(Na+ + K+) ATPase has one functioning phosphorylation site per α subunit

Abstract
(Na+ + K+)ATPase contains 2 different subunits, a catalytic subunit (.alpha.) and a subunit with uncertain function (.beta.). The enzyme binds ATP, ouabain and vanadate, and can be phosphorylated by ATP as well as by inorganic phosphate. The enzyme apparently operates by means of a half-of-the-sites mechanism, whereby only 1 of the 2 .alpha. subunits can be phoshorylated at a time. Evidence is presented that every .alpha. subunit can be phosphorylated simultaneously, which rules out the operation of such a mechanism.

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