A novel N-terminal splice variant of the rat H+-K+-ATPase alpha2 subunit. Cloning, functional expression, and renal adaptive response to chronic hypokalemia

Colonic H+-K+-ATPase is induced and mediates increased HCO3- reabsorption in inner medullary collecting duct in potassium depletion

BACKGROUND

Potassium depletion increases HCO3- reabsorption in outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) by activation of colonic (c) H-K-ATPase (HKA). The purpose of the current experiments was to examine the role of the isoforms of HKA in HCO3- reabsorption by terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells in potassium depletion.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a potassium-free diet and studied after 8 to 10 days. mRNA expression of HKA isoforms in terminal portion of inner medulla was examined and correlated with HCO3- reabsorption in the terminal IMCD.

RESULTS

Gastric (g) HKA mRNA decreased whereas colonic (c) HKA mRNA expression was heavily induced in terminal portion of inner medulla in potassium depleted rats. Net HCO3- flux (JtCO2) in terminal IMCD increased in potassium depletion (4.56 to 7.06 pmol/min/mm tubule length, P < 0.001). In normal rats, 1 mM ouabain in perfusate had no effect on JtCO2, whereas 10 microM Schering 28080 (SCH) decreased JtCO2 to 2.4 (P < 0.002). In KD rats, 1 mM ouabain decreased JtCO2 to 4.9 (P < 0.005) and 10 microM SCH decreased JtCO2 to 3.3 (P < 0.001). However, the inhibitory effects of SCH and ouabain on JtCO2 in potassium depleted animals were not additive.

CONCLUSIONS

The data indicate that gHKA is suppressed whereas cHKA is induced in potassium depletion and mediates increased HCO3- reabsorption in terminal IMCD. The results further indicate that cHKA in vivo is sensitive to both SCH and ouabain.

Dietary K+ restriction upregulates total and Sch-28080-sensitive bicarbonate absorption in rat tIMCD

In tubules from the terminal segment of the inner medullary collecting duct (tIMCD) from rats with chronic metabolic acidosis, our laboratory has shown that bicarbonate absorption (JtCO2) is inhibited by removal of K+ from the luminal fluid or by the addition of Sch-28080 to the perfusate. The present study asked whether total and/or Sch-28080-sensitive JtCO2 is regulated by changes in systemic K+ homeostasis. Rat tIMCD tubules were perfused in vitro in symmetrical, HCO-3/CO2-buffered solutions containing 10 mM KCl + 6 mM NH4Cl. Total and Sch-28080-sensitive JtCO2 were measured in rats with varying K+ intake. In K+-replete rats, baseline JtCO2 was 2.1 +/- 0.3 pmol . mm-1 . min-1 (n = 6). In rats fed a K+-deficient diet for 3 days, JtCO2 was 5.4 +/- 0.7 pmol . mm-1 . min-1 (n = 16, P < 0. 05). To determine the mechanism for the increase in HCO-3 absorption observed with K+ restriction, the Sch-28080-sensitive component of JtCO2 was measured in each treatment group. Following the addition of Sch-28080 (10 microM) to the perfusate, a 40% reduction in JtCO2 was observed in K+-restricted rats. JtCO2 was not reduced following the addition of Sch-28080 in rats with normal K+ intake. Because Sch-28080-sensitive JtCO2 was increased in K+-restricted rats, Sch-28080-sensitive JtCO2 was studied further in tIMCD tubules from rats in this treatment group. In K+-restricted rats, JtCO2 decreased by 20% following the addition of 5 mM ouabain to the perfusate. This ouabain-induced decline in JtCO2 was observed both in the presence and in the absence of Sch-28080. We conclude that total and Sch-28080-sensitive net acid secretion is increased with dietary K+ restriction. However, since approximately 50% of JtCO2 is insensitive to both Sch-28080 and ouabain, future studies will be necessary to define other mechanisms of luminal acidification in the rat tIMCD.

Expression of HKalpha2 protein is increased selectively in renal medulla by chronic hypokalemia

Our laboratory has demonstrated by Northern analysis that chronic hypokalemia increases HKalpha2 (i.e., alpha-subunit of the colonic H+-K+-ATPase) mRNA abundance in the rat. To determine whether the increase in mRNA correlated with an increase in HKalpha2 protein, an antibody was raised against a synthetic peptide derived from amino acids 686-698 of the HKalpha2 sequence. The anti-HKalpha2 antibody hybridized to rat distal colon membranes which migrated at approximately 100 kDa (expected mobility of HKalpha2). HKalpha2 protein was not detected in plasma membranes from rat whole kidney or stomach (100 microg) derived from control animals. The antibody was then used to investigate changes in expression of HKalpha2 in renal cortex, renal medulla, and distal colon in two pathophysiological conditions: 1) chronic hypokalemia (LK) and 2) chronic metabolic acidosis (CMA). In LK rats there was a marked, but selective, increase in the abundance of HKalpha2 protein in membranes prepared from renal medulla. Nevertheless, a corresponding increase in HKalpha2 protein abundance was not observed in membranes prepared from the distal colon of LK rats. HKalpha2 protein abundance in CMA was indistinguishable from controls. Moreover, chronic hypokalemia had no effect on expression of alpha1-Na+-K+-ATPase or HKalpha1 in kidney or distal colon under any experimental condition. Therefore, HKalpha2 protein is tissue- and site-specifically upregulated in response to chronic hypokalemia but not by CMA. Furthermore, this regulatory response is localized to the renal medulla.

Acid-base

Acid-base disorders are common clinical problems resulting from a wide variety of pathophysiological conditions, including newly recognised acquired and genetic causes. The history and physical examination and measurement of blood and urinary indices allow identification of the underlying cause of these disorders in most cases. Treatment directed at correction of electrolyte abnormalities and the underlying cause for the disorder is essential for preventing the acute and long-term metabolic consequences of acid-base derangements.