Analysis of amino acid residues in the H5-H6 transmembrane and extracellular domains of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit identifies threonine 797 as a determinant of ouabain sensitivity

Predatory fireflies and their toxic firefly prey have evolved distinct toxin resistance strategies

Toxic cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) act as a defense mechanism in many firefly species (Lampyridae) by inhibiting a crucial enzyme called Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA). Although most fireflies produce these toxins internally, species of the genus Photuris acquire them from a surprising source: predation on other fireflies. The contrasting physiology of toxin exposure and sequestration between Photuris and other firefly genera suggests that distinct strategies may be required to prevent self-intoxication. Our study demonstrates that both Photuris and their firefly prey have evolved highly resistant NKAs. Using an evolutionary analysis of the specific target of CTS (ATPα) in fireflies and gene editing in Drosophila, we find that the initial steps toward resistance were shared among Photuris and other firefly lineages. However, the Photuris lineage subsequently underwent multiple rounds of gene duplication and neofunctionalization, resulting in the development of ATPα paralogs that are differentially expressed and exhibit increasing resistance to CTS. By contrast, other firefly species have maintained a single copy. Our results implicate gene duplication as a facilitator in the transition of Photuris to its distinct ecological role as a predator of toxic firefly prey.

Predatory fireflies and their toxic firefly prey have evolved distinct toxin resistance strategies

Toxic cardiotonic steroids (CTS) act as a defense mechanism in many firefly species (Lampyridae) by inhibiting a crucial enzyme called Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA). While most fireflies produce these toxins internally, species of the genus Photuris acquire them from a surprising source: predation on other fireflies. The contrasting physiology of toxin exposure and sequestration between Photuris and other firefly genera suggests that distinct strategies may be required to prevent self-intoxication. Our study demonstrates that both Photuris and their firefly prey have evolved highly-resistant NKAs. Using an evolutionary analysis of the specific target of CTS (ATPα) in fireflies, and gene-editing in Drosophila, we find that the initial steps towards resistance were shared among Photuris and other firefly lineages. However, the Photuris lineage subsequently underwent multiple rounds of gene duplication and neofunctionalization, resulting in the development of ATPα paralogs that are differentially expressed and exhibit increasing resistance to CTS. In contrast, other firefly species have maintained a single copy. Our results implicate gene duplication as a facilitator in the transition of Photuris to its distinct ecological role as predator of toxic firefly prey.

Binding of cardiotonic steroids to Na+,K+-ATPase in the E2P state

The sodium pump (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, NKA) is vital for animal cells, as it actively maintains Na⁺ and K⁺ electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane. It is a target of cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) such as ouabain and digoxin. As CTSs are almost unique strong inhibitors specific to NKA, a wide range of derivatives has been developed for potential therapeutic use. Several crystal structures have been published for NKA-CTS complexes, but they fail to explain the largely different inhibitory properties of the various CTSs. For instance, although CTSs are thought to inhibit ATPase activity by binding to NKA in the E2P state, we do not know if large conformational changes accompany binding, as no crystal structure is available for the E2P state free of CTS. Here, we describe crystal structures of the BeF₃ ^- complex of NKA representing the E2P ground state and then eight crystal structures of seven CTSs, including rostafuroxin and istaroxime, two new members under clinical trials, in complex with NKA in the E2P state. The conformations of NKA are virtually identical in all complexes with and without CTSs, showing that CTSs bind to a preformed cavity in NKA. By comparing the inhibitory potency of the CTSs measured under four different conditions, we elucidate how different structural features of the CTSs result in different inhibitory properties. The crystal structures also explain K⁺-antagonism and suggest a route to isoform specific CTSs.

Annonacin promotes selective cancer cell death via NKA-dependent and SERCA-dependent pathways

In the healthcare sector, phytocompounds are known to be beneficial by contributing or alleviating a variety of diseases. Studies have demonstrated the progressive effects of phytocompounds on immune-related diseases and to exhibit anticancer effects. Graviola tree is an evergreen tree with its extracts (leafs and seeds) been reported having anticancer properties, but the precise target of action is not clear. Using an in silico approach, we predicted that annonacin, an Acetogenin, the active agent found in Graviola leaf extract (GLE) to potentially act as a novel inhibitor of both sodium/potassium (NKA) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA) ATPase pumps. We were able to validate and confirm the in silico studies by showing that GLE inhibited NKA and SERCA activity in intact cells. In the present study, we also demonstrated the antiproliferative and anticancer effects of GLE in a variety of cancer cell lines with limited toxic effects on non-transformed cells. Moreover, our results revealed that known inhibitors of both NKA and SERCA pumps could also promote cell death in several cancer cell lines. In addition, a mouse xenograft cancer model showed GLE as able to reduce tumor size and progression. Finally, bioprofiling studies indicated a strong correlation between overexpression of both NKA and SERCA gene expression vs. survival rates. Overall, our results demonstrated that GLE can promote selective cancer cell death via inhibiting NKA and SERCA, and thus can be considered as a potential novel treatment for cancer. After molecular analysis of GLE by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and ESI–QTOF–MS analysis, it was found that the MS spectrum of the high abundant chromatographic peak purified sample highly consisted of annonacin.

Design, Synthesis, and in Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Ouabain Analogues as Potent and Selective Na,K-ATPase α4 Isoform Inhibitors for Male Contraception

Na,K-ATPase α4 is a testis-specific plasma membrane Na⁺ and K⁺ transporter expressed in sperm flagellum. Deletion of Na,K-ATPase α4 in male mice results in complete infertility, making it an attractive target for male contraception. Na,K-ATPase α4 is characterized by a high affinity for the cardiac glycoside ouabain. With the goal of discovering selective inhibitors of the Na,K-ATPase α4 and of sperm function, ouabain derivatives were modified at the glycone (C3) and the lactone (C17) domains. Ouabagenin analogue 25, carrying a benzyltriazole moiety at C17, is a picomolar inhibitor of Na,K-ATPase α4, with an outstanding α4 isoform selectivity profile. Moreover, compound 25 decreased sperm motility in vitro and in vivo and affected sperm membrane potential, intracellular Ca²⁺, pH, and hypermotility. These results proved that the new ouabagenin triazole analogue is an effective and selective inhibitor of Na,K-ATPase α4 and sperm function.

Cardiac glycoside activities link Na(+)/K(+) ATPase ion-transport to breast cancer cell migration via correlative SAR

The cardiac glycosides ouabain and digitoxin, established Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase inhibitors, were found to inhibit MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell migration through an unbiased chemical genetics screen for cell motility. The Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase acts both as an ion-transporter and as a receptor for cardiac glycosides. To delineate which function is related to breast cancer cell migration, structure–activity relationship (SAR) profiles of cardiac glycosides were established at the cellular (cell migration inhibition), molecular (Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase inhibition), and atomic (computational docking) levels. The SAR of cardiac glycosides and their analogs revealed a similar profile, a decrease in potency when the parent cardiac glycoside structure was modified, for each activity investigated. Since assays were done at the cellular, molecular, and atomic levels, correlation of SAR profiles across these multiple assays established links between cellular activity and specific protein–small molecule interactions. The observed antimigratory effects in breast cancer cells are directly related to the inhibition of Na⁺/K⁺ transport. Specifically, the orientation of cardiac glycosides at the putative cation permeation path formed by transmembrane helices αM1–M6 correlates with the Na⁺ pump activity and cell migration. Other Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase inhibitors that are structurally distinct from cardiac glycosides also exhibit antimigratory activity, corroborating the conclusion that the antiport function of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase and not the receptor function is important for supporting the motility of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Correlative SAR can establish new relationships between specific biochemical functions and higher-level cellular processes, particularly for proteins with multiple functions and small molecules with unknown or various modes of action.

Amino acid substitutions of Na,K-ATPase conferring decreased sensitivity to cardenolides in insects compared to mammals

Mutagenesis analyses and a recent crystal structure of the mammalian Na,K-ATPase have identified amino acids which are responsible for high affinity binding of cardenolides (such as ouabain) which at higher doses block the enzyme in the phosphorylated state. Genetic analysis of the Na,K-ATPase of insects adapted to cardenolides in their food plants revealed that some species possess substitutions which confer strongly increased resistance to ouabain in the mammalian enzyme such as the substitution T797A or combined substitutions at positions 111 and 122. To test for the effect of these mutations against the background of insect Na,K-ATPase, we here expressed the ouabain sensitive Na,K-ATPase α-subunit of Drosophila melanogaster together with the β-subunit Nrv3 in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells and introduced the substitutions N122H, T797A, Q111T-N122H, Q111V-N122H, all of which have been observed in cardenolide-adapted insects. While all constructs showed similar expression levels, ouabain affinity of mutated Na,K-ATPases was reduced compared to the wild-type fly enzyme. Ouabain sensitivity of the ATPase activity in inhibition assays was significantly decreased by all mutations, yet whereas the IC₅₀ for the single mutations of N122H (61.0 μM) or T797A (63.3 μM) was increased roughly 250-fold relative to the wild-type (0.24 μM), the double mutations of Q111V-N122H (IC₅₀ 550 μM) and Q111T-N122H (IC₅₀ 583 μM) proved to be still more effective yielding a 2.250-fold increased resistance to ouabain. The double mutations identified in cardenolide-adapted insects are more effective in reducing ouabain sensitivity of the enzyme than those found naturally in the rat Na,K-ATPase (Q111R-N122D) or in mutagenesis screens of the mammalian enzyme. Obviously, the intense selection pressure on cardenolide exposed insects has resulted in very efficient substitutions that decrease cardenolide sensitivity extremely.

Crystal structure of the high-affinity Na+K+-ATPase-ouabain complex with Mg2+ bound in the cation binding site

The Na(+),K(+)-ATPase maintains electrochemical gradients for Na(+) and K(+) that are critical for animal cells. Cardiotonic steroids (CTSs), widely used in the clinic and recently assigned a role as endogenous regulators of intracellular processes, are highly specific inhibitors of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. Here we describe a crystal structure of the phosphorylated pig kidney Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in complex with the CTS representative ouabain, extending to 3.4 Å resolution. The structure provides key details on CTS binding, revealing an extensive hydrogen bonding network formed by the β-surface of the steroid core of ouabain and the side chains of αM1, αM2, and αM6. Furthermore, the structure reveals that cation transport site II is occupied by Mg(2+), and crystallographic studies indicate that Rb(+) and Mn(2+), but not Na(+), bind to this site. Comparison with the low-affinity [K2]E2-MgF(x)-ouabain structure [Ogawa et al. (2009) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106(33):13742-13747) shows that the CTS binding pocket of [Mg]E2P allows deep ouabain binding with possible long-range interactions between its polarized five-membered lactone ring and the Mg(2+). K(+) binding at the same site unwinds a turn of αM4, dragging residues Ile318-Val325 toward the cation site and thereby hindering deep ouabain binding. Thus, the structural data establish a basis for the interpretation of the biochemical evidence pointing at direct K(+)-Mg(2+) competition and explain the well-known antagonistic effect of K(+) on CTS binding.

A structural view on the functional importance of the sugar moiety and steroid hydroxyls of cardiotonic steroids in binding to Na,K-ATPase

The Na,K-ATPase is specifically inhibited by cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) like digoxin and is of significant therapeutic value in the treatment of congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Recently, new interest has arisen in developing Na,K-ATPase inhibitors as anticancer agents. In the present study, we compare the potency and rate of inhibition as well as the reactivation of enzyme activity following inhibition by various cardiac glycosides and their aglycones at different pH values using shark Na,K-ATPase stabilized in the E2MgPi or in the E2BeFx conformations. The effects of the number and nature of various sugar residues as well as changes in the positions of hydroxyl groups on the β-side of the steroid core of cardiotonic steroids were investigated by comparing various cardiac glycoside compounds like ouabain, digoxin, digitoxin, and gitoxin with their aglycones. The results confirm our previous hypothesis that CTS binds primarily to the E2-P ground state through an extracellular access channel and that binding of extracellular Na(+) ions to K(+) binding sites relieved the CTS inhibition. This reactivation depended on the presence or absence of the sugar moiety on the CTS, and a single sugar is enough to impede reactivation. Finally, increasing the number of hydroxyl groups of the steroid was sterically unfavorable and was found to decrease the inhibitory potency and to confer high pH sensitivity, depending on their position on the steroid β-face. The results are discussed with reference to the recent crystal structures of Na,K-ATPase in the unbound and ouabain-bound states.

Parallel molecular evolution in an herbivore community

Numerous insects have independently evolved the ability to feed on plants that produce toxic secondary compounds called cardenolides and can sequester these compounds for use in their defense. We surveyed the protein target for cardenolides, the alpha subunit of the sodium pump, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (ATPα), in 14 species that feed on cardenolide-producing plants and 15 outgroups spanning three insect orders. Despite the large number of potential targets for modulating cardenolide sensitivity, amino acid substitutions associated with host-plant specialization are highly clustered, with many parallel substitutions. Additionally, we document four independent duplications of ATPα with convergent tissue-specific expression patterns. We find that unique substitutions are disproportionately associated with recent duplications relative to parallel substitutions. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that adaptation tends to take evolutionary paths that minimize negative pleiotropy.

Community-wide convergent evolution in insect adaptation to toxic cardenolides by substitutions in the Na,K-ATPase

The extent of convergent molecular evolution is largely unknown, yet is critical to understanding the genetics of adaptation. Target site insensitivity to cardenolides is a prime candidate for studying molecular convergence because herbivores in six orders of insects have specialized on these plant poisons, which gain their toxicity by blocking an essential transmembrane carrier, the sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase). We investigated gene sequences of the Na,K-ATPase α-subunit in 18 insects feeding on cardenolide-containing plants (spanning 15 genera and four orders) to screen for amino acid substitutions that might lower sensitivity to cardenolides. The replacement N122H that was previously shown to confer resistance in the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and Chrysochus leaf beetles was found in four additional species, Oncopeltus fasciatus and Lygaeus kalmii (Heteroptera, Lygaeidae), Labidomera clivicollis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae), and Liriomyza asclepiadis (Diptera, Agromyzidae). Thus, across 300 Myr of insect divergence, specialization on cardenolide-containing plants resulted in molecular convergence for an adaptation likely involved in coevolution. Our screen revealed a number of other substitutions connected to cardenolide binding in mammals. We confirmed that some of the particular substitutions provide resistance to cardenolides by introducing five distinct constructs of the Drosophila melanogaster gene into susceptible eucaryotic cells under an ouabain selection regime. These functional assays demonstrate that combined substitutions of Q(111) and N(122) are synergistic, with greater than twofold higher resistance than either substitution alone and >12-fold resistance over the wild type. Thus, even across deep phylogenetic branches, evolutionary degrees of freedom seem to be limited by physiological constraints, such that the same molecular substitutions confer adaptation.

Quaternary benzyltriethylammonium ion binding to the Na,K-ATPase: a tool to investigate extracellular K+ binding reactions

This study examined how the quaternary organic ammonium ion, benzyltriethylamine (BTEA), binds to the Na,K-ATPase to produce membrane potential (V(M))-dependent inhibition and tested the prediction that such a V(M)-dependent inhibitor would display electrogenic binding kinetics. BTEA competitively inhibited K(+) activation of Na,K-ATPase activity and steady-state (86)Rb(+) occlusion. The initial rate of (86)Rb(+) occlusion was decreased by BTEA to a similar degree whether it was added to the enzyme prior to or simultaneously with Rb(+), a demonstration that BTEA inhibits the Na,K-ATPase without being occluded. Several BTEA structural analogues reversibly inhibited Na,K-pump current, but none blocked current in a V(M)-dependent manner except BTEA and its para-nitro derivative, pNBTEA. Under conditions that promoted electroneutral K(+)-K(+) exchange by the Na,K-ATPase, step changes in V(M) elicited pNBTEA-activated ouabain-sensitive transient currents that had similarities to those produced with the K(+) congener, Tl(+). pNBTEA- and Tl(+)-dependent transient currents both displayed saturation of charge moved at extreme negative and positive V(M), equivalence of charge moved during and after step changes in V(M), and similar apparent valence. The rate constant (k(tot)) for Tl(+)-dependent transient current asymptotically approached a minimum value at positive V(M). In contrast, k(tot) for pNBTEA-dependent transient current was a "U"-shaped function of V(M) with a minimum value near 0 mV. Homology models of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit suggested that quaternary amines can bind to two extracellularly accessible sites, one of them located at K(+) binding sites positioned between transmembrane helices 4, 5, and 6. Altogether, these data revealed important information about electrogenic ion binding reactions of the Na,K-ATPase that are not directly measurable during ion transport by this enzyme.

Crystal structure of the sodium-potassium pump (Na+,K+-ATPase) with bound potassium and ouabain

The sodium-potassium pump (Na(+),K(+)-ATPase) is responsible for establishing Na(+) and K(+) concentration gradients across the plasma membrane and therefore plays an essential role in, for instance, generating action potentials. Cardiac glycosides, prescribed for congestive heart failure for more than 2 centuries, are efficient inhibitors of this ATPase. Here we describe a crystal structure of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase with bound ouabain, a representative cardiac glycoside, at 2.8 A resolution in a state analogous to E2.2K(+).Pi. Ouabain is deeply inserted into the transmembrane domain with the lactone ring very close to the bound K(+), in marked contrast to previous models. Due to antagonism between ouabain and K(+), the structure represents a low-affinity ouabain-bound state. Yet, most of the mutagenesis data obtained with the high-affinity state are readily explained by the present crystal structure, indicating that the binding site for ouabain is essentially the same. According to a homology model for the high affinity state, it is a closure of the binding cavity that confers a high affinity.

Molecular mechanism of cofilin dephosphorylation by ouabain

We previously reported that phosphorylated cofilin-triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) complex interacts with Na,K-ATPase and enhances the pump activity through the phosphorylation of cofilin via Rho-mediated signaling pathway. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the dephosphorylation of cofilin may be induced through Na,K-ATPase inhibition by ouabain. The phosphorylation level of cofilin by ouabain which decreases in a time- and dose-dependent manner in various human cell lines, remains unchanged by pretreatment with Src inhibitor, PP2; epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, AG1478; Raf-1 kinase (Raf) inhibitor, GW5074; and ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD98059, and by transfection of Ras dominant negative mutant (RasN17). This suggests that ouabain dephosphorylates cofilin through the Src/EGFR/Ras/Raf/MEK pathway. Ouabain activates Ras/Raf/MEK pathway, but down-regulates Rho kinase (ROCK)/LIM kinase (LIMK)/cofilin pathway, implying that there may be a cross-talk by ouabain between the Ras/Raf/MEK and the ROCK/LIMK/cofilin pathways. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry suggest that ouabain-induced active form of cofilin may be involved in cytoskeletal reorganization and cell volume regulation. Thus, these findings demonstrate a new molecular mechanism for the dephosphorylation of cofilin through the inhibition of Na,K-ATPase by ouabain.

Conversion of the Low Affinity Ouabain-binding Site of Non-gastric H,K-ATPase into a High Affinity Binding Site by Substitution of Only Five Amino Acids

P-type ATPases of the IIC subfamily exhibit large differences in sensitivity toward ouabain. This allows a strategy in which ouabain-insensitive members of this subfamily are used as template for mutational elucidation of the ouabain-binding site. With this strategy, we recently identified seven amino acids in Na,K-ATPase that conferred high affinity ouabain binding to gastric H,K-ATPase (Qiu, L. Y., Krieger, E., Schaftenaar, G., Swarts, H. G. P., Willems, P. H. G. M., De Pont, J. J. H. H. M., and Koenderink, J. B. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 280, 32349-32355). Because important, but identical, amino acids were not recognized in that study, here we used the non-gastric H,K-ATPase, which is rather ouabain-insensitive, as template. The catalytic subunit of this enzyme, in which several amino acids from Na,K-ATPase were incorporated, was expressed with the Na,K-ATPase beta1 subunit in Xenopus laevis oocytes. A chimera containing 14 amino acids, located in M4, M5, and M6, which are unique to Na,K-ATPase, displayed high affinity ouabain binding. Four of these residues, all located in M5, appeared dispensable for high affinity binding. Individual mutation of the remaining 10 residues to their non-gastric H,K-ATPase counterparts yielded five amino acids (Glu312,Gly319, Pro778, Leu795, and Cys802) whose mutation resulted in a loss of ouabain binding. In a final gain-of-function experiment, we introduced these five amino acids in different combinations in non-gastric H,K-ATPase and demonstrated that all five were essential for high affinity ouabain binding. The non-gastric H,K-ATPase with these five mutations had a similar apparent affinity for ouabain as the wild type Na,K-ATPase and showed a 2000 times increased affinity for ouabain in the NH4+-stimulated ATPase activity in membranes of transfected Sf9 cells.

Reconstruction of the Complete Ouabain-binding Pocket of Na,K-ATPase in Gastric H,K-ATPase by Substitution of Only Seven Amino Acids

Although cardiac glycosides have been used as drugs for more than 2 centuries and their primary target, the sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase), has already been known for 4 decades, their exact binding site is still elusive. In our efforts to define the molecular basis of digitalis glycosides binding we started from the fact that a closely related enzyme, the gastric H,K-ATPase, does not bind glycosides like ouabain. Previously, we showed that a chimera of these two enzymes, in which only the M3-M4 and M5-M6 hairpins were of Na,K-ATPase, bound ouabain with high affinity (Koenderink, J. B., Hermsen, H. P. H., Swarts, H. G. P., Willems, P. H. G. M., and De Pont, J. J. H. H. M. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 97, 11209-11214). We also demonstrated that only three amino acids (Phe(783), Thr(797), and Asp(804)) present in the M5-M6 hairpin of Na,K-ATPase were sufficient to confer high affinity ouabain binding to a chimera which contained in addition the M3-M4 hairpin of Na,K-ATPase (Qiu, L. Y., Koenderink, J. B., Swarts, H. G., Willems, P. H., and De Pont, J. J. H. H. M. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 47240-47244). To further pinpoint the ouabain-binding site here we used a chimera-based loss-of-function strategy and identified four amino acids (Glu(312), Val(314), Ile(315), Gly(319)), all present in M4, as being important for ouabain binding. In a final gain-of-function study we showed that a gastric H,K-ATPase that contained Glu(312), Val(314), Ile(315), Gly(319), Phe(783), Thr(797), and Asp(804) of Na,K-ATPase bound ouabain with the same affinity as the native enzyme. Based on the E(2)P crystal structure of Ca(2+)-ATPase we constructed a homology model for the ouabain-binding site of Na,K-ATPase involving all seven amino acids as well as several earlier postulated amino acids.

The role of the third extracellular loop of the Na+,K+-ATPase alpha subunit in a luminal gating mechanism

Na+,K+-ATPase is responsible for maintaining the cross-membrane Na+ and K+ gradients of animal cells. This P-type ATPase works via a complex transport cycle, during which it binds and occludes three intracellular Na+ ions and then two extracellular K+ ions, which it then releases on the other side of the membrane. The cation pathway through the protein, and the structures responsible for occluding cations inside the protein, have not yet been definitely identified. We used cysteine mutagenesis to explore the accessibility and the role of five conserved residues in the short third extracellular loop, between the fifth and the sixth transmembrane helices. The P801C and L802C mutants were not affected by extracellular sulfhydryl reagents. The presence of cysteine residues at three positions (G803C, T804C and V805C) conferred sensitivity to omeprazole, a known inhibitor of the gastric proton pump, and to [2-(trimethylammonium)-ethyl]methanethiosulphonate bromide (MTSET). The effects of omeprazole and MTSET were modulated by the presence of extracellular K+, indicating that the accessibility of these positions depended on the conformational state of the protein. MTSET binding to cysteine at position 803 partially inhibited the Na+,K+-pump function by decreasing its affinity towards extracellular K+, suggesting a restriction of the access of extracellular K+ ions to their binding sites. In contrast, MTSET binding to cysteine at position 805 partially inhibited the Na+,K+-pump function by reducing its maximum turnover rate, probably by slowing a rate-limiting conformational change. These residues occupy positions that are critical for either the cation pathway or the conformational modifications.

Phe783, Thr797, and Asp804 in transmembrane hairpin M5-M6 of Na+,K+-ATPase play a key role in ouabain binding

Ouabain is a glycoside that binds to and inhibits the action of Na+,K+-ATPase. Little is known, however, about the specific requirements of the protein surface for glycoside binding. Using chimeras of gastric H+,K+-ATPase and Na+,K+-ATPase, we demonstrated previously that the combined presence of transmembrane hairpins M3-M4 and M5-M6 of Na+,K+-ATPase in a backbone of H+,K+-ATPase (HN34/56) is both required and sufficient for high affinity ouabain binding. Since replacement of transmembrane hairpin M3-M4 by the N terminus up to transmembrane segment 3 (HNN3/56) resulted in a low affinity ouabain binding, hairpin M5-M6 seems to be essential for ouabain binding. To assess which residues of M5-M6 are required for ouabain action, we divided this transmembrane hairpin in seven parts and individually replaced these parts by the corresponding sequences of H+,K+-ATPase in chimera HN34/56. Three of these chimeras failed to bind ouabain following expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Altogether, these three chimeras contained 7 amino acids that were specific for Na+,K+-ATPase. Individual replacement of these 7 amino acids by the corresponding amino acids in H+,K+-ATPase revealed a dramatic loss of ouabain binding for F783Y, T797C, and D804E. As a proof of principle, the Na+,K+-ATPase equivalents of these 3 amino acids were introduced in different combinations in chimera HN34. The presence of all 3 amino acids appeared to be required for ouabain action. Docking of ouabain onto a three-dimensional-model of Na+,K+-ATPase suggests that Asp804, in contrast to Phe783 and Thr797, does not actually form part of the ouabain-binding pocket. Most likely, the presence of this amino acid is required for adopting of the proper conformation for ouabain binding.

Homology modeling of the cation binding sites of Na+K+-ATPase

Homology modeling of the alpha-subunit of Na+K+-ATPase, a representative member of P-type ion transporting ATPases, was carried out to identify the cation (three Na+ and two K+) binding sites in the transmembrane region, based on the two atomic models of Ca2+-ATPase (Ca2+-bound form for Na+, unbound form for K+). A search for potential cation binding sites throughout the atomic models involved calculation of the valence expected from the disposition of oxygen atoms in the model, including water molecules. This search identified three positions for Na+ and two for K+ at which high affinity for the respective cation is expected. In the models presented, Na+- and K+-binding sites are formed at different levels with respect to the membrane, by rearrangements of the transmembrane helices. These rearrangements ensure that release of one type of cation coordinates with the binding of the other. Cations of different radii are accommodated by the use of amino acid residues located on different faces of the helices. Our models readily explain many mutational and biochemical results, including different binding stoichiometry and affinities for Na+ and K+.

Human Adrenal Cells in Culture Produce Both Ouabain-like and Dihydroouabain-like Factors

Background: Ouabain-like factor (OLF) and its newly discovered reduced species, dihydroouabain-like factor (Dh-OLF), are mammalian cardenolides whose structural and functional characteristics are similar to the plant-derived compounds ouabain and dihydroouabain. These endogenous compounds are believed to be produced by the adrenals and to constitute part of an hormonal axis that may regulate the catalytic activity of the α-subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase. We developed antibodies sufficiently specific to distinguish between OLF and Dh-OLF, and in this study demonstrate the selective secretion of OLF and Dh-OLF from human H295R-1 adrenocortical cells in culture.

Methods: We used reversed-phase HPLC, inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase catalytic activity, and two enzyme immunoassays developed with antibodies specific to ouabain and dihydroouabain to purify and characterize the secretion of these two compounds by human adrenal cells in culture. Purified antisera had high titers (1 × 106 for ouabain and 8 ×105 for dihydroouabain) and were specific to their corresponding antigens.

Results: Human H295R-1 cells grown in serum-free medium secreted 0.18 ± 0.03 pmol of OLF and 0.39 ± 0.04 pmol of Dh-OLF per 106 cells in 24 h. Both OLF and Dh-OLF inhibited the ouabain-sensitive catalytic activity of the sodium pump (0.03 μmol/L OLF inhibited 29% of the catalytic activity; 0.07 μmol/L Dh-OLF inhibited 17%). Stimulation of the cell culture by dibutryl cAMP increased the secretion of Dh-OLF 50% over control (unstimulated), whereas the secretion of OLF did not increase significantly.

Conclusions: OLF and Dh-OLF are secreted by human adrenal cells, and antibodies specific to these two compounds can be developed, using the plant-derived counterparts as antigens. The secretion of Dh-OLF is responsive to a cAMP-dependent stimulation mechanism, whereas OLF is not. Our data suggest that either the secretory or biosynthetic pathways for production of these two compounds by human adrenal cells may have different control mechanisms or that they may be linked via a precursor–product relationship.

Enhanced ouabain resistance gene as a eukaryotic selection marker

Current selection markers allow selection by antibiotics or fluorescent/magnetic sorting by green fluorescent protein or membrane antigens. Antibiotic selection proceeds on a time scale of weeks, and flourescence-activated cell sorting requires complex equipment and may generate false-positive results when selection is performed too early after transduction with membrane markers. We have characterized an endogenous eukaryotic selection marker, the ouabain resistance gene (Oua(r)), which has the potential for quick and efficient in vitro selection of target cells. The Oua(r) used by us is derived from the rat alpha(1) isoform of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, where leucine at position 799 is substituted for cysteine by targeted mutagenesis. This mutation confers resistance to more than 1 mM ouabain in vitro. We show that cells transfected with plasmid or transduced with a retrovirus vector encoding Oua(r) can be selected efficiently with ouabain in 48 hr and that a pure population of cells can be obtained. The ouabain resistance gene may be useful as a selection marker in general molecular biology, preclinical, and clinical applications because of its short selection time and also because of the safety of ouabain for human use.

Alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the sixth transmembrane segment of gastric H+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit

The sixth transmembrane (M6) segment of the catalytic subunit plays an important role in the ion recognition and transport in the type II P-type ATPase families. In this study, we singly mutated all amino acid residues in the M6 segment of gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit with alanine, expressed the mutants in HEK-293 cells, and studied the effects of the mutation on the functions of H(+),K(+)-ATPase; overall K(+)-stimulated ATPase, phosphorylation, and dephosphorylation. Four mutants, L819A, D826A, I827A, and L833A, completely lost the K(+)-ATPase activity. Mutant L819A was phosphorylated but hardly dephosphorylated in the presence of K(+), whereas mutants D826A, I827A, and L833A were not phosphorylated from ATP. We found that almost all of these amino acid residues, which are important for the function, are located on the same side of the alpha-helix of the M6 segment. In addition, we found that amino acids involved in the phosphorylation are located exclusively in the cytoplasmic half of the M6 segment and those involved in the K(+)-dependent dephosphorylation are in the luminal half. Several mutants such as I821A, L823A, T825A, and P829A partly retained the K(+)-ATPase activity accompanying the decrease in the rate of phosphorylation.

High-affinity ouabain binding by a chimeric gastric H+,K+-ATPase containing transmembrane hairpins M3-M4 and M5-M6 of the alpha 1-subunit of rat Na+,K+-ATPase

Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase are two related enzymes that are responsible for active cation transport. Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity is inhibited specifically by ouabain, whereas H(+),K(+)-ATPase is insensitive to this drug. Because it is not known which parts of the catalytic subunit of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase are responsible for ouabain binding, we prepared chimeras in which small parts of the alpha-subunit of H(+),K(+)-ATPase were replaced by their counterparts of the alpha(1)-subunit of rat Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. A chimeric enzyme in which transmembrane segments 5 and 6 of H(+), K(+)-ATPase were replaced by those of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase could form a phosphorylated intermediate, but hardly showed a K(+)-stimulated dephosphorylation reaction. When transmembrane segments 3 and 4 of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase were also included in this chimeric ATPase, K(+)-stimulated dephosphorylation became apparent. This suggests that there is a direct interaction between the hairpins M3-M4 and M5-M6. Remarkably, this chimeric enzyme, HN34/56, had obtained a high-affinity ouabain-binding site, whereas the rat Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, from which the hairpins originate, has a low affinity for ouabain. The low affinity of the rat Na(+),K(+)-ATPase previously had been attributed to the presence of two charged amino acids in the extracellular domain between M1 and M2. In the HN34/56 chimera, the M1/M2 loop, however, originates from H(+),K(+)-ATPase, which has two polar uncharged amino acids on this position. Placement of two charged amino acids in the M1/M2 loop of chimera HN34/56 results in a decreased ouabain affinity. This indicates that although the M1/M2 loop affects the ouabain affinity, binding occurs when the M3/M4 and M5/M6 hairpins of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase are present.

Secretion of a lactone-hydrogenated ouabain-like effector of sodium, potassium-adenosine triphosphatase activity by adrenal cells

Ouabain-like factor (OLF), a mammalian cardenolide, is a counterpart to plant-derived ouabain and is found in the adrenal, hypothalamus, and blood of several mammalian species. We now report the existence of a mammalian lactone-hydrogenated ouabain-like factor (dihydro-OLF) in secretions from cultured mouse adrenal Y-1 cells. Dihydro-OLF structurally and functionally mimics plant-derived dihydroouabain. We measured both OLF and the newly discovered dihydro-OLF using five independent techniques: immunoreactivity with two specific antisera, one against ouabain and one against dihydroouabain; chromatographic mobility; spectral absorbance characteristics; and concentration-dependent inhibition and phosphorylation of Na,K-adenosine triphosphatase. All measured physical attributes of dihydro-OLF mimic those of plant-derived dihydroouabain, including a spectral shift maxima, 220 nm (OLF) to 196 nm (dihydro-OLF), with appropriately decreased molar absorptivity. Dihydro-OLF (IC50 = 590 nM) is a 10-fold less potent Na+,K+-adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor than its oxidized mammalian counterpart OLF (IC50 = 60 nM), just as dihydroouabain is less potent than ouabain. Dihydro-OLF is also 3-fold more potent than a recently identified isomer of plant-derived dihydroouabain (IC50 = 1,700 nM). Using antiouabain and antidihydroouabain antisera we estimate that 3 x 10(7) mouse adrenal Y-1 cells secreted 1.3 ng OLF and 8.9 ng dihydro-OLF. The relative abundance of dihydro-OLF is consistently greater than that of its oxidized form, OLF, in bovine adrenals (22-fold), human serum (13-fold), and secretions from cultured mouse Y-1 cells (5-fold). The discoveries of OLF, OLF-genin, and now dihydro-OLF constitute an intriguing structural polymorphism probably involved in the synthesis, regulation, and metabolic control of these new hormone-like compounds.

Comparison of covalent with reversible inhibitor binding sites of the gastric H,K-ATPase by site-directed mutagenesis

The gastric H,K-ATPase is covalently inhibited by substituted pyridyl-methylsulfinyl-benzimidazoles, such as omeprazole, that convert to thiophilic probes of luminally accessible cysteines in the acid space. The K(+) competitive inhibitor, SCH28080, prevented inhibition of acid transport by omeprazole. In stably expressing HEK293 cells, the benzimidazole-reactive cysteines, Cys-321 (transmembrane helix (TM) 3), Cys-813 and Cys-822 (TM5/6), and Cys-892 (TM7/8) were mutated to the amino acids found in the SCH28080-resistant Na,K-ATPase and kinetic parameters of H,K-ATPase activity analyzed. Mutations of Cys-822 and Cys-892 had insignificant effects on the K(i(app)), K(m(app)) or V(max), but mutations of Cys-813 to threonine and Cys-321 to alanine decreased the affinity for SCH28080. Mutation of Cys-321 to alanine produced mixed kinetics of inhibition, still with higher affinity for the cation-free form of phosphoenzyme. Since the phenylmethoxy ring of the imidazo-pyridine inhibitors binds to TM1/2, as shown by earlier photoaffinity studies, and the mutations in TM6 (Cys-813 --> Thr) as well as the end of TM3 (Cys-321 --> Ala) decrease the affinity for SCH28080, the TM1/2, TM3, and TM6 helices lie within approximately 16 A of each other based on the size of the active, extended conformation of SCH28080.

Two biologically active isomers of dihydroouabain isolated from a commercial preparation

Ouabain is a plant-derived cardiac glycoside that inhibits the catalytic activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (sodium pump; NKA). Dihydroouabain, a derivative of ouabain with a reduced lactone ring, is commonly used as a sodium pump antagonist. It has been assumed that commercially available dihydroouabain is homogeneous. We now report that preparations of dihydroouabain contain two components each with a different potency for inhibition of sodium pump activity. We used reverse-phase HPLC chromatography, UV spectrophotometry, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and two independent bioassays to characterize these compounds. The two dihydroouabain fractions (Dho-A and Dho-B) resolved by 3 min chromatographically, had UV absorbance maxima at 196 nm, and comprised 37% and 63% of the stock dihydroouabain, respectively. The molar potency of each component for inhibition of NKA from porcine cerebral cortex differed by 4. 4-fold (Dho-A, IC(50) = 7.13 +/- 0.8 microM; Dho-B, IC(50) = 1.63 +/- 0.12 microM). The relative potencies were 9% and 40% of those of ouabain, respectively. A similar pattern for phosphorylation of NKA was observed. Mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and fragmentation patterns are consistent with Dho-A and Dho-B being isomers of identical molecular mass (587 Da) and each with six hydroxyl groups, a deoxyhexose sugar moiety and a lactone ring. Furthermore, NMR spectroscopy revealed structural differences between Dho-A and Dho-B by displaying noticeably different chemical shifts at only two groups of proton resonances assigned to H-21 and H-22. The ESI-MS and NMR results confirm the presence of the isomerism at C20 of the lactone ring. Our results demonstrate the existence of two molecular forms of dihydroouabain, each with a different biological potency. These findings underscore the importance of characterizing the purity of dihydroouabain commercial preparations. It also provides possible molecular models for investigating the metabolism of endogenous ouabain-like factors recently reported in mammals.

Jeanne Mannery Fisher Memorial Lecture 1998. Structure-function studies of the sodium pump

The Na+, K+-ATPase is an ubiquitous plasma membrane protein complex that belongs to the P-type family of ion motive ATPases. Under normal conditions, it couples the hydrolysis of one molecule of ATP to the exchange of three Na+ for two K+ ions, thus maintaining the normal gradient of these cations in animal cells. Despite decades of investigation of its structure and function, the structural basis for its cation specificity and for conformational coupling of the scalar energy of ATP hydrolysis to the vectorial movement of Na+ and K+ have remained a major unresolved issue. This paper summarizes our recent studies concerned with these issues. The findings indicate that regions(s) of the amino terminus and first cytoplasmic (M2/M3) loop act synergistically to affect the steady-state conformational equilibrium of the enzyme. Although carboxyl- or hydroxyl-bearing amino acids comprise the cation-binding and occlusion sites, our experiments also suggest that these interactions may be modulated by juxtapositioned cytoplasmic regions.

Alanine scanning mutagenesis of oxygen-containing amino acids in the transmembrane region of the Na,K-ATPase

Oxygen-containing amino acids in the transmembrane region of the Na, K-ATPase alpha subunit were studied to identify residues involved in Na+ and/or K+ coordination by the enzyme. Conserved residues located in the polar face of transmembrane helices were selected using helical wheel and topological models of the enzyme. Alanine substitution of these residues were introduced into an ouabain-resistant sheep alpha1 isoform and expressed in HeLa cells. The capacity to generate essential Na+ and K+ gradients and thus support cell growth was used as an initial indication of the functionality of heterologous enzymes. Enzymes carrying alanine substitution of Ser94, Thr136, Ser140, Gln143, Glu144, Glu282, Thr334, Thr338, Thr340, Ser814, Tyr817, Glu818, Glu821, Ser822, Gln854, and Tyr994 supported cell growth, while those carrying substitutions Gln923Ala, Thr955Ala, and Asp995Ala did not. To study the effects of these latter replacements on cation binding, they were introduced into the wild-type alpha1 sheep isoform and expressed in mouse NIH3T3 cells where [3H]ouabain binding was utilized to probe the heterologous proteins. These substitutions did not affect ouabain, K+, or Na+ binding. Expression levels of these enzymes were similar to that of control. However, the level of Gln923Ala-, Thr955Ala-, or Asp995Ala-substituted enzyme at the plasma membrane was significantly lower than that of the wild-type isoform. Thus, these substitutions appear to impair the maturation process or targeting of the enzyme to the plasma membrane, but not cation-enzyme interactions. These results complete previous studies which have identified Ser755, Asp804, and Asp808 as absolutely essential for Na+ and K+ transport by the enzyme. Thus, it is significant that most transmembrane conserved-oxygen-containing residues in the Na,K-ATPase can be replaced without substantially affecting cation-enzyme interactions to the extent of preventing enzyme function. Consequently, other chemical groups, aromatic rings or backbone carbonyls, should be considered in models of cation-binding sites.

Functional role of oxygen-containing residues in the fifth transmembrane segment of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit

The functional roles of Tyr771, Thr772, and Asn776 in the fifth transmembrane segment of the Na, K-ATPase alpha subunit were studied using site-directed mutagenesis, expression, and kinetics analysis. Nonconservative replacements Thr772Tyr and Asn776Ala led to reduced Na,K-ATPase turnover. Replacements at these positions (Asn776Ala, Thr772Leu, and Thr772Tyr) also led to high Na-ATPase activity (in the absence of K+). However, Thr772- and Asn776-substituted enzymes showed only small alterations in the apparent Na+ and K+ affinities (K1/2 for Na,K-ATPase activation). Thus, the high Na-ATPase activity does not appear related to cation-binding alterations. It is probably associated with conformational alterations which lead to an acceleration of enzyme dephosphorylation by Na+ acting at the extracellular space (Argüello et al. J. Biol. Chem. 271, 24610-24616, 1996). Nonconservative substitutions at position 771 (Tyr771Ala and Tyr771Ser) produced a significant decrease of enzyme turnover. Enzyme-Na+ interaction was greatly changed in these enzymes, while their activation by K+ did not appear affected. Although the Na+ K1/2 for Na,K-ATPase stimulation was unchanged (Tyr771Ala, Tyr771Ser), the activation by this cation showed no cooperativity (Tyr771Ala, nHill = 0.75; Tyr771Ser, nHill = 0.92; Control, nHill = 2.28). Substitution Tyr771Phe did not lead to a significant reduction in the cooperativity of the ATPase Na+ dependence (nHill = 1.91). All Tyr771-substituted enzymes showed low steady-state levels of phosphoenzyme during Na-activated phosphorylation by ATP. Phosphorylation levels were not increased by oligomycin, although the drug bound and inactivated Tyr771-substituted enzymes. No E1 left and right arrow E2 equilibrium alterations were detected using inhibition by vanadate as a probe. The data suggest that Tyr771 might play a central role in Na+ binding and occlusion without participating in K+-enzyme interactions.

A chimeric gastric H+,K+-ATPase inhibitable with both ouabain and SCH 28080

2-Methyl-8-(phenylmethoxy)imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine-3acetonitrile+ ++ (SCH 28080) is a K+ site inhibitor specific for gastric H+,K+-ATPase and seems to be a counterpart of ouabain for Na+,K+-ATPase from the viewpoint of reaction pattern (i.e. reversible binding, K+ antagonism, and binding on the extracellular side). In this study, we constructed several chimeric molecules between H+,K+-ATPase and Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunits by using rabbit H+,K+-ATPase as a parental molecule. We found that the entire extracellular loop 1 segment between the first and second transmembrane segments (M1 and M2) and the luminal half of the M1 transmembrane segment of H+, K+-ATPase alpha-subunit were exchangeable with those of Na+, K+-ATPase, respectively, preserving H+,K+-ATPase activity, and that these segments are not essential for SCH 28080 binding. We found that several amino acid residues, including Glu-822, Thr-825, and Pro-829 in the M6 segment of H+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit are involved in determining the affinity for this inhibitor. Furthermore, we found that a chimeric H+,K+-ATPase acquired ouabain sensitivity and maintained SCH 28080 sensitivity when the loop 1 segment and Cys-815 in the loop 3 segment of the H+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit were simultaneously replaced by the corresponding segment and amino acid residue (Thr) of Na+,K+-ATPase, respectively, indicating that the binding sites of ouabain and SCH 28080 are separate. In this H+, K+-ATPase chimera, 12 amino acid residues in M1, M4, and loop 1-4 that have been suggested to be involved in ouabain binding of Na+, K+-ATPase alpha-subunit are present; however, the low ouabain sensitivity indicates the possibility that the sensitivity may be increased by additional amino acid substitutions, which shift the overall structural integrity of this chimeric H+,K+-ATPase toward that of Na+,K+-ATPase.

Structure-function relationships in membrane segment 5 of the yeast Pma1 H+-ATPase

Membrane segment 5 (M5) is thought to play a direct role in cation transport by the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and the Na+, K+-ATPase of animal cells. In this study, we have examined M5 of the yeast plasma membrane H+-ATPase by alanine-scanning mutagenesis. Mutant enzymes were expressed behind an inducible heat-shock promoter in yeast secretory vesicles as described previously (Nakamoto, R. K., Rao, R., and Slayman, C. W. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 7940-7949). Three substitutions (R695A, H701A, and L706A) led to misfolding of the H+-ATPase as evidenced by extreme sensitivity to trypsin; the altered proteins were arrested in biogenesis, and the mutations behaved genetically as dominant lethals. The remaining mutants reached the secretory vesicles in sufficient amounts to be characterized in detail. One of them (Y691A) had no detectable ATPase activity and appeared, based on trypsinolysis in the presence and absence of ligands, to be blocked in the E1-to-E2 step of the reaction cycle. Alanine substitution at an adjacent position (V692A) had substantial ATPase activity (54%), but was likewise affected in the E1-to-E2 step, as evidenced by shifts in its apparent affinity for ATP, H+, and orthovanadate. Among the mutants that were sufficiently active to be assayed for ATP-dependent H+ transport by acridine orange fluorescence quenching, none showed an appreciable defect in the coupling of transport to ATP hydrolysis. The only residue for which the data pointed to a possible role in cation liganding was Ser-699, where removal of the hydroxyl group (S699A and S699C) led to a modest acid shift in the pH dependence of the ATPase. This change was substantially smaller than the 13-30-fold decrease in K+ affinity seen in corresponding mutants of the Na+, K+-ATPase (Arguello, J. M., and Lingrel, J. B (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 22764-22771). Taken together, the results do not give firm evidence for a transport site in M5 of the yeast H+-ATPase, but indicate a critical role for this membrane segment in protein folding and in the conformational changes that accompany the reaction cycle. It is therefore worth noting that the mutationally sensitive residues lie along one face of a putative alpha-helix.

Identification of the site of inhibition by omeprazole of a alpha-beta fusion protein of the H,K-ATPase using site-directed mutagenesis

The alpha subunit of eukaryotic P-type ATPases has ten experimentally defined transmembrane or membrane inserted segments. The fifth and sixth of these are short, not predicted by hydropathy analysis, do not insert independently into microsomal membranes, and are readily removed after tryptic digestion and therefore may be membrane inserted sequences. Acid transport by the gastric H, K-ATPase is covalently inhibited by several substituted pyridyl methylsulfinyl benzimidazoles, such as omeprazole. These act as probes of accessible extracytoplasmic thiols because they are accumulated in the acid transporting gastric vesicles and then convert to thiol reactive, cationic tetracyclic sulfenamides. Inhibition is due mainly to disulfide formation with Cys813 or Cys822 in M5/6 and perhaps with a contribution from Cys892 in the loop between transmembrane segment (TM) 7 and TM8. Identification of the specific cysteine responsible for inhibition should be able to define the turn between M5 and M6. The gastric H,K-ATPase alpha-beta heterodimer was expressed as a fusion protein in HEK 293 cells. Transient transfection resulted in most of the protein being retained in the endoplasmic reticulum with only core glycosylation and minor activity of the ATPase evident. Stable transfection resulted in plasma membrane localization of the protein and complex glycosylation. The transfected but not the control cells displayed cation-stimulated, SCH 28080-inhibited ATPase activity and SCH 28080- and omeprazole-inhibited 86Rb uptake. The two cysteines in M5/6 and Cys892 in the TM7/8 loop were mutated to the amino acids found in the Na,K-ATPase in order to determine which of the three cysteine residues were important for benzimidazole inhibition. Mutation of one, two, or all three cysteines did not alter enzyme activity, 86Rb transport, or SCH 28080 inhibition. Only removal of Cys822 blocked omeprazole inhibition of 86Rb transport. These data suggest that Cys822 is present in a region of the enzyme most easily accessed by the cationic sulfenamide formed by omeprazole, presumably the turn between M5 and M6.

Mutational analysis of Glu-327 of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase reveals stimulation of 86Rb+ uptake by external K+

A competition assay of 86Rb+ uptake in HeLa cells transfected with ouabain-resistant Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase mutants revealed a stimulation of 86Rb+ uptake at low external concentrations (1 mM) of competitor (K+). Of the models that were tested, those that require that two K+ be bound before transport occurs gave the worst fits. Random and ordered binding schemes described the data equally well. General models in which both binding and transport were allowed to be cooperative yielded parameter errors larger than the parameters themselves and could not be utilized. Models that assumed noncooperative transport always showed positive cooperativity in binding. E327Q and E327L mutated forms of rat alpha 2 had lower apparent affinities for the first K+ bound than did wild-type rat alpha 2 modified to be ouabain resistant. The mutations did not affect the apparent affinity of the second K+ bound. Models that assumed noncooperativity in binding always showed positively cooperative transport, i.e., enzymes with two K+ bound had a higher flux than those with one K+ bound. Increases in external Na+ decreased the apparent affinity for K+ for all models and decreased the ratio of the apparent influx rate constants for E327L.

Cation and cardiac glycoside binding sites of the Na,K-ATPase

From the structural data obtained by systematically altering residues of the Na,K-ATPase, we are beginning to understand portions of how this active cation transporter couples hydrolysis of ATP with the vectorial movement of cations against their ionic gradients. In addition, the inhibitory action of cardiac glycosides and their interaction sites on the protein has focused our attentions on a catalytic core of the protein involving the H5-H6 transmembrane segment. In future investigations, both the ATP and the Na+ sites of the Na,K-ATPase must be uncovered to refine the structural picture of this complex transporter.

Fluoresceinyl-ethylenediamine-ouabain detects an acidic environment in the cardiac glycoside binding site of Na+/K+-ATPase

To probe the pH value in the microenvironment of the cardiac glycoside-binding site of Na+/K+-ATPase, pH-sensitive fluorescent derivatives of ouabain were synthesized. The fluoresceinyl derivative of ethylenediamino-ouabain (FEDO) had a pKs of 6.0 and showed a H+-dependent fluorescence change, when its ratio of excitation at 490 nm/450 nm was recorded at 530 nm. Binding of FEDO inactivated Na+/K+-ATPase at 37 degrees C and pH 7.25 in a slow time-dependent process under the conditions of backdoor phosphorylation with k(on) of 891 s(-1) M(-1). The complex dissociated with k(on) of 0.35 x 10(-3) s(-1) resulting in a Kd value of 0.4 microM for the FEDO x enzyme complex. Binding of FEDO was associated with a decrease of the excitatory fluorescence ratio at 490 nm/450 nm which could be used to convert this change into a pH value. A pH value of 5.1 +/- 0.2 was calculated to exist in the microenvironment of the FEDO x enzyme complex. This pH value was independent of the pH of the incubation medium used to form the FEDO x enzyme complex. Analysis of the accessibility of the fluorophore in the FEDO x enzyme complex to the dynamic quencher potassium iodide detected a decrease of the Stern-Volmer constant from 6.2 mM(-1) (free FEDO) to 1.5 mM(-1) (FEDO x enzyme complex) indicating thereby a limited accessibility of the fluorophore to anions. Analysis of the microenvironment of the fluorescein residue of the FEDO x enzyme complex by measurements of the anisotropy and the fluorescence half-life time revealed that both processes differed significantly when H2O was replaced by D2O. We conclude, therefore, that a pH of 5.1 +/- 0.2 exists in the vicinity of ouabain that is hidden in the depth of the receptor site when the ouabain receptor complex has been formed.

Sites of reaction of the gastric H,K-ATPase with extracytoplasmic thiol reagents

The vesicular gastric H,K-ATPase catalyzes an electroneutral H for K exchange allowing acidification of the intravesicular space. There is a total of 28 cysteines present in the alpha subunit of the gastric H,K-ATPase, of which 10 are found in the predicted transmembrane segments and their connecting loop, and 9 are present in the beta subunit, of which 6 are disulfide-linked. To determine which of these was accessible to extracytoplasmic attack, the enzyme was inhibited by four different substituted 2-pyridylmethylsulfinyl benzimidazoles, 5-methoxy-2-[(4-methoxy-3, 5-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)methylsulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (omeprazole), 2-[(4-trifluoroethoxy-3-methyl-2-pyridyl)methylsulfinyl]-1H-ben zimida zole (lansoprazole), 5-difluoromethoxy-2-[3, 4-methoxy-2-pyridyl)methylsulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole (pantoprazole), and 2-[(4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methyl)-2-pyridyl)methylsulfinyl]-1H-++ +benzi midazole (rabeprazole), under acid transporting conditions. All of these compounds are weak bases that accumulate in the acidic space generated by the pump and undergo an acid catalyzed rearrangement to a cationic sulfenamide, which forms disulfides with accessible cysteines. The relative rates of acid activation of these compounds corresponded to the relative rates of inhibition of ATPase activity and acid transport. Fragmentation of the enzyme by trypsin followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that omeprazole bound covalently to one of the two cysteines in the domains containing the fifth and sixth transmembrane segments and their extracytoplasmic loop and to cysteine 892 in the loop between the seventh and eighth transmembrane segments, but inhibition correlated with the reaction with cysteines in the fifth and sixth domain. Lansoprazole bound to the cysteines in these two domains as well as to cysteine 321 toward the extracytoplasmic end of the third transmembrane segments. Pantoprazole bound only to either cysteine 813 or 822 in the fifth and sixth transmembrane region. The inhibition of Rabeprazole correlated also with its binding to this part of the protein, but this compound continued to bind after full inhibition, eventually binding also to cysteines 321 and 892. No binding was found to any of the cysteines in the seventh to tenth transmembrane segments. Thermolysin digestion of the isolated omeprazole-labeled fifth and sixth transmembrane pair showed that cysteine 813 was the site of labeling. It is concluded that binding of these sided reagents to cysteine 813 in the loop between transmembrane (TM)5 and TM6 is sufficient for inhibition of ATPase activity and acid transport by the gastric acid pump. Of the 10 cysteines present in the membrane and extracytoplasmic domain, only three are exposed sufficiently to allow reactivity with these cationic thiol reagents. The binding to cysteine 813 defines the location of the extracytoplasmic loop between TM5 and TM6 and places the carboxylic acids 820 and 824 conserved between the gastric H,K- and the Na,K-ATPases in TM6, consistent with their assumed role in cation binding.

Extensive random mutagenesis analysis of the Na+/K+-ATPase alpha subunit identifies known and previously unidentified amino acid residues that alter ouabain sensitivity--implications for ouabain binding

Random mutagenesis with ouabain selection has been used to comprehensively scan the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the alpha1 subunit of the sheep Na+/K+-ATPase for amino acid residues that alter ouabain sensitivity. The four random mutant libraries used in this study include all of the transmembrane and extracellular regions of the molecule as well as 75% of the cytoplasmic domains. Through an extensive number of HeLa cell transfections of these libraries and subsequent ouabain selection, 24 ouabain-resistant clones have been identified. All previously described amino acids that confer ouabain resistance were identified, confirming the completeness of this random mutagenesis screen. The amino acid substitutions that confer the greatest ouabain resistance, such as Gln111-->Arg, Asp121-->Gly, Asp121-->Glu, Asn122-->Asp, and Thr797-->Ala were identified more than once in this study. This extensive survey of the extracellular and transmembrane regions of the Na+/K+-ATPase molecule has identified two new regions of the molecule that affect ouabain sensitivity: the H4 and the H10 transmembrane regions. The new substitutions identified in this study are Leu330-->Gln, Ala331-->Gly, Thr338-->Ala, and Thr338-->Asn in the H4 transmembrane domain and Phe982-->Ser in the H10 transmembrane domain. These substitutions confer modest increases in the concentration of cardiac glycoside needed to produce 50% inhibition of activity (IC50 values), 3.1-7.9-fold difference. The results of this extensive screening of the Na+/K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit to identify amino acids residues that are important in ouabain sensitivity further supports our hypothesis that the H1-H2 and H4-H8 regions represent the major binding sites for the cardiac glycoside class of drugs.

Mutational analysis of putative SCH 28080 binding sites of the gastric H+,K+-ATPase

A compound, SCH 28080 (2-methyl-8-(phenylmethoxy)imidazo [1,2-a]pyridine-3-acetonitrile), reversibly inhibits gastric and renal ouabain-insensitive H+,K+-ATPase, but not colonic ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase. By using the functional expression system and site-directed mutagenesis, we analyzed the putative binding sites of SCH 28080 in gastric H+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit. It was previously reported that the binding site of SCH 28080, which is a K+-site inhibitor specific for gastric H+,K+-ATPase, was in the first extracellular loop between the first and second transmembrane segments of the alpha-subunit; Phe-126 and Asp-138 were putative binding sites. However, we found that all the mutants in the first extracellular loop including Phe-126 and Asp-138 retained H+, K+-ATPase activity and sensitivity to SCH 28080. Therefore, amino acid residues in the first extracellular loop are not directly involved in the SCH 28080 binding nor indispensable for the H+, K+-ATPase activity. Here we propose a candidate residue that is important for the binding with SCH 28080, Glu-822 in the sixth transmembrane segment. Mutations of Glu-822 to Asp and Ala (mutants termed E822D and E822A, respectively) decreased the ATPase activity to about 45% and 35% of the wild-type enzyme, respectively, while the mutations to Gln and Leu abolished the activity. Mutant E822A showed a significantly lower affinity for K+ than the wild-type enzyme, indicating that Glu-822 is involved in determining the affinity for K+. The sensitivity of mutant E822D to SCH 28080 was 8 times lower than that of the wild-type enzyme. The counterpart of Glu-822 in gastric H+,K+-ATPase is Asp in Na+,K+-ATPase and other colonic ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase, which are insensitive to SCH 28080. These results suggest that Glu-822 is one of important sites that bind with SCH 28080.

Effects of Bufo marinus skin toxins on human fetal extracorporeal blood vessels

The effects of extracts of Bufo marinus toad skin toxin on human isolated umbilical arterial rings and the fetal vessels of perfused placentae were examined and compared with those of ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+/K(+)-ATPase. Umbilical artery rings and fetal vessels of the perfused placenta responded to extracts, or ouabain, with constriction which persisted after the removal of each agent. Extraction of the skin, using various solvents, revealed that the umbilical artery constriction was due mainly to the effects of water-soluble, polar compounds. Fractionation of a water extract and bioassay on the rat isolated aorta revealed maximum vasoconstrictor activity in a low mol. wt fraction. During Na+/K(+)-ATPase inactivation in the fetal circulation of the human placenta, by perfusion with K(+)-free Kreb's solution, reactivation of the enzyme by K+ infusion caused vasodilatation. This effect was inhibited both by water extracts of load skin and by ouabain. Thus, properties of some of the endogenous compounds in B. marinus skin resemble those of ouabain, by causing persistent constriction of human fetal blood vessels. A component of the vasoconstrictor response probably results from inhibition of vascular smooth muscle Na+/K(+)-ATPase, but it is likely that a contribution is also made by additional vasoconstrictor substances contained in B. marinus toxin.

In vitro translation analysis of integral membrane proteins

A method of in vitro translation scanning was applied to a variety of polytopic integral membrane proteins, a transition metal P type ATPase from Helicobacter pylori, the SERCA 2 ATPase, the gastric H+,K+ ATPase, the CCK-A receptor and the human ileal bile acid transporter. This method used vectors containing the N terminal region of the gastric H+,K+ ATPase or the N terminal region of the CCK-A receptor, coupled via a linker region to the last 177 amino acids of the beta-subunit of the gastric H+,K+ ATPase. The latter contains 5 potential N-linked glycosylation sites. Translation of vectors containing the cDNA encoding one, two or more putative transmembrane domains in the absence or presence of microsomes allowed determination of signal anchor or stop transfer properties of the putative transmembrane domains by the molecular weight shift on SDS PAGE. The P type ATPase from Helicobacter pylori showed the presence of 8 transmembrane segments with this method. The SERCA 2 Ca2+ ATPase with this method had 9 transmembrane co-translational insertion domains and coupled with other evidence these data resulted in a 11 transmembrane segment model. Translation of segments of the gastric H+,K+ ATPase provided evidence for only 7 transmembrane segments but coupled with other data established a 10 membrane segment model. The G7 protein, the CCK-A receptor showed the presence of 6 of the 7 transmembrane segments postulated for this protein. Translation of segments of the human ileal bile acid transporter showed the presence of 8 membrane insertion domains. However, translation of the intact protein provided evidence for an odd number of transmembrane segments, resulting in a tentative model containing 7 or 9 transmembrane segments. Neither G7 type protein appeared to have an arrangement of sequential topogenic signals consistent with the final assembled protein. This method provides a useful addition to methods of determining membrane domains of integral membrane proteins but must in general be utilized with other methods to establish the number of transmembrane alpha-helices.

Asp804 and Asp808 in the transmembrane domain of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit are cation coordinating residues

The functional roles of Asp804 and Asp808, located in the sixth transmembrane segment of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit, were examined. Nonconservative replacement of these residues yielded enzymes unable to support cell viability. Only the conservative substitution, Ala808 --> Glu, was able to maintain the essential cation gradients (Van Huysse, J. W., Kuntzweiler, T. A., and Lingrel, J. B (1996) FEBS Lett. 389, 179-185). Asp804 and Asp808 were replaced by Ala, Asn, and Glu in the sheep alpha1 subunit and expressed in a mouse cell line where [3H]ouabain binding was utilized to probe the exogenous proteins. All of the heterologous proteins were targeted into the plasma membrane, bound ouabain and nucleotides, and adopted E1Na, E1ATP, and E2P conformations. K+ competition of ouabain binding to sheep alpha1 and Asp808 --> Glu enzymes displayed IC50 values of 4.11 mM (nHill = 1.4) and 23.8 mM (nHill = 1.6), respectively. All other substituted proteins lacked this K+-ouabain antagonism, e.g. 150 mM KCl did not inhibit ouabain binding. Na+ antagonized ouabain binding to all the expressed isoforms, however, the proteins carrying nonconservative substitutions displayed reduced Hill coefficients (nHill </= 2.0) compared to the control (nHill </= 2.8). Therefore, Asp804 and Asp808 of the Na,K-ATPase are required for normal Na+ and K+ transport, possibly coordinating these cations during transport.

Substitution of glutamic 779 with alanine in the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit removes voltage dependence of ion transport

The effects of changing Glu-779, located in the fifth transmembrane segment of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit, on the phosphorylation characteristics and ion transport properties of the enzyme were investigated. HeLa cells were transfected with cDNA coding the E779A substitution in an ouabain-resistant sheep alpha1 subunit (RD). Steady state phosphorylation stimulated by Na+ concentrations less than 20 mM or by imidazole were similar for RD and E779A enzymes, an indication that phosphorylation and Na+ occlusion were not altered by this mutation. With E779A enzyme, higher Na+ concentrations reduced the level of phosphoenzyme and stimulated Na-ATPase activity in the absence of K+. These effects were a consequence of Na+ increasing the rate of protein dephosphorylation. In voltage-clamped HeLa cells expressing E779A enzyme, a prominent electrogenic Na+-Na+ exchange was observed in the absence of extracellular K+. Thus, increased Na-ATPase activity and Na+-dependent dephosphorylation result from Na+ acting as a K+ congener with low affinity at extracellular binding sites. These data suggest that E779A does not directly participate in ion binding but does affect the connection between extracellular ion binding and intracellular enzyme dephosphorylation. In cells expressing control RD enzyme, Na,K-pump current was dependent on membrane potential and extracellular K+ concentration. However, Na,K-pump current in cells expressing E779A enzyme was voltage independent at all extracellular K+ tested. These results indicate that Glu-779 may be part of the access channel determining the voltage dependence of ion transport by the Na, K-ATPase.

Random mutagenesis of the sheep Na,K-ATPase alpha1 subunit generating the ouabain-resistant mutant L793P

The polymerase chain reaction was used to randomly mutagenize a cDNA cassette encoding amino acids 691-946 of the sheep Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit. The mutagenized cassettes were used to replace the wild-type region in the full-length cDNA, and pools of mutants were transfected into HeLa cells. After the generation of resistant cells via selection in 0.5 microM ouabain, polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the mutagenized cassette from the genomic DNA of the stable transfectants. Sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction product revealed three amino acid substitutions: I729V, L793P, and K836R. Subsequent site-directed mutagenesis experiments showed that only L793P was important for resistance. To elucidate the role of L793 in ouabain inhibition, additional mutations at this position were prepared. L793A and L793I mutants were constructed and expressed in HeLa cells. Only L793A survived selection using ouabain, which suggested that resistance is not due to the specific substitution of leucine with proline. To explore the mechanism of resistance, apparent affinities of the L793P mutant for sodium and potassium were compared to the wild-type HeLa pump. Although the apparent affinities were comparable for sodium, the mutant had a 2-fold higher apparent affinity for potassium. This suggests that the mechanism of ouabain insensitivity of L793P is due to a perturbation in the region of the enzyme that may include the K+ binding site.

Critical effects on catalytic function produced by amino acid substitutions at Asp804 and Asp808 of the alpha1 isoform of Na,K-ATPase

At two intramembrane carboxyl-containing amino acids of the sheep alpha1 isoform of Na,K-ATPase (Asp804 and Asp808), both charge-conserving (Asp to Glu) and charge-deleting (Asp to Asn, Leu and Ala) replacements were made and the altered enzymes studied. Nucleotide changes encoding the amino acid substitutions were placed in a cDNA encoding a ouabain-resistant enzyme (sheep alpha1 RD) and the encoded enzymes were expressed in ouabain-sensitive HeLa cells. Transfections with cDNAs carrying all Asp804 substitutions, along with those carrying Asp808Ala, Asp808Asn, and Asp808Leu replacements failed to confer ouabain resistance to the cells, indicating critical roles for Asp804 and Asp808. Only the expression of the Asp808Glu enzyme produced ouabain-resistant HeLa cells, demonstrating that the altered protein was functional. When the inactive proteins Asp804Ala and Asp808Ala were expressed using an alternative selection system (the protein carrying the amino acid substitution was the ouabain-sensitive wild-type sheep alpha1 Na,K-ATPase, which was expressed in ouabain-resistant 3T3 cells), intact cells were able to bind extracellular ouabain with high affinity (Kd = 1-30 nM), indicating that the inactive proteins were synthesized and folded properly in the plasma membrane. The results demonstrate that carboxyl side chains at positions 804 and 808 are critical for enzyme catalytic function.

Ouabain interactions with the H5-H6 hairpin of the Na,K-ATPase reveal a possible inhibition mechanism via the cation binding domain

Cardiac glycosides such as ouabain and digoxin specifically inhibit the Na,K-ATPase. Three new residues in the carboxyl half of the Na, K-ATPase, Phe-786, Leu-793 (PFLIF786IIANIPL793PLGT797), and Phe-863 (FTYF863VIM) have been identified as ouabain sensitivity determinants using random mutagenesis. Polymerase chain reaction was utilized to randomly mutate the DNA sequence encoding the amino acids between Lys-691 and Lys-945 in the alpha subunit of the Na, K-ATPase. This region contains four transmembrane segments (H5, H6, H7, and H8) and the connecting extracellular and cytoplasmic loops. Diverse substitutions of these three residues resulted in proteins displaying 2.8-48-fold increases in the I50 of different cardiac glycosides for inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase activity. By locating these residues, in conjunction with Thr-797 (Feng, J., and Lingrel, J. B (1994) Biochemistry 33, 4218-4224), a new region of the protein containing the H5-H6 hairpin and the H7 transmembrane segment emerges as a major determinant of ouabain inhibition. Thus, a link between the cardiac glycoside binding site and the cation transport sites of the Na,K-ATPase transpires giving a structural base to the cation antagonism of ouabain binding. Furthermore, this link suggests a possible mechanism for cardiac glycoside inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase, such that ouabain binding to the implicated region blocks the movement of the H5 and H6 transmembrane domains which may be required for energy transduction and cation transport.

Comparison between parr and smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) α subunit gene expression of Na(+)/K (+) ATPase in gill tissue

Increases in branchial Na(+)/K(+) ATPase activity during seawater adaptation of euryhaline fish species, have been well documented. During the parr-smolt transformation of salmonids this activity increases two to five fold and is used as an indicator of the transformation. In order to improve the understanding of differences in enzyme activity found between Atlantic salmonSalmo salar parr and smolt fish, we investigated the gene expression of the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase α-subunit(s) in gill tissue. Gill mRNAs were analyzed and quantified at distinct time points using Northern and Dot blot techniques. We amplified by PCR, a conserved region of the cDNA encoding the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase α-subunit of the rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss. The PCR products (670 bp) were cloned and all independent clones showed a sequence corresponding to the α subunit of the Na(+)/K(+) ATPase. The fragments obtained appeared as a heterogenous population of three sequences showing, when compared between each other, 86 to 93% identity. This suggests that different allelic forms of the α-subunit are expressed in gill tissue. Hybridization studies performed with these PCR probes revealed two mRNA species, a major 3.7 kb transcript and a minor transcript of 1.8 kb. Enhanced 3.7 kb transcript levels are concurrent with elevated enzyme activity in smolts during the March and April parrsmolt transformation of Atlantic salmon. Interestingly, our study disclosed that smolt fish only displayed a two-fold increase in transcript levels when compared to parr whereas enzyme activity showed a 4 to 5 fold increase. This suggests that the increase in the 3.7 kb mRNA content of gill tissue is probably not the only mediator leading to the rise in enzyme activity during parr-smolt transformation.