Functional Properties of Na,K-ATPase, and Their Structural Implications, as Detected with Biophysical Techniques

A full understanding of the molecular mechanism of ion transport and energetics of the Na,K-ATPase will require both structural and functional data. During recent years biophysical methods have provided a number of important pieces of information on ion binding and release and the charge transfer process. This allows the formulation of kinetic models of the transport process. Although a breakthrough has not been obtained due to the lack of detailed knowledge on the threedimensional structure with a resolution high enough to identify the ion-binding sites and the transport pathway, the functional information has structural implications that create constraints on possible mechanisms of active transport. Here we describe briefly contributions of some biophysical methods to our conceptual understanding of the ion transport process

Binding of Sodium Ions and Cardiotonic Steroids to Native and Selectively Trypsinized Na,K Pump, Detected by Charge Movements

A fluorescent dye, RH421, has been used to characterize charge movements associated with cation and cardiotonic steroid binding to Na,K-ATPase and to a specifically trypsinized preparation, so-called "19-kDa membranes." A fluorescence decrease induced by Na+ is attributed to electrogenic binding of one Na+ ion from the cytoplasm. The apparent affinity for Na+ is the same in both preparations. (ATP + Na + Mg) or (Pi + Mg)-induced fluorescence signals observed with native enzyme are not observed in 19-kDa membranes, consistent with loss of ATP binding and phosphorylation. Cardiotonic steroids (CS) bind to native enzyme and 19-kDa membranes as judged by RH421 signals, fluorescence of anthroyl ouabain, anidn hibition of Rb+ occlusion. Binding affinities to both preparations are in the micromolar range, and bindingis prevented by the presence of Na+ or K+. The kinetics of glycone binding and dissociation are identical in both preparations, but aglycones bind and dissociate about 6-foldf aster to 19-kDa membranes. Binding of Na+ and cardiotonic steroids is inactivated upon heating or extensive Pronase digestion of 19-kDa membranes. This suggests that cation and CS binding depend on the structural integrity of a complex of the proteolytic fragments, and that sites for both cations or CS consist of ligating groups located on more than one fragments of 19-kDa membranes

Binding of sodium ions and cardiotonic steroids to native and selectively trypsinized Na,K pump, detected by charge movements

A fluorescent dye, RH421, has been used to characterize charge movements associated with cation and cardiotonic steroid binding to Na,K-ATPase and to a specifically trypsinized preparation, so-called "19-kDa membranes." A fluorescence decrease induced by Na+ is attributed to electrogenic binding of one Na+ ion from the cytoplasm. The apparent affinity for Na+ is the same in both preparations. (ATP + Na + Mg) or (Pi + Mg)-induced fluorescence signals observed with native enzyme are not observed in 19-kDa membranes, consistent with loss of ATP binding and phosphorylation. Cardiotonic steroids (CS) bind to native enzyme and 19-kDa membranes as judged by RH421 signals, fluorescence of anthroyl ouabain, anidn hibition of Rb+ occlusion. Binding affinities to both preparations are in the micromolar range, and bindingis prevented by the presence of Na+ or K+. The kinetics of glycone binding and dissociation are identical in both preparations, but aglycones bind and dissociate about 6-foldf aster to 19-kDa membranes. Binding of Na+ and cardiotonic steroids is inactivated upon heating or extensive Pronase digestion of 19-kDa membranes. This suggests that cation and CS binding depend on the structural integrity of a complex of the proteolytic fragments, and that sites for both cations or CS consist of ligating groups located on more than one fragments of 19-kDa membranes