The kinetics of sodium extrusion in striated muscle as functions of the external sodium and potassium ion concentrations

ATP hydrolysis associated with an uncoupled sodium flux through the sodium pump: evidence for allosteric effects of intracellular ATP and extracellular sodium

1. A method has been developed for regenerating [gamma(32)P]ATP of constant specific activity within resealed red cell ghosts, and for measuring its hydrolysis. The method may be used to follow the hydrolysis of ATP at concentrations down to 1 muM, and for periods long enough for the ATP at these very low concentrations to turn over several hundred times.2. Using this method we have been able to show that the ;uncoupled' efflux of Na caused by the Na pump when resealed red cell ghosts are incubated in (Na + K)-free media is associated with a hydrolysis of ATP. The stoicheiometry is roughly 2-3 Na ions expelled per molecule of ATP hydrolysed.3. Measurements of ATP hydrolysis and Na efflux as functions of intracellular ATP concentration have shown that uncoupled Na efflux, and its associated ATP hydrolysis, are saturated at intracellular ATP concentrations in the region of 1 muM.4. Measurement of ATP hydrolysis as a function of ATP concentration in resealed ghosts incubated in a K-containing medium gave a complicated activation curve suggesting the involvement of high-affinity (K(m)ca. 1 muM) and low-affinity (K(m)ca. 100 muM) sites.5. When resealed ghosts containing about 1 muM-ATP were incubated in a Na-free or in a high-Na medium, the addition of K to the medium reduced the rate of ouabain-sensitive ATP hydrolysis.6. Ouabain-sensitive ATP hydrolysis in resealed ghosts incubated in K-free choline media was inhibited by external Na at low concentrations (K(i) < 1 mM), but this inhibition was reversed as the external Na concentration was further increased.7. The results show that uncoupled Na efflux may be thought of as the transport mode associated with Na-ATPase activity, just as Na-K exchange is the transport mode associated with (Na + K)-ATPase activity. The significance of the differences between uncoupled Na efflux and Na-ATPase activity, on the one hand, and Na-K exchange and (Na + K)-ATPase activity, on the other, is discussed.

Different approaches to the mechanism of the sodium pump

The way in which the sodium pump uses energy from the hydrolysis of ATP to perform osmotic and electrical work is not yet understood. We attempt to bring together the results of a number of different approaches to this problem. One approach has been to correlate biochemical changes and ionic fluxes, both when the pump operates normally and when it operates in various abnormal 'modes' in particular unphysiological conditions. A second approach has been to expose fragments of cell membrane to (gamma-32P)ATP and to study the properties of components of the membrane that become labelled. It is now clear that 32P can be transferred to the beta-carboxy group of an aspartyl residue in a pump polypeptide, but there is controversy about the interrelations of different forms of this polypeptide and its role, if any, in the normal functioning of the pump. A third approach has been to attempt to purify the pump and to determine the properties of the pure enzyme. It seems that the pump contains a polypeptide (molecular weight about 100,000), which bears the phosphorylation site, and a smaller glycopeptide, but there is disagreement about the molecular ratios. The results of these and other approaches cannot yet be fitted into a satisfactory model for the sodium pump, but we shall consider some of the problems involved in this task.

Dynamics and consequences of potassium shifts in skeletal muscle and heart during exercise

Since it became clear that K(+) shifts with exercise are extensive and can cause more than a doubling of the extracellular [K(+)] ([K(+)](s)) as reviewed here, it has been suggested that these shifts may cause fatigue through the effect on muscle excitability and action potentials (AP). The cause of the K(+) shifts is a transient or long-lasting mismatch between outward repolarizing K(+) currents and K(+) influx carried by the Na(+)-K(+) pump. Several factors modify the effect of raised [K(+)](s) during exercise on membrane potential (E(m)) and force production. 1) Membrane conductance to K(+) is variable and controlled by various K(+) channels. Low relative K(+) conductance will reduce the contribution of [K(+)](s) to the E(m). In addition, high Cl(-) conductance may stabilize the E(m) during brief periods of large K(+) shifts. 2) The Na(+)-K(+) pump contributes with a hyperpolarizing current. 3) Cell swelling accompanies muscle contractions especially in fast-twitch muscle, although little in the heart. This will contribute considerably to the lowering of intracellular [K(+)] ([K(+)](c)) and will attenuate the exercise-induced rise of intracellular [Na(+)] ([Na(+)](c)). 4) The rise of [Na(+)](c) is sufficient to activate the Na(+)-K(+) pump to completely compensate increased K(+) release in the heart, yet not in skeletal muscle. In skeletal muscle there is strong evidence for control of pump activity not only through hormones, but through a hitherto unidentified mechanism. 5) Ionic shifts within the skeletal muscle t tubules and in the heart in extracellular clefts may markedly affect excitation-contraction coupling. 6) Age and state of training together with nutritional state modify muscle K(+) content and the abundance of Na(+)-K(+) pumps. We conclude that despite modifying factors coming into play during muscle activity, the K(+) shifts with high-intensity exercise may contribute substantially to fatigue in skeletal muscle, whereas in the heart, except during ischemia, the K(+) balance is controlled much more effectively.

Changes in arterial plasma potassium and ventilation during exercise in man

We have investigated the relationship between arterial plasma potassium ( [K+]a) and ventilation (VE) in man because hyperkalaemia has been shown to increase VE in the anaesthetized cat by direct stimulation of the arterial chemoreceptors. Six healthy male volunteers undertook about of sub-maximal (100 W) and maximal (sprint ca. 350 W) exercise on a cycle ergometer. VE was measured breath-by-breath and arterial blood was sampled at regular intervals from a catheter inserted into a brachial artery for measurement of [K+]a and base excess. Changes in [K+]a closely mirrored changes in VE during exercise and recovery. At 100 W [K+]a increased from 4 mM to 5 mM, and during the sprint [K+]a increased to ca. 7 mM. Base excess did not mirror VE in that it reached its nadir 1-3 min after exercise had stopped, when [K+]a and VE were both falling. The increases in [K+]a seen here are probably sufficient to enhance the arterial chemoreceptor drive during exercise. Furthermore, the close temporal relationship between [K+]a and VE suggests that it is possible that exercise hyperkalaemia may contribute to the control of breathing in exercise.

Voltage dependence of partial reactions of the Na+/K+ pump: predictions from microscopic models

A theoretical treatment of the voltage dependence of electroneutral Na+-Na+ and K+-K+ exchange mediated by the Na+/K+ pump is given. The analysis is based on the Post-Albers reaction scheme in which the overall transport process is described as a sequence of conformational transitions and ion-binding and ion-release steps. The voltage dependence of the exchange rate is determined by a set of 'dielectric coefficients' reflecting the magnitude of charge translocations associated with individual reaction steps. Charge movement may result from conformational changes of the transport protein and/or from migration of ions in an access channel connecting the binding sites with the aqueous medium. It is shown that valuable mechanistic information may be obtained by studying the voltage dependence of transport rates at different (saturating and nonsaturating) ion concentrations.

Linear range of Na+ pump in sciatic nerve of frog

The Na+-activated utilization of O2 by frog sciatic nerve is a linear function of the internal concentration of Na+ in preparations deprived of external Ca2+. It is assumed that this component of O2 uptake is a measure of the active extrusion of Na+ by the Na+ pump because it is suppressed by ouabain. However, no tendency toward saturation, expected in an enzymatic process with a high affinity for Na+, was evident. Similar linearity has been reported in other neuronal preparations in experiments measuring 22Na+ efflux directly. The slope of the linear relation between Na+-activated O2 uptake and the concentration of internal Na+ is independent of the external concentration of Na+, but it decreases when the external concentration of K+ is changed from 10 to 4.8 mM.

Transport of electrolytes in muscle

The muscle fiber stands alongside the red blood cell and the giant axon as one of the three classical cell types that have had major application in investigating ion transport processes in cell membranes. Of these three cell types, the muscle fiber was the first to provide definite evidence for a sodium pump. The ability of the sodium pump to produce an electrical potential difference across the cell membrane was also first demonstrated in muscle fibers. This important property of the sodium pump is now known to have physiological significance in many other types of cells. In this review, electrolyte transport investigations in skeletal muscle are traced from their inception to the current state of the field. Applications of major research techniques are discussed and key results are summarized. An overview of electrolyte transport in muscle, this article emphasizes relationships between the muscle fiber membrane potential and ionic transport processes.

Effect of 50% external sodium in solutions of normal and twice normal tonicity on internal sodium activity in frog skeletal muscle

Neutral carrier based sodium-selective microelectrodes were used to monitor intracellular sodium activity in single frog skeletal muscle fibres during exposure to 50% external sodium solutions at normal and twice normal tonicity. Intracellular sodium activity in normal Ringer was 12.3 +/- 0.7 mM and was increased to 34.4 +/- 1.3 mM in hypertonic solution. Exposure to normotonic or hypertonic solutions containing only 50% sodium (NaCl) replaced by sucrose to maintain tonicity) did not affect the intracellular sodium activity during at least 20 min. Thus, in frog skeletal muscle, external sodium appears not to play a major role in regulating internal sodium, e.g. through ion exchange mechanisms as postulated for other excitable tissues.

Activation by sanguinarine of active sodium efflux from frog skeletal muscle in the presence of ouabain

1. Applied to intact Na-rich muscle cells, sanguinarine causes an increased 22Na efflux in the presence or absence of extracellular K+ or of ouabain. 2. The increased 22Na efflux does not represent Na:Na exchange as indicated by the fact that it is not associated with an increase in one-way isotopic Na influx nor is it abolished by the absence of external Na+. 3. In both K-free Ringer and K-free Ringer containing ouabain, sanguinarine not only increases one-way efflux of 22Na, it also induces net efflux of Na+ in the face of both an electrical and a concentration gradient. Moreover, the induction of net Na+ efflux occurs in the face of an approximately fourfold increase in PNa. These surprising results lead to the conclusion that, contrary to all experiments, sanguinarine induces active Na+ efflux even in K-free Ringer containing 10(-3) M-ouabain. 4. Sanguinarine depolarizes the Na-loaded muscle to approximately the same value, -54 mV, regardless of the presence or absence of extracellular K+. This depolarization is most likely secondary to the increase in PNa. 5. Sanguinarine causes a net loss of K+, presumably secondary to the depolarization. 6. The stimulation of net Na+ efflux is not correlated with the depolarization. The stimulation in K-free conditions (with or without ouabain), which is associated with the largest depolarization, produces an increment in net Na+ efflux which is not significantly different from the increment in net Na+ efflux in 10 mM-K+ Ringer where the depolarization is smallest. 7. Although sanguinarine increases active Na+ efflux in intact cells, it inhibits the isolated (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, presumably due to interaction with a site on the inner face of the membrane fragment. 8. The surprising stimulation of active Na+ efflux in the presence of 10(-3) M-ouabain must be due to interaction of sanguinarine with a site on the outer face of the membrane, perhaps the K+ activation site. It seems probable that the component of active Na+ efflux induced by sanguinarine is mediated by the Na pump. Sanguinarine may produce a K+-like effect upon the Na pump with consequent unbinding of ouabain.

Fast and slow fractions of K+ flux in human lymphocytes

Potassium influx and efflux were studied in human peripheral blood lymphocytes equilibrated over a wide range of external K+ levels. The absence of a net ion movement throughout the flux study was established, trapped space was measured with polyethylene glycol, and cells were separated from incubation media without exposure to any washing solution. There are both rapid and slow cellular fractions of 42K influx and efflux, and half-times of exchange of around 2 minutes, and 400 minutes, respectively. The rapid component is identical in magnitude to the smaller non-saturable component of cell K+, while the slow component is identified with the larger, sigmoidal, saturable component of cell K+ that was previously shown to follow a cooperative adsorption isotherm. These results support the association-induction hypothesis, which predicts (a) a rapid fraction of K+ flux due to equilibration of ion within cell water existing in a state of polarized multilayers, and (b) a slower component of K+ flux limited by adsorption onto, or desorption from, fixed anionic sites existing throughout the cell. K+ influx, as a function of external K+, showed a triphasic relation with a peak around 1 mM K+ex, then a trough around 4mM K+ex, and then a gradual rise. This relation was readily explained, in terms of the association-induction hypothesis, by the cooperative interaction between, and ion occupancy of, fixed anionic sites that adsorb K+ or Na+.

Rate of potassium-sodium exchange by human lymphocytes: prediction of the cooperative adsorption model

The equilibrium parameters of potassium-sodium distribution in human lymphocytes, determined experimentally in the preceding study (Negendank and Shaller, '79), were incorporated into a stochastic treatment of the cooperative adsorption model in order to predict the kinetics of "active" potassium-sodium exchange. The rate of uptake of potassium, in potassium-depleted, sodium-loaded cells, is complex and deviates markedly from simple exponential functions. The sigmoid form of the exchange data closely followed the predicted curve. This result enhances one's confidence in the usefulness and applicability of the cooperative adsorption model, and adds further support to the association-induction hypothesis as a coherent theory of cell physiology.

Hepatic portal vein infusion of glucose and sodium solutions on the control of saline drinking in the rat

1. Rats were prepared under anaesthesia with non-occlusive catheters in hepatic portal vein (HP) and inferior vena cava (VC) and maintained under standard conditions. 2. Each rat received a series (3 day intervals) of 30 min infusions of different solutions or sham into HP or VC. Oral intake of 0.15 M-NaCl and water were measured for 30 min. Significant change in drinking behaviour was assumed when the response to HP infusion differed from both sham and VC infusion. 3. Saline drinking was inhibited by HP infusion of 1 M- or 2M-NaCl, an effect blocked by right vagotomy or by addition of 16 mM-KCl to the infusate. 4. Saline drinking was increased and water drinking decreased by HP infusion of 2 M-glucose but not sucrose or fructose. 5. Saline drinking was decreased by HP infusion of deoxy-D-glucose to inhibit glucose utilization or ouabain to inhibit (Na4-K+) ATPase. 6. Results are consistent with the presence of afferent nerve terminals in hepatic portal vessels which are sensitive to change in NaCl or glucose concentration and which, in response thereto, alter drinking behaviour. The effects of NaCl and glucose on the discharge rate of the nerve terminals may be interpreted in terms of changing activity or electrogenicity of a Na pump but changes in membrane conductance or Na influx cannot be ruled out.

Pumped movements of sodium and potassium ions in the isolated epithelium of the frog skin

The action of agents with well known effects on transepithelial Na transport was tested on Na extrusion in epithelial cells of the frog skin. The cells had been previously loaded with Na by incubation in cold, K-free solutions. DNP (5 X 10(-4)M) totally inhibited Na extrusion and K uptake, while amiloride (10(-5) M) did not show any effect on either of these processes. Ouabain (10(-6)M) and absence of K from the medium inhibited completely Na extrusion and K uptake without changing cell water content. Probably the most interesting finding is that K activated Na extrusion along a sigmoid curve, which suggests that, as in other cells, the Na pump of these epithelial cells has 2 sites for K activation. The half-activation concentration of the site with highest affinity was 0.27 mM, the other 1.3 mM. Na extrusion significantly exceeded K uptake either at low K in the medium or during initial recovery in normal K Ringer. This may indicate an electrogenic mode of pump activity.

An analysis of the influence of membrane potential and metabolic poisoning with azide on the sodium pump in skeletal muscle

1. Activation of the Na pump in muscle by the external K concentration, [K]O, is independent of the membrane potential (Em) as shown by experiments in which Em was either stabilized during variation of [K]O or varied by application of azide at constant or zero [K]O. 2. Application of azide to Na-enriched muscles causes a transient increase in 22Na efflux which occurs either in the presence or in the absence of external K. 3. The increased 22Na efflux induced by azide is abolished by addition of ouabain and is greatly reduced by removal of almost all of the external Na concentration, [Na]o. 4. Azide-treated muscles show a rather normal K sensitivity of 22Na efflux and [K]O induces a net Na extrusion from Na-enriched muscles in the presence of azide. 5. Azide reduces ouabain-sensitive K influx to low values thus interfering with K pump but not with the ability of K to activate the Na pump. 6. The experiments provide evidence that azide promotes a ouabainsensitive Na-Na exchange in Na-enriched muscles and that it partially uncouples the Na-K exchange normally observed.

Effects of Na and K ions on the active Na transport in guinea-pig auricles

1. The effect of Na and K ions on active Na transport was studied in guinea-pig auricles by means of flame photometry. 2. The Na influx into preparations rewarmed in Tyrode's solution after cooling was estimated to be about 1.05 mmole/l fibre water - min (l.f.w.-min) or c. 8 pmole/cm2 - s. Intracellular Na ions enhanced the active Na efflux over a wide range of concentrations. A decrease in the extracellular Na concentration ([Na]o) had no major effect on the active Na efflux. 3. Extracellular K ions initiated an active Na efflux from rewarmed auricles with an elevated [Na[i over a narrow range of K concentrations ([K]o). 4. Assuming Michaelis-Menten kinetics the maximal active Na efflux activated by internal Na ions was calculated to be about 4 mmole/l.f.w. - min (30 pmole/cm2 - s). Half maximal Na efflux occurred at about 22 mmole/l.f.w. [Na]i. The maximal K-activated active - min (28 pmole/cm2 - s) and was half maximal at a [K]o of about 0.2 mM. 5. It is tentatively concluded that the maximal active Na efflux from guinea-pig atria is 3--4 times larger than the physiological flux. Under normal conditions active Na efflux in heart is mainly regulated by variations of [Na]i.

Sodium fluxes in single amphibian oocytes: further studies and a new model

1. The kinetics of Na efflux were studied in oocytes of Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria and R. pipiens. 2. Rate constants for Na efflux into Ringer solution varied from 0-002 min-minus 1 to 0-017 min-minus 1 and did not vary significantly from one species to another. 3. Na efflux is rapidly reduced by 30-50% on removing external K or applying ouabain but is reduced by 90% on cooling to 0 degrees C. The effects of K and cooling are also rapidly reversible. 4. Substitution of external Na by Li produces a slow decline of Na efflux. Reversal on restoring external Na is, however, rapid even in the presence of ouabain. 5. When external Na is replaced by Li in the presence of ouabain, the normal decline in Na efflux does not occur. 6. When external Na has been replaced by Li, application of ouabain causes little or no further decline in Na efflux. 7. These results are interpreted quantitatively by means of a model which proposes that intracellular membrane-bounded channels (IMBC) contain 10-30% of the intracellular Na and provide a channel for its expulsion from the cell via connexions with the cell surface. It is supposed that Na is expelled actively from the cytoplasm into the IMBC as well as at the cell surface. Na expulsion via the IMBC is supposed to be insensitive to external K or ouabain. This model accounts for the results using parameters consistent with other investigations by autoradiography and Na-sensitive micro-electrodes. 8. Preliminary electron micrographic evidence shows channels which appear to lead from the cell surface into the cytoplasm and which may correspond with the proposed IMBC of the model.

A kinetic description for sodium and potassium effects on (Na+ plus K+)-adenosine triphosphatase: a model for a two-nonequivalent site potassium activation and an analysis of multiequivalent site models for sodium activation

1. Dissociation constants for sodium and potassium of a site that modulates the rate of ouabain-(Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase interaction were applied to models for potassium activation of (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase. The constants for potassium (0.213 mM) and for sodium (13.7 mM) were defined, respectively, as activation constant, K(a) and inhibitory constant, K(i).2. Tests of the one- and the two-equivalent site models, that describe sodium and potassium competition, revealed that neither model adequately predicts the activation effects of potassium in the presence of 100 or 200 mM sodium.3. The potassium-activation data, obtained at low potassium and high sodium, were explained by a two-nonequivalent site model where the dissociation constants of the first site are 0.213 mM for potassium and 13.7 mM for sodium. The second site was characterized by dissociation constants of 0.091 mM for potassium and 74.1 mM for sodium.4. The two-nonequivalent site model adequately predicted the responses to concentrations of potassium between 0.25 and 5 mM in the presence of 100-500 mM sodium. At lower sodium concentrations the predicted responses formed an upper limit for the function of observed activities. This limit was reached at lower concentrations of potassium and higher concentrations of sodium, which inferred saturation of the sodium-activation sites with sodium.5. Sodium-activation data were corrected for sodium interaction with potassium-activation sites by use of the two-nonequivalent site model for potassium activation. Tests of equivalent site models suggested that the corrected data for sodium activation may be most consistent with a model that has three-equivalent sites. Other multiequivalent site models (n = 2, 4, 5 or 6), however, cannot be statistically eliminated as possibilities. The three-equivalent site activation model was characterized by dissociation constants of 1.39 mM for sodium and 11.7 mM for potassium. The system theoretically would be half-maximally activated by 5.35 mM sodium in the absence of potassium.6. Derivation of the model for sodium activation assumed that the affinities of these sites for sodium and potassium are independent of cation interactions with the potassium-activation sites. Therefore, the kinetic descriptions for sodium and potassium effects form a composite model that is consistent with simultaneous transport of sodium and potassium.7. Predictions of the composite equation are in reasonable agreement with data obtained by variation of sodium (potassium = 10 mM), variation of potassium (sodium = 100 mM) and by simultaneous variation of sodium and potassium (sodium:potassium = 10). Sodium-activation data (2.5-20 mM sodium) also agree with predictions of the model in the presence of potassium concentrations which are thought to be present at the sodium-activation sites in vivo.8. The kinetic description for sodium (three-equivalent sites) and potassium (two-nonequivalent sites) activation of the transport-ATPase is in accord with the probable stoichiometric requirements of the sodium pump. The model is also in general agreement with other studies on intact transporting systems and (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase in fragmented membrane preparations with respect to potassium activation, although there is a quantitative disagreement. The model for sodium activation, though consistent with data obtained by other studies on fragmented (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase preparations, is in apparent variance with much of the data obtained for intact transporting systems. The description for potassium activation suggests that the rates of ouabain binding to (Na(+)+K(+))-ATPase are modulated by competition between sodium and potassium for one of the two potassium-activation sites.

Effect of insulin upon the sodium pump in frog skeletal muscle

1. Insulin increased the rate of net Na extrusion from Na-loaded frog skeletal muscle into glucose-free Na-Ringer. After a 90 min period of efflux, the insulin-treated muscles contained approximately 11% less intracellular water than did their controls. This decrease in intracellular water resulted in an increase in the concentration of intracellular K, [K(+)](i), even though there was no definite effect upon net K flux. In spite of the decrease in intracellular water, [Na(+)](i) was lower in those muscles treated with 500 m-u. insulin/ml. than in the controls.2. Insulin consistently increased (22)Na efflux into Na-Ringer containing either 10 or 2.5 mM-K(+). This effect was reversible and was not produced by other proteins.3. Acetylstrophanthidin (5 x 10(-6)M) blocked all or nearly all net Na efflux even in the presence of insulin. The presence of this concentration of acetylstrophanthidin or of K-free Na-Ringer inhibited the effect of insulin upon (22)Na efflux from Na-loaded muscles.4. All of the above results indicate that insulin in some way increases the activity of the Na pump. The inhibition by K-free Na-Ringer also suggests that this is not due to production of additional pump sites.5. Insulin also increased (22)Na efflux and net sodium efflux into Li-Ringer. When the new steady-state was reached after addition of insulin, the (22)Na kinetics still obeyed a power relation to intracellular (22)Na. However, in every single case, insulin resulted in a decrease of approximately 18% in the exponent, n.6. Curve-fitting of the kinetic data to equations based upon a three-site model of the Na pump suggests that insulin increases the affinity of the sites toward Na(+). In terms of Eisenman's theory of ion selectivity, this would indicate an increase in the anionic field strength of the Na-carrying sites and also predict that the increase in affinity for H(+) would be greater than that for Na(+). This latter prediction is entirely consistent with the observed decrease in n.7. The results suggest that insulin may be increasing H(+) efflux as well as Na(+) efflux and thereby may be increasing intracellular pH. It is suggested that some of the intracellular effects of insulin might be mediated by such an effect.

Sodium transport in Na(+)-rich Chlorella cells

The rate of Na(+)/Na(+) exchange as measured with (24)Na(+) in Na(+)-rich cells of Chlorella pyrenoidosa is governed by a single rate constant and saturates with increasing external Na(+) concentration. The K mvalue for this process is 0.8 mM Na(+) and the maximum rate of exchange in illuminated cells is about 5 pmoles cm(-2) sec(-1). These values contrast with a K mof 0.18 mM K(+) and maximum rate of about 17 pmoles K(+)·cm(-2)·sec(-1) for net K(+) influx. Although the Na(+)/Na(+) exchange was only slightly sensitive to light it was inhibited by the uncouplers CCCP and DNP and by the energy transfer inhibitor DCCD. This inhibition of the rate of Na(+)/Na(+) exchange was not accompanied by a loss of internal Na(+). Both the effect of external K(+) on (24)Na(+) influx into Na(+)-rich cells and the inhibition of net K(+) uptake by the presence of external Na(+) indicates that Na(+)/Na(+) and K(+)/Na(+) exchanges share the same carrier and that the external site of this carrier has a three to four times higher affinity for K(+) over Na(+).

An analysis of the leakages of sodium ions into and potassium ions out of striated muscle cells

Net sodium influx under K-free conditions was independent of the intracellular sodium ion concentration, [Na](i), and was increased by ouabain. Unidirectional sodium influx was the sum of a component independent of [Na](i) and a component that increased linearly with increasing [Na](i). Net influx of sodium ions in K-free solutions varied with the external sodium ion concentration, [Na](o), and a steady-state balance of the sodium ion fluxes occurred at [Na](o) = 40 mM. When solutions were K-free and contained 10(-4) M ouabain, net sodium influx varied linearly with [Na](o) and a steady state for the intracellular sodium was observed at [Na](o) = 13 mM. The steady state observed in the presence of ouabain was the result of a pump-leak balance as the external sodium ion concentration with which the muscle sodium would be in equilibrium, under these conditions, was 0.11 mM. The rate constant for total potassium loss to K-free Ringer solution was independent of [Na](i) but dependent on [Na](o). Replacing external NaCl with MgCl(2) brought about reductions in net potassium efflux. Ouabain was without effect on net potassium efflux in K-free Ringer solution with [Na](o) = 120 mM, but increased potassium efflux in a medium with NaCl replaced by MgCl(2). When muscles were enriched with sodium ions, potassium efflux into K-free, Mg(++)-substituted Ringer solution fell to around 0.1 pmol/cm(2).s and was increased 14-fold by addition of ouabain.

Effect of sodium and sodium-substitutes on the active ion transport and on the membrane potential of smooth muscle cells

1. The changes of the ion content and of the membrane potential of taenia coli cells have been studied during prolonged exposure to Na-deficient solutions containing either Li or choline.2. A K-free solution containing either 71 mM-Na-71 mM-Li or 71 mM-Na-71 mM choline causes a slower loss of cellular K than a 142 mM-Na solution. In both these Na-deficient solutions the membrane hyperpolarizes to about -100 mV for periods up to 6 hr. This hyperpolarization is partially abolished by 2 x 10(-5)M ouabain.3. Replacing all extracellular Na by Li and maintaining 5.9 mM-K causes a fast loss of all Na and a progressive replacement of K by Li. These changes of the intracellular ion content are accompanied by a depolarization of the cells, suggesting that intracellular Li cannot substitute for Na in activating the ion pump.4. Exposing K-depleted cells to a K-free 71 mM-Na-71 mM-Li solution results in a ouabain sensitive transport of Na and Li against their electro-chemical gradient.5. The K-uptake by K-depleted cells from a solution containing 0.59 mM-K is increased by reducing [Na](o) to half of its normal value. This finding indicates that external Na inhibits the active Na-K exchange.6. In Na-enriched tissues half of the Na efflux is due to a ouabain insensitive Na-exchange diffusion. If Li is used as a Na substitute, the Na-Li exchange compensates for the diminution of the Na-exchange diffusion unless ouabain is added.

The influence of external caesium ions on potassium efflux in frog skeletal muscle

1. At a concentration of 2.5 mM in the external solution, Cs ions reduced K efflux in muscles incubated in Na media. This effect was demonstrated in the presence or absence of 2.5 mM-K and in the presence or absence of 10(-4)M ouabain.2. In Ringer solution in which NaCl was replaced by an osmotic equivalent of MgCl(2), external Cs ions increased K efflux if the solution was K-free and decreased K efflux if the solution contained 2.5 mM-K.3. External Cs ions reduced the inward rate of leakage of Na ions into muscle cells by about 25% when the medium was K-free and contained 10(-5)M ouabain.4. The effects of 2.5 mM-K ions and 2.5 mM-Cs ions on the muscle fibre membrane potential were about the same. The influence of Cs ions on K efflux cannot be explained by changes in the resting membrane potential.5. The results suggest that a large part of the K efflux from muscle cells is mediated by a K:K exchange mechanism that is inhibited by external Cs ions.6. The results also suggest that a smaller part of the K efflux is due to K:Na exchange that is also inhibited by external Cs ions.7. In the absence of either external K or Na ions for internal K to exchange with, Cs ions promote a small amount of K exchange, perhaps via both mechanisms.

Further evidence for a potassium-like action of lithium ions on sodium efflux in frog skeletal muscle

1. The efflux of labelled sodium as well as net sodium and lithium changes were studied in aged high sodium sartorius muscles of the South American frog Leptodactilus ocelatus.2. In the presence of 2.5 mM potassium in the media, the replacement of external sodium with lithium or magnesium resulted in an increase in sodium efflux. The magnitude of such increase was always larger in lithium.3. With the absence of potassium in the media, the response of sodium efflux to replacement of external sodium varied with the cation used as a substitute. In lithium Ringer there was always a noticeable increase, whereas in magnesium there was always a marked reduction. The same results were observed when calcium was substituted for magnesium.4. The replacement of 60 mM external sodium with sucrose did not prevent the stimulating effect of 5 mM potassium on sodium efflux, nor the inhibitory action of 10(-4)M ouabain. This indicates that neither sucrose by itself, nor the lowering of the ionic strength, modified to an appreciable extent the function of the sodium pump.5. Net sodium extrusion took place against an electrochemical gradient in potassium-free - 50 mM sodium - mM lithium Ringer. About 75% of this efflux was ouabain sensitive.6. Muscles made both sodium and lithium rich and incubated in potassium-free - 60 mM sodium - 50 mM lithium Ringer also showed net sodium extrusion against an electrochemical gradient, which was 85% ouabain sensitive. This extrusion took place even under conditions where the changes in free energy favouring lithium entry were always lower than the changes in free energy opposing sodium going out. This indicates that a sodium-lithium exchange by a counter-transport process is unlikely.7. External potassium reduced the ouabain sensitive lithium influx in muscles incubated in lithium Ringer. The values found were 5.90 +/- 0.39 mu-mole/g.hr and 2.66 +/- 0.43 mumole/g.hr in potassium-free and 15 mM potassium respectively. At the same time potassium had no effect on the ouabain-insensitive lithium uptake.8. Muscles incubated in potassium-free-magnesium Ringer had a residual sodium efflux which could not be accounted for by passive movement. About 40% of it was abolished by 10(-4)M ouabain. This ouabain-sensitive part could be a consequence of some stimulation of the sodium pump by potassium leaking out of the cells. If this is correct it should be inhibited by external sodium and should not contribute to the total sodium efflux in potassium-free sodium media.9. Magnesium was used as the reference cation to study the sodium-stimulated sodium efflux under potassium-free conditions. The total sodium efflux amounted to 0.668 hr(-1) (rate constant) and was 71% ouabain sensitive.10. The present experiments demonstrated that lithium ions have a direct stimulating effect on sodium efflux in high sodium skeletal muscle, and strongly support the notion that this effect is produced by an activation of the sodium pump through a potassium-like action.