[Effect of Ca2+ ions on the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in ascites Ehrlich carcinoma cells]

The effect of [Ca2+] at saturating concentrations of other substrates on the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) from Ehrlich ascite carcinoma cells was studied. The effect is biphasic (bell-shaped) and maximum of PDC activity is at 600 nM [Ca2+]. The experimental curve is in agreement with theoretical plot constructed by analysis of PDC kinetic model. The kinetic model considers the data on the structural and functional relationships between PDC components including pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1), dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2), dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (E3), and protein X. This model can be used for analysis of experimental activation by low Ca2+ concentrations and inhibition by increasing Ca2+ concentrations and can predict changes in the system caused by changes in the substrate concentrations.