Isoforms of the alpha subunit of Na,K-ATPase and their significance

Recent studies of the Na,K-ATPase have demonstrated that multiple isoforms of both the alpha and beta subunits exist and that these are expressed in a tissue and developmental specific manner. In the case of the alpha subunit, there are three known isoforms, alpha 1, alpha 2 and alpha 3. We have examined adult human heart for the presence of these isoforms and found that all three exist in approximately equal amounts. This is in contrast to the adult rat heart which contains only alpha 1 and alpha 2 isoforms. The difference in abundance of various isoforms in various tissues could result from the necessity to express Na,K-ATPase with different properties at various developmental stages or in specific cell types. For example, enzymes with differences in Na+ or K+ affinity or the ability to respond to various effector molecules may be required. Alternatively, the presence of three isoforms may simply result from the triplication of the alpha subunit gene and the divergence of expression of these genes during evolution. In this case the isozymes would not confer a specific function to the Na,K-ATPase. In order to provide information with respect to these two alternatives, cell lines producing rat alpha 1, alpha 2 and alpha 3 were developed and the enzymatic properties of the resulting enzyme determined. The results indicate that Na,K-ATPase carrying the alpha 1 are alpha 2 isoforms are fairly similar while enzyme with the alpha 3 isoform differs in its apparent affinity for sodium. The K0.5 for Na+ is approximately three fold lower for this isoform.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)