Inhibition of (Na+,K+)-ATPase and Mg++-ATPase by a lysosomotropic drug: perhexiline maleate.

Human clinical observations and in vivo studies have shown that the amphiphilic drug perhexiline maleate is responsible for lipidosis storage disorders. When the drug was incubated in vivo with rat brain homogenates, the ouabain-sensitive (Na+,K+)-ATPase and the Mg++-ATPase activities were inhibited. 50% inhibition occurred at the drug concentrations 5.10(-5) M for (Na+,K+)-ATPase and at 10(-4) M for Mg++-ATPase, respectively. Kinetic studies performed on rat brain homogenates showed a mixed type inhibition of these enzymes by perhexiline maleate. The effect of other lysosomotropic drugs (imipramine, chlorpromazine, thioridazine and tamoxifen) on (Na+,K+)-ATPase and on Mg++-ATPase activities was found to be similar to that induced by perhexiline maleate. These results indicate that the inhibitory effect of perhexiline maleate on (Na+,K+)-ATPase and Mg++-ATPase may be a common feature shared by the lysosomotropic drugs.