Indirect evidence indicates the presence of an active H+/K+ antiporter for the secretion of acid in the distal colon. It was examined whether the H+/K+ antiporter in the rabbit distal colon was hydrogen-potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (H+,K(+)-ATPase), which acts as a proton pump in the gastric mucosa. For this purpose, four monoclonal antibodies against hog gastric H+,K(+)-ATPase were raised. Three monoclonal antibodies dose-dependently inhibited the ouabain-insensitive gastric ATP-ase activity. Antibody HK4001 completely inhibited the ATPase activity. In indirect immunofluorescence studies, all four monoclonal antibodies stained H+,K(+)-ATPase in gastric mucosae of various animal species. Two monoclonal antibodies including antibody HK4001 cross-reacted with H+,K(+)-ATPase located in crypts of the transverse and descending colon and rectum of rabbits. Because the other two antibodies did not cross-react with the H+,K(+)-ATPase in the colon, this colonic enzyme is similar but not identical to gastric H+,K(+)-ATPase. On the other hand, HK4001 and SCH 28080 did not inhibit ouabain-sensitive K(+)-dependent ATPase activity in the guinea pig distal colon, and the antibodies did not stain the enzyme in the tissue. Therefore, ouabain-sensitive H+/K+ antiporter in the guinea pig is not similar to ouabain-insensitive rabbit colonic H+,K(+)-ATPase.