Unraveling the Na,K-ATPase alpha(4) subunit assembling induced by large amounts of C(12)E(8) by means of small-angle X-ray scattering

J Phys Chem B. 2010 Sep 9;114(35):11371-6. doi: 10.1021/jp1013829.

Abstract

In the current work, we studied the effect of the nonionic detergent dodecyloctaethyleneglycol, C(12)E(8), on the structure and oligomeric form of the Na,K-ATPase membrane enzyme (sodium-potassium pump) in aqueous suspension, by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Samples composed of 2 mg/mL of Na,K-ATPase, extracted from rabbit kidney medulla, in the presence of a small amount of C(12)E(8) (0.005 mg/mL) and in larger concentrations ranging from 2.7 to 27 mg/mL did not present catalytic activity. Under this condition, an oligomerization of the alpha subunits is expected. SAXS data were analyzed by means of a global fitting procedure supposing that the scattering is due to two independent contributions: one coming from the enzyme and the other one from C(12)E(8) micelles. In the small detergent content (0.005 mg/mL), the SAXS results evidenced that Na,K-ATPase is associated into aggregates larger than (alphabeta)(2) form. When 2.7 mg/mL of C(12)E(8) is added, the data analysis revealed the presence of alpha(4) aggregates in the solution and some free micelles. Increasing the detergent amount up to 27 mg/mL does not disturb the alpha(4) aggregate: just more micelles of the same size and shape are proportionally formed in solution. We believe that our results shed light on a better understanding of how nonionic detergents induce subunit dissociation and reassembling to minimize the exposure of hydrophobic residues to the aqueous solvent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Detergents / chemistry*
  • Kidney Medulla / enzymology
  • Micelles
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Rabbits
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / chemistry*
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / metabolism
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Detergents
  • Micelles
  • Protein Subunits
  • dodecyloctaethyleneglycol monoether
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase