Fluxes of Ca2+, Sr2+ and Mg2+ in synaptosomes

Calcium uptake related to K+-depolarization and Na+/Ca2+ exchange in sheep brain synaptosomes

The uptake of Ca2+ by synaptosomes induced by K+-depolarization and by Na+/Ca2+ exchange was studied in synaptosomes in which the internal Na+ and K+ contents were varied by prolonged incubation at 30 degrees C or by inhibiting the Na+, K+-ATPase with 1 mM ouabain. Increased Na+ content of the synaptosomes is associated with an increase in Ca2+ uptake when the synaptosomes are placed in depolarizing K+ media. Furthermore, reduction in the [Na+]o, when the [K+]o is increased, in substitution for [Na+]o, to depolarize the membrane, further increases the Ca2+ uptake. Under these conditions, Ca2+ entry probably occurs through voltage-sensitive channels and through the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Destruction of the Na+ gradient by monensin, or preloading the synaptosomes with K+, completely inhibits the Ca2+ uptake in a K+-depolarizing medium. It is shown that if the Na+ gradient is maintained constant during K+-depolarization, the Ca2+ uptake is very low and that most of the Ca2+ uptake is correlated with the Na+ gradient. Evidence is presented that K+ may stimulate the Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism. Furthermore, divalent cations, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Zn2+, known to block Ca2+ channels, also inhibit Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Effect of monovalent cations on Na+/Ca2+ exchange and ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in synaptic plasma membranes

Two Ca2+ transport systems were investigated in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from sheep brain cortex synaptosomes by hypotonic lysis and partial purification. Synaptic plasma membrane vesicles loaded with Na+ (Na+i) accumulate Ca2+ in exchange for Na+, provided that a Na+ gradient (in leads to out) is present. Agents that dissipate the Na+ gradient (monensin) prevent the Na+/Ca2+ exchange completely. Ca2+ accumulated by Na+/Ca2+ exchange can be released by A 23187, indicating that Ca2+ is accumulated intravesicularly. In the absence of any Na+ gradient (K+i-loaded vesicles), the membrane vesicles also accumulate Ca2+ owing to ATP hydrolysis. Monovalent cations stimulate Na+/Ca2+ exchange as well as the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake activity. Taking the value for Na+/Ca2+ exchange in the presence of choline chloride (external cation) as reference, other monovalent cations in the external media have the following effects: K+ or NH4+ stimulates Na+/Ca2+ exchange; Li+ or Cs+ inhibits Na+/Ca2+ exchange. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system is stimulated by increasing K+ concentrations in the external medium (Km for K+ is 15 mM). Replacing K+ by Na+ in the external medium inhibits the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, and this effect is due more to the reduction of K+ than to the elevation of Na+. The results suggest that synaptic membrane vesicles isolated from sheep brain cortex synaptosomes possess mechanisms for Na+/Ca2+ exchange and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, whose activity may be regulated by monovalent cations, specifically K+, at physiological concentrations.