Ouabain potentiation of ca release from fragmented cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

An immunohistochemical study of the significance of a new 31.5-kD ouabain receptor protein isolated from cat cardiac muscle

A new 31.5-kD ouabain receptor protein (NORP), which is independent of Na(+)-K+ ATPase, was recently isolated selectively from transverse tubule membrane-junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (TTM-JSR) complexes of cat cardiac muscle. We investigated the role of this NORP in cardiac function with special reference to the positive inotropic effect (PIE) of ouabain, preparing and using a monoclonal antibody (MoAB, immunoglobulin) raised against the receptor protein. Electrically stimulated papillary muscles were immersed in a Tyrode solution containing the anti-NORP MoAB (40 microM), of which the binding potency was high enough for immunological use, for 60 min and then washed out. Thirty minutes after removal of the MoAB, both twitch and K-contracture were still inhibited, but both resting and action potentials and caffeine-induced contracture were unchanged, indicating that NORP plays a key role in excitation (E)-contraction (C) coupling. The intracellular localization of the protein was investigated by immunohistochemical electron microscopy, and the protein was shown to be located on the TTM, the location being probably its external surface and opposite to feet which occupy the TTM-JSR gap. These results indicate that E-C coupling of cardiac muscle cells is mediated through NORP and that ouabain-PIE occurs through the influence of ouabain on NORP in the E-C coupling process.

Ouabain potentiation of rapid cooling contracture of caffeinized cardiac muscles in calcium deprived medium

To obtain further evidence concerning the intracellular action of ouabain, we observed the effect of this compound on contractures evoked by rapid cooling in the presence of caffeine (rapid cooling caffeine contracture; RCCC), in cardiac muscles under conditions of a Ca deprived medium. The experiments were carried out at 20 degrees C using cat papillary muscles and frog ventricle strips, with the exception of cooling (2 degrees C). The muscles were first immersed in normal solution, electrically driven, then immersed in 1 mM EDTA solution for 6 min. The strips were then immersed for 10 min in a caffeine solution prepared by eluting a no-Ca solution containing 50 mM caffeine through Dowex A-1, Ca-chelating resin. Finally, the caffeine solution was exchanged with fresh caffeine solution of 2 degrees C to evoke to RCCC. Ouabain (1 X 10(-7)--1 X 10(-5) M) markedly potentiated RCCC. An ouabain-induced increase of RCCC did not appear in the resting strips unless the tissues were electrically stimulated. 3H-ouabain occupied a considerable cellular space (0.55) at the appearance of the ouabain potentiation of RCCC (14C-inulin space; 0.20). The appearance of the ouabain potentiation of RCCC was independent of changes in 22Na, Ca2+ and ATP contents in the strips. A possible mechanism of the potentiating effect of ouabain on contraction is discussed.