Gill (Na+ + K+)- and Na+-stimulated Mg2+-dependent ATPase activities in the gilthead bream (Sparus auratus L.).

1. Gilthead gill 10(-3) M ouabain-inhibited (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and 10(-2) M ouabain-insensitive Na+-ATPase require the optimal conditions of pH 7.0, 160 mM Na+, 20 mM K+, 5 mM MgATP and pH 4.8-5.2, 75 mM Na+, 2.5 mM Mg2+, 1.0 mM ATP, respectively. 2. The main distinctive features between the two activities are confirmed to be optimal pH, the ouabain-sensitivity and the monovalent cation requirement, Na+ plus another cationic species (K+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+) in the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and only one species (Na+, K+, Li+, Rb+, Cs+, NH4+ or choline+) in the Na+-ATPase. 3. The aspecific Na+-ATPase activation by monovalent cations, as well as by nucleotide triphosphates, opposed to the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase specificity for ATP and Na+, relates gilthead gill ATPases to lower organism ATPases and differentiates them from mammalian ones. 4. The discrimination between the two activities by the sensitivity to ethacrynic acid, vanadate, furosemide and Ca2+ only partially agrees with the literature. 5. Present findings are viewed on the basis of the ATPase's presumptive physiological role(s) and mutual relationship.