Abstract

Lead (Pb) inhibited the activities of Na(+)-K+ ATPase (IC50 = 2.0 x 10(-6) M), K(+)-Para-Nitrophenyl phosphatase (PNPPase) (IC50 = 3.5 x 10(-6) M) and [3H]-ouabain binding (IC50 = 4.0 x 10(-5) M) in rat brain P2 fraction. A variable temperature or pH significantly elevated the inhibition of Na(+)-K+ ATPase by Pb in buffered acidic, neutral and alkaline pH ranges. Noncompetitive inhibition with respect to activation of Na(+)-K+ ATPase by ATP was indicated by a variation in Vmax values with no significant changes in Km values at any temperature studied. In the presence of Pb, for Na(+)-K+ ATPase at pH 6.5 and 8.5, Vmax was decreased with an increase in Km values suggesting a mixed type of inhibition. Sulfhydryl agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT) and cysteine (Cyst), but not glutathione (GSH) offered varied levels of protection against Pb-inhibition of Na(+)-K+ ATPase at pH 7.5 and 8.5. The present data suggest that inhibition of Na(+)-K+ ATPase by Pb is both temperature and pH-dependent. These results also indicate that Pb inhibited Na(+)-K+ ATPase by interfering with phosphorylation of enzyme molecule and dephosphorylation of the enzyme-phosphoryl complex and exerted an effect similar to that of SH-blocking agents.