Calcium-activated ATPases in presynaptic nerve endings.

We studied the properties of calcium-activated ATPases present in preparations of isolated presynaptic nerve ending (synaptosome) and its subfractions from mouse brain. ATPase activity in the preparation was stimulated by Ca2+ and by Mg2+, but not by Na+ and K+, when each was added alone. The substrate specificities were found to be similar. The ATPases hydrolyzed only the high-energy phosphate bond and similar activity was exhibited for all nucleoside triphosphates tested (ATP, CTP, GTP, UTP). Moreover, the enzymes were insensitive to mitochondrial markers and to ouabain, but were inhibited by La3+. La3+ produced uncompetitive inhibition of Ca2+-ATPase in intact synaptosomes. Inhibition by La3+ was greatly increased after lysis of the synaptosomes, suggesting that the active sites of the enzymes may be on the cytosolic face of the membranes. The Ca2+-ATPase activity in synaptosomes was increased by increasing concentrations of external K+, suggesting that Ca2+ influx may be involved The Ca2+-ATPase in synaptosomal plasma membranes and synaptic vesicles had higher specific activities than those of intact synaptosomes and were activated, both in the presence and the absence of Mg2+, by Ca2+ concentrations approximating the intracellular level (10(-7) M). It is concluded that the nonmitochondrial synaptosomal Ca2+-ATPase may play an important role in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+.