Inactivation by Ca2+ of Ca2+-stimulated ATPase from rat red cells

Summary The effect of Ca²⁺ on the stability of the Ca²⁺-stimulated ATPase has been investigated. Our results showed that the preincubation of the rat red cell membranes in presence of Ca²⁺ causes an irreversible inhibition of the enzyme. The same effect was obtained with Ba²⁺ instead of Ca²⁺. Once initiated the inactivation of the enzyme could be halted by the addition of ethylene glycol bis (B-amino ethyl ether) N,N-tetra acitic acid (EGTA), but inactivation was irreversible. The presence of ATP in the preincubation with Ca²⁺ prevented the inactivation but calmodulin did not.