Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of ethanol extract of Clerodendron serratum roots in experimental animals

The alcoholic extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o) of Clerodendron serratum roots produced a significant antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in animal models. The results support the traditional claims of C. serratum as a remedy for pain, inflammation and fever.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase, uncoupled from phospholamban, stimulates Ca2+-pumping in native cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Recent studies have demonstrated phosphorylation of the cardiac and slow-twitch muscle isoform (SERCA2a) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (at Ser38) by a membrane-associated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase). Analysis of the functional consequence of Ca2+-ATPase phosphorylation in the native SR membranes, however, is complicated by the concurrent phosphorylation of the SR proteins phospholamban (PLN) which stimulates Ca2+ sequestration by the Ca2+-ATPase, and the ryanodine receptor-Ca2+ release channel (RYR-CRC) which likely augments Ca2+ release from the SR. In the present study, we achieved selective phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase by endogenous CaM kinase in isolated rabbit cardiac SR vesicles utilizing a PLN monoclonal antibody (PLN AB) which inhibits PLN phosphorylation, and the RYR-CRC blocking drug, ruthenium red, which inhibits phosphorylation of RYR-CRC. Analysis of the Ca2+ concentration-dependence of ATP-energized Ca2+ uptake by SR showed that endogenous CaM kinase mediated phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase, in the absence of PLN and/or RYR-CRC phosphorylation, results in a significant increase (approximately 50-70%) in the Vmax of Ca2+ sequestration without any change in the k0.5 for Ca2+ activation of the Ca2+ transport rate. On the other hand, treatment of SR with PLN AB (which mimics the effect of PLN phosphorylation by uncoupling Ca2+-ATPase from PLN) resulted in approximately 2-fold decrease in k0.5 for Ca2+ without any change in Vmax of Ca2+ sequestration. These findings suggest that, besides PLN phosphorylation, direct phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase by SR-associated CaM kinase serves to enhance the speed of cardiac muscle relaxation.

The antifungal antibiotic clotrimazole potently inhibits L-type calcium current in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes

The antimycotic agent clotrimazole (CLT) is a promising potential therapeutic agent for a variety of diseases including cancer. Although it is known that CLT alters calcium homeostasis in many cell types, its cardiac effects are virtually unknown. We investigated the effects of CLT on L-type calcium current (ICa,L) and action potentials in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. CLT (5, 25 and 50 microM) inhibited basal ICa,L by 16, 59 and 93%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of CLT was rapid and the peak effect was attained within 3 min. At a concentration of 25 microM, the inhibitory effect of CLT was partially reversible whereas the response to 50 microM CLT persisted following drug withdrawal. CLT abbreviated action potential duration at 50 and 90% of repolarization and suppressed the plateau significantly. These results indicate that CLT may have important cardiac effects at concentrations used to induce the antiproliferative action of the drug.

Effects of aging on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-cycling proteins and their phosphorylation in rat myocardium

Diminished Ca2+-sequestering activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is implicated in the age-associated slowing of cardiac muscle relaxation. In attempting to further define the underlying mechanisms, the present study investigated the impact of aging on the contents of major SR Ca2+-cycling proteins and SR protein phosphorylation by endogenous Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase). The studies were performed using homogenates and SR vesicles derived from the ventricular myocardium of adult (6-8 mo old) and aged (26-28 mo old) Fischer 344 rats. Western immunoblotting analysis showed no significant age-related difference in the relative amounts of ryanodine receptor-Ca2+-release channel (RyR-CRC), the Ca2+-storage protein calsequestrin, Ca2+-pumping ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase), and Ca2+-ATPase-regulatory protein phospholamban (PLB) in SR or homogenate. On the other hand, the relative amount of immunoreactive CaM kinase II (delta-isoform) was approximately 50% lower in the aged heart. CaM kinase-mediated phosphorylation of RyR-CRC, Ca2+-ATPase, and PLB was reduced significantly ( approximately 25-40%) in the aged compared with adult rat. ATP-dependent Ca2+-uptake activity of SR and the stimulatory effect of calmodulin on Ca2+ uptake were also reduced significantly with aging. Treatment of SR vesicles with anti-PLB antibody (PLBab) invoked relatively less stimulation of Ca2+ uptake in the aged (</=26%) compared with the adult (</=65%) rat. Ca2+-ATPase but not PLB underwent phosphorylation by CaM kinase in PLBab-treated SR with resultant stimulation of Ca2+ uptake. The rates of Ca2+ uptake by PLBab-treated SR were significantly lower (45-55%) in the aged compared with adult rat in the absence and presence of calmodulin. These findings imply that changes in the intrinsic functional properties of SR Ca2+-cycling proteins and/or their phosphorylation-dependent regulation contribute to impaired SR function in the aging heart.

Clotrimazole, an antimycotic drug, inhibits the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump and contractile function in heart muscle

Clotrimazole (CLT), an antimycotic drug, has been shown to inhibit proliferation of normal and cancer cell lines and its systemic use as a new tool in the treatment of proliferative disorders is presently under scrutiny (Benzaquen, L. R., Brugnara, C., Byers, H. R., Gattoni-Celli, S., and Halperin, J. A. (1995) Nature Med. 1, 534-540). The action of CLT is thought to involve depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores but the underlying mechanism has not been defined. The present study utilized membrane vesicles of rabbit cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) to determine the mechanism by which CLT depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores. The results revealed a strong, concentration-dependent inhibitory action of CLT on the ATP-energized Ca2+ uptake activity of SR (50% inhibition with approximately 35 microM CLT). The inhibition was of rapid onset (manifested in <15 s), and was accompanied by a 7-fold decrease in the apparent affinity of the SR Ca2+-ATPase for Ca2+ and a minor decrement in the enzyme's apparent affinity toward ATP. Exposure of SR to CLT in the absence or presence of Ca2+ resulted in irreversible inhibition of Ca2+ uptake demonstrating that the Ca2+-bound and Ca2+-free conformations of the Ca2+-ATPase are CLT-sensitive. Introduction of CLT to the reaction medium subsequent to induction of enzyme turnover with Ca2+ and ATP resulted in instantaneous cessation of Ca2+ transport indicating that an intermediate enzyme species generated during turnover undergoes rapid inactivation by CLT. The inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by CLT was accompanied by inhibition of Ca2+-stimulated ATP hydrolysis and Ca2+-induced phosphoenzyme intermediate formation from ATP in the ATPase catalytic cycle. Phosphorylation of the Ca2+-deprived enzyme with Pi in the reverse direction of catalytic cycle and Ca2+ release from Ca2+-preloaded SR vesicles were unaffected by CLT. It is concluded that CLT depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores by inhibiting Ca2+ sequestration by the Ca2+-ATPase. The mechanism of ATPase inhibition involves a drug-induced alteration in the Ca2+-binding site(s) resulting in paralysis of the enzyme's catalytic and ion transport cycle. CLT (50 microM) caused marked depression of contractile function in isolated perfused, electrically paced rabbit heart preparations. The contractile function recovered gradually following withdrawal of CLT from the perfusate indicating the existence of mechanisms in the intact cell to inactivate, metabolize, or clear CLT from its target site.

Defibrillation depresses heart sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump: a mechanism of postshock dysfunction

Presently, the only therapy for ventricular fibrillation is delivery of high-voltage shocks. Despite "successful defibrillation," patients may have poor cardiac contractility, the mechanisms of which are unknown. Intracellular Ca2+ handling by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) plays a major role in contractility. We tested the hypothesis that defibrillation shocks interfere with Ca2+ transport function of cardiac SR. Rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium had bilateral electrodes implanted subcutaneously for transthoracic shocks. A series of 10 shocks, 10 s apart, at 0-250 V was delivered from a trapezoidal defibrilator. The hearts were rapidly removed, SR-enriched membrane vesicles were isolated, and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake and Ca(2+)-stimulated ATP hydrolysis were determined. There was a marked, shock-related decline in Ca2+ uptake, whereas adenosinetriphosphatase activity remained unaltered. The polypeptide compositions were similar in control and shocked SR. In Langendorff hearts, shocks also decreased contractility and slowed relaxation. These data indicate that shocks with current densities similar to defibrillation depress Ca(2+)-pumping function of cardiac SR because of uncoupling of ATP hydrolysis and Ca2+ transport. Shock-induced impairment of Ca2+ pump function may underlie postshock myocardial dysfunction.

Phosphorylation and regulation of the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

In cardiac muscle, a membrane-associated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) phosphorylates the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase in addition to its previously characterized substrates, phospholamban and Ca(2+)-release channel (ryanodine receptor). The phosphorylated amino acid in the Ca(2+)-ATPase has been identified as serine. Posphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase is rapid and is reversible by a membrane-associated protein phosphatase, Ca(2+)-ATPase purified from cardiac SR underwent phosphorylation by exogenous CaM kinase, and the phosphorylated enzyme displayed twofold greater catalytic activity without alteration in its Ca(2+)-sensitivity. The phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase was found to be isoform-specific in that the cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle isoform (SERCA 2), but not the fast-twitch skeletal muscle isoform (SERCA 1), underwent phosphorylation by CaM kinase. Studies using SERCA 1 and SERCA 2 isoforms and their mutants expressed in a heterelogous cell system have resulted in i) confirmation of the isoform specificity of Ca(2+)-ATPase phosphorylation by CaM kinase, ii) identification of Ser38 as the site in SERCA 2 phosphorylated by CaM kinase, and iii) demonstration of phosphorylation-induced increase in Vmax of Ca2+ transport by the SERCA 2 enzyme. These observations suggest that in cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle direct phosphorylation of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase by the membrane-bound CaM kinase may serve to stimulate Ca2+ sequestration and therefore, the speed of muscle relaxation.

Ontogeny of sarcoplasmic reticulum protein phosphorylation by Ca2+--calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

In the adult myocardium the Ca2+ uptake and release functions of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) are known to be regulated by a membrane-associated Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) which phosphorylates the Ca2+-pumping ATPase (Ca2+ pump), Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) and the Ca2+ pump-regulatory protein, phospholamban. The role of CaM kinase during development, however, has not been examined previously. The present study investigated the ontogenetic expression of SR-associated CaM kinase in the rabbit myocardium as well as development-related changes in CaM kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the SR proteins (Ca2+ pump, Ca2+ release channel and phospholamban) involved in transmembrane Ca2+ cycling. For these experiments, cardiac muscle homogenate and SR-enriched membrane fraction derived from fetal (21- and 28-days gestation), newborn (2 days postnatal) and adult New Zealand White rabbits were used. Western immunoblotting analysis detected the presence of phospholamban, Ca2+ pump and Ca2+ release channel in homogenate and SR at all ages tested. The amount of these proteins in the SR increased substantially during fetal and postnatal development. Phosphorylation studies revealed the presence of CaM kinase-dependent phosphorylation of the Ca2+ pump, Ca2+ release channel and phospholamban as early as 21-days gestation. This phosphorylation could be elicited with the addition of only Ca2+ and calmodulin indicating the presence of a SR-associated CaM kinase as early as 21-days gestation. This was confirmed using a delta-CaM kinase II-specific antibody. Phosphorylation per unit amount of each substrate was greater in the fetus and newborn compared to adult. Phosphorylation of phospholamban could be elicited by exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) at all developmental stages studied. Activation of SR CaM kinase with Ca2+ and calmodulin, or induction of phospholamban phosphorylation by exogenous PKA, resulted in stimulation of the Ca2+ uptake activity of SR in fetal, newborn and adult heart. These results demonstrate early ontogenetic expression of the Ca2+ cycling proteins and CaM kinase in the SR and the concurrent development of phosphorylation-dependent regulation of SR Ca2+ cycling.

Effects of aging on sarcoplasmic reticulum function and contraction duration in skeletal muscles of the rat

The impact of aging on the Ca2+ pump function of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was investigated using SR-enriched membrane vesicles isolated from the slow-twitch soleus muscle (SM) and the relatively fast-twitch gastrocnemius muscle (GM) isolated from adult (6-8 mo old) and aged (26-28 mo old) Fischer 344 rats. In addition, isometric twitch characteristics of SM and GM were determined in situ in adult and aged rats under anesthesia. The rates of ATP-supported Ca2+ uptake by SM SR was markedly lower ( approximately 50%) in the aged compared with adult at varying Ca2+ (0.11-8.24 microM) concentrations. Kinetic analysis of the data revealed age-associated decrease in maximum activity reached (Vmax) and increase in the concentration of Ca2+ giving half of Vmax. In contrast, no significant age-related difference was observed in ATP-supported Ca2+ uptake activity of GM SR. The Ca(2+)-stimulated adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities and the amount of Ca(2+)-ATPase protein did not vary significantly with aging in SM or GM SR. Also, no significant age-related difference was observed in the content of the ryanodine receptor (Ca(2+)-release channel) or the Ca2+ binding protein, calsequestrin in SM and GM SR. In isometrically contracting SM, the time to peak force, half-relaxation time, and contraction duration were significantly prolonged in the aged compared with adult, whereas there was no age-related difference in maximum developed force. None of these isometric twitch parameters differed significantly with age in the GM. These results demonstrate that the effects of aging on skeletal muscle contractile properties and SR function are muscle specific. Furthermore, the data strongly suggest that impairment in SR Ca2+ pump function, apparently due to uncoupling of ATP hydrolysis from Ca2+ transport, contributes to the age-associated slowing of relaxation in the soleus muscle.

Divergent effects of ruthenium red and ryanodine on Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of the Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

In cardiac muscle, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) associated with the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is known to phosphorylate the membrane proteins phospholamban, Ca(2+)-ATPase, and Ca(2+)-release channel (ryanodine receptor). Phosphorylation of phospholamban and Ca(2+)-ATPase is recognized to stimulate Ca2+ sequestration by the SR but the functional consequence of Ca2+ channel phosphorylation has not been clearly established. In this study, we investigated the effects of the SR Ca(2+)-release inhibitor, ruthenium red (RR), and the SR Ca(2+)-release activator, ryanodine (at submicromolar concentrations), on CaM kinase-mediated phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-cycling proteins in rabbit cardiac SR. Incubation of SR with RR (5-30 microM) for 3 min at 37 degrees C resulted in marked (up to 85%) inhibition of Ca2+ channel phosphorylation (50% inhibition with 15 +/- 2 microM RR) by the endogenous membrane-associated CaM kinase. Phosphorylation of the Ca2+ channel by exogenously added multifunctional alpha CaM kinase II was also inhibited similarly by RR. Phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase by endogenous and exogenous CaM kinase was inhibited only modestly (25-30%) by RR, and phospholamban phosphorylation was unaffected by RR. The magnitude of RR-induced inhibition of Ca2+ channel phosphorylation did not differ appreciably at saturating or subsaturating concentrations of Ca2+ or calmodulin, and in the absence or presence of protein phosphatase inhibitors. In contrast to the effects of RR, low concentrations of ryanodine (0.25-1 microM) caused significant stimulation (up to approximately 50%) of Ca2+ channel phosphorylation but had no effect on Ca(2+)-ATPase and phospholamban phosphorylation. These findings suggest that interaction of RR with the ryanodine receptor induces a "nonphosphorylatable state" of the Ca(2+)-release channel, likely through a conformational change involving occlusion of the CaM kinase phosphorylation site. On the other hand, ryanodine binding to the receptor may serve to maintain an open, "phosphorylatable state" of the channel.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump in pig coronary artery smooth muscle is regulated by a novel pathway

Coronary artery smooth muscle expresses an alternative splice (SERCA2b) of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ pump gene SERCA2, which is also expressed in cardiac muscle (SERCA2a), but how the activity of this transporter is regulated in the coronary artery is not known. SERCA2a in the cardiac muscle can be regulated via phospholamban or, as recently reported, by a direct phosphorylation of this protein by calmodulin kinase (Xu, A., C. Hawkins, and N. Narayanan. J.Biol. Chem. 268:8394-8397, 1993). Because both SERCA2a and SERCA2b contain this calmodulin kinase phosphorylation site, we examined the effect of endogenous calmodulin kinase phosphorylation of the SR Ca2+ pump in the coronary artery. SR-enriched membranes were isolated from coronary artery smooth muscle and washed in ethylene glycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid to remove bound calmodulin. When these membranes were incubated with MgATP2- in the presence of Ca2+/calmodulin, a 115-kDa protein was phosphorylated. This phosphorylated 115-kDa protein was identified as SERCA2b in Western blots and by immunoprecipitation using a SERCA2-selective antibody. Preincubating the membranes in MgATP2- in the presence of Ca2+/calmodulin stimulated the subsequent Ca2+ uptake in the presence of oxalate plus MgATP2- and azide. The stimulation of Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by including the SR Ca2+ pump inhibitors thapsigargin and cyclopiazonic acid in the Ca2+ uptake medium or by including the calmodulin antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide or the calmodulin kinase II peptide fragment 290-309 in the phosphorylation solution. Thus an endogenous calmodulin-dependent kinase phosphorylated SERCA2b and activated it. Phospholamban could not be detected in these membranes in Western blots. Therefore, the regulation of the SR Ca2+ pump activity in coronary artery smooth muscle may involve a direct phosphorylation of the pump protein by an endogenous calmodulin-dependent kinase.

Age-related changes in electrophysiological responses to muscarinic receptor stimulation in rat myocardium

Recent studies have demonstrated that the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses of the heart to cholinergic muscarinic receptor stimulation are strikingly enhanced with aging in the rat model. The present study investigated the electrophysiological basis of this phenomenon by determining the effects of a muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol, on transmembrane action potential parameters in right atrial tissue and right ventricular free wall preparations from adult (6-8 months old) and aged (26-28 months old) Fischer 344 rats. In addition, the effect of carbachol on atrioventricular conduction time (AVT) was determined in isolated perfused beating hearts. The results showed the following. The baseline maximum diastolic potential (MDP: adult, -76.4 +/- 1.8 mV; aged, -66.8 +/- 1.5 mV; p < 0.05; n = 5) but not the action potential duration measured at 95% repolarization (APD95: adult, 40.0 +/- 5.0 ms; aged, 47.4 +/- 6.7 ms; n = 5) differed significantly in aged compared with adult atrium. No significant age-related difference was evident in baseline MDP measured in ventricular epicardium (adult, -69.8 +/- 0.5 mV; aged, -69.0 +/- 1.1 mV; n = 6) or endocardium (adult, -72.5 +/- 1.4 mV; aged, -73.0 +/- 1.2 mV; n =6). The baseline action potential duration measured at 50% repolarization (APD50) differed significantly with age in ventricular endocardium (adult, 11.6 +/- 2.2 ms; aged, 23.0 +/- 4.6 ms; p < 0.05; n =6) but not in epicardium (APD50: adult, 8.1 +/- 0.4 ms; aged, 13.0 +/- 2.3 ms; n = 6). Superfusion with carbachol (0.1 nM - 10 mu M) resulted in concentration-dependent hyperpolarization of MDP in atrium; the magnitude of hyperpolarization differed significantly with age (2.5-fold higher in the aged; p < 0.05; n = 5). Carbachol caused concentration-dependent shortening of APD50; this effect differed significantly with age in the ventricle (2-fold greater in the aged; p < 0.05; n = 6) but not in the atrium. Carbachol prolonged the AVT in atrial-paced (240 beats/min) hearts; the magnitude of carbachol-induced increase in AVT did not differ significantly with age. These results are consistent with the possibility that in the aging heart, greater hyperpolarization at the level of the right atrium (likely involving pacemaker cells) and greater shortening of APD50 at the level of ventricular myocytes may contribute to the enhanced cholinergic-triggered bradycardia and negative inotropic response, respectively.

Cytosolic protein kinase A mediates the growth hormone (GH)-releasing action of GH-releasing factor in purified rat somatotrophs

The growth hormone (GH)-releasing action of GH-releasing factor (GRF) is known to be cAMP-dependent. However, definitive proof for the involvement of the cAMP-dependent enzyme protein kinase A (PKA) is still lacking. In this study, we characterized the PKA system in purified rat somatotrophs and examined its role in mediating GRF-stimulated GH release under static incubation conditions. PKA enzyme activity was detected only in the cytosolic, but not the particulate fraction of rat somatotrophs. This cytosolic PKA activity exhibited the characteristic cAMP dependence (with ED50 of 0.1 microM), ability to phosphorylate kemptide (a synthetic peptide with a PKA phosphorylation site), and susceptibility to inhibition by the bovine heat-stable PKA inhibitor. GRF treatment (1 pM-1 nM) stimulated the cytosolic PKA activity and GH release from rat somatotrophs in a dose-dependent manner. Time-course studies also demonstrated that activation of cAMP synthesis and PKA activity preceded the GH response to GRF. Stimulation of cytosolic PKA activity in rat somatotrophs by the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (10 nM-1 microM) and membrane permeant cAMP analog db.cAMP (5 microM-0.5 mM) mimicked the GH-releasing effect of GRF. In contrast, Rp.cAMP, a cAMP antagonist for PKA regulatory subunits, blocked both the cytosolic PKA activity as well as GRF-induced GH release. Similar inhibitions were also observed when an inhibitor for PKA catalytic subunits, H89, was used. Somatostatin (SRIF) (1 nM), the physiological GH-release inhibitor, suppressed the GH response to GRF without affecting the basal or GRF-stimulated PKA activity. SRIF at a higher dose (10 nM) abolished the GH-releasing effect of GRF. In this case, SRIF also induced a small but significant inhibition of GRF-stimulated PKA activity. Taken together, the present study provides direct evidence that PKA enzyme activity is localized only in the cytosol of rat somatotrophs and constitutes an essential component of the signal transduction mechanism for GRF-stimulated GH release. This cytosolic PKA system, however, does not appear to be a major target for the GH-release inhibiting action of SRIF.

The mephenytoin (cytochrome P450 2C 19) and dextromethorphan (cytochrome P450 2D6) polymorphisms in Saudi Arabians and Filipinos

Hitherto no estimate has been available of the genetic polymorphisms of S-mephenytoin hydroxylation in the Saudi Arabian or any other Middle Eastern population. A total of 102 healthy Saudi Arabian volunteer subjects were tested simultaneously with mephenytoin and dextromethorphan. Two poor metabolizers of S-mephenytoin and two poor metabolizers of dextromethorphan were found. Also 55 healthy Filipino volunteer subjects were tested and 13 found to be poor metabolizers of S-mephenytoin, whilst none were found to be poor metabolizers of dextromethorphan. The Saudi Arabian population thus appears to resemble Europeans in the frequency of poor metabolizers of S-mephenytoin, but resembles Orientals in the frequency of poor metabolizers of dextromethorphan. The Filipino sample as expected resembles other Oriental samples in the frequencies of poor metabolizers of both drugs.

Comparison of the effects of the membrane-associated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase on Ca(2+)-ATPase function in cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum

In both cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) there are several systems involved in the regulation of Ca(2+)-ATPase function. These include substrate level regulation, covalent modification via phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of phospholamban by both cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) as well as direct CaM kinase phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. Studies comparing the effects of PKA and CaM kinase on cardiac Ca(2+)-ATPase function have yielded differing results; similar studies have not been performed in slow-twitch skeletal muscle. It has been suggested recently, however, that phospholamban is not tightly coupled to the Ca(2+)-ATPase in SR vesicles from slow-twitch skeletal muscle. Our results indicate that assay conditions strongly influence the extent of CaM kinase-dependent Ca(2+)-ATPase stimulation seen in both cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle. Addition of calmodulin (0.2 microM) directly to the Ca2+ transport assay medium results in minimal (approximately 112-130% of control) stimulation of Ca2+ uptake activity when the Ca2+ uptake reaction is initiated by the addition or either ATP or Ca2+/EGTA. On the other hand, prephosphorylation of the SR by the endogenous CaM kinase and subsequent transfer of the membranes to the Ca2+ transport assay medium results in stimulation of Ca2+ uptake activity (202% of control). These effects are observable in both cardiac and slow-twitch skeletal muscle SR. PKA stimulates Ca2+ uptake markedly (215% of control) when the Ca2+ uptake reaction is initiated by the addition of prephosphorylated SR membranes or by Ca2+/EGTA but minimally (130% of control) when the Ca2+ uptake reaction is initiated by the addition of ATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump in cardiac and slow twitch skeletal muscle but not fast twitch skeletal muscle undergoes phosphorylation by endogenous and exogenous Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. Characterization of optimal conditions for calcium pump phosphorylation

We have demonstrated recently that in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), a membrane-associated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) phosphorylates and activates the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) in addition to phosphorylating the previously characterized substrates, phospholamban, and Ca2+ release channel (ryanodine receptor) (Xu, A., Hawkins, C., and Narayanan, N. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 8394-8397). The present study shows that a CaM kinase regulatory system capable of modulating SR Ca2+ pump activity through direct phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase is functional in slow twitch but not fast twitch skeletal muscle. Incubation of SR vesicles isolated from rabbit slow twitch (soleus) and fast twitch (adductor magnus) skeletal muscles in the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin resulted in phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in slow twitch muscle SR but not in fast twitch muscle SR. Exogenous CaM kinase II, which stimulated phosphorylation of the cardiac and slow twitch muscle SR Ca(2+)-ATPase, failed to phosphorylate fast twitch muscle SR Ca(2+)-ATPase. These observations demonstrate that CaM kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of the Ca2+ pump is isoform-specific since heart and slow twitch muscle express the same Ca(2+)-ATPase isoform (SERCA2a), which is distinct from that of fast twitch muscle (SERCA1). As in the case of cardiac SR Ca(2+)-ATPase, phosphorylation of the slow twitch muscle SR Ca(2+)-ATPase (occurring at a serine residue) resulted in a 2-fold increase in catalytic activity of the enzyme without alteration in its Ca2+ sensitivity. In addition, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent prephosphorylation of slow twitch muscle SR resulted in a greater than 2-fold increase in its Ca2+ transport activity. In both cardiac and slow twitch muscle SR, phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase by the endogenous CaM kinase occurred rapidly (maximum within 2 min at 37 degrees C), had similar pH optimum (8.5-9.0), temperature optimum (30 degrees C), and calmodulin concentration-dependence (k0.5 50-60 nM). cAMP-dependent protein kinase did not phosphorylate the Ca(2+)-ATPase appreciably in either cardiac or slow twitch muscle SR. These findings suggest a muscle-specific role for the membrane-associated CaM kinase in the modulation of Ca2+ uptake and release functions of the SR. In cardiac and slow twitch muscle, phosphorylation of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase by CaM kinase might provide a novel mechanism for the modulation of the enzymatic and Ca2+ transport functions of this enzyme.

Identification of Ser38 as the site in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase that is phosphorylated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

In previous studies (Xu, A., Hawkins, C., and Narayanan, N. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 8394-8397), the Ca(2+)-ATPase of cardiac muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2) was shown to be phosphorylated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase) on a serine residue, likely to be either Ser38, Ser167, or Ser531. SERCA2 and SERCA2 mutants S38A, S167A, and S531A were expressed in HEK-293 cells and tested for phosphorylation with CaM kinase. Mutant S38A was not phosphorylated, while mutants S167A and S531A were phosphorylated, suggesting that Ser38 is the site of CaM kinase phosphorylation in SERCA2. This conclusion was supported by the observation that phosphorylation of SERCA2 and mutants S167A and S531A by CaM kinase increased the Vmax for Ca2+ transport, while the Vmax for Ca2+ transport by mutant S38A was unaffected by exposure to a phosphorylation reaction mix. SERCA1, containing a potential CaM kinase phosphorylation site at Ser167 and two SERCA1 mutants, K35R plus H38S and T532S, in which potential CaM kinase sites were created, were not phosphorylated by CaM kinase, and Vmax for Ca2+ transport was unaffected by exposure to a phosphorylation reaction mix. Thus phosphorylation of Ser38 in SERCA2 results in a unique activation of Vmax for Ca2+ transport, providing a potential regulatory mechanism for Ca2+ removal from cardiac and other tissues in which SERCA2 is expressed.

Instrument to detect near-infrared fluorescence in solid-phase immunoassay

The construction of a near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescence detector for measuring picomolar levels of near-IR laser dyes is described. The detector is designed for use in an immunoassay technique that employs antibodies labeled with near-IR polymethine cyanine dyes. These dyes possess spectral properties that are exclusive to the near-IR region (650-1100 nm). The instrumentation is characterized, including its hardware and data acquisition software components. The detector is capable of measuring fluorescence in both solution and solid-phase environments. Data on the detector's performance is presented.

Comparison of the effects of fluoride on the calcium pumps of cardiac and fast skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum: evidence for tissue-specific qualitative difference in calcium-induced pump conformation

Comparison of the effects of fluoride (NaF, 1-10 mM) on the catalytic and ion transport functions of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles isolated from rabbit cardiac and fast-twitch skeletal muscles revealed similarities as well as striking tissue-specific differences depending on the experimental conditions employed. Short preincubation (3 min at 37 degrees C) of cardiac or fast muscle SR with fluoride in the absence of Ca2+ and ATP prior to initiating enzyme turnover by simultaneous addition of Ca2+ and ATP to the assay medium resulted in a strong inhibitory effect of fluoride on ATP-energized (oxalate-facilitated) Ca2+ uptake and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. On the other hand, when turnover was initiated by the addition of ATP to SR preincubated with fluoride in the presence of Ca2+ but in the absence of ATP, fluoride caused concentration-dependent stimulation of active Ca2+ uptake by fast muscle SR with no appreciable change in Ca(2+)-dependent phosphoenzyme (EP) formation (from ATP) or Ca(2+)-ATPase activity but inhibition of active Ca2+ uptake by cardiac SR with concomitant inhibition of EP formation and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. Exposure of cardiac or fast muscle SR to fluoride in the presence of both Ca2+ and ATP resulted in concentration-dependent stimulatory effect of fluoride on Ca2+ uptake with no change in EP formation or Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, this effect diminished substantially at saturating oxalate concentration in the assay. Assessment of the effects of deferoxamine (1 mM) and exogenous aluminum (10 microM) did not indicate a requirement for aluminum in the inhibitory or stimulatory effect of fluoride. These results suggest that (a) the Ca2+ and ATP-deprived (E1/E2) but not the Ca2+ plus ATP-liganded (CaE1ATP) conformation of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is susceptible to inhibition by fluoride in both cardiac and fast muscle; (b) the Ca(2+)-bound conformation (CaE1) of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is susceptible to inhibition in cardiac muscle but is refractory to fluoride in fast muscle; and (c) the stimulatory effect of fluoride is largely secondary to its ability to mimic the action of oxalate in intravesicular Ca2+ trapping when the fluoride-resistant enzyme is turning over normally. Fluoride inhibited phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-free enzyme by Pi in cardiac and fast muscle SR indicating that fluoride sensitivity of the phosphorylation site of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase is similar in cardiac and fast muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Purification, amino-terminal sequence and functional properties of a 64 kDa cytosolic protein from heart muscle capable of modulating calcium transport across the sarcoplasmic reticulum in vitro

In previous studies we have described the inhibitory action of a cytosolic protein fraction from heart muscle on ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR); further this inhibition was shown to be blocked by an inhibitor antagonist, also derived from the cytosol (Narayanan et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 735: 53-66, 1983; Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 67: 999-1006, 1989). Here we report the complete purification of the antagonist protein (AP) and characterization of its functional properties. AP was purified to homogeneity from rabbit heart cytosol using two procedures, one utilizing sequential DE52-cellulose and hydroxylapatite chromatography, and the other utilizing anion exchange chromatography on Mono Q HR 5/5 column in a Pharmacia FPLC system. The purified AP has an apparent molecular weight of 64 kDa; it is made up of about 43% hydrophobic and 57% hydrophilic residues with the following amino-terminal sequence: E-A-H-K-S-E-I-A-H-R-F-N-D-V-G-E-E-H-F-I-G-L-V-L-I-T-F-S-Q-Y-L-Q-K-X-P-Y- E-E-H-A . This partial amino acid sequence data indicate strong sequence homology to serum albumin (sequence homology: 85% to rat serum albumin and 74% to sheep and bovine serum albumin). The purified AP caused concentration-dependent-blockade of the inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by SR observed in the presence of the cytosolic Ca2+ uptake inhibitor protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of pH on stability of sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump in rabbit heart

The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes isolated from rabbit heart were preincubated at pH 6.8 or 7.8 and their Ca2+ pump properties were compared at pH 6.8. The ATP-dependent azide insensitive oxalate-stimulated Ca2+ uptake was reduced more rapidly from the membranes preincubated at 37 degrees C at pH 7.8 than from those preincubated at pH 6.8. The Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase, and the Ca(2+)-dependent formation of 110 kDa acylphosphate were also inhibited by the preincubation at the higher pH. Including 1 mM DTT in the preincubation medium reduced the inactivation. The preincubation at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of DTT caused membranes to become more leaky as the loss of Ca2+ uptake was more rapid than that of ATPase or the acylphosphate formation. The loss of these activities was not accompanied by a breakdown of the protein as monitored in Western blots. It is hypothesized that the SR Ca2+ pump inactivation involves a key-SH group and that the lower pH provides a compensatory protective mechanism for the SR during acidosis.

Phosphorylation and activation of the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

It is well known that phosphorylation of the membrane protein phospholamban by cAMP-dependent or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase results in the activation of the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR); such enzyme activation is thought to be due to the disruption of an inhibitory interaction of non-phosphorylated phospholamban with the ATPase. We describe here a novel mechanism for the regulation of the ATPase through direct phosphorylation of this enzyme by a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) associated with the SR membrane. It is shown that incubation of cardiac SR in the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin results in the phosphorylation of the ATPase in addition to the previously recognized substrates of CaM kinase, viz. phospholamban and Ca2+ channel. The phosphorylated amino acid in the ATPase has been identified as serine. Phosphorylation of the membrane-bound ATPase is stimulated by exogenous CaM kinase. Furthermore, ATPase purified from cardiac SR is phosphorylated by exogenous CaM kinase and the phosphorylated enzyme displays 2-fold increase in catalytic activity without any appreciable change in its Ca2+ sensitivity. Thus, direct phosphorylation of the Ca(2+)-pumping ATPase by CaM kinase can stimulate its enzymatic activity and, therefore, Ca2+ transport function.