Search

The bovine homologue of p65, a calmodulin-binding protein located in the membranes of synaptic vesicles and endocrine secretory granules, has been studied by the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against this antigen and against dopamine beta-mono-oxygenase. The protein (apparent molecular mass 67 kDa; pI = 5.5-6.2) is partially degraded by treatment with neuraminidase or endoglycosidase F. Trypsin treatment of intact adrenal chromaffin granules or of granule membranes releases a soluble 39 kDa fragment of p65 which corresponds to the whole of its cytoplasmic domain. This domain contains both the epitope for the monoclonal antibody cgm67 and the calmodulin-binding site. The 20 amino acids at the N-terminus of this fragment are identical to part of the rat p65 sequence.

Chromaffin granules, the secretory vesicles of the adrenal medulla, have a Na+/H+ exchange activity in their membranes which brings their proton gradient into equilibrium with a Na+ gradient. This explains why Na+ is mildly inhibitory to amine transport (which is driven by the H+ gradient) The activity can be demonstrated by using accumulation of 22Na+ in response to a pH gradient that is either imposed by diluting membrane ‘ghosts’ into alkaline media, or generated by ATP hydrolysis. It can also be monitored indirectly by fluorescence measurements in which the pH inside ‘ghost’ is monitored by quenching of a fluorescent weak base. This method has been used to monitor Na+ entry into acid-loaded Șghosts’ of H+ entry into methylamine accumulation. The exchanger appears to be reversible and non-electrogenic, with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Using an indirect assay we measured an apparent Km for Na+ of 4.7 mM, and a Ki for amiloride, a competitive inhibitor, of 0.26 mM. Direct assays using 22Na+ suggested a higher Km. Ethylisopropylamiloride was not inhibitory.

We have measured the contents of Na+ and K+ in isolated chromaffin granules. Total contents varied between 227 and 283 nmol/mg of protein, equivalent to matrix concentrations of 53-66 mM. The value found depended on the isolation buffer used, and the ratio of the two ions reflected the composition of the buffer. We then measured the free concentration of each of these ions, and of Ca2+, in the matrix, by using a null-point method with acridine-fluorescence quenching. This monitored H+ fluxes induced by an ionophore in the presence of known concentrations of the ion in the supporting medium. In contrast with organic constituents of the matrix, which have low activity coefficients, Na+ and K+ were found to have activity coefficients around 0.8 Ca2+, however, was strongly bound: its free concentration was only 0.03% of the total.

A method is described for the preparation of resealed chromaffin-granule ghosts'.Thelysisandraπdpurificationproceduresprovghosts′.Thelysisandraπdpurificationproceduresprovghosts' in approximately 70% yield from crude granules; the preparation contains 0.1μmol of catecholamine/mg of protein (as compared with 2.8μmol/mg in unlysed granules), of which about one third is inside the ghosts'.Theghosts′.Theghosts' retain their ability to accumulate catecholamines, a process dependent on Mg-ATP and inhibited by reserpine, and a simple assay for this transport is described.

Phosphorylation of bovine chromaffin granules by ATP leads to the formation of diphosphoinositide in the granule membrane. Both phosphatidylinositol kinase and its substrate are components of this membrane, and triphosphoinositide is not formed under the conditions of the assay. The reaction is Mg(2+)-dependent and is stimulated by Mn(2+) and F(-) ions. The initial reaction is rapid, with a broad pH profile and a ;transition' temperature for its activation energy at 27 degrees C. The apparent K(m) for ATP is 5mum. ATP, N-ethylmaleimide, Cu(2+) ions and NaIO(4) are inhibitory. The phospholipids of chromaffin-granule membranes have been analysed: 6.8% of the lipid P is found in phosphatidylinositol, and only 2-3% in phosphatidylserine. Comparison of the rate of phosphorylation of intact and lysed granules suggests that the sites for phosphorylation are on the outer (cytoplasmic) surface of the granules, and diphosphoinositide may therefore make an important contribution to the charge of the chromaffin granule in vivo.