Subcellular localization of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase in the brush border membrane of the mucosal cell of the rat small intestine.

The localization of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase was investigated in isolated brush borders of rat small intestinal mucosa. The purity of the fractions has been checked by morphological and enzymatic criteria. The brush borders were found to contain a significant quantity of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase. Separation of isolated brush borders into their substructures suggests that (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase is localized deeper within the brush border region than invertase. These findings are discussed in relation to active monosaccharide transport in the intestine.