Ba2+, TEA+, and quinine effects on apical membrane K+ conductance and maxi K+ channels in gallbladder epithelium

Potassium Regulation in Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Larvae Acclimated to Fresh Water: Passive Uptake and Active Secretion by the Skin Cells

Molecular mechanisms of Na⁺, Cl⁻, and Ca²⁺ regulation in ionocytes of fish have been well investigated. However, the regulatory mechanism of K⁺ in fishes has been largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of K⁺ regulation in medaka larvae acclimated to fresh water. Using a scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) to measure the K⁺ fluxes at skin cells, significant K⁺ effluxes were found at ionocytes; in contrast, significant K⁺ influxes were found at the boundaries between keratinocytes. High K⁺ water (HK) acclimation induced the K⁺ effluxes at ionocytes and suppressed the K⁺ influxes at keratinocytes. The K⁺ effluxes of ionocytes were suppressed by VU591, bumetanide and ouabain. The K⁺ influxes of keratinocytes were suppressed by TAP. In situ hybridization analysis showed that mRNA of ROMKa was expressed by ionocytes in the skin and gills of medaka larvae. Quantitative PCR showed that mRNA levels of ROMKa and NKCC1a in gills of adult medaka were upregulated after HK acclimation. This study suggests that medaka obtain K⁺ through a paracellular pathway between keratinocytes and extrude K⁺ through ionocytes; apical ROMKa and basolateral NKCC1a are involved in the K⁺ secretion by ionocytes.

Relevance of the plasma membrane calcium-ATPase in the homeostasis of calcium in the fetal liver

During the early stages of development, the embryo depends on the placenta as provider of oxygen and calcium, among other essential compounds. Although fetal liver accomplishes a well-known haematopoietic function, its contribution to calcium homeostasis upon development is poorly understood. The homeostasis of cell calcium contributes to diverse signaling pathways across developmental stages of most tissues and the calcium-ATPase located at the plasma membrane (PMCA) helps pumping excess calcium into the extracellular space. To date, the understanding of the equilibrium shift between PMCA isoforms during liver development is still missing. This review focuses on the characterization of the hepatic PMCA along the early stages of development, followed by a description of modern approaches to study calcium homeostasis involving several types of pluripotent cells. The application of interdisciplinary techniques to improve our understanding of liver development and the role calcium homeostasis plays in the definition of pathogenesis is also discussed.

Potassium excretion through ROMK potassium channel expressed in gill mitochondrion-rich cells of Mozambique tilapia

Despite recent progress in physiology of fish ion homeostasis, the mechanism of plasma K+ regulation has remained unclear. Using Mozambique tilapia, a euryhaline teleost, we demonstrated that gill mitochondrion-rich (MR) cells were responsible for K+ excretion, using a newly invented technique that insolubilized and visualized K+ excreted from the gills. For a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of K+ excretion in the gills, cDNA sequences of renal outer medullary K+ channel (ROMK), potassium large conductance Ca(2+)-activated channel, subfamily M (Maxi-K), K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporters (KCC1, KCC2, and KCC4) were identified in tilapia as the candidate molecules that are involved in K+ handling. Among the cloned candidate molecules, only ROMK showed marked upregulation of mRNA levels in response to high external K+ concentration. In addition, immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that ROMK was localized in the apical opening of gill MR cells, and that the immunosignals were most intense in the fish acclimated to the environment with high K+ concentration. To confirm K+ excretion via ROMK, K+ insolubilization-visualization technique was applied again in combination with K+ channel blockers. The K+ precipitation was prevented in the presence of Ba2+, indicating that ROMK has a pivotal role in K+ excretion. The present study is the first to demonstrate that the fish excrete K+ from the gill MR cells, and that ROMK expressed in the apical opening of the MR cells is a main molecular pathway responsible for K+ excretion.

Atrial natriuretic peptide attenuates elevations in Ca2+ and protects hepatocytes by stimulating net plasma membrane Ca2+ efflux

Elevations in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and calpain activity are common early events in cellular injury, including that of hepatocytes. Atrial natriuretic peptide is a circulating hormone that has been shown to be hepatoprotective. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on potentially harmful elevations in cytosolic free Ca(2+) and calpain activity induced by extracellular ATP in rat hepatocytes. We show that atrial natriuretic peptide, through protein kinase G, attenuated both the amplitude and duration of ATP-induced cytosolic Ca(2+) rises in single hepatocytes. Atrial natriuretic peptide also prevented stimulation of calpain activity by ATP, taurolithocholate, or Ca(2+) mobilization by thapsigargin and ionomycin. We therefore investigated the cellular Ca(2+) handling mechanisms through which ANP attenuates this sustained elevation in cytosolic Ca(2+). We show that atrial natriuretic peptide does not modulate the release from or re-uptake of Ca(2+) into intracellular stores but, through protein kinase G, both stimulates plasma membrane Ca(2+) efflux from and inhibits ATP-stimulated Ca(2+) influx into hepatocytes. These findings suggest that stimulation of net plasma membrane Ca(2+) efflux (to which both Ca(2+) efflux stimulation and Ca(2+) influx inhibition contribute) is the key process through which atrial natriuretic peptide attenuates elevations in cytosolic Ca(2+) and calpain activity. Moreover we propose that plasma membrane Ca(2+) efflux is a valuable, previously undiscovered, mechanism through which atrial natriuretic peptide protects rat hepatocytes, and perhaps other cell types, against Ca(2+)-dependent injury.

Is there a specific role for the plasma membrane Ca2+ -ATPase in the hepatocyte?

The plasma membrane Ca2+ -ATPase (PMCA) is responsible for the fine, long-term regulation of the cytoplasmic calcium concentration by extrusion of this cation from the cell. Although the general kinetic mechanisms for the action of both, well coordinated hydrolytic activity and calcium transport are reasonably understood in the majority of cell types, due to the complex physiologic and biochemical characteristics shown by the hepatocyte, the study of this enzyme in this cell type has become a real challenge. Here, we review the various molecular aspects known to date to be associated with liver PMCA activity, and outline the strategies to follow for establishing the role of this enzyme in the overall physiology of the hepatocyte. In this way, we first concentrate on the basic biochemical aspects of liver cell PMCA, and place an important emphasis on expression of its molecular forms to finally focus on the critical hormonal regulation of the enzyme. Although these complex aspects have been studied mainly under normal conditions, the significance of PMCA in the calcium homeostasis of an abnormal liver cell is also reviewed.

Interspecies differences in hepatic Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and the effect of cold preservation on porcine liver Ca(2+)-ATPase function

The accumulation of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) caused by ischemia-reperfusion during liver transplantation has been implicated as a factor leading to primary graft nonfunction. Plasma membrane (PM) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-adenosinetriphosphatases (ATPases) are the primary transporters that maintain [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis in the liver. We hypothesized that the porcine liver is better than the rat liver as a model for the study of human liver Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. We also hypothesized that cold preservation would depress Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in the porcine liver. Pig and rat livers were harvested, and human liver samples were obtained from surgical resection specimens. All were preserved with University of Wisconsin solution, and porcine livers were also preserved on ice for 2 to 18 hours. Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was measured after incubation with (45)Ca(2+) and adenosine triphosphate in the presence of specific Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors. Porcine PM and ER Ca(2+)-ATPase activities were 0.47 +/- 0.03 and 1.57 +/- 0.10 nmol of Ca(2+)/mg of protein/min, respectively. This was not significantly different from human liver, whereas rat liver was significantly greater at 2.60 +/- 0.03 and 9.2 +/- 0.9 nmol of Ca(2+)/mg of protein/min, respectively. We conclude that the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in the pig liver is equivalent to that of human liver, and thus, the pig liver is a better model than the rat liver. Cold preservation studies showed a significant decrease in porcine hepatic PM Ca(2+)-ATPase activity after 4 hours of storage and near-total inhibition after 12 hours. Porcine hepatic ER Ca(2+)-ATPase activity showed a 45% decrease in activity by 12 hours and a 69% decrease by 18 hours. We conclude that cold ischemia at clinically relevant times depresses PM Ca(2+)-ATPase more than ER Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in pig liver homogenates.

Potassium channel activity recorded from the apical membrane of freshly isolated epithelial cells in rat caudal epididymis

K+ channels were recorded in excised, inside-out patches from the apical membrane of the freshly isolated tubule of the caudal portion of the rat epididymis. With asymmetric K+ concentrations in bath and pipette (140 mM K+in/6 mM K+out), the channels had a slope conductance of 54.2 pS at 0 mV. The relative permeability of K+ over Na+ was about 171 to 1. The channels were activated by intracellular Ca2+ and by membrane depolarization. These channels belong to a class defined as "intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel. " External tetraethylammonium ions (TEA+) caused a flickery block of the channel with reduction in single-channel current amplitude measured at a range of holding membrane potentials (-40 to 60 mV). Activity of the K+ channels was inhibited by intracellular ATP (KD =1.188 mM). The channel activity was detected only occasionally in patches from the apical membrane (about 1 in 17 patches containing active channels). The presence of the intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels indicates that they could provide a route for K+ secretion in a Ca2+-dependent process responsible for a high luminal K+ concentration found in the epididymal duct of the rat.

Reversal of hypocalcemia and decreased afterload in sepsis. Effect on myocardial systolic and diastolic function

Sepsis is a major cause of death in intensive care units. Clinically, sepsis induces a number of physiologic and metabolic abnormalities, including decreased myocardial contractility and decreased plasma ionized calcium. There is debate about the proper therapy of hypocalcemia in sepsis because calcium administration may worsen cell function by causing intracellular Ca2+ overload. We investigated the effect of Ca2+ administration on myocardial systolic and diastolic function in an extensively utilized rat model of sepsis, i.e., the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). Approximately 24 h after CLP or sham surgery, rats were anesthetized and myocardial function assessed in vivo by a left ventricular Millar catheter and simultaneous two-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography. Septic rats had a 28% decrease in peak left ventricular developed pressure, a 30% decrease in +dP/ dt, and a 23% decrease in -dP/dt (p < 0.05). Plasma ionized Ca2+ was decreased in septic compared with that in sham rats: 4.9 +/- 0.9 and 5.6 +/- 0.01 mg/dl, respectively (p < 0.05). CaCl2 improved both systolic and diastolic function and there was no evidence of adverse effects of Ca2+ even at supraphysiologic levels. Surprisingly, correction of decreased afterload in septic rats, using the pure alpha-agonist phenylephrine, caused normalization of all indices of cardiac contractility, indicating that the presumed decrease in cardiac function was due entirely to an effect of the decreased afterload to "unload" the left ventricle. We conclude that Ca2+ administration is not detrimental to cardiac function in the rat CLP model. Although the rat CLP model is widely utilized and reproduces many of the clinical hallmarks of sepsis, it does not cause intrinsic myocardial depression and, therefore, it may not be an appropriate model to investigate the clinical cardiac dysfunction that occurs in patients with sepsis.

Reconstitution of single potassium channels from bovine gall-bladder epithelium

The study of molecular transport across gall-bladder epithelium may contribute to our understanding of the pathophysiology of gall-bladder disease. The aim of this study was to reconstitute and characterize single potassium ion channels in bovine gall-bladder epithelial mucosa - both apical and basolateral aspects. Standard subcellular fractionation techniques were used to form either apical or basolateral closed-membrane vesicles from the mucosal epithelium of fresh gall bladders from healthy young adult cattle. Vesicular ion channels were incorporated into voltage-clamped planar lipid bilayers under known ionic conditions and their conductances, reversal potentials, and voltages were characterized. Low-conductance voltage-insensitive apical membrane vesicle channels of at least four conductance levels were found (mean +/- SD): 12+/-4 pS, n = 10; 40+/-12 pS, n = 4; 273+/-31 pS, n = 3; and 151+/-24 pS, n = 5. Conductances of potassium ion channels in basolateral membrane vesicles were in the range 9 - 450 pS, and these channels included high-conductance calcium-activated potassium-ion channels 'K(Ca)' which were voltage- and calcium-dependent.

Role of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in preventing Na+ overload and hepatocyte injury: opposite effects of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ chelation

We have previously shown that an increase of intracellular Na+ occurs in isolated rat hepatocytes undergoing ATP depletion and that Na+ accumulation is associated with an uncontrolled influx of Ca2+ through the activation in reverse mode of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In the present study we have investigated the relationship between alterations of Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis and hepatocyte killing using treatments which differentially chelate extracellular or intracellular Ca2+. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ by ethylene glycol bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) potentiated Na+ overload and cell killing induced in isolated rat hepatocytes by hypoxia or menadione. Similar effects were also observed when Na+ accumulation was induced by the combined addition of Na+ ionophore monensin and the inhibition of plasma membrane Na+/K+ ATPase by ouabain. Conversely, the use of the intracellular Ca2+ chelator EGTA acetoxymethyl ester (EGTA/AM) reduced Na+ overload and hepatocyte death induced by hypoxia or cell treatment with menadione or monensin plus ouabain. The effects of EGTA/AM were reverted in the presence of bepridil, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Altogether these results indicated that differential chelation of intracellular or extracellular Ca2+ influences in opposite ways hepatocyte killing due to ATP depletion by modulating intracellular Na+ levels through the reversed activity of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger.

Maxi-K+ channel in plasma membrane of basal cells dissociated from the stria vascularis of gerbils

The plasma membrane of isolated strial basal cells has been probed for conductive pathways by the patch-clamp single-channel recording technique. Maxi-K+ channels were identified in 28 excised patches (i.e., 29%) out of 95, and these active patches each contained an average of 2.4 channel activities. In the cell-attached mode, activity of the maxi-K+ channel was also observed. Properties of the maxi-K+ channel thus revealed include: (1) linear I-V relations with 150 mM K+ on both sides of the membrane, (2) a unit conductance of 246.2 +/- 4.0 pS (n = 14). (3) Ca2- sensitivity, (4) activation by membrane depolarization. (5) a complete block by Ba2- (2 mM) from either side of the membrane. (6) a flickering block by quinine (0.1 mM) or verapamil (0.1 mM) from either side of the membrane, and (7) a complete block by tetraethylammonium (1 mM) from the outside only. The maxi-K+ channel may play a role in the generation of endocochlear potentials.

Suppression of Na+ influx in ATP-depleted hepatocytes

The change of cytosolic Na+ concentration was examined in ATP-depleted cultured rat hepatocytes. Cytosolic Na+ concentration was increased in the hepatocytes where ATP was more than 95% depleted by chemical hypoxia with 2.5 mM KCN and 0.5 mM iodoacetate as reported in J. Biol. Chem. 266 20062-20069 (1991). However, the effect was due to the iodoacetate-treatment rather than the ATP-depletion, because the Na+ concentration was increased not by KCN but by iodoacetate, while KCN decreased ATP more than iodoacetate. Although oligomycin (10 micrograms/ml) decreased ATP to less than 5%, it did not increase cytosolic Na+ concentration much within 50 min. Ouabain (1.0 mM), an inhibitor of Na(+)-K+ pump, increased the Na+ concentration, and the increase was suppressed by oligomycin These results suggest that Na+ influx was suppressed in ATP-depleted hepatocytes.

K+ channels in the basolateral membrane of rat cortical collecting duct

Impalement studies in isolated perfused cortical collecting ducts (CCD) of rats have shown that the basolateral membrane possesses a K+ conductive pathway. In the present study this pathway was investigated at the single-channel level using the patch-clamp technique. Patch-clamp recordings were obtained from enzymatically isolated CCD segments and freshly isolated CCD cells with the conventional cell-free, cell-attached and the cell-attached nystatin method. Two K+ channels were found which were highly active on the cell with a conductance of 67 +/- 5 pS (n = 18) and 148 +/- 4 pS (n = 21) with 145 mmol/l K+ in the pipette. In excised patches the first channel had a conductance of 28 +/- 2 pS (n = 15), whereas the second one had a conductance of 85 +/- 1 pS (n = 53) at 0 mV clamp voltage with 145 mmol/l K+ on one side and 3.6 mmol/l K+ on the other side of the membrane. So far it has not been possible to characterize the smaller channel further. Excised, and with symmetrical K+ concentrations of 145 mmol/l, the intermediate channel had a linear conductance of 198 +/- 19 pS (n = 5). After excision in the inside-out configuration the open probability (Po) of this channel was low (0.18 +/- 0.05, n = 13) whereas in the outside-out configuration this channel had a threefold higher Po (0.57 +/- 0.04, n = 12). Several inhibitors were tested in excised membranes. Ba2+ (1 mmol/l), tetraethylammonium (TEA+, 10 mmol/l) and verapamil (0.1 mmol/l) all blocked this channel reversibly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Maxi-K+ channel in single isolated cochlear efferent nerve terminals

Patch clamp recordings were obtained from isolated cochlear efferent nerve terminals. Channel activity was found in 85% of membrane patches, was present in on-terminal and excised patches and was characterized to originate from a maxi-K+ channel. An average of 2.0 +/- 0.1 (N = 33) maxi-K+ channels were found per active patch. In symmetrical solutions, the current-voltage relationship was linear and the single-channel conductance was 221 +/- 5 pS (N = 22). The open probability of the maxi-K+ channel increased with depolarization of the membrane potential and with an increasing free Ca2+ concentration on the cytosolic side. The open probability was insensitive to changes in the free Ca2+ concentration on the extracellular side. TEA (20 mM) and charybdotoxin (10(-7) M) decreased the open probability to nearly zero from the extracellular side but had no effect from the cytosolic side. The high incidence with which this channel was found suggests that the maxi-K+ channel is physiologically relevant which might include protection against overstimulation of the efferent synapse.

Selective block of specific K(+)-conducting channels by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate in turtle colon epithelial cells

1. The conduction and gating properties of K(+)-conducting channels were studied in isolated turtle colon cells in an attempt to identify the single channels responsible for specific components of the macroscopic conductance of the basolateral membrane. Three types of Ca(2+)-activated channel were identified, two of which were selective for K+ over Na+ and a third which was selective for monovalent cations over anions, but did not discriminate between K+ and Na+. 2. One of the K(+)-selective channels was a large-conductance 'maxi' K+ channel. A second was characterized by a lower conductance and pronounced inward rectification. 3. The inward-rectifying K+ channel was selectively blocked by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC). Neither the maxi K+ channel nor a previously identified K(+)-selective channel thought to be activated by cell swelling was affected by this compound. DPC also blocked the non-selective cation channel. 4. An inward-rectifying, DPC-sensitive current was prominent in whole cell-recordings, and DPC blocked basolateral K+ currents in colonic cell layers apically permeabilized with amphotericin-B. In addition, the compound blocked active Na+ absorption. 5. The selective block of a class of epithelial K+ channels by DPC may be a useful tool for determining the contribution of this specific subpopulation to macroscopic conductance and transepithelial salt transport.

Transformation of renal tubule epithelial cells by simian virus-40 is associated with emergence of Ca(2+)-insensitive K+ channels and altered mitogenic sensitivity to K+ channel blockers

We compared the pattern of K+ channels and the mitogenic sensitivity to K+ channel blocking agents in primary cultures of rabbit proximal tubule cells (PC.RC) (Ronco et al., 1990) and two derived SV-40-transformed cell lines exhibiting specific functions of proximal (RC.SV1) and more distal (RC.SV2) tubule cells (Vandewalle et al., 1989). First, K+ channel equipment surveyed by the patch-clamp technique was modified after SV-40 transformation in both cell lines; although a high conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel [K+200 (Ca2+)] remained the most frequently recorded K+ channel, the transformed state was characterized by emergence of three Ca(2+)-insensitive K+ channels (150, 50, and 30 pS), virtually absent from primary culture, contrasting with reduced frequency of two Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ channels (80 and 40 pS). Second, quinine (Q), tetraethylammonium ion (TEA) and charybdotoxin (CTX), at concentrations not affecting cell viability, all decreased 3H-TdR incorporation and cell growth in PC.RC cultures, but only TEA had similar effects in transformed cells. The latter were further characterized by paradoxical effects of Q that induced a marked increase in thymidine incorporation. Q also exerted contrasting effects on channel activity: it inhibited the [K+200 (Ca2+)] when the channel was highly active, with a Ki (0.2 mM) similar to that measured for 3H-TdR incorporation in PC.RC cells (0.3 mM), but increased the mean current through poorly active channels. TEA blocked all K+ channels with conductance greater than or equal to 50 pS, including the [K+200 (Ca2+)], in a range of concentrations that substantially affected cell proliferation. The unique effect of TEA on SV-40-transformed cells might be related to broad inhibition of K+ channels.

Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter activity of rat hepatocytes. Effect of adrenalectomy on Ca2+ uptake and release from plasma membrane vesicles

The presence and mode of Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter activity were studied in hepatocytes isolated from sham-operated or adrenalectomized rats and in inside-out plasma membrane vesicles isolated from rat liver. Decreasing extracellular Na+ (Na+o) immediately increased cytosolic free calcium (Ca2+i). The rise in Ca2+i was proportional to the reduction in Na+o and was caused by an increased calcium influx, presumably on the Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter operating in the reverse mode. Perfusing the cells with Ca(2+)-free media stimulated Ca2+ efflux and decreased Ca2+i, an effect dependent on Na+o. This suggests an activation of the forward mode of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. There was little difference in these parameters between sham and adx groups. In contrast, steady-state calcium uptake by inside-out plasma membrane vesicles was inhibited 40% after adrenalectomy. The decreased calcium uptake was not caused by a deficiency in the ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump, whose Km and Vmax were unaffected by adrenalectomy, but by an Na(+)-dependent leak from the vesicles. Ca2+ efflux was proportional to the extravesicular Na+ concentration, suggesting that the calcium leak may take place on a Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter. This Na(+)-dependent calcium efflux was significantly increased in vesicles prepared from adx rat livers. These results suggest that hepatocytes have functional Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporters that can operate in both forward and reverse modes. Under normal conditions, the Na(+)-Ca2+ antiporter apparently operates in the reverse mode as a Ca2+ influx pathway. The increase in Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux evoked by adrenalectomy in plasma membrane vesicles could explain the recent results we obtained in hepatocytes isolated from adx rats, showing increased calcium influx, increased Ca2+i, increased intracellular calcium sequestration, and increased plasmalemmal calcium cycling.

Electrophysiological effects of basolateral [Na+] in Necturus gallbladder epithelium

In Necturus gallbladder epithelium, lowering serosal [Na+] ([Na+]s) reversibly hyperpolarized the basolateral cell membrane voltage (Vcs) and reduced the fractional resistance of the apical membrane (fRa). Previous results have suggested that there is no sizable basolateral Na+ conductance and that there are apical Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. Here, we studied the mechanisms of the electrophysiological effects of lowering [Na+]s, in particular the possibility that an elevation in intracellular free [Ca2+] hyperpolarizes Vcs by increasing gK+. When [Na+]s was reduced from 100.5 to 10.5 mM (tetramethylammonium substitution), Vcs hyperpolarized from -68 +/- 2 to a peak value of -82 +/- 2 mV (P less than 0.001), and fRa decreased from 0.84 +/- 0.02 to 0.62 +/- 0.02 (P less than 0.001). Addition of 5 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA+) to the mucosal solution reduced both the hyperpolarization of Vcs and the change in fRa, whereas serosal addition of TEA+ had no effect. Ouabain (10(-4) M, serosal side) produced a small depolarization of Vcs and reduced the hyperpolarization upon lowering [Na+]s, without affecting the decrease in fRa. The effects of mucosal TEA+ and serosal ouabain were additive. Neither amiloride (10(-5) or 10(-3) M) nor tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) had any effects on Vcs or fRa or on their responses to lowering [Na+]s, suggesting that basolateral Na+ channels do not contribute to the control membrane voltage or to the hyperpolarization upon lowering [Na+]s. The basolateral membrane depolarization upon elevating [K+]s was increased transiently during the hyperpolarization of Vcs upon lowering [Na+]s. Since cable analysis experiments show that basolateral membrane resistance increased, a decrease in basolateral Cl- conductance (gCl-) is the main cause of the increased K+ selectivity. Lowering [Na+]s increases intracellular free [Ca2+], which may be responsible for the increase in the apical membrane TEA(+)-sensitive gK+. We conclude that the decrease in fRa by lowering [Na+]s is mainly caused by an increase in intracellular free [Ca2+], which activates TEA(+)-sensitive maxi K+ channels at the apical membrane and decreases apical membrane resistance. The hyperpolarization of Vcs is due to increase in: (a) apical membrane gK+, (b) the contribution of the Na+ pump to Vcs, (c) basolateral membrane K+ selectivity (decreased gCl-), and (d) intraepithelial current flow brought about by a paracellular diffusion potential.

Ba2+ release from soda glass modifies single maxi K+ channel activity in patch clamp experiments

Glasses used to fabricate patch pipettes may release components which affect ion channels (Cota, G., and C.M. Armstrong. 1988. Biophys. J. 53:107-109; Furman, R.E., and J.C. Tanaka. 1988. Biophys. J. 53:287-292; Rojas, L., and C. Zuazaga. 1988. Neurosci. Lett. 88:39-44). The gating properties of maxi K+ channels from Necturus gallbladder epithelium depend on whether borosilicate glass (BG) or blue tip hematocrit glass (SG) is used to construct the patch pipettes. The data are consistent with solubilization from SG of a component which exerts voltage-dependent, cytosolic-side specific block, closely resembling "slow block" by Ba2+ ions. Ringer's solution preincubated with SG, but not with BG, blocked inside-out maxi K+ channels when used as bathing solution. Mass spectrometry revealed that Ba2+ is released by the glass from fast and slow-release compartments (SG contains 3% wt/wt BaO), and is the only ion found in the solution at concentrations consistent with the observed channel block. Additionally, SG released O2-, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, all to micromolar concentrations. These elements do not interfere with maxi K+ channels but they could in principle alter the properties of other ion channels. Thus, screening for channel-modifying substances released by the glass may be necessary for the adequate interpretation of patch-clamp results.

Whole-cell and single channel K+ and Cl- currents in epithelial cells of frog skin

Whole-cell and single channel currents were studied in cells from frog (R. pipiens and R. catesbiana) skin epithelium, isolated by collagenase and trypsin treatment, and kept in primary cultures up to three days. Whole-cell currents did not exhibit any significant time-dependent kinetics under any ionic conditions used. With an external K gluconate Ringer solution the currents showed slight inward rectification with a reversal potential near zero and an average conductance of 5 nS at reversal. Ionic substitution of the external medium showed that most of the cell conductance was due to K and that very little, if any, Na conductance was present. This confirmed that most cells originate from inner epithelial layers and contain membranes with basolateral properties. At voltages more positive than 20 mV outward currents were larger with K in the medium than with Na or N-methyl-D-glucamine. Such behavior is indicative of a multi-ion transport mechanism. Whole-cell K current was inhibited by external Ba and quinidine. Blockade by Ba was strongly voltage dependent, while that by quinidine was not. In the presence of high external Cl, a component of outward current that was inhibited by the anion channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) appeared in 70% of the cells. This component was strongly outwardly rectifying and reversed at a potential expected for a Cl current. At the single channel level the event most frequently observed in the cell-attached configuration was a K channel with the following characteristics: inward-rectifying I-V relation with a conductance (with 112.5 mM K in the pipette) of 44 pS at the reversal potential, one open and at least two closed states, and open probability that increased with depolarization. Quinidine blocked by binding in the open state and decreasing mean open time. Several observations suggest that this channel is responsible for most of the whole-cell current observed in high external K, and for the K conductance of the basolateral membrane of the intact epithelium. On a few occasions a Cl channel was observed that activated upon excision and brief strong depolarization. The I-V relation exhibited strong outward rectification with a single channel conductance of 48 pS at 0 mV in symmetrical 112 mM Cl solutions. Kinetic analysis showed the presence of two open and at least two closed states. Open time constants and open probability increased markedly with depolarization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of changes in mucosal solution Cl- or K+ concentration on cell water volume of Necturus gallbladder epithelium

An electrophysiologic technique was used to measure changes in cell water volume in response to isosmotic luminal solution ion replacement. Intracellular Cl- activity (aCl-i) was measured and net flux determined from the changes in volume and activity. Reduction of luminal solution [Cl-] from 98 to 10 mM (Cl- replaced with cyclamate) resulted in a large fall in aCl-i with no significant change in cell water volume. Elevation of luminal solution [K+] from 2.5 to 83.5 mM (K+ replaced Na+) caused a small increase in aCl-i with no change in cell water volume. Exposure of the Necturus gallbladder epithelium to agents that increase intracellular cAMP levels (forskolin and/or theophylline) induces an apical membrane electrodiffusive Cl- permeability accompanied by a fall in aCl-i and cell shrinkage. In stimulated tissues, reduction of luminal solution [Cl-] resulted in a large fall in aCl-i and rapid cell shrinkage, whereas elevation of luminal solution [K+] caused a large, rapid cell swelling with no significant change in aCl-i. The changes in cell water volume of stimulated tissues elicited by lowering luminal solution [Cl-] or by elevating luminal solution [K+] were reduced by 60 and 70%, respectively, by addition of tetraethylammonium (TEA+) to the luminal bathing solution. From these results, we conclude that: (a) In control tissues, the fall in aCl-i upon reducing luminal solution [Cl-], without concomitant cell shrinkage, indicates that the Cl- entry mechanism is electroneutral (Cl-/HCO3-) exchange. (b) Also in control tissues, the small increase in aCl-i upon elevating luminal solution [K+] is consistent with the recent demonstration of a basolateral Cl- conductance. (c) The cell shrinkage elicited by elevation of intracellular cAMP levels results from conductive loss of Cl- (and probably K+). (d) Elevation of cAMP inhibits apical membrane Cl-/HCO-3-exchange activity by 70%. (e) The cell shrinkage in response to the reduction of mucosal solution [Cl-] in stimulated tissues results from net K+ and Cl- efflux via parallel electrodiffusive pathways. (f) A major fraction of the K+ flux is via a TEA(+)-sensitive apical membrane K+ channel.