Some actions of neurohypophyseal hormones on a living membrane

The cellular specificity of the effect of vasopressin on toad urinary bladder

Phase and electron micrographs of toad bladders were obtained following dilution of bathing media in the presence and absence of vasopressin. Dilution of the mucosal medium alone resulted in no morphologic changes. Subsequent addition of vasopressin produced an increase in the cell volume of the granular cells, manifested by some or all of the following changes: increased area of granular cell profiles as observed in sections, rounding of the cell nucleus, displacement of the two components of the nuclear envelope, loss of nuclear heterochromatin, sacculation of the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus, and reduction in the electron density of the cell cytoplasm. No such morphologic changes were noted in the other cell types comprising the mucosal epithelium - the mitochondria-rich, the goblet, and the basal cells. On the other hand, dilution of the serosal bathing medium in the absence of vasopressin caused a marked increase in the cell volume of all these cell types. The results demonstrate that the action of vasopressin to enhance bulk water flow across toad bladder is exerted specifically on the apical surface of the granular cells. It is suggested that the hormonal effect on sodium transport may also be limited to the granular cells. The route of osmotic water flow and the possible role of the other mucosal epithelial cells is discussed.

What are aquaporins for?

The prime function of aquaporins (AQPs) is generally believed to be that of increasing water flow rates across membranes by raising their osmotic or hydraulic permeability. In addition, this applies to other small solutes of physiological importance. Notable applications of this 'simple permeability hypothesis' (SPH) have been epithelial fluid transport in animals, water exchanges associated with transpiration, growth and stress in plants, and osmoregulation in microbes. We first analyze the need for such increased permeabilities and conclude that in a range of situations at the cellular, subcellular and tissue levels the SPH cannot satisfactorily account for the presence of AQPs. The analysis includes an examination of the effects of the genetic elimination or reduction of AQPs (knockouts, antisense transgenics and null mutants). These either have no effect, or a partial effect that is difficult to explain, and we argue that they do not support the hypothesis beyond showing that AQPs are involved in the process under examination. We assume that since AQPs are ubiquitous, they must have an important function and suggest that this is the detection of osmotic and turgor pressure gradients. A mechanistic model is proposed--in terms of monomer structure and changes in the tetrameric configuration of AQPs in the membrane--for how AQPs might function as sensors. Sensors then signal within the cell to control diverse processes, probably as part of feedback loops. Finally, we examine how AQPs as sensors may serve animal, plant and microbial cells and show that this sensor hypothesis can provide an explanation of many basic processes in which AQPs are already implicated. Aquaporins are molecules in search of a function; osmotic and turgor sensors are functions in search of a molecule.

Extracellular and metabolic factors affecting the efflux and influx of erythrocyte water

Water exchanges between rabbit erythrocytes and extracellular solutions equidistant from intracellular osmolarity were studied by freezing point depression techniques. Water efflux was always less than water influx and both were hypotonic to the intracellular and extracellular fluids. The magnitudes of these water exchanges were not dependent on the presence of extracellular cation. Stimulation of oxygen uptake by the addition of glucose and methylene blue increased water influx and, possibly, decreased water efflux. This could not be accounted for by accumulation of osmotically active intracellular metabolic products. O₂ uptake was markedly decreased during cellular dehydration, was slightly decreased during cellular overhydration, and was maximum at the water content of erythrocytes when suspended in a medium isotonic with plasma.

Structure of the toad's urinary bladder as related to its physiology

The structure of the urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus was studied by light and electron microscopy. The epithelium covering the mucosal surface of the bladder is 3 to 10 microns thick and consists of squamous epithelial cells, goblet cells, and a third class of cells containing many mitochondria and possibly representing goblet cells in early stages of their secretory cycle. This epithelium is supported on a lamina propria 30 to several hundred microns thick and containing collagen fibrils, bundles of smooth muscle fibers, and blood vessels. The serosal surface of the bladder is covered by an incomplete mesothelium. The cytoplasm of the squamous epithelial cells, which greatly outnumber the other types of cells, is organized in a way characteristic of epithelial secretory cells. Mitochondria, smooth and rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, a Golgi apparatus, "multivesicular bodies," and isolated particles and vesicles are present. Secretion granules are found immediately under the plasma membranes of the free surfaces of the epithelial cells and are seen to fuse with these membranes and release their contents to contribute to a fibrous surface coating found only on the free mucosal surfaces of the cells. Beneath the plasma membranes on these surfaces is an additional, finely granular component. Lateral and basal plasma membranes are heavily plicated and appear ordinary in fine structure. The cells of the epithelium are tightly held together by a terminal bar apparatus and sealed together, with an intervening space of only 0.02 mmicro near the bladder lumen, in such a way as to prevent water leakage between the cells. It is demonstrated in in vitro experiments that water traversing the bladder wall passes through the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells and that a vesicle transport mechanism is not involved. In vitro experiments also show that the basal (serosal) surfaces of the epithelial cells are freely permeable to water, while the free (mucosal) surfaces are normally relatively impermeable but become permeable when the serosal surface of the bladder is treated with neurohypophyseal hormones. The permeability barrier found at the mucosal surface may be represented, structurally, either by the filamentous layer lying external to the plasma membrane, by the intracellular, granular component found just under the plasma membrane, or by both of these components of the mucosal surface complex. The polarity of the epithelial sheet is emphasized and related to the physiological role of the urinary bladder in amphibian water balance mechanisms.

Movement of sodium across the mucosal surface of the isolated toad bladder and its modification by vasopressin

Studies have been made on the isolated urinary bladder of the toad, Bufo marinus, in an attempt to evaluate gradients of chemical activity across the mucosal surfaces of the epithelial cells which would serve to maintain a net movement of sodium from the mucosal medium into the cells. The likelihood of such chemical gradients has been established by the demonstration of lower contents of sodium within the tissue, expressed as microequivalents per gram of tissue water, than of concentrations of sodium in the mucosal medium at all levels of the latter examined. The transepithelial transport of sodium and the sodium content of the tissue were found to increase rapidly with rise in concentration of sodium in the mucosal medium up to values of 30 to 60 meq per liter. Further increase in concentration of the medium above this value failed to induce further stimulation of sodium transport or increase in the sodium content of the tissue. Vasopressin increased the rate of transport of sodium at every concentration of sodium in the mucosal medium without altering this relationship. Although entry of sodium across the mucosal surface of the epithelial cells may be passive it is not by free diffusion but involves some considerable interaction with the mucosal surface of the bladder and constitutes the major determinant of the rate of transepithelial transport of sodium. Vasopressin acts to enhance this initial step in the transport of sodium.

Studies on the movement of water through the isolated toad bladder and its modification by vasopressin

Measurements of diffusion permeability and of net transfer of water have been made across the isolated urinary bladder of the toad, Bufo marinus, and the effects thereon of mammalian neurohypophyseal hormone have been examined. In the absence of a transmembrane osmotic gradient, vasopressin increases the unidirectional flux of water from a mean of 340 to a mean of 570 µl per cm² per hour but the net water movement remains essentially zero. In the presence of an osmotic gradient but without hormone net transfer of water remains very small. On addition of hormone large net fluxes of water occur; the magnitude of which is linearly proportional to the osmotic gradient. The action of the hormone on movement of water is not dependent on the presence of sodium or on active transport of sodium. Comparison of the net transport of water and of unidirectional diffusion permeability of the membrane to water indicates that non-diffusional transport must predominate as the means by which net movement occurs in the presence of an osmotic gradient. An action of the hormone on the mucosal surface of the bladder wall is demonstrated. The effects of the hormone on water movement are most simply explained as an action to increase the permeability and porosity of the mucosal surface of the membrane.

Junctional complexes in various epithelia

The epithelia of a number of glands and cavitary organs of the rat and guinea pig have been surveyed, and in all cases investigated, a characteristic tripartite junctional complex has been found between adjacent cells. Although the complex differs in precise arrangement from one organ to another, it has been regularly encountered in the mucosal epithelia of the stomach, intestine, gall bladder, uterus, and oviduct; in the glandular epithelia of the liver, pancreas, parotid, stomach, and thyroid; in the epithelia of pancreatic, hepatic, and salivary ducts; and finally, between the epithelial cells of the nephron (proximal and distal convolution, collecting ducts). The elements of the complex, identified as zonula occludens (tight junction), zonula adhaerens (intermediary junction), and macula adhaerens (desmosome), occupy a juxtaluminal position and succeed each other in the order given in an apical-basal direction. The zonula occludens (tight junction) is characterized by fusion of the adjacent cell membranes resulting in obliteration of the intercellular space over variable distances. Within the obliterated zone, the dense outer leaflets of the adjoining cell membranes converge to form a single intermediate line. A diffuse band of dense cytoplasmic material is often associated with this junction, but its development varies from one epithelium to another. The zonula adhaerens (intermediate junction) is characterized by the presence of an intercellular space ( approximately 200 A) occupied by homogeneous, apparently amorphous material of low density; by strict parallelism of the adjoining cell membranes over distances of 0.2 to 0.5 micro; and by conspicuous bands of dense material located in the subjacent cytoplasmic matrix. The desmosome or macula adhaerens is also characterized by the presence of an intercellular space ( approximately 240 A) which, in this case, contains a central disc of dense material; by discrete cytoplasmic plaques disposed parallel to the inner leaflet of each cell membrane; and by the presence of bundles of cytoplasmic fibrils converging on the plaques. The zonula occludens appears to form a continuous belt-like attachment, whereas the desmosome is a discontinuous, button-like structure. The zomula adhaerens is continuous in most epithelia but discontinuous in some. Observations made during experimental hemoglobinuria in rats showed that the hemoglobin, which undergoes enough concentration in the nephron lumina to act as an electron-opaque mass tracer, does not penetrate the intercellular spaces beyond the zonula occludens. Similar observations were made in pancreatic acini and ducts where discharged zymogen served as a mass tracer. Hence the tight junction is impervious to concentrated protein solutions and appears to function as a diffusion barrier or "seal." The desmosome and probably also the zonula adhaerens may represent intercellular attachment devices.

The effect of Ca and antidiuretic hormone on Na transport across frog skin. II. Sites and mechanisms of action

A method has been developed for determining unidirectional Na fluxes across the two faces of the transporting cells in the frog skin. The method has been used to investigate the location of the sites at which Ca and anti-diuretic hormone act to alter the rate of active Na transport across the skin. The results have indicated that the primary effect of both agents is on the Na permeability of the outward facing membrane of the cells. Ca decreases and the hormone increases permeability of this barrier. Neither agent appears to have a direct effect on the active transport system itself assuming that it is located at the inner membrane of the cells. The rate of active Na transport is altered as a result of changes in the size of the Na pool in the cells which occur because of changes in the rate of Na entry through the outer membrane. Thus, the results indicate that the Na permeability of the outer membrane plays an important role in controlling the rate of net active Na transport across the skin.

STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACTION OF NEUROHYPOPHYSEAL HORMONES UPON THE ISOLATED AMPHIBIAN URINARY BLADDER

The response of the isolated amphibian urinary bladder to thirty-four structural analogs of arginine vasotocin was determined in an effort to define the physiological significance of specific structural groups on the hormone molecule. All but one of the analogs tested possessed full intrinsic activity in this system but varied greatly in their affinity for the receptor site. An analysis of the effect of changes in hydrogen ion concentration upon the response of the bladder to oxytocin was performed in order to determine the number and nature of the ionizable groups involved in hormone receptor interaction. Two ionizable groups with apparent pK's of 7.1 and 7.75 were found to be important in determining the magnitude of the hormonal response. On the basis of the results it was postulated that hormone-receptor interaction can be considered a two-step process: (a) The binding or attachment of hormone to receptor site through ionic, hydrogen, and hydrophobic bonds and (b) a disulfide interchange reaction between hormonal disulfide and receptor sulfhydryl. The latter step is considered to be the reaction which initiates the chain of events leading to the observed change in permeability.

Effect of SH-group reagents on net water transport in frog urinary bladder

The basal rate of water reabsorption and its acceleration by oxytocin, cyclic AMP (cAMP) or serosal hypertonicity in frog urinary bladders were monitored before and after exposure of the mucosal surface to sulfhydryl (SH) reactive reagents. The following observations were made: 1. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM, 10(-5)M) did not modify the basal water flux, but did potentiate the hydrosmotic response to oxytocin. At higher NEM concentrations, an increase in the basal flux was observed, while the oxytocin-induced water flux was strongly inhibited, if not, nullified. 2. Iodoacetamide (IAM, 10(-3)M) did not modify the basal water flux but did inhibit the oxytocin-, cAMP-, and serosal hypertonicity-induced increase in water permeability. Furthermore, the time course of the hydrosmotic response to oxytocin was significantly increased. 3. 5,5' dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB, 10(-3)M) modified neither the basal nor the oxytocin-induced water flux when incubated at pH 8.1, but potentiated the inhibitory effect of NEM. However, at a mucosal pH of 6.5, DTNB inhibited the response to oxytocin by 30%. These results suggest that: (1) the three SH reagents affect differently the basal and the oxytocin-induced water pathways; and that (2) each of the changes in the oxytocin-induced paths occurs at a step following the hormonally-induced increase in intracellular cAMP concentration.

Relationship of transient electrical properties to active sodium transport by toad urinary bladder

Application of voltage pulses of 10 mV for periods of 9 sec across toad urinary bladder elicits a rapid deflection in transepithelial current. Frequently, the current decays back towards its baseline value during the course of the polarizing pulse. This transient phenomenon can be induced, or its magnitude increased, by raising the mucosal or serosal Na+ concentration. The transient can be abolished by sufficiently hyperpolarizing the tissue (rendering serosa positive to mucosa), by inhibiting transcellular Na+ transport with amiloride or ouabain, and by increasing the serosal K+ concentration. Vasopressin increases net Na+ movement across toad bladder but does not elicit these transients. It is proposed as a working hypothesis for further study that the transient behavior characterized in this study reflects: (1) the partition of Na+ between the apical plasma membrane and contiguous fluid layers, (2) the partition of K+ between the basolateral plasma membrane and adjacent submucosal fluid layer, and (3) the negative feedback interaction between intracellular Na+ activity and Na+ permeability of the apical plasma membrane of the transporting cells.

Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of the crystalline lens of a poikilotherm; the toad Bufo marinus

1. The O2 consumption and lactic acid production of the lens of the toad Bufo marinus was measured under various conditions. The energy consumption was very low compared to other amphibian tissues and about 20% of that previously described in the rat lens. About 80% was derived from oxidative metabolism, which is the converse of that seen in mammals. 2. Cyanide abolished O2 consumption and increased lactate production 20-30 times ("Pasteur effect"). 3. Under aerobic conditions about 40% of the energy requirements of the lens are related to the presence of Na in the bathing-media but this was not seen in the presence of CN. 4. Oxidative metabolism was predominant in the outer cortical regions of the lens while glycolysis persisted even in the central nucleus. The energetic requirements of this region were, however, only about 10% of those in the intact lens. 5. Lactate readily leaves the lens and passes into its bathing fluids, and at high rates of glycolysis this occurs more readily across the posterior surface. 6. The results are discussed in relation to the unique physiological needs, structure and situation of the lens.

Role of spreading-factor (hyaluronidase) on bronchial response to acetylcholine challenge in dog

Patients with non-specific chronic lung diseases are very sensitive against external challenge. Experiments in human volunteers and in animals it has been shown that many substances can make bronchial system hyperreactive without causing any direct effect. The mechanisms involve in the process of hyperreactive bronchial system are, so far, not clear. It is conceived in this study that membrane permeability might play an important role in this process. This possibility has been studied in anesthetized dogs by subjecting them to hyaluronidase aerosol. This enzyme is supposed to change the membrane permeability by acting on the ground substance. The animals were first challenged with acetylcholine to obtain the basic responsiveness. Then the animals were subjected to hyaluronidase aerosol and challenged with acetylcholine again. Results confirm the hypotheses that membrane permeability plays an important role in hyperreactive bronchial system.

A new model for regulation of sodium transport in high resistance epithelia

A new three barrier, four compartment model for sodium transport in high resistance urinary epithelia is presented. This model provides a unified and simplified mechanistic explanation for sodium transport and its quantitative regulation. Sodium enters the epithelial cell by passive diffusion. Active extrusion occurs across the lateral cell membrane into the lateral intercellular space (LICS). Sodium movement from the LICS into the serosal compartment is not free and unobstructed as in the models for low resistance epithelia, but rather occurs through a regulatory channel of the LICS passing through desmosomes and the basilar slit. The exact configuration of this regulatory channel controls the rate of sodium movement from the LICS into the serosal compartment. Thus, the configuration of the regulatory channel controls the afterload on the sodium pump and thus ultimately controls the rate of transepithelial sodium transport. Antidiuretic hormone could act by increasing the effective width of this regulatory channel by contraction of intracellular microtubules or microfilaments. Present theories for regulation of transepithelial sodium transport in high resistance epithelia invoke a regulatory barrier at the apical cell membrane or at the active sodium pump located in the basolateral cell membrane. The hypothetical model presented here invokes a new alternative: regulation of the active pump rate by the sodium concentration in the LICS serving as an afterload on the pump; sodium escape from the LICS into the serosal compartment thus becomes the regulatory step for transepithelial transport.

Vasopressin: induced structural change in toad bladder luminal membrane

Freeze-fracture electron microscopy demonstrates that vasopressin stimulation of isolated toad bladder alters the structure of the luminal membrane of granular cells. This alteration consists of an ordered aggression of intramembranous particles, and appears to be of functional significance, since the frequency of aggregation sites per area of membrane is closely correlated with vasopressin-induced osmotic water flow.

Active transport of sodium and potassium by the choroid plexus of the rat

1. Choroid plexus from the lateral ventricle in the adult rat was found to contain approximately 54 m-equiv Na(+) and 89 m-equiv K(+) per kg wet tissue.2. The total water (79%), the extracellular space (21%) and the red blood cell volume (8-9%) in choroid plexus were quantified separately by analysing the distribution of [(14)C]antipyrine, [(14)C]inulin and (51)Cr-tagged erythrocytes, respectively, between this tissue and plasma water.3. The tissue electrolyte data together with the compartmental (space) data were used to calculate an average concentration of Na(+) (39 m-equiv/kg cell H(2)O) and of K(+) (144) in the choroid cell.4. Under various experimental conditions known to stimulate or inhibit the Na(+)-K(+) transport system in other tissues, there were significant changes (10-40 m-equiv/kg cell H(2)O) in the concentrations of both these cations in the plexus epithelial cells.5. Choroid cell K(+) was not independent of the concentration of K(+) in plasma since substantial fluctuations in cell K(+) occurred in rats rendered either hypo- or hyperkalaemic; also, the choroid cell apparently cannot maintain a constant gradient between itself and c.s.f. in the face of kalaemic disturbances.6. Evidence is offered to support the hypothesis that the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricle has a Na(+)-K(+) pump, the operation of which contributes to the maintenance of K(+) homoeostasis in the C.N.S.

Structure and function in urinary bladder of foetal sheep

1. The structure and function of the epithelial lining of the urinary bladder of sheep foetuses was investigated by electron microscopic studies made in conjunction with a series of experiments in which the permeability of the bladder to sodium and water was measured in vitro. Measurements were made at gestational ages ranging from 50 to 141 days (term = 147 days) Osmolarity and electrolyte concentrations of urine found in the foetal bladder were also measured.2. The development of tight junctions between the bladder epithelial cells was investigated by incubating the tissue with solutions containing 1 mM-LaCl(3) on the mucosal surface. No penetration of the junctions by lanthanum was observed in foetuses of 90 days or older. In younger bladders, the epithelial layer was stripped by treatment with lanthanum, but tight junctions appeared to be fully developed in early bladders incubated without lanthanum.3. The surface structure of the luminal (mucosal) plasmalemma was fully developed at 50 days.4. Unidirectional fluxes of labelled sodium and water were measured with identical solutions bathing the two surfaces of the bladder wall. No net water movement occurred; the mean ratio of efflux to influx in nine bladders was 1.002 +/- 0.039 (S.E. of mean). Under these conditions, the flux ratio for sodium was 1.735 +/- 0.143 (S.E. of mean) in twelve bladders.5. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) had no effect on net water movement but reduced the net efflux of sodium so that the flux ratio became 1.285 +/- 0.255 (S.E. of mean) n = 8. ADH also had a striking effect on the structure of the epithelium, causing marked swelling of the intercellular spaces. The tight junctions remained an effective barrier to lanthanum penetration under these conditions; lanthanum was not observed in the enlarged spaces.

The influence of anaesthetics on the increase in the water permeability of the toad bladder induced by vasopressin

1 Single lobes of the bladder of Bufo marinus were isolated and filled with, and suspended in, oxygenated Ringer solution. The fluid in contact with the outside (serosa) of the lobes had a total osmolarity of 225 m-osmol/litre, and that bathing the inside (mucosa) of 45 m-osmol/litre.2 Osmotic water flow from mucosa to serosa was measured by weighing the lobes every 30 minutes. It was negligible unless vasopressin was added to the serosal bath. Standard concentrations of either 1.25 or 6.25 mu/ml were used to render the bladder lobes permeable to water.3 The presence in the serosal medium of pentobarbitone or thiopentone in concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 2.5 mM, or of chloralose in concentrations ranging from 0.65 to 6.5 mM, diminished the increase in water permeability induced by vasopressin.4 The three anaesthetics exerted similar inhibitory effects on the action of vasopressin from the serosal and from the mucosal surface of the bladder.5 In the presence of a constant high concentration of anaesthetic, increasing the concentration of vasopressin over three orders of magnitude led to stepwise increases of osmotic water flow out of the lobes, although at every dose level the effect of vasopressin was depressed by the anaesthetic. However, it was not completely abolished even if the concentration of vasopressin was close to threshold.6 The increase in water permeability of the bladder induced by 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) was also depressed by the three anaesthetics.7 Possible explanations of the findings are discussed.

Mass transfer in the cornea. II. Ion transport and electrical properties of a series membrane tissue

The electrical and active transport properties of isolated rabbit cornea are investigated by computer experimentation. The tissue is modeled as a series membrane system and the passive ion fluxes through it are described by the frictional formulation of irreversible thermodynamics. From short-circuit current (SCC) data, it is found that the epithelial sodium pump rate (P) is not appreciably changed when much of the sodium in the solution bathing the anterior corneal surface (concentration = c(11)) is replaced by choline, with choline-free medium posteriorly. Simulations of open-circuited corneas, using the mean P computed from the SCC data, yield corneal and stromal potentials in agreement with experiment. The stromal fluid is calculated to become more hypotonic as c(11) is diminished, a result consistent with posttest measurements of the sodium content of experimental stromata. The apparent decrease in "bound sodium" which accompanies the reduction of c(11) is a result of the associated changes in steady stromal hydration; the epithelial sodium pump does not contribute to corneal deturgescence. The inclusion of a simple epithelial structure in the computations changes the value of P but affects neither its constancy nor the calculated behavior of the cornea under open-circuit conditions. A general algebraic relation among pump rates and ion fluxes in short-circuited series membrane systems bathed in complex media is derived and used to construct a relation between P and SCC for the cornea. This equation yields pump rates in good agreement with the computer results and is used to show that (a) P is independent of c(11) if d(SCC)/dc(11) is a constant related to the over-all corneal permeability to sodium, and (b) a Lineweaver-Burke plot of 1/SCC vs. 1/c(11) can appear to be linear at constant P.