SAUR Inhibition of PP2C-D Phosphatases Activates Plasma Membrane H+-ATPases to Promote Cell Expansion in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone auxin promotes cell expansion. Forty years ago, the acid growth theory was proposed, whereby auxin promotes proton efflux to acidify the apoplast and facilitate the uptake of solutes and water to drive plant cell expansion. However, the underlying molecular and genetic bases of this process remain unclear. We have previously shown that the SAUR19-24 subfamily of auxin-induced SMALL AUXIN UP-RNA (SAUR) genes promotes cell expansion. Here, we demonstrate that SAUR proteins provide a mechanistic link between auxin and plasma membrane H⁺-ATPases (PM H⁺-ATPases) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plants overexpressing stabilized SAUR19 fusion proteins exhibit increased PM H⁺-ATPase activity, and the increased growth phenotypes conferred by SAUR19 overexpression are dependent upon normal PM H⁺-ATPase function. We find that SAUR19 stimulates PM H⁺-ATPase activity by promoting phosphorylation of the C-terminal autoinhibitory domain. Additionally, we identify a regulatory mechanism by which SAUR19 modulates PM H⁺-ATPase phosphorylation status. SAUR19 as well as additional SAUR proteins interact with the PP2C-D subfamily of type 2C protein phosphatases. We demonstrate that these phosphatases are inhibited upon SAUR binding, act antagonistically to SAURs in vivo, can physically interact with PM H⁺-ATPases, and negatively regulate PM H⁺-ATPase activity. Our findings provide a molecular framework for elucidating auxin-mediated control of plant cell expansion.     

Type 2C protein phosphatase clade D family members dephosphorylate guard cell plasma membrane H+-ATPase

Plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase in guard cells is activated by phosphorylation of the penultimate residue, threonine (Thr), in response to blue and red light, promoting stomatal opening. Previous in vitro biochemical investigation suggested that Mg²⁺- and Mn²⁺-dependent membrane-localized type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C)-like activity mediates the dephosphorylation of PM H⁺-ATPase in guard cells. PP2C clade D (PP2C.D) was later demonstrated to be involved in PM H⁺-ATPase dephosphorylation during auxin-induced cell expansion in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, it is unclear whether PP2C.D phosphatases are involved in PM H⁺-ATPase dephosphorylation in guard cells. Transient expression experiments using Arabidopsis mesophyll cell protoplasts revealed that all PP2C.D isoforms dephosphorylate the endogenous PM H⁺-ATPase. We further analyzed PP2C.D6/8/9, which display higher expression levels than other isoforms in guard cells, observing that pp2c.d6, pp2c.d8, and pp2c.d9 single mutants showed similar light-induced stomatal opening and phosphorylation status of PM H⁺-ATPase in guard cells as Col-0. In contrast, the pp2c.d6/9 double mutant displayed wider stomatal apertures and greater PM H⁺-ATPase phosphorylation in response to blue light, but delayed dephosphorylation of PM H⁺-ATPase in guard cells; the pp2c.d6/8/9 triple mutant showed similar phenotypes to those of the pp2c.d6/9 double mutant. Taken together, these results indicate that PP2C.D6 and PP2C.D9 redundantly mediate PM H⁺-ATPase dephosphorylation in guard cells. Curiously, unlike auxin-induced cell expansion in seedlings, auxin had no effect on the phosphorylation status of PM H⁺-ATPase in guard cells.

Type 2C protein phosphatase clade D family members redundantly dephosphorylate the penultimate C-terminal threonine residue of plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase in guard cells to control stomatal movement.     

SAUR15 interaction with BRI1 activates plasma membrane H+-ATPase to promote organ development of Arabidopsis

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are an important group of plant steroid hormones that regulate growth and development. Several members of the SMALL AUXIN UP RNA (SAUR) family have roles in BR-regulated hypocotyl elongation and root growth. However, the mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) that SAUR15 interacts with cell surface receptor-like kinase BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) in BR-treated plants, resulting in enhanced BRI1 phosphorylation status and recruitment of the co-receptor BRI1-ASSOCIATED RECEPTOR KINASE 1. Genetic and phenotypic assays indicated that the SAUR15 effect on BRI1 can be uncoupled from BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 2 activity. Instead, we show that SAUR15 promotes BRI1 direct activation of plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase (PM H⁺-ATPase) via phosphorylation. Consequently, SAUR15–BRI1–PM H⁺-ATPase acts as a direct, PM-based mode of BR signaling that drives cell expansion to promote the growth and development of various organs. These data define an alternate mode of BR signaling in plants.

SAUR15–BRI1-plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase acts as a direct, PM-based mode of brassinosteroid signaling that drives cell expansion to promote plant growth and development.     

RIN4 Functions with Plasma Membrane H+-ATPases to Regulate Stomatal Apertures during Pathogen Attack

Pathogen perception by the plant innate immune system is of central importance to plant survival and productivity. The Arabidopsis protein RIN4 is a negative regulator of plant immunity. In order to identify additional proteins involved in RIN4-mediated immune signal transduction, we purified components of the RIN4 protein complex. We identified six novel proteins that had not previously been implicated in RIN4 signaling, including the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPases AHA1 and/or AHA2. RIN4 interacts with AHA1 and AHA2 both in vitro and in vivo. RIN4 overexpression and knockout lines exhibit differential PM H⁺-ATPase activity. PM H⁺-ATPase activation induces stomatal opening, enabling bacteria to gain entry into the plant leaf; inactivation induces stomatal closure thus restricting bacterial invasion. The rin4 knockout line exhibited reduced PM H⁺-ATPase activity and, importantly, its stomata could not be re-opened by virulent Pseudomonas syringae. We also demonstrate that RIN4 is expressed in guard cells, highlighting the importance of this cell type in innate immunity. These results indicate that the Arabidopsis protein RIN4 functions with the PM H⁺-ATPase to regulate stomatal apertures, inhibiting the entry of bacterial pathogens into the plant leaf during infection.     

RIN4 Functions with Plasma Membrane H+-ATPases to Regulate Stomatal Apertures during Pathogen Attack

Pathogen perception by the plant innate immune system is of central importance to plant survival and productivity. The Arabidopsis protein RIN4 is a negative regulator of plant immunity. In order to identify additional proteins involved in RIN4-mediated immune signal transduction, we purified components of the RIN4 protein complex. We identified six novel proteins that had not previously been implicated in RIN4 signaling, including the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPases AHA1 and/or AHA2. RIN4 interacts with AHA1 and AHA2 both in vitro and in vivo. RIN4 overexpression and knockout lines exhibit differential PM H⁺-ATPase activity. PM H⁺-ATPase activation induces stomatal opening, enabling bacteria to gain entry into the plant leaf; inactivation induces stomatal closure thus restricting bacterial invasion. The rin4 knockout line exhibited reduced PM H⁺-ATPase activity and, importantly, its stomata could not be re-opened by virulent Pseudomonas syringae. We also demonstrate that RIN4 is expressed in guard cells, highlighting the importance of this cell type in innate immunity. These results indicate that the Arabidopsis protein RIN4 functions with the PM H⁺-ATPase to regulate stomatal apertures, inhibiting the entry of bacterial pathogens into the plant leaf during infection.     

The molecular mechanism of plasma membrane H+-ATPases in plant responses to abiotic stress

Plasma membrane H⁺-ATPases (PM H⁺-ATPases) are critical proton pumps that export protons from the cytoplasm to the apoplast. The resulting proton gradient and difference in electrical potential energize various secondary active transport events. PM H⁺-ATPases play essential roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. In this review, we focus on recent studies of the mechanism of PM H⁺-ATPases in response to abiotic stresses in plants, such as salt and high pH, temperature, drought, light, macronutrient deficiency, acidic soil and aluminum stress, as well as heavy metal toxicity. Moreover, we discuss remaining outstanding questions about how PM H⁺-ATPases contribute to abiotic stress responses.     

SNARE SYP132 mediates divergent traffic of plasma membrane H+-ATPase AHA1 and antimicrobial PR1 during bacterial pathogenesis

The vesicle trafficking SYNTAXIN OF PLANTS132 (SYP132) drives hormone-regulated endocytic traffic to suppress the density and function of plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPases. In response to bacterial pathogens, it also promotes secretory traffic of antimicrobial pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. These seemingly opposite actions of SYP132 raise questions about the mechanistic connections between the two, likely independent, membrane trafficking pathways intersecting plant growth and immunity. To study SYP132 and associated trafficking of PM H⁺-ATPase 1 (AHA1) and PATHOGENESIS-RELATED PROTEIN1 (PR1) during pathogenesis, we used the virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pst DC3000) bacteria for infection of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants. SYP132 overexpression suppressed bacterial infection in plants through the stomatal route. However, bacterial infection was enhanced when bacteria were infiltrated into leaf tissue to bypass stomatal defenses. Tracking time-dependent changes in native AHA1 and SYP132 abundance, cellular distribution, and function, we discovered that bacterial pathogen infection triggers AHA1 and SYP132 internalization from the plasma membrane. AHA1 bound to SYP132 through its regulatory SNARE Habc domain, and these interactions affected PM H⁺-ATPase traffic. Remarkably, using the Arabidopsis aha1 mutant, we discovered that AHA1 is essential for moderating SYP132 abundance and associated secretion of PR1 at the plasma membrane for pathogen defense. Thus, we show that during pathogenesis SYP132 coordinates AHA1 with opposing effects on the traffic of AHA1 and PR1.

Coordination between SNARE SYP132 and plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase AHA1 moderates SNARE abundance during pathogenesis with opposing effects on trafficking of AHA1 and antimicrobial pathogenesis-related protein 1.     

Evolution of the sodium pump

Eukaryotic plasma membranes (PMs) are energized by electrogenic P-type ATPases that generate either Na⁺ or H⁺ motive forces to drive Na⁺ and H⁺ dependent transport processes, respectively. For this purpose, animal rely on Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases whereas fungi and plants employ PM H⁺-ATPases. Prokaryotes, on the other hand, depend on H⁺ or Na⁺-motive electron transport complexes to energize their cell membranes. This raises the question as to why and when electrogenic Na⁺ and H⁺ pumps evolved? Here it is shown that prokaryotic Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases have near perfect conservation of binding sites involved in coordination of three Na⁺ and two K⁺ ions. Such pumps are rare in Eubacteria but are common in methanogenic Archaea where they often are found together with P-type putative PM H⁺-ATPases. With some exceptions, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases and PM H⁺-ATPases are found everywhere in the eukaryotic tree of life, but never together in animals, fungi and land plants. It is hypothesized that Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases and PM H⁺-ATPases evolved in methanogenic Archaea to support the bioenergetics of these ancestral organisms, which can utilize both H⁺ and Na⁺ as energy currencies. Both pumps must have been simultaneously present in the first eukaryotic cell, but during diversification of the major eukaryotic kingdoms, and at the time animals diverged from fungi, animals kept Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases but lost PM H⁺-ATPases. At the same evolutionary branch point, fungi did loose Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases, and their role was taken over by PM H⁺-ATPases. An independent but similar scenery emerged during terrestrialization of plants: they lost Na⁺/K⁺-ATPases but kept PM H⁺-ATPases.     

Jatropha is vulnerable to cold injury due to impaired activity and expression of plasma membrane H+-ATPase

Cold stress is one of the major environmental factors limiting the amount of plant mass for bioenergy production. A chilling-sensitive Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) as a bioenergy crop was used to investigate the cold injury process at the physiological and biochemical levels. Various physiological parameters such as leaf length, width, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and electrolyte leakage were measured to determine the growth rate of leaves cold-treated (7 and 2 °C) for 5 days. These parameters of cold-treated Jatropha were significantly reduced from day 1 compared with control (23 °C). Using the pH indicator bromocresol purple, it was shown that surface pH of Jatropha root in control was strongly acidified by time only from the starting pH 6, while H⁺-efflux of the surface of cold-treated roots did not change. H⁺-ATPase activity of plasma membrane (PM) isolated from leaves and roots of cold-treated Jatropha was decreased in a time-dependent manner. The expression of PM H⁺-ATPase and 14-3-3 protein, which participates in phosphorylation of PM H⁺-ATPase was reduced in the presence of cold stress. Interestingly, fusicoccin, an activator of the PM H⁺-ATPase, alleviated cold-injury by stimulating the enzyme in leaves. These results may suggest that the activity and expression of PM H⁺-ATPase in Jatropha is closely related to the overcoming of cold stress.     

The Arabidopsis Chaperone J3 Regulates the Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase through Interaction with the PKS5 Kinase

The plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase (PM H⁺-ATPase) plays an important role in the regulation of ion and metabolite transport and is involved in physiological processes that include cell growth, intracellular pH, and stomatal regulation. PM H⁺-ATPase activity is controlled by many factors, including hormones, calcium, light, and environmental stresses like increased soil salinity. We have previously shown that the Arabidopsis thaliana Salt Overly Sensitive2-Like Protein Kinase5 (PKS5) negatively regulates the PM H⁺-ATPase. Here, we report that a chaperone, J3 (DnaJ homolog 3; heat shock protein 40-like), activates PM H⁺-ATPase activity by physically interacting with and repressing PKS5 kinase activity. Plants lacking J3 are hypersensitive to salt at high external pH and exhibit decreased PM H⁺-ATPase activity. J3 functions upstream of PKS5 as double mutants generated using j3-1 and several pks5 mutant alleles with altered kinase activity have levels of PM H⁺-ATPase activity and responses to salt at alkaline pH similar to their corresponding pks5 mutant. Taken together, our results demonstrate that regulation of PM H⁺-ATPase activity by J3 takes place via inactivation of the PKS5 kinase.     

Phosphorylation of the Plant Immune Regulator RPM1-INTERACTING PROTEIN4 Enhances Plant Plasma Membrane H+-ATPase Activity and Inhibits Flagellin-Triggered Immune Responses in Arabidopsis

The Pseudomonas syringae effector AvrB targets multiple host proteins during infection, including the plant immune regulator RPM1-INTERACTING PROTEIN4 (RIN4) and RPM1-INDUCED PROTEIN KINASE (RIPK). In the presence of AvrB, RIPK phosphorylates RIN4 at Thr-21, Ser-160, and Thr-166, leading to activation of the immune receptor RPM1. Here, we investigated the role of RIN4 phosphorylation in susceptible Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes. Using circular dichroism spectroscopy, we show that RIN4 is a disordered protein and phosphorylation affects protein flexibility. RIN4 T21D/S160D/T166D phosphomimetic mutants exhibited enhanced disease susceptibility upon surface inoculation with P. syringae, wider stomatal apertures, and enhanced plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase activity. The plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase AHA1 is highly expressed in guard cells, and its activation can induce stomatal opening. The ripk knockout also exhibited a strong defect in pathogen-induced stomatal opening. The basal level of RIN4 Thr-166 phosphorylation decreased in response to immune perception of bacterial flagellin. RIN4 Thr166D lines exhibited reduced flagellin-triggered immune responses. Flagellin perception did not lower RIN4 Thr-166 phosphorylation in the presence of strong ectopic expression of AvrB. Taken together, these results indicate that the AvrB effector targets RIN4 in order to enhance pathogen entry on the leaf surface as well as dampen responses to conserved microbial features.     

Adenosine 5′-monophosphate decreases citrate exudation and aluminium resistance in Tamba black soybean by inhibiting the interaction between 14-3-3 proteins and plasma membrane H<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase

Our previous study suggested that aluminium (Al) stress increased plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity and citrate secretion and simultaneously enhanced the interaction between 14-3-3 proteins and phosphorylated PM H⁺-ATPase in Al-resistant Tamba black soybean (RB). Adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) is known as an inhibitor of the interaction between 14-3-3 proteins and PM H⁺-ATPases. To investigate the effects of AMP on Al resistance, PM H⁺-ATPase activity and citrate exudation, AMP was used to treat Al-stressed RB. The results showed that after treatment with either 100 μM AMP or 50 μM Al for 8 h, RB root growth was inhibited by approximately 50 and 30%, respectively. However, simultaneous treatment with 100 μM AMP and 50 μM Al for 8 h resulted in a 60% inhibition of RB root growth, indicating that the presence of AMP reduced Al tolerance in RB. The interaction of PM H⁺-ATPase and 14-3-3 proteins in the root tips of Al-treated RB was stronger than that in the untreated control. However, the interaction of the two proteins was greatly reduced (lower than that in the control) after co-treatment with Al and AMP, suggesting that the presence of AMP under Al stress reduced the Al-enhanced interaction between PM H⁺-ATPase and 14-3-3 proteins. Consequently, PM H⁺-ATPase activity decreased by approximately 50%, which led to a significant decrease in H⁺ efflux and citrate secretion in RB roots under Al stress. Collectively, these results indicate that AMP reduced citrate exudation and Al resistance in RB by inhibiting the interaction between 14-3-3 proteins and PM H⁺-ATPases under Al stress.     

Active Plasma Membrane P-type H+-ATPase Reconstituted into Nanodiscs Is a Monomer

Plasma membrane H⁺-ATPases form a subfamily of P-type ATPases responsible for pumping protons out of cells and are essential for establishing and maintaining the crucial transmembrane proton gradient in plants and fungi. Here, we report the reconstitution of the Arabidopsis thaliana plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase isoform 2 into soluble nanoscale lipid bilayers, also termed nanodiscs. Based on native gel analysis and cross-linking studies, the pump inserts into nanodiscs as a functional monomer. Insertion of the H⁺-ATPase into nanodiscs has the potential to enable structural and functional characterization using techniques normally applicable only for soluble proteins.     

Adaptation of plasma membrane H+ ATPase and H+ pump to P deficiency in rice roots

The plasma membrane (PM) H⁺ ATPase is involved in the plant response to nutrient deficiency. However, adaptation of this enzyme in monocotyledon plants to phosphorus (P) deficiency lacks direct evidence. In this study, we detected that P deficient roots of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) could acidify the rhizosphere. We further isolated the PM from rice roots and analyzed the activity of PM H⁺ ATPase. In vitro, P deficient rice roots showed about 30% higher activity of PM H⁺ ATPase than the P sufficient roots at assay of pH 6.0. The P deficiency resulted in a decrease of the substrate affinity value (K _m ) of PM H⁺ ATPase. The proton pumping activity of membrane vesicles from the P deficient roots was about 70% higher than that from P sufficient roots. Western blotting analysis indicated that higher activity of PM H⁺ ATPase in P deficient roots was related to a slightly increase of PM H⁺ ATPase protein abundance in comparison with that in P sufficient roots. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the P deficiency enhanced activities of both PM H⁺-ATPase and H⁺ pump, which contributed to the rhizosphere acidification in rice roots.     

V H-ATPase along the yeast secretory pathway: Energization of the ER and Golgi membranes

H⁺ transport driven by V H⁺-ATPase was found in membrane fractions enriched with ER/PM and Golgi/Golgi-like membranes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae efficiently purified in sucrose density gradient from the vacuolar membranes according to the determination of the respective markers including vacuolar Ca²⁺-ATPase, Pmc1::HA. Purification of ER from PM by a removal of PM modified with concanavalin A reduced H⁺ transport activity of P H⁺-ATPase by more than 75% while that of V H⁺-ATPase remained unchanged. ER H⁺ ATPase exhibits higher resistance to bafilomycin (I₅₀ = 38.4 nM) than Golgi and vacuole pumps (I₅₀ = 0.18 nM). The ratio between a coupling efficiency of the pumps in ER, membranes heavier than ER, vacuoles and Golgi is 1.0, 2.1, 8.5 and 14 with the highest coupling in the Golgi. The comparative analysis of the initial velocities of H⁺ transport mediated by V H⁺-ATPases in the ER, Golgi and vacuole membrane vesicles, and immunoreactivity of the catalytic subunit A and regulatory subunit B further supported the conclusion that V H⁺-ATPase is the intrinsic enzyme of the yeast ER and Golgi and likely presented by distinct forms and/or selectively regulated.     

NaCl increases the activity of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase in C3 halophyte Suaeda salsa callus

Suaeda salsa calli treated with different concentrations of NaCl were used to examine the response of the plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase to NaCl and its role in salt tolerance. The optimum concentration of NaCl for growth of the calli was 50 mM, while growth was significantly inhibited at 250 mM NaCl. The ion and organic solute contents of calli increased with increasing NaCl. Activity of the PM H⁺-ATPase increased when the calli were treated with NaCl over a certain concentration range (0–150 mM NaCl). However, the activity reached its maximum with 150 mM NaCl. Immunoblotting analysis of the PM H⁺-ATPase protein from calli cultures with anti-Zea mays H⁺-ATPase serum (monoclonal 46E5B11D5) identified a single polypeptide of ~90 kDa. The peptide levels increased in the calli treated with NaCl at 150 mM NaCl compared to control, but the increase at 50 mM NaCl was less pronounced. Northern blot analysis showed that the expression of the PM H⁺-ATPase also increased after the calli were treated with NaCl. These results suggest that the increase in PM H⁺-ATPase activity is due to both an increase in the amount of PM H⁺-ATPase protein and an up-regulation of the PM H⁺-ATPase gene, which is involved in the salt tolerance of S. salsa calli.     

The role of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase in jasmonate‐induced ion fluxes and stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicits stomatal closure in many plant species. Stomatal closure is accompanied by large ion fluxes across the plasma membrane (PM). Here, we recorded the transmembrane ion fluxes of H⁺, Ca²⁺ and K⁺ in guard cells of wild‐type (Col‐0) Arabidopsis, the CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1) mutant coi1‐1 and the PM H⁺‐ATPase mutants aha1‐6 and aha1‐7, using a non‐invasive micro‐test technique. We showed that MeJA induced transmembrane H⁺ efflux, Ca²⁺ influx and K⁺ efflux across the PM of Col‐0 guard cells. However, this ion transport was abolished in coi1‐1 guard cells, suggesting that MeJA‐induced transmembrane ion flux requires COI1. Furthermore, the H⁺ efflux and Ca²⁺ influx in Col‐0 guard cells was impaired by vanadate pre‐treatment or PM H⁺‐ATPase mutation, suggesting that the rapid H⁺ efflux mediated by PM H⁺‐ATPases could function upstream of the Ca²⁺ flux. After the rapid H⁺ efflux, the Col‐0 guard cells had a longer oscillation period than before MeJA treatment, indicating that the activity of the PM H⁺‐ATPase was reduced. Finally, the elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration and the depolarized PM drive the efflux of K⁺ from the cell, resulting in loss of turgor and closure of the stomata.     

Role of Protein Phosphatase in the Regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase by Vasopressin in the Cortical Collecting Duct

In the cortical collecting duct (CCD), arginin vasopressin (AVP) has been shown to increase the number and activity of basolateral Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase by recruiting or activating a latent pool of pumps. However, the precise mechanism of this phenomenon is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this AVP-induced increase in basolateral Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase could depend on a dephosphorylation process. To this purpose, the effect of protein serine/threonine phosphatase (PP) inhibitors was examined on both the specific ³H-ouabain binding (to evaluate the number of pumps in the basolateral membrane) and the ouabain-dependent ⁸⁶Rb uptake (to evaluate pump functionality) in the presence or absence of AVP. In addition, the activity of two PP, PP1 and PP2A, was measured and the influence of AVP was examined on both enzymes. Experiments have been performed on mouse CCD isolated by microdissection. Results show that inhibition of PP2A prevents the AVP-induced increase in the number and activity of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPases, independent of an effect on the apical cell sodium entry. In addition, AVP rapidly increased the activity of PP2A without effect on PP1. These data suggest that PP2A is implied in the regulation of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity by AVP in the CCD and that the AVP-dependent increase in the number of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPases is mediated by a PP2A-dependent dephosphorylation process. Received: 22 March 1996/Revised: 21 June 1996