High affinity Ca2+–Mg2+ ATPase in the distal tubule of the mouse kidney

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Ca2+–Mg2+ ATPase in the distal tubule (where calcium transport is active, against a gradient, and hormone dependent) presents some characteristics different from those observed in the proximal tubule, and whether these characteristics are likely to shed light on the respective roles of this enzyme at the two sites of the nephron. The Ca2+- and Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis was measured in microdissected segments of the distal nephron, the kinetic parameters were determined, and the influence of magnesium upon the sensitivity to calcium was examined. Results were compared with those obtained in the proximal tubule, and in purified membranes as reported by others. In the distal tubule, low concentrations of Mg2+ (< 10−7 M) did not influence ATP hydrolysis. At concentrations above 10−7 M, Mg2+ increased ATP hydrolysis according to Michaelis kinetics (apparent Km = 11.3 ± 2.4 μM, Vmax = 219 ± 26 pmol∙mm−1∙20 min−1). The addition of 1 μM Ca2+ decreased the apparent Km for Mg2+ and the Vmax for Mg2+. Similar results were obtained in the proximal tubule. At low Mg2+ concentrations, Ca2+ also stimulated ATP hydrolysis according to Michaelis kinetics with an apparent Km value for Ca2+ of 0.18 ± 0.06 and 0.10 ± 0.03 μM Ca2+ (ns) and a Vmax of 101 ± 12 and 89 ± 9 pmol∙mm−1∙20 min−1 (ns) in the distal and proximal tubules, respectively. In the two segments, the addition of Mg2+ strongly decreased the sensitivity to 1 μM Ca2+ so that at 1 mM Mg2+, the Ca2+-dependent ATPase activity was at the limit of detection. In conclusion, the kinetic parameters of the Ca2+- and Mg2+-dependent ATP hydrolysis were similar at the two sites of the nephron, and were also similar to those reported for the enzyme present in purified basolateral membranes. The nonadditive effect of the two cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ suggests that the two ATPase activities belong to the same enzyme, and this enzyme is the same in the proximal and distal tubules. Differences in Ca2+ transport characteristics should be attributed to factors other than variations in the nature of the Ca2+–Mg2+ ATPase.