[Regulation of Na, K-ATPase activity in nerves during propagation of rhythmic excitation].

The changes of Na, K-ATPase activity of the isolated squid, crab, frog, and rat nerves depended on the stimulation frequency: at the frequency specific for each nerve the maximum deviation from initial resting level occurred. During a certain stimulation the maximum deviation of SH-group content and Na/K ratio as well as of Na, K-ATPase activity developed while the level of acetylcholine esterase activity (AEA) remained at its minimum. The data obtained suggest the mechanism of Na, K-ATPase activity in nerve under rhythmic propagation of excitation. In the resting nerve the minimum level of the acetylcholine concentration is kept because of the AEA. Under stimulation the membrane depolarization induces changes of the protein conformation suppressing the AEA. This results in an increase of the acetylcholine concentration in the nerve which leads to an increase of Na+ influx and K+ efflux. The changes of Na/K ratio in the nerve activate the transport ATPase.