title: Localization and cation dependence of a Ca2+- or Mg2+-ATPase from electrocytes of Electrophorus electricus, L.
abstract: Electrocyte membranes of Electrophorus electricus exhibit high ATPase activity, as demonstrated by cytochemical and biochemical techniques. This activity is visualized as electron-dense deposits in electron micrographs, and appears to be localized only at the innervated face of the electrocyte. ATP hydrolysis can be detected cytochemically or biochemically only in the presence of calcium or magnesium. The effects of Ca or Mg on ATPase activity can be described by Michaelis-like functions with similar apparent Km values for Ca and Mg (0.41 mM and 0.23 mM, respectively). Vmax, however, is fivefold higher in the presence of Mg. The effects of the two cations are not additive, and pH dependence of ATP hydrolysis is identical in the presence of Ca or Mg (maximal at pH 8-9). Therefore, it can be concluded that Ca and Mg activate the same enzyme, the differences in Vmax being attributable to influences in kcat.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Histologia e Embriologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taffarel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coelho-Sampaio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Ferreira
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Somló
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: De Souza
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vieyra
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D004557:Electric Organ / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004593:Electrophorus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
chemical_list: D002413:Cations, Divalent; D015636:Magnesium Chloride; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D008274:Magnesium; D002122:Calcium Chloride