The use of a non-linear regression approach for the analysis of the ouabain-K+ interaction with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from guinea pig and rat hearts.

1. The interaction between ouabain and K+ and their effects on (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity were studied using microsomes from guinea pig and rat heart. 2. Microsomes were incubated in the presence of various concentrations of K+ and ouabain and ATPase activity was estimated by measuring the inorganic phosphate liberated. The experimental data were analyzed statistically by micro-computer, using a non-linear regression program based on the steepest descent technique. 3. The experimental data were best fitted by a model which assumes that ouabain acts like a mixed inhibitor with respect to the apparently cooperative K+ activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. This quantitative approach provided estimates (with approximate standard deviations) of all the parameters involved in the model. 4. The inhibition constant for the uncompetitive term of the effect was 7- to 9-fold higher than the inhibition constant for the competitive term for both the guinea pig and rat heart preparations. 5. The present results indicate that graphical analyses are helpful for illustrative purposes but suggest that a computerized, non-linear regression program simultaneously analyzing all the non-linearized data should be used to quantify the complex kinetic parameters and to discriminate objectively among possible models.