Ca2+ uptake, Ca2+-ATPase activity, phosphoprotein formation and phosphate turnover in a microsomal fraction of smooth muscle

Calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle: I. MgATP-dependent and MgATP-independent calcium uptake

The components of 45calcium (Ca) uptake were studied in saponin skinned rat caudal artery. The steady-state Ca content increased when the free Ca concentration was varied from 10(-8) to 10(-4) M but was reduced by azide when the free Ca concentration exceeded 3.1 microM. The azide sensitivity and low affinity for Ca were consistent with functional mitochondria. The azide-insensitive component consisted of a small bound and a larger releasable Ca fraction. After skinning in Triton X-100, approximately 4 mumol Ca/kg wet tissue remained, which represented a tightly bound but slowly exchangeable Ca pool. The Ca content was independent of the free Ca concentration and MgATP, and it was not released with A-23187 or Ca. The Ca content of the larger fraction was a higher order function of the free Ca concentration and was released with A-23187, indicating it resided within a membrane-bounded structure. Ca uptake by the releasable fraction was increased by oxalate, MgATP, phosphocreatine, temperature, phosphate, and ruthenium red and represents Ca sequestered by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with little contribution from other Ca binding or storage sites. It is described by the coefficients Umax = 96.94 mumol/kg wet tissue, K1/2 = 0.75 microM, and Hill coefficient = 1.70. The SR in this preparation regulates cytosolic Ca concentrations under physiological conditions and can accumulate Ca by MgATP-dependent and MgATP-independent process. The larger, MgATP-dependent Ca uptake is described by the coefficients Umax = 72.87 mumol/kg wet tissue, K1/2 = 0.8 microM, and Hill coefficient = 2.09 and is consistent with Ca sequestered by the Ca-transport ATPase of smooth muscle SR. The smaller, MgATP-independent uptake is described by the coefficients Umax = 24.14 mumol/kg wet tissue, K1/2 = 0.56 microM, and Hill coefficient = 1.01 and represents Ca sequestered by an unidentified mechanism or by a subpopulation of SR.

Calcium and sodium distribution and movements in smooth muscle

Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) has been used to study the subcellular distribution of Ca, Na, K, Cl, and Mg in smooth muscle. The EPMA results indicate that the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is the major intracellular source and sink of activator Ca: norepinephrine decreases the Ca content of the junctional SR in portal vein smooth muscle. Mitochondria do not play a significant role in regulating cytoplasmic free Ca2+, but mitochondrial Ca content can be altered to a degree compatible with suggestions that fluctuations in matrix Ca contribute to the control of mitochondrial metabolism. The rise in total cytoplasmic Ca during a maintained, maximal contraction is very much greater than the rise in free Ca2+, and is probably in excess of the known binding sites available on calmodulin and myosin. Cell Ca is not increased in normal cells that are Na-loaded. The non-Donnan distribution of Cl is not due to compartmentalization, but reflects high cytoplasmic Cl. Na-loading of smooth muscle in K-free solutions is temperature dependent, and may exhibit cellular heterogeneity undetected by conventional techniques. The total cell Mg is equivalent to approximately 12 mM, and less than 50% of it can be accounted for by binding to ATP and to actin. Mitochondrial monovalent cations in smooth muscle are relatively rapidly exchangeable.

The Ca2+-transport ATPases in smooth muscle

A calmodulin stimulated Ca2+-transport ATPase which has many of the characteristics of the erythrocyte type Ca2+-transport ATPase has been purified from smooth muscle. In particular, the effect of calmodulin on these transport enzymes is mimicked by partial proteolysis and antibodies against erythrocyte Ca2+-transport ATPase also bind to the smooth muscle (Ca2+ + Mg2+)ATPase. A correlation between the distribution of the calmodulin stimulated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)ATPase and (Na+ + K+)ATPase activities in smooth muscle membranes separated by density gradient centrifugation suggests a plasmalemmal distribution of this (Ca2+ + Mg2+)ATPase. A phosphoprotein intermediate in smooth muscle which strongly resembles the corresponding phosphoprotein in sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle may indicate the presence in smooth muscle of a similar type of Ca2+-transport ATPase.

Subcellular fractionation of pig stomach smooth muscle. A study of the distribution of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in plasmalemma and endoplasmic reticulum

Isolated membrane vesicles from pig stomach smooth muscle (antral part) were subfractionated by a density gradient procedure modified in order to obtain an efficient extraction of extrinsic proteins. By using this method in combination with digitonin-treatment, an endoplasmic reticulum fraction contaminated with maximally 10 to 20% of plasma membranes was isolated, together with a plasma membrane fraction containing at most 30% endoplasmic reticulum. The endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane fractions differed in protein composition, reaction to digitonin, binding of wheat germ agglutinin, activities of marker enzymes and in the characteristics of the Ca2+ uptake. The Ca2+ uptake by the endoplasmic reticulum was much more stimulated by oxalate than the uptake by plasma membranes. Both fractions showed a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity, but the largest amount of this enzyme was present in the plasma membranes. The study of the phosphorylated intermediates of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed two phosphoproteins one of 130 kDa and one of 100 kDa (Wuytack, F., Raeymaekers, L., De Schutter, G. and Casteels, R. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 693, 45-52). The 130 kDa enzyme was predominant in the fraction enriched in plasma membrane whereas the distribution of the 100 kDa polypeptide correlated with the endoplasmic reticulum markers. The 130 kDa ATPase was the main 125I-calmodulin binding protein detected on nitrocellulose blots of proteins separated by gel electrophoresis. The (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity of the plasma membranes was higher than the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, suggesting that the Ca2+ extrusion from these cells depends much more on the activity of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase than on Na+-Ca2+ exchange.

Release and recycling of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in guinea-pig portal vein smooth muscle

The amplitude of interrupted contractions evoked by noradrenaline or caffeine in Ca2+-free, high-K+ solutions containing EGTA or La3+ was determined in small (40-60 micron thick) bundles of guinea-pig portal anterior mesenteric vein. Interrupted contractions were produced by removing the stimulating agent as soon as the amplitude of the tension record reached its peak. The distribution of intracellular Ca2+ was determined, with electron probe X-ray microanalysis, in cryosections of preparations frozen in the relaxed state and at the peak of noradrenaline-induced contractions. Interrupted contractions of maximal or near-maximal amplitudes could be evoked every 2 min for up to 15 min in the virtual absence of extracellular Ca2+. If noradrenaline was allowed to remain in the solution throughout the period of spontaneous relaxation, a subsequent contraction could no longer be evoked in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Interrupted contractions, similar to those evoked by noradrenaline, could also be stimulated by caffeine. The amplitude of reproducible interrupted contractions in Ca2+-free, high-K+ solution was graded with noradrenaline concentration. The ability of these smooth muscles to contract repeatedly and maximally in Ca2+-free solutions indicates the recycling of Ca2+ released from an intracellular store. The occurrence of these contractions in high-K+ (depolarizing) solutions supports the conclusion (Devine, Somlyo & Somlyo, 1972) that the release of intracellular Ca2+ is one of the mechanisms of pharmacomechanical coupling. The number of subplasmalemmal regions in which high Ca concentrations (greater than 10 mmol/kg dry wt.) were detected, with approximately 75 nm diameter electron probes, was reduced in muscles frozen at the peak of contraction, from 4.7/cell periphery in the relaxed to 1.4/cell periphery in the contracted preparations. In freeze-substituted smooth muscles, in which the membranes of the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum could be visualized, the regions containing high Ca were identified as part of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (s.r.), indicating that the s.r. is the store from which noradrenaline and caffeine release Ca2+.

Properties of a phosphorylated intermediate of the Ca,Mg-activated ATPase of microsomal vesicles from uterine smooth muscle

A phosphorylated intermediate of the CaMg-ATPase is demonstrated in microsomal preparations from uterine smooth muscle. Characterization included the use of activators, inhibitors, and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-gel electrophoresis. The phosphorylation was a function of the ATP and Ca concentrations. The dissociation constant KATP was 2.7 X 10(-6) M and KCa was 1.7 X 10(-6) M. Mg was obligatory for the reaction. Na azide, ouabain, or the substitution of NaCl for KCl did not affect the reaction. Phosphorylation was inhibited by Salyrgan, ADP, or 20 mM calcium. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 2.4 demonstrated phosphorylation of predominantly one protein with a molecular weight of 100,000. Hydroxylamine and, to a lesser extent, neutral and alkaline pH caused dephosphorylation. This indicates the presence of an acylphosphate bond in the phosphoprotein. The above findings are consistent with the phosphorylated intermediate being a Ca,Mg-ATPase. The inhibition by 20 mM calcium indicates that the Ca,Mg-ATPase of smooth muscle differs from that of striated muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Ultrastructure, function and composition of smooth muscle

Filamentous myosin is present in both relaxed (myosin light chains unphosphorylated) and contracted (light chains phosphorylated) vascular smooth muscle. The organization of myosin and actin filaments and the insertion of the latter on cytoplasmic and plasma membrane bound dense bodies is consistent with a mini sarcomere-like organization and a sliding filament mechanism of contraction in smooth muscle. Mitochondria are high capacity, low affinity Ca stores in smooth muscle. They do not play a role in the regulation of cytoplasmic Ca2+ at physiological levels. The localization and Ca content of the junctional sarcoplasmatic reticulum (SR) is consistent with this organelle being the major intracellular source of activator Ca released by excitatory transmitters. Repeated contractions in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (thought to represent recycling of intracellular activator Ca2+) can be demonstrated if the excitatory agent is not allowed to remain in contact with the smooth muscle throughout relaxation.; the demonstration of "recycling" is facilitated if the efflux of cellular Ca2+ is blocked. The rise in total cytoplasmic calcium measured with electron probe analysis during a maintained (30 min) contracture in rabbit portal-anterior mesenteric vein smooth muscle (approximately 0.9 mol/kg dry cytoplasm) is greater than the amount of Ca that could be bound to calmodulin.

Isolation of a plasma-membrane fraction from gastric smooth muscle. Comparison of the calcium uptake with that in endoplasmic reticulum

1. A plasma-membrane fraction was isolated from the smooth muscle of the pig stomach by using differential and sucrose-density-gradient centrifugations. When the centrifugation was carried out after preloading the crude microsomal fraction with Ca2+ in the presence of oxalate, the contamination of the plasma-membrane fraction by endoplasmic reticulum was decreased and a fraction enriched in endoplasmic reticulum vesicles filled with calcium oxalate crystals was obtained. 2. The plasmalemmal and endoplasmic-reticulum membranes could be distinguished by differences in the activity of marker enzymes and in the cholesterol content and by their different permeability to oxalate and phosphate. Oxalate and phosphate stimulated the Ca2+ uptake in the endoplasmic reticulum much more than in the plasmalemmal vesicles. In the plasma-membrane vesicles 40 mM-phosphate was more effective for stimulating the Ca2+ uptake than was 5 mM-oxalate, but the reverse was seen in the endoplasmic reticulum. 3. The high cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of the crude microsomal fraction are of the majority of the vesicles present in the crude microsomal fraction are of plasmalemmal origin. 4. The Ca2+ pump of the plasmalemmal and endoplasmic-reticulum vesicles could be differentiated by their different sensitivities to calmodulin. However, the two Ca2+-transport ATPases did not differ by their sensitivity to vanadate nor by the energization of the Ca2+ transport by different nucleoside triphosphates.

Demonstration of the phosphorylated intermediates of the Ca2+-transport ATPase in a microsomal fraction and in a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase purified from smooth muscle by means of calmodulin affinity chromatography

Ca2+ -dependent hydroxylamine-sensitive phosphorylated proteins can be demonstrated in a microsomal fraction of porcine antrum (stomach) smooth muscle and in a Ca2+ -transport ATPase ((Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase) purified from this tissue by means of a calmodulin affinity technique. These phosphoproteins represent the phosphorylated intermediates of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPases. In the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase purified from smooth muscle the phosphorylated intermediate has an Mr of 130000 corresponding to the value found for erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. In the smooth muscle microsomal fraction this 130 kDa phosphoprotein can also be seen, although its intensity is usually very low compared to a corresponding phosphorylation at Mr 100000. Including La3+ together with Ca2+ during phosphorylation of the microsomes increased selectively the steady state-level of the 130 kDa phosphoprotein over the value of the 100 kDa one. The 100 kDa Ca2+ -dependent phosphoprotein could either indicate the presence of a (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of the same type of sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle, or it could represent a proteolytic product of the 130 kDa phosphoprotein.

Transitions in membrane composition during postnatal development of rabbit fast muscle

Early postnatal changes (4-5 days to 15 days after birth) in the biochemical composition of microsomes were investigated in rabbit skeletal muscles destined to become fast-twitch muscles. During this period, a steady decrease in the microsomal content of cholesterol and of ouabain-sensitive Na + /K + -ATPase activity, as well as a decrease in protein electrophoretic components in the 80 000-70 000 molecular weight range, were observed. These changes are probably due to a diminishing yield of microsomal membranes derived from T-tubules, as the age of the animals increases, and are indicated from a knowledge of the mixed composition of muscle microsomes and previous biochemical data on isolated T-tubules. The content of cytochrome b5, which was found to be high in muscle microsomes of newborn animals, decreased strikingly as the amount of membrane-bound Ca2 + -ATPase protein increased, with a crossing-over point at about 7-10 days after birth. These changes, possibly corresponding to a transition from precursor sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) to mature SR, were found to be temporally correlated with changes in [3H] alpha-tocopherol binding ability of the microsomes and in the mitochondrial content of glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase. At the same critical periods, coincident with the onset of motile activity, the immunological cross-reactivity of the Ca2 + -ATPase protein of microsomal vesicles, with antibody specific for the Ca2 + -ATPase of adult fast SR, was found to increase markedly, as tested by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The immunological data are consistent with data in the literature demonstrating an increase in the concentration of Ca2 + -ATPase molecules in the SR membranes during ontogenic development. Both these data and catalytic data, however, suggest that the Ca2 + -ATPase protein is present in the same form in the SR of immature and of adult fast muscle and, in an antigenically different form, in slow muscle SR.