Crosslinking of sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase protein with 1,5-difluoro 2,4-dinitrobenzene

Effect of calcium on the interactions between Ca2+-ATPase molecules in sarcoplasmic reticulum

The interaction between Ca2+-ATPase molecules in the native sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane and in detergent solutions was analyzed by chemical crosslinking, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and by the polarization of fluorescence of fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate (FITC) covalently attached to the Ca2+-ATPase. Reaction of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with glutaraldehyde causes the crosslinking of Ca2+-ATPase molecules with the formation of dimers, tetramers and higher oligomers. At moderate concentrations of glutaraldehyde solubilization of sarcoplasmic reticulum by C12 E8 or Brij 36T (approximately equal to 4 mg/mg protein) decreased the formation of higher oligomers without significant interference with the appearance of crosslinked ATPase dimers. These observations are consistent with the existence of Ca2+-ATPase dimers in detergent-solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ca2+ (2-20 mM) and glycerol (10-20%) increased the degree of crosslinking at pH 6.0 both in vesicular and in solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum, presumably by promoting interactions between ATPase molecules; at pH 7.5 the effect of Ca2+ was less pronounced. In agreement with these observations, high performance liquid chromatography of sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins solubilized by Brij 36T or C12 E10 revealed the presence of components with the expected elution characteristics of Ca2+-ATPase oligomers. The polarization of fluorescence of FITC covalently attached to the Ca2+-ATPase is low in the native sarcoplasmic reticulum due to energy transfer, consistent with the existence of ATPase oligomers (Highsmith, S. and Cohen, J.A. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 154-161); upon solubilization of the sarcoplasmic reticulum by detergents, the polarization of fluorescence increased due to dissociation of ATPase oligomers. Based on its effects on the fluorescence of FITC-ATPase, Ca2+ promoted the interaction between ATPase molecules, both in the native membrane and in detergent solutions.

Modification of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase protein of sarcoplasmic reticulum with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole

The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase (Ca2+-transporting), EC 3.6.1.38) protein of rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) rapidly incorporated 2 mol of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) per 10(5) g of protein with little change in the Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity. When 2 additional mol of the reagent were bound the Ca2+-ATPase, activity was inhibited. The same pattern was found for modified intact SR and the Ca2+ uptake ability was inhibited. MgATP, CaATP and MgADP protected the Ca2+-ATPase activity concurrent with a decrease of about 1 mol of the NBD group per 10(5) g protein, but the Ca2+ uptake ability was not protected. Calcium alone had no effect on the modification. The modified ATPase protein or SR formed non-serial oligomers or aggregates, but the ATPase protein remained the predominant species present. In the presence of MgATP, oligomer formation was reduced partially but the major changes in the Ca2+-ATPase activity were due to the modification of the ATPase monomer. Thiolysis of the NBD-ATPase protein with dithiothreitol did not restore the Ca2+-ATPase activity, although more than 1 mol of the NBD group was removed from cysteine residues. Cysteine residues were modified in the NBD-ATPase protein or SR when the enzyme activity was inhibited. Trypsin digestion of NBD-SR or its ATPase protein released the A, B, A1, and A2 fragments. The A fragment and its subfragment A2 contained most of the label. Substrate MgATP protection studies showed that the A1 and A2 fragments were involved in maintaining the Ca2+-ATPase activity. Reagent-induced conformational changes of these fragments rather than direct active site group labeling accounted for the loss of ATPase activity.

State of aggregation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase studied using chemical cross-linking

We have studied cross-linking of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum and in reconstituted systems, using glutaraldehyde, cupric-1,10-phenanthroline and 3,3'-dithiobis (sulphosuccinimidylpropionate). All reagents produce extensive cross-linking, forming aggregates too large to enter polyacrylamide gels. Only traces of cross-linked dimeric ATPase species are formed. Saturation transfer electron spin resonance spectra of spin-labelled sarcoplasmic reticulum cross-linked with glutaraldehyde are also consistent with the formation of extensively cross-linked aggregates in the membrane. The results are interpreted in terms of dynamic clusters of ATPase molecules in the membrane, probably in the form of rows of ATPase molecules.

Effects of TRIS and HEPES on function of rabbit muscle light sarcoplasmic reticulum

ATP hydrolysis activity and calcium transport activity were determined on light sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit skeletal muscle. The effects of two buffers, TRIS and HEPES, were compared. Titration of TRIS into sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations in HEPES provided evidence for TRIS inhibition of ATPase activity and TRIS stimulation of calcium transport activity.

Inhibition of polymorphonuclear leukocyte functions by fluorinated nitrobenzenes

The bifunctional fluorinated nitrobenzenes, 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DFDNB) and 4,4'-difluoro-3,3'-dinitrodiphenyl sulfone (DFDNDPS), and the monofunctional 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (FDNB) inhibit chemotaxis, phagocytosis, exocytosis and the respiratory burst of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Inhibition occurs in the micromolar concentration range; the bifunctional compounds are stronger inhibitory than the monofunctional one. The inhibitory effect can be counteracted by sulfhydryl compounds and not with amino-group containing compounds. The results suggest that an interaction with vulnerable sulfhydryl groups, located in a hydrophobic surrounding, is the basis of the inhibitory effect of the fluorinated nitrobenzenes.

Cross-linking agents induce rapid calcium release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

The passive permeability of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to Ca2+ ions is drastically increased upon addition of the oxidizing agent cupric phenanthroline. The permeability change, which occurs very rapidly, is partially reversed by reducing agents and cannot be explained by a direct effect of cupric phenanthroline on the lipid moiety of the membranes. The rapid efflux phenomenon is due to protein cross-linking induced by the cupric phenanthroline catalyzed oxidation of SH groups to disulfide bridges. Similar effects are also induced by cross-linking sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins with dithiodipropionic acid disuccinimido ester. The rapid Ca2+ efflux is inhibited by micromolar concentrations of lanthanum and by labeling the Ca2+-ATPase with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. These observations suggest that Ca2+ channels are formed by chemical modification of the ATPase. The Ca2+ permeability rate of sarcoplasmic reticulum obtained after cross-linking is compatible with the requirements of Ca2+ release in vivo. The possibility that Ca2+-ATPase oligomers might mediate the release process is discussed.