Cytochemical studies on the localization of alkaline phosphatase and HCO-3-activated adenosine triphosphatase in the brush border membrane of rat duodenal enterocytes.

Cytochemical techniques were used to demonstrate, with appropriate controls, alkaline phosphatase and HCO-3-activated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in rat duodenal brush border microvillus membranes. Intense activity of ecto-alkaline phosphatase activity was demonstrated with 2-glycerophosphate as substrate. Although biochemical assays suggested that L-phenylalanine inhibited both alkaline phosphatase and HCO-3-activated ATPase, cytochemical studies indicated that there was marked inhibition of alkaline phosphatase revealing a specific HCO-3-activated ATPase on the inner aspect of the microvillus membrane. While it is tempting to suggest that this HCO-3-activated ATPase is implicated in active bicarbonate secretion by the duodenum, decisive identification is not yet possible.