Lead ion activates phosphorylation of electroplax Na+- and K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase ((NaK)-ATPase) in the absence of sodium ion.

PbCl₂ in micromolar concentrations stimulates phosphorylation of electroplax microsomal protein in the absence of Na⁺. Other divalent cations showed little or no such effect. The (Mg²⁺ + Pb²⁺)- and (Mg²⁺ + Na⁺)-dependent membrane-bound protein kinase activities in electroplax particulate preparations exhibit properties in common, including their acid stability, ouabain sensitivity, ATP specificity, and molecular size. It is concluded that the (Mg²⁺ + Pb²⁺)-dependent phosphoprotein is part of the Na⁺-, K⁺-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (NaK)ATPase]. The Pb²⁺-dependent product, in contrast to the Na⁺-dependent one, is insensitive to K⁺ and the hydrolysis of ATP is thus inhibited.