Ca-transport and CaMg-ATPase activity in human red cell preparations

In intact red cells a CaMg-ATPase activity commensurable with that of the Ca-pump exists consisting mainly of protein kinase-protein phosphatase enzymes. The Ca:ATP stoichiometry of the Ca-pump is most probably 2:1, the deviation from this value at low [Ca] in inside-out-vesicles is possibly an artifact. Ca-affinity of the Ca-pump is low in intact red cells, where both calmodulin and calmodulin binding protein are present, and the cAMP-dependent activatory mechanism found in many other cells is inactive. Ca-affinity, however, can be enhanced by A23187, by Ca-EGTA buffers at the internal membrane surface (eliminating some structural divalent cations?), by enrichment in calmodulin and loss in calmodulin binding protein and by mild proteolytic effects on the inner surface of the membrane. Mild trypsin treatment of the external surface of the membrane increases the hydrolysis rate, but not the Ca-affinity of the Ca-pump and other CaMg-ATPases, increases membrane protein phosphorylation and protects against echinocytic shape transformation. All these findings reflect the interrelatedness of several membrane components influencing the rate and/or Ca-affinity of CaMg-ATPases.