Membrane Vesicles Of Rat Liver Research Articles

Mode of action of the anticancer quassinoids — Inhibition of the plasma membrane NADH oxidase

A plasma membrane-associated NADH oxidase of transformed cells was shown to be inhibited by nanomolar and subnanomolar concentrations of the antitumor quassinoid, glaucarubolone. The inhibition was seen with plasma membrane vesicles of HeLa cells at two log orders less glaucarubolone than with plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver. Assignment of a drug-binding site to the external surface of the HeLa cell plasma membrane was supported by findings where full activity of the glaucarubolone in the inhibition of NADH oxidase activity of isolated plasma membrane vesicles and of growth of HeLa cells was given on a molar glaucarubolone basis by an impermeant conjugate of glaucarubolone in which the glaucarubolone moiety was linked via the C-15 hydroxyl to amino polyethyleneglycol (ave Mr 5,000). The activity of the conjugate, and to a lesser extent, of free glaucarubolone was modulated by the redox environment of the cells and of the plasma membrane vesicles. Activity, both in the inhibition of NADH oxidase activity and in the Inhibition of growth, was enhanced by oxidizing conditions in the presence of oxidized glutathione compared to reducing conditions in the presence of reduced glutathione.

Preparation of Golgi subfractions with free-solution isotachophoresis: analysis of sphingomyelin synthesis in Golgi subfractions from rat liver.

A new displacement electrophoresis technique, termed free-solution isotachophoresis (FS-ITP) was used for the analysis of sphingolipid metabolism in Golgi subfractions. The discontinuous electrolyte system enables tissue-derived membrane vesicles to be separated and purified due to their polarity patterns in a mobility gradient. In this study total Golgi apparatus obtained from rat liver by discontinuous density gradient centrifugation was subfractionated by preparative FS-ITP, yielding enzymatically active cis-, medial-, and trans-Golgi subfractions. These membrane vesicles were assayed by the following established enzyme marker activities: NADH cytochrome c reductase (cis-Golgi), NADP phosphatase (medial-Golgi), and thiamine pyrophosphatase (trans-Golgi). The activity of phosphatidylcholine:ceramide phosphocholine transferase, a sphingomyelin synthesizing enzyme, is attributed to the cis- and medial-Golgi-derived subfractions. Analysis of Golgi lipids revealed a decline in membranous ceramide along the cis- to trans-Golgi polarity axis. Furthermore, significant amounts of newly synthesized sphingomyelin and diacylglycerol are transferred from the medial/cis- to the trans-Golgi compartment. The FS-ITP system is well suited for micropreparative experimental applications, as demonstrated by studies on phosphatidylcholine:ceramide phosphocholine transferase activity in Golgi membrane vesicles of rat liver obtained by FS-ITP.

Stimulatory effect of regucalcin on ATP-dependent calcium transport in rat liver plasma membranes.

The effect of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytoplasm, on ATP-dependent calcium transport in the plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver was investigated. (Ca(2+)- Mg2+)-ATPase activity in the liver plasma membranes was significantly increased by the presence of regucalcin (0.1-0.5 microM) in the enzyme reaction mixture. This increase was completely inhibited by the presence of sulfhydryl group modifying reagent Nethylmaleimide (5.0 mM NEM) or digitonin (0.04%), which can solubilize the membranous lipids. When ATP-dependent calcium uptake by liver plasma membrane vesicles was measured by using 45CaCl2, the presence of regucalcin (0.1-0.5 microM) in the reaction mixture caused a significant increase in the 45Ca2+ uptake. This increase was about 2-fold with 0.5 microM regucalcin addition. An appreciable increase was seen by 5 min incubation with regucalcin addition. The regucalcin-enhanced ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake by the plasma membrane vesicles was completely inhibited by the presence of NEM (5.0 mM) or digitonin (0.04%). These results demonstrate that regucalcin activates (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase in the liver plasma membranes and that it can stimulate ATP-dependent calcium transport across the plasma membranes.

ATP-dependent transport of the linear renin-inhibiting peptide EMD 51921 by canalicular plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver: evidence of drug-stimulatable ATP-hydrolysis

Certain peptide drugs, such as the linear hydrophobic renin-inhibitor EMD 51921, are rapidly eliminated via the bile. At the sinosoidal membrane of liver cells EMD 51921 is taken up via a sodium-independent carrier-mediated mechanism, competing for the uptake of bile acids. Until now, the mechanisms of biliary excretion of EMD 51921 were unknown. In this study we describe an ATP-dependent transport system for the enzymatically and metabolically stable hydrophobic linear renin-inhibiting peptide EMD 51921. The ATP-dependent uptake into the osmotic reactive intravesicular space is saturable (Km 12 μM, Vmax 663 pmol/min per mg protein), temperature dependent and specifically requires ATP. Transport is inhibited by vanadate but not by ouabain, EGTA or NaN3, and does not function in basolateral plasma membrane vesicles. Transport is not altered in canalicular membrane vesicles isolated from Tr− rats lacking the canalicular ATP-dependent transport of cysteinyl leukotrienes and related anions. Transport is inhibited by taurocholate, a typical substrate of the canalicular ATP-dependent bile acid transporter, but also by vincristine and daunomycin, substrates of P-glycoproteins. EMD 51921, however, only inhibits the uptake of taurocholate, whereas the transport of daunomycin is not influenced. Taurocholate and EMD 51921 are mutually non- or un-competitive transport inhibitors. Incubation of rat liver canalicular membranes with micromolar concentrations of EMD 51921 resulted in a 1.8–2.5-fold increase in the rate of ATP-hydrolysis. In contrast, ATP-hydrolysis was not affected by fragments of the peptide that are not transported in an ATP-dependent manner. The apparent Km value (EMD) for ATP-hydrolysis is 68 μM. Vmax is 0.032 U/mg protein. ATPase activity is pH dependent. Stimulation of ATP-hydrolysis is inhibited by vanadate, NEM, hydroxymercuribenzoate and ascorbate, but is not affected by ouabain, EGTA or NaN3. EMD 51921 does not stimulate the ATPase activity of the Na+/K+-ATPase isolated from kidney medulla. The EMD-stimulatable ATPase seems to be distinct from the glutathione-S-conjugate stimulatable ATPase and the mdr 1a/b gene products and differs in its characteristics from that of the canalicular ecto-ATPase.

Transport of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in basolateral membrane vesicles of rat liver

We examined 5-methyltetrahydrofolate transport across the basolateral membrane (BLM) of rat liver using isolated membrane vesicles. Uptake of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate by BLM vesicles (BLMV) was found by osmolarity and initial uptake studies to be mostly the result of transport of the substrate into an active, intravesicular space with some binding (approximately 25%) to membrane surfaces. Uptake was similar in the presence of an inwardly directed Na+ or K+ gradient, indicating that transport is not dependent on Na+. Uptake of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate was linear for the first 30 s and was more rapid when an initial pH gradient was imposed across the vesicular membrane [extravesicular pH (pHo) = 5.0, intravesicular pH (pHi) = 7.5]. Under pH gradient conditions, uptake at 3-5 min was about twofold higher than at equilibrium (60 min). The initial rate of uptake at pHo = pHi = 5.0 was more rapid than at pHo = pHi = 7.5, but in neither case was uptake above equilibrium observed. Uptake under pH gradient conditions and at pH 5.0 (no pH gradient) was saturable (apparent Michaelis constants of 0.58 and 0.36 microM, respectively; maximum uptake rates of 1.25 and 0.79 pmol.10 s-1.mg protein-1, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bilirubin diglucuronide transport by rat liver canalicular membrane vesicles: Stimulation by bicarbonate ion

The purpose of this study was to provide further insight into the mechanism of bilirubin diglucuronide excretion through the hepatocyte canalicular membrane by investigating the uptake of (3H)bilirubin diglucuronide by purified canalicular membrane vesicles of rat liver. The uptake was analyzed by a rapid filtration technique. The difference between vesicle-associated (3H)bilirubin diglucuronide at 37 degrees C and at 0 degree C during the initial 1 min was regarded as uptake. Twenty second uptake was saturated by increasing the (3H)bilirubin diglucuronide concentration at a vesicle-inside-directed 100 mmol/L KCl gradient (Km = 75 mumol/L, Vmax = 320 pmol/mg protein.20 sec at 37 degrees C). No sodium dependency was observed. When canalicular membrane vesicles were preincubated with nonlabeled bilirubin diglucuronide, the uptake increased 1.3-fold (transstimulation). Vesicle-inside-positive potential induced by valinomycin and potassium caused a 1.4-fold increase in the uptake. When Cl- was replaced by equivalent ion concentrations of SO4(2-), HCO3-, NO3- and SCN-, the uptake was 78%, 244%, 68% and 50%, respectively, and specific stimulation by HCO3- was observed (Km = 75 mumol/L, Vmax = 700 pmol/mg protein.20 sec at a vesicle-inside-directed 100 mmol/L KHCO3 gradient at 37 degrees C). The uptake was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. The uptake was ATP independent. From these results, it was concluded that bilirubin diglucuronide transport through the canalicular membrane is carrier mediated, electrogenic and stimulated by HCO3-.

Transport of N1-methylnicotinamide by organic cation-proton exchange in rat liver membrane vesicles

The characteristics of hepatic organic cation transport were examined in basolateral (blLPM) and canalicular (cLPM) rat liver plasma membrane vesicles, using the naturally occurring organic cation, N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN). In blLPM vesicles, an outwardly directed H+ gradient (pHin 5.9/pHout 7.9) stimulated [3H]NMN uptake compared with [3H]NMN uptake under pH-equilibrated conditions. The time course of [3H]NMN uptake exhibited a transient "over-shoot" phenomenon, consistent with active transport. The proton ionophore, carbonyl cyanide-p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, had no effect on [3H]NMN uptake, demonstrating that pH-dependent [3H]NMN uptake was not the result of a H+ diffusion potential. An outwardly directed H+ gradient also stimulated [3H]NMN uptake under voltage-clamped conditions, consistent with electroneutral NMN-H+ exchange. Under conditions that effectively dissipated the H+ gradient, no active transport of [3H]NMN was observed. In the absence of a pH gradient, the intravesicular presence of NMN trans-stimulated the uptake of [3H]NMN. NMN-H+ exchange was differentiated from sinusoidal Na(+)-H+ exchange by determining sensitivity to amiloride. The substrate specificity of NMN-H+ exchange in blLPM vesicles was examined by determining the cis-inhibitory effects of typical endogenous and exogenous substrates of other epithelial organic cation-H+ exchangers. Kinetic analysis of initial rates of carrier-mediated [3H]NMN uptake over a NMN concentration range of 0.05-15 mM demonstrated that uptake occurred via two saturable transport systems, one a high-affinity low-capacity process and the other a low-affinity high-capacity type. In contrast, in cLPM vesicles, no pH gradient-dependent [3H]NMN uptake was demonstrated. These findings are consistent with the presence of an organic cation-H+ antiport on the sinusoidal membrane, with features distinct from the renal antiport, such as substrate specificity and membrane localization, that may account for differences in drug disposition by these two organs.

Transport of biotin in basolateral membrane vesicles of rat liver

We examined biotin transport across the basolateral membrane (BLM) of rat liver using BLM vesicles (BLMV) technique. The purity and suitability for transport studies of liver BLMV were demonstrated by morphological (electron microscopy), enzymatic, and functional criteria. Orientation of liver BLMV was determined by freeze-fracture electron microscopy and by [3H]ouabain binding methodology and was found to be 65.3-69.7% in the right-side-out orientation. Uptake of biotin by liver BLMV was found by osmolarity and temperature studies to be mostly the result of transport of the substrate into an active intravesicular space with little binding to membrane surfaces. Transport of biotin was found to be Na+ gradient dependent with a distinct "over-shoot" phenomenon. Initial rate of transport of biotin as a function of concentration was found to include a saturable component in the presence of a Na+ gradient (out greater than in) but was linear and lower in the presence of a K+ gradient (no Na+). Kinetic parameters of the saturable Na+ gradient-dependent transport process were 0.39 microM and 1,807 fmol.mg protein-1.20 s-1 for the apparent Km and Vmax, respectively. In the presence, but not the absence, of a Na+ gradient (out greater than in), the addition of structural analogues to the incubation medium caused significant inhibition in the transport of 0.079 microM [3H]biotin. Induction, with the use of valinomycin and an inwardly directed K+ gradient, of a relatively positive intravesicular space caused significant inhibition in the initial rate of biotin transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Superoxide anion production and degranulation of rat neutrophils in response to acetaldehyde-altered liver cell membranes.

Rat liver membrane vesicles were exposed to acetaldehyde, with or without reduction of the resultant adducts formed. Superoxide anion production and degranulation of rat neutrophils, upon stimulation with the liver membrane vesicles, were measured by cytochrome c reduction before and after the addition of superoxide dismutase, and beta-glucuronidase release respectively. Preincubation with acetaldehyde significantly enhanced superoxide anion production by both the reduced and non-reduced membrane samples (1.7-fold and 4.4-fold, respectively). Preincubation with acetaldehyde significantly enhanced degranulation (1.5-fold) of neutrophils in response to the non-reduced membranes only. The reductive process itself caused a marked increase (2.4-fold) in the ability of the membrane vesicles to stimulate degranulation. Cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of phagocytosis, did not reduce degranulation, implying that it occurred as a consequence of cell surface stimulation. Neutrophil superoxide anion production and lysosomal enzyme release in response to acetaldehyde-altered liver cell membranes could be an important mechanism of hepatocyte injury in alcoholic liver disease.

Electrical and molecular coupling between sodium and proton fluxes in basolateral membrane vesicles of rat liver.

Mechanisms of Na+-H+ exchange in the hepatocyte were studied utilizing isolated basolateral membrane vesicles prepared by two different methods: Evidence was obtained for the existence of molecular coupling of Na+ and H+ fluxes (Na+/H+-antiport) which exhibits saturation kinetics (Km 7 mmol/l Na+) and is inhibited by amiloride (1.0 mmol/l). Although the two membrane preparations showed differences with respect to ionic permeabilities, our data suggest that a relatively high H+ conductance exists in the basolateral plasma membrane. Hence, electrical coupling of conductive H+ and Na+ fluxes in the opposite direction could contribute to net Na+-H+ exchange across the basolateral hepatocyte plasma membrane.

Characteristics and specificity of the glucocorticoid "carrier" of rat liver plasma membrane.

The uptake of corticosterone by highly purified plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver was studied by a rapid-centrifugation technique which allows uptake measurements within 5 s. The vesicles are free of soluble cytoplasmic constituents. Therefore, association of hormone with the vesicle is attributed entirely to components of the vesicle-membrane. Half maximal uptake is reached at 8 s at 21 degrees C. At 15 degrees C transition of the lipid state in the membrane leads to a decrease of uptake, a characteristic property common to membrane mediated processes. The uptake of corticosterone is saturable and reversible but does not follow normal saturation kinetics. The apparent dissociation constants of three uptake systems bear direct relation to the concentration of free corticosterone in rat plasma (4-16 nM) supporting a physiological role for the system. Uptake of corticosterone decreases with decreases in vesicular volume; about 50% of the hormone is bound specifically and 50% is transported to the lumen of the vesicle. Since outflow of intravesicular hormone also occurs readily, the uptake and transport is proposed to be mediated by putative "carriers". The "carrier" preferentially transports glucocorticoids; dexamethasone is not taken up by this putative molecule. Steroids with 5 alpha conformation are more potent inhibitors of the "carrier" for corticosterone than 5 beta-steroids. Androgens and estrogens are weak competitors of corticosterone. The affinity of the "carrier" for several hormones differs considerably from that of the cytoplasmic receptor. Morris hepatoma cells (MH 3924) do not take up corticosterone. Our results prompt us to propose the hypothesis that the transport function of the "carrier" and the binding of the hormone by the cytoplasmic receptor are two different entities; perturbation of the "carrier" may lead to steroid unresponsiveness. Normal expression of steroid hormone activity is manifested in the concerted action of the functionally sound cell membrane "carrier" and the intracellular receptor.

Na-H exchange in rat liver basolateral but not canalicular plasma membrane vesicles

Na+-stimulated H+ movement and H+-stimulated Na+ uptake were studied in basolateral (blLPM) and canalicular (cLPM) rat liver membrane vesicles. H+ movement was monitored with the fluorescent amine acridine orange; 22Na uptake was assayed by a rapid Millipore filtration technique. In blLPM, inwardly directed Na+ gradients stimulated H+ efflux and outwardly directed Na+ gradients stimulated proton influx. Outwardly directed proton gradients (pH in 5.9/pH out 7.9) stimulated initial 22Na uptake rates 5- to 10-fold over pH-equilibrated conditions (pH in 7.9/pH out 7.9). Conversely, inwardly directed proton gradients (pH in 7.9/pH out 5.9) inhibited 22Na uptake. pH-dependent 22Na uptake was inhibited by amiloride and harmaline but not by other transport inhibitors, bumetanide, furosemide, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulfonic acid stilbene, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, and acetazolamide. Lithium also inhibited H+-stimulated 22Na uptake. Although a component of pH-stimulated 22Na uptake appeared to be dependent on membrane potential, this electrogenic component was amiloride insensitive. Proton gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake in blLPM was saturable, with a Km of 5.4 mM and a Vmax of 14 nmol . min-1 . mg prot-1. In contrast, in cLPM, no Na+ gradient-stimulated proton movement and no pH-dependent Na+ uptake occurred. These findings establish an electroneutral Na-H antiport in blLPM but not cLPM in rat liver. The polarity of this exchanger supports a model of bile formation that is dependent, in part, on canalicular HCO-3 and/or OH- excretion.

Structural and functional polarity of canalicular and basolateral plasma membrane vesicles isolated in high yield from rat liver.

A method has been developed for routine high yield separation of canalicular (cLPM) from basolateral (blLPM) liver plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver. Using a combination of rate zonal floatation (TZ-28 zonal rotor, Sorvall) and high speed centrifugation through discontinuous sucrose gradients, 9-16 mg of cLPM and 15-28 mg of blLPM protein can be isolated in 1 d. cLPM are free of the basolateral markers Na+/K+-ATPase and glucagon-stimulatable adenylate cyclase activities, but are highly enriched with respect to homogenate in the "canalicular marker" enzyme activities leucylnaphthylamidase (48-fold), gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (60-fold), 5'-nucleotidase (64-fold), alkaline phosphatase (71-fold), Mg++-ATPase (83-fold), and alkaline phosphodiesterase I (116-fold). In contrast, blLPM are 34-fold enriched in Na+/K+-ATPase activity, exhibit considerable glucagon-stimulatable adenylate cyclase activity, and demonstrate a 4- to 15-fold increase over homogenate in the various "canalicular markers." cLPM have a twofold higher content of sialic acids, cholesterol; and sphingomyelin compared with blLPM. At least three canalicular-(130,000, 100,000, and 58,000 mol wt) and several basolateral-specific protein bands have been detected after SDS PAGE of the two LPM subfractions. Specifically, the immunoglobin A-binding secretory component is restricted to blLPM as demonstrated by immunochemical techniques. These data indicate virtually complete separation of basolateral from canalicular LPM and demonstrate multiple functional and compositional polarity between the two surface domains of hepatocytes.

29] Measurement of phosphate transport in mitochondria and in inverted inner membrane vesicles of rat liver

This chapter highlights early studies of mitochondrial ion permeability that used indirect and qualitative assays to identify transport systems for phosphate, adenine nucleotides, and citric-acid cycle intermediates. However, more direct measurements of rates and extents of transport are necessary to characterize and quantify the kinetic parameters, energy requirements, and inhibitor sensitivities of these transport systems. The chapter describes methods for the measurement of phosphate transport in rat liver mitochondria under conditions of either net ion flux or equilibrium isotope exchange and the application of these methods in characterization of the phosphate transport system. It also describes methods for the measurement of phosphate uptake by purified, inverted, inner membrane vesicles of rat liver mitochondria. The transport assays described are applications of the inhibitor-stop method. Transport initiated by the addition of the phosphate is stopped by the addition of an inhibitor; in this case, p -mercuribenzoate. Subsequently, the mitochondria or inner membrane vesicles can be separated by centrifugation and analyzed for phosphate distribution. The inhibitor stop transport assay technique makes the assumption that quenching of the transport reaction by inhibitor is rapid with respect to sampling time and that the mitochondrial or inner membrane vesicles are complete and stable for the duration of the isolation procedures.