Stimulation of Potassium Uptake by Abscisic Acid in Potato Tuber Tissues. Relation with H+ and Ca2+ Fluxes

Previous results with potato tuber discs showed that a treatment with abscisic acid stimulated K⁺ uptake. In this investigation, we determine the relationship between increased K' uptake and H⁺extrusion, and Ca²⁺ fluxes by treating tissues with specific Ca²⁺ channel blocker (La³⁺), calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors (chlorpromazine and W₇), and with Ca²⁺ ionophore (A23187). K⁺ uptake increased with increasing external pH whether tissues were treated with ABA or not. Treatment of tissues with La³⁺ inhibited K⁺ uptake, whereas CaM inhibitors have no effect. By contrast ABA and A23187 produced a synergistic effect, suggesting that ABA may act in part, on K⁺ uptake, like a Ca²⁺ agonist, in accord with Huddart's hypothesis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Barium modifies the concentration dependence of active potassium transport by insect midgut

Summary The rate of active K⁺ transport by the isolated lepidopteran midgut shows a rectangular hyperbolic relation to [K⁺] over the range 20 to 70mm K⁺ in the absence of any divalent cation. Addition of Ba⁺⁺ to the hemolymph (K⁺ uptake) side introduces a linear component to the concentration dependence, such that active K^– transport is decreased at [K⁺] of 55mm or less, but increased transiently at higher [K⁺]. As [Ba⁺⁺] is increased over the range 2 to 8mm the linear component increases and the saturating component decreases; in 8mm Ba⁺⁺ the concentration dependence is dominated by the linear component. The effect of Ba⁺⁺ cannot easily be accounted for by simple competition with K⁺ for basal membrane uptake sites. Similar effects might be exercised by other alkali earth cations, since the concentration dependence of active K⁺ transport possesses a substantial linear component in solutions containing 5mm Ca⁺⁺ and 5mm Mg⁺⁺ (the alkali earth metal concentrations of standard lepidopteran saline).     

Closure of the yeast mitochondria unspecific channel (YMUC) unmasks a Mg2+ and quinine sensitive K+ uptake pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The K⁺ uptake pathways in yeast mitochondria are still undefined. Nonetheless, the K⁺-mediated mitochondrial swelling observed in the absence of phosphate (PO₄) and in the presence of a respiratory substrate has led to propose that large K⁺ movements occur in yeast mitochondria. Thus, the uptake of K⁺ by isolated yeast mitochondria was evaluated. Two parallel experiments were conducted to evaluate K⁺ transport; these were mitochondrial swelling and the uptake of the radioactive K⁺ analog ⁸⁶Rb⁺. The opening of the yeast mitochondrial unspecific channel (YMUC) was regulated by different PO₄ concentrations. The high protein concentrations used to measure ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake resulted in a slight stabilization of the transmembrane potential at 0.4 mM PO₄ but not at 0 or 4 mM PO₄. At 4 mM PO₄ swelling was inhibited while, in contrast, ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake was still observed. The results suggest that an energy-dependent K⁺ uptake mechanism was unmasked when the YMUC was closed. To further analyze the properties of this K⁺ uptake system, the Mg²⁺ and quinine sensitivity of both swelling and ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake were evaluated. Under the conditions where the unspecific pore was closed, K⁺ transport sensitivity to Mg²⁺ and quinine increased. In addition, when Zn²⁺ was added as an antiport inhibitor, uptake of ⁸⁶Rb⁺ increased. It is suggested that in yeast mitochondria, the K⁺ concentration is highly regulated by the equilibrium of uptake and exit of this cation through two specific transporters.     

The efficiency of (Na + K)-ATPase in tumorigenic cells

The efficiency of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase (i.e. the amount of K⁺ pumped per ATP hydrolyzed) in intact tumorigenic cells was estimated in this study. This was accomplished by simultaneously measuring the rate of ouabain-sensitive K⁺ uptake and oxygen consumption in tumorigenic cell suspensions during the reintroduction of K⁺ to K⁺-depleted cells. The ATP turnover was then estimated by assuming 5.6–6 ATP/O₂ as the stoichiometry of NADH-linked respiration in these cells. In the three cell lines tested (hamster and chick embryo cells transformed with Rous sarcoma virus and Ehrlich ascites cells), the K⁺/ATP ratio was approximately 2, the same value as that found in normal tissues. Furthermore, only 20% of the total ATP production of these cells was used by (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase.     

Errata

1. (1) The significance of the specific (ouabain-sensitive) ⁸⁶Rb⁺ or ⁴²K⁺ uptake by cardiac muscle preparations which are not ‘sodium-loaded’ was studied.

2. (2) In left atrial preparations of guinea-pig heart, resting ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake was relatively low. It was markedly increased by electrical stimulation. This stimulated uptake was further enhanced by isoproterenol and inhibited by verapamil.

3. (3) In rat atria, the resting ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake was somewhat higher than in guinea-pig atria, and the increase in uptake caused by electrical stimulation was smaller. In guinea-pig right ventricular papillary muscle, the resting uptake was highest among those tissues studied, and the response to electrical stimulation was smallest. In the latter tissue, verapamil produced only a minimal inhibition of the specific ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake.

4. (4) The effect of the frequency of electrical stimulation on ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake paralleled its influence on the force of contraction, suggesting the involvement of intracellular sodium in both events.

5. (5) In both left atrial and right papillary muscle preparations of guinea-pig heart, specific ⁴²K⁺ uptake observed with 5.8 mM K⁺ was relatively high, and was increased only slightly by electrical stimulation. This electrical stimulation, however, increased ouabain-induced inhibition of ⁴²K⁺ uptake, suggesting that the stimulation increases the amount of Na⁺ available to the sodium pump.

6. (6) When the K⁺ concentration was 1 mM, the resting ⁴²K⁺ uptake was low, and could be enhanced by electrical stimulation.

Role of the sodium pump and the background K+ channel in passive K+(Rb+) uptake by isolated cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

Summary A simple procedure was developed for the isolation of a sarcolemma-enriched membrane preparation from homogenates of bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) heart. Crude microsomes obtained by differential centrifugation were fractionated in Hypaque density gradients. The fraction enriched in surface membrane markers consisted of 87% tightly sealed vesicles. The uptake of⁸⁶Rb⁺ by the preparation was measured in the presence of an opposing K⁺ gradient using a rapid ion exchange technique. At low extravesicular Rb⁺ concentrations, at least 50% of the uptake was blocked by addition of 1mm ouabain to the assay medium. Orthovanadate (50 m), ADP (2.5mm), or Mg (1mm) were also partial inhibitors of Rb⁺ uptake under these conditions, and produced a complete block of Rb⁺ influx in the presence of 1mm ouabain. When⁸⁶Rb⁺ was used as a tracer of extravesicular K⁺ (Rb ₀ ⁺ 40 m K ₀ ⁺ =0.1–5mm) a distinct uptake pathway emerged, as detected by its inhibition by 1mm Ba²⁺ (K _0.5=20 m). At a constant internal K⁺ concentration (K _in ⁺ =50mm) the magnitude of the Ba²⁺-sensitive K⁺ uptake was found to depend on K ₀ ⁺ in a manner that closely resembles the K⁺ concentration dependence of the background K⁺ conductance (I _Kl) observed electrophysiologically in intact cardiac cells. We conclude that K⁺ permeates passively this preparation through two distinct pathways, the sodium pump and a system identifiable as the background potassium channel.     

Energetics of Functional Activation in Neural Tissues

Glucose utilization (lCMR_glc) increases linearly with spike frequency in neuropil but not perikarya of functionally activated neural tissues. Electrical stimulation, increased extracellular [K⁺] ([K⁺]₀), or opening of Na⁺ channels with veratridine stimulates 1CMR_glc in neural tissues; these increases are blocked by ouabain, an inhibitor of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. Stimulating Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity to restore ionic gradients degraded by enhanced spike activity appears to trigger these increases in lCMR_glc. Cultured neurons behave similarly. Astrocytic processes that envelop synapses in neuropil probably contribute to the increased lCMR_glc. lCMR_glc in cultured astroglia is unaffected by elevated [K⁺]₀ but is stimulated by increased intracellular [Na⁺] ([Na⁺]_i), and this stimulation is blocked by ouabain or tetrodotoxin. L-Glutamate also stimulates lCMR_glc in astroglia. This effect is unaffected by inhibitors of NMDA or non-NMDA receptors, blocked by ouabain, and absent in Na⁺-free medium; it appears to be mediated by increased [Na⁺]_i due to combined uptake of Na⁺ with glutamate via Na⁺/glutamate co-transporters.     

An endogenous factor which interacts with synaptosomal membrane Na+, K+-ATPase activation by K+

In previous papers, the isolation of brain soluble fractions able to modify neuronal Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity has been described. One of those fractions-peak I-stimulates membrane Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase while another-peak II-inhibits this enzyme activity, and has other ouabain-like properties. In the present study, synaptosomal membrane Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was analyzed under several experimental conditions, using ATP orp-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP) as substrate, in the absence and presence of cerebral cortex peak II. Peak II inhibited K⁺-p-NPPase activity in a concentration dependent manner. Double reciprocal plots indicated that peak II uncompetitively inhibits K⁺-p-NPPase activity regarding substrate, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ concentration. Peak II failed to block the known K⁺-p-NPPase stimulation caused by ATP plus Na⁺. At various K⁺ concentrations, percentage K⁺-p-NPPase inhibition by peak II was similar regardless of the ATP plus Na⁺ presence, indicating lack of correlation with enzyme phosphorylation. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was decreased by peak II depending on K⁺ concentration. It is postulated that the inhibitory factor(s) present in peak II interfere(s) with enzyme activation by K⁺.     

Brain tryptophan uptake and sodium-potassium ATPase activity in long-term streptozotocin diabetic rats

Serum, liver and brain tryptophan concentrations and brain Na⁺K⁺-ATPase activity were studied in streptozotocin diabetic rats after an acute tryptophan load. Results show that tryptophan administration in the experimental diabetic group produces a generalized fall in tryptophan uptake in all the brain regions studied, though it does not increase serum and hepatic tryptophan concentrations. These parameters are normalized in insulin-treated diabetic rats. With regard to Na⁺K⁺-ATPase, diabetic animals showed a diminished and unchanged activity; whereas, the other two experimental groups showed a gradual decrease and a negative correlation with brain tryptophan uptake.     

A model for proton and potassium co-transport during the uptake of glutamine and sucrose by tomato internode disks

Internode disks of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Moneymaker) were shaken in glutamine and sucrose solutions. At low external pH (<±5.5), the uptake of these substances was accompanied with K⁺ efflux, at high pH (>±5.5) with K⁺ influx. Low concentrations of external K⁺ (2 mmol l^-1) stimulated the uptake of glutamine, which was strongly inhibited by the supply of high K⁺ concentrations (20 mmol l^-1). The effect of K⁺ was particularly pronounced at high pH-values. Addition of CCCP in light reduced the uptake of glutamine to the same level as in the dark, and stopped the K⁺ fluxes which coincided with the uptake. A model is presented wherein the movements of K⁺ across the membrane are related to co-transport, depending on the membrane potential and the Nernst potential of K⁺.Abbreviation CCCP carbonylcyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone     

Involvement of polyamines in the inhibiting effect of injury caused by cutting on K+ uptake through the plasma membrane

The inhibition of K⁺ uptake through the plasma membrane resulting from injury caused by cutting, or from application of polyamines (PAs), has been investigated in root segments of maize (Zea mays L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.). It was found, for both treatments, that K⁺ uptake recovered if the segments were washed for 2 h. The K⁺ uptake inhibited by cutting and that inhibited by spermidine treatment were stimulated to the same extent by fusicoccin. In addition, there was a correlation between the extent of the recovery of K⁺ uptake caused by washing and the distribution, along the root axis, of both PAs and the activities of enzymes responsible for PA degradation. In apical segments of maize, where the PA content and the activity of the degradative enzyme polyamine oxidase (EC 1.5.3.3) were higher than in the more distal segments, the recovery of K⁺ uptake caused by washing was also higher. On the other hand, the opposite trend was observed in root segments of pea, where the PA content and the activity of the degradative enzyme diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) were higher in distal segments in which K⁺ uptake was greatly stimulated by washing. The effect of the amine-oxidase inhibitor, aminoguanidine, indicates that the degradation products of PAs are involved in the mechanism of inhibition of K⁺ uptake by PAs. The data also seem to indicate that PAs and their degradation products are responsible for the inhibition of K⁺ uptake occurring as a result of injury sustained by cutting roots into segments.Abbreviations DAO diamine oxidase - FC fusicoccin - PA polyamine - PAO polyamine oxidase - PUT putrescine - SPD spermidine     

Contrasting roles in ion transport of two K+-channel types in root cells of Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant roots accumulate K⁺ over a range of external concentrations. Root cells have evolved at least two parallel plasma-membrane K⁺ transporters which operate at millimolar and micromolar external [K⁺]: high-affinity K⁺ uptake is energised by symport with H⁺, while low-affinity uptake is assumed to occur via ion channels. To determine the role of ion channels in low-affinity K⁺ uptake, a characterisation of the principal K⁺-selective ion channels in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. cv. Columbia roots was undertaken. Two classes of K⁺-selective channels were frequently observed: one inward (IRC) and one outward (ORC) rectifying with unitary conductances of 5 pS, 20 pS (IRCs) and 15 pS (ORC), measured in symmetrical 10 mM KCl. The dominant IRC (5 pS) and ORC (15 pS) were highly cation-selective (P_Cl P_K < 0.025) but less selective amongst monovalent cations (P_NaP_K0.17–0.3). Both the IRC and the ORC were blocked by Ba²⁺, Cs⁺ and tetra-ethyl-ammonium, whereas 4-aminopyridine and quinidine selectively inhibited the ORC. The ORC open probability was steeply voltage-dependent and ORC activation potentials were close to the potassium equilibrium potential (E_K+), enabling ORCs to conduct mainly outward, but occasionally inward, K⁺ current. By contrast, gating of the 5-pS IRC was weakly voltageependent and IRC gating was invariably restricted to membrane potentials more negative than E_K+, ensuring K⁺ transport was always inwardly directed. Studies on channel activity were conducted for a large number of root cells grown at two levels of external [K⁺], one where K⁺ uptake is likely to be principally through channels (6 mM K⁺) and one where it must be energised (100 M K⁺). Shifting growth conditions from high to low K⁺ did not affect single-channel properties such as conductance and selectivity, nor the manifestation of the ORC and 20-pS IRC, but led to enhanced activity of the 5-pS IRC. The enhanced activity of the 5-pS IRC was mirrored by a parallel increase in unidirectional ⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx after low-K⁺ growth, clearly indicating a dominant role of this particular channel in K⁺ uptake at supra millimolar external [K⁺].Abbreviations E_K+ potassium equilibrium potential - E_m membrane potential - HK high [K⁺] - IRC inward rectifying channel - LK low [K⁺] - ORC outward rectifying channel - TEA tetra-ethyl-ammonium Financial support was provided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Grant PG87/529) and by the European Union (Framework III, Biotechnology Programme).     

Characterization of K+-dependent and K+-independentp-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of synaptosomes

These experiments examined effects of several ligands on the K⁺ p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of the (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase in membranes of a rat brain cortex synaptosomal preparation. K⁺-independent hydrolysis of this substrate by the synaptosomal preparation was studied in parallel; the rate of hydrolysis in the absence of K⁺ was approximately 75% less than that observed when K⁺ was included in the incubation medium. The response to the H⁺ concentrations was different: K⁺-independent activity showed a pH optimum around 6.5–7.0, while the K⁺-dependent activity was relatively low at this pH range. Ouabain (0.1 mM) inhibited K⁺-dependent activity 50%; a concentration 10 times higher did not produce any appreciable effect on the K⁺-independent activity. Na⁺ did not affect K⁺-independent activity at all, while the same ligand concentration inhibited sharply the K⁺-dependent activity; this inhibition was not competitive with the substrate,p-nitrophenyl phosphate. K⁺-dependent activity was stimulated by Mg²⁺ with low affinity (millimolar range), and 3 mM Mg²⁺ produced a slight stimulation of the activity in absence of K⁺, which could be interpreted as Mg²⁺ occupying the K⁺ sites. Ca²⁺ had no appreciable effect on the activity in the absence of K⁺. However, in the presence of K⁺ a sharp inhibition was found with all Ca²⁺ concentrations studied. ATP (0.5 mM) did not affect the K⁺-independent activity, but this nucleotide behaved as a competitive inhibitor top-nitrophenylphosphate. Pi inhibited activity in the presence of K⁺, competively to the substrate, so it could be considered as the second product of the reaction sequence.Abbreviations used p-NPP p-nitrophenylphosphate - p-NPPase rho-nitrophenylphosphatase activity     

The kinetics of NH4 + and NO3 − uptake by Douglas fir from single N-solutions and from solutions containing both NH4 + and NO3 −

The kinetics of NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻ uptake in young Douglas fir trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) were studied in solutions, containing either one or both N species. Using solutions containing a single N species, the V_max of NH₄ ⁺ uptake was higher than that of NO₃ ⁻ uptake. The K_m of NH₄ ⁺ uptake and K_m of NO₃ ⁻ uptake differed not significantly. When both NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ⁻ were present, the V_max for NH₄ ⁺ uptake became slightly higher, and the K_m for NH₄ ⁺ uptake remained in the same order. Under these conditions the NO₃ ⁻ uptake was almost totally inhibited over the whole range of concentrations used (10–1000 μM total N). This inhibition by NH₄ ⁺ occurred during the first two hours after addition. ei]{gnA C}{fnBorstlap}     

Delta endotoxin inhibits Rb+ uptake,lowers cytoplasmic pH and inhibits a K+-ATPase inManduca sexta CHE cells

Summary Delta endotoxin, a 68 kilodalton protein isolated fromBacillus thuringiensis spp.Kurstaki, is a potent entomocidal agent that alters a K⁺ current across midgut tissue of many phytophagous insects. This toxin completely inhibited the vanadate-sensitive⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake and mimicked the vanadate-induced decrease in cytosolic pH in a cell line (CHE) originating fromManduca sexta embryonic tissue. The toxin also inhibited a K⁺-sensitive-ATPase in the plasma membranes isolated from these cells. Using the K⁺-sensitive-ATPase substratp-nitrophenyl phosphate, delta endotoxin was found to have aK _i of 0.4 m. These data suggest that the toxin inhibits a K⁺-ATPase responsible for⁸⁶Pb⁺ uptake in the CHE cells. The relationship between the toxin inhibition of K⁺-ATPase and toxin-altered K⁺ current is discussed.     

Salt tolerance in rice in vitro: Implication of accumulation of Na+, K+ and proline

The implication of accumulation of both inorganic (Na⁺, K⁺) and organic (proline) solutes were evaluated in unadapted and NaCl-adapted callus of a salt-sensitive (Basmati 370) and a salt-tolerant (SR-26B) cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L.) after a NaCl shock. Accumulation of Na⁺,K⁺ and/or proline in callus was co relatable and the relative presence of these components in tissues after shock treatment was found to be important factors to support differential regrowth capacities of the shock treated calluses. Presence or retention of K⁺ in rice callus was a key factor for salt tolerance as it was observed to be positively correlated with growth in both the varieties. The results indicated that K⁺ was the first candidate to counteract the negative water potential of outside milieu, while proline was probably the last metabolic device that rice calluses opted for when exposed to salt stress.     

Cloning and functional expression in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cereviae</Emphasis> of a K<Superscript>+</Superscript> transporter,AlHAK, from the graminaceous halophyte, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeluropus littoralis</Emphasis>

High-affinity K⁺ transporters play an important role in K⁺ absorption of plants. We isolated a HAK gene from Aeluropus littoralis, a graminaceous halophyte. The amino acid sequence of AlHAK showed high homology with HAK transporters obtained from Oryza sativa (82%) and Hordeum vulgare (82%). When expressed in Saccharomyces cereviae WΔ3, AlHAK performed high-affinity K⁺ uptake with a K_m value of 8 μM, and the growth of transformants was dramatically inhibited by 150 mM Rb⁺ and 150 mM Cs⁺ but less affected by 300 mM Na⁺. AlHAK may thus improve the capacity of plants to maintain a high cytosolic K⁺/Na⁺ ratio at high salinity.     

Close coupling between extrusion of H+ and uptake of K+ by barley roots

Extrusion of H⁺ by intact barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots was automatically titrated. Simultaneously, uptake of K⁺ into the roots, transport of K⁺ through the roots, and (as a residual term) accumulation of K⁺ within the root tissue were determined. When no monovalent cation was present in the medium the steady rate of H⁺ release was close to zero. Addition of K⁺ stimulated H⁺ extrusion within less than 1 min. The stimulation of H⁺ release was apparently limited only by the movement of K⁺ through the apoplast of the roots. The steady rate of H⁺ extrusion depended on the availability of external K⁺ and saturated at a K⁺ concentration of about 100 mol· dm^-3. Half-maximum rates of net K⁺ uptake and H⁺ extrusion were reached at a K⁺ concentration of about 10 mol·dm^-3. With (slowly absorbable) sulfate as the only anion present, the stoichoimetry between H⁺ release and net K⁺ uptake was one. In conclusion, the uptake of K⁺ across the plasmalemma of the cells of the root cortex is electrically coupled to H⁺ extrusion.