Characterization of a Mg2+-stabilized state of the (Na+ and K+)--stimulated adenosine triphosphatase using a fluorescent reporter group.

A Mg2+-induced change of the (Na+ and K+)-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+)-ATPase) from Electrophorus electricus was investigated by kinetics and fluorescence techniques. Binding of Mg2+ to a low affinity site(s) caused inhibition of (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity, an effect which was antagonized by both Na+ and ATP. Mg2+ also caused inhibition of K+-dependent dephosphorylation of the enzyme without inhibiting either (Na+)-ATPase activity or Na+-dependent phosphorylation. Mg2+ also induced a 5 to 6% enhancement in the fluorescence intensity of enzyme labeled with the fluorescent sulfhydryl reagent, 2-(4-maleimidylanilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonate. As in the case of Mg2+ inhibition of activity, the affinity for Mg2+ as an inducing agent for this effect was significantly reduced by both Na+ and ATP, suggesting that the same change was being monitored in both cases. The Mg2+ effect was reduced by both Na+ and ATP, suggesting that the same change was being monitored in both cases. The Mg2+ effect was reduced in magnitude by ouabain and prevented by oligomycin, specific inhibitors of the enzyme. In addition, K+ (and cations that substitute for K+ in supporting activity) induced a 3 to 4% enhancement in fluorescence intensity in the presence of Na+, Mg2+, and ATP, although the K+ and Mg2+ effects appeared to be different on the basis of their excitation spectra. The K+ effect was inhibited by ouabain and occurred with a rate greater than the rate of turnover of the enzyme, permitting its involvement in the catalytic cycle.