Modulation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Effect of protons and divalent cations.

We have studied the induction of the mitochondrial cyclosporin A-sensitive permeability transition pore (PTP) by the bifunctional SH group reagent phenylarsine oxide (PhAsO). Addition of nanomolar concentrations of the electroneutral H(+)-K+ ionophore nigericin to nonrespiring mitochondria in sucrose medium determines a dramatic increase of the time required for PTP induction by PhAsO, while no effect of nigericin is apparent in KCl medium. Using mitochondria loaded with the internal pH indicator 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, we show that the effect of nigericin is mediated by the ionophore-induced acidification of matrix pH. Indeed, experimental manipulation of pHi by a number of treatments indicates that PTP induction is directly related to matrix pH, in that the PTP induction process becomes slower as pHi decreases at constant pHo. PTP induction by PhAsO in respiration-inhibited mitochondria is stimulated by Ca2+ and inhibited by a series of divalent cations. Since PhAsO induces the PTP even in the presence of excess EGTA and in the absence of respiration (Lenartowicz, E., Bernardi, P., and Azzone, G.F. (1991) J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 23, 679-688), we have been able to study the Ca2+ dependence of the induction process. We show that the apparent Km for Ca2+ activation is about 10(-5) M and that Ca2+, cyclosporin A, and inhibitory Me2+ ions behave as if they were competing for the same binding site(s) on the pore. Since similar results are obtained from patch-clamp experiments on the mitochondrial megachannel (Szabó, I., Bernardi, P., and Zoratti, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 2940-2946), we suggest that (i) the PTP and the mitochondrial megachannel are the same molecular structures and (ii) the same factors affect both the process of pore induction and its open-closed orientation.     

The mitochondrial megachannel is the permeability transition pore

Single-channel electrophysiological recordings from rat liver mitoplast membranes showed that the 1.3-nS mitochondrial megachannel was activated by Ca⁺⁺ and inhibited by Mg⁺⁺, Cyclosporin A, and ADP, probably acting at matrix-side sites. These agents are known to modulate the so-called mitochondrial permeability transition pore (Gunter, T. E., and Pfeiffer, D. R. (1990)Am. J. Physiol. 258, C755–C786) in the same manner. Furthermore, the megachannel is unselective, and the minimum pore size calculated from its conductance is in agreement with independent estimates of the minimum size of the permeabilization pore. The results support the tentative identification of the megachannel with the pore believed to be involved in the permeabilization process.Abbreviations used: PT: permeability transition; PTP: permeability transition pore; MMC: mitochondrial megachannel; IMAC: inner membrane anion channel. P_A: permeability of ion A. CSP: Cyclosporin A.     

P2X7 nucleotide receptor mediation of membrane pore formation and superoxide generation in human promyelocytes and neutrophils

The P2X(7) receptor, which induces cation channel opening imparting significant permeability to Ca2+ and pore formation with changes in the plasma membrane potential, has been known to be rather restrictedly expressed in cells of the macrophage lineage including dendrites, mature macrophages, and microglial cells. However, we show here that the P2X(7) receptor is also expressed in cells of granulocytic lineage such as HL-60 promyelocytes, granulocytic differentiated cells, and neutrophils. Exposure of these cells to 2',3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (BzATP) triggered intracellular Ca2+ rise through the mediation of phospholipase C-independent and suramin-sensitive pathways. BzATP also induced depolarization of the plasma membrane in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, whereas it hyperpolarized the cells in the presence of external Ca2+, probably in part through the activation of Ca2+-activated K(+) channels. However, the hyperpolarization phenomenon was markedly attenuated in differentiated HL-60 cells and neutrophils. RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of P2X(7) receptors on both HL-60 and neutrophil-like cells. This was further confirmed by pore formation through which the uptake of Lucifer yellow and YO-PRO1 occurred on BzATP treatment. BzATP stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner the production of superoxide in differentiated HL-60 cells via a pathway partially dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Moreover, in human neutrophils, BzATP was a more effective inducer of superoxide generation than PMA. Taken together, this is a first demonstration of the expression of P2X(7) receptors on neutrophils, which shows that the receptor is functionally involved in the defense mechanism by activation of the respiratory burst pathway.     

The sodium-calcium exchanger of bovine rod photoreceptors: K(+)-dependence of the purified and reconstituted protein

The K(+)-dependence of the rod photoreceptor sodium-calcium exchanger was investigated using the Ca2(+)-sensitive dye arsenazo III after reconstitution of the purified protein into proteoliposomes. The uptake of Ca2+ by Na(+)-loaded liposomes was found to be greatly enhanced by the presence of external K+ (EC50 approximately 1 mM) in a Michaelis-Menten manner, suggesting that one K+ ion is involved in the transport of one Ca2+ ion. We also found a minimal degree of Ca2+ uptake in the total absence of K+. Other alkali cations, notably Rb+ and, to a lesser extent, Cs+, were also able to stimulate Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. We also investigated the K(+)-dependence of the photoreceptor Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger by determining the effects of electrochemical K+ gradients on the Na(+)-activated Ca2+ efflux from proteoliposomes. We found that, under conditions of membrane voltage clamp with FCCP, inwardly directed electrochemical K+ gradients (i.e., K0+ greater than Ki+) inhibited, whereas an outwardly directed electrochemical K+ gradient (i.e., Ki+ greater than K0+) enhanced, Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux, consistent with the notion that K+ is cotransported in the same direction as Ca2+. The investigation of the reconstituted exchanger at physiological (i.e. Ki+ = 110 mM, K0+ = 2.5 mM) potassium concentrations revealed that the Na(+)-dependence of Ca2(+)-efflux was highly cooperative (n = 3.01 from Hill plots), indicating that at least three, but possibly four, Na+ ions are exchanged for one Ca2+ ion. Under these conditions the reconstituted exchanger showed a Km for Na+ of 26.1 mM, and a turnover number of 115 Ca2+.s-1 per exchanger molecule. Our results with the purified and reconstituted sodium-calcium exchanger from rod photoreceptors are therefore consistent with previous reports (Cervetto, L., Lagnado, L., Perry, R.J., Robinson, D.W. and McNaughton, P.A. (1989) Nature 337, 740-743; Schnetkamp, P.P.M., Basu, D.K. and Szerencsei, R.T. (1989) Am. J. Physiol. 257, C153-C157) that the sodium-calcium exchanger of rod photoreceptors cotransports K+ under physiological conditions with a stoichiometry of 4 Na+:1 Ca2+, 1K+.     

Gating and inward rectifying properties of the MthK K+ channel with and without the gating ring

In MthK, a Ca2+-gated K+ channel from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, eight cytoplasmic RCK domains form an octameric gating ring that controls the intracellular gate of the ion conduction pore. The binding of Ca2+ ions to the RCK domains alters the conformation of the gating ring, thereby opening the gate. In the present study, we examined the Ca2+- and pH-regulated gating and the rectifying conduction properties of MthK at the single-channel level. The open probability (Po) of MthK exhibits a sigmoidal relationship with intracellular [Ca2+], and a Hill coefficient >1 is required to describe the dependence of Po on [Ca2+], suggesting cooperative Ca2+ activation of the channel. Additionally, intracellular Ca2+ also blocks the MthK pore in a voltage-dependent manner, rendering an apparently inwardly rectifying I-V relation. Intracellular pH has a dual effect on MthK gating. Below pH 7.5, the channel becomes insensitive to Ca2+. This occurs because the gating ring is structurally unstable at this pH and tends to disassemble (Ye, S., Y. Li, L. Chen, and Y. Jiang. 2006. Cell. 126:1161-1173). In contrast, above pH 7.5, a further increase in pH shifts the Po-[Ca2+] relation towards a lower Ca2+ concentration, augments Po at saturating [Ca2+], and activates the channel even in the absence of Ca2+. Channel activity is marked by bursts of rapid openings and closings separated by relatively longer interburst closings. The duration of interburst closing and the burst length are highly Ca2+ and pH dependent, whereas the kinetics of intraburst events is Ca2+ and pH independent. The rapid intraburst openings and closings are also observed with the isolated MthK pore lacking the attached intracellular gating ring. The fast kinetic events, independent of both Ca2+ and pH, therefore appear to be determined by processes occurring within the ion conduction pore, whereas the slow events reflect the gating process controlled by Ca2+ and pH through the gating ring.     

The subcellular localization of neutral sphingomyelinase in rat liver.

The subcellular distribution of neutral sphingomyelinase activity has been determined in rat liver. Neutral sphingomyelinase is present in the plasma membrane. This enzyme requires either Mg2+ or Mn2+ for full activity; these cations cannot be replaced by Co2+ or Ca2+. The plasma membrane sphingomyelinase is strongly inhibited by Hg2+. A small amount of neutral spingomyelinase activity appears to be present in microsomes. No neutral sphingomyelinase activity is present in liver mitochondria or bytosol. Lysosomal sphingomyelinase is fully active at pH 4.4--4.8 without added divalent cations. However, between pH 5.0 and 7.5 lysosomal sphingomyelinase activity is stimulated by Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+, and Ca2+. Below pH 4.8, Mg2+ inhibits the reaction. In contrast to the results obtained with the neutral sphingomyelinase activity of plasma membranes and microsomes, lysosomal sphingomyelinase is unaffected by sulfhydryl inhibitors.     

Interaction of calcium with bovine plasma protein C

The binding of 45Ca2+ to bovine plasma protein C (PC) and to activated bovine plasma protein C (APC) has been examined by equilibrium ultrafiltration at pH 7.4 and 25 degrees C. Under these conditions, PC possesses 16.0 plus or minus 2.0 equivalent Ca2+ binding sites, of average KD (8.7 plus or minus 1.5) x 10(-4) M, and APC contains 9.0 plus or minus 1.0 equivalent Ca2+ binding sites, with an average KD of (4.3 plus or minus 1.1) x 10(-4) M. Both Mn2+ and Sr2+ were capable of ready displacement of Ca2+ from a Ca2+-PC complex, while Mg2+ was less effective in this regard. The alpha-thrombin-catalyzed activation of PC was inhibited by the presence of Ca2+. A kinetic analysis of this effect demonstrated that it was, in large part, due to an increase in the Km of the reaction. Addition of other divalent cations, e.g. Mn2+, Sr2+, and Mg2+, in place of Ca2+ also resulted in inhibition of the alpha-thrombin-catalyzed activation of PC in a manner which paralleled their ability to displace Ca2+ from a Ca2+-PC complex. On the other hand, the activation of PC by the coagulant protein from Russell's Viper venom was augmented by the presence of Ca2+. Other divalent metal ions, such as Sr2+ and Mn2+, in the absence of Ca2+, also weakly stimulated this reaction. Mg2+ was without notable effect.     

Effects of Mg2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+ on sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Sheep liver cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase is strongly inhibited by Mg2+, Ca2+ and Mn2+. The inhibition is only partial, however, with 8-15% of activity remaining at high concentrations of these agents. In 50 mM-Tris/Hcl, pH 7.5, the concentrations giving half-maximal effect were: Mg2+, 6.5 micrometers; Ca2+, 15.2 micrometers; Mn2+, 1.5 micrometer. The esterase activity of the enzyme is not affected by such low metal ion concentrations, but appears to be activated by high concentrations. Fluorescence-titration and stopped-flow experiments provide evidence for interaction of Mg2+ with NADH complexes of the enzyme. As no evidence for the presence of increased concentrations of functioning active centres was obtained in the presence of Mg2+, it is concluded that effects of Mg2+ (and presumably Ca2+ and Mn2+ also) are brought about by trapping increased concentrations of NADH in a Mg2+-containing complex. This complex must liberate products more slowly than any of the complexes involved in the non-inhibited mechanism.     

Extracellular Ca2+ modulates the effects of protons on gating and conduction properties of the T-type Ca2+ channel alpha1G (CaV3.1)

Since Ca2+ is a major competitor of protons for the modulation of high voltage-activated Ca2+ channels, we have studied the modulation by extracellular Ca2+ of the effects of proton on the T-type Ca2+ channel alpha1G (CaV3.1) expressed in HEK293 cells. At 2 mM extracellular Ca2+ concentration, extracellular acidification in the pH range from 9.1 to 6.2 induced a positive shift of the activation curve and increased its slope factor. Both effects were significantly reduced if the concentration was increased to 20 mM or enhanced in the absence of Ca2+. Extracellular protons shifted the voltage dependence of the time constant of activation and decreased its voltage sensitivity, which excludes a voltage-dependent open pore block by protons as the mechanism modifying the activation curve. Changes in the extracellular pH altered the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation and deactivation kinetics in a Ca2+-dependent manner, but these effects were not strictly correlated with those on activation. Model simulations suggest that protons interact with intermediate closed states in the activation pathway, decreasing the gating charge and shifting the equilibrium between these states to less negative potentials, with these effects being inhibited by extracellular Ca2+. Extracellular acidification also induced an open pore block and a shift in selectivity toward monovalent cations, which were both modulated by extracellular Ca2+ and Na+. Mutation of the EEDD pore locus altered the Ca2+-dependent proton effects on channel selectivity and permeation. We conclude that Ca2+ modulates T-type channel function by competing with protons for binding to surface charges, by counteracting a proton-induced modification of channel activation and by competing with protons for binding to the selectivity filter of the channel.     

Phosphorylation of a chromaffin granule-binding protein in stimulated chromaffin cells

A procedure was devised to determine whether in the stimulated chromaffin cell phosphate is incorporated into specific proteins ("chromobindins") that bind to chromaffin granule membranes in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Cells were preincubated with 32P-labeled orthophosphate, then challenged with secretory stimuli. A postmicrosomal supernatant fraction was prepared from the cells and incubated with unlabeled chromaffin granule membranes in the presence of 5 mM Ca2+. Proteins that bound to the membranes were isolated by centrifugation and examined for 32P content by electrophoresis and autoradiography. Stimulation by carbamylcholine, nicotine, 56 mM K+, or 2 mM Ba2+ led to the incorporation of 32P into a 37-kDa protein that had previously been characterized as a substrate for protein kinase C in vitro (chromobindin 9, or CB9; Summers, T. A., and Creutz, C. E. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2437-2443). Incorporation of 32P into this protein was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and followed a time course that paralleled secretion of catecholamines, returning to base-line levels after 30 min, when secretion terminated. 32P was also incorporated into a 58-kDa protein that may be tyrosine hydroxylase and into an unidentified 28-kDa protein in response to cell stimulation, but neither of these proteins bound to granule membranes in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Treatment of cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, an activator of protein kinase C, led to 32P incorporation into the 37-kDa protein that was only 30% of the level obtained with nicotinic stimulation, suggesting that additional kinases may be involved in phosphorylating this protein in the stimulated cell.     

Purification and characterization of two immunologically distinct phosphoinositide-specific phospholipases C from bovine brain

We previously reported (Ryu, S. H., Cho, K. S., Lee, K. Y., Suh, P. G., and Rhee, S. G. (1986) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 141, 137-144) that cytosolic fractions of bovine brain contain two phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC), PLC-I and PLC-II. In this paper purification procedures and properties of these two forms of enzyme are presented. The two enzymes exhibit similar substrate specificity. Both PLC-I and PLC-II catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP), and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Yet, they respond differently to activators such as Ca2+ and nucleotides and to inhibitory divalent metal ions such as Hg2+ and Cd2+. In addition, they are immunologically distinct as evidenced by the fact that monoclonal antibodies directed against either enzyme do not cross-react with the other. Their activities are Ca2+ concentration-dependent. PIP and PIP2 are better substrates than PI for both PLC-I and PLC-II when the concentration of Ca2+ is in the micromolar range. Study of the effect of nucleotides, such as GTP, guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, and ATP, on the activities of both isozymes with PIP2 as substrate revealed that (i) in the absence of Ca2+, PLC-I activity is enhanced by 400% by either GTP or ATP. In the presence of Ca2+ (a condition in which PLC-I exhibits much higher activity), the activation factor by nucleotides is diminished to approximately 140%. (ii) without Ca2+, PLC-II activity is too low to measure with or without added nucleotides. The effect of nucleotides on PLC-II activity is trivial in the presence of Ca2+. In addition, studies on the effect of metal ions on PI hydrolysis showed that the activities of both PLC-I and PLC-II are not affected by 50 microM of Mg2+, Mn2+, Ca2+, or Ni2+. However, Hg2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ inhibited both PLC-I and PLC-II, with PLC-II exhibiting much higher sensitivity to these metal ions than PLC-I. For example, the value of I0.5 for Hg2+ inhibition is 0.2 microM for PLC-II and 1 microM for PLC-I. Cd2+ selectively inhibits PLC-II with a I0.5 value of 5 microM. Most of these metal ions' inhibition can be overcome by either dithiothreitol or EDTA.     

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity of chromaffin granule-binding proteins

Using [U-14C]phosphatidylinositol as substrate, Ca2+-dependent phospholipase C activity was detected in a group of bovine adrenal medullary proteins that bind to chromaffin granule membranes in the presence of Ca2+ ("chromobindins," Creutz, C. E., Dowling, L. G., Sando, J. J., Villar-Palasi, C., Whipple, J. H., and Zaks, W. J. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 14664-14674). The activity was maximal at neutral pH and represented an 80- to 240-fold enrichment of adrenal medullary cytosol phospholipase C activity measured at pH 7.3. The stimulation of activity by Ca2+ was complex; no activity was present in the absence of Ca2+, 25% activation occurred at 1 microM Ca2+, and full activation at 5 mM Ca2+. The enzyme bound to chromaffin granule membranes in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+ but was released at 40 microM Ca2+, suggesting that intrinsic enzyme activity may be regulated by [Ca2+] at 1 microM, but additional activation at higher concentrations of Ca2+ is seen in vitro as a result of Ca2+-dependent binding of the active enzyme to substrate-containing membranes. This enzyme may generate diacylglycerol and phosphorylated inositol to act as intracellular messengers in the vicinity of the chromaffin granule membrane during the process of exocytosis.     

Modulation of the mitochondrial cyclosporin A-sensitive permeability transition pore by the proton electrochemical gradient. Evidence that the pore can be opened by membrane depolarization.

This paper reports an investigation on the relationship between the proton electrochemical gradient (delta mu H+) and the cyclosporin A-sensitive permeability transition pore (PTP) in rat liver mitochondria. Using the SH group cross-linker phenylarsine oxide as the inducer, we show that both matrix pH and the membrane potential can modulate the process of PTP induction independently of Ca2+. We find that membrane depolarization induces the PTP per se when pHi is above 7.0, while at acidic matrix pH values PTP induction is effectively prevented. Since Ca2+ uptake leads to major modifications of the delta mu H+ (i.e. matrix alkalinization and membrane depolarization), we have explored the possibility that the Ca(2+)-induced changes of the delta mu H+ may contribute to PTP induction by Ca2+. Our data in mitochondria treated with Ca2+ plus N-ethylmaleimide and Ca2+ plus phosphate show that membrane depolarization is a powerful inducer of the PTP. Taken together, our observations indicate that the PTP can be controlled directly by the delta mu H+ both in the absence and presence of Ca2+, and suggest that a collapse of the membrane potential may be the cause rather than the consequence of PTP induction under many experimental conditions. Thus, many inducers may converge on dissipation of the membrane potential component of the delta mu H+ by a variety of mechanisms.     

Effects of Ca2+ and Zn2+ on trifluoperazine-S100 proteins interactions: induced circular dichroism and fluorescence spectra

Interactions of trifluoperazine (TFP) with S100 proteins, EF-hand type Ca2+-binding proteins, in the presence of Ca2+ and Zn2+ were studied with induced circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectra. The positive CD bands of TFP were induced at around 265 nm by adding either S100a or S100a0 protein in the presence of Ca2+. No CD band of TFP was, however, induced by adding S100b protein in the presence of Ca2+. Addition of Zn2+ to the TFP/S100 protein solutions did not induce any CD band at all. The fluorescence intensity of 2-p-toluidinylnaphthalene 6-sulfonate (TNS) bound to S100a or S100a0 protein decreased by adding TFP in the presence of Ca2+, while that bound to S100b protein decreased by adding TFP in the presence of Zn2+, indicating that TFP binds to S100a protein and S100a0 protein in a Ca2+-dependent manner and to S100b protein in a Zn2+-dependent manner. From these results together with other experimental findings it was suggested that (1) TFP binds to S100a protein and S100a0 protein in the presence of Ca2+, with half-saturation points of 18 and 3 microM, respectively, (2) TFP binds to S100b protein only in the presence of Zn2+, (3) alpha-subunit of S100 protein binds to TFP specifically in a Ca2+-dependent manner and beta-subunit in a Zn2+-dependent manner.     

Regulation of connexin hemichannels by monovalent cations

Opening of connexin hemichannels in the plasma membrane is highly regulated. Generally, depolarization and reduced extracellular Ca2+ promote hemichannel opening. Here we show that hemichannels formed of Cx50, a principal lens connexin, exhibit a novel form of regulation characterized by extraordinary sensitivity to extracellular monovalent cations. Replacement of extracellular Na+ with K+, while maintaining extracellular Ca2+ constant, resulted in >10-fold potentiation of Cx50 hemichannel currents, which reversed upon returning to Na+. External Cs+, Rb+, NH4+, but not Li+, choline, or TEA, exhibited a similar effect. The magnitude of potentiation of Cx50 hemichannel currents depended on the concentration of extracellular Ca2+, progressively decreasing as external Ca2+ was reduced. The primary effect of K+ appears to be a reduction in the ability of Ca2+, as well as other divalent cations, to close Cx50 hemichannels. Cx46 hemichannels exhibited a modest increase upon substituting Na+ with K+. Analyses of reciprocal chimeric hemichannels that swap NH2- and COOH-terminal halves of Cx46 and Cx50 demonstrate that the difference in regulation by monovalent ions in these connexins resides in the NH2-terminal half. Connexin hemichannels have been implicated in physiological roles, e.g., release of ATP and NAD+ and in pathological roles, e.g., cell death through loss or entry of ions and signaling molecules. Our results demonstrate a new, robust means of regulating hemichannels through a combination of extracellular monovalent and divalent cations, principally Na+, K+, and Ca2+.     

Characterization of proteases formed by Bacteroides fragilis

Bacteroides fragilis NCDO 2217 produced three major proteases, P1, P2 and P3 of estimated molecular masses 73, 52 and 34 kDa respectively. Protease P1 weakly hydrolysed azocasein but strongly hydrolysed valyl-alanine p-nitroanilide (VAPNA), glycyl-proline p-nitroanilide (GPRPNA), and to a lesser extent leucine p-nitroanilide (LPNA), indicating it to be an exopeptidase. Proteases P2 and P3 hydrolysed only azocasein and LPNA. The high protease:arylamidase ratios of these enzymes indicated that they were probably endopeptidases. Experiments with protease inhibitors suggested that P1 and P2 had characteristics of serine and metalloproteases respectively and that P3 was a cysteine protease. The proteolytic activity of whole cells was stimulated by divalent metal ions such as Mn2+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, but was strongly inhibited (about 95%) by Cu2+ and Zn2+. The temperature optimum for protein hydrolysis was 43 degrees C. Proteolysis was temperature sensitive, however (90% reduction at 60 degrees C) and was maximal at alkaline pH, with two broad peaks at pH 7.9 and pH 8.8. Cell fractionation showed that P1 was located intracellularly and in the periplasm, whereas P2 and P3 were largely associated with the outer membrane. Release of the membrane-bound proteases by treatment with 1 M-NaCl suggested that ionic interactions were involved in the association of these enzymes with the membranes.     

Effect of calcium ions and inhibitors on internal NAD(P)H dehydrogenases in plant mitochondria.

Both the external oxidation of NADH and NADPH in intact potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bintje) tuber mitochondria and the rotenone-insensitive internal oxidation of NADPH by inside-out submitochondrial particles were dependent on Ca2+. The stimulation was not due to increased permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Neither the membrane potential nor the latencies of NAD(+)-dependent and NADP(+)-dependent malate dehydrogenases were affected by the addition of Ca2+. The pH dependence and kinetics of Ca(2+)-dependent NADPH oxidation by inside-out submitochondrial particles were studied using three different electron acceptors: O2, duroquinone and ferricyanide. Ca2+ increased the activity with all acceptors with a maximum at neutral pH and an additional minor peak at pH 5.8 with O2 and duroquinone. Without Ca2+, the activity was maximal around pH 6. The Km for NADPH was decreased fourfold with ferricyanide and duroquinone, and twofold with O2 as acceptor, upon addition of Ca2+. The Vmax was not changed with ferricyanide as acceptor, but increased twofold with both duroquinone and O2. Half-maximal stimulation of the NADPH oxidation was found at 3 microM free Ca2+ with both O2 and duroquinone as acceptors. This is the first report of a membrane-bound enzyme inside the inner mitochondrial membrane which is directly dependent on micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. Mersalyl and dicumarol, two potent inhibitors of the external NADH dehydrogenase in plant mitochondria, were found to inhibit internal rotenone-insensitive NAD(P)H oxidation, at the same concentrations and in manners very similar to their effects on the external NAD(P)H oxidation.     

Diphtheria toxin-induced channels in Vero cells selective for monovalent cations

Ion fluxes associated with translocation of diphtheria toxin across the surface membrane of Vero cells were studied. When cells with surface-bound toxin were exposed to low pH to induce toxin entry, the cells became permeable to Na+, K+, H+, choline+, and glucosamine+. There was no increased permeability to Cl-, SO4(-2), glucose, or sucrose, whereas the uptake of 45Ca2+ was slightly increased. The influx of Ca2+, which appears to be different from that of monovalent cations, was reduced by several inhibitors of anion transport and by verapamil, Mn2+, Co2+, and Ca2+, but not by Mg2+. The toxin-induced fluxes of N+, K+, and protons were inhibited by Cd2+. Cd2+ also protected the cells against intoxication by diphtheria toxin, suggesting that the open cation-selective channel is required for toxin translocation. The involvement of the toxin receptor is discussed.     

Mg(Ca)-ATPase of arterial muscle cells]

We could show an ATPase in mitochondrial and microsomal fractions of sheep arteria carotis communis and arteria coronaria of cattle which can be stimulated by Ca2+ of Mg2+, respectively. The enzyme has a higher affinity for Ca2+ than for Mg2+. The maximum activity of the Mg(Ca)-ATPase was found at 2-4 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+, respectively. Higher concentrations of these ions inhibit the enzyme. Mn2+, Sr2+ and Co2+ can substitute Ca2+ in splitting of ATP by the ATPase of both fractions of ateria coronaria of cattle. The ions K+ and Na+, variation of temperature and pH and a variety of pharmacological active compounds has the same effect on the ATPase stimulated by Ca2+ or Mg2+. These findings prove that Ca2+ and Mg2+ act at the same site of the ATPase of the mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of vascular smooth muscle.     

Cell damage by cytolysin. Spontaneous recovery and reversible inhibition by divalent cations

Cytolysin-induced membrane damage (which requires low Ca2+) has been studied 1) in E by assay of hemolysis, 2) in Lettre cells by measurement of transmembrane potential, intracellular content of K+ and Na+, leakage of phosphoryl[3H]choline or 51Cr from [3H]choline-labeled or 51CrO4(2-)-labeled cells and leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, and 3) in phospholipid bilayers by measurement of electrical conductivity changes. In Lettre cells, damage is restricted and reversible: little lactate dehydrogenase leaks from cells that leak substantial amounts of Na+, K+, and phosphoryl[3H]choline; at low amounts of cytolysin, membrane potential and intracellular content of Na+ and K+ recover within minutes. In E and Lettre cells, membrane damage is inhibited by Zn2+, by high Ca2+, or by low pH. Inhibition is reversible: addition of EGTA to Zn2+-protected E or Lettre cells (incubated in the presence of cytolysin, low Ca2+ and Zn2+) initiates leakage; removal of Zn2+ (and cytolysin and Ca2+) by washing also initiates leakage; such leakage is again sensitive to Zn2+, high Ca2+, or H+. In phospholipid bilayers, channels induced by cytolysin (at low Ca2+) are partially closed by negative voltage; Ca2+, Zn2+, or H+ promote channel closure. Channels are re-opened (only partially in the case of Zn2+) by positive voltage. From all these results it is concluded that the action of cytolysin on membranes is similar to that of other pore-forming agents: damage does not necessarily lead to lysis of nucleated cells, and can be prevented by Ca2+, Zn2+, or H+.