Kinetics studies on the interaction between ouabain and (Na+,K+)-ATPase.

The association and dissociation rate constants for the interaction of [3H]-ouabain with partially purified rat brain (Na+,K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) in vitro were estimated from the time course of the [3H]-ouabain binding observed in the presence of Na+, Mg2+ and ATP by a polynomial approximation-curve-fitting technique. The reduction of the association rate constant by K+ was greater than its reduction of the dissociation rate constant. Thus, the affinity of Na+,K+)-ATPase for ouabain was reduced by K+. The binding-site concentration was unaffected by K+. Consistent with these findings, the addition of KCl to an incubation mixture at the time when [3H]-ouabain binding to (Na+,K+)ATPase is close to equilibrium, caused an immediate decrease in bound ouabain concentration, apparently shifting towards a new, lower equilibrium concentration. Dissociation rate constants which were estimated following the termination of the ouabain-binding reaction were different from those estimated with above methods and may not be useful in predicting the ligand effects on equilibrium of the ouabain-enzyme interaction.