Effects of calcium on the heterogeneity of the Na+, K+-ATPase forms in rat heart.

The sensitivity of the Na+, K+-ATPase to ouabain has been studied in sarcolemma vesicles isolated from normal rat heart. Two enzyme forms exhibiting high and low sensitivities to ouabain have been observed in Ca2+-free perfused heart. The half-maximal inhibitory effects occurred with 1-2 X 10(-8) M ouabain. The high sensitivity form undetectable in hearts maintained at a physiological Ca2+ level might represent altered low affinity sites or latent enzyme forms unmasked by low calcium concentrations. The heterogeneity of the Na+, K+-ATPase forms was found to be also modulated by the K+/ouabain antagonism, addition of K+ accentuating the heterogeneity. These in vitro results associated with in vivo experiments on isolated rat heart working under isovolumic conditions suggested that lowering Ca2+ has qualitative and quantitative effects. Low Ca2+ concentrations increased the sensitivities to ouabain and the amplitudes of both the enzyme inhibition and the positive inotropic effects.