Ultrahistochemical and autoradiographic evidence for epithelial transport in the uterus of the ovoviviparous salamander,Salamandra salamandra (L.) (Amphibia,Urodela)

Summary The uterine epithelium of pregnant females of the terrestrial ovoviviparous Salamandra salamandra is characterized by a considerable enlargement of its basolateral surface. Chloride and cations (among others sodium), preferentially within the intercellular spaces, can be demonstrated ultrahistochemically. There is indirect evidence of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity along the basolateral plasma membranes of the epithelial cells using the Sr-technique for demonstration of a K⁺-NPPase and ³H-ouabain autoradiography. Preliminary measurements reveal a potential difference across the uterine wall of 15–25mV, the lumenal (mucosal) surface being negative with respect to the coelomic (serosal) surface, and a short circuit current of 200–300 A. The possibly electrogenic ion transport is ouabain-sensitive. The results are in agreement with the model of a forward transporting, i.e. absorptive epithelium. An active transport of solute out of the uterine lumen across the epithelium to the subjacent connective tissue and the blood vessels may be involved in the regulation of an intrauterine milieu appropriate for the development of the offspring.I am indebted to Miss Dr. U. Beigel, Zoologisches Institut der Universität Münster, for linguistic help     

The effect of hemodialysis on the transport of sodium in erythrocytes from chronic renal failure patients maintained on hemodialysis

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the modulatory effect of maintenance hemodialysis on ouabain sensitive (OS) and ouabain insensitive (OIS) 22Na(+) uptake in erythrocytes (E) of 8 chronic renal failure patients of both sexes. Following the receipt of informed consent, the blood samples were obtained just before and after Dialysis. The % 22Na(+) uptake of the total 22Na(+) present in the assay media was determined in the purified E just before and after Dialysis. The assay medium was composed of 100 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 10 mM trisbase, 10 mM MOPS, 10 mM D-glucose and 60 mM sucrose, pH 7.4 with and without ouabain. Five different concentrations of E, ranging from 0.75 to 2.00 x 10(9)/mL were used for this study. We observed a linear relationship between the 22Na(+) uptake and E concentrations in both of the assay systems (OS and OIS). The mean total 22Na(+) uptake per 6.5 x 10(9) E/mL in OS and OIS before and after hemodialysis were 3.28 +/- 0.4 (OS) and 3.26 +/- 0.42 (OIS), and 3.42 +/- 0.54 (OS) and 3.42 +/- 0.68 (OIS) respectively. The relative % differences between pre- and post-Dialysis were 4 and 5%, which were statistically not significant. From this study, we conclude that hemodialysis does not affect E membrane properties influencing 22Na(+) transport.     

Inhibitory effects of choleretic hydroxyacetophenones on ileal bile acid transport in rats

The effects of the choleretic and cholesterol lowering compound, 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone (THA) and its analog, 2,6-dihydroxyacetophenone (DHA), on ileal bile acid absorption were investigated in rats. THA inhibited taurocholate (TC) uptake into ileal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV), showing a maximum inhibition of 50%, whereas DHA completely inhibited TC uptake into ileal BBMV. THA exhibited competitive inhibition with a Ki of 9.88 mM, while DHA showed non-competitive inhibition with a Ki of 7.65 mM. Both total and ouabain-sensitive basolateral membrane (BLM) Na+-K+-ATPase activities, which are essential for maintenance of the Na+-gradient for bile acid transport, were inhibited by THA and DHA in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of BLM ATPase was uncompetitive with a Ki of 10.1 and 5.0 mM for THA and DHA, respectively. Administration of THA or DHA (400 micromol/kg) twice a day, to hypercholesterolemic rats for 3 weeks caused similar and marked reductions in plasma cholesterol to 60% of the cholesterol-fed controls. The data suggest that the inhibitory actions of THA and DHA on two essential components of ileal bile acid recycling to liver could, in part, contribute to the cholesterol lowering effect of the hydroxyacetophenone compounds. These effects on decreasing bile acid recycling, in combination with their potent choleretic effect, accelerating biliary excretion of bile acids, are responsible for the effective cholesterol lowering capacities of these compounds.     

The effects of amiloride on electrolyte transport and acid-base balance in the larval salamander,Ambystoma tigrinum

Summary The responses of net and unidirectional fluxes of Na⁺ and acid-base balance to the drug amiloride were assessed during normocapnia and hypercapnia in larval salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum. Isotope flux measurements demonstrated that 10^-4 M amiloride in the external medium inhibits Na⁺ influx during normocapnia and reverses the usual increase in influx of this ion during hypercapnia, causing a significant decrease instead. Measurements of blood-gas/acid-base balance conditions of artcrially cannulated salamanders demonstrated a significant metabolic acidosis in amiloridetreated animals that did not occur in untreated animals over the same period. the same concentration of amiloride also blocked the normal compensatory increase in [HCO _- ³ ] that follows a respiratory acidosis produced by a hypercapnic environment.Abbreviations IU international nnits - J _in influx - J _net net flux - PCO ₂ parial pressure of carbon dioxide     

In vivo modification of Na,K-ATPase activity in Drosophila

We have constructed and characterized transgenic Drosophila lines with modified Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity. Using a temperature dependent promoter from the hsp70 gene to drive expression of wild-type α subunit cDNA, we can conditionally rescue bang-sensitive paralysis and ouabain sensitivity of a Drosophila Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α subunit hypomorphic mutant, 2206. In contrast, a mutant α subunit (α^D369N) leads to increased bang-sensitive paralysis and ouabain sensitivity. We can also generate temperature dependent phenotypes in wild-type Drosophila using the same hsp70 controlled α transgenes. Ouabain sensitivity was as expected, however, both bang sensitive paralysis or locomotor phenotypes became more severe regardless of the type of α subunit transgene. Using the Gal4-UAS system we have limited expression of α transgenes to cell types that normally express a particular Drosophila Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase β (Nervana) subunit isoform (Nrv1 or 2). The Nrv1-Gal4 driver results in lethality while the Nrv2-Gal4 driver shows reduced viability, locomotor function and uncontrolled wing beating. These transgenic lines will be useful for disrupting function in a broad range of cell types.     

Ontogeny of the antennal glands in the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus (Crustacea, Decapoda): immunolocalization of Na+,K+-ATPase

The involvement of the antennal urinary glands in the ontogeny of osmoregulatory functions was investigated during the development of Astacus leptodactylus by measurements of hemolymph and urine osmolality in juvenile and adult crayfish and by the immunodetection of the enzyme Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase. In stage II juveniles, 1-year-old juveniles, and adults, all of which were maintained in freshwater, urine was significantly hypotonic to hemolymph. In adults, chloride and sodium concentrations were much lower in urine than in hemolymph. During embryonic development, Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase was detected by immunocytochemistry in ionocytes lining the tubule and the bladder, at an eye index (EI) of 220–250 m, and in the labyrinth, at EI 350 m. In all regions, immunofluorescence was mainly located at the basolateral side of the cells. No immunofluorescence was detected at any stage in the coelomosac. In late embryonic stages (EI 410–440 m), in stage I juveniles, and in adults, strong positive immunofluorescence was found from the labyrinth up to and including the bladder. These results show that, as early as hatching, juvenile crayfish are able to produce dilute urine hypotonic to hemolymph. This ability originates from the presence of Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in ion-transporting cells located in the labyrinth, the tubule, and the bladder of the antennal glands and constitutes one of the main adaptations of crayfish to freshwater.We thank the University of Tarbiat Modarres and Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Islamic Republic of Iran for financial aid and support. Special thanks are also due to the Société Française dExportation des Ressources Educatives (SFERE) for the scholarship to S.K.     

Effect of renoguanylin on hydrogen/bicarbonate ion transport in rat renal tubules

Renoguanylin (REN) is a recently described member of the guanylin family, which was first isolated from eels and is expressed in intestinal and specially kidney tissues. In the present work we evaluate the effects of REN on the mechanisms of hydrogen transport in rat renal tubules by the stationary microperfusion method. We evaluated the effect of 1 μM and 10 μM of renoguanylin (REN) on the reabsorption of bicarbonate in proximal and distal segments and found that there was a significant reduction in bicarbonate reabsorption. In proximal segments, REN promoted a significant effect at both 1 and 10 μM concentrations. Comparing control and REN concentration of 1 μM, JHCO₃⁻, nmol cm^− 2 s^− 1 − 1,76 ± 0,11_control × 1,29 ± 0,08_{REN 10 μM}; P < 0.05, was obtained. In distal segments the effect of both concentrations of REN was also effective, being significant e.g. at a concentration of 1 μM (JHCO₃⁻, nmol cm^− 2 s⁻ 1 − 0.80 ± 0.07_control × 0.60 ± 0.06_{REN 1 μM}; P < 0.05), although at a lower level than in the proximal tubule. Our results suggest that the action of REN on hydrogen transport involves the inhibition of Na⁺/H⁺exchanger and H⁺-ATPase in the luminal membrane of the perfused tubules by a PKG dependent pathway.     

长苞香蒲对人工盐碱湿地Na+和K+的吸收与转运特征

为揭示长苞香蒲(Typha domingensis)对盐生湿地生态系统中Na⁺和K⁺的吸收与转运特征,探讨长苞香蒲对盐生湿地的生态修复效果,该研究采用人工模拟盐生湿地的方法,设置CK(对照)、T1(浇灌100 mmol·L^-1盐水)、T2(浇灌200 mmol·L^-1盐水)及T3(浇灌300 mmol·L^-1盐水)4种不同盐浓度的人工湿地生态系统,并分别于5月5日(开始盐胁迫处理,S0)、5月30日(S1)、6月30日(S2)和7月30日(S3)测量其株高和干重、植株地上与地下部分Na⁺和K⁺的含量以及底泥和水体中Na⁺和K⁺的含量以分析长苞香蒲对盐碱湿地的脱盐作用。结果表明：(1)各处理的长苞香蒲的株高和干重随着处理时间的延长呈增加趋势,但与CK相比,各处理生长量随盐浓度升高出现下降趋势。(2)高浓度盐处理(T3)使长苞香蒲的地上部分和地下部分的Na⁺分别增加了2.5...     

Evidence against parallel operation of sodium/calcium antiport and ATP-driven calcium transport in plasma membrane vesicles from kidney tubule cells

The present study aimed to clarify the existence of a Na⁺/Ca²⁺ antiport device in kidney tubular epithelial cells discussed in the literature to represent the predominant mechanistic device for Ca²⁺ reabsorption in the kidney. (1) Inside-out oriented plasma membrane vesicles from tubular epithelial cells of guinea-pig kidney showed an ATP-driven Ca²⁺ transport machinery similar to that known to reside in the plasma membrane of numerous cell types. It was not affected by digitalis compounds which otherwise are well-documented inhibitors of Ca²⁺ reabsorption. (2) The vesicle preparation contained high, digitalis-sensitive (Na⁺+K⁺-ATPase activities indicating its origin from the basolateral portion of plasma membrane. (3) The operation of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ antiport device was excluded by the findings that steep Ca²⁺ gradients formed by ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ accumulation in the vesicles were not discharged by extravesicular Na⁺, and did not drive ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake into the vesicles via a Ca²⁺-⁴⁵Ca²⁺ exchange. (4) The ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake into the vesicles became increasingly depressed with time by extravesicular Na⁺. This was not due to an impairment of the Ca²⁺ pump itself, but caused by Na⁺/Ca²⁺ competition for binding sites on the intravesicular membrane surface shown to be important for high Ca²⁺ accumulation in the vesicles. (5) Earlier observations on Na⁺-induced release of Ca²⁺ from vesicles pre-equilibrated with Ca²⁺, seemingly favoring the existence of a Na⁺/Ca²⁺ antiporter in the basolateral plasma membrane, were likewise explained by the occurrence of Na⁺/Ca²⁺ competition for binding sites. The weight of our findings disfavors the transcellular pathway of Ca²⁺ reabsorption through tubule epithelium essentially depending on the operation of a Na⁺/Ca²⁺ antiport device.     

Increases in transepithelial vectorial Na+ transport facilitates Na+-dependent L-DOPA transport in renal OK cells

The present study evaluated the hypothesis of whether increases in vectorial Na+ transport translate into facilitation of Na+-dependent L-DOPA uptake in cultured renal epithelial tubular cells. Increases in vectorial Na+ transport were obtained in opossum kidney (OK) cells engineered to overexpress Na+-K+-ATPase after transfection of wild type OK cells with the rodent Na+-K+-ATPase alpha1 subunit. The most impressive differences between wild type and transfected OK cells are that the latter overexpressed Na+-K+-ATPase accompanied by an increased activity of the transporter. Non-linear analysis of the saturation curve for l-DOPA uptake revealed a Vmax value (in nmol mg protein/6 min) of 62 and 80 in wild type and transfected cells, respectively. The uptake of a non-saturating concentration (0.25 microM) of [14C]-L-DOPA in OK-WT cells was not affected by Na+ removal, whereas in OK-alpha1 cells accumulation of [14C]-L-DOPA was clearly dependent on the presence of extracellular Na+. When Na+ was replaced by choline, the inhibitory profile of neutral l-amino acids, but not of basic and acidic amino acids, upon [14C]-L-DOPA uptake in both cell types, was significantly greater than that observed in the presence of extracellular Na+. It is concluded that enhanced ability of OK cells overexpressing Na+-K+-ATPase to translocate Na+ from the apical to the basal cell side correlates positively with their ability to accumulate L-DOPA, which is in agreement with the role of Na+ in taking up the precursor of renal dopamine.     

Long-term exposure of the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium olfersii to elevated salinity: Effects on gill (Na,K)-ATPase α-subunit expression and K-phosphatase activity

The kinetic properties of a microsomal gill (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase from the freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium olfersii, acclimated to 21‰ salinity for 10 days were investigated using the substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate. The enzyme hydrolyzed this substrate obeying cooperative kinetics at a rate of 123.6 ± 4.9 U mg^− 1 and K_0.5 = 1.31 ± 0.05 mmol L^− 1. Stimulation of K⁺-phosphatase activity by magnesium (V_max = 125.3 ± 7.5 U mg^− 1; K_0.5 = 2.09 ± 0.06 mmol L^− 1), potassium (V_max = 134.2 ± 6.7 U mg^− 1; K_0.5 = 1.33 ± 0.06 mmol L^− 1) and ammonium ions (V_max = 130.1 ± 5.9 U mg^− 1; K_0.5 = 11.4 ± 0.5 mmol L^− 1) was also cooperative. While orthovanadate abolished p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity, ouabain inhibition reached 80% (K_I = 304.9 ± 18.3 μmol L^− 1). The kinetic parameters estimated differ significantly from those for freshwater-acclimated shrimps, suggesting expression of different isoenzymes during salinity adaptation. Despite the ≈2-fold reduction in K⁺-phosphatase specific activity, Western blotting analysis revealed similar α-subunit expression in gill tissue from shrimps acclimated to 21‰ salinity or fresh water, although expression of phosphate-hydrolyzing enzymes other than (Na⁺,K⁺)-ATPase was stimulated by high salinity acclimation.     

Evidence for coupling between Na+ pump activity and TEA-sensitive K+ currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Using the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we estimated Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity from the dihydroouabain-sensitive current (I _DHO) in the presence of increasing concentrations of tetraethylammonium (TEA⁺; 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 mm), a well-known blocker of K⁺ channels. The effects of TEA⁺ on the total oocyte currents could be separated into two distinct parts: generation of a nonsaturating inward current increasing with negative membrane potentials (V _M) and a saturable inhibitory component affecting an outward current easily detectable at positive V _M. The nonsaturating component appears to be a barium-sensitive electrodiffusion of TEA⁺ which can be described by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, while the saturating component is consistent with the expected blocking effect of TEA⁺ on K⁺ channels. Interestingly, this latter component disappears when the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase is inhibited by 10 m DHO. Conversely, TEA⁺ inhibits a component of I _DHO with a k _d of 25±4 mm at +50 mV. As the TEA⁺-sensitive current present in I _DHO reversed at –75 mV, we hypothesized that it could come from an inhibition of K⁺ channels whose activity varies in parallel with the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase activity. Supporting this hypothesis, the inward portion of this TEA⁺-sensitive current can be completely abolished by the addition of 1 mm Ba²⁺ to the bath. This study suggests that, in X. laevis oocytes, a close link exists between the Na-K-ATPase activity and TEA⁺-sensitive K⁺ currents and indicates that, in the absence of effective K⁺ channel inhibitors, I _DHO does not exclusively represent the Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase-generated current.     

Inhibition of NTPDase, 5′-nucleotidase, Na/K-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase activities by subchronic treatment with Casearia sylvestris

The aqueous extract of Casearia sylvestris was tested in cortical membrane preparations. C. sylvestris was obtained commercially from two different sources, designated as Sample A and Sample B. The enzymes studied in this work were NTPDase-like, 5'-Nucleotidase, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Adult rats received aqueous extracts from C. sylvestris in a dose of 20mg/kg body wt. daily for a 75-day-period, by oral administration (gavage). Our study showed that this treatment caused an inhibition of NTPDase-like activity with both, ATP (19.41% with Sample A and 25.03% with Sample B) and ADP (41.57% with Sample A and 31.20% with Sample B) as substrates. This treatment also caused an inhibition of 5'-nucleotidase activity (28.34% with Sample A and 31.46% with Sample B) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (25.08% with Sample A and 24.81% with Sample B). The rate of acetylcholine degradation was reduced, as shown by the inhibition of AChE (31.65% and 26.74%, Samples A and B, respectively). These results suggest that extracts of C. sylvestris can cause neurochemical alterations in the purinergic and cholinergic systems of the central nervous system.     

Formation Mechanism of the Free Radical Product and Its Precursor by the Reaction of Dehydro-L-ascorbic Acid with Amino Acid

During the formation of radical A (2) and its precursor (tris(2-deoxy-2-L-ascorbyl)amine, 1) by the reaction of dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) with amino acid, ascorbic acid (AsA) and the reduced red pigment (3) were newly identified, in addition to scorbamic acid (SCA) and the red pigment (4), as intermediate products. The addition of AsA to the DHA-amino acid reaction, as well as to the DHA-SCA reaction, greatly increased the formation of 3 and 1. The reaction of AsA with 4 gave rapidly 3, followed by the gradual production of 1. From these results, a reaction pathway is proposed that 3 formed by the reduction of 4 with AsA is a key intermediate and its condensation with DHA followed by reduction with AsA might produce 2 and 1.     

Freshwater to seawater acclimation of juvenile bull sharks (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carcharhinus leucas</Emphasis>): plasma osmolytes and Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>/K<Superscript>+</Superscript>-ATPase activity in gill,rectal gland,kidney and intestine

This study examined the osmoregulatory status of the euryhaline elasmobranch Carcharhinus leucas acclimated to freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW). Juvenile C. leucas captured in FW (3 mOsm l^–1 kg^–1) were acclimated to SW (980–1,000 mOsm l^–1 kg^–1) over 16 days. A FW group was maintained in captivity over a similar time period. In FW, bull sharks were hyper-osmotic regulators, having a plasma osmolarity of 595 mOsm l^–1 kg^–1. In SW, bull sharks had significantly higher plasma osmolarities (940 mOsm l^–1 kg^–1) than FW-acclimated animals and were slightly hypo-osmotic to the environment. Plasma Na⁺, Cl^–, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, urea and trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) concentrations were all significantly higher in bull sharks acclimated to SW, with urea and TMAO showing the greatest increase. Gill, rectal gland, kidney and intestinal tissue were taken from animals acclimated to FW and SW and analysed for maximal Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the gills and intestine was less than 1 mmol Pi mg^–1 protein h^–1 and there was no difference in activity between FW- and SW-acclimated animals. In contrast Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the rectal gland and kidney were significantly higher than gill and intestine and showed significant differences between the FW- and SW-acclimated groups. In FW and SW, rectal gland Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity was 5.6±0.8 and 9.2±0.6 mmol Pi mg^–1 protein h^–1, respectively. Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the kidney of FW and SW acclimated animals was 8.4±1.1 and 3.3±1.1 Pi mg^–1 protein h^–1, respectively. Thus juvenile bull sharks have the osmoregulatory plasticity to acclimate to SW; their preference for the upper reaches of rivers where salinity is low is therefore likely to be for predator avoidance and/or increased food abundance rather than because of a physiological constraint.     

Ontogeny of salinity tolerance and hyper-osmoregulation by embryos of the intertidal crabs Hemigrapsus edwardsii and Hemigrapsus crenulatus (Decapoda, Grapsidae): survival of acute hyposaline exposure

The adults of Hemigrapsus edwardsii and Hemigrapsus crenulatus are euryhaline crabs and strong hyper-osmoregulators. Their embryos are carried externally attached to the abdominal pleopods of female crabs, where they are exposed to temporal and spatial changes in salinity associated with their intertidal and estuarine habitats. Although embryos lack the branchial and excretory organs responsible for adult osmoregulation, post-gastrula embryos were highly tolerant of exposure to hypo-osmotic sea water. Detached eggs (embryos+envelopes), of both species, at all developmental stages between gastrulation and hatching, exhibited 80-100% survival for periods up to 96 h in sea water (osmolality, 1050 mmol kg(-1)) and in dilutions to 50%, 10%, and 1%. Cleavage stages were less tolerant of dilution; H. edwardsii, <50% survived 24 h in 10% sea water; H. crenulatus <50% survived 6 h in 10% sea water. Post-gastrulation stages strongly hyper-osmoregulated but cleavage stages were hyper-osmoconformers (maintaining internal osmolality approximately 150 mmol kg(-1) above external). Osmoregulatory capacity was reduced just prior hatching, particularly in H. crenulatus, although salinity tolerance remained high. Gastrulation therefore marks a critical stage in the ontogeny of osmoregulation and salinity tolerance. Total Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity increased greatly during embryogenesis of H. crenulatus (undetectable in blastulae; gastrulae 0.31+/-0.05 pmol P(i) embryo(-1) min(-1); pre-hatching 16.4+/-1.0 pmol P(i) embryo(-1) min(-1)). Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity increased in embryos exposed to dilute sea water for 24 h implicating regulation of this transporter in a short-term acclimation response.     

Phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase and the H,K-ATPase

Phosphorylation is a widely used, reversible means of regulating enzymatic activity. Among the important phosphorylation targets are the Na⁺,K⁺- and H⁺,K⁺-ATPases that pump ions against their chemical gradients to uphold ionic concentration differences over the plasma membrane. The two pumps are very homologous, and at least one of the phosphorylation sites is conserved, namely a cAMP activated protein kinase (PKA) site, which is important for regulating pumping activity, either by changing the cellular distribution of the ATPases or by directly altering the kinetic properties as supported by electrophysiological results presented here. We further review the other proposed pump phosphorylations.     

Isolation, cloning and expression analysis of EcPMA1, a putative plasma membrane H-ATPase transporter gene from the biotrophic pathogenic fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum

Little is known at the molecular level about the transporters involved in nutrient transfer in the plant/powdery mildew interaction. A PCR-based approach was used to identify and isolate a partial-length cDNA coding for an isoform of the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase (EcPMA1) in the biotrophic pathogenic fungus Erysiphe cichoracearum. Southern analysis suggests that EcPMA1 exists as a single-copy gene. Sequence analysis indicated a high similarity of EcPMA1 to other fungal H⁺-ATPases. Expression of EcPMA1 increases in infected Arabidopsis leaves as the disease progresses, correlating with the growth of the pathogen.     

Papaverine reduces the sodium permeability of the apical membrane and the Potassium permeability of the basolateral membrane in isolated frog skin

Summary The effect of papaverine, an inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase responsible for breakdown of cAMP, on the transepithelial sodium transport across the isolated frog skin was investigated.Serosal addition of papaverine caused initially an increase in the short-circuit current (SCC), a doubling of the cellular cAMP content and a depolarization of the intracellular potential under SCC conditions (V _scc).The initial increase in the SCC was followed by a pronounced decrease both in the SCC and in the natriferic action of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), but papaverine had no inhibitory effect on the ability of ADH to increase the cellular cAMP content. As SCC declines, no hyperpolarization was observed.The I/V relationship across the apical membrane during the inhibitory phase, revealed that papaverine reduces the sodium permeability of the apical membrane (P _Na ^a )as well as intracellular sodium concentration. These observations and the previously noted effect of papaverine on V _scc indicates that papaverine must have an effect on the cellular Cl or K permeability.The basolateral Na,K,2Cl cotransporter was blocked with bumetanide, which should bring the cellular chloride in equilibrium. Bumetanide had no effect on basal SCC and V _scc. When papaverine was added to skins preincubated with bumetanide, the effect of papaverine on SCC and V _scc was unchanged. Therefore, the depolarization of V _scc, observed during the papaverine induced inhibition of the SCC, must be due to a reduction in the cellular K permeability.In conclusion, it is suggested that papaverine reduces the sodium permeability of the apical membrane and the potassium permeability of the basolateral membrane of the frog skin epithelium.