Active Na-K transport and the rate of ouabain binding. The effect of insulin and other stimuli on skeletal muscle and adipocytes.

1. The effect of stimulation or inhibition of active Na-K transport on [(3)H]ouabain binding has been investigated in isolated soleus muscles and adipocytes.2. In rat soleus muscle, the ouabain-sensitive component of (42)K influx was stimulated by insulin (100 m-u/ml.), adrenaline (6 x 10(-6)M), and by pre-incubation with veratrine (10(-5)M) or in a K-free buffer. In all of these instances, the rate of ouabain binding was increased by 41-113%. Conversely, pre-treatment with tetracaine (0.2 mM) decreased the (42)K-influx and diminished the rate of [(3)H]ouabain binding by 36%.3. Neither insulin, adrenaline or tetracaine produced any detectable change in the total number of ouabain-binding sites (as measured under equilibrium conditions) in rat soleus muscle.4. In mouse and guinea-pig soleus muscle and in fat cells isolated from rats, insulin also increased the rate of [(3)H]ouabain binding without producing any significant change in the total number of ouabain-binding sites.5. Both in soleus muscle and the epididymal fat pad of the rat, there was a linear correlation between (42)K influx and the initial rate of [(3)H]ouabain binding.6. It is concluded that the rate of ouabain binding is determined significantly by the rate of active Na-K transport, but within the time intervals studied (4-6 hr) stimulation or inhibition of the Na pump does not lead to any appreciable change in the total number of Na pumps. It seems unlikely that the stimulation of active Na-K transport by insulin or adrenaline is due to unmasking or de novo synthesis of Na pumps.