Mechanism of Ca2+ transport by Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase pump: analysis of major states and pathways.

Mechanistic studies of Ca2+ transport by the Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase of skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum are reviewed, and a unifying model is proposed. The significant steps in the transport cycle are modeled in terms of occupation and disposition of three binding sites on the enzyme: a) two translocation sites capable of binding to Ca2+ or a charge-stoichiometric amount of alkali cation (M+) or H+, b) an ATP-ADP-binding site, and c) a phosphorylation or phosphate-binding site. The normal transport cycle is characterized as the following sequence of steps: a) binding of two Ca2+ and Mg-ATP to external sites with high affinity and random order, b) enzyme phosphorylation, c) inward translocation of the Ca2+-laden sites, d) Ca2+ release to the sarcoplasmic reticulum lumen and ADP release to the external medium (random order), e) binding of Mg2+ or a charge-stoichiometric amount of K+ plus H+ to the translocators, f) dephosphorylation, g) the return of the K+- and H+-laden translocators to the outside, and h) dissociation of K+ and H+ from the translocator and completion of the cycle with step a. The enzyme is characterized as a Ca2+-K+ plus H+ countertransporter. The K+ plus H+ remove Ca2+ from the inwardly oriented translocator, thereby relieving a product inhibition and increasing the rate of enzyme dephosphorylation.