The effects of lyotropic anions, particularly perchlorate, on the kinetics
of partial reactions of the Na+,K+ ATPase from pig kidney were investigated
by two different kinetic techniques: stopped flow in combination with the
fluorescent label RH421 and a stationary electrical relaxation technique. I
t was found that 130 mM NaClO4 caused an increase in the K-d values of both
the high- and low-affinity ATP-binding sites, from values of 7.0 (+/- 0.6)
mu M and 143 (+/- 17) mu M in 130 mM NaCl solution to values of 42 (+/- 3)
mu M and 660 (+/- 100) mu M in 130 mM NaClO4 (pH 7.4, 24 degrees C). The h
alf-saturating concentration of the Na+-binding sites on the E-1 conformati
on was found to decrease from 8-10 mM in NaCl to 2.5-3.5 mM in NaClO4 solut
ion. The rate of equilibration of the reaction, E1P(Na+)(3) <-> E2P + 3Na(), decreased from 393 (+/- 51) s(-1) in NaCl solution to 114 (+/- 15) s(-1)
in NaClO4. This decrease is attributed predominantly to an inhibition of t
he E1P(Na+)(3) --> E2P(Na+)(3) transition. The effects can be explained in
terms of electrostatic interactions due to perchlorate binding within the m
embrane and/or protein matrix of the Na+,K+-ATPase membrane fragments and a
lteration of the local electric field strength experienced by the protein.
The kinetic results obtained support the conclusion that the conformational
transition E1P(Na+)(3) --> E2P(Na+)(3) is a major charge translocating ste
p of the pump cycle.