Ouabain binding in tadpole ventral skin. II. Localization of Na pump sites

By use of [3H]ouabain autoradiography, the distribution of ouabain binding sites in the tadpole ventral skin and the change in the pattern of binding during metamorphosis were examined. In the tadpole the greatest grain density, and hence density of Na pumps, was found in the outer one-third of the epidermis. The pattern of binding changed at (Anat. Rec. 94: 7-23, 1946) stage 20 to a homogenous distribution. At stage 21 the highest grain density was in the middle third of the epidermis. The adultlike pattern of binding, with the highest density in the serosal two-thirds of the epidermis, was noted at stages 22 and 23. The average grain density through the entire tissue is approximately 2.4-fold higher in the stage 23 animal than in the tadpole with the significant increase in density occurring between stages 20 and 21. Since the adult Na transport characteristics are also not fully developed until stage 22 (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 692: 455-461, 1982), it is proposed that the development of the Na-pump characteristics is coincident with the development of other adult transport properties.