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STAT3 forms stable homodimers in the presence of divalent cations prior to activation.

We present evidence that the transcription factor STAT3, derived from uninduced cells, can form stable homodimers, which are independent of the tyrosine phosphorylation status of the protein. The strong interaction, which is resistant to many denaturing agents, is dependent on the presence of divalent cations. The presence of the homodimer was initially observed in immunoprecipitates of STAT3 and was detected upon fractionation of cell lysates. These dimers are different in structure from dimers observed after cytokine stimulation of cells, which results in tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and dimerization involving the SH2 domain of STAT3.

Cations, Divalent↗

Divalent cation sites in tomato bushy stunt virus. Difference maps at 2-9 A resolution.

Difference electron density maps, using as few as four 1/2 degrees oscillation photographs, have been computed for tomato bushy stunt virus crystals soaked in EDTA. GdCl3 and silicotungstate. The maps define a double divalent cation site, responsible for regulating expansion of the virus particle, as well as sites for binding tungstate anions.

Binding Sites↗

Activation of the contractile apparatus of skinned fibres of frog by the divalent cations barium, cadmium and nickel.

The contractile apparatus of mechanically skinned muscle fibres of frog can be reversibly activated by Ba2+ and Cd2+. The maximum force induced by both Ba2+ and Cd2+ is the same as that induced by Ca2+ and Sr2+. The ionic concentrations of the divalent cations required to induce 50% of the maximum activated force at 1 mM-Mg2+, pH 7.10, 22 degrees C and 250 mM ionic strength are about 8 X 10(-7) M for Ca2+, 5 X 10(-6) M for Cd2+, 2.6 X 10(-5) M for Sr2+ and 7 X 10(-4) M for Ba2+. Exposure of the skinned fibre to relatively low Ni2+ concentrations (between 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) resulted in a transient force response accompanied by an irreversible change in the ability of the preparation to develop force. The Ba2+- and Cd2+-activation curves are considerably flatter than the corresponding curves for Ca2+ and Sr2+. An increase in Mg2+ concentration from 1 to 3 mM decreased the sensitivity of the contractile apparatus to Ba2+ by a factor of about 1.5 without affecting the maximum force response. The Ca2+-activation curve was modified in the presence of subthreshold concentrations of Ba2+ and the results indicate that Ba2+ could have both an activating and an inhibitory action on the Ca2+-activated force. A kinetic model which can quantitatively explain the results for activation of contraction by Ba2+ and Ca2+, is described.

Animals↗

Self-association of des-(B26-B30)-insulin. The effect of Ca2+ and some other divalent cations.

It has been confirmed by sedimentation equilibrium and sedimentation velocity experiments that des-(B26-B30)-insulin does not self-associate at neutral pH. Sedimentation equilibrium experiments at pH 7, 25 degrees C were conducted to investigate the effects of the structurally and physiologically important divalent cations Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Ca2+ on the aggregation state of des-(B26-B30)-insulin (pig) in solution. It was found that all of these ions bring about association of this insulin analogue; Zn2+ and Cd2+ to a more marked degree than Pb2+ and Ca2+. The predominant species in solutions containing Zn2+ appear to be hexamers and hexameric aggregates, in those containing Cd2+, species up to and including tetramers, and in those containing Pb2+ and Ca2+, monomers and dimers of des-(B26-B30)-insulin appear to be the only species present. The possible significance of these findings, especially in relation to a role for Ca2+ in the action of insulin, is discussed.

Animals↗

Transbilayer diffusion of divalent cations into liposomes mediated by lipidic particles of phosphatidate.

Liposomes formed from egg-yolk phosphatidylcholine:egg-yolk phosphatidate (molar ratio 2:1) containing pBR322 DNA and DNase I were induced to form, with divalent cations, bilayer/nonbilayer phase transitions of phosphatidate which allowed cation diffusion into liposomes; then cation diffusion was measured by the activation of the hydrolysis of DNase I on DNA. The formation of phosphatidate transitions on liposomes was demonstrated by freeze-fracture and 31P NMR, and a direct correlation between the formation of phosphatidate transitions and the transbilayer diffusion of cations was found: only Ca2+ and Mn2+, which induce phase transitions, were able to penetrate liposomes and triggered the DNase I activity; in addition, Ca2+ at higher concentrations (10 mM) caused fusion of liposomes, whereas Mn2+ did not, suggesting that transitions induced by Mn2+ participated only in the diffusion of this ion; furthermore, Mg2+ neither formed phase transitions nor triggered the enzymatic activity. The liposomes studied represent more dynamic structures that can form phosphatidate structures involved in both (1) the interchange of divalent cations with the surroundings, thereby modulating encapsulated enzymes, and (2) the fusion of lipid vesicles probably implicated in the enrichment of liposomal content in the early Precambian Earth.

Cations↗

Effects of divalent cation ionophore A23187 on potassium permeability of rat erythrocytes.

A23187 transports calcium rapidly into rat erythrocytes, apparently by an electroneutral exchange for intracellular magnesium and protons. When red cells are incubated in the absence of any added divalent cations, A23187 transports internal magnesium out of the cells, in exchange for extracellular protons. Magnesium uptake into erythrocytes is produced by A23187, providing the extracellular concentration of this cation exceeds intracellular levels, and the ionophore also transports strontium, but not barium, into red cells. A23187 produces a rapid and extensive loss of intracellular potassium from erythrocytes during uptake of calcium or strontium, but not magnesium. When red cells are incubated in the absence of any exogenous divalent cations, A23187 still produces a potassium efflux and this is inhibited completely by small amounts of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid and restored by the addition of calcium in excess of the chelator. Although EDTA enhances the extent of magnesium release from erythrocytes incubated with A23187, it prevents the potassium efflux. Dipyridamole and 4-acetamid-4'-isothiocyano-stilbene-2,5'-disulfonic acid, which decrease chloride premeability of erythrocytes, inhibit the A23187-induced potassium loss from red cells. Rutamycin, peliomycin, venturicidin, and A23668B also inhibit potassium efflux from intact cells incubated with A23187, but this effect is not correlated with their abilities to inhibit various ATPases in red cell membrane preparations. It is concluded that A23187 does not transport potassium directly across the erythrocyte plasma membrane, but permits small amounts of endogenous calcium to interact with some membrane component to enhance potassium permeability of the cell.

Animals↗

The role of divalent cations in the regulation of microtubule assembly. In vivo studies on microtubules of the heliozoan axopodium using the ionophore A23187.

Low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions have been shown to influence microtubule assembly in vitro. To test whether these cations also have an effect on microtubules in vivo, specimens of Actinosphaerium eichhorni were exposed to different concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Experimental degradation and reformation of axopodia were studied by light and electron microscopy. In the presence of Ca++ and the ionophore axopodia gradually shorten, the rate of shortening depending on the concentrations of Ca++ and the ionophore used. Retraction of axopodia was observed with a concentration of Ca++ as low as 0.01 mM. After transfer to a Ca++-free solution containing EGTA, axopodia re-extend; the initial length is reached after about 2 h. Likewise, reformation of axopodia of cold-treated organisms is observed only in solutions of EGTA or Mg++, whereas it is completely inhibited in a Ca++ solution. Electron microscope studies demonstrate degradation of the axonemal microtubular array in organisms treated with Ca++ and A23187. No alteration was observed in organisms treated with Mg++ or EGTA plus ionophore. The results suggest that, in the presence of the ionophore, formation of axonemal microtubules can be regulated by varying the Ca++ concentration in the medium. Since A23187 tends to equilibrate the concentrations of divalent cations between external medium and cell interior, it is likely that microtubule formation invivo is influenced by micromolar concentrations of Ca++. These concentrations are low enough to be of physiological significance for a role in the regulation of microtubule assembly in vivo.

Animals↗

Control of leucocyte function-associated antigen-1-dependent cellular conjugation by divalent cations.

The control of integrin activation is fundamental to an understanding of the integrin-dependent cellular adhesion thought to be important for a plethora of basic cellular functions. Using a cell-cell conjugation assay the role of divalent cations in leucocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)-dependent cellular adhesion was further investigated. The conjugation of interleukin-2 (IL-2)-activated lymphocytes to tumour cells was found to be energy dependent and required the presence of various divalent cations, removal of which decreased the level of conjugation. Increased concentrations of calcium, magnesium and manganese ions resulted in a corresponding increase in levels of conjugation. This increase in conjugation was LFA-1 dependent. Interestingly, when calcium ions were first removed from LFA-1, treatment of lymphocytes with magnesium and manganese ions gave significantly higher levels of conjugation than in the presence of calcium. Using a simple displacement study, calcium ions were shown to displace magnesium ions resulting in decreased conjugation. However, calcium ions were unable to displace manganese ions for binding to LFA-1. That manganese was exerting its effect via an LFA-1-dependent mechanism was confirmed using monoclonal antibodies to CD11a which negated the increased conjugation frequency due to manganese.

Antibodies↗

Mono- and divalent cations modulate the affinities of brain D1 and D2 receptors for dopamine by a mechanism independent of receptor coupling to guanyl nucleotide binding proteins.

In order to clarify the question of whether the modulatory effects of cations on dopamine receptor affinities are brought about by shifts in the equilibrium of receptor - G protein - coupling, it was investigated whether mono- and divalent cations were still able to modulate rat striatal D1 and D2 receptor affinities after selective inactivation of the G-proteins linked to the two receptors. The Gs-protein coupled to the D1 receptor was eliminated by mild thermal inactivation, and the Gi- (or Go-) protein associated with the D2 receptor by alkylation with a low concentration of N-ethyl-maleimide. Incubation of striatal membranes at 60 degrees C completely abolished the specific binding of 3H-GTP. Both treatments resulted in an increase of the IC50-values for dopamine as a displacer of 3H-SCH 23390 from D1- and of 3H-spiperone from D2 receptors. Concomitantly, the formerly shallow D1 displacement curves became steeper, with their Hill coefficients increasing. This effect was less evident at D2 receptors. Guanosine triphosphate (GTP), which increased the IC50's of dopamine for both receptors approximately two-fold in control membranes, was without effect in pretreated samples, indicating an effective inactivation of the G-proteins. Na+ ions were still able to lower, and Ca2+ ions to increase the affinities of D1 and D2 receptors for dopamine after such inactivation of the respective G-proteins. It is concluded that the mechanism underlying the regulation of dopamine receptor affinities by mono- and divalent cations is independent of and superimposed upon the coupling of these receptors to guanyl nucleotide binding proteins.

Animals↗

Catalytic significance of the specificity of divalent cations as KS* and kcat* cofactors for secreted phospholipase A2.

Calcium is required for the substrate binding and for the chemical step of the interfacial catalytic turnover cycle of pancreatic phospholipase A2 (PLA2), but not for the binding of the enzyme to the interface. The role of calcium and other divalent cations (C) is analyzed for the effect on the substrate binding and kcat* for the chemical step. The cofactor role of 3d-cations(II) (C) for the hydrolysis of dimyristoylphosphatidylmethanol (DMPM) vesicles is characterized as an equilibrium dissociation constant for the interfacial binary (E*C) and ternary (E*CL) complexes of PLA2 and substrate mimics (L). Of the cations(II) that promote the binding of a mimic to the enzyme at the interface (E*), only a subgroup supports the chemical step. For example, Cd, Zn, and Cu form ternary E*CL complexes with kcat* of <1 s-1, compared to the rate of >100 s-1 with Ca, Fe, Mn, Co, and Ni. Oxygen exchange from H218O to the products of hydrolysis of DMPM incorporates one 18O in myristate. Incorporation of the first and second 18O occurs during the incubation of both the products of hydrolysis in H218O with PLA2 and Ca, but not with Zn. The cation-dependent changes in the UV difference spectrum, associated with the formation of E*C and E*CL, suggest that the changes are mainly due to catalytic His-48, and possibly Tyr-52 and Tyr-73, and are different with Ca as opposed to Zn. These results and simulations suggest considerable plasticity in the calcium binding and catalytic site environment. It is proposed that the higher ground state stability of the E*CS complex with the inhibitory cations increases the effective activation energy. For the chemical step, calcium coordinated with a nucleophilic water and the ester carbonyl oxygen facilitates the near-attack geometry in the E*CaS, and the His-48.Asp-99 pair acts as a proton acceptor. As a prelude to establishing the catalytic mechanism, factors controlling the energetically demanding transition state are also discussed.

Animals↗

Effect of calcium and other divalent cations on intracellular pH regulation of frog skeletal muscle.

1. We examined, in frog semitendinosus muscle, the effect of calcium release, induced by depolarization or caffeine, on intracellular pH (pHi) recovery from an acid load applied at least 40 min later. We also studied the effect of external Ca and other divalent cations on recovery. We used pH-sensitive micro-electrodes; the external pH (pHo) was always 7.35. 2. In fibres depolarized by 50 mM-K, constant [K] X [Cl] in the presence of 1 mM-tetracaine (which blocks Ca release), the rate of pHi recovery from 5% CO2-induced acidification was 0.15 +/- 0.02 delta pHi h-1 (n = 7), whereas in depolarized fibres that had never been exposed to the drug, the rate of recovery was 0.27 +/- 0.01 delta pHi h-1 (n = 5). Yet, when Ca release was not blocked and the depolarized fibres were exposed to tetracaine shortly before CO2 exposure, a similar slow rate of 0.14 +/- 0.03 delta pHi h-1 (n = 7) was observed. When Ca release was blocked by tetracaine, but the drug washed out before recovery, the rate was again 0.27 +/- 0.02 delta pHi h-1 (n = 6). 3. In fibres first depolarized to about -23 mV in 50 mM-K, constant [K] X [Cl] (recovery of 0.23 +/- 0.03 delta pHi h-1, n = 6), and then repolarized to -79 mV in 2.5 mM-K, the slow rate of recovery was the same (0.03 +/- 0.02 delta pHi h-1) as that in fibres without a history of depolarization and thus of Ca release. 4. In fibres depolarized to -50 mV (15 mM-K, constant Cl) and then exposed to caffeine (4 mM) which releases Ca from intracellular stores, the recovery was the same (0.07 +/- 0.03 delta pHi h-1, n = 5) as in depolarized fibres not exposed to caffeine (0.09 +/- 0.01 delta pHi h-1, n = 5). 5. We conclude that in frog muscle transient Ca release induced by either depolarization or caffeine does not affect the rate of subsequent pHi recovery. Tetracaine reversibly inhibits pHi recovery, but this inhibition is not due to its blocking of Ca release. 6. Recovery from CO2-induced acidification of fibres depolarized to -21 mV in 50 mM-K, constant Cl was halved, from 0.31 +/- 0.04 delta pHi h-1 (n = 10) to 0.15 +/- 0.01 delta pHi h-1 (n = 13), when external Ca was raised from 4 to 10 mM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Ammonium Chloride↗

Necessity of the divalent cation in the reaction between EAC1-8hu and C9gp.

The reaction of EAC1-8hu and C9gp could not generate E* in 0.09 M EDTA solution. In 0.001 M EDTA solution, EAC1-8hu could not fix C9gp. But E* formation was observed in the buffer containing low concentration of divalent cations. Of the tested cations, Ca++ was most effective and its optimal concentration was 2 X 10(-7) M.

Animals↗

Divalent cation effects on the binding of human anti-phospholipid antibodies.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies from sera of subjects with documented syphilis were measured as a result of their individual interactions with cardiolipin, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid, each impregnated in nitrocellulose paper from chloroform solution, followed by reaction with a labelled second antibody. Binding curves generated by increasing the cardiolipin concentration over a standard area of nitrocellulose paper showed saturation. The presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ during the antibody binding step resulted in a complex pattern of binding as a function of the cation concentration. When the extent of binding was normalized to percent of maximum bound, virtually super-impossible patterns were seen with different sera. These patterns were distinctive for both the phospholipid and the cation. The speculation is presented, albeit without any direct evidence, that the extent of antibody binding is sensitive to a variety of intermediate phospholipid phase structures which may be initiated by the presence of the specific divalent cation at a particular concentration.

Autoantibodies↗

Divalent cations are not required for the stability of the low-salt Z-DNA conformation in poly(dG-ethyl5dC).

It is demonstrated that poly(dG-ethyl5dC) adopts Z form in low-salt solution like poly(dG-methyl5dC). Its existence is, however, not contingent on the presence of divalent cations in the polynucleotide solution. The Z form is transformed into B form below room temperature. The arising B form cannot be transformed back into Z form by millimolar MgCl2 concentrations. On the contrary, the addition of MgCl2 at room temperature converts the low-salt Z form of poly(dG-ethyl5dC) into B form. It follows from the results that Z form is a stable DNA conformation not only at high but even at low ionic strengths.

Cations, Divalent↗

Phosphorylation of the synthetic octapeptide pyroGlu-ASP-ASP-SER-ASP-GLU-GLU-ASN and binding to DNA in presence of divalent cations.

Small acidic peptides involved in gene expression have been isolated from prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Synthetic peptides, designed on the basis of native peptides characteristics, show a biological activity similar to that of native peptides in in vitro reconstituted systems. These synthetic peptides are able to bind to DNA in presence of divalent cations (Cu2+, Fe2+, Mg2+) and salt/ethanol.

Animals↗

Capacitation of hamster spermatozoa with the divalent cation chelators D-penicillamine, L-histidine, and L-cysteine in a protein-free culture medium.

By using a chemically defined (protein-free) culture medium that supports sperm viability but not capacitation or the acrosome reaction, we have determined that hamster spermatozoa can be chemically capacitated in vitro by the divalent cation chelators D-penicillamine, L-histidine, and L-cysteine in the absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Washed cauda epididymal spermatozoa were preincubated (1-2 x 10(6) sperm/ml) for 3, 4, or 6 hr at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 in air. The basic culture medium used for sperm preincubation and for sperm:egg coincubation was a modified Tyrode's solution (protein-free) containing 10 mM sodium lactate, 100 microM sodium pyruvate, and 1.0 mg/ml polyvinylalcohol (TLP-PVA). Sperm viability was maintained in all preincubation and coincubation media with PHE (20 microM D-penicillamine, 100 microM hypotaurine, and 1.0 microM epinephrine). The low control sperm preincubation medium consisted of TLP-PVA. In some cases the high control preincubation medium also contained 3 mg/ml BSA (TALP-PVA). The experimental preincubation medium was TLP-PVA with additional D-penicillamine (125 or 500 microM), or L-histidine (10, 100, or 1,000 microM) or L-cysteine (25, 75, or 125 microM). After preincubation, sperm were coincubated (2 x 10(4) sperm/ml) with cumulus-free hamster eggs in TALP-PVA +/- additional D-penicillamine, L-histidine, or L-cysteine for 1.5 hr, fixed, and evaluated for percent egg penetration as an index of sperm capacitation. The results demonstrate that hamster spermatozoa can be chemically capacitated in vitro with D-penicillamine (500 microM: range of mean penetration values, 53.6%-84.3%), L-histidine (100 microM: range of mean values, 24.8%-56.3%) or L-cysteine (75 microM: 51.3%) in the absence of exogenous protein.

Animals↗

Influence of divalent cations upon complement-mediated enzyme release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The complement component, C5a provokes the selective release of granule-associated enzymes from the intact, viable cytochalasin B-treated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the absence of phagocytosis or cellular adherence to surfaces. Consquently, in this experimental system the influence of divalent cations on these two processes can be disregarded and their effects on enzymes secretion can be studied directly. Cytochalasin B-treated PMN exposed to C5a in calcium and magnesium-free media consistently secreted significant amounts of the granule-associated enzymes, beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme. The basal secretory response was not diminished if cells were preincubated with 5.0 mM EDTA, nor was it influenced if 1.0 mm or 2.0 mM EDTA were present in the reaction mixtures. The addition of calcium (up to 1.5 to 2.0 mM) produced a concentration-dependent enhancement of beta-glucuronidase release, whereas increasing amounts of calcium (above 2.0 mM) inhibited secretion of this enzyme. Lysozyme release was similarly enhanced by the addition of calcium, but inhibition with high concentrations was not observed. Calcium per se, in the absence of C5a, provoked only the release of lysozyme from these cells. The effects of calcium upon enzyme release were not associated with alterations in the state of assembly of cytoplasmic microtubules. These findings provide another example of the role of calcium in "stimulus-secretion coupling" and provide evidence that exocytosis of various granules in human PMN is regulated by independent mechanisms involving calcium.

Adult↗

Ion permeation through light-activated channels in rhabdomeric photoreceptors. Role of divalent cations.

The receptor potential of rhabdomeric photoreceptors is mediated primarily by a Na influx, but other ions must also permeate through light-dependent channels to account for some properties of the photoresponse. We examined ion conduction in macroscopic and single-channel light-induced currents of slug and scallop photoreceptors. In the absence of Na, a fivefold change in extracellular K shifted the reversal voltage of the photocurrent (Vrev) by approximately 27 mV. Because the dependency of Vrev on [K]o was sub-Nernstian, and Vrev in each condition was more positive than Ek, some other ion(s) with a positive equilibrium potential must be implicated, in addition to K. We assessed the participation of calcium, an important candidate because of its involvement in light adaptation. Three strategies were adopted to minimize the impairments to cytosolic Ca homeostasis and loss of responsiveness that normally result from the required ionic manipulations: (a) Internal dialysis with Na-free solutions, to prevent reverse operation of the Na/Ca exchanger. (b) Rapid solution changes, temporally limiting exposure to potentially detrimental ionic conditions. (c) Single-channel recording, exposing only the cell-attached patch of membrane to the test solutions. An inward whole-cell photocurrent could be measured with Ca as the only extracellular charge carrier. Decreasing the [Ca]o to 0.5 mM reduced the response by 43% and displaced the reversal potential by -4.3 mV; the shift was larger (delta Vrev = -44 mV) when intracellular permeant cations were also removed. In all cases, however, the current carried by Ca was < 5% of that measured with normal [Na]o. Unitary light-activated currents were reduced in a similar way when the pipette contained only divalent cations, indicating a substantial selectivity for Na over Ca. The fall kinetics of the photoresponse was slower when external Ca was replaced by Ba, or when the membrane was depolarized; however, dialysis with 10 mM BAPTA failed to antagonize this effect, suggesting that mechanisms other than the Ca influx participate in the modulation of the time course of the photocurrent.

Animals↗