Na(+)-H(+) exchange in salivary secretory cells is controlled by an intracellular Na(+) receptor.

It recently has been shown that epithelial Na(+) channels are controlled by a receptor for intracellular Na(+), a G protein (G(o)), and a ubiquitin-protein ligase (Nedd4). Furthermore, mutations in the epithelial Na(+) channel that underlie the autosomal dominant form of hypertension known as Liddle's syndrome inhibit feedback control of Na(+) channels by intracellular Na(+). Because all epithelia, including those such as secretory epithelia, which do not express Na(+) channels, need to maintain a stable cytosolic Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](i)) despite fluctuating rates of transepithelial Na(+) transport, these discoveries raise the question of whether other Na(+) transporting systems in epithelia also may be regulated by this feedback pathway. Here we show in mouse mandibular secretory (endpiece) cells that the Na(+)-H(+) exchanger, NHE1, which provides a major pathway for Na(+) transport in salivary secretory cells, is inhibited by raised [Na(+)](i) acting via a Na(+) receptor and G(o). This inhibition involves ubiquitination, but does not involve the ubiquitin protein ligase, Nedd4. We conclude that control of membrane transport systems by intracellular Na(+) receptors may provide a general mechanism for regulating intracellular Na(+) concentration.     

Role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation of pulmonary artery under hypoxia

BACKGROUND: The sodium pump (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase) plays a part in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility, and alterations of enzyme activity by hypoxia could contribute to the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in the sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxation of pulmonary artery in hypoxia. METHODS: Using isolated canine pulmonary arterial rings, we measured the relaxant responses of KCI-contracted tissues to SNP under hyperoxic (95% O2, 5% O2) and hypoxic conditions (5% O2, 5% CO2, 90% N2 in vitro. Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was assessed by measuring ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake. RESULTS: The SNP-induced relaxation was reduced under hypoxia, so that the maximal relaxation decreased from 80.1 +/- 8.6 to 57.8 +/- 6.8% (p < 0.01) and the concentration of SNP required to produce 50% relaxation increased from 1.9 +/- 0.4 x 10(-6) to 2.6 +/- 0.6 x 10(-5) M (p < 0.01). Addition of ouabain, an Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, attenuated the relaxant response to SNP and this inhibition was still observed under hypoxia. Incubation of endothelium-denuded rings with SNP caused dose-dependent increases in intracellular cGMP levels and ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake, and these effects were not significantly altered by hypoxia. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that sarcolemmal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity may be implicated in the mechanism of nitrovasodilator-induced vasodilation of pulmonary artery and may still be functioning under hypoxia.     

Endothelin and increased contractility in adult rat ventricular myocytes. Role of intracellular alkalosis induced by activation of the protein kinase C-dependent Na(+)-H+ exchanger.

Endothelin, a 21-amino acid vasoactive peptide, is among the most potent positively inotropic agents yet described in mammalian heart. Having demonstrated that endothelin's inotropic effect is due, in part, to an apparent sensitization of cardiac myofilaments to intracellular calcium, we determined whether this could be due to a rise in intracellular pH (pHi). In isolated adult rat ventricular cells loaded with the H(+)-selective fluorescent probe BCECF, 100 pM endothelin increased contractile amplitude to 190 +/- 26% of baseline and pHi by 0.08 +/- 0.02 (n = 8), whereas 1 nM endothelin increased pHi by 0.13 +/- 0.03 with little further increase in contractility. Amiloride (10(-4)M) prevented the increase in pHi in response to endothelin and reduced the inotropic response by 45%, although the inotropic effect could be readily restored by subsequent NH4Cl-induced alkalinization. Similarly, inhibitors of protein kinase C (H-7 and sphingosine) diminished or abolished the rise in pHi after endothelin superfusion while causing a decline in its inotropic effect comparable with that observed with amiloride. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin, which we have demonstrated results in complete ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunits of Go and Gi GTP-binding proteins and abolition of endothelin's positive inotropic effect, only partially reduced the intracellular alkalinization induced by the peptide, suggesting a complex signal transduction mechanism. Thus, the positive inotropic action of endothelin is due in part to stimulation of the sarcolemmal Na(+)-H+ exchanger by a protein kinase C-mediated pathway, resulting in a rise in pHi and sensitization of cardiac myofilaments to intracellular Ca2+.     

kappa -opioid receptor stimulation induces arrhythmia in the isolated rat heart via the protein kinase C/Na(+)-H(+)exchange pathway

The present study attempted to determine whether the protein kinase C (PKC)/Na(+)-H(+)exchange (NHE) pathway would mediate the arrhythmogenic action of kappa -opioid receptor (OR) stimulation. We first determined the effects of U50,488H, a selective kappa -OR agonist, on PKC activity and cardiac rhythm in the isolated perfused rat heart, and intracellular pH (pH(i)), and Ca(2+)([Ca(2+)](i)) and Na(+)([Na(+)](i)) concentrations in the isolated ventricular myocyte. At 5-40 microm U50,488H concentration dependently increased the particulate PKC activity and pH(i), and induced arrhythmia. 40 microm U50,488H also increased [Na(+)](i)and [Ca(2+)](i). The arrhythmogenic effects of 40 microm U50,488H were abolished by nor-binaltorphimine, a selective kappa -OR antagonist. Blockade of PKC and NHE with respective blockers, 1 microm bisindolylmaleimide I or 0.5 microm calphostin C, and 1 microm 5-[N -methyl- N -isobutyl]amiloride or 1 microm 5-([N -ethyl- N -isopropopyl]amiloride, abolished and significantly attenuated, respectively, the effects of kappa -OR stimulation on pH(i), [Na(+)](i)and [Ca(2+)](i), and arrhythmia. To determine the role of pH(i), we observed U50,488H-induced arrhythmia at pH(i)6.8. At this pH(i), the pH(i)increased gradually both in the presence and absence of 40 microm U50,488H to a similar extent. While the increase in response to U50,488H was significantly less at pH(i)6.8 (from 0.09 to 0.10) than that at pH(i)7.1 (from 0.01 to 0.18), the arrhythmia induced by the agonist was the same at both high and low pHs. On the other hand, 5 microm monensin, a sodium ionophore, increased [Na(+)](i)and [Ca(2+)](i), and induced arrhythmia to similar extents as U50,488H. PKC and NHE inhibitors, that significantly attenuated the effects induced by U50,488H, had no effect on those induced by monensin. In conclusion, kappa -OR stimulation induces arrhythmia via PKC/NHE. [Na(+)](i)and [Ca(2+)](i), but not pH(i), may be directly responsible for arrhythmia induced by kappa -OR stimulation.     

Protection of rat heart myocardium with a selective Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibitor and ischemic preconditioning

Aim of this study was to compare effects of BIIB-722, a novel Na(+)/H(+) exchanger-1 inhibitor, and ischemic preconditioning (IP) on infarct size and metabolism of area at risk in rats. Regional ischemia was induced by 40-min occlusion of a diagonal branch of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD); it was followed by 60-min reperfusion. Intravenous bolus injection of BIIB-722 (3 mg/kg) dissolved in 280 mM xylitol was performed before regional ischemia or during the first minute of reperfusion. In the control group 280 mM xylitol was infused before ischemia or at the beginning of reperfusion at the same mode. IP was initiated by two cycles of 5-min LAD occlusion followed by 5-min reperfusion prior to sustained regional ischemia. Microdialysis technique was used to monitor pH and inorganic phosphate (P(i)) in the interstitial fluid of the area at risk. Metabolic state of the area at risk was assessed by ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr) and lactate levels; cellular membrane damage was evaluated by total creatine (SigmaCr=PCr+Cr) tissue content. Myocardial infarct size was determined by computer planimetry after staining of left ventricular slices with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride. BIIB-722 administration before or after ischemia, as well as IP, had no effect on cardiac hemodynamics and acid-base indices of arterial blood throughout the experiments. The infarct size/area at risk ratio was 43.5+/-5.2% in control and was reduced to 11.4+/-3.1% with IP, and to 17.0+/-3.6% and 25.8+/-2.6% with BIIB-722 infused on early reperfusion and before ischemia, respectively. BIIB-722 administration during the first minute of reperfusion as well as IP significantly augmented ATP and PCr contents, reduced lactate level and decreased ECr loss at the area at risk by the end of reperfusion as compared with values in control. Additionally significantly higher rates of pH recovery and reduction of P(i) concentration in the interstitial fluid were observed during reperfusion compared with these indices in control. BIIB-722 administration before ischemia had much effects on contents of energy and carbohydrate metabolites at area at risk. The results obtained indicate that ability of BIIB-722 to limit infarct size and improve metabolism in the area at risk is comparable to cardioprotective effects of IP. Therefore this study substantiates a possibility of application of a novel Na(+)/H(+) exchange inhibitor for clinical investigations.     

Na(+)-dependent fluid absorption in intact perfused rat colonic crypts

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The traditional paradigm of fluid movement in the mammalian colon is that fluid absorption and secretion are present in surface and crypt cells, respectively. We have recently demonstrated Na(+)-dependent fluid absorption in isolated crypts that are devoid of neurohumoral stimulation. We now explore the mechanism of Na(+)-dependent fluid absorption in isolated rat colonic crypts. METHODS: Net fluid absorption was determined using microperfusion techniques and methoxy[(3)H]inulin with ion substitutions and transport inhibitors. RESULTS: Net fluid absorption was reduced but not abolished by substitution of either N-methyl-D-glucamine- Cl(-) or tetramethylammonium for Na(+) and by lumen addition of 5-ethylisopropyl amiloride, an amiloride analogue that selectively inhibits Na(+)-H(+) exchange. Net fluid absorption was also dependent on lumen Cl(-) because removal of lumen Cl(-) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced net fluid absorption. DIDS at 100 micromol/L, a concentration at which DIDS is an anion exchange inhibitor, minimally reduced net fluid absorption (P < 0.05). In contrast, either 500 micromol/L DIDS, a concentration at which DIDS is known to act as a Cl(-) channel blocker, or 10 micromol/L NPPB, a Cl(-) channel blocker, both substantially inhibited net fluid absorption (P < 0.001). Finally, both the removal of bath Cl(-) and addition of bath bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na-K-2Cl cotransport and Cl(-) secretion, resulted in a significant increase in net fluid absorption. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Net Na(+)-dependent net fluid absorption in the isolated colonic crypt represents both a larger Na(+)-dependent absorptive process and a smaller secretory process; and (2) the absorptive process consists of a Na(+)-dependent, HCO(3)(-)-independent process and a Na(+)-independent, Cl(-)-dependent, HCO(3)(-)-dependent process. Fluid movement in situ represents these transport processes plus fluid secretion induced by neurohumoral stimulation.     

pH-Regulated Na(+) influx into the mammalian ventricular myocyte: the relative role of Na(+)-H(+) exchange and Na(+)-HCO Co-transport

In the heart, intracellular Na(+) concentration (Na(+) (i)) is a controller of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling, and hence of key aspects of cell contractility and rhythm. Na(+) (i) will be influenced by variation in Na(+) influx. In the present work, we consider one source of Na(+) influx, sarcolemmal acid extrusion. Acid extrusion is accomplished by sarcolemmal H(+) and HCO(3) (-) transporters that import Na(+) ions while exporting H(+) or importing HCO(3) (-). The capacity of this system to import Na(+) is enormous, up to four times the maximum capacity of the Na(+)-K(+) ATPase to extrude Na(+) ions from the cell. In this review we consider the role of Na(+)-H(+) exchange (NHE) and Na(+)-HCO(3) (-)co-transport (NBC) in mediating Na(+) influx into cardiac myocytes. We consider, in particular, the role of NBC, as so little is known about Na(+) influx through this transporter. We show that both proteins mediate significant Na(+) influx and that although, in the ventricular myocyte, NBC-mediated Na(+) influx is less than through NHE, the proportions may be altered under a variety of conditions, including exposure to catecholamines, membrane depolarization, and interference with activity of the enzyme, carbonic anhydrase.     

Late post-myocardial infarction induces a tetrodotoxin-resistant Na(+)Current in rat cardiomyocytes

Left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction is accompanied by electrical abnormalities that might predispose to rhythm disturbances. To get insight into the ionic mechanisms involved, we studied myocytes isolated from four different regions of the rat ventricles, 4-6 months after ligation of the left coronary artery. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we never observed T-type Ca(2+)current in both diseased and control hearts. In contrast, in 41 out of 78 cells isolated from 16 post-myocardial infarcted rats, analysed in the presence of 30 m m Na(+)ions, we found a tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant Na(+)current with quite variable amplitude in every investigated region. Albeit being resistant to 100 microM TTX, this Na(+)-dependent current was highly sensitive to lidocaine since 3 microM lidocaine induced about 65% tonic block. It was also inhibited by 5 microM nifedipine and 2 m m Co(2+), but was insensitive to 100 microM Ni(2+). The TTX-resistant Na(+)channel availability was shifted rightward by 25-30 mV with respect to TTX-sensitive Na(+)current; therefore, a large "window current" might flow in the voltage range from -70 to -20 mV. In conclusion, in late post-myocardial infarction, a Na(+)current with specific kinetics and pharmacology may provide inward charges in a critical range of membrane voltages that are able to alter action potential time course and trigger ventricular arrhythmia. These apparent new characteristics of the Na(+)channel might result in part from environmental changes during heart remodeling.     

Na(+)influx via Na(+)/H(+)exchange activates protein kinase C isozymes delta and epsilon in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is one of the important signaling molecules in the development of the cardiac hypertrophic response, and activation of Na(+)/H(+)exchange is caused by PKC in myocytes. In this study we examined the contribution of Na(+)/H(+)exchange in cardiac hypertrophy induced by the activation of PKC and its mechanism using cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. Phenylephrine (PE), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased cytoplasmic pH in myocytes, and this effect was strongly inhibited by treatment with HOE694, an inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+)exchange. These substances increased the [(3)H]phenylalanine incorporation, total protein content and beta -myosin heavy chain protein content in myocytes. These hypertrophic responses were also attenuated by HOE694. To clarify the role of Na(+)influx through activation of Na(+)/H(+)exchange in cardiac hypertrophy, we next examined the hypertrophic responses to veratridine and ouabain, which increase the intracellular Na(+)content. Veratridine and ouabain increased the [(3)H]phenylalanine incorporation. Staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, completely abolished veratridine-induced hypertrophic response, but did not affect increment of intracellular Na(+)concentration by veratridine. PMA caused increases of alpha -, delta -and epsilon -PKC in the particulate fraction, but PE, ET-1 and veratridine affected only those of delta - and epsilon -PKC. HOE694 significantly inhibited only increases of delta - and epsilon -PKC caused by PE, ET-1 or PMA, but not those by veratridine. These results demonstrate that Na(+)influx via activation of Na(+)/H(+)exchange reactivates PKC in myocytes. delta - and epsilon -PKC appear to be involved in the signal mechanism of the hypertrophic response induced by Na(+)influx through Na(+)/H(+)exchange in myocytes.     

Role of renal Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the regulation of sodium excretion under normal conditions and in acute congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND. Cardiac glycosides have traditionally been used as inotropic agents in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). The renal actions of cardiac glycosides independent of inotropic effects are not characterized. The presence of endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLFs) with characteristic Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity has been postulated in volume-expanded states such as CHF, and recent studies have demonstrated that at least one EDLF shares structural homology with ouabain. This study was undertaken to evaluate the renal actions of ouabain in normal dogs and those with CHF. METHODS AND RESULTS. After surgical preparation, normal dogs (n = 6) and dogs in pacing-induced CHF (n = 6) received intrarenal ouabain in sequential doses of 0.167 micrograms/kg/min, 0.334 micrograms/kg/min, and 0.668 micrograms/kg/min. Hemodynamics and renal function were evaluated during the infusion. There was no change in heart rate or mean arterial pressure during the infusion compared with baseline in both groups. Sodium excretion and urine volume significantly increased in both groups. Plasma renin activity, activated by the onset of pacing in the CHF group, was inhibited by the administration of intrarenal ouabain in this group only. CONCLUSIONS. These studies demonstrate that ouabain has diuretic and natriuretic actions independent of cardiac hemodynamics that are preserved in CHF. Furthermore, intrarenal ouabain suppresses activation of renin in CHF.     

Na(+)-H+ exchanger kinetics in adrenal glomerulosa cells and its activation by angiotensin II

We have studied the kinetic properties of basal and angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulated Na(+)-H+ exchange in adrenal glomerulosa cells by measuring changes in cytosolic pH (pHi) and initial rates of 22Na uptake in the presence or absence of dimethylamiloride (DMA). The cells were studied 1) under basal conditions, 2) at constant pHi (6.8) with varied external sodium (Na+o), and 3) at varied pHi with constant Na+o (50 mM). In 2,7-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein loaded cells under basal conditions, pHi rose from 7.09 +/- 0.02 to 7.19 +/- 0.02 (P less than 0.05) with addition of ANG II (100 nM). Similarly, DMA-sensitive Na influx was enhanced from 9.2 +/- 1.3 to 14.8 +/- 2.1 nmol Na+/mg protein x min (P less than 0.01) by ANG II. In cells acid-loaded by preincubation in Na(+)-free media (pHi 6.8), addition of varying Na+o resulted in a rapid H+ efflux that was markedly inhibited by DMA. DMA-sensitive Na+ influx into these acidified cells with varied Na+o exhibited a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 23 mM and a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 43 nmol Na+/mg protein x min. By varying pHi (from pHi 7.1 to 6.2), DMA-sensitive Na+ influx likewise showed activation with cellular acidification with a pK at pHi 7.09. At pHi 6.8, ANG II decreased the Km for Na+o from 23 to 17 mM and increased the Vmax from 43 to 53 nmol Na+/mg protein x min. The pHi dependence of DMA-sensitive Na+ influx was not affected by ANG II (pK at pHi 7.03). DMA also inhibited AII-stimulated aldosterone secretion and Na+ influx similarly. These results indicate that Na(+)-H+ exchange in adrenal glomerulosa cells is 1) functioning under basal conditions, and 2) is modulated by ANG II with enhanced Na+o affinity and Vmax but without a shift in pHi dependence (similar to ANG II effects on vascular smooth muscle cells). These effects suggest an important role for Na(+)-H+ exchange during ANG II stimulation of aldosterone production by glomerulosa cells.     

Role of Ica and Na+/Ca2+ exchange in the force-frequency relationship of rat heart muscle.

The inward Ca2+ current, ica, increases with the frequency of stimulation in single ventricular myocytes, but the presence and possible role of this phenomenon in intact heart muscle of mammals has not been studied. The present study addresses the question whether changes in ica play a role in the force-frequency relationship in thin ventricular trabeculae from rat heart. The duration of the action potential at 50% repolarization, APD50, is related to the strength and duration of ica (Mitchell et al., 1984b; Schouten, 1986). APD50 increased with the frequency of stimulation. Peak force of contraction, F, was minimal at 0.1-0.3 Hz and increased at both higher and lower frequencies, suggesting two mechanisms with opposite frequency-dependence. The increase at low frequencies was abolished by drugs that inhibit Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (caffeine, theophylline), but not by Ca2+ antagonists that block ica (nifedipine, Mn2+). This is consistent with the hypothesis that a small net influx of Ca2+ across the sarcolemma during long diastoles was responsible for loading of the reticulum and enhancement of F at low frequencies. The increase of F and APD50 at high frequencies was abolished by Ca2+ antagonists but not by caffeine and theophylline. From this result it is concluded, that frequency-induced enhancement of ica occurs in intact heart muscle and contributes to the increase in F.     

Cardioprotective effects of the Na(+)/H(+)-exchange inhibitor cariporide in infarct-induced heart failure

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of chronic treatment with the new Na(+)/H(+)-exchange inhibitor, cariporide, on cardiac function and remodelling 6 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. METHODS: Treatment with cariporide was commenced either 1 week pre or 30 min, 3 h, 24 h or 7 days after ligation of the left ventricular artery and was continued until haemodynamic parameters were obtained 6 weeks after MI in conscious rats. RESULTS: Compared to sham animals, untreated MI-controls developed pronounced heart failure after 6 weeks. Basal left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (in mmHg) was reduced in the groups in which cariporide was started 1 week pre (16.0+/-1.7) or 30 min (12.5+/-1.1), 3 h (11.8+/-1.0) and 24 h (13.0+/-2.5) after MI compared to untreated MI-controls (22. 4+/-1.5; P<0.01). Basal myocardial contractility (in 1000 mmHg/s) was only increased when treatment was initiated after 30 min (9. 0+/-0.7), 3 h (8.5+/-0.3) and 24 h (8.0+/-0.7) compared to untreated MI-controls (5.8+/-0.7; P<0.05-0.01). Infarct size (in % of left ventricular circumference) was 40.0+/-2.1 in MI-controls and was decreased when treatment was begun after 30 min (32.6+/-2.7) or 3 h (32.4+/-2.3) (P<0.05). In animals, in which cariporide was started 3 h after induction of MI, heart weight/body weight ratio was significantly decreased, indicating reduced cardiac hypertrophy. When treatment started 7 days after MI, cariporide did not exert any beneficial actions on structural and functional cardiac parameters. CONCLUSION: Our results show for the first time that chronic treatment with the Na(+)/H(+)-exchange inhibitor cariporide engendered marked cardioprotective effects when commenced before and up to 24 h after MI. The optimal time for the start of treatment was between 30 min and 3 h post MI.     

Diabetes-induced vascular hypertrophy is accompanied by activation of Na(+)-H(+) exchange and prevented by Na(+)-H(+) exchange inhibition

Vascular disease often involves vessel hypertrophy with underlying cellular hypertrophy or hyperplasia. Experimental diabetes stimulates hypertrophy of the rat mesenteric vasculature, and we investigated the hypothesis that this hypertrophy is associated with activation of Na(+)-H(+) exchange (NHE) activity. We measured the NHE activity in isolated, intact blood vessels from control and streptozotocin-induced diabetic adult rats using concurrent myography and fluorescence spectroscopy. The role of inhibiting NHE activity in preventing the development of the mesenteric hypertrophy in streptozotocin-diabetic rats was investigated by administration of cariporide (100 mg/kg body weight per day in 3 doses by gavage) after induction of diabetes and subsequently determining vessel weight and structure. The weight of the mesenteric vasculature was not increased 1 week after streptozotocin treatment but was significantly increased by an average of 56% at 3 weeks. NHE activity in mesenteric arteries showed an enhanced maximal velocity (V:(max)) in diabetic vessels at 1 and 3 weeks (0.246+/-0.006 and 0. 238+/-0.007 versus 0.198+/-0.007 pH U/min) with no change in the apparent K:(m). Moreover, NHE-1 mRNA in mesenteric arterioles at 3 weeks after streptozotocin treatment was increased by >60% (55.8+/-6. 4 versus 91.3+/-12.3 fg). Administration of cariporide significantly reduced mesenteric vascular weight, the wall/lumen ratio, and mesenteric extracellular matrix accumulation in the diabetic animals. Our study shows that diabetes in vivo correlates with elevated NHE activity and mRNA in the mesenteric vasculature and furthermore that inhibition of this system prevents the hypertrophic response. These data suggest that NHE may be a target for therapeutic modulation of vascular changes in diabetes.     

Expression cloning of a rat liver Na(+)-independent organic anion transporter.

Using expression cloning in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we have isolated a cDNA encoding a rat liver organic anion-transporting polypeptide (oatp). The cloned oatp mediated Na(+)-independent uptake of sulfobromophthalein (BSP) which was Cl(-)-dependent in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) at low BSP concentrations (e.g., 2 microM). Addition of increasing amounts of BSA had no effects on the maximal velocity of initial BSP uptake, but it increased the Km value from 1.5 microM (no BSA) to 24 microM (BSA/BSP molar ratio, 3.7) and 35 microM (BSA/BSP ratio, 18.4). In addition to BSP, the cloned oatp also mediated Na(+)-independent uptake of conjugated (taurocholate) and unconjugated (cholate) bile acids. Sequence analysis of the cDNA revealed an open reading frame of 2010 nucleotides coding for a protein of 670 amino acids (calculated molecular mass, 74 kDa) with four possible N-linked glycosylation sites and 10 putative transmembrane domains. Translation experiments in vitro indicated that the transporter was indeed glycosylated and that its polypeptide backbone had an apparent molecular mass of 59 kDa. Northern blot analysis with the cloned probe revealed crossreactivity with several mRNA species from rat liver, kidney, brain, lung, skeletal muscle, and proximal colon as well as from liver tissues of mouse and rabbit, but not of skate (Raja erinacea) and human.     

H(+)-induced vasodilation of rat aorta is mediated by alterations in intracellular calcium sequestration

Acidosis induces vasodilation both in vivo and in vitro. Although it is commonly surmised that acidosis alters contractility by affecting contractile proteins and calcium entry, the exact role of these mechanisms in acidosis-induced vasodilation has not been determined. In the present study, we demonstrated that a novel mechanism, involving increased calcium sequestration into intracellular sites sensitive to norepinephrine, mediates the vasodilation associated with relatively modest decreases in pH. The effects of changing pH from 7.4 to 7.0 on tension development, 45Ca fluxes, and the norepinephrine-releasable intracellular calcium stores were studied in isolated rat aorta. Acute acidification produced marked endothelium-independent dilations of aortic rings that had been precontracted with norepinephrine. In contrast, this maneuver had only modest effects on contractions elicited by 80 mM KCl or phorbol ester. Acidification in this range did not alter basal or norepinephrine-stimulated undirectional 45Ca influx, nor did it reduce the norepinephrine-induced net gain in 45Ca content. Furthermore, neither norepinephrine-stimulated 45Ca efflux nor the peak contractile response to norepinephrine in calcium-free buffer was affected, although in this setting, the duration of the phasic contractile response was shortened. When calcium was restored to tissues exposed to norepinephrine in calcium-free buffer, acidification slowed the rate of tension development without altering 45Ca uptake, thus changing the relation between tension development and calcium entry. These effects of acidification were shown to be associated with an increase in the amount of calcium sequestered into the norepinephrine-sensitive intracellular calcium store. These findings clearly indicate that acidification, within a range that has no effect on other aspects of smooth muscle activation, elicits vasodilation by stimulating intracellular calcium sequestration. This action may represent a predominant mechanism whereby acidosis alters vascular smooth muscle contractility.     

Apoptosis of leukemic cells accompanies reduction in intracellular pH after targeted inhibition of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is primarily responsible for the regulation of intracellular pH (pH(i)). It is a ubiquitous, amiloride-sensitive, growth factor-activatable exchanger whose role has been implicated in cell-cycle regulation, apoptosis, and neoplasia. Here we demonstrate that leukemic cell lines and peripheral blood from primary patient leukemic samples exhibit a constitutively and statistically higher pH(i) than normal hematopoietic tissue. We then show that a direct correlation exists between pH(i) and cell-cycle status of normal hematopoietic and leukemic cells. Advantage was taken of this relationship by treating leukemic cells with the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger inhibitor, 5-(N, N-hexamethylene)-amiloride (HMA), which decreases the pH(i) and induces apoptosis. By incubating patient leukemic cells in vitro with pharmacologic doses of HMA for up to 5 hours, we show, using flow cytometry and fluorescent ratio imaging microscopy, that when the pH(i) decreases, apoptosis-measured by annexin-V and TUNEL methodologies-rapidly increases so that more than 90% of the leukemic cells are killed. The differential sensitivity exhibited between normal and leukemic cells allows consideration of NHE1 inhibitors as potential antileukemic agents. (Blood. 2000;95:1427-1434)