Inhibition of gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase by the substituted benzimidazole, picoprazole.

The substituted benzimidazole, picoprazole, inhibited the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Half-maximal inhibition of the (H+ + K+)-ATPase activity was obtained at about 2 . 10(-6)M under standard conditions. In addition to the inhibition of ATPase activity, parallel inhibition of phosphoenzyme formation and the proton transport activity were achieved. Radiolabelled picoprazole was found to bind to 100 kDa peptide; this peptide was shown by phosphorylation experiments to contain the catalytic centre of the (H+ + K+)-ATPase. Studies on the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase indicated that this enzyme was unaffected by picoprazole. From the data presented and from other pharmacological studies, it is proposed that this compound inhibits acid secretion at the level of the parietal cell by its ability to inhibit the gastric proton pump, the (H+ + K+)-ATPase.