Characterization of anion binding sites of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by 35Cl-NMR.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were prepared from rabbit skeletal muscle. It could be demonstrated that the anion binding sites on this membrane can be studied by 35Cl-NMR spectroscopy. Titration of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with the sulfate exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) revealed specific binding of this compound to the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. A new inhibitor, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2'-sulfonic acid (PPAPS) was introduced and proved to displace chloride equally well from its binding sites. Two binding sites could be distinguished by titration with inorganic phosphate in the presence and absence of the inhibitors. Because of the insensitivity of 35Cl-NMR spectroscopy these anion binding sites have to be located on a protein being present in considerable amount in the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Studies on the anion binding selectivity of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes by 35Cl-NMR.

Anion binding sites on the membranes of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles can be characterized with the aid of 35Cl-NMR. Titration experiments with a series of different anions reveal that multivalent, phosphate-like anions bind much stronger to SR vesicles than monovalent anions like halides whereas oxalate seems to have an intermediate position. The binding strength decreases with decreasing ionic radius according to the following sequence: vanadate greater than phosphate greater than sulfate much greater than iodide greater than oxalate greater than bromide greater than chloride much greater than fluoride. This is also reflected by increasing dissociation constants. Although vanadate in absolute terms replaces much more chloride than either, phosphate or sulfate, their dissociation constants are very similar. This implicates a special binding mechanism for vanadate. Phosphate analoguous compounds like pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2'-sulfonic acid and its 4'-nitroderivative show the strongest binding.

The influence of Mg2+ on anion binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes as detected by 35Cl-NMR.

35Cl-NMR spectroscopy has been used to study the competition between anions, including nucleotides, on skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. Different chloride binding sites can be distinguished according to their Mg2+ sensitivity. Phosphate binding is enhanced by Mg2+ whereas the anion transport inhibitor pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2'-sulfonic acid (PPAPS) binding is not. The affinity of the enzyme for the Mg-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (MgAMP-PNP) complex is decreased whereas that for MgATP is increased. Three sets of binding sites can be discriminated from which chloride is displaced by different anions with varying efficiency. High affinity binding of AMP-PNP and PPAPS occurs at the same site, that can also be occupied by phosphate. Low-affinity binding of PPAPS and AMP-PNP also coincides, but in a site where phosphate binding is negligible. ATP and ADP bind to both sites. In the presence of Mg2+ a third anion binding site can be occupied by phosphate but neither by AMP-PNP nor PPAPS.

Identification of a cross-linked double-peptide from the catalytic site of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum formed by the Ca(2+)- and pH-dependent reaction with ATP gamma P-imidazolidate.

The Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum can be inhibited by the Ca(2+)- and pH-dependent reaction with ATP gamma P-imidazolidate. The chemically and monofunctionally activated inhibitor introduces an intramolecular cross-link between two neighbouring peptides of the active site. This can be followed by the reduced mobility of the ATPase upon SDS-PAGE analysis which becomes even more pronounced after limited trypsinolysis. After cleavage of the cross-linked ATPase molecule by cyanogen bromide and separation of the peptides a double-peptide can be detected which upon sequencing can be identified as part of the phosphorylation and the nucleotide binding site, respectively.

Investigation of the actions of PPADS, a novel P2x-purinoceptor antagonist, in the guinea-pig isolated vas deferens.

1. Pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS) was investigated for its ability to act as an antagonist at P2x-purinoceptors which mediate neurogenic excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) and contractions in the guinea-pig isolated vas deferens. 2. PPADS (10(-7) M) caused a small potentiation of the phasic, predominantly purinergic component of contractions evoked by symapthetic nerve stimulation, but higher concentrations of PPADS (3 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-5) M) elicited a substantial and significant concentration-dependent inhibition. In contrast, over the same concentration-range, PPADS had no effect on the tonic, predominantly noradrenergic phase. 3 PPADS (3 x 10(-5) M) also inhibited contractile responses to exogenous alpha,beta-methyleneATP (10(-8)-10(-3)M), a P2x-purinoceptor agonist, without affecting the responses to exogenous noradrenaline (10(-8)-10(-3) M), carbachol (10(-5) M) or histamine (10(-4) M). 4. PPADS (10(-7)-3 x 10(-5) M) produced a concentration-dependent reduction in e.j.p. magnitude and resting membrane potential. The maximum effect was seen at 10(-5) M PPADS, which reduced e.j.p. magnitude from 13.7 +/- 0.6 mV (n = 12) to 1.8 +/- 0.7 mV (n = 12) and membrane potential from -64.8 +/- 0.6 mV (n = 51) to -55.0 +/- 1.8 mV (n = 12). 5. The PPADS-induced depolarization was not inhibited by the P2x-purinoceptor antagonist, suramin (10(-4) M). This indicates that the depolarization was not due to an agonist action of PPADS at P2x-purinoceptors. 6. The results support the proposal that PPADS is a selective antagonist at P2x purinoceptors as opposed to non-P2-purinoceptors in the guinea-pig vas deferens, but its ability to cause membrane depolarization independently of P2x-purinoceptors and also, at a low concentration, to potentiate the phasic component of the neurogenic contraction indicates that it has other actions.

Vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses to various agonists in the rat perfused mesenteric arterial bed: selective inhibition by PPADS of contractions mediated via P2x-purinoceptors.

1. The effect of pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS) on vasoconstrictor and/or vasodilator responses to various agonists and electrical field stimulation was investigated in the rat mesenteric arterial bed at basal tone and at tone raised by methoxamine (15-50 microM). 2. At basal tone, nucleotides produced vasoconstriction with the following rank order of potency: alpha,beta-methylene ATP >> 2-methylthio ATP > or = ATP = UTP. PPADS (0.3-10 microM) concentration-dependently antagonized alpha, beta-methylene ATP-, 2-methylthio ATP- and ATP-induced responses. UTP-, noradrenaline- and nerve-mediated (4-32 Hz) increases in perfusion pressure remained unaffected by 10 microM PPADS. 3. In raised tone preparations, nucleotides produced vasodilations, their rank order of potency being 2-methylthio ATP > ATP > UTP. Responses to 2-methylthio ATP were slightly antagonized, whereas ATP- and UTP-induced responses remained unaffected by 10 microM PPADS. In addition, acetylcholine- and adenosine-elicited relaxations were not influenced by 10 microM PPADS. 4. The present results confirm the previously described selective P2x antagonism by PPADS, this compound being ineffective at muscarinic M3- and adenosine P1-receptors as well as at alpha 1-adrenoceptors. There was some inhibition of P2y-purinoceptors but at a much higher concentration than required for inhibition of P2x-purinoceptors. 5. In addition, this study provides evidence for the ineffectiveness of PPADS at both vasoconstriction- and vasodilatation-mediating P2u-purinoceptors.

PPADS selectively antagonizes P2X-purinoceptor-mediated responses in the rabbit urinary bladder.

1. Pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS), an inhibitor of P2X-purinoceptor-mediated responses in rabbit vas deferens, was investigated for its ability to antagonize contractions evoked by alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-MeATP), carbachol and electrical field stimulation in the rabbit urinary bladder detrusor muscle. 2. PPADS. (1-30 microM) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of contractions to the stable P2X-purinoceptor agonist, alpha,beta-MeATP, decreasing the maximum response to alpha,beta-MeATP (30 microM) at concentrations of 3-30 microM. The pD2 value for alpha,beta-MeATP in the absence of PPADS was 6.52 +/- 0.10 (8). In the presence of PPADS at concentrations of 1, 3, 10 and 30 microM the negative log concentrations of alpha,beta-MeATP that cause the same contractile response as the pD2 value were significantly different from control, being respectively 6.17 +/- 0.09 (8), 5.64 +/- 0.12 (7), 5.15 +/- 0.23 (7) and 4.78 +/- 0.22 (5). 3. PPADS (1-30 microM) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of contractions to stimulation of intramural purinergic nerves (1-32 Hz). There was a greater inhibition at lower frequencies (1-8 Hz) than at higher frequencies (16-32 Hz). PPADS, 30 microM, did not produce significantly greater antagonism than 10 microM. 4. PPADS (30 microM) had no significant influence on the contractile potency of carbachol: the pD2 values of carbachol in the absence and presence of PPADS were not significantly different being 6.42 +/- 0.16 (5) and 6.33 +/- 0.18 (5), respectively. However, PPADS caused a small, but significant, suppression of the maximal response of carbachol, reducing it by approximately 9%. 5. Radioligand binding studies carried out on rabbit bladder membranes with [3H]-alpha,beta-methylene ATP([3H]-alpha,beta-MeATP) showed that PPADS concentration-dependently inhibited the binding of [3H]-alpha,beta-MeATP to P2X-purinoceptors, while the binding of [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate to muscarinic cholinoceptors was not affected.6. Thus, PPADS (1-30 microM) antagonized responses mediated via P2X-purinoceptors in the rabbit urinary bladder. It was selective for P2-purinoceptor-mediated contractions rather than those mediated via muscarinic receptors. Binding studies demonstrated that the antagonistic effect of PPADS is via a direct interaction with P2x-purinoceptors.

Inhibitory action of PPADS on relaxant responses to adenine nucleotides or electrical field stimulation in guinea-pig taenia coli and rat duodenum.

1. The effect of pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS) on the relaxant response to adenine nucleotides was examined in the carbachol-contracted guinea-pig taenia coli and rat duodenum, two tissues possessing P2y-purinoceptors. In addition, in the taenia coli PPADS was investigated for its effect on relaxations evoked by adenosine, noradrenaline and electrical field stimulation. In order to assess the selectivity of PPADS between P2-purinoceptor blockade and ectonucleotidase activity, its influence on ATP degradation was studied in guinea-pig taenia coli. 2. The resulting rank order of potency for the adenine nucleotides in guinea-pig taenia coli was: 2-methylthio ATP >> ATP > alpha,beta-methylene ATP with the respective pD2-values 7.96 +/- 0.08 (n = 23), 6.27 +/- 0.12 (n = 21) and 5.88 +/- 0.04 (n = 24). 3. In guinea-pig taenia coli, PPADS (10-100 microM) caused a consistent dextral shift of the concentration-response curve (CRC) of 2-methylthio ATP and ATP resulting in a biphasic Schild plot. A substantial shift was only observed at 100 microM PPADS, the respective pA2-values at this particular concentration were 5.26 +/- 0.16 (n = 5) and 5.15 +/- 0.13 (n = 6). Lower concentrations of PPADS (3-30 microM) antagonized the relaxant effects to alpha,beta-methylene ATP in a surmountable manner. An extensive shift of the CRC was produced only by 30 microM PPADS (pA2 = 5.97 +/- 0.08, n = 6), and the Schild plot was again biphasic. 4. The relaxant responses to electrical field stimulation (80 V, 0.3 ms, 5 s, 0.5-16 Hz) in guinea-pigtaenia coli were concentration-dependently inhibited by PPADS (10-100 microM).5. In guinea-pig taenia coli, the potency of ATP in inducing relaxation appeared to be independent of its rate of degradation by ecto-nucleotidases, since the Km-value (366 microM) obtained in the enzyme assay was much higher than the functional EC50-value (0.45 microM) of ATP. PPADS (3-100 microM) was only weakly active in inhibiting ecto-nucleotidase activity leaving a residual activity of 81.8 +/- 5.1% at 100 microM.Enzyme inhibition by PPADS was concentration-independent and non-competitive.6. In rat duodenum, the rank order of potency was: 2-methylthio ATP >ATP> >alpha,beta-methylene ATP,the respective pD2-values being 6.98 +/- 0.04 (n = 76), 6.26 +/- 0.02 (n = 6) and 4.83 +/- 0.02 (n = 6). Among these agonists, 2-methylthio ATP displayed the lowest apparent efficacy.7. The CRC of 2-methylthio ATP in rat duodenum was shifted to the right by PPADS (10-100 microM) ina concentration-dependent manner, and Schild analysis gave a pA2-value of 5.09 +/- 0.06 (slope = 1.02,n=14).8 PPADS was without any effect on the carbachol-induced contraction in guinea-pig taenia coli or rat duodenum and on the relaxation to noradrenaline or adenosine in guinea-pig taenia coli.9 In conclusion, the antagonistic properties of PPADS at the taenia coli and rat duodenum P2y-purinoceptors were different from those recently described at the P2x-subtype: inhibition of P2y-purinoceptor-mediated responses was observed at higher concentrations (3-100 microM vs. 1-10 (30) microM).Furthermore, we conclude that in addition to the classical P2y-subtype, which is largely PPADS-resistant,the guinea-pig taenia coli may be endowed with a distinct relaxation-mediating P2-purinoceptor subtype which is sensitive to PPADS.

PPADS, a novel functionally selective antagonist of P2 purinoceptor-mediated responses.

We have characterized PPADS (pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid) as a novel antagonist which selectively blocks P2 purinoceptor-mediated responses in rabbit vas deferens at pre- and postjunctional sites. PPADS did not interact with alpha 1-adrenoceptors, muscarinic M2 and M3 receptors, histamine H1 and adenosine A1 receptors. Thus, PPADS is a novel and useful pharmacological tool to study co-transmission in tissues where ATP and co-existing neurotransmitters act in concert.

The novel pyridoxal-5'-phosphate derivative PPNDS potently antagonizes activation of P2X(1) receptors.

Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-6-(2'-naphthylazo-6'-nitro-4',8'-disulfonat e) (PPNDS) potently antagonized P2X(1) receptor-mediated responses in rat vas deferens (pK(B)=7.43) and Xenopus laevis oocytes (pIC(50)=7. 84). It showed lower (up to 20,000-fold) inhibitory potency on ecto-nucleotidase in Xenopus oocytes and on P2Y(1) receptors in guinea-pig ileum (pA(2)=6.13). PPNDS did not interact with alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors, adenosine A(1) and A(2B), histamine H(1) and muscarinic M(3) receptors. Thus, PPNDS is a novel, specific P2 receptor antagonist and represents the pyridoxal-5'-phosphate derivative with the highest potency at P2X(1) receptors.

Two states of the nucleotide-binding site of sarcoplasmic reticulum adenosine triphosphatase detected by the calcium-dependent reaction with adenosine 5'-[gamma-imidazolidate]triphosphate and adenosine 5'-[beta-imidazolidate]diphosphate.

The Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum can be inhibited by adenosine 5'-[gamma-imidazolidate]triphosphate through the formation of an intramolecular cross-link at the active site which is dependent on the presence of Ca2+ [Bill, E., Gutowski, Z. & Bämert, H.G. (1988). Calcium-dependent inactivation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum by chemically reactive adenosine triphosphate, Eur. J. Biochem. 176, 119-124] In the present study we show that adenosine 5'-[beta-imidazolidate]diphosphate is likewise an inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-ATPase effecting a similar inhibition pattern on phosphate release and Ca2+ transport. The overall reaction is Ca2+ dependent and produces a protein band that in SDS/PAGE is indistinguishable from that seen with ATP[imidazolidate]. This shows that the side chain of Asp351 which is claimed to be involved in the cross-linking reaction must be in reach of both the beta and the gamma phosphate moiety of the respective nucleotides. The cross-linked product is formed by a two-step reaction. The first step is the fast reaction of nucleotide imidazolidate presumably at the phosphorylation site (Asp351) under-formation of a mixed anhydride that covalently links nucleotide and protein. Subsequently, the nucleotide is released by a substitution reaction with a second amino acid side chain. This cross-linking reaction is strictly Ca2+ dependent and, remarkably, requires Ca2+ to be added before addition of the inhibitor. It proceeds at two rates and suggests that there are two states of the nucleotide-bindings site. This is also supported by the fact that in the absence of CA2+, ATP[imidazolidate] reacts only in approximately 50% of the calculated ATP-binding sites (based on 80-90% ATPase of total sarcoplasmic reticulum protein) with no subsequent cross-linking reaction.

Calcium-dependent inactivation of the Ca2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum by chemically reactive adenosine triphosphate.

1. ATP gamma P-imidazolidate, synthesized from ATP and carbonyldiimidazole, inhibits the Ca2+-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum in a biphasic manner. A fast first phase is concentration-dependent while a slower second phase is independent of the inhibitor concentration. 2. The inhibition is calcium- and magnesium-dependent. No inhibition occurs in the absence of either cation. 3. Inhibition of the Ca2+-ATPase can be prevented by the protection with ATP. 4. The loss of ATPase activity is pH-dependent. Maximal inhibition coincides with maximal ATPase activity. It indicates a participation of the reacting amino acid side chain in the catalytic cycle. 5. The incorporation of radioactive inhibitor is reversed in a time-dependent fashion while the Ca2+-ATPase remains inhibited. 6. We conclude that ATP gamma P-imidazolidate initially reacts covalently with an amino acid side chain, probably Asp-351, but is subsequently expelled by a reaction with a second amino acid. 7. This two-step reaction induces an intramolecular cross-link which can be shown by the creation of a new protein band on SDS-PAGE which originates in the Ca2+-ATPase.

RNA-protein neighbourhoods of the ribosome obtained by crosslinking.

It is possible to crosslink protein to nucleic acid with diepoxybutane which reacts mainly with the N-7 of guanine as well as the thiol and aminogroups in protein; the resulting crosslinked complexes are cleavable. When this reagent is applied to ribosomes, even under conditions that minimize the extent of reaction, at least half of the ribosomal proteins can be recovered crosslinked to one or other of the major ribosomal RNA species. In addition, one fourth of the proteins can be recovered crosslinked to the RNA of the heterologous ribosomal subunit. Some of the remaining proteins may also be crosslinkable to the RNA, but additional experiments are required to confirm this.

Characterisation of a new, fully active fluorescent derivative of E. coli tRNA Phe.

E. coli tRNAPhe has been labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate taking advantage of the reactivity of this compound for primary aliphatic amino groups as exist in this tRNA as the modified base X(3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uracil). The extent of labelling was calculated as 1.6 nmole/A260 unit suggesting one dye molecule per tRNA. The FITC-tRNA showed full activity in aminoacylation and polypeptide synthesis. The absorption and fluorescence of the label respond markedly on addition of Mg++ to the tRNA. The label appears to be a sensitive probe of tRNAPhe tertiary structure.

Associations between erythrocyte band 3 protein and aldolase in detergent solution. Determining their stoichiometry by analytical ultracentrifugation.

The cytoplasmic domain of band 3, the predominant polypeptide of the erythrocyte membrane, represents a binding site for certain glycolytic enzymes. We have studied the association between human band 3 protein and aldolase, in order to clarify the role of the different band 3 oligomers as ligand binding sites. The experiments were performed on mixtures of solubilized band 3 and aldolase in solutions of a nonionic detergent, nonaethyleneglycol lauryl ether. The main technique applied was sedimentation equilibrium analysis in an analytical ultracentrifuge. In addition, nonequilibrium centrifugation techniques were used. To facilitate the evaluations, the aldolase was labelled with a dye. The following results were obtained. (1) With unmodified band 3, aldolase is bound exclusively or at least predominantly to the band 3 tetramer (but not to monomers or dimers). (2) The band 3 tetramer can bind up to four aldolase tetramers. (3) The band 3 tetramer/aldolase complex is unstable on the time scale of the techniques used. (4) Stable band 3 dimers (stabilized either covalently or noncovalently) can also associate with aldolase and can bind up to two aldolase tetramers. The results described, together with those reported previously, point at a prominent role of the band 3 tetramer in ligand binding.

Two different inhibitory effects of pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid on adenosine diphosphate-induced human platelet aggregation.

In the present study, the novel compound pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), which has been shown to inhibit P2x-purinoceptor-mediated contractions in smooth muscle, was investigated for its antagonistic effects on adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced human platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and in washed platelets, respectively. Suramin served as reference compound. In PRP, suramin (1 mmol/l) was inactive whereas PPADS (1 mmol/l) considerably reduced the extent of aggregation. In contrast, both suramin (1 mmol/l) and PPADS (500 mumol/l) markedly depressed the aggregation of washed platelets. In addition, there was a peculiarity in washed platelets: a delay of onset of platelet aggregation up to 15 min in the presence of PPADS (10-500 mumol/l) and suramin (0.1-1 mmol/l). Thus, in the present study washed platelets were more suited to detect an influence of PPADS and suramin as inhibitors of ADP-induced aggregation, and a delay of onset of aggregation was the most sensitive parameter in this regard. Comparing the effective threshold concentration of PPADS at P2x (1 mumol/l)- and the platelet P2t-purinoceptor, PPADS proves to be P2x-selective.

Artificial dimers of native actin: preparation and properties in biological functions.

With the aid of tartryl-bis-epsilon-aminocaprylazide artificial dimers were produced from F actin from rabbit striated muscle. These derivatives will not polymerize by themselves but are able to copolymerize fully with native G actin. By modification of a single side chain per dimer, this copolymerization was completely inhibited. The dimers are able to activate subfragment 1 ATPase of myosin and bind to DNase I with inactivation of the enzyme in the same manner as native G actin. Within the dimer, one ADP is immobilized and will exchange against ATP extremely slowly. The dimers do not bind to the mushroom toxin phalloidin.