Comparative temperature dependence of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase

The temperature dependence of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was measured, utilizing preparations of enzyme from heat and kidney of rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, ground squirrels, turtles, chickens, and ducks. The two hibernating species, hamsters and ground squirrels, were studied awake at normothermia and hibernating at 4 degrees C. The results for every species except the turtles showed the same temperature dependence established for (Na++K+)-ATPase from rabbit kidney with a quasi-linear dependence above 15 degrees C and little or no activity below 15 degrees C. Turtle enzymes showed a broad activity versus temperature curve with a fall-off at high and low temperatures. The data in all cases, including the turtle data, may be fitted by a previously described thermodynamic kinetic model. Further, the model will fith the turnover or decrease in enzyme activity at higher temperatures observed in a number of cases. These results do not support the widely imputed ion pumping role for (Na++K+)-ATPase.