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Peluffo RD, Hernández JA. The Na +,K +-ATPase and its stoichiometric ratio: some thermodynamic speculations. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:539-552. [PMID: 37681108 PMCID: PMC10480117 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01082-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Almost seventy years after its discovery, the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (the sodium pump) located in the cell plasma membrane remains a source of novel mechanistic and physiologic findings. A noteworthy feature of this enzyme/transporter is its robust stoichiometric ratio under physiological conditions: it sequentially counter-transports three sodium ions and two potassium ions against their electrochemical potential gradients per each hydrolyzed ATP molecule. Here we summarize some present knowledge about the sodium pump and its physiological roles, and speculate whether energetic constraints may have played a role in the evolutionary selection of its characteristic stoichiometric ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Daniel Peluffo
- Group of Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Biological Sciences, CENUR Litoral Norte, Universidad de La República, Rivera 1350, CP: 50000 Salto, Uruguay
| | - Julio A. Hernández
- Biophysics and Systems Biology Section, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La República, Iguá 4225, CP: 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
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2
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Fedosova NU, Habeck M, Nissen P. Structure and Function of Na,K-ATPase-The Sodium-Potassium Pump. Compr Physiol 2021; 12:2659-2679. [PMID: 34964112 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c200018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Na,K-ATPase is an ubiquitous enzyme actively transporting Na-ions out of the cell in exchange for K-ions, thereby maintaining their concentration gradients across the cell membrane. Since its discovery more than six decades ago the Na-pump has been studied extensively and its vital physiological role in essentially every cell has been established. This article aims at providing an overview of well-established biochemical properties with a focus on Na,K-ATPase isoforms, its transport mechanism and principle conformations, inhibitors, and insights gained from crystal structures. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:1-21, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Habeck
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul Nissen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Cornelius F, Tsunekawa N, Toyoshima C. Distinct pH dependencies of Na +/K + selectivity at the two faces of Na,K-ATPase. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:2195-2205. [PMID: 29247005 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase) in animal cells is vital for actively maintaining ATP hydrolysis-powered Na+ and K+ electrochemical gradients across the cell membrane. These ion gradients drive co- and countertransport and are critical for establishing the membrane potential. It has been an enigma how Na,K-ATPase discriminates between Na+ and K+, despite the pumped ion on each side being at a lower concentration than the other ion. Recent crystal structures of analogs of the intermediate conformations E2·Pi·2K+ and Na+-bound E1∼P·ADP suggest that the dimensions of the respective binding sites in Na,K-ATPase are crucial in determining its selectivity. Here, we found that the selectivity at each membrane face is pH-dependent and that this dependence is unique for each face. Most notable was a strong increase in the specific affinity for K+ at the extracellular face (i.e. E2 conformation) as the pH is lowered from 7.5 to 5. We also observed a smaller increase in affinity for K+ on the cytoplasmic side (E1 conformation), which reduced the selectivity for Na+ Theoretical analysis of the pKa values of ion-coordinating acidic amino acid residues suggested that the face-specific pH dependences and Na+/K+ selectivities may arise from the protonation or ionization of key residues. The increase in K+ selectivity at low pH on the cytoplasmic face, for instance, appeared to be associated with Asp808 protonation. We conclude that changes in the ionization state of coordinating residues in Na,K-ATPase could contribute to altering face-specific ion selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flemming Cornelius
- From the Department of Biomedicine, University of Aarhus, Ole Worms Allé 6, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark and
| | - Naoki Tsunekawa
- the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032
| | - Chikashi Toyoshima
- the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032
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4
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Garcia A, Pratap PR, Lüpfert C, Cornelius F, Jacquemin D, Lev B, Allen TW, Clarke RJ. The voltage-sensitive dye RH421 detects a Na + ,K + -ATPase conformational change at the membrane surface. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1859:813-823. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
The Na+/K+-ATPase restores sodium
(Na+) and potassium (K+)
electrochemical gradients dissipated by action potentials and ion-coupled transport
processes. As ions are transported, they become transiently trapped between
intracellular and extracellular gates. Once the external gate opens, three
Na+ ions are released, followed by the binding and
occlusion of two K+ ions. While the mechanisms of
Na+ release have been well characterized by the study of
transient Na+ currents, smaller and faster transient
currents mediated by external K+ have been more difficult to
study. Here we show that external K+ ions travelling to
their binding sites sense only a small fraction of the electric field as they
rapidly and simultaneously become occluded. Consistent with these results, molecular
dynamics simulations of a pump model show a wide water-filled access channel
connecting the binding site to the external solution. These results suggest a
mechanism of K+ gating different from that of
Na+ occlusion. During transport by the
Na+/K+-ATPase,
Na+ and K+ ions become occluded
between intra- and extracellular gates. Here Castillo et al. measure transient
electrical signals arising from K+ occlusion and use molecular
simulations to describe a K+ gating mechanism fundamentally
different to that of Na+.
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6
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Abstract
When the Na,K-ATPase pumps at each turnover two K(+) ions into the cytoplasm, this translocation consists of several reaction steps. First, the ions diffuse consecutively from the extracellular phase through an access pathway to the binding sites where they are coordinated. In the next step, the enzyme is dephosphorylated and the ions are occluded inside the membrane domain. The subsequent transition to the E1 conformation produces a deocclusion of the binding sites to the cytoplasmic side of the membrane and allows in the last steps ion dissociation and diffusion to the aqueous phase. The interaction and competition of K(+) with various quaternary organic ammonium ions have been used to gain insight into the molecular mechanism of the ion binding process from the extracellular side in the P-E2 conformation of the enzyme. Using the electrochromic styryl dye RH421, evidence has been obtained that the access pathway consists of a wide and water-filled funnel-like part that is accessible also for bulky cations such as the benzyltriethylammonium ion, and a narrow part that permits passage only of small cations such as K(+) and NH4(+) in a distinct electrogenic way. Benzyltriethylammonium ions inhibit K(+) binding in a competitive manner that can be explained by a stopper-like function at the interface between the wide and narrow parts of the access pathway. In contrast to other quaternary organic ammonium ions, benzyltriethylammonium ions show a specific binding to the ion pump in a position inside the access pathway where it blocks effectively the access to the binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hans-Jürgen Apell
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
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7
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Mares LJ, Garcia A, Rasmussen HH, Cornelius F, Mahmmoud YA, Berlin JR, Lev B, Allen TW, Clarke RJ. Identification of electric-field-dependent steps in the Na(+),K(+)-pump cycle. Biophys J 2015; 107:1352-63. [PMID: 25229143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2014.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The charge-transporting activity of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase depends on its surrounding electric field. To isolate which steps of the enzyme's reaction cycle involve charge movement, we have investigated the response of the voltage-sensitive fluorescent probe RH421 to interaction of the protein with BTEA (benzyltriethylammonium), which binds from the extracellular medium to the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase's transport sites in competition with Na(+) and K(+), but is not occluded within the protein. We find that only the occludable ions Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+) cause a drop in RH421 fluorescence. We conclude that RH421 detects intramembrane electric field strength changes arising from charge transport associated with conformational changes occluding the transported ions within the protein, not the electric fields of the bound ions themselves. This appears at first to conflict with electrophysiological studies suggesting extracellular Na(+) or K(+) binding in a high field access channel is a major electrogenic reaction of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. All results can be explained consistently if ion occlusion involves local deformations in the lipid membrane surrounding the protein occurring simultaneously with conformational changes necessary for ion occlusion. The most likely origin of the RH421 fluorescence response is a change in membrane dipole potential caused by membrane deformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Mares
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alvaro Garcia
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Helge H Rasmussen
- Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Joshua R Berlin
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey
| | - Bogdan Lev
- School of Applied Science and Health Innovations Research Institute, REMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Toby W Allen
- School of Applied Science and Health Innovations Research Institute, REMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ronald J Clarke
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Mahmmoud YA, Kopec W, Khandelia H. K+ congeners that do not compromise Na+ activation of the Na+,K+-ATPase: hydration of the ion binding cavity likely controls ion selectivity. J Biol Chem 2014; 290:3720-31. [PMID: 25533461 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.577486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The Na(+),K(+)-ATPase is essential for ionic homeostasis in animal cells. The dephosphoenzyme contains Na(+) selective inward facing sites, whereas the phosphoenzyme contains K(+) selective outward facing sites. Under normal physiological conditions, K(+) inhibits cytoplasmic Na(+) activation of the enzyme. Acetamidinium (Acet(+)) and formamidinium (Form(+)) have been shown to permeate the pump through the outward facing sites. Here, we show that these cations, unlike K(+), are unable to enter the inward facing sites in the dephosphorylated enzyme. Consistently, the organic cations exhibited little to no antagonism to cytoplasmic Na(+) activation. Na(+),K(+)-ATPase structures revealed a previously undescribed rotamer transition of the hydroxymethyl side chain of the absolutely conserved Thr(772) of the α-subunit. The side chain contributes its hydroxyl to Na(+) in site I in the E1 form and rotates to contribute its methyl group toward K(+) in the E2 form. Molecular dynamics simulations to the E1·AlF4 (-)·ADP·3Na(+) structure indicated that 1) bound organic cations differentially distorted the ion binding sites, 2) the hydroxymethyl of Thr(772) rotates to stabilize bound Form(+) through water molecules, and 3) the rotamer transition is mediated by water traffic into the ion binding cavity. Accordingly, dehydration induced by osmotic stress enhanced the interaction of the congeners with the outward facing sites and profoundly modified the organization of membrane domains of the α-subunit. These results assign a catalytic role for water in pump function, and shed light on a backbone-independent but a conformation-dependent switch between H-bond and dispersion contact as part of the catalytic mechanism of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser A Mahmmoud
- From the Department of Biomedicine, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus C and
| | - Wojciech Kopec
- the MEMPHYS, Center for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Himanshu Khandelia
- the MEMPHYS, Center for Biomembrane Physics, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
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Peluffo RD, Berlin JR. Membrane potential-dependent inhibition of the Na+,K+-ATPase by para-nitrobenzyltriethylammonium bromide. Mol Pharmacol 2012; 82:1-8. [PMID: 22456853 DOI: 10.1124/mol.111.077008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane potential (V(M))-dependent inhibitors of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase are a new class of compounds that may have inherent advantages over currently available drugs targeting this enzyme. However, two questions remain unanswered regarding these inhibitors: (1) what is the mechanism of V(M)-dependent Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibition, and (2) is their binding affinity high enough to consider them as possible lead compounds? To address these questions, we investigated how a recently synthesized V(M)-dependent Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, para-nitrobenzyltriethylamine (pNBTEA), binds to the enzyme by measuring the extracellular pNBTEA concentration and V(M) dependence of ouabain-sensitive transient charge movements in whole-cell patch-clamped rat cardiac ventricular myocytes. By analyzing the kinetics of charge movements and the steady-state distribution of charge, we show that the V(M)-dependent properties of pNBTEA binding differ from those for extracellular Na(+) and K(+) binding, even though inhibitor binding is competitive with extracellular K(+). The data were also fit to specific models for pNBTEA binding to show that pNBTEA binding is a rate-limiting V(M)-dependent reaction that, in light of homology models for the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, we interpret as a transfer reaction of pNBTEA from a peripheral binding site in the enzyme to a site near the known K(+) coordination sites buried within the transmembrane helices of the enzyme. These models also suggest that binding occurs with an apparent affinity of 7 μM. This apparent binding affinity suggests that high-affinity V(M)-dependent Na(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitors should be feasible to design and test as specific enzyme inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Daniel Peluffo
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, 185 S. Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07101-1709, USA
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