Stimulatory and inhibitory effects of inorganic lead on calcineurin

Calcineurin is a phosphatase with activity dependent on both Ca(2+)/calmodulin binding to the catalytic A subunit and Ca(2+) binding to the regulatory B subunit. We have previously shown that Pb(2+) activates calmodulin with a threshold of about 100 pM free Pb(2+), and that Pb(2+) and Ca(2+) are roughly additive in calmodulin activation (Kern et al., NeuroToxicology 21, 353-364 (2000)). In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Pb(2+), with and without Ca(2+) and calmodulin, on calcineurin activity. In calmodulin-containing, Ca(2+)-free solutions, Pb(2+) activated calcineurin with a threshold of about 100 pM free Pb(2+). Maximum calcineurin activity (comparable to that induced by 10 microM Ca(2+)) was reached at about 200 pM free Pb(2+). Higher Pb(2+) concentrations reduced activity, although some activity remained even at 2000 pM free Pb(2+). Combined with subsaturating Ca(2+) concentrations, as little as 20 pM free Pb(2+) enhanced calcineurin activity, but free Pb(2+) concentrations greater than 200 pM still reduced activity below maximum. Extremely high Ca(2+) concentrations (10 microM) completely reversed the inhibition of activity by 2000 pM free Pb(2+). In the absence of calmodulin, Ca(2+) slightly stimulated calcineurin activity. Pb(2+) did not substitute for Ca(2+) in calmodulin-free activation; in fact, high concentrations of Pb(2+) inhibited Ca(2+)-mediated activation. We tentatively conclude that low concentrations of free Pb(2+) activate calcineurin by activating calmodulin. Higher concentrations reduce calcineurin activity, perhaps by binding to the B subunit.