Cholesterol oxidation reduces Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, interdigitation, and increases fluidity of brain synaptic plasma membranes

These experiments examined effects of cholesterol oxidation on Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, Na⁺+K⁺-ATPase activity, and membrane structure of brain synaptic plasma membranes (SPM). Cholesterol oxidase [E.C.1.1.3.6 fromBrevibacterium sp.] was used to oxidize cholesterol. Two cholesterol pools were identified in synaptosomal membranes based on their accessibility to cholesterol oxidase. A rapidly oxidized cholesterol pool was observed with a¹t₁₂ of 1.19±0.09 min and a second pool with a²t₁₂ of 38.30±4.16 min. Activity of Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺-ATPase was inhibited by low levels of cholesterol oxidation. Ten percent cholesterol oxidation, for example, resulted in approximately 35% percent inhibition of Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺-ATPase activity. After 13% cholesterol oxidation, further inhibition of Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was not observed. Activity of Na⁺+K⁺-ATPase was not affected by different levels of cholesterol oxidation (5%-40%). SPM interdigitation was significantly reduced and fluidity was significantly increased by cholesterol oxidation. The relatiobship observed between SPM interdigitation and Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was consistent with studies using model membranes [7]. Brain SPM function and structure were altered by relatively low levels of cholesterol oxidation and is a new approach to understanding cholesterol dynamics and neuronal function. The sensitivity of brain SPM to cholesterol oxidation may be important with respect to the proposed association between oxygen free radicals and certain neurodegenerative diseases.