Two Ca2+-dependent ATPases in rat liver plasma membrane. The previously purified (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase is not a Ca2+-pump but an ecto-ATPase

Inhibition of ecto-ATPase activity by curcumin in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells

Effects of curcumin, a major constituent of turmeric, on ecto-nucleotidases have not been clarified. Here, we investigated whether curcumin affects ecto-nucleotidase activities in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. In the cells, high levels of Mg(2+)-dependent activity of ecto-nucleotidases were observed in the presence of 1 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The activity was inhibited by ecto-ATPase inhibitors such as suramin, ZnCl(2) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. On the other hand, the activity was significantly decreased at alkaline pH (pH 9) and was not inhibited by levamisole, an inhibitor of alkaline phosphatase. In the presence of ATP, curcumin inhibited the activity in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) = 6.2 μM). In contrast, curcumin had no effects on ecto-nucleotidase activity in the presence of ADP (1 mM) or AMP (1 mM). The K (m) value for ATP hydrolysis of curcumin-sensitive ecto-ATPase was similar to the value of NTPDase2, an isoform of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase. These results suggest that curcumin is a potent inhibitor of ecto-ATPase and may affect extracellular ATP-dependent responses.

Blood-brain barrier Ca2+-ATPase cytochemistry: incubation media and fixation methods for differentiating Ca2+-specific ATPase from ecto-ATPase

Ca2+-ATPase cytochemistry frequently uses the incubation medium of Ando et al. that was introduced in 1981. Some studies, however, have suggested that this medium localizes ecto-ATPase in addition to Ca2+-ATPase and that Ca2+-ATPase is sensitive to fixation. Strong activity of the enzyme on the luminal surface of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) also is considered indicative of immature or pathological microvessels. We address here five questions. 1) Is the incubation medium of Ando et al. specific for BBB Ca2+-ATPase or does it also localize ecto-ATPase? 2) How are the two enzymes distributed in the BBB? 3) How would data interpretation be prone to error if the cytochemical study does not use controls identifying ecto-ATPase? 4) Does the amount of reaction product of both enzymes vary significantly when the cortical tissue is exposed to different fixatives? 5) Does the presence of Ca2+-ATPase on the luminal membrane of the BBB necessarily indicate immature or abnormal brain endothelial cells? Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with one of two different fixatives and vibratome slices of the brain cortex were incubated in the medium of Ando et al. The controls used were those demonstrating the ecto-ATPase and those that do not. The results indicate that the incubation medium is not specific for Ca2+-ATPase, because it also localizes the ecto-ATPase. Ca2+-ATPase appears to be localized primarily on the luminal surface of the BBB, while ecto-ATPase is localized on both the luminal and abluminal surfaces. The portion of the reaction product contributed by Ca2+-ATPase would not have been identified if the controls uniquely identifying the ecto-ATPase had not been used. The amount of reaction product formed by Ca2+-ATPase is strongly dependent on the type of fixative used. The strong localization of Ca2+-ATPase on the luminal surface of the BBB is not only normal, but also better accounts for the physiological homeostasis of Ca2+ across the blood-brain interface and should not be interpreted as indicative of immature or pathological microvessels.

Is there a specific role for the plasma membrane Ca2+ -ATPase in the hepatocyte?

The plasma membrane Ca2+ -ATPase (PMCA) is responsible for the fine, long-term regulation of the cytoplasmic calcium concentration by extrusion of this cation from the cell. Although the general kinetic mechanisms for the action of both, well coordinated hydrolytic activity and calcium transport are reasonably understood in the majority of cell types, due to the complex physiologic and biochemical characteristics shown by the hepatocyte, the study of this enzyme in this cell type has become a real challenge. Here, we review the various molecular aspects known to date to be associated with liver PMCA activity, and outline the strategies to follow for establishing the role of this enzyme in the overall physiology of the hepatocyte. In this way, we first concentrate on the basic biochemical aspects of liver cell PMCA, and place an important emphasis on expression of its molecular forms to finally focus on the critical hormonal regulation of the enzyme. Although these complex aspects have been studied mainly under normal conditions, the significance of PMCA in the calcium homeostasis of an abnormal liver cell is also reviewed.

Prevention by dietary (n-6) polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by cyclosporine A in animals

Previous findings showed that dietary (n-6) polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines (vegetable lecithin) could efficiently prevent intrahepatic cholestasis induced by cyclosporine A in rats. Mechanistic studies showed that expressions in rat liver of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+), Mg(2+)-ATPase and F-actin were both decreased by drug administration and both enhanced by (n-6) lecithin enriched diet. There is a possible direct effect of phosphatidylcholines, vectors of polyunsaturated fatty acids provided by the metabolism of the dietary lecithin, on the aforesaid hepatic parameters. Such modulations by drug and diet result in reversed modifications of membrane composition and fluidity. Final outcome is decreased and enhanced bile lipid secretion by cyclosporine and vegetable lecithin enriched diet respectively. Moreover, we advance the hypothesis of a bypass process including a separate and functional actin-independent way for the non micellar and phospholipid-dependent secretion of bile lipids. The relationships between the ATPases, the microfilament components such as F-actin and the different transporters still remain to be clarified. Furthermore, one can speculate on beneficial effects in humans of diets enriched in vegetable lecithins that might prevent cholestasis induced by cyclosporine A.

Purification, characterization, cloning, and expression of the chicken liver ecto-ATP-diphosphohydrolase

We previously demonstrated that the major ecto-nucleoside triphosphate phosphohydrolase in the chicken liver membranes is an ecto-ATP-diphosphohydrolase (ecto- ATPDase) [Caldwell, C., Davis, M.D. & Knowles, A.F. (1999) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 362, 46-58]. Enzymatic properties of the liver membrane ecto-ATPDase are similar to those of the chicken oviduct ecto-ATPDase that we have previously purified and cloned. Using antibody developed against the latter, we have purified the chicken liver ecto-ATPDase to homogeneity. The purified enzyme is a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 85 kDa and a specific activity of approximately 1000 U.mg protein-1. Although slightly larger than the 80-kDa oviduct enzyme, the two ecto-ATPDases are nearly identical with respect to their enzymatic properties and mass of the deglycosylated proteins. The primary sequence of the liver ecto-ATPDase deduced from its cDNA obtained by RT-PCR cloning also shows only minor differences from that of the oviduct ecto-ATPDase. Immunochemical staining demonstrates the distribution of the ecto-ATPDase in the bile canaliculi of the chicken liver. HeLa cells transfected with the chicken liver ecto-ATPDase cDNA express an ecto-nucleotidase activity with characteristics similar to the enzyme in its native membranes, most significant of these is stimulation of the ATPDase activity by detergents, which inhibits other members of the ecto- nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E-NTPDase) family. The stimulation of the expressed liver ecto-ATPDase by detergents indicates that this property is intrinsic to the enzyme protein, and cannot be attributed to the lipid environment of the native membranes. The molecular identification and expression of a liver ecto-ATPDase, reported here for the first time, will facilitate future investigations into the differences between structure and function of the different E-NTPDases, existence of liver ecto-ATPDase isoforms in different species, its alteration in pathogenic conditions, and its physiological function.

ATPase and Adpase activities in synovial membrane of equine metacarpophalangeal joint

ATPase and ADPase activities capable of hydrolyzing nucleoside di- and triphosphates in the presence of Ca2+ are present in synovial membrane of metacarpophalangeal joint mainly associated to membrane fractions. These hydrolytic activities have been considered involved in the inflammatory process where ATP and ADP are inflammatory mediators while adenosine counteracts this effect. Both, subcellular localization and kinetic properties of these nucleotidase activities, suggest that could correspond to single enzyme called ATP-diphosphohydrolase or apyrase. The comparison of the activity on ATP-Ca and ADP-Ca from normal and pathological equine synovial membrane did not show significant differences either in the subcellular fraction distribution or in the enrichment of each subcellular fraction. Neither differences on 5'-nucleotidase activity present in the microsomal fraction were observed.

An electron microscopic-cytochemical localization of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in poplar apical bud cells during the induction of dormancy by short-day photoperiods

Plasma membrane (PM) Ca2+-ATPase activity in poplar apical bud meristematic cells during short-day (SD)-induced dormancy development was examined by a cerium precipitation EM-cytochemical method. Ca2+-ATPase activity, indicated by the status of cerium phosphate precipitated grains, was localized mainly on the interior face (cytoplasmic side) of the PM when plants were grown under long days and reached a deep dormancy. A few reaction products were also observed on the nuclear envelope. When plant buds were developing dormancy after 28 to 42 d of SD exposure, almost no reaction products were present on the interior face of the PM. In contrast, a large number of cerium phosphate precipitated grains were distributed on the exterior face of the PM. After 70 d of SD exposure, when buds had developed a deep dormancy, the reaction products of Ca2+-ATPase activity again appeared on the interior face of the PM. The results seemed suggesting that two kinds of Ca2+-ATPases may be present on the PM during the SD-induced dormancy in poplar. One is the Ca2+-pumping ATPase, which is located on the interior face of the PM, for maintaining and restoring the Ca2+ homeostasis. The other might be an ecto-Ca2+-ATPase, which is located on the exterior face of the PM, for the exocytosis of cell wall materials as suggested by the fact of the cell wall thickening during the dormancy development in poplar.

Inhibition of rat parotid ecto-ATPase activity

The inhibitory profile of several known and suspected ecto-ATPase inhibitors was compared on ecto-ATPase activity in rat parotid plasma membranes. Those chemicals with high IC50 (above 130 microM) were the nucleotides alpha,beta-methylene ATP, beta,gamma-methylene ATP, 2-methylthio ATP, inosine triphosphate, 5'-p-fluorosulphonylbenzoyladenosine, the sulphonates, 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulphonic acid, Coomassie brilliant blue G, and the stilbene disulphonates, DIDS and SITS. Those agents with low IC50 were: Coomassie brilliant blue R (114 microM), ATPgammaS (49 microM), suramin (72 microM) and Reactive blue 2 (28 microM). The last three inhibitors have similar potencies as inhibitors of ATP hydrolysis by whole parotid acinar cells. ARL67156, a selective inhibitor of ecto-ATPase, had an IC50 of approx. 120 microM. Suramin displayed non-competitive inhibition of ecto-ATPase whereas the inhibitory effects of ATPgammaS and Reactive blue 2 were curvilinear on Dixon plots. These results define the effects of various agents on ecto-ATPase in an exocrine tissue that has been shown to respond to extracellular ATP.

Ecto-ATPase activity of alpha-sarcoglycan (adhalin)

alpha-Sarcoglycan is a component of the sarcoglycan complex of dystrophin-associated proteins. Mutations of any of the sarcoglycan genes cause specific forms of muscular dystrophies, collectively termed sarcoglycanopathies. Importantly, a deficiency of any specific sarcoglycan affects the expression of the others. Thus, it appears that the lack of sarcoglycans deprives the muscle cell of an essential, yet unknown function. In the present study, we provide evidence for an ecto-ATPase activity of alpha-sarcoglycan. alpha-Sarcoglycan binds ATP in a Mg2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent manner. The binding is inhibited by 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl ATP and ADP. Sequence analysis reveals the existence of a consensus site for nucleotide binding in the extracellular domain of the protein. An antibody against this sequence inhibits the binding of ATP. A dystrophin.dystrophin-associated protein preparation demonstrates a Mg-ATPase activity that is inhibited by the antibody but not by inhibitors of endo-ATPases. In addition, we demonstrate the presence in the sarcolemmal membrane of a P2X-type purinergic receptor. These data suggest that alpha-sarcoglycan may modulate the activity of P2X receptors by buffering the extracellular ATP concentration. The absence of alpha-sarcoglycan in sarcoglycanopathies leaves elevated the concentration of extracellular ATP and the persistent activation of P2X receptors, leading to intracellular Ca2+ overload and muscle fiber death.

Functional role of ecto-ATPase activity in goldfish hepatocytes

Extracellular [gamma-32P]ATP added to a suspension of goldfish hepatocytes can be hydrolyzed to ADP plus gamma-32Pi due to the presence of an ecto-ATPase located in the plasma membrane. Ecto-ATPase activity was a hyperbolic function of ATP concentration ([ATP]), with apparent maximal activity of 8.3 +/- 0.4 nmol P(i).(10(6) cells)-1.min-1 and substrate concentration at which a half-maximal hydrolysis rate is obtained of 667 +/- 123 microM. Ecto-ATPase activity was inhibited 70% by suramin but was insensitive to inhibitors of transport ATPases. Addition of 5 microM [alpha-32P]ATP to the hepatocyte suspension induced the extracellular release of alpha-32P(i) [8.2 pmol.(10(6) cells)-1.min-1] and adenosine, suggesting the presence of other ectonucleotidase(s). Exposure of cell suspensions to 5 microM [2,8-3H]ATP resulted in uptake of [2,8-3H]adenosine at 7.9 pmol.(10(6) cells)-1.min-1. Addition of low micromolar [ATP] strongly increased cytosolic free Ca2+ (Ca2+i). This effect could be partially mimicked by adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), a nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP. The blockage of both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation led to a sixfold increase of Ca2+i and an 80% decrease of intracellular ATP, but ecto-ATPase activity was insensitive to these metabolic changes. Ecto-ATPase activity represents the first step leading to the complete hydrolysis of extracellular ATP, which allows 1) termination of the action of ATP on specific purinoceptors and 2) the resulting adenosine to be taken up by the cells.

Potential signalling roles for UTP and UDP: sources, regulation and release of uracil nucleotides

Increasing evidence for receptors for uracil nucleotides has focused interest on specific signalling mechanisms involving UTP and UDP. At least three metabotropic P2 receptors are stimulated by uracil nucleotides with equal or greater potency than by adenine nucleotides, and there might be ionotropic receptors as well. Regulation of uridine and uracil nucleotide levels is important when considering the receptor-mediated effects of these compounds. Cells can synthesize uracil nucleotides de novo or by salvage of uridine. UTP made from salvage might be preferentially used for RNA synthesis in the nucleus, while UTP synthesized de novo seems to be used for UDP-sugar and CDP-phospholipid production. UTP from both pathways can enter a free UTP pool, from which UTP can be released from cells. UTP and UDP can stimulate pyrimidinoceptors, but metabolism by ecto-nucleotidases limits their effects. Alternatively, UTP might be a substrate for ecto-protein kinases, and this could contribute to its extracellular regulation. Cells can reclaim uridine, using nucleoside transport processes, following dephosphorylation of UTP, UDP and UMP. In this article Christopher Anderson and Fiona Parkinson discuss how understanding the processes that regulate uridine and uracil nucleotide concentrations will enhance our ability to manipulate UTP/UDP signalling pathways for pharmacological effect.

Mg-dependent ecto-ATPase activity in Leishmania tropica

ATPase activity has been located on the external surface of Leishmania tropica. Since Leishmania is known to have an ecto-acid phosphatase, in order to discard the possibility that the ATP hydrolysis observed was due to the acid phosphatase activity, the effect of pH in both activities was examined. In the pH range from 6.8 to 8.4, in which the cells were viable, the phosphatase activity decreased, while the ecto-ATPase activity increased. To confirm that the observed ATP hydrolysis was promoted by neither phosphatase nor 5'-nucleotidase activities, a few inhibitors for these enzymes were tested. Vanadate and NaF strongly inhibited the phosphatase activity; however, no effect was observed on ATPase activity. Neither levamizole nor tetramizole, two specific inhibitors of alkaline phosphatases, inhibited this activity. The lack of response to ammonium molybdate indicated that 5'-nucleotidase did not contribute to the ATP hydrolysis. Also, the lack of inhibition of the ATP hydrolysis by high concentrations of ADP at nonsaturating concentrations of ATP discarded the possibility of any ATP diphosphohydrolase activity. The ATPase here described was stimulated by MgCl2 but not by CaCl2. In the absence of divalent metal, a low level of ATP hydrolysis was observed, and CaCl2 varying from 0.1 to 10 mM did not increase the ATPase activity. At 5 mM ATP, half-maximal stimulation of ATP hydrolysis was obtained with 0.29 +/- 0.02 mM MgCl2. The apparent K(m) for Mg-ATP2- was 0.13 +/- 0.01 mM and free Mg2+ did not increase the ATPase activity. ATP was the best substrate for this enzyme. Other nucleotides such as ITP, CTP, GTP, UTP, and ADP produced lower reaction rates. To confirm that this Mg-dependent ATPase was an ecto-ATPase, an impermeant inhibitor, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostylbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid was used. This amino/sulfhydryl-reactive reagent did inhibit the Mg-ecto-ATPase activity in a dose-dependent manner (I0.5 = 27.5 +/- 1.8 microM).

Metabolism of extracellular ATP by rat parotid cells

ATP hydrolysis and the products of ATP metabolism were measured in intact rat parotid acini. The purpose was to determine the contribution of extracellular enzymes in metabolizing ATP and its metabolites. The total enzyme activity accounting for extracellular ATP breakdown was at least 75% dependent on added divalent cations, consistent with the presence of ectoATPase. Approximately 50% of the added ATP was hydrolysed in 1 h by the cells and this percentage was independent of cell protein concentration from 80 to 296 micrograms/ml and independent of ATP concentration from 4 to 80 microM. ADP. AMP and adenosine were identified as metabolites. Cell adenosine uptake was not a factor in controlling the levels of extracellular adenosine. Generation of adenosine was limited under conditions of higher rates of ATP hydrolysis. Studies in parotid cell membranes showed that very little feedback inhibition of ectoATPase was observed. 5' Nucleotidase was present at levels of activity of 0.06-0.19 mumol/mg protein/h in intact acini. The results confirm the presence of ectonucleotidases which can generate ADP, AMP and adenosine. Ectonucleotidase could contribute to reducing the effect of extracellular ATP on the parotid cell.

Differential degradation of extracellular adenine nucleotides by folliculated oocytes of Xenopus laevis

The degradation of extracellular ATP and ADP by Xenopus oocytes was studied to investigate whether one or two ecto-enzymes are responsible for breakdown of both nucleotides. At a concentration of 100 microM, the half-life of ATP and ADP was 33 and 40 min, respectively. Degradation of ATP caused an initial fast and then a sustained accumulation of ADP in the buffer, while the concentration of AMP in the buffer increased slowly, but progressively, in a relatively linear manner. The rates of degradation of ATP and ADP were similar at pH levels between 7 and 10, but the velocity of breakdown of ATP was significantly higher than that of ADP at pH of 5-6. In divalent cation-free buffer, the addition of 0.1 mM of Ca2+, but not equimolar Mg2+, significantly potentiated the degradation of ATP by oocytes while, in the case of ADP, each of these divalent cations were able to potentiate its degradation. The rate of hydrolysis of ATP and its kinetic constants were not significantly different in the presence or absence of ADP (50 microM). In conclusion, differences in pH- and cation-dependency, and absence of inhibitory effect of ADP on degradation of ATP suggest that degradation of ATP and ADP by oocytes is provided by separate enzymes, namely Ca2+/Mg(2+)-dependent ecto-ATPase and ecto-ADPase, rather than by one ecto-enzyme.

Purinergic agonist and G protein stimulation of phospholipase D in rat liver plasma membranes. Independence from phospholipase C activation

Hormonal regulation of phospholipase D (PLD) was studied in isolated rat liver plasma membranes. Purinergic agents and a submaximal concentration of guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S), a non-hydrolyzable analog of GTP, synergistically stimulate phosphatidylethanol formation, a measure of PLD activity. The rank order of efficacy for stimulation of PLD activity in the presence of 0.2 microM GTP gamma S was beta, gamma-methylene-ATP > adenosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) = ATP = ADP = 2-methylthio-ATP > alpha, beta-methylene-ATP = UTP. This pattern of activation does not conform to the series at known P2 receptors. GTP gamma S stimulated PLD activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the GTP gamma S dose-response curve for phosphatidylethanol formation was shifted to the left by an analog of ATP. Activation of PLD by purinergic agents in the presence of GTP gamma S supports the involvement of a purinergic receptor of the P2 class and a GTP-binding protein. Purinergic agents competitively inhibited [35S]adenosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) binding to plasma membranes in the rank order adenosine 5'-0'(3-thiotriphosphate) > ATP > alpha,beta-methylene-ATP = UTP >> beta, gamma-methylene-ATP = ADP. Stimulation of phosphoinositide phospholipase C (PI-PLC) by purinergic agents, as measured by release of radioactivity from endogenously myo[3H]inositol-labeled plasma membranes, occurred in the order alpha, beta-methylene-ATP >> 2-methylthio-ATP. Beta, gamma-methylene-ATP had little effect on PI-PLC activity. Different dose-response relationships for agonist-stimulation of PI-PLC and PLD indicate that activation of PI-PLC is not involved in stimulation of PLD in rat liver plasma membranes, and suggest that purinergic activation of PLD occurs via a pathway involving a G protein and a heretofore uncharacterized P2 receptor.

Inhibition of extracellular ATP degradation in endothelial cells

The plasma membrane ATPase on the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304) was demonstrated to be an ecto-enzyme. Hydrolysis of ATP was measured by monitoring the appearance of inorganic phosphorus. Hydrolysis of extracellular ATP was insensitive to oligomycin, vanadate, ouabain and N-ethylmaleimide, compounds that inhibit the intracellular ion pumping ATPases. Beta-Glycerophosphate (1-10 mM) or p-nitrophenyl phosphate (1-10 mM) did not inhibit hydrolysis of ATP, ruling out the involvement of non-specific phosphatases. Enzyme activity in buffer that had previously been incubated with cells was < 7%, showing that the enzyme activity measured did not result from release of intracellular enzymes. Consistent with this, the cell preparations used were estimated to be > 95% intact as judged by release of cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase. The enzyme activity was Ca2-/Mg2- dependent. Gramicidin S (20 microM), suramin (100-300 microM), chlorpromazine (250 microM), trifluoperazine (50-250 microM), and thioridazine (100 microM) inhibited the hydrolysis of ATP (3 mM) by 45-80%. The percentage inhibition produced by these substances was not altered in the presence of a concentration of alpha, beta-methylene ADP (10 microM) which inhibited hydrolysis of AMP (3 mM) by 90%, suggesting that these compounds inhibit ecto-ATPase and/or ecto-ADPase. Measurements of absolute amounts of ATP released from various tissues, including the heart, have been hindered because ATP is rapidly and sequentially hydrolysed to adenosine. Identification of compounds that inhibit ATP degradation would prove to be useful to overcome this problem and would lead to the development of invaluable pharmacological tools in many other aspects of purine research.

ATP acts as fast neurotransmitter in rat habenula: neurochemical and enzymecytochemical evidence

The release of ATP and ADP, the putative central neurotransmitters, from the isolated habenula preparation was investigated in the rat, at rest and during electrical stimulation, using the luciferin-luciferase assay and the creatine phosphokinase assay. Electrical field stimulation (2 Hz, 360 pulses) released a considerable amount of ATP (2450 +/- 280 pmol/g wet tissue) from the tissue; inhibition of the voltage Na+ entry by tetrodotoxin (1 microM) reduced significantly the evoked release (by 66.25 +/- 6.65%), but not the resting release of ATP. Endogenous ADP also appeared in the effluent, but its amount differed during resting condition and after stimulation from that of ATP, suggesting that the majority of the released compound is ATP in response to stimulation. When ATP was added to the tissue, it readily decomposed to ADP and AMP (Km = 811.6 +/- 68.88 microM, vmax = 23.1 +/- 2.75 nmol/min per prep., measured by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with ultraviolet detection), indicating that the habenula contains ectoATPases. In addition, the inactivation of extracellular ATP by the ectoATPase enzyme was also visualized by electron microscopic enzyme cytochemistry. The ectoATPase enzyme was present on the membranes of the dendrites and nerve terminals and in the synapses of the habenula. Taking into account the fact that ATP is ubiquitous in excitable cells (storage) and the findings published by Edwards et al. in 1992 ("ATP receptor-mediated synaptic currents in the central nervous system", Nature, Vol. 359, pp. 144-147), our data provides evidence for the release by axonal stimulation and extracellular decomposition of ATP, all needed for an endogenous substance qualified as a transmitter.

Characteristics of ecto-ATPase of Xenopus oocytes and the inhibitory actions of suramin on ATP breakdown

Ecto-ATPase activity of Xenopus oocytes was studied by measuring the production of inorganic phosphate (Pi) from the breakdown of extracellular ATP. Enzyme activity involved Ca2+/Mg(2+)-dependent and Ca2+/Mg(2+)-independent dephosphorylation of ATP. Ca2+/Mg(2+)-dependent ecto-ATPase was active over a limited range of 0.01-1.0 mM ATP, while Ca2+/Mg(2+)-independent ATPase activity was active over a range of 0.1-30 mM ATP. Total enzyme activity was insensitive to changes in buffer pH (pH 7.0-9.0), but increased in a relatively linear manner with: (1) time of reaction (0-90 min), (2) number of cells (1-20 oocytes), and (3) temperature (10-37 degrees C). Ecto-ATPase activity was unaffected by ouabain (100 microM), sodium azide (100 microM), and oligomycin (5 micrograms/ml) (as inhibitors of endo-ATPases) and beta-glycerophosphate (10 mM) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (10 mM) (as inhibitors of non-specific alkaline phosphatase). Total ecto-ATPase activity was reduced significantly in defolliculated oocytes, suggesting that the enzyme was located mainly on the enveloping follicle cell layer. The range order of preferential substrates was: ATP>GTP, ITP, UTP, CTP, TTP, 2-methylthioATP>ADP, 2-methylthioADP, AMP>>alpha, beta-methylene ATP, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, in the presence of divalent ions (where G is guanosine, I is inosine, U is uridine, C is cytidine and T is ribosylthymine). The P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin [8-(3-benzamido-4-methylbenzamido)napthalene-1,3,5-trisul phonic acid), 100 microM] significantly inhibited total ecto-ATPase activity; this inhibition was competitive for the Ca2+/Mg(2+)-dependent enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ecto-ATPases: identities and functions

Ecto-ATPases are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells. They hydrolyze extracellular nucleoside tri- and/or diphosphates, and, when isolated, they exhibit E-type ATPase activity, (that is, the activity is dependent on Ca2+ or Mg2+, and it is insensitive to specific inhibitors of P-type, F-type, and V-type ATPases; in addition, several nucleotide tri- and/or diphosphates are hydrolysed, but nucleoside monophosphates and nonnucleoside phosphates are not substrates). Ecto-ATPases are glycoproteins; they do not form a phosphorylated intermediate during the catalytic cycle; they seem to have an extremely high turnover number; and they present specific experimental problems during solubilization and purification. The T-tubule Mg2+-ATPase belongs to this group of enzymes, which may serve at least two major roles: they terminate ATP/ADP-induced signal transduction and participate in adenosine recycling. Several other functions have been discussed and identity to certain cell adhesion molecules and the bile acid transport protein was suggested on the basis of cDNA clone isolation and immunological work.

The possibility that Ca(2+)-ATPase from the plasma membrane-rich fraction of bovine parotid gland is ecto-Ca(2+)-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase

1. Parotid plasma membrane nonpump low-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase, which possesses high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity, was characterized. 2. Purified Ca(2+)-ATPase hydrolyzed the nucleoside triphosphates, GTP, ITP, CTP, UTP, TTP (67-93% of ATP) and nucleoside diphosphates, ADP, GDP, IDP, CDP, TDP (12-40% of ATP) but not AMP and p-NPP. 3. The maximum activities of Ca(2+)- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPases were obtained in the presence of 1 mM and 0.13 microM Ca2+, respectively. 4. The Km values for Ca2+ in Ca(2+)- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPases were 0.2 mM and 22 nM, respectively. 5. The activities of both Ca(2+)- and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPases were found in the right-side-out-vesicles obtained from the plasma membrane-rich fraction. 6. These features suggest that Ca(2+)-ATPase is an ecto-Ca(2+)-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase.

Presynaptic ecto- and postsynaptic endo-calcium-adenosine-triphosphatases in synaptosomes: doubts about biochemical interpretation of localization

Ecto- and endo-Ca-adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase) activity was identified as electron-dense lead or cerium phosphate precipitate in the rat cortical synaptosomes by transmission electron microscopy and enzyme histochemistry. The formation of the deposit was dependent on the presence of ATP (the substrate), Ca (activator) and levamisole, quercetin or ouabain (inhibitors of different phosphatases and ATPases). Reaction products were found at the external surface of the presynaptic membrane, both surfaces of the postsynaptic membrane, in the synaptic cleft and in the free mitochondrial membranes. In the presence of ATP and the three inhibitors together, the quantity of the precipitate decreased markedly, but we still found some deposit on the external surface of the presynaptic membrane (this activity is probably due to the so-called ecto-ATPase) and on the internal surface of the postsynaptic one (endo-ATPase). The distinction between ecto- and endo-ATPases in biochemical fractions solely upon biochemical differential measurements must be interpreted with caution.

Localization and characterization of a parotid Ca(2+)-dependent ecto-ATPase

Parotid acini were isolated and tested to further establish the presence of ecto-ATPase in the intact cells. Inhibitors were used to determine if the inhibitor profile of the ATPase was similar to that of a Ca(2+)-ATPase from parotid membranes identified previously as an ecto-ATPase. The Ca(2+)-ATPase of intact cells was insensitive to oligomycin (10 micrograms/ml), N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) (0.1 mM), ruthenium red (0.1 mM), sodium azide (1 mM), and was inhibited approximately 22% by sodium orthovanadate (Na3VO4) (1 mM). This profile was similar to the Ca(2+)-ATPase of intact cells. Trifluoperazine (TFP) (0.1 mM) inhibited the enzyme in intact cells by approximately 32%. The nucleotide substrate specificity of the enzyme also reflected very closely the pattern seen in isolated membranes.

Binding of the radioligand [35S]adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) and intracellular calcium response in rat liver parenchymal cells

The use of the radioligand [35S]adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP beta 35S) for the determination of P2y-purinoceptors on turkey erythrocyte membranes has recently been described. In the present study, we were able to demonstrate specific binding of this radioligand in intact rat liver parenchymal cells. Within 10 min a thermodynamic equilibrium was obtained which lasted for 25 min with a subsequent decline. Displacement studies with several nucleotides were performed yielding Ki values of 1.5 +/- 0.47 microM for UTP, 1.8 +/- 0.35 microM for adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP beta S), 31 +/- 6.2 microM for ATP and 35 +/- 6.1 microM for GTP. In addition, we showed that ADP beta 35S is highly resistant to degradation by ecto-nucleotidases, with only 14.5 +/- 1.4% of total ADP beta 35S present being degraded after 1 hr, and that the binding of ADP beta 35S to its binding sites was modulated by EDTA. The Ki value of ATP shifted to 8.1 +/- 1.2 microM upon the addition of 1 mM EDTA to the incubation medium. In these rat liver parenchymal cells all nucleotides promoted calcium entry in a dose-dependent manner with EC50 values of 3.5 +/- 0.22 microM for UTP, 20.7 +/- 3.1 microM for ATP, 38.3 +/- 6.4 microM for ADP beta S and 73.6 +/- 13.7 microM for GTP, with GTP being a partial agonist. Based on the data derived from the present study we discuss the possible correlation between binding and functional experiments and conclude that the described receptor resembles most closely the P2u-purinoceptor and/or "nucleotide receptor", in that UTP is at least as active as ATP.

Proteinases inhibit H(+)-ATPase and Na+/H+ exchange but not water transport in apical and endosomal membranes from rat proximal tubule

A marked increase in water permeability can be induced in Xenopus oocytes by injection of mRNA from tissues that express water channels, suggesting that the water channel is a protein. In view of this and previous reports which showed that proteinases may interfere with mercurial inhibition of water transport in red blood cells (RBC), we examined the influence of trypsin, chymotrypsin, papain, pronase, subtilisin and thermolysin on water permeability as well as on ATPase activity, H(+)-pump, passive H+ conductance, and Na+/H+ exchange in apical brush-border vesicles (BBMV) and endosomal (EV) vesicles from rat renal cortex. H+ transport was measured by Acridine orange fluorescence quenching and water transport by stopped-flow light scattering. As measured by potential-driven H+ accumulation in BBMV and EV, proteinase treatment had little effect on vesicle integrity. In BBMV, ecto-ATPase activity was inhibited by 15-30%, Na+/H+ exchange by 20-55%, and H+ conductance was unchanged. Osmotic water permeability (Pf) was 570 microns/s and was inhibited 85-90% by 0.6 mM HgCl2; proteinase treatment did not affect Pf or the HgCl2 inhibition. In EV, NEM-sensitive H+ accumulation and ATPase activity were inhibited by greater than 95%. Pf (140 microns/s) and HgCl2 inhibition (75-85%) were not influenced by proteinase treatment. SDS-PAGE showed selective digestion of multiple polypeptides by proteinases. These results confirm the presence of water channels in BBMV and EV and demonstrate selective inhibition of ATPase function and Na+/H+ exchange by proteinase digestion. The lack of effect of proteinases on water transport by mercurials. We conclude that the water channel may be a small integral membrane protein which, unlike the H(+)-ATPase and Na+/H+ exchanger, has no functionally important membrane domains that are sensitive to proteolysis.

A Ca(2+)-ATPase from rat parotid gland plasma membranes has the characteristics of an ecto-ATPase

A Ca(2+)-ATPase with an apparent Km for free Ca2+ = 0.23 microM and Vmax = 44 nmol Pi/mg/min was detected in a rat parotid plasma membrane-enriched fraction. This Ca(2+)-ATPase could be stimulated without added Mg2+. However, the enzyme may require submicromolar concentrations of Mg2+ for its activation in the presence of Ca2+. On the other hand, Mg2+ could substitute for Ca2+. The lack of a requirement for added Mg2+ distinguished this Ca(2+)-ATPase from the Ca(2+)-transporter ATPase in the plasma membranes and the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-ATPase. The enzyme was not inhibited by several ATPase inhibitors and was not stimulated by calmodulin. An antibody which was raised against the rat liver plasma membrane ecto-ATPase, was able to deplete this Ca(2+)-ATPase activity from detergent solubilized rat parotid plasma membranes, in an antibody concentration-dependent manner. Immunoblotting analysis of the pellet with the ecto-ATPase antibody revealed the presence of a 100,000 molecular weight protein band, in agreement with the reported ecto-ATPase relative molecular mass. These data demonstrate the presence of a Ca(2+)-ATPase, with high affinity for Ca2+, in the rat parotid gland plasma membranes. It is distinct from the Ca(2+)-transporter, and immunologically indistinguishable from the plasma membrane ecto-ATPase.

Ca2+ or Mg2+ nucleotide phosphohydrolases in myometrium: two ecto-enzymes

A high level of Ca2+ or Mg2+ nucleotide phosphohydrolase activity is present on the outside surface of intact myometrial cells and is also observed in the isolated plasma membranes. About half of this activity is labile while the remainder is stable. The characteristics of the activities suggest the presence of at least two different ecto-enzymes. The stable component (Km for Ca2+ about 0.1 mM) accepts XTP or XDP as substrate, is not inhibited by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate or inorganic phosphate, but is inhibited by 20 mM NaN3. The labile component (Km for Ca2+ nearly 1 mM) cleaves XTP but not XDP, and is inhibited by p-chloromercuriphenyl-sulfonate and inorganic phosphate, but not by NaN3. The activity of the labile component can be restored by removing the cells from the incubation medium and resuspending them in fresh medium. This suggests that the 'lability' is due to product inhibition, probably by inorganic orthophosphate. While the Ca2+ pump of myometrial plasma membranes was inhibited by 0.1 microM oxytocin, these ecto-enzymes were unaffected by oxytocin concentrations up to 10 microM. Because of its high activity and rapid inactivation by product inhibition, the labile enzyme may be involved in the regulation of purinergic receptors.

ATP diphosphohydrolase is responsible for ecto-ATPase and ecto-ADPase activities in bovine aorta endothelial and smooth muscle cells

An ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5) is an enzyme hydrolyzing pyrophosphate bonds in nucleoside di- and triphosphates with broad substrate specificity in the presence of divalent cations. The ATPase and ADPase activities in the enzyme purified to homogeneity from bovine aortic vessel wall were insensitive to oligomycin, ouabain, and various protease treatments, and sensitive to azide and Ap5A. Bovine aorta endothelial and smooth muscle cells were cultured separately to characterize the ectonucleotidase activities. The activities were dependent on the addition of divalent cations and had broad substrate specificity. The ecto-ATPase and -ADPase activities were insensitive to oligomycin, ouabain, and protease treatments, and sensitive to azide and Ap5A. No enzyme degrading only ADP was found in the aortic vessel wall. Moreover, antiserum raised against purified ATP diphosphohydrolase inhibited the ecto-ATPase and -ADPase activities. These results indicated that ecto-ATPase and ecto-ADPase are not separate enzymes but are expressed by one enzyme, ATP diphosphohydrolase.

Nucleotide hydrolytic activity of isolated intact rat mesenteric small arteries

Segments of isolated intact rat mesenteric small arteries were incubated in physiological bicarbonate buffer in the presence of nano- to millimolar concentrations of ATP. ATP was hydrolysed, and when the vessel was transferred from one incubation to another, the enzyme activity was transferred with the vessel, consistent with the presence of an ecto-ATPase. The substrate, ATP, was shown to induce a modification of the hydrolytic activity which occurred the more rapidly the higher the concentration of ATP. The modified system hydrolysed ATP with a decreased substrate affinity. As the substrate induced a modification of the hydrolytic activity, steady-state velocity measurements for determination of kinetic parameters could not be obtained. Nevertheless, it was possible to compare the modification caused by ATP and UTP, and to compare the hydrolysis rates measured with [32P]ATP, [32P]UTP and [32P]GTP. It was concluded that the hydrolytic activity of the vessels did not distinguish between the nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs). In a histidine buffer, the activity was shown to be activated by micromolar concentrations of either Ca2+ or Mg2+, and not to be influenced by inhibitors of P-type, F-type and V-type ATPases. Functional removal of the endothelium before assay did not reduce the measured NTP hydrolysis. At millimolar concentrations of trinucleotide the hydrolysis rate was 10-15 mumol per min per gram of tissue or 0.11-0.17 mumol per min per 10(6) vascular smooth muscle cells. This value is equivalent to the maximal velocity obtained for the Ca2+ or Mg(2+)-dependent NTPase released to the medium upon 2 s of sonication of the vessels (Plesner, L., Juul, B., Skriver, E. and Aalkjaer, C. (1991) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1067, 191-200). Comparing the characteristics of the released NTPase to the characteristics of the activity of the intact vessel, they showed a strong resemblance, but the substrate-induced modification of the enzyme was seen only in the intact preparation.

Characterisation of Ca2+ or Mg(2+)-dependent nucleoside triphosphatase from rat mesenteric small arteries

When isolated rat mesenteric small arteries were submitted to 2 s of sonication, a nucleoside triphosphatase activity was released to the medium, mainly from the plasma membrane of the vascular smooth muscle cells. The activity was kinetically characterized: It hydrolysed ATP, UTP and GTP with the same substrate affinity and the same specific activity. CaATP, as well as MgATP were substrates for the enzyme with an apparent Km in the micromolar range. ATPase inhibitors: ouabain, vanadate, AlF4-, oligomycin and N-ethylmaleimide were without effect on the hydrolytic activity. Among other modifiers tested only N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide caused significant (greater than 30%) inhibition. In the presence of micromolecular concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+, small (less than 20 mM) concentrations of Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+ and choline+, irrespective of the nature of the anion, activated the hydrolysis with an equilibrium ordered pattern, but concentrations of monovalent cation salts above 20 mM decreased the hydrolysis rate. No activation by monovalent cation salts was seen at millimolar concentrations of divalent cations and substrate. On the basis of the results a standard mixture is proposed, which allows a sensitive assay of the specific enzyme activity.

Effect of myricetin and other flavonoids on the liver plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. Kinetics and structure-function relationships

Thirty-three different flavonoids were screened for their ability to influence ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by rat liver plasma membrane vesicles. Nine of the flavonoids, at a concentration of 100 microM inhibited Ca2+ uptake by more than 20%. The remaining 24 flavonoids exhibited little or no effect. The relative order of potency of the more biologically active flavonoids was myricetin greater than butein greater than phloretin = luteolin greater than eriodictyol = silybin. Myricitrin and phloridzin, the glycosides of myricetin and phloretin, respectively, had no effect. The degree of inhibition caused by myricetin was concentration dependent and was also affected by the preincubation time. After 10 min of preincubation, 52 microM myricetin lowered the initial rate of 45Ca uptake by 50%. The inhibition by myricetin was non-competitive with respect to Mg-ATP and of a mixed type with respect to Ca2+. At a concentration of 100 microM, myricetin had no effect on several plasma membrane enzymes such as 5'-nucleotidase, alkaline phosphatase and a Ca2(+)-activated ATPase but inhibited K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase by 83%. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport systems located on the plasma membrane or endoplasmic reticulum derived from other tissues were also inhibited by myricetin. Analysis of the structure-activity relationship revealed that lipid solubility and polyhydroxylation particularly at positions 5,7,3' and 4' of the flavonoid ring structure enhanced the ability of the flavonoid to inhibit Ca2+ uptake. The results suggest that inhibition of Ca2+ transport activity probably involves the interaction of the phenolic groups of the flavonoid with the Ca2+ transporting protein.

Ca2+ extrusion across plasma membrane and Ca2+ uptake by intracellular stores

The aim of this review is to summarize the various systems that remove Ca2+ from the cytoplasm. We will initially focus on the Ca2+ pump and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of the plasma membrane. We will review the functional regulation of these systems and the recent progress obtained with molecular-biology techniques, which pointed to the existence of different isoforms of the Ca2+ pump. The Ca2+ pumps of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum will be discussed next, by summarizing the discoveries obtained with molecular-biology techniques, and by reviewing the physiological regulation of these proteins. We will finally briefly review the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-uptake mechanism.

The stepwise hydrolysis of adenine nucleotides by ectoenzymes of rat renal brush-border membranes

Evidence is presented for the existence of ectoenzymes in rat renal cortical brush-border membrane vesicles that produce adenosine as a final product using either ATP, ADP or AMP as substrate. The enzymes are insensitive to levamisole, ouabain, oligomycin and N-ethylmaleimide, and have absolute requirement for divalent cations with following order of activation Mg2+ greater than Ca2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Ba2+ greater than Zn2+. At least two separate enzymes can be distinguished. One is capable of hydrolyzing ATP, other nucleoside triphosphates and ADP, but not AMP. The enzyme is insensitive to concanavalin A. The other enzyme hydrolyzes AMP and is strongly inhibited by this lectin. Mg2(+)-stimulated ATP hydrolysis displays saturation kinetics which is not of the simple Michaelis-Menten type, but is biphasic with a high-affinity (K'm = 0.16 mM) and low-affinity site (K'm = 9.0 mM), respectively. The low-affinity site hydrolyzes ATP, ITP and GTP to a similar extent, whereas CTP and UTP with about 40% lower rate. The high-affinity site splits ATP much better than other nucleoside triphosphates. Hydrolysis of ADP follows simple Michaelis-Menten saturation kinetic with apparent Km = 0.38 +/- 0.06 mM. Inhibition, activation and substrate specificity studies indicate that nucleoside triphosphatase and nucleoside diphosphatase may reside on the same protein. Kinetics of the AMP hydrolysis is hyperbolic with apparent Km = 76 +/- 9 microM. The cascade of ectonucleotidases in the brush-border membrane of the proximal tubule may catalyze the degradation of filtered nucleotides into adenosine and phosphate, the compounds which are thereafter probably reabsorbed by separate transport systems.

Identification and characterization of high-affinity Ca2(+)-ATPase associated with axonal plasma membranes of dog mesenteric nerves

The microsomal fraction isolated from dog mesenteric nerve fibres was found to contain ATPase activity stimulated by micromolar concentrations of Ca ions. Such a high-affinity Ca2(+)-ATPase (hereafter referred to as HA Ca-ATPase) followed a Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km for Ca ions of 0.4 microM and Vmax = 12.5 +/- 2.4 mumol Pi.mg-1h-1. The examination of the subcellular origin of HA Ca-ATPase revealed that this enzyme is associated with axonal plasma membranes as documented by its co-purification with several plasma membrane marker enzymes and with tetrodotoxin-sensitive 3H-saxitoxin binding. The addition of exogenous magnesium ions (Mg) resulted in a non-competitive inhibition of HA Ca-ATPase with Ki = 0.5 mM. The reaction velocity of HA Ca-ATPase was also inhibited by other divalent ions with the order of potency Mg greater than Mn greater than Zn greater than or equal to Co greater than Ni. In contrast to low affinity (high Km) Mg- and Ca-ATPase, the HA Ca-ATPase was insensitive to the inhibition by sodium azide (10 mM) and sodium fluoride (10 mM). Similarly, the specific activity of HA Ca-ATPase was unaffected by vanadate (100 microM) and N-ethylmaleinimide (100 microM). It is concluded that axonal plasma membranes of dog mesenteric nerves contain HA Ca-ATPase which seems to be unrelated to calcium-transporting Mg-dependent, Ca-stimulated ATPase.

Butyrate induces an ectoMg2(+)-ATPase activity in Li-7A human hepatoma cells

The human hepatoma cell line (Li-7A) possesses a high concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and exhibits ectoATPase activity in the presence of either MgATP or CaATP (Knowles: J. Cell. Physiol., 134:109-116, 1988). Growth for 96 hours in the presence of both EGF and cholera toxin or another cyclic AMP elevating agent induced an ectoATPase activity which was more active with CaATP and resistant to inhibition by the sulfydryl reagent, p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate (pCMPS) (Knowles: Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 263: 264-271, 1988). In contrast, treatment of cells with butyrate, a short chain organic acid which can be derived from the analogue, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, resulted in a 4-7-fold increase of an ectoATPase which was more active with MgATP and highly sensitive to pCMPS inhibition. Maximal induction by butyrate required 48 hours and was dependent on butyrate concentration, but was independent of EGF and cyclic AMP elevating agents. Of six organic acids tested, butyrate was most effective in the induction of the ectoMg2(+)-ATPase. The increase in the ectoMg2(+)-ATPase activity could be prevented with actinomycin D and cycloheximide, indicating that both transcription and translation were necessary for induction. In addition to the induction of the ectoMg2(+)-ATPase, butyrate induced alkaline phosphatase activity, but had no effect on a third ectoenzyme 5'-nucleotidase. These data further support our proposal that two distinct ectoATPases exist in the plasma membrane of Li-7A hepatoma cells.