Studies on the phosphorylated intermediates of a K+-stimulated ATPase from rabbit gastric mucosa

A density gradient-purified microsomal membrane preparation from rabbit fundic gastric mucosa was used for a detailed study of the K+-stimulated ATPase and associated intermediate reactions. Membranes incubated with gamma-[32P]ATP show the rapid incorporation of 32P into phosphoprotein. Phosphoprotein levels were markedly reduced (1) when ATP hydrolysis went to completion or (2) upon addition of unlabeled ATP, thus suggesting the participation of a rapid turnover phosphorylated intermediate in the gastric microsomal ATPase. Addition of K+, Rb+ or Tl+ greatly reduced the level of the intermediate while stimulating ATPase activity; the observed affinities of these cations were similar for the effects on both ATPase and intermediate levels, with Tl+ greater than K+ greater than Rb+. Neither ATPase nor intermediate were stimulated by Na+, and ouabain was without effect on the reactions, thus differentiating this system from the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Addition of various inhibitors showed differential effects on the partial reactions of the gastric ATPase system. N-ethylmaleimide and Zn2+ showed characteristics of completely abolishing the K+-stimulated component of ATPase as well as the effects of K+ in reducing the level of intermediate, thus suggesting that these agents exert their inhibitory effect on a phosphoprotein phosphatase partial reaction. F- abolished the K+-stimulated ATPase, but its more complex effects on the intermediate suggested an additional reaction step within the domain of the phosphorylated intermediate. Results are consistent with a model system for the gastric microsomal ATPase involving a Mg2+-dependent protein kinase, a phosphorylated intermediate(s), and a K+-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphatase.