Biochemical Properties and Cytochemical Localization of Ouabain-insensitive, Potassium-dependentp-Nitrophenylphosphatase Activity in Rat Atrial Myocytes

Abstract

Enzyme activity that represents ouabain-insensitive, potassium-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (p-NPPase) was assessed in rat atrial myocytes by biochemical and cytochemical procedures. No activity was detected in parallel experiments with ventricular myocytes. Fixed tissues were incubated in a reaction medium containing Tricine buffer, p-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP), KCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, CeCl3, Triton X-100, levamisole, and ouabain. Final pH was adjusted to 7.5. Biochemical studies showed that accumulation of p-nitrophenol in the medium was increased proportionally in accordance with the amount of incubated tissue. This activity was optimal with incubation at pH 7.5 and in the presence of KCl. Approximately 70% of the enzyme was inhibited by 2 mM CeCl3. Electron microscopic observations revealed reaction product (RP) at sites of ouabain-insensitive, potassium-dependent p-NPPase activity as electron-dense precipitate localized at the inner surface of the plasma membrane and at the T-tubules of atrial myocytes. Control experiments indicated that the activity was strongly inhibited by sodium orthovanadate and was repressed by omeprazole and 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. X-ray microanalysis confirmed the presence of cerium within the cytochemical RP. The ouabain-insensitive, K-dependent p-NPPase activity detected in the present study is considered to be an isoform of a P-type, H-transporting, K-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (H,K-ATPase).