| Abstract: | The Mg-ATPase and (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg-ATPase in the mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of smooth muscular cells of the sheep's common carotid artery have been characterized in more detail. Optimal enzyme activities were found for all ATPases to be at pH 7.5-8.0 and 45 degrees C-50 degrees C. The energies of activation were found to be at 5-9 kcal/mole for both ATPases. Two-thirds of the (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg-ATPase were found to be ouabain-sensitive and thus attributed to the coupled (Na, K)-transport system. The pI 50 values of ouabain for microsomal and mitochondrial fractions are 6.3 and 6.0, respectively. The highest activity of (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg-ATPase is at 5-10 mM K+ and more than 50 mM Na+. One-third of the (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg-ATPase activity was found to be due to a stimulation of Mg-ATPase by Na+ alone, which is not inhibited by ouabain. The relationship of this activity to the ouabain-sensitive part of the (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg-ATPase and to Na+-transport is discussed. For the Mg-ATPases apparent KM(ATP) values were determined to be 1.4 and 1.0 mM, resp., and for the (Na+ + K+)-stimulated Mg-ATPases 0.15 and 0.14 mM, resp. |
