Potential dependence of the "electrically silent" anion exchange across the plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes mediated by the band-3 protein of mouse red blood cells

Cell Physiology and Molecular Mechanism of Anion Transport by Erythrocyte Band 3/AE1

The major transmembrane protein of the red blood cell, known as band 3, AE1, and SLC4A1, has two main functions: 1) catalysis of Cl^-/HCO₃^- exchange, one of the steps in CO₂ excretion; 2) anchoring the membrane skeleton. This review summarizes the 150 year history of research on red cell anion transport and band 3 as an experimental system for studying membrane protein structure and ion transport mechanisms. Important early findings were that red cell Cl^- transport is a tightly coupled 1:1 exchange and band 3 is labeled by stilbenesulfonate derivatives that inhibit anion transport. Biochemical studies showed that the protein is dimeric or tetrameric (paired dimers) and that there is one stilbenedisulfonate binding site per subunit of the dimer. Transport kinetics and inhibitor characteristics supported the idea that the transporter acts by an alternating access mechanism with intrinsic asymmetry. The sequence of band 3 cDNA provided a framework for detailed study of protein topology and amino acid residues important for transport. The identification of genetic variants produced insights into the roles of band 3 in red cell abnormalities and distal renal tubular acidosis. The publication of the membrane domain crystal structure made it possible to propose concrete molecular models of transport. Future research directions include improving our understanding of the transport mechanism at the molecular level and of the integrative relationships among band 3, hemoglobin, carbonic anhydrase, and gradients (both transmembrane and subcellular) of HCO₃^-, Cl^-, O₂, CO₂, pH, and NO metabolites during pulmonary and systemic capillary gas exchange.

Rhythmic potassium transport regulates the circadian clock in human red blood cells

Circadian rhythms organize many aspects of cell biology and physiology to a daily temporal program that depends on clock gene expression cycles in most mammalian cell types. However, circadian rhythms are also observed in isolated mammalian red blood cells (RBCs), which lack nuclei, suggesting the existence of post-translational cellular clock mechanisms in these cells. Here we show using electrophysiological and pharmacological approaches that human RBCs display circadian regulation of membrane conductance and cytoplasmic conductivity that depends on the cycling of cytoplasmic K⁺ levels. Using pharmacological intervention and ion replacement, we show that inhibition of K⁺ transport abolishes RBC electrophysiological rhythms. Our results suggest that in the absence of conventional transcription cycles, RBCs maintain a circadian rhythm in membrane electrophysiology through dynamic regulation of K⁺ transport.

Circadian rhythms usually rely on cyclic variations in gene expression. Red blood cells, however, display circadian rhythms while being devoid of nuclear DNA. Here, Henslee and colleagues show that circadian rhythms in isolated human red blood cells are dependent on rhythmic transport of K⁺ ions.

Asymmetry of inverted-topology repeats in the AE1 anion exchanger suggests an elevator-like mechanism

Anion exchanger 1 catalyzes the transmembrane antiport of chloride and bicarbonate ions through a mechanism that has remained unclear. By modeling its inward-facing state and comparing it with the known outward-facing form, Ficici et al. hypothesize that this transporter features an elevator-like mechanism.

The membrane transporter anion exchanger 1 (AE1), or band 3, is a key component in the processes of carbon-dioxide transport in the blood and urinary acidification in the renal collecting duct. In both erythrocytes and the basolateral membrane of the collecting-duct α-intercalated cells, the role of AE1 is to catalyze a one-for-one exchange of chloride for bicarbonate. After decades of biochemical and functional studies, the structure of the transmembrane region of AE1, which catalyzes the anion-exchange reaction, has finally been determined. Each protomer of the AE1 dimer comprises two repeats with inverted transmembrane topologies, but the structures of these repeats differ. This asymmetry causes the putative substrate-binding site to be exposed only to the extracellular space, consistent with the expectation that anion exchange occurs via an alternating-access mechanism. Here, we hypothesize that the unknown, inward-facing conformation results from inversion of this asymmetry, and we propose a model of this state constructed using repeat-swap homology modeling. By comparing this inward-facing model with the outward-facing experimental structure, we predict that the mechanism of AE1 involves an elevator-like motion of the substrate-binding domain relative to the nearly stationary dimerization domain and to the membrane plane. This hypothesis is in qualitative agreement with a wide range of biochemical and functional data, which we review in detail, and suggests new avenues of experimentation.

Determinants of coupled transport and uncoupled current by the electrogenic SLC26 transporters

Members of the SLC26 family of anion transporters mediate the transport of diverse molecules ranging from halides to carboxylic acids and can function as coupled transporters or as channels. A unique feature of the two members of the family, Slc26a3 and Slc26a6, is that they can function as both obligate coupled and mediate an uncoupled current, in a channel-like mode, depending on the transported anion. To identify potential features that control the two modes of transport, we performed in silico modeling of Slc26a6, which suggested that the closest potential fold similarity of the Slc26a6 transmembrane domains is to the CLC transporters, despite their minimal sequence identity. Examining the predicted Slc26a6 fold identified a highly conserved glutamate (Glu⁻; Slc26a6(E357)) with the predicted spatial orientation similar to that of the CLC-ec1 E148, which determines coupled or uncoupled transport by CLC-ec1. This raised the question of whether the conserved Glu⁻ in Slc26a6(E357) and Slc26a3(E367) have a role in the unique transport modes by these transporters. Reversing the Glu⁻ charge in Slc26a3 and Slc26a6 resulted in the inhibition of all modes of transport. However, most notably, neutralizing the charge in Slc26a6(E357A) eliminated all forms of coupled transport without affecting the uncoupled current. The Slc26a3(E367A) mutation markedly reduced the coupled transport and converted the stoichiometry of the residual exchange from 2Cl⁻/1HCO₃⁻ to 1Cl⁻/1HCO₃⁻, while completely sparing the current. These findings suggest the possibility that similar structural motif may determine multiple functional modes of these transporters.

NH4Cl activates AE2 anion exchanger in Xenopus oocytes at acidic pHi

In the course of experiments to define regulation by intracellular pH (pHi) of the AE2 anion exchanger expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we discovered an unexpected regulation of AE2 by NH4+. Intracellular acidification produced by extracellular acidification or produced by equimolar substitution of NaCl with sodium acetate each inhibited AE2 activity. In contrast, intracellular acidification by equimolar substitution of NaCl with NH4Cl activated AE2-associated, trans-anion-dependent, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid-sensitive 36Cl- influx and efflux. Regulation by NH4+ was isoform specific, since neither erythroid nor kidney AE1 was activated. AE2 activation was maximal at <5 mM NH4Cl; was not mimicked by extracellular KCl, chloroquine, or polyamines; and was insensitive to amiloride, bumetanide, barium, and gadolinium. Whether NH4Cl acts directly on AE2 or on another target remains to be determined. Activation of AE2 by NH4+ may serve to sustain Cl-/HCO3- exchange activity in the presence of acidic pH in renal medulla, colon, abscesses, and other AE2-expressing acidic locales exposed to elevated NH4+ concentration.

Electrogenic sulfate/chloride exchange in Xenopus oocytes mediated by murine AE1 E699Q

Functional evaluation of chemically modified human erythrocytes has led to the proposal that amino acid residue E681 of the band 3 anion exchanger AE1 lies on the anion translocation pathway and is a proton carrier required for H+/SO4(2-) cotransport. We have tested in Xenopus oocytes the functional consequences of mutations in the corresponding residue E699 of mouse AE1. Most mutations tested abolished AE1-mediated Cl- influx and efflux. Only the E699Q mutation increased stilbene disulfonate-sensitive efflux and influx of SO4(2-). E699Q-mediated Cl- influx was activated by elevation of intracellular SO4(2-), but E699Q-mediated Cl- efflux was undetectable. The DNDS (4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) sensitivity of E699Q-mediated SO4(2-) efflux was indistinguishable from that of wt AE1-mediated Cl- efflux. The extracellular anion selectivity of E699Q-mediated SO4(2-) efflux was similar to that of wt AE1-mediated Cl- efflux. The stoichiometry of E699Q-mediated exchange of extracellular Cl- with intracellular SO4(2-) was 1:1. Whereas SO4(2-) injection into oocytes expressing wt AE1 produced little change in membrane potential or resistance, injection of SO4(2-), but not of Cl- or gluconate, into oocytes expression E699Q depolarized the membrane by 17 mV and decreased membrane resistance by 66%. Replacement of bath Cl- with isethionate caused a 28-mV hyperpolarization in SO4(2-)-loaded oocytes expressing E699Q, but had no effect on oocytes expressing wt AE1. Extracellular Cl(-)-dependent depolarization of SO4(2-)-preloaded oocytes was blocked by DNDS. AE1 E699Q-mediated inward current measured in the presence of extracellular Cl- was of magnitude sufficient to account for measured 35SO4(2-) efflux. Thus, AE1 E699Q-mediated SO4(2-)/Cl- exchange operated largely, if not exclusively, as an electrogenic, asymmetric, 1:1 anion exchange. The data confirm the proposal that E699 resides on or contributes to the integrity of the anion translocation pathway of AE1. A single amino acid change in the sequence of AE1 converted electroneutral to electrogenic anion exchange without alteration of SO4(2-)/Cl- exchange stoichiometry.

Effects of external pH on substrate binding and on the inward chloride translocation rate constant of band 3

To test the hypothesis that amino acid residues in band 3 with titratable positive charges play a role in the binding of anions to the outside-facing transport site, we measured the effects of changing external pH (pH(O)) on the dissociation constant for binding of external iodide to the transport site, K(O)(I). K(O)(I) increased with increasing pH(O), and a significant increase was seen even at pH(O) values as low as 9.9. The dependence of K(O)(I) on pH(O) can be explained by a model with one titratable site with pK 9.5 +/- 0.2 (probably lysine), which increases anion affinity for the external transport site when it is in the positively charged form. A more complex model, analogous to one recently proposed by Bjerrum (1992), with two titratable sites, one with pK 9.3 +/- 0.3 (probably lysine) and another with pK > 11 (probably arginine), gives a slightly better fit to the data. Thus, titratable positively charged residues seem to be functionally important for the binding of substrate anions to the outward-facing anion transport site. In addition, analysis of Dixon plot slopes for L inhibition of Cl- exchange at different pH 0 values, coupled with the assumption that pH(O) has parallel effects on external I- and Cl- binding, indicates that k', the rate-constant for inward translocation of the complex of Cl- with the extracellular transport site, decreases with increasing pH(O). The data are compatible with a model in which titration of the pK 9.3 residue decreases k to 14 +/- 10% of its value at neutral pH(O). This result, however, together with Bjerrum's (1992) observation that the maximum flux J(M)) increases 1.6-fold when this residue is deprotonated, makes quantitative predictions that raise significant questions about the adequacy of the two titratable site ping-pong model or the assumptions used in analyzing the data.

Inhibition of mouse erythroid band 3-mediated chloride transport by site-directed mutagenesis of histidine residues and its reversal by second site mutation of Lys 558, the locus of covalent H2DIDS binding

Substitution by site-directed mutagenesis of any one of the histidine residues H721, H837, and H852 by glutamine, or of H752 by serine, inhibits Cl- flux mediated by band 3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Mutation of Lys 558 (K558N), the site of covalent binding of H2DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate) in the outer membrane surface, in combination with any one of the His/Gln mutations leads to partial (H721Q; H837Q) or complete (H852Q) restoration of Cl- flux. In contrast, inhibition of Cl- flux by mutation of proline or lysine residues in the vicinity of His 837 at the inner membrane surface cannot be reversed by the second-site mutation K558N, indicating specificity of interaction between Lys 558 and His 837. The histidine-specific reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) is known to inhibit band 3-mediated anion exchange in red blood cells [Izuhara, K., Okubo, K., & Hamasaki, N. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 4725-4728]. It was also found to inhibit transport after expression in the oocyte of wild-type band 3, of the double mutants of the histidines listed above, and of the single mutant H752S. The effects on the wild type and the double mutants were indistinguishable, while the mutant H752S exhibited a considerably reduced sensitivity to inhibition, suggesting that His 752 is the most prominent site of action of DEPC. According to a hydrophobicity plot of band 3 and further independent evidence, Lys 558, the mutated histidines, and Glu 699, the mutation of which was also found to inhibit Cl- flux [Müller-Berger, S., Karbach, D., Kang, D., Aranibar, N., Wood, P. G., Rüterjans, H., & Passow, H. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 9325-9332], are most likely located in five different transmembrane helices. The interactions between Lys 558 and the various histidines suggest that these helices reside in close proximity. Together with the helix carrying Glu 699, they could form an access channel lined with an array of alternating histidine and glutamate residues. Together with a chloride ion bridging the gap between His 852 and His 837, they could have the potential to form, at low pH, a transmembrane chain of hydrogen bonds. The possible functional significance of such channel is discussed.

Do band 3 protein conformational changes mediate shape changes of human erythrocytes?

The bilayer-couple model predicts a reversible membrane crenation for an increasing ratio of external to internal monolayer area. This was comprehensively proven. However, individual erythrocytes may undergo dramatic shape changes within seconds when the suspension medium is changed. In contrast, under physiological conditions with no addition of membrane active compounds, active phospholipid translocation and passive flip-flops are comparatively slow. We propose that conformational changes of the anion-exchange protein, band 3, may rapidly alter the monolayer area ratio. Band 3 occupies about 10% of the total membrane area of human erythrocytes. Under physiological conditions, its conformers are asymmetrically distributed with about 90% of the transport sites facing the cytoplasm. This distribution is altered when external conformations are recruited by changing the transmembranous Cl- gradient, the external pH, or by the application of inhibitors. In experiments, recruitment by low ionic strength caused a rapid, temporary formation of echinocytes. This suspension effect could also be found at high ionic concentrations, when Cl- was replaced by SO4(2-). Inhibitors known to recruit the external band 3 conformation, like DIDS, SITS and flufenamic acid, are echinocytogenic. For inhibitors not recruiting a certain conformation, e.g. phenylglyoxal and niflumic acid, no shape effect was found. Since band 3 ensures a fast equilibrium of internal and external anions these ions are usually distributed according to the transmembrane potential (TMP). In the literature, a correlation of TMP and band 3 conformation, as well as a correlation of TMP and red cell shape, is described. In the proposed model, low external Cl- concentrations, inhibitors, or a negative TMP may recruit the transport sit outwards.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rapid electrogenic sulfate-chloride exchange mediated by chemically modified band 3 in human erythrocytes

One of the modes of action of the red blood cell anion transport protein is the electrically silent net exchange of 1 Cl- for 1 SO4= and 1 H+. Net SO4(=)-Cl- exchange is accelerated by low pH or by conversion of the side chain of glutamate 681 into an alcohol by treatment of intact cells with Woodward's reagent K (WRK) and BH4-. The studies described here were performed to characterize the electrical properties of net SO4(=)-Cl- exchange in cells modified with WRK/BH4-. The SO4= conductance measured in 100 mM SO4= medium is smaller in modified cells than in control cells. However, the efflux of [35S] SO4= into a 150-mM KCl medium is 80-fold larger in modified cells than in control cells and is inhibited 99% by 10 microM H2DIDS. No detectable H+ flux is associated with SO4(=)-Cl- exchange in modified cells. In the presence of gramicidin to increase the cation permeability, the stoichiometry of SO4(=)-Cl- exchange is not distinguishable from 1:1. In modified cells loaded with SO4=, the valinomycin-mediated efflux of 86Rb+ into an Na-gluconate medium is immediately stimulated by the addition of 5 mM extracellular Cl-. Therefore, SO4(=)-Cl- exchange in modified cells causes an outward movement of negative charge, as expected for an obligatory 1:1 SO4(=)-Cl- exchange. This is the first example of an obligatory, electrogenic exchange process in band 3 and demonstrates that the coupling between influx and efflux does not require that the overall exchange be electrically neutral. The effects of membrane potential on SO4(=)-SO4= exchange and SO4(=)-Cl- exchange in modified cells are consistent with a model in which nearly a full net positive charge moves inward through the transmembrane field during the inward Cl- translocation event, and a small net negative charge moves with SO4= during the SO4= translocation event. This result suggests that, in normal cells, the negative charge on Glu 681 traverses most of the transmembrane electric field, accompanied by Cl- and the equivalent of two protein-bound positive charges.

Regulation mechanisms of intracellular pH of Xenopus laevis oocyte

Intracellular pH values (pHi) of Xenopus oocytes were optically measured using a fluorescent dye, 2', 7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The oocytes were loaded with dye by incubation with a membrane-permeable form (BCECF-AM). Mean pHi of the oocytes in pH 7.6 solution was 7.69. Increasing ambient pCO2 rapidly decreased pHi and estimated buffering power was 23.8 mM/pH unit. Changing ambient HCO3- from 5 to 30 mM did not alter pHi. After incubation in a Na(+)-free solution, Na+ addition to the bath rapidly increased pHi and this response was blocked by amiloride (ED50 2 microM). The addition of NH4Cl to the bath caused an initial transient increase in PHi followed by a secondary decrease. The secondary decrease was greatly inhibited by a histidine specific reagent, diethylpyrocarbonate. It was also slightly inhibited by ouabain, Ba2+ and furosemide, but not by amiloride. These data suggest that (1), fluorescence technique is applicable to PHi measurements of Xenopus oocytes; (2), Xenopus oocytes have an amiloride sensitive Na+/H(+)-exchange, and permeabilities to CO2, NH3, and NH+4. These observation may be useful in studying the relationship between pHi and oocytes development, and the expression of acid/base transporters in Xenopus oocytes.

Endogenous L-glutamate transport in oocytes of Xenopus laevis

The existence of an endogenous Na(+)-glutamate cotransporter in the oocytes of Xenopus laevis is demonstrated. The transporter does not accept D-glutamate as substrate. The dependence on substrate displays two saturating components with low (K1/2 = 9 mM) and high (K1/2 = 0.35 microM) affinities for L-glutamate. The dependence on external Na+ exhibits a saturating component with a K1/2 value of about 5 mM and a component that has not saturated up to 110 mM Na+. In voltage-clamped oocytes, it is possible to demonstrate that Na(+)-dependent L-glutamate transport is directly coupled to countertransport of Rb+. The analysis of the voltage dependence of the Na+,K(+)-dependent L-glutamate uptake suggests that positive charges are moved inwardly during the transport cycle.

Kinetics of bicarbonate and chloride transport in human red cell membranes

Unidirectional [14C]HCO3- and 36Cl- efflux from human red cells and ghosts was studied under self-exchange conditions at pH 7.8 and 0 degrees C by means of the Millipore-Swinnex filtering technique. Control bicarbonate experiments showed that 14CO2 loss from the cells to the efflux medium was insignificant. The anion flux was determined under (a) symmetric variations of the anion concentration (C(i) = C(o) = 5-700 mM), and (b) asymmetric conditions with CAn constant on one side and varied on the other side of the membrane. Simple Michaelis-Menten-like kinetics (MM fit: J(eff) = J(eff)max.C/(K1/2 + C)) was used to describe anion flux dependence on C for (a) C(i) = C(o) = 5-100 mM, (b) C(i) = 6-100 mM, C(o) = constant, and (c) C(i) = constant, C(o) = 1-25 mM. At higher cellular concentrations noncompetitive self-inhibition by anion binding (inhibition constant Ki mM) to an intracellular site was included in the model (MS fit): J(eff) = J(eff)max.C(i)/[(K1/2 + C(i)).(1 + C(i)/Ki)]. The MM fits show that the external half-saturation constant, Ko1/2 ( = C(o)An for J(eff,o) = 1/2.j(eff,o)max) at C(o) = 1-25 mM is 1.5-2.4 mM (HCO3-) and 1.8-2.6 mM (Cl-). At C(o) = 1-260 mM Ko1/2 is 1.2-1.5 mM (HCO3-) and 1.4-1.8 mM (Cl-). The respective maximum flux, J(eff,o)max (nmol/[cm2.s]), for C(o) = 1-25 mM is 0.41-0.51 (HCO3-) and 0.28-0.38 (Cl-), and for C(o) = 1-260 mM 0.39-0.44 (HCO3-) and 0.27-0.31 (Cl-). The internal half-saturation constant, Ki1/2 mM is: MM fit (C(i) = 6-100 mM, C(o) = 50 mM), 18.0 mM (HCO3-) and 23.8 mM (Cl-); MS fit (C(i) = 6-920 mM, C(o) = 50 mM), 32.0 mM (HCO3-) and 45.1 mM (Cl-). The maximum flux, J(eff,i)max (nmol/[cm2.s]) is: MM fit; 0.50 (HCO3-) and 0.34 (Cl-); MS fit, 0.70 (HCO-3) and 0.50 (Cl-). The half-inhibition constants of the MS fit, Ki, are 393 mM (HCO3-) and 544 mM (Cl-). The MM fit shows that the symmetric half-saturation constant, Ks1/2, is 20.2 (HCO-3) and 23.9 (Cl-) mM, and J(eff,s)max is 0.51 (HCO3-) and 0.32 (Cl-) nmol/(cm2.s). The MS fit shows that for C = 5-700 mM Ks1/2 is 30.4 nM (HCO3-) and 50.1 mM (Cl-), and Ki is 541 mM (HCO3-) and 392 mM (Cl-).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Voltage-dependent pump currents of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-ATPase in planar lipid membranes

Sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles containing largely Ca2(+)-ATPase were incorporated into planar lipid membranes. The ATPase was activated by a UV flash-induced concentration jump of ATP from a photolabile caged ATP. Under these conditions stationary pump currents were observed. The dependence of these pump currents on applied voltages was investigated. The current-voltage curve of the Ca2(+)-ATPase shows monotonously increasing pump currents with increasing positive potentials of the ATP containing compartment. This indicates the existence of electrogenic steps in the direction of the transported Ca2+ ions. From the extrapolated reversal potentials of the curve is concluded that less than four positive net charges are transported per hydrolyzed ATP.

Identification by site-directed mutagenesis of Lys-558 as the covalent attachment site of H2DIDS in the mouse erythroid band 3 protein

After functional expression of mouse erythroid band 3 by cRNA microinjection into Xenopus oocytes, 36Cl- efflux is irreversibly inhibited by H2DIDS. When a cRNA is injected that is derived from a cDNA in which the nucleotides encoding for lysine-558 were replaced by nucleotides encoding for asparagine, transport and inhibition of transport by H2DIDS still occur. However, when measured under conditions where no intramolecular crosslinking takes place the inhibition by H2DIDS is no longer irreversible. This indicates that thiourea bond formation between H2DIDS and band 3 takes place at Lys-558.

Endogenous D-glucose transport in oocytes of Xenopus laevis

Endogenous glucose uptake by the oocytes of Xenopus laevis consists of two distinct components: one that is independent of extracellular Na+, and the other one that represents Na+-glucose cotransport. The latter shows similar characteristics as 2 Na+-1 glucose cotransport of epithelial cells: The similarities include the dependencies on external concentrations of Na+, glucose, and phlorizin, and on pH. As in epithelial cells, the glucose uptake in oocytes can also be stimulated by lanthanides. Both the electrogenic cotransport and the inhibition by phlorizin are voltage-dependent; the data are compatible with the assumption that the membrane potential acts as a driving force for the reaction cycle of the transport process. In particular, hyperpolarization seems to stimulate transport by recruitment of substrate binding sites to the outer membrane surface. The results described pertain to oocytes arrested in the prophase of the first meiotic division; maturation of the oocytes leads to a downregulation of both the Na+-independent and the Na+-dependent transport systems. The effect on the Na+-dependent cotransport is the consequence of a change of driving force due to membrane depolarization associated with the maturation process.

Flufenamic acid senses conformation and asymmetry of human erythrocyte band 3 anion transport protein

With Cl as substrate, the human red blood cell anion transport (band 3) protein can exist in four conformations: Ei, with the transport site facing the cytoplasm; Eo, with the transport site facing the external medium; and ECli and EClo, the corresponding forms loaded with Cl. Flufenamic acid (FA), an inhibitor that binds to an external site different from the transport site, binds to Eo with a dissociation constant of 0.0826 +/- 0.0049 (SE) microM. Binding of iodide or sulfate to the external-facing transport site reduces the affinity by 1.66 or 14.3-fold, respectively. Changing from Eo to Ei lowers the affinity by 3.7-fold, and binding of cytoplasmic iodide to Ei further decreases the affinity by 5.5-fold. Thus changes in orientation of the transport site and substrate binding, even at the opposite side of the membrane, cause sufficient conformational changes in band 3 to affect FA binding substantially. If the possible effects of Cl binding to the transport site on FA affinity are estimated from the iodide data, the dependence of FA inhibitory potency on Cl concentrations inside and outside the cell suggests that there are at least 6.5 times as many inward-facing as outward-facing Cl-loaded transport sites. This information can be used to calculate the distribution of capnophorin among the various conformations under different circumstances and to devise conditions for recruiting the transport molecules toward a particular conformation.

Characteristics of the Na+/K+-ATPase from Torpedo californica expressed in Xenopus oocytes: a combination of tracer flux measurements with electrophysiological measurements

The Na+/K+-ATPase from electroplax of Torpedo californica was incorporated into the plasma membrane of Xenopus oocytes by microinjection of mRNA coding for the alpha- and beta-subunit of the enzyme; the mRNAs were obtained by in vitro translation of cloned cDNAs (Noguchi et al. (1988) FEBS Lett. 225, 27-32). (1) Measurements of ouabain-sensitive membrane current revealed that the Na+/K+-ATPase of Torpedo is less sensitive to ouabain than the endogenous enzyme. (2) The ouabain-sensitive membrane currents in mRNA-injected oocytes exhibit similar voltage dependence as the currents generated by the endogenous ATPase of Xenopus oocytes; in particular, the current-voltage relation exhibits a maximum and a negative slope at potentials more positive than +20 mV. (3) A maximum can also be detected if the rate of 22Na+ efflux is determined under different voltage-clamp conditions. If membrane current and rate of Na+2 efflux are determined simultaneously, a voltage-independent ratio between current and flux is obtained suggesting voltage-independent Na+-K+ stoichiometry. The data are compatible with a 3Na+-2K+ stoichiometry.

Voltage dependence of the Na-K ATPase: measurements of ouabain-dependent membrane current and ouabain binding in oocytes of Xenopus laevis

Ouabain- or dihydroouabain(DHO)-sensitive membrane currents and binding of 3H-ouabain were investigated under voltage-clamp conditions in full-grown prophase-arrested oocytes of Xenopus laevis. (1) The ouabain-sensitive current is outwardly directed and usually exhibits a maximum at about +20 mV. The occurrence of the maximum is not affected by application of blockers for passive K+ currents. In the presence of Ba2+ as a K+ channel blocker, the KI value for inhibition of the Na-K ATPase by ouabain is reduced by an order of magnitude, the number of binding sites is not affected. In K+-free solution (which inhibits the normal reaction cycle of the Na-K ATPase), addition of DHO has no significant effect on the remaining currents. (2) The voltage-dependence of the ouabain-sensitive current can be modulated. Reduction of extracellular Na+ increases the pump current at the resting potential and reduces the positive slope of the I-V curve. Simultaneously, the number of binding sites for ouabain is reduced by about 25%. Seasonal variations of an unknown factor affect the negative slope. (3) Modulation of the voltage-clamp conditions has no effect on the number of binding sites for ouabain, on current inhibition by ouabain, or on ouabain binding at different concentrations of the inhibitor. It is concluded that the ouabain-sensitive current is not significantly affected by passive permeabilities and that its current-voltage dependence reflects the voltage dependence of current generated by the Na-K pump. Since ouabain binding, also at non-maximal binding concentrations, is not affected by membrane potential, steps that affect the probability of the E2P state should be voltage-insensitive.

Comparison of murine band 3 protein-mediated Cl- transport as measured in mouse red blood cells and in oocytes of Xenopus laevis

Murine band 3 protein was expressed in oocytes of Xenopus laevis after microinjection of the mRNA from the spleens of anemic mice. The 36Cl- efflux from the oocytes was compared with the chloride fluxes measured in murine red cells. In both oocytes and red cells, the band 3-mediated chloride transport showed the following features: the selective inhibitor of band 3-mediated anion transport, 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate exerts its effects only when applied to the outside and not when applied to the inside of the membrane. The K1/2 for inhibition by external 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate was of the order of 1.5 to 2.0 mumol/l. Flufenamate and persantine also produce similar inhibitory effects. Decreasing the pH from 7.4 to 6.0 leads to some inhibition. It is concluded that essential features of the mode of action of murine erythroid band 3 protein in the plasma membrane of the oocyte are similar to the mode of action in the bilayer of the red blood cell of the mouse.