Molecular dissection of functional domains of the E1E2-ATPase using sodium and calcium pump chimeric molecules

Expression, regulation and function of Na,K-ATPase in the lens

Na,K-ATPase is responsible for maintaining the correct concentrations of sodium and potassium in lens cells. Na,K-ATPase activity is different in the two cell types that make up the lens, epithelial cells and fibers; specific activity in the epithelium is higher than in fibers. In some parts of the fiber mass Na,K-ATPase activity is barely detectable. There is a large body of evidence that suggests Na,K-ATPase-mediated ion transport by the epithelium contributes significantly to the regulation of ionic composition in the entire lens. In some species different Na,K-ATPase isoforms are present in epithelium and fibers but in general, fibers and epithelium express a similar amount of Na,K-ATPase protein. Turnover of Na,K-ATPase by protein synthesis may contribute to preservation of high Na,K-ATPase activity in the epithelium. In ageing lens fibers, oxidation, and glycation may decrease Na,K-ATPase activity. Na,K-ATPase activity in lens fibers and epithelium also may be subject to regulation as the result of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Moreover, activation of G protein-coupled receptors by agonists such as endothelin-1 elicits changes of Na,K-ATPase activity. The asymmetrical distribution of Na,K-ATPase activity in the epithelium and fibers may contribute to ionic currents that flow in and around the lens. Studies on human cataract and experimental cataract in animals reveal changes of Na,K-ATPase activity but no clear pattern is evident. However, there is a convincing link between abnormal elevation of lens sodium and the opacification of the lens cortex that occurs in age-related human cataract.

Asymmetrical targeting of type II Na-P(i) cotransporters in renal and intestinal epithelial cell lines

Targeting of newly synthesized transporters to either the apical or basolateral domains of polarized cells is crucial for the function of epithelia, such as in the renal proximal tubule or in the small intestine. Recently, different sodium-phosphate cotransporters have been identified. Type II cotransporters can be subdivided into two groups: type IIa and type IIb. Type IIa is predominantly expressed in renal proximal tubules, whereas type IIb is located on the intestinal and lung epithelia. To gain some insights into the polarized targeting of the type II cotransporters, we have transiently expressed type IIa and type IIb cotransporters in several epithelial cell lines: two lines derived from renal proximal cells (opossum kidney and LLC-PK(1)), one from renal distal cells (Madin-Darby canine kidney), and one from colonic epithelium (CaCo-2). We studied the expression of the transporters fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein. Our data indicate that the polarized targeting is dependent on molecular determinants most probably located at the COOH terminus of the cotransporters as well as on the cellular context.

Nitric oxide inhibits Na+ absorption across cultured alveolar type II monolayers

We examined the mechanisms by which nitric oxide (.NO) decreased vectorial Na+ transport across confluent monolayers of rat alveolar type II (ATII) cells grown on permeable supports. Amiloride (10 microM) applied to the apical side of monolayers inhibited approximately 90% of the equivalent (Ieq) and the short-circuit (Isc) current, with an half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.85 microM, indicating that Na+ entry into ATII cells occurred through amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. .NO generated by spermine NONOate and papa NONOate added to both sides of the monolayers decreased Ieq and increased transepithelial resistance in a concentration-dependent fashion (IC50 = 0.4 microM .NO). These changes were prevented or reversed by addition of oxyhemoglobin (50 microM). Incubation of ATII monolayers with 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (400 microM) had no effect on transepithelial Na+ transport. When the basolateral membranes of ATII cells were permeabilized with amphotericin B (10 microM) in the presence of a mucosal-to-serosal Na+ gradient (145:25 mM), .NO (generated by 100 microM papa NONOate) inhibited approximately 60% of the amiloride-sensitive Isc. In addition, after permeabilization of the apical membranes, .NO inhibited the Isc [a measure of Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity] by approximately 60%. We concluded that .NO at noncytotoxic concentrations decreased Na+ absorption across cultured ATII monolayers by inhibiting both the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase through guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-independent mechanisms.

Insect Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (sodium/potassium pump) is a P-type ion-motive ATPase found in the plasma membranes of animal cels. In vertebrates, the functions of this enzyme in nerves, heart and kidney are well characterized and characteristics a defined by different isoforms. In contrast, despite different tissue distributions, insects possess a single isoform of the alpha-subunit. A comparison of insect and vertebrate Na(+)/K(+)-ATPases reveals that although the mode of action and structure are very highly conserved, the specific roles of the enzyme in most tissues varies. However, the enzyme is essential for the function of nerve cells, and in this respect Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase appears to be fundamental in metazoan evolution.

Energy transduction and kinetic regulation by the peptide segment connecting phosphorylation and cation binding domains in transport ATPases

The sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase segment (Thr316-Leu356) connecting the extramembranous phosphorylation domain to the preceding transmembrane helix M4 (which is an integral component of the Ca2+ binding domain) retains a high degree of sequence homology with other cation transport ATPases. Single, non conservative mutations of homologous residues in this segment produces enzyme inhibition (Zhang et al., 1995). We have now produced single and multiple mutations of non-homologous residues in this segment of the Ca2+ ATPase to match the corresponding residues of the Na+, K+ ATPase. We find that the main characteristics of the ATPase mechanism (i.e., Ca2+ dependent phosphoenzyme formation and thapsigargin sensitivity) are retained even when the entire 41-amino acid (Thr316-Leu356) segment of the Ca2+ ATPase is rendered identical to the corresponding segment of the Na+, K+ ATPase by sequential mutations of the 14 non-homologous amino acids. However, the phosphoenzyme turnover (likely rate limited by the "Ca2.E1-P-->Ca.E2-P transition") is progressively reduced if four or more Ca2+ ATPase residues are mutated to the corresponding residues of the Na+, K+ ATPase. The time course of enzyme inactivation by EGTA (likely rate limited by the "E1 to E2 transition") is also prolonged. Our findings suggest that an analogous peptide segment provides a functional linkage for energy transduction between phosphorylation and cation binding domains in various cation transport ATPase. However, its kinetic influence on rate-limiting conformational transitions is dependent on matching specific structures in each ATPase.

Autocrine inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase by nitric oxide in mouse proximal tubule epithelial cells

An inducible nitric oxide synthase has recently been described in proximal tubule epithelium. To investigate the effects of proximal tubule NO on Na+/K(+)-ATPase, we induced NO production in mouse proximal tubule epithelial cells by treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) followed by determinations of ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity. Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity decreased after 4 h of LPS/IFN gamma treatment, reaching maximal inhibition after 24 h (34% reduction in activity). The inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity by LPS/IFN gamma was prevented by simultaneous incubation with N omega-nitro L-arginine and markedly blunted by removal of L-arginine from the medium. The NO donors sodium nitroprusside and SIN-1 also inhibited Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity to a similar extent than LPS/IFN gamma. However, treatment with 8-pCPT-cGMP only modestly reduced Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. Interestingly, superoxide dismutase prevented the inhibitory effects of NO on Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, suggesting a role for peroxynitrite in this inhibition. We conclude that NO generated by mouse proximal tubule epithelial cell iNOS inhibits Na/K ATPase activity in an autocrine fashion and that this inhibition is accompanied by a reduction in Na-dependent solute transport.

Na(+)-, ouabain-, Ca(2+)-, and thapsigargin-sensitive ATPase activity expressed in chimeras between the calcium and the sodium pump alpha subunits

Using the chicken sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ (SERCA)-ATPase as a parental molecule and replacing various portions with the corresponding portions of the chicken Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit, Ca2+/thapsigargin- and Na+/ouabain-sensitive domains critical for these P-type ATPase activities were identified. In the chimera, [n/c]CC, the amino-terminal amino acids Met-1 to Asp-162 of the SERCA (isoform 1) (SERCA1) ATPase were replaced with the corresponding portion (Met-1-Asp-200) of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit. In the chimera CC[c/n], the carboxyl-terminal amino acids (Ser-830 to COOH) of the SERCA1 ATPase were replaced with the corresponding segment (Leu-861 to COOH) of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit, and in the chimera CNC, the middle part (Gly-354-Lys-712) of the SERCA1 ATPase was exchanged with the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit (Gly-378-Lys-724). None of the chimeric molecules exhibited any detectable ouabain-sensitive Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity, but they did exhibit thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Therefore, the segments Ile-163-Gly-354 and Lys-712-Ser-830 of the SERCA1 ATPase are sufficient for Ca2+ and thapsigargin sensitivity. The SERCA1-ATPase activity of [n/c]CC, but not of CCC, CNC, or CC[c/n], was further stimulated by addition of Na+ in the assay medium containing Ca2+. This additional stimulation of SERCA1-ATPase activity by Na+ was abolished when the amino-terminal region (Met-1-Leu-69) of [n/c]CC was deleted ([delta n/c]CC). In the absence of Na+, the SERCA1-ATPase activity of [n/c]CC was inhibited by ouabain, and, in the presence of Na+, its activity was stimulated by this drug. On the other hand, the ATPase activity of [delta n/c]CC was not affected by ouabain, although [delta n/c]CC can still bind [3H]ouabain. These results suggest that a distinct Na(+)-sensitive domain (Na+ sensor) located within the restricted amino-terminal region (Met-1-Leu-69) of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit regulates ATPase activity. The Na+ sensor also controls ouabain action in concert with the major ouabain-binding region between Ala-70 and Asp-200 of alpha 1 subunit.

The amino-terminal 200 amino acids of the plasma membrane Na+,K+-ATPase alpha subunit confer ouabain sensitivity on the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

Cardiac glycosides such as G-strophanthin (ouabain) bind to and inhibit the plasma membrane Na+,K(+)-ATPase but not the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-ATPase, whereas thapsigargin specifically blocks the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase. The chimera [n/c]CC, in which the amino-terminal amino acids Met1 to Asp162 of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1) were replaced with the corresponding portion of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit (Met1 to Asp200), retained thapsigargin- and Ca(2+)-sensitive ATPase activity, although the activity was lower than that of the wild-type SR Ca(2+)-ATPase. Moreover, this Ca(2+)-sensitive ATPase activity was inhibited by ouabain. The chimera NCC, in which Met1-Gly354 of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase were replaced with the corresponding portion of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase, lost the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca(2+)-ATPase activity seen in CCC and [n/c]CC. [3H]Ouabain binding to [n/c]CC and NCC demonstrated that the affinity for this inhibitor seen in the wild-type chicken Na+,K(+)-ATPase was restored in these chimeric molecules. Thus, the ouabain-binding domains are distinct from the thapsigargin sites; ouabain binds to the amino-terminal portion (Met1 to Asp200) of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit, whereas thapsigargin interacts with the regions after Asp162 of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Moreover, the amino-terminal 200 amino acids of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 1 subunit are sufficient to exert ouabain-dependent inhibition even after incorporation into the corresponding portion of the Ca(2+)-ATPase, and the segment Ile163 to Gly354 of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is critical for thapsigargin- and Ca(2+)-sensitive ATPase activity.