Synergistic action of vasopressin and aldosterone on basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase in the cortical collecting duct

The respective effects of aldosterone and arginine vasopressin (AVP) were examined on the number of active Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and their pumping activity in nonperfused microdissected mouse cortical collecting tubules (CCD) by measuring specific ³H-ouabain binding and ouabain-sensitive ⁸⁶Rb uptake. In adrenalectomized (ADX) animals, incubation of CCD with AVP (10^–8m for 5 min) had no effect on the number of pumps. In contrast, in ADX animals replete with aldosterone, AVP induced a 40% increase in the number of pumps. This was accompanied by a 60–65% increase in ouabain-sensitive Rb uptake. AVP effect was dose-dependent (10^–10–10^–8m) and was reproduced by dDAVP, forskolin and 8-Br cAMP, indicating a V₂ pathway. It was inhibited by amiloride 10^–5m, and did not occur in CCD incubated in hyperosmotic solution, suggesting that the signal was transmitted via apical sodium entry and cell swelling. Finally, the AVP-dependent increase in the number of pumps was rapid (within 5 min) and transient (<25 min).These results demonstrate that, in the CCD, aldosterone and AVP act synergistically to increase not only the apical sodium entry but also the basolateral Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase transport capacity: AVP allows a rapid recruitment and/or activation of an aldosterone-dependent pool of latent Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase.