I solation of a microsomal fraction from human gastric mucosa followed by density gradient centrifugation yielded a vesicular membrane preparation free of mitochondrial markers, containing a K+-activated, ouabain-insensitive ATPase with an activity of 20.7 mumol P1 released/mg protein per h. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed that the human gastric membrane vesicles contained a major polypeptide of 110,000 daltons, which accounted for approximately or equal to 30% of the total protein stained and was phosphorylated by [gamma-32P]ATP and dephosphorylated in the presence of K+. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of vesicles with an average size of 0.13 micrometer in diameter. Addition of 0.65 microM ATP to this vesicular preparation resulted in the uptake of 17 nmol H+/mg protein which was dependent on the presence of K+. The gradient was dissipated by a combination of valinomycin and protonophore after consumption of the ATP. Incubation of fixed human fundic sections or human gastric biopsy with monospecific hog gastric membrane antibody followed by fluorescein-conjugated goat anti-rabbit gamma-globulin, showed fluorescent staining in the middle portion of the gastric glands. These data indicate that human stomach contains a H+ transport ATPase with characteristics similar to those established for lower species.