The effect of Cl- and other anions on the tonoplast H+-translocating ATPase (H+-ATPase) from Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree) latex was investigated. Cl- and other anions stimulated the ATPase activity of tightly sealed vesicles prepared from Hevea tonoplast, with the following decreasing order of effectiveness: Cl- greater than Br- greater than SO4(2-) greater than NO3-. As indicated by the changes of the protonmotive potential difference, anion stimulation of tonoplast H+-ATPase was caused in part by the ability of these anions to dissipate the electrical potential. This interpretation assumes not a channelling of these anions against a membrane potential, negative-inside, but a modification of the permeability of these ions through the tonoplast membrane. In addition, Cl- and the other anions stimulated the ATPase activity solubilized from the tonoplast membrane. Consequently, the tonoplast H+-pumping ATPase can be considered as an anion-stimulated enzyme. These results are discussed in relation to various models described in the literature for the microsomal H+-ATPase systems claimed as tonoplast entities.