The control by internal calcium of membrane permeability to sodium and potassium

Influence of pH and sodium on the inhibition of guinea-pig heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by calcium

The inhibition of guinea-pig heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase EC 3.6.1.3) by calcium has been studied at pH 7.4, 6.8 and 6.4. 1. A decrease in pH reduced the threshold inhibitory concentration of calcium and the calcium concentration producing an inhibition of 50% of the enzyme activity. 2. Calcium reduced the apparent affinity of the enzyme of Na+, this effect occurred only at pH 7.4. 3. Calcium increased the apparent affinity of the enzyme for K+, this effect was enhanced at acidic pH. 4. Activation of the enzyme by Na+ for a constant Na+ : K+ ratio has been studied at pH 7.4 and at pH 6.8 in the absence and in the presence of 3.10(-4) M Ca 2+; the results of this experiment indicate that Ca2+ effect at pH 7.4 was not influenced by Na+ -- K+ competition and was probably due to a Na+ -- Ca2+ interaction. 5. At pH 7.4, the calcium inhibitory threshold concentration and the concentration producing 50% inhibition were reduced when Na+ was low; at pH 6.8, the calcium inhibition was not markedly modified by the change of Na+ concentration. 6. The Ca2+ -activated ATPase of myosin B which is related to the contractile behaviour of muscle and the Ca2+ -ATPase of the sarcoplasmic reticulum which is related to the ability of this structure to accumulate calcium were activated in a range of calcium concentration producing an inhibition of (Na2+ + K+) -ATPase. The present results indicate that the increase by acidity of the (Na2+ + K+) -ATPase sensitivity to calcium might be due to a suppression of a Na+ -Ca2+ interaction. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that calcium might inhibit the Na+ -pump during the repolarization phase of the action potential and that, by this effect, it might control cell excitability.

Transport parameters and stoichiometry of active calcium ion extrusion in intact human red cells

Ca2+-transport and its energy consumption were studied in intact human red cells loaded with Ca2+ by the aid of the ionophore A23187. After the complete elimination of the ionophore the passive Ca2+-permeability of the membrane returned to its normal low value, except when the intracellular Ca2+-concentration was higher than 3 mM or the ATP level fell below 100 muM. Within these limits the rate of Ca2+-extrusion was independent of the cellular ATP content but was greatly enhanced by increasing [Ca2+]i and reached a plateau at about 1 mM intracellular Ca2+-concentration. The maximum rate of Ca2+-efflux was about 85 mumol/l of cells per min at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4. The activation energy of active Ca2+-extrusion was found to be 15 200 cal/mol, and the optimum pH in the suspension was 7.7. Ca2+-efflux was not connected with the counter-transport of cations. The Ca2+-pump was not affected by ouabain or oligomycin and only partial inhibition could be achieved by the SH-reagents: ethacrynic acid, N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate or with propranolol and ruthenium red. An 80 to 95% inhibition of the active Ca2+-extrusion was brought about by 50-250 muM lanthanum, which in the above concentrations caused no aggregation or haemolysis. The inhibition of the Ca2+-pump by lanthanum was found to be reversible, the site of inhibition being at the external surface of the cell membrane. To examine the energy consumption of the Ca2+-extrusion, ATPase activity was assessed by measuring inorganic phosphate liberation in Ca2+-loaded red cells the metabolism of which was inhibited by iodoacetamide + Na+-tetrathionate. Ca2+-activated ATPase activity connected with the Ca2+-pump was distinguished from other Ca2+-ATPases by using the non-penetrating inhibitor, lanthanum. The molar ratio of Ca2+-transported per ATP split was found to be 2 : 1.

On the nature of the transport pathway used for Ca-dependent K movement in human red blood cells

This paper is concerned with the mechanism by which energy-depleted human red cells become permeable to K (but not to Na) when they are exposed to Ca. In an attempt to distinguish a diffusion from a mediated process competitive type effects of different ions and their sidedness of action on K transport are considered as well as the action of certain transport inhibitors. While the nature of the interactions implies the involvement of a mediated process (perhaps an altered form of the Na:K pump apparatus) more direct evidence will be needed to make a definitive assessment.

The alteration by ouabain of calcium movements in human red cell ghosts

1. The influence of ouabain on net Ca movements was studied in human erythrocyte ghosts by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. 2. Ouabain (10(-5) M) showed a dual effect, altering both entry and exit of Ca from K-rich ghosts incubated in a high-Na medium in the presence of 10 mM-Ca. 3. Stimulation of Ca entry was observed in the first 15 min at 37 degrees C, whereas during the subsequent 15 min incubation ouabain elicited Ca extrusion. This latter effect was eliminated when the ouabain concentration was raised to 1 mM. 4. Ouabain-dependent Ca movements were abolished by replacing both internal K and external Na with choline. They were also absent from ghosts prepared at a high lytic ratio (1 : 100) or obtained from ATP-depleted cells. 5. A moderate increase in cell ATP enhanced the effect of ouabain on Ca efflux whilst it was eliminated at higher ATP levels. 6. The actions of ouabain markedly depended on the initial ADP/ATP ratio in ghosts, being optimal at about 2-5. 7. The results suggest that the effects of ouabain on Ca movements are mediated through the Na pump. Reversal of this pump in Na-rich K-free medium may provide the energy for active Ca transport.

Voltage-clamp analysis of a self-inhibitory synaptic potential in the buccal ganglia of Aplysia

1. In cholinergic neurones BL4, BL5, BR4, and BR5 of Aplysia buccal ganglia, each action potential is followed, in the same cell, by a curare- and high-Mg-sensitive hyperpolarizing after-potential which is enhanced by Ca. 2. In voltage-clamped neurons, substracting currents recorded in curare from currents recorded in sea water reveals that this potential is due to curare-sensitive currents which rise to a peak, then decay exponentially with an apparently voltage-independent time constant of 43 msec. Currents are produced by a voltage-independent, Ca-enhanced, conductance change with a 0-26 mumho peak and a -64 mV reversal potential. The curare-sensitive conductance is also sensitive to high Mg. 3. Both after-potential and curare- or Mg-sensitive current follow each action potential without failures, even in threshold-raising 80 mM-Ca-144-mM-Mg solutions. 4. Both after-potential and current decrease with repetitive firing or short inter-spike interval, possibly due to receptor desensitization. 5. The Mg- and curare-sensitive conductance is also blocked by 1 mM-ACh. 6. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the hyperpolarization following action potentials in each of these four neurones is produced by a self-inhibitory synaptic mechanism.

Ca binding to the human red cell membrane: characterization of membrane preparations and binding sites

Inside out and right side out vesicles were used to study the sidedness of Ca binding to the human red cell membrane. It was shown that these vesicles exhibited only a limited permeability to Ca, enabling the independent characterization of Ca binding to the extracellular and cytoplasmic membrane surfaces...

Role of membrane-bound Ca in ghost permeability to Na and K

The permeability of red cell ghosts to K is determined by the amount of membrane-bound Mg which, in turn, depends on internal Mg. Contrasting with such effect, an increase in cellular Ca raises K permeability. To test whether this action is due to a competitive displacement of membrane Mg, the free Ca content of human red cell ghosts was altered by means of Ca-EGTA buffers. Net Na and K movements as well as Ca and Mg bindings were assessed after incubation in a Na-medium at 37 degrees C. Raising Ca from 3 X 10(-7) to 1 X 10(-2) M caused a large K efflux with very little Na gain. Under similar conditions, Ca binding was increased without affecting membrane-bound Mg. Both Ca binding and K loss were markedly diminished by either adding ATP to the hemolytic medium or increasing internal Mg at a fixed Ca concentration. A Scatchard analysis showed three Ca binding sites, two of them having high affinity. It is concluded that Ca action does not arise from a displacement of membrane-bound Mg but from binding to different sites in the membrane. Presumably, high affinity sites are involved in the control of K permeability.

Relationship between internal calcium and outward current in mammalian ventricular muscle; a mechanism for the control of the action potential duration?

In sheep and calf ventricular bundles, increasing the internal calcium by increasing the frequency of voltage-clamping to plateau range potentials increased the time-independent outward current. This effect was more marked with higher [Ca]o, and was reduced if the Ca current blockers Verapamil or D 600 were used. 2. If the internal Ca was increased by the addition of cyanide and reduction of external sodium the outward current was also increased. The frequency-dependent increase in outward current also occurred in this Na-poor (12 mM) solution. 3. Tension measurement on the ventricular bundles showed that a Na-free solution with cyanide did not cause a contracture. On changing from Tyrode to a Na-free solution containing cyanide, and on changing back to Tyrode there was a potentiation of the twitch. 4. In Na-poor solution with cyanide, although no contracture was found, ECa was less positive, suggesting that under these circumstances Ca accumulates at the inner side of the membrane, but not around the myofibrils. 5. The prolongation of the action potential in Cl-free solution is frequency-dependent. A greater prolongation is seen at lower frequencies suggesting that Cl current is relatively more important for repolarization at lower frequencies of stimulation. 6. It is suggested that calcium at the inner side of the membrane sets the level of the background outward current. A feed-back mechanism on this basis is proposed for the control of the action potential duration. Various factors that could influence this basic mechanism are discussed.

Differential effects of hypoxia with age on the chick embryonic heart. Changes in membrane potential, intracellular K and Na, K efflux and glycogen

The effects of hypoxia on different parameters of cell membrane function were studied in 7 and 19 day chick embryonic hearts. The following changes were observed: 1. Transmembrane potential: A depolarization of the cell membrane and a decrease in the duration and in the overshoot of the action potential. 2. Intracellular ion concentrations: A decrease in (K)i and an increase in (Na)i. Cellular Ca-content remained constant. 3. K efflux: An increase in the rate coefficient, which was larger in stimulated preparations. These changes were more pronounced in 19 day than in 7 day hearts. The effects of hypoxia were increased by simultaneous substrate depletion and counteracted by an excess external glucose. We conclude that: 1. The 19 day hearts are more sensitive to oxygen lack than the 7 day hearts. The difference can be correlated with the observation that the younger hearts are able to consume more glycogen during hypoxia. 2. The changes of the resting membrane potential and the overshoot of the action potential correlate with changes in respectively (K)i and (Na)i. 3. An increase in the background K current may be an important factor in explaining the shortening of the action potential during hypoxia.

Disposition and metabolism of [3H]cocaine in acutely and chronically treated dogs

1. Beagle dogs were chronically treated with cocaine, 5 mg/kg subcutaneously twice daily for 6 weeks, followed by same dose of [3H]cocaine given intravenously. 2. The t1/2 values of cocaine in plasma, liver, spleen and heart, in acutely and chronically treated dogs, were: 1-2, 1-1; 2-2, 1-8; 1-8, 1-3; 2-0, 1-2 h, respectively. In both groups, cocaine disappeared from all areas of the central nervous system 12-24 h after injection but significant amounts of radioactivity due to benzoylnorecgonine and benzoylecgonine persisted in the CNS even 1 week after administration of cocaine. Brain-to-plasma ratios of cocaine were lower in chronically-treated than in acutely-treated dogs 2 and 4 h after injection. 3. Norcocaine, benzoylnorecgonine, benzoylecgonine and ecgonine were metabolites of cocaine in dog brain in both groups. Norcocaine and benzoylnorecgonine were present in higher amounts in brains of chronically treated dogs. Rate of disappearance of norcocaine was similar to cocaine in both groups. 4. The amounts of cocaine excreted in urine and faeces as percentage of dose were 0-9-5-0, 1-1-6 in the acute and 2-2-3-3 and 0-2-0-3 in the chronically treated dogs. Major excretion of radiactivity occurred in urine within 24 h in both groups. Total radioactivity (65% of dose) in urine plus faeces was similar in both groups. 5. Norcocaine, benzoylnorecgonine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine, norecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester and unidentified compounds were urinary metabolites of cocaine in both groups. Benzoylnorecgonine and ecgonine were excreted in higher amounts and benzoylecgonine and norecgonine in lower amounts in the acute than in the chronically treated dogs. 6. The possible role of persistence of benzoylnorecgonine and benzoylecgonine (which possessed potent stimulant activity intracisternally) in the CNS is discussed.

Permeability of a cell junction and the local cytoplasmic free ionized calcium concentration: a study with aequorin

A technique is devised to determine the spatial distribution of the free ionized cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) inside a cell: Chironomus salivary gland cells are loaded with aequorin, and hte Ca2+-dependent light emission of the aequorin is scanned with an image-intensifier/television system. With this technique, the [Ca2+]i is determined simultaneously with junctional electrical coupling when Ca2+ is microinjected into the cells, or when the cells are exposed to metabolic inhibitors, Ca-transporting ionophores, or Ca-free medium. Ca microinjections elevating the [Ca2+]i in the junctional locale produce depression of junctional membrane conductance. When the [Ca2+]i elevation is confined to the vicinity of one cell junction, the conductance of that junction alone is depressed; other junctions of the same cell are not affected. The depression sets in as the [Ca2+]i rises in the junctional locale, and reverses after the [Ca2+]i falls to baseline. When the [Ca2+]i elevation is diffuse throughout the cell, the conductances of all junctions of the cell are depressed. The Ca injections produce no detectable [Ca2+]i elevations in cells adjacent to the injected one; the Ca-induced change in junctional membrane permeability seems fast enough to block appreciable transjunctional flow of Ca2+. Control injections of Cl- or K+ do not affect junctional conductance. The Ca injections that elevate [Ca2+]i sufficiently to depress junctional conductance also produce under the usual conditions an increase in nonjunctional membrane conductance and, hence, depolarization. But injections that elevate [Ca2+]i at the junction while largely avoiding nonjunctional membrane cause depression of junctional conductance with little or no depolarization. Moreover, elevations of [Ca2+]i in cells clamped near resting potential produce the depression, too. On the other hand, complete depolarization in K medium does not produce the depression, unless accompanied by [Ca2+]i elevation. Thus, the depolarization is neither necessary nor sufficient for depression of junctional conductance. Treatment with cyanide, dinitrophenol and ionophores X537A or A23187 produces diffuse elevation of [Ca2+]i associated with depression of junctional conductance. Prolonged exposure to Ca-free medium leads to fluctuation in [Ca2+]i where rise and fall of [Ca2+]i correlate respectively with fall and rise in junctional conductance.

Effects of sympathomimetic amines on 45Ca efflux from liver slices

The efflux of 45Ca from slices of guinea-pig and rabbit liver is greatly increased by alpha-adrenoceptor agonists. Isoprenaline is much less effective. The effects of these agents on the efflux of 45Ca mirror their actions on 42K loss and suggest that the two may be related. Glucose release from both rabbit and guinea-pig liver slices is increased to a similar extent by either alpha- or beta-receptor agonists. The possible relationship between Ca and K movements and the production of glucose is discussed.

Salicylate-induced injury of pyruvate-kinase-deficient erythrocytes

Salicylate is known to uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Since the viability of pyruvate-kinase-deficient reticulocytes depends on ATP generated by mitochondrial metabolism, this study examined the effects of salicylate on erythrocytes deficient in pyruvate kinase. When deficient erythrocytes from patients with severe hemolysis were incubated with salicylate (2 to 30 mg per deciliter), there was a marked decrease (25 to 75 percent) in ATP. In addition, this drug-induced ATP depletion produced cell potassium and water loss, and the normal oxidant responsiveness of the hexose-monophosphate shunt was blunted. Since these cellular abnormalities are associated with accelerated hemolysis in vivo, the data suggest that aspirin therapy may aggravate hemolysis in patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency whose erythrocyte manifest sensitivity to salicylate in vitro.

The preparation of human red cell ghosts containing calcium buffers

1. Ca buffers may be introduced into human red cells by reversible haemolysis. The resealed ghosts retain Ca and chelating anions in the same ratio as in the haemolysing solution, enabling the intracellular Ca2+ concentration to be calculated simply. 2. The passive permeability of the ghosts to Na and Cl is unaffected by intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in the 10(-8)-10(-4) M range, whereas the K permeability is greatly increased at concentrations above 10(-7) M. 3. These preparations enable Ca-dependent K movements to be studied under stable conditions. When the ghosts contain about 5 X 10(-6) M-Ca2+, over 96% of K transport occurs via the Ca-sensitive route.

Calcium-dependent potassium exchange in human red cell ghosts

1. The properties of the Ca-dependent K transport system of human red cell ghosts have been examined under equilibrium exchange conditions. 2. K transport is stimulated half-maximally by about 0-4muM-Ca2i+ or 5muM-Sr2i+, but much higher concentrations of Ba2i+ give only slight stimulation. Mg is a weak antagonist to Ca. 3. The free Ca2+ concentration in human red cells is estimated to be below 0-25muM. 4. The curve relating the rate of K transport to the intracellular Ca2+ concentration is complicated and suggests that internal Ca acts at three or more sites. 5. K, Rb and possibly Cs ions are transported by the Ca-dependent system. Under comparable conditions the relative rates are 1(K):1-5(Rb): less than 0-05(Cs). 6. No Ca-dependent transport of Na, Li or choline could be detected. If Na is transported, it must be at less than 1/40 of the rate of K. 7. The rate of K transport is almost linearly related to the K concentration in the 0-200 mM range, but the curve is sigmoid close to the origin. 8. Intracellular, but not extracellular Na inhibits K transport, in a way that suggests competition with K at more than one site. 9. These results suggest that the transport system has a complex mechanism.

Effect of calcium on the membrane potential of Amphiuma red cells

An increase in extracellular Ca concentration causes the membrane of giant red cells of the salamander, Amphiuma means, to undergo a marked, transient hyperpolarization. This hyperpolarization is caused by an increase in K permeability of the membrane as judged from the K sensitivity of the membrane potential and from the rate of K loss under influence of raised extracellular Ca concentration. At constant external pH, the induction of hyperpolarization by increased extracellular Ca has a relatively well-defined threshold concentration. Furthermore the phenomenon is of an "all or none" type with most of the cells having membrane potential values either in the normal range (about -15 mV) or in the range -40 to -70mV. Shortly after suspension in Ringer's with 15 mm Ca, most if not all of the individual cells are hyperpolarized. Upon continued exposure (5-20 min) to the higher Ca concentration the membrane potential returns to the normal value in a fashion compatible with an "all or none" response. The observed Ca effect is sensitive to the pH of the suspending medium. At pH 6.2 the response is absent whereas the hyperpolarization is markedly stronger at pH 8.2 than at PH 7.2. It is argued that a reliable transport number for K under influence of Ca cannot be estimated from the slope of membrane potential vs. log (extracellular K concentration). This is probably related to the fact that the membrane potentials of the cells in the population do not stay constant in time. The above phenomenon is compared with the Ca-induced K permeability in poisoned human red cells or red cell ghosts. It is important to note that the cells employed in the present study are neither poisoned nor mechanically disrupted. This study emphasizes that the role of Ca in regulating cell membrane permeability to K seems to be a general feature.

Calcium-potassium-stimulated net potassium efflux from human erythrocyte ghosts

In the presence of 8 mM external Ca++, the K+ permeability of human red cell ghosts increases provided K+ is also present in the medium. This increase does not represent K+/K+ exchange but a stimulation of net K+ efflux. The stimulation is half-maximal at 0.7 +/- 0.15 mM (n=5). At concentrations above 4.0 mM, external K+ inhibits net K+ efflux. Similar stimulatory and inhibitory effects of external K were also observed in intact cells after exposure to Pb++ or to Ca++ in the presence of fluoride, iodoacetate plus adenosine, or propranolol, suggesting that a common K+ -activated K+ -specific transfer system may be involved under all of these various circumstances. Internal K+ also stimulates net K+ efflux from ghosts, but it is uncertain whether internal K+ is an absolute requirement for the K+ permeability increase. In contrast to external Na+ which slightly stimulates K+ efflux, internal Na+ inhibits. The inhibition by internal Na+ is abolished by sufficiently high concentrations of external K+, showing that K+ binding to the outer membrane surface and Na+ binding to the internal surface are mutually interdependent. In red cell ghosts the Ca++ -K+ -stimulated net K+ efflux increases with increasing pH until a plateau is reached between pH 7.2 and 8.0. In fluoride-poisoned intact cells, the Ca++-K+ stimulated flux passes through a maximum around pH 6.8. Neither internal nor external Mg++ interferes with the combined effects of Ca++ and K+. Similarly, external EDTA has no influence at concentrations which are far lower than the Ca++ concentration required to produce a maximal response. In contrast, low concentrations of internal EDTA prevent the permeability change.

Spontaneous and induced membrane hyperpolarizations in macrophages

The electrophysiological properties of guinea pig peritoneal macrophages cultured in vitro were studied using standard intracellular recording techniques. The mean transmembrane potential, input resistance and time constant recorded from these cells were -13.1 mV, 143 Mohms, and 18 msec respectively. The majority of macrophages exhibited spontaneous hyperpolarizations (HA) of 4-8 seconds in duration and 10-50 mV in amplitude. Mouse peritoneal macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages manifested similar HA. HA could be induced by either mechanical stimulation or application of hyperpolarizing currents of 2-8 namps. HA had a mean reversal potential of -53 mV. Increasing the extracellular [K+] 10-fold resulted in a 50 mV shift in reversal potential. Addition of EGTA (1.5 mM) inhibited both spontaneous and evoked macrophage HA in the presence of excess Mg++. The divalent cation ionophore, A23187 induced prolongation of HA at low concentration (0.6 X 10(-6) M) and resulted in sustained hyperpolarization at higher concentration (2.0 X 10(-6) M). Addition to EGTA to cells treated with A23187 abolished HA. These data indicate that: (1) cultured macrophages from a variety of species exhibit spontaneous and induced HA, (2) development of HA is related to an increase in membrane permeability to K+, and (3) Ca++ may regulate the spontaneous and evoked electrical activity of the macrophage membrane presumably by affecting K+ permeability.

Calcium and pancreatic secretion-dynamics of subcellur calcium pools in resting and stimulated acinar cells

1 Pulse-chase experiments were carried out on pancreatic tissue lobules incubated in vitro, with 45Ca as the tracer, in order to shed some light on the functional significance of the calcium pools associated with the various cell organelles of the acinar cell, especially in relation to stimulus-secretion coupling. 2 The kinetics of tracer uptake and release which were observed in the intact lobules suggest the existence of a number of intracellular pools, whose rate of exchange is slower than that across teh plasmalemma. 3 The various subcellular fractions accumulate the tracer in different amounts: some (rough microsomes and postmicrosomal supernatant) showed little radioactivity and some (smooth microsomes and zymogen granule membranes) were heavily labelled; mitochondria and zymogen granules showed intermediate values. 4 The fractions are heterogeneous also in relation to the time course of uptake and release of the tracer: in rough and smooth microsomes and, especially, in the postmicrosomal supernatant both rates were fast; zymogen granules and zymogen granule membranes showed slow rates of uptake and little release during chase; intermediate rates were found in mitochondria. 5 In agreement with previous findings we observed that in 45Ca preloaded lobules, stimulation of secretion (brought about by the secretagogue polypeptide caerulein) results in an increase of the tracer release which seems to be due primarily to the rise of the intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ and to the consequent increase of the transmembrane Ca2+ efflux. Among the cell fractions isolated from stimulated lobules only the mitochondria exhibited a significantly lower 45Ca level relative to the unstimulated controls. 6 It is concluded that, of the organelle-bound calcium pools, that associated with the mitochondria might be involved in the regulation of the calcium-dependent functions, including stimulus-secretion coupling; the calcium associated with the zymogen granule content probably has a role in the architecture of the organelle and in the functionality of the pancreatic juice, while the calcium bound to the membrane of the granules might be concerned with the regulation of its permeability properties.

Comparative study of the effects of propranolol and tetracaine on cation movements in resealed human red cell ghosts

1. The effects of two positively charged local anaesthetic amines, tetracaine and propranolol, on cation permeability were studied in resealed human red cell ghosts prepared from metabolically depleted erythrocytes. 2. The K permeability was reduced by tetracaine but increased by propranolol. The effect of tetracaine was independent of extracellular Ca concentration but was raised to 2-5 x 10(-7) M. The effect of propranolol, which was enhanced when the external Ca concentration was raised, could be completely inhibited by lowering the internal free Ca to less than 10(-7) M. 3. Propranolol, but not tetracaine, increased the intracellular Ca ion concentration by releasing up to 20% of the membrane-bound Ca to the cell interior. This increase in intracellular Ca was sufficient to mediate the observed change in K permeability. 4. Tetracaine and propranolol reduced the Ca binding capacity of the ghost membrane by about 20 and 40% respectively. The Ca permeability was increased by propranolol and was slightly reduced by tetracaine. 5. In high concentrations (2-7 mM) propranolol by itself moderately increased K and Na permeability, but supressed completely the Ca-induced increase in K permeability. Tetracaine in concentrations up to 4 mM enhanced the Ca-induced increase in K permeability. Higher concentrations of the drug caused lysis of the cells. 6. Maximally effective concentrations of tetracaine and propranolol inhibited the ATP-dependent Ca outward transport by 30 and 70% respectively. 7. The effects of tetracaine on K permeability were shared by the local anaesthetics prilocaine and lidocaine, those of propranolol were shared by practolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist and tetraethylammonium, a ganglionic blocking agent. 8. It is suggested that the differences in the effects of tetracaine and propranolol on cation permeability reflect qualitatively different interactions of the two drugs with Ca binding sites on the inner surface of the membrane.

Pancreatic acinar cells: ionic dependence of acetylcholine-induced membrane potential and resistance change

1. Intracellular recordings of membrane potential, input resistance and time constant have been made in vitro from the exocrine acinar cells of the mouse pancreas using glass micro-electrodes. The acinar cells were stimulated by acetylcholine (ACh). In some cases ACh was simply directly added to the tissue superfusion bath, in other experiments ACh was applied locally to pancreatic acini by micro-iontophoresis. 2. Current-voltage relations were investigated by injecting rectangular de- or hyperpolarizing current pulses through the recording micro-electrode. Within a relatively wide range (-20 to -70 mV) there was a linear relation between injected current and change in membrane potential. The slope of such linear curves corresponded to an input resistance of about 3-8 M omega. The membrane time constant was about 5-10 msec. 3. ACh depolarized the cell membrane and caused a marked reduction of input resistance and time constant. The minimum latency of the ACh-induced depolarization (microiontophoretic application) was 100-300 msec. Maximal depolarization was about 20 mV. The effect of this local ACh application was abolished by atropine (1-4 x 10-6 M). The blocking effect of atropine was fully reversible. 4. Stimulating with ACh during the passage of large depolarizing current pulses made it possible simultaneously to observe the effect of ACh at two different levels of resting potential (RP). At the spontaneous RP of about minus 40 mV ACh evoked a depolarization of usual magnitude (15-20 mV) while at the artificially displaced level of about -10 mV a small hyperpolarization (about 5 mV) was observed. It therefore appears that the reversal potential of the transmitter equilibrium potential is about -20 mV. 5. Replacement of the superfusion fluid C1 by sulphate or methylsulphate caused an initial short-lasting depolarization, thereafter the normal resting potential was reassumed...

Long-term effect of ouabain and sodium pump inhibition on a neuronal membrane

1. The long-term effects of ouabain on the membrane potential of the Anisodoris giant neurone (G cell) were examined in cells maintained for periods of up to 15 hr at 11-13 degrees C.2. In the presence of ouabain (5 x 10(-4)M), the membrane potential depolarized to a constant level for 1-4 hr, then hyperpolarized for 5-7 hr after which it gradually depolarized again.3. During the hyperpolarizing phase, after 6-8 hr in ouabain, [K](1) fell approximately 50%, [Na](1) increased 50-100% and the P(Na)/P(K) ratio decreased to 25% of its initial value.4. After 8 hr in ouabain the membrane conductance increased two- to fourfold. This increase was independent of temperature and membrane rectification.5. The K permeability (P(K)) was calculated from the constant field equation, and showed a fourfold increase after long-term treatment with ouabain. This rise in P(K) probably underlies the membrane hyperpolarization and the decrease in the P(Na)/P(K) ratio.6. It is suggested that inhibition of the Na(+) pump with ouabain causes a gradual rise in [Na](1) which secondarily leads to Ca(2+) uptake, an increase in [Ca](1), and thereby an increase in P(K).

Membrane potential and resistance measurement in acinar cells from salivary glands in vitro: effect of acetylcholine

1. Cell membrane potential and input resistance measurements were made on segments of submaxillary glands from mice, rabbits or cats placed in a tissue bath, which was perfused with physiological salt solutions.2. During exposure to a standard Krebs-Henseleit solution, ACh stimulation always evoked a marked decrease in input resistance and time constant. The change in potential evoked by ACh stimulation was either a monophasic hyperpolarization (low resting potential) or a depolarization followed by hyperpolarization (high resting potential).3. Increasing [Ca](o) from 2.56 to 10 mM resulted in an enhanced input resistance. Under this condition it was sometimes possible to obtain current-voltage relations. The relationship was linear in the range -50 to -10 mV. In the absence of extracellular Ca the resting potential was reduced and ACh mostly evoked hyperpolarizations. In those cases when the resting potential remained high biphasic potentials were still observed.4. During exposure to Na-free solutions the resting potential was either unchanged or slightly enhanced. ACh never evoked biphasic potentials, but always large hyperpolarizations.5. In the first period (1 hr) after exposure to a K-free solution ACh normally evoked very large hyperpolarizations, often to more than -100 mV. After several hours of exposure to K-free solution the input resistance gradually increased and ACh evoked a tremendous fall in input resistance and time constant with only a small potential change. Re-introducing control solution, ([K](o) = 4.7) for a short period at this stage, caused a very marked hyperpolarization (about 30 mV) unaccompanied by a change in input resistance and time constant.6. Replacing extracellular Cl by SO(4) hyperpolarized the cell membrane. ACh mostly evoked hyperpolarization under this condition, but occasionally biphasic potentials were observed. Increasing [K] of the sulphate solution depolarized the cell membrane by about 49 mV per tenfold increase in [K]. In the presence of ACh the membrane behaved as a K-selective membrane with a slope of the linear curve relating membrane potential to [K](o) of 59 mV per tenfold increase in [K](o).7. It is concluded that ACh evokes a marked increase in surface cell membrane permeability of salivary acinar cells. The ACh evoked hyperpolarization is due to an increase in P(K): the depolarization frequently preceding the hyperpolarization is probably mainly related to an increase in P(Na). The membrane Na-K pump can act electrogenically at least under conditions of Na loading.

The influx of calcium ions into human erythrocytes during cold storage. The influences of extracellular pH, intracellular adenosine triphosphate and efflux of univalent cations

1. When human erythrocytes are stored at 3 degrees C for several days as a suspension in iso-osmotic sucrose or KCl, containing CaCl(2), the rates of cellular ATP degradation are similar. 2. During cold storage of erythrocytes in sucrose-CaCl(2) medium, Ca(2+) influx and univalent-cation efflux occur, the pH value of the suspending medium rises and the intracellular pH falls. These pH changes correlate reasonably well with alterations in the membrane potential calculated from Cl(-) distribution. 3. The presence of Ca(2+) in the medium does not increase the rate of univalent-cation efflux from the cells. 4. When the pH of the medium is raised by addition of buffers, the rates of both Ca(2+) influx and univalent-cation efflux increase. 5. Replacement of sucrose by KCl as the main osmotic component of the medium completely suppresses Ca(2+) influx and univalent-cation efflux, although the pH of the KCl medium is higher than that of the sucrose medium. 6. When sucrose is replaced by choline chloride, Ca(2+) influx and univalent-cation efflux still occur, and the pH of the medium is similar to that found in iso-osmotic KCl. 7. When valinomycin, Pb(2+) or Cd(2+) are added to the iso-osmotic sucrose medium, the rate of efflux of univalent cations increases as also does the influx of Ca(2+). 8. From these and other observations, it was concluded that it is univalent-cation efflux rather than ATP depletion or elevated extracellular pH which is the prerequisite for Ca(2+) influx during cold storage.

Control of membrane N+ permeability in a hyperpolarizing photoreceptor: similar effect of light and metabolic inhibitors

In the hyperpolarizing photoreceptors of the scallop Pecten irradians the metabolic inhibitors cyani 'e and 2,4-dinitrophenol cause a rapid hyperpolarization and increase in membrane permeability to potassium ions, similar to the effect of light. Cellular metabolism appears important in maintaining the low permeability to potassium ions necessary to keep the membrane depolarized in darkness, possibly by regulating the intracellular calcium ion concentration.

Some limitations of the double sucrose gap, and its use in a study of the slow outward current in mammalian ventricular muscle

1. A double sucrose gap method to clamp small bundles (diameter 0.8-1.2 mm) of sheep or calf ventricular fibres is described.2. Comparison between micro-electrode recordings from the central gap and the externally recorded potentials showed good agreement between the time course and amplitude of the action potentials. The rapid sodium inward current was not controlled on depolarizing clamp steps. On repolarization, control was obtained within 20 msec. The method is regarded as only suitable for a study of slow currents.3. During clamps of several seconds duration slow changes in outward current can be demonstrated. The potential, where the instantaneous current-voltage relationship crosses the voltage axis, shifted in a positive direction as the clamp duration was increased (clamp amplitude constant), and did not alter much if the clamp amplitude was increased while the duration remained constant. For these reasons it is concluded that K ions accumulate round the cells.4. A comparison between the instantaneous current-voltage relationship in various K solutions and after a depolarizing clamp, showed that an increase in external K could not exactly mimic the changes during a clamp. Because of this, a conductance change, unrelated to accumulation, is also postulated.5. To measure the influence of the slowly increasing outward current during an action potential, slowly increasing inward current (to reduce net outward current) was applied during an action potential and the prolongation of the action potential measured. In the same experiment the increase in outward current during a clamp in a solution with tetrodotoxin and Mn was measured. From these experiments it is concluded that the slow increase in outward current does not contribute much to repolarization in sheep or calf.6. Equations are derived for the voltage distribution and leakage current in the double sucrose gap. From the equations it is possible to calculate an optimal gap width. Too small a gap causes the membrane current to be swamped by the leakage current. Too wide a gap gives unequal potential distribution.

Investigation of the accompaniment of calcium during active calcium transport from human erythrocyte ghosts

To determine whether a cell metabolite was involved in active calcium transport, the cell contents of human erythrocytes were subjected to high dilutions and the resultant ghosts were checked for their ability to actively transport calcium. It was found that the diluted erythrocyte ghosts did retain their capacity to actively transport calcium and that the characteristics of this transport process appeared to be unaltered by the high dilutions. Calcium analysis of the cell membrane and cell supernatant indicated that almost all of the calcium was lost from the cell solution rather than the cell membrane as active calcium transport proceeded. Therefore it appeared that calcium was able to cross the cell membrane without the aid of a cell metabolite. Investigations with layered erythrocytes indicated that the active transport of calcium was not assisted by centrifugation. Neither inorganic phosphate, pyrophosphate, nor an adenine nucleotide appeared to accompany calcium across the membrane as indicated by total phosphate and inorganic phosphate analysis and 260-nm readings of the deproteinized supernatant.

Electrophoretic separation of different phophosproteins associated with Ca-ATPase and Na, K-ATPase in human red cell ghosts

Ca has been found to increase the quantity of (32)P incorporated into red cell ghosts from [gamma-(32)P]ATP over the levels obtained by incubation with Mg alone or with Mg + Na, in correlation with the effect of Ca on the associated ATPase activities. When the (32)P-labeled ghosts were solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and electrophoresed on acrylamide gels only two bands could be detected either by autoradiography or by counting the sliced gels. The faster moving band (P-2) had the same mobility and the same molecular weight (103,000) as the phosphoprotein found either with Mg alone or with Mg + Na. The slower moving band (P-1) was not found in extensively washed ghosts labeled in the absence of Ca. The molecular weight of P-1 is approximately 150,000. P-1 like P-2 was not affected by pretreatment of intact cells with Pronase before labeling indicating that neither the phosphorylating mechanism nor the phosphoprotein are accessible to externally applied Pronase. The demonstration that a Ca-phosphoprotein is separable from the Na-stimulated phosphoprotein suggests that the Ca-ATPase is distinct from and independent of the Na,K-ATPase. The fact that Ca blocks the dephosphorylation by K of the Na-phosphoprotein indicates that caution is required in interpreting results when the activities of the different phosphoproteins have not been separately determined.