Investigation of Electrogenic Partial Reactions in Detergent-Solubilized Na,K-ATPase

Linking function to global and local dynamics in an elevator-type transporter

Transporters cycle through large structural changes to translocate molecules across biological membranes. The temporal relationships between these changes and function, and the molecular properties setting their rates, determine transport efficiency-yet remain mostly unknown. Using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, we compare the timing of conformational transitions and substrate uptake in the elevator-type transporter GltPh We show that the elevator-like movements of the substrate-loaded transport domain across membranes and substrate release are kinetically heterogeneous, with rates varying by orders of magnitude between individual molecules. Mutations increasing the frequency of elevator transitions and reducing substrate affinity diminish transport rate heterogeneities and boost transport efficiency. Hydrogen deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry reveals destabilization of secondary structure around the substrate-binding site, suggesting that increased local dynamics leads to faster rates of global conformational changes and confers gain-of-function properties that set transport rates.

The KdpFABC complex - K+ transport against all odds

In bacteria, K⁺ is used to maintain cell volume and osmotic potential. Homeostasis normally involves a network of constitutively expressed transport systems, but in K⁺ deficient environments, the KdpFABC complex uses ATP to pump K⁺ into the cell. This complex appears to be a hybrid of two types of transporters, with KdpA descending from the superfamily of K⁺ transporters and KdpB belonging to the superfamily of P-type ATPases. Studies of enzymatic activity documented a catalytic cycle with hallmarks of classical P-type ATPases and studies of ion transport indicated that K⁺ import into the cytosol occurred in the second half of this cycle in conjunction with hydrolysis of an aspartyl phosphate intermediate. Atomic structures of the KdpFABC complex from X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM have recently revealed conformations before and after formation of this aspartyl phosphate that appear to contradict the functional studies. Specifically, structural comparisons with the archetypal P-type ATPase, SERCA, suggest that K⁺ transport occurs in the first half of the cycle, accompanying formation of the aspartyl phosphate. Further controversy has arisen regarding the path by which K⁺ crosses the membrane. The X-ray structure supports the conventional view that KdpA provides the conduit, whereas cryo-EM structures suggest that K⁺ moves from KdpA through a long, intramembrane tunnel to reach canonical ion binding sites in KdpB from which they are released to the cytosol. This review discusses evidence supporting these contradictory models and identifies key experiments needed to resolve discrepancies and produce a unified model for this fascinating mechanistic hybrid.

Overview on solubilization and lipid reconstitution of Na,K-ATPase: enzyme kinetic and biophysical characterization

Na,K-ATPase is a membrane protein which plays a vital role. It pumps Na⁺ and K⁺ ions across the cellular membranes using energy from ATP hydrolysis, and is responsible for maintaining the osmotic equilibrium and generating the membrane potential. Moreover, Na,K-ATPase has also been involved in cell signaling, interacting with partner proteins. Cardiotonic steroids bind specifically to Na,K-ATPase triggering a number of signaling pathways. Because of its importance, many efforts have been employed to study the structure and function of this protein. Difficulties associated with its removal from natural membranes and the concomitant search for appropriate replacement conditions to keep the protein in solution have presented a challenge that had to be overcome prior to carrying out biophysical and biochemical studies in vitro. In this review, we summarized all of the methods and techniques applied by our group in order to obtain information about Na,K-ATPase in respect to solubilization, reconstitution into mimetic system, influence of lipid composition, stability, oligomerization, and aggregation.

Modulation of the Na,K-ATPase by Magnesium Ions

Since the beginning of investigations of the Na,K-ATPase, it has been well-known that Mg²⁺ is an essential cofactor for activation of enzymatic ATP hydrolysis without being transported through the cell membrane. Moreover, experimental evidence has been collected through the years that shows that Mg²⁺ ions have a regulatory effect on ion transport by interacting with the cytoplasmic side of the ion pump. Our experiments allowed us to reveal the underlying mechanism. Mg²⁺ is able to bind to a site outside the membrane domain of the protein's α subunit, close to the entrance of the access channel to the ion-binding sites, thus modifying the local concentration of the ions in the electrolyte, of which Na⁺, K⁺, and H⁺ are of physiological interest. The decrease in the concentration of these cations can be explained by electrostatic interaction and estimated by the Debye-Hückel theory. This effect provokes the observed apparent reduction of the binding affinity of the binding sites of the Na,K-ATPase in the presence of various Mg²⁺ concentrations. The presence of the bound Mg²⁺, however, does not affect the reaction kinetics of the transport function of the ion pump. Therefore, stopped-flow experiments could be performed to gain the first insight into the Na⁺ binding kinetics on the cytoplasmic side by Mg²⁺ concentration jump experiments.

Activation of respiratory Complex I from Escherichia coli studied by fluorescent probes

Respiratory Complex I from E. coli may exist in two interconverting forms: resting (R) and active (A). The R/A transition of purified, solubilized Complex I occurring upon turnover was studied employing two different fluorescent probes, Annine 6+, and NDB-acetogenin. NADH-induced fluorescent changes of both dyes bound to solubilized Complex I from E. coli were characterized as a function of the protein:dye ratio, temperature, ubiquinone redox state and the enzyme activity. Analysis of this data combined with time-resolved optical measurements of Complex I activity and spectral changes indicated two ubiquinone-binding sites; a possibility of reduction of the tightly-bound quinone in the resting state and reduction of the loosely-bound quinone in the active state is discussed. The results also indicate that upon the activation Complex I undergoes conformational changes which can be mapped to the junction of the hydrophilic and membrane domains in the region of the assumed acetogenin-binding site.

Selective Assembly of Na,K-ATPase α2β2 Heterodimers in the Heart: DISTINCT FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES AND ISOFORM-SELECTIVE INHIBITORS

The Na,K-ATPase α₂ subunit plays a key role in cardiac muscle contraction by regulating intracellular Ca²⁺, whereas α₁ has a more conventional role of maintaining ion homeostasis. The β subunit differentially regulates maturation, trafficking, and activity of α-β heterodimers. It is not known whether the distinct role of α₂ in the heart is related to selective assembly with a particular one of the three β isoforms. We show here by immunofluorescence and co-immunoprecipitation that α₂ is preferentially expressed with β₂ in T-tubules of cardiac myocytes, forming α₂β₂ heterodimers. We have expressed human α₁β₁, α₂β₁, α₂β₂, and α₂β₃ in Pichia pastoris, purified the complexes, and compared their functional properties. α₂β₂ and α₂β₃ differ significantly from both α₂β₁ and α₁β₁ in having a higher K_0.5K⁺ and lower K_0.5Na⁺ for activating Na,K-ATPase. These features are the result of a large reduction in binding affinity for extracellular K⁺ and shift of the E₁P-E₂P conformational equilibrium toward E₁P. A screen of perhydro-1,4-oxazepine derivatives of digoxin identified several derivatives (e.g. cyclobutyl) with strongly increased selectivity for inhibition of α₂β₂ and α₂β₃ over α₁β₁ (range 22-33-fold). Molecular modeling suggests a possible basis for isoform selectivity. The preferential assembly, specific T-tubular localization, and low K⁺ affinity of α₂β₂ could allow an acute response to raised ambient K⁺ concentrations in physiological conditions and explain the importance of α₂β₂ for cardiac muscle contractility. The high sensitivity of α₂β₂ to digoxin derivatives explains beneficial effects of cardiac glycosides for treatment of heart failure and potential of α₂β₂-selective digoxin derivatives for reducing cardiotoxicity.

Preparation To Minimize Buffer Mismatch in Isothermal Titration Calorimetry Experiments

There is a growing need to study ligand binding to proteins in native or complex solution using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). For example, it is desirable to measure ligand binding to membrane proteins in more native lipid-like environments such as bicelles, where ligands can access both sides of the membrane in a homogeneous environment. A critical step to obtain high signal-to-noise is matching the reaction chamber solution to the ligand solution, typically through a final dialysis or gel filtration step. However, to obtain reproducible bicelles, the lipid concentrations must be carefully controlled which eliminates the use of dialysis that can disrupt these parameters. Here, we report and validate a rapid preparation ITC (RP-ITC) approach to measure ligand binding without the need for a dialysis step. This general approach is used to quantify ion binding to a K(+) channel embedded in bicelles and can be applied to complex, less defined systems.

Molecular Mechanisms and Kinetic Effects of FXYD1 and Phosphomimetic Mutants on Purified Human Na,K-ATPase

Phospholemman (FXYD1) is a single-transmembrane protein regulator of Na,K-ATPase, expressed strongly in heart, skeletal muscle, and brain and phosphorylated by protein kinases A and C at Ser-68 and Ser-63, respectively. Binding of FXYD1 reduces Na,K-ATPase activity, and phosphorylation at Ser-68 or Ser-63 relieves the inhibition. Despite the accumulated information on physiological effects, whole cell studies provide only limited information on molecular mechanisms. As a complementary approach, we utilized purified human Na,K-ATPase (α1β1 and α2β1) reconstituted with FXYD1 or mutants S63E, S68E, and S63E,S68E that mimic phosphorylation at Ser-63 and Ser-68. Compared with control α1β1, FXYD1 reduces Vmax and turnover rate and raises K0.5Na. The phosphomimetic mutants reverse these effects and reduce K0.5Na below control K0.5Na. Effects on α2β1 are similar but smaller. Experiments in proteoliposomes reconstituted with α1β1 show analogous effects of FXYD1 on K0.5Na, which are abolished by phosphomimetic mutants and also by increasing mole fractions of DOPS in the proteoliposomes. Stopped-flow experiments using the dye RH421 show that FXYD1 slows the conformational transition E2(2K)ATP → E1(3Na)ATP but does not affect 3NaE1P → E2P3Na. This regulatory effect is explained simply by molecular modeling, which indicates that a cytoplasmic helix (residues 60-70) docks between the αN and αP domains in the E2 conformation, but docking is weaker in E1 (also for phosphomimetic mutants). Taken together with previous work showing that FXYD1 also raises binding affinity for the Na(+)-selective site III, these results provide a rather comprehensive picture of the regulatory mechanism of FXYD1 that complements the physiological studies.

Stimulation, inhibition, or stabilization of Na,K-ATPase caused by specific lipid interactions at distinct sites

The activity of membrane proteins such as Na,K-ATPase depends strongly on the surrounding lipid environment. Interactions can be annular, depending on the physical properties of the membrane, or specific with lipids bound in pockets between transmembrane domains. This paper describes three specific lipid-protein interactions using purified recombinant Na,K-ATPase. (a) Thermal stability of the Na,K-ATPase depends crucially on a specific interaction with 18:0/18:1 phosphatidylserine (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine; SOPS) and cholesterol, which strongly amplifies stabilization. We show here that cholesterol associates with SOPS, FXYD1, and the α subunit between trans-membrane segments αTM8 and -10 to stabilize the protein. (b) Polyunsaturated neutral lipids stimulate Na,K-ATPase turnover by >60%. A screen of the lipid specificity showed that 18:0/20:4 and 18:0/22:6 phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are the optimal phospholipids for this effect. (c) Saturated phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, but not saturated phosphatidylserine or PE, inhibit Na,K-ATPase activity by 70-80%. This effect depends strongly on the presence of cholesterol. Analysis of the Na,K-ATPase activity and E1-E2 conformational transitions reveals the kinetic mechanisms of these effects. Both stimulatory and inhibitory lipids poise the conformational equilibrium toward E2, but their detailed mechanisms of action are different. PE accelerates the rate of E1 → E2P but does not affect E2(2K)ATP → E13NaATP, whereas sphingomyelin inhibits the rate of E2(2K)ATP → E13NaATP, with very little effect on E1 → E2P. We discuss these lipid effects in relation to recent crystal structures of Na,K-ATPase and propose that there are three separate sites for the specific lipid interactions, with potential physiological roles to regulate activity and stability of the pump.

Surface charges of the membrane crucially affect regulation of Na,K-ATPase by phospholemman (FXYD1)

The human α1/His10-β1 isoform of Na,K-ATPase has been reconstituted as a complex with and without FXYD1 into proteoliposomes of various lipid compositions in order to study the effect of the regulatory subunit on the half-saturating Na⁺ concentration (K(½)) of Na⁺ ions for activation of the ion pump. It has been shown that the fraction of negatively charged lipid in the bilayer crucially affects the regulatory properties. At low concentrations of the negatively charged lipid DOPS (<10 %), FXYD1 increases K(½) of Na⁺ ions for activation of the ion pump. Phosphorylation of FXYD1 by protein kinase A at Ser68 abrogates this effect. Conversely, for proteoliposomes made with high concentrations of DOPS (>10 %), little or no effect of FXYD1 on the K(½) of Na⁺ ions is observed. Depending on ionic strength and lipid composition of the proteoliposomes, FXYD1 can alter the K(½) of Na⁺ ions by up to twofold. We propose possible molecular mechanisms to explain the regulatory effects of FXYD1 and the influence of charged lipid and protein phosphorylation. In particular, the positively charged C-terminal helix of FXYD1 appears to be highly mobile and may interact with the cytoplasmic N domain of the α-subunit, the interaction being strongly affected by phosphorylation at Ser68 and the surface charge of the membrane.

Mechanistic analysis of the pump cycle of the KdpFABC P-type ATPase

The high-affinity potassium uptake system KdpFABC is a unique type Ia P-type ATPase, because it separates the sites of ATP hydrolysis and ion transport on two different subunits. KdpFABC was expressed in Escherichia coli. It was then isolated and purified to homogeneity to obtain a detergent-solubilized enzyme complex that allowed the analysis of ion binding properties. The electrogenicity and binding affinities of the ion pump for K(+) and H(+) were determined in detergent-solubilized complexes by means of the electrochromic styryl dye RH421. Half-saturating K(+) concentrations and pK values for H(+) binding could be obtained in both the unphosphorylated and phosphorylated conformations of KdpFABC. The interaction of both ions with KdpFABC was studied in detail, and the presence of independent binding sites was ascertained. It is proposed that KdpFABC reconstituted in vesicles translocates protons at a low efficiency opposite from the well-established import of K(+) into the bacteria. On the basis of our results, various mechanistic pump cycle models were derived from the general Post-Albers scheme of P-type ATPases and discussed in the framework of the experimental evidence to propose a possible molecular pump cycle for KdpFABC.

Binding thermodynamics of a glutamate transporter homolog

Glutamate transporters catalyze concentrative uptake of the neurotransmitter into glial cells and neurons. Their transport cycle involves binding and release of the substrate on the extra- and intracellular sides of the plasma membranes, and translocation of the substrate-binding site across the lipid bilayers. The energy of the ionic gradients, mainly sodium, fuels the cycle. Here, we used a cross-linking approach to trap a glutamate transporter homologue from Pyrococcus horikoshii in key conformational states with substrate-binding site facing either the extracellular or intracellular sides of the membrane to study their binding thermodynamics. We show that the chemical potential of sodium ions in solution is exclusively coupled to substrate binding and release, and not to substrate translocation. Despite the structural symmetry, the binding mechanisms are distinct on the opposite sides of the membrane and more complex than the current models suggest.

A method to measure hydrolytic activity of adenosinetriphosphatases (ATPases)

The detection of small amounts (nanomoles) of inorganic phosphate has a great interest in biochemistry. In particular, phosphate detection is useful to evaluate the rate of hydrolysis of phosphatases, that are enzymes able to remove phosphate from their substrate by hydrolytic cleavage. The hydrolysis rate is correlated to enzyme activity, an extremely important functional parameter. Among phosphatases there are the cation transporting adenosinetriphosphatases (ATPases), that produce inorganic phosphate by cleavage of the γ-phosphate of ATP. These membrane transporters have many fundamental physiological roles and are emerging as potential drug targets. ATPase hydrolytic activity is measured to test enzyme functionality, but it also provides useful information on possible inhibitory effects of molecules that interfere with the hydrolytic process. We have optimized a molybdenum-based protocol that makes use of potassium antimony (III) oxide tartrate (originally employed for phosphate detection in environmental analysis) to allow its use with phosphatase enzymes. In particular, the method was successfully applied to native and recombinant ATPases to demonstrate its reliability, validity, sensitivity and versatility. Our method introduces significant improvements to well-established experimental assays, which are currently employed for ATPase activity measurements. Therefore, it may be valuable in biochemical and biomedical investigations of ATPase enzymes, in combination with more specific tests, as well as in high throughput drug screening.

Spectral properties and orientation of voltage-sensitive dyes in lipid membranes

Voltage-sensitive dyes are frequently used for probing variations in the electric potential across cell membranes. The dyes respond by changing their spectral properties: measured as shifts of wavelength of absorption or emission maxima or as changes of absorption or fluorescence intensity. Although such probes have been studied and used for decades, the mechanism behind their voltage sensitivity is still obscure. We ask whether the voltage response is due to electrochromism as a result of direct field interaction on the chromophore or to solvatochromism, which is the focus of this study, as result of changed environment or molecular alignment in the membrane. The spectral properties of three styryl dyes, di-4-ANEPPS, di-8-ANEPPS, and RH421, were investigated in solvents of varying polarity and in model membranes using spectroscopy. Using quantum mechanical calculations, the spectral dependence of monomer and dimer ANEPPS on solvent properties was modeled. Also, the kinetics of binding to lipid membranes and the binding geometry of the probe molecules were found relevant to address. The spectral properties of all three probes were found to be highly sensitive to the local environment, and the probes are oriented nearly parallel with the membrane normal. Slow binding kinetics and scattering in absorption spectra indicate, especially for di-8-ANEPPS, involvement of aggregation. On the basis of the experimental spectra and time-dependent density functional theory calculations, we find that aggregate formation may contribute to the blue-shifts seen for the dyes in decanol and when bound to membrane models. In conclusion, solvatochromic and other intermolecular interactions effects also need to be included when considering electrochromic response voltage-sensitive dyes.

Saccharomyces cerivisiae as a model system for kidney disease: what can yeast tell us about renal function?

Ion channels, solute transporters, aquaporins, and factors required for signal transduction are vital for kidney function. Because mutations in these proteins or in associated regulatory factors can lead to disease, an investigation into their biogenesis, activities, and interplay with other proteins is essential. To this end, the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, represents a powerful experimental system. Proteins expressed in yeast include the following: 1) ion channels, including the epithelial sodium channel, members of the inward rectifying potassium channel family, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator; 2) plasma membrane transporters, such as the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, the Na(+)-phosphate cotransporter, and the Na(+)-H(+) ATPase; 3) aquaporins 1-4; and 4) proteins such as serum/glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1, Rh glycoprotein kidney, and trehalase. The variety of proteins expressed and studied emphasizes the versatility of yeast, and, because of the many available tools in this organism, results can be obtained rapidly and economically. In most cases, data gathered using yeast have been substantiated in higher cell types. These attributes validate yeast as a model system to explore renal physiology and suggest that research initiated using this system may lead to novel therapeutics.

Phospholemman (FXYD1) raises the affinity of the human α1β1 isoform of Na,K-ATPase for Na ions

The human α(1)/His(10)-β(1) isoform of the Na,K-ATPase has been expressed in Pichia pastoris, solubilized in n-dodecyl-β-maltoside, and purified by metal chelate chromatography. The α(1)β(1) complex spontaneously associates in vitro with the detergent-solubilized purified human FXYD1 (phospholemman) expressed in Escherichia coli. It has been confirmed that FXYD1 spontaneously associates in vitro with the α(1)/His(10)-β(1) complex and stabilizes it in an active mode. The functional properties of the α(1)/His(10)-β(1) and α(1)/His(10)-β(1)/FXYD1 complexes have been investigated by fluorescence methods. The electrochromic dye RH421 which monitors binding to and release of ions from the binding sites has been applied in equilibrium titration experiments to determine ion binding affinities and revealed that FXYD1 induces an ∼30% increase of the Na(+)-binding affinity in both the E(1) and P-E(2) conformations. By contrast, it does not affect the affinities for K(+) and Rb(+) ions. Phosphorylation induced partial reactions of the enzyme have been studied as backdoor phosphorylation by inorganic phosphate and in kinetic experiments with caged ATP in order to evaluate the ATP-binding affinity and the time constant of the conformational transition, Na(3)E(1)-P → P-E(2)Na(3). No significant differences with or without FXYD1 could be detected. Rate constants of the conformational transitions Rb(2)E(1) → E(2)(Rb(2)) and E(2)(Rb(2)) → Na(3)E(1), investigated with fluorescein-labeled Na,K-ATPase, showed only minor or no effects of FXYD1, respectively. The conclusion from all these experiments is that FXYD1 raises the binding affinity of α(1)β(1) for Na ions, presumably at the third Na-selective binding site. In whole cell expression studies FXYD1 reduces the apparent affinity for Na ions. Possible reasons for the difference from this study using the purified recombinant Na,K-ATPase are discussed.

FXYD proteins stabilize Na,K-ATPase: amplification of specific phosphatidylserine-protein interactions

FXYD proteins are a family of seven small regulatory proteins, expressed in a tissue-specific manner, that associate with Na,K-ATPase as subsidiary subunits and modulate kinetic properties. This study describes an additional property of FXYD proteins as stabilizers of Na,K-ATPase. FXYD1 (phospholemman), FXYD2 (γ subunit), and FXYD4 (CHIF) have been expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. These FXYD proteins associate spontaneously in vitro with detergent-soluble purified recombinant human Na,K-ATPase (α1β1) to form α1β1FXYD complexes. Compared with the control (α1β1), all three FXYD proteins strongly protect Na,K-ATPase activity against inactivation by heating or excess detergent (C(12)E(8)), with effectiveness FXYD1 > FXYD2 ≥ FXYD4. Heating also inactivates E(1) ↔ E(2) conformational changes and cation occlusion, and FXYD1 protects strongly. Incubation of α1β1 or α1β1FXYD complexes with guanidinium chloride (up to 6 m) causes protein unfolding, detected by changes in protein fluorescence, but FXYD proteins do not protect. Thus, general protein denaturation is not the cause of thermally mediated or detergent-mediated inactivation. By contrast, the experiments show that displacement of specifically bound phosphatidylserine is the primary cause of thermally mediated or detergent-mediated inactivation, and FXYD proteins stabilize phosphatidylserine-Na,K-ATPase interactions. Phosphatidylserine probably binds near trans-membrane segments M9 of the α subunit and the FXYD protein, which are in proximity. FXYD1, FXYD2, and FXYD4 co-expressed in HeLa cells with rat α1 protect strongly against thermal inactivation. Stabilization of Na,K-ATPase by three FXYD proteins in a mammalian cell membrane, as well the purified recombinant Na,K-ATPase, suggests that stabilization is a general property of FXYD proteins, consistent with a significant biological function.