A reconstituted Na+ + K+ pump in liposomes containing purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from kidney medulla.

Liposomes containing either purified or microsomal (Na+,K+)-ATPase preparations from lamb kidney medulla catalyzed ATP-dependent transport of Na+ and K+ with a ratio of approximately 3Na+ to 2K+, which was inhibited by ouabain. Similar results were obtained with liposomes containing a partially purified (Na+,K+)-ATPase from cardiac muscle. This contrasts with an earlier report by Goldin and Tong (J. Biol. Chem. 249, 5907-5915, 1974), in which liposomes containing purified dog kidney (Na+,K+)-ATPase did not transport K+ but catalyzed ATP-dependent symport of Na+ and Cl-. When purified by our procedure, dog kidney (Na+,K+)-ATPase showed some ability to transport K+ but the ratio of Na+ : K+ was 5 : 1.     

The mechanism of insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity in muscle

Since the mechanism underlying the insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity observed in multiple tissues has remained undetermined, we have examined (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity (ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake) and Na+/H+ exchange transport (amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx) in differentiated BC3H-1 cultured myocytes as a model of insulin action in muscle. The active uptake of 86Rb+ was sensitive to physiological insulin concentrations (1 nM), yielding a maximum increase of 60% without any change in 86Rb+ permeability. In order to determine the mechanism of insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity, we demonstrated that insulin also stimulates passive 22Na+ influx by Na+/H+ exchange transport (maximal 200% increase) and an 80% increase in intracellular Na+ concentration with an identical time course and dose-response curve as insulin-stimulated (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity. Incubation of the cells with high [Na+] (195 mM) significantly potentiated insulin stimulation of ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb+ uptake. The ionophore monensin, which also promotes passive Na+ entry into BC3H-1 cells, mimics the insulin stimulation of ouabain-inhibitable 86Rb+ uptake. In contrast, incubation with amiloride or low [Na+] (10 mM), both of which inhibit Na+/H+ exchange transport, abolished the insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity. Furthermore, each of these insulin-stimulated transport activities displayed a similar sensitivity to amiloride. These results indicate that insulin stimulates a large increase in Na+/H+ exchange transport and that the resulting Na+ influx increases the intracellular Na+ concentration, thus activating the internal Na+ transport sites of the (Na+,K+)-ATPase. This Na+ influx is, therefore, the mediator of the insulin-induced stimulation of membrane (Na+,K+)-ATPase transport activity classically observed in muscle.     

Regulation of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in cultured chick skeletal muscle. Modulation of expression by the demand for ion transport

The levels of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase expression during muscle development and in response to modulation of demand for ion transport were studied in chick skeletal muscle cells in culture. The number of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase molecules on the myogenic cell surface, quantified with 125I-labeled monoclonal antibodies, increased 20-fold during muscle differentiation, with a substantial increase in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase molecules/unit area of membrane. The demand for sodium ion transport by the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was modulated by activating voltage-sensitive sodium channels with veratridine or exposing cultures to low [K+]o (0.5 mM). Exposure to veratridine (10 microM) resulted in a 60-100% increase in cell surface and a smaller increase in intracellular (Na+ + K+)-ATPase over a 24-36-h period. Neither high [K+]o (50 mM) nor Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (1 microM) produced any such change, suggesting that neither membrane depolarization nor elevated cytosolic calcium was mediating the effect of veratridine. Veratridine stimulated up-regulation was specific for the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, blocked by tetrodotoxin, and completely reversible. The kinetics of the reversal (down-regulation) process were much faster (t1/2 = 3 h) than those of up-regulation (t1/2 = 18 h). Up-regulation of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by veratridine occurred by a combination of two mechanisms: the first an early phase involving a stimulated biosynthesis of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and a later phase in which the biosynthetic rate returned to approximately control levels while the degradation rate slowed (t1/2 control = 31 h, t1/2 veratridine = 64 h).     

Na+-dependent amino acid transport is a major factor determining the rate of (Na+,K+)-ATPase mediated cation transport in intact HeLa cells

Little is known concerning the effects of Na+-coupled solute transport on (Na+,K+)-ATPase mediated cation pumping in the intact cell. We investigated the effect of amino acid transport and growth factor addition on the short term regulation of (Na+,K+)-ATPase cation transport in HeLa cells. The level of pump activity in the presence of amino acids or growth factors was compared to the level measured in phosphate buffered saline. These rates were further related to the maximal pump capacity, operationally defined as ouabain inhibitable 86Rb+ influx in the presence of 15 microM monensin. Of the growth factors tested, only insulin was found to moderately (22%) increase (Na+,K+)-ATPase cation transport. The major determinant of pump activity was found to be the transport of amino acids. Minimal essential medium (MEM) amino acids increased ouabain inhibitable 86Rb+ influx to a level close to that obtained with monensin, indicating that the (Na+,K+)-ATPase is operating near maximal capacity during amino acid transport. This situation may apply to tissue culture conditions and consequently measurements of (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity in buffer solutions alone may yield little information about cation pumping under culture conditions. This finding applies especially to cells having high rates of amino acid transport. Furthermore, rates of amino acid transport may be directly or indirectly involved in the long-term regulation of the number of (Na+,K+)-ATPase molecules in the plasma membrane.     

Inhibition by lead ion of Electrophorus electroplax (Na+ + K+)-adenosine triphosphatase and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase.

Inorganic lead ion in micromolar concentrations inhibits Electrophorus electroplax microsomal (Na+ + K+)-adenosine triphosphatase ((Na+ + K+)-ATPase) and K+-p-nitrophenylphosphatase (NPPase). Under the same conditions, the same concentrations of PbCl2 that inhibit ATPase activity also stimulate the phosphorylation of electroplax microsomes in the absence of added Na+. Enzyme activity is protected from inhibition by increasing concentrations of microsomes, ATP, and other metal ion chelators. The kinetics follow the pattern of a reversible noncompetitive inhibitor. No kinetic evidence is elicited for interactions of Pb2+ with Na+, K+, Mg2+, ATP, or p-nitrophenylphosphate. Na+- ATPase, in the absence of K+, and (Na+ + K+)-NPPase activity at low [K+] are also inhibited. ATP inhibition of NPPase is not reversed by Pb2+. The calculated concentrations of free [Pb2+] that produce 50% inhibition are similar for ATPase and NPPase activities. Pb2+ may act at a single independent binding site to produce both stimulation of the kinase and inhibition of the phosphatase activities.     

K+-independent active transport of Na+ by the (Na+ and K+)-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase

The (Na+ and K+)-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+)-ATPase) from canine kidney reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles showed an ATP-dependent, ouabain-inhibited uptake of 22Na+ in the absence of added K+. This transport occurred against a Na+ concentration gradient, was not affected by increasing the K+ concentration to 10 microM (four times the endogenous level), and could not be explained in terms of Na+in in equilibrium Na+out exchange. K+-independent transport occurred with a stoichiometry of 0.5 mol of Na+ per mol of ATP hydrolyzed as compared with 2.9 mol of Na+ per mol of ATP for K+-dependent transport.     

Dog kidney (Na+,K+)-ATPase is more sensitive to inhibition by vanadate than human red cell (Na+,K+)-ATPase

(Na+,K+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) from kidney is more sensitive to inhibition by vanadate than red cell (Na+,K+)-ATPase. The difference appears to be in the apparent affinities of the two enzymes for K+ and Na+ at sites where K+ promotes and Na+ opposes vanadate binding. As a result of Na+-K+ competition at these sites, reversal of vanadate inhibition was accomplished at lower Na+ concentrations in red cell than in kidney (NA+,K+)-ATPase. It is possible that vanadate could selectively regulate Na+ transport in the kidney.     

Transport of K+ by Na(+)-Ca2+, K+ exchanger in isolated rods of lizard retina.

Transport of K+ by the photoreceptor Na(+)-Ca2+, K+ exchanger was investigated in isolated rod outer segments (OS) by recording membrane current under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions. Known amounts of K+ were imported in the OS through the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels while perfusing with high extracellular concentration of K+, [K+]o. These channels were detected in the recordings from the OS, which probably retained a small portion of the rest of the cell. The activation of forward exchange (Na+ imported per Ca2+ and K+ extruded) by intracellular K+, Ki+, was described by first-order kinetics with a Michaelis constant, Kapp(Ki+), of about 2 mM and a maximal current, Imax, of about -60 pA. [Na+]i larger than 100 mM had little effect on Kapp(Ki+) and Imax, indicating that Nai+ did not compete with Ki+ for exchange sites under physiological conditions, and that Na+ release at the exchanger intracellular side was not a rate-limiting step for the exchange process. Exchanger stoichiometry resulted in one K+ ion extruded per one positive charge imported. Exchange current was detected only if Ca2+ and K+ were present on the same membrane side, and Na+ was simultaneously present on the opposite side. Nonelectrogenic modes of ion exchange were tested taking advantage of the hindered diffusion found for Cai2+ and Ki+. Experiments were carried out so that the occurrence of a putative nonelectrogenic ion exchange, supposedly induced by the preapplication of certain extracellular ion(s), would have resulted in the transient presence of both Cai2+ and Ki+. The lack of electrogenic forward exchange in a subsequent switch to high Nao+, excluded the presence of previous nonelectrogenic transport.     

Regulation of acetylated tubulin/Na+,K+-ATPase interaction by L-glutamate in non-neural cells: involvement of microtubules

A subpopulation of membrane tubulin consisting mainly of the acetylated isotype is associated with Na+,K+-ATPase and inhibits the enzyme activity. We found recently that treatment of cultured astrocytes with L-glutamate induces dissociation of the acetylated tubulin/Na+,K+-ATPase complex, resulting in increased enzyme activity. We now report occurrence of this phenomenon in non-neural cells. As in the case of astrocytes, the effect of L-glutamate is mediated by its transporters and not by specific receptors. In COS cells, the effect of L-glutamate was reversed by its elimination from culture medium, provided that d-glucose was present. The effect of L-glutamate was not observed when Na+ was replaced by K+ in the incubation medium. The ionophore monensin, in the presence of Na+, had the same effect as L-glutamate. Treatment of cells with taxol prevented the dissociating effect of L-glutamate or monensin. Nocodazole treatment of intact cells or isolated membranes dissociated the acetylated tubulin/Na+,K+-ATPase complex. The dissociating effect of nocodazol does not require Na+. These results indicate a close functional relationship among Na+,K+-ATPase, microtubules, and L-glutamate transporters, and a possible role in cell signaling pathways.     

Insulin stimulation of (Na+,K+)-adenosine triphosphatase-dependent 86Rb+ uptake in rat adipocytes

Insulin stimulated the uptake of 86Rb+ (a K+ analog) in rat adipocytes and increased the steady state concentration of intracellular potassium. Half-maximal stimulation occurred at an insulin concentration of 200 pM. Both basal- and insulin-stimulated 86Rb+ transport rates depended on the concentration of external K+, external Na+, and were 90% inhibited by 10(-3) M ouabain and 10(-3) M KCN, indicating that the hormone was activating the (Na+,K+)-ATPase. Insulin had no effect on the entry of 22Na+ or exit of 86Rb+. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that insulin acted by increasing the maximum velocity, Vmax, of 86Rb+ entry. Inhibition of the rate of Rb+ uptake by ouabain was best described by a biphasic inhibition curve. Scatchard analysis of ouabain binding to intact cells indicated binding sites with multiple affinities. Only the rubidium transport sites which exhibited a high affinity for ouabain were stimulated by insulin. Stimulation required insulin binding to an intact cell surface receptor, as it was reversible by trypsinization. We conclude that the uptake of 86Rb+ by the (Na+,K+)-ATPase is an insulin-sensitive membrane transport process in the fat cell.     

(Na+ + K+)- and Na+-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in kidney of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.)

1. Sea bass kidney microsomal preparations contain two Mg2+ dependent ATPase activities: the ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and an ouabain-insensitive Na+-ATPase, requiring different assay conditions. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase under the optimal conditions of pH 7.0, 100 mM Na+, 25 mM K+, 10 mM Mg2+, 5 mM ATP exhibits an average specific activity (S.A.) of 59 mumol Pi/mg protein per hr whereas the Na+-ATPase under the conditions of pH 6.0, 40 mM Na+, 1.5 mM MgATP, 1 mM ouabain has a maximal S.A. of 13.9 mumol Pi/mg protein per hr. 2. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is specifically inhibited by ouabain and vanadate; the Na+-ATPase specifically by ethacrynic acid and preferentially by frusemide; both activities are similarly inhibited by Ca2+. 3. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is specific for ATP and Na+, whereas the Na+-ATPase hydrolyzes other substrates in the efficiency order ATP greater than GTP greater than CTP greater than UTP and can be activated also by K+, NH4+ or Li+. 4. Minor differences between the two activities lie in the affinity for Na+, Mg2+, ATP and in the thermosensitivity. 5. The comparison between the two activities and with what has been reported in the literature only partly agree with our findings. It tentatively suggests that on the one hand two separate enzymes exist which are related to Na+ transport and, on the other, a distinct modulation in vivo in different tissues.     

Kinetic studies on the (Na+ + K+)-dependent ATPase evidence for coexisting sites for Na+, K+ and Mg2+

Na+-ATPase activity of a dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase enzyme preparation was inhibited by a high concentration of NaCl (100 mM) in the presence of 30 microM ATP and 50 microM MgCl2, but stimulated by 100 mM NaCl in the presence of 30 microM ATP and 3 mM MgCl2. The K0.5 for the effect of MgCl2 was near 0.5 mM. Treatment of the enzyme with the organic mercurial thimerosal had little effect on Na+ -ATPase activity with 10 mM NaCl but lessened inhibition by 100 mM NaCl in the presence of 50 microM MgCl2. Similar thimerosal treatment reduced (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity by half but did not appreciably affect the K0.5 for activation by either Na+ or K+, although it reduced inhibition by high Na+ concentrations. These data are interpreted in terms of two classes of extracellularly-available low-affinity sites for Na+: Na+-discharge sites at which Na+-binding can drive E2-P back to E1-P, thereby inhibiting Na+-ATPase activity, and sites activating E2-P hydrolysis and thereby stimulating Na+-ATPase activity, corresponding to the K+-acceptance sites. Since these two classes of sites cannot be identical, the data favor co-existing Na+-discharge and K+-acceptance sites. Mg2+ may stimulate Na+-ATPase activity by favoring E2-P over E1-P, through occupying intracellular sites distinct from the phosphorylation site or Na+-acceptance sites, perhaps at a coexisting low-affinity substrate site. Among other effects, thimerosal treatment appears to stimulate the Na+-ATPase reaction and lessen Na+-inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase reaction by increasing the efficacy of Na+ in activating E2-P hydrolysis.     

Fluorescent labeling of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein

5-Iodoacetamidofluorescein (5-IAF) covalently labels dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with approximately 2 moles incorporated per mole of enzyme. ATPase and K+-phosphatase activities are fully retained after reaction, and the kinetic parameters for Na+, K+, Mg2+, ATP and p-nitrophenyl phosphate are likewise not significantly affected. The fluorescence of the bound 5-IAF is increased by ATP, Na+, and Mg2+, and decreased by K+. These fluorescence changes likely reflect ligand-induced stabilization of the E1 or E2 states of the enzyme.     

Insulin affects the sodium affinity of the rat adipocyte (Na+,K+)-ATPase

The K0.5 for intracellular sodium of the two forms of (Na+,K+)-ATPase which exist in rat adipocytes (Lytton, J., Lin, J. C., and Guidotti, G. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 1177-1184) has been determined by incubating the cells in the absence of potassium in buffers of varying sodium concentration; these conditions shut off the Na+ pump and allow sodium to equilibrate into the cell. The activity of Na+,K+)-ATPase was then monitored with 86Rb+/K+ pumping which was initiated by adding isotope and KCl to 5 mM, followed by a 3-min uptake period. Atomic absorption and 22Na+ tracer equilibration were used to determine the actual intracellular [Na+] under the different conditions. The K0.5 values thus obtained were 17 mM for alpha and 52 mM for alpha(+). Insulin treatment of rat adipocytes had no effect on the intracellular [Na+] nor on the Vmax of 86Rb+/K+ pumping, but did produce a shift in the sodium ion K0.5 values to 14 mM for alpha (p less than 0.025 versus control) and 33 mM for alpha(+) (p less than 0.005 versus control). This change in affinity can explain the selective stimulation of alpha(+) by insulin under normal incubation conditions. Measurement of the K0.5 for sodium ion of (Na+,K+)-ATPase in membranes isolated from adipocytes revealed only a single component of activation with a low K0.5 of 3.5 or 12 mM in the presence of 10 or 100 mM KCl, respectively. Insulin treatment of the isolated membranes or of the cells prior to membrane separation had no effect on these values.     

Protective effect of Na+ and K+ against inactivation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol at high temperatures

Purified dog kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) was inactivated with high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol at 50-55 degrees C. The inactivation was prevented by NaCl or KCl, with KCl being more effective than NaCl (the former ion being about one order more efficient under a typical set of experimental conditions). A disulfide bond in the beta-subunit of the enzyme protein was prevented from reductive cleavage by NaCl or KCl in accordance with protection of the enzyme activity. Choline chloride did not exert a significant protective effect over a similar concentration range. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was also inactivated with high concentrations of 2-mercaptoethanol in the presence of low concentrations of dodecyl sulfate. This inactivation was also prevented by NaCl or KCl, with the latter being again more efficient than the former. These results indicate that Na+ and K+ bound to their respective ion-binding sites on the alpha-subunit exert a protective effect on a disulfide bond on the beta-subunit. This suggests some sort of interaction between the alpha- and the beta-subunits.     

Acetyl phosphate can act as a substrate for Na+ transport by (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

Experiments using liposomes with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase incorporated showed that in the presence of extravesicular Mg2+, acetyl phosphate was able to stimulate Na+ uptake when the liposomes contained Na+ or choline and were K+-free; this acetyl phosphate-dependent Na+ transport was similar to the ATP-dependent transport observed with 0.003 mM or 3 mM ATP. When the intravesicular solution contained K+, there was an ATP-dependent Na+ uptake which was large with 3 mM ATP and small (about the size seen in K+-free liposomes) with 0.003 mM ATP; in this case, although acetyl phosphate produced a slight activation of Na+ transport, the effect was not statistically significant. All ATP and acetyl phosphate-stimulated Na+ transport disappeared in the absence of extravesicular Mg2+ or in the presence of ouabain in the intravesicular solution. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that, at the concentration used, acetyl phosphate can replace ATP in the catalytic but not in the regulatory site of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and active Na+ transport system. This suggests that as far as the early stages of the pump cycle are concerned the role of ATP is simply to phosphorylate.     

Gill (Na+ + K+)- and Na+-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in the gilthead bream (Sparus auratus L.)

1. Gilthead gill 10(-3) M ouabain-inhibited (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and 10(-2) M ouabain-insensitive Na+-ATPase require the optimal conditions of pH 7.0, 160 mM Na+, 20 mM K+, 5 mM MgATP and pH 4.8-5.2, 75 mM Na+, 2.5 mM Mg2+, 1.0 mM ATP, respectively. 2. The main distinctive features between the two activities are confirmed to be optimal pH, the ouabain-sensitivity and the monovalent cation requirement, Na+ plus another cationic species (K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+) in the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and only one species (Na+, K+, Li+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+ or choline+) in the Na+-ATPase. 3. The aspecific Na+-ATPase activation by monovalent cations, as well as by nucleotide triphosphates, opposed to the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase specificity for ATP and Na+, relates gilthead gill ATPases to lower organism ATPases and differentiates them from mammalian ones. 4. The discrimination between the two activities by the sensitivity to ethacrynic acid, vanadate, furosemide and Ca2+ only partially agrees with the literature. 5. Present findings are viewed on the basis of the ATPase's presumptive physiological role(s) and mutual relationship.     

Low-affinity Na+ sites on (Na+ +K+)-ATPase modulate inhibition of Na+-ATPase activity by vanadate

Na+-ATPase activity is extremely sensitive to inhibition by vanadate at low Na+ concentrations where Na+ occupies only high-affinity activation sites. Na+ occupies low-affinity activation sites to reverse inhibition of Na+-ATPase and (Na+, K+)-ATPase activities by vanadate. This effect of Na+ is competitive with respect to both vanadate and Mg2+. The apparent affinity of the enzyme for vanadate is markedly increased by K+. The principal effect of K+ may be to displace Na+ from the low-affinity sites at which it activates Na+-ATPase activity.     

Brefeldin A influences the cell surface abundance and intracellular pools of low and high ouabain affinity Na+, K(+)-ATPase alpha subunit isoforms in articular chondrocytes

The catalytic alpha isoforms of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase and stimuli controlling the plasma membrane abundance and intracellular distribution of the enzyme were studied in isolated bovine articular chondrocytes which have previously been shown to express low and high ouabain affinity alpha isoforms (alpha 1 and alpha 3 respectively; alpha 1 > alpha 3). The Na+, K(+)-ATPase density of isolated chondrocyte preparations was quantified by specific 3H-ouabain binding. Long-term elevation of extracellular medium [Na+] resulted in a significant (31%; p < 0.05) upregulation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase density and treatment with various pharmacological inhibitors (Brefeldin A, monensin and cycloheximide) significantly (p < 0.001) blocked the upregulation. The subcellular distribution of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase alpha isoforms was examined by immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy which revealed predominantly plasma membrane immunostaining of alpha subunits in control chondrocytes. In Brefeldin A treated chondrocytes exposed to high [Na+], Na+, K(+)-ATPase alpha isoforms accumulated in juxta-nuclear pools and plasma membrane Na+, K(+)-ATPase density monitored by 3H-ouabain binding was significantly down-regulated due to Brefeldin A mediated disruption of vesicular transport. There was a marked increase in intracellular alpha 1 and alpha 3 staining suggesting that these isoforms are preferentially upregulated following long-term exposure to high extracellular [Na+]. The results demonstrate that Na+, K(+)-ATPase density in chondrocytes is elevated in response to increased extracellular [Na+] through de novo protein synthesis of new pumps containing alpha 1 and alpha 3 isoforms, delivery via the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex constitutive secretory pathway and insertion into the plasma membrane.     

Half of the (Na+ + K+)-transporting-ATPase-associated K+-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity of gastric epithelial cells is exposed to the surface exterior.

Ouabain inhibited 86RbCl uptake by 80% in rabbit gastric superficial epithelial cells (SEC), revealing the presence of a functional Na+,K+-ATPase [(Na+ + K+)-transporting ATPase] pump. Intact SEC were used to study the ouabain-sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase and K+-pNPPase (K+-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase) activities before and after lysis. Intact SEC showed no Na+,K+-ATPase and insignificant Mg2+-ATPase activity. However, appreciable K+-pNPPase activity sensitive to ouabain inhibition was demonstrated by localizing its activity to the cell-surface exterior. The lysed SEC, on the other hand, demonstrated both ouabain-sensitive Na+,K+-ATPase and K+-pNPPase activities. Thus the ATP-hydrolytic site of Na+,K+-ATPase faces exclusively the cytosol, whereas the associated K+-pNPPase is distributed equally across the plasma membrane. The study suggests that the cell-exterior-located K+-pNPPase can be used as a convenient and reliable 'in situ' marker for the functional Na+,K+-ATPase system of various isolated cells under noninvasive conditions.