Photoaffinity labeling of procaine-binding sites in normal and sickle cell membranes

A photoaffinity probe, procaine azide, was employed to determine the sites of interaction of procaine in normal and sickle cell erythrocytes. Studies show that the number of binding sites and affinity of procaine to membranes derived from normal and sickled cell erythrocytes were similar, although procaine retards the in vitro formation of irreversibly sickled cells from cells. The results show that procaine azide, a photoaffinity analogue of procaine, is covalently incorporated into both protein (60–70%) and lipid (40–30%) components of the membrane. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of the labeled ghosts show that procaine binds specifically to band 3 and periodic acid-Schiff staining bands in membranes derived from labeled erythrocytes. Binding of procaine or covalent incorporation of procaine azide into membrane proteins does not affect the phosphate transport. Moreover, pre-treatment of intact erythrocytes with 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonate, an anion transport inhibitor, did not affect either the binding or covalent incorporation of procaine azide into erythrocytes. These results indicate that the binding of procaine azide to Band 3 protein occurs at a locus different than that involved in anion translocation process.     

Inhibition of anion transport in the red blood cell by anionic amphiphilic compounds I. Determination of the flufenamate-binding site by proteolytic dissection of the band 3 protein

Flufenamate, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, is a powerful inhibitor of anion transport in the human erythrocyte ($\text{I}{}_{50}\text{= 6·10}{}^{\mathrm{?7}}\text{M}$). The concentration dependence of the binding to ghosts reveals two saturable components. [¹⁴C]Flufenamate binds with high affinity ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}{}_1\text{= 1.2·10}{}^{\mathrm{?7}}\text{M}$) to 8.5·10⁵ sites per cell (the same value as the number of band 3 protein per cell); it also binds, with lower affinity ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext>}}{}_2\text{= 10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}\text{M}$) to a second set of sites (4.6·10⁷ per cell). Pretreatment of cells with 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS), a specific inhibitor of anion transport, prevents [¹⁴C]flufenamate binding only to high affinity sites. These results suggest that high affinity sites are located on the band 3 protein involved in anion transport. Extracellular chymotrypsin and pronase at low concentration cleave the 95 kDa band 3 into 60 kDa and 35 kDa fragments without affecting either anion transport or [¹⁴C]flufenamate binding. Splitting by trypsin at the inner membrane surface of the 60 kDa chymotryptic fragment into 17 kDa transmembrane fragment and 40 kDa water-soluble fragment does not affect [¹⁴C]flufenamate binding. In contrast degradation at the outer membrane surface of the 35 kDa fragment by high concentration of pronase or papain decreases both anion transport capacity and number of high affinity binding sites for [¹⁴C]flufenamate. Thus it appears that 35 kDa peptide is necessary for both anion transport and binding of the inhibitors and that the binding site is located in the membrane-associated domain of the band 3 protein.     

Anion transport in red blood cells and arginine-specific reagents: The location of [14C]Phenylglyoxal binding sites in the anion transport protein in the membrane of human red cells

The reaction of phenylglyoxal, a reagent specific for arginine residues, with erythrocyte membrane at pH 7.4 results in complete inhibition of sulfate equilibrium exchange across human red cells. The inactivation was found to be concentration and time depenent. The binding sites of this reagent in the anion transport protein (band 3) under these conditions were determined by using [¹⁴C]phenylglyoxal. The rate of incorporation of the radioactivity into band 3 gave a good correlation with the rate of inactivation. Under conditions where the transport is completely inhibited about 6 mol [¹⁴C]phenylglyoxal are incorporated into 1 mol band 3. Treating the [¹⁴C]phenylglyoxalated ghosts at different degrees of inactivation with extracellular chymotrypsin showed that about two-thirds of these binding sites are located on the 60 kDa fragment.     

The effects of anion transport inhibitors on structural transitions in erythrocyte membranes

Red blood cell membranes have been labeled with several covalent and non-covalent inhibitors of anion transport and their heat capacity profiles determined as a function of temperature. Covalent inhibitors include the amino reactive agents 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, pyridoxal phosphate and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitro benzene. The non-covalent inhibitors include several well known local anesthetics. The study was undertaken in order to identify regions of the membrane involved in anion transport. Covalent modification in all cases resulted in a large upward shift of the C transition, which is believed to involved a localized phospholipid region. Evidence is presented which indicates that Band III protein and this phospholipid region are in close physical proximity on the membrane. Addition of non-covalent inhibitors affects the membrane in either or both of two ways. In some cases, a lowering and broadening of the C transition occurs; in other the B₁ and B₂ transitions are altered. These latter transitions are believed to involve both phospholipid and protein, including Band III. These results may indicate that the non-covalent inhibitors produce their inhibitory effect on anion transport at least in part by interacting with membrane phospholipid.     

Interactions of the chelating agent 2,3-dimercapto-propane-1-sulfonate with red blood cells in vitro. I. Evidence for carrier mediated transport

Uptake of the water soluble 1,2-dimercaptopropanol (BAL) derivative 2,3-dimercapto-1-sulfonate (DMPS) into human red blood cells was found in vitro and the mode of penetration studied in detail. The compound entered erythrocytes in a concentration dependent manner. In contrast to sealed ghosts where inside and outside concentrations reached the same value, DMPS accumulated in intact erythrocytes. Since no binding of DMPS could be detected, the reason for accumulation was assumed to be a conversion of DMPS into chelates or metabolites which penetrated the membrane in a slower rate. A facilitated transport of DMPS mediated by the anion carrier protein was concluded on the basis of the following similarities with the anion transport: inhibition of [¹⁴C]DMPS-uptake by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), tetrathionate (90%), sulfate (50%), 5,5′-dithio bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) (25%); inhibition of uptake and efflux by 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonate (DIDS) (80%), dipyridamole (55%); temperature dependency (activation energy 24 K_cal/mol); pH-dependency (pH optimum about 6.9); counter-transport; activation of uptake by preincubation with DMPS (transmembrane effect).     

Electron spin resonance studies on the inorganic-anion-transport system of the human red blood cell Binding of a disulfonatostilbene spin label (NDS-tempo) and inhibition of anion transport

The disulfonatostilbene spin label, NDS-TEMPO, was synthesized (purity over 96%) and the binding of the spin label to human red-cell ghosts was studied. NDS-TEMPO is readily adsorbed to the membrane surface. Both pretreatment of the ghosts with FDNB and DIDS and the presence of DNDS completely prevent the binding of NDS-TEMPO to red-cell ghosts. Chloride and sulfate competitively inhibit the binding of NDS-TEMPO. Conversely, NDS-TEMPO is a strong, competitive inhibitor of chloride and of sulfate transport. The dissociation constants of NDS-TEMPO from the ESR studies were in the range 1.0–2.0 μM (pH 7.6, 20°C). The inhibition constants of NDS-TEMPO as obtained from the flux experiments were in the range 0.5–2.5 μM (pH 7.3, 25°C). The close accordance of the NDS-TEMPO dissociation constants from the ESR studies with the NDS-TEMPO inhibition constants from the flux measurements indicate a specific labeling of the inorganic-anion-transport system.     

Identification of the Cl− transport site of human red blood cells by a kinetic analysis of the inhibitory effects of a chemical probe

H₂DIDS, the dihydro analog of DIDS (4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid) can interact covalently with membrane sites, resulting in an irreversible inhibition of anion exchange. At low temperatures (0°C) and for relatively short times, however, its interaction is largely reversible, so that a kinetic analysis of the nature of its inhibitory effect on Cl^? self exchange can be performed. The effects of variations in the chloride concentration on the inhibitory potency of H₂DIDS are consistent with the concept that Cl^? and H₂DIDS compete for the transport site of the anion exchange system. The value of K_i for H₂DIDS is 0.046 μM, indicating that H₂DIDS has a higher affinity for the transport system than any other inhibitor so far examined. If, as seems probable, the covalent labelling of H₂DIDS occurs at the same site as the reversible binding, H₂DIDS can be used as a covalent label for the transport site. The specific localization of H₂DIDS in the band-3 protein thus indicates that this protein participates directly in anion exchange.     

Inhibition of anion permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by stilbene derivatives and the identification of an inhibitor-binding protein

The permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles to sulfate ions was inhibited by diisothiocyano-1,2-diphenylethane-2,2′-disulfonic acid (H₂DIDS), which is a potent inhibitor of anion permeability in red blood cell membrane. The amount of H₂DIDS bound to the vesicles was determined by using [³H]-H₂DIDS. Apparent half inhibition of sulfate permeation was observed on the binding of 2.5 μmol/g protein. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the vesicles treated with [³H]H₂DIDS showed that about 10% of the total bound H₂DIDS corresponds to a 100 000-dalton protein, but the remaining 90% to non-protein components. The content of the H₂DIDS-binding protein was about 0.5 μmol/g protein. These results suggest that the H₂DIDS-binding protein is different from the calcium pump protein and is possibly an anion transport system similar to band 3 in red blood cell membrane.     

Effect of staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin upon anion transport in the rabbit erythrocyte

Equilibrium exchange of SO₄^2? was measured prior to and during hemolysis in rabbit erythrocytes exposed to staphylococcal α-hemolysin. The anion-transport protein of the rabbit erythrocyte has also been identified. Equilibrium exchange of SO₄^2? was measured by both efflux and influx of ³⁵SO₄^2?. The rate of influx of SO₄^2? in rabbit erythrocytes exposed to α-hemolysin was twice that of the untreated cells. The rate of SO₄^2? efflux was unchanged by α-hemolysin. Inhibition of anion exchange with 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) did not inhibit hemolysis, therefore, the increased influx of SO₄^2? may occur through a DIDS-insensitive pathway.     

Interaction of phloretin with the anion transport protein of the red blood cell membrane

Phloretin is an inhibitor of anion exchange and glucose and urea transport in human red cells. Equilibrium binding and kinetic studies indicate that phloretin binds to band 3, a major integral protein of the red cell membrane. Equilibrium phloretin binding has been found to be competitive with the binding of the anion transport inhibitor, 4,4′-dibenzamido-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene (DBDS), which binds specifically to band 3. The apparent binding (dissociation) constant of phloretin to red cell ghost band 3 in 28.5 mM citrate buffer, pH 7.4, 25°C, determined from equilibrium binding competition, is $\text{1.8 ± 0.1}\text{μM}$. Stopped-flow kinetic studies show that phloretin decreases the rate of DBDS binding to band 3 in a purely competitive manner, with an apparent phloretin inhibition constant of $\text{1.6 ± 0.4}\text{μM}$. The pH dependence of equilibrium binding studies show that it is the charged, anionic form of phloretin that competes with DBDS binding, with an apparent phloretin inhibition constant of 1.4 μM. The phloretin binding and inhibition constants determined by equilibrium binding, kinetic and pH studies are all similar to the inhibition constant of phloretin for anion exchange. These studies suggest that phloretin inhibits anion exchange in red cells by a specific interaction between phloretin and band 3.     

Inhibition of anion permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles by 4-acetoamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate

The permeabilities of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicle membrane for various ions and neutral molecules were measured by following the change in light scattering intensity due to the osmotic volume change of the vesicles. 4-Acetoamido-4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (SITS), which is a potent inhibitor for the anion permeability of red blood cells membrane, inhibited the permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum for anions such as Cl^?, P_i and methanesulfonate, while it slightly increased that for cations and neutral molecules such as Na⁺, K⁺, choline and glycerol. Binding of 5μmol SITS/g protein was necessary for the inhibition of anion permeability. These results suggest the existence of a similar anion transport system in sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane as revealed in red blood cell membrane.     

A relationship between anion transport and a structural transition of the human erythrocyte membrane

Scanning microcalorimetry was employed as an aid in examining some structural features of the anion transport system in red blood cell vesicles. Two structural transitions were previously shown to be sensitive to several covalent and non-covalent inhibitors of anion transport in red cells. In this study, these transitions were selectively removed, either thermally or enzymatically, and the subsequent effect on ³⁵SO₄^2? efflux in red cell vesicles was determined. It is shown that removal of one of these transitions (B₂) has a negligible inhibitory effect on anion transport. Cytoplasmic, intermolecular disulfide linkages between band 3 dimers are known to form during the B₂ transition. The integrity of the 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate-sensitive C transition, on the other hand, is shown to be a requirement for anion transport. The localized region of the membrane giving rise to this transition contains the transmembrane segment of band 3, as well as membrane phospholipids. The calorimetric results suggest a structure of band 3 which involves independent structural domains, and are consistent with the transmembrane segment playing a direct role in the transport process.     

Anion transport across the erythrocyte membrane,in situ proteolysis of band 3 protein,and cross-linking of proteolytic fragments by 4,4′-diisothiocyano dihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate

Extracellular chymotrypsin cleaves the 95 000 dalton protein that migrates in band 3 of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electropherograms of the erythrocyte membrane into fragments of 60 000 and 35 000 daltons, but not further. Minor components of band 3 that remain at the original 95 000 dalton location may be eluted from the membrane by 0.1 N NaOH, indicating that, in contrast to the major component and the chymotryptic fragments, they are not integral membrane constituents.Incubation at neutral pH of chymotrypsinized erythrocytes with the bifunctional anion transport inhibitor 4,4′-diisothiocyano dihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid results in covalent binding of that inhibitor primarily to the 60 000 dalton fragment and some cross-linking of the 60 000 dalton fragment with the 35 000 dalton fragment. Increasing the pH to 9.5 leads to a crosslinking of virtually all of the pairs of chymotryptic fragments and thus to a reconstitution of band 3 with its typical diffuse appearance in the 95 000 dalton region of the SDS-polyacrylamide gels. This indicates that (1) each integral 95 000 dalton protein molecule is capable of binding at least one 4,4′-diisothiocyano dihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid molecule; (2) the 35 000 dalton fragment, though it is only weakly stained with Coomassie blue, is present in an amount that is equimolar with that of the 60 000 dalton fragment. Since the number of 4,4′-diisothiocyano dihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid binding sites on the protein in band 3/cell is known to be close to the number of band 3 molecules/cell, it is suggested that the cross-linking takes place at a region of the band 3 molecule that is involved in the control of anion transport.Like chymotrypsin, papain digests the band 3 protein from the outer membrane surface. Unlike chymotrypsin, however, papain digestion results in an inhibition of anion exchange. Papain produces a major fragment of 60 000 daltons that differs from the major chymotryptic fragment by at most six amino acid residues. The only detectable difference between the non-inhibitory action of chymotrypsin and the inhibitory action of papain on the band 3 protein is that papain is capable of partially digesting the 35000 dalton fragment. No reconstitution of band 3 by cross-linking of the fragments with 4,4′-diisothiocyano dihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid can be achieved. Since the 35 000 dalton fragment reacts with one of the two reactive groups of 4,4′-diisothiocyano dihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid and is also susceptible to digestion by the inhibitory papain, we suggest that a portion of this peptide participates, together with a portion of the 60 000 dalton fragment, in the control of anion transport.     

Inhibition of anion transport in human red blood cells by 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)

The uptake of [³²P]phosphate into human red blood cells was inhibited ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>i</mtext>}}\text{= 0.6}\text{mM}$) by the sulfhydryl reagent 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). 2-Nitro-5-thiobenzoic acid (NTB), the reduced form of DTNB, was a less potent inhibitor ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>i</mtext>}}\text{= 7}\text{mM}$). The inhibition of anion transport by DTNB could be reversed by washing DTNB-treated cells with isotonic buffer, or by incubating DTNB-treated cells with 2-mercaptoethanol, which converted DTNB to NTB. DTNB competitively inhibited the binding of 4-[¹⁴C]-benzamido-4′-aminostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate, a potent inhibitor of anion transport ($\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>i</mtext>}}\text{= 1?2 μ}\text{M}$), to band 3 protein in cells and ghost membranes. These results suggest that the stilbene-disulfonate binding site in band 3 protein can readily accommodate the organic anion DTNB, and that inhibition by DTNB was not due to reaction with an essential sulfhydryl group.     

Pyruvate flux into resealed ghosts from human erythrocytes

The kinetics of pyruvate transport across the isolated red blood cell membrane were studied by a simple and precise spectrophotometric method: following the oxidation of NADH via lactate dehydrogenase trapped within resealed ghosts. The initial rate of pyruvate entry was linear. Influx was limited by saturation at high pyruvate concentration. Pyruvate influx was greatly stimulated by increasing ionic strength in the outer but not the inner aqueous compartment. The $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}$ ranged from 15.0 mM at $\text{μ = 0.05}$ to 3.7 mM at $\text{μ = 0.01}$, while the $\text{V}$ went from $\text{0.611 · 10}{}^{-15}$ to $\text{0.137 · 10}{}^{-15}\text{mol}\text{·}\text{min}{}^{-1}\text{·}\text{ghost}{}^{-1}$. Ionic strength was shown to affect the translocation step and not pyruvate binding. The energy of activation of pyruvate flux into resealed ghosts was 25 kcal/mol, similar to that found in intact red blood cells. Inhibitors of pyruvate influx included such anions as thiocyanate, chloride, bicarbonate, α-cyanocinnamate, salicylate and ketomalonate (but not acetate); noncompetitive inhibitors were phloretin, 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanate-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid and o-phenanthroline/CuSO₄ mixtures. The last reagent, known to induce disulfide links in certain membrane proteins, blocked the ionic strength stimulation of pyruvate influx in this study.     

Anion Transport in Red Blood Cells II. Kinetics of Reversible Inhibition by Nitroaromatic Sulfonic Acids

The anion exchange system of human red blood cells is highly inhibited and specifically labeled by isothiocyano derivatives of benzene sulfonate (BS) or stilbene disulfonate (DS). To learn about the site of action of these irreversibly binding probes we studied the mechanism of inhibition of anion exchange by the reversibly binding analogs p-nitrobenzene sulfonic acid (pNBS) and 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-disulfonic acid (DNDS). In the absence of inhibitor, the self-exchange flux of sulfate (pH 7.4, 25°C) at high substrate concentration displayed self-inhibitory properties, indicating the existence of two anion binding sites: one a high-affinity transport site and the other a low-affinity modifier site whose occupancy by anions results in a noncompetitive inhibition of transport. The maximal sulfate exchange flux per unit area was J_A = (0.69 ± 0.11) × 10^-10 moles · min^-1 · cm^-2 and the Michaelis-Menten constants were for the transport site K_S = 41 ± 14 mM and for the modifier site K_S' = 653 ± 242 mM. The addition to cells of either pNBS at millimolar concentrations or DNDS at micromolar concentrations led to reversible inhibition of sulfate exchange (pH 7.4, 25°C). The relationship between inhibitor concentration and fractional inhibition was linear over the full range of pNBS or DNDS concentrations (Hill coefficient n ? 1), indicating a single site of inhibition for the two probes. The kinetics of sul- fate exchange in the presence of either inhibitor was compatible with that of competitive inhibition. Using various analytical techniques it was possible to determine that the sulfate trans- port site was the target for the action of the inhibitors. The in- hibitory constants (Ki j for the transport sites were 0.45 ± 0.10 PM for DNDS and 0.21 ± 0.07 mM for pNBS. From the similarities between reversibly and irreversibly binding BS and DS inhibitors in structures, chemical properties, modus oper- andi, stoichiometry of interaction with inhibitory sites, and relative inhibitory potencies, we concluded that the anion trans- port sites are also the sites of inhibition and of labeling of co- valent binding analogs of BS and DS.     

A comparison of intact human red blood cells and resealed and leaky ghosts with respect to their interactions with surface labelling agents and proteolytic enzymes

Resealed ghosts and intact red blood cells were directly compared with respect to their interactions with surface probes and to digestion by pronase. The amount and pattern of labelling of surface proteins by 4.4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) and by pyridoxal phosphate-borohydride (as seen after sodium dodecylsulfate/acrylamide gel electrophoresis) was substantially the same in cells and resealed ghosts under conditions in which a relatively small change would be apparent. In each membrane system, DIDS labels a protein component of apparent molecular weight 95 000 and pyridoxal phosphate labels the same protein plus three glycoprotein components. The sensitivity of surface proteins and of DIDS and pyridoxal phosphate-labelled sites to pronase was also similar in the cells and resealed ghosts. The glycoproteins were digested, in each case, and the 95 000 (molecular weight) protein was largely split into two portions of apparent molecular weights 65 000 and 35 000, with both portions containing DIDS and pyridoxal phosphate binding sites. The pattern of labelling of “leaky” ghosts by pyridoxal phosphate in the presence of hemoglobin was similar to the labelling of intact cells, provided that the pyridoxal phosphate was present on both the outside and inside of the cells. Virtually all of the major protein components visible by staining on acrylamide gels were labelled. It is concluded that none of the probes could detect any substatial differences in reactivity of proteins of the outer surface of the membrane of the ghosts as compared to the cells and that no irreversible changes in membrane protein conformation or arrangement occur as a consequence of lysis and resealing of ghosts, that are detectable by the reported procedures.     

The location of a disulfonic stilbene binding site in band 3, the anion transport protein of the red blood cell membrane

The binding site for 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid, a specific, potent, irreversible inhibitor of anion transport in red blood cells is located in a 15 000 dalton transmembrane segment of band 3, produced by chymotrypsin treatment of ghosts stripped of extrinsic proteins. The segment was cleaved into three fragments of 7000, 4000 and 4000 daltons by CNBr. The C-terminus of the segment is located in the 7000 dalton fragment; the N-terminus in one of the 4000 dalton fragments; and the binding site for 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid in the middle 4000 dalton fragment. The latter was cleaved by $\text{N-}\text{bromosuccinimide}$ into two fragments of 2000 daltons. The binding site for 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid was located on the fragment containing the newly formed N-terminus. It is concluded that the binding site is located about 9000 daltons from the C-terminus (at the outside face of the membrane) and 6000 daltons from the N-terminus (at the cytoplasmic face). In view of the existing evidence that the binding site may be located near the outside face of the membrane, it is suggested that the 15 000 dalton segment is folded, so that it crosses the bilayer three times.     

Specific drug sensitive transport pathways for chloride and potassium ions in steady-state ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells

A major aim of this investigation was to determine whether, in steady-state ascites cells, Cl^? transport can be partitioned into a furosemide-sensitive cotransport with K⁺ and a separate 4,4′-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) sensitive self-exchange. Both Cl^? and K⁺ fluxes were studied. The furosemide- and Cl^? sensitive K⁺ fluxes were equivalent, both in normal ionic media and when the external K⁺ concentration, [K⁺]_o, was varied from 4 to 30 mM. The stoichiometry of the furosemide-sensitive Cl^? and K⁺ fluxes was 2 Cl^?: 1 K⁺ at 0.1 and 0.5 mM drug levels but increased to 3 Cl^? : 1 K⁺ at 1.0 mM furosemide. DIDS at 0.1 mM had no effect on the K⁺ exchange rate but inhibited Cl^? exchange by $\text{39\% ± 2}$ (S.E.). The effects of DIDS and 0.5 mM furosemide on Cl^? transport were additive but 1.0 mM furosemide and DIDS had overlapping inhibitory actions. Thus furosemide acts on components of K⁺ and Cl^? transport which are linked to each other, but the drug also inhibits an additional DIDS-sensitive Cl^? pathway, when present at higher concentrations. The dependence of the furosemide-sensitive K⁺ and Cl^? transport on [K⁺]_o was also studied; both fluxes fell as the [K⁺]_o increased. The latter results recall those in an earlier study by Hempling (Hempling, H.G. (1962) J. Cell. Comp. Physiol. 60, 181–198).     

Demonstration of adenylate cyclase activity in human red blood cell ghosts

The presence of adenylate cyclase (ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing) EC 4.6.1.1) activity was demonstrated in human erythrocyte ghosts and was found to be around 3 pmol adenosine ′,5′-monophosphatase (cyclic AMP) · 2 h^?1 · mg^?1 protein. This enzymatic activity is strongly stimulated by NaF and 5′-guanylimidodiphosphate, is slightly stimulated by epinephrine, norephrine, soproterenol, and prostaglandin E, and is inhibited by calcium. The hormone stimulation is not potentiated by 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate.