大鼠脑室内注射ANGⅡ和ANGⅡ抗体对尿钠排出和肾皮质Na~+·K~+-ATPase的影响

在麻醉大鼠的侧脑室注射16pg血管紧张素Ⅱ(ANGⅡ),15min内出现尿钠增多的反应并持续90min,平均动脉血压保持稳定。肾皮质Na~+·K~+-ATPase活性(1.51±0.26μmolPi/mg Pro·h)显著低于侧脑室注射人工脑脊液的对照值(2.66±0.28μmol Pi/mg Pro·h,P<0.01),而侧脑室注射ANGⅡ抗体后5min内则出现尿钠减少的反应并持续135min。肾皮质Na~+·K~+-ATPase活性(3.61±0.34μmol Pi/mg Pro·h)显著高于对照值(P<0.05)。股静脉和脊髓蛛网膜下腔分别注射16pg ANGⅡ,均未出现尿钠增多的反应。结果表明,脑内的内源性ANGⅡ具有引起尿钠增多的作用;并提示这种作用可能与肾脏Na~+·K~+-ATPase活性的抑制有关。     

蛋白激酶C和Na~＋－H~＋交换在ANGⅡ诱发心肌细胞肥大反应中的作用

血管紧张素（ＡＮＧ）Ⅱ在１０－１０－１０－６ｍｏｌ／Ｌ范围内剂量依赖性促进无血清培养新生大鼠心肌细胞蛋白质合成速率。蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）抑制剂ｓｔａｕｒｏｓｐｏｒｉｎｅ（Ｓｔａｕ２ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对心肌细胞基础状态３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入无明显影响，但Ｓｔａｕ预处理３０ｍｉｎ，则可有效阻断ＡＮＧⅡ（１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对细胞蛋白质合成的刺激作用；单纯应用ＰＫＣ激活剂ＰＭＡ（１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可使心肌细胞蛋白质合成速率增加，与对照组相比，ＰＭＡ组３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入量增加了４１．０４％。细胞Ｎａ＋－Ｈ＋交换抑制剂Ａｍｉｌｏｒｉｄｅ预处理也能阻断ＡＮＧⅡ刺激３Ｈ－Ｌｅｕｃｉｎｅ掺入细胞蛋白质的作用。以上结果提示ＰＫＣ和Ｎａ＋－Ｈ＋交换的激活，可能是ＡＮＧⅡ诱发的心肌细胞肥大反应的重要胞内信息转导机制。本工作还观察到，阻断细胞Ｎａ＋－Ｈ＋交换后并不影响由ＰＫＣ激活导致的蛋白质合成增加，提示可能存在着ＰＫＣ和Ｎａ＋－Ｈ＋交换彼此相对独立地调节心肌细胞生长的途径。     

大鼠正中视前核注射血管紧张素Ⅱ(ANGⅡ)对某些肾脏功能指标的影响

目的：探讨大鼠正中视前核注射血管紧张素Ⅱ（ANGⅡ）对某些肾脏功能指标的影响。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠56只随机分为4组（n=14）：①人工脑脊液组：正中视前核（MnPO）先注射人工脑脊液（aCSF）0.25 μl,20 min后再注射0.25 μl,②血管紧张素Ⅱ组：MnPO先注射aCSF 0.25μl,20 min后再注射内含20 ng血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）溶液0.25μl,③洛沙坦预处理组：MnPO先注射内含5μg洛沙坦（Losartan）溶液0.25μl,20 min后再注射20 ng血管紧张素Ⅱ溶液0.25μl,④洛沙坦组：MnPO先注射内含5μg洛沙坦溶液0.25μl,20 min后再注射aCSF 0.25μl。每组取7只大鼠在注射前、注射后20 min、40 min、60 min、120 min检测尿钠浓度,另7只大鼠注射1 h后处死动物,取肾脏,检测各组大鼠肾组织一氧化氮（NO）含量和一氧化氮合酶（NOS）活性。结果：52只大鼠进入结果分析,与人工脑脊液组相比,血管紧张素Ⅱ组肾脏NO与NOS活性升高,1 h肾排钠量明显升高;与洛沙坦预处理组相比,血管紧张素Ⅱ组肾脏NO与NOS活性升高,1 h肾排钠量也明显升高。结论：AngⅡ作用于MnPO后,肾促钠排泄反应增强,肾皮质NO水平升高,NOS活性增强,洛沙坦预处理可下调AngⅡ在肾脏诱导的上述变化。     

猪ANG4在小肠表达的特征及细胞类型

血管生成素4(ANG4)是一种新型的抗菌肽,主要在哺乳动物的肠道组织表达,具有抗菌和促血管生成等功能,在机体对病原体的免疫过程和血管生成过程中发挥着重要的作用。鉴于该蛋白具有多种功能,ANG4在新生断奶仔猪肠道疾病防治方面具有非常广阔的前景。为了了解ANG4在仔猪肠道的表达特点,我们通过蛋白质免疫印迹、荧光定量PCR和免疫组化分析及其在肠道表达的细胞定位,分别确定了仔猪肠道内ANG4的mRNA、蛋白质表达水平以及在肠道表达的细胞定位。结果显示,ANG4的mRNA和蛋白质在仔猪肠道不同部位的变化趋势大致相同,除mRNA水平在断奶后有一个明显下降外,mRNA和蛋白质表达水平呈现随着周龄的增加而升高的趋势。ANG4蛋白的表达基本都集中于小肠绒毛,腺窝处也有少量表达,主要的表达细胞为肠上皮细胞以及潘氏细胞。     

Does infusion of ANG II increase muscle sympathetic nerve activity in patients with primary aldosteronism?

Patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) were shown to have suppressed muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in our previous study. Although baroreflex inhibition probably accounts in part for this reduced MSNA in PA, we hypothesized that the lowered activity of the renin-angiotensin system in PA may also contribute to the suppressed SNA. We recorded MSNA in 9 PA and 16 age-matched normotensive controls (NC). In PA, the resting mean blood pressure (MBP) and serum sodium concentrations were increased, and MSNA was reduced. We examined the effects of infusion of a high physiological dose of ANG II (5.0 ng.kg(-1).min(-1)) on MSNA in 6 of 9 PA and 9 of 16 NC. Infusion of ANG II caused a greater pressor response in PA than NC, but, in spite of the greater increase in pressure, MSNA increased in PA, whereas it decreased in NC. Simultaneous infusion of nitroprusside and ANG II, to maintain central venous pressure at the baseline level and reduce the elevation in MBP induced by ANG II, caused significantly greater increases in MSNA in PA than in NC. Baroreflex sensitivity of heart rate, estimated during phenylephrine infusions, was reduced in PA, but baroreflex sensitivity of MSNA was unchanged in PA compared with NC. All the abnormalities in PA were eliminated following unilateral adrenalectomy. In conclusion, the suppressed SNA in PA depends in part on the low level of ANG II in these patients.     

内含子Ⅱ的作用机制和演化

内含子是广泛存在于原核生物的叶绿体、线粒体以及真核生物基因组中的非编码DNA序列,但其含有的调控元件却常常影响基因的表达效率。内含子的自我剪接在mRNA的成熟过程中起着重要作用,内含子也可利用逆转录剪接作用插入到同源或异源DNA中,同时也常常通过“外显子改组”来促进基因进化。文章重点介绍了近年来在内含子Ⅱ作用机制及演化方面研究的最新进展。     

AngⅡ和PKC对心肌细胞AngⅡ 1型受体的转录调节

利用体外培养的心肌细胞,观察血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）和蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）在诱导ＡｎｇⅡ１型受体（ＡＴ１）基因表达及蛋白质代谢中的作用．研究结果表明：ＡｎｇⅡ可诱导ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平一过性下调,呈时间及剂量依赖性,１０ｎｍｏｌ／ＬＡｎｇⅡ刺激细胞６ｈ,引起ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平降低幅度最大,降至对照的５１．６％±９．５％,然后逐渐回升,２４ｈ恢复至对照水平．３０μｍｏｌ／ＬＨ－７（ＰＫＣ抑制剂）能阻断ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平的下调．０．３μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＰＭＡ（ＰＫＣ激活剂）单独应用可诱导ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平下调达对照的４３％±８％,加入ＡＴ１拮抗剂ＤＭＰ８１１及Ｄｕｐ７５３均可阻断ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的ＡＴ１ｍＲＮＡ水平的下调．１０ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ的ＡｎｇⅡ刺激心肌细胞９６ｈ可使蛋白含量降低至对照的７３．４％±５．６％,而加药持续刺激１４４ｈ可使蛋白含量较对照增加３３．８％±６．３％,Ｈ－７不能阻断ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的蛋白含量降低,但可有效地抑制蛋白含量的增加．以上结果提示：ＡｎｇⅡ对心肌细胞ＡＴ１基因的转录和细胞的蛋白代谢有调节作用,而ＰＫＣ则参与了ＡｎｇⅡ的这种调节作用     

马鞍菌属新种和新记录Ⅱ.

本文报道了近年来在中国发现的马鞍菌属 Heluella 的3个新种,即蛟河马鞍菌H.Jiaohensis,吉林马鞍菌 H.jilinensis 和新疆马鞍菌 H.xinjiangensis;3个新记录种即肋盖马鞍菌 H.costifera,长孢马鞍菌 H.oblongispora 和灰黑马鞍菌 H.rivularis。此外由于亚梭孢马鞍菌 H.subfusispora 的模式标本于1984年在火中被毁,因此作者在另一份标本(HMAS 30483)的基础上为其标定了新模式(Neotype)。     

抵抗素、Ⅱ型糖尿病和血管形成

抵抗素是近年来新发现的一个富舍半胱氨酸的多肽,由于具有拮抗胰岛素的作用而得名.在啮齿类动物中,抵抗素主要由脂肪细胞特异性表达和分泌.目前对抵抗素的研究已获得了重要突破与进展,其三维结构也得到了证实.它不仅是联系肥胖症和Ⅱ型糖尿痛的重要蛋白,而且具有多种生物学功能,如干扰肝细胞的糖原代谢、促进内皮细胞增殖迁移和血管生长、减少心梗面积等.本文主要介绍抵抗素的最新研究进展,以及抵抗素在Ⅱ型糖尿病和血管形成中的重要作用.     

Spectrophotometric assay of renal ouabain-resistant Na(+)-ATPase and its regulation by leptin and dietary-induced obesity

Apart from Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, a second sodium pump, Na(+)-stimulated, K(+)-independent ATPase (Na(+)-ATPase) is expressed in proximal convoluted tubule of the mammalian kidney. The aim of this study was to develop a method of Na(+)-ATPase assay based on the method previously used by us to measure Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. The ATPase activity was assayed as the amount of inorganic phosphate liberated from ATP by isolated microsomal fraction. Na(+)-ATPase activity was calculated as the difference between the activities measured in the presence and in the absence of 50 mM NaCl. Na(+)-ATPase activity was detected in the renal cortex (3.5 +/- 0.2 mumol phosphate/h per mg protein), but not in the renal medulla. Na(+)-ATPase was not inhibited by ouabain or an H(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, Sch 28080, but was almost completely blocked by 2 mM furosemide. Leptin administered intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) decreased the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in the renal medulla at 0.5 and 1 h by 22.1% and 27.1%, respectively, but had no effect on Na(+)-ATPase in the renal cortex. Chronic hyperleptinemia induced by repeated subcutaneous leptin injections (0.25 mg/kg twice daily for 7 days) increased cortical Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, medullary Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and cortical Na(+)-ATPase by 32.4%, 84.2% and 62.9%, respectively. In rats with dietary-induced obesity, the Na(+),K(+)- ATPase activity was higher in the renal cortex and medulla by 19.7% and 34.3%, respectively, but Na(+)-ATPase was not different from control. These data indicate that both renal Na(+)-dependent ATPases are separately regulated and that up-regulation of Na(+)-ATPase may contribute to Na(+) retention and arterial hypertension induced by chronic hyperleptinemia.     

Stimulation of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of K562 human erythroleukemia cells by triiodothyronine.

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of K562 human erythroleukemic cell was studied to understand why the erythrocyte sodium pump activity is decreased in hyperthyroidism. Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of K562 cell lysates was assayed by measuring the release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) from ATP. Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of K562 cell grown in the presence of T3 for 48 hours was significantly higher than that of control (0.98 +/- 0.05 mumol Pi h-1 mg protein-1 vs 0.82 +/- 0.10 mumol Pi h-1 mg protein-1, p < 0.05). The Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity could be stimulated in a time- and concentration-dependent manner; maximum stimulatory effect of T3 was seen at a concentration of 10(-7) mol/L. When an inducer [cytosine-beta-D-arabino-furanoside (ARA-C)] was added to the culture medium, the K562 cells showed signs of differentiation and synthesised haemoglobin. At the same time, the Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity remained high. We conclude that T3 stimulates Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of K562 cells and in the presence of T3 during differentiation, the enzyme activity remains high.     

Characterization and partial isolation of ouabain-insensitive Na(+) -ATPase in MDCK I cells

We show that MDCK I cells express, besides the classical (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase, a Na(+)-stimulated ATPase activity with the following characteristics: (1) K(0.5) for Na(+) 7.5+/-1.5 mM and V(max) 23.12+/-1.1 nmol Pi/mg per min; (2) insensitive to 1 mM ouabain and 30 mM KCl; and (3) inhibited by furosemide and vanadate (IC(50) 42.1+/-8.0 and 4.3+/-0.3 microM, respectively). This enzyme forms a Na(+)-stimulated, furosemide- and hydroxylamine-sensitive ATP-driven acylphosphate phosphorylated intermediate with molecular weight of 100 kDa. Immunoprecipitation of the (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase with monoclonal anti-alpha(1) antibody reduced its activity in the supernatant by 90%; the Na(+)-ATPase activity was completely maintained. In addition, the formation of the Na(+)-stimulated, furosemide- and hydroxylamine-sensitive ATP-driven acylphosphate intermediate occurred at the same magnitude as that observed before immunoprecipitation. These data suggest that Na(+)-ATPase and (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase activities are independent, with Na(+)-ATPase belonging to a different enzyme entity.     

Proton transport catalyzed by the sodium pump. Ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity and the phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase in the absence of sodium ions

The possibility that H+ might substitute for Na+ at Na+ sites of Na+,K+-ATPase was studied. Na+,K+-ATPase purified from pig kidney showed ouabain-sensitive K+-dependent ATPase activity in the absence of Na+ at acid pH (H+,K+-ATPase). The specific activity was 1.1 mumol Pi/mg/min at pH 5.7, whereas the specific activity of Na+,K+-ATPase was 14 mumol Pi/mg/min at pH 7.5. The enzyme was phosphorylated from ATP in the absence of Na+ at the acid pH. The initial rate of the phosphorylation was also accelerated at the acid pH in the absence of Na+, and the maximal rate obtained at pH 5.5 without Na+ was 9% of the rate at pH 7.0 with Na+. The phosphoenzyme was sensitive to K+ but almost insensitive to ADP. The phosphoenzyme was sensitive to hydroxylamine treatment and the alpha-subunit of the enzyme was found to be phosphorylated. H+,K+-ATPase was inhibited as effectively as Na+,K+-ATPase by N-ethylmaleimide but was less inhibited by oligomycin or dimethyl sulfoxide. These results indicate that protons have an Na+-like effect on the Na+ sites of Na+,K+-ATPase and suggest that protons can be transported by the sodium pump in place of Na+.     

Influence of ANG II on cytoplasmic sodium in cultured rabbit nonpigmented ciliary epithelium

Angiotensin (ANG) II receptors have been reported in the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium (NPE) of the eye. In cultured NPE, we found ANG II caused a dose-dependent rise of cytoplasmic sodium. The sodium increase was inhibited by the AT(1)-AT(2) receptor antagonist saralasin (IC(50) = 3.7 nM) and the AT(1) antagonist losartan (IC(50) = 0.6 nM) but not by the AT(2) antagonist PD-123319. ANG II also caused a dose-dependent increase in the rate of ouabain-sensitive (86)Rb uptake. The ANG II-induced cell sodium increase and (86)Rb uptake increase were reduced by dimethylamiloride (DMA; 10 microM). On the basis of this finding, we propose that Na(+)/H(+) exchange is stimulated by ANG II. Simultaneously, ANG II appears to inhibit H(+)-ATPase-mediated proton export. Thus Ang II (10 nM) did not alter the baseline cytoplasmic pH (pH(i)) but reduced pH(i) in cells that were also exposed to 10 microM DMA. Consistent with the notion of H(+)-ATPase inhibition in ANG II-treated NPE, bafilomycin A(1) (100 nM) (BAF) and ANG II were both observed to suppress the pH(i) increase that occurs upon exposure to a mixture of epinephrine (1 microM) and acetylcholine (10 microM) and the pH(i) increase elicited by depolarization. In ATP hydrolysis measurements, H(+)-ATPase activity (bafilomycin A(1)-sensitive ATP hydrolysis) was reduced significantly in cells that had been pretreated 10 min with 10 nM ANG II. In summary, these studies suggest that ANG II causes H(+)-ATPase inhibition and an increase of cell sodium due to activation of Na(+)/H(+) exchange.     

Angiotensin-induced defects in renal oxygenation: role of oxidative stress

We tested the hypothesis that superoxide anion (O(2)(-).) generated in the kidney by prolonged angiotensin II (ANG II) reduces renal cortical Po(2) and the use of O(2) for tubular sodium transport (T(Na):Q(O(2))). Groups (n = 8-11) of rats received angiotensin II (ANG II, 200 ng.kg(-1).min(-1) sc) or vehicle for 2 wk with concurrent infusions of a permeant nitroxide SOD mimetic 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (Tempol, 200 nmol.kg(-1).min(-1)) or vehicle. Rats were studied under anesthesia with measurements of renal oxygen usage and Po(2) in the cortex and tubules with a glass electrode. Compared with vehicle, ANG II increased mean arterial pressure (107 +/- 4 vs. 146 +/- 6 mmHg; P < 0.001), renal vascular resistance (42 +/- 3 vs. 65 +/- 7 mmHg.ml(-1).min(-1).100 g(-1); P < 0.001), renal cortical NADPH oxidase activity (2.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.4 nmol O(2)(-)..min(-1).mg(-1) protein; P < 0.05), mRNA and protein expression for p22(phox) (2.1- and 1.8-fold respectively; P < 0.05) and reduced the mRNA for extracellular (EC)-SOD (-1.8 fold; P < 0.05). ANG II reduced the Po(2) in the proximal tubule (39 +/- 1 vs. 34 +/- 2 mmHg; P < 0.05) and throughout the cortex and reduced the T(Na):Q(O(2)) (17 +/- 1 vs. 9 +/- 2 mumol/mumol; P < 0.001). Tempol blunted or prevented all these effects of ANG II. The effects of prolonged ANG II to cause hypertension, renal vasoconstriction, renal cortical hypoxia, and reduced efficiency of O(2) usage for Na(+) transport, activation of NADPH oxidase, increased expression of p22(phox), and reduced expression of EC-SOD can be ascribed to O(2)(-). generation because they are prevented by an SOD mimetic.     

Renal nerve inhibition by central NaCl and ANG II is abolished by lesions of the lamina terminalis

The lamina terminalis is situated in the anterior wall of the third ventricle and plays a major role in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation. The present study examined whether the effects of intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic saline and ANG II on renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were mediated by the lamina terminalis. In control, conscious sheep (n = 5), intracerebroventricular infusions of 0.6 M NaCl (1 ml/h for 20 min) and ANG II (10 nmol/h for 30 min) increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 6 +/- 1 (P < 0.001) and 14 +/- 3 mmHg (P < 0.001) and inhibited RSNA by 80 +/- 6 (P < 0.001) and 89 +/- 7% (P < 0.001), respectively. Both treatments reduced plasma renin concentration (PRC). Intracerebroventricular infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (1 ml/h for 30 min) had no effect. In conscious sheep with lesions of the lamina terminalis (n = 6), all of the responses to intracerebroventricular hypertonic saline and ANG II were abolished. In conclusion, the effects of intracerebroventricular hypertonic saline and ANG II on RSNA, PRC, and MAP depend on the integrity of the lamina terminalis, indicating that this site plays an essential role in coordinating the homeostatic responses to changes in brain Na(+) concentration.     

Peroxynitrite and the regulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity by angiotensin II in the rat proximal tubule.

NO reacts spontaneously with superoxide to produce the potent oxidant peroxynitrite. Studies were designed to examine the role of NO-derived oxidants and peroxynitrite on the regulation of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity by angiotensin II (ANG II) freshly isolated rat proximal tubules. At picomolar concentrations ANG II stimulates Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity, but at nanomolar concentrations stimulation is lost. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was used to examine the role of superoxide and deferoxamine (DFO) and uric acid (UA) were used to examine the role of peroxynitrite. SOD (200 U/mL, 5-min preincubation) restored the stimulatory effect of ANG II (1.31 +/- 0.08-fold; n = 4; P < 0.05 compared to 10(-7) M alone), suggesting a role for superoxide. DFO (100 microm, 5-min preincubation) also restored the stimulatory effect of ANG II (1.40 +/- 0.08-fold; n = 4; P < 0.05, compared to 10(-7) M alone), as did UA (1.22 +/- 0.07-fold; n = 5; P < 0.05, compared to 10(-7) M alone). The NO synthesis inhibitor, N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 2 mM; 5-min preincubation), also unmasked a stimulatory effect of ANG II at 10(-7) M (1.4 +/- 0.1-fold; n = 7; P < 0.05, compared to 10(-7) M alone). The generation of peroxynitrite was further evidenced by the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT). 3-NT increased 3.5-fold in tubules exposed to ANG II (10(-7) M) (0.0054 +/- 0.0019 3-NT/100 tyrosines for control and 0.019 +/- 0.0058 3-NT/100 tyrosines for ANG II, P < .05; n = 4) and L-NMMA prevented the increase. These data suggest that peroxynitrite signaling participates in the regulation of renal of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity.     

A kinetic study of the gill (Na+, K+)-ATPase, and its role in ammonia excretion in the intertidal hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus

To better comprehend the role of gill ion regulatory mechanisms, the modulation by Na(+), K(+), NH(4)(+) and ATP of (Na(+), K(+))-ATPase activity was examined in a posterior gill microsomal fraction from the hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus. Under saturating Mg(2+), Na(+) and K(+) concentrations, two well-defined ATP hydrolyzing sites were revealed. ATP was hydrolyzed at the high-affinity sites at a maximum rate of V=19.1+/-0.8 U mg(-1) and K(0.5)=63.8+/-2.9 nmol L(-1), obeying cooperative kinetics (n(H)=1.9); at the low-affinity sites, hydrolysis obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with K(M)=44.1+/-2.6 mumol L(-1) and V=123.5+/-6.1 U mg(-1). Stimulation by Na(+) (V=149.0+/-7.4 U mg(-1); K(M)=7.4+/-0.4 mmol L(-1)), Mg(2+) (V=132.0+/-5.3 U mg(-1); K(0.5)=0.36+/-0.02 mmol L(-1)), NH(4)(+) (V=245.6+/-9.8 U mg(-1); K(M)=4.5+/-0.2 mmol L(-1)) and K(+) (V=140.0+/-4.9 U mg(-1); K(M)=1.5+/-0.1 mmol L(-1)) followed a single saturation curve and, except for Mg(2+), obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Under optimal ionic conditions, but in the absence of NH(4)(+), ouabain (K(I)=117.3+/-3.5 mumol L(-1)) and orthovanadate inhibited up to 67% of the ATPase activity. The inhibition studies performed suggest the presence of F(0)F(1), V- and P-ATPases, but not Na(+)-, K(+)- or Ca(2+)-ATPases as contaminants in the gill microsomal preparation. (Na(+), K(+))-ATPase activity was synergistically modulated by NH(4)(+) and K(+). At 20 mmol L(-1) K(+), a maximum rate of V=290.8+/-14.5 U mg(-1) was seen as NH(4)(+) concentration was increased up to 50 mmol L(-1). However, at fixed NH(4)(+) concentrations, no additional stimulation was found for increasing K(+) concentrations (V=135.2+/-4.1 U mg(-1) and V=236.6+/-9.5 U mg(-1) and for 10 and 30 mmol L(-1) NH(4)(+), respectively). This is the first report to detail ionic modulation of gill (Na(+), K(+))-ATPase in C. vittatus, revealing an asymmetrical, synergistic stimulation of the enzyme by K(+) and NH(4)(+), as yet undescribed for other (Na(+), K(+))-ATPases, and should provide a better understanding of NH(4)(+) excretion in pagurid crabs.     

Reciprocal changes in renal ACE/ANG II and ACE2/ANG 1-7 are associated with enhanced collecting duct renin in Goldblatt hypertensive rats

Alterations in the balance between ANG II/ACE and ANG 1-7/ACE2 in ANG II-dependent hypertension could reduce the generation of ANG 1-7 and contribute further to increased intrarenal ANG II. Upregulation of collecting duct (CD) renin may lead to increased ANG II formation during ANG II-dependent hypertension, thus contributing to this imbalance. We measured ANG I, ANG II, and ANG 1-7 contents, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 gene expression, and renin activity in the renal cortex and medulla in the clipped kidneys (CK) and nonclipped kidneys (NCK) of 2K1C rats. After 3 wk of unilateral renal clipping, systolic blood pressure and plasma renin activity increased in 2K1C rats (n = 11) compared with sham rats (n = 9). Renal medullary angiotensin peptide levels were increased in 2K1C rats [ANG I: (CK = 171 ± 4; NCK = 251 ± 8 vs. sham = 55 ± 3 pg/g protein; P < 0.05); ANG II: (CK = 558 ± 79; NCK = 328 ± 18 vs. sham = 94 ± 7 pg/g protein; P < 0.001)]; and ANG 1-7 levels decreased (CK = 18 ± 2; NCK = 19 ± 2 pg/g vs. sham = 63 ± 10 pg/g; P < 0.001). In renal medullas of both kidneys of 2K1C rats, ACE mRNA levels and activity increased but ACE2 decreased. In further studies, we compared renal ACE and ACE2 mRNA levels and their activities from chronic ANG II-infused (n = 6) and sham-operated rats (n = 5). Although the ACE mRNA levels did not differ between ANG II rats and sham rats, the ANG II rats exhibited greater ACE activity and reduced ACE2 mRNA levels and activity. Renal medullary renin activity was similar in the CK and NCK of 2K1C rats but higher compared with sham. Thus, the differential regulation of ACE and ACE2 along with the upregulation of CD renin in both the CK and NCK in 2K1C hypertensive rats indicates that they are independent of perfusion pressure and contribute to the altered content of intrarenal ANG II and ANG 1-7.