Correlation between microsomal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain binding to heart tissue homogenates

Effect of quinidine on the tissue binding of digoxin in guinea-pigs

The mechanism of quinidine-induced decrease in the tissue distribution of digoxin to heart, liver and skeletal muscle has been examined in guinea-pigs. Quinidine, in the presence of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), inhibited the specific binding of digoxin in homogenates of heart, liver and muscle, while in the absence of ATP the inhibition was observed only in heart. The decrease in the tissue-to-plasma unbound concentration ratios (Kpu) of heart and muscle determined from in-vitro binding studies was comparable to that in the Kpu values observed in-vivo, while in liver it was not sufficient to account for the fall in Kpuin-vivo values. It is concluded that quinidine-induced decrease in the tissue distribution of digoxin in heart and muscle is due to inhibition of tissue binding of this drug, while that in liver could be partially attributed to the decrease in the tissue binding.

Effects of anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs on the activities of purified and membrane-bound Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase

We have examined the effects of anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic drugs on membrane-bound and purified Na+/K+-ATPase activity in vitro. Only the gold-containing compounds (gold sodium thiomalate and auranofin) were found to inhibit the enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Sodium thiomalate and triethylphosphine, the ligand compounds for gold sodium thiomalate and auranofin, respectively, had no effect on ATPase activity. The antagonistic properties was abolished by preincubation of the gold compounds with dithiothreitol. Lineweaver-Burke analysis of the inhibitions of purified ATPase by the gold compounds was found to follow uncompetitive kinetics. Inhibition of ATPase by gold may cause disruption of transmembrane cation transport and thus result in impairment of several metabolic processes and cellular functions.

Digitalis receptors affinity labelling and relation with positive inotropic and cardiotoxic effects

Affinity labelling of the digitalis receptor has indicated that it is situated on the N-terminal part of the alpha-subunit of the (Na+,K+)ATPase. Biochemical and pharmacological properties of the (Na+,K+)ATPase studied on intact chick embryonic hearts and under heart cell culture conditions have indicated the existence of two families of ouabain binding sites i.e.: a low affinity binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 2-6 microM for the ouabain-receptor complex and a high affinity binding site with a Kd of 26-48 nM. High and low affinity sites also are present at all embryonic stages studied. Inhibition of 86Rb+ uptake in cultured cardiac cells and increase in intracellular Na+ concentration, due to (Na+,K+)ATPase blockade, occur in an ouabain concentration range corresponding to the saturation of the low affinity ouabain site. Ouabain stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake increases in parallel with the increase in the intracellular Na+ concentration. It is suppressed in Na+ free medium or when Na+ is replaced by Li+ suggesting that the increase is due to the indirect activation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange system in the plasma membrane. Dose-response curves for the inotropic effects of ouabain on papillary muscle and on ventricular cells in culture indicate the development of the cardiotonic properties is parallel to the saturation of the low affinity binding site for ouabain. Therefore, inhibition of the cardiac (Na+,K+)ATPase corresponding to low affinity ouabain binding sites seems to be responsible for both the cardiotonic and cardiotoxic effects of the drug.

Altered erythrocyte Na+ + K+ pump in adolescent obesity

The number of Na/K pump units and the cation transport activity of the pump were measured in erythrocytes from two etiologically different groups of obese adolescents and a group of normal controls. There was a significant reduction in the number of pump units, as measured by saturation ouabain binding, in erythrocytes from adolescents with idiopathic, early onset obesity. Individuals whose obesity developed subsequent to the appearance of a variety of hypothalamic lesions showed no reduction in the red cell complement of Na/K pump when compared to controls and the cation transport activity of their cells was higher than both the controls and the subjects with idiopathic obesity. These results support data obtained in adults that reduced red cell Na/K pump levels are seen in a group of individuals with idiopathic obesity. They further suggest that such reductions are not likely to be secondary to the obese state per se.

Reduced activity of the red-cell sodium-potassium pump in human obesity

Looking for evidence of reduced energy use in the cells of obese persons, we measured the numbers of sodium-potassium-pump units in erythrocytes from a group of 21 obese human subjects and found them to be reduced by 22 per cent as compared with those of nonobese controls (P <0.001). The cation-transport activity of the pump, as measured by 86rubidium uptake by the cells, we also reduced in parallel with decrease in pump units. An increased concentration of sodium in the red cells of obese subjectes was also found (9.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 7.1 +/- 0.6 mmol per liter of cells; P<0.01). This finding demonstrates independently the physiologic importance of reduced numbers of sodium-pump units and reduced pump activity as measured by ouabain binding and rubidium transport, respectively. The magnitude of the reduction in the number of pump units was found to be negatively correlated with the percentage of ideal body weight (r = 0.56, P<0.001); this observation suggests a possible role of abnormalities of the sodium pump in the pathophysiology of obesity.

Distribution and function of beta-adrenoceptors in different chambers of the canine heart

1 An improved binding assay involving (-)-[(3)H]-dihydroalprenolol (DHA) and KCl-washed cardiac membranes was developed to study beta-adrenoceptors in the canine heart quantitatively.2 Receptor numbers varied from 3.8 to 7.1 pmol/g fresh tissue, showing a steady increase from left atrium --> right atrium --> right ventricle --> interventricular septum --> left ventricle. With one minor exception, the same pattern was found for adenylate cyclase activity and Na(+), K(+)-activated ATPase activity.3 The binding of DHA was inhibited in the expected manner by beta-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists, and was stereospecific, in confirmation of previous studies. Dissociation constants determined from Scatchard analyses included DHA: 2.5 nM; (-)adrenaline: 230 nM; (-)noradrenaline: 1167 nM. Kinetic analyses of the binding of DHA yielded a K(D) of about 4 nM.4 The distribution of beta-receptors is closely related to that of blood flow and the arrival plus retention of a circulating catecholamine, but is markedly different from that of endogenous noradrenaline, and thus adrenergic nerve terminals. Most receptors thus appear not at synapses but diffusely localized where they can react with circulating adrenaline.5 Evidence is discussed that beta-receptors at synapses respond primarily to neural noradrenaline, less to circulating adrenaline, and hardly at all to circulating noradrenaline; responses mediate increased cardiac output during exercise. In contrast most cardiac beta-receptors appear to respond only to adrenaline, and to be used, except at times of severe circulatory stress, during psychological stress.

Purification and partial characterization of cardiac plasma membranes rich in beta-adrenoreceptors

A procedure was developed to purify plasma membranes from cardiac tissue. Canine ventricular tissue was homogenized relatively gently in hypotonic buffer, extracted briefly with 0.15 M sodium perchlorate at 4 degrees C, and membranes were collected in an intermediate pellet by centrifugation at 27,500 X gmax. At this stage, most contractile proteins were removed (although Z-band structures were apparent), and the recoveries of Na+, K+-ATPase, beta-adrenoreceptors and 5'-nucleotidase were 40--50%. Treatment of these particles with 0.5% dextran sulfate and continuous density gradient centrifugation resulted in the separation of membranes having 111 and 3.6 pmol/mg protein specific binding sites for [3H] ouabain and [3H] dihydroalprenolol, respectively. Electron micrographs showed medium-sized vesicles. 5'-Nucleotidase was also markedly purified but could be partially separated from the other plasma membrane markers in continuous sucrose gradients. Enzymes associated with mitochondria, lysosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum were efficiently removed. SDS-polyacrylamide gels showed six major and many minor bands. Adenylate cyclase remained responsive to hormones and Gpp(NH)p, but little purification was apparent. The membrane preparation has proved useful for studies of a nucleotide-binding protein associated with cyclase activation.