DDT inhibition of Ca-ATPase of the peripheral nerves of the American lobster

A Ca-ATPase highly sensitive to DDT has been found in peripheral nerves of lobster, Homarus americanus. The observed I₅₀ for this Ca-ATPase toward DDT is on the order of 10^?9M and has a low temperature quotien. The ATPase seems to work over a wide range of ATP concentrations. It is stimulated by Ca²⁺ (optimum 0.1 mM) and shows sensitivity to Na⁺ (optimum 20 mM) and K⁺ (optimum 20 mM) ions. The fact that it is highly sensitive to ruthenium red (I₅₀ = 10 μM) suggests that the enzyme is a Ca-ATPase and not a Mg-ATPase. Furthermore the enzyme is not a CaMg-ATPase, since the presence of Mg²⁺ along with Ca²⁺ ion is not required for its activity. DDT is found to inhibit the process of Ca²⁺ binding in the axonic membrane only in the presence of ATP. The evidence suggests the important role of the Ca-ATPase in regulating Ca²⁺ concentrations in the membrane. The possible significance of DDT inhibition of the ATPase is discussed.