A comparative localization of Na+,K(+)-ATPase and ouabain-sensitive H+,K(+)-ATPase in rat skin was performed using in situ RNA hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Na+,K(+)-ATPase was predominantly detected in the basal layer of epithelium, whereas the ouabain-sensitive H+,K(+)-ATPase, in the granular and prickle cell layers. The genes of these ATPases are thus expressed in epithelial cells at different stages of their development. The hypothesis was advanced that the ouabain-sensitive H+,K(+)-ATPase is involved in maintaining the skin pH value. The probes specific to the mRNAs of the full-size alpha-subunit of the ouabain-sensitive H+,K(+)-ATPase and its truncated form were used to establish a similar distribution of both mRNA variants in skin. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2002, vol. 28, no. 4; see also http://www.maik.ru.