J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 255, Issue 19, 8983-8986, Oct, 1980
Calmodulin-sensitive ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport across adipocyte plasma membranes
HA Pershadsingh, M Landt and JM McDonald
An ATP-dependent transport system which is active at concentrations of free
Ca2+ in the submicromolar range has been identified in adipocyte plasma
membranes. The system appears to represent the functional component of the
high affinity insulin-sensitive calcium-stimulated, magnesium-dependent
adenosine triphosphatase preveiously described in the same preparation
(Pershadsingh, H. A., and McDonald, J. M. (1979) Nature 281, 495-497). This
ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport pump was stimulated approximately 3-fold by
the Ca2+-dependent regulatory protein, calmodulin. This effect was confined
to the plasma membrane since a similar effect was undetectable in the
fraction enriched in endoplasmic reticulum. Calmodulin stimulation was
dose-dependent but saturable with half-maximal activation occurring at 0.72
microgram/ml (43 nM). Calmodulin appeared to stimulate the system primarily
by decreasing the apparent half-maximal saturation constant for free Ca2+
from 0.20 +/- 0.04 microM to 0.07 +/- 0.01 microM (n = 3). The Hill
coefficient increased from 1.6 +/- 0.2 to 3.2 +/- 0.6 (n = 3), thus showing
an increased positive cooperativity which allows the pump to be activated
by an exceedingly narrow Ca2+ threshold in the presence of calmodulin. The
calmodulin stimulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ extrusion pump in
adipocytes, working in opposition to metabolic signals which increase
cytoplasmic Ca2+, could constitute a self- regulating negative feedback
device for maintaining a low steady state level of intracellular Ca2+. This
feedback system may be of critical importance in regulation of cellular
metabolism by insulin.