-induced inhibition of electrogenic pump, prevented by 10(-5) M verapamil, 10(-5) M diltiazem and 10(-7) M flunarizine. The results suggest that substances which block Ca2+ entry into the cell prevent the Ca(2+)-induced inhibition of the Na+ pump.

Correlations between changes in membrane capacitance induced by changes in ionic environment and the conductance of channels incorporated into bilayer lipid membranes

The action of metal polycations and pH on ionic channels produced in bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) by three different toxins was studied by measuring membrane capacitance and channel conductance. Here, we show that critical concentrations of Cd2+, La3+ or Tb3+ induce complex changes in membrane capacitance. The time course of capacitance changes is similar to the time course of channel blocking by these ions at low concentration. No changes in BLM capacitance or conductance were observed in the range of pH 5.8-9.0. A pH shift from 7.4 to 3-4 or 11-12 induced large changes in BLM capacitance and channel conductance. For all studied channel-forming proteins, the initial capacitance increase preceded the conductance decrease caused by addition of polycations or by a change in pH. A close relationship between membrane lipid packing and ion channel protein is suggested.

Effect of divalent cations on Na+,K(+)-ATPase obtained from human placenta

Circular dichroism (CD) and acrylamide quenching studies of Na+,K(+)-ATPase from human placenta showed that its incorporation into phosphatidylcholine vesicles increased the enzymic activity by 55%. Moreover, both with the purified and the vesicle-reconstituted protein, Ca2+ and Mg2+ increased the activity, the effect being more pronounced after preincubation of the protein with Mg2+. CD data suggest that this activity increase may be linked to a change in the secondary structure of the ATPase, in particular beta-turn, beta-sheet and random coil. Acrylamide quenching studies suggest that ions could primarily interact with phospholipid head groups, but not directly with the protein.

The effect of magnesium added to secondary cardioplegia on postischemic myocardial metabolism and contractile function--a 31P NMR spectroscopy and functional study in the isolated pig heart

This study investigated whether increasing the magnesium concentration during secondary cardioplegia improves postischemic myocardial recovery. Twenty-four isolated pig hearts were divided into four groups. All hearts were initially subjected to control perfusion with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution for 30 min, followed by a single infusion of St. Thomas' solution #2. The hearts were then maintained without perfusion at 12 degrees C for 4 h. Following this hypothermic preservation, the hearts in group I were reperfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution for 50 min, while hearts in group II and III were reperfused with a secondary cardioplegic solution containing 16 or 0 mmol/L magnesium, respectively, for 20 min followed by 30 min of perfusion with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution. In group IV, the hearts were initially reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 16 mmol/L potassium for 20 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion with modified Krebs-Henseleit solution. The changes in high-energy phosphates and intracellular pH were monitored throughout the experiments using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Heart rate, left-ventricular systolic developed pressure, and rates of pressure increase and decrease were measured during control perfusion and reperfusion to calculate the percent contractile functional recovery. Needle biopsies for measurement of energy metabolites with high performance liquid chromatography were performed at the end of preservation and reperfusion to confirm the NMR measurements. All six hearts in group I showed significantly less recovery of contractile function during reperfusion when compared to the hearts in groups II, III, IV (p less than 0.05). There was no difference in either recovery of metabolism or mechanical function among the latter three groups of hearts. None of hearts in groups II, III, and IV showed ventricular fibrillation, which occurred in all six hearts of group I upon reperfusion. The results suggest that a short period of re-arrest perfusion following ischemia ("secondary cardioplegia") improves postischemic contractile functional recovery and prevents reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation. Increased magnesium concentration in the secondary cardioplegia did not provide additional benefit to the ischemic myocardium, possibly due to the low permeability of the sarcolemmal membrane to magnesium.

Phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase by acetyl phosphate and inorganic phosphate. Sidedness of Na+, K+ and nucleotide interactions and related enzyme conformations

The effects of K+, Na+ and nucleotides (ATP or ADP) on the steady-state phosphorylation from [32P]Pi (0.5 and 1 mM) and acetyl [32P]phosphate (AcP) (5 mM) were studied in membrane fragments and in proteoliposomes with partially purified pig kidney Na,K-ATPase incorporated. The experiments were carried out at 20 degrees C and pH 7.0. In broken membranes, the Pi-induced phosphoenzyme levels were reduced to 40% by 10 mM K+ and to 20% by 10 mM K+ plus 1 mM ADP (or ATP); in the presence of 50 mM Na+, no E-P formation was detected. On the other hand, with AcP, the E-P formation was reduced by 10 mM K+ but was 30% increased by 50 mM Na+. In proteoliposomes E-P formation from Pi was (i) not influenced by 5-10 mM K+cyt or 100 mM Na+ext, (ii) about 50% reduced by 5, 10 or 100 mM K+ext and (iii) completely prevented by 50 mM Na+cyt. Enzyme phosphorylation from AcP was 30% increased by 10 mM K+cyt or 50 mM Na+cyt; these E-P were 50% reduced by 10-100 mM K+ext. However, E-P formed from AcP without K+cyt or Na+cyt was not affected by extracellular K+. Fluorescence changes of fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled membrane fragments, indicated that E-P from AcP corresponded to an E2 state in the presence of 10 mM Na+ or 2 mM K+ but to an E1 state in the absence of both cations. With pNPP, the data indicated an E1 state in the absence of Na+ and K+ and also in the presence of 20 mM Na+, and an E2 form in the presence of 5 mM K+. These results suggest that, although with some similarities, the reversible Pi phosphorylation and the phosphatase activity of the Na,K-ATPase do not share the whole reaction pathway.

Membrane lateral pressure as a modulator of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity

Michaelis-Menten kinetics of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in proteoliposomes from brown adipose tissue mitochondria with exogenously added phospholipids or cholesterol was measured. It was shown that changes in membrane lipid composition affected the membrane lateral pressure and therefore modulated the enzyme activity, namely Vmax value. Contrarily, changes in surface charge caused by minute amounts of phosphatidylserine or charged organic substances influenced only the apparent Km value. The role of bulk phospholipids in regulation of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is discussed.

Incorporation of mitochondrial L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase into liposomes; effect of sodium oleate and calcium ions

FAD-linked L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase purified from liver mitochondria of hyperthyroid rats was incorporated into unilamellar phospholipid liposomes. The incorporation influenced both Vmax,app and Km,app values of the enzyme for its substrate, L-glycerol 3-phosphate. The Km,app for the electron acceptor remained unchanged with a simultaneous slight enhancement of the corresponding Vmax,app value. The steady-state fluorescence anisotropies of the fluorescein isothiocyanate and trimethylammoniumdiphenylhexatriene labels were affected by sodium oleate and calcium ions in the case of both solubilized and liposome-incorporated L-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. These results indicate that calcium ions cause a significant alteration of the enzyme conformation. Sodium oleate (used as a model of free fatty acids), besides its direct action on the enzyme itself, affects the enzyme indirectly as well, via alteration of the physical properties of the membrane.

The prostate plasma membrane as an androgen receptor

The pivotal role of the cell nucleus in androgenic control of target organs, such as the prostate, has become increasingly suspect. Equally qualified receptor activities have been found in the cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum, and plasma membrane. It is presently difficult to explain how a sex steroid can manage proliferation, metabolism, biosynthesis and secretion, all through chromatin-directed signals. In my search for a more satisfactory mediator of androgen action, I discovered that the sodium-potassium-dependent ATPase of the prostate plasma membrane binds androgen, and is activated by the hormone's presence to serve as a metabolic pacemaker. This paper is my terminal status report on one aspect of this hypothesis; namely, the nature and site of androgen binding, with clues as to the mode of action. SDS-PAGE indicates that androgen can be bound to the beta-subunit of prostatic Na,K-ATPase. Selective enrichment of the enzyme by reversible coupling to either concanavalin A or a DHT-affinity column support this conclusion. Several studies show the dynamic effect of androgen binding: increased ouabain binding; enhancement of this binding by facilitated phosphorylation; spectroscopic evidence of conformational shifts, possibly consequences of these suggested activities for regulation, especially of metabolism, are examined.

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation causes Mg2+ release from perfused rat liver

The possibility that Mg2+ mobilization is stimulated in perfused liver by alpha 1-adrenergic agonists was studied by measuring Mg2+ release in response to 0.5 and 20 microM phenylephrine. During preperfusion exogenous Mg2+ was added to the medium to give 1.2 mM. 5 min before starting the addition of phenylephrine the infusion of exogenous Mg2+ was stopped. Mg2+ in the perfusate leaving the liver was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Analysis of the Mg2+ decay curves with two exponential models indicated that phenylephrine caused dose-dependent Mg2+ release from perfused rat livers.

The role of carboxyl groups of Na+/K+-ATPase in the interaction with divalent cations

Mg2+-induced subconformational changes of the E1 conformation of partly purified pig kidney Na+/K+-ATPase were studied by fluorescence techniques. In the enzyme with carboxyl groups modified by carbodiimide in the presence of an exogenous nucleophile the efficiency to pass through conformational substates was substantially lower than in the unmodified enzyme. Magnesium could form bridges between carboxyl groups near the membrane/water interface and negatively charged phospholipid polar heads.