Positive Darwinian selection results in resistance to cardioactive toxins in true toads (Anura: Bufonidae)

Members of the Family Bufonidae, true toads, are famous for their endogenously synthesized cardioactive steroids that serve as defensive toxins. Evolution of resistance to these toxins is not understood. We sequenced a key region of the toxin's binding site in the Na + /K + ATPase for relevant taxa representing Hyloidea (including bufonids), Ranoidea and Archaeobatrachia and tested for positive selection in a phylogenetic context. Bufonidae were distinct from other Hyloidea at 4–6 of 12 sites and, with one exception, had a homologous amino acid sequence. Melanophryniscus stelzneri had a distinct sequence, consistent with other independent evidence for a differentiated toxin. Tests within Bufonidae detected positive selection within the binding region, providing, to our knowledge, the first evidence of this type for positive selection within Amphibia. There was no evidence for positive selection on Bufonidae or M. stelzneri lineages. Sequence change in Leptodactylus ocellatus , a leptodactylid predator of Bufonidae, provides a molecular basis for predator resistance possibly associated with gene duplication.

Mercury blocks Na-K-ATPase by a ligand-dependent and reversible mechanism

An inhibitory receptor for cardioactive steroids such as digoxin and ouabain is located at the extracellular surface of the Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) molecule. Besides cardioactive steroids, mercury is a potent inhibitor of the Na-K-ATPase activity. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50), determined within 30 min at 37 degrees C at 1 microgram protein/ml, was 200 nM, despite the presence of 1 mM EDTA; the IC50 decreased with increasing protein/inhibitor ratio, and it reached 2.7 microM at 0.1 mg protein/ml and 20 microM at 1 mg protein/ml. The IC50 for Na-K-ATPase inhibition by the diuretic compound mersalyl was 4 and 5 microM for the nondiuretic p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid at 0.1 mg protein/ml. The IC50 for HgCl2 inhibition was modulated by the presence of EDTA as well as by the pump ligands Mg, Na, K, and ATP. The E2 conformation of the Na-K-ATPase molecule was more sensitive to HgCl2 than the E1 conformation. The mercury antidote 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid was able to reactivate approximately 70% of the blocked enzyme. In conclusion, a metal-binding domain of the Na-K-ATPase molecule with particular high affinity for Hg(II) was described functionally in the present work. Therefore Na-K-ATPase belongs to the metal-binding proteins. Metals may modulate the cellular expression and activity of the system by interacting with its metal-binding interface.