ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Cornea
;
Rat
;
NaK-ATPase
;
K-NPPase
;
Histochemistry
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The sodium-potassium activated adenosine triphosphatase (NaKATPase) activity of the rat cornea was investigated histochemically using a Pb2+-precipitation technique in which adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is used as substrate and two methods for potassium-dependent para-nitrophenyl-phosphatase (K-NPPase) activity. With all the three techniques used it was demonstrated that the sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (NaK-ATPase) activity is localized in the cell membranes of the endothelium whereas a much weaker activity was observed in the epithelium. When the Pb2+-technique was used, the epithelial cell membranes showed a weaker reaction in the presence of ouabain. This activity was only Mg2+-dependent and was presumably due to an Mg2+-dependent ATPase. The validity of the histochemical techniques for NaK-ATPase activity is discussed. The results emphasize the importance of the endothelium as the main site of Na+ transport in the cornea. Small amounts of the enzyme are also present in the epithelium, which seems to be rich in Mg2+-ATPase. Provided that careful controls are performed, all the methods give consistent results in the cornea.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00231400
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