Inward-directed current generated by the Na+,K+ pump in Na+- and K+-free medium

In Na⁺- and K⁺-free solution, an inward-directed current can be detected in Xenopus oocytes, which is inhibited by cardic glycosides and activated by ATP. Therefore, it is assumed to be generated by the Na⁺, K⁺ pump. At negative membrane potentials, the pump current increases with more negative potentials and with increasing [H⁺] in the external medium. This current is not observed when Mg²⁺ instead of Ba²⁺ is the only divalent cation present in the bath medium, and it does not depend on whether Na⁺ or K⁺ is present internally. At 5 to 10 mM Na⁺ externally, maximum pump-generated current is obtained while no current can be detected in presence of physiological [Na⁺]. It is suggested that in low-Na⁺ and K⁺-free medium the Na⁺, K⁺ pump molecule can either form a conductive pathway that is permeable to Ba²⁺ or protons or operate in its conventional transport mode accepting Ba²⁺ as a K⁺ congener. A reversed pump mode or an electrogenic uncoupled Na⁺-efflux mode is excluded.