1α,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D-3 regulates ATP-dependent calcium transport in basolateral plasma membranes of rat enterocytes

Basolateral plasma membrane vesicles of rat small intestinal epithelium accumulate calcium through an ATP-dependent pumping system. The activity of this system is highest in duodenum and decreases towards the ileum. This distribution along the intestinal tract is similar as the active calcium absorption capacity of intact intestinal epithelial segments. ATP-dependent calcium uptake in basolateral membrane vesicles from duodenum and ileum increased significantly after repletion of young vitamin D-3-deficient rats with 1α,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D-3. Ca²⁺-ATPase activity in duodenal basolateral membranes increased to the same extend as ATP-dependent calcium transport, but (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity remained unaltered.     

Kinetic properties of Na+/Ca2+ exchange in basolateral plasma membranes of rat small intestine

The presence of an Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange system in basolateral plasma membranes from rat small intestinal epithelium has been demonstrated by studying Na⁺ gradient-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake and the inhibition of ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ accumulation by Na⁺. The presence of 75 mM Na⁺ in the uptake solution reduces ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport by 45%, despite the fact that Na⁺ does not affect Ca²⁺-ATPase activity. Preincubation of the membrane vesicles with ouabain or monensin reduces the Na⁺ inhibition of ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake to 20%, apparently by preventing accumulation of Na⁺ in the vesicles realized by the Na⁺-pump. It was concluded that high intravesicular Na⁺ competes with Ca²⁺ for intravesicular Ca²⁺ binding sites. In the presence of ouabain, the inhibition of ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport shows a sigmoidal dependence on the Na⁺ concentration, suggesting cooperative interaction between counter transport of at least two sodium ions for one calcium ion. The apparent affinity for Na⁺ is between 15 and 20 mM. Uptake of Ca²⁺ in the absence of ATP can be enhanced by an Na⁺ gradient (Na⁺ inside > Na⁺ outside). This Na⁺ gradient-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake is further stimulated by an inside positive membrane potential but abolished by monensin. The apparent affinity for Ca²⁺ of this system is below 1 μM. In contrast to the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ transport, there is no significant difference in Na⁺ gradient-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake between basolateral vesicles from duodenum, midjejunum and terminal ileum. In duodenum the activity of ATP-driven Ca²⁺ uptake is 5-times greater than the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange capacity but in the ileum both systems are of equal potency. Furthermore, the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange mechanism is not subject to regulation by 1α,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-3, since repletion of vitamin D-deficient rats with this seco-steroid hormone does not influence the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange system while it doubles the ATP-driven Ca²⁺ pump activity.     

Quantification of Ca(2+)-ATPases in porcine duodenum. Effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 deficiency.

Previous studies have identified a calmodulin-stimulated ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump as the major Ca2+ efflux pathway in enterocytes. Here, we developed methods to quantify the number of Ca2+ pumps in basolateral and intracellular membranes from porcine duodenum. By the use of a pig strain with a genetic defect in renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase, we were able to investigate the influence of 1,25(OH)2D3-deficiency on the number of Ca(2+)-ATPases in porcine duodenum. The amount of Ca(2+)-ATPase in isolated basolateral membranes was 5.5 +/- 0.7 micrograms/mg protein, while the Vmax of ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport into inside-out resealed basolateral membrane vesicles was 2.6 +/- 0.4 nmol/mg protein per min. From these data we estimated roughly about 95 x 10(3) plasma membrane Ca2+ pump sites per enterocyte. In addition, the amount of intracellular Ca(2+)-ATPase in microsomal fractions was 0.41 +/- 0.02 microgram/mg protein. Comparison of these parameters between control and rachitic animals showed that Ca2+ pump capacities in both basolateral membranes and microsomal fractions of porcine duodenum are not influenced by 1,25(OH)2D3-deficiency. In conclusion, stimulatory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on intestinal Ca2+ transport most likely result from specific effects on apical influx and facilitation of cytosolic Ca2+ diffusion by Ca(2+)-binding proteins and not from an increase in Ca2+ pumping capacity in basolateral membranes.     

Distribution of Ca2+-ATPase, ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport, calmodulin and vitamin D-dependent Ca2+-binding protein along the villus-crypt axis in rat duodenum

The migration of intestinal epithelial cells from the crypts to the tips of villi is associated with progressive cell differentiation. The changes in Ca2+-ATPase activity and ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport rates in basolateral membranes from rat duodenum were measured during migration along the crypt-villus axis. In addition, vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein and calmodulin content were measured in homogenates of six cell populations which were sequentially derived from villus tip to crypt base. Alkaline phosphatase activity was highest at the tip of the villus (fraction I) and decreased more than 20-fold towards the crypt base (fraction VI). (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity also decreased along the villus-crypt axis but in a less pronounced manner than alkaline phosphatase. ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport in basolateral membranes was highest in fraction II (8.2 +/- 0.3 nmol Ca2+/min per mg protein) and decreased slightly towards the villus tip and base (fraction V). The youngest cells in the crypt had the lowest Ca2+-transport activity (0.9 +/- 0.1 nmol Ca2+/min per mg protein). The distribution of high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase activity in basolateral membranes correlated with the distribution of ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport. The activity of Na+/Ca2+ exchange was equal in villus and crypt basolateral membranes. Compared to the ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport system, the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is of minor importance in villus cells but may play a more significant role in crypt cells. Calcium-binding protein decreased from mid-villus towards the villus base and was undetectable in crypt cells. Calmodulin levels were equal along the villus-crypt axis. It is concluded that vitamin D-dependent calcium absorption takes primarily place in villus cells of rat duodenum.     

Effects of vitamin D-3 on phosphate and calcium transport across and composition of skeletal muscle plasma cell membranes

The effects of vitamin D-3 on calcium and phosphate transport in skeletal muscle plasma membranes were studied. Sarcolemma vesicles were isolated from vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-treated (one week) chicks by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of a crude muscle plasma membrane fraction. Measurement of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, cholesterol to phospholipid molar ratios and levels of intracellular marker enzymes showed a high degree of purification of the preparations. Administration of vitamin D-3 significantly increased active Ca2+ and phosphate uptake into the vesicles. The efflux of both ions from preloaded vesicles was only slightly altered by the sterol. Ca2+-ATPase activity was higher in sarcolemma from treated animals. This confirms that the effects of vitamin D-3 on calcium transport are related to the Ca2+ pump and not to the passive permeability properties of the membrane. No changes in the protein composition of vesicles from both experimental groups were observed. However, treatment with vitamin D-3 increased sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine concentrations. These changes in lipid structure may play a role in the effects of vitamin D-3 on transport characteristics of sarcolemma.     

Calcium transport by basal lateral membrane vesicles from rat small intestine decreases with age

There is a marked decrease in active Ca2+ transport by the rat small intestine with age, particularly between 2 and 12 months. Much evidence suggests that the active component of Ca2+ transport resides in the energy-dependent pumping of Ca2+ across the intestinal basal lateral membrane. Therefore, we have characterized Ca2+ uptake by basal lateral membrane vesicles isolated from young (2-3 month old) and adult (12-14 month old) rats. In vesicles from the proximal duodenum, ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was about 4-times greater in the young animal than in the adult. There were no age differences in Ca2+ uptake in the absence of ATP. In vesicles from the ileum, Ca2+ uptake was much less than in the duodenum. The age differences in the ileum were smaller, and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in the young was only twice that seen in the adult. Osmotic lysis of duodenal vesicles reduced Ca2+ uptake to low levels in both age groups, indicating that most of the Ca2+ was being taken up into an osmotically active space. Kinetic studies of Ca2+ uptake showed that there was no change in the apparent affinity but a 5-fold decrease in the Vmax of the adult Ca2+ transport system compared to that of the young animal. This marked decrease in the capacity of basal lateral membrane vesicles to actively transport Ca2+ may contribute to the decline in intestinal Ca2+ absorption with age.     

ATP-dependent transport of organic anions into isolated basolateral membrane vesicles from rat intestine

The mechanism for the cellular extrusion of organic anions across the intestinal basolateral membrane was examined using isolated membrane vesicles from rat jejunum, ileum, and colon. It was found that 17beta-estradiol 17beta-D-glucuronide (E217betaG) is taken up in an ATP-dependent manner into the basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMVs) but not into the brush-border or microsomal counterparts. The ATP-dependent uptake of E217betaG into BLMVs from jejunum and ileum was described by a single component with a Km value of 23.5 and 8.31 microM, respectively, whereas that into the BLMVs from colon was described by assuming the presence of high (Km=0.82 microM)- and low-affinity (Km=35.4 microM) components. Taurocholate, 6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylamino-4-(3-pyridylmethyl) benzothiazole glucuronide and taurolithocholate sulfate, but not leukotriene C4, were significantly taken up by the BLMVs. In addition to such substrate specificity, the inhibitor sensitivity of the ATP-dependent transport in BLMVs was similar to that of rat multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3), which is located on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes. Together with the fact that the rank order of the extent of the expression of Mrp3 (jejunum < ileum < colon) is in parallel with that of the extent of the transport of ligands, these results suggest that the ATP-dependent uptake of organic anions into isolated intestinal BLMVs is at least partly mediated by Mrp3.     

Characterization of Ca2+ uptake in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from guinea pig ileum smooth muscle

We have characterized ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport into highly purified plasma membrane fraction isolated from guinea pig ileum smooth muscle. The membrane fraction contained inside-out sealed vesicles and was enriched 30-40-fold in 5'-nucleotidase and phosphodiesterase I activity as compared to post nuclear supernatant. Plasma membrane vesicles showed high rate (76 nmol/mg/min) and high capacity for ATP dependent Ca2+ transport which was inhibited by addition of Ca2+ ionophore A23187. The inhibitors of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport, i.e., sodium azide, oligomycin and ruthenium red did not inhibit ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into plasma membrane vesicles. The energy dependent Ca2+ uptake into plasma membranes showed very high specificity for ATP as energy source and other nucleotide triphosphates were ineffective in supporting Ca2+ transport. Phosphate was significantly better as Ca2+ trapping anion to potentiate ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake into plasma membrane fraction as compared to oxalate. Orthovanadate, an inhibitor of cell membrane (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity, completely inhibited ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport and the Ki was approximately 0.6 microM. ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport and formation of alkali labile phosphorylated intermediate of (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase increased with increasing concentrations of free Ca2+ in the incubation mixture and the Km value for Ca2+ was approximately 0.6-0.7 microM for both the reactions.     

Uptake of aminoglycoside antibiotics into brush-border membrane vesicles and inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of basolateral membrane

The effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics on plasma membranes were studied using rat renal basolateral and brush-border membrane vesicles. 3',4'-Dideoxykanamycin was bound to the basolateral membrane and brush-border membrane vesicles. They had a single class of binding sites with nearly the same constant, and the basolateral membrane vesicles had more binding sites than those of the brush-border membrane. Dideoxykanamycin B was transported into the intravesicular space of brush-border membrane vesicles, but not into that of basolateral membrane vesicles. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of the plasma membrane fraction prepared from the kidney of rat administered with dideoxykanamycin B intravenously decreased significantly. Aminoglycoside antibiotics entrapped in the basolateral membrane vesicles inhibited (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, but those added to the basolateral membrane vesicles externally failed to do so. The activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was non-competitively inhibited by gentamicin. It is thus concluded that aminoglycoside antibiotics are taken up into the renal proximal tubular cells across the brush-border membrane and inhibit the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of basolateral membrane. This inhibition may possibly disrupt the balance of cellular electrolytes, leading to a cellular dysfunction, and consequently to the development of aminoglycoside antibiotics' nephrotoxicity.     

Evidence for the presence of ATP-dependent calcium pump and ATPase activities in bull sperm head membranes

Biochemical studies were carried out to demonstrate for the first time direct evidence for the presence of ATP-dependent calcium uptake activity in plasma membrane isolated from the head of bull spermatozoa. The purified plasma membrane vesicles contain also Na+-K+-ATPase, Mg2+-ATPase and Ca2+-ATPase activities. All the activities mentioned were followed in parallel in isolated plasma membranes from the sperm tail. These results together with others, suggest the involvement of the ATP-dependent calcium pump in regulation of intracellular calcium in the process of capacitation and acrosome reaction.     

Distribution of Ca-ATPase, ATP-dependent Ca-transport, calmodulin and vitamin D-dependent Ca-binding protein along the villus-crypt axis in rat duodenum

The migration of intestinal epithelial cells from the crypts to the tips of villi is associated with progressive cell differentiation. The changes in Ca²⁺-ATPase activity and ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-transport rates in basolateral membranes from rat duodenum were measured during migration along the crypt-villus axis. In addition, vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein and calmodulin content were measured in homogenates of six cell populations which were sequentially derived from villus tip to crypt base. Alkaline phosphatase activity was highest at the tip of the villus (fraction I) and decreased more than 20-fold towards the crypt base (fraction VI). (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase activity also decreased along the villus-crypt axis but in a less pronounced manner than alkaline phosphatase. ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-transport in fraction II (8.2 ± 0.3 nmol Ca²⁺/min per mg protein) and decreased slightly towards the villus tip and base (fraction V). The youngest cells in the crypt had the lowest Ca²⁺-transport activity (0.9 ± 0.1 nmol Ca²⁺/min per mg protein). The distribution of high-affinity Ca²⁺-ATPase activity in basolateral membranes correlated with the distribution of ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-transport. The activity of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange was equal in villus and crypt basolateral membranes. Compared to the ATP-dependent Ca²⁺-transport system, the Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger is of minor importance in villus cells but may play a more significant role in crypt cells. Calcium-binding protein decreased from mid-villus towards the villus base and was undetectable in crypt cells. Calmodulin levels were equal along the villus-crypt axis. It is concluded that vitamin D-dependent calcium absorption takes primarily place in villus cells of rat duodenum.     

ATP-dependent calcium transport and its correlation with Ca2+-ATPase activity in basolateral plasma membranes of rat duodenum

Isolated basolateral plasmamembrane vesicles from rat duodenum epithelial cells exhibit ATP-dependent calcium-accumulation and Ca²⁺-dependent ATPase activity. Calcium accumulation stimulated by ATP is prevented by the calcium ionophore A23187, inhibited 80% by 0.1 mM orthovanadate but is not effected by oligomycin. Calcium accumulation is not observed with the substrate β-γ-(CH₂)-ATP, ADP and p-nitrophenyl phosphate. Kinetic studies reveal an apparent K_m of 0.2 μM Ca²⁺ and a V_max of 5.3 nmol Ca²⁺/min per mg protein for the ATP-dependent calcium-uptake system. Calmodulin and phenothiazines have no effect on calcium accumulation in freshly prepared membranes, but small effects are inducable after a wash with a 5 mM EGTA. The kinetic parameters of Ca²⁺-ATPase are: K_m = 0.25 μM Ca²⁺ and V_max = 19.2 nmol P_i/min per mg protein. Three techniques, osmotic shock, treatment with Triton X-100 or the channel-forming peptide alamethacin, reveal that about 40% of the vesicles are resealed. Assuming that half of the resealed vesicles have an inside-out orientation, the V_max of ATP-dependent calcium uptake amounts to 25 nmol Ca²⁺/min per mg protein and of the Ca²⁺-ATPase to 23 nmol P_i/min per mg protein. The close correlation between kinetic parameters of Ca²⁺-ATPase and ATP-dependent calcium-transport strongly suggests that both systems are expressions of a Ca²⁺-pump located in duodenal basolateral plasma membranes.     

Stimulatory effect of regucalcin on ATP-dependent calcium transport in rat liver plasma membranes

The effect of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein isolated from rat liver cytoplasm, on ATP-dependent calcium transport in the plasma membrane vesicles of rat liver was investigated. (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in the liver plasma membranes was significantly increased by the presence of regucalcin (0.1-0.5 \sgmaelig;M) in the enzyme reaction mixture. This increase was completely inhibited by the presence of sulfhydryl group modifying reagent Nethylmaleimide (5.0 mM NEM) or digitonin (0.04%), which can solubilize the membranous lipids. When ATP-dependent calcium uptake by liver plasma membrane vesicles was measured by using 45CaCl2, the presence of regucalcin (0.1-0.5 \sgmaelig;M) in the reaction mixture caused a significant increase in the 45Ca2+ uptake. This increase was about 2-fold with 0.5 \sgmaelig;M regucalcin addition. An appreciable increase was seen by 5 min incubation with regucalcin addition. The regucalcin-enhanced ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake by the plasma membrane vesicles was completely inhibited by the presence of NEM (5.0 mM) or digitonin (0.04%). These results demonstrate that regucalcin activates (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase in the liver plasma membranes and that it can stimulate ATP-dependent calcium transport across the plasma membranes.     

Activatory effect of calcium-binding protein regucalcin on ATP-dependent calcium transport in the basolateral membranes of rat kidney cortex

The effect of regucalcin, a calcium-binding protein, on ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in the basolateral membranes isolated from rat kidney cortex was investigated. The prepared membranes were in inside-out oriented and membrane vesicles. Ca2+-ATPase activity in the basolateral membranes was progressively elevated by increasing concentrations of regucalcin (10-8 to 10-6 M) in the reaction mixture. This increase was dependent on Ca2+ addition. The activatory effect of regucalcin on the enzyme is inhibited by the presence of digitonin (5 × 10-6%) which can solubilize the membranous lipids. Moreover, the regucalcin effect was clearly abolished by the presence of vanadate (0.1 mM) or N-ethylmaleimide (5.0 mM). However, the effect of calmodulin (6 × 10-7 M) to increase Ca2+-ATPase activity was not significantly inhibited by vanadate or N-ethylmaleimide, indicating that the action mode of regucalcin differs from that of calmodulin. Also, the activatory effect of regucalcin on Ca2+-ATPase was appreciably inhibited by addition of dibutyryl cAMP (10-5 and 10-3 M), while inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (10-7 and 10-5 M) had no effect. Dibutyryl cAMP itself did not have an effect on the enzyme activity. Furthermore, the 45Ca2+ uptake by the basolateral membranes was clearly increased by the presence of regucalcin (10-7 and 10-6 M). This increase was completely blocked by the presence of vanadate (0.1 mM), N-ethylmaleimide (5.0 mM) or dibutyryl cAMP (10-4 and 10-3 M) in the reaction mixture. These results clearly demonstrate that regucalcin, which is expressed in rat kidney cortex, can increase Ca2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ uptake in the basolateral membranes. Regucalcin may play a cell physiologic role as an activator in the ATP-dependent Ca2+ pumps in the basolateral membranes from rat kidney cortex.     

ATP-dependent calcium transport in rat parotid basolateral membrane vesicles. Modulation by agents which elevate cyclic AMP

ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport was studied in basolateral membrane vesicles prepared from rat parotid gland slices incubated without or with agents which increase cyclic AMP. Isoproterenol (10(-5) M), forskolin (2 X 10(-6) M) and 8-bromocyclic AMP (2 X 10(-3) M) all increased ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake 1.5- to 3-fold. The effect of isoproterenol was concentration-dependent and blocked by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Enhanced uptake did not appear an artifact of vesicle preparation as apparent vesicle sidedness, 45Ca2+ efflux rates, specific activity of marker enzymes and equilibrium Ca2+ content were identical in vesicle preparations from control and 8-bromocyclic AMP-treated slices. Kinetic studies showed the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system in vesicles from 8-bromocyclic AMP-treated slices displayed a approximately 50% increase in Vmax and in Km Ca2+, compared to controls. The data suggest that physiological secretory stimuli to rat parotid acinar cells, which involve cyclic AMP, result in a readjustment of the basolateral membrane ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump.     

ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-dependent protein phosphorylation in basolateral liver plasma membranes

ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was measured in vesicles of rat liver cell basolateral plasma membranes. Nucleotide-dependent uptake was specific for ATP and observed at pH 7.0 and 7.4/7.5 but not at pH 8.0. ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport was only observed in the presence of Mg2+. Kinetic analysis of ATP-dependent transport revealed an apparent Km in the submicromolar region. Addition of calmodulin and trifluoperazine had no effect on ATP-dependent uptake. A Ca2+-dependent, phosphorylated intermediate with the apparent molecular weight of 135,000 could be demonstrated in the basolateral plasma membranes. Phosphorylated intermediates with apparent molecular weights of 200,000 and 110,000 were demonstrated in microsomes and appeared to contaminate 'basolateral' membrane protein phosphorylation. The results suggest that a 135,000 molecular weight protein is a Ca2+-ATPase and the enzymatic expression of the liver cell basolateral membrane Ca2+ pump.     

Characteristics of the Ca2+ pump and Ca2+-ATPase in the plasma membrane of rat myometrium.

A plasma membrane-enriched fraction from rat myometrium shows ATP-Mg2+-dependent active calcium uptake which is independent of the presence of oxalate and is abolished by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Ca2+ loaded into vesicles via the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was released by extravesicular Na+. This showed that the Na+/Ca2+ exchange and the Ca2+ uptake were both occurring in plasma membrane vesicles. In a medium containing KCl, vanadate readily inhibited the Ca2+ uptake (K1/2 5 microM); when sucrose replaced KCl, 400 microM-vanadate was required for half inhibition. Only a slight stimulation of the calcium pump by calmodulin was observed in untreated membrane vesicles. Extraction of endogenous calmodulin from the membranes by EGTA decreased the activity and Ca2+ affinity of the calcium pump; both activity and affinity were fully restored by adding back calmodulin or by limited proteolysis. A monoclonal antibody (JA3) directed against the human erythrocyte Ca2+ pump reacted with the 140 kDa Ca2+-pump protein of the myometrial plasma membrane. The Ca2+-ATPase activity of these membranes is not specific for ATP, and is not inhibited by mercurial agents, whereas Ca2+ uptake has the opposite properties. Ca2+-ATPase activity is also over 100 times that of calcium transport; it appears that the ATPase responsible for transport is largely masked by the presence of another Ca2+-ATPase of unknown function. Measurements of total Ca2+-ATPase activity are, therefore, probably not directly relevant to the question of intracellular Ca2+ control.     

Isolation of basolateral and brush-border membranes from the rabbit kidney cortex. Vesicle integrity and membrane sidedness of the basolateral fraction

A rapid and reproducible method has been developed for the simultaneous isolation of basolateral and brush-border membranes from the rabbit renal cortex. The basolateral membrane preparation was enriched 25-fold in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the brush-border membrane fraction was enriched 12-fold in alkaline phosphatase, whereas the amount of cross-contamination was low. Contamination of these preparations by mitochondria and lysosomes was minimal as indicated by the low specific activities of enzyme markers, i.e., succinate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase. The basolateral fraction consisted of 35-50% sealed vesicles, as demonstrated by detergent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain binding. The sidedness of the basolateral membranes was estimated from the latency of ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity assayed in the presence of gramicidin, which renders the vesicles permeable to Na+ and K+. These studies suggest that nearly 90% of the vesicles are in a right-side-out orientation.     

Sodium-bicarbonate cotransport occurs in rat kidney cortical membranes but not in rat small intestinal basolateral membranes.

Basolateral membrane vesicles were isolated from rat kidney cortex and small intestinal enterocytes. Both membrane preparations show ATP-dependent calcium uptake and cytochalasin B-sensitive D-glucose transport. In renal membranes, sodium influx is stimulated by bicarbonate; bicarbonate-dependent sodium flux is membrane-potential-dependent and inhibited by 4,4'-di-isothiocyanato-2, 2'-stilbenedisulphanic acid ('DIDS'). Small intestinal basolateral membranes do not show bicarbonate-dependent sodium fluxes.     

Characterization of ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in the basolateral membrane vesicles from proximal and distal tubules of the rabbit kidney

Basolateral membrane vesicles were prepared from purified proximal and distal tubules of the rabbit kidney. The properties of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport were investigated. In both membranes, there was a high affinity, ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system (Km = 0.1 microM). The optimal concentration of Mg2+ was 0.5 mM and the optimal concentration of ATP was 1 mM. The nucleotide specificity and pH dependence of the Ca2+ transport in both membranes were similar. In basolateral membrane vesicles, calmodulin had no effect on Ca2+ transport. However, in basolateral membrane vesicles depleted of calmodulin, exogenous calmodulin increased the Ca2+ transport by increasing maximal velocity. There were no major differences in the properties of the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system in these two membranes. These findings are discussed in relation to why parathyroid hormone differentially modulates Ca2+ transport in these two segments of the nephron.