Desensitization by external Na of the cyclic AMP-dependent Na+/H+ antiporter in trout red blood cells

A novel perspective on the evolutionary loss of plasma-accessible carbonic anhydrase at the teleost gill

The gills of most teleost fishes lack plasma-accessible carbonic anhydrase (paCA) that could participate in CO2 excretion. We tested the prevailing hypothesis that paCA would interfere with red blood cell (RBC) intracellular pH regulation by β-adrenergic sodium-proton exchangers (β-NHE) that protect pH-sensitive haemoglobin-oxygen (Hb-O2) binding during an acidosis. In an open system that mimics the gills, β-NHE activity increased Hb-O2 saturation during a respiratory acidosis in the presence or absence of paCA, whereas the effect was abolished by NHE inhibition. However, in a closed system that mimics the tissue capillaries, paCA disrupted the protective effects of β-NHE activity on Hb-O2 binding. The gills are an open system, where CO2 generated by paCA can diffuse out and is not available to acidifying the RBCs. Therefore, branchial paCA in teleosts may not interfere with RBC pH regulation by β-NHEs, and other explanations for the evolutionary loss of the enzyme must be considered.

Molecular characterization, cellular localization, and light-enhanced expression of Beta-Na+/H+ Exchanger-like in the whitish inner mantle of the giant clam, Tridacna squamosa, denote its role in light-enhanced shell formation

The fluted giant clam, Tridacna squamosa, lives in symbiosis with photosynthetic zooxanthellae, and can engage in light-enhanced growth and shell formation. Light-enhanced shell formation necessitates the elimination of excess H⁺ from the extrapallial fluid adjacent to the shell. This study aimed to clone Na⁺/H⁺Exchanger (NHE) from the whitish inner mantle adjacent to the extrapallial fluid of T. squamosa, to determine its cellular and subcellular localization, and to evaluate the effect of light exposure on its mRNA expression level and protein abundance therein. The complete coding cDNA sequence of NHE obtained was identified as a homolog of beta NHE (βNHE-like). It consisted of 2925 bp, encoding for a polypeptide of 974 amino acids and 107.1 kDa, and was expressed predominantly in the inner mantle. There, βNHE-like was localized in the apical membrane of the seawater-facing epithelium by immunofluorescence microscopy. After exposure to light for 12 h, the seawater-facing epithelium of the inner mantle displayed consistently stronger immunostaining than that of the control exposed to 12 h of darkness. Western blotting confirmed that light exposure significantly enhanced the protein abundance of βNHE-like in the inner mantle. These results denote that some of the excess H⁺ generated during light-enhanced shell formation can be excreted through the light-dependent βNHE-like of the seawater-facing epithelium to minimize the impact on the whole-body pH. Importantly, the excreted H⁺ could dehydrate exogenous HCO₃^-, and facilitate the absorption of inorganic carbon through the seawater-facing epithelium dedicated for light-enhanced shell formation due to its close proximity with the shell-facing epithelium. NUCLEOTIDE SYMBOL COMBINATIONS: Pairs: R = A/G; W = A/T; Y = C/T. Triples: D = A/G/T.

Time course of red blood cell intracellular pH recovery following short-circuiting in relation to venous transit times in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Accumulating evidence is highlighting the importance of a system of enhanced hemoglobin-oxygen (Hb-O₂) unloading for cardiovascular O₂ transport in teleosts. Adrenergically stimulated sodium-proton exchangers (β-NHE) create H⁺ gradients across the red blood cell (RBC) membrane that are short-circuited in the presence of plasma-accessible carbonic anhydrase (paCA) at the tissues; the result is a large arterial-venous pH shift that greatly enhances O₂ unloading from pH-sensitive Hb. However, RBC intracellular pH (pH_i) must recover during venous transit (31-90 s) to enable O₂ loading at the gills. The halftimes ( t_1/2) and magnitudes of RBC β-adrenergic stimulation, short-circuiting with paCA and recovery of RBC pH_i, were assessed in vitro, on rainbow trout whole blood, and using changes in closed-system partial pressure of O₂ as a sensitive indicator for changes in RBC pH_i. In addition, the recovery rate of RBC pH_i was assessed in a continuous-flow apparatus that more closely mimics RBC transit through the circulation. Results indicate that: 1) the t_1/2 of β-NHE short-circuiting is likely within the residence time of blood in the capillaries, 2) the t_1/2 of RBC pH_i recovery is 17 s and within the time of RBC venous transit, and 3) after short-circuiting, RBCs reestablish the initial H⁺ gradient across the membrane and can potentially undergo repeated cycles of short-circuiting and recovery. Thus, teleosts have evolved a system that greatly enhances O₂ unloading from pH-sensitive Hb at the tissues, while protecting O₂ loading at the gills; the resulting increase in O₂ transport per unit of blood flow may enable the tremendous athletic ability of salmonids.

The impact of social status on the erythrocyte beta-adrenergic response in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The objective of the present investigation was to determine whether chronic increases in circulating cortisol concentrations, resulting from the occupation of subordinate status in rainbow trout social hierarchies, resulted in an enhancement of the erythrocyte adrenergic response. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were confined in fork length matched pairs for 6 h, 18 h, 48 h or 5-7 days, and social status was assigned through observations of behaviour. Erythrocyte adrenergic responsiveness, determined in vitro as changes in water content following incubation with the beta-adrenoreceptor agonist isoproterenol, was significantly greater in subordinate than dominant fish at 48 h of social interactions but not after 5-7 days, nor when assessed as changes in extracellular pH (pHe). However, the activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger (beta-NHE), assessed in vitro as the pHe change following incubation with the permeable cyclic AMP analogue 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, was significantly lower in subordinate fish. The number of erythrocyte membrane-bound adrenergic receptors (Bmax) was significantly higher in subordinate than dominant fish at 48 h, but had decreased by 5-7 days to a value that was not significantly different from that for dominant fish. The apparent dissociation constant (KD) of these receptors was not significantly impacted by either social status or interaction time. Finally, the relative expressions of beta-3b adrenergic receptor (AR) and beta-NHE mRNA were determined using real-time PCR and were found to be minimally affected by social rank. Relative to a control group, beta-3b AR mRNA was significantly up-regulated in both dominant and subordinate trout at all time periods, whereas the expression of beta-NHE was in general significantly down-regulated. Unlike the situation in rainbow trout treated with exogenous cortisol, elevations in circulating cortisol resulting from low social status did not "pre-adapt" the erythrocyte adrenergic response, but rather may have served to offset the potentially adverse effects elicited by plasma catecholamines, which were elevated during social hierarchy formation.

The adrenergic volume changes of immature and mature rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) erythrocytes

In this study, we examined whether the adrenergic volume response of teleost erythrocytes is related to cell maturity. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were made anaemic by reducing their haematocrit to approximately 50 % of the original value. After 3–4 weeks, small, young erythrocytes were seen in the circulation. By measuring the volume distribution of blood samples from anaemic fish before and after noradrenaline stimulation (10 min, 10(−5)mol l(−1) final concentration), we were able to show that the volume response of young, immature erythrocytes to catecholamine stimulation was greater than that of mature erythrocytes. In addition, the membrane fluidity, measured using the steady-state fluorescence polarisation method, was greater in anaemic fish after 24 days of recovery from bleeding than in control fish. Since blood from anaemic fish contained a large fraction of immature erythrocytes, this result indicates that the fluidity of the membrane of immature erythrocytes is greater than that of mature erythrocytes.

Responses of the Na+/H+ exchanger of european flounder red blood cells to hypertonic, β-adrenergic and acidotic stimuli

The transport pathways mediating regulatory volume increase (RVI) and β-adrenergic responses in red cells of the European flounder Platichthys flesus have been investigated. Hypertonic treatment under a low-PO2 atmosphere led to a complete RVI and to a three- to fourfold increase in Na+ influx. The RVI and the activated Na+ influx were blocked by the transport inhibitors amiloride and 4, 4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS), both at a concentration of 10(−4)mol l-1, and the RVI was abolished in a Na+-free saline, indicating the involvement of a hypertonically induced Na+/H+ exchanger and an accompanying Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Both the hypertonically induced Na+ influx and the RVI were blocked by oxygenation of shrunk cells. The β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol also strongly activated a Na+ influx and caused cell swelling. This response was also inhibited by amiloride and DIDS but was unaffected by oxygenation. Simultaneous application of isoproterenol and hypertonic shrinkage did not lead to additive Na+ influxes, suggesting that both responses were mediated by the same pool of exchangers. Mild cell acidification activated a Na+ influx under iso-osmotic conditions; amiloride caused partial inhibition of this influx, but oxygenation had no effect. Acid-induced and isoproterenol-induced Na+ fluxes were again non-additive. Thus, the Na+/H+ exchanger of flounder red cells is strongly activated by three physiological stimuli: hypertonic shrinkage, β-adrenergic hormones and cell acidification. Of these responses, only the first is affected by oxygenation, indicating some differentiation of their respective transduction mechanisms. These characteristics contrast with those of the corresponding exchangers from rainbow trout and eel red cells.

Different red blood cell characteristics in a primitive agnathan (M. glutinosa) and a more recent teleost (O. mykiss) influence their strategies for blood CO2 transport

This study examines how the different red blood cell (rbc) characteristics in two lower vertebrates, the phylogenetically primitive hagfish and a more recent teleost, the rainbow trout, influence their strategies for blood CO2 transport. Deoxygenation of the blood resulted in a significant increase in rbc CO2 content in hagfish, but there were no significant changes in the CO2 content of plasma or whole blood under these conditions. In contrast, deoxygenation increased the CO2 content of the rbc, plasma and whole blood in the trout. These results demonstrate that the Haldane effect is much less important for CO2 transport in the hagfish as compared to the trout. The relative importance of the rbc and plasma in blood CO2 transport were roughly similar in hagfish and trout and were very different from that previously documented in another primitive vertebrate, the lamprey. In trout, however, the role of the rbc in CO2 carriage was increased upon the addition of the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10(-5) M) to the blood. Taken together, these results and those recently collected for lampreys demonstrate that changes in rbc characteristics during vertebrate evolution have probably resulted in several important transitions in the strategy for blood CO2 transport.

Fish red blood cells: characteristics and physiological role of the membrane ion transporters

Several membrane ion transporters playing a role in gas transport and exchanges, cell volume regulation and intracellular acid-base regulation have been identified in fish red blood cells (RBCs). This short review focuses on Na+/K+ATPase and its role in establishing the ionic gradients across the membrane, on the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger and its key role in respiration and possibly in inducing a chloride conductance, on the Na+/H+ exchanger and the recent advances on its molecular mechanisms of activation and regulation, on the different types of K-Cl cotransports, the different hypotheses and suggested models and their role in cell volume regulation. There is no evidence in the literature for ionic channels in fish RBCs. We present original data obtained with the patch-clamp technique that shows for the first time the existence of a DIDS-sensitive chloride anionic conductance measured in whole cell configuration and the presence of a stretch-activated nonselective cationic channel recorded in cell-attached and excised inside-out configuration. The part played by these ionic conductances is discussed in relation with their possible involvement in volume regulation.

Trout red blood cell arrestin (TRCarr), a novel member of the arrestin family: cloning, immunoprecipitation and expression of recombinant TRCarr

Arrestins are cytosolic proteins involved in the desensitization of G-protein-coupled receptors. We report the cloning of trout red blood cell arrestin which shows 76, 82 and 52% identity with bovine beta-arrestin1, beta-arrestin2 and retinal arrestin respectively. Antibodies were generated against the C-terminus of trout red blood cell arrestin. These antibodies detected arrestin in erythrocyte cytosol and were able to precipitate the native protein. The Na+/H+ antiporter of trout red blood cell is activated by beta-adrenergic stimulation and is then desensitized whereas the transmembrane signalling pathway is not. To investigate the subcellular distribution of arrestin on beta-adrenergic activation and desensitization of the antiporter, precipitation experiments were carried out on trout erythrocytes. A desensitization-dependent shift in cytosolic arrestin to the membranes could not be detected using the immunoprecipitation technique but we cannot exclude the possibility that a small number of cytosolic arrestins might be involved in the regulation of membrane proteins in trout erythrocyte. Recombinant trout arrestin was produced in a protease-deficient Escherichia coli strain and its functionality was tested in a reconstituted rhodopsin assay. The recombinant protein provides a suitable tool for investigating the target for arrestin in trout red blood cell, which still remains to be identified.

Regulation of Na+/H+ exchange activity by recruitment of new Na+/H+ antiporters: effect of calyculin A

The Na+/H+ antiporter of trout red blood cells, beta-NHE, is activated by agonists of the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and by those of protein kinase C (PKC). beta-NHE, once activated, shifts into a refractory state, accounting for its desensitization. It had previously been shown that desensitization is blocked and reversed by the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (OA). In this study we examined the effect of another protein phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A (CIA). CIA was at least 10 times more potent than OA in blocking beta-NHE desensitization, suggesting that desensitization is controlled by phosphatase-1. Furthermore, CIA alone induced a large Na+/H+ exchange in unstimulated red blood cells, a property not shared by OA. The characteristics of ClA-induced Na+/H+ exchange are very different from those of the exchange triggered by activation of beta-NHE by PKA or PKC agonists, i.e., a flat pH dependence and total insensitivity to PKA and PKC inhibitors. Simultaneous addition of maximal concentrations of ClA and catecholamine produced an additive stimulation of the Na+/H+ exchange, consistent with the interpretation that these agents act on two distinct pools of exchangers. Screening of different cDNA libraries suggested that only one isoform of antiporter exists in the trout red blood cell; it therefore seems likely that regulation of the Na+/H+ antiporter beta-NHE involves a recycling mechanism. The reasons why intracellular beta-NHE show different properties from membrane beta-NHE are discussed.

Regulation of Na+/H+ exchange and pH in erythrocytes of fish

1. The function of trout RBC Na+/H+ antiport is unrelated to cell volume or cell pH regulation. Its role is to improve oxygen transport capacity when the supply of oxygen becomes limited. 2. Antiport activation, mediated by cAMP, promotes complex changes in blood pH which have been analyzed in vivo and in vitro. 3. The regulation of antiport (activation, desensitization, control by molecular oxygen and by a newly discovered cytosolic protein, arrestin) is presented. 4. Molecular cloning of the antiport shows that two typical site motifs of phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase are localized on the cytoplasmic region.

Control and consequences of adrenergic activation of red blood cell Na+/H+ exchange on blood oxygen and carbon dioxide transport in fish

The catecholamines, adrenaline and noradrenaline, are released into the circulation of fish during a variety of physical and environmental disturbances that share the common feature of a requirement for enhanced blood oxygen transport. Indeed, the dominant factor controlling the mobilization of catecholamines from chromaffin tissue is a depression of blood oxygen content usually coinciding with a reduction of hemoglobin-O2 (Hb-O2) binding to 50-60% saturation. The elevation of plasma catecholamine levels, under such conditions, activates a beta-adrenergic cyclic AMP-dependent Na+/H+ exchanger on the red blood cell (rbc) membrane. The adrenergic responsiveness AMP-dependent Na+/H+ exchanger on the red blood cell (rbc) membrane. The adrenergic responsiveness of the rbc Na+/H+ exchanger to catecholamines varies both within and between species. Such inter- and intra-specific differences may reflect, in part, the availability of cell surface beta-adrenoceptors that are functionally coupled to adenylate cyclase. The activation of rbc Na+/H+ exchange and the accompanying profound adjustments of intracellular and extracellular acid-base status, nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) levels, and cooperativity of Hb-O2 binding have important consequences on both O2 and CO2 transfer and transport in the blood that vary markedly at the sites of oxygenation (the gill) and deoxygenation (the tissues) thereby enabling simultaneous amelioration of O2 loading and unloading. At the gill, oxygen transfer is enhanced owing to increases in Hb-O2 affinity and capacity while at the tissues, oxygen delivery is facilitated by a reduction of Hb-O2 affinity. This reduction in affinity at the tissues is a consequence of the combined effects of increased cooperativity of Hb-O2 binding and a rise in venous PCO2 (PvCO2) caused by the titration of HCO3- by H+ extruded by the rbc Na+/H+ exchanger. This elevation of PvCO2 may contribute to the rise in arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) observed after adrenergic activation of rbc Na+/H+ exchange that is caused primarily by impairment of rbc CO2 excretion related to modification of the intracellular acid-base status.

Cloning and expression of a cAMP-activated Na+/H+ exchanger: evidence that the cytoplasmic domain mediates hormonal regulation

The ubiquitous plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger (termed NHE1) is activated by diverse hormonal signals, with the notable exception of hormones acting through cAMP as second messenger. Therefore, the Na+/H+ exchanger found in the nucleated trout red cell is of particular interest since it is activated by catecholamines, forskolin, and cAMP analogues. We report here that a cloned cDNA encoding the red cell exchanger restores functional Na+/H+ activity when transfected into Na+/H+ antiporter-deficient fibroblasts (i.e., it regulates intracellular pH in a Na-dependent and amiloride-sensitive manner). This red cell exchanger represents an additional form of Na+/H+ exchanger (termed beta NHE), which is characterized by a specific cytoplasmic domain involved in activation by the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway. After transfection in the same cellular context, beta NHE, but not NHE1, is activated by cAMP or by hormones that increase cAMP levels. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of exchangers shows that beta NHE, but not NHE1, contains two clustered consensus motifs for phosphorylation by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A; PKA). A deletion mutant devoid of the C-terminal region of the cytoplasmic loop containing the two PKA sites restores Na+/H+ activity but is no longer activated by cAMP analogues or catecholamines. In red blood cells, the Na+/H+ exchanger is also activated by another pathway involving protein kinase C (PKC). Expression of beta NHE in fibroblasts shows that these two independent signaling pathways impinge on two distinct domains of the exchanger. The cytoplasmic segment containing PKA consensus sites, which is crucial for cAMP activation, is unnecessary for stimulation by PKC activators.

Metabolic alkalosis and the response of the trout, Salmo fario, to acute severe hypoxia

Trout (Salmo fario) were acutely transferred from seawater to freshwater in order to induce blood metabolic alkalosis (cf. Maxime et al., J. Comp. Physiol. 160: 31-39, 1990). After 2 weeks, the fish were exposed to severe environmental hypoxia (final water oxygen partial pressure, PWO2 = 25-45 Torr, reached within 20 min), to assess the impact of the experimentally induced alkalosis, and hence increased haemoglobin-oxygen (Hb-O2) affinity, on various aspects of the hypoxic response. This was accomplished by monitoring oxygen partial pressure and total oxygen content of arterial blood (PaO2 and CaO2), extracellular pH (pHe), red blood cell (RBC) intracellular pH (pHi), and the concentrations of plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline, lactate and haemoglobin (Hb) at 5 min intervals. Blood from normoxic fish exhibited high pHe and RBC pHi values (8.32 +/- 0.02 and 7.53 +/- 0.03, respectively). During hypoxia PaO2 declined to 10 Torr within 25 min; the first 5 min provoked increases of pHe and pHi to 8.43 +/- 0.03 and 7.71 +/- 0.03, respectively; thereafter, pHe decreased whilst pHi remained elevated. The blood lactate concentration increased from 2.30 +/- 0.76 mmol.L-1 in normoxia to 14.94 +/- 5.7 mmol.L-1 at the conclusion (60 min) of the hypoxic exposure and catecholamine levels also increased progressively (from 2.94 +/- 0.51 and 1.90 +/- 0.50 nmol.L-1, in normoxia, to 191.91 +/- 64.25 and 72.00 +/- 25.02 nmol.L-1, at their highest levels, for adrenaline and noradrenaline, respectively). Determination of the PaO2 thresholds for lactate and catecholamine release demonstrated that these substances appeared in the bloodstream when the degree of O2 saturation of the haemoglobin fell below 60%. The results demonstrate that initial blood alkalosis does not prevent the typical physiological responses of trout to hypoxia but simply shifts to lower PaO2 values the threshold at which these responses begin.

Arrestin from nucleated red blood cells binds to bovine rhodopsin in a light-dependent manner

Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies, it has previously been demonstrated that the cytosol of nucleated red cells (trout and turkey) contains a protein similar to arrestin, a soluble protein found so far only in the photosensitive cells and which, by binding to photoexcited rhodopsin, inhibits the phototransduction process. The role of this arrestin-like protein in non-photosensitive cells is questionable. In this report we present evidence that partially purified red blood cell arrestin (RBC arrestin) behaves functionally like bovine retinal arrestin: it binds to phosphorylated bovine rhodopsin only when this receptor has been photoactivated. Thus RBC arrestin and bovine retinal arrestin are closely related both structurally and functionally. By analogy with the function of retinal arrestin, it is proposed that RBC arrestin is involved in desensitization of membrane transport proteins and/or adrenergic receptors.

Effects of anions on the Na(+)-H+ exchange of trout red blood cells

1. Replacement of chloride by foreign anions in the suspending medium of trout erythrocytes can affect in a complex manner both the activation by catecholamines of the latent Na(+)-H+ exchanger and its subsequent desensitization. These changes are discussed in relation to other cellular modifications (distribution of permeant anions and accumulation of cyclic AMP) induced by foreign anions. 2. The transfer of trout erythrocytes from a chloride-containing medium to media containing lyophilic permeable anions, NO3- or SCN-, immediately induces a decrease of distribution ratios of permeable anions across the red cell membrane (i.e. Donnan ratios). It is probable that the binding of lyophilic anions to haemoglobin, by altering the amount of negative fixed charges, results in changes of distribution of permeant anions across the membrane. 3. The effectiveness of anions in decreasing both the activation of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger and the Donnan ratio follows the same sequence in both cases, i.e., SCN- greater than NO3- greater than Cl- = propionate. It was demonstrated that a change in Donnan ratio affects antiport activity possibly through a shift in intracellular pH; such a mechanism however cannot account for all the effects of foreign anions on antiport activity. 4. The present results show that lyophilic anions do not modify the affinity of the antiporter for sodium ions but greatly decrease the transport capacity of the exchange system. This is interpreted as indicating that the binding of lyophilic anions to some component of the transport system prevents antiporters from establishing their activated configuration once stimulated. Since the inhibitory effect of anions on Na(+)-H+ exchange has been demonstrated in all erythrocytes studied but in no other cell, the crucial substance involved in this inhibition could well be haemoglobin, which appears to control antiport activity in erythrocytes. 5. Some anions affect desensitization of the exchanger. This effect is not related to the lyophilic character of the anion and is not mediated by a change in intracellular cyclic AMP. 6. Propionate and acetate drastically reduce the intracellular level of cyclic AMP and seem to facilitate the activated configuration of the exchanger.

Catecholamine release controlled by blood oxygen tension during deep hypoxia in trout: effect on red blood cell Na/H exchanger activity

Changes in plasma catecholamine levels were measured in trout exposed to acute hypoxia, in order to correlate with acid-base disturbances due to activation of the cAMP-dependent Na+/H+ antiporters of red blood cells, as previously described (Fiévet B., Respir. Physiol. 74, 99-114, 1988). The extracellular acidosis corresponding with the stimulation of the exchangers, occurred when arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) reached around 15 Torr (Thomas S., Respir. Physiol. 74, 77-90, 1988). This blood pH drop coincided with a marked increase in plasma catecholamine levels. The catecholamine secretion was transient and the hormones were cleared provided PaO2 remained above 10 Torr. On the other hand, when PaO2 remained below 10 Torr, there was a persistent secretion of catecholamines. This is in agreement with the fact that the exchangers are 'turned off' or sustained when PaO2 remains above or below 10 Torr respectively, as previously described. Following the transient hormone peak when PaO2 stabilized above 10 Torr, it was possible to trigger the second pattern of continuous catecholamine secretion by controlling water PO2 so that PaO2 declined below 10 Torr. We conclude that the blood oxygen level controls catecholamine secretion during deep hypoxia.

Glutaraldehyde fixation of the cAMP-dependent Na+/H+ exchanger in trout red cells

It has been shown that the addition of a beta-adrenergic catecholamine to a trout red blood cell suspension induces a 60-100-fold increase of sodium permeability resulting from the activation of a cAMP-dependent Na+/H+ antiport. Subsequent addition of propranolol almost instantaneously reduces the intracellular cAMP concentration, and thus the Na permeability, to their basal values (Mahé et al., 1985). If glutaraldehyde (0.06-0.1%) is added when the Na+/H+ exchanger is activated after hormonal stimulation, addition of propranolol no longer inhibits Na permeability: once activated and fixed by glutaraldehyde, the cAMP dependence disappears. Glutaraldehyde alone causes a rapid decrease in the cellular cAMP concentration. In its fixed state the antiporter is fully amiloride sensitive. The switching on of the Na+/H+ exchange by cAMP is rapidly (2 min) followed by acute but progressive desensitization of the exchanger (Garcia-Romeu et al., 1988). The desensitization depends on the concentration of external sodium, being maximal at a normal Na concentration (145 mM) and nonexistent at a low Na concentration (20 mM). If glutaraldehyde is added after activation in nondesensitizing conditions (20 mM Na), transfer to a Na-rich medium induces only a very slight desensitization: thus the fixative can "freeze" the exchanger in the nondesensitizing conformation. NO3- inhibits the activity of the cAMP-dependent Na+/H+ antiporter of the trout red blood cell (Borgese et al., 1986). If glutaraldehyde is added when the cells are activated by cAMP in a chloride-containing medium, the activity of the exchanger is no longer inhibited when Cl- is replaced by NO3-. Conversely, after fixation in NO3- medium replacement of NO3- by Cl- has very little stimulatory effect. This indicates that the anion dependence is not a specific requirement for the exchange process but that the anion environment is critical for the switching on of the Na+/H+ exchanger and for the maintenance of its activated configuration.

Na+-H+ exchange and pH regulation in red blood cells: role of uncatalyzed H2CO3 dehydration

Erythrocytes of rainbow trout respond to adrenergic stimulation by activation of a Na+-H+ exchange. When red blood cells are suspended in their own plasma and equilibrated with a convenient gas mixture in a tonometer, the extrusion of H+ induces a fast, very strong acidification of the blood (by 0.5-0.7 pH units), explained as follows. Excretion of H+ into a medium containing HCO3- causes the formation of H2CO3. The uncatalyzed dehydration of H2CO3 is slow so that H+ accumulates above the level that would prevail at equilibrium, promoting a strong acid disequilibrium pH. Then the blood pH progressively returns to a value close to its initial value because of the slow uncatalyzed dehydration of H2CO3 and washout of the CO2 so produced. The period of acid disequilibrium pH, however, is lengthened because part of the CO2 generated by the spontaneous dehydration is not washed out by tonometry but diffuses into the red cells where it is rapidly converted into HCO3- and H+ by carbonic anhydrase and then excreted by Na+-H+ and Cl-HCO3- exchangers. This recycling process "refuels" the ionic reaction, increasing the time needed to reach equilibrium. The anion exchanger does not sense this strong acid disequilibrium pH, since the external HCO3- concentration is practically unchanged at that time. During the extracellular pH (pHe) recovery period, simultaneously extracellular HCO3- content decreases and intracellular Cl- content increases. Thus intracellular pH and pHe appear to be uncoupled. This overall interpretation is confirmed by experiments using carbonic anhydrase and drugs such as propranolol and amiloride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adaptive respiratory responses of trout to acute hypoxia. III. Ion movements and pH changes in the red blood cell

In the preceding paper acute hypoxia was shown to elicit within minutes an increase in the blood O2 affinity. From the present data it appears that this rapid change in blood P50 value can be ascribed to an important alkalization of the red blood cell despite a simultaneous decrease in extracellular pH (pHe). The intracellular alkalization is only partially due to beta-adrenergic stimulation of Na/H exchange, deoxygenation of hemoglobin and the rapid decrease of PaCO2 due to hyperventilation being involved in this process via the chloride shift. This high value of intraerythrocytic pH (pHi) is then maintained practically constant throughout the time the fish is kept in hypoxia despite wide changes of external pH. The blocking of pHi accounted for the constant O2 content observed during hypoxia. The uncoupling of pHi from pHe, which occurs at the onset of hypoxia, is still unexplained: for instance, it is not due to inhibition of the anion exchanger responsible for the passive distribution of H+ across the red cell membrane. A general scheme of all the mechanisms involved in the emergency adaptive response to acute hypoxia is presented.