Inactivation of (Na-++K-+)-stimulated ATPase by a cytotoxic protein from cobra venom in relation to its lytic effects on cells.

The mechanism of action of the cytotoxic protein P6 isolated from cobra venom (Naja naja) which shows preferential cytotoxicity particularly to Yoshida sarcoma cells has been studied by its effects on the membrane-bound enzyme (Na-++K-+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) of a variety of cell systems. Evidence obtained with Yoshida sarcoma cells, dog and human erythrocytes and three tissue culture cell lines KB (human oral carcinoma), Hela (human cervix carcinoma) and L-132 (human lung embryonic) shows that inhibition of (Na-++K-+)-ATPase by the P6 protein can be correlated with its lytic activity. (Na-++k-+)-ATPase of Yoshida sarcoma membrane fragments inactivated by P6 protein could be reconstituted by the addition of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid. It is conceivable that lysis of cells by the P6 protein may be due to an imbalance of K-+ and Na-+ in the cell which leads to swelling and disintegration of the membrane structure. Observations indicate that the P6 protein combines with membrane constituents of susceptible cells. The overall evidence suggests that both the specificity of its protein structure and the highly basic nature of the P6 protein are factors which enable it to compete with the lipid moiety maintaining the (Na-++k-+)-ATPase of the susceptible cells in proper conformation for activity.