Localization of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in silkworm brain: a possible mechanism for protection of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase from Ca(2+)

Discovery of 2-Naphthol from the Leaves of Actephila merrilliana as a Natural Nematicide Candidate

To identify natural nematicides that can replace chemical nematicides, 2-naphthol with high activity against Meloidogyne incognita was isolated from Actephila merrilliana. The nematicidal activity of 2-naphthol against M. incognita was 100% at 100 μg/mL with an EC50 value of 38.00 μg/mL. Moreover, 2-naphthol had a significant negative effect on egg incubation. 2-Naphthol effectively inhibited the invasion of M. incognita into crops in both a pot experiment and field trial. In addition, the structure-activity relationship indicated that the naphthalene ring and its β-site hydroxyl group were the key pharmacophores for the nematicidal activity of 2-naphthol. Nematodes were stimulated by 2-naphthol to produce excessive reactive oxygen species, which may be the underlying mechanism of 2-naphthol nematicidal activity. A systemic evaluation of 2-naphthol in tomato plants demonstrated that 2-naphthol remained mainly fixed in the roots after being absorbed by the crop and was not transported to the stems or leaves. Thus, 2-naphthol can be developed as a natural nematicide candidate.

β subunit affects Na+ and K+ affinities of Na+/K+-ATPase: Na+ and K+ affinities of a hybrid Na+/K+-ATPase composed of insect α and mammalian β subunits

The affinity for K⁺ of silkworm Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is composed of α and β subunits, is remarkably lower than that of mammalian Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, with a slightly higher affinity for Na⁺. Because the α subunit had more than 70% identity to the mammalian α subunit in the amino acid sequence, whereas the β subunit, a glycosylated protein, had less than 30% identity to the mammalian β subunit, it was suggested that the β subunit was involved in the affinities for Na⁺ and K⁺ of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. To confirm this hypothesis, we examined whether replacing the silkworm β subunit with the mammalian β subunit affected the affinities for Na⁺ and K⁺ of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Cloned silkworm α and cloned rat β1 were co-expressed in BM-N cells, a cultured silkworm ovary-derived cell lacking endogenous Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, to construct a hybrid Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, in which the silkworm β subunit was replaced with the rat β1 subunit. The hybrid Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase increased the affinity for K⁺ by 4.1-fold and for Na⁺ by 0.65-fold compared to the wild-type one. Deglycosylation of the silkworm β subunit did not affect the K⁺ affinity. These results support the involvement of the β subunit in the Na⁺ and K⁺ affinities of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

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Silkworm Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase has much lower affinity for K⁺ than mammalian Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase with a slightly higher affinity for Na⁺.

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Silkworm Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase β subunit has less than 30% identity to the mammalian β subunit in the amino acid sequence.

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Replacement of the silkworm β with the rat β increased K⁺ affinity and decreased Na⁺ affinity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

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β subunit is involved in Na⁺ and K⁺ affinities of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

Measuring enzyme activities in crude homogenates: Na+/K+-ATPase as a case study in optimizing assays

In this review of assays of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA), we explore the choices made by researchers assaying the enzyme to investigate its role in physiological regulation. We survey NKA structure and function in the context of how it is typically assayed, and how technical choices influence what can be said about the enzyme. In comparing different methods for extraction and assay of NKA, we identified a series of common pitfalls that compromise the veracity of results. We include experimental work to directly demonstrate how choices in detergents, salts and substrates influence NKA activities measured in crude homogenates. Our review of assay approaches integrates what is known from enzymology, biomedical physiology, cell biology and evolutionary biology, offering a more robust method for assaying the enzyme in meaningful ways, identifying caveats and future directions to explore its structure and function. The goal is to provide the sort of background on the enzyme that should be considered in exploring the function of the enzyme in comparative physiology.

A possible mechanism for low affinity of silkworm Na+/K+-ATPase for K. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2017;49:463-472. [PMID: 29047027 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-017-9729-5]

The affinity for K⁺ of silkworm nerve Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase is markedly lower than that of mammalian Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (Homareda 2010). In order to obtain clues on the molecular basis of the difference in K⁺ affinities, we cloned cDNAs of silkworm (Bombyx mori) nerve Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α and β subunits, and analyzed the deduced amino acid sequences. The molecular masses of the α and β subunits were presumed to be 111.5 kDa with ten transmembrane segments and 37.7 kDa with a single transmembrane segment, respectively. The α subunit showed 75% identity and 93% homology with the pig Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1 subunit. On the other hand, the amino acid identity of the β subunit with mammalian counterparts was as low as 30%. Cloned α and β cDNAs were co-expressed in cultured silkworm ovary-derived cells, BM-N cells, which lack endogenous Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase expressed in the cultured cells showed a low affinity for K⁺ and a high affinity for Na⁺, characteristic of the silkworm nerve Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. These results suggest that the β subunit is responsible for the affinity for K⁺ of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase.

Effects of Celangulin IV and V From Celastrus angulatus Maxim on Na+/K+-ATPase Activities of the Oriental Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (sodium pump) is an important target for the development of botanical pesticide as it is responsible for transforming chemical energy in ATP to osmotic work and maintaining electrochemical Na(+ )and K(+ )gradients across the cell membrane of most animal cells. Celangulin IV (C-IV) and V (C-V), which are isolated from the root bark of Celastrus angulatus, are the major active ingredients of this insecticidal plant. The activities of C-IV and C-V on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase were investigated by ultramicro measuring method to evaluate the effects of C-IV and C-V on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activities of the brain from the fifth Mythimna separata larvae and to discuss the insecticidal mechanism of C-IV and C-V. Results indicate that inhibitory activities of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase by C-IV and C-V possess an obvious concentration-dependent in vitro. Compared with C-IV, the inhibition of C-V on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase was not striking. In vivo, at a concentration of 25 mg/liter, the inhibition ratio of C-IV on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity from the brain in narcosis and recovery period was more remarkable than that of C-V. Furthermore, the insects were fed with different mixture ratios of C-IV and C-V. The inhibition extent of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity was corresponded with the dose of C-IV. However, C-V had no notable effects. This finding may mean that the mechanism of action of C-IV and C-V on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase were different. Na(+)/K -ATPase may be an action target of C-IV and C-V.

Na+-K+-ATPase trafficking induced by heat shock pretreatment correlates with increased resistance to anoxia in locusts

The sensitivity of insect nervous systems to anoxia can be modulated genetically and pharmacologically, but the cellular mechanisms responsible are poorly understood. We examined the effect of a heat shock pretreatment (HS) on the sensitivity of the locust (Locusta migratoria) nervous system to anoxia induced by water immersion. Prior HS made locusts more resistant to anoxia by increasing the time taken to enter a coma and by reducing the time taken to recover the ability to stand. Anoxic comas were accompanied by surges of extracellular potassium ions in the neuropile of the metathoracic ganglion, and HS reduced the time taken for clearance of excess extracellular potassium ions. This could not be attributed to a decrease in the activity of protein kinase G, which was increased by HS. In homogenates of the metathoracic ganglion, HS had only a mild effect on the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. However, we demonstrated that HS caused a threefold increase in the immunofluorescent localization of the α-subunit of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in metathoracic neuronal plasma membranes relative to background labeling of the nucleus. We conclude that HS induced trafficking of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase into neuronal plasma membranes and suggest that this was at least partially responsible for the increased resistance to anoxia and the increased rate of recovery of neural function after a disturbance of K(+) homeostasis.