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K Geering

Publications and source records attributed to K Geering.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Membrane insertion of alpha- and beta-subunits of Na+,K+-ATPase.

Insertion of the alpha- and beta-subunits of amphibian epithelial Na+,K+-ATPase into pancreatic microsomes in cell-free systems was shown to be the same as into membranes of intact cells. The glycoproteic beta-subunit was observed to be cotranslationally inserted into endoplasmic reticulum membranes and to adopt a different pattern of N-linked core and terminal sugars in two different amphibian species. The beta-subunit lacks a cleavable signal sequence but quantitative membrane integration required membrane addition at the start of synthesis. Proteolysis of beta-subunit assembled in vitro indicated a cleavable cytoplasmic domain of about 2000 daltons. The catalytic 98-kilodalton alpha-subunit was also membrane-associated during its synthesis in an alkali-resistant fashion and independent of newly synthesized beta-subunit. In contrast to the beta-subunit, membrane integration of the alpha-subunit was possible as late as a time point in its synthesis which corresponded to about 1/3-1/2 of completion of the nascent chain. A small 34 kDa trypsin-resistant fragment of the alpha-subunit was produced at an early stage of synthesis both in the intact cell and in the cell-free system. These results suggest that membrane insertion of both alpha- and beta-subunit occurs during their synthesis but with a different time course.

Animals↗

Receptor occupancy vs. induction of Na+-K+-ATPase and Na+ transport by aldosterone.

In the urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus aldosterone (between 0.8 and 100 nM) stimulates Na+ transport [half-maximal induction concentration (K1/2) = 6.5 nM]. At low hormone concentrations (0.8-8 nM), the increase of Na+ transport between 0.75 and 2.5 h is accompanied by a fall in transepithelial resistance (R). Higher hormone concentrations (30-800 nM) induce an additional resistance-independent fraction of Na+ transport within 2.5-8 h. From 6 h on, aldosterone (between 0.2 and 20 nM) stimulates in the same tissue the biosynthesis rate of the alpha- and beta-subunits of Na+-K+-ATPase (K1/2 = 3 and 1.5 nM, respectively). New pump synthesis is thus not a prerequisite for the early mineralocorticoid response but might be linked to the late transport event. The mineralocorticoid response is usually ascribed to interaction with the higher affinity type 1 receptor. In the present study we show, however, that at least 55% of the overall Na+ transport response is linked to nuclear occupation of the lower affinity type 2 receptors [dissociation constant (Kd) = 50 nM, maximum number of binding sites (Nmax) = 315 fmol/mg protein]. Distinct aldosterone effects, such as the fall in R and the increase in Na+-K+-ATPase synthesis, are more closely related to occupation of type 1 receptors (Kd = 0.3 nM, Nmax = 23 fmol/mg protein). At maximal induction of these latter parameters, only about 20% of type 2 receptors are occupied. These results suggest that both types of aldosterone receptors are involved in the mediation of the full mineralocorticoid response: type 1 in the early and late and type 2 particularly in the late tissue response.

Aldosterone↗

Effects of thyromimetic drugs on aldosterone-dependent sodium transport in the toad bladder.

Aldosterone increases transepithelial Na+ transport in the urinary bladder of Bufo marinus. The response is characterized by 3 distinct phases: 1) a lag period of about 60 min, ii) an initial phase (early response) of about 2 hr during which Na+ transport increases rapidly and transepithelial electrical resistance falls, and iii) a late phase (late response) of about 4 to 6 hr during which Na+ transport still increases significantly but with very little change in resistance. Triiodothyronine (T3, 6 nM) added either 2 or 18 hr before aldosterone selectively antagonizes the late response. T3 per se (up to 6 nM) has no effect on base-line Na+ transport. The antagonist activity of T3 is only apparent after a latent period of about 6 to 8 hr. It is not rapidly reversible after a 4-hr washout of the hormone. The effects appear to be selective for thyromimetic drugs since reverse T3 (rT3) is inactive and isopropyldiiodothyronine (isoT2) is more active than T3. The relative activity of these analogs corresponds to their relative affinity for T3 nuclear binding sites which we have previously described. Our data suggest that T3 might control the expression of aldosterone by regulating gene expression, e.g. by the induction of specific proteins, which in turn will inhibit the late mineralocorticoid response, without interaction with the early response.

Aldosterone↗

Effects of thyroid hormones and aldosterone on mineralocorticoid binding sites in the toad bladder.

In the urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus triiodothyronine selectively inhibits the late effect of aldosterone on Na+ transport. We have investigated whether T3 might mediate its antimineralocorticoid action by controlling: i) the level of aldosterone binding sites in the soluble (cytosolic) pool isolated from tissues treated with T3 (60 nM) for up to 20 hr of incubation; ii) the kinetics of uptake of 3H-aldosterone into cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions after 2 or 20 hr of exposure to T3. The number and the affinity of Type I (high affinity, low capacity) and Type II (low affinity, high capacity) cytosolic binding sites (measured at 0 degrees C) did not vary significantly after 18 hr of exposure to T3, while aldosterone-dependent Na+ transport was significantly inhibited. In addition, T3 did not modify the kinetics of uptake (90 min) of 3H-aldosterone into cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of toad bladder incubated in vitro at 25 degrees C. By contrast, aldosterone itself was able to down-regulate its cytosolic and nuclear binding sites after an 18-hr exposure to the steroid hormone (10 or 80 nM). T3 slightly (20%) but significantly potentiated the down regulation of nuclear binding sites. In conclusion, T3 does not appear to have major effects on the regulation of the aldosterone receptor, which could explain in a simple manner its antimineralocorticoid action.

Aldosterone↗

Hydrophobic labeling of (Na+,K+)-ATPase: further evidence that the beta subunit is embedded in the membrane bilayer.

O-Hexanoyl-3,5-diiodo-N-(4-azido-2-nitro-phenyl)tyramine has been used after photochemical conversion into the reactive nitrene to label (Na+,K+)-ATPase from Bufo marinus toad kidney. Immunochemical evidence indicates that the reagent labels both subunits of the enzyme in partially purified form as well as in microsomal membranes. These results support the view that the glycoprotein subunit, like the catalytic subunit, possesses hydrophobic domains by which it is integrated into the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Binding and antimineralocorticoid activities of spirolactones in toad bladder.

The role of the soluble pool (cytoplasmic or cytosolic) of [3H]-aldosterone binding sites in the toad bladder was assessed by the use of two spirolactones, prorenone and spironolactone as a reference drug. Prorenone fulfills all the criteria for a specific competitive antagonist of aldosterone for its effect on Na+ transport. Compared with spironolactone (Ki approximately equal to 1 microM), prorenone was about eightfold less potent (Ki approximately equal to 8 microM). Competition for [3H]aldosterone binding sites by spironolactone and prorenone revealed an order of potency (spironolactone greater than prorenone) that corresponded to their antagonist activities in the Na+ transport assay. There was a linear correlation between the effects of the two spirolactones on the aldosterone-stimulated Na+ transport and their ability to displace [3H]aldosterone from its binding sites in the soluble pool. Finally [3H]prorenone binding sites were detected in the soluble pool but an insignificant number of antagonist-receptor complexes were found associated with the nuclear pool. Our study indicates that the aldosterone binding sites of the soluble pool are indeed mineralocorticoid receptors, which are probably the first intracellular mediators leading to an increased Na+ reabsorption.

Aldosterone↗

Hormonal regulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase biosynthesis in the toad bladder. Effect of aldosterone and 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine.

Aldosterone stimulates transepithelial Na+ transport in the toad bladder, and thyroid hormone antagonizes this mineralocorticoid action. In the present study, we assessed the influence of these two hormones on the biosynthesis of (Na+,K+)ATPase, the major driving force of Na+ transport. Rates of enzyme synthesis were estimated by immunoprecipitation with monospecific alpha (96,000 daltons) and beta (60,000 daltons) subunit antibodies. After a 30-min pulse of intact tissue with [35S]methionine, the anti-alpha-serum recognized the 96,000-dalton alpha subunit and the anti-beta-serum, a 42,000-dalton protein, in total cell extracts. The biosynthesis rates of both these proteins were increased 2.8- and 2.4-fold respectively, over controls by 80 nM aldosterone after 18 h of hormone treatment. The hormonal effect was not apparent up to 3 h of incubation and was dose dependent between 0.2 and 20 nM aldosterone. The hormonal induction was antagonized by spironolactone (500-fold excess) but not by amiloride. The action of aldosterone thus seems to be a receptor-mediated process and a primary event independent of the Na+ permeability of the apical membrane. Thyroid hormone, on the other hand, had no effect on either basal or aldosterone-stimulated synthesis rates of both enzyme proteins. The results demonstrate a direct effect of aldosterone on gene expression of the (Na+,K+)-ATPase. Ultimately, this phenomenon could be linked to the late mineralocorticoid action of this hormone. On the other hand, thyroid hormone, in contrast to the situation in mammals, does not stimulate de novo enzyme synthesis in amphibia. Neither can the antimineralocorticoid action of thyroid hormone in the toad bladder be explained by an inhibition of the (Na+,K+)-ATPase synthesis.

Aldosterone↗

Immunochemical evidence for a transmembrane orientation of both the (Na+, K+)-ATPase subunits.

Antibodies were raised against the large catalytic subunit (apparent Mr 96000) and the glycoprotein (apparent Mr 60000) of the sodium- and potassium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase [(Na+, K+)-ATPase] from Bufo marinus. The specificity of each antiserum was assessed by two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis using toad kidney microsomes or the purified holoenzyme as a source of antigen and by indirect immunoprecipitation of detergent-solubilized (Na+, K+)-ATPase subunits from radioiodinated or biosynthetically labeled kidney holoenzyme, microsomes, or postnuclear supernatant. The anticatalytic subunit serum reacted exclusively with a 96000-dalton protein. The antiserum to the glycoprotein was rendered specific to this subunit by absorption with purified catalytic subunit. The two antisera were agglutinating and lytic in the presence of complement when toad erythrocytes were used as targets, indicating that antigenic determinants of both subunits were exposed on the cell surface. The specific reactivities with surface-exposed antigenic determinants of both subunits could be absorbed with toad red blood cells. Such absorbed antisera still reacted with detergent-treated or untreated kidney microsomes, revealing the presence of cytoplasmic and/or intramembranous antigenic sites. Our immunochemical data demonstrate that the glycoprotein subunit of (Na+, K+)-ATPase spans the lipid bilayer and confirm the transmembrane orientation of the catalytic subunit postulated from functional studies.

Animals↗

Testosterone: a specific competitive antagonist of aldosterone in the toad bladder.

Testosterone (100 nM to 40 microM) antagonized the effect of aldosterone (10 nM) on Na+ transport in the toad bladder measured in vitro as short-circuit current (SCC). Half-maximal inhibition occurred at an antagonist-agonist molar ratio of 150:1. The antagonist action of testosterone was reversed by addition of more aldosterone. The antagonism was specific in the sense that testosterone (20 microM) did not inhibit the response of the SCC to oxytocin (50 mU/ml). By itself, testosterone (up to 20 microM) had no agonist activity on base-line SCC. Finally, testosterone (500 nM to 20 microM) specifically displaced [3H]aldosterone (5 nm) from its cytoplasmic and nuclear binding sites in bladders incubated in vitro at 25 or 0 degrees C and labeled at steady state. There was a significant linear correlation between the effect of testosterone on the aldosterone-dependent SCC and its effect on [3H]aldosterone binding sites in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. We conclude that 1) testosterone is a specific competitive antagonist of aldosterone, and 2) [3H]aldosterone nuclear and cytoplasmic binding sites could be mineralocorticoid receptors, mediating the action of aldosterone on Na+ transport.

Aldosterone↗

Purification and characterization of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from toad kidney.

This report describes the partial purification and the characteristics of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) from an amphibian source. Toad kidney microsomes were solubilized with sodium deoxycholate and further purified by sodium dodecyl sulphate treatment and sucrose gradient centrifugation, according to the methods described by Lane et al. [(1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7197--7200], Jørgensen [(1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 356, 36--52] and Hayashi et al. [(1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 482, 185--196]. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase preparations with specific activities up to 1000 mumol Pi/mg protein per h were obtained. Mg2+-ATPase only accounted for about 2% of the total ATPase activity. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed three major protein bands with molecular weights of 116 000, 62 000 and 26 000. The 116 000 dalton protein was phosphorylated by [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of sodium but not in the presence of potassium. The 62 000 dalton component stained for glycoproteins. The Km for ATP was 0.40 mM, for Na+ 12.29 mM and for K+ 1.14 mM. The Ki for ouabain was 35 micron. Temperature activation curves showed two activity peaks at 37 degrees C and at 50 degrees C. The break in the Arrhenius plot of activity versus temperature appeared at 15 degrees C.

Animals↗

Plasma renin activity related to sodium balance, renal function and urinary vasopressin in the newborn infant.

Plasma renin activity was determined in 25 healthy, full-term, newborn infants aged 1 day to 9 weeks. High values were found, the mean level at 1-2 days of life (24.8 +/- 8.4 ng/ml/hr, SE) being significantly higher than the mean levels at 7-9 days (5.8 +/- 1.5) and at 4-9 weeks (8.1 +/- 1.3) (P less than 0.05). No correlation was found between plasma renin activity and systolic blood pressure, hematocrit, creatinine clearance, serum sodium, or serum potassium. Plasma renin activity (log values) was inversely correlated with sodium intake (r = -0.58) or with urinary sodium (r = -0.44), and positively with urinary osmolality (r = 0.67). The correlations reached higher coefficients if only infants aged less than or equal to 9 days were considered. In addition, vasopressin was measured by radioimmunoassay in the urine. The daily excretion was lower in newborn infants (9.4 +/- 1.6 ng/m2/day, SE, at 1-2 days of postnatal life) than in healthy children (37.1 +/- 5.6), and was significantly correlated with creatinine clearance (r = 0.69), but not with urinary osmolality.

Blood Pressure↗

Lipase and unspecific esterase activity in the fat body of Aedes aegypti L.

In the fat body of Aedes aegypti a very high unspecific esterase activity and a low lipolytic activity was found. The electrophoretic isozyme patterns of the unspecific esterases show only few changes in the different physiological stages. The activity of the unspecific esterases as well as of the lipase is especially high in young sugar fed and in blood fed mosquitoes which points to special energy requirements in these stages. The role of the unspecific esterases is discussed.

Aedes↗

The esterase patterns in the ovaries and the embryonated eggs of Aedes aegypti L.

The esterases of Aedes aegypti were studied in the ovary before and during a gonotrophic cycle and also in fully embryonated eggs by means of disc electrophoresis. During oogenesis no significacant changes can be observed besides a marked increase in the total esterase activity. A different esterase pattern is found in eggs after embryogenesis. The electrophoretic mobility of some esterase bands is highly increased in the ovary compared to other organs. One esterase fraction in the ovary and two in the fertilized egg were identified as acetylcholinesterases. All other enzymes are carboxylesterases. The results are compared to those of previous authors and are discussed in view of possible functions of esterases during reproduction.

Acetylcholinesterase↗