The interaction between calcium and the activation of Na+, K+-ATPase by noradrenaline

The interaction of noradrenaline, various cation chelators and calcium on Na+, K+-ATPase from rat cerebral cortex plasma membranes was studied. It was shown that chelation of inhibitory cations by EGTA, EDTA and dipyridyl activated Na+, K+-ATPase to the same extent as noradrenaline but at higher concentrations; increasing concentrations of EGTA depressed the activation by noradrenaline; calcium in the form of a calcium-EGTA buffer depressed Na+, K+-ATPase at physiological concentrations; the inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase by calcium is dependent on the magnesium concentration in the assay and the inhibition by calcium was partially reversed by noradrenaline.