Isoform-specific interactions of Na,K-ATPase subunits are mediated via extracellular domains and carbohydrates.

The functional unit of the Na,K-ATPase consists of a catalytic alpha subunit noncovalently linked with a glycoprotein subunit, beta. Using ouabain binding assays and immunoprecipitation of rodent alpha/beta complexes, we show here that all six possible isozymes between three alpha and two beta isoforms can be formed in Xenopus oocytes. Two isoform-specific differences in alpha/beta interactions are observed: (i) alpha1/beta1 and alpha2/beta2 complexes, in contrast to alpha1/beta2 complexes, are stable against Triton X-100-mediated dissociation, and (ii) beta2 subunits must carry N-glycans to combine with alpha1 but not with alpha2. The interacting surfaces are mainly exposed to the extracellular side because coexpression of a truncated beta1 subunit comprising the ectodomain results in assembly with alpha1 and alpha2, but not with alpha3; the beta2 ectodomain combines with alpha2 only. A chimera consisting of 81% and 19% of the alpha1 N terminus and alpha2 C terminus, respectively, behaves like alpha2 and coprecipitates with the beta2 ectodomain. In contrast, the reciprocal chimera does not coprecipitate with the beta2 ectodomain. These results provide evidence for a selective interaction of Na,K-ATPase alpha and beta subunits.