Oxalate-stimulation of ATP-dependent Ca-uptake is diminished during smooth muscle subcellular fractionation

The ATP-dependent azide-insensitive Ca-uptake by the postnuclear supernatant from rat myometrium is stimulated more by 5 mM oxalate than by 25 mM phosphate. During subcellular fractionation, however, the percent recovery of the oxalate stimulated Ca-uptake diminishes more rapidly than that of the Ca-uptake without any added oxalate or phosphate. The percent recovery of the phosphate stimulated Ca-uptake also diminishes but not to as low levels as that of the oxalate stimulated Ca-uptake. The net result is higher stimulation of this uptake by 25 mM phosphate than by 5 mM oxalate in the various sucrose density gradient fractions. This discrepancy in percent recoveries presents a major concern about the use of oxalate or phosphate stimulated Ca-uptake as a marker for smooth muscle membranes.