K+ homeostasis depends on K+ absorption in digestive and renal epithelia. Recently, a cDNA encoding for a putative K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) alpha-subunit has been characterized. We studied its expression by ribonuclease protection assay and in situ hybridization in the distal colon and the kidney of rats in various physiological states. In the distal colon of control rats, high expression of the colonic putative K(+)-ATPase mRNA was restricted to the surface epithelial cells. A low-K+ diet did not modify this expression, adrenalectomy decreased it, and aldosterone or dexamethasone treatment for 2 days restored normal levels. In the kidney of control rats, levels of K(+)-ATPase mRNA were very low. A low-K+ diet revealed a clear mRNA expression, which is consistent with a recent report [J.A. Kraut, F. Starr, G. Sachs, and M. Reuben. Am. J. Physiol. 268 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 37): F581-F587, 1995]. This expression was restricted to the outer medullary collecting duct, presumably in principal cells. Changes in corticosteroid status did not influence the renal expression. Our results, together with previous studies on K+ absorption and K(+)-ATPase activity, suggest that more than a single molecular form of K(+)-ATPase is likely to be responsible for the regulation of K+ absorption in the colon and distal nephron.