Dependent P-nitrophenylphosphatase Activity Research Articles

Stimulation of p‐nitrophenylphosphatase activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase by NaCl with oligomycin or ATP

It is known that the addition of NaCl with oligomycin or ATP stimulates ouabain-sensitive and K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (pNPPase) activity of Na+/K+-ATPase. We investigated the mechanism of the stimulation. The combination of oligomycin and NaCl increased the affinity of pNPPase activity for K+. When the ratio of Na+ to Rb+ was 10 in the presence of oligomycin, Rb+-binding and pNPPase activity reached a maximal level and Na+ was occluded. Phosphorylation of Na+/K+-ATPase by p-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) was not affected by oligomycin. Because oligomycin stabilizes the Na+-occluded E1 state of Na+/K+-ATPase, it seemed that the Na+-occluded E1 state increased the affinity of the phosphoenzyme formed from pNPP for K+. On the other hand, the combination of ATP and NaCl also increased the affinity of pNPPase for K+ and activated ATPase activity. Both activities were affected by the ligand conditions. Oligomycin noncompetitively affected the activation of pNPPase by NaCl and ATP. Nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues could not substitute for ATP. As NaE1P, which is the high-energy phosphoenzyme formed from ATP with Na+, is also the Na+-occluded E1 state, it is suggested that the Na+-occluded E1 state increases the affinity of the phosphoenzyme from pNPP for K+ through the interaction between alpha subunits. Therefore, membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase would function as at least an (alphabeta)2-diprotomer with interacting alpha subunits at the phosphorylation step.

Cytochemical localization of Na+/K+-ATPase activity in cochlear strial marginal cells after various catecholamine administrations.

Sodium/potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase) activity in the kidney and brain is high, and is regulated by catecholamines. Na+/K+-ATPase activity is also high in the basolateral infoldings of the strial marginal cells, where it aids in maintaining the characteristic electrolyte composition of the endolymph. To clarify the involvement of humoral control in strial function, particularly the role of catecholamines, the K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K+-NPPase) activity of strial marginal cells was investigated in guinea pigs using a cerium-based cytochemical method. The effects of reserpine, serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), both alone and in combination, were studied. High doses of reserpine cause depletion of sympathetic substances. Strial K+-NPPase activity was decreased after reserpine or dopamine treatment, and was increased after 5-HT, NE, and EP treatment. After reserpinization, repeated treatment with 5-HT, NE, or EP led to detectable strial enzyme activity. Thus, exogenous 5-HT, NE, and EP were able to restore strial K+-NPPase activity in the reserpine-treated animals. These results suggested that biogenic amines regulate strial K+-NPPase activity. Thus, the function of the stria vascularis may be regulated by the opposing actions of these catecholamines, and 5-HT.

Correlation between acid secretion and proton pump activity during inhibition by the proton pump inhibitors omeprazole and pantoprazole

Omeprazole and pantoprazole are known to be irreversible, SH-acting inhibitors of gastric H +,K +-adenosine triphosphatase (H +,K +-ATPase). Both drugs concentration-dependently and pH-dependently inhibited K +-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K +-pNPPase) activity in purified rabbit gastric microsomes. The potency of omeprazole was about three times that of pantoprazole in the pH ranges tested. Both drugs also inhibited acid secretion, as determined by [ 14C]aminopyrine accumulation in isolated rabbit gastric glands, with the potency ratio being about 5 (omeprazole over that of pantoprazole). Under conditions in which acid secretion was inhibited completely by the drugs, the total K +-pNPPase activity in the digitonin-permeabilized glands was scarcely reduced, showing an apparent discrepancy between the acid secretion and the proton pump activity. The isolated glands were stimulated with secretagogues for 30 min in the presence of the inhibitors, homogenized, and then separated into fractions in which K +-pNPPase activity was measured. Omeprazole exclusively inhibited the activity in the low-speed fraction, which was rich in the apical membranes, whereas pantoprazole did not inhibit activity in any fraction. When the time of treatment with the inhibitors was increased up to 5 hr, the inhibition of the total K +-pNPPase activity in the glands reached a plateau at an inhibition rate lower than 50% within 2 hr. This suggested that no continuous recycling of the proton pump was occurring during stimulation. The inhibitory effect of both drugs on the permeabilized gland preparation was less potent than that on the purified enzyme, especially at the higher pH, and it appeared to be partially reversible. The extent of the reduction in potency was more prominent for pantoprazole. It is concluded that a lower amount of proton pump activity needs to be inhibited by pantoprazole than by omeprazole to achieve the same extent of acid secretion inhibition. This appears to be due to the nature of pantoprazole, i.e. the requirement of low pH for activation and the partial reversibility of the inhibition.

Effects of Epinephrine on Ouabain-Sensitive, K+-DependentP-Nitrophenylphosphatase Activity in Strial Marginal Cells of Guinea Pigs

In strial marginal cells, Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity is abundant, and contributes to maintain the characteristic electrolyte composition of the cochlear endolymph. In the present study, to clarify the relationship between epinephrine and strial Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, the ouabain-sensitive, K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K(+)-NPPase) activity of strial marginal cells was investigated with a cerium-based method in normal guinea pigs and guinea pigs treated with reserpine, epinephrine, and reserpine plus epinephrine. In our previous study, K(+)-NPPase activity had almost completely decreased 3 to 20 days after reserpine administration. In the present study, at 10 days after reserpinization and following repeated epinephrine treatment, enzyme activity was detectable. These results suggest that exogenous epinephrine was able to restore strial K(+)-NPPase activity in the reserpine-treated animals, and that epinephrine might increase strial Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity.

Effect of Norepinephrine on Ouabain-sensitive, K+-dependent p-Nitrophenylphosphatase Activity in Strial Marginal Cells of the Cochlea in Normal and Reserpinized Guinea Pigs

On the basolateral infoldings of the strial marginal cells in the cochlea, Na-K ATPase activity is abundant. To clarify the humoral control by norepinephrine, K-NPPase activity of strial marginal cells in the cochlea was investigated in normal, reserpine, norepinephrine (NE), reserpine plus NE-treated guinea pigs using a cerium-based method. K-NPPase activity was almost completely decreased 3-20 days after reserpine administration. At 10 days after reserpinization and following NE repeated treatment, enzyme activity was detectable. These results suggested that norepinephrine might restore and regulate strial K-NPPase activity.

Cytochemical Localization of Ouabain-sensitive, K+-dependentp-nitrophenylphosphatase Activity in the Facial Nerve of Reserpinized Guinea Pigs

Ion-transporting Na,K-ATPase plays an essential role in nerve conduction. To clarify the cytochemical effects of reserpine on transport Na,K-ATPase activity, the localization of ouabain-sensitive, K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K-NPPase) activity was investigated in the facial nerves of normal and reserpinized guinea pigs using a cerium-based method. In the normal facial nerve, the reaction product of K-NPPase activity was observed on the internodal axolemma and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. In the Ranvier nodes, enzyme activity was localized to the paranodal and nodal axolemma. In the reserpinized nerves, reaction product was detectable on the nodal axolemma but was undetectable on the other parts of the axolemma. Nodal K-NPPase was not affected by reserpine treatment. Therefore, the transport Na,K-ATPase on the nodal axolemma might differ from that on the other parts of the axolemma. Allowing reserpinized animals to survive. Two different ouabain-sensitive K-NPPase reactivities, "reserpine-sensitive" and "reserpine-resistant," might be present in the facial nerve of guinea pigs.

K+ supplementation increases muscle [Na+-K+-ATPase] and improves extrarenal K+ homeostasis in rats.

Effects of K+ supplementation (approximately 200 mmol KCl/100 g chow) on plasma K+, K+ content, and Na+-K+-adeonsinetriphosphatase (ATPase) concentration ([Na+-K+-ATPase]) in skeletal muscles as well as on extrarenal K+ clearance were evaluated in rats. After 2 days of K+ supplementation, hyperkalemia prevailed (K+-supplemented vs. weight-matched control animals) [5.1 +/- 0.2 (SE) vs. 3.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P < 0.05, n = 5-6], and after 4 days a significant increase in K+ content was observed in gastrocnemius muscle (104 +/- 2 vs. 97 +/- 1 micromol/g wet wt, P < 0.05, n = 5-6). After 7 days of K+ supplementation, a significant increase in [3H] ouabain binding site concentration (344 +/- 5 vs. 239 +/- 8 pmol/g wet wt, P < 0.05, n = 4) was observed in gastrocnemius muscle. After 2 wk, increases in plasma K+, K+ content, and [3H]ouabain binding site concentration in gastrocnemius muscle amounted to 40, 8, and 68% (P < 0.05) above values observed in weight-matched control animals, respectively. The latter change was confirmed by K+-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity measurements. Fasting for 1 day reduced plasma K+ and K+ content in gastrocnemius muscle in rats that had been K+ supplemented for 2 wk by 3.1 +/- 0.3 mmol/l (P < 0.05, n = 5) and 15 +/- 2 micromol/g wet wt (P < 0.05, n = 5), respectively. After induction of anesthesia, arterial plasma K+ was measured during intravenous KCl infusion (0.75 mmol KCl x 100 g body wt(-1) x h(-1)). The K+-supplemented fasted group demonstrated a 42% (P < 0.05) lower plasma K+ rise, associated with a significantly higher increase in K+ content in gastrocnemius muscle of 7 micromol/g wet wt (P < 0.05, n = 5) compared with their control animals. In conclusion, K+ supplementation increases plasma K+, K+ content, and [Na+-K+-ATPase] in skeletal muscles and improves extrarenal K+ clearance capacity.

Inhibition of Na +, K +-ATPase by 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose, a major constituent of both moutan cortex and paeoniae radix

The inhibition of Na∗,K +-ATPase activity by various constituents of Moutan Cortex and Paeoniae Radix was studied. 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG), a major component of both crude drugs, strongly inhibited Na +,K +-ATPase activity (lC 50 = 2.5 x 10 -6 M), whereas galloylpaeoniflorin, benzoic acid, and catechin were weakly inhibitory, and albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, paeoniflorin, paeonol, and phenol were ineffective. The inhibition of Na +,K +-ATPase activity by PGG was decreased in the presence of BSA or phospholipids. The inhibition mode of PGG was noncompetitive with respect to ATP. The K 0.5 value for Na + was increased by the addition of PGG from 9.1 to 12.3 mM, whereas that for K + was not altered. PGG also inhibited K +-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity with an IC 50 value of 5.3 x 10 -6 M, and the extent of the inhibition increased at higher concentrations of K +. The K 0.5 value for K + was decreased by the addition of PGG from 3.3 to 2.0 mM. These results suggested that the inhibition of Na +,K +-ATPase activity is caused by interaction of PGG with the enzyme in the E 2 state. The inhibitory effect of Moutan Cortex or Paeoniae Radix is considered to be mainly attributable to PGG.

Reduced concentration of myocardial Na+,K(+)-ATPase in human aortic valve disease as well as of Na+,K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPase in rodents with hypertrophy.

Myocardial Na+,K(+)-ATPase was studied in patients with aortic valve disease, and myocardial Na+,K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPase were assessed in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and hereditary cardiomyopathic hamsters using methods ensuring high enzyme recovery. Na+,K(+)-ATPase was quantified by [3H]ouabain binding to intact myocardial biopsies from patients with aortic valve disease. Aortic stenosis, regurgitation and a combination hereof were compared with normal human heart and were associated with reductions of left ventricular [3H]ouabain binding site concentration (pmol/g wet weight) of 56, 46 and 60%, respectively (p < 0.01). Na+,K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPases were quantified by K(+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (pNPPase) activity determinations in crude myocardial homogenates from SHR and hereditary cardiomyopathic hamsters. When SHR were compared to age-matched Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats an increase in heart-body weight ratio of 75% (p < 0.001) was associated with reductions of K(+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent pNPPase activities (mumol/min/g wet weight) of 42 (p < 0.01) and 27% (p < 0.05), respectively. When hereditary cardiomyopathic hamsters were compared to age-matched Syrian hamsters an increase in heart-body weight ratio of 69% (p < 0.001) was found to be associated with reductions in K(+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent pNPPase activities of 50 (p < 0.001) and 26% (p = 0.05), respectively. The reductions in Na+,K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPases were selective in relation to overall protein content and were not merely the outcome of increased myocardial mass relative to Na+,K(+)- and Ca(2+)-pumps. In conclusion, myocardial hypertrophy is in patients associated with reduced Na+,K(+)-ATPase concentration and in rodents with reduced Na+,K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPase concentrations. This may be of importance for development of heart failure and arrhythmia in hypertrophic heart disease.

Corticosteroid induction of renal and intestinal K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase in young and adult rats.

The post-natal development of the K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K-NPPase) activity of the Na, K-ATPase complex and its regulation by corticosteroids was studied in renal and intestinal epithelia of the rat using the p-nitrophenylphosphatecerium capture method. The distribution of the phosphatase was analysed in detail in the renal epithelia of the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and distal convoluted tubule and in the surface epithelial cells of the distal colon. The convoluted tubule and Henle's loop segments showed a stronger reaction for K-NPPase than the colon epithelium both in adult and young animals (suckling and weanling pups). The intensity of staining rose progressively in all three epithelia during early postnatal development and reached the highest levels during the weaning period and in adulthood. The most distinct change was observed between days 10 and 16. Adrenalectomy significantly reduced the density of the final reaction product in weanling and adult rats. Replacement hormone therapy of adrenalectomized weanling rats with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone restored the K-NPPase activity in the two renal epithelia, whereas the mineralocorticoid deoxycorticosterone acetate had no effect on the activity in the medullary thick ascending limb, a very slight effect in distal convoluted tubules, and a strong effect on the distal colon epithelial activity. The observed small effect of the mineralocorticoid in distal convoluted tubule activity may reflect a cross-over into glucocorticoid receptors. We conclude that the postnatal development of Na, K-ATPase is regulated by glucocorticoids in nephron epithelia and predominantly by mineralocorticoids in the surface enterocytes of the distal colon.

Impaired Ranvier node sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase may induce facial palsy.

To clarify the part of the neuron essential for myelinated nerve conduction, the cytochemical localization of potassium ion (K+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K-NPPase) activity was investigated in the normal and reserpine-treated facial nerve of guinea pigs. In the normal animals, K-NPPase activity was localized to the internodal axolemma and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. In the Ranvier nodes, enzyme activity was observed along the paranodal and nodal axolemma. In reserpinized nerves, K-NPPase activity was absent along the internodal axolemma and Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. In the Ranvier nodes, however, enzyme activity was detectable only in the nodal axolemma. The reserpinized animals demonstrated no evidence of facial palsy. Because K-NPPase is essential for nerve conduction, these results indicate that the location of enzyme activity in reserpinized animals, namely the nodal axolemma, may be of prime importance in saltatory nerve conduction.

Developmental changes of K+-dependent para-nitrophenylphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) distribution in the synaptic regions in the cerebral cortex of rats

Using Mayahara's method, the distribution of K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity was examined electron microscopically in the synaptic regions of the cerebral cortex of 10, 15 and 60-day-old Wistar rats. The enzyme achieved gradually its characteristic localization and uniform distribution. The main developmental changes were associated with the establishment of the postsynaptic density's activity. The controls with ouabain revealed activity only on the postsynaptic densities.

Zinc-ion-dependent acid phosphatase exhibits magnesium-ion-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity.

We have purified bovine brain Zn(2+)-dependent acid phosphatase (Zn(2+)-APase), which requires Zn2+ ions to hydrolyze the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) in an acidic environment. The substrate specificity and metal requirement of Zn(2+)-APase at a physiological pH was also studied. The enzyme exhibited hydrolytic activity on myo-inositol-1- and -2-monophosphates, 2'-adenosine monophosphate, 2'-guanosine monophosphate, and the alpha- and beta-glycerophosphates, glucose-1-phosphate, and fructose-6-phosphate in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) in the presence of Mg2+ ions, but not on pNPP and phosphotyrosine. Zn2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ ions were less effective for activation. Among the above substrates, myo-inositol-1-phosphate was the most susceptible to hydrolysis by the enzyme in the presence of 3 mM Mg2+ ions. The enzyme exhibited an optimum pH at around 8 for myo-inositol-1-phosphate in the presence of 3 mM Mg2+ ions. The Mg(2+)-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity of the enzyme was significantly inhibited by Li+ ions. The Zn(2+)-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity and Mg(2+)-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity of the purified enzyme fraction exhibited similar behavior on Sephadex G-100 and Mono Q colomns. These findings suggest that Zn(2+)-APase also exhibits Mg(2+)-dependent myo-inositol-1-phosphatase activity under physiological conditions.

Cytochemical study of ouabain-sensitive, K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in guinea pig facial nerve.

The localization of ouabain-sensitive, K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K-NPPase) activity, the second dephosphorylative property of the Na-K adenosine triphosphatase complex, was cytochemically studied in the intra-temporal portion of the facial nerve in normal guinea pigs using a cerium-based method. A fine-granular reaction product of the K-NPPase activity was observed on the cytoplasmic side of the axolemma of the axon cylinder, of the incisures of Schmidt-Lanterman, and of the nodes of Ranvier. No reaction product was detected on the periaxonal and outermost plasma membrane of Schwann cells and in the myelin sheath. In control tissue samples, the enzyme activity was almost completely inhibited by 10 mM ouabain, and no reaction was noted in medium without K+.

Comparison of calmodulin and troponin C with and without its amino-terminal helix (residues 1-11) in the activation of erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase.

Troponin C can replace calmodulin in the activation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase of pig erythrocytes provided that the reaction medium contains relatively high free Ca2+ concentrations (> 0.5 microM). In the presence of 10 microM free Ca2+, the troponin C-activated ATPase reaches a maximal velocity of approximately 70% of that attained with calmodulin. The half-maximal concentration for troponin C activation is about 200 times greater than for calmodulin. Troponin C displaces the half-maximal concentration for activation by Ca2+ to pCa 5.46 and the cooperativity between the Ca2+ binding sites to nH 1.1, compared with pCa 6.14 and nH 1.72 when calmodulin is used. Both EF-hand proteins also elicit activation by ATP at a nucleotide regulatory site, as well as a Ca(2+)-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity. Troponin I prevents activation of the enzyme by troponin C. A mutant of troponin C with the amino-terminal helix deleted (NHdel) activates the Ca(2+)-ATPase to the same extent and with the same Ca2+ dependence as wild-type troponin C (rTnC); the half-maximal concentration for activation by NHdel is 2.5 times smaller than that for rTnC. We conclude that the structural features that distinguish the two EF-hand proteins affect their binding to the target enzyme more than their ability to transform the enzyme's response to Ca2+ or ATP. The differences in the amino-terminal domains of troponin C and calmodulin cannot account for the differences in ability of these proteins to activate the target system used as a model.

Alterations in levels of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase isoforms in heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney of diabetic rats

In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, activities of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and the Na pump have been shown to be altered. Cellular mechanisms underlying such changes remain unclear. The present studies examined by immunoblotting the levels of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase subunit isoforms in heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney of diabetic rats. Effects of insulin treatment on these levels were also studied. In cardiac muscle, STZ-induced diabetes caused a marked decrease in alpha 2-levels, a moderate decrease in beta 1-levels, and no significant change in alpha 1-levels. Corresponding to these changes, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, estimated by K(+)-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity, also decreased. By contrast, there were significant increases in alpha 1- and alpha 2-levels in skeletal muscle and in alpha 1- and beta 1-levels in kidneys of diabetic rats. There was also a detectable, but not significant, increase in beta 1-levels in diabetic skeletal muscle. In kidney, the increase in subunit levels was associated with significantly increased Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity, whereas, in skeletal muscle, no increase in enzyme activity was observed. In diabetic rats, 7 days of insulin treatment (10 U/kg sc) partially reversed the decreased alpha 2- and beta 1-levels in diabetic cardiac muscle, without significant effect on alpha 1-levels. In skeletal muscle, insulin treatment also partially reversed the elevated alpha 1- and alpha 2-levels but was without significant effect on beta 1-levels. It is concluded that STZ-induced diabetes exerted isoform- and tissue-specific regulation of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase subunit isoforms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alterations of cerebromicrovascular Na +, K +-ATPase activity due to fatty acids and acute hypertension

Acute hypertension, induced in rats by intravenous injection of angiotensin II, previously has been shown to increase cerebrovascular permeability to macromolecules. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acute hypertension on Na +, K +-ATPase, the enzyme responsible for controlling ionic permeability of the cerebromicrovascular endothelium. The K +-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of the cerebromicrovascular Na +, K +-ATPase was determined using microvessels prepared from hypertensive and normotensive rats. When compared to controls, a 70% decrease ( P < 0.02) in the maximum rate ( V max) of the Na +, K +-ATPase from hypertensive rats was evident with no change in the Michaelis constant ( K M). In contrast, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, a marker enzyme for cerebral endothelic cells, was not significantly affected. Sodium arachidonate (1–100 μM) inhibited the phosphatase activity of the Na +, K +-ATPase in microvessels isolated from both normotensive and hypertensive rats in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, poly-unsaturated fatty acids (sodium linoleate and arachidonate) evoked the greatest inhibition of the enzyme, while sodium oleate and sodium palmitate inhibited the Na +, K +-ATPase to lesser extents. This regulation of enzyme activity by fatty acids was comparable in control and hypertensive groups. In summary, the data indicate that the cerebromicrovascular Na +, K +-ATPase was altered as a consequence of acute hypertension and that poly-unsaturated fatty acids can modulate this enzyme in microvessels derived from hypertensive or control rats

Ultracytochemical Localization of the K+-Dependent p-Nitrophenylphosphatase Activity in the Normal Cat Facial Nerve and after Experimentally Induced Paralysis.

Ultracytochemical Localization of the K+-Dependent p-Nitrophenylphosphatase Activity in the Normal Cat Facial Nerve and after Experimentally Induced Paralysis.

Na,K-ATPase in resting and stimulated submandibular salivary glands in cats, studied by means of ouabain-sensitive, K +-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity

Sections from normal resting submandibular glands were incubated in a p-nitrophenylphosphate substrate mixture to demonstrate Na,K-ATPase activity by light and electron microscopy. Dense deposits of reaction product occurred within the basal and lateral infoldings of striated duct cells. A similar, less heavy deposition occurred in demilune cells. Only scattered, infrequent pockets of staining occurred in association with the basal plasma membrane of central acinar cells, supporting the belief that these cells do not contribute greatly to the secretion of fluid. No reaction was detected on luminal membranes. Glands tested after sympathetic or parasympathetic nerve stimulation showed no obvious differences from resting glands. These results contrast with the previously reported paucity of immunostaining in resting demilunes with an antibody to Na,K-ATPase and the large increase in the immunostaining by these cells after parasympathetic stimulation. It is inferred that there must be an inaccessibility to immunobinding sites of Na,K-ATPase in resting glands, and that the increase in binding which occurs after parasympathetic stimulation represents a conformational change that did not affect its enzyme catalytic reaction with this substrate.

Interaction of β-eudesmol with Na +K +-ATPase: inhibition of K +-pNPPase activity

The effect of β-eudesmol, one of the major components in So-jutsu (Atractylodis Lanceae Rhizoma), on K +-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K +pNPPase) activity was studied. It inhibited K +-pNPPase activity with an I 50 value of 4.1 × 10 −4. The inhibition rate decreased as the K + concentration was increased, whereas greater inhibition was observed with high concentrations of either Na + or ATP. The K i, values for Na + in the presence of 0, 0.1 and 1 mM ATP were 140, 260 and 310 mM, respectively, but with the addition of β-eudesmol, these values decreased to 90 mM regardless of the ATP concentration. This study on K +-pNPPase activity supports the conclusion obtained from the study on Na +,K +-ATPase activity (Satoh K et al., Biochem Pharmacol 44: 373–378, 1992) that is, β-eudesMol interacts with enzyme in the Na·E 1 form and inhibits the reaction step Na·E i→ Na·E 1P. Furthermore, in the study of the effects of K + and β-eudesmol on K +-pNPPase activity, it was confirmed that β-eudesmol prevents the conformational change of Na·E 1 → K·E 2.