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M Forgac

Publications and source records attributed to M Forgac.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Interaction of the clathrin-coated vesicle V-ATPase with ADP and sodium azide.

The kinetics of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent proton transport into clathrin-coated vesicles from bovine brain have been studied. We observe that the vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase) from clathrin-coated vesicles is subject to two different types of inhibition by ADP. The first is competitive inhibition with respect to ATP, with a Ki for ADP of 11 microM. The second type of inhibition occurs after preincubation of the V-ATPase in the presence of ADP and Mg2+, which results in inhibition of the initial rate of proton transport followed by reactivation over the course of several minutes. The second effect is observed at ADP concentrations as low as 0.1-0.2 microM, indicating that a high affinity inhibitory complex is formed between ADP and the V-ATPase and is only slowly dissociated after the addition of ATP. We have further investigated the effect of sodium azide, an inhibitor of the F-ATPases that has been shown to stabilize an inactive complex between ADP and the F1-F0-ATP synthase (F-ATPase). We observed that azide inhibited ATP-dependent proton transport by the purified, reconstituted V-ATPase with a K0.5 of 0.2-0.4 mM but had no effect on ATP hydrolysis. Azide was shown not to increase the passive proton permeability of reconstituted vesicles and did not stimulate ATP hydrolysis by the reconstituted enzyme, in contrast with CCCP, which both abolished the proton gradient and stimulated hydrolysis. Thus, azide does not appear to act as a simple uncoupler of proton transport and ATP hydrolysis. Rather, azide may have some more direct effect on V-ATPase activity. Possible mechanisms by which azide could exert this effect on the V-ATPase and the contrasting effects of azide on the F- and V-ATPases are discussed.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Function of the COOH-terminal domain of Vph1p in activity and assembly of the yeast V-ATPase.

We have previously shown that mutations in buried charged residues in the last two transmembrane helices of Vph1p (the 100-kDa subunit of the yeast V-ATPase) inhibit proton transport and ATPase activity (Leng, X. H., Manolson, M., Liu, Q., and Forgac, M. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 22487-22493). In this report we have further explored the function of this region of Vph1p (residues 721-840) using a combination of site-directed and random mutagenesis. Effects of mutations on stability of Vph1p, assembly of the V-ATPase complex, 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine quenching (as a measure of proton transport), and ATPase activity were assessed. Additional mutations were analyzed to test the importance of Glu-789 in TM7 and His-743 in TM6. Although substitution of Asp for Glu at position 789 led to a 50% decrease in 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine quenching, substitution of Ala at this position gave a mutant with 40% quenching relative to wild type, suggesting that a negative charge at this position is not absolutely essential for proton transport. Similarly, a positive charge is not essential at position His-743, since the H743Y and H743A mutants retain 20 and 60% of wild-type quenching, respectively. Interestingly, H743A approaches wild-type ATPase activity at elevated pH while the E789D mutant shows a slightly lower pH optimum than wild type, suggesting that these residues are in a location to influence V-ATPase activity. The low pumping activity of the double mutant (E789H/H743E) suggests that these residues do not form a simple ion pair. Random mutagenesis identified a number of additional mutations both inside the membrane (L739S and L746S) as well as external to the membrane (H729R and V803D) which also significantly inhibited proton pumping and ATPase activity. By contrast, a cluster of five mutations were identified between residues 800 and 814 in the soluble segment just COOH-terminal to TM7 which affected either assembly or stability of the V-ATPase complex. Two mutations (F809L and G814D) may also affect targeting of the 100-kDa subunit. These results suggest that this segment of Vph1p plays a crucial role in organization of the V-ATPase complex.

Blotting, Western↗

Mutational analysis of the nucleotide binding sites of the yeast vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase.

To further define the structure of the nucleotide binding sites on the vacuolar proton-translocating ATPase (V-ATPase), the role of aromatic residues at the catalytic sites was probed using site-directed mutagenesis of the VMA1 gene that encodes the A subunit in yeast. Substitutions were made at three positions (Phe452, Tyr532, and Phe538) that correspond to residues observed in the crystal structure of the homologous beta subunit of the bovine mitochondrial F-ATPase to be in proximity to the adenine ring of bound ATP. Although conservative substitutions at these positions had relatively little effect on V-ATPase activity, replacement with nonaromatic residues (such as alanine or serine) caused either a complete loss of activity (F452A) or a decrease in the affinity for ATP (Y532S and F538A). The F452A mutation also appeared to reduce stability of the V-ATPase complex. These results suggest that aromatic or hydrophobic residues at these positions are essential to maintain activity and/or high affinity binding to the catalytic sites of the V-ATPase. Site-directed mutations were also made at residues (Phe479 and Arg483) that are postulated to be contributed by the A subunit to the noncatalytic nucleotide binding sites. Generally, substitutions at these positions led to decreases in activity ranging from 30 to 70% relative to wild type as well as modest decreases in Km for ATP. Interestingly, the R483E and R483Q mutants showed a time-dependent increase in ATPase activity following addition of ATP, suggesting that events at the noncatalytic sites may modulate the catalytic activity of the enzyme.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Site-directed mutagenesis of the yeast V-ATPase A subunit.

To investigate the function of residues at the catalytic nucleotide binding site of the V-ATPase, we have carried out site-directed mutagenesis of the VMA1 gene encoding the A subunit of the V-ATPase in yeast. Of the three cysteine residues that are conserved in all A subunits sequenced thus far, two (Cys284 and Cys539) appear essential for correct folding or stability of the A subunit. Mutation of the third cysteine (Cys261), located in the glycine-rich loop, to valine, generated an enzyme that was fully active but resistant to inhibition by N-ethylmalemide, 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole, and oxidation. To test the role of disulfide bond formation in regulation of vacuolar acidification in vivo, we have also determined the effect of the C261V mutant on targeting and processing of the soluble vacuolar protein carboxypeptidase Y. No difference in carboxypeptidase Y targeting or processing is observed between the wild type and C261V mutant, suggesting that disulfide bond formation in the V-ATPase A subunit is not essential for controlling vacuolar acidification in the Golgi. In addition, fluid phase endocytosis of Lucifer Yellow, quinacrine staining of acidic intracellular compartments and cell growth are indistinguishable in the C261V and wild type cells. Mutation of G250D in the glycine-rich loop also resulted in destabilization of the A subunit, whereas mutation of the lysine residue in this region (K263Q) gave a V-ATPase complex which showed normal levels of A subunit on the vacuolar membrane but was unstable to detergent solubilization and isolation and was totally lacking in V-ATPase activity. By contrast, mutation of the acidic residue, which has been postulated to play a direct catalytic role in the homologous F-ATPases (E286Q), had no effect on stability or assembly of the V-ATPase complex, but also led to complete loss of V-ATPase activity. The E286Q mutant showed labeling by 2-azido-[32P]ATP that was approximately 60% of that observed for wild type, suggesting that mutation of this glutamic acid residue affected primarily ATP hydrolysis rather than nucleotide binding.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan↗

Structure, function and regulation of the vacuolar (H+)-ATPase.

The vacuolar (H+)-ATPases (or V-ATPases) function in the acidification of intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells. The V-ATPases are multisubunit complexes composed of two functional domains. The peripheral V1 domain, a 500-kDa complex responsible for ATP hydrolysis, contains at least eight different subunits of molecular weight 70-13 (subunits A-H). The integral V0 domain, a 250-kDa complex, functions in proton translocation and contains at least five different subunits of molecular weight 100-17 (subunits a-d). Biochemical and genetic analysis has been used to identify subunits and residues involved in nucleotide binding and hydrolysis, proton translocation, and coupling of these activities. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the regulation of vacuolar acidification in vivo, including control of pump density, regulation of assembly of V1 and V0 domains, disulfide bond formation, activator or inhibitor proteins, and regulation of counterion conductance. Recent information concerning targeting and regulation of V-ATPases has also been obtained.

Animals↗

Site-directed mutagenesis of the 100-kDa subunit (Vph1p) of the yeast vacuolar (H+)-ATPase.

Vacuolar (H+)-ATPases (V-ATPases) are multisubunit complexes responsible for acidification of intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells. V-ATPases possess a subunit of approximate molecular mass 100 kDa of unknown function that is composed of an amino-terminal hydrophilic domain and a carboxyl-terminal hydrophobic domain. To test whether the 100-kDa subunit plays a role in proton transport, site-directed mutagenesis of the VPH1 gene, which is one of two genes that encodes this subunit in yeast, has been carried out in a strain lacking both endogenous genes. Ten charged and twelve polar residues located in the seven putative transmembrane helices in the COOH-terminal domain of the molecule were individually changed, and the effects on proton transport, ATPase activity, and assembly of the yeast V-ATPase were measured. Two mutations (R735L and Q634L) in transmembrane helix 6 and at the border of transmembrane helix 5, respectively, showed greatly reduced levels of the 100-kDa subunit in the vacuolar membrane, suggesting that these mutations affected stability of the 100-kDa subunit. Two mutations, D425N and K538A, in transmembrane helix 1 and at the border of transmembrane helix 3, respectively, showed reduced assembly of the V-ATPase, with the D425N mutation also reducing the activity of V-ATPase complexes that did assemble. Two mutations, H743A and K593A, in transmembrane helix 6 and at the border of transmembrane helix 4, respectively, have significantly greater effects on activity than on assembly, with proton transport and ATPase activity inhibited 40-60%. One mutation, E789Q, in transmembrane helix 7, virtually completely abolished proton transport and ATPase activity while having no effect on assembly. These results suggest that the 100-kDa subunit may be required for activity as well as assembly of the V-ATPase complex and that several charged residues in the last four putative transmembrane helices of this subunit may play a role in proton transport.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

3'-O-(4-Benzoyl)benzoyladenosine 5'-triphosphate inhibits activity of the vacuolar (H+)-ATPase from bovine brain clathrin-coated vesicles by modification of a rapidly exchangeable, noncatalytic nucleotide binding site on the B subunit.

It was previously observed that the B subunit of the tonoplast V-ATPase is modified by the photoactivated nucleotide analog 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyladenosine 5'-triphosphate (BzATP) (Manolson, M. F., Rea, P. A., and Poole, R. J. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 12273-12279). We have further characterized the nucleotide binding sites on the V-ATPase and the interaction between BzATP and the B subunit. We observe that the V-ATPase isolated from bovine clathrin-coated vesicles possesses approximately 1 mol of endogenous, tightly bound ATP/mol of V-ATPase complex. BzATP is not a substrate for the V-ATPase, but does act as a noncovalent inhibitor in the absence of irradiation, changing the kinetic characteristics of ATP hydrolysis. Irradiation of the V-ATPase in the presence of [3H]BzATP results primarily in modification of the 58-kDa B subunit, with complete inhibition of V-ATPase activity occurring upon modification of one B subunit per V-ATPase complex. Inhibition occurs as the result of modification of a rapidly (t1/2 < 2 min) exchangeable site, and yet this site does not correspond to a catalytic site, as indicated by the effects of cysteine-modifying reagents which react with Cys254 located at the catalytic sites on the A subunit. Thus, the noncatalytic nucleotide binding site modified by BzATP appears to be rapidly exchangeable. The site of [3H]BzATP modification of the B subunit was localized to the region Ile164 to Gln171, which from the x-ray crystal structure of the homologous F-ATPase alpha subunit, is within 10 A of the ribose ring of ATP bound to the noncatalytic nucleotide binding site. Thus, despite the absence of a glycine-rich loop region in the B subunit, these data are consistent with a similar overall folding pattern for the V-ATPase B subunit and the F-ATPase alpha subunit.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Site-directed mutagenesis of the yeast V-ATPase B subunit (Vma2p).

The B subunit of the vacuolar (H+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) has previously been shown to participate in nucleotide binding and to possess significant sequence homology with the alpha subunit of the mitochondrial F-ATPase, which forms the major portion of the noncatalytic nucleotide binding sites and contributes several residues to the catalytic sites of this complex. Based upon the recent x-ray structure of the mitochondrial F1 ATPase (Abrahams, J.P., Leslie, A.G., Lutter, R., and Walker, J.E. (1994) Nature 370,621-628), site-directed mutagenesis of the yeast VMA2 gene has been carried out in a strain containing a deletion of this gene. VMA2 encodes the yeast V-ATPase B subunit (Vma2p). Mutations at two residues postulated to be contributed by Vma2p to the catalytic site (R381S and Y352S) resulted in a complete loss of ATPase activity and proton transport, with the former having a partial effect on V-ATPase assembly. Interestingly, substitution of Phe for Tyr-352 had only minor effects on activity (15-30% inhibition), suggesting the requirement for an aromatic ring at this position. Alteration of Tyr-370, which is postulated to be near the adenine binding pocket at the noncatalytic sites, to Arg, Phe, or Ser caused a 30-50% inhibition of proton transport and ATPase activity, suggesting that an aromatic ring is not essential at this position. Finally, mutagenesis of residues in the region corresponding to the P-loop of the alpha subunit (H180K, H180G, H180D, N181V) also inhibited proton transport and ATPase activity by approximately 30-50%. None of the mutations in either the putative adenine binding pocket nor the P-loop region had any effect on the ability of Vma2p to correctly fold nor on the V-ATPase to correctly assemble. The significance of these results for the structure and function of the nucleotide binding sites on the B subunit is discussed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Inhibition and labeling of the coated vesicle V-ATPase by 2-azido-[32P]ATP.

Previous studies have indicated that the 73-kDa A subunit of the coated vesicle V-ATPase possesses a nucleotide-binding site essential for activity (Arai, H., Berne, M., Terres, G., Terres, H., Puopolo, K., and Forgac, M. (1987) Biochemistry 26, 6632-6638) and have identified a cysteine residue (Cys254) whose modification leads to complete loss of activity (Feng, Y., and Forgac, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 5817-5822). To further characterize the structure of the nucleotide-binding sites of the V-ATPase, labeling studies using the photoactivated analog 2-azido-[32P]ATP have been carried out. We have observed that 2-azido-[32P]ATP is hydrolyzed by the V-ATPase at a rate (at 1 mM) approximately 4-fold lower than observed for ATP, indicating that 2-azido-[32P]ATP is a good substrate for the V-ATPase. Irradiation of the V-ATPase in the presence of 0.5 mM 2-azido-[32P]ATP leads to inactivation of V-ATPase activity with a t1/2 of 3-5 min. The 73-kDa A subunit, the 58-kDa B subunit, and the 50-kDa subunit of the AP-2 adaptin complex (Myers, M., and Forgac, M. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 9184-9186) are all labeled in an ATP-protectable manner on irradiation of the purified V-ATPase with 2-azido-[32P]ATP. The time course for inactivation most closely correlates with labeling of the A subunit. Measurement of the stoichiometry of 2-azido-[32P]ATP incorporation into the A subunit as a function of inactivation indicates that complete loss of activity is obtained on incorporation of 1.2 mol of 2-azido-[32P]ATP/mol V-ATPase complex. 2-Azido-[32P]ATP labeling indicates that the V-ATPase possesses both rapidly (t1/2 < 2 min) and slowly (t1/2 > 2 min) exchangeable nucleotide-binding sites. The A subunit is labeled upon modification of both rapidly and slowly exchangeable sites whereas the B subunit is labeled upon modification of only rapidly exchangeable sites. Inhibition of V-ATPase activity correlates with labeling of the rapidly exchangeable sites. Amino acid sequence analysis of peptides derived from the 2-azido-[32P]ATP-labeled A subunit indicates labeling of two peptides: a 12-kDa fragment which begins at residue 511 and contains Cys532 and a 3-kDa fragment which begins at residue 233 and contains the glycine-rich loop and Cys254. Only the 12-kDa fragment is labeled upon modification of the rapidly exchangeable sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Activity and in vitro reassembly of the coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase requires the 50-kDa subunit of the clathrin assembly complex AP-2.

We have previously shown that the 50-kDa subunit of the clathrin assembly complex AP-2 (AP50) stoichiometrically binds to and is immunoprecipitated with the vacuolar (H+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) from clathrin-coated vesicles (Myers, M., and Forgac, M. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 9184-9186). We now report that treatment of stripped coated vesicles with cystine results in a purified V-ATPase complex lacking the AP50 polypeptide. Removal of AP50 can be reversed upon treatment of the vesicles with dithiothreitol. Removal of AP50 reduces the ATPase activity of the purified V-ATPase by 90% relative to the enzyme containing AP50. This inhibition is not reversed upon treatment of the AP50-depleted enzyme with dithiothreitol in the absence of AP50. The reconstituted V-ATPase depleted of AP50 is devoid of ATP-dependent proton transport activity. We observe further that the peripheral V1 subunits are unable to reassemble onto the integral V0 domain in the absence of AP50. The addition of purified AP-2 containing the AP50 polypeptide restores the ability of the V1 subunits to assemble with the V0 sector to give a V-ATPase complex that is functional in ATP-dependent proton transport. These results indicate that the AP50 polypeptide is necessary for both activity and in vitro reassembly of the V-ATPase complex.

Adaptor Protein Complex 2↗

Proton conduction and bafilomycin binding by the V0 domain of the coated vesicle V-ATPase.

We have previously demonstrated that the V0 domain of the coated vesicle V-ATPase, a 250-kDa integral complex, does not form a functional proton channel (Zhang, J., Myers, M., and Forgac, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 9773-9778). In the present study we describe dissociation of the V0 complex and separation of the V0 subunits by gel filtration. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-inhibitable passive proton conductance of reconstituted vesicles containing reassembled V0 subunits was measured in response to a K+/valinomycin-generated membrane potential. We observed that reconstituted vesicles containing the 17/19-kDa subunits carried out passive proton transport, with the addition of the 38- and 100-kDa subunits increasing proton conductance. Reconstituted vesicles containing the 38- and/or 100-kDa subunits showed no proton transport. Partial separation of the 17- and 19-kDa subunits revealed that the 17-kDa subunit alone carried out proton transport, with increased conductance on the addition of the 19-kDa subunit. These results indicate that the V0 domain possesses the information necessary to form a dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-inhibitable passive proton channel. Bafilomycin binding by native and reassembled V0 complexes was also measured by their ability to protect V-ATPase activity against bafilomycin inhibition. The native V0 domain, the isolated 100-kDa subunit and the 100/38-kDa subunits were able to protect against inhibition by bafilomycin, suggesting that the binding site for bafilomycin resides on the 100-kDa subunit.

Animals↗

Comparison of the coated-vesicle and synaptic-vesicle vacuolar (H+)-ATPases.

The V-ATPases are a novel class of ATP-dependent proton pumps responsible for acidification of intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells. They play an important role in receptor-mediated endocytosis, intracellular membrane traffic, macromolecular processing and degradation and coupled transport, as well as functioning in the plasma membrane of certain specialized cell types. The V-ATPases are multisubunit complexes that are organized into a peripheral V1 complex responsible for ATP hydrolysis and an integral V0 domain responsible for proton translocation. Regulation of vacuolar acidification is critical to its role in membrane traffic and other cellular processes. We are currently investigating several mechanisms of regulation of vacuolar acidification, including disulfide bond formation between cysteine residues located at the catalytic site, control of assembly of the peripheral and integral domains, and differential targeting of V-ATPases to different intracellular destinations using their interaction with organelle-specific adaptin complexes.

Animals↗

Inhibition of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase by disulfide bond formation between cysteine 254 and cysteine 532 in subunit A.

We have previously demonstrated that the coated vesicle vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) can be inactivated by formation of intramolecular disulfide bonds (Feng, Y., and Forgac, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 19769-19772). The disulfide bond responsible for inactivation can be distinguished from other disulfide bonds that form by the fact that formation of the inactivating disulfide bond is blocked by ATP or high ionic strength. By taking advantage of these properties, we selectively labeled the ATPase at the relevant cysteine residues with fluorescein maleimide. After analyzing the proteolytic fragments that contain the labeled cysteine residues, we found that cysteine 254 and cysteine 532 in subunit A of the bovine V-ATPase are the residues that form the disulfide bond resulting in inactivation of the enzyme. Cysteine 254 and cysteine 532 correspond to 2 of the 3 cysteine residues that are conserved in all available V-ATPase A subunit sequences. Cysteine 254 is located in the consensus motif, G(X)4GKT, corresponding to residues 250-257, which is conserved in many nucleotide binding proteins. Cysteine 532 is located in a region not previously shown to be in proximity to the nucleotide binding site. Modification of cysteine 254 by disulfide bond formation with cysteine 532 or thio-disulfide exchange with cystine does not impair binding of 2-azido-[32P]ATP to the A subunit. The inhibition is therefore likely caused by disruption of the catalytic function of the ATPase on formation of the disulfide bond. A possible role in regulating intracellular acidification by reversible sulfhydryl oxidation and reduction is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The coated vesicle vacuolar (H+)-ATPase associates with and is phosphorylated by the 50-kDa polypeptide of the clathrin assembly protein AP-2.

We have previously noted a 50-kDa polypeptide (p50) co-purifying with preparations of the bovine brain clathrin-coated vesicle vacuolar (H+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) (Zhang, J., Myers, M., and Forgac, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 9773-9778). We show that p50 is also immunoprecipitated with the V-ATPase, further suggesting its specific association with the proton pump. To determine the identity of this 50-kDa polypeptide and the stoichiometry of its association with the V-ATPase, we performed N-terminal amino acid sequencing and quantitative amino acid analysis of the gel-purified protein. These results revealed the unknown polypeptide to be the 50-kDa subunit of the clathrin assembly protein AP-2 (AP50); we estimate the stoichiometry of association is one AP50 per V-ATPase complex. AP50 is an N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-inhibitable autokinase and incubation of purified V-ATPase with [gamma-32P]ATP resulted in the NEM-sensitive phosphorylation of AP50 and the B subunit of the V-ATPase. The same phosphorylation pattern is seen if the labeling reaction is done with intact clathrin-coated vesicles and the V-ATPase subsequently immunoprecipitated from the solubilized vesicles. This represents the first report of phosphorylation of one of the V-ATPase subunits. The functional significance of this phosphorylation for regulation or targeting of the V-ATPase in vivo remains to be determined.

Adaptor Protein Complex 2↗

Assembly of the peripheral domain of the bovine vacuolar H(+)-adenosine triphosphatase.

The biosynthesis and assembly of the peripheral sector (V1) of the vacuolar proton-translocating adenosine triphosphatase (V-ATPase) was studied in a bovine kidney epithelial cell line. Monolayer cultures of cells were metabolically radiolabeled with Tran35S-label and the V-ATPase subsequently immunoprecipitated using a monoclonal antibody raised against the bovine brain-coated vesicle proton pump. The V-ATPase immunoprecipitated from the bovine kidney cell line has a subunit composition very similar to that of the bovine brain-coated vesicle proton pump and the V-ATPase prepared from other kidney tissues. Radiolabeling the cells for increasing times showed that the V1 or peripheral portion of the V-ATPase is assembled within 10-15 min; the intact V1V0 complex is also detectable within 10-15 min. Fractionation of the cells into cytosolic and membrane components prior to immunoprecipitation revealed that there is a significant pool of V1 in the cytosol; a similar complex is also found in bovine brain cytosol. Pulse-chase studies suggest that this cytosolic pool is not an obligate precursor for membrane-bound V1V0 and does not exchange with the membrane V1 population at later times. No qualitative differences in assembly were observed when pulse-chase studies were performed at 15 degrees C or in the presence of brefeldin A. This suggests that assembly of V1V0 is probably completed in the endoplasmic reticulum prior to distribution of the enzyme throughout the cell, with a cytosolic pool of V1 of unknown function existing in parallel with the fully assembled complex.

Animals↗

A novel mechanism for regulation of vacuolar acidification.

We have recently demonstrated that Cys-254 of the 73-kDa A subunit of the clathrin-coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase is responsible for sensitivity of the enzyme to sulfhydryl reagents (Feng, Y., and Forgac, M. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 5817-5822). In the present study we observe that for the purified enzyme, disulfide bond formation causes inactivation of proton transport which is reversed by dithiothreitol (DTT). DTT also restores activity of the oxidized enzyme following treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). These results indicate that disulfide bond formation between the NEM-reactive cysteine (Cys-254) and a closely proximal cysteine residue leads to inactivation of the (H+)-ATPase. To test whether sulfhydryl-disulfide bond interchange may play a role in regulating vacuolar acidification in vivo, we have determined what fraction of the (H+)-ATPase is disulfide-bonded in native clathrin-coated vesicles. Vesicles were isolated under conditions that prevent any change in the oxidation state of the sulfhydryl groups. NEM treatment of vesicles causes nearly complete loss of activity while subsequent treatment with DTT restores 50% of the activity of the fully reduced vesicles. By contrast, treatment of fully reduced vesicles with NEM leads to inactivation which is not reversed by DTT. These results indicate that a significant fraction of the clathrin-coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase exists in an inactive, disulfide-bonded state and suggest that sulfhydryl-disulfide bond interconversion may play a role in controlling vacuolar (H+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) activity in vivo.

Animals↗