Selective Effect of Salt Stress on the Activity of Two ATPases in the Cell Membrane of Nostoc muscorum

ATPase activity in the cell membrane of a salt-stressed cyanobacterium,Nostoc muscorum M-14, was examined cytochemically by three differentstaining protocols. Application of Hulstaert's method resultedin distinct precipitation of the reaction products of ATPaseinside the cell membrane exclusively. No reaction products wereformed when ATP was replaced by GTP or when dicyclohexylcarbodiimideor N-ethylmaleimide was present in the reaction mixture. Bycontrast, low levels were detectable after the reaction in thepresence of ouabain. Bafilomycin did not affect the formationof products. Mayahara's method, which is considered to demonstratethe reaction of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity, revealed the presenceof a ouabain-sensitive Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in the cell membrane, whileWachstein-Meisel's method revealed the presence of an ATPaseactivity that was resistant to ouabain. It appears, therefore,that cell membranes of Nostoc muscorum contain both ouabain-sensitiveATPase and ouabain-insensitive ATPase. Comparison of the stainingprofiles of salt-stressed cells with those of control cellssuggested that a high-salt environment activates the ouabain-sensitiveNa⁺,K⁺-ATPase, which seems likely to be involved in the effluxof Na⁺ ions. (Received February 7, 1995; Accepted August 9, 1995)