Effect of Electric Fields on Membrane Bound (Na,K)-ATPase
Abstract
Sodium, Potassium ATPase of human erythrocytes has been activated by an oscillating electric field of 20 V/cm. The optimum frequency for activation of the Rubidium(+) -pump was 1.0 kHz and for activation of the Na(+) -pump was 1.0 MHz. At 4 C and under the optimum conditions, the net voltage induced, ouabain sensitive Rb(+) uptake was 10 - 20 atto-mole per red cell per hour, and Na(+) efflux was 20 - 30 atto-mole per red cell per hour, depending on erythrocyte samples from different individuals. No electric field stimulated consumption of ATP was detected. Apparently, the enzyme can absorb free energy from the applied electric field for pumping Rb(+) and Na(+) against their respective concentration gradient. We have proposed a mechanism Resonance Electroconformational Coupling to interpret these results. Some feature of these results can also be reproduced by the surface compartmental model of Blank. Keywords: Cell membrane, Energy transduction, Signal transduction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA196353
Entities
People
- Tian Y. Tsong
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University