K–Cl cotransport in red blood cells from patients with KCC3 isoform mutantsThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled CSBMCB — Membrane Proteins in Health and Disease

Red blood cells (RBCs) possess the K–Cl cotransport (KCC) isoforms 1, 3, and 4. Mutations within a given isoform may affect overall KCC activity. In a double-blind study, we analyzed, with Rb as a K congener, K fluxes (total flux, ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+ pump, and bumetanide-sensitive Na–K–2Cl cotransport, Cl-dependent, and ouabain- and bumetanide-insensitive KCC with or without stimulation by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and staurosporine or Mg removal, and basal channel-mediated fluxes, osmotic fragility, and ions and water in the RBCs of 8 controls, and of 8 patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with agenesis of corpus callosum (HMSN–ACC) with defined KCC3 mutations (813FsX813 and Phe529FsX532) involving the truncations of 338 and 619 C-terminal amino acids, respectively. Water and ion content and, with one exception, mean osmotic fragility, as well as K fluxes without stimulating agents, were similar in controls and HMSN–ACC RBCs. However, the NEM-stimulated KCC was reduced 5-fold (p < 0.0005) in HMSN–ACC vs control RBCs, as a result of a lower Vmax (p < 0.05) rather than a lower Km (p = 0.109), accompanied by corresponding differences in Cl activation. Low intracellular Mg activated KCC in 6 out of 7 controls vs 1 out of 6 HMSN–ACC RBCs, suggesting that regulation is compromised. The lack of differences in staurosporine-activated KCC indicates different action mechanisms. Thus, in HMSN–ACC patients with KCC3 mutants, RBC KCC activity, although indistinguishable from that of the control group, responded differently to biochemical stressors, such as thiol alkylation or Mg removal, thereby indirectly indicating an important contribution of KCC3 to overall KCC function and regulation.

Signal transduction mechanisms of K+-Cl- cotransport regulation and relationship to disease

The K+-Cl- cotransport (COT) regulatory pathways recently uncovered in our laboratory and their implication in disease state are reviewed. Three mechanisms of K+-Cl- COT regulation can be identified in vascular cells: (1) the Li+-sensitive pathway, (2) the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-sensitive pathway and (3) the nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway. Ion fluxes, Western blotting, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were used. Li+, used in the treatment of manic depression, stimulates volume-sensitive K+-Cl- COT of low K+ sheep red blood cells at cellular concentrations <1 mM and inhibits at >3 mM, causes cell swelling, and appears to regulate K+-Cl- COT through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway. PDGF, a potent serum mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), regulates membrane transport and is involved in atherosclerosis. PDGF stimulates VSM K+-Cl- COT in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, both acutely and chronically, through the PDGF receptor. The acute effect occurs at the post-translational level whereas the chronic effect may involve regulation through gene expression. Regulation by PDGF involves the signalling molecules phosphoinositides 3-kinase and protein phosphatase-1. Finally, the NO/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway, involved in vasodilation and hence cardiovascular disease, regulates K+-Cl- COT in VSMCs at the mRNA expression and transport levels. A complex and diverse array of mechanisms and effectors regulate K+-Cl- COT and thus cell volume homeostasis, setting the stage for abnormalities at the genetic and/or regulatory level thus effecting or being affected by various pathological conditions.

Regulation of K-Cl cotransport: from function to genes

This review intends to summarize the vast literature on K-Cl cotransport (COT) regulation from a functional and genetic viewpoint. Special attention has been given to the signaling pathways involved in the transporter's regulation found in several tissues and cell types, and more specifically, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The number of publications on K-Cl COT has been steadily increasing since its discovery at the beginning of the 1980s, with red blood cells (RBCs) from different species (human, sheep, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, turkey, duck, frog, rat, mouse, fish, and lamprey) being the most studied model. Other tissues/cell types under study are brain, kidney, epithelia, muscle/smooth muscle, tumor cells, heart, liver, insect cells, endothelial cells, bone, platelets, thymocytes and Leishmania donovani. One of the salient properties of K-Cl-COT is its activation by cell swelling and its participation in the recovery of cell volume, a process known as regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Activation by thiol modification with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) has spawned investigations on the redox dependence of K-Cl COT, and is used as a positive control for the operation of the system in many tissues and cells. The most accepted model of K-Cl COT regulation proposes protein kinases and phosphatases linked in a chain of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events. More recent studies include regulatory pathways involving the phosphatidyl inositol/protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated pathway for regulation by lithium (Li) in low-K sheep red blood cells (LK SRBCs), and the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG) pathway as well as the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated mechanism in VSMCs. Studies on VSM transfected cells containing the PKG catalytic domain demonstrated the participation of this enzyme in K-Cl COT regulation. Commonly used vasodilators activate K-Cl COT in a dose-dependent manner through the NO/cGMP/PKG pathway. Interaction between the cotransporter and the cytoskeleton appears to depend on the cellular origin and experimental conditions. Pathophysiologically, K-Cl COT is altered in sickle cell anemia and neuropathies, and it has also been proposed to play a role in blood pressure control. Four closely related human genes code for KCCs (KCC1-4). Although considerable information is accumulating on tissue distribution, function and pathologies associated with the different isoforms, little is known about the genetic regulation of the KCC genes in terms of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. A few reports indicate that the NO/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway regulates KCC1 and KCC3 mRNA expression in VSMCs at the post-transcriptional level. However, the detailed mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation of KCC genes and of regulation of KCC2 and KCC4 mRNA expression are unknown. The K-Cl COT field is expected to expand further over the next decades, as new isoforms and/or regulatory pathways are discovered and its implication in health and disease is revealed.

KCl cotransport regulation and protein kinase G in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

K-Cl cotransport is activated by vasodilators in erythrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells and its regulation involves putative kinase/phosphatase cascades. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) activates the system presumably by inhibiting a protein kinase. Nitrovasodilators relax smooth muscle via cGMP-dependent activation of protein kinase G (PKG), a regulator of membrane channels and transporters. We investigated whether PKG regulates K-Cl cotransport activity or mRNA expression in normal, PKG-deficient-vector-only-transfected (PKG-) and PKG-catalytic-domain-transfected (PKG+) rat aortic smooth muscle cells. K-Cl cotransport was calculated as the Cl-dependent Rb influx, and mRNA was determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Baseline K-Cl cotransport was higher in PKG+ than in PKG- cells (p <0.01). At 0.5 mM, NEM stimulated K-Cl cotransport by 5-fold in PKG- but not in PKG+ cells. However, NEM was more potent although less effective to activate K-Cl cotransport in normal (passage 1-3) and PKG+ than in PKG- cells. In PKG- cells, [(dihydroindenyl) oxy] alkanoic acid (300 mM) but not furosemide (1 mM) inhibited K-Cl cotransport. Furthermore, no difference in K-Cl cotransport mRNA expression was observed between these cells. In conclusion, this study shows that manipulation of PKG expression in vascular smooth muscle cells affects K-Cl cotransport activity and its activation by NEM.

Swelling-induced K(+) fluxes in vascular smooth muscle cells are mediated by charybdotoxin-sensitive K(+) channels

This study examines the relative contributions of K-Cl cotransport and K(+) channels to swelling-induced K(+) fluxes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). DIOA known as a potent inhibitor of erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport exerts diverse side-effects on VSMC and can not be used to analyze the role of this carrier in swelling-induced K(+) fluxes. Other inhibitors of K-Cl cotransport (furosemide, okadaic acid and calyculin A) did not affect K(+) fluxes in VSMC triggered by swelling. Swelling-induced K(+) fluxes in VSMC were also not affected by K(+) channel blockers such as TEA, glibenclamide and apamin, but were blocked by Ba(2+) and charybdotoxin (ChTX), a potent inhibitor of Ca(2+)- and voltage-gated K(+) channels. Swelling-induced K(+) influx in VSMC was diminished in Ca(2+)-free medium and in cells loaded with Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA, but was not accompanied by detectable elevation of [Ca(2+)](i). In contrast to Ca(2+)-induced hyperpolarization of erythrocytes triggered by activation of intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-gated K(+) channels (IK(Ca)), neither clotrimazole nor calmodulin antagonists (R24571, trifluoroperazine, fluphenazine) affected swelling-induced K(+) influx in VSMC. In conclusion, K(+) fluxes triggered in swollen VSMC are mediated by Ba(2+)- and ChTX-sensitive K(+) channels. These channels are distinct from IK(Ca) expressed in erythrocytes. Their molecular origin and systems involved in the swelling-induced Ca(2+)(i)-independent signal transduction pathway need further investigation.

GSH depletion, K-Cl cotransport, and regulatory volume decrease in high-K/high-GSH dog red blood cells

Thiol reagents activate K-Cl cotransport (K-Cl COT), the Cl-dependent and Na-independent ouabain-resistant K flux, in red blood cells (RBCs) of several species, upon depletion of cellular glutathione (GSH). K-Cl COT is physiologically active in high potassium (HK), high GSH (HG) dog RBCs. In this unique model, we studied whether the same inverse relationship exists between GSH levels and K-Cl COT activity found in other species. The effects of GSH depletion by three different chemical reactions [nitrite (NO(2))-mediated oxidation, diazene dicarboxylic acid bis-N,N-dimethylamide (diamide)-induced dithiol formation, and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-catalyzed conjugation of GSH with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB)] were tested on K-Cl COT and regulatory volume decrease (RVD). After 85% GSH depletion, all three interventions stimulated K-Cl COT half-maximally with the following order of potency: diamide > NO(2) > CDNB. Repletion of GSH reversed K-Cl COT stimulation by 50%. Cl-dependent RVD accompanied K-Cl COT activation by NO(2) and diamide. K-Cl COT activation at concentration ratios of oxidant/GSH greater than unity was irreversible, suggesting either nitrosothiolation, heterodithiol formation, or GST-mediated dinitrophenylation of protein thiols. The data support the hypothesis that an intact redox system, rather than the absolute GSH levels, protects K-Cl COT activity and cell volume regulation from thiol modification.

Nitric oxide signaling pathway regulates potassium chloride cotransporter-1 mRNA expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) express at least two mRNAs for K-Cl cotransporters (KCC): KCC1 and KCC3. cGMP-dependent protein kinase I regulates KCC3 mRNA expression in these cells. Here, we show evidence implicating the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway in the expression of KCC1 mRNA, considered to be the major cell volume regulator. VSMCs, expressing soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and PKG-I isoforms showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase in KCC1 mRNA levels after treatment with sodium nitroprusside as demonstrated by semiquantitative RT-PCR. sGC-dependent regulation of KCC1 mRNA expression was confirmed using YC-1, a NO-independent sGC stimulator. The sGC inhibitor LY83583 blocked the effects of sodium nitroprusside and YC-1. Moreover, 8-Br-cGMP increased KCC1 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The 8-Br-cGMP effect was partially blocked by KT5823 but not by actinomycin D. However, actinomycin D and cycloheximide increased basal KCC1 mRNA in an additive manner, suggesting different mechanisms of action for both drugs. These findings suggest that in VSMCs, the NO/cGMP-signaling pathway participates in KCC1 mRNA regulation at the post-transcriptional level.

K-Cl co-transport: immunocytochemical and functional evidence for more than one KCC isoform in high K and low K sheep erythrocytes

K-Cl co-transport (COT) is significantly higher in low K (LK), L-antigen (L) positive, than in high K (HK), M-antigen (M) positive, sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and is inhibited by sheep allo-anti-L1 antibody. To answer the question of whether this difference in K-Cl co-transport activity resides at the level of the transporter or its regulation, a combined immunocytochemical and functional approach was taken. At least four isoforms of K-Cl COT encoded by different KCC genes are known, with 12 transmembrane domains and cytoplasmic C- and N-terminal domains (Ctd and Ntd, respectively). Polyclonal anti-rat (rt)KCC1 antibodies against a fusion peptide with 77 amino acids from the Ctd of rtKCC1 and anti-human (h)KCC3 against an 18-aa peptide from the Ntd of hKCC3, were prepared in rabbits (rb). Two distinctly separate protein bands of 180 and 145 kDa molecular mass were detected in hemoglobin-free ghosts from RBCs of two LK (one homozygous LL and one heterozygous LM) and one HK (homozygous MM) sheep by Western blots with rb anti-rtKCC1 and rb anti-hKCC3. Confocal microscopy showed specific immunostaining of KCC1 with rb anti-rtKCC1, and of KCC3 with rb anti-hKCC3, in white ghosts from both LK and HK SRBCs. To test the functional heterogeneity of K-Cl COT, the effect of the anti-L1 antibody was assessed on K-Cl COT activated by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine. Incubation of LK SRBCs with anti-L1 serum inhibited by 30% staurosporine-stimulated K-Cl COT suggesting that approximately two-thirds of the transport activity is independent of the L1 antigen. That staurosporine altered the L1 antigen/antibody reaction is unlikely since the action of another antibody, anti-Lp, stimulating the Na/K pump flux, was not modified. The present results, in conjunction with earlier work, lead to the hypothesis that the partial anti-L1 inhibition of K-Cl COT may be related to the molecular KCC dimorphism, seen in these cells with anti-KCC1 and anti-KCC3 antibodies.

Protein kinase G regulates potassium chloride cotransporter-4 [corrected] expression in primary cultures of rat vascular smooth muscle cells

K-Cl cotransport (KCC) is activated by nitric oxide donors and appears to be regulated by the cGMP signaling pathway. Expression of KCC mRNAs (KCC1-KCC4) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unknown. We have reported the presence of KCC1 and KCC3 mRNAs in primary cultures of VSMCs by specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KCC2 mRNA appeared at extremely low levels. KCC4 mRNA was undetectable. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed a 2:1 KCC1/KCC3 mRNA ratio in VSMCs. Depletion of protein kinase G (PKG)-1 from VSMCs did not change KCC3 mRNA expression. Analogous results were obtained with PKG-1-catalytic domain- and vector only-transfected VSMCs lacking endogenous PKG, suggesting no involvement of PKG-1 in the maintenance of basal KCC3 mRNA expression. However, 8-bromo-cGMP, a PKG stimulator, acutely increased KCC3 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion; this effect was blocked by the PKG inhibitor KT5823 but not by actinomycin D. These findings show that VSMCs express mainly two mRNA isoforms, KCC1 and KCC3, and suggest that PKG participates post-transcriptionally in the acute KCC3 mRNA regulation. The role of KCC3 on cell volume and electrolyte homeostasis in response to PKG modulators remains to be determined.

K-Cl cotransport: properties and molecular mechanism

K-Cl cotransport (COT), defined first in red blood cells as the Cl-dependent, ouabain-insensitive bidirectional K transport, encoded by at least four KCC (kalium-chloride-cotransport) genes, is now recognized as a functional and structural reality in all cell membranes. As functional system, K-Cl COT is necessary for volume and ionic homeostasis. Since its original discovery by swelling red cells in hyposmotic solutions and by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), K-Cl COT has been recognized as one of the prime electroneutral, low ion affinity pathways effecting regulatory volume decrease (RVD). This review first summarizes the general properties of K-Cl COT, including ion dependence, kinetics, thermodynamics and regulation in erythrocytes of various species, and then focuses on the newest findings of the molecular mechanisms behind K-Cl COT, the KCC isoforms and their expression in epithelial cells and in Xenopus oocytes. Based on early biophysical studies on red cells amalgamated with the recent molecular expression studies of the four KCC isoforms, K-Cl COT emerges as one of the oldest membrane transporters that is controlled by a complex redox-dependent cascade of kinases and phosphatases, yet to be defined at the molecular level. Whereas RVD is a primeval role of K-Cl COT for survival of cells challenged by hyposmotic environments, maintenance of intracellular Cl ([Cl](I) ) levels away from electrochemical equilibrium and K buffering capability during neuronal function are new additions to the list of physiological functions of this system.

K-Cl cotransport: immunohistochemical and ion flux studies in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells transfected with full-length and C-terminal-domain-truncated KCC1 cDNAs

Coupled K and Cl movements are mediated by several isoforms of the K-Cl cotransporter (COT) encoded by the KCC genes. The ubiquitous KCC1 isoform, important for cell volume and ion homeostasis, has 12 transmembrane domains (Tmds), and cytoplasmic N- and C-terminal domains (Ntd and Ctd). This study investigates the cellular localization of KCC1 by confocal microscopy, activation of K-Cl COT by various non-osmotic and osmotic interventions with net unidirectional K and Rb fluxes at 37( degrees )C, and the effect of Ctd deletion on K-Cl COT regulation. Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were transfected with full-length (fl) rabbit (rb)KCC1 and - CtdKCC1 cDNAs obtained after truncation at nucleotide 2011. Normal cells exposed to polyclonal anti-Ctd antibodies against Ctd epitopes within a 77 amino acid sequence (a.a.943-1020) revealed granular membrane and cytoplasmic immunostaining, presumably endogenous KCC1. Additional diffuse membrane and cytoplasmic immunofluorescence in flKCC1-transfected cells was absent in -CtdKCC1-transfected cells. Monoclonal antibodies against a c-myc epitope at the protein Ntd showed both membrane and cytosolic fluorescence. Basal and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-stimulated Rb influxes through K-Cl COT, calculated as Cl-dependent Rb fluxes, were 2-3-fold higher in flKCC1-transfected than in normal cells. NEM stimulation of K-Cl COT was highest in flKCC1-transfected cells, significantly lower in stably and abrogated in transiently -CtdKCC1-transfected cells. Furosemide, calyculin and genistein inhibited basal and NEM-stimulated K-Cl COT in normal and transfected cells. Staurosporine and hydroxylamine were ineffective stimulators. No effect of pH(0) changes (6.3-8.4) was observed in basal or NEM-stimulated K-Cl COT, in both normal and transfected cells. However, inhibition by NEM occurred at pH(0) 8.4. Furthermore, in a Cl-independent manner, NEM lowered cell K content by >30% and hypotonicity (210-70mOsM) stimulated furosemide-sensitive Rb influx and K loss. Thus, in cultured normal and KCC1-transfected cells, K-Cl COT shows significant differences from erythrocytes, and NEM and cell swelling open furosemide-sensitive and Cl-independent K/Rb channels. Failure of K-Cl COT in cells transfected with Ctd-truncated KCC1 to respond to NEM suggests a role of the Ctd for signal transduction.

Lithium and protein kinase C modulators regulate swelling-activated K-Cl cotransport and reveal a complete phosphatidylinositol cycle in low K sheep erythrocytes

K-Cl cotransport (COT), a ouabain-insensitive, Cl-dependent bidirectional K flux, is ubiquitously present in all cells, plays a major role in ion and volume homeostasis, and is activated by cell swelling and a variety of chemical interventions. Lithium modulates several cation transport pathways and inhibits phospholipid turnover in red blood cells (RBCs). Lithium also inhibits K-Cl COT by an unknown mechanism. To test the hypothesis whereby Li inhibits swelling-activated K-Cl COT by altering either its osmotic response, its regulation, or by competing with K for binding sites, low K (LK) sheep (S) RBCs were loaded with Li by Na/Li exchange or the cation ionophore nystatin. K-Cl COT was measured as the Cl-dependent, ouabain-insensitive K efflux or Rb influx. The results show that Li altered the cell morphology, and increased both cell volume and diameter. Internal (Li(i)) but not external (Li(o)) Li inhibited swelling-activated K-Cl COT by 85% with an apparent K(i) of approximately 7 mm. In Cl, Li(i) decreased K efflux at relative cell volumes between 0.9 and 1.2, and at external pHs between 7.2 and 7.4. Li(i) reduced the V(max) and increased the K(m) for K efflux in Cl. Furthermore, Li(i) increased the production of diacylglycerol in a bimodal fashion, without significant effects on the phosphatidylinositol concentration, and revealed the presence of a complete PI cycle in LK SRBCs. Finally, phorbol ester treatment and PD89059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK2) kinase, caused a time-dependent inhibition of K-Cl COT. Hence, Li(i) appears to inhibit K-Cl COT by acting at an allosteric site on the transporter or its putative regulators, and by modulation of the cellular phospholipid metabolism and a PKC-dependent regulatory pathway, causes an altered response of K-Cl COT to pH and volume.

K-Cl cotransport in vascular smooth muscle and erythrocytes: possible implication in vasodilation

K-Cl cotransport, the electroneutral-coupled movement of K and Cl ions, plays an important role in regulatory volume decrease. We recently reported that nitrite, a nitric oxide derivative possessing potent vasodilation properties, stimulates K-Cl cotransport in low-K sheep red blood cells (LK SRBCs). We hypothesized that activation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) K-Cl cotransport by vasodilators decreases VSM tension. Here we tested this hypothesis by comparing the effects of commonly used vasodilators, hydralazine (HYZ), sodium nitroprusside, isosorbide mononitrate, and pentaerythritol, on K-Cl cotransport in LK SRBCs and in primary cultures of rat VSM cells (VSMCs) and of HYZ-induced K-Cl cotransport activation on relaxation of isolated porcine coronary rings. K-Cl cotransport was measured as the Cl-dependent K efflux or Rb influx in the presence and absence of inhibitors for other K/Rb transport pathways. All vasodilators activated K-Cl cotransport in LK SRBCs and HYZ in VSMCs, and this activation was inhibited by calyculin and genistein, two inhibitors of K-Cl cotransport. KT-5823, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase G, abolished the sodium nitroprusside-stimulated K-Cl cotransport in LK SRBCs, suggesting involvement of the cGMP pathway in K-Cl cotransport activation. Hydralazine, in a dose-dependent manner, and sodium nitroprusside relaxed (independently of the endothelium) precontracted arteries when only K-Cl cotransport was operating and other pathways for K/Rb transport, including the Ca-activated K channel, were inhibited. Our findings suggest that K-Cl cotransport may be involved in vasodilation.

Role of nitrite, a nitric oxide derivative, in K-Cl cotransport activation of low-potassium sheep red blood cells

K-Cl cotransport (COT) is the coupled movement of K and Cl, present in most cells, associated with regulatory volume decrease, susceptible to oxidation and functionally overexpressed in sickle cell anemia. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of the oxidant nitrite (NO2-) on K-Cl COT. NO2- is a stable metabolic end product of the short-lived highly reactive free radical nitric oxide (NO), an oxidant and modulator of ion channels, and a vasodilator. In some systems, the response to NO2- is identical to that of NO. We hypothesized that NO2- activates K-Cl COT. Low potassium (LK) sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) were used as a model. The effect of various concentrations (10(-6) to 10(-1) m) of NaNO2 was studied on K efflux in hypotonic Cl and NO3 media, Cl-dependent K efflux (K-Cl COT), glutathione (GSH), and methemoglobin (MetHb) formation. In support of our hypothesis, K efflux and K-Cl COT were stimulated by increasing concentrations of NaNO2. Stimulation of K efflux was dependent upon external Cl and exhibited a lag phase, consistent with activation of K-Cl COT through a regulatory mechanism. Exposure of LK SRBCs to NaNO2 decreased GSH, an effect characteristic of a thiol-oxidizing agent, and induced MetHb formation. K-Cl COT activity was positively correlated with Methb formation. N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM), a potent activator of K-Cl COT, was used to assess the mechanism of NO2- action. The results suggest that NEM and NO2- utilize at least one common pathway for K-Cl COT activation. Since NaNO2 is also a well known vasodilator, the present findings suggest a role of K-Cl COT in vasodilation.

Functional evidence for a pH sensor of erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport through inhibition by internal protons and diethylpyrocarbonate

The sidedness of proton modulation of K-Cl cotransport (K-Cl COT) was studied in low K sheep red blood cells stripped of cellular Mg, Mgi, at alkaline medium pH, pHo, by the divalent ionophore A23187 and a chelator. This procedure activates K-Cl COT, presumably, by inhibition of MgATP-dependent kinases. Ouabain-resistant K efflux and Rb influx were measured in Cl or NO3 either at variable pHi and fixed pHo, or vice versa, in erythrocytes pH- and volume-clamped with the anion exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (DIDS) and sucrose. Between pHi 9 and 6, and at constant pHo 9, K effluxes decreased hyperbolically in Cl and linearly in NO3 whereas Rb influxes fell almost linearly in Cl and asymptotically in NO3. Thus, saturation of outward and inward K-Cl COT, the calculated difference of the fluxes in Cl and NO3, occurred at slightly different pHi values. Hill plots revealed pKa values of 6.5 and 7.0, and Hill coefficients of > 1 for outward and inward K-Cl COT, respectively. Raising pHo from 6 to 9 at fixed pHi slightly increased K and Rb fluxes in both Cl or NO3, but not K-Cl COT. The histidine reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) inhibited low Mgi-activated K-Cl COT at approximately 4 mM, an effect partially reversible by subsequent treatment with hydroxylamine. It is concluded that protons inhibit erythrocyte K-Cl COT through internal histidine(s) which may be part of a pH sensor.

Alkaline pH and internal calcium increase Na+ and K+ effluxes in LK sheep red blood cells in Cl--free solutions

We examined the effects of pH, internal ionized Ca (Ca2+i), cellular ATP, external divalent cations and quinine on Cl-independent ouabain-resistant K+ efflux in volume-clamped sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) of normal high (HK) and low (LK) intracellular K+ phenotypes. In LK SRBCs the K+ efflux was higher at pH 9.0 (350%) than at pHs 7. 4 and 6.5, and was inhibited by external divalent cations, quinine, and cellular ATP depletion. The above findings suggest that the increased K+ efflux at alkaline pH is due to the opening of ion channels or specific transporters in the cell membrane. In addition, K+ efflux was activated (100%) when Ca2+i was increased (+A23187, +Ca2+o) into the microm range. However, in comparison to human red blood cells, the Ca2+i-induced increase in K+ efflux in LK SRBCs was fourfold smaller and insensitive to quinine and charybdotoxin. The Na+ efflux was also higher at pH 9.0 than at pH 7.4, and activated (about 40%) by increasing Ca2+i. In contrast, in HK SRBCs the K+ efflux at pH 9.0 was neither inhibited by quinine nor activated by Ca2+i. These studies suggest the presence in LK SRBCs, of at least two pathways for Cl--independent K+ and Na+ transport, of which one is unmasked by alkalinization, and the other by a rise in Ca2+i.

Oxidative activation of K-Cl cotransport by diamide in erythrocytes from humans with red cell disorders, and from several other mammalian species

Red blood cells (RBCs) from different mammalian species were investigated for the presence of diamide-induced oxidative activation of K-Cl cotransport reported to be present in sheep but absent in human RBCs. K efflux was measured in RBCs from human with hemoglobin (Hb) A or S, glucose-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and a cytoskeletal deficiency, and from rat, mouse and rabbit. RBCs were incubated with diamide (0-1.0 mm) in K-free Cl or NO3 media of variable osmolalities (200-450 mOsM). Cl-dependent K efflux or K-Cl cotransport (estimated as the difference between K efflux rate constants in Cl and NO3) was activated by diamide in a sigmoidal fashion. Relative maximum K-Cl cotransport followed the sequence: human HbA (1) < rabbit (1.8) < sheep (6.9) < human HbS (9.5) approximately rat (9.7). Relative diamide concentrations for half maximal activation of K-Cl cotransport followed the sequence: sheep (1.9) > human Hb A (1) > rabbit (0.75) > human HbS and rat (0.67). Cell swelling in 200 mOsM doubled K-Cl cotransport in diamide, both in human HbA and S cells but reduced that in rat RBCs. In contrast, cell shrinkage at 450 mOsM obliterated K-Cl cotransport in human HbA and S but not in rat RBCs. Human RBCs with G6PDH and a cytoskeleton deficiency behaved like HbA RBCs. In mouse RBCs, diamide-activated K-Cl cotransport was 30% higher in isotonic than in hypotonic medium. In human HbA and S, and in low or high K sheep RBCs fractionated by Percoll density gradient, diamide increased the activity of K-Cl cotransport, an effect inversely correlated with cell density. Analysis of pooled data reveals that K-Cl cotransport accounted for about 80% of all K flux in Cl. There was a statistically significant correlation between K-Cl cotransport and K efflux in Cl (P < 0. 00001) and in NO3 (P < 0.00001). In conclusion, a diamide-activated K-Cl cotransport was present in human RBCs and in all other mammalian RBCs tested, with a large inter-, and for human and sheep, intraspecies variability for its maximum activity.

Modulation of K-Cl cotransport in volume-clamped low-K sheep erythrocytes by pH, magnesium, and ATP

Cellular pH, ionized Mg (Mgi2+), and MgATP concentration of red blood cells, concomitantly with cell volume, change transiently during circulation. The action of these three effectors on Cl-dependent K efflux was examined in low-K sheep red blood cells with constant cell volume. Activation of K-Cl efflux by Mgi2+ extraction required ATP, suggesting that phosphorylation of a putative component occurred before Mgi2+ extraction. Conversely, Mg and ATP were synergistic inhibitors of K-Cl cotransport, since maximal inhibition was observed only in cells containing both ATP and > 300 microM Mgi2+. Both findings suggest dual roles for Mg and ATP. At 300-600 microM Mgi2+, lowering the pH from approximately 7.4 to approximately 6.5 stimulated K-Cl efflux only in fed cells, suggesting that protons oppose or release the inhibition by Mgi2+ and ATP. A direct effect of both protons and Mgi2+ on the cotransporter is suggested by their inhibition of K-Cl efflux in ATP-depleted cells. These findings are discussed in light of the current phosphorylation/dephosphorylation hypothesis.

A thermodynamic study of electroneutral K-Cl cotransport in pH- and volume-clamped low K sheep erythrocytes with normal and low internal magnesium

Swelling-induced human erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport is membrane potential independent and capable of uphill transport. However, a complete thermodynamic analysis of basal and stimulated K-Cl cotransport, at constant cell volume, is missing. This study was performed in low K sheep red blood cells before and after reducing cellular free Mg into the nanomolar range with the divalent cation ionophore A23187 and a chelator, an intervention known to stimulate K-Cl cotransport. The anion exchange inhibitor 4,4'diisothiocyanato-2,2'disulfonic stilbene was used to clamp intracellular pH and Cl or NO3 concentrations. Cell volume was maintained constant as external and internal pH differed by more than two units. K-Cl cotransport was calculated from the K effluxes and Rb (as K congener) influxes measured in Cl and NO3, at constant internal K and external anions, and variable concentrations of extracellular Rb and internal anions, respectively. The external Rb concentration at which net K-Cl cotransport is zero was defined as flux reversal point which changed with internal pH and hence Cl. Plots of the ratio of external Rb concentrations corresponding to the flux reversal points and the internal K concentration versus the ratio of the internal and external Cl concentrations (i.e., the Donnan ratio of the transported ions) yielded slopes near unity for both control and low internal Mg cells. Thus, basal as well as low internal Mg-stimulated net K-Cl cotransport depends on the electrochemical potential gradient of KCl.

Role of protein kinases in regulating sheep erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport

K-Cl cotransport in sheep erythrocytes can be activated by treatment either with A-23187 and EDTA to reduce concentration of internal ionized Mg [Mg]i) to submicromolar levels, with staurosporine, a potent kinase inhibitor, or with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Activation by these maneuvers is prevented and reversed by genistein [inhibition constant (Ki) of 15 microM], which inhibits tyrosine kinases (TK). The related glycosidated compound genistin, which does not inhibit TK, does not inhibit transport, whereas another TK inhibitor, tyrphostin B46, inhibits both basal and stimulated transport (Ki of 28 microM). Cotransport activation by NEM is prevented and reversed by the phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A, and activation by staurosporine occurs only if cells contain ATP. Increasing [Mg]i inhibits cotransport in the presence of calyculin A whether or not staurosporine is present as well. Our work suggests that genistein inhibits cotransport through a TK and that staurosporine and NEM activate cotransport, probably through inhibition of other kinases, causing stimulation through dephosphorylation of a protein (possibly the transporter itself) be a serine/threonine phosphatase. [Mg]i inhibits cotransport by activating a kinase (concentration for half-maximal activation of 10 microM) that phosphorylates this protein.

Temperature-induced functional deocclusion of thiols inhibitory for sheep erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport

In low-K sheep erythrocytes, K-Cl cotransport is activated by treatment with low concentrations of thiol reagents and by other interventions such as lowering of cellular free cytosolic Mg, hyposmotic cell swelling, the kinase inhibitor staurosporine, and hydroxylamine. High concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide or methylmethane thiolsulfonate reverse the activation through thiol groups and, as shown here, also the stimulation by non-thiol manipulations. The overriding inhibitory sites functionally associated with and different from those of the activating thiols (SHa) were further distinguished by temperature. Treatment with N-ethylmaleimide and its subsequent removal by dithiothreitol, both at 0 degrees C, prevented the inhibitory effect at 37 degrees C and thus the chemical modification of inhibitory thiols (SHi). Whereas stimulation through SHa closely followed the loss of glutathione, inhibition through SHi occurred only in glutathione-depleted cells. The reversal of K-Cl cotransport stimulation by all hitherto known interventions, which is strongest in metabolically depleted cells, suggests that the low temperature-protected SHi constitute crucial sites that, close to the transporter itself or at the cytoskeletal level, become functionally deoccluded upon temperature elevation.

Glutathione removal reveals kinases as common targets for K-Cl cotransport stimulation in sheep erythrocytes

K-Cl cotransport is activated by swelling, lowering of cellular free Mg (Mgi), and thiol modification of erythrocytes. Direct actions by thiol reagents on the K-Cl cotransport complex were separated from indirect effects through nonoxidative changes in cellular glutathione (GSH). We used 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), which, conjugated to GSH, is extruded from the erythrocyte as a thioether. CDNB caused a small biphasic effect (inhibition and stimulation) on K-Cl cotransport and, at 1 mM, abolished its stimulation by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), diazenedicarboxylic acid bis[N,N-dimethylamide], methyl methanethiosulfonate, and staurosporine, a kinase inhibitor, independent of the order of treatment. Hence, NEM and other activating-thiol reagents, and perhaps GSH removal itself, target unidentified kinases involved in activation of K-Cl cotransport. CDNB also abrogated K-Cl cotransport stimulation by Mgi depletion independent of the order of treatment, indicating inhibition at a second site nearer to the transporter. Furthermore, CDNB treatment elevated and rendered K-Cl cotransport insensitive to osmotic shrinkage, suggesting uncoupling from the regulator.

Quinine and quinidine inhibit and reveal heterogeneity of K-Cl cotransport in low K sheep erythrocytes

Low K (LK) sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) serve as a model to study K-Cl cotransport which plays an important role in cellular dehydration in human erythrocytes homozygous for hemoglobin S. Cinchona bark derivatives, such as quinine (Q) and quinidine (QD), are effectively used in the treatment of malaria. In the present study, we investigated in LK SRBCs, the effect of various concentrations of Q and QD on Cl-dependent K efflux and Rb influx (K(Rb)-Cl flux), activated by either swelling in hyposmotic media, thiol alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), or by cellular Mg (Mgi) removal through A23187 in the presence of external chelators. K efflux or Rb influx were determined in Cl and NO3 medium and K(Rb)-Cl flux was defined as the Cl-dependent (Cl minus NO3) component. K(Rb)-Cl flux stimulated by all three interventions was inhibited by both Q and QD in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum inhibition of K(Rb)-Cl flux occurred at Q and QD concentrations > or = 1 mM. The inhibitory effect of Q was manifested in Cl, but not in NO3, whereas QD reduced K and Rb fluxes both in Cl and NO3 media. The mean 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Q and QD to inhibit K(Rb)-Cl flux varied between 0.23 and 2.24 mM. From determinations of the percentages of inhibition of the different components of K and Rb fluxes, we found that SRBCs possess a Cl-dependent QD-sensitive and a Cl-dependent QD-insensitive K efflux and Rb influx. These two components vary in magnitude depending on the manipulation and directional flux, but in average they are about 50% of the total Cl-dependent flux. This study raises the possibility that, in SRBCs, the Cl-dependent K(Rb) fluxes are heterogeneous.

Hydroxyurea affects cell morphology, cation transport, and red blood cell adhesion in cultured vascular endothelial cells

Hydroxyurea (HU) significantly increases fetal hemoglobin (Hb) production and concomitantly affects passive erythrocyte K transport and cell volume in patients homozygous for Hb S, thus decreasing disease severity. Red blood cells (RBCs) with Hb S display a greater adherence to vascular endothelial cells (VECs) than do Hb A cells, thus increasing the probability of vaso-occlusive crisis. The effect of HU on the structure and function of VECs is still unknown. In the present study, HU significantly changed, in a dose-dependent manner, the morphology and monovalent cation composition of cultured VECs after incubation in normal culture medium for up to 10 days in the absence and presence of 0.3 (therapeutic dose) and 3.0 (toxic dose) mmol/L HU. Treated cells showed significant morphologic changes such as an increase in apparent cell size and the formation of multinucleated giant cells. The protein content per dish decreased by 50% and 80% at 0.3 and 3.0 mmol/L HU, respectively, accompanied by an increase in cell Na (maximum, approximately 200%) and cell K (maximum, approximately 50%) contents at about days 4 to 6 and 8 to 10, respectively. In addition, HU decreased RBC adherence to VECs in experiments with 51Cr-loaded Hb A or Hb S RBCs. The HU-induced changes in VEC morphology, cation composition, and RBC adherence may be caused or accompanied by alterations in cell membrane permeability, transformation of endothelial cells, or decreased number/density of VEC adhesion molecules. Precise mechanisms of the HU effects warrant further investigation in light of the reported beneficial effects of HU in the treatment of sickle cell anemia.

K-Cl cotransport, pH, and role of Mg in volume-clamped low-K sheep erythrocytes: three equilibrium states

Ouabain-resistant K efflux and Rb influx in Cl and NO3 media were studied in volume-clamped low-K (LK) sheep red blood cells (SRBC) with normal and experimentally reduced cytoplasmic Mg (Mgi) levels as function of pH and at 37 degrees C. Sucrose was added to solutions with constant ionic strength and variable pH to maintain normal cell volume. Cl-dependent ouabain-resistant K(Rb) fluxes (K-Cl cotransport) at unity relative cell volume exhibited a maximum at pH approximately 7 in normal-Mgi LK cells consistent with the apparent acid pH activation reported for human erythrocytes. However, in LK SRBC with Mgi lowered by A-23187 and an external Mg chelator, K(Rb)-Cl cotransport was reversibly activated as the pH was raised from 6.5 to 9. The alkaline pH effect on Cl-dependent Rb influx in low-Mgi LK SRBC was due to a 10-fold rise in the maximum velocity values without a major change in the Km values. The pH dependence of the experimental flux reversal point, i.e., the extracellular Rb concentration at which no net K-Cl cotransport occurs, approximately paralleled that of the flux reversal point predicted from the ratio of the ion products, in both control and low-Mgi LK cells, albeit with a small displacement to higher extracellular Rb concentration at all pH values. The kinetic data can be explained by a general minimum three-state equilibrium in which deprotonation recruits transporters from a resting R state into the active A state modified by Mgi to an inactive I state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport: properties and regulation

Erythrocytes possess a Cl-dependent, Na-independent K transport system cotransporting K and Cl in a 1:1 stoichiometry that is membrane potential independent. This K-Cl cotransporter is stimulated by cell swelling, acidification, Mg depletion, and thiol modification. Cell shrinkage, elevation of cellular divalent ions, thiol alkylation, phosphatase inhibitors, and derivatives of certain loop diuretics and stilbenes are inhibitory. Thus regulation of K-Cl cotransport at the membrane and cytoplasmic levels is highly complex. Basal K-Cl cotransport decreases with cellular maturation, whereas its modes of stimulation and inhibition are variable between species. The physiological inactivation appears to be prevented in low-K animal erythrocytes. In certain human hemoglobinopathies, K-Cl cotransport may be the cause of cellular dehydration and volume decrease. K-Cl cotransport occurs also in nonerythroid cells, such as in epithelial and liver cells of other species. At the threshold of molecular characterization, this comprehensive review places our present understanding of the mechanisms modulating K-Cl cotransport physiologically and pathophysiologically into kinetic and thermodynamic perspectives.

Incorporation of 3H-N-ethylmaleimide into sheep red cell membrane thiol groups following protection by diamide-induced oxidation

The thiol oxidant diazene dicarboxylic acid bis [N,N-dimethylamide] (diamide) is known to reversibly activate K-Cl cotransport in sheep red blood cells. Although the detailed mechanism of activation is unknown, functional thiols at the membrane or at the cytoplasmic level are recognized as important. To search for membrane bound thiols involved in the regulation of K-Cl cotransport, sheep red cells were first exposed to diamide at concentrations activating K-Cl cotransport, and then to the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) in order to block non-oxidized thiols. White ghosts, prepared by osmotic lysis from these cells, were again treated with NEM followed by reduction of the diamide-induced dithiols with dithiothreitol (DTT) concentrations known to reverse the diamide-induced K-Cl flux. Maximum 3H-NEM incorporation into the DTT-reduced thiols occurred at 50 microM DTT. Saturation labelling by 3H-NEM of about 2 x 10(4) diamide-protected thiols/cell occurred at 25 microM NEM. Diamide protected about 0.1% of all membrane thiols chemically determined earlier. Membranes from high K (HK) and low K (LK) sheep red cells did not differ significantly in the number of diamide-protected thiols, and polyacrylamide gels revealed a similar protein distribution of 3H-NEM-labelled thiols. Since diamide is known to stimulate K-Cl flux in LK cells ten times more than in HK cells this finding is consistent with the hypothesis of a cytoplasmic control effecting different K-Cl flux activities in the membranes of the two cation genotypic red blood cells.

Kinetics of DIDS inhibition of swelling-activated K-Cl cotransport in low K sheep erythrocytes

The inhibitory effect of various stilbene disulfonates was examined on the swelling-activated Cl-dependent K transport (K-Cl cotransport) in low K sheep erythrocytes. Both diisothiocyanatostilbenes H2DIDS and DIDS were found to be potent inhibitors. The DIDS concentration yielding 50% inhibition (IC50) of KCl cotransport was 60 microM in the absence of external K and 3 microM at physiological K concentration. Other stilbene derivatives, such as SITS (4-acetamido-4' isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid), were only effective in the presence of external K, whereas DNDS (4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) and ISA (4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate) had only slight effects at a concentration of 1 mM. The augmenting effect of external K is due to a second K site, distinguishable from the K transport site by its much higher affinity. No inhibition occurred in the absence of external Cl, whether or not external Rb(K) was present. Additionally, DIDS inhibited K-Cl cotransport activated by thiol alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) as well as by Mg depletion in the presence of A23187 and a chelator. We conclude that allosteric sites affect the stilbene binding. When these sites are saturated, changes in external K or Cl concentration do not affect the affinity for DIDS (noncompetitive inhibition).

Trans effects of cellular K and Cl on ouabain-resistant Rb(K) influx in low K sheep red blood cells: further evidence for asymmetry of K-Cl cotransport [corrected]

The electroneutral K-Cl cotransport in low K+ (LK) sheep red blood cells is kinetically asymmetric and thermodynamically outward poised (Delpire and Lauf, 1991a). We have shown previously by trans-inhibition kinetics that Cl- binds prior to K+ to the outside configuration of the carrier. In the present study, we confirm that K+ and Cl- bind randomly to the cytoplasmic aspect of the transporter because K+ in the absence of Cl-, and Cl- in the absence of K+, trans-inhibit ouabain-resistant Rb+(K+) influx in these cells. In contrast to the trans-inhibition pattern observed outside, neither K+ nor Cl- trans-inhibit K+(Rb+) influx in the presence of the cotransported ion, further supporting the asymmetry of the K-Cl cotransporter.

Magnesium and ATP dependence of K-Cl co-transport in low K+ sheep red blood cells

1. In low K+ (LK) sheep red blood cells, depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by glycolysis inhibition induced specific effects on ouabain-resistant Cl(-)-dependent K+ transport (K-Cl co-transport), depending on the osmolarity: stimulation in isosmotic while inhibition in hyposmotic solutions. However, these effects depended upon the presence of internal Mg2+. 2. In LK sheep red blood cells, ATP constituted nearly 90% of the Mg2+ buffering capacity. As no significant reduction of total Mg2+ was observed after ATP depletion, the overall internal Mg2+ in ATP-depleted cells exists in the free form. 3. The dependence of K+ efflux on internal Mg2+ was also directly related to the presence of ATP. In control cells, Mg2+ constituted an endogenous inhibitor, inducing a 70% inhibition of K-Cl fluxes but only 30% in ATP-depleted cells. The Cl(-)-insensitive component of K+ efflux was unaffected by the divalent cation. 4. After Mg2+ removal, the rate of K+ efflux was significantly increased at all osmolarities, between 240 mosM (swollen cells) and 440 mosM (shrunken cells). Hence, Mg(2+)-depleted LK sheep red cells lose volume sensitivity of K-Cl co-transport. 5. Internal K+ or Cl- were not required for the Mg2+ inhibition, and Mg2+ did not interfere with the internal binding sites for Cl- or K+. Hence, the sites for Mg2+ or MgATP, and for K+ and Cl- are independent of each other.

Relationship between total magnesium concentration and free intracellular magnesium in sheep red blood cells

The cellular free magnesium concentration of ionophore A23187 permeabilized high potassium sheep erythrocytes was measured by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the total cellular magnesium concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The free versus total cellular magnesium concentrations yield a linear relationship on a log-log scale in the concentration range from 0.3 to 1.92 mmol Mg/liter cells. Thus, free intracellular magnesium concentrations can be calculated from atomic absorption data. The method permits the estimation of physiologically or experimentally induced variations of intracellular free magnesium concentrations between 7 and 405 microM magnesium in cell water. This range encompasses the free magnesium concentration of 335 +/- 60 microM in cell water determined for untreated erythrocytes.

Foreign anions modulate volume set point of sheep erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport

Preequilibration at 37 degrees C in isosmotic media with Cl replaced by lyotropic (foreign) anions reversibly increased Cl-dependent K efflux and Rb influx, the inhibition by furosemide, and thus K-Cl cotransport in low-K but not in high-K sheep erythrocytes with the following order of effectiveness: SCN greater than I greater than NO3 greater than Cl = Br. This effect depended on time, temperature, and anion concentration and was reversible. Preincubation in isosmotic SCN at 37 degrees C stimulated K-Cl flux in anisosmotic Cl media (370-240 mosM) by increasing the volume sensitivity through shifting the point of zero K-Cl flux by approximately 100 mosmol. Thus even shrunken cells exhibited K-Cl cotransport. Preincubation in hyperosmotic SCN or Cl (440 mosM) followed by K flux in hyposmotic Cl (240 mosM) caused a 30-min lag phase that was absent when cells were swollen only. Hence, foreign anions increased the K flux rate in Cl, suggesting upregulation of K-Cl cotransport through new sites or higher turnover per transporter. The anions must act directly on proteins and/or lipids as the accompanying intracellular pH (pHi) changes were too small to attribute the K-Cl flux activation to cellular acidification. After thiol alkylation, which also activates K-Cl cotransport, SCN preexposure at 37 degrees C became ineffective. Carbethoxylation significantly reduced the foreign anion enhancement of K-Cl cotransport and abolished K efflux in Br. It is concluded that interaction of anions through carbethoxylation-sensitive sites with thiols may determine the level of K-Cl cotransport activity.

Kinetics of Cl-dependent K fluxes in hyposmotically swollen low K sheep erythrocytes

A detailed kinetic study of K:Cl cotransport in hyposmotically swollen low K sheep red blood cells was carried out to characterize the nature of the outwardly poised carrier. The kinetic parameters were determined from the rate of K efflux and influx under zero-K-trans conditions in red cells with cellular K altered by the nystatin method and with different extracellular K or Rb concentrations. Although apparent affinities for efflux and influx were quite similar, the maximal velocity for K efflux was approximately two times greater than for influx. Furthermore, at thermodynamic equilibrium (i.e., when the ion product of K and Cl within the cell was equal to that outside) a temperature-dependent net K efflux was observed, approaching zero only when the external product reached approximately two times the internal product. The binding order of the ions to the transporter was asymmetric, being ordered outside (Cl binding first, followed by K) and random inside. K efflux but not influx was trans-inhibited by KCl. Trans inhibition of K efflux was used to verify the order of binding outside: trans inhibition by external Cl occurred in the absence of external K, but not vice versa. Thus K:Cl cotransport is kinetically asymmetric in hyposmotically swollen low K sheep red cells.

Evidence for inhibitory SH groups in the thiol activated K:Cl cotransporter of low K sheep red blood cells

The monofunctional thiol reagents N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and methyl methanethiosulfonate (MMTS) stimulate ouabain resistant (OR) electroneutral K:Cl cotransport in LK sheep red blood cells at low, but not at high concentrations. Diamide (DM), on the other hand, only stimulates OR K:Cl flux (Lauf, P.K., J. Memb. Biol. 101: 179-188, 1988). The DM stimulated K:Cl cotransport was decreased toward the control value prior to DM stimulation when NEM or MMTS were added, subsequently. The inhibitory effect was dependent on the compound's concentration and exposure time and, in the case of MMTS, was reversed upon addition of dithiothreitol (DTT). The inhibition was more prominent when NEM treatment was performed at pH 8.0 and disappeared at pH 6.0. In contrast the NEM stimulatory effect was most effective when the pH of NEM treatment was 6.0 (Bauer, J. & Lauf, P.K., J. Memb. Biol. 73: 257-261, 1983). The results suggest the existence of additional, however, inhibitory thiol groups in the already thiol-activated K:Cl cotransporter, with a different pKa value and a lower affinity for NEM or MMTS as compared to the stimulatory thiol groups. Like the activating thiols, the inhibitory sulfhydryls appeared to be inaccessible to non-penetrating thiol reagents and hence, must be located deeper within the red cell membrane.

Thiol-dependent passive K: Cl transport in sheep red blood cells: IX. Modulation by pH in the presence and absence of DIDS and the effect of NEM

Recently we proposed that cytoplasmic acidification of low K+ (LK) sheep erythrocytes may stimulate ouabain-resistant Cl(-)-dependent K+ flux (K+: Cl- contransport), also known to be activated by cell swelling, treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), or removal of cellular bivalent cations. Here we studied the dependence of K+ transport on intracellular and extracellular pH (pHi, pHo) varied either simultaneously or independently using the Cl-/HCO3- exchange inhibitor 4,4, diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). In both control and NEM-treated LK cells volumes were kept near normal by varying extracellular sucrose. Using DIDS as an effective pH clamp, both K+ efflux and influx of Rb+ used as K+ congener were strongly activated at acid pHi and alkaline pHo. A small stimulation of K+ (Rb+) flux was also seen at acid pHi in the absence of DIDS, i.e., when pHi approximately pHo. Anti-Ll serum, known to inhibit K+: Cl-cotransport, prevented the pHi-stimulated K+ (Rb+) fluxes. Subsequent to NEM treatment at pH 6, K+ (Rb+) fluxes were activated only by raising pH, and thus were similar to the pH activation profile of K+ (Rb+) fluxes in DIDS-treated cells with pHo varied at constant physiologic pHi. Anti-Ll, which inhibited NEM-stimulated K+ (Rb+) fluxes, failed to do so in NEM-plus DIDS-treated cells. Thus, NEM treatment interferes with the internal but not with the external pH-sensitive site.

Thiol-dependent passive K: Cl transport in sheep red blood cells: X. A hydroxylamine-oxidation induced K: Cl flux blocked by diethylpyrocarbonate

Hydroxylamine, a potent oxidizing agent used to reverse carbethoxylation of histidine by diethylpyrocarbonate, activated Cl-dependent K flux (K: Cl cotransport) of low K sheep red blood cells almost sixfold. When K: Cl cotransport was already stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide, hydroxylamine caused an additional twofold activation suggesting modification of sites different from those thiol alkylated. This conclusion was supported by the finding that hydroxylamine additively augmented also the diamide-induced K: Cl flux (Lauf, P.K. 1988. J. Membrane Biol. 101: 179-188) with dithiothreitol fully reversing the diamide but not the hydroxylamine effect. Stimulation of K: Cl cotransport by hydroxylamine was completely inhibited by treatment with diethylpyrocarbonate also known to prevent K: Cl cotransport stimulation by N-ethylmaleimide, both effects being independent of the order of addition. Hence, although the effect of carbethoxy modification of K: Cl flux cannot be reversed by hydroxylamine and thus excludes histidine as the target for diethylpyrocarbonate, our finding reveals an important chemical determinant of K: Cl cotransport stimulation by both hydroxylamine oxidation and thiol group alkylation.

Kinetics of Na-Li exchange in high and low K sheep red blood cells

The kinetic parameters and transport mechanism of Na-Li exchange were studied in both low K (LK) and high K (HK) sheep red blood cells with cellular Na [( Na]i) and Li concentrations [( Li]i) adjusted by the nystatin technique (Nature New Biol. 244: 47-49, 1973 and J. Physiol. Lond. 283: 177-196, 1978). Maximum velocities (Vm) for Li fluxes and half-activation constants (K1/2) for Li and Na of the Na-Li exchanger were determined. The K1/2 values for both Li and Na appeared to be similar in both cell types, although they were about two to three times lower on the inside than on the outside of the membrane. Furthermore, the K1/2 values for Li were at least an order of magnitude smaller than those for Na, suggesting substantial affinity differences for these two cations. The Vm values for Li fluxes, on the other hand, appear to be lower in HK than in LK cells. When Na and Li fluxes were measured simultaneously, a trans stimulatory effect by Na on Li fluxes was observed. From measurements of Li influx at different concentrations of external Li and different [Na]i, the ratio of the apparent Vm to the apparent external Li affinity was calculated to be independent of [Na]i for both types of sheep red blood cells. Similar trans effects of external Na were observed on Li efflux at varying [Li]i. These results are expected for a system operating by a "ping-pong" mechanism.

Thiol-dependent K:Cl transport in sheep red cells: VIII. Activation through metabolically and chemically reversible oxidation by diamide

The sulfhydryl (SH) oxidant diamide activated in a concentration-dependent manner ouabain-resistant (OR), Cl-dependent K flux in both low potassium (LK) and high potassium (HK) sheep red cells as determined from the rate of zero-trans K efflux into media with Cl or Cl replaced by NO3 or methane sulfonate (CH3SO3). Diamide did not alter the OR Na efflux into choline Cl. The diamide effect on K efflux appeared after 80% of cellular glutathione (GSH) was oxidized to GSSG, its disulfide. The stimulation of K efflux was completely reversed during metabolic restitution of GSH, a process that depended on the length of exposure to and the concentration of diamide. The action of diamide on both the K:Cl transporter and GSH was also fully reversed by the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT). Diamide apparently oxidized the same SH groups alkylated by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) (Lauf, P.K. 1983. J. Membrane Biol. 73:237-246). Like NEM, diamide activated K:Cl transport several-fold more in LK cells than in HK cells, and the effect on LK cells was partially inhibited by anti-L1, the allo-antibody known to inhibit OR K fluxes.

Na+-K+ pump activities of high- and low-potassium sheep red cells with internal magnesium and calcium altered by A23187

1. Sheep erythrocytes were treated with the divalent metal ionophore A23187 to alter the cellular magnesium (Mgi) and calcium (Cai) composition. Ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+ pump fluxes were measured using rubidium as a potassium congener in media where Cl- was replaced by NO3-. 2. A23187, per se, had no effect on ouabain-sensitive rubidium influx. However, lowering the concentration of cellular magnesium [( Mg]i) and increasing that of calcium [( Ca]i) decreased Na+-K+ pump flux. 3. Ouabain-sensitive rubidium influx was found to be a saturating function of [Mg]i in high-potassium (HK) red cells with a Hill coefficient of about 1.8 and an apparent half-activation constant (K0.5) of 0.46 mmol/(l original cells). In low-potassium (LK) cells, in the absence and presence of the Na+-K+ pump stimulatory L-antibody, ouabain-sensitive rubidium influx was also saturated with Mgi yielding Hill coefficients of close to 1.8 and K0.5 values of 0.20 and 0.30 mmol/(l original cells), respectively. 4. When [Ca]i was raised at constant [Mg]i ouabain-sensitive rubidium influx was inhibited at about 700 mumol/(l cells) in both HK, and in anti-L-treated LK red cells. 5. These data exclude the possibility that the Na+-K+ pump turnover, known to be different in HK red cells, and in LK red cells in the absence and presence of anti-L (Joiner & Lauf, 1978b), is based on differences in the activation by MgATP, and that Cai interacts with the Na+-K+ pump cycle differently in the two red cell cation types.

Volume and anion dependency of ouabain-resistant K-Rb fluxes in sheep red blood cells

The effect of six different anions on the volume response of ouabain-resistant K transport was systematically studied at extracellular pH (pHo) = 7.4 in sheep red blood cells of both low and high K genotype before and after treatment with the sulfhydryl (SH) reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). In methanesulfonate (CH3SO3), both the apparent Rb permeability (P(app)Rb), calculated from ouabain-resistant Rb influx), and K permeability (PK, calculated from the rate constants of ouabain-resistant zero-trans K efflux, 0k(OR)K) were volume independent and close to 10(-10) cm/s for both cell types, but in Cl, Br, I, SCN, and NO3 they were significantly different in low and high K cells with altered cell volumes. Thus, in 15% osmotically shrunken low K cells, P(app)Rb) and PK were similar regardless of the anions present, but upon 10-15% swelling, they increased to approximately 4-6 X 10(-9) cm/s in Br and 2 X 10(-9) cm/s in Cl and also increased with comparatively small increments in I, SCN, and NO3. Treatment with NEM enhanced both P(app)Rb) and PK, particularly in shrunken low K cells, to approximately 10(-8) cm/s in Br and Cl but not in I, SCN, and NO3. In shrunken or isotonic high K cells, P(app)Rb) and PK were close to 10(-10) cm/s in all anions except for SCN. Swelling and/or NEM increased PK and P(app)Rb) in Cl and Br only two- to threefold.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Kinetic comparison of ouabain-resistant K:Cl fluxes (K:Cl [Co]-transport) stimulated in sheep erythrocytes by membrane thiol oxidation and alkylation

The stimulatory effects of two thiol (SH) group oxidants, methylmethane thiosulfonate (MMTS) and diazene dicarboxylic acid bis [N,N-dimethylamide] (diamide), on the kinetics of ouabain-resistant (OR) K:Cl [co]-transport in low K (LK) sheep red blood cells were compared with the effects of alkylating agents, notably N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). At low concentrations, both MMTS and diamide stimulated K:Cl [co]-transport, and with a latency period, as measured by OR zero-trans K efflux and OR uptake of external Rb, Rbo, as K congener in Cl and NO3 media. At high concentrations the effect of diamide saturated, and that of MMTS disappeared. The stimulatory effect of MMTS was partially reversed by the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) known to fully restore the diamide-activated K flux (Lauf, J. Memb. Biol. 101:179-188, 1988). In diamide preequilibrated LK sheep red cells, the Km of K:Cl [co]-transport for external Cl, Clo, was 84.3 mM, and 18.7 mM for Rbo, with nearly identical Vmax values around 4 mmol Rb/L cells x h for K (Rb) fluxes in Cl and after correction for the small Cl-independent component. Zero net K (Rb) flux existed at Kc (cell K)/Rbo concentration ratios, [K]c/[Rb]c, of 0.8 i.e. when the electrochemical driving forces across the membrane were about equal. The measured K efflux/Rb influx ratios were almost twice those predicted from [K]c/[Rb]o and the Cl equilibrium potential suggesting that the diamide-stimulated K (Rb) flux may occur through non-diffusional, carrier-mediated transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

K:Cl cotransport: emerging molecular aspects of a ouabain-resistant, volume-responsive transport system in red blood cells

Erythrocytes from teleosts to mammals, like man, possess a ouabain-resistant K flux component which is Cl-dependent and activated upon suspension of the cells into hyposmotic media. This volume-responsive K:Cl cotransporter may be synonymous with a Cl-dependent K pathway stimulated by chemical interventions such as SH group (thiol) alkylation or oxidation at cytoplasmic sites of the membrane. Based on a comparison of the response of the two activity expressions of probably the same molecule to ionic and metabolic perturbations a molecular model is proposed accommodating K:Cl flux activities under a variety of stimulatory and inhibitory influences. Physiologically, this pathway may be involved in the maturational cell volume reduction occurring between the stages of reticulocytes and the final erythrocytes as well as corresponsible for the expression of the low K steady state of certain animal red blood cells. The pathophysiological potential of this K:Cl transporter lies in the fact that, when activated, red blood cells dehydrate through K:Cl loss.

Thiol-dependent passive K/Cl transport in sheep red cells: VII. Volume-independent freezing by iodoacetamide, and sulfhydryl group heterogeneity

The sulfhydryl (SH) reagent iodoacetamide (IAAM) inhibits stimulation of Cl-dependent K transport in low K (LK) sheep red cells by another SH reagent, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), without itself activating this transport pathway (J. Membrane Biol., 1983, 73:257-261). We now report that IAAM alone, acting with a kinetic slower than NEM, sharply reduced the capability of the Cl-dependent K transport system to regulate its activity in response to cell volume changes. This effect of IAAM did not depend on the cell volume maintained during chemical treatment, a fact ruling out that the reactivity of the SH groups with IAAM was a function of the volume-dependent turnover rate of the transporter. On the other hand, the prevention of the NEM-stimulatory effect on Cl-dependent K transport was found to be volume-dependent since 1) the rate with which IAAM blocked the subsequent NEM action was twice as fast in cells swollen in 250 mOSM as opposed to cells shrunken in 370 mOSM media, and 2) the dose response of the IAAM effect was different in swollen and shrunken cells. The action of IAAM with or without subsequent treatment with NEM seemed to be independent of cellular ATP which is required for full expression of the stimulatory modification of Cl-dependent K transport by NEM (Am. J. Physiol., 1983, 245:C445-C448). Clusters of SH groups on the Cl-dependent K transporter apparently react differently with IAAM and NEM when separately applied but, used in combination, reflect a complex volume-dependent effect that may reveal a "volume-sensing" component of the transport molecule.

Physiology and biophysics of chloride and cation cotransport across cell membranes

Many important questions remain to be answered about the mechanism that mediates coupled Na,K,Cl cotransport. We still do not know what the ATP requirement involves. Is ATP the direct energy source? Such an energy source does not seem to be necessary, inasmuch as the net free energy in the combined transmembrane chemical gradients of Na, K, and Cl is quite sufficient to maintain the observed high Cl(i). Could a protein kinase-mediated mechanism be responsible for the ATP requirement? How does reducing Cl(i) stimulate the transporter? What are the kinetic relationships for the co-ions at the outward- and inward-facing transport sites? Are they symmetrical? Can the squid axon regulate its cell volume? If so, is the Na,K,Cl transporter directly involved? Thus, the squid axon remains a fruitful preparation to study a transport mechanism similar to that found in a variety of cells. Its large size confers unique experimental advantages that should help us in our quest to understand this widely distributed transport mechanism.

Direct evidence for chloride-dependent volume reduction in macrocytic sheep reticulocytes

Cytometric analysis of the volume-distribution of macrocytic reticulocytes from 6-8 days acutely anemic sheep of both high and low potassium erythrocyte type revealed hyposmotically induced cell volume reduction in K-free NaCl but not in Na-methane sulfonate (CH3SO3Na) media. Furthermore N-ethylmaleimide, known to stimulate K:Cl efflux in these cells, and low extracellular pH caused cell shrinkage in isosmotic NaCl but not in CH3SO3Na. These data suggest that cell volume reduction, physiologically occurring during reticulocyte maturation, is a Cl-dependent process most likely involving electro-neutral K:Cl transport known to exist in reticulocytes of both sheep cation genotypes.

Swelling, NEM, and A23187 activate Cl(-)-dependent K+ transport in high-K+ sheep red cells

In low K+ (LK) sheep red cells a significant fraction of the total ouabain-resistant (OR) K+ flux is inhibited when Cl- is replaced by other anions of the Hofmeister series except Br- (Cl(-)-dependent K+ flux). In contrast, high K+ (HK) sheep red cells in isosmotic media did not possess any significant OR Cl(-)-dependent K+ flux when Cl- was replaced by NO3- or I-. However, exposure to hyposmotic solutions, treatment with the sulfhydryl (SH) group reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or with the bivalent metal ion (Me2+) ionophore A23187 in absence of external Me2+ caused a significant activation of Cl(-)-dependent K+ transport as measured with Rb+ as K+ congener. There was no Cl(-)-dependent Rb+ flux in A23187-treated cells when Mn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ were present at 1 mM concentrations, suggesting that cellular accumulation of these Me2+ is inhibitory. Similar to LK red cells, HK red cells failed to respond to A23187 when pretreated with NEM supporting the hypothesis proposed recently (Lauf, P. K. J. Membr. Biol. 88: 1-13, 1985) of a common mechanism of Cl(-)-dependent K+ transport activation. The magnitudes of the Cl(-)-dependent Rb+ fluxes in HK cells were much smaller than those elicited by identical treatments in LK red cells, and the effect of all interventions was not due to the presence of reticulocytes known to possess Cl(-)-dependent K+ transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Passive K+-Cl- fluxes in low-K+ sheep erythrocytes: modulation by A23187 and bivalent cations

A fraction of the ouabain-resistant (OR) K+ flux of low-K+ (LK) sheep erythrocytes is Cl- dependent (K+-Cl- transport) and is activated reversibly by cell swelling or irreversibly by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). The effect of the ionophore A23187 plus bivalent cations (Me2+) or ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) was studied on K+-Cl- transport in control or NEM-treated LK cells. The following observations were made. 1) A23187 (6 microM), at a hematocrit of 10% (vol/vol) and in the presence of 1 mM EGTA, activated severalfold OR K+-Cl- transport in shrunken or swollen cells but failed to stimulate further K+-Cl- flux in NEM-treated cells. 2) In the absence of EGTA, but at very low external Ca2+ concentrations [( Ca2+]o = 10(-7) M), A23187 stimulated OR K+-Cl- flux in controls less than with EGTA and inhibited it slightly in NEM-treated cells. 3) When [Ca2+]o was raised to 10(-3) M, an almost complete inhibition of OR K+-Cl- fluxes occurred in shrunken, swollen, or NEM-treated cells. 4) Other Me2+ inhibited OR K+-Cl- flux in the presence of A23187 in the following order of decreasing potency: Mn2+ much greater than Ca2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than Sr2+ much much greater than Ba2+. 5) Stimulation of OR K+-Cl- flux by A23187 +/- EGTA and inhibition by A23187 + Ca2+ were reversible and did not alter significantly cellular ATP. 6) The stimulatory effect of A23187 plus EGTA, perhaps by Me2+ removal, on K+-Cl- flux and its inhibition by Ca2+ were reversibly abolished in metabolically depleted cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of N-ethylmaleimide on ouabain-insensitive cation fluxes in human red cell ghosts

In red cells of several species, the sulfhydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide activates a Cl- -dependent, ouabain-resistant K+ transport pathway. Here we report our attempts to demonstrate ouabain-resistant Cl- -dependent K+ fluxes stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide in resealed human red cell ghosts using Rb+ as a K+ analogue. In contrast to intact cells, the rate constants of the base level Rb+ efflux in ghosts were similar in NaNO3 and NaCl (okRb = 0.535 +/- 0.079 h-1 and 0.534 +/- 0.085 h-1, respectively), while 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide stimulated Rb+ efflux strongly in NaNO3 (okRb = 14.26 +/- 1.32 h-1) and moderately in NaCl (okRb = 2.73 +/- 0.54 h-1). This effect was dependent on the presence of internal ATP. Stimulation of Rb+ efflux was observed in the presence of greater than or equal to 0.2 mM N-ethylmaleimide and increased at pH values approaching 8.0, consistent with titration of SH groups. N-Ethylmaleimide-stimulated Rb+ efflux was approx. 50% inhibited by 100 microM quinine sulfate whereas 1 microM bumetanide had no effect. In NaCl the N-ethylmaleimide-stimulated efflux saturated with initial internal ghost Rb+ concentration, but rates increased linearly in NaNO3. Replacement of external Na+ with glucamine or choline decreased the N-ethylmaleimide-stimulated Rb+ efflux, suggesting a role for external Na+. N-Ethylmaleimide-stimulated Rb+ efflux was greater in buffers with lipophilic anions such as SCN- or NO3- than in solutions with Cl- or acetate. However, the cation selectivity of the pathway studied was low, as Li+ efflux was also stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide. We conclude that the effect of N-ethylmaleimide on ouabain-resistant cation effluxes of human red cell ghosts is very different from the selective action of N-ethylmaleimide on Rb+ influxes in intact red cells.

Cell volume and metabolic dependence of NEM-activated K+-Cl- flux in human red blood cells

The effects of incubation in anisosmotic media and of metabolic depletion on ouabain-resistant (OR) Cl--dependent K+ influxes stimulated by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) were studied in human red blood cells using Rb+ as K+ analogue. The NEM-stimulated but not the basal Rb+-Cl- influx measured in phosphate-buffered anisosmotic media was found to be cell volume dependent. When cellular ATP, [ATP]c, was lowered to less than 0.10 of its initial level by exposure to nonmetabolizable 2-deoxy-D-glucose, the NEM-stimulated but not the basal Cl--dependent Rb+ influxes were abolished. Metabolically depleted red blood cells subsequently repleted by incubation in glucose plus inosine regained the NEM-inducible Rb+ (K+) transport activity. The difference in the time course of ATP breakdown and Rb+ influx inhibition suggests that energization of the NEM-stimulated Rb+ flux by metabolism may involve factors additional to ATP.