The purified plasma membrane Mg2+-dependent ATPase of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe was incorporated in liposomes using a cholate-dialysis method. The ATPase activity of the incorporated enzyme was stimulated by the H+-conducting agent carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and to a much lower extent of the K+-ionophore valinomycin in the presence of potassium. The K+/H+ exchanger nigericin (plus K+) did not stimulate ATPase activity, whereas the combined addition of both nigericin plus valinomycin was strongly stimulatory. The incorporated ATPase activity was controlled by the generated electrochemical H+ gradient since only conditions which collapse both the membrane potential and the pH gradient stimulated fully the ATPase activity of the incorporated enzyme. Direct measurement of proton movement with a pH glass electrode showed a fast and transient proton entry into the proteoliposomes upon addition of MgATP in the presence of the charge-compensating cation K+ (plus valinomycin). Moreover, during the steady state ATP hydrolysis, a H+ entry was again observed when the membrane potential was collapsed upon addition of valinomycin in the presence of K+. These data demonstrate that the plasma membrane ATPase of yeast cells is involved in electrogenic H+ translocation coupled to ATP hydrolysis since the purified enzyme incorporated in the liposomes is virtually free of mitochondrial F1F0-ATPase contaminant.