Effects of K+ on the interaction between cardiac glycosides and Na,K-ATPase

Inhibition of Na,K-ATPase by cardiac glycosides is at least partially antagonized by K+. The kinetics of the antagonism, however, appear complicated because K+ is capable of reducing both association and dissociation rate constants for the glycoside-enzyme interaction. In order to better understand the effect of K+, inhibition of partially purified Na,K-ATPase obtained from rat brain, guinea-pig heart and rat heart by ouabain, digoxin, digoxigenin, dihydrodigoxin and cassaine were compared in the presence of 1, 3 or 10 mM K+. Higher concentrations of K+ caused a parallel shift to the right in the concentration-inhibition curves for these compounds. For ouabain or digoxin, the extent of the shift was minimal with rat brain enzyme, intermediate with guinea-pig heart enzyme and more substantial with rat heart enzyme. For digoxigenin, dihydrodigoxin or cassaine, the extent of the shift was substantial in all enzyme preparations. These results could not be explained from either the affinity of the enzyme for the compound or its lipid solubility alone. The concentrations of these compounds required to cause a 50 percent inhibition of enzyme activity were markedly different with rat brain enzyme, but relatively similar with rat heart enzyme. The effects of K+, which depend on the source of the enzyme and chemical structures of the compounds, have to be considered in studies on comparative effects of various compounds on Na,K-ATPase, [3H]ouabain binding, sodium pumping and the force of myocardial contraction.