PROTECTION BY LAZAROIDS OF THE ERYTHROCYTE (CA2+, MG2+)-ATPASE AGAINST IRON-INDUCED INHIBITION

The calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+, Mg2+)-ATPase (calmodulin-ATPase) of the erythrocyte membrane is susceptible to oxidative stress induced by heme and non-heme iron. There is a time-and concentration-dependent inhibition of the calmodulin-ATPase activity when the erythrocyte membranes are treated with either iron or hemin. In the present study, the calmodulin-ATPase has been used as a model system to evaluate the protective effects of a vitamin E analog (U83836E) and two 21-aminosteroids (U74500A and U74389G) against calmodulin-ATPase inhibition induced by iron and hemin. The drugs, lazaroids from Upjohn, can significantly protect the enzyme against iron-induced inhibition and also causes a decrease in the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive species, with an IC50 of 0.4 mu M for the drug U83836E and 4 mu M for the drug U74500A. The 21-aminosteroid U74389G does not restore iron-inhibited calmodulin-ATPase activity under similar conditions. At higher concentrations (>100 mu M) all three drugs inhibit the calmodulin-ATPase activity. None of the drugs tested can restore hemin-inhibited calmodulin-ATPase activity.