Concentration dependence of currents through single sodium-selective pores in frog skin

Late cardiac sodium current can be assessed using automated patch-clamp

The cardiac late Na ⁺ current is generated by a small fraction of voltage-dependent Na ⁺ channels that undergo a conformational change to a burst-gating mode, with repeated openings and closures during the action potential (AP) plateau. Its magnitude can be augmented by inactivation-defective mutations, myocardial ischemia, or prolonged exposure to chemical compounds leading to drug-induced (di)-long QT syndrome, and results in an increased susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias. Using CytoPatch™ 2 automated patch-clamp equipment, we performed whole-cell recordings in HEK293 cells stably expressing human Nav1.5, and measured the late Na ⁺ component as average current over the last 100 ms of 300 ms depolarizing pulses to -10 mV from a holding potential of -100 mV, with a repetition frequency of 0.33 Hz. Averaged values in different steady-state experimental conditions were further corrected by the subtraction of current average during the application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) 30 μM. We show that ranolazine at 10 and 30 μM in 3 min applications reduced the late Na ⁺ current to 75.0 ± 2.7% (mean ± SEM, n = 17) and 58.4 ± 3.5% ( n = 18) of initial levels, respectively, while a 5 min application of veratridine 1 μM resulted in a reversible current increase to 269.1 ± 16.1% ( n = 28) of initial values. Using fluctuation analysis, we observed that ranolazine 30 μM decreased mean open probability p from 0.6 to 0.38 without modifying the number of active channels n, while veratridine 1 μM increased n 2.5-fold without changing p. In human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, veratridine 1 μM reversibly increased APD90 2.12 ± 0.41-fold (mean ± SEM, n = 6). This effect is attributable to inactivation removal in Nav1.5 channels, since significant inhibitory effects on hERG current were detected at higher concentrations in hERG-expressing HEK293 cells, with a 28.9 ± 6.0% inhibition (mean ± SD, n = 10) with 50 μM veratridine.       

Variations in epithelial Na(+) transport and epithelial sodium channel localisation in the vaginal cul-de-sac of the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, during the oestrous cycle

The fluid in the vaginal cul-de-sac of the brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula, is copious at ovulation when it may be involved in sperm transport or maturation, but is rapidly reabsorbed following ovulation. We have used the Ussing short-circuit current (Isc) technique and measurements of transcript and protein expression of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) to determine if variations in electrogenic Na(+) transport are associated with this fluid absorption. Spontaneous Isc (<20µAcm(-2) during anoestrus, 60-80µAcm(-2) in cycling animals) was inhibited by serosal ouabain. Mucosal amiloride (10µmolL(-1)), an inhibitor of ENaC, had little effect on follicular Isc but reduced luteal Isc by ~35%. This amiloride-sensitive Isc was dependent on mucosal Na(+) and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50)-amiloride (0.95μmolL(-1)) was consistent with ENaC-mediated Na(+) absorption. Results from polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription (RT-PCR) indicate that αENaC mRNA is expressed in anoestrous, follicular and luteal phases. However, in follicular animals αENaC immunoreactivity in epithelial cells was distributed throughout the cytoplasm, whereas immunoreactivity was restricted to the apical pole of cells from luteal animals. These data suggest that increased Na(+) absorption contributes to fluid absorption during the luteal phase and is regulated by insertion of ENaC into the apical membrane of cul-de-sac epithelial cells.

Role of cutaneous surface fluid in frog osmoregulation

The study investigated whether evaporative water loss (EWL) in frogs stems from water diffusing through the skin or fluid secreted by mucous glands. Osmolality of cutaneous surface fluid (CSF) of Rana esculenta (Pelophylax kl. esculentus) subjected to isoproterenol or 30°C-34°C was 191±9.3 and 181±7.5 mosm/kg, respectively, as compared to lymph osmolality of, 249±10 mosm/kg. Cation concentrations of CSF were likewise independent of pre-treatment with averages of, [Na(+)]=65.5±5.1 and [K(+)]=14.9±1.6 mmol/L, and lymph concentrations of 116 mmol Na(+)/L and 5.1 mmol K(+)/L. The relatively high [K(+)] confirms that CSF is produced by submucosal glands. Since the chemical energy of water of CSF was always higher than that of body fluids, diffusion of water would be from CSF to the interstitial fluid and not in the opposite direction. It is concluded that volume and composition of CSF are regulated by subepidermal exocrine gland secretion balanced by EWL into the atmosphere and ion reuptake by the epidermal epithelium. Previously discovered regulatory mechanisms of epithelial ion absorption, hitherto not ascribed a body function, fit well with a role in regulating turnover of CSF. As a regulated external physiological compartment, CSF would be of importance for the immune defenses that amphibians employ in protecting their skin.

The lateral intercellular space as osmotic coupling compartment in isotonic transport

Solute-coupled water transport and isotonic transport are basic functions of low- and high-resistance epithelia. These functions are studied with the epithelium bathed on the two sides with physiological saline of similar composition. Hence, at transepithelial equilibrium water enters the epithelial cells from both sides, and with the reflection coefficient of tight junction being larger than that of the interspace basement membrane, all of the water leaves the epithelium through the interspace basement membrane. The common design of transporting epithelia leads to the theory that an osmotic coupling of water absorption to ion flow is energized by lateral Na(+)/K(+) pumps. We show that the theory accounts quantitatively for steady- and time dependent states of solute-coupled fluid uptake by toad skin epithelium. Our experimental results exclude definitively three alternative theories of epithelial solute-water coupling: stoichiometric coupling at the molecular level by transport proteins like SGLT1, electro-osmosis and a 'junctional fluid transfer mechanism'. Convection-diffusion out of the lateral space constitutes the fundamental problem of isotonic transport by making the emerging fluid hypertonic relative to the fluid in the lateral intercellular space. In the Na(+) recirculation theory the 'surplus of solutes' is returned to the lateral space via the cells energized by the lateral Na(+)/K(+) pumps. We show that this theory accounts quantitatively for isotonic and hypotonic transport at transepithelial osmotic equilibrium as observed in toad skin epithelium in vitro. Our conclusions are further developed for discussing their application to solute-solvent coupling in other vertebrate epithelia such as small intestine, proximal tubule of glomerular kidney and gallbladder. Evidence is discussed that the Na(+) recirculation theory is not irreconcilable with the wide range of metabolic cost of Na(+) transport observed in fluid-transporting epithelia.

Furin cleavage activates the epithelial Na+channel by relieving Na+self-inhibition

Epithelial Na+channels (ENaC) are inhibited by extracellular Na+, a process referred to as Na+self-inhibition. We previously demonstrated that mutation of key residues within two furin cleavage consensus sites in α, or one site in γ, blocked subunit proteolysis and inhibited channel activity when mutant channels were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes (Hughey RP, Bruns JB, Kinlough CL, Harkleroad KL, Tong Q, Carattino MD, Johnson JP, Stockand JD, and Kleyman TR. J Biol Chem 279: 18111–18114, 2004). Cleavage of subunits was also blocked by these mutations when expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, and both subunit cleavage and channel activity were blocked when wild-type subunits were expressed in furin-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells. We now report that channels with mutant α-subunits lacking either one or both furin cleavage sites exhibited a marked enhancement of the Na+self-inhibition response, while channels with a mutant γ-subunit showed a modestly enhanced Na+self-inhibition response. Analysis of Na+self-inhibition at varying [Na+] indicates that channels containing mutant α-subunits exhibit an increased Na+affinity. At the single-channel level, channels with a mutant α-subunit had a low open probability ( Po) in the presence of a high external [Na+] in the patch pipette. Podramatically increased when trypsin was also present, or when a low external [Na+] was in the patch pipette. Our results suggest that furin cleavage of ENaC subunits activates the channels by relieving Na+self-inhibition and that activation requires that the α-subunit be cleaved twice. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time a clear relationship between ENaC Poand extracellular [Na+], supporting the notion that Na+self-inhibition reflects a Poreduction due to high extracellular [Na+].

Endogenous protease activation of ENaC: effect of serine protease inhibition on ENaC single channel properties

Endogenous serine proteases have been reported to control the reabsorption of Na⁺ by kidney- and lung-derived epithelial cells via stimulation of electrogenic Na⁺ transport mediated by the epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC). In this study we investigated the effects of aprotinin on ENaC single channel properties using transepithelial fluctuation analysis in the amphibian kidney epithelium, A6. Aprotinin caused a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition (84 ± 10.5%) in the amiloride-sensitive sodium transport (I_Na) with a time constant of 18 min and half maximal inhibition constant of 1 μM. Analysis of amiloride analogue blocker–induced fluctuations in I_Na showed linear rate–concentration plots with identical blocker on and off rates in control and aprotinin-inhibited conditions. Verification of open-block kinetics allowed for the use of a pulse protocol method (Helman, S.I., X. Liu, K. Baldwin, B.L. Blazer-Yost, and W.J. Els. 1998. Am. J. Physiol. 274:C947–C957) to study the same cells under different conditions as well as the reversibility of the aprotinin effect on single channel properties. Aprotinin caused reversible changes in all three single channel properties but only the change in the number of open channels was consistent with the inhibition of I_Na. A 50% decrease in I_Na was accompanied by 50% increases in the single channel current and open probability but an 80% decrease in the number of open channels. Washout of aprotinin led to a time-dependent restoration of I_Na as well as the single channel properties to the control, pre-aprotinin, values. We conclude that protease regulation of I_Na is mediated by changes in the number of open channels in the apical membrane. The increase in the single channel current caused by protease inhibition can be explained by a hyperpolarization of the apical membrane potential as active Na⁺ channels are retrieved. The paradoxical increase in channel open probability caused by protease inhibition will require further investigation but does suggest a potential compensatory regulatory mechanism to maintain I_Na at some minimal threshold value.

External Ni2 + and ENaC in A6 cells: Na+ current stimulation by competition at a binding site for amiloride and Na+

In cultured A6 monolayers from distal Xenopus kidney, external Ni2+ stimulated active Na+ uptake via the epithelial Na+ channel, ENaC. Transepithelial capacitance measurements ruled out exocytosis of ENaC-containing vesicles underlying the Ni2+ effect. Na+ current noise analysis was performed using the neutral Na(+) -channel blocker 6-chloro-3,5-diamino-pyrazine-2-carboxamide (CDPC) and amiloride. The analysis of CDPC-induced noise in terms of a three-state channel model revealed that Ni2+ elicits an increase in the number of open channels as well as in the spontaneous open probability. While Ni2+ had no influence on CDPC-blocker kinetics, the macroscopic and microscopic blocking kinetics of amiloride were affected. Ni2+ turned out to compete with amiloride for a putative binding site but not with CDPC. Moreover, external Na(+)--known to compete with amiloride and so producing the "self-inhibition" phenomenon--and Ni2+ exerted mutually exclusive analogous effects on amiloride kinetics. Na+ current kinetics revealed that Ni2+ prevents ENaC to be downregulated by self-inhibition. Co2+ behaved similarly to Ni2+, whereas Zn2+ did not. Attempts to disclose the chemical nature of the site reacting with Ni2+ suggested cysteine but not histidine as reaction partner.

Extracellular histidine residues crucial for Na+ self-inhibition of epithelial Na+ channels

Epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC) participate in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume homeostasis and blood pressure. Channel activity is regulated by both extracellular and intracellular Na(+). The down-regulation of ENaC activity by external Na(+) is referred to as Na(+) self-inhibition. We investigated the structural determinants of Na(+) self-inhibition by expressing wild-type or mutant ENaCs in Xenopus oocytes and analyzing changes in whole-cell Na(+) currents following a rapid increase of bath Na(+) concentration. Our results indicated that wild-type mouse alphabetagammaENaC has intrinsic Na(+) self-inhibition similar to that reported for human, rat, and Xenopus ENaCs. Mutations at His(239) (gammaH239R, gammaH239D, and gammaH239C) in the extracellular loop of the gammaENaC subunit prevented Na(+) self-inhibition whereas mutations of the corresponding His(282) in alphaENaC (alphaH282D, alphaH282R, alphaH282W, and alphaH282C) significantly enhanced Na(+) self-inhibition. These results suggest that these two histidine residues within the extracellular loops are crucial structural determinants for Na(+) self-inhibition.

Mechanism of C2-toxin Inhibition by Fluphenazine and Related Compounds: Investigation of their Binding Kinetics to the C2II-channel using the Current Noise Analysis

The binding component C2II of the binary actin ADP-ribosylating C2-toxin from Clostridium botulinum is essential for intoxication of target cells. Activation by a protease leads to channel formation and this is presumably required for the transport of the toxic C2I component into cells. The C2II-channel is cation selective and contains a binding site for fluphenazine and structurally related compounds. Ion transport through C2II and in vivo intoxication is blocked when the sites are occupied by the ligands. C2II was reconstituted into artificial lipid bilayer membranes and formed ion permeable channels. The binding constant of chloroquine, primaquine, quinacrine, chloropromazine and fluphenazine to the C2II-channel was determined using titration experiments, which resulted in its block. The ligand-induced current noise of the C2II-channels was investigated using fast Fourier transformation. The noise of the open channels had a rather small spectral density, which was a function of the inverse frequency up to about 100 Hz. Upon addition of ligands to the aqueous phase the current through C2II decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, the spectral density of the current noise increased drastically and its frequency dependence was of Lorentzian type, which was caused by the on and off-reactions of the ligand-mediated channel block. The ligand-induced current noise of C2II was used for the evaluation of the binding kinetics for different ligands to the channel. The on-rate constant of ligand binding was between 10(7) and 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) and was dependent on the ionic strength of the aqueous phase. The off-rate varied between about 10 s(-1) and 3900 s(-1) and depended on the structure of the ligand. The role of structural requirements for the effective block of C2II by the different ligands is discussed.

A new subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel identifies regions involved in Na+ self-inhibition

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) is the apical entry pathway for Na+ in many Na+-reabsorbing epithelia. ENaC is a heterotetrameric protein composed of homologous alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. Mutations in ENaC cause severe hypertension or salt wasting in humans; and consequently, ENaC activity is tightly controlled. According to the concept of Na+ self-inhibition, the extracellular Na+ ion itself can reduce ENaC activity. The molecular basis for Na+ self-inhibition is unknown. Here, we describe cloning of a new ENaC subunit from Xenopus laevis (epsilonxENaC). epsilonxENaC can replace alphaxENaC and formed functional, highly selective, amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels when coexpressed with betaxENaC and gammaxENaC. Channels containing epsilonxENaC showed strong inhibition by extracellular Na+. This Na+ self-inhibition was significantly slower than for alphaxENaC-containing channels. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we show that the proximal part of the large extracellular domain controls the speed of self-inhibition. This suggests that this region is involved in conformational changes during Na+ self-inhibition.

CymA of Klebsiella oxytoca outer membrane: binding of cyclodextrins and study of the current noise of the open channel

CymA, the outer membrane component of the cyclodextrin (CD) uptake and metabolism system of Klebsiella oxytoca, was reconstituted into lipid bilayer membranes. The channel properties of this unusual porin were studied in detail. The binding of CDs to the channel resulted in its complete block for ion transport. This result allowed the detailed investigation of carbohydrate binding, and the stability constants for the binding of cyclic and linear carbohydrates to the binding site inside the channel were calculated from titration experiments of the membrane conductance with the carbohydrates. Highest stability constant was observed for alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD; K = 32,000 1/M) followed by beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD; K = 1970 1/M) and gamma-cyclodextrin (gamma-CD; K = 310 1/M). Linear maltooligosaccharides bound also to CymA but with much smaller stability constants as compared to cyclic ones. The noise of the current through CymA in multi- and single-channel experiments was investigated using fast Fourier transformation. The current through the open channels had a rather high spectral density, which was a Lorentzian function of the frequency up to 2000 Hz. Upon addition of cyclic dextrins to the aqueous phase the spectral density decreased in a dose-dependent manner, which made it impossible to evaluate the binding kinetics. Experiments with single CymA-channels demonstrated the channel is highly asymmetric concerning channel flickers and current noise.

Stimulatory effects on Na+ transport in renal epithelia induced by extracts of Nigella arvensis are caused by adenosine

Effects of the extract of Nigella arvensis (NA) seeds on transepithelial Na+ transport were studied in cultured A6 toad kidney cells by recording short-circuit current (Isc),transepithelial conductance (GT), transepithelial capacitance (CT) and fluctuation in Isc. Apical application of NA extract had merely a small stimulatory effect on Na+ transport, whereas basolateral administration markedly increased Isc, GT and CT. A maximal effect was obtained at 500 μl l-1 of lyophilized NA extract. The increase in CT suggests that the activation of Isc occurs through the insertion of transport sites in the apical membrane. In experiments performed in the absence of Na+transport [apical Na+ was replaced by N-methyl-D-glucamine(NMDG+)], basolateral NA extract did not affect Isc and GT, indicating that Cl- conductance was not influenced. Noise analysis of Isc using 6-chloro-3,5-diaminopyrazine-2-carboxamide(CDPC) showed that NA extract reduced single-channel current(iNa) and decreased channel open probability(Po) but evoked a threefold increase in channel density(NT), which confirms the insertion of Na+channels. The separation of the compounds in the crude extract of NAwas performed by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) on a Superdex 200 gel-filtration column and by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography(RPHPLC) on an μRPC C2/C18 SC2.1/10 column connected to a SMART system. Analysis of the purified active fraction by mass spectrometry demonstrated the presence of adenosine as the single organic compound in the extract that had a stimulatory effect on Na+ transport. In a separate series of experiments, we confirmed that 1 μmol l-1 adenosine had similar effects on the parameters of Na+ transport as did the NAextract. The action of adenosine was further identified by experiments in which NA extract was added after adenosine. In these experiments, NA extract did not affect Isc, GT or CT. These results clearly demonstrate an essential role of adenosine in the stimulatory action of NA extract.

Na self inhibition of human epithelial Na channel: temperature dependence and effect of extracellular proteases

The regulation of the open probability of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) by the extracellular concentration of Na(+), a phenomenon called "Na(+) self inhibition," has been well described in several natural tight epithelia, but its molecular mechanism is not known. We have studied the kinetics of Na(+) self inhibition on human ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Rapid removal of amiloride or rapid increase in the extracellular Na(+) concentration from 1 to 100 mM resulted in a peak inward current followed by a decline to a lower quasi-steady-state current. The rate of current decline and the steady-state level were temperature dependent and the current transient could be well explained by a two-state (active-inactive) model with a weakly temperature-dependent (Q(10)act = 1.5) activation rate and a strongly temperature-dependant (Q(10)inact = 8.0) inactivation rate. The steep temperature dependence of the inactivation rate resulted in the paradoxical decrease in the steady-state amiloride-sensitive current at high temperature. Na(+) self inhibition depended only on the extracellular Na(+) concentration but not on the amplitude of the inward current, and it was observed as a decrease of the conductance at the reversal potential for Na(+) as well as a reduction of Na(+) outward current. Self inhibition could be prevented by exposure to extracellular protease, a treatment known to activate ENaC or by treatment with p-CMB. After protease treatment, the amiloride-sensitive current displayed the expected increase with rising temperature. These results indicate that Na(+) self inhibition is an intrinsic property of sodium channels resulting from the expression of the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of human ENaC in Xenopus oocyte. The extracellular Na(+)-dependent inactivation has a large energy of activation and can be abolished by treatment with extracellular proteases.

Site-directed mutagenesis of tyrosine 118 within the central constriction site of the LamB (maltoporin) channel of Escherichia coli. II. Effect on maltose and maltooligosaccharide binding kinetics

The 3-D structure of the maltooligosaccharide-specific LamB channel of Escherichia coli (also called maltoporin) is known from x-ray crystallography. The central constriction of the channel formed by the external loop 3 is controlled by tyrosine 118. Y118 was replaced by site-directed mutagenesis by 10 other amino acids (alanine (A), isoleucine (I), asparagine (N), serine (S), cysteine (C), aspartic acid (D), arginine (R), histidine (H), phenylalanine (F), and tryptophan (W)) including neutral ones, negatively and positively charged amino acids to study the effect of their size, their hydrophobicity index, and their charge on maltose and maltooligosaccharide binding to LamB. The mutants were reconstituted into lipid bilayer membranes and the stability constants for binding of maltose, maltotriose, maltopentaose, and maltoheptaose to the channel were measured using titration experiments. The mutation of Y118 to any other non-aromatic amino acid led to a substantial decrease of the stability constant of binding by factors between about two and six. The highest effect was observed for the mutant Y118A. Replacement of Y118 by the two other aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine (F) and tryptophan (W), resulted in a substantial increase of the stability constant maximally by a factor of almost 400 for the Y118W mutant. The carbohydrate-induced block of the channel function was used for the study of current noise through the different mutant LamB channels. The analysis of the power density spectra allowed the evaluation of the on- and off-rate constants (k(1) and k(-1)) of sugar binding. The results suggest that both rate constants were affected by the mutations. For most mutants, with the exception of Y118F and Y118W, k(1) decreased and k(-1) increased, whereas the opposite was found for the aromatic amino acid mutants. The results suggest that tyrosine 118 has a crucial effect on carbohydrate transport through LamB.

In vivo bafilomycin-sensitive Na(+) uptake in young freshwater fish

In vivo treatment with external bafilomycin A(1), a selective inhibitor of V-ATPase H(+) pumps, reduced whole-body Na(+) influx by up to 90 % in young tilapia and 70 % in young carp. The inhibition was rapidly reversible, with whole-body Na(+) influx rebounding to 280 % of pre-treatment values within 20 min of removal from the bafilomycin. This rebound effect is consistent with the prior accumulation of protons during the period when the cells were exposed to bafilomycin. Bafilomycin also inhibited Cl(−) uptake, an effect that was still apparent 30 min after the removal of bafilomycin. These data provide circumstantial evidence for previous suggestions that Na(+) uptake in freshwater fish is associated with a proton-motive force created by a proton pump and indirect evidence for the major significance of this mechanism in the branchial uptake of Na(+) by freshwater fish.

Regulation of the epithelial Na(+) channel by intracellular Na(+)

The hypothesis that the intracellular Na(+) concentration ([Na(+)](i)) is a regulator of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) was tested with the Xenopus oocyte expression system by utilizing a dual-electrode voltage clamp. [Na(+)](i) averaged 48.1 +/- 2.2 meq (n = 27) and was estimated from the amiloride-sensitive reversal potential. [Na(+)](i) was increased by direct injection of 27.6 nl of 0.25 or 0.5 M Na(2)SO(4). Within minutes of injection, [Na(+)](i) stabilized and remained elevated at 97.8 +/- 6.5 meq (n = 9) and 64. 9 +/- 4.4 (n = 5) meq 30 min after the initial injection of 0.5 and 0.25 M Na(2)SO(4), respectively. This increase of [Na(+)](i) caused a biphasic inhibition of ENaC currents. In oocytes injected with 0.5 M Na(2)SO(4) (n = 9), a rapid decrease of inward amiloride-sensitive slope conductance (g(Na)) to 0.681 +/- 0.030 of control within the first 3 min and a secondary, slower decrease to 0.304 +/- 0.043 of control at 30 min were observed. Similar but smaller inhibitions were also observed with the injection of 0.25 M Na(2)SO(4). Injection of isotonic K(2)SO(4) (70 mM) or isotonic K(2)SO(4) made hypertonic with sucrose (70 mM K(2)SO(4)-1.2 M sucrose) was without effect. Injection of a 0.5 M concentration of either K(2)SO(4), N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG) sulfate, or 0.75 M NMDG gluconate resulted in a much smaller initial inhibition (<14%) and little or no secondary decrease. Thus increases of [Na(+)](i) have multiple specific inhibitory effects on ENaC that can be temporally separated into a rapid phase that was complete within 2-3 min and a delayed slow phase that was observed between 5 and 30 min.

Insulin increases sodium (Na+) channel density in A6 epithelia: implications for expression of hypertension

Essential or primary hypertension is a multifactorial disease that is expressed as a result of complex interactions between genes and environmental influences. Several mutations in many different proteins are associated with expression of hypertension, including abnormalities in the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) found in absorptive organs (i.e., distal colon, distal tubule of the nephron). Some of these mutations result in structural and/or functional alterations in ENaC-mediated Na+ entry in epithelia responsible for fluid and electrolyte balance and are associated with expression of hypertension. Studies support the notion that there is a link between ENaC and hypertension of both the monogenic (single gene mutation) and primary or essential type (a multifactorial disease). Alterations of other aspects of the environment of absorptive cells (e.g., hyperinsulinemia, hyperaldosteronemia, high plasma cortisol, high plasma Na+) have also been shown to elicit hyperabsorption of Na+ via ENaC and therefore could contribute significantly to expression of hypertension in people with intermediate phenotypes. This article describes an initial study in which the effects of an environmental factor, extracellular levels of insulin, on ENaC were examined in a normal kidney cell model. Electrophysiologic techniques revealed that ENaC density rapidly increased in response to addition of insulin to the basolateral bath. This autoregulatory recruitment of Na+ total channel density masked a slight decrease in open channel probability. Insulin's effect on ENaC function and implications on fluid and electrolyte balance and expression of primary hypertension is discussed.

Terbutaline increases open channel density of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in distal lung

Neonatal and adult vertebrate respiration is facilitated by alveolar fluid and sodium (Na+) absorption driven by apical sodium channels (ENaC). ENaC are characterized in Xenopus laevis lung (XLL) epithelia using voltage clamping and fluctuation analysis to non-invasively examine macroscopic transepithelial current and resistance (I(SC), R(T)), single channel current (i(Na)) and total channel density (N(T)) responses to a beta adrenergic agonist (Terbutaline). Terbutaline addition to the basolateral bath of XLL increased Na entry to > 200% of control reflecting a doubling of open channel density (N(o). These data are consistent with the notion that XLL can serve as a useful model for investigation of distal lung ENaC response to agents of physiological interest.

Na+ and K+ regulate the phosphorylation state of nucleoside diphosphate kinase in human airway epithelium

We describe how cations, in the presence of ATP, regulate the phosphorylated form of 19- and 21-kDa nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK; EC 2.7.4.6), a kinase controlling K+ channels, G proteins, cell secretion, cellular energy production, and UTP synthesis. In apically enriched human nasal epithelial membranes, 10 mM Na+ inhibits phosphorylation of NDPK relative to other cations. Dose response showed that, whereas K+ induces a fourfold greater phosphate incorporation (EC50 10 mM), Na+ is inhibitory (EC50 10 mM) compared with respective buffer controls. Cation discrimination is nucleotide selective (not seen with [gamma-32P]GTP) and NDPK specific (not seen with p37h, a previously characterized Cl--sensitive phosphoprotein). Na+ does not exert an inhibitory effect on NDPK phosphorylation directly but is likely to act via an okadaic acid-insensitive phosphatase. We speculate that the ability of NDPK to discriminate between physiologically relevant cation concentrations provides a novel example of cross talk within the apical membrane.

Nedd4 mediates control of an epithelial Na+ channel in salivary duct cells by cytosolic Na+

Epithelial Na+ channels are expressed widely in absorptive epithelia such as the renal collecting duct and the colon and play a critical role in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that these channels interact via PY motifs in the C terminals of their alpha, beta, and gamma subunits with the WW domains of the ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4. Mutation or deletion of these PY motifs (as occurs, for example, in the heritable form of hypertension known as Liddle's syndrome) leads to increased Na+ channel activity. Thus, binding of Nedd4 by the PY motifs would appear to be part of a physiological control system for down-regulation of Na+ channel activity. The nature of this control system is, however, unknown. In the present paper, we show that Nedd4 mediates the ubiquitin-dependent down-regulation of Na+ channel activity in response to increased intracellular Na+. We further show that Nedd4 operates downstream of Go in this feedback pathway. We find, however, that Nedd4 is not involved in the feedback control of Na+ channels by intracellular anions. Finally, we show that Nedd4 has no influence on Na+ channel activity when the Na+ and anion feedback systems are inactive. We conclude that Nedd4 normally mediates feedback control of epithelial Na+ channels by intracellular Na+, and we suggest that the increased Na+ channel activity observed in Liddle's syndrome is attributable to the loss of this regulatory feedback system.

Regulation of Na+ channels by luminal Na+ in rat cortical collecting tubule

1. The idea that luminal Na+ can regulate epithelial Na+ channels was tested in the cortical collecting tubule of the rat using whole-cell and single-channel recordings. Here we report results consistent with the idea of Na+ self-inhibition. 2. Macroscopic amiloride-sensitive currents (INa) were measured by conventional whole-cell clamp. INa was a saturable function of external Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) with an apparent Km of 9 mM. Single channel currents (iNa) were measured in cell-attached patches. iNa increased with pipette Na+ concentration with an apparent Km of 48 mM. Since INa = (iNa)NPo, the different Km values imply that the channel density (N) and/or open probability (Po) increase as [Na+]o decreases. Reduction of [Na+]o after increasing intracellular Na+ concentration also increased the outward amiloride-sensitive conductance, consistent with activation of the Na+ channels. 3. The underlying mechanism was studied by changing pipette Na+ concentration while recording from cell-attached patches. No increase in NPo was observed, suggesting that the effect is not a direct interaction between [Na+]o and the channel. 4. [Na+]o was varied outside the patch-clamp pipette while recording from cell-attached patches. When amiloride was in the bath to prevent Na+ entry, no change in NPo was observed. 5. Activation of the channels by hyperpolarization was observed with 140 mM Na+o but not with 14 mM Na+o. 6. The results are consistent with the concept of self-inhibition of Na+ channels by luminal Na+. Activation of the channels by lowering [Na+]o is not additive with that achieved by hyperpolarization.

Binding sites for amiloride in intact epithelia

The following is the abstract of the article discussed in the subsequent letter:

Blazer-Yost, Bonnie L., and Sandy I. Helman.The amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel: binding sites and channel densities. Am. J. Physiol. 272 ( Cell Physiol. 41): C761–C769, 1997.—The amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel found in many transporting epithelia plays a key role in regulating salt and water homeostasis. Both biochemical and biophysical approaches have been used to identify, characterize, and quantitate this important channel. Among biophysical methods, there is agreement as to the single-channel conductance and gating kinetics of the highly selective Na+ channel found in native epithelia. Amiloride and its analogs inhibit transport through the channel by binding to high-affinity ligand-binding sites. This characteristic of high-affinity binding has been used biochemically to quantitate channel densities and to isolate presumptive channel proteins. Although the goals of biophysical and biochemical experiments are the same in elucidating mechanisms underlying regulation of Na+transport, our review highlights a major quantitative discrepancy between methods in estimation of channel densities involved in transport. Because the density of binding sites measured biochemically is three to four orders of magnitude in excess of channel densities measured biophysically, it is unlikely that high-affinity ligand binding can be used physiologically to quantitate channel densities and characterize the channel proteins.

Cytosolic Na+ controls and epithelial Na+ channel via the Go guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein

In tight Na+-absorbing epithelial cells, the fate of Na+ entry through amiloride-sensitive apical membrane Na+ channels is matched to basolateral Na+ extrusion so that cell Na+ concentration and volume remain steady. Control of this process by regulation of apical Na+ channels has been attributed to changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration or pH, secondary to changes in cytosolic Na+ concentration, although cytosolic Cl- seems also to be involved. Using mouse mandibular gland duct cells, we now demonstrate that increasing cytosolic Na+ concentration inhibits apical Na+ channels independent of changes in cytosolic Ca2+, pH, or Cl-, and the effect is blocked by GDP-beta-S, pertussis toxin, and antibodies against the alpha-subunits of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (Go). In contrast, the inhibitory effect of cytosolic anions is blocked by antibodies to inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (Gi1/Gi2. It thus appears that apical Na+ channels are regulated by Go and Gi proteins, the activities of which are controlled, respectively, by cytosolic Na+ and Cl-.

Effect of oxytocin on transepithelial transport of water and Na+ in distinct ventral regions of frog skin (Rana catesbeiana)

Thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic fragments of ventral skin of Rana catesbeiana were analysed regarding the effect of oxytocin on: (1) transepithelial water transport; (2) short-circuit current; (3) skin conductance and electrical potential difference; (4) Na+ conductance, the electromotive force of the Na+ transport mechanism, and shunt conductance; (5) short-circuit current responses to fast Na+ by K+ replacement in the outer compartment, and (6) epithelial microstructure. Unstimulated water and Na+ permeabilities were low along the ventral skin. Hydrosmotic and natriferic responses to oxytocin increased from thorax to pelvis. Unstimulated Na+ conductance was greater in pelvis than in abdomen, the other electrical parameters being essentially similar in both skin fragments. Contribution of shunt conductance to total skin conductance was higher in abdominal than in pelvic skin. Oxytocininduced increases of total skin conductance, Na+ conductance, and shunt conductance in pelvis were significantly larger than in abdomen. An oscillatory behaviour of the short-circuit current was observed only in oxytocin-treated pelvic skins. Decrease of epithelial thickness and increase of mitochondria-rich cell number were observed from thorax to pelvis. Oxytocin-induced increases of interspaces were more conspicuous in pelvis and abdomen than in thorax.

Effect of dexamethasone on sodium channel block and densities in A6 cells

The association (ON) and dissociation (OFF) rates of either positively charged amiloride or its uncharged analogue, CDPC (6-chloro-3, 5-diaminopyrazine-2-carboxamide), with the apical Na+ channel protein of renal A6 cells were analysed during exposure to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, using noise analysis. These rates were further used to reach specific conclusions about single-channel current, channel density and open probability of the channel in the absence of the blocker. Short-term exposure (3 h) to 10(-7) mol/l dexamethasone at the basolateral side increased the short-circuit current, Isc by 85%, without a change in the ON and OFF rates of the interaction between amiloride and the Na+ channel. A longer incubation (24 h) with dexamethasone tripled the current with a notable increase in the ON rate of the interaction between amiloride and the and channel. The OFF rate remained constant. The effects of dexamethasone on the rate constants of the reaction of amiloride with the channel did not match with the expected changes in membrane potential. On the other hand, ON and OFF rates of the interaction between neutral CDPC and the channel were not influenced by a 24-h incubation with dexamethasone. Further calculations disclosed that the gain in macroscopic current after a 24-h incubation with dexamethasone might be explained by an increase in Na+ channel density, and, to a lesser extent, by a rise in single-channel current. This all occurred without a change in the fraction of time spent by the channel in the conducting state in the absence of the blocker.

Evaluation of the rate constants of sugar transport through maltoporin (LamB) of Escherichia coli from the sugar-induced current noise

LamB (maltoporin) of Escherichia coli outer membrane was reconstituted into artificial lipid bilayer membranes. The channel contains a binding site for sugars and is blocked for ions when the site is occupied by a sugar. The on and off reactions of sugar binding cause an increase of the noise of the current through the channel. The sugar-induced current noise of maltoporin was used for the evaluation of the sugar-binding kinetics for different sugars of the maltooligosaccharide series and for sucrose. The on rate constant for sugar binding was between 10(6) and 10(7) M-1.s-1 for the maltooligosaccharides and corresponds to the movement of the sugars from the aqueous phase to the central binding site. The off rate (corresponding to the release of the sugars from the channel) decreased with increasing number of glucose residues in the maltooligosaccharides from approximately 2,000 s-1 for maltotriose to 180 s-1 for maltoheptaose. The kinetics for sucrose movement was considerably slower. The activation energies of the stability constant and of the rate constants for sugar binding were evaluated from noise experiments at different temperatures. The role of LamB in the transport of maltooligosaccharides across the outer membrane is discussed.

Short-circuit current overshoot in epithelial sodium channels following apical sodium jump

Following a jump in the sodium concentration of the solution bathing the apical surface of frog skin, the inward sodium current rises rapidly to a peak and then falls to a steady-state plateau. Lindemann suggested that this fall is due to rapid closing (in 2 to 3 s) of Na channels. However, the lack of a corresponding corner frequency in the sodium-noise spectrum indicates a much slower closing. We propose a compartmental mechanism for the overshoot: the inward Na current causes Na to accumulate in the intracellular region adjacent to the sodium channel--a virtual compartment--thereby decreasing the outside/inside [Na] ratio. As that ratio falls with rising [Na] in the virtual compartment, the force driving the current falls. The predictions of such a model have been curve-fitted to the time-course of the current overshoot. The differential equation describing the rate of change of [Na] in the virtual compartment has several time constants: a filling time for the compartment, a leakage time for escape of Na into the larger intracellular space, a mixing time in the apical bathing solution, and, of course, the channel-closing time. This curve fitting shows that channel closing becomes important only in the tail of the overshoot (> 15 s) with mean open times in a range from 7 s to 3 min. Similarly, the time-course of the current after washout of apical [Na] was fitted using the same differential equation, with the channel-closing time replaced with a channel-opening time. Other phenomena explainable by this compartmental model but not by fast channel closing include the open-circuit-potential overshoot, current overshoot through nystatin channels, and the less-than-59-mV-per-decade slopes of semilog plots of open-circuit potential vs. [Na].

Noise analysis of ion current through the open and the sugar-induced closed state of the LamB channel of Escherichia coli outer membrane: evaluation of the sugar binding kinetics to the channel interior

LamB, a sugar-specific channel of Escherichia coli outer membrane was reconstituted into lipid bilayer membranes and the current noise was investigated using fast Fourier transformation. The current noise through the open channels had a rather small spectral density, which was a function of the inverse frequency up to about 100 Hz. The spectral density of the noise of the open LamB channels was a quadratic function of the applied voltage. Its magnitude was not correlated to the number of channels in the lipid bilayer membrane. Upon addition of sugars to the aqueous phase the current decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, the spectral density of the current noise increased drastically, which indicated interaction of the sugars with the binding site inside the channel. The frequency dependence of the spectral density was of Lorentzian type, although the power of its frequency dependence was not identical to -2. Analysis of the power density spectra using a previously proposed simple model (Benz, R., A. Schmid, and G. H. Vos-Scheperkeuter. 1987. J. Membr. Biol. 100: 12-29), allowed the evaluation of the on- and the off-rate constants for the maltopentaose binding to the binding site inside the LamB channels. This means also that the maltopentaose flux through the LamB channel could be estimated by assuming a simple one-site, two-barrier model for the sugar transport from the results of the noise analysis.

Sodium-dependent regulation of epithelial sodium channel densities in frog skin; a role for the cytoskeleton

1. A weak electroneutral sodium channel blocker 6-chloro-3,5-diamino-pyrazine-2-carboxamide was used to perform noise analysis on isolated epithelium from Rana fuscigula to determine the cellular mechanism underlying autoregulation of Na+ channel densities in response to a reduction in the mucosal Na+ concentration. 2. The inherent transport rates of these tissues were generally lower than in other frog skins. The macroscopic sodium current, INa, averaged 10.71 microA/cm2 and was mainly determined by the number of open channels (N(o)) which averaged 21.6 million/cm2. The calculated mean channel open probability (beta') was 0.38, and corresponded very closely to values previously determined by patch clamp. 3. Reducing the mucosal Na+ from 110 to 10 mM caused large increases in the open channel density, which stabilized the Na+ transport rate. N(o) increased from a mean value of 26.6 to 64.3 million/cm2 within 2 min. 4. Autoregulatory changes were induced primarily by increasing beta' by about 60% and to a lesser extent by an increase in NT, the total number of open and closed channels. 5. We also examined the role of the cytoskeleton in the regulation of Na+ channel densities. Colchicine treatment, which disrupted microtubules, had no apparent effect on the ability of the tissues to autoregulate their Na+ channel densities. 6. The integrity of the microfilaments were essential for autoregulatory changes in N(o). After we had disrupted the microfilaments with cytochalasin B, we observed a marked reduction in the ability of the tissues to increase N(o). 7. The mean N(o) did not increase in response to a drop in mucosal Na+ despite the fact that beta' increased by 69%. We, therefore, assumed that cytochalasin B did not affect Na+ channels already present in the membrane but interfered with recruitment of new channels. Significantly, we did not observe any increase in NT. 8. In kidney and other tight epithelia, microfilaments are responsible for regulating the delivery of newly synthesized membrane proteins. We believe that our results with cytochalasin-treated tissues support the theory that autoregulatory changes in N(o) are also regulated by the recruitment of channels from a cytoplasmic pool.

Expression of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels of hen lower intestine in Xenopus oocytes: electrophysiological studies on the dependence of varying NaCl intake

Epithelial Na+ channels were incorporated into the plasma membrane of Xenopus laevis oocytes after micro-injection of RNA from hen lower intestinal epithelium (colon and coprodeum). The animals were fed either a normal poultry food which contained NaCl (HS), or a similar food devoid of NaCl (LS). Oocytes were monitored for the expression of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels by measuring membrane potentials and currents. Oocytes injected with poly(A)+RNA prepared from HS animals or non-injected control oocytes showed no detectable sodium currents, whereas oocytes injected with LS-poly(A)+RNA had large amiloride-blockable sodium currents. These currents were almost completely saturated by sodium concentrations of 20 mM with a Km of about 2.6 mM sodium. Amiloride (10 microM) inhibits the expressed sodium channels entirely and examination of dose response relationships yielded a half-maximal inhibition concentration (Ki) of 120 nM amiloride. I-V difference curves in the presence or absence of sodium or amiloride (10 microM) indicate a potential dependence of the sodium transport which can be described by the Goldman equation. When Na+ is replaced by K+, no amiloride response was detected indicating a high selectivity for Na+ over K+. These results provide strong evidence that intestinal Na+ channels are regulated by dietary salt intake on the RNA level.

Regulation of Na+ channels in the cortical collecting duct by AVP and mineralocorticoids

A variety of experimental approaches have shown that AVP and mineralocorticoids stimulate Na+ transport through their effects on the number and kinetic properties of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels in the apical membrane. The different mechanisms by which AVP and mineralocorticoid act on the Na+ channel provide a basis for synergism in their actions, perhaps by a scheme such as that proposed in Figure 5. However, the details of this interaction will require a better understanding of the molecular details involved in activating quiescent channels, increasing their open probability, and reorientating or inserting channels to an operational position in the apical membrane. Electrophysiological and biochemical approaches have gone a long way toward elucidating some of these molecular details. But the latter approach in particular has indicated that the Na+ channel may have multiple regulatory subunits and thus be a target for several intracellular second messengers and autacoids other than those involved in the actions of AVP and aldosterone. The challenges for future research in this area are multiple. It seems likely that the primary amino acid sequence of the channel subunits will soon become available from cloning and sequencing approaches, but the application of this knowledge to understanding how the subunits are integrated into the complete protein and mediate regulatory signals will be a formidable task. It will be important to determine the normal extracellular signals (other than aldosterone and AVP) and the associated intracellular second messengers that alter channel activity. It will also be important to understand how some species such as the rabbit may "turn off" the stimulatory effect of AVP on Na+ reabsorption in the CCD, and how this regulatory process is altered when these cells are cultured. At the whole animal level, it will also be important to investigate whether changes in one or more of the normal regulatory pathways that impinge on the Na+ channel might be involved in a diminished ability to excrete a salt load, as is observed in some models of hypertension. All of these issues need to be understood at the molecular level, and it seems likely they will provide exciting physiological insights at all levels.

Amiloride blockage of Na+ channels in amphibian epithelia does not require external Ca2+

Noise analysis was used to study the influence of external Ca2+ on the blockage of Na+ transport by amiloride. Experiments were done using frog skin (Rana temporaria and Rana catesbeiana), toad urinary bladder (Bufo marinus) and epithelia of A6 cells. In nondepolarized skins and bladders, removal of Ca2+ from the mucosal bath diminished markedly the inhibitory effect of amiloride. Ca2+ depletion also gave rise to the appearance of an additional noise component related to cation movement through the poorly selective cation channel in the apical membrane [Aelvoet I, Erlij D, Van Driessche W (1988) J Physiol (Lond) 398:555-574; Van Driessche W, Desmedt L, Simaels J (1991) Pflügers Arch 418:193-203]. The amplitude of this Ca(2+)-blockable noise component was elevated by amiloride and markedly exceeded the amiloride-induced Lorentzian noise levels as recorded in the presence of Ca2+. On the other hand, in K(+)-depolarized skins and bladders as well as in nondepolarized epithelial of A6 cells, the Ca(2+)-blockable noise was absent or of much smaller amplitude. Depolarization of frog skin and toad urinary bladder apparently inactivated the poorly selective channels, whereas in A6 cells they were not observed. Under these conditions the typical amiloride-induced blocker noise could also be analysed in the absence of Ca2+ and demonstrated that the on and off rates for amiloride binding were not significantly altered by external Ca2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sodium uptake across basolateral membrane of rat distal colon. Evidence for Na-H exchange and Na-anion cotransport

This study sought to characterize the mechanism of Na transport across basolateral membrane vesicles of rat distal colon. Both an outward proton gradient and an inward bicarbonate gradient stimulated 22Na uptake. Proton gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake was activated severalfold by the additional presence of an inward bicarbonate gradient, and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake was significantly enhanced by an imposed intravesicular membrane positive potential. 0.1 mM amiloride inhibited both proton gradient- and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake by 80 and 95%, respectively, while 1 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) inhibited both proton gradient- and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake by 40 and 80%, respectively. Both proton gradient- and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake saturated as a function of increasing Na concentration: the apparent kinetic constants (Km) for Na for the DIDS-insensitive component of proton gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake was 46.4 mM, while the DIDS-sensitive component of proton gradient- and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake had Km for Na of 8.1 and 6.4 mM, respectively. Amiloride inhibited both DIDS-insensitive proton gradient- and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake with an inhibitory constant (Ki) of approximately 35 and 1 microM, respectively. We conclude from these results that proton gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake represents both DIDS-insensitive Na-H exchange and DIDS-sensitive electrogenic Na-OH cotransport, and that the DIDS-sensitive component of proton gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake and bicarbonate gradient-stimulated 22Na uptake may represent the same electrogenic Na-anion cotransport process.

Expression of epithelial Na channels in Xenopus oocytes

Epithelial Na channel activity was expressed in oocytes from Xenopus laevis after injection of mRNA from A6 cells, derived from Xenopus kidney. Poly A(+) RNA was extracted from confluent cell monolayers grown on either plastic or permeable supports. 1-50 ng RNA was injected into stage 5-6 oocytes. Na channel activity was assayed as amiloride-sensitive current (INa) under voltage-clamp conditions 1-3 d after injection. INa was not detectable in noninjected or water-injected oocytes. This amiloride-sensitive pathway induced by the mRNA had a number of characteristics in common with that in epithelial cells, including (a) high selectivity for Na over K, (b) high sensitivity to amiloride with an apparent K1 of approximately 100 nM, (c) saturation with respect to external Na with an apparent Km of approximately 10 mM, and (d) a time-dependent activation of current with hyperpolarization of the oocyte membrane. Expression of channel activity was temperature dependent, being slow at 19 degrees C but much more rapid at 25 degrees C. Fractionation of mRNA on a sucrose density gradient revealed that the species of RNA inducing channel activity had a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 17 S. Treatment of filter-grown cells with 300 nM aldosterone for 24 h increased Na transport in the A6 cells by up to fivefold but did not increase the ability of mRNA isolated from those cells to induce channel activity in oocytes. The apparent abundance of mRNA coding for channel activity was 10-fold less in cells grown on plastic than in those grown on filters, but was increased two- to threefold by aldosterone.

Altered sensitivity to amiloride in cystic fibrosis. Observations using cultured sweat glands

1. Using cultured epithelia from sweat glands, derived from both cystic fibrosis and normal subjects, the relationship between amiloride concentration and the inhibition of electrogenic sodium transport was measured, under short circuit conditions. 2. The Kd for amiloride in cultures from normal subjects was 0.64 microM (n = 6) while in cultures derived from CF patients the value was 1.07 microM (n = 4). The values were significantly different (P less than 0.02, ANOVA). 3. In cultures from normal sweat glands, bathed in solutions free of permeable anions (chloride/bicarbonate), the Kd for amiloride rose to a value greater than found in CF tissues (2.3 microM). In CF epithelia subject to the same conditions the abnormally high value increased further, so that in solutions without permeable anions normal and CF cultures behaved similarly. 4. In cultures derived from normal and CF tissues lowering the sodium concentration to 10 mM also lowered the Kd for amiloride, however the shift was greater for CF cultures. 5. Several possible explanations for the results are discussed. The most probable is that the relatively more positive apical membrane potential in CF epithelia opposes the interaction of amiloride with the sodium channel, implying that complex formation is potential sensitive.

The key role of the mitochondria-rich cell in Na+ and H+ transport across the frog skin epithelium

We have investigated the possibility that the mitochondria-rich (MR) cells participate in sodium and proton transport, when the frog skin epithelium is bathed on its apical side with solutions of low Na+ concentration, by comparing transport rates with morphological observations (MR cell number and MR cell pit surface area). Frogs were adapted to various salinities or the isolated skins were treated with the following hormones, deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA), arginine vasotocin (AVT) and oxytocin in order to modify the transport of sodium and hydrogen ions. Adaptation of the frogs (either 3-4 days or 7-10 days) to distilled water, NaCl (50 mmol/l), KCl (50 mmol/l) or Na2SO4 (25 mmol/l) solutions modified the Na+ transport rate and the morphology of the epithelium. The highest Na+ transport rates were found for the animals adapted to the Na+ free solutions and were correlated with an increase in the total MR cell pit surface area (number of MR cells x individual cell pit-surface area). The KCl adaptated group showed the largest increase in sodium and proton transport and also presented a metabolic acidosis as reflected by plasma acidification (pCO2 increase and HCO3- decrease). Proton secretion and sodium absorption were also found to be stimulated by either serosal DOCA addition (10(-6) M) or during acidification of the epithelium by serosally applied CO2. Na+ transport was enhanced by AVT (10(-6) M) or oxytocin (100 mU/ml) when the skin was bathed on its apical side with a high Na+ containing solution (115 mmol/l), whereas these hormones did not exert any effect on Na+ transport when the apical solution was low in Na+ (0.5 mmol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phenamil inhibits electrogenic sodium absorption in rabbit ileum

Electrogenic Na absorption, independent of either nutrients or other ions, occurs in the rabbit ileum. However, unlike electrogenic Na absorption in the distal colon and other tight epithelia, this ileal transport system is not inhibited by amiloride. Because of this amiloride insensitivity, ileal electrogenic Na absorption has been poorly characterized. To more clearly delineate the underlying mechanisms of this pathway, we examined the effects of phenamil, an amiloride analogue, on ion fluxes and electrical parameters in rabbit ileum in vitro under short-circuit conditions. Phenamil has been shown to have a high affinity for Na channels, but minimal effect on Na-H exchange. Amiloride (10(-8) through 10(-4) M) had a minimal effect on short-circuit current. In contrast, phenamil induced a significant decrease in short-circuit current; the maximal effect was seen at 10(-4) M phenamil. There was an associated decrease in conductance at 10(-4) M phenamil. Ion flux studies were performed in normal, chloride-free and bicarbonate-free Ringer's solution; under each condition, 10(-4) M phenamil inhibited mucosal-to-serosal Na flux, net Na flux, and short-circuit current without significantly altering other fluxes. Phenamil did not inhibit the electrical response to either 10 mM glucose or 1 mM theophylline, indicating that the drug did not block either nutrient-coupled electrogenic Na absorption or electrogenic Cl secretion, and did not inhibit sodium-potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase. These results demonstrate that electrogenic Na absorption in rabbit ileum may be blocked by the amiloride analogue phenamil, suggesting that, in this epithelium, Na absorption may occur via Na channels in which the amiloride-binding site has been significantly altered.

Autoregulation of apical sodium entry in the colon of the frog (Rana esculenta)

1. Na transport (INa) in the K-depolarized colon of the frog was investigated by electro-physiological current-voltage analysis. 2. INa and the intracellular Na activity [(Na)c] increased with increasing mucosal Na concentration ([Na]m), whereas the apical Na-permeability (PNam) and the transepithelial resistance (RT) decreased. 3. The results are consistent with a Na self-inhibition mechanism; however, a feedback inhibition of INa by intracellular Na must also be considered.