Mechanism of activation of renal Na+-K+-ATPase in the rat: effects of potassium loading.

The mechanism of activation of Na+-K+-ATPase after chronic potassium loading has been investigated in the rat kidney. Potassium loading stimulated the specific activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in the cortex and medulla of the kidney. This effect was not accompanied by a generalized increase in the cellular contents of RNA and proteins and could not be accounted for by an effect of potassium loading on renal growth. Enzyme induction does not appear to be mediated by changes in the endogenous levels of glucocorticoid or thyroid hormones. Evidence obtained from investigation of the partial reactions (Pi intermediate, ouabain-sensitive pNPPase) of the Na+-K+-ATPase enzymatic reaction is consistent with the interpretation that chronic potassium loading in the rat increases the number of enzyme units (Na+ pumps) in the cortex of the kidney. Analysis of the kinetic parameters (Km, K1/2, Vmax, Hill coefficients) of the enzymatic reaction indicates that K+ loading has little or no effect on the kinetic properties (affinity, cooperativity) of the stimulated transport enzyme.