Characterization of Cl- transport in vacuolar membrane vesicles using a Cl(-)-sensitive fluorescent probe: reaction kinetic models for voltage- and concentration-dependence of Cl- flux

Transport processes of solutes across the vacuolar membrane of higher plants

The central vacuole is the largest compartment of a mature plant cell and may occupy more than 80% of the total cell volume. However, recent results indicate that beside the large central vacuole, several small vacuoles may exist in a plant cell. These vacuoles often belong to different classes and can be distinguished either by their contents in soluble proteins or by different types of a major vacuolar membrane protein, the aquaporins. Two vacuolar proton pumps, an ATPase and a PPase energize vacuolar uptake of most solutes. The electrochemical gradient generated by these pumps can be utilized to accumulate cations by a proton antiport mechanism or anions due to the membrane potential difference. Uptake can be catalyzed by channels or by transporters. Growing evidence shows that for most ions more than one transporter/channel exist at the vacuolar membrane. Furthermore, plant secondary products may be accumulated by proton antiport mechanisms. The transport of some solutes such as sucrose is energized in some plants but occurs by facilitated diffusion in others. A new class of transporters has been discovered recently: the ABC type transporters are directly energized by MgATP and do not depend on the electrochemical force. Their substrates are organic anions formed by conjugation, e.g. to glutathione. In this review we discuss the different transport processes occurring at the vacuolar membrane and focus on some new results obtained in this field.

Acidification of lysosomes and endosomes

Lysosomes, endosomes, and a variety of other intracellular organelles are acidified by a family of unique proton pumps, termed the vacuolar H(+)-ATPases, that are evolutionarily related to bacterial membrane proton pumps and the F1-F0 H(+)-ATPases that catalyze ATP synthesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts. The electrogenic vacuolar H(+)-ATPase is responsible for generating electrical and chemical gradients across organelle membranes with the magnitude of these gradients ultimately determined by both proton pump regulatory mechanisms and, more importantly, associated ion and organic solute transporters located in vesicle membranes. Analogous to Na+, K(+)-ATPase on the cell membrane, the vacuolar proton pump not only acidifies the vesicle interior but provides a potential energy source for driving a variety of coupled transporters, many of them unique to specific organelles. Although the basic mechanism for organelle acidification is now well understood, it is already apparent that there are many differences in both the function of the proton pump and the associated transporters in different organelles and different cell types. These differences and their physiologic and pathophysiologic implications are exciting areas for future investigation.

Chemiosmotic coupling of ion transport in the yeast vacuole: its role in acidification inside organelles

Acidification inside the vacuo-lysosome systems is ubiquitous in eukaryotic organisms and essential for organelle functions. The acidification of these organelles is accomplished by proton-translocating ATPase belonging to the V-type H(+)-ATPase superfamily. However, in terms of chemiosmotic energy transduction, electrogenic proton pumping alone is not sufficient to establish and maintain those compartments inside acidic. Current studies have shown that the in situ acidification depends upon the activity of V-ATPase and vacuolar anion conductance; the latter is required for shunting a membrane potential (interior positive) generated by the positively charged proton translocation. Yeast vacuoles possess two distinct Cl- transport systems both participating in the acidification inside the vacuole, a large acidic compartment with digestive and storage functions. These two transport systems have distinct characteristics for their kinetics of Cl- uptake or sensitivity to a stilbene derivative. One shows linear dependence on a Cl- concentration and is inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS). The other shows saturable kinetics with an apparent Km for Cl- of approximately 20 mM. Molecular mechanisms of the chemiosmotic coupling in the vacuolar ion transport and acidification inside are discussed in detail.

Mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol decrease the difference of electrochemical proton potentials across the yeast plasma and vacuolar membranes and activate their H(+)-ATPases

Mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol (DTT) inhibited the acidification of external medium by Saccharomyces carlsbergensis cells and protoplasts during glucose oxidation. The inhibition was also observed when cells were incubated with mercaptoethanol or when mercaptoethanol and DTT were used to prepare protoplasts. Experiments with S. carlsbergensis plasma membrane vesicles and vacuoles showed these thiol reagents to inhibit ATP-dependent generation of delta pH and Em across plasma membrane vesicles and vacuoles but to activate their H(+)-ATPases. Mercaptoethanol and DTT are suggested to de-energize plasmalemma as well as tonoplast by increasing their H(+)-permeability and to disturb the cell ion homeostasis.

Intracellular Mg2+ and magnesium depletion in isolated renal thick ascending limb cells

Magnesium reabsorption and regulation within the kidney occur principally within the cortical thick ascending limb (cTAL) cells of the loop of Henle. Fluorometry with the dye, mag-fura-2, was used to characterize intracellular Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) in single cTAL cells. Primary cell cultures were prepared from porcine kidneys using a double antibody technique (goat anti-human Tamm-Horsfall and rabbit anti-goat IgG antibodies). Basal [Mg2+]i was 0.52 +/- 0.02 mM, which was approximately 2% of the total cellular Mg. Cells cultured (16 h) in high magnesium media (5 mM) maintained basal [Mg2+]i, 0.48 +/- 0.02, in the normal range. However, cells cultured in nominally magnesium-free media possessed [Mg2+]i, 0.27 +/- 0.01 mM, which was associated with a significant increase in net Mg transport, (control, 0.19 +/- 0.03 and low Mg, 0.35 +/- 0.01 nmol.mg-1 protein.min-1) as assessed by 28Mg uptake. Mg(2+)-depleted cells were subsequently placed in high Mg solution (5 mM) and the Mg2+ refill rate was assessed by fluorescence. [Mg2+]i returned to normal basal levels, 0.53 +/- 0.03 mM, with a refill rate of 257 +/- 37 nM/s. Mg2+ entry was not changed by 5.0 mM Ca2+ or 2 mM Sr2+, Cd2+, Co2+, nor Ba2+ but was inhibited by Mn2+ approximately La3+ approximately Gd3+ approximately Zn2+ approximately Be2+ at 2 mM. Intracellular Ca2+ and 45Ca uptake was not altered by Mg depletion or Mg2+ refill, indicating that the entry is relatively specific to Mg2+. Mg2+ uptake was inhibited by nifedipine (117 +/- 20 nM/s), verapamil (165 +/- 34 nM/s), and diltiazem (194 +/- 19 nM/s) but enhanced by the dihydropyridine analogue, Bay K 8644 (366 +/- 71 nM/s). These antagonists and agonists were reversible with removal and [Mg2+]i subsequently returned to normal basal levels. Mg2+ entry rate was concentration and voltage dependent and maximally stimulated after 4 h in magnesium-free media. Cellular magnesium depletion results in increases in a Mg2+ refill rate which is dependent, in part, on de novo protein synthesis. These data provide evidence for novel Mg2+ entry pathways in cTAL cells which are specific for Mg2+ and highly regulated. These entry pathways are likely involved with renal Mg2+ homeostasis.