The mode of inhibition by calcium of cell-membrane adenosine-triphosphatase activity.

1. The mechanism of the inhibition of Na(+)-plus-K(+)-activated adenosine triphosphatase by calcium was investigated with an enzyme preparation from rabbit kidney cortex and with membranes of human erythrocytes. 2. CaATP, rather than ionic Ca(2+), acts as a competitive inhibitor, competing with MgATP in the Na(+)-plus-K(+)-activated adenosine-triphosphatase reaction. 3. There appears to be no competition between calcium and Na(+) for the activation of adenosine triphosphatase. 4. The inhibition of Na(+)-plus-K(+)-activated adenosine triphosphatase of cell membranes by low concentrations of CaATP and the consequent need of intact cells to keep the cytoplasmic concentration of calcium low relative to that of magnesium suggests a raison d'être for the mitochondrial calcium pump.