Characterization of heart cytosolic proteins capable of modulating calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum. 2. Identification of actin isoforms with inhibitory activity

Abstract

Ca uptake by isolated SR membranes is inhibited by a cytosolic factor derived from heart cells. The inhibitory activity resides in the fraction of soluble proteins which precipitates in 30% saturated (NH4)2SO4 [Narayanan et al. (1982) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 108, 1158-1164]. In the present study, the mechanism of inhibition and the properties of the inhibitor have been analysed. The cytosolic inhibitor activates a Ca-release pathway, thereby uncoupling Ca loading and Ca-dependent ATPase activity of SR vesicles. Analysis of some general physiochemical characteristics of the endogenous inhibitor (e.g. thermolability, protein profile, solubility properties, interaction with ion-exchange resins) showed it to be distinct from free fatty acids which might contaminate the cytosolic fraction. Rather, it indicated that the inhibitor is related to myofibrillar or cytoskeletal structures. By means of an affinity-chromatography procedure using muscle albumin coupled to Sepharose 4B, a protein component was obtained from the inhibitor fraction. The characteristics of this protein closely resembled those of the endogenous inhibitor. A protein with similar characteristics was also obtained using a DNase-I-affinity chromatography column. The isolated protein was identified as actin. Inhibition of Ca uptake by the isolated inhibitor protein was reversed by muscle albumin and by stoichiometric amounts of DNase I. The potency of inhibition of various actin preparations was found to be highly variable and dependent on the tissue source. Our results indicate that particular minor actin isoforms present in heart cytosol display the greatest inhibitory activity (IC50 15-20 micrograms/ml).