Cys(577) is a conformationally mobile residue in the ATP-binding domain of the Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit

Displacement of the Na+/K+ pump's transmembrane domains demonstrates conserved conformational changes in P-type 2 ATPases

Cellular survival requires the ion gradients built by the Na⁺/K⁺ pump, an ATPase that alternates between two major conformations (E1 and E2). Here we use state-specific engineered-disulfide cross-linking to demonstrate that transmembrane segment 2 (M2) of the pump's α-subunit moves in directions that are inconsistent with distances observed in existing crystal structures of the Na⁺/K⁺ pump in E1 and E2. We characterize this movement with voltage-clamp fluorometry in single-cysteine mutants. Most mutants in the M1-M2 loop produced state-dependent fluorescence changes upon labeling with tetramethylrhodamine-6-maleimide (TMRM), which were due to quenching by multiple endogenous tryptophans. To avoid complications arising from multiple potential quenchers, we analyzed quenching of TMRM conjugated to R977C (in the static M9-M10 loop) by tryptophans introduced, one at a time, in M1-M2. This approach showed that tryptophans introduced in M2 quench TMRM only in E2, with D126W and L130W on the same helix producing the largest fluorescence changes. These observations indicate that M2 moves outward as Na⁺ is deoccluded from the E1 conformation, a mechanism consistent with cross-linking results and with proposals for other P-type 2 ATPases.

The nucleotide, inhibitor, and cation binding sites of P-type II ATPases

P-type ATPases constitute a ubiquitous superfamily of cation transport enzymes, responsible for carrying out actions of paramount importance in biology such as ion transport and expulsion of toxic ions from cells. The harmonized toggling of gates in the extra- and intracellular domains explain the phenomenon of specific cation binding in selective physiological states. A quantitative understanding of the fundamental aspects of ion transport mechanism and regulation of P-type ATPases requires detailed knowledge of thermodynamical, structural, and functional properties. Computational studies have made significant contributions to our understanding of biological ion pumps. Various 3D structures of Ca(2+) -ATPase between E1 and E2 transition states have given a impetus to the theorists to work on the Na(+) K(+) - and H(+) K(+) -ATPase to address important questions about their function. The current review delineates the importance of cation, nucleotide, and inhibitor binding domains, with a focus on the therapeutic potential and biological relevance of the three P-type II ATPases. This will give an insight into the ion selectivity and their conduction across the transmembrane helices of P-type II ATPases, which may pave the way to a range of fundamental questions about the mechanism and aid in the efforts of structure- and analog-based drug design.

Selectivity of externally facing ion-binding sites in the Na/K pump to alkali metals and organic cations

The Na/K pump is a P-type ATPase that exchanges three intracellular Na(+) ions for two extracellular K(+) ions through the plasmalemma of nearly all animal cells. The mechanisms involved in cation selection by the pump's ion-binding sites (site I and site II bind either Na(+) or K(+); site III binds only Na(+)) are poorly understood. We studied cation selectivity by outward-facing sites (high K(+) affinity) of Na/K pumps expressed in Xenopus oocytes, under voltage clamp. Guanidinium(+), methylguanidinium(+), and aminoguanidinium(+) produced two phenomena possibly reflecting actions at site III: (i) voltage-dependent inhibition (VDI) of outwardly directed pump current at saturating K(+), and (ii) induction of pump-mediated, guanidinium-derivative-carried inward current at negative potentials without Na(+) and K(+). In contrast, formamidinium(+) and acetamidinium(+) induced K(+)-like outward currents. Measurement of ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity and radiolabeled cation uptake confirmed that these cations are external K(+) congeners. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that bound organic cations induce minor distortion of the binding sites. Among tested metals, only Li(+) induced Na(+)-like VDI, whereas all metals tested except Na(+) induced K(+)-like outward currents. Pump-mediated K(+)-like organic cation transport challenges the concept of rigid structural models in which ion specificity at site I and site II arises from a precise and unique arrangement of coordinating ligands. Furthermore, actions by guanidinium(+) derivatives suggest that Na(+) binds to site III in a hydrated form and that the inward current observed without external Na(+) and K(+) represents cation transport when normal occlusion at sites I and II is impaired. These results provide insights on external ion selectivity at the three binding sites.

The reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrite is a potent inhibitor of renal Na-K-ATPase activity

Peroxynitrite is a reactive nitrogen species produced when nitric oxide and superoxide react. In vivo studies suggest that reactive oxygen species and, perhaps, peroxynitrite can influence Na-K-ATPase function. However, the direct effects of peroxynitrite on Na-K-ATPase function remain unknown. We show that a single bolus addition of peroxynitrite inhibited purified renal Na-K-ATPase activity, with IC50 of 107+/-9 microM. To mimic cellular/physiological production of peroxynitrite, a syringe pump was used to slowly release (approximately 0.85 microM/s) peroxynitrite. The inhibition of Na-K-ATPase activity induced by this treatment was similar to that induced by a single bolus addition of equal cumulative concentration. Peroxynitrite produced 3-nitrotyrosine residues on the alpha, beta, and FXYD subunits of the Na pump. Interestingly, the flavonoid epicatechin, which prevented tyrosine nitration, was unable to blunt peroxynitrite-induced ATPase inhibition, suggesting that tyrosine nitration is not required for inhibition. Peroxynitrite led to a decrease in iodoacetamidofluorescein labeling, implying that cysteine modifications were induced. Glutathione was unable to reverse ATPase inhibition. The presence of Na+ and low MgATP during peroxynitrite treatment increased the IC50 to 145+/-10 microM, while the presence of K+ and low MgATP increased the IC50 to 255+/-13 microM. This result suggests that the EPNa conformation of the pump is slightly more sensitive to peroxynitrite than the E(K) conformation. Taken together, these results show that peroxynitrite is a potent inhibitor of Na-K-ATPase activity and that peroxynitrite can induce amino acid modifications to the pump.

Covalent modification of cysteine 193 impairs ATPase function of nucleotide-binding domain of a Candida drug efflux pump

N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) impairs the ATPase function of N-terminal NBD of Candida drug resistance gene product Cdr1p. To identify the reactive cysteine(s) for such a contribution, we adopted a three-arm approach that included covalent modification, cysteine mutagenesis, and structure homology modeling. The covalent modification results clearly indicate the ability of NEM and iodoacetic acid (IAA) to potently inhibit the ATPase activity of N-terminal NBD. Since this domain contains five cysteine residues in its sequence, we mutated each and found four of these (C325A, C363A, C402A, and C462A) to stay sensitive to NEM/IAA modification and influence ATPase activity, while C193A mutation completely abrogated the catalytic function. The structural homology modeling data further validate these biochemical findings by ruling out any plausible interactions within the cysteine residues, and deriving the importance of Cys-193 in lying at a bond length clearly feasible to interact with ATP and divalent cation to critically influence ATP hydrolysis.

Chloro(2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) platinum inhibition of the renal Na+,K+-ATPase

Chloro(2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) platinum, a bulky, hydrophilic reagent, inhibited the renal sodium pump with a single exponential time course. K(+) increased the rate constant of the reaction by about twofold; the K(+) concentration dependence was monotonic, with a half-maximal effect observed at 1 mM, consistent with K(+) acting at a transport site. Na(+), Mg(2+), eosin, and vanadate did not significantly alter the rate of reaction. The results of proteolysis and mass spectrometer analysis were consistent with terpyridine platinum labeling of Cys452, Cys456, or Cys457. Because phenylarsine oxide reacts with vicinal cysteines and did not prevent terpyridine platinum modification, terpyridine platinum most likely modifies Cys452. This modification prevents ADP binding; interestingly, the analogous residue in sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) is on the exterior of the nucleotide-binding pocket. Thus it appears that the terpyridine platinum residue is more accessible in the presence of K(+) than in its absence and that terpyridine platinum modification prevents nucleotide binding.

Interactions between Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit ATP-binding domains

The reaction mechanism of the Na,K-ATPase is thought to involve a number of ligand-induced conformational changes. The specific amino acid residues responsible for binding many of the important ligands have been identified; however, details of the specific conformational changes produced by ligand binding are largely undescribed. The experiments described in this paper begin to identify interactions between domains of the Na,K-ATPase alpha-subunit that depend on the presence of particular ligands. The major cytoplasmic loop (between TM4 and TM5), which we have previously shown contains the ATP-binding domain, was overexpressed in bacteria either with a His(6) tag or as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase. We have observed that these polypeptides associate in the presence of MgATP. Incubation with [gamma-(32)P]ATP under conditions that result in phosphorylation of the full-length Na,K-ATPase did not result in (32)P incorporation into either the His(6) tag or glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. The MgATP-induced association was strongly inhibited by prior modification of the fusion proteins with fluorescein isothiocyanate or by simultaneous incubation with 10 microm eosin, indicating that the effect of MgATP is due to interactions within the nucleotide-binding domain. These data are consistent with Na,K-ATPase associating within cells via interactions in the nucleotide-binding domains. Although any functional significance of these associations for ion transport remains unresolved, they may play a role in cell function and in modulating interactions between the Na,K-ATPase and other proteins.

Biochemistry of Na,K-ATPase

The Na,K-ATPase or sodium pump carries out the coupled extrusion and uptake of Na and K ions across the plasma membranes of cells of most higher eukaryotes. It is a member of the P-type ATPase superfamily. This heterodimeric integral membrane protein is composed of a 100-kDa alpha-subunit with ten transmembrane segments and a heavily glycosylated beta subunit of about 55 kDa, which is a type II membrane protein. Current ideas on how the protein achieves active transport are based on a fusion of results of transport physiology, protein chemistry, and heterologous expression of mutant proteins. Recently acquired high resolution structural information provides an important new avenue for a more complete understanding of this protein. In this review, the current status of knowledge of Na,K-ATPase is discussed, and areas where there is still considerable uncertainty are highlighted.

Heterologous expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in insect cells: intracellular distribution of pump subunits

The Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is a heterodimeric plasma membrane protein responsible for cellular ionic homeostasis in nearly all animal cells. It has been shown that some insect cells (e.g., High Five cells) have no (or extremely low) Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. We expressed sheep kidney Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunits individually and together in High Five cells via the baculovirus expression system. We used quantitative slot-blot analyses to determine that the expressed Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase comprises between 0.5% and 2% of the total membrane protein in these cells. Using a five-step sucrose gradient (0.8-2.0 M) to separate the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and plasma membrane fractions, we observed functional Na(+) pump molecules in each membrane pool and characterized their properties. Nearly all of the expressed protein functions normally, similar to that found in purified dog kidney enzyme preparations. Consequently, the measurements described here were not complicated by an abundance of nonfunctional heterologously expressed enzyme. Specifically, ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity, [(3)H]ouabain binding, and cation dependencies were measured for each fraction. The functional properties of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase were essentially unaltered after assembly in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, we measured ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb(+) uptake in whole cells as a means to specifically evaluate Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase molecules that were properly folded and delivered to the plasma membrane. We could not measure any ouabain-sensitive activities when either the alpha-subunit or beta-subunit were expressed individually. Immunostaining of the separate membrane fractions indicates that the alpha-subunit, when expressed alone, is degraded early in the protein maturation pathway (i.e., the endoplasmic reticulum) but that the beta-subunit is processed normally and delivered to the plasma membrane. Thus it appears that only the alpha-subunit has an oligomeric requirement for maturation and trafficking to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, assembly of the alpha-beta heterodimer within the endoplasmic reticulum apparently does not require a Na(+) pump-specific chaperone.

Structure-function relationships of Na(+), K(+), ATP, or Mg(2+) binding and energy transduction in Na,K-ATPase

The focus of this article is on progress in establishing structure-function relationships through site-directed mutagenesis and direct binding assay of Tl(+), Rb(+), K(+), Na(+), Mg(2+) or free ATP at equilibrium in Na,K-ATPase. Direct binding may identify residues coordinating cations in the E(2)[2K] or E(1)P[3Na] forms of the ping-pong reaction sequence and allow estimates of their contributions to the change of Gibbs free energy of binding. This is required to understand the molecular basis for the pronounced Na/K selectivity at the cytoplasmic and extracellular surfaces. Intramembrane Glu(327) in transmembrane segment M4, Glu(779) in M5, Asp(804) and Asp(808) in M6 are essential for tight binding of K(+) and Na(+). Asn(324) and Glu(327) in M4, Thr(774), Asn(776), and Glu(779) in 771-YTLTSNIPEITP of M5 contribute to Na(+)/K(+) selectivity. Free ATP binding identifies Arg(544) as essential for high affinity binding of ATP or ADP. In the 708-TGDGVND segment, mutations of Asp(710) or Asn(713) do not interfere with free ATP binding. Asp(710) is essential and Asn(713) is important for coordination of Mg(2+) in the E(1)P[3Na] complex, but they do not contribute to Mg(2+) binding in the E(2)P-ouabain complex. Transition to the E(2)P form involves a shift of Mg(2+) coordination away from Asp(710) and Asn(713) and the two residues become more important for hydrolysis of the acyl phosphate bond at Asp(369).

Expression of an active Na,K-ATPase with an alpha-subunit lacking all twenty-three native cysteine residues

We have constructed a mutant Na,K-ATPase alpha1-subunit with all native cysteine residues replaced. Using the baculovirus system, this cysteine-less alpha1-subunit and wild-type beta1-subunit were expressed in High Five cells. After 3 days of infection, cells were fractionated, and endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and plasma membranes were isolated. The molecular activity of the cysteine-less mutant in the plasma membranes was close to the wild-type protein (8223 min(-)(1) versus 6655 min(-)(1)). Cation and ATP activation of Na,K-ATPase activities revealed that replacing all 23 cysteines resulted in only a 50% reduction of K(m) for Na(+), a 2-fold increase in K(m) for K(+), and no changes in K(m) for ATP. The distribution of alpha-subunits among the membranes showed a high percentage of cysteine-less protein in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus compared with the wild-type protein. Furthermore, the cellular stability of the alphabeta assembly appeared reduced in the cysteine-less mutant. Cells harvested after more than 3 days of infection showed extensive degradation of the cysteine-less alpha-subunit, which is not observed with the wild-type enzyme. Thus the Na,K-ATPase contains no cysteine residues that are critical for function, but the folding and/or assembly pathway of this enzyme is affected by total cysteine substitution.