Leukocidin, Tetraethylammonium Ions, and the Membrane Acyl Phosphatases in Relation to the Leukocyte Potassium Pump

The response of the leukocyte to leukocidin and its relevance to excitable and secreting tissues are described. New data are presented on the leukocyte membrane phosphatases and the action of tetraethylammonium ion (TEA) on the leukocyte. The leukocyte surface membrane lacks a cation-sensitive ATPase but possesses a potassium- and ouabain-sensitive p-nitrophenyl phosphatase. The p-nitrophenyl phosphatase shows peak activity at three pH values and the pH dependence and potassium sensitivity depend on the state of the membranes. In the presence of magnesium, potassium can stimulate over the range pH 6 to 8. The relation of the leukocyte p-nitrophenyl phosphatase to electrolyte control in the leukocyte and to the properties of cation-sensitive phosphatases in other cells suggests that the leukocyte enzyme is a component of an electrogenic potassium pump. Leukocidin stimulates the leukocyte p-nitrophenyl phosphatase under all the conditions studied. The effect is specific and occurs under conditions that induce cytotoxic effects in the cell. It is concluded that the potassium pump is the site of action of leukocidin. TEA prevents the effects of leukocidin by inhibiting the action of leukocidin and not the responses of the cell to injury. TEA does not inhibit the p-nitrophenyl phosphatase nor prevent its stimulation by leukocidin. The enhancement of leukocidin by diisopropylphosphofluoridate (DFP) is briefly described. It is concluded that TEA acts in the opposite way to DFP and blocks the ion pathway activated by leukocidin in the leukocyte potassium pump.