J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 261, Issue 35, 16478-16483, Dec, 1986
Interactions between spermine and Mg2+ on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport
S Lenzen, R Hickethier and U Panten
The effects of the polyamine spermine on the regulation of Ca2+ transport
by subcellular organelles from rat liver, heart, and brain were
investigated using ion-sensitive minielectrodes and a 45Ca2+ tracer method.
Spermine stimulated Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria but not by microsomes. In
the presence of spermine, isolated mitochondria could maintain a free
extramitochondrial Ca2+ concentration of 0.3-0.2 microM. Stimulation of the
initial rates of Ca2+ uptake and 45Ca2+ cycling of mitochondria by spermine
shows that this was accomplished through a decrease of the apparent Km for
Ca2+ uptake by the Ca2+ uniporter. The half maximally effective
concentration of spermine (50 microM) was in the range of physiological
concentrations of this polyamine in the cell. Spermidine was five times
less effective. Putrescine was ineffective. The stimulation of
mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by spermine was inhibited by Mg2+ in a
concentration-dependent manner. However, the diminished contribution of the
mitochondria to the regulation of the free extraorganellar Ca2+
concentration could mostly be compensated for by microsomal Ca2+ uptake.
Spermine also reversed ruthenium red-induced Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria.
It is concluded that spermine is an activator of the mitochondrial Ca2+
uniporter and Mg2+ an antagonist. By this mechanism, the polyamines can
confer to the mitochondria an important role in the regulation of the free
cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in the cell and of the free Ca2+
concentration in the mitochondrial matrix.