Role of a Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase on the mast cell surface in calcium transport and histamine secretion

We have previously reported the presence of an ATPase, stimulated by calcium and magnesium, on the outer surface of the rat peritoneal mast cell. Experiments in which the enzyme activity was enhanced or inhibited showed a relationship to histamine secretion. Enhanced enzyme activity with increasing concentrations of the substrate (ATP) was associated with a potentiation of histamine release, and a pronounced inhibition of the enzyme caused an inhibition of the release. In the present work we have studied the influx and efflux of calcium in mast cells in relation to the activity of the Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase on the mast cell membrane. The enzyme activity is shown to be related to calcium influx and has no effect on calcium efflux. Stimulation of the enzyme with ATP is associated with increased calcium influx into the mast cell, and inhibition of the enzyme with AMP causes inhibition of the calcium uptake. In both cases calcium efflux is unaffected. The function of the enzyme is thus different from the calcium efflux enzyme on the cytoplasmic surface, described in other cells. In addition, the Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase on the mast cell surface is neither stimulated by calmodulin nor inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine and W-7. In mast cells the low cytosolic calcium concentration seems to be maintained by Na+-Ca2+ countertransport. Phosphorylation of the Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase on the mast cell is likely to be associated with Ca2+ release at the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane. It is thus possible that ATP hydrolysis in the membrane stimulates the contraction of microfilaments in the membrane and the cytoskeleton, and promotes the migration of the granules to the plasma membrane.