Studies on photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complex by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: calcium and chloride cofactors

Structural roles of functional Ca²⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in photosynthetic oxygen-evolving complexes (OEC) were studied using low- (640–350 cm⁻¹) and mid- (1800–1200 cm⁻¹) frequency S₂/S₁ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) difference spectroscopy. Studies using highly active Photosystem (PS) II core particles from spinach enabled the detection of subtle spectral changes. Ca²⁺-depleted and Ca²⁺-reconstituted particles produced very similar mid- and low-frequency spectra. The mid-frequency spectrum was not affected by reconstitution with ⁴⁴Ca isotope. In contrast, Sr²⁺-substituted particles showed unique spectral changes in the low-frequency Mn–O–Mn mode at 606 cm⁻¹ as well as in the mid-frequency carboxylate stretching modes. The mid-frequency spectrum of Cl⁻-depleted OEC exhibited marked changes in the carboxylate stretching modes and the suppression of protein modes compared with that of Cl⁻-reconstituted OEC. However, Cl⁻-depletion did not exert significant effects on the low-frequency spectrum.     

Mechanism of action of cholera toxin: Effect of receptor density and multivalent binding on activation of adenylate cyclase

Summary Cl^– influx into cells ofChara corallina is shown to be stimulated by a factor of 2 to 4 by starvation of Cl^–. The time constant for the induction of this effect is about 4.0 ksec and that for its decay when Cl^– is reprovided, 1.7 ksec. Intracellular perfusion of tonoplast-free cells with solutions of varying Cl^– concentration shows that Cl^– influx can be controlled directly by the concentration of Cl^– at the inside of the plasma membrane. Both the time course for the initial stages of induction of the starvation-stimulated flux and its absolute magnitude can be accounted for by assuming cytoplasmic Cl^– concentration to be the only intracellular condition to change during Cl^– starvation. The existence of a feedback loop between cytoplasmic Cl^– and Cl^– influx provides an alternative explanation to observations previously used in support of a Cl^–/OH^– exchange hypothesis (F.A. Smith, 1972,New Phytol. 71:595).     

The mechanism of Cl− transport at the plasma membrane ofChara corallina I. Cotransport with H+

Summary Cl^– transport into cells ofChara corallina was studied in relation to that of other ions which have been proposed as cosubstrates for the Cl^– transport system. Although there appears to be a partial mutual dependence between K⁺ and Cl^– for transport in intact cells, this is not apparent in cells which have been perfused internally. Moreover, in intact cells, the fluxes of K⁺ and Cl^– show a large degree of independence in their responses to Cl^– starvation. Cl^– transport is electrogenic in a direction indicating the transport of excess positive charge into the cell. In the absence of any other likely counter ion, it is suggested that Cl^– is cotransported with H⁺. Response of Cl^– influx to internal and external pH in perfused cells is consistent with this suggestion. There appears, in addition, to be a role for ATP in transport as judged by fourfold stimulation of Cl^– influx in perfused cells when 1mm ATP is incorporated in the perfusion medium.     

Is there a Cl−−OH− exchange (Cl−−H+ cotransport) mechanism in the brush-border membrane of the intestine of the fresh water trout (Salmo gairdneri,R.)?

Summary Experiments were performed to determine the presence of a Cl^––OH^– exchange (Cl^––H⁺ cotransport) in the brush-border membranes isolated from the intestinal epithelium of freshwater trout. Determinations of alkaline phosphatase activities have shown that vesicle suspensions had an enrichment factor of about 17 in this enzyme indicating a high degree of purification of the brush-border membrane preparation. Cl^– uptake by vesicles in the presence of a proton gradient occurs against a concentration gradient with an overshoot ratio of about 2 and is inhibited by SITS. Several lines of evidence suggest that the mechanism involved is electrical in nature: (i) Cl^– uptake is increased when the proton gradient is increased, but there is a linear relationship between the Cl^– uptake and the Nernst potential of protons. (ii) Cl^– uptake is increased when a proton ionophore is added at low concentration and inhibited at high concentration, suggesting that a proton conductance is involved in the Cl^– uptake. (iii) there is a linear relationship between the initial speed of the uptake of increasing Cl^– concentrations and the Cl^– concentration. (iv) Cl^– uptake can be modulated by different potassium gradients with or without valinomycin. It is concluded that the enterocyte of the freshwater trout is not equipped with a Cl^––OH^– exchange and the Cl^– uptake by vesicles is realized by a Cl^– conductance.     

Branchial Cl transport, anion-stimulated ATPase and acid-base balance inAnguilla anguilla adapted to freshwater: Effects of hyperoxia

Summary Freshwater eel gills are notorious for their limited ability to pump chloride. As a result there is a considerable discrepancy between the Na⁺ and Cl^– plasma levels, and plasma HCO₃ ^– and blood pH are relatively high in this species.When eels are kept in tanks aerated with pure oxygen, significant alterations in blood acid-base balance, an increase in plasma pCO₂ and a decrease in blood pH, are observed. In fish studied after 3 weeks hyperoxia, the decrease in blood pH is compensated by an increase in plasma HCO₃ ^–. Such fish exhibit a Cl^– influx 5 times higher than that observed in normoxic fish. This Cl^– influx is readily inhibited by addition of SCN^– to the external medium.An anion-stimulated ATPase activated by HCO₃ ^– and by Cl^– and inhibited by SCN^– was recently described in membrane fractions of the gills ofCarassius auratus, a fish noted for its high Cl^– pumping rate. This enzyme is also found in the gills of the eel. While the maximal rates of enzyme activation by HCO₃ ^– and by Cl^– are similar inCarassius andAnguilla, the affinity of the enzyme for Cl^– is 25 times higher inCarassius. In the microsomal fraction of the hyperoxic eel gills, the maximal anionstimulated ATPase activity remains unchanged but HCO₃ ^– affinity decreases by 50%, while Cl^– affinity increases 5 times. Thus some characteristics of this ATPase seem to be closely related to the Cl^– pump activity exhibited by the gill in fresh water.     

Cellular and whole-plant chloride dynamics in barley: insights into chloride–nitrogen interactions and salinity responses

The first analysis of chloride fluxes and compartmentation in a non-excised plant system is presented, examining ten ecologically pertinent conditions. The short-lived radiotracer couple ³⁸Cl/³⁹Cl was used as a Cl^– tracer in intact barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Klondike) seedlings, which were cultured and investigated under four external [Cl^–], from abundant (0.1 mM) to potentially toxic (100 mM). Chloride–nitrogen interactions were investigated by varying N source (NO₃ ^– or NH₄ ⁺) and strength (0.1 or 10 mM), in order to examine, at the subcellular compartmentation level, the antagonism, previously documented at the influx level, between Cl^– and NO₃ ^–, and the potential role of Cl^– as a counterion for NH₄ ⁺ under conditions in which cytosolic [NH₄ ⁺] is excessive. Cytosolic [Cl^–] increased with external [Cl^–] from 6 mM to 360 mM. Cl^– influx, fluxes to vacuole and shoot, and, in particular, efflux to the external medium, also increased along this gradient. Efflux reached 90% of influx at the highest external [Cl^–]. Half-times of cytosolic Cl^– exchange decreased between high-affinity and low-affinity influx conditions. The relationship between cytosolic [Cl^–] and shoot flux indicated the presence of a saturable low-affinity transport system (SLATS) responsible for xylem loading of Cl^–. N source strongly influenced Cl^– flux to the vacuole, and moderately influenced Cl^– influx and shoot flux, whereas efflux and half-time were insensitive to N source. Cytosolic pool sizes were not strongly or consistently influenced by N source, indicating the low potential for Cl^– to act as a counterion to hyperaccumulating NH₄ ⁺. We discuss our results in relation to salinity responses in cereals.Abbreviations [Cl^–]_cyt cytosolic chloride concentration - [Cl^–]_o external chloride concentration     

Na+-coupled Cl− transport in the gastric mucosa of the guinea pig

The Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchange mechanism usually postulated to occur in gastric mucosa cannot account for the Na⁺-dependent electrogenic serosal to mucosal Cl^– transport often observed. It was recently suggested that an additional Cl^– transport mechanism driven by the Na⁺ electrochemical potential gradient may be present on the serosal side of the tissue. To verify this, we have studied Cl^– transport in guinea pig gastric mucosa. Inhibiting the (Na⁺, K⁺) ATPase either by serosal addition of ouabain or by establishing K⁺-free mucosal and serosal conditions abolished net Cl^– transport. Depolarizing the cell membrane potential with triphenylmethylphosphonium (a lipid-soluble cation), and hence reducing both the Na⁺ and Cl^– electrochemical potential gradients, resulted in inhibition of net Cl^– flux. Reduction of short-circuit current on replacing Na⁺ by choline in the serosal bathing solution was shown to be due to inhibition of Cl^– transport. Serosal addition of diisothiocyanodisulfonic acid stilbene (an inhibitor of anion transport systems) abolished net Cl^– flux but not net Na⁺ flux. These results are compatible with the proposed model of a Cl^–/Na⁺ cotransport mechanism governing serosal Cl^– entry into the secreting cells. We suggest that the same mechanism may well facilitate both coupled Cl^–/Na⁺ entry and coupled HCO ₃ ^– /Na⁺ exit on the serosal side of the tissue.     

Zinc inhibition of chloride efflux from skeletal muscle ofRana pipiens and its modification by external pH and chloride activity

Summary Efflux of³⁶Cl^– from frog sartorius muscles equilibrated in depolarizing solutions was measured. Cl^– efflux consists of a component present at low pH and a pH-dependent component which increases as external pH increases. In depolarized muscles fromRana pipiens, the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux has an apparent pK _a near 6.4.The reduction of Cl^– efflux by external Zn²⁺ was determined at different external pHs and chloride activities. The effect of external chloride activity on the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux was also examined.At pH 6.5 and a membrane potential of –22 mV, increasing external Cl^– activity from 0.108 to 0.28m decreased inhibition of the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux at all activities of Zn²⁺. The Zn²⁺ activity needed to reduce Cl^– efflux by half increased from 0.39×10^–3 to 2.09×10^–3 m. By contrast, external Cl^– activity had no measurable effect on the apparent pK _a of the pH-dependent efflux.At constant Cl^– activity less than 0.21m, increasing external pH from 6.5 to 7.5 decreased inhibition by low Zn²⁺ activities with either a slight increase or no change in the Zn²⁺ activity producing half-inhibition. In other words, for relatively low Cl^– activities, protection against inhibition of Cl^– efflux by low Zn²⁺ activities was obtained by raising, not lowering, external pH; this is not what is expected if H⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions compete at the same site to produce inhibition of Cl^– efflux. We conclude that Zn²⁺ and low pH inhibit Cl^– efflux by separate and distinct mechanisms.By contrast, the protection against Zn²⁺ inhibition produced by high external Cl^– activity (0.28m) was partially reversed by raising external pH from 6.5 to 7.5 at all Zn²⁺ activities. The half-inhibition Zn²⁺ activity decreased from 2.09×10^–3 to 0.68×10^–3 m.The results can be simulated quantitatively by a model in which single Cl^– channel elements are in equilibrium with sextets of associated single-channel elements, each sextet having a conductance six times that of a single-channel element. The association into sextets is promoted by OH^– or Cl^– binding to a control site on the single-channel elements. Both the single Cl^– channel element and the sextet of Cl^– channel elements are closed when this same control site instead binds ZnOH⁺. The sextet has a much higher affinity for ZnOH⁺ than does the single Cl^– channel element.     

Na+ and Cl− conductances are controlled by cytosolic Cl− concentration in the intralobular duct cells of mouse mandibular glands

Our previously published whole-cell patch-clamp studies on the cells of the intralobular (granular) ducts of the mandibular glands of male mice revealed the presence of an amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ conductance in the plasma membrane. In this study we demonstrate the presence also of a Cl^– conductance and we show that the sizes of both conductances vary with the Cl^– concentration of the fluid bathing the cytosolic surface of the plasma membrane. As the cytosolic Cl^– concentration rises from 5 to 150 mmol/liter, the size of the inward Na⁺ current declines, the decline being half-maximal when the Cl^– concentration is approximately 50 mmol/liter. In contrast, as cytosolic Cl^– concentration increases, the inward Cl^– current remains at a constant low level until the Cl^– concentration exceeds 80 mmol/liter, when it begins to increase. Studies in which Cl^– in the pipette solution was replaced by other anions indicate that the Na⁺ current is suppressed by intracellular Br^-, Cl^– and NO ₃ ^- but not by intracellular I^-, glutamate or gluconate. Our studies also show that the Cl^– conductance allows passage of Cl^– and Br^- equally well, I-less well, and NO ₃ ^- , glutamate and gluconate poorly, if at all. The findings with NO ₃ ^- are of particular interest because they show that suppression of the Na⁺ current by a high intracellular concentration of a particular anion does not depend on actual passage of that anion through the Cl^– conductance. In mouse granular duct cells there is, thus, a reciprocal regulation of Na⁺ and Cl^– conductances by the cytosolic Cl^– concentration. Since the cytosolic Cl^– concentration is closely correlated with cell volume in many epithelia, this reciprocal regulation of Na⁺ and Cl^– conductances may provide a mechanism by which ductal Na⁺ and Cl transport rates are adjusted so as to maintain a stable cell volume.This project was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. We thank Professor P. Barry (University of New South Wales) for assistance with the junction potential measurements.     

Electrical properties of chloride transport across theNecturus proximal tubule

Summary The chloride conductance of the basolateral cell membrane of theNecturus proximal tubule was studied using conventional and chloride-sensitive liquid ion exchange microelectrodes. Individual apical and basolateral cell membrane and shunt resistances, transepithelial and basolateral, cell membrane potential differences, and electromotive forces were determined in control and after reductions in extracellular Cl^–. When extracellular Cl^– activity is reduced in both apical and basolateral solutions the resistance of the shunt increases about 2.8 times over control without any significant change in cell membrane resistances. This suggests a high Cl^– conductance of the paracellular shunt but a low Cl^– conductance of the cell membranes. Reduction of Cl^– in both bathing solutions or only on the basolateral side hyperpolarizes both the basolateral cell membrane potential difference and electromotive force. Hyperpolarization of the basolateral cell membrane potential difference after low Cl^– perfusion was abolished by exposure to HCO ₃ ^– -free solutions and SITS treatment. In control conditions, intracellular Cl^– activity was significantly higher than predicted from the equilibrium distribution across both the apical and basolateral cell membranes. Reducing Cl^– in only the basolateral solution caused a decrease in intracellular Cl^–. From an estimate of the net Cl^– flux across the basolateral cell membrane and the electrochemical driving force, a Cl^– conductance of the basolateral cell membrane was predicted and compared to measured values. It was concluded that the Cl^– conductance of the basolateral cell membrane was not large enough to account for the measured flux of Cl^– by electrodiffusion alone. Therefore these results suggest the presence of an electroneutral mechanism for Cl^– transport across the basolateral cell membrane of theNecturus proximal tubule cell.     

Response of chloride efflux from skeletal muscle ofRana pipiens to changes of temperature and membrane potential and diethylpyrocarbonate treatment

Summary Efflux of³⁶Cl^– from frog sartorius muscles equilibrated in two depolarizing solutions was measured. Cl^– efflux consists of a component present at low pH and a pH-dependent component which increases as external pH increases.For temperatures between 0 and 20°C, the measured activation energy is 7.5 kcal/mol for Cl^– efflux at pH 5 and 12.6 kcal/mol for the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux. The pH-dependent Cl^– efflux can be described by the relationu=1/(1+10n(pK _a -pH)), whereu is the Cl^– efflux increment obtained on stepping from pH 5 to the test pH, normalized with respect to the increment obtained on stepping from pH 5 to 8.5 or 9.0. For muscles equilibrated in solutions containing 150mm KCl plus 120mm NaCl (internal potential about –15 mV), the apparent pK _a is 6.5 at both 0 and 20°C, andn=2.5 for 0°C and 1.5 for 20°C. For muscles equilibrated in solutions containing 7.5mm KCl plus 120mm NaCl (internal potential about –65 mV), the apparent pK _a at 0°C is 6.9 andn is 1.5. The voltage dependence of the apparent pK _a suggests that the critical pH-sensitive moiety producing the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux is sensitive to the membrane electric field, while the insensitivity to temperature suggests that the apparent heat of ionization of this moiety is zero. The fact thatn is greater than 1 suggests that cooperativity between pH-sensitive moieties is involved in determining the Cl^– efflux increment on raising external pH.The histidine-modifying reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) applied at pH 6 reduces the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux according to the relation, efflux=exp(–k·[DEPC]·t), wheret is the exposure time (min) to DEPC at a prepared initial concentration of [DEPC] (mm). At 17°C,k ^–1=188mm·min. For temperatures between 10 and 23°C,k has an apparent Q₁₀ of 2.5. The Cl^– efflux inhibitor SCN^– at a concentration of 20mm substantially retards the reduction of the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux by DEPC. The findings that the apparent pK _a is 6.5 in depolarized muscles, that DEPC eliminates the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux, and that this action is retarded by SCN^– supports the notion that protonation of histidine groups associated with Cl^– channels is the controlling reaction for the pH-dependent Cl^– efflux.     

Mechanism of Cl− transport at the plasma membrane ofChara corallina: II. Transinhibition and the determination of H+/Cl− binding order from a reaction kinetic model

Summary Internal Cl^– and low internal pH are strong inhibitors of Cl^– influx at the plasma membrane ofChara. The present investigation seeks to understand the mechanism by which this is achieved. Since both Cl^– and H⁺ are transported by the same system, one possible mechanism is simply through a change in the electrochemical gradients of these ions. However, it is found that transport is more sensitive to theinternal concentrations of the two ions than to their respective gradients. It is demonstrated that Cl^– influx, which shows Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to external concentration, is affected only in itsV _max by internal Cl^– and pH; the apparentK _m of the transport system for external Cl^– is unchanged. In addition, it is found that there is an apparent interaction between internal Cl^– and pH in their effects on Cl^– influx, both in intact cells and those that have been perfused internally. A kinetic model is proposed which can account quantitatively for all these observations simply through the effects of substrate concentration on the apparent rate constants of a recycling carrier. The model predicts (i) strictly ordered binding of Cl^– and H⁺ to the carrier at both internal and external surfaces, with Cl^– first on and first off (ii) movement of charge through the membrane on the loaded, rather than the unloaded, carrier. The present model is expected to account for similar kinetic observations from a variety of other cotransport systems.     

Reconstituted Cl− pump protein: A novel ion(Cl−)-motive ATPase

Cl^– absorption by theAplysia californica foregut is effected through an active Cl^– transport mechanism located in the basolateral membrane of the epithelial absorptive cells. These basolateral membranes contain both Cl^–-stimulated ATPase and ATP-dependent Cl^– transport activities which can be incorporated into liposomes via reconstitution. Utilizing the proteoliposomal preparation, it was demonstrated that ATP, and its subsequent hydrolysis, Mg²⁺, Cl^–, and a pH optimum of 7.8 were required to generate maximal intraliposomal Cl^– accumulation, electrical negativity, and ATPase activity. Additionally, an inwardly-directed valinomycininduced K⁺ diffusion potential, making the liposome interior electrically positive, enhanced both ATP-driven Cl^– accumulation and electrical potential while an outwardly-directed valinomycininduced K⁺ diffusion potential, making the liposome interior electrically negative, decreased both ATP-driven Cl^– accumulation and electrical potential compared with proteoliposomes lacking the ionophore. Either orthovanadate orp-chloromercurobenzene sulfonate inhibited both the ATP-dependent intraliposomal Cl^– accumulation, intraliposomal negative potential difference, and also Cl^–-stimulated ATPase activity. Both aspects of Cl^– pump transport kinetics and its associated catalytic component kinetics were the first obtained utilizing a reconstituted transporter protein. These results strongly support the hypothesis that Cl^–-ATPase actively transports Cl^– by an electrogenic process.     

Chloride Channels in Basolateral TAL Membranes. XVIII. Phenylglyoxal Induces Functional mcClC-Ka Activity in Basolateral MTAL Membranes

Cultured mouse MTAL cells contain more mRNA encoding the Cl^– channel mcClC-Ka, which mediates CTAL Cl^– absorption, than mRNA encoding the Cl^– channel mmClC-Ka, which mediates MTAL Cl^– absorption. mmClC-Ka and mcClC-Ka have three functional differences: 1) mmClC-Ka open time probability, P _o, increases with increasing cytosolic Cl^–, but variations in cytosolic Cl^– do not affect P _o in mcClC-Ka; 2) mmClC-Ka is gated by (ATP + PKA), while (ATP + PKA) have no effect on P _o in mcClC-Ka; and 3) mmClC-Ka channels have single-ion occupancy, while mcClC-Ka channels have multi-ion occupancy. Using basolateral vesicles from MTAL cells fused into bilayers, we evaluated the effects of 1 mM cytosolic phenylglyoxal (PGO), which binds covalently to lysine or arginine, on Cl^– channels. With PGO pretreatment, Cl^– channels were uniformly not gated either with increases in cytosolic-face Cl^– or with (ATP + PKA) at 2 mm cytosolic-face Cl^–; and they exhibited multi-ion occupancy kinetics typical for mcClC-Ka channels. Thus, in basolateral MTAL membranes, blockade of Cl^– access to arginine or lysine residues on mmClC-Ka by PGO results in Cl^– channels having the functional characteristics of mcClC-Ka channels.     

Hydrochlorothiazide action on the apical Cl−, Ca2+ and K+ conductances in rabbit gallbladder epithelium. Presence of an apamin-sensitive,Ca2+-activated K+ conductance

In the rabbit gallbladder epithelium, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was shown to inhibit the transepithelial NaCl transport and the apical Na⁺-Cl^– symport, to depolarize the apical membrane potential and to enhance the cell-to-lumen Cl^– backflux (radiochemically measured), this increase being SITS-sensitive. To better investigate the causes of the depolarization and the Cl^– backflux increase, cells were punctured with conventional microelectrodes on the luminal side (incubation in bicarbonate-free saline at 27°C) and the apical membrane potential (V _m) was studied either with prolonged single impalements or with a set of short multiple impalements. The maximal depolarization was of 3–4 mV and was reached with 2.5 × 10^–4 m HCTZ. It was significantly enhanced by reducing luminal Cl^– concentration to 30 mm; it was abolished by SCN^–, furosemide, SITS; it was insensitive to DPC. SITS converted the depolarization into a hyperpolarization of about 4 mV; this latter was apamin, nifedipine and verapamil sensitive. It was concluded that HCTZ concomitantly opens apical Cl^– and (probably) Ca²⁺ conductances and, indirectly, a Ca²⁺-sensitive, apamin inhibitable K⁺ conductance: since the intracellular Cl^– activity is maintained above the value predicted at the electrochemical equilibrium, the opening of the apical Cl^– conductance depolarizes V _mand enhances Cl^– backflux. In the presence of apamin or verapamil, to avoid the hyperpolarizing effects due to HCTZ, the depolarization elicited by this drug was fully developed (7–10 mV) and proved to be Ca²⁺ insensitive. On this basis and measuring the transepithelial resistance and the apical/basolateral resistance ratio, the Cl^– conductance opened by HCTZ has been estimated and the Cl^– backflux increase calculated: it proved to be in the order of that observed radiochemically. The importance of this Cl^– leak to the lumen in the overall inhibition of the transepithelial NaCl transport by HCTZ has been evaluated.This research was supported by Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica, Rome, Italy. We are very grateful to prof. G. Meyer and dr. G. Bottà for helpful discussion and criticism.     

Chloride movement across the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule cells

Summary Electrophysiologic and tracer experiments have shown that Cl^– entersNecturus proximal tubule cells from the tubule lumen by a process coupled to the flow of Na⁺, and that Cl^– entry is electrically silent. The mechanism of Cl^– exit from the cell across the basolateral membrane has not been directly studied. To evaluate the importance of the movement of Cl^– ions across the basolateral membrane, the relative conductance of Cl^– to K⁺ was determined by a new method. Single-barrel ion-selective microelectrodes were used to measure intracellular Cl^– and K⁺ as a function of basolateral membrane PD as it varied normally from tubule to tubule. Basolateral membrane Cl^– conductance was about 10% of K⁺ conductance by this method. A second approach was to voltage clamp the basolateral PD to 20 mV above and below the spontaneous PD, while sensing intracellular Cl^– activity with the second barrel of a double-barrel microelectrode. An axial wire electrode in the tubule lumen was used to pass current across the tubular wall and thereby vary the basolateral membrane PD. Cell Cl^– activity was virtually unaffected by the PD changes. We conclude that Cl^– leavesNecturus proximal tubule cells by a neutral mechanism, possibly coupled to the efflux of Na⁺ or K⁺.     

Cl− channels in basolateral renal medullary vesicles: V. Comparison of basolateral mTALH Cl− channels with apical Cl− channels from jejunum and trachea

Summary Cl^– channels from basolaterally-enriched rabbit outer renal medullary membranes are activated either by increases in intracellular Cl^– activity or by intracellular protein kinase A (PKA). Phosphorylation by PKA, however, is not obligatory for channel activity since channels can be activated by intracellular Cl^– in the absence of PKA. The PKA requirement for activation of Cl^– channels in certain secretory epithelia is, in contrast, obligatory. In the present studies, we examined the effects of PKA and intracellular Cl^– concentrations on the properties of Cl^– channels obtained either from basolaterally-enriched vesicles derived from highly purified suspensions of mouse medullary thick ascending limb (mTALH) segments, or from apical membrane vesicles obtained from two secretory epithelia, bovine trachea and rabbit small intestine. Our results indicate that the Cl^– channels from mTALH suspensions were virtually identical to those previously described from rabbit outer renal medulla. In particular, an increase in intracellular (trans) Cl^– concentration from 2 to 50 mm increased both channel activity (P _o) and channel conductance (g _Cl, pS). Likewise, trans PKA increased mTALH Cl^– channel activity by increasing the activity of individual channels when the trans solutions were 2 mm Cl. Under the latter circumstance, PKA did not activate quiescent channels, nor did it affect g _Cl. Moreover, when mTALH Cl^– channels were inactivated by reducing cis Cl^– concentrations to 50 mm, cis PKA addition did not affect P _o. These results are consistent with the view that these Cl^– channels originated from basolateral membranes of the mTALH.Cl^– channels from apical vesicles from trachea and small intestine were completely insensitive to alterations in trans Cl^– concentrations and demonstrated markedly different responses to PKA. In the absence of PKA, tracheal Cl^– channels inactivated spontaneously after a mean time of 8 min; addition of PKA to trans solutions reactivated these channels. The intestinal Cl^– channels did not inactivate with time. Trans PKA addition activated new channels with no effect on basal channel activity. Thus the regulation of Cl^– channel activity by both intracellular Cl^– and by PKA differ in basolateral mTALH Cl^– channels compared to apical Cl^– channels from either the tracheal or small intestine.We acknowledge the able technical assistance of Steven D. Chasteen. Clementine M. Whitman provided her customary excellent secretarial assistance. This work was supported by Veterans Administration Merit Review Grants to T.E. Andreoli and to W.B. Reeves. C.J. Winters is a Veterans Administration Associate Investigator.     

Solubilization and functional reconstitution of a chloride channel fromTorpedo californica electroplax

Summary Chloride channels were detergent-extracted fromTorpedo electroplax plasma membrane vesicles and reconstituted into liposomes by rapid detergent removal and a freeze-thawsonication procedure. Concentrative uptake of³⁶Cl^–, driven by a Cl^– gradient was used to determine conductance properties of reconstituted channels. Chloride flux assayed by this method is strongly selective for Cl^– over cations, is blocked by SCN^–, inactivated by treatment with DIDS, and exhibits an anion selectivity sequence Cl^–>Br^–>F^–>SO ₄ ^2– , as does the voltagegated Cl^– channel fromTorpedo observed in planar lipid bilayers. The channels are localized to the noninnervated face of the electrocyte, and a novel trapped-volume method is used to estimate a channel density on the order of 500 pmol/mg protein. An initial fractionation of the membrane extract by anion exchange chromatography yields fivefold enrichment of the channel activity.     

The relation between the chloride status of the photosynthetic water splitting complex and the inhibitory effectiveness of amines

The protective role of chloride ions (Cl^–) against inhibition of the photosynthetic water splitting complex by amines was investigated with purified photosystem II membrane particles from tobacco chloroplasts. Seemingly competitive interactions occurred between Cl^– (except at low concentrations) and Tris, but not between Cl^– and NH₃. The rate of Cl^– release was not increased by the amines but, instead, may have been limited by a labilization under the experimental conditions of the extrinsic 23 kDa polypeptide. An additional detachment of the 18 kDa polypeptide was seen when SO₄ ^2– ions were present. Tris induced changes of the thermoluminescence patterns of flash illuminated photosystem II particles were found to be different from those caused by either Cl^– deficiency or high pH. It is concluded that the protective functions of Cl^– are brough about not because it is bound to the target site of the inhibitory actions of Lewis bases like amines and hydroxyl ions. Instead, this effect of Cl^– may be due to its influence on the tertiary and quaternary structures of the water oxidizing protein complex.     

Relationship between coupled Na+−K+−Cl− transport and water absorption across the seawater eel intestine

Summary Simultaneous measurements of net ion and water fluxes were made in the stripped intestine of the seawater eel, and the relationship between Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^– and water transport were examined in the presence of mucosal KCl and serosal NaCl Ringer (standard condition). When Cl^– was removed from both sides of the intestine, net K⁺ flux from mucosa to serosa was reduced, accompanied by complete blockage of water absorption. Since it has been shown that net Cl^– and water fluxes depend on K⁺ transport under the standard condition (Ando 1983), the interdependence of K⁺ and Cl^– transport suggests the existence of a coupled KCl transport system, while the parallelism between the net Cl^– and water fluxes suggests that water absorption is linked to the coupled KCl transport. The coupled KCl and water transport were inhibited by treatment with ouabain or with Na⁺-free Ringer solutions, suggesting the existence of a Na⁺-dependent KCl transport system and linkage of water absorption to the coupled Na⁺–K⁺–Cl^– transport. Since ouabain blocked the active Na⁺–K⁺–Cl^– transport almost completely, the permeability coefficients for K⁺ and Na⁺ through the paracellular shunt pathway were estimated as P_K=0.076 and P_Na=0.058 cm/h, and P_Cl was calculated as 0.005 cm/h. Although Na⁺-independent K⁺ and Cl^tt- fluxes were observed again in the present study, these fluxes were not inhibited by CN^–, ouabain or diuretics, and evoked even after blocking the Na⁺–K⁺–Cl^– transport completely with ouabain. These results indicate that the Na⁺-independent K⁺ and Cl^– fluxes are distinct from the active Na⁺–K⁺–Cl^– transport and are not themselves active.