Localization of the phlorizin site on Na, K-ATPase in red cell membranes

Phlorizin at 2 X 10(-4) M inhibited Na+ and Rb+-activated ATPase activities in human red cell membranes by 43%. It inhibited the 86Rb uptake activity of erythrocytes by only 15%. 86Rb uptake into resealed ghosts was inhibited strongly when phlorizin and ATP were preloaded in the ghosts before resealing. Na,K-ATPase activity in the resealed ghosts was also inhibited in the presence of phlorizin inside but not outside the ghosts. These findings suggested that the phlorizin site is located inside the cell.