Specific labelling of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of Escherichia coli with 8-azido-ATP and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan.

1. 8-Azido-ATP is a substrate for Escherichia coli (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (E. coli F1). 2. Illumination of E. coli F1 in the presence of 8-azido-ATP causes inhibition of ATPase activity. The presence of ATP during illumination prevents inhibition. 3. 8-Azido-ATP and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NbfCl) bind predominantly to the alpha subunit of the enzyme, but also significantly to the beta subunit. 4. The alpha subunit of E. coli F1 seems to have some properties that in other F1-ATPases are associated with the beta subunit.