Selective and reversible inhibition of heart sarcolemmal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by p-bromophenyl isothiocyanate. Evidence for a sulfhydryl group in the ATP-binding site of the enzyme.

Isothiocyanates are potent modifiers of thiol groups, and they have been successfully applied in studying the active site structure of renal (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. However, very little has been known on interactions of isothiocyanates with myocardial sarcolemmal ATPases. In the present study the mode of interaction and inhibitory effect of p-bromophenyl isothiocyanate (BPITC) on isolated rat heart sarcolemmal preparation ATPase activities not exhibiting (Mg-Ca)-ATPase activity was investigated. BPITC in concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-4) mol . l-1 inhibited selectively and non-competitively the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in the sarcolemma with an ID50 around 2.10(-7) mol . l-1. The non-specific interaction of BPITC with bivalent cations, namely with Mg2+ and Ca2+, in the reaction system was eliminated by preincubation of membranes with BPITC keeping the ratio of inhibitor to membrane protein concentration constant. Under these conditions no considerable inhibitory effects were observed on Mg2+-ATPase or the low-affinity Ca2+-ATPase of sarcolemma. Preincubation of membranes with 2 mmol . l-1 ATP protected (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity against inhibition by BPITC. The interaction of BIPTC with the sarcolemma proved to be reversible in the presence of beta-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol.