Extravesicular Space Research Articles

Liposome Click Membrane Permeability Assay for Identifying Permeable Peptides.

To develop a novel, target agnostic liposome click membrane permeability assay (LCMPA) using liposome encapsulating copper free click reagent dibenzo cyclooctyne biotin (DBCO-Biotin) to conjugate azido modified peptides that may effectively translocate from extravesicular space into the liposome lumen. DBCO-Biotin liposomes were prepared with egg phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol by lipid film rehydration, freeze/thaw followed by extrusion. Size of DBCO-Biotin liposomes were characterized with dynamic light scattering. The permeable peptides representing energy independent mechanism of permeability showed higher biotinylation in LCMPA. Individual peptide permeability results from LCMPA correlated well with shifts in potency in cellular versus biochemical assays (i.e., cellular/ biochemical ratio) demonstrating quantitative correlation to intracellular barrier in intact cells. The study provides a novel membrane permeability assay that has potential to evaluate energy independent transport of diverse peptides.

Monte Carlo simulations of the distributions of intra- and extra-vesicular ions and membrane associated charges in hybrid liposomes composed of negatively charged tetraether and zwitterionic diester phospholipids

Here, we model a negatively charged lipid vesicle, composed of a mixture of bipolar tetraether and diester (or diether) phospholipid molecules, by a spherical shell that has zero ion permeability. We take into consideration all the charge-charge interactions between intra-vesicular ions, extra-vesicular ions, and membrane lipid associated charges. Monte Carlo simulations result in homogeneous and double-exponential ion distribution, respectively, in the intra- and extra-vesicular space. The extra-vesicular ion concentration close to the membrane surface is proportional to the total amount of the membrane charges (Nm) and is independent of the partitioning of the membrane charges between the outer (Nom) and inner membrane (Nim) surface. This result shows that one should not disregard the effect of the charges on the inner membrane surface when calculating the ion distributions around a charged vesicle. If the partitioning of the membrane charges is not restricted (i.e., lipid flip-flop is allowed), then at different Nm, the Nom/Nim ratio remains constant and the value of Nom/Nim, as a consequence of the interaction between every charges of the model, is close to, but significantly higher than, the ratio of the outer to the inner surface area of the membrane. These results indicate that the amount and the orientation of the negatively-charged tetraether lipids in the membrane are important determinants of membrane properties in tetraether/zwitterionic diester phospholipid liposomes. Finally we compared the results of our discrete charge model and continuous models based on the solutions of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and pointed out qualitative similarities and sometimes major quantitative differences between these two types of models.

Three-Dimensional Architecture of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Replication Sites and Trafficking of the Replicated RNA

Flavivirus replication is accompanied by the rearrangement of cellular membranes that may facilitate viral genome replication and protect viral components from host cell responses. The topological organization of viral replication sites and the fate of replicated viral RNA are not fully understood. We exploited electron microscopy to map the organization of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) replication compartments in infected cells and in cells transfected with a replicon. Under both conditions, 80-nm vesicles were seen within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that in infected cells also contained virions. By electron tomography, the vesicles appeared as invaginations of the ER membrane, displaying a pore that could enable release of newly synthesized viral RNA into the cytoplasm. To track the fate of TBEV RNA, we took advantage of our recently developed method of viral RNA fluorescent tagging for live-cell imaging combined with bleaching techniques. TBEV RNA was found outside virus-induced vesicles either associated to ER membranes or free to move within a defined area of juxtaposed ER cisternae. From our results, we propose a biologically relevant model of the possible topological organization of flavivirus replication compartments composed of replication vesicles and a confined extravesicular space where replicated viral RNA is retained. Hence, TBEV modifies the ER membrane architecture to provide a protected environment for viral replication and for the maintenance of newly replicated RNA available for subsequent steps of the virus life cycle.

Luminal accumulation of newly synthesized morphine-3-glucuronide in rat liver microsomal vesicles

Morphine is converted to morphine 3-β-D-glucuronide (M3G) by the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase Ugt2b1 in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of rat liver. Because of its luminal localization, UGT activity requires UDP-glucuronate import and glucuronide export across the ER membrane. The former transport is generally considered to be rate limiting and to explain the latency of UGT activities in intact microsomal vesicles. However, some observations indicate that the release of bulky glucuronides, such as M3G, might also be rate limiting for glucuronidation. This assumption was tested by characterizing the transport of M3G and its distribution between the intra- and extravesicular spaces during synthesis in rat liver microsomes. The amount of vesicle-associated M3G was measured using rapid filtration and LC-MS measurement. Our results reveal a remarkable accumulation of newly synthesized M3G in the microsomal lumen above the equilibrium. The transport showed a linear concentration-dependence in a wide range (5-200 μM). Therefore, the build-up of high (about 20 μM) luminal M3G concentration could adjust the rate of release to that of synthesis (44.85 ± 4.08 pmol/min/mg protein) during the conjugation of 100 μM morphine. These data can explain earlier findings indicative of separate intracellular pools of M3G in rat liver. Accumulation of bulky glucuronides in the ER lumen might also play an important role in their targeting and in the control of biliary excretion.

Candida Drug Resistance Protein 1, a Major Multidrug ATP Binding Cassette Transporter of Candida albicans, Translocates Fluorescent Phospholipids in a Reconstituted System

Candida albicans drug resistance protein 1 (Cdr1p), an ATP-dependent drug efflux pump, contributes to multidrug resistance in Candida-infected immunocompromised patients. Previous cell-based assays suggested that Cdr1p also acts as a phospholipid translocator. To investigate this, we reconstituted purified Cdr1p into sealed membrane vesicles. Comparison of the ATPase activities of sealed and permeabilized proteoliposomes indicated that Cdr1p was asymmetrically reconstituted such that approximately 70% of the molecules had their ATP binding sites accessible to the extravesicular space. Fluorescent glycerophospholipids were incorporated into the outer leaflet of the proteoliposomes, and their transport into the inner leaflet was tracked with a quenching assay using membrane-impermeant dithionite. We observed ATP-dependent transport of the fluorescent lipids into the inner leaflet of the vesicles. With approximately 6 molecules of Cdr1p per vesicle on average, the half-time to reach the maximal extent of transport was approximately 15 min. Transport was reduced in vesicles reconstituted with Cdr1p variants with impaired ATPase activity and could be competed out to different levels by a molar excess of drugs such as fluconazole and miconazole that are known to be effluxed by Cdr1p. Transport was not affected by ampicillin, a compound that is not effluxed by Cdr1p. Our results suggest a direct link between the ability of Cdr1p to translocate fluorescent phospholipids and efflux drugs. We note that only a few members of the ABC superfamily of Candida have a well-defined role as drug exporters; thus, lipid translocation mediated by Cdr1p could reflect its cellular function.

Exploiting Reaction Intermediates of the ATPase Reaction to Elucidate the Mechanism of Transport by P-glycoprotein (ABCB1)

The transport cycle of ABC transporters in general and P-glycoprotein in particular has been extensively studied, but the molecular mechanism remains controversial. We identify stable reaction intermediates in the progression of the P-glycoprotein-mediated ATPase reaction equivalent to the enzyme-substrate (E.S, P-glycoprotein.ATP) and enzyme-product (E.P, P-glycoprotein.ADP.P(i)) reaction intermediates. These have been characterized using the photoaffinity analog 8-azido-[alpha-32P]ATP as well as under equilibrium conditions using [alpha-32P]ATP, in which a cross-linking step is not involved. Similar results were obtained when 8-azido-[alpha-32P]ATP or [alpha-32P]ATP was used. The reaction intermediates were characterized based on their kinetic properties and the nature (triphosphate/diphosphate) of the trapped nucleotide. Using this defined framework and the Walker B E556Q/E1201Q mutant that traps nucleotide in the absence of vanadate or beryllium fluoride, the high to low affinity switch in the transport substrate binding site can be attributed to the formation of the E.S reaction intermediate of the ATPase reaction. Importantly, the posthydrolysis E.P state continues to have low affinity for substrate, suggesting that conformational changes that form the E.S complex are coupled to the conformational change at the transport substrate site to do mechanical work. Thus, the formation of E.S reaction intermediate during a single turnover of the catalytic cycle appears to provide the initial power stroke for movement of drug substrate from inner leaflet to outer leaflet of lipid bilayer. This novel approach applies transition state theory to elucidate the mechanism of P-glycoprotein and other ABC transporters and has wider applications in testing cause-effect hypotheses in coupled systems.

Characterization and pH dependence of L-glutamate transport in sarcolemmal vesicles from rat hearts

Transport of L-glutamate in purified sarcolemmal vesicles from rat heart was Na+ dependent and characterized by an apparent affinity value of 0.149 +/- 0.04 mM (n = 6). Na+ binding to the carrier was not very specific, since an inwardly directed K+ gradient could also increase vesicular uptake of L-glutamate. Uptake of L-glutamate into sarcolemmal vesicles was inhibited by L-aspartate and L-cysteinate. These characteristics of glutamate uptake are typical of transport via system XAG-. Acidification of either the intravesicular or the extravesicular space led to a significant increase in L-glutamate transport. This increase was more pronounced when the intravesicular space had been acidified. Thus intracellular acidosis of hypoxic or ischemic myocardium is directly linked to an increased uptake of glutamate.

Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Spontaneously Generated Vesicles

Unilamellar vesicles, formed spontaneously by mixing single-tailed anionic and cationic surfactants (dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (HDBS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), respectively), have been used as reactors for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. The micellar cationic surfactant solution containing ferrous chloride was mixed with the micellar anionic surfactant solution, resulting in the formation of defect-free unilamellar vesicles, with ferrous chloride within the cores as well as in the extravesicular spaces. The external ferrous ions were replaced with sodium ions by gel permeation chromatography. Sodium hydroxide was then added to the extravesicular region. Hydroxyl ions penetrated the vesicle cores and reacted with the available ferrous ions to initiate particle formation. The presence of intravesicular particles was confirmed by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. Absorbance measurement showed that the reaction proceeded over a period of several minutes. To form the magnetic nanoparticles, the suspension was heated to about 70°C for 1 min, and then cooled back to room temperature. The resulting particles had a mean diameter of approximately 2.6 nm and displayed superparamagnetic behavior. Wide-area electron diffraction showed the particles to be either γ-ferrite or magnetite. Magnetization measurements yielded a least upper bound for the magnetic diameter of these particles of 0.61 nm. These results are consistent with the presence of a magnetically disordered surface layer on the order of 1 nm thick.

Bidirectional modulation of GABA-gated chloride channels by divalent cations: inhibition by Ca2+ and enhancement by Mg2+.

The effects of the divalent cations Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Cd2+ were studied on gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) responses in rat cerebral cortical synaptoneurosomes. The divalent cations produced bidirectional modulation of muscimol-induced 36Cl- uptake consistent with their ability to permeate and block Ca2+ channels. The order of potency for inhibition of muscimol responses was Ca2+ > Sr2+ > Ba2+, similar to the order for permeation of Ca2+ channels in neurons. The order of potency for enhancement of muscimol responses was Cd2+ > Mn2+ > Mg2+, similar to the order for blockade of Ca2+ channels in neurons. Neither Ca2+ nor Mg2+ caused accumulation of GABA in the extravesicular space due to increased GABA release or decreased reuptake of GABA by the synaptoneurosomes. The inhibition of muscimol responses by Ca2+ was most likely via an intracellular site of action because additional inhibition could be obtained in the presence of the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187. This confirms electrophysiologic findings in cultured neurons from several species. In contrast, the effects of Cd2+, Mn2+, and Mg2+ may be mediated via blockade of Ca2+ channels or by intracellular sites, although the results of these studies do not distinguish between the two loci. The effects of Zn2+ were also studied, because this divalent cation is reported to have widely divergent effects on GABAA responses. In contrast to other studies, we demonstrate that Zn2+ inhibits GABAA responses in an adult neuronal preparation. Zn2+ produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (limited to 40%) of muscimol responses with an EC50 of 60 microM. The inhibition of muscimol-induced 36Cl- uptake by Zn2+ was noncompetitive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of cholate on H(+)-ATPase and other proteins of dog renal brush-border membrane.

A short treatment of dog renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) with sodium cholate, followed by dialysis of the detergent, reorients the polarity of H(+)-ATPase in the membrane and exposes its ATP binding sites to the extravesicular space, as previously shown with pig BBMV. In cholate-pretreated vesicles, the H(+)-ATPase remains fully active, but is inserted under the reversed polarity in sealed vesicles. A large spontaneous N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive ATPase activity is thus observed, as well as a steep intravesicular acidification upon external ATP addition, two findings absent in native vesicles. The ability of nitrate plus ATP to dissociate the hydrolytic subunits ot the proton pump in cholate-pretreated vesicles, but not in native vesicles, demonstrates that most of the ATP binding subunits are accessible to ATP following cholate treatment. The sensitivity of the cytoplasmic domain of the H(+)-ATP activity to trypsin also confirms the reorientation of the enzyme in cholate-pretreated vesicles. The H(+)-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase remain largely associated with the membranes after the treatment with cholate, but gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, aminopeptidase N, and neutral endopeptidase are largely solubilized. Upon dialysis of cholate, all these enzymes are in part reinserted in the membrane according to their original polarity. The reorientation process is however specific for the H(+)-ATPase. Cholate treatment does not increase the formation of inside-out vesicles. Thus the treatment with cholate really reorients the polarity of the H(+)-ATPase in vesicles and allows for study of the proton pumping capacity of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase of proximal tubules.

Effect of Ca2+ binding on the profile structure of the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane using time-resolved x-ray diffraction

A number of studies have indicated that Ca(2+)-ATPase, the integral membrane protein of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, undergoes some structural change upon Ca2+ binding to its high affinity binding sites (i.e., upon conversion of the E1 to the CaxE1 form of the enzyme). We have used x-ray diffraction to study the changes in the electron density profile of the SR membrane upon high-affinity Ca2+ binding to the enzyme in the absence of enzyme phosphorylation. The photolabile Ca2+ chelator DM-nitrophen was used to rapidly release Ca2+ into the extravesicular spaces throughout an oriented SR membrane multilayer and thereby synchronously in the vicinity of the high affinity binding sites of each enzyme molecule in the multilayer. A critical control was developed to exclude possible artifacts arising from heating and non-Ca2+ photolysis products in the membrane multilayer specimens upon photolysis of the DM-nitrophen. Upon photolysis, changes in the membrane electron density profile arising from high-affinity Ca2+ binding to the enzyme are found to be localized to three different regions within the profile. These changes can be attributed to the added electron density of the Ca2+ bound at three discrete sites centered at 5, approximately 30, and approximately 67 A in the membrane profile, but they also require decreased electron density within the cylindrically averaged profile structure of the Ca(2+)-ATPase immediately adjacent (< 15 A) to these sites. The locations of these three Ca2+ binding sites in the SR membrane profile span most of the membrane profile in the absence of enzyme phosphorylation,in agreement with the locations of lanthanide (Tb3+ and La3+) binding sites in the membrane profile determined independently by using resonance x-ray diffraction.

H +/glycyl-glycine cotransport in eel intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles: studies with the pH-sensitive dye Acridine orange

Monitoring the fluorescence quenching of the pH-sensitive dye Acridine orange, proton accumulation in the presence of an inside-negative transmembrane potential was measured in eel ( Anguilla anguilla) intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles. It was demonstrated that the proton accumulation was specifically increased by the presence of the dipeptide glycyl-glycine in the extravesicular space, showing saturation kinetics at increasing dipeptide concentrations and was specifically inhibited by diethylpyrocarbonate. Data reported suggest the presence of an electrical-potential-dependent H +/glycyl-glycine cotransport system in the eel intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles.

Association of AUUUA-binding Protein with A + U-rich mRNA during nucleo-cytoplasmic transport

Resealed nuclear envelope (NE) vesicles from rat liver containing entrapped exogenous RNA were used to study the effect of adenosine + uridine binding factor (AUBF), present in cytosolic cell extracts, on ATP-dependent transport of A + U-rich RNA (AU +RNA) and A + U-free RNA (AU −RNA) across the NE. This factor specifically binds to A + U-rich sequences present in the 3′ untranslated regions of lymphokine and cytokine mRNAs. containing overlapping AUUUA boxes (granulocyte—macrophage colony stimulating factor interleukin-3). Addition of AUBF to the extravesicular compartment markedly increased the efflux of the in vitro transcribed, capped and polyadenylated AU + RNAs. Export of entrapped AU − control RNA, such as β-globin RNA, was not affected by AUBF, in contrast to chimeric AU + β-globin RNA containing the A + U-rich sequence of human Interferon-α mRNA (6 reiterated AUUUA motifs). Competition experiments revealed that AUBF enhances the affinity of poly(A)-containing AU + RNAs to the NE poly(A)-binding component (poly(A)-recognizing mRNA carrier p106), and thereby accelerates nuclear export of these RNAs. We could demonstrate that AUBF added to the extravesicular space forms stable complexes with polyadenylated AU + RNA with relative molecular masses of about 45,000, 62,000 and 70,000 inside the vesicles or during ATP-dependent export. In addition we determined that AUBF may affect mRNA stability by protecting A + U-rich RNA against degradation by trans-acting, nuclear matrix-associated and A + U-specific endoribonuclease V.

Purification of a glucose-binding protein from rat liver nuclei. Evidence for a role in targeting of nuclear mRNP to nuclear pore complex.

A nuclear carbohydrate-binding protein with a molecular mass of 67 kDa (CBP67), which is specific for glucose residues, was purified to essential homogeneity from rat liver nuclear extracts. This protein could also be isolated from nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes by extraction in the presence of 0.6 M or 2 M NaCl, but it was absent in polysomal RNP complex. The binding of the purified protein, which has an isoelectric point of 7.3, to glucose-containing glycoconjugates depends on the presence of Ca2+ and Mg2+. Using closed nuclear envelope vesicles as a system to study nuclear transport of RNA, it was shown that both entrapped polysomal mRNA and nuclear RNA precursors are readily exported from the vesicles in an ATP-dependent manner. The transport was unidirectional and strongly promoted by the poly(A) segment attached to these RNAs. In contrast, nuclear RNP complexes entrapped into the vesicles together with glucose-conjugated bovine serum albumin or nucleoplasmin, or bird nest glycoprotein, were not exported into the extravesicular space. However, transport of nuclear RNP complexes could be achieved in the presence of glucose or after co-addition of a glucose-recognizing lectin from Pellina semitubulosa. In Western blots, radioiodinated CBP67 binds to an 80-kDa polypeptide both in isolated rat liver nuclear envelopes and pore-complex laminae. From these results we postulate that CBP67 may direct nuclear RNP complexes to the nuclear pore.

Calcium Movements Mediated by Proteolipid Protein and Nucleotides in Liposomes Prepared with the Endogenous Lipids from Brain White Matter

A lipid extract with a composition similar to that of myelin was used to prepare liposomes and proteoliposomes containing the Folch-Lees proteolipid apoprotein. Freeze-fracture replicas of the proteoliposomes were prepared to demonstrate the presence of intramembrane protein particles in the fracture faces of the lipid bilayer. Experiments with 45CaCl2 showed that a steady calcium movement occurs across liposomal membranes, approaching equilibrium between intra- and extravesicular spaces. The most significant finding was that Mg-ATP, ATP analogues, and other nucleotides depressed significantly the calcium fluxes in proteoliposomes, having no effect on liposomes that lacked the proteolipid protein. It is suggested that this intrinsic protein, interacting with nucleotides and endogenous lipids, could be involved in the regulation of calcium levels in myelin by means of a conformational change mechanism. These observations could lead to implications concerning the pathophysiology of myelin.

Evidence for involvement of a nuclear envelope‐associated RNA helicase activity in nucleocytoplasmic RNA transport

It seems well established that translocation of at least some mRNAs through the nuclear pore is (1) an energy-dependent process, and (2) dependent on the presence of the poly(A) segment attached to most mRNA species. We describe that RNA helicase (RNA duplex unwindase) activity is present in a nuclear envelope (NE) preparation, which also appears to be involved in nucleocytoplasmic RNA transport. This activity unwinds RNA: RNA hybrids. The helicase has a pH optimum of 7.5 and a temperature optimum of 30 degrees C. Applying the sealed NE vesicle system, it was shown that duplex RNA species are readily released from the vesicles in an unidirectional manner, in contrast to single-stranded RNA, which is much slower transported into the extravesicular space. Attachment of a poly(A) segment to the RNA duplex additionally increases the efflux rate of this RNA. Efflux of duplex RNA but not efflux of single-stranded RNA was strongly inhibited by formycin B 5'-triphosphate. Our results suggest that, besides poly(A), duplex structures, if present in a given RNA, modulate and control the export of RNA.

Sodium and potassium permeability of membrane vesicles in a sarcolemma-enriched preparation from canine ventricle.

Vesicles in a highly enriched sarcolemma preparation from canine ventricle were found to develop membrane potentials in response to outwardly directed potassium and inwardly directed sodium concentration gradients. The magnitude of the potential measured by the fluorescent dye diS-C3-(5) suggested a sodium-to-potassium permeability ratio between 0.2 and 1.0 which is one to two orders of magnitude greater than values obtained for the myocardial cell. Radiotracer techniques were employed to evaluate the permeability coefficients of the isolated cardiac sarcolemma membrane for sodium and potassium under equilibrium conditions (i.e., equal salt concentrations in the intravesicular and extravesicular spaces). The uptake of sodium and potassium was best described by two exponential processes which followed an increment of uptake that occurred prior to the earliest assay time (i.e., 17 sec). The compartment sizes were linear, nonsaturable functions of the cation activity. Evaluation of the rate coefficients of cation uptake by the two exponential processes versus cation activity revealed that sodium influx via the slow process and potassium influx via the fast process varied linearly with cation activity, suggesting that the permeability coefficients were concentration independent for these compartments. Conversely, sodium influx via the fast process exhibited a nonlinear increase with increasing sodium activity, and potassium influx via the slow process appeared to saturate with increasing potassium activity. In general, the permeabilities of the sarcolemma-enriched preparation for sodium and potassium were of equal magnitude. The permeability coefficients were lower than that for the potassium coefficient reported for cardiac cells but are in the range of that reported for sodium.

Spontaneous calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum. General description and effects of calcium.

A form of spontaneous calcium release from purified sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle is described. The conditions utilized for eliciting spontaneous release rely on preloading the vesicles with calcium in the presence of phosphate. Under the conditions of assay, spontaneous release begins only after a time delay following depletion of calcium ions from the extravesicular space. Release rates as high as 10-20 mumol/mg . min have been observed, but only a portion of the calcium accumulated is released. Released calcium is reaccumulated, and successive spontaneous releases of smaller amounts of calcium are observed under some conditions. Release occurs as a consequence primarily of an increase in unidirectional Ca2+ efflux and, secondarily, a decrease in unidirectional Ca2+ influx. Unidirectional efflux is enhanced by calcium preloading, enhanced by low (0.01-0.1 microM) and reduced by moderate (1-10 microM) extravesicular free calcium levels. Spontaneous Ca2+ release is favored by much lower free calcium concentrations than Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release. The inhibition of unidirectional efflux by calcium appears to involve active calcium uptake. Release is not mediated by a reversal of the calcium pump. The temperature dependence of the release process is steep, comparable with that of energized Ca2+ uptake. This may reflect a process involved in the gating of a hypothetical calcium channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Increased dopamine in the failing hamster heart: Transvesicular transport of dopamine limits the rate of norepinephrine synthesis

An earlier study demonstrated an increase in dopamine and a decrease in norepinephrine in the failing myopathic hamster heart. There was evidence to suggest that this abnormal distribution of catecholamines was secondary to a marked increase in cardiac sympathetic nerve traffic rather than a peculiarity of hamster cardiomyopathy. In this study the hamster model was used to dissect further the step limiting the conversion of dopamine into norepinephrine. In heart failure, cardiac norepinephrine was reduced from a mean value (± standard error of the mean) of 1,192 ± 176 to 441 ± 61 ng/g (probability [p] < 0.005) and cardiac dopamine was increased from 51 ± 5 to 458 ± 70 ng/g (p < 0.001). Cardiac decompensation also induced increases in both cardiac tyrosine hydroxylase (84 percent, p < 0.001) and cardiac dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (46 percent, p < 0.001) relative to values In the control hearts. In preparations of noradrenergic granules 44 percent of norepinephrine stores and 33 percent of dopamine stores were associated with the vesicular pellet of normal hearts. Congestive heart failure led to a significant decrease in norepinephrine, particularly in the intravesicular compartment, whereas dopamine exhibited an approximately 20-fold rise, reflected exclusively by the supernatant (extravesicular) fraction. Ganglionic blockade restored catecholamine content and distribution to normal. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase doubled the norepinephrine content of failing hearts (p < 0.01) in the absence of a change in dopamine. Catecholamine histofluorescence observations revealed a marked reduction in the number of nerves in apposition to the muscle of myopathic hearts In addition to a sprouting of new adrenergic fibers into connective tissue and in the lipofuscin pigment debris. It is concluded that an increase in sympathetic activity, at least in the myopathie hearts, can lead to a shift in the rate-limiting step for norepinephrine synthesis from the hydroxylation of tyrosine to the transport of dopamine across the membrane of the noradrenergic granule. Furthermore, it appears that one or more deaminated metabolites of dopamine in the extravesicular space contribute to this shift by inhibiting the dopamine uptake system.

The cytochrome c oxidase of Paracoccus denitrificans pumps protons in a reconstituted system.

The purified two-subunit cytochrome c oxidase of Paracoccus denitrificans was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles having a high internal buffering capacity and exhibiting a respiratory control index greater than 6.6. With these proteoliposomes, pH changes of the suspending medium were monitored in response to reductant pulses in the presence of valinomycin and potassium. When reduced cytochrome c was added to allow for a limited number of turnovers (2-12), a net acidification of the extravesicular space could be observed. This apparent proton ejection by the vesicles was abolished by inhibition of the oxidase with azide, by bypassing the oxidase with ferricyanide, or by preventing charge compensation by omitting valinomycin. Addition of uncoupler led to an alkalinization, rather than an acidification, of the extravesicular space in response to reduced cytochrome c. We thus conclude that cytochrome c oxidase of P. denitrificans is a proton pump. Under the conditions described here, an apparent stoichiometry of 0.6 proton ejected/electron was obtained by extrapolation to zero turnovers.