Functional role of cysteine residues in the (Na,K)-ATPase alpha subunit

Na,K-ATPase: A murzyme facilitating thermodynamic equilibriums at the membrane-interface

The redox metabolic paradigm of murburn concept advocates that diffusible reactive species (DRS, particularly oxygen-centric radicals) are mainstays of physiology, and not mere pathological manifestations. The murburn purview of cellular function also integrates the essential principles of bioenergetics, thermogenesis, homeostasis, electrophysiology, and coherence. In this context, any enzyme that generates/modulates/utilizes/sustains DRS functionality is called a murzyme. We have demonstrated that several water-soluble (peroxidases, lactate dehydrogenase, hemogoblin, etc.) and membrane-embedded (Complexes I-V in mitochondria, Photosystems I/II in chloroplasts, rhodopsin/transducin in rod cells, etc.) proteins serve as murzymes. The membrane protein of Na,K-ATPase (NKA, also known as sodium-potassium pump) is the focus of this article, owing to its centrality in neuro-cardio-musculo electrophysiology. Herein, via a series of critical queries starting from the geometric/spatio-temporal considerations of diffusion/mass transfer of solutes in cells to an update on structural/distributional features of NKA in diverse cellular systems, and from various mechanistic aspects of ion-transport (thermodynamics, osmoregulation, evolutionary dictates, etc.) to assays/explanations of inhibitory principles like cardiotonic steroids (CTS), we first highlight some unresolved problems in the field. Thereafter, we propose and apply a minimalist murburn model of trans-membrane ion-differentiation by NKA to address the physiological inhibitory effects of trans-dermal peptide, lithium ion, volatile anesthetics, confirmed interfacial DRS + proton modulators like nitrophenolics and unsaturated fatty acid, and the diverse classes of molecules like CTS, arginine, oximes, etc. These explanations find a pan-systemic connectivity with the inhibitions/uncouplings of other membrane proteins in cells.

Effect of Fe3+ on Na,K-ATPase: Unexpected activation of ATP hydrolysis

Iron is a key element in cell function; however, its excess in iron overload conditions can be harmful through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell oxidative stress. Activity of Na,K-ATPase has been shown to be implicated in cellular iron uptake and iron modulates the Na,K-ATPase function from different tissues. In this study, we determined the effect of iron overload on Na,K-ATPase activity and established the role that isoforms and conformational states of this enzyme has on this effect. Total blood and membrane preparations from erythrocytes (ghost cells), as well as pig kidney and rat brain cortex, and enterocytes cells (Caco-2) were used. In E1-related subconformations, an enzyme activation effect by iron was observed, and in the E2-related subconformations enzyme inhibition was observed. The enzyme's kinetic parameters were significantly changed only in the Na⁺ curve in ghost cells. In contrast to Na,K-ATPase α2 and α3 isoforms, activation was not observed for the α1 isoform. In Caco-2 cells, which only contain Na,K-ATPase α1 isoform, the FeCl₃ increased the intracellular storage of iron, catalase activity, the production of H₂O₂ and the expression levels of the α1 isoform. In contrast, iron did not affect lipid peroxidation, GSH content, superoxide dismutase and Na,K-ATPase activities. These results suggest that iron itself modulates Na,K-ATPase and that one or more E1-related subconformations seems to be determinant for the sensitivity of iron modulation through a mechanism in which the involvement of the Na, K-ATPase α3 isoform needs to be further investigated.

Cysteine residues 244 and 458-459 within the catalytic subunit of Na,K-ATPase control the enzyme's hydrolytic and signaling function under hypoxic conditions

Our previous findings suggested that reversible thiol modifications of cysteine residues within the actuator (AD) and nucleotide binding domain (NBD) of the Na,K-ATPase may represent a powerful regulatory mechanism conveying redox- and oxygen-sensitivity of this multifunctional enzyme. S-glutathionylation of Cys244 in the AD and Cys 454-458-459 in the NBD inhibited the enzyme and protected cysteines' thiol groups from irreversible oxidation under hypoxic conditions. In this study mutagenesis approach was used to assess the role these cysteines play in regulation of the Na,K-ATPase hydrolytic and signaling functions. Several constructs of mouse α1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase were produced in which Cys244, Cys 454-458-459 or Cys 244-454-458-459 were replaced by alanine. These constructs were expressed in human HEK293 cells. Non-transfected cells and those expressing murine α1 subunit were exposed to hypoxia or treated with oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Both conditions induced inhibition of the wild type Na,K-ATPase. Enzymes containing mutated mouse α1 lacking Cys244 or all four cysteines (Cys 244-454-458-459) were insensitive to hypoxia. Inhibitory effect of GSSG was observed for wild type murine Na,K-ATPase, but was less pronounced in Cys454-458-459Ala mutant and completely absent in the Cys244Ala and Cys 244-454-458-459Ala mutants. In cells, expressing wild type enzyme, ouabain induced activation of Src and Erk kinases under normoxic conditions, whereas under hypoxic conditions this effect was inversed. Cys454-458-459Ala substitution abolished Src kinase activation in response to ouabain treatment, uncoupled Src from Erk signaling, and interfered with O2-sensitivity of Na,K-ATPase signaling function. Moreover, modeling predicted that S-glutathionylation of Cys 458 and 459 should prevent inhibitory binding of Src to NBD. Our data indicate for the first time that cysteine residues within the AD and NBD influence hydrolytic as well as receptor function of the Na,K-ATPase and alter responses of the enzyme to hypoxia or upon treatment with cardiotonic steroids.

Effect of Reduction of Redox Modifications of Cys-Residues in the Na,K-ATPase α1-Subunit on Its Activity

Sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) creates a gradient of sodium and potassium ions necessary for the viability of animal cells, and it is extremely sensitive to intracellular redox status. Earlier we found that regulatory glutathionylation determines Na,K-ATPase redox sensitivity but the role of basal glutathionylation and other redox modifications of cysteine residues is not clear. The purpose of this study was to detect oxidized, nitrosylated, or glutathionylated cysteine residues in Na,K-ATPase, evaluate the possibility of removing these modifications and assess their influence on the enzyme activity. To this aim, we have detected such modifications in the Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit purified from duck salt glands and tried to eliminate them by chemical reducing agents and the glutaredoxin1/glutathione reductase enzyme system. Detection of cysteine modifications was performed using mass spectrometry and Western blot analysis. We have found that purified Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit contains glutathionylated, nitrosylated, and oxidized cysteines. Chemical reducing agents partially eliminate these modifications that leads to the slight increase of the enzyme activity. Enzyme system glutaredoxin/glutathione reductase, unlike chemical reducing agents, produces significant increase of the enzyme activity. At the same time, the enzyme system deglutathionylates native Na,K-ATPase to a lesser degree than chemical reducing agents. This suggests that the enzymatic reducing system glutaredoxin/glutathione reductase specifically affects glutathionylation of the regulatory cysteine residues of Na,K-ATPase α1-subunit.

Ion Pathways in the Na+/K+-ATPase

Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) is an essential cation pump protein responsible for the maintenance of the sodium and potassium gradients across the plasma membrane. Recently published high-resolution structures revealed amino acids forming the cation binding sites (CBS) in the transmembrane domain and variable position of the domains in the cytoplasmic headpiece. Here we report molecular dynamic simulations of the human NKA α1β1 isoform embedded into DOPC bilayer. We have analyzed the NKA conformational changes in the presence of Na⁺- or K⁺-cations in the CBS, for various combinations of the cytoplasmic ligands, and the two major enzyme conformations in the 100 ns runs (more than 2.5 μs of simulations in total). We identified two novel cytoplasmic pathways along the pairs of transmembrane helices TM3/TM7 or TM6/TM9 that allow hydration of the CBS or transport of cations from/to the bulk. These findings can provide a structural explanation for previous mutagenesis studies, where mutation of residues that are distal from the CBS resulted in the alteration of the enzyme affinity to the transported cations or change in the enzyme activity.

"Oxygen Sensing" by Na,K-ATPase: These Miraculous Thiols

Control over the Na,K-ATPase function plays a central role in adaptation of the organisms to hypoxic and anoxic conditions. As the enzyme itself does not possess O2 binding sites its "oxygen-sensitivity" is mediated by a variety of redox-sensitive modifications including S-glutathionylation, S-nitrosylation, and redox-sensitive phosphorylation. This is an overview of the current knowledge on the plethora of molecular mechanisms tuning the activity of the ATP-consuming Na,K-ATPase to the cellular metabolic activity. Recent findings suggest that oxygen-derived free radicals and H2O2, NO, and oxidized glutathione are the signaling messengers that make the Na,K-ATPase "oxygen-sensitive." This very ancient signaling pathway targeting thiols of all three subunits of the Na,K-ATPase as well as redox-sensitive kinases sustains the enzyme activity at the "optimal" level avoiding terminal ATP depletion and maintaining the transmembrane ion gradients in cells of anoxia-tolerant species. We acknowledge the complexity of the underlying processes as we characterize the sources of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production in hypoxic cells, and identify their targets, the reactive thiol groups which, upon modification, impact the enzyme activity. Structured accordingly, this review presents a summary on (i) the sources of free radical production in hypoxic cells, (ii) localization of regulatory thiols within the Na,K-ATPase and the role reversible thiol modifications play in responses of the enzyme to a variety of stimuli (hypoxia, receptors' activation) (iii) redox-sensitive regulatory phosphorylation, and (iv) the role of fine modulation of the Na,K-ATPase function in survival success under hypoxic conditions. The co-authors attempted to cover all the contradictions and standing hypotheses in the field and propose the possible future developments in this dynamic area of research, the importance of which is hard to overestimate. Better understanding of the processes underlying successful adaptation strategies will make it possible to harness them and use for treatment of patients with stroke and myocardial infarction, sleep apnoea and high altitude pulmonary oedema, and those undergoing surgical interventions associated with the interruption of blood perfusion.

Basal Glutathionylation of Na,K-ATPase α-Subunit Depends on Redox Status of Cells during the Enzyme Biosynthesis

Many viruses induce oxidative stress and cause S-glutathionylation of Cys residues of the host and viral proteins. Changes in cell functioning during viral infection may be associated with glutathionylation of a number of key proteins including Na,K-ATPase which creates a gradient of sodium and potassium ions. It was found that Na,K-ATPase α-subunit has a basal glutathionylation which is not abrogated by reducing agent. We have shown that acute hypoxia leads to increase of total glutathionylation level of Na,K-ATPase α-subunit; however, basal glutathionylation of α-subunit increases under prolonged hypoxia only. The role of basal glutathionylation in Na,K-ATPase function remains unclear. Understanding significance of basal glutathionylation is complicated by the fact that there are no X-ray structures of Na,K-ATPase with the identified glutathione molecules. We have analyzed all X-ray structures of the Na,K-ATPase α-subunit from pig kidney and found that there are a number of isolated cavities with unresolved electron density close to the relevant cysteine residues. Analysis of the structures showed that this unresolved density in the structure can be occupied by glutathione associated with cysteine residues. Here, we discuss the role of basal glutathionylation of Na,K-ATPase α-subunit and provide evidence supporting the view that this modification is cotranslational.

Inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and cytotoxicity of a few selected gold(III) complexes

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase is in charge of maintaining the ionic and osmotic intracellular balance by using ATP as an energy source to drive excess Na(+) ions out of the cell in exchange for K(+) ions. We explored whether three representative cytotoxic gold(III) compounds might interfere with Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and cause its inhibition at pharmacologically relevant concentrations. The tested complexes were [Au(bipy)(OH)2][PF6] (bipy=2,2'-bipyridine), [Au(py(dmb)-H)(CH3COO)2] (py(dmb)-H=deprotonated 6-(1,1-dimethylbenzyl)-pyridine), and [Au(bipy(dmb)-H)(OH)][PF6] (bipy(dmb)-H=deprotonated 6-(1,1-dimethylbenzyl)-2,2'-bipyridine). We found that all of them caused a pronounced and similar inhibition of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity. Inhibition was found to be non-competitive and reversible. Remarkably, treatment with cysteine resulted in reversal or prevention of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase inhibition. It is very likely that the described effects may contribute to the overall cytotoxic profile of these gold complexes.

In vitro effects of some gold complexes on Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity and cell proliferation

The in vitro influence of gold(III) complexes, H[AuCl4], [Au(DMSO)2Cl2]Cl and [Au(bipy)Cl2]Cl (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine), upon commercially available Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity, purified from porcine brain cortex, was investigated. Additionally, the complexes were tested on human lymphocytes, and incidence of micronuclei and cell proliferation index was determined. Concentration-dependent inhibition of the enzyme for all three compounds was obtained, but with differing potencies. Calculated IC50 from Hill analysis were (in M): 5.75×10(-7), 5.50×10(-6) and 3.98×10(-5), for H[AuCl4], [Au(DMSO)2Cl2]Cl and [Au(bipy)Cl2]Cl, respectively, while Hill coefficient values, n, were above 1 in all cases. This inhibition can be prevented using -SH donating ligands such as L-Cys and glutathione, and these ligands can also cause a recovery of the enzyme activity after the induced inhibition. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that each of the studied gold(III) complexes affects Na(+)/K(+) ATPase reducing maximum enzymatic velocity, Vmax, but not significantly changing the affinity for the substrate (KM value), implying a noncompetitive mode of the interaction. Furthermore, among investigated gold(III) complexes, the [Au(bipy)Cl2]Cl complex exhibits a strong cytotoxic effect on human lymphocytes, which suggests its potential for use in antitumor therapy.

S-glutathionylation of the Na,K-ATPase catalytic α subunit is a determinant of the enzyme redox sensitivity

Na,K-ATPase is highly sensitive to changes in the redox state, and yet the mechanisms of its redox sensitivity remain unclear. We have explored the possible involvement of S-glutathionylation of the catalytic α subunit in redox-induced responses. For the first time, the presence of S-glutathionylated cysteine residues was shown in the α subunit in duck salt glands, rabbit kidneys, and rat myocardium. Exposure of the Na,K-ATPase to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) resulted in an increase in the number of S-glutathionylated cysteine residues. Increase in S-glutathionylation was associated with dose- and time-dependent suppression of the enzyme function up to its complete inhibition. The enzyme inhibition concurred with S-glutathionylation of the Cys-454, -458, -459, and -244. Upon binding of glutathione to these cysteines, the enzyme was unable to interact with adenine nucleotides. Inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase by GSSG did not occur in the presence of ATP at concentrations above 0.5 mm. Deglutathionylation of the α subunit catalyzed by glutaredoxin or dithiothreitol resulted in restoration of the Na,K-ATPase activity. Oxidation of regulatory cysteines made them inaccessible for glutathionylation but had no profound effect on the enzyme activity. Regulatory S-glutathionylation of the α subunit was induced in rat myocardium in response to hypoxia and was associated with oxidative stress and ATP depletion. S-Glutathionylation was followed by suppression of the Na,K-ATPase activity. The rat α2 isoform was more sensitive to GSSG than the α1 isoform. Our findings imply that regulatory S-glutathionylation of the catalytic subunit plays a key role in the redox-induced regulation of Na,K-ATPase activity.

Influence of nitric oxide donors on the intrinsic fluorescence of Na+,K+-ATPase and effects on the membrane lipids

Effects of the nitric oxide donors S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) on Na+,K+-ATPase-rich membrane fragments purified from pig kidney outer medulla were studied using intrinsic fluorescence and ESR of spin-labeled membranes. These S-nitrosothiols differently affected the intrinsic fluorescence of Na+,K+-ATPase: GSNO induced a partial quenching, whereas SNAP produced no alteration. Quenching can be due to a direct modification of exposed tryptophan residues or to an indirect effect caused by reactions of nitrogen oxide reactive species with other residues or even with the membrane lipids. Pre-incubation of Na+,K+-ATPase with 0.4mM GSNO resulted in a modest inhibition of ATPase activity (about 24%) measured under optimal conditions. Stearic acid spin-labeled at the 14th carbon atom (14-SASL) was used to investigate membrane fluidity and the protein-lipid interface. SNAP slightly increased the mobility of bulk lipids from Na+,K+-ATPase-rich membranes, but did not change the fraction of bulk to protein-interacting lipids. Conversely, treatment with GSNO extinguished the ESR signals from 14-SASL, indicating generation of free radicals with high affinity for the lipid moiety. Our results demonstrated that membranes influence bioavailability of reactive nitrogen species and bias the activity of different S-nitrosothiols.

Structural similarities of Na,K-ATPase and SERCA, the Ca(2+)-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum

The crystal structure of SERCA1a (skeletal-muscle sarcoplasmic-reticulum/endoplasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase) has recently been determined at 2.6 A (note 1 A = 0.1 nm) resolution [Toyoshima, Nakasako, Nomura and Ogawa (2000) Nature (London) 405, 647-655]. Other P-type ATPases are thought to share key features of the ATP hydrolysis site and a central core of transmembrane helices. Outside of these most-conserved segments, structural similarities are less certain, and predicted transmembrane topology differs between subclasses. In the present review the homologous regions of several representative P-type ATPases are aligned with the SERCA sequence and mapped on to the SERCA structure for comparison. Homology between SERCA and the Na,K-ATPase is more extensive than with any other ATPase, even PMCA, the Ca(2+)-ATPase of plasma membrane. Structural features of the Na,K-ATPase are projected on to the Ca(2+)-ATPase crystal structure to assess the likelihood that they share the same fold. Homology extends through all ten transmembrane spans, and most insertions and deletions are predicted to be at the surface. The locations of specific residues are examined, such as proteolytic cleavage sites, intramolecular cross-linking sites, and the binding sites of certain other proteins. On the whole, the similarity supports a shared fold, with some particular exceptions.

Halenaquinol, a natural cardioactive pentacyclic hydroquinone, interacts with sulfhydryls on rat brain Na(+),K(+)-ATPase

Halenaquinol inhibited the partial reactions of ATP hydrolysis by rat brain cortex Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, such as [3H]ATP binding to the enzyme, Na(+)-dependent front-door phosphorylation from [gamma-(33)P]ATP, and also Na(+)- and K(+)-dependent E(1)<-->E(2) conformational transitions of the enzyme. Halenaquinol abolished the positive cooperativity between the Na(+)- and K(+)-binding sites on the enzyme. ATP and sulfhydryl-containing reagents (cysteine and dithiothreitol) protected the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase against inhibition. Halenaquinol can react with additional vital groups in the enzyme after blockage of certain sulfhydryl groups with 5,5'-dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid. Halenaquinol inhibited [3H]ouabain binding to Na(+),K(+)-ATPase under phosphorylating and non-phosphorylating conditions. Binding of fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate to Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and intensity of fluorescence of enzyme tryptophanyl residues were decreased by halenaquinol. We suggest that interaction of halenaquinol with the essential sulfhydryls in/or near the ATP-binding site of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase resulted in a change of protein conformation and subsequent alteration of overall and partial enzymatic reactions.

Expression of an active Na,K-ATPase with an alpha-subunit lacking all twenty-three native cysteine residues

We have constructed a mutant Na,K-ATPase alpha1-subunit with all native cysteine residues replaced. Using the baculovirus system, this cysteine-less alpha1-subunit and wild-type beta1-subunit were expressed in High Five cells. After 3 days of infection, cells were fractionated, and endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and plasma membranes were isolated. The molecular activity of the cysteine-less mutant in the plasma membranes was close to the wild-type protein (8223 min(-)(1) versus 6655 min(-)(1)). Cation and ATP activation of Na,K-ATPase activities revealed that replacing all 23 cysteines resulted in only a 50% reduction of K(m) for Na(+), a 2-fold increase in K(m) for K(+), and no changes in K(m) for ATP. The distribution of alpha-subunits among the membranes showed a high percentage of cysteine-less protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus compared with the wild-type protein. Furthermore, the cellular stability of the alphabeta assembly appeared reduced in the cysteine-less mutant. Cells harvested after more than 3 days of infection showed extensive degradation of the cysteine-less alpha-subunit, which is not observed with the wild-type enzyme. Thus the Na,K-ATPase contains no cysteine residues that are critical for function, but the folding and/or assembly pathway of this enzyme is affected by total cysteine substitution.