Physical and chemical reactions of phosphates in red cell membranes in relation to active transport

1. A study has been made of the chemical reactions associated with the active transport of sodium and potassium in human red cells, with special reference to the action of oligomycin and the labelling of cell membranes by radioactive ATP.2. Oligomycin had the same effects as ouabain on the various aspects of active transport in red cells. It inhibited sodium and potassium transport, the transport ATPase, and the lactate production that is controlled by the sodium pump.3. When cell membranes were incubated with radioactive ATP they became labelled. The labelling, however, was unrelated to the activity of the transport ATPase. Incubation of membranes and intact cells showed that the labelling was a result of physical adsorption of inorganic phosphate to the membranes.4. The results show that if there is a phosphate intermediate in the reaction of the transport ATPase in human red cell membranes, then it is present in amounts too small to be detectable by the methods that have been successfully used with organs such as brain and kidney.     

Thiocyanate inhibition of ATPase and its relationship to anion transport.

Adenosine triphosphatase activity not dependent on sodium or potassium but inhibited by thiocyanate is present in broken-cell homogenates of eel gill and rat kidney. This enzymatic property is predominantly associated with mitochondria, although thiocyanate-inhibited ATPase can also be detected in microsomes with little or no mitochondrial contamination as measured by the activity of the mitochondrial marker enzyme succinic dehydrogenase. When eels are transferred from fresh to salf water, thus increasing active outward transport of chloride across the gill, the thiocyanate-inhibited ATPase of gill microsomes does not change, though the activities of succinic dehydrogenase and Na-K-ATPase in gill homogenates are augmented. The thiocyanate-inhibited ATPase of homogenates of outer renal medulla does not differ from that of renal cortex, in contrast to Na-k-atpase which is higher in renal medulla than in cortex. The data do not support a role for thiocyanate-inhibited ATPase in active chloride transport by epithelial tissues.     

Erythrocyte membrane cation carrier in mania.

Erythrocyte sodium and potassium concentrations, erythrocyte membrane ATPase (Na-K specific and non-specific) and the rate of potassium influx into erythrocytes (ouabain-sensitive and insensitive) were estimated in a group of female patients suffering from mania and repeated on about two thirds of them when they had recovered. With recovery there was a statistically significant increase in the erythrocyte ouabain-sensitive potassium influx. The other parameters showed no significant overall change with recovery but the initial severity correlated significantly and negatively with the change in erythrocyte Na-K ATPase with recovery. The changes that occurred in the erythorcyte sodium concentration and Na-K ATPase activity were not random since they correlated significantly with changes in the active potassium influx.     

Changes of sodium transport in erythrocytes of the maturing rabbit.

The red blood cells of New Zealand white rabbits have a low sodium and high potassium content. As the animals mature, the sodium concentration rises and the potassium content falls; studies of red cells from a group of five young and five mature animals revealed a highly significant increase of cell sodium with age that was associated with a significant fall in the rate of ouabain-inhibited active sodium efflux. This difference was still seen when the sodium concentration within the cells from old and young animals was equalized and elevated to saturating levels for active pump efflux. Total sodium efflux, however, increased significantly with age as did total sodium influx so that a steady state was reached. Ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity fell significantly in the cell membranes from older animals and ouabain-insensitive ATPase increased with age. The survival time of 51Cr-labeled red cells was significantly longer in old than in young animals and it is concluded that as the rabbit matures its red cells survive for a longer period and this is associated with the changes of sodium transport and ATPase activity that have been documented.     

Peripheral effects of thyroid hormones: Alteration of intracellular Na-concentration,ouabain-sensitive Na-transport,and Na-Li countertransport in human red blood cells

Summary To investigate the effect of thyroid hormones on erythrocyte cation transport systems and intracellular electrolyte content we have measured the activity of Na-K ATPase, Na-Li countertransport, as well as red cell sodium and potassium contents in patients with hyperthyroidism and in euthyroid controls. Intracellular Na- and K-concentrations were determined in erythrocytes washed three times in isotonic MgCl₂ solution. Ouabain-sensitive Na-transport was estimated as the increase of Na before and after addition of ouabain in an erythrocyte suspension in isotonic Na-free medium. Na-Li countertransport was measured according to the method described by Canessa et al. [2]. The patients with hyperthyroidism exhibited a significantly elevated intracellular sodium content as well as a highly increased Na-K ATPase activity. Intracellular potassium content was not altered in the hyperthyroid subjects, but Na-Li countertransport was markedly decreased as compared to the controls.The results indicate that different ion transport systems of the erythrocyte membrane are influenced by thyroid hormones. We suggest that the elevation of Na-K ATPase activity might be due to the increased intracellular sodium concentration which is caused by the diminished countertransport pathway. Furthermore, the activity of Na-K ATPase, Na-Li countertransport, and intracellular sodium content in erythrocytes might be a useful peripheral indicator of thyroid hormone excess.Supported by the Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie (MMT 27)     

Cellular mechanism of the furosemide sensitive transport system in the kidney

Summary Experiments were performed in the distal tubule of the doubly-perfused kidney of Amphiuma to determine active and passive forces, involved in the transport processes of potassium, sodium and chloride. Ion-sensitive microelectrodes and conventional microelectrodes were applied to estimate intracellular ion activities, cell membrane potentials and net flux of potassium and chloride under control conditions and during inhibition of active transport. Sodium chloride cotransport, located in the luminal cell membrane is postulated, based on the following observations:Total omission of sodium from the tubular lumen inhibits furosemide sensitive chloride reabsorption, decreases the lumen positive transepithelial potential difference and leads to a dramatic decrease of intracellular chloride. The experiments further suggest that potassium ions are involved in the sodium chloride transport system because potassium reabsorption is inhibited by furosemide and because intracellular sodium falls significantly when potassium ions are removed from the tubular fluid. Furthermore, there is experimental evidence that the luminal potassium uptake mechanism is suppressed after potassium adaptation. Under these conditions potassium transport is found to be insensitive to furosemide.The data suggest a furosemide sensitive contransport system for sodium, chloride and potassium, operative in the luminal cell membrane. The energy for this carrier-mediated transport process is provided by the large downhill gradient of sodium across the luminal cell membrane which is maintained by the sodium pump located in the peritubular cell membrane.Supported by NIH grant PHS AM 17433, by the Fogarty foundation (5 FO5 TWO 3865-02) and by Österreichischer Forschungsrat, Proj. No.: 4366     

Kinetics of potassium transport across single distal tubules of rat kidney

1. The transport of potassium across the distal tubular epithelium was studied in vivo in rats on a normal potassium intake and in rats in which distal tubular potassium secretion was either stimulated by potassium loading or the I.V. administration of a 5% sodium bicarbonate solution or in which potassium secretion was suppressed by dietary deprivation of potassium or sodium.2. ⁴²K was used to measure unidirectional fluxes across the luminal and peritubular cell membranes and to assess the magnitude of cellular potassium partaking in the transport process. This was accomplished by the simultaneous perfusion of the peritubular capillary network with ⁴²K-Ringer and of the distal tubular lumen with initially tracer-free solution. From the steady-state flux and the time course of tracer washout into the lumen after discontinuing the peritubular perfusion, unidirectional fluxes, rate coefficients of ion transfer and cellular transport pools could be measured.3. Transepithelial movement of potassium involves mixing with a variable cellular potassium transport pool. The latter is significantly elevated in conditions of enhanced distal tubular potassium secretion; cellular potassium labelling is reduced in conditions in which potassium secretion has been suppressed by potassium deprivation.4. Evidence is presented that changes in the peritubular transport pattern are primarily responsible for modifications of potassium translocation. Thus, stimulation of potassium secretion is associated with increased peritubular potassium uptake; a reduced potassium uptake across the peritubular cell membrane accounts for the fall in potassium secretion in potassium-depleted animals. Whereas passive entry of potassium across the peritubular membrane is augmented in potassium-loaded animals, the induction of metabolic alkalosis by the administration of 5% sodium bicarbonate stimulates active potassium uptake across the peritubular cell membrane. Sodium deprivation stimulates active reabsorptive transfer of potassium from the tubular lumen.     

The plasma membrane electrical gradient (membrane potential) in Leishmania donovani promastigotes and amastigotes.

The equilibrium distribution of tetraphenylphosphonium bromide was used to measure the membrane potential in Leishmania donovani amastigotes and promastigotes and to investigate mechanisms underlying the maintenance of membrane potential. At pH 7.0, membrane potential ranges between -90 and -113 mV. Increasing the external concentrations of hydrogen or potassium ions decreased membrane potential as did treatments with carbonylcyanide chlorophenylhydrazone or valinomycin. These observations are consistent with a membrane potential set by hydrogen and potassium ion diffusion gradients. Anaerobiosis lowered membrane potential, suggesting the involvement of ATPase(s) in maintaining membrane potential. Membrane potential was insensitive to treatment with ouabain, demonstrating the absence of a Na+/K(+)-ATPase. Treatment with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide caused a temporary hyperpolarization of the membrane suggesting the participation of a proton ATPase in the maintenance of membrane potential. Determination of the membrane potential makes it possible to quantitate the total proton motive force which is the force for active transport across the parasite membrane.     

Hormonal regulation of electrolyte and water transport in the Colon

Summary The colon participates in water and electrolyte homoiostasis by the absorption of sodium (Na) and water as well as by potassium (K) secretion. The primary step of colonic transport is the active Na transport via a transcellular route. Steroidal hormones considerably increase Na absorption by utilizing two mechanisms: (1) passive Na entry into the cells is enhanced by an increased membrane permeability; (2) active transport capacity is increased by a stimulation of ATPase synthesis. Mineralocorticoid versus glucocorticoid actions of steroids have not yet been clearly differentiated; parallel influences are possible. Active chloride (Cl) secretion is found in the colon under certain pathological conditions and is induced by a number of factors, e.g., hormones produced by pancreas tumors. Cellular events involve a rise of intracellular cAMP and calcium (Ca) concentrations, and altered Cl permeabilities. Functional changes of colonic epithelial cells caused by hormones assume a significant role in the etiology of diarrhea, as well as in compensatory processes by which an intestinal loss of electrolytes and water is prevented.     

Transport ofl-cystine by rat renal brush border membrane vesicles

Brush border membranes were isolated from rat renal cortex by a divalent cation precipitation method. L-35S-cystine uptake into the vesicles was measured by a rapid filtration method. Covalent incorporation of tracer into membrane proteins was observed after prolonged incubations. At short incubation periods (1 min) binding was small and allowed an analysis of transmembrane transport. To guarantee transport of L-cystine, the experiments were performed in the presence of the oxidant diamide. Sodium stimulated L-cystine uptake specifically. A potassium/valinomycin induced inside negative diffusion potential stimulated sodium dependent L-cystine transport. Thus, transport is potential sensitive in the presence of sodium. At low substrate and inhibitor concentrations, L-cystine transport was inhibited by L-lysine, L-ornithine and L-arginine but not by D-lysine in the presence and absence of sodium. At higher inhibitor concentration, the neutral amino acids L-phenylalanine and L-leucine also inhibited L-cystine uptake, but only the sodium dependent uptake. These inhibition experiments suggest that L-cystine is transported by the brush border membrane by a transport system for basic amino acids not necessarily requiring sodium. In addition, transport of L-cystine can also proceed via sodium dependent transport pathways for neutral amino acids. In the concentration range tested (up to 0.225 mmoles/l), no saturation of L-cystine transport was observed in the presence and absence of sodium.     

The effect of angiotensin on cation transport by rat kidney cortex slices

1. A study has been made of the effect of angiotensin (10(-12) g/ml.) on active and passive transport of sodium, potassium and water between rat kidney cortex slices and the incubation medium.2. Angiotensin has no effect on the passive uptake of sodium and loss of potassium by slices incubated under conditions which inhibit active transport.3. Active sodium extrusion by slices incubated under aerobic conditions is stimulated, whereas active potassium uptake is inhibited by angiotensin.4. Sodium pump activity is stimulated by angiotensin in the presence of ouabain or in the absence of potassium in the incubation medium, conditions which block the sodium for potassium exchange pump.5. There is a 2 min latent period following the application of angiotensin before a response is observed.6. These findings are discussed in relation to the mechanism of action of angiotensin on kidney sodium and fluid transport processes.     

Sodium dependence of carnitine transport in isolated perfused adult rat hearts

In heart muscle, the intracellular carnitine concentration is approximately 40 times higher than the plasma carnitine concentration, suggesting the existence of an active transport process. At physiological serum carnitine concentrations (44 microM), 80% of total myocardial carnitine uptake occurs via a carrier-mediated transport system. The mechanism of this carrier-mediated transport was studied in isolated perfused rat hearts. Carnitine transport showed an absolute dependence on the extracellular sodium concentration. The rate of carnitine transport was linearly related to the perfusate sodium concentration at every perfusate carnitine concentration examined (15-100 microM). Total removal of extracellular sodium completely abolished the carrier-mediated transport. Decreasing the perfusate potassium concentration from a control of 5.9 to 0.6 mM stimulated transport by 35%, whereas increasing the extracellular potassium concentration from 5.9 to 25 mM reduced transport by 60%. The carrier-mediated transport was inversely proportional to the extracellular potassium concentration. Acetylcholine (10(-3) M), isoproterenol (10(-7) M), or ouabain (10(-3) did not alter the rate of carnitine transport. Addition of tetrodotoxin (10(-5) stimulated carnitine transport by about 40%, while gramicidin S (5 X 10(-6) M) decreased uptake by about 18% relative to control. The data provide evidence that carnitine transport by cardiac cells occurs by a Na+-dependent cotransport mechanism that is dependent on the Na+ electrochemical gradient.     

The resting membrane potential of the somatic muscle cells of Ascaris lumbricoides

1. The resting membrane potential of Ascaris muscle fibres, which is normally relatively insensitive to ion changes in the medium, has been measured under a wide variety of conditions.2. The results have been interpreted in terms of a form of the constant field equation containing additional terms for the contribution of ions and charged groups other than potassium, sodium and chloride.3. Normally the contribution of the additional terms is large and tends to outweigh the contributions of potassium, sodium and chloride.4. The contribution of the additional terms is considerably reduced in the absence of sodium and in the presence of gamma-amino butyric acid and acetylcholine.5. It is suggested that the additional terms may represent the contribution of an electrogenic active transport mechanism to the factors determining the membrane potential.     

Effect of dantrolene sodium on excitation-contraction coupling in frog skeletal muscle.

The effect of dantrolene sodium, 1-(5-(p-nitrophenyl)furfuryli-deneamino)hydantoin sodium hydrate, on electrical and mechanical response in frog skeltal muscles (whole muscles or single fibers) and on the biochemical properties of contractile proteins and fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum isolated from frog or rabbit skeletal muscle was investigated. The peak tensions of twitch, tetanus and potassium contracture were significantly inhibited by dantrolene, without affecting the magnitude of resting potential, the amplitude and duration of action potential and the negative afterpotential. On the other hand, ATP-INDUCED SHORTENING OF GLYCEROL-EXTRACTED RABBIT PSOAS MUSCLE FIBERS, ATPase activity of frog myofibrils and Ca release induced by caffeine, Ca uptake and ATPase activity of fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum of frog or rabbit muscle were not affected by dantrolene. Caffeine contracture was partially inhibited by dantrolene and was almost unchanged by it in potassium-depolarized muscele fiber. Nitrate ions and low concentration of caffeine rapidly recovered the twitch inhibition induced by dantrolene. These results suggested that dantrolene acts on the membrane of transverse tubules and possibly the triadic junction and that it inhibits the inward movement of Ca and subsequently decreases the release of activator Ca from sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

The distribution of potassium,sodium and chloride across the apical membrane of renal tubular cells: effect of acute metabolic alkalosis

Studies were undertaken to define the effect of acute metabolic alkalosis (hypertonic sodium bicarbonate i.v.) on the chemical gradients for potassium, sodium and chloride across the apical membrane of individual renal tubule cells. Electron microprobe analysis was used on freeze-dried cryosections of the rat renal cortex to measure electrolyte concentrations in proximal tubule cells and in the various cell types of the superficial distal tubule. Analyses were also performed in fluid samples obtained by micropuncture from proximal and early and late distal collection sites. Compared with the appropriate controls (hypertonic sodium chloride i.v.), administration of sodium bicarbonate resulted only in small and mostly insignificant increases in cell potassium concentrations and induced only minor alterations in the cell/tubule fluid potassium concentration gradient for all cell types analysed. This observation suggests that under this condition factors other than an increase in cell potassium concentration are important in modulating potassium transfer across the apical membrane of potassium secreting cells. Nevertheless, since in alkalosis phosphorus and cell dry weight were decreased, and hence cell volume increased, in all but the intercalated cells, actually the potassium content of most tubular cells was higher under this condition. In comparison with animals infused with isotonic saline at low rates (hydropenic controls), infusion of either hypertonic sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate led to a sharp increase in distal tubule fluid sodium concentrations and in the sodium concentrations of distal convoluted tubule, connecting tubule and principal cells, indicating that under both conditions the primary event causing enhanced transepithelial sodium absorption is stimulation of the sodium entry step. The ensuing rise in cell sodium concentration shold lead secondarily to stimulation of active basolateral sodium extrusion. Intercalated cell sodium concentration was higher only in alkalosis which supports the notion that this cell type is not involved in transepithelial sodium transport.     

Dependency of renal potassium excretion on Na,K-ATPase transport rate

Potassium secretion may depend on the transport rate of Na, K-ATPase in basolateral cell membranes of distal tubular cells. To examine this hypothesis experiments were performed in anaesthetized dogs during inhibition of proximal potassium reabsorption by acetazolamide or mannitol (fractional potassium excretion 1.2-1.4) or additional stimulation of potassium secretion by ethacrynic acid (fractional potassium excretion 2.1). Ouabain in a dose which inhibits 70–80% of the Na, K-ATPase activity reduced fractional potassium excretion to 0.8-0.9 by an effect on distal tubular secretion since potassium transport in the proximal tubules was not affected. Ouabain-sensitive potassium excretion varied in proportion to ouabain-sensitive sodium reabsorption during variation in glomerular nitration rate, even at urinary sodium concentrations exceeding 80 mmol 1^-1. In experiments without ouabain, saline infusion raised potassium excretion and sodium reabsorption until maximal Na, K-ATPase transport rate was reached, as judged from heat production measurements, but not during further increments in urine flow. After inhibition of Na, K-ATPase activity by hypokalaemia, potassium excretion and cortical heat production remained constant over a wide range of urine flow and sodium excretion. We conclude that potassium secretion is dependent on intact Na, K-ATPase activity and is stimulated by sodium delivery to the distal nephron until maximal transport rate of the enzyme is reached.     

Mastoparan activates apical chloride and potassium conductances, decreases cell volume, and increases permeability of cultured epithelial cell monolayers.

Mastoparan is a tetradecapeptide. Mastoparan added to the apical surface of monolayers of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells, cultured on micropore filters, activated ion transport and increased the permeability of the paracellular pathway across the monolayers. In monolayers of similar MDCK cells in which the basolateral membrane was permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha toxin (Staph. alpha toxin), the effects of mastoparan on apical membrane ion conductances were dependent on the presence of guanosine triphosphate (GTP). Mastoparan and GTP increased apical membrane chloride conductance more than potassium conductance, with very little change in sodium conductance. In intact monolayers, addition of barium to the apical bath prevented mastoparan activation of ion transport and the increase in paracellular permeability. Increasing bath potassium to 130 mM also reduced ion transport and prevented the increase in paracellular permeability. We hypothesized that these observations could be linked by mastoparan activation of apical chloride and potassium conductances, with consequent decreases in cell volume and resultant increases in paracellular permeability. Addition of 270 mM mannitol to isosmotic media to decrease cell volume decreased MDCK monolayer transepithelial resistance. Addition of mastoparan to monolayers of MDCK cells grown on micropore filters decreased cell volume to the same extent as addition of 270 mM mannitol to isosmotic media. Addition of the potassium channel inhibitor, barium, prevented the decrease in cell volume in response to mastoparan. Mastoparan activates apical membrane chloride and potassium conductances in MDCK cells. The loss of these ions from the cells decreases cell volume, and the decrease in cell volume increases the permeability of the paracellular pathway.     

Dependency of renal potassium excretion on Na,K-ATPase transport rate

Potassium secretion may depend on the transport rate of Na, K-ATPase in basolateral cell membranes of distal tubular cells. To examine this hypothesis experiments were performed in anaesthetized dogs during inhibition of proximal potassium reabsorption by acetazolamide or mannitol (fractional potassium excretion 1.2 - 1.4) or additional stimulation of potassium secretion by ethacrynic acid (fractional potassium excretion 2.1). Ouabain in a dose which inhibits 70-80% of the Na, K-ATPase activity reduced fractional potassium excretion to 0.8 - 0.9 by an effect on distal tubular secretion since potassium transport in the proximal tubules was not affected. Ouabain-sensitive potassium excretion varied in proportion to ouabain-sensitive sodium reabsorption during variation in glomerular filtration rate, even at urinary sodium concentrations exceeding 80 mmol X 1(-1). In experiments without ouabain, saline infusion raised potassium excretion and sodium reabsorption until maximal Na,K-ATPase transport rate was reached, as judged from heat production measurements, but not during further increments in urine flow. After inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity by hypokalaemia, potassium excretion and cortical heat production remained constant over a wide range of urine flow and sodium excretion. We conclude that potassium secretion is dependent on intact Na,K-ATPase activity and is stimulated by sodium delivery to the distal nephron until maximal transport rate of the enzyme is reached.     

Phosphorylation of rat kidney proximal tubular brush border membranes

A possible correlation between cyclic-AMP dependent protein phosphorylation and altered sodium dependent transport of inorganic phosphate was analyzed in isolated rat renal proximal tubular brush border membrane vesicles. In transiently opened vesicles (opened by an osmotic shock), the addition of gamma-32P-ATP leads to 32P-incorporation into several membrane proteins. The simultaneous addition of cyclic-AMP leads to increased phosphorylation of several proteins (e.g. apparent molecular weights: 40 kD, 46 kD, 55 kD). The addition of ATP, GTP and ITP to the osmotic shock medium leads to an (non-specific) inhibition of the sodium gradient dependent phosphate uptake. No further inhibition of the sodium dependent phosphate transport was observed when membrane vesicles were phosphorylated by ATP in the presence of cyclic-AMP. These data show a lack of correlation between cyclic-AMP dependent protein phosphorylation and altered sodium gradient dependent phosphate transport. Thus, there is no experimental support for the involvement of cyclic-AMP dependent protein phosphorylation as one of the final events in the regulation of phosphate transport across the rat renal proximal tubular brush border membrane.     

Erythrocyte membrane cation carrier, relapse rate of manic-depressive illness and response to lithium.

Biochemical studies of manic-depressive psychosis usually correlates biochemical findings with current affective state and hence any significant findings could be secondary to mood change. The present study attempts to correlate measures of the erythrocyte membrane cation carrier with clinical events, remote in time from the biochemical assay. Eprythrocyte sodium concentration, ouabain-sensitive potassium influx and Na-K ATPase were estimated in 11 patients before and after the cross-over point in a 2-year double blind clinical trial ratio tended to suffer most episodes of affective illness in the 2 years. Patients who had a low initial Na-K ATPase or a high initial flux sodium ATPase ratio, or in whom this ratio fell most with lithium or whose Na-K ATPase rose most with lithium, clinically responded best to lithium.