Increased ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake and sodium and potassium ion-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity in transformed cell lines.

During the log phase of growth both the active, ouabain-sensitive K+ uptake, measured as 86Rb+, and the sodium and potassium ion-activated ATPase ((Na+ + K+)-ATPase) activity of SV40-transformed 3T3 cells were 2.5-and 5,5-fold higher, respectively, than in untransformed 3T3 cells. A similar higher active K+ uptake was found for Rous sarcoma virus and SV40-transformed baby hamster kidney cells compared with untransformed BHK cells. The active K+ uptake in SV403T3 and normal 3T3 cells decreased when the growth rate of both cell types diminished. Reduction in ouabain-sensitive ATP hydrolysis only occurred later, however, when appreciable decreases in cell viability were seen. Arrhenius plots of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of SV403T3 cells indicated a discontinuity at 24 degrees, whereas no similar discontinuity was indicated for 3T3 cells. The consequences of elevated K+ transport and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in transformed cells and the possibility that the increased activity might be related to differences inphospholipid fatty acyl chain fluidity are discussed.