Binding of [3H]ouabain to split frog skin: the role of the Na,K-ATPase in the generation of short circuit current

Structural and enzymatic studies on the plasma membrane domains and sodium pump enzymes of absorptive epithelial cells in the avian lower intestine

The coprodaeum of the domestic hen maintained on a low-NaCl diet adapts by enhanced sodium transport. This study examines the adaptive response at the single cell and whole organ levels. Surface areas of apical (microvillous) and basolateral plasma membranes of columnar absorptive epithelial cells were estimated by use of ultrastructural stereology. The activities of succinic dehydrogenase (a mitochondrial enzyme) and ouabain-sensitive, potassium-dependent paranitrophenyl phosphatase (a sodium pump enzyme) were determined in tissue homogenates. Sodium, potassium-ATPase (pump enzyme) activity in cell membranes was localized by ultrastructural cytochemistry. Apical and basolateral membranes responded differently. In high-NaCl hens, the membrane signature of the average cell was 32 microns 2 (apical), 932 microns 2 (lateral) and 17 microns 2 (basal). Cells from low-NaCl hens had more apical membrane (49 microns 2 per cell) but essentially the same area of basolateral membrane. However, total surfaces per organ were greater for all membranes. Sodium pump enzymes were localized in basolateral membranes. Enzyme activities per unit mitochondrial volume and per unit basolateral membrane surface were higher in low-NaCl birds. These findings are discussed in the context of known mechanisms of transcellular sodium transport via apical ion channels and basolateral pumps.

Effects of intracellular signals on Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump activity in the frog skin epithelium

The effects of intracellular signals (pHi, Na+i, Ca2+i, and the electrical membrane potential), on Na+ transport mediated by the Na+/K+ pump were investigated in the isolated Rana esculenta frog skin. In particular we focussed on pHi sensitivity since protons act as an intrinsic regulator of transepithelial Na+ transport (JNa) by a simultaneous control of the apical membrane Na+ conductance (gNa) and the basolateral membrane K+ conductance (gK). pHi changes which modify JNa, gNa and gK, do not affect the Na+ transport mediated by the pump as shown by kinetic and electrophysiological studies. In addition, no changes were observed in the number of 3H-ouabain binding sites in acid-loaded epithelia. Our attempts to modify cellular Ca2+ (by using Ca(2+)-free/EGTA Ringer solution or A23187 addition) also failed to produce any significant effects in the Na+ pump turnover rate or the number of 3H-ouabain binding sites. The Na+ pump current was found to be sensitive to the basolateral membrane potential, saturating for very positive (cell) potentials and a reversal potential of -160 mV was calculated from I-V relationships of the pump. Changes in Na+i considerably affected the Na+ pump rate. A saturating relationship was found between pump rate and Nai+ with maximal activation at Nai+ greater than 40 mmol/l; a high dependence of the pump rate and of the number of 3H-ouabain binding sites was observed in the physiological range of Nai+. We conclude that protons (in the physiological pH range) which act directly and simultaneously on the passive transport pathways (gNa and gK), have no direct effect on the Na+/K+ pump rate. After an acid load, the inhibition of JNa is primarily due to the reduction of gNa. This results in a reduction of Nai and the pump turnover rate then becomes dependent on other pathways of Na+ entry such as the basolateral membrane Na+/H+ exchanger.

Na,K-ATPase and the development of Na+ transport in rat distal colon

Na,K-ATPase function was studied in order to evaluate the mechanism of increased colonic Na+ transport during early postnatal development. The maximum Na(+)-pumping activity that was represented by the equivalent short-circuit current after addition of nystatin (ISCN) did not change during postnatal life or after adrenalectomy performed in 16-day-old rats. ISCN was entirely inhibited by ouabain; the inhibitory constant was 0.1 mM in 10-day-old (young) and 0.4 mM in 90-day-old (adult) rats. The affinity of the Na,K pump for Na+ was higher in young (11 mM) than in adult animals (19 mM). The Na,K-ATPase activity (measured after unmasking of latent activity by treatment with sodium dodecylsulfate) increased during development and was also not influenced by adrenalectomy of 16-day-old rats. The inhibitory constant for ouabain (KI) was not changed during development (0.1-0.3 mM). Specific [3H]ouabain binding to isolated colonocytes increased during development (19 and 82 pmol/mg protein), the dissociation constant (KD) was 8 and 21 microM in young and adult rats, respectively. The Na+ turnover rate per single Na,K pump, which was calculated from ISCN and estimated density of binding sites per cm2 of tissue was 500 in adult and 6400 Na+/min.site in young rats. These data indicate that they very high Na+ transport during early postnatal life reflects an elevated turnover rate and increased affinity for Na+ of a single isoform of the Na,K pump. The development of Na+ extrusion across the basolateral membrane is not directly regulated by corticosteroids.

Sodium pump quantity and turnover in rabbit descending colon at different rates of sodium absorption

3H-Ouabain binding to isolated epithelia and basolateral membrane vesicles of Na+-transporting epithelial cells of rabbit descending colon was determined to quantify the number of operative Na+-pump sites at different rates of transcellular Na+ transport which was varied over a wide range by chronic dietary Na+ restriction or Na+ loading. Both in intact epithelia and in basolateral membrane vesicles the maximal number of specific ouabain binding sites was higher in preparations from animals transporting Na+ at high rates than in preparations from animals transporting Na+ at low rates. The affinity of ouabain to its binding site and the association and dissociation rate constants were not dependent on the rate of Na+ transport. In intact epithelia the Na+ turnover rate per pump unit was twice as high in tissues with high Na+ transport than in tissues with low Na+ transport. In basolateral membrane vesicles the Na+ turnover rate was considerably higher than in intact epithelia and there was no difference in turnover rate between vesicle preparations obtained from tissues transporting Na+ at high or low rates. Hence, factors within the intact cell appear to control the turnover rate of the Na+-pump.

Effects of amiloride analogues on adult Notophthalmus viridescens limb stump currents

We have previously investigated the relevance to limb regeneration of epidermally driven, Na+-dependent limb stump currents by blocking epidermal Na+ channels with amiloride, 3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(diaminomethylene)pyrazinecarboxamide. In order to reduce Notophthalmus viridescens stump currents more effectively than with amiloride, we have examined six amiloride analogues. Of these, only benzamil, 3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-[(benzylamino)aminomethylene]pyrazinecarboxamide, was more effective than amiloride. The concentration of benzamil that reduced stump currents to half their initial value was 0.034 microM, while this concentration for amiloride was 0.42 microM. We also found a contribution of calcium ions to these currents. When immersed in water whose Ca2+ concentration decreased stepwise from 1 to 0 mM, stump currents decreased significantly, although to a variable extent, depending on the batch of newts. With 30 microM benzamil and 0.5 mM calcium (in water that also contained 1.5 mM NaCl and 0.06 mM KCl) stump currents could be reduced to very low levels and, in many cases, changed to incurrents.

Ouabain binding in rectal gland of Squalus acanthias

In an attempt to examine the mechanisms of activation of (Na, K)-ATPase when epithelial transport is stimulated, the binding of ouabain to rectal gland tissue was measured before and after stimulation with dibutyryl cAMP and theophylline. Stimulation significantly altered the characteristics of ouabain binding to slices of Squalus acanthias rectal gland and to isolated rectal gland cells, accelerating the rate of binding and increasing the amount of ouabain bound at equilibrium when low concentrations of ouabain (10(-9) to 10(-7) M) were present in the medium. Scatchard plots of ouabain binding were nonlinear, suggesting at least two classes of binding sites, one of higher and one of lower affinity. Stimulation with cAMP and theophylline appeared to increase the affinity of the high-affinity site. Ouabain binding was increased by cAMP and theophylline even in the presence of furosemide (10(-4) M) or bumetanide (10(-5) M), and when Li+ was substituted for Na+, or NO3- for Cl- -maneuvers known to inhibit rectal gland secretion. The changes in ouabain binding induced by cAMP and theophylline do not appear, therefore, to be secondary to secretory activity but may reflect a change in the configuration, environment or location of existing enzyme so as to enhance its activity. Stimulation of ouabain binding cannot be demonstrated in whole homogenates of rectal gland, indicating that intact cells are necessary for the cyclic AMP-induced increase in ouabain binding to become manifest.

Sodium flux ratio through the amiloride-sensitive entry pathway in frog skin

The sodium flux ratio of the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel in the apical membrane of in vitro Rana catesbeiana skin has been evaluated at different sodium concentrations and membrane potentials in sulfate Ringer solution. Amiloride-sensitive unidirectional influxes and effluxes were determined as the difference between bidirectional 22Na and 24Na fluxes simultaneously measured in the absence and presence of 10(-4) M amiloride in the external bathing solution. Amiloride-sensitive Na+ effluxes were induced by incorporation of cation-selective ionophores (amphotericin B or nystatin) into the normally Na+-impermeable basolateral membrane. Apical membrane potentials (Va) were measured with intracellular microelectrodes. We conclude that since the flux ratio exponent, n', is very close to 1, sodium movement through this channel can be explained by a free-diffusion model in which ions move independently. This result, however, does not necessarily preclude the possibility that this transport channel may contain one or more ion binding sites.

Potassium transport across the frog retinal pigment epithelium

Previous experiments indicate that the apical membrane of the frog retinal pigment epithelium contains electrogenic Na:K pumps. In the present experiments net potassium and rubidium transport across the epithelium was measured as a function of extracellular potassium (rubidium) concentration, [K]0 ( [Rb]0). The net rate of retina-to-choroid 42K(86Rb) transport increased monotonically as [K]0 ( [Rb]0) increased from approximately 0.2 to 5 mM on both sides of the tissue or on the apical (neural retinal) side of the tissue. No further increase was observed when [K]0 ( [Rb]0) was elevated to 10 mM. Net sodium transport was also stimulated by elevating [K]0. The net K transport was completely inhibited by 10-4 M ouabain in the solution bathing the apical membrane. Ouabain inhibited the unidirectional K flux in the direction of net flux but had no effect on the back-flux in the choroid-to-retina direction. The magnitude of the ouabain-inhibitable 42K(86Rb) flux increased with [K]0 ( [Rb]0). These results show that the apical membrane Na:K pumps play an important role in the net active transport of potassium (rubidium) across the epithelium. The [K]0 changes that modulate potassium transport coincide with the light-induced [K]0 changes that occur in the extracellular space separating the photoreceptors and the apical membrane of the pigment epithelium.

Kinetic studies on the effects of ouabain on Na+ fluxes in frog skin

Among 48 pieces of paired frog skins of Rana pipiens in Ringer's solution, 10 pieces showed a strictly monotone decrease in the short circuit current (SCC) following ouabain treatment (10(-4) M). In 9 cases a transient attenuation, and in 27 cases a distinct wave in the ebb of the SCC, was seen. In 2 instances, two waves were seen. Associated with the not-monotone events was a transient rise in electrical skin conductance. The reasons for these mixed skin responses are unknown. One possible reason is considered here: Early during the ouabain action, some of the Na+ entering from the mucosal side is trapped in the skin by electroneutral processes, in keeping with the already known fact that ultimately cellular KCl is partly replaced by NaCl. Computer assisted model studies show how monotone, and not-monotone "transepithelial" net Na+ flux curves can be generated. Essential conditions for the generation of not-monotone Na+ flux curves are: 1. Presence of two distinct "cellular", active Na+ pools in the model. 2. Presence of a loop pathway in which a principal "transepithelial Na+ transport compartment", and a constituent "Na+/K+ maintenance compartment", are connected to each other and to the "extracellular" compartment. The model, then, predicts under which kinetic conditions monotone and not-monotone transepithelial Na+ flux curves will be seen.

Oscillation of the electrical potential of the frog skin under the effect of Li+: theoretical formulation

A theoretical model of oscillation is proposed. It is based on the non-linearity introduced in the functioning of the active pump by the presence of lithium. Other plausible causes of oscillation are shown not to interfere in this case. The oscillation is of the local type. Synchronization between the local oscillators is not achieved by diffusional, but by electrical coupling. Numerical calculation shows that the model fits reasonably well to the experimental data.

Microscopical methods for the localization of Na+,K+-ATPase

Na+,K+-ATPase plays a central role in the ionic and osmotic homeostasis of cells and in the movements of electrolytes and water across epithelial boundaries. Microscopic localization of the enzyme is, therefore, of crucial importance in establishing the subcellular routes of electrolyte flow across structurally complex and functionally polarized epithelia. Recently developed approaches to the localization of Na+,K+-ATPase are reviewed. These methods rely on different properties of the enzyme and encompass cytochemical localization of the K+-dependent nitrophenylphosphatase component of the enzyme, autoradiographic localization of tritiated ouabain binding sites, and immunocytochemical localization of the holoenzyme and of its catalytic subunit. The rationales for each of these techniques are outlined as are the criteria that have been established to validate each method. The observed localization of NA+,K+-ATPase in various tissues is discussed, particularly as it relative to putative and hypothetical mechanisms that are currently thought to mediate reabsorptive and secretory electrolyte transport.

Interaction of ouabain with the Na+ pump in intact epithelial cells

To determine the specificity and efficacy of [(3)H]ouabain binding as a quantitative measure of the Na(+) pump (Na(+), K(+)-ATPase) and as a marker for the localization of pumps involved in transepithelial Na(+)-transport, we analyzed the interaction of [(3)H]ouabain with its receptor in pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK(1)) cells. When these epithelial cells are depleted of Na(+) and exposed to 2 muM [(3)H]ouabain in a Na(+)-free medium, binding is reduced by 90 percent. When depleted of K(+) and incubated in a K(+)- free medium, the ouabain binding rate is increase compared with that measured at 5 mM. This increase is only demonstable when Na(+) is present. The increased rate could be attributed to the predominance of the Na(+)-stimulated phosphorylated form of the pump, as K(+) is not readily available to stimulate dephosphorylation. However, some binding in the K(+)-free medium is attributable to pump turnover (and therefore, recycling of K(+)), because analysis of K(+)-washout kinetics demonstrated that addition of 2 muM ouabain to K(+)-depleted cells increased the rate of K(+) loss. These results indicate that in intact epithelial cells, unlike isolated membrane preparations, the most favorable condition for supporting ouabain binding occurs when the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase is operating in the Na(+)-pump mode or is phosphorylated in the presence of Na(+). When LLC-PK(1) cells were exposed to ouabain at 4 degrees C, binding was reduced by 97 percent. Upon rewarming, the rate of binding was greater than that obtained on cells kept at a constant 37 degrees C. However, even at this accelerated rate, the time to reach equilibrium was beyond what is required for cells, swollen by exposure to cold, to recover normal volume. Thus, results from studies that have attempted to use ouabain to eliminate the contribution of the conventional Na(+) pump to volume recovery must be reevaluated if the exposure to ouabain was done in the cold or under conditions in which the Na(+) pump is not operating.

Cationic selectivity and competition at the sodium entry site in frog skin

The cation selectivity of the Na entry mechanism located in the outer membrane of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) skin epithelium was studied. This selectivity was determined by measuring the short-circuit current when all of the external sodium was replaced by another cation and, also, by noting the relative degree of inhibition that the alkali metal cations produced on Na influx. The ability of the Group Ia cations to permeate the apical membrane was determined from the tracer uptake experiments. The results demonstrate that (a) only Li and Na are actively transported through the epithelium; (b) the alkali cations K, Rb, and Cs do not enter the epithelium through the apical border and, therefore, Na and Li are the only alkali cations translocated through this membrane; (c) these impermeable cations are competitive inhibitors of Na entry; (d) the cations NH4 and Tl exhibit more complex behavior but, under well-defined conditions, also inhibit Na entry; and (e) the selectivity of the cation binding site is in the sequence Li congruent to Na > Tl > NH4 congruent to K > Rb > Cs, which corresponds to a high field strength site with tetrahedral symmetry.

Time course of pump inhibition by ouabain in amphibian epithelia

Inhibition by ouabain of rheogenic Na+ transport across the basolateral membranes of frog skin is found to be manifest within 3-4 min. This rate of pump inhibition is not different from the rate of diffusion through extracellular tissue layers between the serosal bath and the actual site of action, i.e., the epithelial cell layers. It is concluded that the well-known slow time course of decrease in transepithelial current flow is due to ionic redistribution and conductance changes of the epithelial membranes secondary to pump inhibition.

Effect of cell-substratum interaction on hemicyst formation by MDCK cells

On impermeable substrata MDCK cells, a cell line derived from normal dog kidney, forms a confluent monolayer that is studded with numerous hemicysts. Previous studies with this cell line suggest that thes hemicysts develop as a result of active fluid accumulation between cell sheet and substratum. However, the formation of hemicysts as a multifocal phenomenon is still unexplained. The results presented here show that the hemicysts are not only expressions of active transport of solutes and water, but also of cell-substratum interaction. The increase in number and size of the hemicyst produced by dbcAMP may be explained by a decrease in the adhesive strength to substrata produced by this compound. Moreover, when the strength of the cell-substratum adhesion was increased the number of hemicysts was reduced or abolished. On the contrary, when this strength was reduced, larger hemicysts occurred, covering practically all the area available for growth. Results from cinematographic time lapse studies, showing that 90% of the area of the monolayer is able to produce hemicysts, also suggest that hemicyst formation as a multifocal phenomenon is more an expression of local variations in cell-substratum interaction than of regional changes in transepithelial active transport.

Rheogenic sodium transport in a tight epithelium, the amphibian skin

1. Intracellular potentials from frog and toad skins were measured to identify rheogenic components of active Na transport across the basolateral membrane. Transcellular current flow and associated R . I-drops were blocked with amiloride or Na-free mucosal solution. 2. The potential difference across the basolateral membrane was found to be hyperpolarized by 18 . 5 +/- 1 . 6 mV above the steady-state value immediately after blockage of apical membrane Na conductance. The hyperpolarization disappeared within 15--25 min. 3. The final steady-state value of 93 . 1 +/- 2 . 5 mV was slightly less than reasonable estimates of the K equilibrium potential. 4. The hyperpolarization could not be observed 3--5 min after addition of ouabain (10(-4) M). 5. Both the magnitude and duration of the hyperpolarization correlate directly with the amount of Na accumulated in the intracellular space. 6. A fraction of the intracellular potential was missing when Na transport was re-established after long term blockage of apical membrane Na entry. It reappeared within 10--20 min. 7. It is suggested that the hyperpolarization is due to rheogenic Na transport across the basolateral membranes. This transport mechanism may contribute some 30--50% of the electrical gradient for passive Na entry across the mucosal membrane. 8. A coupling ratio between pumped fluxes of Na and K of about 2:1 is calculated from the data.

[3H]ouabain binding during the monolayer organization and cell cycle in MDCK cells

The specific binding of [3H]ouabain in an epithelial cell line derived from a dog kidney (MDCK) was determined during epithelial reorganization and also during the cell cycle. In suspended cells, the specific binding of [3H]ouabain is reduced 67% compared with the binding obtained in a complete monolayer. After plating back these cells on a permeable support, both transepithelial electrical resistance and [3H]ouabain binding increase with time of incubation. [3H]ouabain binding decreases during S and G2 phases of the cell cycle to reach a minimum during mitosis and increases again during GI. The transepithelial electrical resistance, determined simultaneously, shows the same behavior. The reduction in the number of [3H]ouabain binding sites in two different circumstances in which the epithelial membrane organization is disrupted and the increase in [3H]ouabain binding sites when the epithelial membrane is reorganized are consistent with the hypothesis that the number of pumping sites responsible for the active step in the transepithelial active transport is additional to the number required to maintain the intracellular ionic composition.

Coupling of active ion transport and aerobic respiratory rate in isolated renal tubules

We report the results of studies in which the cytoplasmic coupling between Na+,K+-ATPase activity (presumably a measure of active transport) and the mitochondrial respiratory rate was investigated in a tubule suspension from the rabbit kidney cortex. Simultaneous measurements of the redox state of mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (performed fluorometrically), the cellular ATP and ADP concentrations, and the oxygen consumption rate (QO2) were made under conditions known to alter the Na+,K+-ATPase turnover. Ouabain (25 microM) caused: (i) a 54% inhibition of QO2, (ii) a net reduction of NAD, and (iii) a 30% increase in the ATP/ADP ratio. The addition of K+ (5 ?M) to K+-depleted tubules caused: (i) an initial 127% stimulation of QO2 followed by a new steady-state QO2 50% above control, (ii) an initial large oxidation of NAD followed by a new steady state more oxidized than the control level, and (iii) a 47% decrease in the cellular ATP/ADP ratio. These data indicate that the cellular ATP and ADP concentrations or the ATP/ADP ratio may be part of the coupling mechanism linking Na+,K+-ATPase turnover and the aerobic metabolic rate in kidney.

Coupled transepithelial sodium and potassium transport across isolated frog skin: effect of ouabain, amiloride and the polyene antibiotic filipin

Addition of the polyene antibiotic filipin (50 microM) to the outside bathing solution (OBS) of the isolated frog skin resulted in a highly significant active outward transport of K+ because filipin per se increases the nonspecific Na+ and K+ permeability of the outward facing membrane. The K+ transport was calculated from the chemically determined changes in K+ concentrations in the solution bathing the two sides of the skin. The active transepithelial K+ transport required the presence of Na+ in the OBS, but not in the inside bathing solution (IBS), and it was inhibited by the Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain. The addition of Ba++ to the IBS in the presence of filipin in the OBS resulted in an activation of the transepithelial K+ transport and in an inhibition of the active Na+ transport. This is in agreement with the notion that Ba++ decreases the passive K+ permeability of the inward facing membrane. In the presence of amiloride (which blocks the specific Na permeability of the outward facing membrane) and Ba++ there was a good correlation between the active Na+ and K+ transport. It is concluded that the active transepithelial K+ transport is carried out by a coupled electrogenic Na-K pump, and it is suggested that the pump ratio (Na/K) is 1.5.

The behaviour of transporting epithelial cells. I. Computer analysis of a basic model

We analyse the non-steady state behaviour of a computer model representing functional epithelial cells. The results show that a simple model of an epithelium, containing the essential ion transport asymmetries of the original Koefoed-Johnsen-Ussing model, predicts much of the observed behaviour of 'tight-type' epithelia under various well characterized experimental conditions.

On the cross-reactivity of amiloride and 2,4,6 triaminopyrimidine (TAP) for the cellular entry and tight junctional cation permeation pathways in epithelia

2,4,6 Triaminopyrimidine (TAP) has been previously shown to inhibit the passive tight junctional cation permeation pathway in various "leaky" epithelia. Amiloride has been shown to be an effective inhibitor of the cation cellular entry pathway in "tight" epithelia. In this paper we demonstrate that TAP and amiloride at appropriate concentrations are able to block either of these epithelial cation permeation pathways. TAP was found to block the Na entry pathway in frog skin with the following characteristics: it (1) inhibits from the external solution only, (2) is completely reversible, (3) increases the transepithelial resistance, (4) is active in the monoprotonated form, (5) is noncompetitive with Na, (6) displays saturation kinetics which obey a simple kinetic model (KI = 1 X 10(-3) M), (7) is independent of external calcium, (8) is dependent on external buffering capacity, and (9) is competitive with amiloride. Amiloride inhibition of the junctional permeation in gallbladder had the following characteristics: it (1) increases the transepithelial resistance, (2) decreases cation conductance without affecting the anion conductance, (3) displays saturation kinetics which obey a simple kinetic model (KI = 1 X 10(-3) M), and (4) possesses inhibitory activity in both its protonated and unprotonated form. These results not only indicate that a similar inhibitory site may exist in both of these cation permeation pathways, but also provide information on the chemical nature and possible location of these inhibitory sites.

The relationship of K+ efflux at the inner surface of the isolated frog skin epithelium to the short circuit current

Isolated frog skins (without chorion) were incubated with 42K+ Ringers' solution, bathing the internal surface for 2 h. All the K+ contained in the frog skin was equilibrated in specific activity with external 42K+. The kinetics of the washout of 42K+ from the internal surface of the skin exhibits one fast and one slow exponential component. Amiloride reduces the release of 42K+ corresponding to both components without affecting the K+ content of the skin. Ouabain increases the loss of 42K+ of the slow component by 200%. Since the total K+ in the skin decreases to 25% of its original value both compartments are affected. The results suggest that two distinct functional compartments exist defined by two 42K+ release ratios and that because of the large K+ contents of these compartments both are intracellular. The relation with the transepithelial Na+ transport and the morphological identification of these compartments is discussed.

Comparison of the effects of increased intracellular calcium and antidiuretic hormone on active sodium transport in frog skin. A study with the calcium ionophore A23187

The addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (1 microM) to the inside solution of the frog skin resulted in an approx. 40% transient increase in the active influx of Na+ and ionic conductance, which decayed to an approx. 13% steady-state stimulation after 1--2 h. A23187 had no effect from the outside solution. A23187's stimulatory action is most likely the result of the ionophore's ability to increase intracellular Ca2+. This contention is supported by the following experimental results: (1) reintroduction of Ca2+ into a Ca2+-free inner solution stimulated Na+ transport only in the presence of A23187: (2) Mg2+ would not mimic these effects, and (3) EGTA in the inner solution would inhibit the A23187 response. The stimulation of active transport and ionic conductances elicited by A23187 were found to be very similar to those caused by antidiuretic hormone. Several lines of evidence suggest that A23187 may by-pass steps in the normal antidiuretic hormone stimulatory process: (1) A23187 and antidiuretic hormone are apparently non-additive; (2) A23187 acts three times faster than antidiuretic hormone; (3) A23187 stimulates antidiuretic hormone-insensitive frog skins, and (4) results from other laboratories indicate that A23187 does not increase cyclic AMP concentrations. It is speculated that an increase in free intracellular Ca2+ may be a step in the normal antidiuretic hormone stimulatory process. This increase in intracellular Ca2+ may in turn stimulate active sodium transport by increasing the Na+ permeability of the outer 'rate-limiting' membrane.

Irreversible inhibition of sodium entry sites in frog skin by a photosensitive amiloride analog

A photosensitive binding reaction is described in which an analog of amiloride is bound to sites that control sodium entry into frog skin. This reaction results in irreversible inhibition of net sodium transport.