Preparation of Na,K-ATPase-containing liposomes with predictable transport properties by a procedure relating the Na,K-transport capacity to the ATPase activity.

A microprocedure for the preparation of Na,K-ATPase-containing liposomes with a minimal starting material (200 microgram) of purified Na,K-ATPase is presented. Phosphatidylcholine is added gradually to cholate-solubilized Na,K-ATPase of various concentrations and the lipid-induced decrease in enzyme activity is monitored. After removal of the detergent by dialysis, the transport parameters of the resulting Na,K-ATPase-liposomes are established by a microassay. By relating the transport properties to the Na,K-ATPase activity preset before dialysis, a procedure is developed which allows to prepare standardized Na,K-ATPase-liposomes with predictable transport properties.