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L Beaugé

Publications and source records attributed to L Beaugé.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system in rat glial cells in culture: activation by external monovalent cations.

Cultured rat glial cells display a Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system located at the plasma membrane levels. This was evidenced by the Na+ (i)-dependency of a Na+ (o)-inhibitable influx of Ca2+, or reversal exchange mode. This antiporter has an external site where monovalent cations (K+, Li+, and Na+ were investigated) stimulate the exchange by a chemical action. The monovalent cation is not transported during the exchange cycle. The mechanism of that stimulation agrees with an increase in the apparent affinity of the carrier for Ca2+(o) without effect on the maximal translocation rate. Two models can equally well account for the data: i) the formation of ECa(o) is essential for the binding of the monovalent cation, or ii) the activating cation can bind even when the carrier is free of Ca2+(o). The cations K+ and Li+ produced only stimulation, although that of K+ seem to require actions other than the chemical effect. The response to Na+ was biphasic; this can be fully explained considering that at low concentrations, Na+(o) binds preferentially to the activating monovalent site while at high concentrations it displaces Ca2+ from its external transporting site. Pure type I astrocytes displayed the same Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Na(+)-ATPase activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. Reactivity of the E2 form during Na(+)-ATPase turnover.

Based on work of Post et al. (Post, R. L. Toda, G., and Rogers, F.N. (1975) J. Biol, Chem. 250, 691-701), we studied the E2 form reactivity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37) during Na(+)-ATPase turnover by following ATP hydrolysis with and without P(i) and enzyme phosphorylation from P(i) at 20 degrees C. For theoretical calculations we employed the Albers-Post scheme assuming that, even with no K+, E2 exhibits the ATP regulatory site. Using available rate constants the model predicts: (i) without P(i), Na(+)-ATPase displays a single high affinity ATP site but becomes double Michaelian (with high and low ATP affinity) when P(i) is present. (ii) Phosphorylation from P(i) can be detected during Na(+)-ATPase (t 1/2 about 400 ms); the KmP(i) is substantially higher that the KdP(i). (iii) P(i) incorporation is reduced by ATP acting with low affinity; this does not require an increase in the E2-E1 transition rate. (iv) The KmATP of the regulatory site is augmented when [P(i)] increases. The experimental observations, using partially purified pig kidney enzyme, agreed with the predictions. In addition they showed that: (i) extracellular Na+ can prevent P(i) incorporation; this effect is additive with that of ATP but with independent Ki values. (ii) Mg2+ stimulates P(i) incorporation with low affinity (Km of 1.5 mM). (iii) beta, gamma-Methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate and palmitoyl-CoA antagonize P(i) inhibition of Na(+)-ATPase. These results agree with a model where the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and Na(+)-ATPase cycles share most of their intermediate steps and enzyme conformations.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1994

Effects of vanadate on MgATP stimulation of Na-Ca exchange support kinase-phosphatase modulation in squid axons.

We have proposed that in squid axons MgATP stimulation of Na-Ca exchange involves a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation process catalyzed by a kinase-phosphatase system. In the present work, we used vanadate as a tool to gather further evidence about the mechanism of metabolic control of the Na-Ca exchanger in internally dialyzed and voltage-clamped squid axons. Vanadate, at concentrations up to 100 microM, stimulated extracellular Na (Nao)-dependent Ca efflux only in the presence of MgATP but failed to do so when the axons were dialyzed with the nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate or with CrATP, a MgATP analogue that completely abolishes MgATP stimulation of the Na-Ca exchange. In axons fully activated by Mg-adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), vanadate had no effect on Na-Ca exchange. The dose-response curve for vanadate stimulation followed Michaelian kinetics with a Km of 5.6 +/- 0.4 microM and a maximum velocity of 216 +/- 10 fmol.cm-2.s-1 (intracellular Ca concentration = 0.8 microM). This coincides with the high affinity of vanadate in inhibiting the in vitro phosphatase activity of an alkaline phosphatase extracted from rat liver. In addition, vanadate increased fivefold the apparent affinity for MgATP (Km from 220 +/- 14 to 40 +/- 4 microM). Concentrations of vanadate in the millimolar range inhibited the MgATP-stimulated Na-Ca exchange (apparent Ki of 5.7 +/- 0.3 mM) and the in vitro phosphorylation by the catalytic subunit of a adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate protein kinase (apparent Ki 2.64 +/- 0.04 mM). We conclude that MgATP stimulation of Na-Ca exchange is proportional to the levels of phosphorylation that result from the balance of the activity of a kinase and a phosphatase activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

ATP activation of plasma membrane yeast H(+)-ATPase shows complex kinetics independently of the degree of purification.

ATP stimulation of plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase activity from a wild baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) was followed under conditions of progressive degrees of purification. A particular emphasis was put to cover a wide range of concentrations which went from 2 microM up to 3000 microM ATP. The preparations used were (i) crude membrane fraction, (ii) untreated plasma membrane fraction obtained by differential centrifugation, (iii) residual plasma membrane treated with Triton X-100, (iv) enzyme solubilized with either Zwittergent 3-14 alone or after Triton X-100 treatment. Under all conditions the fitting of the dose-response curves required an equation composed by the sum of two Michaelian terms. Depending on the treatment, the Km values and Vmax values varied. The fitted curves displayed a high affinity-low Vmax (Km values of 7-60 microM and Vmax values of 0.03-0.50 mumol P(i)/mg per min) and a low affinity-high Vmax component (Km values of 408-1960 microM and Vmax values of 0.26-5.82 mumol P(i)/mg per min). The complex ATP activation curve of the yeast plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase is in line with similar behavior found for the H(+)-ATPase of higher plants and all known animal cation transport ATPases.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

In squid axons the Ca2+i regulatory site of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is drastically modified by sulfhydryl blocking agents. Evidences that intracellular Ca2+i regulatory and transport sites are different.

We have explored the effect of the sulfhydryl group blocker p-chloromercuryphenylsulfonic acid (PCMBS) on Ca2+ and Na+ interactions with the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in squid giant nerve fibers. Steady-state Na+o-dependent Ca2+ efflux (forward) and Na+i-dependent Ca2+ influx (reverse) were measured in internally dialyzed, voltage clamped squid axons. External PCMBS (0.5 mM, for 25-35 min) has no effect on the activation of Ca2+ efflux by Na+o, and Ca2+o or on the activatory external monovalent cation site. In contrast, when applied internally it drastically reduces the affinity of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger towards Ca2+i ions without affecting its maximal rate of transport; in the presence of MgATP the K0.5 for Ca2+i activation of forward Na+/Ca2+ exchange increases from 1.5 microM to 95 microM; likewise the apparent affinity of the Ca2+i stimulation of the reversal exchange decreases 100-fold. Interestingly, no effect of PCMBS was found on the interactions between Na+i and Ca2+i ions with the internal transport site(s) (inhibition of Na+2o and Ca2+o-dependent Ca2+ efflux by Na+i). On the other hand, Na+i ions do not modify the interactions of Ca2+i with that site. Two important characteristics of the Ca2+i regulatory site are uncover in this work: (i) sulfhydryl groups are important in maintaining the integrity of the Ca2+ binding domain of the Ca2+i regulatory site and (ii) Na+i and Ca2+i regulatory, or Na+i and Ca2+i transporting sites, are different entities.

4-Chloromercuribenzenesulfonate↗
PubMed1993

Effects of some metal-ATP complexes on Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in internally dialysed squid axons.

1. Na(+)o-dependent Ca2+ efflux (forward Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange), and in some cases the Na(+)i-dependent Ca2+ influx (reverse Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange) were measured in internally dialysed squid axons under membrane potential control. 2. We tested the effect on the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange of the MgATP analogue bidentate chromium adenosine-5'-triphosphate (CrATP), substrate of several kinases, and cobalt tetrammine ATP (Co(NH3)4ATP), a poor substrate of most kinases. 3. CrATP completely blocked the MgATP and MgATP-gamma-S (ATP-gamma-S) stimulation of the Na(+)o-dependent Ca2+ efflux (forward exchange) and the Na+i-dependent Ca2+ influx (reverse exchange). The analogue only blocked the nucleotide-dependent fraction of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange without modifying any kinetic parameters of the exchange reactions. 4. The effects of CrATP were fully reversible with a very slow time constant (t 1/2 about 30 min). 5. The MgATP stimulation of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange was completely saturated at 1 mM. Higher MgATP concentrations (up to 15 mM) had no additional effects. Pentalysine (internal or external), the protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 (1-(5-isoquinolinylsulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine) and several calmodulin inhibitors did not inhibit Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange either in the absence or presence of MgATP. 6. Our results do not agree with the idea of an aminophospholipid translocase being responsible for the ATP stimulation of the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in squid axons; they suggest that this is due to the action of a kinase system.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1993

[Regulation of the Na/Ca exchanger].

The introduction of the squid giant axon preparation to studies on Ca homeostasis has proven very useful in laying the foundations in the study of Ca regulation. In particular the Na/Ca exchange mechanism has been characterized in terms of its regulatory processes using the well define technique of intracellular dialysis and membrane potential control. The Na/Ca exchange countertransport system plays a critical role in physiological processes including cardiac contractility and photoreception. It has also been implicate in the etiology of essential hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias and cell death. The ability of the Na/Ca exchanger to regulate the intracellular ionized Ca concentration ([Ca2+i]) under physiological conditions, is determined by the direction (net Ca efflux or Ca influx), and magnitude of transport. The direction of Ca transport is decided by the chemical gradient of sodium and calcium. The magnitude of the exchange is regulated by kinetic factors. This kinetic factors are critical since they decide whether the exchanger will mediate a net Ca movement under certain conditions. Recently, a large effort has been put together to characterize the secondary modulation of the Na/Ca exchanger. In particular modulation by MgATP and intracellular Ca2+. In nerve cells we have discover that MgATP regulates the exchanger through as phosphorylation-dephosphorylation processes most probably relate to the action of a kinase-phosphatase system. The other important ligand that regulates the exchange activity is the level of [Ca2+i]. We have found the presence of a regulatory site in the cytoplasmic face of the exchanger different from the transport site and probably responsible for turning the carrier "on" or "off". In this article we will depict some of the processes involved in the metabolic and ionic regulation of the Na/Ca exchanger.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Effects of magnesium and ATP on pre-steady-state phosphorylation kinetics of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase.

The aim of the present work was to elucidate the role played by ATP and Mg2+ ions in the early steps of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase cycle. The approach was to follow pre-steady-state phosphorylation kinetics in Na(+)-containing K(+)-free solutions under variable ATP and MgCl2 concentrations. The experiments were performed with a rapid mixing apparatus at 20 +/- 2 degrees C. The concentrations of free and complexes species of Mg2+ and ATP were calculated on the basis of a dissociation constant of 0.091 +/- 0.004 mM, estimated with Arsenazo III under identical conditions. A simplified scheme were ATP binds to the ENa enzyme, which is phosphorylated to MgEPNa and consequently dephosphorylated returning to the ENa form, was used. In the absence of ADP and phosphate four rate constants are relevant: k1 and k-1, the on and off rate constants for ATP binding; k2, the transphosphorylation rate constant and k3, the constant that governs the dephosphorylation rate. The values obtained were: k1 = 0.025 +/- 0.003 microM-1 ms-1 for both free ATP and ATPMg; k-1 = 0.038 +/- 0.004 ms-1 for free ATP and 0.009 +/- 0.002 ms-1 for ATPMg; k2 = 0.199 +/- 0.005 ms-1; k3 = 0.0019 +/- 0.0002 ms-1. The model that seems best to explain the data is one where (i) the role of true substrate can be played equally well by free ATP or ATPMg, and (ii) free Mg2+, an essential activator, acts by binding to a specific Mg2+ site on the enzyme molecule.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Phosphatase activity and potassium transport in liposomes with Na+,K(+)-ATPase incorporated.

We have used liposomes with incorporated pig kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase to study vanadate sensitive K(+)-K+ exchange and net K+ uptake under conditions of acetyl- and p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activities. The experiments were performed at 20 degrees C. Cytoplasmic phosphate contamination was minimized with a phosphate trapping system based on glycogen, phosphorylase a and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. In the absence of Mg2+ (no phosphatase activity) 5-10 mM p-nitrophenyl phosphate slightly stimulated K(+)-K+ exchange whereas 5-10 mM acetyl phosphate did not. In the presence of 3 mM MgCl2 (high rate of phosphatase activity) acetyl phosphate did not affect K(+)-K+ exchange whereas p-nitrophenyl phosphate induced a greater stimulation than in the absence of Mg2+; a further addition of 1 mM ADP resulted in a 35-65% inhibition of phosphatase activity with an increase in K(+)-K+ exchange, which sometimes reached the levels seen with 5 mM phosphate and 1 mM ADP. The net K+ uptake in the presence of 3 mM MgCl2 was not affected by acetyl phosphate or p-nitrophenyl phosphate, whereas it was inhibited by 5 mM phosphate (with and without 1 mM ADP). The results of this work suggest that the phosphatase reaction is not by itself associated to K+ translocation. The ADP-dependent stimulation of K(+)-K+ exchange in the presence of phosphatase activity could be explained by the overlapping of one or more step/s of the reversible phosphorylation from phosphate with the phosphatase cycle.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed1991

Some properties of the H-ATPase activity present in root plasmalemma of Avena sativa L. Two different enzymes or one enzyme with two ATP sites?

The effects of Mg2+, K+ and ATP on a H-ATPase activity from a native plasmalemma fraction of oat roots were explored at 20 degrees C and pH 6.5. In the presence of 3 mM ATP and no K+, H-ATPase activity vs. [Mg2+] approached a monotonic activation but it became biphasic, with a decline above 3 mM Mg2+, in the presence of 20 mM K+. Mg2+ inhibition occurred also in K-free solutions when [ATP] was lowered to 0.05 mM. Also, an apparent monotonic H-ATPase activation by [K+] at 3.0 mM ATP was transformed in biphasic (inhibition by high [K+]) when [ATP] was reduced to 0.05 mM. The best fits of the ATP stimulation curves of hydrolysis satisfied the sum of two Michaelian functions where that with higher affinity had lower Vmx. Taking into consideration all conditions of activity assay, the high-affinity component (1) had a Km about 11-16 microM and a Vmx around 0.14-0.28 mumol Pi/mg per min whereas that with lower affinity (2) had a Km of 220-540 microM and a Vmx of 0.5-1.0 mumol Pi/mg per min. Km2 was markedly affected by the [K+] and [Mg2+]; at optimal concentrations of these cations (1 mM Mg2+ and 10 mM K+) it had a value of 235 +/- 24 microM which was increased to 540 +/- 35 microM at 20 mM [Mg2+] and 60 mM [K+]. In addition, Vmx1 was reduced to about a half when the concentrations of Mg2+ and K+ were increased to inhibitory levels. These results could be explained by the existence of two different enzymes or one enzyme with two ATP sites. In the second case, we could not tell at this stage if both are catalytic or one is regulatory.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1991

Phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase by acetyl phosphate and inorganic phosphate. Sidedness of Na+, K+ and nucleotide interactions and related enzyme conformations.

The effects of K+, Na+ and nucleotides (ATP or ADP) on the steady-state phosphorylation from [32P]Pi (0.5 and 1 mM) and acetyl [32P]phosphate (AcP) (5 mM) were studied in membrane fragments and in proteoliposomes with partially purified pig kidney Na,K-ATPase incorporated. The experiments were carried out at 20 degrees C and pH 7.0. In broken membranes, the Pi-induced phosphoenzyme levels were reduced to 40% by 10 mM K+ and to 20% by 10 mM K+ plus 1 mM ADP (or ATP); in the presence of 50 mM Na+, no E-P formation was detected. On the other hand, with AcP, the E-P formation was reduced by 10 mM K+ but was 30% increased by 50 mM Na+. In proteoliposomes E-P formation from Pi was (i) not influenced by 5-10 mM K+cyt or 100 mM Na+ext, (ii) about 50% reduced by 5, 10 or 100 mM K+ext and (iii) completely prevented by 50 mM Na+cyt. Enzyme phosphorylation from AcP was 30% increased by 10 mM K+cyt or 50 mM Na+cyt; these E-P were 50% reduced by 10-100 mM K+ext. However, E-P formed from AcP without K+cyt or Na+cyt was not affected by extracellular K+. Fluorescence changes of fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled membrane fragments, indicated that E-P from AcP corresponded to an E2 state in the presence of 10 mM Na+ or 2 mM K+ but to an E1 state in the absence of both cations. With pNPP, the data indicated an E1 state in the absence of Na+ and K+ and also in the presence of 20 mM Na+, and an E2 form in the presence of 5 mM K+. These results suggest that, although with some similarities, the reversible Pi phosphorylation and the phosphatase activity of the Na,K-ATPase do not share the whole reaction pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Detection of a highly ouabain sensitive isoform of rat brainstem Na,K-ATPase.

The present work provides evidence for the existence in rat brainstem of a form of Na,K-ATPase catalytic subunit that displays a high affinity for ouabain (Kd about 10(-9) M). Its kinetic identification was made out from studies on dose response curves of ouabain inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity, ouabain inhibition of Na(+)-dependent phosphorylation from ATP and ouabain stabilized phosphoenzyme formation from inorganic phosphate (Pi). In all these studies this isoform comprises around 11 percent of the total Na,K-ATPase enzyme. The PAGE electrophoretic mobility of its phosphoprotein obtained from Pi in the presence of ouabain is lower than that of the alpha-1 form but it cannot be distinguished from that of alpha-2. Whether this highly ouabain sensitive form corresponds to the alpha-3 isoenzyme or represents the translational product of one of the additional genes described for the large catalytic subunit remains at the moment an open question.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

In squid nerve fibers monovalent activating cations are not cotransported during Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Squid axons display a high activity of Na+/Ca2+ exchange which is largely increased by the presence of external K+, Li+, Rb+ and NH+4. In this work we have investigated whether this effect is associated with the cotransport of the monovalent cation along with Ca2+ ions. 86Rb+ influx and efflux have been measured in dialyzed squid axons during the activation (presence of Ca2+i) of Ca2+o/Na+i and Ca2+i/Ca2+o exchanges, while 86Rb+ uptake was determined in squid optic nerve membrane vesicles under equilibrium Ca2+/Ca2+ exchange conditions. Our results show that although K+o significantly increases Na+i-dependent Ca2+ influx (reverse Na+/Ca2+ exchange) and Rb+i stimulates Ca2+o-dependent Ca2+ efflux (Ca2+/Ca2+ exchange), no sizable transport of rubidium ions is coupled to calcium movement through the exchanger. Moreover, in the isolated membrane preparation no 86Rb+ uptake was associated with Ca2+/Ca2+ exchange. We conclude that in squid axons although monovalent cations activate the Na+/Ca2+ exchange they are not cotransported.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Differentiation of rat hippocampal neurons induced by estrogen in vitro: effects on neuritogenesis and Na, K-ATPase activity.

To gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for differentiation of hippocampal neurons growing in vitro, the effects of estrogen on neuritic development and on activity and distribution of isoforms of the Na, K-ATPase, were evaluated. Dissociated cells from hippocampi of 19-day-old rat fetuses were raised for 5 days in the presence or absence of 100 nM estradiol-17 beta (E2) in minimum essential medium supplemented either with 10% untreated fetal calf serum (MEM-10) or with 10% fetal calf serum previously adsorbed with dextran-activated charcoal (MEM-10-Cha). Cultures in MEM-10 showed larger neuritic length and increased levels of Na, K-ATPase activity than cultures in MEM-10-Cha. In cells cultured in MEM-10 medium, the addition of E2 resulted in selective enhancement of axonal length with a concomitant increase in the alpha-2 isoform of the Na, K-ATPase, whereas a decrease was found in the form most sensitive to ouabain; the total enzymatic activity remained unchanged. Conversely, in cultures raised in MEM-10-Cha, E2 did not affect Na, K-ATPase activity or neuritogenesis. These results show that two presumably independent probes of cellular differentiation of hippocampal neurons (i.e., neuritogenesis and patterns of Na, K-ATPase activity) were concurrently regulated by E2 and that such regulation depended on interaction with factor(s) present in calf serum. The well-known neuritogenic effect of E2 is hereby extended to hippocampal neurons, although for these cells it seems to be restricted to axons.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Asymmetrical properties of the Na-Ca exchanger in voltage-clamped, internally dialyzed squid axons under symmetrical ionic conditions.

In this work we have investigated whether the asymmetrical properties of the Na/Ca exchange process found in intact preparations are intrinsic to the exchange protein(s) or the result of the asymmetric ionic environment normally prevailing in living cells. The activation of the Na/Ca exchanger by Ca2+ ions, monovalent cations, ATP gamma S and the effect of membrane potential on the different operational modes of the exchanger (Nao/Cai, Cao/Nai, Cao/Cai, and Nao/Nai) was studied in voltage-clamped squid giant axons externally perfused and internally dialyzed with symmetrical ionic solutions. Under these conditions: (a) Ca ions activate with higher affinity from the inside (K1/2 = 22 microM) than from the outside (K1/2 = 300 microM); (b) experiments measuring the Cao-dependent Ca efflux in the conditions Lio-Trisi, Lio-Lii, Triso-Trisi, and Triso-Lii, show that the activating monovalent cation site on the exchanger faces the external surface; (c) ATP gamma S activates the Cao-dependent Ca efflux (Cao/Cai exchange) only at nonsaturating [Ca2+]i. Its effect appears to be on the Ca transport site since no alteration in the apparent affinity of the activating monovalent cation site was observed. The above results show that the Na/Ca exchange process is indeed a highly asymmetric transport mechanism. Finally, the voltage dependence of the components of the different exchange modes was measured over the range of +20 to -40 mV. The voltage dependence (approximately 26% change/25 mV) was found to be similar for all modes of operation of the exchanger except Nao/Nai exchange, which was found to be voltage insensitive. The sensitivity of the Cao/Cai exchange to voltage was found to be the same in the presence and in the complete absence of monovalent cations. This finding does not support the proposition that the voltage sensitivity of the Cao/Cao exchange is induced by the binding and transport of an external monovalent cation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1989

In dialyzed squid axons Ca2+i activates Ca2+o-Na+i and Na+o-Na+i exchanges in the absence of Ca chelating agents.

We used internally dialyzed squid axons to explore whether the reported activatory effect of Ca2+i on the partial reactions of the Na+-Ca2+ exchange (essential activator) is secondary to the presence of Ca2+ chelating agents in the internal medium. The effect of Ca2+i pulses on both the reverse (Ca2+o-dependent Na+ efflux) and Na+-Na+ exchange (Na+o-dependent Na+ efflux) modes of the Na+-Ca2+ exchange was studied in axons dialyzed without EGTA. For these experiments a substantial inhibition of the Ca2+ buffer capacity of the axoplasm was achieved by the use of Ruthenium red (10-20 microM), cyanide (1 mM) and vanadate (1 mM) in the dialysis solution. Our results indicate that the Ca2+i requirement of the reverse and Na+-Na+ exchange can not be explained by a direct inhibition of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger by EGTA. In fact, both modes of operation of the exchanger can be activated by internal Ca2+ ions in the complete absence of Ca2+ chelating agents thus indicating that the 'catalytic' effect of Ca2+i on the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger is a real phenomenon.

Animals↗