Structural and EPR/ENDOR/ESEEM spectroscopic investigations of a vanadomolybdate Keggin-type polyoxometalate in organic solvent

An EPR spectrum of as synthesized [G.A. Tsigdinos, C.J. Hallada, Inorg. Chem. 7 (1968) 437-441], orange colored, H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ polyoxometalate showed the presence of a reduced vanadium(IV) addenda atom. Surprisingly, further ³¹P ENDOR (electron-nuclear double resonance) measurements indicated the absence of a phosphorous heteroatom leading to the suggestion that H₅V^VV^IVMo₁₁O₄₀ exists as a previously unrecognized impurity in the typically synthesized H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ compound. H_5/4PV^VO₄V^IV/VMo₁₁O₃₆ was then synthesized in low yield (0.8 mol%) by omitting the addition of phosphate in a typical H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ preparation. The molecular formulation and structure was supported by X-ray crystallography, infrared and mass spectrometry. Further use of EPR/ENDOR/ESEEM (electron-spin echo envelope modulation) allowed the formulation of [V^VV^IVMo₁₁O₄₀]⁵⁻ as [V^VO₄V^IVMo₁₁O₃₆]⁵⁻. Accordingly, the polyoxometalate has a heteroatom core with 11 molybdenum addenda and one VO²⁺ moiety at the polyoxometalate surface. The redox potential and the catalytic activity of the new vanadomolybdate polyoxometalate compound were essentially identical to the often-studied H₅PV₂Mo₁₀O₄₀ polyoxometalate isomeric mixture.     

Structural characterization and reactivity of gamma-octamolybdate functionalized by proline

The reaction of molybdate and dl-proline at pH 3.4 results in the formation of a Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(proO)₂] · 22H₂O complex (pro = proline) in which two proline ligands are attached to molybdenum(VI) ions via monodentate coordination of the carboxylate groups. The structure of the complex was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction and by combination of ¹H, ¹³C and ⁹⁵Mo NMR spectroscopy techniques in solution. The structure of the complex is strongly dependant on the pH. At native pH 3.4 the octamolybdate-type structure seems to be present in solution, but the increase of pH to 5.8 resulted in a rearrangement of the structure to a heptamolybdate-type structure. At physiological pH, the polyoxometalate framework was completely dissociated into the monomeric unit. The reactivity of the Na₄[Mo₈O₂₆(proO)₂] · 22H₂O towards the hydrolysis of ATP was tested at different pH values. While in solution at pH 3.4 the hydrolysis proceeded to yield AMP (adenosine monophosphate) and ADP (adenosine diphosphate) in nearly equal amounts, reaction mixture at pH 5.8 gave ADP as the only product of hydrolysis after 24 h of reaction. At neutral pH, the hydrolysis of ATP was slower, but it proceeded to yield 75% of ADP after 48 h of reaction.     

Polyoxovanadates with organic ligands

Polyoxovanadates are inhibitors to various phosphate-metabolizing enzymes. The question arises of how the cluster is bound to the protein matrix. This paper describes oxovanadates with carboxylate and hydroxide ligands in the periphery of the cluster, which may be considered to model oxovanadate binding to carboxylic and alcoholic side-chain functions of the protein. Examples for complexes carrying alkoxo ligands dealt with in this article are dinuclear vanadate(V) esters, and hexa-, octa- and decanuclear, mixed-valence (V^V/V^IV) clusters, the latter related to decavanadate. The possible role of dimeric vanadate esters as transition state anologues in enzymatic phosphoester cleavage is addressed. Examples for carboxylate complexes are the mononuclear, seven-coordinate mixed anhydride between orthovanadic acid and pivalic acid, containing the carboxylate in the bidentate mode, tetra-, penta- and hexanuclear V^IV/V^V clusters with bridging carboxylate, and trinuclear V^IV and V^II/V^III clusters, bridged by carboxylates and trebly bridged by O^2–. Special attention is given to a comparison of the bowls containing a V₄(-O)₃(-OH)(O₂CR)₄ and V₄(-O₄(O₂CR)₄ core, respectively, which can accomodate a K⁺ or a NO ₃ ^– .⁵¹V NMR spectroscopy is shown to be a useful tool, in many cases, for the vanadium speciation of complex systems.     

Vanadium compounds as therapeutic agents: Some chemical and biochemical studies

The behaviour of three vanadium(V) systems, namely the pyridinone (V^V-dmpp), the salicylaldehyde (V^V-salDPA) and the pyrimidinone (V^V-MHCPE) complexes, is studied in aqueous solutions, under aerobic and physiological conditions using ⁵¹V NMR, EPR and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopies. The speciations for the V^V-dmpp and V^V-salDPA have been previously reported. In this work, the system V^V-MHCPE is studied by pH-potentiometry and ⁵¹V NMR. The results indicate that, at pH ca. 7, the main species present are (V^VO₂)L₂ and (V^VO₂)LH₋₁ (L = MHCPE⁻) and hydrolysis products, similar to those observed in aqueous solutions of V^V-dmpp. The latter species is protonated as the pH decreases, originating (V^VO₂)L and (V^VO₂)LH. All the V^V-species studied are stable in aqueous media with different compositions and at physiological pH, including the cell culture medium. The compounds were screened for their potential cytotoxic activity in two different cell lines. The toxic effects were found to be incubation time and concentration dependent and specific for each compound and type of cells. The HeLa tumor cells seem to be more sensitive to drug effects than the 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. According to the IC₅₀ values and the results on reversibility to drug effects, the V^V-species resulting from the V^V-MHCPE system show higher toxicity in the tumor cells than in non-tumor cells, which may indicate potential antitumor activity.     

Membrane potential,anion and cation conductances in Ehrlich ascites tumor cell

Summary The fluorescence intensity of the dye 1,1-dipropyloxadicarbocyanine (DiOC₃-(5)) has been measured in suspensions of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in an attempt to monitor their membrane potential (V _m ) under different ionic conditions, after treatment with cation ionophores and after hypotonic cell swelling. Calibration is performed with gramicidin in Na⁺-free K⁺/choline⁺ media, i.e., standard medium in which NaCl is replaced by KCl and cholineCl and where the sum of potassium and choline is kept constant at 155mm. Calibration by the valinomycin null point procedure described by Lariset al. (Laris, P.C., Pershadsingh, A., Johnstone, R.M., 1976,Biochim. Biophys. Acta 436:475–488) is shown to be valid only in the presence of the Cl^–-channel blocker indacrinone (MK196). Distribution of the lipophilic anion SCN^– as an indirect estimation of the membrane potential is found not to be applicable for the fast changes inV _m reported in this paper. Incubation with DiOC₃-(5) for 5 min is demenstrated to reduce the Cl^– permeability by 26±5% and the NO ₃ ^– permeability by 15±2%, while no significant effect of the probe could be demonstrated on the K⁺ permeability. Values forV _m , corrected for the inhibitory effect of the dye on the anion conductance, are estimated at –61±1 mV in isotonic standard NaCl medium, –78±3 mV in isotonic Na⁺-free choline medium and –46±1 mV in isotonic NaNO₃ medium. The cell membrane is depolarized by addition of the K⁺ channel inhibitor quinine and it is hyperpolarized when the cells are suspended in Na⁺-free choline medium, indicating thatV _m is generated partly by potassium and partly by sodium diffusion. Ehrlich cells have previously been shown to be more permeable to nitrate than to chloride. Substituting NO ₃ ^– for all cellular and extracellular Cl^– leads to a depolarization of the membrane, demonstrating thatV _m is also generated by the anions and that anions are above equilibrium. Taking the previously demonstrated single-file behavior of the K⁺ channels into consideration, the membrane conductances in Ehrlich cells are estimated at 10.4 S/cm² for K⁺, 3.0 S/cm² for Na⁺, 0.6 S/cm² for Cl^– and 8.7 S/cm² for NO ₃ ^– . Addition of the Ca²⁺-ionophore A23187 results in net loss of KCl and a hyperpolarization of the membrane, indicating that the K⁺ permeability exceeds the Cl^– permeability also after the addition of A23187. The K⁺ and Cl^– conductances in A23187-treated Ehrlich cells are estimated at 134 and 30 S/cm², respectively. The membrane potential is depolarized in hypotonically swollen cells, confirming that the increase in the Cl^– permeability following hypotonic exposure exceeds the concommitant increase in the K⁺ permeability. In control experiments where the membrane potentialV _m =E _K =E _Cl =E _Na , it is demonstrated that cell volume changes has no significant effect on the fluorescence signal, apparently because of a large intracellular buffering capacity. The increase in the Cl^– conductances is 68-fold when cells are transferred to a medium with half the osmolarity of the standard medium, as estimated from the net Cl^– efflux and the change inV _m . The concommitant increase in the K⁺ conductance, as estimated from the net K⁺ efflux, is only twofold.     

A fresh look into VO(salen) chemistry: synthesis, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and crystal structure of [VO(salen)(H2O)]Br · 0.5 CH3CN

The reaction of V^IVO(salen) with [Et₄N][SnBr₃] in air proceeds via an initial reduction to give a [V^III (salen)]⁺ intermediate, which is then oxidised to dark green [V^VO(salen)(H₂O)]Br, 1. As determined by X-ray crystallography, 1 in the solid state contains hexacoordinate vanadium. ⁵¹V NMR spectra indicate that dissociation of the aqua ligand occurs to give a pentacoordinated [V^VO(salen)] cation in methanol-d₄ solution, while in DMSO-d₆ solutions, coordination of the solvent occurs to give [V^VO(salen)(DMSO-d₆)]⁺. The colour of 1 can be accounted for by O_oxo → V^V and phenolate → V^V LMCTs. Results from this study have led to the re-assignment of LMCTs and V-N and V-O_phenolate stretching frequencies in the IR spectrum. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 indicates three redox processes. The first is typical of [VO(salen)]/[VO(salen)]⁺ couple and the other two are bromide oxidations.     

Structures and stability of N<Subscript>13</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> and N<Subscript>13</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript> clusters

The structures and stabilities of eleven N₁₃ ⁺ and N₁₃ ^– isomers have been investigated with second-order Møller–Plesset (MP2) and density functional theory (DFT) methods. Five N₁₃ ⁺ isomers and six N₁₃ ^– isomers are all reasonable local minima on their potential energy hypersurfaces. The most stable N₁₃ ⁺ cation is structure C-2 with C_2v symmetry, which contains a pentazole ring and two N₄ open chains. It is different from those of the N₇ ⁺ and N₉ ⁺ clusters, but similar to the N₁₁ ⁺ cluster. Meanwhile, the most stable N₁₃ ^– structure A-2 is composed of a pentazole ring and a six-membered ring connected by two nitrogen atoms. It is not only different from those of the N₇ ^– and N₉ ^– clusters, but also from the N₁₁ ^– cluster. The decomposition pathways of structures C-2 and A-2 were investigated at the B3LYP/(aug)-cc-pVDZ level. From the barrier heights of the structures C-2 and A-2 decomposition processes, it is suggested that C-2 is difficult to observe experimentally and A-2 may be observed as a short-lived species. Figure Optimized geometrical parameters of N₁₃ ⁺ isomer C-2      

Synthesis, isolation and spectroscopic characterization of Dawson polyoxotungstate-supported, organometallic complex, [{(C6H6)Ru}P2W15V3O62]: The two positional isomers

The Dawson polyoxotungstate (POM)-based, organometallic ruthenium(II) complex, [{(C₆H₆)Ru}P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂]⁷⁻, was synthesized as two materials, i.e. 1 · 2Bu₄NCl and 1 · 1Bu₄NCl (1 = (Bu₄N)₇[{(C₆H₆)Ru}P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂]), which contained two positional isomers a and b as major or minor species. In isomer a with the overall C_s symmetry, the (C₆H₆)Ru²⁺ group was supported on one vanadium(V) octahedral site (two V-O-V bridging oxygens and one OV terminal oxygen) of the three edge-shared vanadium(V) octahedra (V₃ site, B-site) in the Dawson POM-support [1,2,3-P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂]⁹⁻, whereas in the other isomer b with the overall C_3v symmetry, the (C₆H₆)Ru²⁺ group was supported on the center of the V₃ site in the Dawson POM-support. Material 1 · 2Bu₄NCl was prepared by a stoichiometric reaction in CH₂Cl₂ at ambient temperature of the Dawson POM-support (Bu₄N)₉[1,2,3-P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂] with the precursor [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂, whereas material 1 · 1Bu₄NCl was prepared by a stoichiometric reaction in CH₃CN under refluxing conditions. The temperature-varied ³¹P NMR spectra revealed that b was thermodynamically more stable thana.     

Functionalization of polyoxomolybdates: the example of nitrosyl derivatives

Nitrosyl derivatives of polyoxomolybdates have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Most of them contain the Mo^II(NO)³⁺ unit and their structures are related to the following structural types: Lindqvist, Keggin and decatungstate [W₁₀O₃₂]^4–. Reductive nitrosylation of (NBu₄)₄[-Mo₈O₂₆] by hydroxylamine in methanol yields (NBu₄)₂[Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO){Na(MeOH)}]. 3MeOH, which is a versatile reagent yielding a variety of derivatives (i) by the transformation of [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO)]^3– into [Mo₆O₁₈(NO)]^3– in acetonitrile, (ii) by the formation of [PMo₁₂O₃₉(NO)]^4– by reaction of [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO)]^3– with [PMO₁₂O₄₀]^3– in basic condition and (iii) by the formation of mixed valence Mo^VI/Mo^V/Mo^II decamolybdates [Mo₁₀O₂₄(OMe)₇(NO)]^2–, [Mo₁₀O₂₅(OMe)₆(NO)]^– and [Mo₁₀O₂₀(OMe)₉(NO)₃]^2– by chemical reduction of [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO)]^3–; Mo^II is localized while Mo^V are delocalized in the first two species but localized in the third. The unique ligating properties of [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO)]^3– have been documented: this species acts as a tetradentate ligand in [Ce{Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO)}₂]^2–, a symmetrically tetraligating ligand in [Rh₂Cp*₂(-Br){-Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO)}] and a bidentate ligand in [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NO){RhCp*(H₂O)}]^–. Some polyoxomolybdates of the type [Mo₅(NO)₂O₁₂{RC(NH₂)NHO}₂{RC(NH)NO}₂]^2–, which contain the Mo⁰(NO) ₂ ²⁺ unit, have also been characterized.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of fluoroalkyl phosphoryl complexes of tin tetrachloride

The synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of a series of octahedral complexes SnCl₄·2L (L = R₂NP(O)(OCH₂CF₃)₂; R = Me (1); Et (2) or L = P(O)(OCH₂R_f)₃; R_f = CF₃ (3); C₂F₅ (4)) are described. Complexes 1-4 were prepared from SnCl₄ and 2 equiv. of the ligand, L, in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution. The adducts have been characterised by multinuclear (¹H, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In dichloromethane solution, the NMR data showed the presence of a mixture of cis and trans isomers for 1 and 2 and only the cis isomer for 3 and 4. The difference could be interpreted in terms of the electronic effects of the substituents on the phosphorus atom of the ligand. In addition, the solution structure of the complexes studied by variable temperature ³¹P-{¹H} and ¹H NMR in the presence of excess ligand indicated that the ligand exchange on the cis isomer dominates the chemistry. The metal-ligand exchange barriers were estimated to be 13.38 and 11.39 kcal/mol for 1 and 3, respectively. The results are discussed and compared with those previously reported for the related hexamethylphosphoramide adduct, SnCl₄·2HMPA.     

The role of ion antiporters in the maintenance of intracellular pH in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular smooth muscle intracellular pH is maintained by the Na⁺/H⁺ and Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– antiporters. The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger is a major route of H⁺ extrusion in most eukaryotic cells and is present in vascular smooth muscle cells in a similar capacity. It extrudes H^– into the extracellular space in exchange for Na⁺. The Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchanger plays an analogous role to lower the pH of vascular smooth muscle cells when increases in intracellular pH occur. Its activity has also been demonstrated in A7r5 and A10 vascular smooth muscle cells. The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger is regulated by a number of agents which act through inositol trisphosphate/diacylglycerol, to stimulate the antiporter. Calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase may also activate the antiporter in vivo. Phosphorylation of the Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchanger has also been observed but its physiological role is not known. Both these antiporters exist in the plasma membrane as integral proteins with free acidic cytoplasmic termini. These regions may be important in sensing changes in intracellular pH, to which these antiporters respond.Abbreviations CaM Calmodulin - DCCD Dicylohexyl-Carbodiimide - DG Diacylglycerol - DIDS-4 4-Diisthiocyanostilbene-2,2-Disulfonic Acid - IP₃ Inositol Trisphosphate - PKC protein Kinase C - SITS-4 4-Acetamido-4-Isothiocyanstilbene-2,2-Disulfonate - VSMC Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell     

Inward-rectifier K<Superscript><Emphasis Type="Bold">+</Emphasis></Superscript> Current in Guinea-pig Ventricular Myocytes Exposed to Hyperosmotic Solutions

Superfusion of heart cells with hyperosmotic solution causes cell shrinkage and inhibition of membrane ionic currents, including delayed-rectifer K⁺ currents. To determine whether osmotic shrinkage also inhibits inwardly-rectifying K⁺ current (I_K1), guinea-pig ventricular myocytes in the perforated-patch or ruptured-patch configuration were superfused with a Tyrodes solution whose osmolarity (T) relative to isosmotic (1T) solution was increased to 1.3–2.2T by addition of sucrose. Hyperosmotic superfusate caused a rapid shrinkage that was accompanied by a negative shift in the reversal potential of Ba²⁺-sensitive I_K1, an increase in the amplitude of outward I_K1, and a steepening of the slope of the inward I_K1-voltage (V) relation. The magnitude of these effects increased with external osmolarity. To evaluate the underlying changes in chord conductance (G_K1) and rectification, G_K1-V data were fitted with Boltzmann functions to determine maximal G_K1 (G_K1max) and voltage at one-half G_K1max (V_0.5). Superfusion with hyperosmotic sucrose solutions led to significant increases in G_K1max (e.g., 28±2% with 1.8T), and significant negative shifts in V_0.5 (e.g., –6.7±0.6 mV with 1.8T). Data from myocytes investigated under hyperosmotic conditions that do not induce shrinkage indicate that G_K1max and V_0.5 were insensitive to hyperosmotic stress per se but sensitive to elevation of intracellular K⁺. We conclude that the effects of hyperosmotic sucrose solutions on I_K1 are related to shrinkage-induced concentrating of intracellular K⁺.     

Mechanisms of fusicoccin action: evidence for concerted modulations of secondary K+ transport in a higher plant cell

Fusicoccin (FC) has long been known to promote K⁺ uptake in higher plant cells, including stomatal guard cells, yet the precise mechanism behind this enhancement remains uncertain. Membrane hyperpolarization, thought to arise from primary H⁺ pumping stimulated in FC, could help drive K⁺ uptake, but the extent to which FC stimulates influx and uptake frequently exceeds any reasonable estimates from Constant Field Theory based on changes in the free-running membrane potential (V _m) alone; furthermore, unidirectional flux analyses have shown that in the toxin K⁺ (⁸⁶Rb⁺) exchange plummets to 10% of the control (G.M. Clint and E.A.C. MacRobbie 1984, J. Exp. Bot.35 180–192). Thus, the activities of specific pathways for K⁺ movement across the membrane could be modified in FC. We have explored a role for K⁺ channels in mediating these fluxes in guard cells ofVicia faba L. The correspondence between FC-induced changes in chemical (⁸⁶Rb⁺) flux and in electrical current under voltage clamp was followed, using the K⁺ channel blocker tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) to probe tracer and charge movement through K⁺-selective channels. Parallel flux and electrical measurements were carried out when cells showed little evidence of primary pump activity, thus simplifying analyses. Under these conditions, outward-directed K⁺ channel current contributed appreciably to charge balance maintainingV _m, and adding 10 mM TEA to block the current depolarized (positive-going)V _m; TEA also reduced⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux by 68–80%. Following treatments with 10 M FC, both K⁺ channel current and⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux decayed, irreversbly and without apparent lag, to 10%–15% of the controls and with equivalent half-times (approx. 4 min). Fusicoccin also enhanced⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx by 13.9-fold, but the influx proved largely insensitive to TEA. Overall, FC promotednet cation uptake in 0.1 mM K⁺ (Rb⁺), despite membrane potentials which were 30–60 mVpositive of the K⁺ equilibrium potential. These results tentatively link (chemical) cation efflux to charge movement through the K⁺ channels. They offer evidence of an energy-coupled mechanism for K⁺ uptake in guard cells. Finally, the data reaffirm early suspicions that FC alters profoundly the K⁺ transport capacity of the cells, independent of any changes in membrane potential.Abbreviations and symbols E _K equilibrium potential for K⁺ - FC fusicoccin - Hepes 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineeth-anesulfonic acid - G _m membrane (slope) conductance atV _m - I-V current-voltage (relationship) - apparent rate constant for exchange - K _i ⁺ , K ₀ ⁺ intracellular, extracellular K⁺ (concentration) - TEA tetraethylammonium chloride - V _m free-running membrane potential (difference)     

Voltage dependence of the Ca2+-activated K+ conductance of human red cell membranes is strongly dependent on the extracellular K+ concentration

Summary The conductance of the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel (g _K(Ca)) of the human red cell membrane was studied as a function of membrane potential (V _m ) and extracellular K⁺ concentration ([K⁺]_ex). ATP-depleted cells, with fixed values of cellular K⁺ (145mm) and pH (7.1), and preloaded with 27 m ionized Ca were transferred, with open K⁺ channels, to buffer-free salt solutions with given K⁺ concentrations. Outward-current conductances were calculated from initial net effluxes of K⁺, correspondingV _m , monitored by CCCP-mediated electrochemical equilibration of protons between a buffer-free extracellular and the heavily buffered cellular phases, and Nernst equilibrium potentials of K ions (E _K) determined at the peak of hyperpolarization. Zero-current conductances were calculated from unidirectional effluxes of⁴²K at (V _m –E _K)0, using a single-file flux ratio exponent of 2.7. Within a [K⁺]_ex range of 5.5 to 60mm and at (V _m –E _K) 20 mV a basic conductance, which was independent of [K⁺]_ex, was found. It had a small voltage dependence, varying linearly from 45 to 70 S/cm² between 0 and –100 mV. As (V _m –E _K) decreased from 20 towards zero mVg _K(Ca) increased hyperbolically from the basic value towards a zero-current value of 165 S/cm². The zero-current conductance was not significantly dependent on [K⁺]_ex (30 to 156mm) corresponding toV _m (–50 mV to 0). A further increase ing _K(Ca) symmetrically aroundE _K is suggested as (V _m –E _K) becomes positive. Increasing the extracellular K⁺ concentration from zero and up to 3mm resulted in an increase ing _K(Ca) from 50 to 70 S/cm². Since the driving force (V _m –E _K) was larger than 20 mV within this range of [K⁺]_ex this was probably a specific K⁺ activation ofg _K(Ca). In conclusion: The Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel of the human red cell membrane is an inward rectifier showing the characteristic voltage dependence of this type of channel.     

Excitation-revealed changes in cytoplasmic Cl− concentration in “Cl−-starved”Chara cells

Summary The changes in the cytoplasmic Cl^– concentration, [Cl^–] _c , are monitored at the time of withdrawal (starvation) and subsequent replacement of Cl^– in the outside medium. The measurement technique exploits the involvement of Cl^– inChara excitation. The transient clamp current due to Cl^–,I _Cl, is separated from other excitation transients through Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) equations, which have been adjusted toChara. TheI _Cl amplitude depends on HH parameters, [Cl^–] _c and the maximum membrane conductance to Cl^–, . The results are discussed in terms of these quantities.I _Cl and were found to fall after 6–10 hr of Cl^– starvation, thus supporting the hypothesis that [Cl^– _c decreases in Cl^–-free medium. The best HH fit to starved data was obtained with [Cl^– _c =3.5mm. The time-course forI _Cl decline is considerably slower than the time-course of the rise of the starvation-stimulated influx. As cells starved for periods longer than 24 hr are re-exposed to Cl^–, it is revealed that while [Cl^–] _c remains low during long starvation, increases to values greater than those of the normal cells. Such differences among cells starved for various lengths of time have not been detected previously.     

The nature of the neutral Na+−Cl− coupled entry at the apical membrane of rabbit gallbladder epithelium: III. Analysis of transports on membrane vesicles

Summary In rabbit gallbladder epithelium, a Na⁺/H⁺, Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– double exchange and a Na⁺–Cl^– symport are both present, but experiments on intact tissue cannot resolve whether the two transport systems operate simultaneously. Thus, isolated apical plasma membrane vesicles were prepared. After preloading with Na⁺, injection into a sodium-free medium caused a stable intravesicular acidification (monitored with the acridine orange fluorescence quenching method) that was reversed by Na⁺ addition to the external solution. Although to a lesser extent, acidification took place also in experiments with an electric potential difference (PD) equal to 0. If a preset pH difference (pH) was imposed ([H⁺]_in>[H⁺]_out, PD=0), the addition of Na-gluconate to the external solution caused pH dissipation at a rate that followed saturation kinetics. Amiloride (10^–4 m) reduced the pH dissipation rate. Taken together, these data indicate the presence of Na⁺ and H⁺ conductances in addition to an amiloride-sensitive, electroneutral Na⁺/H⁺ exchange.An inwardly directed [Cl^–] gradient (PD=0) did not induce intravesicular acidification. Therefore, in this preparation, there was no evidence for the presence of a Cl^–/OH^– exchange.When both [Na⁺] and [Cl^–] gradients (outwardly directed, PD=0) were present, fluorescence quenching reached a maximum 20–30 sec after vesicle injection and then quickly decreased. The decrease was not observed in the presence of a [Na⁺] gradient alone or the same [Na⁺] gradient with Cl^– at equal concentrations at both sides. Similarly, the decrease was abolished in the presence of both Na⁺ and Cl^– concentration gradients and hydrochlorothiazide (5×10^–4 m). The decrease was not influenced by an inhibitor of Cl^–/OH^– exchange (10^–4 m furosemide) or of Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl^– symport (10^–5 m bumetanide).We conclude that a Na⁺/H⁺ exchange and a Na⁺–Cl^– symport are present and act simultaneously. This suggests that in intact tissue the Na⁺–Cl^– symport is also likely to work in parallel with the Na⁺/H⁺ exchange and does not represent an induced homeostatic reaction of the epithelium when Na⁺/H⁺ exchange is inhibited.     

Ca2+-activated K+ conductance of human red cell membranes exhibits two different types of voltage dependence

Summary The voltage dependence for outward-going current of the Ca-activated K⁺ conductance (g _k (Ca)) of the human red cell membrane has been examined over a wide range of membrane potentials (V _m) at constant values of [K⁺]_ex, [K⁺]_c and pH_c, the intact cells being preloaded to different concentrations of ionized calcium. Outward-current conductances were calculated from initial net effluxes of K⁺ and the corresponding (V _m-E_k) values. The basic conductance, defined as the outward-current coductance at (V _m-E_k) 20 mV and [K⁺]_ex 3mM (B. Vestergaard-Bogind, P. Stampe and P. Christophersen,J. Membrane Biol. 95:121–130, 1987) was found to be a function of cellular ionized Ca. At all degrees of Ca activationg _K(Ca) was an apparently linear function of voltage (V _m range –40 to +70 mV), the absolute level as well as the slope decreasing with decreasing activation. In a simple two-state model the constant voltage dependence can, at the different degrees of Ca activation, be accounted for by a Boltzmann-type equilibrium function with an equivalent valence of 0.4, assuming chemical equilibrium atV _m=0 mV. Alternatively, the phenomenon might be explained by a voltage-dependent block of the outward current by an intracellular ion. Superimposed upon the basic conductance is the apparently independent inward-rectifying steep voltage function with an equivalent valence of 5 and chemical equilibrium at the givenE _K value.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanidem-chlorophenylhydrazone - DIDS 4,4-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disul     

Ion transport across the early chick embryo: I. Electrical measurements,ionic fluxes and regional heterogeneity

The chick blastoderm at the stage of late gastrula is a flat disc formed by three cell layers and exhibiting epithelial properties. Blastoderms were cultured in miniature chambers and their electrophysiological characteristics were determined under Ussing conditions.Under open-circuit condition and identical physiological solutions on both sides, spontaneous transblastodermal potential difference (V _oc) of –7.5±3.3 mV (ventral side positive) was measured. Under short-circuit condition (transblastodermal V = 0 mV), the blastoderm generated short-circuit current (I _sc) of 21±8 A/cm², which was entirely dependent on extracellular sodium, sensitive to ouabain applied ventrally and independent of extracellular chloride. The net transblastodermal Na⁺ flux fully accounted for the measured I _sc, both under control conditions and with ouabain. The total transblastodermal resistance (R _tot) was 390±125 cm².Frequently, the V _oc, I _sc and R _tot showed spontaneous oscillations with a period of 4–5 min. Removal of endoderm and mesoderm did not significantly affect the electrical properties, indicating that the electrogenic sodium transport is generated by the ectoderm.The V _oc and I _sc measured in the area pellucida (–1.3±0.8 mV, 9.3±4.4 A/cm²) and extraembryonic area opaca (–7.8±1.1 mV, 31.2±12.7 A/cm²) were significantly different. Such a heterogeneous distribution of electrical properties can explain the presence in the blastoderm of extracellular electrical currents found by using a vibrating probe.This work was supported by the Swiss National Research Foundation (grant. 3.418-0.86 to P.K.) and by Roche Research Foundation (grant. to U.K.). We thank Drs. E. Raddatz and Y. de Ribaupierre for helpful discussions.     

Synthesis and characterization of three geometric isomers of ruthenium(2,2-bipyridyl)(salicylaldehyde)2

A new synthesis of Ru^II(bpy)(sal)₂ (1) (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridyl, sal=salicylaldehyde) has been developed and the separation and characterization of all three geometric isomers have been completed. The isomers are denoted 1a (phenolic oxygens trans), 1b, (aldehyde oxygens trans), and 1c (aldehyde oxygen trans to phenolic oxygen). All three isomers have been characterized by ¹H NMR, high resolution FAB-MS, UV-Vis, and cyclic voltammetry. Additionally, 1a has been characterized by solid-state UV-Vis and a single-crystal X-ray structural study. The solid-state packing of the Ru^II(bpy)(sal)₂ molecules in the structure of 1a displays intermolecular π-π interactions between bpy ligands of adjacent molecules. The bpy interactions form infinite π-stacks with alternating short stacking distances of 3.437 and 3.402 Å.