Na+/H+ exchange in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells: activation by cytoplasmic acidification and by treatment with cupric sulphate

Evidence of nigericin as a potential therapeutic candidate for cancers: A review

Emerging studies have shown that nigericin, an H⁺, K⁺ and Pb²⁺ ionophore, has exhibited a promising anti-cancer activity in various cancers. However, its anti-cancer mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this review, the recent progresses on the use of nigericin in human cancers have been summarized. By exchanging H⁺ and K⁺ across cell membranes, nigericin shows promising anti-cancer activities in in vitro and in vivo as a single agent or in combination with other anti-cancer drugs through decreasing intracellular pH (pHi). The underlying mechanisms of nigericin also include the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signals, blockade of Androgen Receptor (AR) signaling, and activation of Stress-Activated Protein Kinase/c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (SAPK/JNK) signaling pathways. In many cancers, nigericin is proved to specifically target putative Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs), and its synergistic effects on photodynamic therapy are also reported. Other mechanisms of nigericin including influencing the mitochondrial membrane potentials, inducing an increase in drug accumulation and autophagy, controlling insulin accumulation in nuclei, and increasing the cytotoxic activity of liposome-entrapped drugs, are also discussed. Notably, the potential adverse effects such as teratogenic effects, insulin resistance and eryptosis shall not be ignored. Taken together, these reports suggest that treatment of cancer cells with nigericin may offer a novel therapeutic strategy and future potential of translation to clinics.

Physiological effects of nanoparticles on fish: a comparison of nanometals versus metal ions

The use of nanoscale materials is growing exponentially, but there are also concerns about the environmental hazard to aquatic biota. Metal-containing engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are an important group of these new materials, and are often made of one metal (e.g., Cu-NPs and Ag-NPs), metal oxides (e.g., ZnO and TiO(2) NPs), or composite of several metals. The physiological effects and toxicity of trace metals in the traditional dissolved form are relatively well known and the overall aim of this review was to use our existing conceptual framework of metal toxicity in fish to compare and contrast the effects of nanometals. Conceptually, there are some fundamental differences that relate to bioavailability and uptake. The chemistry and behaviour of nanometals involves dynamic aspects of aggregation theory, rather than the equilibrium models traditionally used for free metal ions. Some NPs, such as Cu-NPs, may also release free metal ions from the surface of the particle. Biological uptake of NPs is not likely via ion transporters, but endocytosis is a possible uptake mechanism. The body distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nanometals is poorly understood and hampered by a lack of methods for measuring NPs in tissues. Although data sets are still limited, emerging studies on the acute toxicity of nanometals have so far shown that these materials can be lethal to fish in the mg-μgl(-1) range, depending on the type of material. Evidence suggests that some nanometals can be more acutely toxic to some fish than dissolved forms. For example, juvenile zebrafish have a 48-h LC(50) of about 0.71 and 1.78mgl(-1) for nano- and dissolved forms of Cu respectively. The acute toxicity of metal NPs is not always explained, or only partly explained, by the presence of free metal ions; suggesting that other novel mechanisms may be involved in bioavailability. Evidence suggests that nanometals can cause a range of sublethal effects in fish including respiratory toxicity, disturbances to trace elements in tissues, inhibition of Na(+)K(+)-ATPase, and oxidative stress. Organ pathologies from nanometals can be found in a range of organs including the gill, liver, intestine, and brain. These sublethal effects suggest some common features in the sublethal responses to nanometals compared to metal salts. Effects on early life stages of fish are also emerging, with reports of nanometals crossing the chorion (e.g., Ag-NPs), and suggestions that the nano-forms of some metals (Cu-NPs and ZnO NPs) may be more toxic to embryos or juveniles, than the equivalent metal salt. It remains possible that nanometals could interfere with, and/or stimulate stress responses in fish; but data has yet to be collected on this aspect. We conclude that nanometals do have adverse physiological effects on fish, and the hazard for some metal NPs will be different to the traditional dissolved forms of metals.

Sodium-sensitive and -insensitive copper accumulation by isolated intestinal cells of rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss

The pathway for copper (Cu) uptake across the mucosal membrane into intestinal cells has not been elucidated in fish. Copper accumulation in freshly isolated intestinal cells from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was measured after exposure to 0–800 μmol l–1 CuSO4 for 15 min. With external Cu concentration (Cuo) of 800 μmol l–1, the rate of Cu accumulation by cells was 1.88±0.52 nmol Cu mg–1cell protein h–1 compared to 0.05±0.01 nmol Cu mg–1 cell protein h–1 with no added Cuo (means ± s.e.m., N=6). Deduction of a rapid Cu accumulation measured on/in cells at time zero (about 12% of the total Cu uptake when Cuo was 800 μmol l–1)revealed a saturable uptake curve, which reached a plateau at 400 μmol l–1 Cuo (Km=216 μmol l–1 Cuo; Vmax=1.09 nmol Cu mg–1 cell protein h–1; 140 mmol l–1 NaCl throughout). Incubation of cells at 4°C did not prevent Cu accumulation. Lowering external [Na+] to 11 mmol l–1 (low Na+o) generally did not alter the rate of Cu accumulation into the cells over a 15 min period. Under low Na+o conditions Cu accumulation was exponential(non-saturable). Na+-insensitive Cu accumulation dominated (59% of total Cu accumulation) when Cuo was 400 μmol l–1 or less. At high Cuo (800 μmol l–1), removal of Na+ caused a 45% increase in Cu accumulation. Pre-incubation of cells with blocking agents of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) for 15 min (normal [NaCl] throughout) caused Cu accumulation rates to increase by 40-fold (100 μmol l–1phenamil), 21-fold (10 μmol l–1 CDPC) or 12-fold (2 mmol l–1 amiloride) when Cuo was 800 μmol l–1 compared to those in drug-free controls. Lowering the external chloride concentration [Cl–]o from 131.6 to 6.6 mmol l–1 (replaced by sodium gluconate) caused the rate of Cu accumulation to increase 11-fold when Cuo was 800μmol l–1. Application of 0.1 mmol l–1DIDS (normal Cl–o) caused a similar effect. Lowering external pH from 7.4 to pH 5.5 produced a 17-fold, saturable,increase in Cu accumulation rate, which was not explained by increased instantaneous Cu accumulation on/in cells at low pH. We conclude that Cu accumulation by intestinal cells is mainly Na+-insensitive and more characteristic of a pH- and K+-sensitive Ctr1-like pathway than Cu uptake through ENaCs.

pH regulation and swimbladder function in fish

Gas gland cells of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) are specialized for the production and secretion of acidic metabolites. Although typically exposed to high oxygen partial pressures, they convert glucose mainly into lactate, but also produce CO2 in the pentose phosphate shunt. Only a very small fraction of glucose is oxidized via aerobic metabolism. Although the buffer capacity of gas gland cells appears to be high, even at low extracellular pH values intracellular pH is always kept about 0.2-0.3 pH-units more acidic. Thus, under all physiological conditions proton concentration within gas gland cells is higher than in the extracellular fluid, facilitating proton extrusion. Diffusion of CO2, Na+/H+-exchange, sodium-dependent anion exchange and a V-ATPase represent the pathways available for proton secretion. While under resting conditions the sodium-dependent pathways and diffusion of CO2 appear to be the dominating mechanisms for acid secretion, at low intracellular pH the contribution of Na+/H+-exchange and of V-ATPase appear to increase, while sodium-dependent anion exchange becomes less important. The mechanisms regulating the activity of these acid-secreting pathways and of the metabolism responsible for the production of protons are largely unknown.

Mechanisms of acid secretion in pseudobranch cells of rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Cell suspensions of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykisspseudobranch, prepared by Ca2+ depletion and mechanical maceration,contained a distinct population of cells that always kept their relatively cuboidal shape and did not round up in suspension or proliferate after adhering to the surface of cell culture dishes. Phasecontrast microscopy revealed an extensive system of basal membrane invaginations, and Na+-K+-ATPase- and anionexchanger-like immunoreactivity could be localized in cell membranes. The cells were characterized by a high mitochondrial density. Using specific antibodies, V-ATPase subunit B was localized in the plasma membrane. Using a cytosensor microphysiometer, the rate of acid secretion of these cells was measured and compared with the activity of a gill cell preparation. Incubation of pseudobranch cells with bafilomycin A1 (10-6 moll-1), a specific inhibitor of V-ATPase, reduced the rate of acid secretion by about 10% under control conditions, while no effect of bafilomycin on the rate of acid secretion of gill cells was observed. Application of amiloride (5×10-5moll-1) reduced the rate of acid secretion in cells of both organs,pseudobranch and gills. Incubation of pseudobranch cells with DIDS(10-3 moll-1) resulted in a minor increase in the rate of proton secretion, but in cells prepared from the gills of rainbow trout acid secretion was reduced by about 30-40%. It is concluded that pseudobranch cells are equipped with various pathways to secrete protons, and that the anion exchange activity especially of pseudobranch cells appears to be different from that in gills.

Determinants of intracellular pH in gas gland cells of the swimbladder of the European eel Anguilla anguilla

Gas gland cells of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) were cultured on collagen-coated coverslips, and intracellular pH was measured using the pH-sensitive fluorescent probe 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxypropyl)-5-(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCPCF). The contributions of various proton-translocating mechanisms to homeostasis of intracellular pH (pHi) were assessed by adding specific inhibitors of the various proton-translocating mechanisms at a constant extracellular pH (pHe)of 7.4 and after artificial acidification of the cells using the ammonium pulse technique. The greatest decrease in pHi was observed after addition of 5-(N-ethyl-N-isobutyl)-amiloride (MIA), an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange. Na+/H+ exchange was active under steady-state conditions at an extracellular pH of 7.4, and activity increased after intracellular acidification. Incubation of gas gland cells with 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid(DIDS), an inhibitor of anion exchange, also caused a decrease in pHi, but this decrease was not as pronounced as in the presence of MIA. Furthermore, at low pHi, the effect of DIDS was further reduced, suggesting that bicarbonate-exchanging mechanisms are involved in maintaining a steady-state pHi but that their importance is reduced at low pH. Bafilomycin A1,a specific inhibitor of the V-ATPase, had no effect on steady-state pHi. However, recovery of intracellular pH after an artificial acid load was significantly impaired in the presence of bafilomycin. Our results suggest that Na+/H+ exchange and anion exchange are important for the regulation of pHi at alkaline values of pHe. When pHi is low, a situation probably often encountered by gas gland cells during gas secretion,Na+/H+ exchange continues to play an important role in acid secretion and a V-ATPase appears to contribute to proton secretion.

Copper ion redox state is critical for its effects on ion transport pathways and methaemoglobin formation in trout erythrocytes

We have studied the mechanism of copper uptake by the cells, its oxidative action and effects on ion transport systems using rainbow trout erythrocytes. Cupric ions enter trout erythrocytes as negatively charged complexes with chloride and hydroxyl anions via the band 3-mediated Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Replacement of Cl- by gluconate, and complexation of cupric ions with histidine abolish rapid Cu2+ uptake. Within the cell cupric ions interact with haemoglobin, causing methaemoglobin formation by direct electron transfer from heme Fe2+ to Cu2+, and consecutive proton release. Ascorbate-mediated reduction of cupric ions to cuprous decreases copper-induced metHb formation and proton release. Moreover, cuprous ions stimulate Na+H+ exchange and residual Na+ transport causing net Na+ accumulation in the cells. The effect requires copper binding to an externally facing thiol group. Copper-induced Na+ accumulation is accompanied by K+ loss occurring mainly via K+-Cl- cotransporter. Taurine efflux is also stimulated by copper exposure. However, net loss of osmolytes is not as pronounced as Na+ uptake and modest swelling of the cells occurs after 5 min of copper exposure. Taken together the results indicate that copper toxicity, including copper transport into the cells and its interactions with ion transport processes, depend on the valency and complex formation of copper ions.

In vitro effect of various xenobiotics on trout gill cell volume regulation after hypotonic shock

Their functions and localisation can expose gill cells to volume changes. To maintain their vital functions, these gill cells must regulate their own volume after cellular swelling or shrinkage. Recently, we showed that rainbow trout pavement gill cells in primary culture have the capacity to regulate their own volume after cellular swelling induced by hypotonic shock. This so-called regulatory volume decrease (RVD) is associated with intracellular calcium increase, which occurs as a transient peak followed by a plateau when maintained a hypotonic condition. Return to an isotonic medium restores baseline [Ca2+]i level. In this study, the effect of different xenobiotics on cellular swelling induced RVD and its calcium signal was investigated in trout pavement gill cells in primary culture. These cells were exposed to different pollutants after confluent epithelium was obtained. After 36 h in xenobiotics exposure in vitro, cellular volume and intracellular calcium concentration were measured. Nonylphenol poly- and di-ethoxylate were lethal at concentrations of 10 and 100 microM, respectively. With 10 microM of the diethoxylate form, cells did not die but, unlike non-treated cells, burst during hypotonic shock (2/3rd strength Ringer solution). With 1 microM nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPnEO), RVD and [Ca2+]i were reduced. Copper (10 and 100 microM) had no significant effect on gill cell volume regulation. However, the heavy metal modified calcium response to hypotonic shock by inhibiting return to baseline level under isotonic conditions. 10 microM prochloraz and 2,4-dichloroaniline had no effect on cell morphology, volume and [Ca2+]i concentration. With 100 microM, however, prochloraz was lethal and dichloroaniline increased baseline [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that the effects observed on gill cells are consistent with the known toxic properties of the molecules tested, thus confirming the validity of primary culture to investigate the toxic effects of xenobiotics on fish gill epithelium.

Biological functions of trout pavement-like gill cells in primary culture on solid support: pH(i) regulation, cell volume regulation and xenobiotic biotransformation

This review presents results obtained on rainbow trout gill cells in primary culture on solid support. Ultrastructural analysis showed that cultured gill cells displayed features of pavement cells in situ. Several biological functions have been investigated on these cultured cells. First, it was shown that their intracellular pH at rest and after acidosis is regulated by a Na+/H+ exchanger. Second, gill cells in primary culture can regulate their volume after a cell swelling. Intracellular calcium appears to be involved in this regulation. The effects of different xenobiotics on the capacity of gill cells to regulate their volume are presented. Third, cultured pavement cells contain biotransformation enzymes to metabolize xenobiotics. All these results demonstrate that gill cells in primary culture on solid support represent a promising in vitro model for the study of pavement cells physiology. In conclusion, applications of this culture are discussed and compared with the permeable filter method, together with the limitations and prospects of this in vitro model on solid support.

Copper effects on ion transport across lamprey erythrocyte membrane: Cl(-)/OH(-) exchange induced by cuprous ions

We studied the effects of prelytic copper concentrations on cell volume, intracellular pH, and ion transport in lamprey erythrocytes. Ion fluxes and pH were measured by radioactive tracer technique, patch clamp, and flame photometry. Prelytic CuSO(4) concentration of 100 microM caused anion-dependent intracellular acidification and increase in Cl(-) influx after 2 min lag-phase. In the presence of ascorbate copper effect was amplified and lag-phase was skipped. Pretreatment of the cells with N-phenyl maleimide abolished copper-induced changes completely. Copper treatment caused an increase in Na(+) fluxes in both directions and a net Na(+) uptake. Copper-induced Na(+) transport was partially amiloride(MIA)-sensitive representing Na(+)/H(+) exchange. The nature of the amiloride-insensitive fraction of copper-activated Na(+) influx remains unknown. Cell swelling after 15 min of copper exposure induced regulatory volume decrease response involving KCl extrusion via K(+) and Cl(-) volume-sensitive channels. We suggest that the effects of copper on ion transport fit the following sequence of events: (i) cupric ions are reduced to cuprous state on the membrane surface, (ii) electroneutral pairs CuCl and CuOH mediate chloride/hydroxyl exchange, as shown before for trialkyltin, dissipating transmembrane pH gradient, and (iii) changes in intracellular pH result in the activation of the Na(+)/H(+) exchange and consecutive volume changes cause the RVD response.

Copper toxicity in cultured human skeletal muscle cells: the involvement of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger

Copper (Cu2+) intoxication has been shown to induce pathological changes in various tissues. The mechanism underlying Cu2+ toxicity is still unclear. It has been suggested that the Na+/K(+)-ATPase and/or a change of the membrane permeability may be involved. In this study we examined the effects of Cu2+ on the Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis of cultured human skeletal muscle cells using the ion-selective fluorescent probes Na(+)-binding benzofuran isophatalate (SBFI) and Fura-2, respectively. In addition, we measured the effect of Cu2+ on the Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. Cu2+ and ouabain increase the cytoplasmic free Na+ concentration ([Na+]i). Subsequent addition of Cu2+ after ouabain does not affect the rate of [Na+]i increase. Cu2+ inhibits the Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity with an IC50 of 51 microM. The cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) remains unaffected for more than 10 min after the administration of Cu2+. Thereafter, [Ca2+]i increases as a result of the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger operating in the reversed mode. The effects of Cu2+ on the Na+ homeostasis are reversed by the reducing and chelating agent dithiothreitol and the heavy metal chelator N,N,N',N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN). In conclusion, SBFI is a good tool to examine Na+ homeostasis in cultured human skeletal muscle cells. Under the experimental conditions used, Cu2+ does not modify the general membrane permeability, but inhibits the Na+/K(+)-pump leading to an increase of [Na+]i. As a consequence the operation mode of the Na+/Ca(2+)-exchanger reverses and [Ca2+]i rises.

Regulation of taurine transport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Taurine influx is inhibited and taurine efflux accelerated when the cell membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is depolarized. Taurine influx is inhibited at acid pH partly due to the concomitant depolarization of the cell membrane partly due to a reduced availability of negatively charged free carrier. These results are in agreement with a 2Na,1C1,1taurine cotransport system which is sensitive to the membrane potential due to a negatively charged empty carrier. Taurine efflux from Ehrlich cells is stimulated by addition of LTD4 and by swelling in hypotonic medium. Cell swelling in hypotonic medium is known to result in stimulation of the leukotriene synthesis and depolarization of the cell membrane. The taurine efflux, activated by cell swelling, is dramatically reduced when the phospholipase A2 is inhibited indirectly by addition of the anti-calmodulin drug pimozide, or directly by addition of RO 31-4639. The inhibition is in both cases lifted by addition of LTD4. The swelling-induced taurine efflux is also inhibited by addition of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors ETH 615-139 and NDGA. It is concluded that the swelling-induced activation of the taurine leak pathway involves a release of arachidonic acid from the membrane phospholipids and an increased oxidation of arachidonic acid into leukotrienes via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. LTD4 seems to act as a second messenger for the swelling induced activation of the taurine leak pathway either directly or indirectly via its activation of the Cl- channels, i.e., via a depolarization of the cell membrane.

Microfluorimetric imaging study of the mechanism of activation of the Na+/H+ antiport by muscarinic agonist in rat mandibular acinar cells

The mechanism of regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) in dispersed acini from the rat mandibular salivary gland has been studied with a microfluorimetric imaging method and the pH probe 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(and -6)-carboxyfluorescein. The pHi in the TRIS/HEPES-buffered standard solution was 7.29 +/- 0.01. Addition of 1 mumol/l acetylcholine (ACh) or ionomycin caused a sustained increase in the pHi. These agents decreased pHi in the absence of external Na+ or in the presence of amiloride. The rate of pHi recovery from an acid load after NH+4 prepulse was a linear function of pHi and increased as pHi became more acidic. Addition of ACh shifted the relationship towards a more alkaline pHi range. The increase in pHi induced by ACh or ionomycin was not inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine (10 nM) and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-1-methylpiperazine (50 mumol/l). Addition of 0.1-1 mumol/l phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) had little effect on pHi within 10 min; however, exposure to TPA for 120 min resulted in a significant rise in pHi. In Ca(2+)-free solution with 50 mumol/l 8-(diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, the ACh-induced rise in both pHi and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was suppressed. ACh and ionomycin caused an increment of amiloride-sensitive acid output into the extracellular fluid, while 20 mumol/l 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol had little effect on it. It was concluded that (a) stimulation with ACh activated the Na+/H+ antiport in the plasma membrane, (b) ACh also stimulated the intracellular acid production but acid extrusion by the Na+/H+ antiport prevented the cell from intracellular acidification, and (c) the major route of signal transduction for the ACh-induced activation of the Na+/H+ antiport was independent of protein kinase C but was dependent on the rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. The implication of the cytosolic acidification and cell volume change in pHi regulation is discussed.

Weak organic acids induce taurine release through an osmotic-sensitive process in in vivo rat hippocampus

Isotonic media containing sodium salts from weak organic acids induce cell swelling in several experimental preparations (Grinstein et al., 1984; Jakubovicz et al., 1987). In vivo perfusion of rat dentate gyrus, using a microdialysis probe, with modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solutions in which 50 mM NaCl was isotonically substituted by the sodium salts from organic acids with a pKa value of greater than 2 (acetate, propionate, or pyruvate), induced a reversible increase in the extracellular taurine concentration. By contrast, similar NaCl substitutions with sodium salts from the stronger organic acids isethionate and methane-sulfonate did not change extracellular taurine levels. Extracellular taurine increases evoked by acetate, propionate, or pyruvate were almost completely abolished when the perfusion liquid was made hypertonic by adding sucrose (50 mM). A 30% reduction of the acetate-induced extracellular taurine increase was observed both when amiloride was present or when the [Na+]0 was lowered. Both conditions are known to inhibit Na+/H+ exchange. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that acid load-induced taurine release is stimulated by an osmotic sensitive mechanism, part of which is dependent on activation of the Na+/H+ exchange.

Cytoplasmic acidification and activation of Na+/H+ exchange during regulatory volume decrease in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Ehrlich ascites tumor cells undergoing regulatory volume decrease (RVD) exhibit cytoplasmic acidification as measured by an intracellular fluorescent pH indicator. The acidification results in an activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger. The intracellular pH 'set point' for the activation is estimated to be around 7.0. The activation of the Na+H+ exchanger leads to an incomplete RVD. In support of this conclusion, amiloride and Na+-free medium, known to limit the Na+/H+ exchange, indeed enhance the RVD response. Intracellular acidification and activation of Na+/H+ exchange may be a general response of cells undergoing RVD.

cAMP activates Na+/H+ antiporter in murine macrophages

The role of cAMP in activating the Na+/H+ antiporter in murine macrophage (M phi) system was investigated. Incubation of PU5-1.8 macrophage tumour cells, peritoneal M phi and bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDM phi s) with dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) or cholera toxin (CT) led to an increase in intracellular pH (pHi). The magnitudes of these responses differed markedly in the three cell types, BMDM phi s being the most sensitive, PU5-1.8 cells the least so. These cells also differed in their responses to inhibitors of Na+/H+ exchange. In PU5-1.8 cells, the db-cAMP- or CT-triggered intracellular alkalinization was abolished by amiloride treatment which, however, was ineffective in BMDM phi s. The chemotactic peptide, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), also caused a significant increase in cytoplasmic pH. However, its action was apparently not mediated by cAMP. The significance of these observations is discussed.

Mercuric chloride activates latent, anion-dependent cation transport systems in the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

Electronic cell sizing of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells is presented as a biological test system for assessment of membrane associated effects of toxic compounds. Ehrlich ascites tumour cells readjust their cell volume after osmotic swelling in hypotonic media. This regulatory process (Regulatory Volume Decrease, RVD) involves a net loss of KCl from the cells. Addition of HgCl2 (1 microM) results in a Cl- -dependent acceleration of RVD in hypotonic medium. Cells in isotonic Cl- -containing medium shrink upon addition of HgCl2 due to a Cl- -dependent net loss of K+. In addition, a Cl- -dependent net uptake of Na+ was also seen in the presence of HgCl2. It is concluded that HgCl2 activates a latent K+, Cl- cotransport as well as Na+, Cl- cotransport in Ehrlich cells.

Leukotriene-D4 induced cell shrinkage in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

The nature of the leukotriene-D4 (LTD4) induced cell shrinkage in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells has been investigated. LTD4 treatment of Ehrlich cells induces net loss of cellular KCl and cell shrinkage independent of the initial cell volume. LTD4 also produces water loss and reduction in cell volume when all extracellular and all intracellular Cl has been replaced by NO3. On the other hand, LTD4 fails to produce any significant changes in cell volume in the presence of the K-channel blocker quinine, suggesting that LTD4 in Ehrlich cells induces Cl-independent K loss through the Ca2+-dependent K channels. However, the effect of physiological doses of LTD4 on cell volume seems not to be as potent in Cl-free, NO3 cells when compared to Cl-containing cells, indicating that LTD4 in Ehrlich cells also provokes Cl-dependent K loss. LTD4 seems not to produce K loss through an electroneutral K+/H+ exchange system. LTD4 still produces Cl-independent K loss and cell shrinkage in the presence of the anti-calmodulin drug pimozide but not in the presence of the LTD4 receptor antagonist L-649,923 or the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor NDGA. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, which inactivates inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins), leads to partial inhibition of the LTD4-induced shrinkage. It is suggested that the LTD4-induced activation of K and Cl transporting systems in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is mediated via a G-protein coupled receptor and that LTD4 might exert its effect through another lipoxygenase product. The Ca2+-calmodulin complex is not involved in the LTD4-induced activation of K and Cl transporting systems.