Sodium transport defect of ouabain-resistant renal Na,K-ATPase

Interaction of radiolabelled Na,K-ATPase-liposomes with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Artificial phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) containing in their membrane about eight Na,K-ATPase (sodium pump) molecules per vesicle were incubated in the presence of [110mAg]silver nitrate to label the membrane protein; silver binds specifically to the Na,K-ATPase protein. When such silver-labelled liposomes were incubated with freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, a large number of liposomes was found in cells as evidenced by their 110mAg content after washing them with powerful silver chelators. Thus, liposomes containing an integral membrane protein can be transferred to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells rapidly and without toxicity.

Potent and reversible interaction of silver with pure Na,K-ATPase and Na,K-ATPase-liposomes

The Na,K-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37) is the receptor for cardioactive steroids, the only specific inhibitors known at the present time for this unique membrane bound transport system. We report here that silver is the most rapid and potent inhibitor of isolated Na,K-ATPase ever described. Inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity by silver is immediate and strikingly distinct from other inhibitors: addition of 1 mM of cysteine or DMPS reactivates the silver blocked-enzyme immediately. The results reveal that silver interacts with Na,K-ATPase and inhibits differently by an on-off mechanism involving most likely a few critical sulfhydryl groups. Inhibition of Na-K transport by silver has been demonstrated also in an artificial membrane, e.g., in liposomes reconstituted with pure Na,K-ATPase performing active transport. Silver inhibits the active 86Rb transport mediated by the pure Na,K-ATPase molecule. The Na,K-ATPase contained in the liposomes was labeled specifically with 110mAg and appeared to bind two silver ions. Taken together, the results show that the mechanism of silver interaction with Na,K-ATPase might be different from other metals, for instance, mercury. The unique action mechanism of silver suggests a fundamental role of a few critical sulfhydryl groups for Na,K-transport.

Chelation of mercury by ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-resistant renal Na,K-ATPase

The SH-reactive HgCl2 inhibits the Na,K-ATPase activity potently in a manner antagonized only partially by EDTA or cysteine; solely dimercaprol, a dithiol antidote for mercury, blocks the HgCl2 effects entirely as confirmed also by 203Hg-binding experiments. The results reveal the presence of a chelating component in pure Na,K-ATPase with an affinity for mercury superior to EDTA. The mercury-sensitivity of the Na,K-ATPase is not related to the ouabain-sensitivity. This criterion will be useful for the distinction between ouabain-like and mercury-like inhibitors from body fluids and tissues.