Localization of ouabain-binding sites in frog gastric mucosa

Autoradiography at the light microscopic level was used to localize sites of [3H]ouabain binding in isolated stimulated frog gastric mucosa. Silver grains denoting binding were located near basal and lateral surfaces in both oxyntic and surface epithelial cells. Binding to oxyntic cells occurred well before inhibition of acid secretion, consistent with the view that inhibition by this drug is indirect, and subsequent to inactivation of oxyntic cell Na+-K+-ATPase and the resulting depression of cellular K+. The presence of Na+-K+-ATPase in surface cells, as shown by binding of labeled ouabain, suggests a role for that transport enzyme in electrical activity and secretion of alkali by these cells.