Interaction of the fluorescent probe RH421 with ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and with Na+,K(+)-ATPase membrane fragments

RH421 binds into the ATP-binding site on the Na+/K+-ATPase

The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase plays a key role in ion transport across the plasma membrane of all animal cells. The voltage-sensitive styrylpyrimidium dye RH421 has been used in several laboratories for monitoring of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase kinetics. It is known, that RH421 can interact with the enzyme and it can influence its activity at micromolar concentrations, but structural details of this interaction are only poorly understood. Experiments with isolated large cytoplasmic loop (C45) of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase revealed that RH421 can interact with this part of the protein with dissociation constant 1μM. The Trp-to-RH421 FRET performed on six single-tryptophan mutants revealed that RH421 binds directly into the ATP-binding site. This conclusion was further supported by results from molecular docking, site-directed mutagenesis and by competitive experiments using ATP. Experiments with C45/DPPC mixture revealed that RH421 can bind to both C45 and lipids, but only the former interaction was influenced by the presence of ATP.

Identification of electric-field-dependent steps in the Na(+),K(+)-pump cycle

The charge-transporting activity of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase depends on its surrounding electric field. To isolate which steps of the enzyme's reaction cycle involve charge movement, we have investigated the response of the voltage-sensitive fluorescent probe RH421 to interaction of the protein with BTEA (benzyltriethylammonium), which binds from the extracellular medium to the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase's transport sites in competition with Na(+) and K(+), but is not occluded within the protein. We find that only the occludable ions Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) cause a drop in RH421 fluorescence. We conclude that RH421 detects intramembrane electric field strength changes arising from charge transport associated with conformational changes occluding the transported ions within the protein, not the electric fields of the bound ions themselves. This appears at first to conflict with electrophysiological studies suggesting extracellular Na(+) or K(+) binding in a high field access channel is a major electrogenic reaction of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. All results can be explained consistently if ion occlusion involves local deformations in the lipid membrane surrounding the protein occurring simultaneously with conformational changes necessary for ion occlusion. The most likely origin of the RH421 fluorescence response is a change in membrane dipole potential caused by membrane deformation.

Electrogenic plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity using voltage sensitive dyes

Fast responding voltage sensitive dyes, RH421 and di-4-ASPBS, were used to study the electrogenic properties of plant plasma membrane proton pumps on sealed plasma membrane vesicles extracted by two-phase partitioning from Beta vulgaris and Avena sativa cv Swan root material. Fluorescence spectroscopy in the presence of the dye RH421 (10.8 nM) was sufficiently sensitive to detect electrogenic activity of the extracted plant vesicles. The dye detection system could detect inhibition of electrogenic activity of vesicles by vanadate (75 μM) and stimulation by nigericin (0.5 μM). The newly developed dye di-4-ASPBS was less sensitive to detecting the electrogenic proton pump activity. This study represents an important innovation in plant biophysics as this class of fast responding voltage sensitive dyes have never to our knowledge been used to study electrogenic proton pump activity derived from plant membranes and represents a novel approach for carrying out such studies.

Mechanism of allosteric effects of ATP on the kinetics of P-type ATPases

The roles of allosteric effects of ATP and protein oligomerisation in the mechanisms of P-type ATPases belong to the most controversial and least well understood topics in the field. Recent crystal structural and kinetic data, however, now allow certain hypotheses to be definitely excluded and consistent hypotheses to be developed. The aim of this review is to critically discuss recent results and, in the light of them, to present a set of conclusions which could form the basis of future research. The major conclusions are: (1) at saturating ATP concentrations P-type ATPases function as monomeric enzymes, (2) the catalytic units of P-type ATPases only possess a single ATP binding site, (3) at non-saturating ATP concentrations P-type ATPases exist as diprotomeric (or higher oligomeric) complexes, (4) protein-protein interactions within a diprotomeric complex enhances the enzymes' ATP binding affinity, (5) ATP binding to both protomers within a diprotomeric complex causes it to dissociate into two separate monomers. The physiological role of protein-protein interactions within a diprotomer may be to enhance ATP binding affinity so as to scavenge ATP and maximize the ion pumping rate under hypoxic or anoxic conditions. For the first time a structural basis for the well-known ATP allosteric acceleration of the E2 --> E1 transition is presented. This is considered to be due to a minimization of steric hindrance between neighbouring protomers because of the ability of ATP to induce a compact conformation of the enzymes' cytoplasmic domains.

Stimulatory actions of di-8-butyl-amino-naphthyl-ethylene-pyridinium-propyl-sulfonate (di-8-ANEPPS), voltage-sensitive dye, on the BKCa channel in pituitary tumor (GH3) cells

Di-8-ANEPPS (4-{2-[6-(dibutylamino)-2-naphthalenyl]-ethenyl}-1-(3-sulfopropyl)pyridinium inner salt) has been used as a fast-response voltage-sensitive styrylpyridinium probe. However, little is known regarding the mechanism of di-8-ANEPPS actions on ion currents. In this study, the effects of this dye on ion currents were investigated in pituitary GH(3) cells. In whole-cell configuration, di-8-ANEPPS (10 microM) reversibly increased the amplitude of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current. In inside-out configuration, di-8-ANEPPS (10 microM) applied to the intracellular surface of the membrane caused no change in single-channel conductance; however, it did enhance the activity of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) channels with an EC(50) value of 7.5 microM. This compound caused a left shift in the activation curve of BK(Ca) channels with no change in the gating charge of these channels. A decrease in mean closed time of the channels was seen in the presence of this dye. In the cell-attached mode, di-8-ANEPPS applied on the extracellular side of the membrane also activated BK(Ca) channels. However, neither voltage-gated K(+) nor ether-à-go-go-related gene (erg)-mediated K(+) currents in GH(3) cells were affected by di-8-APPNES. Under current-clamp configuration, di-8-ANEPPS (10 microM) decreased the firing of action potentials in GH(3) cells. In pancreatic betaTC-6 cells, di-8-APPNES (10 microM) also increased BK(Ca)-channel activity. Taken together, this study suggests that during the exposure to di-8-ANEPPS, the stimulatory effects on BK(Ca) channels could be one of potential mechanisms through which it may affect cell excitability.

Photochemical behavior and Na+,K+-ATPase sensitivity of voltage-sensitive styrylpyridinium fluorescent membrane probes

RH421 is a widely used voltage-sensitive fluorescent membrane probe. Its exposure to continuous illumination with 577 nm light from an Hg lamp leads, however, to an increase in its steady-state fluorescence level when bound to lipid membranes. The increase occurs on the second time scale at typical light intensities and was found to be due to a single-photon excited-state isomerization. Modifications to the dye structure are, therefore, necessary to increase photochemical stability and allow wider application of such dyes in kinetic studies of ion-transporting membrane proteins. The related probe ANNINE 5, which has a rigid polycyclic structure, shows no observable photochemical reaction when bound to DMPC vesicles on irradiation with 436 nm light. The voltage sensitivity of ANNINE 5 was tested with the use of Na+,K+-ATPase membrane fragments. As long as ANNINE 5 is excited on the far red edge of its visible absorption band, it shows a similar sensitivity to RH421 in detecting charge-translocating reactions triggered by ATP phosphorylation. Unfortunately the wavelengths necessary for ANNINE 5 excitation are in a region where the Hg lamps routinely used in stopped-flow apparatus have no significant lines available for excitation.

Electrogenic properties of the Na+,K+-ATPase probed by presteady state and relaxation studies

Electrical measurements on planar lipid bilayers, patch/voltage clamp experiments, and spectroscopic investigations involving a potential sensitive dye are reviewed. These experiments were performed to analyze the kinetics of charge translocation of the Na+,K+-ATPase. High time resolution was achieved by applying caged ATP, voltage-jump, and stopped-flow techniques, respectively. Kinetic parameters and the electrogenicity of the relevant transitions in the Na+,K+-ATPase reaction cycle are discussed.

Rate limitation of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase pump cycle

The kinetics of Na(+)-dependent phosphorylation of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase by ATP were investigated via the stopped-flow technique using the fluorescent label RH421 (saturating [ATP], [Na(+)], and [Mg(2+)], pH 7.4, and 24 degrees C). The well-established effect of buffer composition on the E(2)-E(1) equilibrium was used as a tool to investigate the effect of the initial enzyme conformation on the rate of phosphorylation of the enzyme. Preincubation of pig kidney enzyme in 25 mM histidine and 0.1 mM EDTA solution (conditions favoring E(2)) yielded a 1/tau value of 59 s(-1). Addition of MgCl(2) (5 mM), NaCl (2 mM), or ATP (2 mM) to the preincubation solution resulted in increases in 1/tau to values of 129, 167, and 143 s(-1), respectively. The increases can be attributed to a shift in the enzyme conformational equilibrium before phosphorylation from the E(2) state to an E(1) or E(1)-like state. The results thus demonstrate conclusively that the E(2) --> E(1) transition does in fact limit the rate of subsequent reactions of the pump cycle. Based on the experimental results, the rate constant of the E(2) --> E(1) transition under physiological conditions could be estimated to be approximately 65 s(-1) for pig kidney enzyme and 90 s(-1) for enzyme from rabbit kidney. Taking into account the rates of other partial reactions, computer simulations show these values to be consistent with the turnover number of the enzyme cycle (approximately 48 s(-1) and approximately 43 s(-1) for pig and rabbit, respectively) calculated from steady-state measurements. For enzyme of the alpha(1) isoform the E(2) --> E(1) conformational change is thus shown to be the major rate-determining step of the entire enzyme cycle.

Rate determination in phosphorylation of shark rectal Na,K-ATPase by ATP: temperature sensitivity and effects of ADP

Phosphorylation of shark rectal Na,K-ATPase by ATP in the presence of Na(+) was characterized by chemical quench experiments and by stopped-flow RH421 fluorescence. The appearance of acid-stable phosphoenzyme was faster than the rate of fluorescence increase, suggesting that of the two acid-stable phosphoenzymes formed, RH421 exclusively detects formation of E(2)-P, which follows formation of E(1)-P. The stopped-flow RH421 fluorescence response to ATP phosphorylation was biphasic, with a major fast phase with k(obs) approximately 90 s(-1) and a minor slow phase with a k(obs) of approximately 9 s(-1) (20 degrees C, pH 7.4). The observed rate constants for both the slow and the fast phase could be fitted with identical second-degree functions of the ATP concentration with apparent binding constants of approximately 3.1 x 10(7) M(-1) and 1. 8 x 10(5) M(-1), respectively. Increasing [ADP] decreased k(obs) for the rate of the RH421 fluorescence response to ATP phosphorylation. This could be accounted for by the reaction of ADP with the initially formed E(1)-P followed by a conformational change to E(2)-P. The biphasic stopped-flow RH421 responses to ATP phosphorylation could be simulated, assuming that in the absence of K(+) the highly fluorescent E(2)-P is slowly transformed into the "K(+)-insensitive" E'(2)-P subconformation forming a side branch of the main cycle.

Hofmeister effects of anions on the kinetics of partial reactions of the Na+,K+-ATPase

The effects of lyotropic anions, particularly perchlorate, on the kinetics of partial reactions of the Na+,K+-ATPase from pig kidney were investigated by two different kinetic techniques: stopped flow in combination with the fluorescent label RH421 and a stationary electrical relaxation technique. It was found that 130 mM NaClO4 caused an increase in the Kd values of both the high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites, from values of 7.0 (+/- 0.6) microM and 143 (+/- 17) microM in 130 mM NaCl solution to values of 42 (+/- 3) microM and 660 (+/- 100) microM in 130 mM NaClO4 (pH 7.4, 24 degrees C). The half-saturating concentration of the Na+-binding sites on the E1 conformation was found to decrease from 8-10 mM in NaCl to 2.5-3.5 mM in NaClO4 solution. The rate of equilibration of the reaction, E1P(Na+)3 left arrow over right arrow E2P + 3Na+, decreased from 393 (+/- 51) s-1 in NaCl solution to 114 (+/- 15) s-1 in NaClO4. This decrease is attributed predominantly to an inhibition of the E1P(Na+)3 --> E2P(Na+)3 transition. The effects can be explained in terms of electrostatic interactions due to perchlorate binding within the membrane and/or protein matrix of the Na+,K+-ATPase membrane fragments and alteration of the local electric field strength experienced by the protein. The kinetic results obtained support the conclusion that the conformational transition E1P(Na+)3 --> E2P(Na+)3 is a major charge translocating step of the pump cycle.

Kinetics of Na(+)-dependent conformational changes of rabbit kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase

The kinetics of Na(+)-dependent partial reactions of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase from rabbit kidney were investigated via the stopped-flow technique, using the fluorescent labels N-(4-sulfobutyl)-4-(4-(p-(dipentylamino)phenyl)butadienyl)py ridinium inner salt (RH421) and 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (5-IAF). When covalently labeled 5-IAF enzyme is mixed with ATP, the two labels give almost identical kinetic responses. Under the chosen experimental conditions two exponential time functions are necessary to fit the data. The dominant fast phase, 1/tau 1 approximately 155 s-1 for 5-IAF-labeled enzyme and 1/tau 1 approximately 200 s-1 for native enzyme (saturating [ATP] and [Na+], pH 7.4 and 24 degrees C), is attributed to phosphorylation of the enzyme and a subsequent conformational change (E1ATP(Na+)3-->E2P(Na+)3 + ADP). The smaller amplitude slow phase, 1/tau 2 = 30-45 s-1, is attributed to the relaxation of the dephosphorylation/rephosphorylation equilibrium in the absence of K+ ions (E2P<==>E2). The Na+ concentration dependence of 1/tau 1 showed half-saturation at a Na+ concentration of 6-8 mM, with positive cooperatively involved in the occupation of the Na+ binding sites. The apparent dissociation constant of the high-affinity ATP-binding site determined from the ATP concentration dependence of 1/tau 1 was 8.0 (+/- 0.7) microM. It was found that P3-1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl ATP, tripropylammonium salt (NPE-caged ATP), at concentrations in the hundreds of micromolar range, significantly decreases the value of 1/tau 1, observed. This, as well as the biexponential nature of the kinetic traces, can account for previously reported discrepancies in the rates of the reactions investigated.

K+-dependence of electrogenic transport by the NaK-ATPase

Charge translocation by the NaK-ATPase from shark rectal gland was measured by adsorption of proteoliposomes to a planar lipid membrane. The proteoliposomes were prepared by reconstitution of purified NaK-ATPase into liposomes consisting of E. coli lipids. The protein was activated by applying an ATP concentration jump produced by photolysis of a protected derivative of ATP, caged ATP. K+ titrations were used to study the effect of K+ on the charge translocation kinetics of the protein. The time-dependent currents obtained after activation of the enzyme with caged ATP were analyzed with a simplified Albers-Post model (E1 (k1)-->E1ATP (k2)-->E2P (k3)-->E1) taking into account the capacitive coupling of the protein to the measuring system. The results of the K+ titrations show a strong dependence of the rate constant k3 on the K+ concentration at the extracellular side of the protein, indicating the K+ activated dephosphorylation reaction. In contrast, k1 and k2 remained constant. The K+ dependence of the rate k3 could be well described with a K+ binding model with two equivalent binding sites (E2P + 2K+ <==> E2P(K) + K+ <==> E2 P(2K)) followed by a rate limiting reaction (E2P(2K) --> E1(2K)). The half saturating K+ concentration K3,0.5 and the microscopic dissociation constant K3 for the K+ dependence of k3 were 4.5mM and 1.9mM respectively. At saturating K+ concentration the rate constant k3 was approximately 100 s(-1). The relative amount of net charge transported during the Na+ and the K+ dependent reactions could be determined from the experiments. Our results suggest electroneutral K+ translocation and do not support electrogenic K+ binding in an extracellular access channel. This is compatible with a model where 2 negative charges are cotransported with 3Na+ and 2K+ ions. Error analysis gives an upper limit of 20% charge transported during K+ translocation or during electrogenic K+ binding in a presumptive access channel compared to Na+ translocation.

Effect of lipid structure on the dipole potential of phosphatidylcholine bilayers

A fluorescent ratio method utilizing styrylpyridinium dyes has recently been suggested for the measurement of the membrane dipole potential. Up to now only qualititative measurements have been possible. Here the fluorescence excitation ratio of the dye di-8-ANEPPS has been measured in lipid vesicles composed of a range of saturated and unsaturated phosphatidylcholines. It has been found that the fluorescence ratio is inversely proportional to the surface area occupied by the lipid in its fully hydrated state. This finding allows, by extra- and interpolation, the packing density to be estimated of phosphatidylcholines for which X-ray crystallographic data are not yet available. Comparison of the fluorescence data with literature data of the dipole potential from electrical measurements on monolayers and bilayers allows a calibration curve to be constructed, so that a quantitative determination of the dipole potential using di-8-ANEPPS is possible. It has been found that the value of the dipole potential decreases with increasing unsaturation and, in the case of unsaturated lipids, with increasing length of the hydrocarbon chains. This effect can be explained by the effects of chain packing on the spacing between the headgroups. In addition to the effects of lipid structure on membrane fluidity, these measurements demonstrate the possibility of a direct electrical mechanism for lipid regulation of protein function, in particular of ion transport proteins.

Optical detection of membrane dipole potential: avoidance of fluidity and dye-induced effects

Fluorescent styrylpyridinium dyes have recently been suggested as probes of the membrane dipole potential and of the kinetics of electrogenic ion pumps. It is necessary, however, to be able to confidently attribute observed fluorescence changes to electrical effects alone and avoid interference from changes in membrane fluidity. Furthermore, the effect of the dyes themselves on the dipole potential must be investigated. The effect of membrane fluidity on the fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the dyes RH421 and di-8-ANEPPS have been investigated in lipid vesicles by temperature scans between 15 and 60 degrees C. Both dyes show significant temperature-dependent shifts of their excitation spectra, the magnitude of which depend on the emission wavelength and on the lipid structure. In order to eliminate membrane fluidity effects, fluorescence must be detected at the red edge of the emission spectrum; in this case 670 nm. In order to avoid dye-induced shifts of the excitation spectra of membrane-bound dye, an excess molar ratio of lipid to dye of at least 200-fold is necessary. Fluorescence ratio measurements indicate qualitatively that dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine has a significantly higher dipole potential than that of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine.