The action of sodium and potassium ions on the H+-ATPase activity of Escherichia coli K12 (lambda) membranes

The dependence of activity of H+-ATPase membranes of Escherichia coli K12 (lambda) grown anaerobically of potassium and sodium ions has been studied. The addition of K+ or Na+ to the reaction mixture causes an increase of H+-ATPase activity. The effect depended on conditions and keeping time of the preparation of membranes. The sensitivity of enzyme to potassium and sodium decreased with the rise of temperature from -20 degrees C to -4 degrees C and an increase of keeping time.