To determine the biochemical events of Na' transport, we studied the interactions of Na', Tris + , and K' with the phosphorylated intermediates of Na,K-ATPase from ox brain . The enzyme was phosphorylated by incubation at 0°C with 1 mM Mg", 25 'LM [ 12 P]ATP, and 20-600 mM Na* with or without Tris + , and the dephosphorylation kinetics of [ 12 P]EP were studied after addition of (1) 1 mM ATP, (2) 2.5 mM ADP, (3) 1 mM ATP plus 20 mM K+, and (4) 2.5 mM ADP plus Na' up to 600 mM. In dephosphorylation types 2-4, the curves were bi-or multiphasic . "ADP-sensitive EP" and "K+-sensitive EP" were determined by extrapolation of the slow phase ofthe curves to the ordinate and their sum was always larger than E,o ., . These results required a minimal model consisting ofthree consecutive EP pools, A, B, and C, where A was ADP sensitive and both B and C were K' sensitive . At high [Na'], B was converted rapidly to A (type 4 experiment). The seven rate coefficients were dependent on [Na''], [Tris+ ], and [K+], and to explain this we developed a comprehensive model for cation interaction with EP . The model has the following features : A, B, and C are equilibrium mixtures of EP forms; EP in A has two to three Na ions bound at high-affinity (internal) sites, pool B has three, and pool C has two to three low-affinity (external) sites . The putative high-affinity outside Na-' site may be on E2 P in pool C. The A -+ B conversion is blocked by K* (and Tris+). We conclude that pool A can be an intermediate only in the Na-ATPase reaction and not in the normal operation of the Na,K pump.