ATP synthesis in rod outer segments of bovine retina by the reversal of the disk Ca(2+) pump.

Purified disk membranes from rod outer segments of the bovine retina were able to synthesize ATP with a maximal activity (about 52 nmoles ATP/min/mg of protein) at physiological calcium concentrations. This activity was inhibited by vanadate or thapsigargin but not by oligomycin, suggesting the reversal functioning of the disk Ca(2+)-ATPase, which would act as a ATP synthesizer at the expense of the calcium gradient between the disks and the cytoplasm of the rod outer segment. The results are discussed in terms of the need of an immediate source of ATP on the disk membranes where the energy is required to supply the rapid reactions of the photoreception processes.