Phosphoenzyme Formation Research Articles

Highly exposed segment of the Spf1p P5A-ATPase near transmembrane M5 detected by limited proteolysis.

The yeast Spf1p protein is a primary transporter that belongs to group 5 of the large family of P-ATPases. Loss of Spf1p function produces ER stress with alterations of metal ion and sterol homeostasis and protein folding, glycosylation and membrane insertion. The amino acid sequence of Spf1p shows the characteristic P-ATPase domains A, N, and P and the transmembrane segments M1-M10. In addition, Spf1p exhibits unique structures at its N-terminus (N-T region), including two putative additional transmembrane domains, and a large insertion connecting the P domain with transmembrane segment M5 (D region). Here we used limited proteolysis to examine the structure of Spf1p. A short exposure of Spf1p to trypsin or proteinase K resulted in the cleavage at the N and C terminal regions of the protein and abrogated the formation of the catalytic phosphoenzyme and the ATPase activity. In contrast, limited proteolysis of Spf1p with chymotrypsin generated a large N-terminal fragment containing most of the M4-M5 cytosolic loop, and a minor fragment containing the C-terminal region. If lipids were present during chymotryptic proteolysis, phosphoenzyme formation and ATPase activity were preserved. ATP slowed Spf1p proteolysis without detectable changes of the generated fragments. The analysis of the proteolytic peptides by mass spectrometry and Edman degradation indicated that the preferential chymotryptic site was localized near the cytosolic end of M5. The susceptibility to proteolysis suggests an unexpected exposure of this region of Spf1p that may be an intrinsic feature of P5A-ATPases.

Dynamics of P-type ATPase transport revealed by single-molecule FRET.

Phosphorylation-type (P-type) ATPases are ubiquitous primary transporters that pump cations across cell membranes through the formation and breakdown of a phosphoenzyme intermediate. Structural investigations suggest that the transport mechanism is defined by conformational changes in the cytoplasmic domains of the protein that are allosterically coupled to transmembrane helices so as to expose ion binding sites to alternate sides of the membrane. Here, we have used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer to directly observe conformational changes associated with the functional transitions in the Listeria monocytogenes Ca2+-ATPase (LMCA1), an orthologue of eukaryotic Ca2+-ATPases. We identify key intermediates with no known crystal structures and show that Ca2+ efflux by LMCA1 is rate-limited by phosphoenzyme formation. The transport process involves reversible steps and an irreversible step that follows release of ADP and extracellular release of Ca2+.

Mechanisms of charge transfer in human copper ATPases ATP7A and ATP7B.

ATP7A and ATP7B are Cu+ -transporting ATPases of subclass IB and play a fundamental role in intracellular copper homeostasis. ATP7A/B transfer Cu+ ions across the membrane from delivery to acceptor proteins without establishing a free Cu+ gradient. Transfer of copper across the membrane is coupled to ATP hydrolysis. Current measurements on solid supported membranes (SSM) were performed to investigate the mechanism of copper-related charge transfer across ATP7A and ATP7B. SSM measurements demonstrated that electrogenic copper displacement occurs within ATP7A/B following addition of ATP and formation of the phosphorylated intermediate. Comparison of the time constants for cation displacement in ATP7A/B and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase is consistent with the slower phosphoenzyme formation in copper ATPases. Moreover, ATP-dependent copper transfer in ATP7A/B is not affected by varying the pH, suggesting that net proton counter-transport may not occur in copper ATPases. Platinum anticancer drugs activate ATP7A/B and are subjected to ATP-dependent vectorial displacement with a mechanism analogous to that of copper. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 69(4):218-225, 2017.

Inhibition of the Formation of the Spf1p Phosphoenzyme by Ca2+

P5-ATPases are important for processes associated with the endosomal-lysosomal system of eukaryotic cells. In humans, the loss of function of P5-ATPases causes neurodegeneration. In the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae, deletion of P5-ATPase Spf1p gives rise to endoplasmic reticulum stress. The reaction cycle of P5-ATPases is poorly characterized. Here, we showed that the formation of the Spf1p catalytic phosphoenzyme was fast in a reaction medium containing ATP, Mg(2+), and EGTA. Low concentrations of Ca(2+)in the phosphorylation medium decreased the rate of phosphorylation and the maximal level of phosphoenzyme. Neither Mn(2+)nor Mg(2+)had an inhibitory effect on the formation of the phosphoenzyme similar to that of Ca(2+) TheKmfor ATP in the phosphorylation reaction was ∼1 μmand did not significantly change in the presence of Ca(2+) Half-maximal phosphorylation was attained at 8 μmMg(2+), but higher concentrations partially protected from Ca(2+)inhibition. In conditions similar to those used for phosphorylation, Ca(2+)had a small effect accelerating dephosphorylation and minimally affected ATPase activity, suggesting that the formation of the phosphoenzyme was not the limiting step of the ATP hydrolytic cycle.

Role of nucleotides in stabilization of the phospholamban/cardiac Ca²⁺ pump inhibitory complex examined with use of metal fluorides.

Phospholamban (PLB) inhibits the activity of the cardiac calcium pump SERCA2a. We previously showed that PLB with engineered Cys residues only cross-linked with the Ca(2+) -free E2 intermediate of SERCA2a. Formation of E2•PLB prevents Ca(2+) binding at the high-affinity Ca(2+) binding sites, blocking the enzyme kinetic cycle. Here we further studied the synergistic action of PLB and ATP on E2 in terms of prevention of formation of the phosphorylated E2P-like states stabilized by metal fluorides. SERCA2a was co-expressed in insect cell microsomes with PLB mutants of normal or super-inhibitory strength, with cross-linkable mutations at either the cytosolic side (N30C) or the luminal side (V49C) of PLB. For normal-strength PLB mutants, in the absence of nucleotide, metal fluorides totally inhibited both SERCA2a enzyme activity and cross-linking of PLB to SERCA2a at both sites, suggesting that PLB dissociates from SERCA2a in the E2P-like states. However, under the same conditions, super-inhibitory PLB mutants prevented total enzyme inhibition by metal fluorides. Further, the cross-linking of super-inhibitory PLB to SERCA2a was only partially inhibited by metal fluorides, but was drastically restored upon sequential addition of ATP. These results revealed the equilibrium between E2•PLB, E2•ATP, or E2•ATP•PLB states and E2P-like states, suggesting that the synergistic binding of ATP and PLB to SERCA is very strong, sufficient to prevent formation of E2 phosphoenzymes, even when stabilized by metal fluorides.

Structures and characterization of digoxin- and bufalin-bound Na+,K+-ATPase compared with the ouabain-bound complex

Cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) are specific and potent inhibitors of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, with highest affinity to the phosphoenzyme (E2P) forms. CTSs are comprised of a steroid core, which can be glycosylated, and a varying number of substituents, including a five- or six-membered lactone. These functionalities have specific influence on the binding properties. We report crystal structures of the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase in the E2P form in complex with bufalin (a nonglycosylated CTS with a six-membered lactone) and digoxin (a trisaccharide-conjugated CTS with a five-membered lactone) and compare their characteristics and binding kinetics with the previously described E2P-ouabain complex to derive specific details and the general mechanism of CTS binding and inhibition. CTSs block the extracellular cation exchange pathway, and cation-binding sites I and II are differently occupied: A single Mg(2+) is bound in site II of the digoxin and ouabain complexes, whereas both sites are occupied by K(+) in the E2P-bufalin complex. In all complexes, αM4 adopts a wound form, characteristic for the E2P state and favorable for high-affinity CTS binding. We conclude that the occupants of the cation-binding site and the type of the lactone substituent determine the arrangement of αM4 and hypothesize that winding/unwinding of αM4 represents a trigger for high-affinity CTS binding. We find that the level of glycosylation affects the depth of CTS binding and that the steroid core substituents fine tune the configuration of transmembrane helices αM1-2.

Biochemical characterization of P-type copper ATPases.

Copper ATPases, in analogy with other members of the P-ATPase superfamily, contain a catalytic headpiece including an aspartate residue reacting with ATP to form a phosphoenzyme intermediate, and transmembrane helices containing cation-binding sites [TMBS (transmembrane metal-binding sites)] for catalytic activation and cation translocation. Following phosphoenzyme formation by utilization of ATP, bound copper undergoes displacement from the TMBS to the lumenal membrane surface, with no H+ exchange. Although PII-type ATPases sustain active transport of alkali/alkali-earth ions (i.e. Na+, Ca2+) against electrochemical gradients across defined membranes, PIB-type ATPases transfer transition metal ions (i.e. Cu+) from delivery to acceptor proteins and, prominently in mammalian cells, undergo trafficking from/to various membrane compartments. A specific component of copper ATPases is the NMBD (N-terminal metal-binding domain), containing up to six copper-binding sites in mammalian (ATP7A and ATP7B) enzymes. Copper occupancy of NMBD sites and interaction with the ATPase headpiece are required for catalytic activation. Furthermore, in the presence of copper, the NMBD allows interaction with protein kinase D, yielding phosphorylation of serine residues, ATP7B trafficking and protection from proteasome degradation. A specific feature of ATP7A is glycosylation and stabilization on plasma membranes. Cisplatin, a platinum-containing anti-cancer drug, binds to copper sites of ATP7A and ATP7B, and undergoes vectorial displacement in analogy with copper.

Amide-type local anesthetics action on the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase from fast-twitch skeletal muscle.

Myotoxic effects related to intracellular Ca(2+) disturbances have been reported for local anesthetics. Such effects might derive from Ca-ATPase dysfunction. The aim of this work was to describe the effect of lidocaine and bupivacaine on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca-ATPase from fast-twitch skeletal muscle and to identify the affected steps of the enzyme's cycle. SR sealed vesicles were isolated from rabbit fast-twitch muscles by ultracentrifugation. The effect of the anesthetics on Ca-ATPase activity was assessed with a colorimetric method and Ca(2+) binding, uptake, phosphorylation of the enzyme by ATP, Ca(2+) dissociation kinetics and phosphoenzyme formation and decomposition levels were tested with radioisotopic methods. Lidocaine and bupivacaine inhibited Ca-ATPase activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (Ki) of 25.3 and 31.4mM, respectively, and the steady-state Ca(2+) transport ability with Ki values of 33.6 and 46.5mM, decreasing the maximal transport rate without modification of the Ca(2+) or ATP affinity for the enzyme. This is consistent with an absence of competition for the transport and catalytic sites. The anesthetics did not inhibit Ca(2+) binding but inhibited the phosphorylation partial reactions. Ca(2+) dissociation kinetics was not affected, but the phosphoenzyme levels were decreased, and the decomposition rate of the phosphoenzyme became faster in the presence of the anesthetics. It is concluded that lidocaine and bupivacaine at concentrations available in pharmaceutical formulations for clinical medical and dental uses inhibit the SR Ca-ATPase through inhibition of key phosphorylation steps of the enzymatic cycle.

Nucleotide Activation of the Ca-ATPase

We have used fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and limited proteolysis to examine structural dynamics of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA). The Ca-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from fast twitch muscle (SERCA1a isoform) was selectively labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), a probe that specifically reacts with Lys-515 in the nucleotide-binding site. Conformation-specific proteolysis demonstrated that FITC labeling does not induce closure of the cytoplasmic headpiece, thereby assigning FITC-SERCA as a nucleotide-free enzyme. We used enzyme reverse mode to synthesize FITC monophosphate (FMP) on SERCA, producing a phosphorylated pseudosubstrate tethered to the nucleotide-binding site of a Ca(2+)-free enzyme (E2 state to prevent FMP hydrolysis). Conformation-specific proteolysis demonstrated that FMP formation induces SERCA headpiece closure similar to ATP binding, presumably due to the high energy phosphoryl group on the fluorescent probe (ATP·E2 analog). Subnanosecond-resolved detection of fluorescence lifetime, anisotropy, and quenching was used to characterize FMP-SERCA (ATP·E2 state) versus FITC-SERCA in Ca(2+)-free, Ca(2+)-bound, and actively cycling phosphoenzyme states (E2, E1, and EP). Time-resolved spectroscopy revealed that FMP-SERCA exhibits increased probe dynamics but decreased probe accessibility compared with FITC-SERCA, indicating that ATP exhibits enhanced dynamics within a closed cytoplasmic headpiece. Molecular modeling was used to calculate the solvent-accessible surface area of FITC and FMP bound to SERCA crystal structures, revealing a positive correlation of solvent-accessible surface area with quenching but not anisotropy. Thus, headpiece closure is coupled to substrate binding but not active site dynamics. We propose that dynamics in the nucleotide-binding site of SERCA is important for Ca(2+) binding (distal allostery) and phosphoenzyme formation (direct activation).

Shadows of an Absent Partner: ATP HYDROLYSIS AND PHOSPHOENZYME TURNOVER OF THE Spf1 (SENSITIVITY TO PICHIA FARINOSA KILLER TOXIN) P5-ATPase

The P5-ATPases are important components of eukaryotic cells. They have been shown to influence protein biogenesis, folding, and transport. The knowledge of their biochemical properties is, however, limited, and the transported ions are still unknown. We expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae the yeast Spf1 P5A-ATPase containing the GFP fused at the N-terminal end. The GFP-Spf1 protein was localized in the yeast endoplasmic reticulum. Purified preparations of GFP-Spf1 hydrolyzed ATP at a rate of ~0.3-1 μmol of P(i)/mg/min and formed a phosphoenzyme in a simple reaction medium containing no added metal ions except Mg(2+). No significant differences were found between the ATPase activity of GFP-Spf1 and recombinant Spf1. Omission of protease inhibitors from the purification buffers resulted in a high level of endogenous proteolysis at the C-terminal portion of the GFP-Spf1 molecule that abolished phosphoenzyme formation. The Mg(2+) dependence of the GFP-Spf1 ATPase was similar to that of other P-ATPases where Mg(2+) acts as a cofactor. The addition of Mn(2+) to the reaction medium decreased the ATPase activity. The enzyme manifested optimal activity at a near neutral pH. When chased by the addition of cold ATP, 90% of the phosphoenzyme remained stable after 5 s. In contrast, the phosphoenzyme rapidly decayed to less than 20% when chased for 3 s by the addition of ADP. The greater effect of ADP accelerating the disappearance of EP suggests that GFP-Spf1 accumulated the E1~P phosphoenzyme. This behavior may reflect a limiting countertransported substrate needed to promote turnover or a missing regulatory factor.

Ca2+ Induces Spontaneous Dephosphorylation of a Novel P5A-type ATPase

P5 ATPases constitute the least studied group of P-type ATPases, an essential family of ion pumps in all kingdoms of life. Although P5 ATPases are present in every eukaryotic genome analyzed so far, they have remained orphan pumps, and their biochemical function is obscure. We show that a P5A ATPase from barley, HvP5A1, locates to the endoplasmic reticulum and is able to rescue knock-out mutants of P5A genes in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. HvP5A1 spontaneously forms a phosphorylated reaction cycle intermediate at the catalytic residue Asp-488, whereas, among all plant nutrients tested, only Ca(2+) triggers dephosphorylation. Remarkably, Ca(2+)-induced dephosphorylation occurs at high apparent [Ca(2+)] (K(i) = 0.25 mM) and is independent of the phosphatase motif of the pump and the putative binding site for transported ligands located in M4. Taken together, our results rule out that Ca(2+) is a transported substrate but indicate the presence of a cytosolic low affinity Ca(2+)-binding site, which is conserved among P-type pumps and could be involved in pump regulation. Our work constitutes the first characterization of a P5 ATPase phosphoenzyme and points to Ca(2+) as a modifier of its function.

The Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA1) Is Inhibited by 4-Aminoquinoline Derivatives through Interference with Catalytic Activation by Ca2+, Whereas the ATPase E2 State Remains Functional

Several clotrimazole (CLT) and 4-aminoquinoline derivatives were synthesized and found to exhibit in vitro antiplasmodial activity with IC(50) ranging from nm to μm values. We report here that some of these compounds produce inhibition of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA1) with IC(50) values in the μm range. The highest affinity for the Ca(2+)-ATPase was observed with NF1442 (N-((3-chlorophenyl)(4-((4-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenyl)methyl)-7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline) and NF1058 (N-((3-chlorophenyl)(4-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)phenyl)methyl)-7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline),yielding IC(50) values of 1.3 and 8.0 μm as demonstrated by measurements of steady state ATPase activity as well as single cycle charge transfer. Characterization of sequential reactions comprising the ATPase catalytic and transport cycle then demonstrated that NF1058, and similarly CLT, interferes with the mechanism of Ca(2+) binding and Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme activation (E(2) to E(1)·Ca(2) transition) required for formation of phosphorylated intermediate by ATP utilization. On the other hand, Ca(2+) independent phosphoenzyme formation by utilization of P(i) (i.e. reverse of the hydrolytic reaction in the absence of Ca(2+)) was not inhibited by NF1058 or CLT. Comparative experiments showed that the high affinity inhibitor thapsigargin interferes not only with Ca(2+) binding and phosphoenzyme formation with ATP but also with phosphoenzyme formation by utilization of P(i) even though this reaction does not require Ca(2+). It is concluded that NF1058 and CLT inhibit SERCA by stabilization of an E(2) state that, as opposed to that obtained with thapsigargin, retains the functional ability to form E(2)-P by reacting with P(i).

The Sodium Pump is Confined in a Phosphoenzyme Form by Lead(II) Ions

Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the effect of Pb2+ ions on the Na+,K+-ATPase. Experiments were performed by using the electrochromic styryl dye RH421 (1, 2) to characterize in detail the effect of Pb2+ ions on the Na-pump and to pinpoint the reaction step(s) of the enzymatic cycle at which the heavy-metal ions provoke their action. We recently found that Pb2+ ions completely inhibit enzyme activity at concentrations above 10 µM (KI = 0.5 µM (3)). It is now shown that Pb2+ ions can bind reversibly to the protein and do not affect the Na+ and K+ binding affinities in the E1 and P-E2 conformations of the enzyme. This indicate that Pb2+ binding to the protein does not block the access pathway to ion binding sites. We also found that lead(II) favors binding of one H+ to the P-E2 conformation in the absence of K+. A model scheme is proposed that accounts for the experimental results obtained for backdoor phosphorylation of the enzyme in the presence of Pb2+ ions. In conclusion, we demonstrate that Pb2+ bound to the enzyme stabilizes an E2-type conformation. In particular, under conditions that promote enzyme phosphorylation, Pb2+ ions are able to confine the Na+,K+-ATPase into a phosphorylated E2 state (4). Acknowledgments The authors thank prof. H.-J. Apell for providing them with membrane fragments containing the Na+,K+-ATPase. The MIUR (Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca) and the Ente Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze, are gratefully acknowledged for financial support. 1. Grinvald, A., et al., Biophys. J. 39(1982), 301-308. 2. Bühler, R., et al., J. Membr. Biol. 121(1991), 141-161. 3. Gramigni, E., et al., Chem. Res. Toxicol. 22(2009), 1699-1704. 4. Bartolommei, G., et al., Biophys. J. doi:10.1016/j.bpj.2010.07.050(2010), in press.

Inhibition by 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) of Ca 2+ transport by SERCA1a: Low concentrations of HNE open protein-mediated leaks in the membrane

Exposure of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) resulted in inhibition of the maximal ATPase activity and Ca 2+ transport ability of SERCA1a, the Ca 2+ pump in these membranes. The concomitant presence of ATP significantly protected SERCA1a ATPase activity from inhibition. ATP binding and phosphoenzyme formation from ATP were reduced after treatment with HNE, whereas Ca 2+ binding to the high-affinity sites was altered to a lower extent. HNE reacted with SH groups, some of which were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and competition studies with FITC indicated that HNE also reacted with Lys 515 within the nucleotide binding pocket of SERCA1a. A remarkable fact was that both the steady-state ability of SR vesicles to sequester Ca 2+ and the ATPase activity of SR membranes in the absence of added ionophore or detergent were sensitive to concentrations of HNE much smaller than those that affected the maximal ATPase activity of SERCA1a. This was due to an increase in the passive permeability of HNE-treated SR vesicles to Ca 2+, an increase in permeability that did not arise from alteration of the lipid component of these vesicles. Judging from immunodetection with an anti-HNE antibody, this HNE-dependent increase in permeability probably arose from modification of proteins of about 150–160 kDa, present in very low abundance in longitudinal SR membranes (and in slightly larger abundance in SR terminal cisternae). HNE-induced promotion, via these proteins, of Ca 2+ leakage pathways might be involved in the general toxic effects of HNE.

Confining the Sodium Pump in a Phosphoenzyme Form: The Effect of Lead(II) Ions

The effect of Pb 2+ ions on the Na +,K +-ATPase was investigated in detail by means of steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Experiments were performed by using the electrochromic styryl dye RH421. It is shown that Pb 2+ ions can bind reversibly to the protein and do not affect the Na + and K + binding affinities in the E 1 and P-E 2 conformations of the enzyme. The pH titrations indicate that lead(II) favors binding of one H + to the P-E 2 conformation in the absence of K +. A model scheme is proposed that accounts for the experimental results obtained for backdoor phosphorylation of the enzyme in the presence of Pb 2+ ions. Taken together, our results clearly indicate that Pb 2+ bound to the enzyme stabilizes an E 2-type conformation. In particular, under conditions that promote enzyme phosphorylation, Pb 2+ ions are able to confine the Na +,K +-ATPase into a phosphorylated E 2 state.

Concerted but Noncooperative Activation of Nucleotide and Actuator Domains of the Ca-ATPase upon Calcium Binding

Calcium-dependent domain movements of the actuator (A) and nucleotide (N) domains of the SERCA2a isoform of the Ca-ATPase were assessed using constructs containing engineered tetracysteine binding motifs, which were expressed in insect High-Five cells and subsequently labeled with the biarsenical fluorophore 4',5'-bis(1,3,2-dithioarsolan-2-yl)fluorescein (FlAsH-EDT(2)). Maximum catalytic function is retained in microsomes isolated from High-Five cells and labeled with FlAsH-EDT(2). Distance measurements using the nucleotide analog 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), which acts as a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) acceptor from FlAsH, identify a 2.4 A increase in the spatial separation between the N- and A-domains induced by high-affinity calcium binding; this structural change is comparable to that observed in crystal structures. No significant distance changes occur across the N-domain between FlAsH and TNP-ATP, indicating that calcium activation induces rigid body domain movements rather than intradomain conformational changes. Calcium-dependent decreases in the fluorescence of FlAsH bound, respectively, to either the N- or A-domains indicate coordinated and noncooperative domain movements, where both A- and N-domains display virtually identical calcium dependencies (i.e., K(d) = 4.8 +/- 0.4 microM). We suggest that occupancy of a single high-affinity calcium binding site induces the rearrangement of the A- and N-domains of the Ca-ATPase to form an intermediate state, which facilitates phosphoenzyme formation from ATP upon occupancy of the second high-affinity calcium site.

The crustacean gill (Na +, K +)-ATPase: Allosteric modulation of high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites by sodium and potassium

The blue crab, Callinectes danae, tolerates exposure to a wide salinity range employing mechanisms of compensatory ion uptake when in dilute media. Although the gill (Na +, K +)-ATPase is vital to hyperosmoregulatory ability, the interactions occurring at the sites of ATP binding on the molecule itself are unknown. Here, we investigate the modulation by Na + and K + of homotropic interactions between the ATP-binding sites, and of phosphoenzyme formation of the (Na +, K +)-ATPase from the posterior gills of this euryhaline crab. The contribution of the high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites to maximum velocity was similar for both Na + and K +. However, in contrast to Na +, a threshold K + concentration triggers the appearance of the high-affinity binding sites, displacing the saturation curve to lower ATP concentrations. Further, a low-affinity site for phosphorylation is present on the enzyme. These findings reveal notable differences in the catalytic mechanism of the crustacean (Na +, K +)-ATPase compared to the vertebrate enzyme.

Intermediate Phosphorylation Reactions in the Mechanism of ATP Utilization by the Copper ATPase (CopA) of Thermotoga maritima

Recombinant and purified Thermotoga maritima CopA sustains ATPase velocity of 1.78–2.73 μmol/mg/min in the presence of Cu+ (pH 6, 60 °C) and 0.03–0.08 μmol/mg/min in the absence of Cu+. High levels of enzyme phosphorylation are obtained by utilization of [γ-32P]ATP in the absence of Cu+. This phosphoenzyme decays at a much slower rate than observed with Cu·E1 ∼ P. In fact, the phosphoenzyme is reduced to much lower steady state levels upon addition of Cu+, due to rapid hydrolytic cleavage. Negligible ATPase turnover is sustained by CopA following deletion of its N-metal binding domain (ΔNMBD) or mutation of NMBD cysteines (CXXC). Nevertheless, high levels of phosphoenzyme are obtained by utilization of [γ-32P]ATP by the ΔNMBD and CXXC mutants, with no effect of Cu+ either on its formation or hydrolytic cleavage. Phosphoenzyme formation (E2P) can also be obtained by utilization of Pi, and this reaction is inhibited by Cu+ (E2 to E1 transition) even in the ΔNMBD mutant, evidently due to Cu+ binding at a (transport) site other than the NMBD. E2P undergoes hydrolytic cleavage faster in ΔNMBD and slower in CXXC mutant. We propose that Cu+ binding to the NMBD is required to produce an “active” conformation of CopA, whereby additional Cu+ bound to an alternate (transmembrane transport) site initiates faster cycles including formation of Cu·E1 ∼ P, followed by the E1 ∼ P to E2-P conformational transition and hydrolytic cleavage of phosphate. An H479Q mutation (analogous to one found in Wilson disease) renders CopA unable to utilize ATP, whereas phosphorylation by Pi is retained.

Critical Role of Val-304 in Conformational Transitions That Allow Ca2+ Occlusion and Phosphoenzyme Turnover in the Ca2+ Transport ATPase

Site-directed mutations were produced in the distal segments of the Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) transmembrane region. Mutations of Arg-290 (M3-M4 loop), Lys-958, and Thr-960 (M9 - M10 loop) had minor effects on ATPase activity and Ca(2+) transport. On the other hand, Val-304 (M4) mutations to Ile, Thr, Lys, Ala, or Glu inhibited transport by 90-95% while reducing ATP hydrolysis by 83% (Ile, Thr, and Lys), 56% (Ala), or 45% (Glu). Val-304 participates in Ca(2+) coordination with its main-chain carbonyl oxygen, and this function is not expected to be altered by mutations of its side chain. In fact, despite turnover inhibition, the Ca(2+) concentration dependence of residual ATPase activity remained unchanged in Val-304 mutants. However, the rates (but not the final levels) of phosphoenzyme formation, as well the rates of its hydrolytic cleavage, were reduced in proportion to the ATPase activity. Furthermore, with the Val-304 --> Glu mutant, which retained the highest residual ATPase activity, it was possible to show that occlusion of bound Ca(2+) was also impaired, thereby explaining the stronger inhibition of Ca(2+) transport relative to ATPase activity. The effects of Val-304 mutations on phosphoenzyme turnover are attributed to interference with mechanical links that couple movements of transmembrane segments and headpiece domains. The effects of thermal activation energy on reaction rates are thereby reduced. Furthermore, inadequate occlusion of bound Ca(2+) following utilization of ATP in Val-304 side-chain mutations is attributed to inadequate stabilization of the Glu-309 side chain and consequent defect of its gating function.

Conformational Fluctuations of the Ca2+-ATPase in the Native Membrane Environment: EFFECTS OF pH, TEMPERATURE, CATALYTIC SUBSTRATES, AND THAPSIGARGIN

Digestion with proteinase K or trypsin yields complementary information on conformational transitions of the Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) in the native membrane environment. Distinct digestion patterns are obtained with proteinase K, revealing interconversion of E1 and E2 or E1 approximately P and E2-P states. The pH dependence of digestion patterns shows that, in the presence of Mg(2+), conversion of E2 to E1 pattern occurs (even when Ca(2+) is absent) as H(+) dissociates from acidic residues. Mutational analysis demonstrates that the Glu(309) and Glu(771) acidic residues (empty Ca(2+)-binding sites I and II) are required for stabilization of E2. Glu(309) ionization is most important to yield E1. However, a further transition produced by Ca(2+) binding to E1 (i.e. E1.2Ca(2+)) is still needed for catalytic activation. Following ATP utilization, H(+)/Ca(2+) exchange is involved in the transition from the E1 approximately P.2Ca(2+) to the E2-P pattern, whereby alkaline pH will limit this conformational transition. Complementary experiments on digestion with trypsin exhibit high temperature dependence, indicating that, in the E1 and E2 ground states, the ATPase conformation undergoes strong fluctuations related to internal protein dynamics. The fluctuations are tightly constrained by ATP binding and phosphoenzyme formation, and this constraint must be overcome by thermal activation and substrate-free energy to allow enzyme turnover. In fact, a substantial portion of ATP free energy is utilized for conformational work related to the E1 approximately P.2Ca(2+) to E2-P transition, thereby disrupting high affinity binding and allowing luminal diffusion of Ca(2+). The E2 state and luminal path closure follow removal of conformational constraint by phosphate.