Calmodulin-mediated regulation of calcium transport and (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-activated ATPase activity in isolated cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Protein docking and steered molecular dynamics suggest alternative phospholamban-binding sites on the SERCA calcium transporter

The transport activity of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) in cardiac myocytes is modulated by an inhibitory interaction with a transmembrane peptide, phospholamban (PLB). Previous biochemical studies have revealed that PLB interacts with a specific inhibitory site on SERCA, and low-resolution structural evidence suggests that PLB interacts with distinct alternative sites on SERCA. High-resolution details of the structural determinants of SERCA regulation have been elusive because of the dynamic nature of the regulatory complex. In this study, we used computational approaches to develop a structural model of SERCA-PLB interactions to gain a mechanistic understanding of PLB-mediated SERCA transport regulation. We combined steered molecular dynamics and membrane protein-protein docking experiments to achieve both a global search and all-atom force calculations to determine the relative affinities of PLB for candidate sites on SERCA. We modeled the binding of PLB to several SERCA conformations, representing different enzymatic states sampled during the calcium transport catalytic cycle. The results of the steered molecular dynamics and docking experiments indicated that the canonical PLB-binding site (comprising transmembrane helices M2, M4, and M9) is the preferred site. This preference was even more stringent for a superinhibitory PLB variant. Interestingly, PLB-binding specificity became more ambivalent for other SERCA conformers. These results provide evidence for polymorphic PLB interactions with novel sites on M3 and with the outside of the SERCA helix M9. Our findings are compatible with previous physical measurements that suggest that PLB interacts with multiple binding sites, conferring dynamic responsiveness to changing physiological conditions.

CaMKII-induced shift in modal gating explains L-type Ca(2+) current facilitation: a modeling study

Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) plays an important role in L-type Ca(2+) channel (LCC) facilitation: the Ca(2+)-dependent augmentation of Ca(2+) current (I(CaL)) exhibited during rapid repeated depolarization. Multiple mechanisms may underlie facilitation, including an increased rate of recovery from Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation and a shift in modal gating distribution from mode 1, the dominant mode of LCC gating, to mode 2, a mode in which openings are prolonged. We hypothesized that the primary mechanism underlying facilitation is the shift in modal gating distribution resulting from CaMKII-mediated LCC phosphorylation. We developed a stochastic model describing the dynamic interactions among CaMKII, LCCs, and phosphatases as a function of dyadic Ca(2+) and calmodulin levels, and we incorporated it into an integrative model of the canine ventricular myocyte. The model reproduces behaviors at physiologic protein levels and allows for dynamic transition between modes, depending on the LCC phosphorylation state. Simulations showed that a CaMKII-dependent shift in LCC distribution toward mode 2 accounted for the I(CaL) positive staircase. Moreover, simulations demonstrated that experimentally observed changes in LCC inactivation and recovery kinetics may arise from modal gating shifts, rather than from changes in intrinsic inactivation properties. The model therefore serves as a powerful tool for interpreting I(CaL) experiments.

Regulatory role of phospholamban in the efficiency of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ transport

Phospholamban is an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport apparent affinity for Ca(2+) in cardiac muscle. This inhibitory effect of phospholamban can be relieved through its phosphorylation or ablation. To better characterize the regulatory mechanism of phospholamban, we examined the initial rates of Ca(2+)-uptake and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity under identical conditions, using sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched preparations from phospholamban-deficient and wild-type hearts. The apparent coupling ratio, calculated by dividing the initial rates of Ca(2+) transport by ATP hydrolysis, appeared to increase with increasing [Ca(2+)] in wild-type hearts. However, in the phospholamban-deficient hearts, this ratio was constant, and it was similar to the value obtained at high [Ca(2+)] in wild-type hearts. Phosphorylation of phospholamban by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A in wild-type sarcoplasmic reticulum also resulted in a constant value of the apparent ratio of Ca(2+) transported per ATP hydrolyzed, which was similar to that present in phospholamban-deficient hearts. Thus, the inhibitory effects of dephosphorylated phospholamban involve decreases in the apparent affinity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) transport for Ca(2+) and the efficiency of this transport system at low [Ca(2+)], both leading to prolonged relaxation in myocytes.

Genetically engineered models with alterations in cardiac membrane calcium-handling proteins

Regulation of intracellular Ca2+ provides a means by which the strength and duration of cardiac muscle contraction is altered on a beat-to-beat basis. Ca2+ homeostasis is maintained by proteins of the outer cell membrane or sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which is the major intracellular Ca2+ storage organelle. Recently, genetic engineering techniques designed to induce specific mutations, manipulate expression levels, or change a particular isoform of various membrane Ca(2+)-handling proteins have provided novel approaches in elucidating the physiological role of these gene products in the mammalian heart. This review summarizes findings in murine genetic models with alterations in the expression levels of the sarcolemmal Ca(2+)-ATPase and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, which move Ca2+ across the cell membrane, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins, which are involved in Ca2+ sequestration (Ca(2+)-ATPase and its regulator, phospholamban), Ca2+ storage (calsequestrin), and Ca2+ release (ryanodine receptor, FK506-binding protein and junctin) during excitation-contraction coupling. Advances in genetic technology, coupled with the development of miniaturized technology to assess cardiac function at multiple levels in the mouse, have added a wealth of new information to our understanding of the functional role of each of these membrane Ca(2+)-handling proteins in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. Furthermore, these genetic models have provided valuable insights into the compensatory cross-talk mechanisms between the major membrane Ca(2+)-handling proteins in the mammalian heart.

Effects of the immunosuppressant FK506 on intracellular Ca2+ release and Ca2+ accumulation mechanisms

The immunophilin FKBP12 associates with intracellular Ca2+ channels and this interaction can be disrupted by the immunosuppressant FK506. We have investigated the effect of FK506 on Ca2+ release and Ca2+ uptake in permeabilized cell types. Changes in medium free [Ca2+] were detected by the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3 in digitonin-permeabilized SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, DT40 and R23-11 (i.e. triple inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor knockout cells) chicken B lymphocytes and differentiated and undifferentiated BC3H1 skeletal muscle cells. 45Ca2+ fluxes were studied in saponin-permeabilized A7r5 rat smooth muscle cells. Addition of FK506 to permeabilized SH-SY5Y cells led to a sustained elevation of the medium [Ca2+] corresponding to approximately 30 % of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187-induced [Ca2+] rise. This rise in [Ca2+] was not dependent on mitochondrial activity. This FK506-induced [Ca2+] rise was related to the inhibition of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase (SERCA) Ca2+ pump. Oxalate-facilitated 45Ca2+ uptake in SH-SY5Y microsomes was inhibited by FK506 with an IC50 of 19 microM. The inhibition of the SERCA Ca2+ pump was not specific since several macrocyclic lactone compounds (ivermectin > FK506, ascomycin and rapamycin) were able to inhibit Ca2+ uptake activity. FK506 (10 microM) did not affect IP3-induced Ca2+ release in permeabilized SH-SY5Y and A7r5 cells, but enhanced caffeine-induced Ca2+ release via the ryanodine receptor (RyR) in differentiated BC3H1 cells. In conclusion, FK506 inhibited active Ca2+ uptake by the SERCA Ca2+ pump; in addition, FK506 enhanced intracellular Ca2+ release through the RyR, but it had no direct effect on IP3-induced Ca2+ release.

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.

Phospholamban: protein structure, mechanism of action, and role in cardiac function

A comprehensive discussion is presented of advances in understanding the structure and function of phospholamban (PLB), the principal regulator of the Ca2+-ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. Extensive historical studies are reviewed to provide perspective on recent developments. Phospholamban gene structure, expression, and regulation are presented in addition to in vitro and in vivo studies of PLB protein structure and activity. Applications of breakthrough experimental technologies in identifying PLB structure-function relationships and in defining its interaction with the Ca2+-ATPase are also highlighted. The current leading viewpoint of PLB's mechanism of action emerges from a critical examination of alternative hypotheses and the most recent experimental evidence. The potential physiological relevance of PLB function in human heart failure is also covered. The interest in PLB across diverse biochemical disciplines portends its continued intense scrutiny and its potential exploitation as a therapeutic target.

Modification of ischemia-reperfusion-induced changes in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum by preconditioning

To examine the effects of ischemic preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion-induced changes in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function, isolated rat hearts were either perfused with a control medium for 30 min or preconditioned with three episodes of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion before sustained ischemia for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 30 min was induced. Preconditioning itself depressed cardiac function (left ventricular developed pressure, peak rate of contraction, and peak rate of relaxation) and SR Ca2+-release and -uptake activities as well as protein content and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) phosphorylation of Ca2+-release channels by 25-60%. Global ischemia for 30 min produced marked depressions in SR Ca2+-release and -uptake activities as well as SR Ca2+-pump protein content in control hearts; these changes were significantly attenuated by preconditioning. Compared with the control preparations, preconditioning improved the recovery of cardiac function and SR Ca2+-release and -uptake activities as well as Ca2+-release channel and Ca2+-pump protein contents in the ischemic-reperfused hearts. Unlike the protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation in SR membranes, the CaMK-mediated phosphorylations at Ca2+-release channels, Ca2+ pump, and phospholamban were depressed in the ischemic hearts; these changes were prevented by preconditioning. These results indicate that ischemic preconditioning may exert beneficial effects on ischemia-reperfusion-induced alterations in SR function by preventing changes in Ca2+-release channel and Ca2+-pump protein contents in the SR membrane.

Purified, reconstituted cardiac Ca2+-ATPase is regulated by phospholamban but not by direct phosphorylation with Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase

Regulation of calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum provides increased cardiac contractility in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation. This is due to phosphorylation of phospholamban by cAMP-dependent protein kinase or by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, which activates the calcium pump (Ca2+-ATPase). Recently, direct phosphorylation of Ca2+-ATPase by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase has been proposed to provide additional regulation. To investigate these effects in detail, we have purified Ca2+-ATPase from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum using affinity chromatography and reconstituted it with purified, recombinant phospholamban. The resulting proteoliposomes had high rates of calcium transport, which was tightly coupled to ATP hydrolysis (approximately 1.7 calcium ions transported per ATP molecule hydrolyzed). Co-reconstitution with phospholamban suppressed both calcium uptake and ATPase activities by approximately 50%, and this suppression was fully relieved by a phospholamban monoclonal antibody or by phosphorylation either with cAMP-dependent protein kinase or with calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. These effects were consistent with a change in the apparent calcium affinity of Ca2+-ATPase and not with a change in Vmax. Neither the purified, reconstituted cardiac Ca2+-ATPase nor the Ca2+-ATPase in longitudinal cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was a substrate for calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and accordingly, we found no effect of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation on Vmax for calcium transport.

The vmax of the Ca2+-ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SERCA2a) is not altered by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation or by interaction with phospholamban

Earlier studies (Hawkins, C., Xu, A., and Narayanan, N. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 31198-31206) have suggested that the Vmax of Ca2+ uptake is enhanced up to 2-fold through phosphorylation of Ser38 in the cardiac Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase). It is difficult, however, to determine whether stimulation is caused by phosphorylation of the Ca2+-ATPase or by phosphorylation of phospholamban in cardiac microsomes. We have expressed SERCA2a in HEK-293 cells in the presence or absence of phospholamban and measured the effects on Ca2+ uptake activity of phosphorylation of microsomal proteins by CaM kinase or protein kinase A (PKA). We found no effect on the Vmax of Ca2+ uptake following phosphorylation by CaM kinase or PKA in either the presence or absence of phospholamban. The K0.5 for Ca2+ dependence of Ca2+ transport, however, was shifted following phosphorylation by either CaM kinase or PKA in those microsomes containing both SERCA2a and phospholamban, but not in those expressing only SERCA2a. Thus, we cannot confirm earlier reports of stimulation of SERCA2a activity by CaM kinase II phosphorylation of Ser38. Our studies, however, emphasize the need for adequate controls for measurement of Vmax.

Regulation of phospholamban and troponin-I phosphorylation in the intact rat cardiomyocytes by adrenergic and cholinergic stimuli: roles of cyclic nucleotides, calcium, protein kinases and phosphatases and depolarization

Protein phosphorylation was investigated in [32P]-labeled cardiomyocytes isolated from adult rat heart ventricles. The beta-adrenergic stimulation (by isoproterenol, ISO) increased the phosphorylation of inhibitory subunit of troponin (TN-I), C-protein and phospholamban (PLN). Such stimulation was largely mediated by increased adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity, increased myoplasmic cyclic AMP and increased cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase (A-kinase)-catalyzed phosphorylation of these proteins in view of the following observations: (a) dibutyryl-and bromo-derivatives of cyclic AMP mimicked the stimulatory effect of ISO on protein phosphorylation while (b) Rp-cyclic AMP was found to attenuate ISO-dependent stimulation. Unexpectedly, 8-bromo cyclic GMP was found to markedly increase TN-I and PLN phosphorylation. Both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors were present and ISO binding to either receptor was found to stimulate myocyte AC. However, the stimulation of the beta 2-AR only marginally increased while the stimulation of beta 1-AR markedly increased PLN phosphorylation. Other stimuli that increase tissue cyclic AMP levels also increased PLN and TN-I phosphorylation and these included isobutylmethylxanthine (non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor), milrinone (inhibits cardiotonic inhibitable phosphodiesterase, sometimes called type III or IV) and forskolin (which directly stimulates adenylyl cyclase). Cholinergic agonists acting on cardiomyocyte M2-muscarinic receptors that are coupled to AC via pertussis toxin(PT)-sensitive G proteins inhibited AC and attenuated ISO-dependent increases in PLN and TN-I phosphorylation. The in vivo PT treatment, which ADP-ribosylated Gi-like protein(s) in the myocytes, markedly attenuated muscarinic inhibitory effect on PLN and TN-I phosphorylation on one hand and, increased the beta-adrenergic stimulation, on the other. Controlled exposure of isolated myocytes to N-ethyl maleimide, also led to the findings similar to those seen following the PT treatment. Exposure of myocytes to phorbol, 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) increased the protein phosphorylation, augmenting the stimulation by ISO, and such augmentation was antagonized by propranolol suggesting modulation of the beta-adrenoceptor coupled AC pathway by PMA. Okadaic acid (OA) exposure of myocytes also increased protein phosphorylation with the results supporting the roles for type 1 and 2A protein phosphatases in the dephosphorylation of PLN and TN-I. Interestingly OA treatment attenuated the muscarinic inhibitory effect which was restored by subsequent brief exposure of myocytes to PMA. While the stimulation of alpha adrenoceptors exerted little effect on the phosphorylation of PLN and TN-I, inactivation of alpha adrenoceptors by chloroethylclonidine (CEC), augmented beta-adrenergically stimulated phosphorylation. KCl-dependent depolarization of myocytes was observed to potentiate ISO-dependent increase in phosphorylation (incubation period 15 sec to 1 min) as well as to accelerate the time-dependent decline in this phosphorylation seen upon longer incubation. Verapamil decreased ISO-stimulated protein phosphorylation in the depolarized myocytes. Depolarization was found to have little effect on the muscarinic inhibitory action on phosphorylation. Prior treatment of myocytes with PMA, was found to augment ISO-stimulated protein phosphorylation in the depolarized myocytes. Such augmented increases were completely blocked by propranolol. Forskolin also stimulated PLN and TN-I phosphorylation. Prior exposure of myocytes to forskolin followed by incubation in the depolarized and polarized media showed that PLN was dephosphorylated more rapidly in the depolarized myocytes. The results support the view that both cyclic AMP and calcium signals cooperatively increase the rates of phosphorylation of TN-I and PLN in the depolarized cardiomyocytes during beta-adrenergic stimulation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Expression of phospholamban in C2C12 cells and regulation of endogenous SERCA1 activity

Phospholamban (PLB) is a regulator of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA2) expressed in cardiac, slow-twitch skeletal, and smooth muscles. Phospholamban is not expressed in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of fast-twitch skeletal muscle, but it can regulate the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity (SERCA1) expressed in this muscle, in vitro. To determine whether phospholamban can regulate SERCA1 activity in its native membrane environment, phospholamban was stably transfected into a cell line (C2C12) derived from murine fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts to myotubes was associated with induction of SERCA1 expression, assessed by Western blotting analysis using Ca(2+)-ATPase isoform specific antibodies. The expressed phospholamban protein was localized in the microsomal fraction isolated from C2C12 myotubes. To determine the effect of phospholamban expression on SERCA1 activity, microsomes were isolated from transfected and nontransfected C2C12 cell myotubes, and the initial rates of 45Ca(2+)-uptake were determined over a wide range of Ca2+ concentrations (0.1-10 microM). Expression of phospholamban was associated with inhibition of the initial rates of Ca(2+)-uptake at low [Ca2+] and this resulted in a decrease in the affinity of SERCA1 for Ca2+ (0.27 +/- 0.02 microM in nontransfected vs. 0.41 +/- 0.03 microM in PLB transfected C2C12 cells). These findings indicate that phospholamban expression in C2C12 cells is associated with inhibition of the endogenous SERCA1 activity and provide evidence that phospholamban is capable of regulating this Ca(2+)-ATPase isoform in its native membrane environment.

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)

Characterization of the molecular form of cardiac phospholamban

The native form of phospholamban is not known and it is presently under debate whether this protein exists as a monomer or an oligomer in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. The currently accepted model for phospholamban is pentameric, based primarily on its behavior in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In this study, sucrose density gradient centrifugation and gel filtration chromatography were used to determine the form of phospholamban under nondenaturing conditions. Purified phospholamban or phospholamban present in solubilized cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was centrifuged through 5-20% sucrose density gradients in the absence or presence of n-octylgucoside. The sucrose density gradient fractions were assayed for acid precipitable 32P-incorporation in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. 32P-containing peak fractions were subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblot analysis, using a phospholamban-polyclonal antibody, to confirm the presence of phosopholamban. Purified phospholamban migrated with an apparent molecular weight of 25,000 daltons in the sucrose gradients in either the absence or presence of detergent. Phospholamban present in solubilized cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum migrated with a similar apparent molecular weight when detergent was included in the sucrose gradients. In addition, solubilized cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was subjected to gel filtration chromatography in the presence of deoxycholate. Under these conditions phospholamban migrated with an apparent molecular weight of 24,500 daltons. These data suggest that phospholamban prefers an oligomeric assembly and this may be the form present in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes.

Physiologic and pharmacologic factors that affect myocardial relaxation

Evaluation of the myocardial relaxation has become important in the last years. An impaired relaxation may precede contractile dysfunctions and even cause heart failure. To treat this impaired lusitropism it is necessary to properly assess the lusitropic state of the heart and understand how drugs affect the cellular mechanisms underlying myocardial relaxation (sarcoplasmic reticulum function, Ca2+ fluxes through the sarcolemma and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity). Current information regarding these issues is provided in this review. The relative usefulness of the mechanical parameters used to evaluate the lusitropic state of the heart in experimental models applied in pharmacology will also be discussed.

Biomechanical model of the P-type ion pumps of the cell

The mechanisms of the Na/K pump and of the primary Ca pumps of the cell have not yet been clarified. A biomechanical model of these so-called p-type ion pumps is proposed here. It is based on the assumption that the Na+ and Ca2+ ions are occluded by a contracting protein chain cooperating with the ATPase section of the pump. After transfer of the chain into the region of high Na+ or Ca2+ concentrations, the ions are released through stretching of the chain by the ATPase. In the backward transfer of the chain, a retrograde transport of Na+ ions is prevented through occlusion of K+ ions by another region of the same chain. In the case of Ca2+ ions, a similar effect is expected from hydrated Mg2+ ions. The two sections of the chain discriminate between the electrical field strength at the surface and the polarizability of the ions. The most likely mechanism for the transfer of the ion-binding chain is considered to involve a thermally induced transition of a pump dimer between two almost equivalent stable orientations in the membrane.

Calcium transport and calcium activated ATPase activity in microsomal vesicles of rat gastric mucosa

1. Microsomal and plasma membrane vesicles, isolated from rat gastric mucosa, were found to exhibit Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activities of 14.1 +/- 1.4 and 7.8 +/- 1.1 mumol/mg/hr, respectively. The optimum conditions for the microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase was pH 6-7, and required Mg2+, while divalent cation such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Ba2+ and Cd2+ had no significant effect. 2. As in the case of Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase, the Ca2+ uptake activity of the microsomal membrane required Mg2+. Both processes were stimulated by submicro molar concentrations of Ca2+ and the apparent Km for Ca2+, Mg2+ ATPase and Ca2+ uptake activities were 0.06 microM and 0.02 microM, respectively. 3. Divalent cations Ba2+ and Fe2+, inhibited both microsomal activities, while Zn2+ and Cd2+ showed no effect on them. However, the monovalent cation K+ did not stimulate Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ uptake activities. 4. The Ca2+ pumping ATPase of rat gastric mucosal microsome cross-reacted with a monoclonal antibody (mAb-5F10) against the human erythrocyte Ca2+ pump. The apparent molecular weight of mucosal Ca2+ pump was 98 kDa. 5. Close relationship between the kinetic parameters of Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase and Ca2+ uptake activities, and the cross reaction of 98 kDa protein of mucosal microsome with erythrocyte Ca2+ pump antibody, strongly suggest the expression of Ca2+ pump in rat gastric mucosa.

Role of Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent phospholamban phosphorylation on the relaxant effect of beta-adrenergic agonists

The role of the Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent pathway of phospholamban phosphorylation on the relaxant effect of beta-adrenergic agonists was studied in isolated perfused rat heart. Administration of the calmodulin antagonist W7 or lowering [Ca]o from 1.35 mM (control) to 0.25 mM, were used as experimental tools to inhibit the Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent protein kinase activity. 3 x 10(-8) M isoproterenol increased cAMP levels from 0.613 +/- 0.109 pmol/mg wet weight to 1.581 +/- 0.123, phospholamban phosphorylation from 36 +/- 6 pmol 32P/mg protein to 277 +/- 26 and decreased time to half relaxation (t1/2) from 61 +/- 2 msec to 39 +/- 2. Simultaneous perfusion of isoproterenol with 10(-6) M W7, decreased phospholamban phosphorylation to 170 +/- 23 and prolongated t1/2 to 47 +/- 3 but did not affect the increase either in cAMP levels or myocardial contractility produced by isoproterenol. Similar effects on phospholamban phosphorylation and myocardial relaxation were obtained when isoproterenol was perfused in low [Ca]o. Low [Ca]o did not affect the increase in cAMP elicited by isoproterenol but offset the positive inotropic effect of the beta-agonist. The results suggest a physiological role of the Ca(2+)-calmodulin dependent phospholamban phosphorylation pathway as a mechanism that supports, in part, the beta-adrenergic cardiac relaxant effect.

Evidence for an effect of phospholamban on the regulatory role of ATP in calcium uptake by the calcium pump of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional relationship between phospholamban and the nucleotide site of the calcium pump protein of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. We used control and trypsin-treated cardiac microsomes in which cleavage of the inhibitory cytoplasmic domain of phospholamban is associated with an activation of the calcium pump similar to that produced by protein kinase A catalyzed phospholamban phosphorylation. Phenylglyoxal was shown to inactivate the calcium pump in a pseudo-first-order reaction by binding to a single Arg at the nucleotide binding site. No differences upon trypsin treatment of microsomes were observed in the kinetics of phenylglyoxal inactivation or the ability of millimolar ATP to protect against inactivation. In subsequent kinetic studies, Ca-uptake rates measured at saturating Ca2+ and 5 microM-1 mM MgATP2- were increased 15-32% by trypsin treatment in each of three different microsome preparations. Double-reciprocal plots of the data showed marked downward curvature indicating an acceleratory effect associated with ligand binding to a lower affinity site. At 0.32 microM Ca2+, Ca-uptake rates were lower than at 11 microM Ca2+ but were stimulated to a greater extent by trypsin treatment; control microsomes showed reduced evidence of apparent negative cooperativity. At 0-2 microM MgATP2- and saturating Ca2+, there was a 50% increase in Vmax(app) when the Hill coefficient (N) was 1. At 0-10 microM MgATP2-, second-site binding was evident. At both 0-10 microM and 5 microM-1 mM MgATP2-, trypsin-treated microsomes showed greater activation of Ca uptake attributable to second-site binding than did control microsomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mouse phospholamban gene expression during development in vivo and in vitro

To establish a murine model that may allow for definition of the precise role of phospholamban in myocardial contractility through selective perturbations in the phospholamban gene, we initiated studies on the role of phospholamban in the murine heart. Intact beating hearts were perfused in the absence or presence of isoproterenol, and quantitative measurements of cardiac performance were obtained. Isoproterenol stimulation was associated with increases in the affinity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump for Ca2+ that were due to phospholamban phosphorylation. To assess the regulation of phospholamban gene expression during murine development, Northern blot and polymerase chain reaction analyses were used. Phospholamban mRNA was first detected in murine embryos on the ninth day of development (the time when the cardiac tube begins to contract). In murine embryoid bodies, which have been shown to recapitulate several aspects of cardiogenesis, phospholamban mRNA was detected on the seventh day (the time when spontaneous contractions are first observed). Only those embryoid bodies that exhibited contractions expressed phospholamban transcripts, and these were accompanied by expression of the protein, as revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding phospholamban in embryoid bodies indicated complete homology to that in adult hearts. The deduced amino acid sequence of murine phospholamban was identical to rabbit cardiac phospholamban but different from dog cardiac and human cardiac phospholamban by one amino acid. These data suggest that phospholamban, the regulator of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, is present very early in murine cardiogenesis in utero and in vitro, and this may constitute an important determinant for proper development of myocardial contractility.

The phospholamban phosphatase associated with cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is a type 1 enzyme

Canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles contain intrinsic protein phosphatase activity, which can dephosphorylate phospholamban and regulate calcium transport. This phosphatase has been suggested to be a mixture of both type 1 and type 2 enzymes (E. G. Kranias and J. Di Salvo, 1986, J. Biol. Chem. 261, 10,029-10,032). In the present study the sarcoplasmic reticulum phosphatase activity was solubilized with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and purified by sequential chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel, polylysine-agarose, heparin-agarose, and DEAE-Sephadex. A single peak of phosphatase activity was eluted from each column and it was coincident for both phospholamban and phosphorylase a, used as substrates. The partially purified phosphatase could dephosphorylate the sites on phospholamban phosphorylated by either cAMP-dependent or calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase(s). Enzymatic activity was inhibited by inhibitor-2 and by okadaic acid (I50 = 10-20 nM), using either phosphorylase a or phospholamban as substrates. The sensitivity of the phosphatase to inhibitor-2 or okadaic acid was similar for the two sites on phospholamban, phosphorylated by the cAMP-dependent and the calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinases. Phospholamban phosphatase activity was enhanced (40%) by Mg2+ or Mn2+ (3 mM) while Ca2+ (0.1-10 microM) had no effect. These characteristics suggest that the phosphatase associated with cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is a type 1 enzyme, and this activity may participate in the regulation of Ca2+ transport through dephosphorylation of phospholamban in cardiac muscle.

Effects of monoclonal antibody against phospholamban on calcium pump ATPase of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

A monoclonal antibody against phospholamban has been reported to increase Ca2+ uptake by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. We compared the effect of this antibody on Ca2+ pump ATPase activity of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to the effect of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban. The antibody markedly stimulated the Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity in parallel to the increase in Ca2+ uptake by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. When the Ca(2+)-dependent profile of the ATPase activity was compared, the KCa was shifted from 1.24 to 0.62 microM by the antibody, whereas cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of phospholamban shifted the KCa to 0.84 microM. When cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were treated with both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the antibody, the stimulation was the same as that with the antibody alone. Thus, the Ca2+ pump ATPase seems to be fully activated by the antibody. The stoichiometry between Ca2+ uptake and ATPase rate was around 1 and no significant change was observed by the treatment with the antibody. Therefore, the stimulation of Ca2+ uptake of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum by the antibody occurred by the stimulation of Ca2+ pump ATPase, not by other mechanisms such as channel activity of phospholamban. These results indicate that the binding of the antibody to phospholamban produces essentially the same mode of action on Ca2+ pump ATPase as that of phospholamban phosphorylation. The antibody and phospholamban phosphorylation appear to release the inhibitory action of phospholamban on Ca2+ pump ATPase, resulting in the stimulation of Ca2+ pump.

Decrease in tetanic tension elicited by beta-adrenergic stimulation

The effect of beta-adrenergic stimulation on tetanic tension (TT), maximal rate of rise of tension (+TT) and phospholamban (PHL) phosphorylation were studied in the perfused rat heart. 3 x 10(-8) M isoproterenol perfused at different [Ca2+]o 0.25, 1.35 and 3.85 mM, significantly decreased TT while increased +TT and PHL phosphorylation at the three [Ca2+]o studied. Regression lines of the relationship between +TT and TT from individual data obtained at each [Ca2+]o in the presence and in the absence of isoproterenol, show that for the same level of +TT, TT is lower in the presence of isoproterenol, i.e. at high levels of PHL phosphorylation. The slopes of the lines were 0.137 s and 0.427 s (P less than 0.05) in the presence and absence of isoproterenol respectively. The decrease in TT produced by the beta-agonist can be attributed to its relaxant action prevailing over its inotropic effect and may represent the mechanical expression of the enhanced phosphorylation of phospholamban.

Ca2+ extrusion across plasma membrane and Ca2+ uptake by intracellular stores

The aim of this review is to summarize the various systems that remove Ca2+ from the cytoplasm. We will initially focus on the Ca2+ pump and the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger of the plasma membrane. We will review the functional regulation of these systems and the recent progress obtained with molecular-biology techniques, which pointed to the existence of different isoforms of the Ca2+ pump. The Ca2+ pumps of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum will be discussed next, by summarizing the discoveries obtained with molecular-biology techniques, and by reviewing the physiological regulation of these proteins. We will finally briefly review the mitochondrial Ca(2+)-uptake mechanism.

Effects of diabetes mellitus and aluminum toxicity on myocardial calcium transport

Diabetics have an increased risk of developing renal insufficiency, as well as congestive heart failure independent of coronary atherosclerotic or hypertensive heart disease. Aluminum toxicity is being recognized with increased frequency in patients with reduced renal function and aluminum accumulates to a greater degree in tissues of patients with diabetes. Studies in patients with end stage renal disease have implicated aluminum overload as a potential cause of reduced cardiac function. Since both diabetes and aluminum decrease the activity of (Ca + Mg)-ATPase, a key enzyme involved in myocardial calcium transport, the interaction of experimental diabetes mellitus and aluminum toxicity on myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium transport was investigated in rats. Aluminum alone had no effect on (Ca + Mg)-ATPase activity, while activities in both the diabetic ([DM]) and diabetic plus aluminum loaded ([DM + Al]) groups were significantly lower than controls ([C]). Oxalate-dependent calcium uptake in the [DM] rats was slightly, but not significantly lower than controls, however, uptake was markedly reduced in rats which were both diabetic and aluminum loaded. The calcium regulatory protein calmodulin was measured by a functional assay in the soluble fraction of myocardial tissue prepared from each of the four groups. Compared to [C], calmodulin activity was significantly reduced in both the [DM] and [DM + Al] groups but not affected by aluminum alone. These data indicate that diabetes mellitus is associated with decreased myocardial calmodulin activity that may contribute to reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca + Mg)-ATPase and calcium transport activities and that aluminium toxicity potentiates the adverse effects of diabetes on decreasing sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake.

Stabilization of rat cardiac sacroplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake activity and isolation of vesicles with improved calcium uptake activity

The Ca2+ uptake activity of rat cardiac sacroplasmic reticulum (CSR) in ventricular homogenates is highly unstable, and this instability probably accounts for the low specific activity of Ca2+ uptake in previously reported fractions of isolated rat CSR. The instability was observed at either 0 degrees or 37 degrees, but the Ca2+ uptake activity was relatively stable at 25 degrees. The decay of Ca2+ uptake activity at 0 degrees could not be prevented by either PMSF or leupeptin, but dithiothreitol exerted some protective effects. Sodium metabisulfite prevented decay of the Ca2+ uptake activity of homogenates kept on ice but not of homogenates kept at 37 degrees. We also found that release of the CSR from the cellular debris required homogenization in high KCl. This distinguishes rat CSR from canine CSR. Isolated CSR was produced by a combination of differential centrifugation and discontinuous sucrous gradient centrifugation. The average rate of the sustained oxalate-supported calcium uptake in the resulting CSR fraction was 0.36 mumol/min-mg in the absence of CSR calcium channel blockers and 0.67 mumol/min/mg in the presence of 10 microM ruthenium red. Thus, this preparation has the advantage of containing both the releasing and non-releasing fractions of the CSR. The Ca2(+)-ATPase rates averaged 1.07 mumol/min/mg and 0.88 mumol/min-mg in the absence and presence of ruthenium red, respectively. Although these rates are higher than previously reported rates, this CSR preparation should still be considered a 'crude' preparation. A major distinction between the rat CSR and dog CSR was the lower content of Ca2(+)-ATPase in rat CSR, as judged by SDS-PAGE. Preparations of CSR isolated by this method may be useful in evaluating alterations in CSR function.

Regulation of the skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump by phospholamban in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles

Phospholamban is the regulator of the Ca(2+)-ATPase in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The mechanism of regulation appears to involve inhibition by dephosphorylated phospholamban, and phosphorylation may relieve this inhibition. Fast-twitch skeletal muscle SR does not contain phospholamban, and it is not known whether the Ca(2+)-ATPase isoform from this muscle may be also subject to regulation by phospholamban in a similar manner as the cardiac isoform. To determine this we reconstituted the skeletal isoform of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase with phospholamban in phosphatidylcholine proteoliposomes. Inclusion of phospholamban was associated with significant inhibition of the initial rates of Ca2+ uptake at pCa 6.0, and phosphorylation of phospholamban by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase reversed the inhibitory effects on the Ca2+ pump. Similar effects of phospholamban were also observed using phosphatidylcholine:phosphatidylserine proteoliposomes, in which the Ca2+ pump was activated by the negatively charged phospholipids (24). Regulation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase appeared to involve binding with the hydrophilic portion of phospholamban, as evidenced by cross-linking experiments, using a synthetic peptide that corresponded to amino acids 1-25 of phospholamban. These findings suggest that the fast-twitch isoform of the SR Ca(2+)-ATPase may be also regulated by phospholamban, although this regulator is not expressed in fast-twitch skeletal muscles.

Polyphosphoinositide formation in isolated cardiac plasma membranes

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns4P) kinase activities in plasma membranes isolated from canine left ventricle were partially characterized, and their sensitivity to a number of intracellular variables was established. PtdIns and PtdIns4P kinase activities were estimated by the formation of [32P]PtdIns4P and [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ([32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2), respectively, when membranes were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP and 0.1% Triton X-100. Unlike [32P]PtdIns4P formation [32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2 formation required exogenous (PtdIns4P) substrate. [32P]PtdIns4P and [32P]PtdIns(4,5)P2 formation were insensitive to Ca2+ at concentrations ranging from 0.1-30 microM. The hydrolysis of [32P]PtdIns4P was less than 15% under standard assay conditions for measuring its formation, and was unaffected by any of the variables tested. The apparent Km of the PtdIns kinase for ATP was 53 +/- 13 (S.E.M.) microM (N = 3). ADP inhibited [32P]PtdIns4P formation competitively with respect to ATP, the Ki being 0.4 mM. The data indicate that ADP is a poor competitive inhibitor of PtdIns kinase at the concentrations which are believed to be present intracellularly normally or which may be attained during mild hypoxia provided ATP levels are maintained in the millimolar range. Hence, any response of the myocardium to alpha-adrenergic hormones during mild hypoxia would be largely unimpaired by effects of Ca2+ on PtdIns and PtdIns(4,5)P2, or of ADP on PtdIns kinase activity.

Secondary structure of detergent-solubilized phospholamban, a phosphorylatable, oligomeric protein of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

The structure of phospholamban, a 30-kDa oligomeric protein integral to cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, was probed using ultraviolet absorbance and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Purified phospholamban was examined in three detergents: octyl glucoside, n-dodecyloctaethylene glycol monoether (C12E8) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Ultraviolet absorption spectra of phospholamban reflected its aromatic amino acid content: absorption peaks at 275-277 nm and 253, 259, 265 and 268 nm were attributed to phospholamban's one tyrosine and two phenylalanines, respectively. Phospholamban phosphorylated at serine 16 by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase exhibited no absorbance changes when examined in C12E8 or SDS. Circular dichroism spectroscopy at 250-190 nm demonstrated that phospholamban possesses a very high content of alpha-helix in all three detergents and is unusually resistant to denaturation. Dissociation of phospholamban subunits by boiling in SDS increased the helical content, suggesting that the highly ordered structure is not dependent upon oligomeric interactions. The purified COOH-terminal tryptic fragment of phospholamban, containing residues 26-52 and comprising the hydrophobic, putative membrane-spanning domain, also exhibited a circular dichroism spectrum characteristic of alpha-helix. Circular dichroism spectra of phosphorylated and dephosphorylated phospholamban were very similar, indicating that phosphorylation does not alter phospholamban secondary structure significantly. The results are consistent with a two-domain model of phospholamban in which each domain contains a helix and phosphorylation may act to rotate one domain relative to the other.

The effects of calcium, temperature and phospholamban phosphorylation on the dynamics of the calcium-stimulated ATPase of canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Highly purified sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) has been prepared from dog hearts and has been incubated with the triplet probe erythrosinyl isothiocyanate to specifically label the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase (Ca2+-ATPase) of the SR. The rotational mobility of the Ca2+-ATPase has been studied in this erythrosin-labelled SR using time-resolved phosphorescence polarization. Qualitatively, the mobility of the cardiac Ca2+-ATPase resembles that of skeletal muscle SR Ca2+-ATPase. Addition of Ca2+ to SR affects the mobility of the Ca2+-ATPase in a way consistent with a segment of the ATPase altering its orientation relative to the plane of the membrane. Phosphorylation of phospholamban in cardiac SR by the purified catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, which is known to increase the activity of the Ca2+-ATPase by deinhibition, also alters measured anisotropy. The changes observed are not compatible with dissociation of the Ca2+-ATPase from phospholamban after the latter is phosphorylated. The data are more consistent with phospholamban associating with the Ca2+-ATPase following phosphorylation, or more complex models in which only the hydrophilic domain of phospholamban binds with and dissociates from the Ca2+-ATPase.

Structural characterization of phospholamban in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes by cross-linking

The native form of phospholamban in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes was investigated using photosensitive heterobifunctional cross-linkers, both cleavable and noncleavable, and common protein modifiers. The photosensitive heterobifunctional cleavable cross-linker ethyl 4-azidophenyl-1, 4-dithiobutyrimidate was used in native SR vesicles and it cross-linked phospholamban into an apparent phospholamban-phospholamban dimer and into an approximately 110,000-Da species. The phospholamban dimer migrated at approximately 12,000 Da on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, and upon cleavage of the cross-linker before electrophoresis the dimer disappeared. The approximately 110,000-Da cross-linked species was not affected by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate prior to electrophoresis. This cross-linked form of phospholamban migrated approximately 5500 Da above the Ca2(+)-ATPase, which was visualized using fluorescein 5'-isothiocynate, a fluorescent marker that binds specifically to the Ca2(+)-ATPase. p-Azidophenacyl bromide, iodoacetic acid, and N-ethylmaleimide, all of which react with sulfhydryl groups, were also employed to further characterize phospholamban in native sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. Cross-linking with p-azidophenacyl bromide resulted in only monomeric and dimeric forms of phospholamban as observed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Iodoacetic acid and N-ethylmalemide were found to be effective in disrupting the pentameric form of phospholamban only when reacted with sodium dodecyl sulfate solubilized sarcoplasmic reticulum. In view of these findings, the amino acid sequence of phospholamban was examined for possible protein-protein interaction sites. Analysis by hydropathic profiling and secondary structure prediction suggests that the region of amino acids 1-14 may form an amphipathic alpha helix and the hydrophobic surface on one of its sites could interact with the reciprocal hydrophobic surface of another protein, such as the Ca2(+)-ATPase.

Differences in calcium uptake in native canine cardiac microsomes are correlated with the ratio of unphosphorylated to phosphorylated phospholamban as determined by Western blot analysis

Phospholamban (PLM) is detectable by Western blot analysis of canine cardiac microsomes using rabbit antiserum against a peptide containing the 2 to 30 amino acid sequence of PLM. Phosphorylated PLM is distinguishable from the unphosphorylated form by virtue of a reduced electrophoretic mobility. Utilizing digital image analysis to determine relative band densities, it was found that the ratio of unphosphorylated to phosphorylated PLM is correlated with the rate of calcium uptake in 5 preparations of native microsomes (r = 0.94, p less than 0.01). The present analysis may be useful for determining the phosphorylation state of PLM in microsomes obtained from animals in physiological states characterized by impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump activity.

Postmortem changes in the level of calcium pumping adenosine triphosphatase in rat heart sarcoplasmic reticulum

The activity of calcium pumping adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) in cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a pivotal role in myocardiac contraction-relaxation. The Ca2+-ATPase activity is controlled by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of a sarcoplasmic reticulum protein "phospholamban" in response to neurotransmitters and drugs. To clarify the role of Ca2+-ATPase in the development of cardiac rigor mortis, we examined the changes of cardiac rigidity and cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity up to 5 h after the decapitation of rats. Fifteen minutes after decapitation, the rats showed a cardiac rigidity on left ventricles. After 30 min, rigidity was obvious over the whole heart. After 1 h, the rigidity reached a high degree which was maintained for the rest of the observation period. On the other hand, the Ca2+-ATPase activity controlled by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of phospholamban did not change for the whole observation period (5 h). Another Ca2+-ATPase activity representing the total amount of Ca2+-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum gradually decreased. The data suggest that no significant phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of phospholamban occurs for a short time, at least for 5 h, after death and that the Ca2+-ATPase tends to relax the myocardium against the development of cardiac rigor mortis.

cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation of membrane proteins in the parotid gland, platelets and liver. Comparison of a 22-kDa phosphoprotein from rat parotid microsomes (protein III) with phosphoproteins of similar molecular size from platelet and liver membranes

Stimulation of secretion in exocrine secretory glands leads to the phosphorylation of a 22-kDa membrane protein (protein III) whose function is still unknown [Jahn et al. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 112, 345-352; Jahn & Söling (1980) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 78, 6903-6906]. This report describes the comparison of this protein with phosphorylated membrane proteins of similar molecular mass in platelets and liver. Incubation of platelets with agents which raise the intracellular cAMP concentration results in the phosphorylation of a 22-kDa protein which is also phosphorylated in membrane preparations by endogenous kinases or by exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase. It is shown that this protein is distinct from protein III although both proteins have the same molecular mass and are substrates of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In contrast to platelets, protein III could be demonstrated in liver microsomes. This indicates that the function of protein III is not exclusively linked to the stimulus-secretion coupling in exocrine cells.

Inhibition of calcium release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum by calmodulin

The effect of calmodulin on calcium release from heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle was investigated with actively and passively calcium loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles and measured either spectrophotometrically with arsenazo III or by Millipore filtration technique. The transient calcium-, caffeine- and AMP-induced calcium release from actively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was reduced to 29%, 51% and 59% of the respective control value by 1 microM exogenous calmodulin. Stopped-flow measurements demonstrate that calmodulin reduces the apparent rate of caffeine-induced calcium release from actively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum. The rate of calcium uptake measured in the presence of ruthenium red, which blocks the calcium release channel, was not affected by calmodulin or calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with ATP[S]. The rate of the calcium-, caffeine- and AMP-induced calcium release from passively loaded sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was reduced 1.4-2.0-fold by 1 microM exogenous calmodulin, i.e. the half-time of release was maximally increased by a factor of two, whilst calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of a 57 kDa protein with ATP[S] had no effect. The data indicate that calmodulin itself regulates the calcium release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Phosphorylation of multiple sites in a 15,000 dalton proteolipid from rat skeletal muscle sarcolemma, catalyzed by adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases

This study reports a partial characterization of a 15,000 dalton (15 kDa) proteolipid present in rat skeletal muscle sarcolemma. The proteolipid is phosphorylated by both cyclic AMP-dependent and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases, displays an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.9, and can be extracted from sarcolemma by acidified chloroform/methanol (2:1) or non-ionic detergents. Phosphoamino acid analysis and tryptic fingerprinting of the phosphorylated proteolipid indicate that both cyclic AMP- and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases predominantly phosphorylate serine residue(s) on a single tryptic peptide. Additivity experiments and thermolytic fingerprinting demonstrate a minimum of two distinct phosphorylation sites on the proteolipid, the phosphorylation of which is independently catalyzed by cyclic AMP-dependent and calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases in vitro. This sarcolemma proteolipid, which appears to be identified to a sarcolemma protein previously reported to be phosphorylated upon addition of insulin in a GTP-dependent manner (Walaas, O., Walaas, E., Rye-Alertsen, A. and Horn, R.S. (1979) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 16, 45-55), therefore represents a possible membrane target for those neuronal and hormonal stimuli which can regulate cyclic AMP-dependent or calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activities in skeletal muscle.