Calcium transport and calcium-ATPase activity in human lymphocyte plasma membrane vesicles

Calcium dynamics underlying pacemaker-like and burst firing oscillations in midbrain dopaminergic neurons: a computational study

A mathematical model of midbrain dopamine neurons has been developed to understand the mechanisms underlying two types of calcium-dependent firing patterns that these cells exhibit in vitro. The first is the regular, pacemaker-like firing exhibited in a slice preparation, and the second is a burst firing pattern sometimes exhibited in the presence of apamin. Because both types of oscillations are blocked by nifedipine, we have focused on the slow calcium dynamics underlying these firing modes. The underlying oscillations in membrane potential are best observed when action potentials are blocked by the application of TTX. This converts the regular single-spike firing mode to a slow oscillatory potential (SOP) and apamin-induced bursting to a slow square-wave oscillation. We hypothesize that the SOP results from the interplay between the L-type calcium current (I(Ca,L)) and the apamin-sensitive calcium-activated potassium current (I(K,Ca,SK)). We further hypothesize that the square-wave oscillation results from the alternating voltage activation and calcium inactivation of I(Ca,L). Our model consists of two components: a Hodgkin-Huxley-type membrane model and a fluid compartment model. A material balance on Ca(2+) is provided in the cytosolic fluid compartment, whereas calcium concentration is considered constant in the extracellular compartment. Model parameters were determined using both voltage-clamp and calcium-imaging data from the literature. In addition to modeling the SOP and square-wave oscillations in dopaminergic neurons, the model provides reasonable mimicry of the experimentally observed response of SOPs to TEA application and elongation of the plateau duration of the square-wave oscillations in response to calcium chelation.

Impaired lymphocyte calcium metabolism in end-stage renal disease: enhanced influx, decreased efflux, and reduced response to mitogen

Lymphocytes from patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) exhibit elevated cytosolic calcium concentration ((Ca2+)i), but the mechanisms responsible for this elevated (Ca2+)i have not been entirely elucidated. In addition, lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogenic stimuli are suppressed in patients with ESRD. The objectives of the study were as follows: (1) to measure calcium influx and efflux in lymphocytes from patients with ESRD; (2) to measure the effect of the calcium regulator parathyroid hormone (PTH) on lymphocyte (Ca2+)i; (3) to measure cytosolic calcium signal in patients' lymphocytes after mitogenic stimulation. The three study groups were as follows: healthy subjects (control), patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) before the beginning of regular dialysis treatment, and patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were tested in vitro for (Ca2+)i, Ca2+ influx, and membrane calcium-adenosine triphosphatase (CaATPase) activity. Cytosolic Ca2+ signals were traced after stimulations by PTH and by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Baseline (Ca2+)i was significantly elevated in both ESRD groups. Ca2+ influx was enhanced and CaATPase activity was reduced in both ESRD groups. PTH caused a (Ca2+)i increase in normal cells in a dose-dependent manner. PHA caused a (Ca2+)i elevation, with a Ca2+ signal in both groups of patients with ESRD that was significantly smaller than that in the control group. These findings suggest that the high (Ca2+)i found in lymphocytes from patients with ESRD is the result of enhanced Ca2+ influx concomitant with reduced Ca2+ extrusion, as reflected by reduced CaATPase activity. The patients' elevated serum PTH levels may have contributed to the high (Ca2+]i. The impaired cytosolic (Ca2+)i response to PHA may explain in part the suppressed lymphocyte proliferative response to PHA in patients with ESRD.

Ca(2+)-ATPase from chicken (Gallus domesticus) erythrocyte plasma membrane: effects of calmodulin and taurine on the Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake

In the present report we describe a method for purifying plasma membranes from chicken erythrocytes using sonication under conditions that facilitate preferential lysis of plasma membrane, followed by centrifugation through a sucrose gradient. The Ca(2+)-dependent ATP hydrolysis by plasma membranes is activated by nanomolar levels of calmodulin, similarly to that from anucleated erythrocytes. Inside-out vesicles display a calmodulin-activated Ca2+ uptake. Purified Ca(2+)-ATPase is obtained from the plasma membrane by Sepharose-calmodulin affinity chromatography, and exhibits an apparent molecular mass of 150 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, clearly showing that the enzyme is distinct from that described in anucleated erythrocytes (140 kDa). The enzyme is insensitive to physiological concentrations of taurine, a beta-amino acid that has been proposed to be involved in Ca2+ homeostasis of nucleated erythrocytes, suggesting that the effect of taurine is not mediated by the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Taken together, these data suggest that the enzyme may be an isoform that resembles the previously described plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase from anucleated erythrocytes in its regulation by calmodulin, but differs in its apparent molecular weight.

The role of calcium in human lymphocyte DNA repair ability

DNA repair ability is reduced in a variety of pathologic conditions. In addition, in some of these diseases a disturbance in cellular Ca homeostasis occurs or cytosolic (Ca2+) responses to various stimuli are impaired. The leading environmental cause for genomal DNA damage is ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The aims of the present study were (1) to evaluate a possible dependence of UV-induced DNA repair ability on cytosolic Ca2+ in human lymphocytes and (2) to assess the direct effect of UV irradiation on Ca2+ homeostasis in these cells. UV-induced DNA repair ability in lymphocytes was maximal at 1 mmol/L CaCl2 in the medium. Suppression of DNA repair ability occurred after elevation or reduction of cellular (Ca2+) when various methods were used, including changes in Ca2+ concentration in the medium, cellular Ca2+ depletion by ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, excessive Ca2+ concentration induced by ionophore, and shortening of Ca2+ presence time during repair synthesis. UV irradiation caused an immediate and significant rise in cytosolic (Ca2+) that was the result of both enhanced Ca2+ uptake and inhibition of plasma membrane Ca-adenosine triphosphatase activity. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein inhibited both UV-induced DNA repair and UV-induced cytosolic (Ca2+) elevation. These results emphasize the importance of a precise cellular Ca2+ level regulation for the optimal DNA repair process. UV irradiation, by inducing cellular Ca2+ rise, may activate DNA repair as soon as DNA is damaged.

Protein kinase C modulates cytosolic free calcium by stimulating calcium pump activity in Jurkat T cells

Although protein kinase C (PKC) activation has been shown to inhibit Ca2+ influx in T lymphocytes, the role of PKC on Ca2+ sequestration or extrusion processes has not been fully explored. We examined the effect of CD3 stimulation and PKC activators on cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+i) extrusion and 45Ca2+ efflux in human leukemic Jurkat T cells. Treatment of Fura-2 loaded cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or thymeleatoxin (THYM) resulted in a decrease in Ca2+i both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+, whereas inactive phorbol esters had no effect. PKC activators added at the peak of a Ca2+i transient induced by anti-CD3 mAb, ionomycin or thapsigargin (TG) stimulated the rate and extent of return of Ca2+i to basal levels by 17-53%. PKC stimulation of the Ca2+i decline was not enhanced by the presence of Na+, indicating that PKC activators increase Ca2+ pump activity rather than a Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism. As CD3 receptor activation enhanced the Ca2+i decline in TG-treated cells, antigen-mediated activation of phospholipase C (PLC) signaling includes enhanced Ca2+ extrusion at the plasma membrane. The effect of PKC activators on parameters of Ca2+i extrusion were further explored. PMA significantly increased the rate of Ca2+ extrusion in TG-treated cells from 0.28 +/- 0.02 to 0.35 +/- 0.03 s-1 (mean +/- SEM) and stimulated the initial rate of 45Ca2+ efflux by 69% compared to inactive phorbol ester treated cells. The effects of PKC activation on the Ca2+i decline were eliminated by PKC inhibitors, PKC down regulation (24 h PMA pretreatment), ATP-depletion and conditions that inhibited the Ca2+ pump. In contrast, pretreatment of cells with okadaic acid enhanced the PMA-stimulated response. We suggest that Jurkat T cells contain a PKC-sensitive Ca2+ extrusion mechanism likely to be the Ca2+ pump. In lymphocytes, receptor/PLC-linked PKC activation modulates Ca2+i not only by inhibiting Ca2+ influx but also by stimulating plasma membrane Ca2+i extrusion.

Inhibition of erythrocyte membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by the organophosphorus insecticides parathion and methylparathion

Organophosphorus insecticides parathion and methylparathion non-competitively inhibited the activity of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase bound to and solubilized from pig erythrocyte membrane. Both enzyme preparations exhibited biphasic substrate curves displaying the existence of two functional active sites with low and high affinity to ATP. Also, the relationship between the activity of bound enzyme and Ca2+ concentration was biphasic. The activity reached maximum at 20 microM then dropped progressively as the Ca2+ concentration was raised. The inhibition of the activity was more pronounced for parathion than for methylparathion and the solubilized enzyme preparation was more affected than the bound one. The inhibition constants (Ki) for parathion for bound enzyme were 55 and 158 microM for high- and low-affinity active sites, respectively; for methylparathion these values equalled 74 and 263 microM, respectively. Ki values for parathion were 36 and 118 microM for solubilized enzyme (high- and low-affinity sites, respectively), for methylparathion -62 and 166 microM, respectively. The magnitude of the effect was greater for a low Ca2+ concentration, which could arise from different conformational states of the enzyme at different calcium concentrations. The results of the experiment suggest that the insecticides inhibited the ATPase by binding to a site on the enzyme rather than by the interaction with associated lipids, although lipids could weaken the action of the compounds due to the strong affinity of organophosphorus insecticides to lipids.

Evidence that both Ca(2+)-ATPase and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activities in the plasma membrane-rich fraction from bovine parotid gland reside on the same enzyme molecule

1. Evidence was obtained that activities of both low-affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase and high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in the plasma membrane-rich fraction from bovine parotid gland reside on the same enzyme. 2. Two solubilized ATPases were purified by four steps of HPLC; and both activities eluted at the same fractions from each column, and the specific activity ratio of the two enzymes at each step was constant. 3. By non-denaturing PAGE, the final preparation gave a single band for both protein staining and activity staining for the two ATPases; and the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity comigrated with that of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. 4. In SDS-PAGE, each activity staining for the ATPases also gave a single band, and both activities comigrated. 5. These findings suggest that Ca(2+)-ATPase and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase are a single enzyme.

Intralymphocytic free calcium and magnesium in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats and effects of blood pressure and various antihypertensive agents

1. Free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and Mg2+ ([Mg2+]i) were measured in peripheral lymphocytes from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) at the age of 5, 7 and 17 weeks, from various antihypertensive agents-treated SHRSP, and from secondary hypertensive WKY. 2. At the age of 5 weeks, no difference was observed in systolic blood pressure (SBP), or lymphocyte [Ca2+]i and [Mg2+]i between SHRSP and WKY. At the age of 7 or 17 weeks, SBP and [Ca2+]i of SHRSP were significantly higher than in WKY, and at the age of 17 weeks, [Mg2+]i of SHRSP was significantly lower than in WKY. Further, [Ca2+]i or [Mg2+]i was positively or negatively correlated to SBP, and [Mg2+]i was negatively correlated to [Ca2+]i. 3. SBP of SHRSP fell significantly after antihypertensive treatment with calcium antagonist, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or hydralazine for 40 days. [Ca2+]i was significantly lower in calcium antagonist and hydralazine groups, and tended to be low in ACE inhibitor group. These four groups showed no difference in [Mg2+]i. 4. After 40-day administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), WKY developed severe hypertension, but there were no significant differences in lymphocyte [Ca2+]i and [Mg2+]i between the L-NNA treated and non-treated groups. 5. These results suggested that increased lymphocyte [Ca2+]i and decreased [Mg2+]i observed in SHRSP are not only secondary to hypertension but possibly related to a basic genetic abnormality of divalent cation handling.

Kinetics of calcium transport across the lymphocyte plasma membrane

We have investigated plasma membrane Ca2+ transport by monitoring the fluorescence of human peripheral T-lymphocytes loaded with fura 2. Thapsigargin (TG) was utilized the block the Ca(2+)-ATPase of the endoplasmic reticulum and elevate the cytosolic Ca2+ (Ca2+i). Ca2+ influx was inhibited by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The rate of decline in the Ca2+i signal of TG-treated lymphocytes after exposure to EGTA was used to assess Ca2+ extrusion across the plasma membrane. Initial rates of Ca2+i decline were examined in cells suspended in Na(+)-containing and Na(+)-free solutions; initial rates were linearly related to the [Ca2+]i at the onset of the Ca2+i decline and were unaffected by varying the extracellular Ca2+. Extracellular Na+ increased the rate of Ca2+ extrusion and decreased the threshold [Ca2+]i for extrusion, indicating a substantial role for the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in Ca2+i homeostasis. Both decreased temperature and calmodulin inhibition significantly slowed the Ca2+i decline in Na(+)-free HEPES-buffered solution, suggesting Ca2+ extrusion under these conditions was mediated by the Ca2+ pump. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation or inhibition did not affect the Ca2+i decline parameters. However, Ca2+ accumulation and Mn2+ (a Ca2+ surrogate) uptake were significantly and Mn2+ (a Ca2+ surrogate) uptake were significantly inhibited by activators of PKC. Cyclic nucleotides altered neither the parameters of the Ca2+i decline nor Mn2+ uptake. Thus human T-lymphocytes exhibit Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent transporters characterized as the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and Ca2+ pump. The main effect of PKC in these cells is the modulation of Ca2+ entry across the lymphocyte plasma membrane.

The dysfunction of calcium-ATPase pump in double negative T cells of autoimmune-prone mice

Double negative (DN) T cells expanding in peripheral lymphoid tissues in mice bearing lymphoproliferation (lpr) gene are generally unresponsive to mitogens, antigens, and anti-T cell receptor (TCR) or anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). In response to the stimulation with 0.125-5.0 microM ionomycin, control T cells sustained an increase in intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i), while DN lpr T cells showed a gradual fall following initial rapid increase in [Ca2+]i. Such gradual fall in [Ca2+]i was overcome by the addition of endoplasmic and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor or high dose (10 microM) of ionomycin. The requirement of high concentration of calcium ionophore for the sustained increase of [Ca2+]i in lpr DN T cells is due to dysfunction of Ca(2+)-ATPase pump.

Ca antagonist verapamil and tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA) induce chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes

Lymphocytes from 8 healthy donors were cultured for 3 days in the presence of phytohemagglutinin. Addition of the Ca antagonist verapamil or the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased chromosomal aberrations in comparison with control cultures. The effects of TPA and verapamil were additive. Although the Ca ionophore A23187 had no effect per se, it did abolish the effect of verapamil. Five patients with supraventricular tachycardia were treated clinically with verapamil for 1 week. Their lymphocytes were cultured for 3 days in vitro in the presence of phytohemagglutinin. These lymphocytes showed higher chromosomal aberrations in comparison with lymphocytes isolated from the patients before treatment. The clinical significance is still unclear. We suggest that calcium ions may be necessary for the intactness of chromosomes of human lymphocytes and presumably of other cells.

Defective control of cytoplasmic calcium concentration in T lymphocytes from old mice

Cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca]i) rises within minutes of exposure of T lymphocytes to a mitogen. T cells from old mice are defective in this reaction, a defect that could reflect either altered signal transduction or instead a more general age-associated change in intracellular calcium regulation. We therefore tested the ability of T cells from old mice to regulate their [Ca]i concentration after exposure to low concentrations of ionomycin, an agent that raises [Ca]i but bypasses receptor-mediated signal transduction mechanisms. Exposure of T cells to ionomycin leads to an abrupt increase in [Ca]i followed by stabilization at a dose-dependent plateau level that is affected by extracellular EGTA, by calmodulin inhibitors, and by modulators of protein kinase C. Plateau levels of [Ca]i after ionomycin challenge were consistently lower in T cells from old mice than in T cells from young mice. Flow cytometric experiments showed that while essentially all T cells from both old and young mice responded to ionomycin, they did so to an extent that depended on donor age. The age-dependent increase in resistance to ionomycin-induced changes in [Ca]i cannot be attributed to diminished membrane permeability to the ionomycin-calcium complex. The data suggest that aging may lead, in T lymphocytes, to a relative resistance to increases in [Ca]i, a resistance that in turn prevents cell activation.

Characterisation of a high affinity Ca2+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent ATPase in the rat parotid plasma membrane

Two Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activities have been identified in the plasma membrane of rat parotid: (a) a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase with high affinity for free Ca2+ (apparent Km = 208 nM, Vmax = 188 nmol/min per mg) and requiring micromolar concentration of Mg2+ and (b) a (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase with relatively low affinity for free Ca2+ (K0.5 = 23 microM) or free Mg2+ (K0.5 = 26 microM). The low-affinity (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase can be maximally stimulated by Ca2+ alone or Mg2+ alone. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase exhibits sigmoidal kinetics with respect to ATP concentration with K0.5 = 0.4 mM and a Hill coefficient of 1.91. It displays low substrate specificity with respect to nucleotide triphosphates. Although trifluoperazine inhibits the activity of the high affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase only slightly, it inhibits the activity of the low-affinity (Ca2+ or Mg2+)-ATPase quite potently with 22 microM trifluoperazine inhibiting the enzymic activity by 50%. Vanadate, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, Na+,K+ and ouabain had no effect on the activities of both ATPases. Calmodulin added to the plasma membranes does not stimulate the activities of both ATPases. The properties of the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase are distinctly different from those of the previously reported Ca2+-pump activity of the rat parotid plasma membrane.

ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in brush border membranes of human term placenta

In this communication, an ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was characterized in term human placental brush border membranes. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles greatly diminished uptake activity by 90 per cent, indicating an intravesicular accumulation of Ca2+. Kinetic studies indicate an apparent Km for Ca2+ of 0.22 +/- 0.04 microM and a Vmax of 441 +/- 137 pmoles/min/mg protein at 37 degrees C. The uptake was shown to have an optimum pH between 7.0 and 7.2, and was unaffected by the addition of oxalate, characteristics which are consistent with a plasma membrane origin of uptake. The process was temperature-dependent with a Q10 of 1.11 and was significantly inhibited (50 per cent) by 100 microM concentrations of trifluoperazine and vanadate. The characteristics of placental brush border Ca2+ uptake are similar to those of other Ca2+ uptake systems known to regulate intracellular calcium concentrations. By analogy, we suggest a similar role for this process in the maintenance of the low intracellular Ca2+ levels necessary for placental syncytiotrophoblast viability.

Separation of plasma membrane domains of calf thymocytes by affinity chromatography on ouabain-Sepharose

Highly purified plasma membranes of calf thymocytes were fractionated by means of affinity chromatography on ouabain-Sepharose. By the method used two subfractions were obtained, one eluting freely from the affinity gel (MF1oua) and a second specifically retained by matrix-bound ouabain (MF2oua), with a total recovery of 95 per cent. Fractionation required the binding of matrix-bound ouabain to its plasma membrane receptor, i.e. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Increasing the temperature and binding time did not significantly alter the fractionation of plasma membranes into the two subfractions. Both plasma membrane subfractions separated by ouabain-Sepharose were of plasma membrane origin, as revealed by the identical specific activities of several membrane bound enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and Mg2+-ATPase in unseparated plasma membranes and in both subfractions, and by the identical amounts of the cytoskeletal protein actin in unseparated plasma membranes and subfractions. The plasma membrane subfractions MF1oua and MF2oua showed different structural and functional properties. In SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis polypeptides of 170, 150, 110, 94, 39, and 30 kDa were several-fold enriched in the adherent fraction, MF2oua. The phospholipid fatty acid composition of the plasma membrane subfractions proved to be different, as well. MF2oua contained significantly higher amounts of saturated fatty acids as compared to MF1oua. The specific activities of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase and lysolecithin acyltransferase were highly enriched in the adherent fraction MF2oua, as compared to MF1oua. The data suggest that by the means of affinity chromatography on ouabain-Sepharose plasma membrane domains of the lymphocyte plasma membrane can be isolated, most probably implicated in the initiation of lymphocyte activation.

Stimulation of Ca2+ efflux from fura-2-loaded platelets activated by thrombin or phorbol myristate acetate

We investigated the restoration of [Ca2+]i in fura-2-loaded human platelets following discharge of internal Ca2+ stores in the absence of external Ca2+. After stimulation by thrombin [Ca2+]i returned from a peak level of 0.6 microM to resting levels within 4 min. When ionomycin discharged the internal stores the recovery was slower with [Ca2+]i still elevated at around 0.5 microM after 5 min. Thrombin added shortly after ionomycin could accelerate the recovery of [Ca2+]i and restore resting levels within 5 min, an effect that was mimicked by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). Since the continued presence of ionomycin precluded reuptake into the internal stores we conclude that thrombin and PMA stimulate Ca2+ efflux, perhaps via protein kinase C actions on a plasma membrane Ca2+ pump.

Functional domains of the T lymphocyte plasma membrane: characterization of the polypeptide composition

Highly purified plasma membranes from calf thymocytes were fractionated by affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A-Sepharose into two subfractions, one eluting freely from the affinity column (MF1) and a second being specifically retained (MF2). SDS-polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoresis revealed different polypeptide patterns of the two plasma membrane subfractions. Polypeptides of apparent molecular weights of 170, 150, 110, 94, 39, and 30 kDa were several-fold enriched in the adherent fraction, MF2. In contrast, several proteins in the 55-65 kDa range were preferentially recovered in the non-adherent fraction. Five Five of the six polypeptides, preferentially recovered in MF2 proved to be glycoproteins, the 39 kDa peptide was non-glycosilated. The differences in the amounts of the polypeptides specifically enriched in the adherent fraction MF2 became even more clear-cut when plasma membranes solubilized with non-ionic detergents (lysolecithin, ET-18-2H, Triton-X-100) were separated by affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A-Sepharose. The non-glycosilated peptide of apparent molecular weight of 39 kDa was recovered together with several glycoproteins in the adherent fraction, MF2, suggesting that not single glycoproteins, but plasma membrane domains were separated by Concanavalin A-Sepharose. Although the glycoproteins of the non-adherent fraction MF1 bound significant amounts of Concanavalin A, the major Concanavalin A binding glycoproteins were recovered in the adherent fraction, MF2. The plasma membrane subfractions showed also different functional properties, the specific activities [Na+ + K+]AT-Pase, Ca2+ ATPase and lysolecithin acyltransferase were several-fold enriched in the adherent fraction, MF2, as compared to MF1. The data suggest the existence of plasma membrane domains in the plasma membranes of thymocytes consisting of a different set of proteins, among others the major Concanavalin A binding glycoproteins with some membrane bound enzymes, probably implicated in the initiation of lymphocyte activation.

CD2 and CD3 antigens mobilize Ca2+ independently

Antigen-induced stimulation of T cells is mediated via the CD3 antigen receptor (Ti) complex and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) reacting with CD3 and Ti result in rapid intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, followed by monocyte-dependent proliferation. Combinations of mAb to CD2, the sheep red blood cell receptor, also mobilize calcium and induce mitogenesis and purified phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulates T cells predominantly by interaction with this molecule. It has been suggested that activation via CD2 requires the presence of CD3 and that the hydrophobic epsilon chain of CD3 is the T cell calcium channel. To investigate this further we have obtained large numbers of natural killer (NK) cells which express CD2 but not CD3 from a patient with a chronic expansion of this lymphocyte subpopulation. It is shown that calcium mobilization can be induced in these cells by mAb to CD2 and purified PHA but not by anti-CD3 mAb. This indicates that calcium mobilization can be induced via the CD2 molecule in NK cells not expressing CD3 and that activation through CD2 is separate from the antigen receptor CD3 pathway.

Characterization of plasma membrane domains of mouse EL4 lymphoma cells obtained by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose

Purified plasma membranes of mouse EL4 lymphoma cells were fractionated by means of affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose into two subfractions; one (MF1) eluted freely from the affinity column, the second (MF2) adhered specifically to Con A-Sepharose. Both membrane subfractions proved to be of plasma membrane origin, as evidenced by the following criteria. (i) The ratio of cholesterol to phospholipid was nearly identical in plasma membrane and both subfractions. (ii) When isolated plasma membranes were labelled with tritiated NaBH4, both subfractions exhibited identical specific radioactivities. (iii) After enzymatic radioiodination of the cells, the total content of labelled proteins was very similar in isolated plasma membranes and in both subfractions. (iv) Some plasma membrane marker enzymes exhibited nearly identical specific activities in plasma membranes, MF1 or MF2 including gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, 5'-nucleotidase and Mg2+-ATPase. Both subfractions exhibited characteristic differences. Thus the specific activities of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase and lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase were several-fold enriched in MF2 compared to MF1. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a different polypeptide composition of the two subfractions. Polypeptides of apparent molecular mass of 116, 95, 42, 39, 30 and 28 kDa were highly enriched in MF2, whereas MF1 contained another set of proteins, of apparent molecular mass of 70, 55 and 24 kDa. The phospholipid fatty acid composition of the subfractions proved to be different, as well, MF2 contained more saturated fatty acids than MF1. The data suggest the existence of plasma membrane domains in the plasma membranes of the mouse EL4 lymphoma cells, containing a set of polypeptides, among others membrane bound enzymes, embedded in a different phospholipid milieu.

An endogenous inhibitor protein of synaptic plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase

An inhibitor protein of synaptic plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was purified to apparent homogeneity from rat cerebrum by a molecular weight cut followed by chromatography of cytosol proteins with molecular weights between 10 000 and 3500 on DEAE-Sephadex at pH 5.2. The inhibitor could be partially inactivated by proteinases and dithiothreitol, but was heat-stable. Gel filtration gave a molecular weight of about 6000. Like the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase inhibitor protein isolated from erythrocytes, the inhibitor from brain contains a characteristic high proportion of glutamic acid (36%) and glycine (37%) residues. Synaptic plasma membrane Mg2+-ATPase and microsomal membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase did not respond to the inhibitor. Synaptic plasma membrane and erythrocyte membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPases, however, were affected. Inhibitory influence on synaptic membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was reversible, since inhibition could be relieved upon removal of inhibitor from saturable sites on the membrane. The inhibitor is not a calmodulin-binding protein, since the concentration of calmodulin for half-maximal activation of the ATPase was unaffected by its presence. Mode of inhibition of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by the inhibitor was non-competitive.

The liver plasma membrane Ca2+ pump: hormonal sensitivity

The liver plasma membrane Ca2+ pump is supposed to extrude cytosolic calcium out of the cell. This system has now been well defined on the basis of its plasma membrane origin, its high affinity Ca2+ -stimulated ATPase activity, its Ca2+ transport activity, its phosphorylated intermediate. The liver calcium pump appears to be a target of hormonal action since it has been shown that glucagon and calcium mobilizing hormones namely alpha 1-adrenergic agonists, vasopressin, angiotensin II inhibit this system. The present review details the mechanism of calcium pump inhibition by glucagon and points out its difference from the inhibition process induced by calcium mobilizing hormones. We conclude that the inhibitory action of the Ca2+ mobilizing hormones and glucagon on the liver plasma membrane Ca2+ pump might play a key role in the actions of these hormones by prolonging the elevation in cytosolic free Ca2+.

Ecto-nucleotide triphosphatase activity of human lymphocytes: studies of normal and CLL lymphocytes

We have studied the apparent kinetic parameters of the ecto-nucleotide triphosphatase from CLL B lymphocytes and compared them to blood and tonsillar B and T cells. The Vmax of the ecto-ATPase activity in CLL B lymphocytes, was 65 +/- 10 fmol Pi/cell per 30 min compared to 37 +/- 2.1 in blood B lymphocytes, and 8.5 +/- 1.7 in blood T lymphocytes. The ATPase of membranes prepared from CLL, tonsillar B and T, and blood T lymphocytes had a relationship among the cell types similar to that seen in intact cells. However, no difference in the km for ATP, .17 mM, or the km for magnesium, .15 mM was found in the ecto-ATPase of CLL lymphocytes as compared to blood or tonsillar B cells. The ectoenzyme of CLL cells hydrolyzed GTP, ITP, CTP, and UTP as well as ATP. Further, ATP added to an enzyme assay containing an alternative nucleotide did not result in increased phosphate release. Nucleotide acceptance of blood B and T lymphocytes was very similar to that of CLL B cells. ATP inhibited phosphate release when present in excess of magnesium in both CLL and blood B lymphocytes. These data indicate that there is greater ectonucleotide triphosphatase activity in tonsillar and blood B lymphocytes, including CLL, as compared either to blood or tonsillar T lymphocytes. However, CLL cells showed no qualitative difference from blood or tonsillar B cells in ectonucleotidase activity. Thus, the higher activity in CLL cells is "B cell-like" and might reflect, also, their maturation stage or monoclonal origin.

Characterization of a calcium-dependent ATPase in Entamoeba invadens

A high-affinity calcium-dependent ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) was identified in a crude plasma membrane fraction from Entamoeba invadens (IP-1 strain). The Ca2+-ATPase activity was solubilized from the membrane by utilizing the non-ionic detergent octylglucoside. The activity had an apparent half maximal saturation constant of 0.4 +/- 0.05 microM for free calcium. The calcium activation of ATPase activity followed a cooperative mechanism (Hill number of 2.3 +/- 0.13) which suggests that two interacting sites were involved. The high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase appeared to be magnesium-independent, since by lowering contaminant free magnesium with trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid did not modify the activity observed with Ca2+. The apparent Km of the enzyme for ATP was 31 microM. The observed activity had an optimum pH of 8.8. The enzyme was insensitive to various agents such as Na+, K+, ouabain, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, KCN, NaN3, mersalyl, quercetin, ruthenium red and vanadate. Only lanthanum (0.5 mM) inhibited 100% the enzymatic activity. Calmodulin and trifluoperazine at the concentrations tested did not modify the Ca2+-ATPase activity.

Calcium pump, high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase, and other ATPases in dog antrum smooth muscle plasma membrane

The plasma membrane-enriched fraction from dog antrum smooth muscle is enriched in ATP-dependent azide-insensitive Ca2+ uptake (0.3-0.4 microM Ca2+ required for half-maximal activity), a high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase (Km of 0.3-0.8 microM for Ca2+), a low-affinity Ca2+-ATPase (Km for 250-400 microM for Ca2+), and a Mg2+-ATPase. Studies using membranes washed with EDTA and assay media treated with Chelex 100 showed that the high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase did not depend on contaminating Mg2+. Thus, whereas the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake had an absolute requirement for Mg2+, the Ca2+-ATPases did not. Studies using gamma-irradiation showed that the protein responsible for the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was inactivated at significantly lower doses of radiation than the three ATPases. The Ca2+ uptake and the high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase also differed in their inhibition by calmodulin antagonists and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Thus it is unlikely that the high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase by itself is responsible for the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake.

Comparison of (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase in rat cardiac sarcolemma

The calcium dependency of the Ca2+-pump ATPase of rat cardiac sarcolemma was investigated in the presence and absence of EGTA and EDTA in combination with two free Mg2+-ion concentrations. The results showed: that Mg2+-ions are not essential for the turnover of the Ca2+-pump ATPase; that the Ca2+-affinity is regulated by the concentration of the calcium-chelator complex present in the medium; that (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase are probably expressions of the same Ca2+-pump ATPase in the plasma membrane of the cell.

Effects of Cd2+ upon Ca2+ fluxes and proliferation in concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes

The mitogenic response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to the lectin concanavalin A (conA) is inhibited by micromolar concentrations of CdCl2. This inhibition is partially relieved by an increase in the external Ca2+ concentration (from 0.6 to 2.2 mM). The initial rate of conA-induced 45Ca2+ influx is unaltered by CdCl2, although the level of 45Ca2+ accumulation increases. The basal rate of 45Ca2+ entry is not measurably disturbed by CdCl2 (100 microM). The steady-state efflux of 45Ca2+ and the calmodulin-activated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity of erythrocyte ghosts are inhibited by CdCl2 (10 microM). Thus, the mechanism behind the Cd2+-induced suppression of the mitogenic response to conA is not due to alteration of mitogen-stimulated Ca2+ influx. We suggest that Cd2+ competes with Ca2+ for intracellular Ca2+-binding molecules, such as calmodulin, essential for the induction of cell proliferation.

Evidence against parallel operation of sodium/calcium antiport and ATP-driven calcium transport in plasma membrane vesicles from kidney tubule cells

The present study aimed to clarify the existence of a Na+/Ca2+ antiport device in kidney tubular epithelial cells discussed in the literature to represent the predominant mechanistic device for Ca2+ reabsorption in the kidney. Inside-out oriented plasma membrane vesicles from tubular epithelial cells of guinea-pig kidney showed an ATP-driven Ca2+ transport machinery similar to that known to reside in the plasma membrane of numerous cell types. It was not affected by digitalis compounds which otherwise are well-documented inhibitors of Ca2+ reabsorption. The vesicle preparation contained high, digitalis-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activities indicating its origin from the basolateral portion of plasma membrane. The operation of a Na+/Ca2+ antiport device was excluded by the findings that steep Ca2+ gradients formed by ATP-dependent Ca2+ accumulation in the vesicles were not discharged by extravesicular Na+, and did not drive 45Ca2+ uptake into the vesicles via a Ca2+-45Ca2+ exchange. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into the vesicles became increasingly depressed with time by extravesicular Na+. This was not due to an impairment of the Ca2+ pump itself, but caused by Na+/Ca2+ competition for binding sites on the intravesicular membrane surface shown to be important for high Ca2+ accumulation in the vesicles. Earlier observations on Na+-induced release of Ca2+ from vesicles pre-equilibrated with Ca2+, seemingly favoring the existence of a Na+/Ca2+ antiporter in the basolateral plasma membrane, were likewise explained by the occurrence of Na+/Ca2+ competition for binding sites. The weight of our findings disfavors the transcellular pathway of Ca2+ reabsorption through tubule epithelium essentially depending on the operation of a Na+/Ca2+ antiport device.

Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity in rabbit lymphocyte plasma membranes

Plasma membranes of rabbit thymus lymphocytes accumulated Ca2+ when a Na+ gradient (intravesicular greater than extravesicular) was formed across the membranes. Dissipation of the Na+ gradient by the addition of Na+ to the external medium decreased Ca2+ uptake. Ca2+ preloaded into the lymphocytes was extruded when Na+ was added to the external medium. The Ca2+ uptake decreased at acidic pH but increased at alkaline pH (above 8) and the activity was saturable for Ca2+ (apparent Km for Ca2+ was 61 microM and apparent Vmax was 11.5 nmol/mg protein per min). Na+-dependent uptake of Ca2+ was inhibited by tetracaine and verapamil, and partially inhibited by La3+. The uptake was not influenced by orthovanadate.

Identification of the plasminogen activator(s) produced by the transformed liver cell line, SK-HEP-1

The availability of a cell line derived from an adenocarcinoma of the liver has made it possible to study the plasminogen activator(s) (PA) biosynthesized in culture by liver cells. Conditioned cultured media purified on fibrin-celite, benzamidine-Sepharose and immunoabsorbent anti-urokinase columns have shown the presence of multiple plasminogen activators when separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). These PAs differ in molecular weight but all are urokinase-like based on their reaction with goat anti-urokinase and rabbit anti-tissue activator. Subcellular fractionation of the cultured cells shows the presence of activator in both the cytoplasmic and membrane fractions, but the higher molecular weight forms appear primarily in the cytoplasm.

A high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in plasma membranes of rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cells

The activity of calcium-stimulated and magnesium-dependent adenosinetriphosphatase which possesses a high affinity for free calcium (high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, EC 3.6.1.3) has been detected in rat ascites hepatoma AH109A cell plasma membranes. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase had an apparent half saturation constant of 77 +/- 31 nM for free calcium, a maximum reaction velocity of 9.9 +/- 3.5 nmol ATP hydrolyzed/mg protein per min, and a Hill number of 0.8. Maximum activity was obtained at 0.2 microM free calcium. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was absolutely dependent on 3-10 mM magnesium and the pH optimum was within physiological range (pH 7.2-7.5). Among the nucleoside trisphosphates tested, ATP was the best substrate, with an apparent Km of 30 microM. The distribution pattern of this enzyme in the subcellular fractions of the ascites hepatoma cell homogenate (as shown by the linear sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation method) was similar to that of the known plasma membrane marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), indicating that the ATPase was located in the plasma membrane. Various agents, such as K+, Na+, ouabain, KCN, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and NaN3, had no significant effect on the activity of high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. Orthovanadate inhibited this enzyme activity with an apparent half-maximal inhibition constant of 40 microM. The high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was neither inhibited by trifluoperazine, a calmodulin-antagonist, nor stimulated by bovine brain calmodulin, whether the plasma membranes were prepared with or without ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid. Since the kinetic properties of the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase showed a close resemblance to those of erythrocyte plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase, the high-affinity (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of rat ascites hepatoma cell plasma membrane is proposed to be a calcium-pumping ATPase of these cells.

On the interrelation between calmodulin and EGTA in the regulation of the affinity to Ca2+ and the maximal activity of the erythrocyte-membrane calcium pump

1. Calmodulin distribution in rat erythrocytes and the interrelation between calmodulin and EGTA in regulation of the rate of 45Ca accumulation by erythrocyte-membrane inside-out vesicles were studied. 2. The total content of calmodulin in rat erythrocytes is about 24 mumol/l of cells. About 60% of calmodulin is localized in cytoplasm and 40% (10 mumol/l of cells) of calmodulin is loosely bound to membranes; after subsequent washing by hypotonic solution (membranes A) the content of membrane-bound calmodulin decreases up to 0.1 mumol/l of cells. 3. The addition of exogenous calmodulin to membranes A results in increase of the maximal activity of the Ca-pump and does not influence its affinity to Ca2+. Troponin I (30 microM) completely abolishes the calmodulin effect on the Ca-pump activity without significant alterations in its basal activity. 4. The addition of EGTA in the membrane-washing solution results in decrease of the membrane-found pool calmodulin up to 0.01 mumol/l of cells (membranes B). This procedure is accompanied by decrease of the affinity of Ca-pump to Ca2+ and does not influence its maximal rate. 5. The effect of EGTA treatment (membranes B) on the affinity of Ca-pump to Ca is abolished after addition of micromolar concentrations of calmodulin or millimolar concentration of EGTA in the incubation medium. The increase of EGTA concentration in the incubation medium results in decrease of the affinity of Ca-pump to calmodulin. 6. It is assumed that two essentially different pools of calmodulin participate in the regulation of the activity of Ca-pump. (a) The pool of calmodulin which is loosely bound to membrane (this size is dependent on calmodulin concentration in cytoplasm) determines the maximal activity of Ca-pump. The effect of this calmodulin pool is blocked by troponin I. (b) The tightly bound pool of calmodulin which is removed by EGTA treatment determines the affinity of Ca-pump to Ca. 7. In this connection the reasons for contradictory data on estimation of calmodulin effect on the kinetic parameters of plasma membrane Ca-pump are discussed.

Calcium transport and Ca2+-ATPase activity in ram spermatozoa plasma membrane vesicles

Plasma membrane vesicles, isolated from ejaculated ram sperm, were found to contain Ca2+-activated Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+ transport activities. Membrane vesicles that were exposed to oxalate as a Ca2+-trapping agent accumulated Ca2+ in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP. The Vmax for Ca2+ uptake was 33 nmol/mg protein per h, and the Km values for Ca2+ and ATP were 2.5 microM and 45 microM, respectively. 1 microM of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, added initially, completely inhibited net Ca2+ uptake and, if added later, caused the release of Ca2+ previously accumulated. A Ca2+-activated ATPase was present in the same membrane vesicles which had a Vmax of 1.5 mumol/mg protein per h at free Ca2+ concentration of 10 microM. This Ca2+-ATPase had Km values of 4.5 microM and 110 microM for Ca2+ and ATP, respectively. This kinetic parameter was similar to that observed for uptake of Ca2+ by the vesicles. The Ca2+-ATPase activity was insensitive to ouabain. Both Ca2+ transport and Ca2+-ATPase activity were inhibited by the flavonoid quercetin. Thus, ram spermatozoa plasma membranes have both a Ca2+ transport activity and a Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity with similar substrate affinities and specificities and similar sensitivity to quercetin.

Identification of Ca2+-pump-related phosphoprotein in plasma membrane vesicles of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells

Plasma membrane vesicles of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells have been isolated to a high degree of purity. In the presence of Mg2+, the plasma membrane preparation exhibits a Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity of 2 mumol Pi per h per mg protein. It is suggested that this (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity is related to the measured Ca2+ transport which was characterized by Km values for ATP and Ca2+ of 44 +/- 9 microM and 0.25 +/- 0.10 microM, respectively. Phosphorylation of plasma membranes with [gamma-32P]ATP and analysis of the radioactive species by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a Ca2+-dependent hydroxylamine-sensitive phosphoprotein with a molecular mass of 135 kDa. Molecular mass and other data differentiate this phosphoprotein from the catalytic subunit of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and from the catalytic subunit of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of endoplasmic reticulum. It is suggested that the 135 kDa phosphoprotein represents the phosphorylated catalytic subunit of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells. This finding is discussed in relation to previous attempts to identify a Ca2+-pump in plasma membranes isolated from nucleated cells.

Regulation of canine heart sarcolemmal Ca2+-pumping ATPase by cyclic GMP

Cyclic nucleotide modulation of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump has been recognized for some time. Little is known, however, of cyclic nucleotide effects on the sarcolemmal Ca2+-pump. In sarcolemmal vesicles prepared from ventricular muscle by a recent technique (Jones, L.R., Maddock, S.W. and Besch, H.R. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 9971-9980) we have demonstrated via Millipore filtration that 10(-8) M and 10(-9) M cyclic GMP depressed the rate of ATP- and Mg2+-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake by 34% and 52%, respectively. Only at millimolar levels did cyclic AMP have any effect and the respective 5'-nucleotides had no effect at all. Parallel measurement of the associated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase in the presence of either cyclic or 5'-nucleotides, however, revealed no concomitant depression in ATP hydrolysis. In another series of experiments, the cyclic GMP effect on 45Ca2+ uptake was associated with a significant decrease in the pump Vmax, and at the most effective concentration of cyclic GMP increased the apparent Km for Ca2+. These results suggest that cyclic GMP may depress ventricular Ca2+ efflux by decreasing the enzyme turnover and to a limited extent, decreasing pump affinity for Ca2+. This supports a hypothesis whereby cyclic GMP might modulate both local biochemical and electrophysiological events by an effect on a discrete, regional pool of intracellular Ca2+.

Plasma membrane vesicles prepared from unadhered monocytes: characterization of calcium transport and the calcium ATPase

We have purified unadhered human monocytes in sufficient quantities to prepare monocyte plasma membrane vesicles and study vesicular calcium transport. Monocytes were isolated from plateletpheresis residues by counterflow centrifugal elutriation. By combining this source and procedure, 7 x 10(8) monocytes of over 90% purity were obtained. The membranes, isolated on a sucrose step gradient, had an 18-fold enrichment in Na,K-ATPase, a 29-fold diminution of succinate dehydrogenase activity and were vesicular on transmission electron micrographs. The membrane vesicles loaded with oxalate accumulated calcium only in the presence of Mg and ATP. Calcium uptake did not occur if ATP was replaced by any of five nucleotide phosphates or if Mg was omitted. Calcium transport had a maximal velocity of 4 pmoles calcium/micrograms vesicle protein/min and a Km for calcium of 0.53 microM. The ionophore A23187 completely inhibited calcium accumulation while 5 mM sodium cyanide and 10 microM ouabain had no effect. A calcium-activated ATPase was present in the same plasma membrane vesicles. The calcium ATPase had a maximal velocity of 18.0 pmoles calcium/micrograms vesicle protein/min and a Km for calcium of 0.60 microM. Calcium-activated ATPase activity was absent if Mg was omitted or if (gamma - 32P) GTP replaced (gamma - 32P) ATP. Monocyte plasma membranes that were stripped of endogenous calmodulin by EGTA treatment showed a reduced level of calcium uptake and calcium ATPase activity. The addition of exogenous calmodulin restored the transport activity to that of unstripped monocyte plasma membranes. Thus, monocyte plasma membrane vesicles contain a highly specific, ATP-dependent calcium transport system and a calcium-ATPase with similar high calcium affinities.

Secretion of plasminogen activator by the human macrophage-like cell line, GCT: separation from colony-stimulating and erythropoiesis-enhancing activities

The human macrophage-like cell line, GCT, elaborates monokines such as colony-stimulating activity (CSA) and erythropoiesis-enhancing activity (EEA) which stimulate the growth of primitive blood progenitors in culture. These cells also secrete a fibrinolysis activator (FA), which can be identified if cells are cultured in serum-free medium. FA was found to have a similar molecular weight to CSA and EEA by gel filtration but could be separated from them by ion exchange chromatography. Subcellular fractionation of GCT cells indicated that fibrinolytic activity was present in the cell membranes and cytosol, whereas CSA and EEA were present only in the cytosol. FA resembled urokinase in molecular weight and its strict requirement for plasminogen as a substrate. Double immunodiffusion of GCT activator and urokinase against anti-urokinase antiserum resulted in a line of identity, and incubation of activator with antiserum resulted in loss of its fibrinolytic activity. Thus, GCT activator was similar, if not identical to the plasminogen activator, urokinase.

Evidence that calmodulin may be involved in phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte division

Phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated and non-stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine into human peripheral blood lymphocytes is inhibited by the calcium antagonist PY 108–068 and by the calmodulin antagonists trifluo-perazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-l-naphthalene sulphonamide (W7). It is argued that calmodulin may be involved in both non-stimulated [3H]thymidine uptake in lymphocytes and also in the lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin.

Kinetic characterization and substrate requirement for the Ca2+ uptake system in platelet membrane

An ATP-dependent mechanism for Ca2+ uptake in human platelet membrane fractions has been identified and characterized. Ca2+ uptake into a membrane fraction is shown to be stimulated at low concentrations of ATP and Ca2+ and to require magnesium ions. Initial rate kinetics, using Eadie-Scatchard analysis, indicated a single class of calcium uptake sites in the presence of ATP, with a Kd for free [Ca2+] of 0.145 microM. Ca2+ uptake in the presence of several ATP concentrations demonstrates that ATP binds to at least two sites, representing high and low affinities of 3.21 and 80.1 microM, respectively. The neuroleptic drug fluphenazine inhibited ATP-stimulated calcium uptake (IC50 = 55 microM), suggesting this ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake system may provide a useful ion-transport model with which to study neuroleptic therapy in humans.