Abstract
Many divalent cations are known to influence biological activities. Among them, calcium is essential to many cellular functions. Elucidation of mechanism of action of these divalent cations may shed light on the molecular basis of cellular activities in the living organisms. In a serial study of effects of nine divalent cations (e. g., U02 2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Ba2+ and Sr2+) on the neuromuscular transmission of the skeletal muscles, we found that these cations exerted different effects on the nerve and muscle transmission process. U022+ was a unique cation capable of increasing acetylcholine release from nerve endings, while Cd2+ inhibited the release. Zn2+, Mn2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ not only inhibited transmitter release but also depressed muscle membrane functions. Both Cu2+ and Ba2+ induce muscle contractions prior to the blockade of neuromuscular transmission. We also examined the interaction of these cations with synaptosomes, liposomes and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SRJ of the skeletal muscle. These cations inhibited 45Ca2+ uptake and (Na++K+)-ATPase of synaptosomes, Ca2+-ATPase of SR, and phospholipase A2 and 5’-nucleotidase of Na. ia na. ia atra venom. In general, (Na++K+)-ATPase was the most and 5’- nucleotidase was the least sensitive to these cations. UO2 2+ and Cd2+ were most potent in inhibition of Ca2+- uptake and (Na++K+)-ATPase of synaptosomes. Zn2+ markedly inhibited (Na+K+-ATPase and phospholipase A2 while Cu2+ was rather selective in inhibiting Ca2+-ATPase of SR. Mn2+ and Ba2+ were only moderately or slightly active in depressing these activities. Interaction of these cations (except UO2 2+) with synaptosomes, SR and liposomes enhanced the fluorescence intensity of 1-anilino-8- naphthalene sulfonate (ANS). Possible interaction of these cations with sulfhydryl or phosphoryl groups of membrane proteins and phospholipids was also explored. A proposed model for the mode of action of these cations on the cell membrane will be presented.
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© 1983 The Humana Press Inc.
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Lin-Shiau, SY., Fu, WM. (1983). Differential Effects of Divalent Cations on Nerve and Muscle Membranes. In: Sun, G.Y., Bazan, N., Wu, JY., Porcellati, G., Sun, A.Y. (eds) Neural Membranes. Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5636-6_36
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5636-6_36
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-5638-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-5636-6
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