Role of concentration and size of intracellular macromolecules in cell volume regulation

To gain insight into the mechanism(s) by which cells sense volume changes, specific predictions of the macromolecular crowding theory (A. P. Minton. In: Cellular and Molecular Physiology of Cell Volume Regulation, edited by K. Strange. Boca Raton, FL: CRC, 1994, p. 181-190. A. P. Minton, C. C. Colclasure, and J. C. Parker. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 10504-10506, 1992) were tested on the volume of internally perfused barnacle muscle cells. This preparation was chosen because it allows assessment of the effect on cell volume of changes in the intracellular macromolecular concentration and size while maintaining constant the ionic strength, membrane stretch, and osmolality. The predictions tested were that isotonic replacement of large macromolecules by smaller ones should induce volume decreases proportional to the initial macromolecular concentration and size as well as to the magnitude of the concentration reduction. The experimental results were consistent with these predictions: isotonic replacement of proteins or polymers with sucrose induced volume reductions, but this effect was only observed when the replacement was > or = 25% and the particular macromolecule had an average molecular mass of < or = 20 kDa and a concentration of at least 18 mg/ml. Volume reduction was effected by a mechanism identical with that of hypotonicity-induced regulatory volume decrease, namely, activation of verapamil-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Effect of isosmotic removal of extracellular Ca2+ and of membrane potential on cell volume in muscle cells

Isosmotic removal of extracellular Ca2+ (Cao) and changes in membrane potential (Vm) are frequently performed manipulations. Using isolated voltage-clamped barnacle muscle cells, we studied the effect of these manipulations on isosmotic cell volume. Replacing Cao by Mg2+ induced 1) verapamil-sensitive extracellular Na(+)-dependent membrane depolarization, 2) membrane depolarization-dependent cell volume reduction in cells whose sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was presumably loaded with Ca2+ [intracellular Ca2+ (Cai)-loaded cells], and 3) cell volume increase in cells whose SR was presumably depleted of Ca2+ (Cai-depleted cells) or in Cai-loaded cells whose Vm was held constant. Membrane depolarization induced 1) volume reduction in Cai-loaded cells or 2) verapamil-sensitive volume increase in Cai-depleted cells. This suggests tha, in Cai-loaded cells, membrane depolarization induces SR Ca2+ release, which in turn promotes volume reduction. Conversely, in Cai-depleted cells, the depolarization activates Na+ influx through a verapamil-sensitive pathway leading to the volume increase. This pathway is also revealed when Cao is removed in either Cai-depleted cells or in cells whose Vm is held constant.

Effect of isosmotic removal of extracellular Na+ on cell volume and membrane potential in muscle cells

Isosmotic removal of extracellular Na+ (Nao) is a frequently performed manipulation. With the use of isolated voltage-clamped barnacle muscle cells, the effect of this manipulation on isosmotic cell volume was studied. Replacement of Nao by tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane produced membrane depolarization (approximately 20 mV) and cell volume loss (approximately 14%). The membrane depolarization was verapamil insensitive but depended on extracellular Ca2+ (Cao) and was probably due to activation of intracellular Ca2+ (Cai)-dependent nonselective cation channels. The cell volume loss did not require membrane depolarization but depended on Cao. This was probably due to an increase in Cai, mediated by activation of Ca2+ influx via Na+/Ca2+ exchange. Nao replacement by Li+ also promoted membrane depolarization (approximately 20 mV) and cell volume loss (20%). Both effects were reduced (approximately 73%) but were not abolished by Cao removal. Under this condition, the remaining membrane depolarization was probably due to a higher membrane permeability of Li+ over Na+. The remaining cell volume loss was due to membrane depolarization, which probably induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.

Photochemistry of dimethyl quinoline-3,4-dicarboxylate N-oxides

The photochemical rearrangement of 2-methyl and 2-aryl substituted dimethyl quinoline-3,4-dicarboxylate N-oxides has been studied. In methanol or methanol/chloroform solutions the major product was the 1-methyl-or 1-aryl-quinolin-2(1H)-one in which the substituent at C2 has migrated to nitrogen. The yield of these products was increased in a dark reaction subsequent to the irradiation. In acetonitrile solutions the inital major product was the corresponding 3,1-benzoxazepine; subsequent reactions yielded inter alia indole derivatives.