Fluoride is a slow, tight-binding inhibitor of the calcium ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum

Mechanisms of Fluoride Toxicity: From Enzymes to Underlying Integrative Networks

Fluoride has been employed in laboratory investigations since the early 20th century. These studies opened the understanding of fluoride interventions to fundamental biological processes. Millions of people living in endemic fluorosis areas suffer from various pathological disturbances. The practice of community water fluoridation used prophylactically against dental caries increased concern of adverse fluoride effects. We assessed the publications on fluoride toxicity until June 2020. We present evidence that fluoride is an enzymatic poison, inducing oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions, and neurotoxicity. Fluoride in synergy with aluminum acts as a false signal in G protein cascades of hormonal and neuronal regulations in much lower concentrations than fluoride acting alone. Our review shows the impact of fluoride on human health. We suggest focusing the research on fluoride toxicity to the underlying integrative networks. Ignorance of the pluripotent toxic effects of fluoride might contribute to unexpected epidemics in the future.

Principles of fluoride toxicity and the cellular response: a review

Fluoride is ubiquitously present throughout the world. It is released from minerals, magmatic gas, and industrial processing, and travels in the atmosphere and water. Exposure to low concentrations of fluoride increases overall oral health. Consequently, many countries add fluoride to their public water supply at 0.7-1.5 ppm. Exposure to high concentrations of fluoride, such as in a laboratory setting often exceeding 100 ppm, results in a wide array of toxicity phenotypes. This includes oxidative stress, organelle damage, and apoptosis in single cells, and skeletal and soft tissue damage in multicellular organisms. The mechanism of fluoride toxicity can be broadly attributed to four mechanisms: inhibition of proteins, organelle disruption, altered pH, and electrolyte imbalance. Recently, there has been renewed concern in the public sector as to whether fluoride is safe at the current exposure levels. In this review, we will focus on the impact of fluoride at the chemical, cellular, and multisystem level, as well as how organisms defend against fluoride. We also address public concerns about fluoride toxicity, including whether fluoride has a significant effect on neurodegeneration, diabetes, and the endocrine system.

Nitrate and Phosphate Transporters Rescue Fluoride Toxicity in Yeast

Organisms are exposed to fluoride in the air, water, and soil. Yeast and other microbes utilize fluoride channels as a method to prevent intracellular fluoride accumulation and mediate fluoride toxicity. Consequently, deletion of fluoride exporter genes (FEX) in S. cerevisiae resulted in over 1000-fold increased fluoride sensitivity. We used this FEX knockout strain to identify genes, that when overexpressed, are able to partially relieve the toxicity of fluoride exposure. Overexpression of five genes, SSU1, YHB1, IPP1, PHO87, and PHO90, increase fluoride tolerance by 2- to 10-fold. Overexpression of these genes did not provide improved fluoride resistance in wild-type yeast, suggesting that the mechanism is specific to low fluoride toxicity in yeast. Ssu1p and Yhb1p both function in nitrosative stress response, which is induced upon fluoride exposure along with metal influx. Ipp1p, Pho87p, and Pho90p increase intracellular orthophosphate. Consistent with this observation, fluoride toxicity is also partially mitigated by the addition of high levels of phosphate to the growth media. Fluoride inhibits phosphate import upon stress induction and causes nutrient starvation and organelle disruption, as supported by gene induction monitored through RNA-Seq. The combination of observations suggests that transmembrane nutrient transporters are among the most sensitized proteins during fluoride-instigated stress.

Isolation, crystallization and crystal structure determination of bovine kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase

Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is responsible for the transport of Na(+) and K(+) across the plasma membrane in animal cells, thereby sustaining vital electrochemical gradients that energize channels and secondary transporters. The crystal structure of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase has previously been elucidated using the enzyme from native sources such as porcine kidney and shark rectal gland. Here, the isolation, crystallization and first structure determination of bovine kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in a high-affinity E2-BeF3(-)-ouabain complex with bound magnesium are described. Crystals belonging to the orthorhombic space group C2221 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit exhibited anisotropic diffraction to a resolution of 3.7 Å with full completeness to a resolution of 4.2 Å. The structure was determined by molecular replacement, revealing unbiased electron-density features for bound BeF3(-), ouabain and Mg(2+) ions.

Inhibitory Effect of Fluoride on Na+,K+ ATPase Activity in Human Erythrocyte Membrane

The present study was performed to evaluate the role of long-term consumption of excessive fluoride on electrolyte homeostasis and their transporting mechanisms in erythrocytes of subjects afflicted with dental and skeletal fluorosis. A total of 620 adult (20-50 years) Indian residents participated in this study: 258 men and 242 women exposed to high concentrations of fluoride and 120 age and gender-matched control subjects. Erythrocytes were isolated from blood samples, washed, and used for the estimation of intraerythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations. Na+,K+ ATPase activity was determined spectrophotometrically from a ghost erythrocyte membrane prepared by osmotic lysis. Erythrocyte analytes were correlated with the water and serum fluoride concentrations by Pearson's bivariate correlation and regression analysis. Results indicated a significant increase in intraerythrocyte sodium (F=14306.265, P<0.0001) in subjects from endemic fluorosis study groups as compared to controls. A significant (P<0.05) positive correlation of intracellular sodium was found with water and serum fluoride concentrations. Mean concentration of intraerythrocytic potassium ions showed significant reduction (F=9136.318, P<0.0001) in subjects exposed to fluoride. A significant (P<0.05) negative correlation of potassium ions was noted with water and serum fluoride concentrations. Na+,K+ ATPase activity was significantly declined (F=1572.763, P<0.0001) in subjects exposed to fluoride. A significant (P<0.05) inverse relationship of Na+,K+ ATPase activity was revealed with water and serum fluoride concentrations.

Role of nucleotides in stabilization of the phospholamban/cardiac Ca²⁺ pump inhibitory complex examined with use of metal fluorides

Phospholamban (PLB) inhibits the activity of the cardiac calcium pump SERCA2a. We previously showed that PLB with engineered Cys residues only cross-linked with the Ca(2+) -free E2 intermediate of SERCA2a. Formation of E2•PLB prevents Ca(2+) binding at the high-affinity Ca(2+) binding sites, blocking the enzyme kinetic cycle. Here we further studied the synergistic action of PLB and ATP on E2 in terms of prevention of formation of the phosphorylated E2P-like states stabilized by metal fluorides. SERCA2a was co-expressed in insect cell microsomes with PLB mutants of normal or super-inhibitory strength, with cross-linkable mutations at either the cytosolic side (N30C) or the luminal side (V49C) of PLB. For normal-strength PLB mutants, in the absence of nucleotide, metal fluorides totally inhibited both SERCA2a enzyme activity and cross-linking of PLB to SERCA2a at both sites, suggesting that PLB dissociates from SERCA2a in the E2P-like states. However, under the same conditions, super-inhibitory PLB mutants prevented total enzyme inhibition by metal fluorides. Further, the cross-linking of super-inhibitory PLB to SERCA2a was only partially inhibited by metal fluorides, but was drastically restored upon sequential addition of ATP. These results revealed the equilibrium between E2•PLB, E2•ATP, or E2•ATP•PLB states and E2P-like states, suggesting that the synergistic binding of ATP and PLB to SERCA is very strong, sufficient to prevent formation of E2 phosphoenzymes, even when stabilized by metal fluorides.

Minimally invasive monitoring of skeletal muscle hypermetabolism induced by the phosphodiesterase-III-inhibitor milrinone and sodium fluoride

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that the phosphodiesterase-III-inhibitor milrinone and the non-specific G-protein activator sodium fluoride increase the skeletal muscular lactate levels as a sign of a hypermetabolic response.

METHODS

With approval of the local animal care committee Sprague-Dawley rats were killed and artificially perfused either with Ringer's solution or sodium fluoride 110 mM, while milrinone 1.32 mM or Ringer's solution at 1 μl/min was applied via microdialysis probes in both hind limbs. Lactate was measured spectrophotometrically in the dialysate.

KEY FINDINGS

Baseline lactate levels before drug application did not differ between hind limbs. Local infusion of milrinone via microdialysis did not significantly increase intramuscular lactate concentrations compared with the Ringer control group. Muscular perfusion with sodium fluoride resulted in a significant increase of lactate and was potentiated by combination with local milrinone.

CONCLUSIONS

Phosphodiesterase-III-inhibition alone does not significantly influence the lactate levels in skeletal muscle of sacrificed rats. Sodium fluoride infusion leads to an intramuscular lactate increase, which was further potentiated by local inhibition of phosphodiesterase-III. The fluoride-mediated hypermetabolic response following sodium fluoride could be a possible explanation for the observed myotoxic adverse effects in individuals treated by fluoride-containing agents.

Fluoride-induced death of rat erythrocytes in vitro

Although fluoride (F) in low concentrations is essential for teeth and bone development, its excessive consumption causes numerous deleterious abnormalities in cellular metabolism and physiology often leading to cell death. The present study was performed to establish the toxic F effects inducing the death of rat erythrocytes in vitro. The cells were cultured in the presence of 0.5-16 mM NaF for 1, 5 and 24 h. The progression of erythrocyte death was monitored by cell viability (calcein assay), membrane integrity (hemolysis assay), alterations in the cell morphology (light microscopy) and size (flow cytometry forward scatter), plasma membrane scrambling (annexin V binding). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying F-induced cell death, the cytosolic Ca2+ activity (Fluo-3 fluorescence) and ceramide formation (binding of FITC-labeled antibodies) were determined. Exposure of the rat erythrocytes to NaF considerably suppressed their viability and caused partial cell hemolysis within 24 h. The cells underwent dramatic morphological alterations resulted in appearance of shrunken echinocytes after 1h and swollen spherocytes within 24 h. The development of NaF-induced erythrocyte death was accompanied by progressive PS externalization at the outer cell membrane, ∼45% of the cells were annexin V-positive in response to 16 mM NaF within 24 h with a small cell population exhibiting necrotic features. The cell death was preceded by considerable accumulation of the free cytosolic Ca2+, with statistically significant increase in the number of Fluo-3-positive erythrocytes observed as early as during 1-h incubation with 0.5 mM NaF. NaF also induced moderate ceramide formation. Overall, exposure of the rat erythrocytes to NaF triggers rapid progression of their death in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with appearance of apoptotic cells after 1 and 5 h and transition to necrosis within 24 h. An increase in intracellular [Ca2+] appears to be crucial mechanism implicated in development of NaF-induced apoptosis in rat erythrocytes.

Stable structural analog of Ca2+-ATPase ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme with occluded Ca2+ formed by elongation of A-domain/M1'-linker and beryllium fluoride binding

We have developed a stable analog for the ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme intermediate with two occluded Ca(2+) at the transport sites (E2PCa(2)) of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. This is normally a transient intermediate state during phosphoenzyme isomerization from the ADP-sensitive to ADP-insensitive form and Ca(2+) deocclusion/release to the lumen; E1PCa(2) --> E2PCa(2) --> E2P + 2Ca(2+). Stabilization was achieved by elongation of the Glu(40)-Ser(48) loop linking the Actuator domain and M1 (1st transmembrane helix) with four glycine insertions at Gly(46)/Lys(47) and by binding of beryllium fluoride (BeF(x)) to the phosphorylation site of the Ca(2+)-bound ATPase (E1Ca(2)). The complex E2Ca(2)xBeF(3)(-) was also produced by lumenal Ca(2+) binding to E2xBeF(3)(-) (E2P ground state analog) of the elongated linker mutant. The complex was stable for at least 1 week at 25 degrees C. Only BeF(x), but not AlF(x) or MgF(x), produced the E2PCa(2) structural analog. Complex formation required binding of Mg(2+), Mn(2+), or Ca(2+) at the catalytic Mg(2+) site. Results reveal that the phosphorylation product E1PCa(2) and the E2P ground state (but not the transition states) become competent to produce the E2PCa(2) transient state during forward and reverse phosphoenzyme isomerization. Thus, isomerization and lumenal Ca(2+) release processes are strictly coupled with the formation of the acylphosphate covalent bond at the catalytic site. Results also demonstrate the critical structural roles of the Glu(40)-Ser(48) linker and of Mg(2+) at the catalytic site in these processes.

What can be learned about the function of a single protein from its various X-ray structures: the example of the sarcoplasmic calcium pump

Improvements in the handling of membrane proteins for crystallization, combined with better synchrotron sources for X-ray diffraction analysis, are leading to clarification of the structural details of an ever increasing number of membrane transporters and receptors. Here we describe how this development has resulted in the elucidation at atomic resolution of a large number of structures of the sarcoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1a) present in skeletal muscle. The structures corresponding to the various intermediary states have been obtained after stabilization with structural analogues of ATP and of metal fluorides as mimicks of inorganic phosphate. From these results it is possible, in accordance with previous biochemical and molecular biology data, to give a detailed structural description of both ATP hydrolysis and Ca(2+) transport through the membrane, to serve as the starting point for a fuller understanding of the pump mechanism and, in future studies, on the regulatory role of this ubiquitous intracellular Ca(2+)-ATPase in cellular Ca(2+) metabolism in normal and pathological conditions.

Kinetic analysis of beta-phosphoglucomutase and its inhibition by magnesium fluoride

The isomerization of beta-glucose-1-phosphate (betaG1P) to beta-glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) catalyzed by beta-phosphoglucomutase (betaPGM) has been examined using steady- and presteady-state kinetic analysis. In the presence of low concentrations of beta-glucose-1,6-bisphosphate (betaG16BP), the reaction proceeds through a Ping Pong Bi Bi mechanism with substrate inhibition (kcat = 65 s(-1), K(betaG1P) = 15 microM, K(betaG16BP) = 0.7 microM, Ki = 122 microM). If alphaG16BP is used as a cofactor, more complex kinetic behavior is observed, but the nonlinear progress curves can be fit to reveal further catalytic parameters (kcat = 74 s(-1), K(betaG1P) = 15 microM, K(betaG16BP) = 0.8 microM, Ki = 122 microM, K(alphaG16BP) = 91 microM for productive binding, K(alphaG16BP) = 21 microM for unproductive binding). These data reveal that variations in the substrate structure affect transition-state affinity (approximately 140,000-fold in terms of rate acceleration) substantially more than ground-state binding (110-fold in terms of binding affinity). When fluoride and magnesium ions are present, time-dependent inhibition of the betaPGM is observed. The concentration dependence of the parameters obtained from fitting these progress curves shows that a betaG1P x MgF3(-) x betaPGM inhibitory complex is formed under the reaction conditions. The overall stability constant for this complex is approximately 2 x 10(-16) M(5) and suggests an affinity of the MgF3(-) moiety to this transition-state analogue (TSA) of < or = 70 nM. The detailed kinetic analysis shows how a special type of TSA that does not exist in solution is assembled in the active site of an enzyme. Further experiments show that under the conditions of previous structural studies, phosphorylated glucose only persists when bound to the enzyme as the TSA. The preference for TSA formation when fluoride is present, and the hydrolysis of substrates when it is not, rules out the formation of a stable pentavalent phosphorane intermediate in the active site of betaPGM.

The structural basis of calcium transport by the calcium pump

The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, a P-type ATPase, has a critical role in muscle function and metabolism. Here we present functional studies and three new crystal structures of the rabbit skeletal muscle Ca2+-ATPase, representing the phosphoenzyme intermediates associated with Ca2+ binding, Ca2+ translocation and dephosphorylation, that are based on complexes with a functional ATP analogue, beryllium fluoride and aluminium fluoride, respectively. The structures complete the cycle of nucleotide binding and cation transport of Ca2+-ATPase. Phosphorylation of the enzyme triggers the onset of a conformational change that leads to the opening of a luminal exit pathway defined by the transmembrane segments M1 through M6, which represent the canonical membrane domain of P-type pumps. Ca2+ release is promoted by translocation of the M4 helix, exposing Glu 309, Glu 771 and Asn 796 to the lumen. The mechanism explains how P-type ATPases are able to form the steep electrochemical gradients required for key functions in eukaryotic cells.

ATP accelerates respiration of mitochondria from rat lung and suppresses their release of hydrogen peroxide

Lung mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation from pentobarbital-anesthetized male rats. One to three millimolar Mg2+-ATP increased the consumption of oxygen of lung mitochondria oxidizing 10 mM succinate > fourfold (P < 0.01) whereas ATP increased the respiration of liver mitochondria by < 35%. ATP also hyperpolarized partially uncoupled lung mitochondria in the presence of the mitochondria-specific antagonist, oligomycin. However, only 20% of the ATPase activity in the lung mitochondria was blocked by oligomycin compared to a blockade of 91% for liver mitochondria. We investigated the effect of reducing the non-mitochondrial ATPase activity in the lung preparation. A purer suspension of lung mitochondria from a Percoll gradient was inhibited 95% by oligomycin. The volume fraction identified as mitochondria by electron microscopy in this suspension (73.6+/- 3.5%) did not differ from that for liver mitochondria (69.1+/- 4.9%). ATP reduced the mean area of the mitochondrial profiles in this Percoll fraction by 15% (P <0.01) and increased its state 3 respiration with succinate as substrate by 1.5-fold (P < 0.01) with no change in the state 4 respiration measured after carboxyatractyloside. Hence, ATP increased the respiratory control ratio (state 3/state 4, P <0.01). In contrast, state 3 respiration with the complex 1-selective substrates, glutamate and malate, did not change with addition of ATP. The acceleration of respiration by ATP was accompanied by decreased production of H2O2. Thus ATP-dependent processes that increase respiration appear to improve lung mitochondrial function while minimizing the release of reactive oxygen species.

Asparagine 706 and glutamate 183 at the catalytic site of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase play critical but distinct roles in E2 states

Mutants with alteration to Asn(706) of the highly conserved (701)TGDGVND(707) motif in domain P of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase were analyzed for changes in transport cycle kinetics and binding of the inhibitors vanadate, BeF, AlF, and MgF. The fluorides likely mimic the phosphoryl group/P(i) in the respective ground, transition, and product states of phosphoenzyme hydrolysis (Danko, S., Yamasaki, K., Daiho, T., and Suzuki, H. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 14991-14998). Binding of BeF, AlF, and MgF was also studied for mutant Glu(183) --> Ala, where the glutamate of the (181)TGES(184) motif in domain A is replaced. Mutations of Asn(706) and Glu(183) have in common that they dramatically impede the function of the enzyme in E2 states, but have little effect in E1. Contrary to the Glu(183) mutant, in which E2P slowly accumulates (Clausen, J. D., Vilsen, B., McIntosh, D. B., Einholm, A. P., and Andersen, J. P. (2004) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 101, 2776-2781), E2P formation was not detectable with the Asn(706) mutants. Differential sensitivities of the mutants to inhibition by AlF, MgF, and BeF made it possible to distinguish different roles of Asn(706) and Glu(183). Hence, Asn(706) is less important than Glu(183) for gaining the transition state during E2P hydrolysis but plays critical roles in stabilization of E2P ground and E2.P(i) product states and in the major conformational changes associated with the Ca(2)E1P --> E2P and E2 --> Ca(2)E1 transitions, which seem to be facilitated by interaction of Asn(706) with domain A.

Structural basis of ion pumping by Ca2+-ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum

The structures of the Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA1a) have been determined for five different states by X-ray crystallography. Detailed comparison of the structures in the Ca2+ bound form and unbound (but thapsigargin bound) form reveals that very large rearrangements of the transmembrane helices take place accompanying Ca2+ dissociation and binding and that they are mechanically linked with equally large movements of the cytoplasmic domains. The meanings of the rearrangements of the transmembrane helices and those of the cytoplasmic domains as well as the mechanistic roles of phosphorylation are now becoming clear. Furthermore, the roles of critical amino acid residues identified by extensive mutagenesis studies are becoming evident in terms of atomic structure.

Lumenal gating mechanism revealed in calcium pump crystal structures with phosphate analogues

P-type ion transporting ATPases are ATP-powered ion pumps that establish ion concentration gradients across biological membranes. Transfer of bound cations to the lumenal or extracellular side occurs while the ATPase is phosphorylated. Here we report at 2.3 A resolution the structure of the calcium-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, a representative P-type ATPase that is crystallized in the absence of Ca2+ but in the presence of magnesium fluoride, a stable phosphate analogue. This and other crystal structures determined previously provide atomic models for all four principal states in the reaction cycle. These structures show that the three cytoplasmic domains rearrange to move six out of ten transmembrane helices, thereby changing the affinity of the Ca2+-binding sites and the gating of the ion pathway. Release of ADP triggers the opening of the lumenal gate and release of phosphate its closure, effected mainly through movement of the A-domain, the actuator of transmembrane gates.

Distinct natures of beryllium fluoride-bound, aluminum fluoride-bound, and magnesium fluoride-bound stable analogues of an ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme intermediate of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase: changes in catalytic and transport sites during phosphoenzyme hydrolysis

The structural natures of stable analogues for the ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme (E2P) of Ca(2+)-ATPase formed in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, i.e. the enzymes with bound beryllium fluoride (BeF.E2), bound aluminum fluoride (AlF.E2), and bound magnesium fluoride (MgF.E2), were explored and compared with those of actual E2P formed from P(i) without Ca(2+). Changes in trinitrophenyl-AMP fluorescence revealed that the catalytic site is strongly hydrophobic in BeF.E2 as in E2P but hydrophilic in MgF.E2 and AlF.E2; yet, the three cytoplasmic domains are compactly organized in these states. Thapsigargin, which was shown in the crystal structure to fix the transmembrane helices and, thus, the postulated Ca(2+) release pathway to lumen in a closed state, largely reduced the tryptophan fluorescence in BeF.E2 as in E2P, but only very slightly (hence, the release pathway is likely closed without thapsigargin) in MgF.E2 and AlF.E2 as in dephosphorylated enzyme. Consistently, the completely suppressed Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in BeF-treated vesicles was rapidly restored in the presence of ionophore A23187 but not in its absence by incubation with Ca(2+) (over several millimolar concentrations) at pH 6, and, therefore, lumenal Ca(2+) is accessible to reactivate the enzyme. In contrast, no or only very slow restoration was observed with vesicles treated with MgF and AlF even with A23187. BeF.E2 thus has the features very similar to those characteristic of the E2P ground state, although AlF.E2 and MgF.E2 most likely mimic the transition or product state for the E2P hydrolysis, during which the hydrophobic nature around the phosphorylation site is lost and the Ca(2+) release pathway is closed. The change in hydrophobic nature is probably associated with the change in phosphate geometry from the covalently bound tetrahedral ground state (BeF(3)(-)) to trigonal bipyramidal transition state (AlF(3) or AlF(4)(-)) and further to tetrahedral product state (MgF(4)(2-)), and such change likely rearranges transmembrane helices to prevent access and leakage of lumenal Ca(2+).

Inhibition of fast sodium current in rabbit ventricular myocytes by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors

The present study investigated the effects of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the fast sodium current ( I(Na)) in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Single rabbit ventricular myocytes were isolated enzymatically using Langendorff perfusion. I(Na) was recorded using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique at room temperature. The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein, AG957, ST638, and PP2 reversibly inhibited I(Na) in a concentration-dependent manner. At a test pulse potential of -30 mV, genistein (n=7) inhibited I(Na) by 37.7+/-3.2%, 53.4+/-2.5%, and 71.8+/-2.7% at concentrations of 15, 50, and 100 microM, respectively, without changing the voltage dependence of activation, while 100 microM AG957, 100 microM ST638, and 30 microM PP2 inhibited I(Na) by 38.7+/-2.4, 35.8+/-3.4, and 21.1+/-3.9%, respectively. Genistein (100 microM) and AG957 (100 microM) shifted the voltage for half-maximal inactivation of I(Na) from -76.7+/-2.0 mV (n=10) in control to -88.37+/-2.6 mV (n=6, P<0.05), and -82.9+/-1.7 (n=4, P<0.05), respectively, without changing the slope factor. Genistein and AG957 also significantly prolonged the time course of I(Na) recovery from inactivation. Daidzein and PP3, inactive analogs of genistein and PP2, respectively, did not inhibit I(Na) significantly. We conclude that protein tyrosine kinase signaling pathways may play an important role in regulation of I(Na) in cardiac myocytes.

Remarkable stability of solubilized and delipidated sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase with tightly bound fluoride and magnesium against detergent-induced denaturation

Conditions were developed in the absence of Ca(2+) for purification, delipidation, and long term stabilization of octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (C(12)E(8))-solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase with tightly bound Mg(2+) and F(-), an analog for the phosphoenzyme intermediate without bound Ca(2+). The Ca(2+)-ATPase activity to monitor denaturation was assessed after treatment with 20 mm Ca(2+) to release tightly bound Mg(2+)/F(-). The purification and delipidation was successfully achieved with Reactive Red-agarose affinity chromatography. The solubilized Mg(2+)/F(-)-bound Ca(2+)-ATPase was very rapidly denatured at pH 8, but was perfectly stabilized at pH 6 against denaturation for over 20 days at 4 degrees C even without exogenously added phospholipid and at a high C(12)E(8)/enzyme weight ratio (10:1). The activity was not restored unless the enzyme was treated with 20 mm Ca(2+), showing that tightly bound Mg(2+)/F(-) was not released during the long term incubation. The perfect stability was attained with or without 0.1 mm dithiothreitol, but inactivation occurred with a half-life of 10 days in the presence of 1 mm dithiothreitol, possibly due to reduction of a specific disulfide bond(s). The remarkable stability is likely conferred by intimate gathering of cytoplasmic domains of Ca(2+)-ATPase molecule induced by tight binding of Mg(2+)/F(-). The present study thus reveals an essential property of the Mg(2+)/F(-)/Ca(2+)-ATPase complex, which will likely provide clues to understanding structure of the Ca(2+)-released form of phosphoenzyme intermediate at an atomic level.

Thapsigargin and dimethyl sulfoxide activate medium P(i)<-->HOH oxygen exchange catalyzed by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase

Thapsigargin is a potent inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase. It binds the Ca(2+)-free E2 conformation in the picomolar range, supposedly resulting in a largely catalytically inactive species. We now find that thapsigargin has little effect on medium P(i) <--> HOH oxygen exchange and that this activity is greatly stimulated (up to 30-fold) in the presence of 30% (v/v) Me(2)SO. Assuming a simple two-step mechanism, we have evaluated the effect of thapsigargin and Me(2)SO on the four rate constants governing the reaction of P(i) with Ca(2+)-ATPase. The principal effect of thapsigargin alone is to stimulate EP hydrolysis (k(-2)), whereas that of Me(2)SO is to greatly retard P(i) dissociation (k(-1)), accounting for its well known effect on increasing the apparent affinity for P(i). These effects persist when the agents are used in combination and substantially account for the activated oxygen exchange (v(exchange) = k(-2)[EP]). Kinetic simulations show that the overall rate constant for the formation of EP is very fast (approximately 300 s(-1)) when the exchange is maximal. Thapsigargin greatly stabilizes Ca(2+)-ATPase against denaturation in detergent in the absence of Ca(2+), as revealed by glutaraldehyde cross-linking, suggesting that the membrane helices lock together. It seems that the reactions at the phosphorylation site, associated with the activated exchange reaction, are occurring without much movement of the transport site helices, and we suggest that they may be associated solely with an occluded H+ state.

Correlation between uncoupled ATP hydrolysis and heat production by the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase: coupling effect of fluoride

The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase transports Ca(2+) using the chemical energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. Part of the chemical energy is used to translocate Ca(2+) through the membrane (work) and part is dissipated as heat. The amount of heat produced during catalysis increases after formation of the Ca(2+) gradient across the vesicle membrane. In the absence of gradient (leaky vesicles) the amount of heat produced/mol of ATP cleaved is half of that measured in the presence of the gradient. After formation of the gradient, part of the ATPase activity is not coupled to Ca(2+) transport. We now show that NaF can impair the uncoupled ATPase activity with discrete effect on the ATPase activity coupled to Ca(2+) transport. For the control vesicles not treated with NaF, after formation of the gradient only 20% of the ATP cleaved is coupled to Ca(2+) transport, and the caloric yield of the total ATPase activity (coupled plus uncoupled) is 22.8 kcal released/mol of ATP cleaved. In contrast, the vesicles treated with NaF consume only the ATP needed to maintain the gradient, and the caloric yield of ATP hydrolysis is 3.1 kcal/mol of ATP. The slow ATPase activity measured in vesicles treated with NaF has the same Ca(2+) dependence as the control vesicles. This demonstrates unambiguously that the uncoupled activity is an actual pathway of the Ca(2+)-ATPase rather than a contaminating phosphatase. We conclude that when ATP hydrolysis occurs without coupled biological work most of the chemical energy is dissipated as heat. Thus, uncoupled ATPase activity appears to be the mechanistic feature underlying the ability of the Ca(2+)-ATPase to modulated heat production.

Organization of cytoplasmic domains of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in E(1)P and E(1)ATP states: a limited proteolysis study

In order to characterize the domain organization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase in different physiological states, limited proteolysis using three proteases (proteinase K (prtK), V8 and trypsin) was conducted systematically and quantitatively. The differences between E(2) and E(2)P were examined in our previous study and E(2)P was characterized by the complete resistance to all three proteases (except for trypsin attack at the very top of the molecule (T1 site)). The same strategies were employed in this study for E(1)ATP, E(1)PADP and E(1)P states. Because of the transient nature of these states, they were either stabilized by non-hydrolyzable analogues or made predominant by adjusting buffer conditions. Aluminum fluoride (without ADP) was found to stabilize E(1)P. All these states were characterized by strong (E(1)ATP) to complete (E(1)PADP and E(1)P) resistance to prtK and to V8 but only weak resistance to trypsin at the T2 site. Because prtK and V8 primarily attack the loops connecting the A domain to the transmembrane helices whereas the trypsin T2 site (Arg(198)) is located on the outermost loop in the A domain, these results lead us to propose that the A domain undergoes a large amount of rotation between E(1)P and E(2)P. Combined with previous results, we demonstrated that four states can be clearly distinguished by the susceptibility to three proteases, which will be very useful for establishing the conditions for structural studies.

ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme intermediate of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase has a compact conformation resistant to proteinase K, V8 protease and trypsin

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase was digested with proteinase K, V8 protease and trypsin in the absence of Ca(2+). Unphosphorylated enzyme was rapidly degraded. In contrast, ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme formed with P(i) and phosphorylated state analogues produced by the binding of F(-) or orthovanadate, were almost completely resistant to the proteolysis except for tryptic cleavage at the T1 site (Arg(505)). The results indicate that the phosphoenzyme and its analogues have a very compact form in the cytoplasmic region, being consistent with large domain motions (gathering of three cytoplasmic domains). Results further show that the structure of the enzyme with bound decavanadate is very similar to ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme. Thapsigargin did not affect the changes in digestion time course induced by the formation of the phosphorylated state analogues.

ATPase activity of purified and reconstituted multidrug resistance protein MRP1 from drug-selected H69AR cells

The ATP-binding cassette transporter protein, multidrug resistance protein MRP1, was purified from doxorubicin-selected H69AR lung tumor cells which express high levels of this protein. A purification procedure comprised of a differential two-step solubilization of MRP1 from plasma membranes with 3-(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio-1-propanesulfonate followed by immunoaffinity chromatography using the MRP1-specific monoclonal antibody QCRL-1 was developed. Approximately 300 microgram of MRP1 was obtained from 6 mg of plasma membranes at 80-90% purity, as indicated by silver staining of protein gels. After reconstitution of purified MRP1 into proteoliposomes, kinetic analyses indicated that its K(m) for ATP hydrolysis was 104+/-22 microM with maximal activity of 5-10 nmol min(-1) mg(-1) MRP1. MRP1 ATPase activity was further characterized with various inhibitors and exhibited an inhibition profile that distinguishes it from P-glycoprotein and other ATPases. The ATPase activity of reconstituted MRP1 was stimulated by the conjugated organic anion substrates leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) and 17beta-estradiol 17-(beta-D-glucuronide) with 50% maximal stimulation achieved at concentrations of 150 nM and 1.6 microM, respectively. MRP1 ATPase was also stimulated by glutathione disulfide but not by reduced glutathione or unconjugated chemotherapeutic agents. This purification and reconstitution procedure is the first to be described in which the ATPase activity of the reconstituted MRP1 retains kinetic characteristics with respect to ATP-dependence and substrate stimulation that are very similar to those deduced from transport studies using MRP1-enriched plasma membrane vesicles.

Mutations of Arg198 in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase cause inhibition of hydrolysis of the phosphoenzyme intermediate formed from inorganic phosphate

Arg198 of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase was substituted with lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid, alanine, and isoleucine by site-directed mutagenesis. Kinetic analysis was performed with microsomal membranes isolated from COS-1 cells which were transfected with the mutated cDNAs. The rate of dephosphorylation of the ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme was determined by first phosphorylating the Ca2+-ATPase with 32Pi and then diluting the sample with non-radioactive Pi. This rate was reduced substantially in the mutant R198Q, more strongly in the mutants R198A and R1981, and most strongly in the mutant R198E, but to a much lesser extent in R198K. The reduction in the rate of dephosphorylation was consistent with the observed decrease in the turnover rate of the Ca2+-ATPase accompanied by the steady-state accumulation of the ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme formed from ATP. These results indicate that the positive charge and high hydrophilicity of Arg198 are critical for rapid hydrolysis of the ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme.

Inhibition of the hepatitis C virus helicase-associated ATPase activity by the combination of ADP, NaF, MgCl2, and poly(rU). Two ADP binding sites on the enzyme-nucleic acid complex

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) helicase has an intrinsic ATPase activity and a nucleic acid (poly(rU))-stimulated ATPase activity. The poly(rU)-stimulated ATPase activity was inhibited by F- in a time-dependent manner during ATP hydrolysis. Inhibition was the result of trapping an enzyme-bound ADP-poly(rU) ternary complex generated during the catalytic cycle and was not the result of generating enzyme-free ADP that subsequently inhibited the enzyme. However, catalysis was not required for efficient inhibition by F-. The stimulated and the intrinsic ATPase activities were also inhibited by treatment of the enzyme with F-, ADP, and poly(rU). The inhibited enzyme slowly recovered (t1/2 = 23 min) ATPase activity after a 2000-fold dilution into assay buffer. The onset of inhibition by 500 microM ADP and 15 mM F- in the absence of nucleic acid was very slow (t1/2 > 40 min). However, the sequence of addition of poly(rU) to a diluted solution of ADP/NaF-treated enzyme had a profound effect on the extent of inhibition. If the ADP/NaF-treated enzyme was diluted into an assay that lacked poly(rU) and the assay was subsequently initiated with poly(rU), the treated enzyme was not inhibited. Alternatively, if the treated enzyme was diluted into an assay containing poly(rU), the enzyme was inhibited. ATP protected the enzyme from inhibition by ADP/NaF. The stoichiometry between ADP and enzyme monomer in the inhibited enzyme complex was 2, as determined from titration of the ATPase activity ([ADP]/[E] = 2.2) and from the number of radiolabeled ADP bound to the inhibited enzyme ([ADP]/[E] = 1.7) in the presence of excess NaF, MgCl2, and poly(rU). The Hill coefficient for titration of ATPase activity with F- (n = 2.8) or MgCl2 (n = 2.1) in the presence of excess ADP and poly(rU) suggested that multiple F- and Mg2+ were involved in forming the inhibited enzyme complex. The stoichiometry between (dU)18, a defined oligomeric nucleic acid substituting for poly(rU), and enzyme monomer in the inhibited enzyme complex was estimated to be 1 ([(dU)18/[E] = 1.2) from titration of the ATPase activity in the presence of excess ADP, MgCl2, and NaF.

Modification of histidine 5 in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase by diethyl pyrocarbonate causes strong inhibition of formation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate from inorganic phosphate

Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were modified with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC), a histidine-modifying reagent. Phosphoenzyme formation from Pi in the Ca2+-ATPase (reversal of hydrolysis of the phosphoenzyme intermediate) was almost completely inhibited by this modification. Tight binding of F- and Mg2+ and high affinity binding of vanadate in the presence of Mg2+, both of which produce transition state analogs for phosphoenzyme formation from the magnesium-enzyme-phosphate complex, were also inhibited. Formation of the phosphoenzyme from acetyl phosphate in the forward reaction was only weakly inhibited, but hydrolysis of the phosphoenzyme was strongly inhibited. The enzyme was protected by tight binding of F- and Mg2+ or by high affinity binding of vanadate in the presence of Mg2+ against the DEPC-induced inhibition of phosphoenzyme formation from Pi. The enzyme was also protected by tight binding of F- and Mg2+ against the DEPC-induced inhibition of phosphoenzyme hydrolysis. Peptide mapping of the tryptic digests, detection of peptides containing DEPC-modified histidine by UV absorption at 240 nm, amino acid analysis, sequencing, and mass spectrometry showed that His-5 was a single major residue protected by the above transition state analogs against the modification with DEPC. These results indicate that modification of His-5 with DEPC is responsible for the DEPC-induced inhibition of phosphoenzyme formation from Pi and of phosphoenzyme hydrolysis and suggest that His-5 is located in or very close to the catalytic site in the transition state for phosphoenzyme formation from the magnesium-enzyme-phosphate complex and is likely involved in the catalytic process of this reaction step.

Inhibition of endogenous cardiac phosphatase activity and measurement of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake: a possible role of phospholamban phosphorylation in the hypertrophied myocardium

The activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) CaATPase in cardiac muscle is regulated by phospholamban via its ability to be phosphorylated. It is unclear what role phospholamban phosphorylation plays in cardiac adaptation and disease. The study of the native phospholamban phosphorylation in tissue has been technically difficult because of the presence of endogenous enzymes. Using mobility shifts on SDS PAGE gels we have demonstrated that significant dephosphorylation of phospholamban occurs during tissue homogenisation in the absence of phosphatase inhibitors. Endogenous kinases do not appear to alter phospholamban phosphorylation. When 10 mM NaF (a phosphatase inhibitor) was used in the preparation of crude SR homogenates, CaATPase activity (measured by oxalate stimulated calcium uptake) was stimulated almost 2 fold, p < 0.01. Increased CaATPase activity in NaF was associated with increased phospholamban phosphorylation. Phosphatase inhibitors were used in tissue homogenisation to determine phospholamban phosphorylation in normal hearts and in cardiac hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic constriction. In 50 mM NaF which completely inhibits endogenous phosphatases, phospholamban from hypertrophied hearts had a slower mobility compared with normal hearts. This suggests that phospholamban was more highly phosphorylated in cardiac hypertrophy. Increased phospholamban phosphorylation following cardiac hypertrophy may enable the myocardium to compensate functionally in the early stages of adaptation.

Novel phosphoserine phosphatase inhibitors

Phosphoserine phosphatase (EC 3.1.1.3) catalyzes the final step in the major pathway of L-serine biosynthesis in brain. This enzyme may also regulate the levels of glycine and D-serine, the known and putative co-agonists for the glycine site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in caudal and rostral brain regions, respectively. Using L-phosphoserine as substrate, the rank order potency for inhibition of phosphoserine phosphatase was p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid (CMPSA) > glycerophosphorylcholine >> hexadecylphosphocholine > or = phosphorylcholine > N-ethylmaleimide > or = L-serine > fluoride > D-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (D-AP3). Glycerylphosphorylcholine (IC50 18 microM) was found to be an uncompetitive inhibitor of phosphoserine phosphatase. Glycerylphosphorylcholine probably binds a novel site on the enzyme since the known allosteric inhibitor L-serine is highly selective for its feedback regulatory site, indicated by the inactivity of 25 L-serine analogs. Fluoride ion (IC50 770 microM) may bind the active site as has been shown for other Mg2+-dependent enzymes. The sulfhydryl reagent CMPSA is a potent, noncompetitive inhibitor of the enzyme using L-phosphoserine as substrate (IC50 9 microM) but is > 300-fold less potent using D-phosphoserine as substrate. Substrate-dependent differences are also observed with the sulfhydryl alkylator N-ethylmaleimide, which inhibits L-phosphoserine, but stimulates D-phosphoserine hydrolysis. These sulfhydryl reagents may dissociate multimeric forms of the enzyme to form monomers; the multimeric forms and monomers may preferentially cleave L- and D-phosphoserine, respectively. Phosphorylcholine esters and sulfhydryl reagents may prove useful in determining the contribution of phosphoserine phosphatase to the biosynthesis of glycine and D-serine in neuronal tissue in vitro.

Modification of arginine-198 in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase by 1,2-cyclohexanedione causes inhibition of formation of the phosphoenzyme intermediate from inorganic phosphate

Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were modified with 1,2-cyclohexanedione (CHD), a specific arginine-modifying reagent, in sodium borate (pH 8.0 or 8.8). Phosphoenzyme formation from Pi in the Ca2+-ATPase (reversal of hydrolysis of the phosphoenzyme intermediate) was almost completely inhibited by the modification with CHD. Tight binding of F- and Mg2+ and high affinity binding of vanadate in the presence of Mg2+, either of which produces a transition state analog for phosphoenzyme formation from the magnesium-enzyme-phosphate complex, were also markedly inhibited. In contrast, phosphoenzyme formation from acetyl phosphate in the forward reaction was unaffected. The enzyme was appreciably protected by tight binding of F- and Mg2+ or by high affinity binding of vanadate in the presence of Mg2+, but not by the presence of 20 mM MgCl2 alone or 150 mM Pi alone, against the CHD-induced inhibition of phosphoenzyme formation from Pi. Peptide mapping of the tryptic digests, detection of peptides containing CHD-modified arginyl residues with Girard's reagent T, sequencing, and mass spectrometry showed that Arg-198 was a single major residue protected by tight binding of F- and Mg2+ against the modification with CHD. These results indicate that modification of Arg-198 with CHD is responsible for at least a part (the portion reduced by the transition state analogs) of the CHD-induced inhibition of phosphoenzyme formation from Pi and suggest that Arg-198 is located in or close to the catalytic site in the transition state for phosphoenzyme formation from the magnesium-enzyme-phosphate complex.

Phosphorylation and regulation of the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

In cardiac muscle, a membrane-associated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) phosphorylates the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase in addition to its previously characterized substrates, phospholamban and Ca(2+)-release channel (ryanodine receptor). The phosphorylated amino acid in the Ca(2+)-ATPase has been identified as serine. Posphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase is rapid and is reversible by a membrane-associated protein phosphatase, Ca(2+)-ATPase purified from cardiac SR underwent phosphorylation by exogenous CaM kinase, and the phosphorylated enzyme displayed twofold greater catalytic activity without alteration in its Ca(2+)-sensitivity. The phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase was found to be isoform-specific in that the cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle isoform (SERCA 2), but not the fast-twitch skeletal muscle isoform (SERCA 1), underwent phosphorylation by CaM kinase. Studies using SERCA 1 and SERCA 2 isoforms and their mutants expressed in a heterelogous cell system have resulted in i) confirmation of the isoform specificity of Ca(2+)-ATPase phosphorylation by CaM kinase, ii) identification of Ser38 as the site in SERCA 2 phosphorylated by CaM kinase, and iii) demonstration of phosphorylation-induced increase in Vmax of Ca2+ transport by the SERCA 2 enzyme. These observations suggest that in cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle direct phosphorylation of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase by the membrane-bound CaM kinase may serve to stimulate Ca2+ sequestration and therefore, the speed of muscle relaxation.

Enhanced contractile responses of arteries from streptozotocin diabetic rats to sodium fluoride

1. Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated increases in tension and phosphoinositide metabolism are enhanced in the aorta and mesenteric arteries from diabetic rats. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether contractile responses to sodium fluoride (NaF), which directly stimulates GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins), are also enhanced in diabetic arteries. 2. NaF (1-20 mM) in the presence of 10 microM aluminium chloride produced slowly developing, concentration-dependent contractions in mesenteric arteries from three month streptozotocin-diabetic (60 mg kg-1, i.v.) male Wistar rats and age-matched control rats. The maximum contractile response but not the sensitivity to NaF was significantly greater in mesenteric arteries from diabetic than from control rats, as was the response to noradrenaline (NA). Maximum contractile responses of aorta and caudal artery from diabetic rats to NaF were also significantly enhanced. 3. Removal of the endothelium and denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine did not significantly alter the maximum contractile response of mesenteric arteries from either control or diabetic rats to NaF. Similarly, NaF had no effect on cyclic AMP levels in aorta, and no difference in cyclic AMP levels, either basally or in the presence of NaF, was detected between control and diabetic rat aorta. 4. Contractile responses of mesenteric arteries from both control and diabetic rats to NaF were diminished in calcium-free Krebs solution, but the NaF response remained significantly elevated in mesenteric arteries from diabetic rats compared to control. 5. Ryanodine (30 microM) which depletes intracellular calcium stores, nifedipine (3 microM) which blocks dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels and calphostin C (0.5 microM) which selectively inhibits protein kinase C, all significantly inhibited maximum contractile responses of mesenteric arteries from control and diabetic rats to NaF. There were no significant differences between control and diabetic arteries in the relative magnitude of the inhibition produce by the three antagonist. 6. These data suggest that there may be increased activation of the same signalling processes that mediate NA-stimulated vasoconstriction, perhaps contraction-associated G-proteins or the effectors coupled to these G-proteins, in response to NaF in mesenteric arteries from diabetic rats. This may also be responsible for the enhanced contractile responses of these arteries to alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation.

Effects of aluminum chloride on the kinetics of rat cortex synaptosomal ATP diphosphohydrolase (EC 3.6.1.5)

Aluminum chloride (AlCl3), a neurotoxic compound, inhibited ATP diphosphohydrolase activity of synaptosomes obtained from cerebral cortex of adult rats. The metal ion significantly inhibited ATPase and ADPase activities of the enzyme at all concentrations tested in vitro (0.01, 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 10 mM) in the presence of 1.5 mM calcium. When tested in the absence of Ca2+, and with increasing amounts of Al3+, enzyme activity remained below basal levels, suggesting that the trivalent cation Al3+ is not a substitute for the divalent cation Ca2+ in ATP-Ca2+ and ADP-Ca2+ complexes. The Al3+ inhibition was competitive with respect to Ca2+. The enzyme inhibition was reversed by the addition of deferoxamine (DFO). NaF significantly inhibited ATP diphosphohydrolase activity, and this inhibition was reversed by the addition of Ca2+ to the medium. Such inhibition was not potentiated by AlF4, which is an inhibitor of cation-transport ATPases.

Quasi-irreversible inhibition of enolase of Streptococcus mutans by fluoride

Fluoride at concentrations greater than 0.01 mM was found to be a quasi-irreversible inhibitor of enolase of permeabilized cells of Streptococcus mutans GS-5 and also of isolated yeast enolase. The inhibition appeared to be of the type that has been described for P-ATPases, but was not dependent on added Al3+ or Be2+ ions. Fluoride inhibition of enolase was not reversed by repeatedly washing the permeabilized cells in chilled fluoride-free medium but could be reversed by the product, phosphoenolpyruvate, or by very high levels of the substrate, 2-phosphoglycerate. Irreversible inhibition of glycolysis was not evident after fluoride treatment of intact cells, washing to remove unbound or loosely bound fluoride and addition of glucose, presumably because intracellular levels of phosphoenolpyruvate were sufficiently high to preclude irreversible fluoride inhibition of enolase.

Interaction of tubulin and microtubule proteins with vanadate oligomers

Microtubule assembly is known to be regulated by the phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), and is thus sensitive to phosphatase inhibitors. We have investigated the direct interaction between phosphatase inhibitors (vanadate, sodium fluoride, and okadaic acid) and microtubule proteins. Vanadate self-assembles into oligomers, primarily dimer, tetramer, and decamer in 0.1 M Pipes, pH 6.9. Oligomer concentrations and their direct binding to tubulin and MAPs were determined by 51V NMR. The assembly of microtubule protein (MTP) is strongly inhibited by decavanadate binding to MAPs and only weakly inhibited by tetravanadate binding to MAPs. Decavanadate will inhibit both MAP2 and tau-induced assembly. Decavanadate binds to MAP2 at 26 sites [Ka > or = (1.0-1.3) x 10(5) M-1]. The mechanism appears to involve competitive binding to MAPs, presumably at or near the microtubule binding domains, and reduced affinity for microtubules. The assembly of MAP-free, phosphocellulose-purified tubulin (PC-tubulin) is only weakly inhibited by decavanadate, although decavanadate binds to tubulin at four independent sites (Ka > or = 1.0 x 10(5) M-1). Monomeric vanadate, a strong phosphatase inhibitor, does not interact with tubulin or MAPs, and thus does not bind to the exchangeable nucleotide binding site on tubulin. Sodium fluoride stimulates both PC-tubulin and MTP assembly by a nonspecific effect, probably involving water structure formation. Wyman analysis suggests an absence of direct or specific binding to tubulin (d ln K/d ln [NaF] = 0.214). NaCl is nearly as effective in promoting assembly of PC-tubulin, but inhibits MTP assembly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison of the effects of fluoride on the calcium pumps of cardiac and fast skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum: evidence for tissue-specific qualitative difference in calcium-induced pump conformation

Comparison of the effects of fluoride (NaF, 1-10 mM) on the catalytic and ion transport functions of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles isolated from rabbit cardiac and fast-twitch skeletal muscles revealed similarities as well as striking tissue-specific differences depending on the experimental conditions employed. Short preincubation (3 min at 37 degrees C) of cardiac or fast muscle SR with fluoride in the absence of Ca2+ and ATP prior to initiating enzyme turnover by simultaneous addition of Ca2+ and ATP to the assay medium resulted in a strong inhibitory effect of fluoride on ATP-energized (oxalate-facilitated) Ca2+ uptake and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. On the other hand, when turnover was initiated by the addition of ATP to SR preincubated with fluoride in the presence of Ca2+ but in the absence of ATP, fluoride caused concentration-dependent stimulation of active Ca2+ uptake by fast muscle SR with no appreciable change in Ca(2+)-dependent phosphoenzyme (EP) formation (from ATP) or Ca(2+)-ATPase activity but inhibition of active Ca2+ uptake by cardiac SR with concomitant inhibition of EP formation and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Exposure of cardiac or fast muscle SR to fluoride in the presence of both Ca2+ and ATP resulted in concentration-dependent stimulatory effect of fluoride on Ca2+ uptake with no change in EP formation or Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, this effect diminished substantially at saturating oxalate concentration in the assay. Assessment of the effects of deferoxamine (1 mM) and exogenous aluminum (10 microM) did not indicate a requirement for aluminum in the inhibitory or stimulatory effect of fluoride. These results suggest that (a) the Ca2+ and ATP-deprived (E1/E2) but not the Ca2+ plus ATP-liganded (CaE1ATP) conformation of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is susceptible to inhibition by fluoride in both cardiac and fast muscle; (b) the Ca(2+)-bound conformation (CaE1) of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is susceptible to inhibition in cardiac muscle but is refractory to fluoride in fast muscle; and (c) the stimulatory effect of fluoride is largely secondary to its ability to mimic the action of oxalate in intravesicular Ca2+ trapping when the fluoride-resistant enzyme is turning over normally. Fluoride inhibited phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-free enzyme by Pi in cardiac and fast muscle SR indicating that fluoride sensitivity of the phosphorylation site of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is similar in cardiac and fast muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Stoichiometry of tight binding of magnesium and fluoride to phosphorylation and high-affinity binding of ATP, vanadate, and calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase

We previously showed that, when the purified Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is treated with fluoride (F-) in the presence of Mg2+, a complete inactivation of the enzyme is induced by tight binding of approximately 2 mol of Mg2+ and 4 mol of F- to the catalytic site per mole of phosphorylation site [Kubota, T., Daiho, T., & Kanazawa, T. (1993) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1163, 131-143]. Contradictorily, on the basis of the postulated content of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in F(-)-treated SR vesicles, Coll and Murphy [(1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 21584-21587] suggested that each inactivated enzyme contains one tightly-bound Mg2+ and two tightly-bound F-. The present study has been made to resolve this conflict. The contents of phosphorylation site, high-affinity ATP-binding site, high-affinity vanadate-binding site, and high-affinity Ca(2+)-binding site in the SR vesicles used were 3.33 +/- 0.06, 3.54 +/- 0.12, 3.34 +/- 0.04, and 6.98 +/- 0.16 nmol/mg, respectively. When the vesicles were incubated with F- in the presence of Mg2+, the Ca(2+)-ATPase was inactivated progressively. After removal of unbound Mg2+ and F- by gel filtration, tightly-bound Mg2+ and F- were determined by use of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and a F(-)-selective electrode. A linear relationship existed between the extent of the enzyme inactivation and the contents of the tightly-bound ligands. The contents of tightly-bound Mg2+ and F- in the fully inactivated vesicles were 6.65 and 12.6 nmol/mg, respectively. The same stoichiometry was obtained with another preparation of SR vesicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quasi-irreversible inactivation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase by simultaneous tight binding of magnesium and fluoride to the catalytic site

The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase was inactivated quasi-irreversibly by the treatment with KF in the presence of Mg2+ and absence of Ca2+. This inactivation was Mg(2+)-dependent, and prevented by high-affinity Ca2+ binding. The enzyme was completely protected by ATP against the inactivation with an affinity consistent with that of the catalytic site for ATP. The affinity for Mg2+ in this inactivation was in agreement with that for Mg2+ in phosphorylation of the enzyme with Pi. Mg.ATP did not bind to the inactivated enzyme, whereas metal-free ATP did bind to it with a high affinity. These findings suggest that the Mg2+ binding sub-site in the catalytic site of the inactivated enzyme is occupied by tightly-bound Mg2+. The enzyme was completely protected by Pi against the inactivation with an affinity consistent with that of the catalytic site for Pi. The inactivated enzyme showed neither phosphorylation with Pi nor high-affinity vanadate binding. These findings suggest that the phosphorylation site of the inactivated enzyme is occupied by tightly-bound F-. The contents of tightly-bound Mg2+ and F- in the inactivated enzyme were determined after unbound Mg2+ and F- were removed by gel filtration. 2.3 mol of Mg2+ and 3.7 mol of F- per mol of phosphorylation sites were tightly bound to the enzyme. The tight binding of these ligands depended on the presence of each other, and was completely prevented by high-affinity Ca2+ binding. Linear relationships were found between the contents of the tightly-bound ligands and the extent of the enzyme inactivation. The tightly-bound Mg2+ and F- were entirely released by low-affinity Ca2+ binding, and correspondingly the ATPase activity was restored. It is concluded that the observed enzyme inactivation is caused by simultaneous tight binding of Mg2+ and F- to the catalytic site.