Ca2+ uptake coupled to glycogen phosphorolysis in the glycogenolytic-sarcoplasmic reticulum complex from rat skeletal muscle.

The glycogenolytic-sarcoplasmic reticulum complex from rat skeletal muscle accumulates Ca2+ upon stimulation of glycogen phosphorolysis in the absence of added ATP. It is shown that an efficient Ca2+ uptake involves the sequential action of glycogen phosphorylase, phosphoglucomutase and hexokinase, which generate low concentrations of ATP (approximately 1-2 microM) compartmentalized in the immediate vicinity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+, Mg(2+)-ATPase (the Ca2+ pump). The Ca2+ uptake supported by glycogenolysis in this subcellular structure is strongly stimulated by micromolar concentrations of AMP, showing that the glycogen phosphorylase associated with this complex is in the dephosphorylated b form. The results point out that the flux through this compartmentalized metabolic pathway should be enhanced in physiological conditions leading to increased AMP concentrations in the sarcoplasm, such as long-lasting contractions and in ischemic muscle.