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The Ca(2+) binding sites of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) have been identified as two high-affinity sites orientated towards the cytoplasm, two sites of low affinity facing the lumen, and a transient occluded species that is isolated from both membrane surfaces. Binding and release studies, using (45)Ca(2+), have invoked models with sequential binding and release from high- and low-affinity sites in a channel-like structure. We have characterised turnover conditions in isolated SR vesicles with oxalate in a Ca(2+)-limited state, [Ca(2)](lim), where both high- and low-affinity sites are vacant in the absence of chelators (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1418 (1999) 48-60). Thapsigargin (TG), a high-affinity specific inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-ATPase, released a fraction of total Ca(2+) at [Ca(2+)](lim) that accumulated during active transport. Maximal Ca(2+) release was at 2:1 TG/ATPase. Ionophore, A23187, and Triton X-100 released the rest of Ca(2+) resistant to TG. The amount of Ca(2+) released depended on the incubation time at [Ca(2+)](lim), being 3.0 nmol/mg at 20 s and 0.42 nmol/mg at 1000 s. Rate constants for release declined from 0. 13 to 0.03 s(-1). The rapidly released early fraction declined with time and k=0.13 min(-1). Release was not due to reversal of the pump cycle since ADP had no effect; neither was release impaired with substrates acetyl phosphate or GTP. A phase of reuptake of Ca(2+) followed release, being greater with shorter delay (up to 200 s) following active transport. Reuptake was minimal with GTP, with delays more than 300 s, and was abolished by vanadate and at higher [TG], >5 microM. Ruthenium red had no effect on efflux, indicating that ryanodine-sensitive efflux channels in terminal cisternal membranes are not involved in the Ca(2+) release mechanism. It is concluded that the Ca(2+) released by TG is from the occluded Ca(2+) fraction. The Ca(2+) occlusion sites appear to be independent of both high-affinity cytoplasmic and low-affinity lumenal sites, supporting a multisite 'in line' sequential binding mechanism for Ca(2+) transport.

The factors regulating Ca2+ transport by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles have been studied using the fluorescent indicator Fluo-3 to monitor extravesicular free [Ca2+]. ATP, in the presence of 5 mM oxalate, which clamps intravesicular [Ca2+] at approximately 10 microM, induced a rapid decline in Fluo-3 fluorescence to reach a limiting steady state level. This corresponds to a residual medium [Ca2+] of 100 to 200 nM, and has been defined as [Ca2+]lim, whilst thermodynamic considerations predict a level of less than 1 nM. This value is similar to that measured in intact muscle with Ca2+ fluophores, where it is presumed that sarcoplasmic free [Ca2+] is a balance between pump and leaks. Fluorescence of Fluo-3 at [Ca2+]lim was decreased 70% to 80% by histidine, imidazole and cysteine. The K0.5 value for histidine was 3 mM, suggesting that residual [Ca2+]lim fluorescence is due to Zn2+. The level of Zn2+ in preparations of SR vesicles, measured by atomic absorption, was 0.47+/-0.04 nmol/mg, corresponding to 0.1 mol per mol Ca-ATPase. This is in agreement with findings of Papp et al. (Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 243 (1985) 254-263). Histidine, 20 mM, included in the buffer, gave a corrected value for [Ca2+]lim of 49+/-1.8 nM, which is still higher than predicted on thermodynamic grounds. A possible 'pump/leak' mechanism was tested by the effects of varying active Ca2+ transport 1 to 2 orders with temperature and pH. [Ca2+]lim remained relatively constant under these conditions. Alternate substrates acetyl phosphate and p-NPP gave similar [Ca2+]lim levels even though the latter substrate supported transport 500-fold slower than with ATP. In fact, [Ca2+]lim was lower with 10 mM p-NPP than with 5 mM ATP. The magnitude of passive efflux from Ca-oxalate loaded SR during the steady state of [Ca2+]lim was estimated by the unidirectional flux of 45Ca2+, and directly, following depletion of ATP, by measuring release of 40Ca2+, and was 0.02% of Vmax. Constant infusion of CaCl2 at [Ca2+]lim resulted in a new steady state, in which active transport into SR vesicles balances the infusion rate. Varying infusion rates allows determination of [Ca2+]-dependence of transport in the absence of chelating agents. Parameters of non-linear regression were Vmax=853 nmol/min per mg, K0.5(Ca)=279 nM, and nH(Ca)=1.89. Since conditions employed in this study are similar to those in the sarcoplasm of relaxed muscle, it is suggested that histidine, added to media in studies of intracellular Ca2+ transients, and in the relaxed state, will minimise contribution of Zn2+ to fluophore fluorescence, since it occurs at levels predicted in this study to cause significant overestimation of cytoplasmic free [Ca2+] in the relaxed state. Similar precautions may apply to non-muscle cells as well. This study also suggests that [Ca2+]lim in the resting state is a characteristic feature of Ca2+ pump function, rather than a balance between active transport and passive leakage pathways.

Thermal uncoupling of the Ca2+ pump of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum is specifically blocked by binding of Ca2+ to the high affinity sites, having identical characteristics to the Ca2+ transport sites (Berman, M.C., McIntosh, D.B. and Kench, J.E. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 994-1001). The present study has investigated the nature of the decreased net Ca2+ transport in the uncoupling process. Ca2+ uptake in the presence and absence of oxalate, Ca2+ retention following passive Ca2+ loading and Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity were inactivated at pH 7.0 and 37 degrees C, with rate constants of 0.12, 0.047, 0.053 and 0.001 min-1, respectively. Activation energies were in the range 72-76 kcal/mol, indicating a common irreversible protein conformational transition. A thermodynamic analysis of parallel or consecutive inactivation pathways revealed that loss of Ca2+ transfer and ATPase activity occurred on the same pump unit, making the existence of a predominant uncoupled intermediate unlikely. Decreased passive Ca2+ loading, an index of the number of intact vesicles, correlated with decreased active uptake in the absence of oxalate, indicating increased vesicle permeability. Thapsigargin, at a 1:1 stoichiometry, stabilised the Ca-ATPase against thermal inactivation, while previously inactivated Ca-ATPases appeared not to bind TG. Protection by TG suggests that the origin of inactivation is in the transmembrane and stalk regions of the ATPase. We propose that protein unfolding results in inefficient gating of a small percentage of ATPases with subsequent uncoupling of the entire vesicle.

2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-8-azido (TNP-8N3)-AMP, -ADP, and -ATP bind tightly to the Ca(2+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum and become covalently attached on irradiation at alkaline pH, concomitant with inactivation of ATPase activity (Seebregts, C. J., and McIntosh, D. B. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 2043-2052). The ATPase is derivatized to the extent of 2-3 nmol/mg protein (i.e. approximately 1/2 maximum phosphoenzyme levels) per irradiation period at equimolar concentrations of ATPase and nucleotide. Stability studies of the adduct formed at alkaline pH revealed that the linkage is labile, particularly if the protein is denatured by brief heat (60 degrees C) treatment (t1/2 = 4-8 h at 40 degrees C). Thermolysin digestion of derivatized vesicles resulted in the release of the majority of the TNP chromaphore as an unstable TNP-peptide adduct (t1/2 = 9 h at 25 degrees C) with the sequence FSRDR*SMS, where the missing residue is Lys-492 and is presumably that which is derivatized. The same peptide adduct, and in similar amounts, was isolated from the ATPase derivatized with either TNP-8N3-AMP or -ATP. Several lines of evidence, including the finding that ATP- and not acetyl phosphate- or Pi-dependent phosphorylation is blocked by derivatization, suggest that the lysyl residue is at the catalytic nucleotide binding site, but is not directly involved in phosphoryl transfer. Lys-492 and Phe-487, as well as neighboring Arg-476 and Lys-515 (labeled with fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate), have all been highly conserved and probably contribute to a subdomain binding the purine and/or proximal phosphoryl groups of ATP.

The stoichiometries of Ca2+ and of Sr2+ transport by the Ca2(+)-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum have been previously reported to be 2 and 1, respectively, when determined by flux ratio methods (Mermier, P. and Hasselbach, W. (1976) Eur. J. Biochem. 69, 79-86; Holguin, J.A. (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 251, 9-16). We have measured transport of Ca2+ and Sr2+ by the pulsed pH-stat method, when supported by ATP or the pseudo-substrate acetyl phosphate (AcP). The stoichiometry of ATP-supported Ca2+ transport, Ca2+/ATP, was pH dependent and varied from 2.0 at pH 6.5 to 1.0 at pH 8.0. Sr2+/ATP ratios showed a similar pH dependence and were approx. 7-18% lower. Ca2+/AcP ratios showed little pH dependence and varied from 2.0 to 1.7 in the pH range 6.5 to 8.0. Sr2+/AcP ratios were 17-34% lower, with maximum differences at the pH extremes. Ruthenium red, which blocks calcium efflux from calcium release channels, increased measured stoichiometries by less than 10%. It is concluded that the transport of both Ca2+ and Sr2+, when supported by either ATP or a pseudo-substrate, have similar stoichiometrics and occurs via identical mechanisms. The relatively low Sr2+ transport ratios have been related to uncoupled reverse flux through the Ca2(+)-ATPase cation transport channel. Subintegral M2+/substrate ratios appear to be an intrinsic feature of active transport by the Ca2+ pump of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Preincubation of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles in the presence of the calcium chelator, [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid] (EGTA), irreversibly uncouples calcium transport from ATP hydrolysis. Uncoupling cannot be explained by increased membrane permeability, but is associated with decreased capacity of the Ca2+-ATPase to bind noncatalytic, tightly bound ATP and ADP (Berman, M. C. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 694, 95-121). The effects of EGTA-induced uncoupling on absorbance and fluorescence properties of the bound ATP analog, 2'(3')-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), have been studied under static and turnover conditions. Binding of 4.5-4.9 nmol of TNP-ATP/mg, as determined by absorbance difference titration, was relatively unaffected in the uncoupled state. TNP-ATP, bound to coupled vesicles during turnover, showed 6-8-fold enhanced fluorescence and a shift in the difference absorbance maximum from 510 to 493 nm, indicating increased hydrophobicity of the noncatalytic site. Turnover-dependent fluorescence enhancement was diminished by 60-70% in the uncoupled state, while the absorbance maximum wavelength shift was abolished. These data, correlating changes in the environment of the noncatalytic or regulatory nucleotide binding site on the Ca2+-ATPase with coupling activity, indicate that uncoupling is an intramolecular process, involving a ligand binding site on the ATPase, and that exclusion of H2O from the site occupied by noncatalytic nucleotides, during at least part of the catalytic cycle, is an event associated with energy transduction.

Coupling of Ca2+ transport to ATP hydrolysis in isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles has been studied following pulsed additions of either ATP or Ca2+. ATP was infused as a pulse into medium, whose free Ca2+ concentration was maintained constant at saturating levels by a calciumstat procedure, using either a Ca2+-selective electrode or the spectrophotometric arsenazo III technique as Ca2+ indicators. The low ATP levels virtually exclude contributions by "basal" ATPase activity. Passive leakage of Ca2+, monitored after an ATP pulse, does not contribute more than 5% to subintegral coupling ratios. Pulsed additions of Ca2+ were made into medium. containing saturating concentrations of ATP, whose hydrolysis was monitored by a pH-stat procedure. Ca2+-stimulated hydrolysis continued until all the Ca2+ was transported into the vesicles. Values for the coupling ratio, Ca2+/ATP, of 1.82 +/- 0.12 and 1.79 +/- 0.15 were obtained by the ATP- and Ca2+-pulse methods, respectively.

We have investigated the kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum under conditions that result in a single transport cycle. Simultaneous addition of ATP and EGTA to sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, preincubated with calcium, resulted in a transient of intermediate species. In the presence of saturating Ca2+ levels, total E-P species reached a maximum of 2.3 nmol/mg at 100 ms, followed by a monoexponential decay with kobs = 3.6 s-1. The data are interpreted in terms of Ca2+ sequestration, either by occlusion as Ca2+ in the phosphorylated enzyme or chelation by EGTA. Maximum Ca2+ uptake was 8.3 nmol/mg with the release of 4.4 nmol/mg Pi. The ratio of Ca2+ uptake to Pi release approached 1.9 over a wide [Ca2+] range. Equilibrium Ca2+ binding, in the absence of ATP, showed a K0.5 of 0.88 microM with a Hill coefficient of 1.9. The Ca2+ concentration dependence of Ca2+ uptake during single-cycle catalysis showed a 10-fold enhanced affinity (K0.5 = 0.06 microM) and was noncooperative (nH = 0.9). Quench with excess EGTA (greater than 2 mM) decreased Ca2+ uptake to 1 nmol/mg, indicating an "off" rate of Ca2+ from high affinity sites that exceeds 100 s-1. The ATP concentration dependence for a single-cycle catalysis showed an apparent K0.5 of 1.1 microM, similar to that for ATP equilibrium binding. It is proposed that enzyme phosphorylation proceeds only following binding of a second calcium ion to externally oriented sites whose intrinsic affinity is in the same range as the calcium dependence of a single-cycle turnover.

The effects of cardiotoxin on the ATPase activity and Ca2+-transport of guinea pig erythrocyte and rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (E.C.3.6.1.3) were investigated. Erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase was inhibited by cardiotoxin in a time- and dose-dependent fashion and inhibition appears to be irreversible. Micromolar calcium prevented this inhibitory effect. Specificity for (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase inhibition by cardiotoxin was indicated since a homologous neurotoxin had no effect. Cardiotoxin did not affect (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity from sarcoplasmic reticulum, but Ca2+-transport was 50% inhibited. This inhibition was not due to an increased Ca2+-efflux and could be the result of an intramolecular uncoupling of ATPase activity from Ca2+-transport. Inhibition of Ca2+-transport by cardiotoxin could not be prevented by millimolar concentrations of Ca2+. It is suggested that the biological effects of cardiotoxin could be a consequence of inhibition of plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPases.

The interactions of monovalent cations and of the K+-specific ionophore, valinomycin, with the Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle of sarcoplasmic reticulum have been studied in the absence of cation gradients by their effects on enzyme turnover and on the ATP plus Ca2+-dependent enhanced fluorescence of the ATP analogue, 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexyldienylidine)-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP) (Watanabe, T., and Inesi, G. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 11510-11516). Monovalent cations decreased turnover-dependent TNP-ATP fluorescence in the series K+ greater than Rb+ approximately equal to Cs+ greater than Na+ greater than Li+ (K0.5 = 49, 73, 75, 94, and 246 mM, respectively), consistent with the known specificity of the monovalent cation binding site that stimulates turnover and E-P hydrolysis. Valinomycin (200 nmol/mg), in the absence of monovalent cations, decreased ATPase activity by 30% and abolished the stimulatory effects of 150 mM KCl or NaCl on turnover. The ionophore alone enhanced TNP-ATP fluorescence by 20% and altered the specificity and affinity of the site that inhibited TNP-ATP fluorescence to Cs+ greater than Rb+ greater than K+ approximately equal to Na+ greater than Li+ (K0.5 = 79, 111, 134, 136, and 270 mM, respectively), which follows the Hofmeister series for effectiveness of monovalent lyotropic cations. TNP-ATP binding was not affected by either monovalent cations or valinomycin. Inhibition of turnover-dependent TNP-ATP fluorescence appears to be a useful parameter for monitoring monovalent cation binding to the Ca2+-ATPase. It is concluded that the ionophore interacts directly with the Ca2+-ATPase, independent of its K+ conductance effects on the lipid bilayer, and modifies the affinity and specificity of the monovalent cation site, either by direct interaction or by the formation of a valinomycin-monovalent cation-enzyme complex.

Coupling of Ca2+ transport to ATP hydrolysis by isolated skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles has been investigated by means of ATP pulse methods. The stoichiometric amounts of Ca2+ transported per pulse of ATP were measured by Ca2+-stat methods, using either a Ca2+ electrode or arsenazo III as end point detectors, or by means of 45CaCl2. Maximum coupling ratios (Ca2+/ATP), of 1.82 +/- 0.13 occurred at pH 6.8, 25 degrees C, and in the presence of saturating Ca2+ concentrations. Ca2+/ATP values decreased at alkaline pH, with an apparent pK alpha of 7.9. The coupling ratio was unaltered between 6 and 30 degrees C, but decreased to 0.4 at 42 degrees C. Uncoupling by alkaline pH and high temperatures was reversible. The coupling process was Ca2+-dependent, with a K0.5 value for Ca2+ of 0.12 microM and a Hill coefficient of 2.0. Ca2+ ions, which were transported into vesicles under conditions resulting in low coupling ratios, were retained as the calcium oxalate precipitate, following complete hydrolysis of substrate. Passive Ca2+ efflux and Ca2+ exchange, were independent of pH. The observed variations in Ca2+/ATP ratio cannot readily be explained on the basis of a pump-leak model. Rather, the Ca2+-ATPase appears to be capable of pumping Ca2+ ions, under physiological conditions, with variable stoichiometry that is dependent upon its thermodynamic loading.

The effects of acid on fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum from rabbit white skeletal muscle have been studied. Brief exposure of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes to pH values in the range 5.5 to 6.0 at 37 degrees caused rapid inactivation of calcium accumulation measured at 25 degrees in the presence of oxalate (calcium uptake) while (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) activity was enhanced by 75%. ATPase activity, measured at 37 degrees in the absence of oxalate and in the calcium steady state, was unaltered when calcium uptake was inactivated. Calcium efflux from sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, previously loaded passibely with 45CaCl2, was only slightly increased when calcium uptake was abolished. At still lower pH values, 5.0 to 5.5, (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase was inactivated while Mg2+ ATPase was more acid-resistant. Acid inactivation of calcium uptake followed simple first order kinetics for at least 80% of the time course. The rate constant, k, increased from 0.043 min-1 to 1.63 min-1 between pH 6.50 and pH 5.35. At pH 4.65, Ea, the energy of activation, was 31 kcal mol-1 between 24 degrees and 43 degrees. Inactivation, once initiated, was irreversible. Aged suspensions of sarcoplasmic reticulum were more sensitive to acid inactivation. Ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid enhanced inactivation, and calcium specifically protected against inactivation with half-maximal effect at 1 to 2 mM. The sulfhydryl reagent, dithiothreitol (1 mM), caused significantly increased rates of inactivation. Calcium binding was studied by dual wavelength spectrophotometry and stopped flow analysis. Acid inactivation distinguished two ATP-induced binding sites, previously described (Entman, M. L., Snow, T. R., Freed, D., and Schwartz, A. (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7762-7772) as a superficial Mg2+-independent Site A which binds and releases calcium rapidly and a deeper Mg2+-dependent Site B which binds and releases calcium more slowly. Rates of binding to both sites were decreased by acid inactivation. Binding of calcium to Site A increased, however, from 4.6 to 6.4 nmol mg of protein-1 whereas that to Site B decreased from 17.0 to 6.9 nmol mg of protein-1. Passive binding of calcium to sites of medium affinity (K = 7 X 10(4) M-1) was unaffected by acid inactivation of calcium uptake. Temperature dependence of (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase was unchanged in the range 9-34 degrees. Above 34 degrees, the higher activation energy process (Ealpha = 33.7 kcal mol-1) observed in control sarcoplasmic reticulum and thought to arise from a conformational change in the ATPase (Inesi, G., Millman, M., and Eletr, S. (1973) J. Mol. Biol. 81, 483-504) was diminished by acid inactivation (Ealpha = 8.2 kcal mol-1) in a manner suggesting that it is related to active calcium transport. The ATP in equilibrium 32Pi exchange reaction was diminished by acid, but 25% of the activity remained when calcium uptake was completely abolished...

Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles were shown to possess a class of tightly bound calcium ions, inaccessible to the chelator, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid at 0 degrees C or 25 degrees C, amounting to 4.5 nmol/mg of protein (approximately 0.5 mol/mol (Ca2+,Mg2+)-ATPase). The calcium ionophores, A23187 and X537A, induced rapid exchange of tightly bound calcium in the presence of chelator. Chelator alone at 37 degrees C, caused irreversible loss of bound calcium, which correlated with uncoupling of transport from (Ca2+,Mg2+)-ATPase activity. Uncoupling was not accompanied by increased permeability to [14C]inulin. Slow exchange of tightly bound calcium with medium calcium was unaffected by turnover of the ATPase or by tryptic cleavage into 55,000- and 45,000-dalton fragments. Binding studies with labeled calcium suggested that tight binding involves a two-step process: Ca2+ + E in equilibrium K E . Ca2+ leads to E < Ca2+ where E and < Ca2+ represent the ATPase and tightly bound calcium, and K = 1.6 X 10(3) M-1. It is suggested that tightly bound calcium is located in a hydrophobic pocket in, or in close proximity to the ATPase, and, together with tightly bound adenine nucleotides (Aderem, A., McIntosh, D. B., and Berman, M. C. (1979) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 76, 3622-03632), is related to the ability of the ATPase to couple hydrolysis of ATP to vectorial transfer of calcium across the membrane.

Freshly isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles contain 0.05 mol of tightly bound ADP and 0.03 mol of tightly bound ATP per mol of Ca2+, Mg2+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3). These values were increased to 0.1-0.2 mol ADP and 0.2-0.3 mol ATP per mol of ATPase after incubation of vesicles in the presence of MgATP and Ca2+ at 25 degrees C and pH 7.0. Half-maximal enrichment of tightly bound nucleotides was obtained with 2.5 mM ATP and 0.32 microM free Ca2+. Uncoupling of calcium transport from ATPase activity by mild acidic conditions or with ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid at pH 7.0 decreased the ability of the membranes to be enriched with tightly bound nucleotides and also decreased the content of tightly bound nucleotides of previously enriched membranes. Tightly bound [3H]nucleotides could only be partially displaced by reincubation under enrichment conditions. Tightly bound nucleotides are associated with energized calcium translocation but do not appear to be directly involved in the catalytic cycle.

The changes in fluorescence of 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS-) have been used to determine binding of ligands to the (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle. ANS- binds to sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes with an apparent Kd of 3.8 X 10(-5) M. The binding of ANS- had no effect on Ca2+ transport or Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity. EGTA, by binding endogenous Ca2+, increased the fluorescence intensity of bound ANS- by 10-12%. Subsequent addition of ATP, ADP, or Ca2+, in the presence or absence of Mg2+, reversed this change of fluorescence. The binding parameters, as determined by these decreases in fluorescence intensity, were as follows: for ATP, Kd = 1.0 X 10(-5) M, nH = 0.80; for ADP, Kd = 1.2 X 10(-5) M, nH = 0.89; and for Ca2+, Kd = 3.4 X 10(-7) M, nH = 1.8. The binding parameters for ITP and for the nonhydrolyzable analogue, adenyl-5'-yl-beta, gamma-methylene)diphosphate, were similar to those of ATP, but GDP, IDP, CDP, AMP, and cAMP had lower apparent affinities. Millimolar concentrations of pyrophosphate also decreased the fluorescence of bound ANS-, whereas orthophosphate caused a small (2-3%) increase in fluorescence in Ca2+-free media. Vanadate, in the presence of EGTA, decreased the fluorescence of bound ANS-with half-maximal effect at 4 X 10(-5) M. The changes of fluorescence intensity of bound ANS- appear to reflect conformational changes of the (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase, consequent to ligand binding, with the low and high fluorescence intensity species corresponding to the E1 and E2 conformations, respectively. These appear to reflect similar conformational states of the (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase to those reported by changes in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence (DuPont, Y. (1976) Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun. 71, 544-550).

The fluorescence of 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-ATP (TNP-ATP) bound to the Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum is greatly enhanced during turnover induced by ATP plus Ca2+ (Watanabe, T., and Inesi, G. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 11510-11516). We have studied the kinetics of induction of TNP-ATP fluorescence and of its decay and have found a close correlation with levels of phosphorylated intermediate of the enzyme, E-P. Steady-state kinetic studies suggested competitive binding of ATP and TNP-ATP to the catalytic site, with Km and Ki values of 2.4 and 1.0 microM, respectively. Rate constants for fluorescence enhancement and for E-P formation in the presteady state were 1.2 s-1 or 97-130 s-1 under conditions resulting in TNP-ATP or ATP saturation respectively, of the enzyme at inception of reaction. The slow process was concluded to be the koff for dissociation of TNP-ATP from the catalytic site. Following this dissociation, a second TNP-ATP site was detected, which both formed (97-130 s-1) and decayed (0.22 s-1) synchronously with E-P. TNP-ATP binding to this noncatalytic site was rapid (5 X 10(7) M-1 s-1) and resulted in high fluorescence during steady-state turnover. Fluorescence was found to be dissociated from E-P by KCl (100 mM). KCl had little effect on E-P levels, but decreased fluorescence by 68%. These studies provide independent kinetic evidence for the existence of both catalytic and noncatalytic, or "regulatory," nucleotide-binding sites, but cannot distinguish whether the two sites exist independently or whether the catalytic site is transformed into a regulatory site on phosphorylation. The latter site, which shows relatively high selectivity for TNP-ATP over ATP, and which is simultaneously hydrophobic and freely accessible to the medium, may play a role during energy transduction. The changes occurring at this site during catalysis are conveniently monitored with TNP-ATP fluorescence.

The calcium ion dependence of calcium transport by isolated sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles from rabbit skeletal muscle has been investigated by means of the Calcium-stat method, in which transport may be measured in the micromolar free calcium ion concentration range, in the absence of calcium buffers. At pH 7.2 and 20 degrees C, ATP, in the range 1 to 10 mM, decreased [Ca2+]0.5 from 2.0 microM to 0.3 microM and decreased Vmax of oxalate-supported transport from 0.5 to 1.3 mumol min-1 mg-1. Simultaneous measurements of transport and of ATPase activity in the range 0.8 to 10 microM free Ca2+ showed a ratio of 2.1 calcium ions translocated/molecule of ATP hydrolyzed. Transport, in the presence of 5 mM ATP, ceased when calcium ion concentration fell to 0.6 to 1.2 microM, whilst ATPase activity of 90 nmol of ATP hydrolyzed min-1 mg-1 persisted. The data obtained by the Calcium-stat method differed from those described previously using calcium buffers, in that they showed lower apparent affinities of the transport site for calcium ions, more marked sigmoidal behavior, an effect of ATP concentration on Ca2+ concentration dependence and lower ATPase activity in the absence of transport. The calcium complex of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CaEGTA) had no effect when transport was stimulated maximally at saturating free Ca2+ concentrations. However, at calcium ion levels below [Ca2+]0.5, 70 microM CaEGTA stimulated transport to rates of 20 to 45% of Vmax. Half-maximal stimulation of transport occurred at 19 microM CaEGTA. CaEGTA, 50 microM, decreased [Ca2+]0.5, determined at 5 mM ATP, from 1.3 microM to 0.45 microM. It is proposed that a ternary complex, E . Ca2+ . EGTA4-, is formed as an intermediate species during CaEGTA-stimulated calcium transport by sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes and stimulates the calcium pump at limiting free Ca2+ ion concentration.

Enhanced fluorescence of the ATP analogue 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexyldienylidine)adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), bound to the Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum, is closely related to phosphoenzyme levels (Bishop, J. E., Johnson, J. D., and Berman, M. C. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 15163-15171) and has an emission maximum consistent with decreased polarity of the TNP-ATP-binding site. The phosphoenzyme conformation responsible for increased nucleotide-binding site hydrophobicity has been studied by redistribution of phosphoenzyme intermediates following specific thiol group modification. N-Ethylmaleimide, in the presence of 50 microM Ca2+, 1 mM adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, pH 7.0, at 25 degrees C for 30 min, selectively modified the SH group essential for phosphoenzyme decomposition, which resulted in decreased ATPase activity, Ca2+ uptake, and a decrease in ATP-induced TNP-ATP fluorescence. Phosphorylated (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase levels from [gamma-32P] ATP remained relatively unaffected (3.1 nmol/mg), but the ADP-insensitive fraction decreased from 56 to 15%. Phosphoenzyme levels from 32Pi were also decreased to the same extent as turnover, with equivalent loss of Pi-induced TNP-ATP fluorescence. The E1 to E2 transition, as monitored by the change in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, was unaffected. Modification of thiol groups of unknown function did not modify turnover-induced TNP-ATP fluorescence. It is concluded that the ADP-insensitive phosphoenzyme, E2-P, is responsible for enhanced TNP-ATP fluorescence. This suggests that the conformational transition, 2Ca2+outE1 approximately P----2Ca2+inE2-P, is associated with altered properties of the noncatalytic, or regulatory, nucleotide-binding site.

The composition and function of fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum from pig skeletal muscle was examined in the period immediately post mortem. Muscle was defined as being either slowly glycolysing or rapidly glycolysing on the basis of colour, pH and concentrations of glycogen and lactate. The microsomal fraction was separated on a discontinuous gradient of 35, 40 and 45% (w/v) sucrose into heavy and intermediate fractions which sedimented to the interfaces, and a light fraction which remained on the surface of the 35%-sucrose layer. The sarcoplasmic reticulum from rapidly glycolysing muscle had a lower buoyant density than had that from slowly glycolysing muscle. This was reflected in the consistent lack of material in the heavy fraction and a greater proportion in the light fraction. The latter material had significantly lower ratios (w/w) of protein to phospholipid (2.3:1 versus 3.8:1) and of protein to cholesterol (10.4:1 versus 15.6:1). There were no gross differences in phospholipid content or in fatty acid composition of individual phospholipid classes in the membranes from the two types of muscle. Analysis of membrane proteins by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed that ATPase (adenosine triphosphatase) was a major component of each fraction and that its contribution to the total protein content of the membrane was greater in rapidly glycolysing muscle, suggesting a loss of non-ATPase proteins. The two fractions of sarcoplasmic reticulum prepared from rapidly glycolysing muscle had approximately one-third the normal activities of Ca(2+) binding and Ca(2+) uptake in the presence of ATP and one-half the passive Ca(2+)-binding capacity in the absence of ATP of the fractions from slowly glycolysing muscle. However, the (Ca(2+)+Mg(2+))-stimulated ATPase activities were similar. Efflux from actively loaded vesicles, after the addition of EDTA, consisted of a rapid and a slow phase. Vesicles from rapidly glycolysing muscle lost 60% of associated Ca(2+) (approx. 0.10mumol of Ca(2+)/mg of protein) during the rapid phase, compared with 30% (approx. 0.17mumol of Ca(2+)/mg of protein) in those from slowly glycolysing muscle. The efflux rate during the slower phase was comparable in both types of vesicles. Analysis of the temperature-dependence of (Ca(2+)+Mg(2+))-stimulated ATPase activity revealed that a high-activation-energy process operating in the temperature range 31-45 degrees C in the intermediate and light fractions from slowly glycolysing muscle was not apparent in vesicles from rapidly glycolysing muscle. Conditions that result in the prolonged activation of glycogenolysis in pig muscle post mortem primarily affect the protein components of the sarcoplasmic-reticular membrane, giving rise to a loss of loosely associated proteins. The function of the membranes observed under these conditions does not appear to be due to enhanced permeability of the membrane to Ca(2+) and may be the result of a defect in the transport of Ca(2+) into the vesicles.

The Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum is a single protein species that pumps calcium ions at the expense of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The reaction cycle includes phosphorylated intermediates which change the affinity and orientation of calcium sites. The monomer appears to be fully functional. Cross-linking and fluorescence studies indicate that ATP binds to a domain that approaches the phosphorylation site and becomes occluded during the reaction cycle. Interactions between these and the calcium channel, possibly via an energy transduction domain, ensure efficient coupling of catalytic and transport cycles.