Partial characterization of an endogenous factor which modulates the effect of catecholamines on synaptosomal Na+, K+-ATPase

We have previously presented evidence for the existence of a brain soluble factor which mediates the stimulation of synaptosomal ATPases by catecholamines. The stimulation of synaptosomal ATPases by dopamine plus brain soluble fraction was not modified if the soluble fraction was heated for 5 min at 95°C. One day after preparation, the soluble factor inhibited the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, but not the Mg²⁺-ATPase activity, and subsequent addition of noradrenaline stimulated the ATPases activities. The inhibitory effect of a 24 h soluble fraction disappeared if the soluble fraction was dialyzed; in this case, noradrenaline did not activate the enzyme activities. Gel filtration in Sephadex G-50 permitted separating a subfraction which inhibited ATPase activity (peak II) from another which stimulated ATPase activity (peak I). Peak I stimulated both Na⁺, K⁺, and Mg²⁺ ATPases. Peak II inhibited only Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, and when stored acidified, it mediated ATPases stimulation by noradrenaline.Special Issue dedicated to Prof. Eduardo De Robertis.     

Effect of tissue specificity of brain soluble fractions on Na+, K+-ATPase activity

Previous evidence from this laboratory indicated that catecholamines and brain endogenous factors modulate Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity of the synaptosomal membranes. The filtration of a brain total soluble fraction through Sephadex G-50 permitted the separation of two fractions-peaks I and II-which stimulated and inhibited Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, respectively (Rodríguez de Lores Arnaiz and Antonelli de Gomez de Lima, Neurochem. Res.11, 1986, 933). In order to study tissue specificity a rat kidney total soluble was fractionated in Sephadex G-50 and kidney peak I and II fractions were separated; as control, a total soluble fraction prepared from rat cerebral cortex was also processed. The UV absorbance profile of the kidney total soluble showed two zones and was similar to the profile of the brain total soluble. Synaptosomal membranes Na⁺, K⁺- and Mg²⁺-ATPases were stimulated 60–100% in the presence of kidney and cerebral cortex peak I; Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was inhibited 35–65% by kidney peak II and 60–80% by brain peak II. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was not modified by peak II fractions. ATPases activity of a kidney crude microsomal fraction was not modified by kidney peak I or brain peak II, and was slightly increased by kidney peak II or brain peak I. Kidney purified Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was increased 16–20% by brain peak I and II fractions. These findings indicate that modulatory factors of ATPase activity are not exclusive to the brain. On the contrary, there might be tissue specificity with respect to the enzyme source.     

Different properties of two brain extracts separated in sephadex G-50 that modify synaptosomal ATPase activities

We have previously reported that Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase of nerve ending membranes is stimulated by catecholamines only in the presence of a brain soluble fraction. The filtration of this soluble fraction through Sephadex G-50 permitted the separation of two extracts of maximal UV absorbance (peaks I and II) which showed different effects on ATPases. Peak I stimulated both Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities and peak II inhibited Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. We have now studied the activity of ATPases in the presence of the whole eluate obtained from the Sephadex G-50 column. It was observed that maximal effects on ATPases were obtained with peaks I and II. Peak I and peak II fractions were unable to modify the activity of acetylcholinesterase or 5-nucleotidase present in the synaptosomal membranes. The stimulatory effect of peak I on ATPases was concentration dependent (up to 1100), it was stable at different pHs and it was reverted by catecholamines. The inhibitory effect of peak II on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase was concentration dependent (up to 150,000), it was stable only at acid pH, and it was partially reverted by catecholamines. These findings indicate that the factors responsible for the effects of peaks I and II have different properties and that their actions on ATPases show enzyme specifity.     

In search of synaptosomal Na+, K+-ATPase regulators

The arrival of the nerve impulse to the nerve endings leads to a series of events involving the entry of sodium and the exit of potassium. Restoration of ionic equilibria of sodium and potassium through the membrane is carried out by the sodium/potassium pump, that is the enzyme Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. This is a particle-bound enzyme that concentrates in the nerve ending or synaptosomal membranes. The activity of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is essential for the maintenance of numerous reactions, as demonstrated in the isolated synaptosomes. This lends interest to the knowledge of the possible regulatory mechanisms of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in the synaptic region. The aim of this review is to summarize the results obtained in the author's laboratory, that refer to the effect of neurotransmitters and endogenous substances on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. Mention is also made of results in the field obtained in other laboratories. Evidence showing that brain Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity may be modified by certain neurotransmitters and insulin have been presented. The type of change produced by noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin on synaptosomal membrane Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase was found to depend on the presence or absence of a soluble brain fraction. The soluble brain fraction itself was able to stimulate or inhibit the enzyme, an effect that was dependent in turn on the time elapsed between preparation and use of the fraction. The filtration of soluble brain fraction through Sephadex G-50 allowed the separation of two active subfractions: peaks I and II. Peak I increased Na⁺,K⁺- and Mg²⁺-ATPases, and peak II inhibited Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Other membrane enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase and 5′-nucleotidase were unchanged by peaks I or II. In normotensive anesthetized rats, water and sodium excretion were not modified by peak I but were increased by peak II, thus resembling ouabain effects.³H-ouabain binding was unchanged by peak I but decreased by peak II in some areas of the CNS assayed by quantitative autoradiography and in synaptosomal membranes assayed by a filtration technique. The effects of peak I and II on Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase were reversed by catecholamines. The extent of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase inhibition by peak II was dependent on K⁺ concentration, thus suggesting an interference with the K⁺ site of the enzyme. Peak II was able to induce the release of neurotransmitter stored in the synaptic vesicles in a way similar to ouabain. Taking into account that peak II inhibits only Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, increases diuresis and natriuresis, blocks high affinity³H-ouabain binding, and induces neurotransmitter release, it is suggested that it contains an ouabain-like substance.     

LOCALIZATION OF Na+, K+-ATPASE AND OTHER ENZYMES IN TELEOST PSEUDOBRANCH : I. Biochemical Characterization of Subcellular Fractions

In an effort to determine the subcellular localization of sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase) in the pseudobranch of the pinfish Lagodon rhomboides, this tissue was fractionated by differential centrifugation and the activities of several marker enzymes in the fractions were measured. Cytochrome c oxidase was found primarily in the mitochondrial-light mitochondrial (M+L) fraction. Phosphoglucomutase appeared almost exclusively in the soluble (S) fraction. Monoamine oxidase was concentrated in the nuclear (N) fraction, with a significant amount also in the microsomal (P) fraction but little in M+L or S. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and ouabain insensitive Mg²⁺-ATPase were distributed in N, M+L, and P, the former having its highest specific activity in P and the latter in M+L. Rate sedimentation analysis of the M+L fraction indicated that cytochrome c oxidase and Mg²⁺-ATPase were associated with a rapidly sedimenting particle population (presumably mitochondria), while Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was found primarily in a slowly sedimenting component. At least 75% of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in M+L appeared to be associated with structures containing no Mg²⁺-ATPase. Kinetic properties of the two ATPases were studied in the P fraction and were typical of these enzymes in other tissues. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was highly dependent on the ratio of Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations but independent of absolute concentrations over at least a fourfold range.     

The effects of dopamine on Na+K+-ATPase activity in nerve ending membranes are prevented by N-ethylmaleimide

The activity of Na⁺K⁺-ATPase in the membranes of nerve endings isolated from rat cerebral cortex was inhibited by dopamine. On the contrary, when the soluble fraction from cortical homogenates was added, dopamine stimulated enzyme activity. By varying the concentration of the soluble fraction present in the incubation medium for Na⁺K⁺-ATPase assay, it was possible to establish that this fraction modulates those effects of dopamine on Na⁺K⁺-ATPase.The preincubation of the membranes with N-ethylmaleimide under conditions in which the Na⁺K⁺-ATPase activity was not inhibited (5 × 10^?5 M for 10 min at 37°C), prevented both the inhibitory and the stimulatory effects of dopamine observed without or with the soluble fraction from brain respectively.These results suggest that dopamine probably acts on regions of the protein containing -SH groups, different from those sites responsible for the catalytic activity of the enzyme.     

Cyclic AMP and calcium modulated ATPase activity in the salivary glands of the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum (L.)

Na⁺,K⁺-activated ATPase activity in tick salivary glands increases during the rapid stage of tick feeding paralleling similar increases in dopamine and cAMP-stimulated fluid secretion. High concentrations of cyclic AMP increase Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity in a plasma membrane-enriched fraction from the salivary glands of rapidly feeding ticks. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor protein blocks activation of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity at low but not high concentrations of cAMP indicating that both activator and inhibitor modulator phosphoproteins of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity exist in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction.ATPase activity in the plasma membrane-enriched fraction is not measurable in the absence of Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. Ca-stimulated nucleotidase activity is highest with ATP serving as the preferred substrate in a series including CTP, UTP, GTP and ADP. Calcium, Mg²⁺ stimulated ATPase activity is activated further by calmodulin and partially inhibited by low concentration of vanadate, trifluoperazine and oligomycin. Results suggest that the plasma membrane-enriched fraction of tick salivary glands contains both Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and oligomycin-sensitive Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, the latter likely from a small amount of mitochondria in the partially purified organelle fraction.     

Characterization of Mg2+-ATPase from sheep kidney medulla: purification.

Magnesium-dependent adenosine triphosphatase has been purified from sheep kidney medulla plasma membranes. The purification, which is based on treatment of a kidney plasma membrane fraction with 0.5% digitonin in 3 mm MgCl₂, effectively separates the Mg²⁺-ATPase from (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase present in the same tissue and yields the Mg²⁺-ATPase in soluble form. The purified enzyme is activated by a variety of divalent cations and trivalent cations, including Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Co²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺, and VO²⁺. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme shows two bands with R_f values corresponding to molecular weights of 150,000 and 77,000. The larger peptide is phosphorylated by [γ-³²P]ATP, suggesting that this peptide may contain the active site of the Mg²⁺-ATPase. The Mg²⁺-ATPase activity is unaffected by the specific (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain.     

Regulation of (Na+, K+) adenosinetriphosphatase of nerve ending membranes

Norepinephrine added in vitro to nerve ending membranes from rat cerebral cortex stimulates the activity of (Na⁺, K⁺) adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) only in the presence of the soluble brain fraction. In its absence norepinephrine inhibits the enzyme. (Mg²⁺)ATPase also showed stimulation by norepinephrine in the presence of the soluble fraction, but of lesser magnitude. The activation of (Na⁺, K⁺)ATPase by norepinephrine is not reproduced by cyclic AMP and is not antagonized by either - or -adrenergic blocking agents. These results suggest that the stimulation caused by norepinephrine is a direct effect on the enzyme and is not mediated by cyclic AMP or adrenergic receptors.     

Variable ATPase composition of human tumor plasma membranes

Purified plasma membranes from several transplantable human tumors exhibit very high Mg²⁺-dependent ATPase activities. Three types of Mg²⁺-dependent ATPases can be demonstrated: (1) an ouabain sensitive Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, which is a minor component of the tumor plasma membrane ATPase, (2) a Mg²⁺-activated ATPase, which is a non-specific nucleoside triphosphatase, and (3) an ATPase activity stimulated by Na⁺ (or K⁺) alone. In three human melanomas, only the first two activities are found. In an astrocytoma and an oat cell carcinoma, all three activities are found. In the same two tumors, the plasma membrane Mg²⁺-ATPase is also stimulated by Con A. The relationship of these ATPases are discussed.     

Kinetics of K+-p-Nitrophenyl Phosphatase Stimulation by a Brain Soluble Fraction

We have already described the separation of two brain soluble fractions by Sephadex G-50, one of which stimulates (peak I) and the other inhibits (peak II) Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and K⁺-p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K⁺-p-NPPase) activities. Here we examine the features of synaptosomal membrane p-NPPase activity in the presence and absence of brain peak I. It was observed that stimulation of Mg²⁺, K⁺-p-NPPase activity by peak I was concentration dependent, The ability of peak I to stimulate p-NPPase activity was lost by heat treatment followed by brief centrifugation. Pure serum albumin also stimulated enzyme activity. K⁺-p-NPPase stimulation by peak I proved dependent on K⁺ concentration but independent of Mg²⁺ and substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate concentrations. Since our determinations were performed in a non-phosphorylating condition reflecting the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase Na⁺ site, it is suggested that peak I may stimulate the Na⁺-dependent enzyme phosphorylation known to take place from the internal cytoplasmic side.     

Mg2+-dependent (Na+ + K+)- and Na+-ATPases in the kidneys of the gilthead bream (Sparus auratus L.)

• 1.1. The (Na⁺ + K⁺)- and Na⁺-ATPases, both present in kidney microsomes of Sparus auratus L., have different activities and optimal assay conditions as, in the first of the two stocks of fish used (A), the spec. act. of the former is 51.7 μmol P_i mg prot⁻¹ hr⁻¹ at pH 7.5, 100 mM Na⁺, 10 mM K⁺, 17.5 mM Mg²⁺, 7.5 mM ATP and that of the latter is 6.5 μmol P_i mg prot⁻¹ hr⁻¹ at pH 6.5, 40 mM Na⁺, 4.0 mM Mg²⁺, 2.5 mM ATP.
• 2.2. Ouabain and vanadate specifically inhibit the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase but not the Na⁺-ATPase that is preferentially inhibited by ethacrynic acid.
• 3.3. While the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase is strictly specific for ATP and Na⁺, Na⁺-ATPase can be activated by various monovalent cations and, apart from ATP, hydrolyses CTP, though less efficiently.
• 4.4. The second stock B, subjected to higher salinity than A, shows an acidic shifted Na⁺-ATPase optimal pH, opposed to the stability of that of the (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase, a decreased (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase and a strikingly depressed Na⁺-ATPase.
• 5.5. The results are compared with literature data and discussed on the basis of the presumptive different roles as well as functional prevalence in various salinities of the two ATPases.

     

Localization of various ATPases in fresh and cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa

Different ATPases may control the various functional changes that spermatozoa undergo just prior to fertilization, with the enzyme's specific location within the cell reflecting its function. The activities of Mg²⁺-ATPase, Ca²⁺Mg²⁺-ATPase, Na⁺K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-ATPase were determined for head plasma membranes (HPM) and sperm body membrane (SBM) from both fresh (n = 4) and cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa (n = 4) and fresh homogenized whole spermatozoa (HWS) (n = 6). No activity of Ca²⁺Mg²⁺-ATPase was found in any preparation from spermatozoa. Ca²⁺-ATPase was detected in fresh SBM and HWS but not in HPM. Activity of Mg²⁺-ATPase and Na⁺K⁺-ATPase was higher in HPM than HWS or SBM (P < 0.01). Cryopeserving the whole sperm reduced the activities of all three enzymes, but Na⁺K⁺-ATPase was more sensitive to cryopreservation than Mg²⁺-ATPase (P ≤ 0.05). Enzyme location suggests that Ca²⁺-ATPase may be associated with events in the flagellum, while Mg²⁺-ATPase and Na⁺K⁺-ATPase may affect functions in the sperm head. Cryopreservation-induced damage to ATPases might be involved in reducing the fertilizing ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa.     

Inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase Activity from Rat Hippocampus by Proline

Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities were determined in the synaptic plasma membranes from hippocampus of rats subjected to chronic and acute proline administration. Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity was significantly reduced in chronic and acute treatment by 33% and 40%, respectively. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was not altered by any treatment. In another set of experiments, synaptic plasma membranes were prepared from hippocampus and incubated with proline or glutamate at final concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 mM. Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, but not Mg²⁺-ATPase was inhibited (30%) by the two amino acids. In addition, competition between proline and glutamate for the enzyme activity was observed, suggesting a common binding site for these amino acids. Considering that Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity is critical for normal brain function, the results of the present study showing a marked inhibition of this enzyme by proline may be associated with the neurological dysfunction found in patients affected by type II hyperprolinemia.     

Isoquinoline alkaloids

Representatives of eleven different classes of isoquinoline alkaloids inhibit Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase in rat brain microsomal preparations. In most cases the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase is more sensitive than Mg²⁺-ATPase to inhibition by the alkaloids. The classes of alkaloids can be ranked according to potency of inhibition of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Protoberberines are most effective, followed in decreasing order by benzophenanthridines, benzylisoquinolines, aporphines, tetrahydroprotoberberines, pavines, protopines, isoquinolines, tetrahydrobenzylisoquinolines, morphinanes, and tetrahydroisoquinolines. As specific representatives of each of the first four classes of alkaloids, berberine, sanguinarine, papaveroline and 1,2,10,11-tetrahydroxyaporphine, respectively, prove most valuable in kinetic studies because they exhibit the greatest inhibitory action on brain Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Kinetic analyses plotted in double reciprocal form reveal that berberine and 1,2,10,11-tetrahydroxyaporphine are simple linear competitive inhibitors with respect to ATP, whereas sanguinarine and papaveroline are simple linear noncompetitive inhibitors. These four representative alkaloids exhibit nonlinear competitive inhibition with respect to Na⁺-activation. Additionally, these alkaloids significantly inhibit rat brain microsomal K⁺-activatedpNPPase. The results demonstrate that certain members of several classes of isoquinoline alkaloids markedly affect various cation-dependent phosphohydrolases in vitro.     

Differential expression of P-type ATPases in intestinal epithelial cells: Identification of putative new atp1a1 splice-variant

P-type ATPases are membrane proteins that couple ATP hydrolysis with cation transport across the membrane. Ten different subtypes have been described. In mammalia, 15 genes of P-type ATPases from subtypes II-A, II-B and II-C, that transport low-atomic-weight cations (Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and H⁺), have been reported. They include reticulum and plasma-membrane Ca²⁺-ATPases, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase and H⁺/K⁺-ATPases. Enterocytes and colonocytes show functional differences, which seem to be partially due to the differential expression of P-type ATPases. These enzymes have 9 structural motifs, being the phosphorylation (E) and the Mg²⁺ATP-binding (H) motifs the most preserved. These structural characteristics permitted developing a Multiplex-Nested-PCR (MN-PCR) for the simultaneous identification of different P-type ATPases. Thus, using MN-PCR, seven different cDNAs were cloned from enterocytes and colonocytes, including SERCA3, SERCA2, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase α1-isoform, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase α2-isoform, PMCA1, PMCA4 and a cDNA-fragment that seems to be a new cassette-type splice-variant of the atp1a1 gen. PMCA4 in enterocytes and H⁺/K⁺-ATPase α2-isoform in colonocytes were differentially expressed. This cell-specific expression pattern is related with the distinctive enterocyte and colonocyte functions.     

Glucagon stimulation of hepatic Na+, K+-ATPase

Summary In the perfused rat liver administration of glucagon was shown to result in a transiently increased uptake of K⁺, indicating the possible involvement of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Direct measurement of the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase revealed a two-fold stimulation of the enzyme by glucagon. The effect of glucagon on the activity of the enzyme was immediate. Simultaneously with the increase in the activity of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase, the activity of Mg²⁺-ATPase decreased. In order to evaluate whether the activation of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase by glucagon is related to the metabolic effects of the hormone, experimental conditions known to interfere with the activity of the enzyme were employed and glucagon stimulation of Ca²⁺-efflux, mitochondrial metabolism and gluconeogenesis were measured. K⁺-free perfusate, high K⁺ perfusate or ouabain interfered to varying degrees with the glucagon stimulation of these responses. The combination of K⁺-free perfusate and ouabain almost completely abolished the glucagon stimulation of all three parameters. These results demonstrate the glucagon stimulation of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and raise the possibility that the activation of the enzyme by glucagon might be a necessary link for the manifestation of its metabolic effects.     

Effect of concanavalin A on membrane-bound enzymes from mouse lymphocytes

The ionic influence and ouabain sensitivity of lymphocyte Mg²⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-(Na⁺ + K⁺)-activated ATPase were studied in intact cells, microsomal fraction and isolated plasma membranes. The active site of 5′-nucleotidase and Mg²⁺-ATPase seemed to be localized on the external side of the plasma membrane whereas the ATP binding site of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was located inside the membrane.Concanavalin A induced an early stimulation of Mg²⁺-ATPase and (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase both on intact cells and purified plasma membranes. In contrast, 5′-nucleotidase activity was not affected by the mitogen. Although the thymocyte Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was 3–5 times lower than in spleen lymphocytes, it was much more stimulated in the former cells (about 40 versus 20 %). (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity was undetectable in thymocytes. However, in spleen lymphocytes (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity can be detected and was 30 % increased by concanavalin A. Several aspects of this enzymic stimulation had also characteristic features of blast transformation induced by concanavalin A, suggesting a possible role of these enzymes, especially Mg²⁺-ATPase, in lymphocyte stimulation.     

An endogenous factor which interacts with synaptosomal membrane Na+, K+-ATPase activation by K+

In previous papers, the isolation of brain soluble fractions able to modify neuronal Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity has been described. One of those fractions-peak I-stimulates membrane Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase while another-peak II-inhibits this enzyme activity, and has other ouabain-like properties. In the present study, synaptosomal membrane Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was analyzed under several experimental conditions, using ATP orp-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP) as substrate, in the absence and presence of cerebral cortex peak II. Peak II inhibited K⁺-p-NPPase activity in a concentration dependent manner. Double reciprocal plots indicated that peak II uncompetitively inhibits K⁺-p-NPPase activity regarding substrate, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ concentration. Peak II failed to block the known K⁺-p-NPPase stimulation caused by ATP plus Na⁺. At various K⁺ concentrations, percentage K⁺-p-NPPase inhibition by peak II was similar regardless of the ATP plus Na⁺ presence, indicating lack of correlation with enzyme phosphorylation. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was decreased by peak II depending on K⁺ concentration. It is postulated that the inhibitory factor(s) present in peak II interfere(s) with enzyme activation by K⁺.