Energy coupling and uncoupling of active calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes

Enzymatic trans-bilayer lipid transport: Mechanisms, efficiencies, slippage, and membrane curvature

The eukaryotic plasma membrane's lipid composition is found to be ubiquitously asymmetric comparing inner and outer leaflets. This membrane lipid asymmetry plays a crucial role in diverse cellular processes critical for cell survival. A specialized set of transmembrane proteins called translocases, or flippases, have evolved to maintain this membrane lipid asymmetry in an energy-dependent manner. One potential consequence of local variations in membrane lipid asymmetry is membrane remodeling, which is essential for cellular processes such as intracellular trafficking. Recently, there has been a surge in the identification and characterization of flippases, which has significantly advanced the understanding of their functional mechanisms. Furthermore, there are intriguing possibilities for a coupling between membrane curvature and flippase activity. In this review we highlight studies that link membrane shape and remodeling to differential stresses generated by the activity of lipid flippases with an emphasis on data obtained through model membrane systems. We review the common mechanistic models of flippase-mediated lipid flipping and discuss common techniques used to test lipid flippase activity. We then compare the existing data on lipid translocation rates by flippases and conclude with potential future directions for this field.

Slippage and uncoupling in P-type cation pumps; implications for energy transduction mechanisms and regulation of metabolism

P-type ATPases couple scalar and vectorial events under optimized states. A number of procedures and conditions lead to uncoupling or slippage. A key branching point in the catalytic cycle is at the cation-bound form of E(1)-P, where isomerization to E(2)-P leads to coupled transport, and hydrolysis leads to uncoupled release of cations to the cis membrane surface. The phenomenon of slippage supports a channel model for active transport. Ability to occlude cations within the channel is essential for coupling. Uncoupling and slippage appear to be inherent properties of P-type cation pumps, and are significant contributors to standard metabolic rate. Heat production is favored in the uncoupled state. A number of disease conditions, include ageing, ischemia and cardiac failure, result in uncoupling of either the Ca(2+)-ATPase or Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase.

Kinetic analysis of a model of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase, with variable stoichiometry, which enhances the amount and the rate of Ca transport

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase (Ca-ATPase) actively transports Ca2+ from the myoplasm to the SR lumen. Under optimal conditions a 2:1 stoichiometry of Ca transport/ATP hydrolysis has been observed, but lower stoichiometries have been reported under several circumstances. A lower stoichiometry under conditions of high Ca2+ load, although thermodynamically less efficient, could in theory increase the rate and the maximal amount of Ca uptake. We analysed, by computing simulation, the transient kinetics of a model of the SR Ca-ATPase with variable stoichiometry. The model is based on current experimental reports and includes the most relevant properties of the system. The results show an acceleration in the rate of Ca uptake, an increase in the net Ca transport, and an increase in the rate of [Ca2+] reduction in the medium, which might be physiologically useful to increase the rate of Ca pumping at high Ca load of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

pH and ligand binding modulate the strength of protein-protein interactions in the Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes

The Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes couples the Ca(2+) transport to ATP hydrolysis through phosphorylation in its cytoplasmic catalytic domain. Interactions between protein domains and the role of monomer-monomer interactions remain unclear. Here, we report a differential scanning calorimetric study of the thermal unfolding of this protein. In the pH range 6-8, thermal unfolding of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in glycogen phosphorylase-free SR membranes shows a major endothermic peak with a critical temperature midpoint ranging between 51 and 55 degrees C, depending on pH, Ca(2+), Mg(2+)-ADP and KCl concentrations. The enthalpy change of the overall unfolding process ranged between 250 and 300 kcal/mol of Ca(2+)-ATPase monomer. Thermal denaturation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in SR membranes is well fitted to an irreversible process that can be rationalized in terms of a non-two state process, N (native)right harpoon over left harpoon I (intermediate)-->D (denatured). Thermodynamic analysis show that this protein has a compact structure, implying a tight structural interconnection between catalytic and Ca(2+) transport domains. The apparent cooperative unit, defined by the van 't Hoff enthalpy to the overall unfolding enthalpy ratio, increased from 1.1 at pH 6 to 1.8 at pH 8, showing that monomer-monomer interactions are stronger at weakly basic pH than at weakly acidic pH. While micromolar Ca(2+) concentrations had only a weak effect on the cooperativity of the unfolding process, this is clearly increased by millimolar Mg(2+)-ADP. In addition, high ionic strength lowered the apparent cooperative unit to approximately 1.0 in the pH range 6-8. Taken together, these results suggest that protein-protein interactions are altered by variables that modulate the catalytic activity of this enzyme.

Regulation of Ca2+ transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase at limiting [Ca2+]

The factors regulating Ca2+ transport by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles have been studied using the fluorescent indicator Fluo-3 to monitor extravesicular free [Ca2+]. ATP, in the presence of 5 mM oxalate, which clamps intravesicular [Ca2+] at approximately 10 microM, induced a rapid decline in Fluo-3 fluorescence to reach a limiting steady state level. This corresponds to a residual medium [Ca2+] of 100 to 200 nM, and has been defined as [Ca2+]lim, whilst thermodynamic considerations predict a level of less than 1 nM. This value is similar to that measured in intact muscle with Ca2+ fluophores, where it is presumed that sarcoplasmic free [Ca2+] is a balance between pump and leaks. Fluorescence of Fluo-3 at [Ca2+]lim was decreased 70% to 80% by histidine, imidazole and cysteine. The K0.5 value for histidine was 3 mM, suggesting that residual [Ca2+]lim fluorescence is due to Zn2+. The level of Zn2+ in preparations of SR vesicles, measured by atomic absorption, was 0.47+/-0.04 nmol/mg, corresponding to 0.1 mol per mol Ca-ATPase. This is in agreement with findings of Papp et al. (Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 243 (1985) 254-263). Histidine, 20 mM, included in the buffer, gave a corrected value for [Ca2+]lim of 49+/-1.8 nM, which is still higher than predicted on thermodynamic grounds. A possible 'pump/leak' mechanism was tested by the effects of varying active Ca2+ transport 1 to 2 orders with temperature and pH. [Ca2+]lim remained relatively constant under these conditions. Alternate substrates acetyl phosphate and p-NPP gave similar [Ca2+]lim levels even though the latter substrate supported transport 500-fold slower than with ATP. In fact, [Ca2+]lim was lower with 10 mM p-NPP than with 5 mM ATP. The magnitude of passive efflux from Ca-oxalate loaded SR during the steady state of [Ca2+]lim was estimated by the unidirectional flux of 45Ca2+, and directly, following depletion of ATP, by measuring release of 40Ca2+, and was 0.02% of Vmax. Constant infusion of CaCl2 at [Ca2+]lim resulted in a new steady state, in which active transport into SR vesicles balances the infusion rate. Varying infusion rates allows determination of [Ca2+]-dependence of transport in the absence of chelating agents. Parameters of non-linear regression were Vmax=853 nmol/min per mg, K0.5(Ca)=279 nM, and nH(Ca)=1.89. Since conditions employed in this study are similar to those in the sarcoplasm of relaxed muscle, it is suggested that histidine, added to media in studies of intracellular Ca2+ transients, and in the relaxed state, will minimise contribution of Zn2+ to fluophore fluorescence, since it occurs at levels predicted in this study to cause significant overestimation of cytoplasmic free [Ca2+] in the relaxed state. Similar precautions may apply to non-muscle cells as well. This study also suggests that [Ca2+]lim in the resting state is a characteristic feature of Ca2+ pump function, rather than a balance between active transport and passive leakage pathways.

Site-directed mutagenesis studies of energy coupling in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

Site-directed mutagenesis studies identifying residues important to energy transduction in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase are reviewed. Mutations blocking the crucial E1P to E2P transition are located in the small and the large cytoplasmic domains, in the stalk segment S4 linking transmembrane segment M4 with the catalytic site, as well as in transmembrane segments M4 and M8. Mutations that block the dephosphorylation of the E2P phosphoenzyme intermediate are located in transmembrane segments M4, M5, and M6, i.e., in the same domain as the Ca(2+)-binding sites. Removal of the sidechain of Tyr763 located at the boundary between transmembrane segment M5 and the corresponding stalk segment S5 linking M5 with the catalytic site leads to uncoupling of ATP hydrolysis from Ca2+ uptake. Uncoupling may be due to efflux through the Ca(2+)-ATPase of Ca2+ that has been transported, and may thus be caused by a defective gating process in the late part of the catalytic cycle. A nearby located residue Lys758 is also involved in energy coupling, since its substitution with Ile activates dephosphorylation at high pH and slows the E2 to E1 transition.

The nature of mitochondrial respiration and discrimination between membrane and pump properties

A new criterion is utilized for the interpretation of flow-force relationships in rat liver mitochondria. The criterion is based on the view that the nature of the relationship between the H+/O ratio and the membrane potential can be inferred from the relationship between ohmic-uncoupler-induced extra respiration and the membrane potential. Thus a linear relationship between extra respiration and membrane potential indicates unequivocally the independence of the H+/O ratio from the membrane potential and the leak nature of the resting respiration [Brand, Chien, and Diolez (1994) Biochem. J. 297, 27-29]. On the other hand, a non-linear relationship indicates that the H+/O ratio is dependent on the membrane potential. The experimental assessment of this relationship in the presence of an additional ohmic leak, however, is rendered difficult by both the uncoupler-induced depression of membrane potential and the limited range of dependence of the H+/O ratio on the membrane potential. We have selected conditions, i.e. incubation of mitochondria at low temperatures, where the extent of non-linearity is markedly increased. It appears that the nature of the resting respiration of mitochondria in vitro is markedly dependent on the temperature: at low temperatures the percentage of resting respiration due to membrane leak decreases and that due to intrinsic uncoupling of the proton pumps increases.

Betaine counteracts urea-induced conformational changes and uncoupling of the human erythrocyte Ca2+ pump

We have investigated the effects of the protein structure-perturbing and function-perturbing osmolyte urea, and one of its physiological counteracting solutes, the methylamine compound (carboxymethyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide (betaine), on the structure and function of the human erythrocyte plasma-membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase. Betaine per se promoted a conformational change in the purified ATPase as revealed by steady-state and time-resolved intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy. The conformational change promoted by betaine was shown to be related to changes in the degree of compaction of the protein structure, as detected by fluorescence-quenching measurements using acrylamide and iodide, non-charged and charged quenchers, respectively. In contrast, urea promoted a biphasic increase in exposure of tryptophan residues of the purified ATPase to the aqueous medium. With the use of membrane-bound ATPase, increasing concentrations of urea up to 1.5 M promoted a twofold increase in the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, and the simultaneous inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation indicated that ATP hydrolysis became uncoupled from Ca2+ transport. Higher urea concentrations promoted a pronounced inhibition of ATP hydrolysis. In the absence of urea, betaine decreased ATP hydrolysis without affecting Ca2+ transport, whereas it counteracted the strong inhibition of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity by urea concentrations as high as 7 M. Betaine also protected Ca2+ accumulation against inhibition with concentrations of urea up to 1.5 M, indicating that the methylamine is able to counteract the uncoupling of the ATPase observed at lower urea concentrations. These results suggest that betaine modifies the effects of urea on the erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase, through specific solute-induced conformational changes that protect the energy-transduction capacity of the enzyme.

Phosphate, nitrendipine and valinomycin increase the Ca2+/ATP coupling ratio of rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

Nitrendipine and valinomycin act synergistically to stimulate ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation by rat skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles 3-fold. The stimulation is not caused by activation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase or by inhibition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channel, but is due to an increased efficiency of transport by Ca(2+)-loaded vesicles. At low Ca2+ concentrations, nitrendipine+valinomycin inhibits Ca2+ uptake by increasing the Ca2+ KM but does not effect equilibrium Ca2+ binding to the Ca(2+)-ATPase (Kd = 0.75 microM). In the presence of 50 mM phosphate, nitrendipine+valinomycin increases the steady-state coupling ratio (Ca2+ accumulated per ATP hydrolyzed) from 0.6 to 1.9 by decreasing the rate of ATP hydrolysis by 72%, while reducing the Ca2+ accumulation rate by only 13%. The rates of both passive and Ca(2+)-ATPase-mediated Ca2+ release are reduced by nitrendipine+valinomycin. The data indicate that nitrendipine and valinomycin act directly on the Ca(2+)-ATPase to decrease the ATP hydrolysis rate, increase the Ca2+ KM, decrease Ca2+ efflux, and increase the Ca2+/ATP coupling ratio of Ca(2+)-loaded vesicles.

Inactivation of calcium uptake by EGTA is due to an irreversible thermotropic conformational change in the calcium binding domain of the Ca(2+)-ATPase

Calcium uptake by rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is inhibited with an effective inactivation temperature (TI) of 37 degrees C in EGTA with no effect on ATPase activity. Since the Ca-ATPase denatures at a much higher temperature (49 degrees C) in EGTA, this suggests that a small or localized conformational change of the Ca-ATPase at 37 degrees C results in inability to accumulate calcium by the SR. Using a fluorescent analogue of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, N-cyclohexyl-N'-[4-(dimethylamino)-alpha-naphthyl]-carbodiimide (NCD-4), the region of the calcium binding sites of the SR Ca-ATPase was labeled. Steady-state and frequency-resolved fluorescence measurements were subsequently performed on the NCD-4-labeled Ca-ATPase. Site-specific information pertaining to the hydrophobicity and segmental flexibility of the region of the calcium binding sites was derived from the steady-state fluorescence intensity, lifetime, and rotational rate of the covalently bound NCD-4 label as a function of temperature (0-50 degrees C). A reversible transition at approximately 15 degrees C and an irreversible transition at approximately 35 degrees C were deduced from the measured fluorescence parameters. The low-temperature transition agrees with the previously observed break in the Arrhenius plot of ATPase activity of the native Ca-ATPase at 15-20 degrees C. The high-temperature transition conforms well with the conformational transition, resulting in uncoupling of Ca translocation from ATP hydrolysis as predicted from the irreversible inactivation of Ca uptake at 31-37 degrees C in 1 mM EGTA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The influence of Mg2+ on anion binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes as detected by 35Cl-NMR

35Cl-NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the competition between anions, including nucleotides, on skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. Different chloride binding sites can be distinguished according to their Mg2+ sensitivity. Phosphate binding is enhanced by Mg2+ whereas the anion transport inhibitor pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2'-sulfonic acid (PPAPS) binding is not. The affinity of the enzyme for the Mg-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (MgAMP-PNP) complex is decreased whereas that for MgATP is increased. Three sets of binding sites can be discriminated from which chloride is displaced by different anions with varying efficiency. High affinity binding of AMP-PNP and PPAPS occurs at the same site, that can also be occupied by phosphate. Low-affinity binding of PPAPS and AMP-PNP also coincides, but in a site where phosphate binding is negligible. ATP and ADP bind to both sites. In the presence of Mg2+ a third anion binding site can be occupied by phosphate but neither by AMP-PNP nor PPAPS.

Calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle: I. MgATP-dependent and MgATP-independent calcium uptake

The components of 45calcium (Ca) uptake were studied in saponin skinned rat caudal artery. The steady-state Ca content increased when the free Ca concentration was varied from 10(-8) to 10(-4) M but was reduced by azide when the free Ca concentration exceeded 3.1 microM. The azide sensitivity and low affinity for Ca were consistent with functional mitochondria. The azide-insensitive component consisted of a small bound and a larger releasable Ca fraction. After skinning in Triton X-100, approximately 4 mumol Ca/kg wet tissue remained, which represented a tightly bound but slowly exchangeable Ca pool. The Ca content was independent of the free Ca concentration and MgATP, and it was not released with A-23187 or Ca. The Ca content of the larger fraction was a higher order function of the free Ca concentration and was released with A-23187, indicating it resided within a membrane-bounded structure. Ca uptake by the releasable fraction was increased by oxalate, MgATP, phosphocreatine, temperature, phosphate, and ruthenium red and represents Ca sequestered by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with little contribution from other Ca binding or storage sites. It is described by the coefficients Umax = 96.94 mumol/kg wet tissue, K1/2 = 0.75 microM, and Hill coefficient = 1.70. The SR in this preparation regulates cytosolic Ca concentrations under physiological conditions and can accumulate Ca by MgATP-dependent and MgATP-independent process. The larger, MgATP-dependent Ca uptake is described by the coefficients Umax = 72.87 mumol/kg wet tissue, K1/2 = 0.8 microM, and Hill coefficient = 2.09 and is consistent with Ca sequestered by the Ca-transport ATPase of smooth muscle SR. The smaller, MgATP-independent uptake is described by the coefficients Umax = 24.14 mumol/kg wet tissue, K1/2 = 0.56 microM, and Hill coefficient = 1.01 and represents Ca sequestered by an unidentified mechanism or by a subpopulation of SR.

Inhibitory and stimulatory effects of fluoride on the calcium pump of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

While studying the effects of membrane phosphorylation on active Ca2+ transport in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) we used NaF (a conventional phosphatase inhibitor) in the Ca2+ transport assay medium to suppress protein dephosphorylation by endogenous phosphatases. Unexpectedly, depending on the experimental conditions employed, NaF was found to cause a strong inhibitory or stimulatory effect on ATP-dependent, oxalate-facilitated Ca2+ uptake (Ca2+ pump) activity of SR. Investigation of this phenomenon using canine cardiac SR revealed the following. Exposure of SR to NaF in the absence of Ca2+ or ATP in the Ca2+ transport assay medium (prior to initiating Ca2+ transport by the addition of Ca2+ or ATP) promoted a striking concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of NaF (50% and 90% inhibition with approx. 4 and 10 mM NaF, respectively) on Ca2+ uptake by SR; the magnitude of inhibition did not differ appreciably with varying oxalate concentrations. In contrast, exposure of SR to NaF in the presence of both Ca2+ and ATP resulted in a concentration-dependent stimulatory effect of NaF (half-maximal stimulation at approx. 2.5 mM NaF with 2.5 mM oxalate in assay) on Ca2+ uptake; the magnitude of stimulation decreased with increasing oxalate concentration (greater than 2-fold at 1 mM oxalate, 10% at 5 mM oxalate). The inhibitory effect prevailed when SR was exposed to NaF in the presence of Ca2+ alone (without ATP) or ATP alone (without Ca2+). Both the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of NaF were specific to fluoride ion, as NaCl (1-10 mM) showed no effect on Ca2+ uptake by SR under identical assay conditions. A persistently less active state of the Ca2+ pump (evidenced by decreased Ca2+ transport rates) resulted upon pretreatment of SR with NaF in the absence of Ca2+ or ATP; presence of Ca2+ and ATP during pretreatment prevented this transition. The inhibitory action of NaF on the Ca2+ pump was accompanied by a two-fold increase in K0.5 for Ca2+ and decrements in Hill coefficient (nH) and Ca(2+)-stimulated ATP hydrolysis, as well as steady-state level of Ca(2+)-induced phosphoenzyme. The stimulatory effect of NaF, on the other hand, was associated with an increase in the ratio of Ca2+ transported/ATP hydrolysed with only minor changes, if any, in the above parameters. These findings imply that the divergent effects of fluoride are dependent on specific conformational states of the Ca(2+)-ATPase which evolve during the catalytic and ion transport cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Uncoupling of Ca2+ transport from ATP hydrolysis activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase

In reconstituted rabbit skeletal muscle (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase proteoliposomes, Ca(2+)-uptake is decreased by more than 90% with T2 cleavage (Arg-198). However, no difference in the ATP dependence of hydrolysis activity is seen between SR and trypsin-treated SR. A large decrease in E-P formation and hydrolysis activity of the enzyme appear only at T3 cleavage, which represents the cleavage of A1 fragment to A1a + A1b forms. The disappearance of hydrolysis activity due to digestion is prior to the disappearance of E-P formation. No significant difference is found in the passive Ca2+ efflux between control SR and tryptically digested SR in the absence of Mg2+ + ruthenium red or in the presence of ATP. However, the passive Ca2+ efflux rate for tryptically digested SR is much larger than control SR in the presence of Mg2+ + ruthenium red. These results show that the Ca2+ channel cannot be closed after trypsin digestion of SR membranes by the presence of the Ca2+ channel inhibitors, Mg2+ and ruthenium red. In the reconstituted proteoliposomes, the Ca2+ efflux rates are the same regardless of digestion (T2); also, efflux is not affected by the presence or absence of Mg2+ + ruthenium red. These results indicate that T2 cleavage causes 'uncoupling' of the 'Ca(2+)-pump' from ATP hydrolytic activity. A theoretical model is developed in order to fit the extent of tryptic digestion of the A fragment of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase polypeptide with the loss of Ca(2+)-transport. Fits of the theoretical equations to the data are consistent with that Ca(2+)-transport system appears to require a dimer of the polypeptide (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase.

Stoichiometries of calcium and strontium transport coupled to ATP and acetyl phosphate hydrolysis by skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum

The stoichiometries of Ca2+ and of Sr2+ transport by the Ca2(+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum have been previously reported to be 2 and 1, respectively, when determined by flux ratio methods (Mermier, P. and Hasselbach, W. (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 69, 79-86; Holguin, J.A. (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 251, 9-16). We have measured transport of Ca2+ and Sr2+ by the pulsed pH-stat method, when supported by ATP or the pseudo-substrate acetyl phosphate (AcP). The stoichiometry of ATP-supported Ca2+ transport, Ca2+/ATP, was pH dependent and varied from 2.0 at pH 6.5 to 1.0 at pH 8.0. Sr2+/ATP ratios showed a similar pH dependence and were approx. 7-18% lower. Ca2+/AcP ratios showed little pH dependence and varied from 2.0 to 1.7 in the pH range 6.5 to 8.0. Sr2+/AcP ratios were 17-34% lower, with maximum differences at the pH extremes. Ruthenium red, which blocks calcium efflux from calcium release channels, increased measured stoichiometries by less than 10%. It is concluded that the transport of both Ca2+ and Sr2+, when supported by either ATP or a pseudo-substrate, have similar stoichiometrics and occurs via identical mechanisms. The relatively low Sr2+ transport ratios have been related to uncoupled reverse flux through the Ca2(+)-ATPase cation transport channel. Subintegral M2+/substrate ratios appear to be an intrinsic feature of active transport by the Ca2+ pump of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Characterization of the steady-state calcium fluxes in skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. Role of the Ca2+ pump

Unidirectional Ca2+ fluxes (influx and efflux), supported by ATP as a phosphate-donor substrate, were measured without alteration of the lumenal Ca2+ content in longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. The referred fluxes are dependent on extravesicular Ca2+, ATP and ADP. They are unaffected by ruthenium red but inhibited by quercetin. The Ca2+ fluxes at steady state are drastically diminished when ATP is substituted by acetylphosphate although the addition of 10 microM ADP increases the apparent rate constants more than eight fold. The observed fluxes appear to be dependent on Ca2(+)-ATPase phosphoenzyme transitions. The results indicate that: (a) the slow Ca2+ release, due to the passive permeability of the membrane, is a minor component of the total Ca2+ efflux, and (b) the ATPase protein is basically operating as a Ca2+/Ca2+ exchanger at steady state. Kinetic resolution of the Ca2+ fluxes, measured by isotopic tracer and rapid filtration techniques can be recreated by computer simulation of the ATPase reaction cycle featuring some modifications to account for the fast Ca2+/Ca2+ exchange and the uncoupling effect observed at steady state.

Quantitative determination of the calcium involved in the regulation of the Ca2+-ATPase activity in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles

The dependence of the Ca2+-ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles upon the intravesicular concentration of calcium accumulated after active uptake was studied. The internal calcium concentration was modified by addition of the ionophore A23187 at the steady state of accumulation. About half of the calcium accumulated could be released at low ionophore concentration without any concomitant activation of the Ca2+-ATPase. This population of calcium might consist of calcium free in the lumen of the vesicles or bound to the bilayer at sites which do not interact with the ATPase activity. At higher concentrations of ionophore (above 1.75 nmol A23187/mg protein) the release of calcium activated this enzyme. This phenomenon was independent of the extravesicular calcium concentration and might be explained by assuming second species of calcium ions bound to the inner side of the membrane and in close functional interaction with the Ca2+-ATPase.

Effects of local anesthetics on the passive permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to Ca2+ and Mg2+

Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles are used here as model membrane system to question the hypothesis of enhancement of permeability of cations by anesthetics, particularly that of Ca2+ and of Mg2+. The effects of dibucaine (up to 800 microM), tetracaine (up to 2 mM), lidocaine (up to 10 mM) and procaine (up to 10 mM) on the permeability of these membranes to Ca2+ and Mg2+ have been measured. We have used an experimental approach based on the light scattering method (Kometani, T. and Kasai, M. (1978) J. Membrane Biol. 41, 295-308). It has been found that all the local anesthetics cited above markedly increase the permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to Mg2+ and, in the concentration range tested herein, only dibucaine and tetracaine increase the permeability to Ca2+. The kinetic analysis of the time dependence of the light-scattering data after the osmotic shock shows that, in the absence of local anesthetics, the Mg2+ influx can be described as proceeding through a unique type of channel. However, Ca2+ influx appears to involve two channel of different kinetic properties. Because the relative fraction of both types of Ca2+ channel is similar to the average ratio between light and heavy vesicles in unfractionated sarcoplasmic reticulum, we suggest that each type of channel can be preferentially located in one of these fractions. The determined rate constants for Ca2+ permeability through both types of channel are 0.77 +/- 0.08 min-1 (fast channels) and 0.025 +/- 0.005 min-1 (slow channels) and that for Mg2+ is 0.08 +/- 0.02 min-1. These results agree with data obtained by other groups using different experimental approaches. Dibucaine and tetracaine significantly alter the rate of Mg2+ and Ca2+ influx through the slow channels. In addition, these two local anesthetics also produce the effect that the Mg2+ influx cannot be described with only one exponential process, thus suggesting a differential effect on vesicles of different density. The increase of Ca2+ and Mg2+ permeability by dibucaine and by tetracaine is found at concentrations of these drugs that do not produce a noticeable inhibition of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles.

Characterization of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum by laser-excited europium luminescence

The molecular environment of Ca2+ translocating sites of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase has been studied by pulsed-laser excited luminescence of Eu3+ used as a Ca2+ analogue. Interaction of Eu3+ with SR was characterized by investigating its effect on partial reactions of the Ca2+ transport cycle. In native SR vesicles, Eu3+ was found to inhibit Ca2+ binding, phosphoenzyme formation, ATP hydrolysis activity and Ca2+ uptake in parallel fashion. The non-specific binding of Eu3+ to acidic phospholipids associated with the enzyme was prevented by purifying (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase and exchanging the endogenous lipids with a neutral phospholipid, dioleoylglycerophosphocholine. The results demonstrate that the observed inhibition of Ca2+ transport by Eu3+ is due to its binding to Ca2+ translocating sites. The 7F0----5D0 transition of Eu3+ bound to these sites was monitored. The non-Lorentzian nature of the excitation profile and a double-exponential fluorescence decay revealed the heterogeneity of the two sites. Measurement of fluorescence decay rates in H2O/D2O mixture buffers further distinguished the sites. The number of water molecules in the first co-ordination sphere of Eu3+ bound at transport sites were found to be 4 and 1.5. Addition of ATP reduced these numbers to zero and 0.6. These data show that the calcium ions in translocating sites are well enclosed by protein ligands and are further occluded down to zero or one water molecule of solvation during the transport process.

Chemical modification of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Stimulation of Ca2+ release

Pretreatment of sarcoplasmic membranes with acetic or maleic anhydrides, which interact principally with amino groups, resulted in an inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation and ATPase activity. The presence of ATP, ADP or adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate in the modification medium selectively protected against the inactivation of ATPase activity by the anhydride but did not protect against the inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation. Acetic anhydride modification in the presence of ATP appeared to increase specifically the permeability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane to Ca2+ but not to sucrose, Tris, Na+ or Pi. The chemical modification stimulated a rapid release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles passively or actively loaded with calcium, from liposomes reconstituted with the partially purified ATPase fraction but not from those reconstituted with the purified ATPase. The inactivation of Ca2+ accumulation by acetic anhydride (in the presence of ATP) was rapid and strongly pH-dependent with an estimated pK value above 8.3 for the reactive group(s). The negatively charged reagents pyridoxal 5-phosphate and trinitrobenzene-sulphonate, which also interact with amino groups, did not stimulate Ca2+ release. Since these reagents do not penetrate the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes, it is proposed that Ca2+ release is promoted by modification of internally located, positively charged amino group(s).

Lipid-protein interactions and the function of the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum

Regardless of the nature of the protein constituents of membranes, the molecular arrangement of lipids interacting with them must satisfy hydrophobic, ionic, and steric requirements. Biological membranes have a great diversity of lipid constituents, and this diversity might have functional roles. It has been proposed, for example, that the hydrophobic regions of membrane proteins are stabilized in the membrane through interactions with lipids able to adopt configurations other than the bilayer structure. Progress in understanding at the molecular level how lipid-protein interactions control the properties of membrane proteins has been hindered by the lack of information concerning the structure of the hydrophobic regions of membrane proteins. Nevertheless, there are many examples in the literature describing how changes in the lipid environment affect physical and biochemical properties of membrane proteins. From these studies, discussed in this review, an overall picture of how lipids and proteins interact in membranes is beginning to emerge.

Synthesis of highly unsaturated phosphatidylcholines in the development of sperm motility: a role for epididymal glycerol-3-phosphorylcholine

Interpretation of the experimental literature on epididymal glycerophosphorylcholine metabolism according to a recently proposed de novo pathway for the synthesis of acyl-specific phosphatidylcholine suggests that epididymal glycerophosphorylcholine is an intermediate of this proposed pathway. This glycerophosphodiester is postulated to be utilized by spermatozoa to synthesize docosahexaenoic phosphatidylcholine, proposed to be required for the development of sperm motility. A defect in glycerophosphorylcholine synthesis might be responsible for some forms of asthenozoospermia.

Impaired biosynthesis of highly unsaturated phosphatidylcholines: a hypothesis on the molecular etiology of some muscular dystrophies

A brief review of the literature concerning the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in muscle suggests that the cytidine pathways are replaced by the recently proposed acyl-specific de novo and salvage glycerolphosphodiester pathways (Infante, 1984) in fully differentiated muscle. An analysis of published data suggests an impaired synthesis of 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic phosphatidylcholine, at the level of de novo sn-3-glycerolphosphorylcholine synthesis, as the primary defect in Duchenne and (dy) murine muscular dystrophies. This phosphatidylcholine species is postulated to be required for optimum sarcoplasmic Ca2+ transport activity. It is proposed that this impairment initiates the secondary series of events which lead to the observed pathology of these diseases. Based on some predictions of the hypothesis, potential diagnosis and treatments are suggested.

Variable stoichiometry in active ion transport: theoretical analysis of physiological consequences

Active ion transport systems with fixed stoichiometry are subject to a thermodynamic limit on the ion concentration gradients that they can generate and maintain, and their net rates of transport must inevitably decrease as this limit is approached. The capability to vary stoichiometry might thus be physiologically advantageous: a shift to lower stoichiometry (fewer ions pumped per reaction cycle) at increasing thermodynamic load could increase the limit on the supportable concentration gradient and could accelerate the rate of transport under high-load conditions. Here we present a theoretical and numerical analysis of this possibility, using the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATP-driven Ca pump as the example. It is easy to introduce alternate pathways into the reaction cycle for this system to shift the stoichiometry (Ca2+/ATP) from the normal value of 2:1 to 1:1, but it cannot be done without simultaneous generation of a pathway for uncoupled leak of Ca2+ across the membrane. This counteracts the advantageous effect of the change in transport stoichiometry and a physiologically useful rate acceleration cannot be obtained. This result is likely to be generally applicable to most active transport systems.

The effect of hypothyroidism on sarcoplasmic reticulum in fast-twitch muscle of the rat

The effects of hypothyroidism on the Ca2+-transport capabilities of fast-twitch muscle (m. gastrocnemius) of the rat were studied in whole-muscle homogenate and isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum. Hypothyroidism did not affect the percentage recovery and the vesicle composition of the sarcoplasmic reticulum fraction, the total lipid and phospholipid-to-protein ratios and the protein composition (both qualitative and quantitative). Also the Ca2+-loading capacity of purified sarcoplasmic reticulum, in the presence of oxalate, and the Ca2+ and pH dependence of both the uptake reaction and the coupled ATPase activity were unchanged. However, the homogenate Ca2+-loading capacity and the Ca2+-uptake activity were depressed, as was the yield of purified sarcoplasmic reticulum. The results indicate a 31% reduction of the entire sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane system per volume of muscle. Ca2+/ATP coupling ratios, determined in purified sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by measurement of initial rates of net Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent hydrolysis of ATP, were found to be 1.48 +/- 0.06 and 2.08 +/- 0.05 in the euthyroid and hypothyroid groups, respectively. Identical values were obtained with a recently described Ca2+-pulse method (Meltzer, S. and Berman, M.C. (1984) Anal. Biochem. 138, 458-464), i.e., 1.53 +/- 0.06 and 2.01 +/- 0.03 in the euthyroid and hypothyroid groups, respectively. Passive Ca2+ efflux from sarcoplasmic reticulum was the same in both groups (30 nmol/mg per min), as was the fraction of vesicles that did not show net uptake of Ca2+ (less than 10%), which makes it unlikely that these parameters provide an explanation for the differences in the coupling ratio. The energy of activation of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was increased in hypothyroidism, which may point to changes in the phospholipid environment of the enzyme. Physiological concentrations of T3 and T4 had no effect on the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in vitro, but all observed changes in the hypothyroid state could be reversed within 14 days by administration of T3 to hypothyroid animals. Approximate calculations indicate that the observed changes in the sarcoplasmic reticulum as a result of thyroid-hormone depletion may contribute significantly to the decrease in relaxation rate and the decrease in energy consumption during contraction.

Effects of Mg2+ on calcium accumulation by two fractions of sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit skeletal muscle

Calcium accumulation by two fractions of sarcoplasmic reticulum presumably derived from longitudinal tubules (light vesicles) and terminal cisternae (heavy vesicles) was examined radiochemically in the presence of various free Mg2+ concentrations. Both fractions of sarcoplasmic reticulum exhibited a Mg2+-dependent increase in phosphate-supported calcium uptake velocity, though half-maximal velocity in heavy vesicles occurred at a much higher free Mg2+ concentration than that in light vesicles (i.e., approx. 0.90 mM vs. approx. 0.02 mM Mg2+). Calcium uptake velocity in light vesicles correlated with Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity, suggesting that Mg2+ stimulated the calcium pump. Calcium uptake velocity in heavy vesicles did not correlate with Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity, although a Mg2+-dependent increase in calcium influx was observed. Thus, Mg2+ may increase the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to calcium transport in heavy vesicles. Analyses of calcium sequestration (in the absence of phosphate) showed a similar trend in that elevation of Mg2+ from 0.07 to 5 mM stimulated calcium sequestration in heavy vesicles much more than in light vesicles. This difference between the two fractions of sarcoplasmic reticulum was not explained by phosphoenzyme (EP) level or distribution. Analyses of calcium uptake, Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity, and unidirectional calcium flux in the presence of approx. 0.4 mM Mg2+ suggested that ruthenium red (0.5 microM) can also increase the coupling of ATP hydrolysis to calcium transport in heavy vesicles, with no effect in light vesicles. These functional differences between light and heavy vesicles suggest that calcium transport in terminal cisternae is regulated differently from that in longitudinal tubules.

Modulation of stoichiometry of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump may enhance thermodynamic efficiency

The coupling of calcium transport to ATP hydrolysis in rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was determined under steady-state conditions in the presence of 5 mM oxalate and using various concentrations of vesicles to modulate the concentration of free Ca2+ in the medium. This experimental approach takes advantage of the fact that at high concentrations of vesicles the slow rate of liberation of Ca2+ from its oxalate complex becomes rate limiting for pumping, therefore pushing the steady-state levels of this cation to very low values. A reduction in the number of calcium ions transported per ATP cleaved from a value near 2 at a low concentration of vesicles (high medium Ca2+ concentration) to a limiting value of about 1 at a very high concentration of vesicles (low medium Ca2+ concentration) was observed. A marked decrease in the specific ATPase activity was also found to take place as the concentration of the sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was increased to high levels and the concentration of medium Ca2+ declined. The data presented indicate that binding of 1 Ca2+ to the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase is sufficient to activate the pump. Furthermore, these findings support the existence of a control mechanism for the calcium pump that helps to avoid a futile cycle of ATP cleavage with no net transport of calcium and that increases the pumping capability at low concentrations of free Ca2+.

Voltage-dependence of Ca2+ uptake and ATP hydrolysis of reconstituted Ca2+-ATPase vesicles

Ca2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum was reconstituted into phospholipid/cholesterol (9:1) vesicles (RO). Sucrose density gradient centrifugation of the RO vesicles separated a light layer (RL) with a high lipid/protein ratio and a heavy layer (RH). RH vesicles exhibited a high rate of Ca2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis but did not accumulate Ca2+. RL vesicles, on the other hand, showed an initial molar ratio of Ca2+ uptake to ATP hydrolysis of approximately 1.0. Internal trapping of transported Ca2+ facilitated studies over periods of several minutes. Ca2+ transport and ATP hydrolysis declined concomitantly, reaching levels near 0 with external Ca2+ concentrations less than or equal to 2 microM. Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, the detergent Triton X-100, and the metabolic inhibitor quercetin. Ca2+ transport generated a transient electrical potential difference, inside positive. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that the Ca2+ pump is electrogenic. Steady state electrical potentials across the membrane were clamped by using potassium gradients and valinomycin, and monitored with voltage-sensitive dyes. Over a range of +50 to -100 mV, there was an inverse relationship between the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake and voltage, but the rate of ATP hydrolysis was nearly constant. In contrast, lowering the external Ca2+ concentration depressed both transport and ATP hydrolysis. These findings suggest that the membrane voltage influences the coupling between Ca2+ transport and ATP hydrolysis.

Stimulatory effect of calcium chelators on Na+-Ca2+ exchange in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

The calcium chelators EGTA, EDTA and cyclohexanediamine tetraacetic acid (CDTA) enhance initial rates of Nai+-dependent Ca2+ uptake by cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles. The affinity of the exchanger for calcium is increased in the presence of the chelators to an extent dependent on chelator concentration and on the range of free calcium concentrations over which the phenomenon is measured. For free Ca2+ in the range of 4 muM or less, the apparent Km is lowered to approximately 1 muM. The Ca-chelator complex appears to be the species which causes stimulation. The effect is not due to sequestration of contaminating heavy metal ions in the sarcolemmal membrane preparations or the solutions used in experiments. Caution is suggested in the use of EGTA or EDTA as calcium buffers when measuring calcium dependence of phenomena involving calcium binding and transport, because the added chelator may alter the properties of the system.

Undirectional calcium and nucleotide fluxes in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. II. Experimental results

Unidirectional calcium influx and efflux were evaluated in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) by 45Ca-40Ca exchange at steady state calcium uptake in the absence of calcium precipitating anions. Calcium efflux was partitioned into a pump-mediated efflux and a parallel passive efflux by separately measuring passive efflux referable to the steady state. Unidirectional and net ATP-ADP fluxes were measured using [3H]-ATP----ADP and [3H]-ADP----ATP exchanges. Methods are presented that take into account changing specific activities and sizes of the nucleotide pools during the measurement of nucleotide fluxes. The contribution of competent and incompetent vesicles to the unidirectional and net nucleotide fluxes was evaluated from the specific activity of these fluxes in incompetent vesicles and from the fraction of vesicles that were incompetent. The results indicate that, in cardiac SR, unidirectional calcium fluxes are larger than the unidirectional nucleotide fluxes contributed by competent vesicles. Because the net ATPase rate of competent vesicles is similar to the parallel passive efflux, it appears that cardiac SR Ca-ATPase tightly couples ATP hydrolysis to calcium transport even at static head, with a coupling ratio near 1.0.

Determination of coupling ratios of the calcium pump of sarcoplasmic reticulum by pulse methods

Coupling of Ca2+ transport to ATP hydrolysis in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles has been studied following pulsed additions of either ATP or Ca2+. ATP was infused as a pulse into medium, whose free Ca2+ concentration was maintained constant at saturating levels by a calciumstat procedure, using either a Ca2+-selective electrode or the spectrophotometric arsenazo III technique as Ca2+ indicators. The low ATP levels virtually exclude contributions by "basal" ATPase activity. Passive leakage of Ca2+, monitored after an ATP pulse, does not contribute more than 5% to subintegral coupling ratios. Pulsed additions of Ca2+ were made into medium. containing saturating concentrations of ATP, whose hydrolysis was monitored by a pH-stat procedure. Ca2+-stimulated hydrolysis continued until all the Ca2+ was transported into the vesicles. Values for the coupling ratio, Ca2+/ATP, of 1.82 +/- 0.12 and 1.79 +/- 0.15 were obtained by the ATP- and Ca2+-pulse methods, respectively.