Cyclic AMP increases cell surface expression of functional Na,K-ATPase units in mammalian cortical collecting duct principal cells

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) stimulates the transport of Na(+) and Na,K-ATPase activity in the renal cortical collecting duct (CCD). The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism whereby cAMP stimulates the Na,K-ATPase activity in microdissected rat CCDs and cultured mouse mpkCCD(c14) collecting duct cells. db-cAMP (10(-3) M) stimulated by 2-fold the activity of Na,K-ATPase from rat CCDs as well as the ouabain-sensitive component of (86)Rb(+) uptake by rat CCDs (1.7-fold) and cultured mouse CCD cells (1.5-fold). Pretreatment of rat CCDs with saponin increased the total Na,K-ATPase activity without further stimulation by db-cAMP. Western blotting performed after a biotinylation procedure revealed that db-cAMP increased the amount of Na,K-ATPase at the cell surface in both intact rat CCDs (1.7-fold) and cultured cells (1.3-fold), and that this increase was not related to changes in Na,K-ATPase internalization. Brefeldin A and low temperature (20 degrees C) prevented both the db-cAMP-dependent increase in cell surface expression and activity of Na,K-ATPase in both intact rat CCDs and cultured cells. Pretreatment with the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid also blunted the increment in cell surface expression and activity of Na,K-ATPase caused by db-cAMP. In conclusion, these results strongly suggest that the cAMP-dependent stimulation of Na,K-ATPase activity in CCD results from the translocation of active pump units from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane.     

Cell sodium-induced recruitment of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase pumps in rabbit cortical collecting tubules is aldosterone-dependent

The influence of intracellular sodium concentration ( [Na+]i) on the number of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase pumps was examined in cortical collecting tubules (CCD) of kidneys from rabbits in different aldosterone conditions. Specific [3H]ouabain binding was measured in isolated CCD with various [Na+]i. Experiments were performed on adrenalectomized rabbits receiving only a substitutive dose of dexamethasone and on adrenalectomized rabbits replete with aldosterone. In aldosterone-replete rabbits, the number of binding sites increased linearly with [Na+]i, from 16 fmol/nl tubular volume at 15 mM Na+i to 39 fmol/nl tubular volume at 140 mM Na+i. Neither actinomycin D (5 microM) nor cycloheximide (10 microM) prevented this [Na+]i-dependent increase. In adrenalectomized rabbits, the number of ouabain-binding sites was reduced and did not increase with [Na+]i. These results are in favor of the presence of a "latent" pool of pumps in CCD, rapidly recruited under [Na+]i influence. Aldosterone appears to be required for the constitution and/or activation of this pool.     

Glucagon-like peptide-1 induces a cAMP-dependent increase of [Na+]i associated with insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) elevates the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and insulin secretion in a Na+-dependent manner. To investigate a possible role of Na ion in the action of GLP-1 on pancreatic islet cells, we measured the glucose-and GLP-1-induced intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i), [Ca2+]i, and insulin secretion in hamster islet cells in various concentrations of Na+. The [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i were monitored in islet cells loaded with sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate and fura 2, respectively. In the presence of 135 mM Na+ and 8 mM glucose, GLP-1 (10 nM) strongly increased the [Na+]i, [Ca2+]i, and insulin secretion. In the presence of 13.5 mM Na+, both glucose and GLP-1 increased neither the [Na+]i nor the [Ca2+]i. In a Na+-free medium, GLP-1 and glucose did not increase the [Na+]i. SQ-22536, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, and H-89, an inhibitor of PKA, incompletely inhibited the response. In the presence of both 8 mM glucose and H-89, 8-pCPT-2'-O-Me-cAMP, a PKA-independent cAMP analog, increased the insulin secretion and the [Na+]i. Therefore, we conclude that GLP-1 increases the cAMP level via activation of adenylate cyclase, which augments the membrane Na+ permeability through PKA-dependent and PKA-independent mechanisms, thereby increasing the [Ca2+]i and promoting insulin secretion from hamster islet cells.     

Na/K pump and intracellular monovalent cations: novel mechanism of excitation-transcription coupling involved in inhibition of apoptosis

The Na/K pump plays a key role in the regulation of the intracellular concentrations of monovalent cations and related cell function leading to electrogenesis and excitation-contraction coupling. We focus this review on the analysis of recent data showing that (i) inhibition of the Na/K pump triggers a signaling cascade independently of modulation of the intracellular [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio; (ii) elevation of [Na+]i under sustained inhibition of the Na/K pump leads to expression of a set of genes by [Ca2+]i-dependent and independent pathways; (iii) [Na+]i-sensitive genes are involved in the inhibition of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Agonist-specific regulation of [Na+]i in pancreatic acinar cells

In a companion paper (Zhao, H., and S. Muallem. 1995), we describe the relationship between the major Na+,K+, and Cl- transporters in resting pancreatic acinar cells. The present study evaluated the role of the different transporters in regulating [Na+]i and electrolyte secretion during agonist stimulation. Cell stimulation increased [Na+]i and 86Rb influx in an agonist-specific manner. Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists, such as carbachol and cholecystokinin, activated Na+ influx by a tetraethylammonium-sensitive channel and the Na+/H+ exchanger to rapidly increase [Na+]i from approximately 11.7 mM to between 34 and 39 mM. As a consequence, the NaK2Cl cotransporter was largely inhibited and the activity of the Na+ pump increased to mediate most of the 86Rb(K+) uptake into the cells. Secretin, which increases cAMP, activated the NaK2Cl cotransporter and the Na+/H+ exchanger to slowly increase [Na+]i from approximately 11.7 mM to an average of 24.6 mM. Accordingly, secretin increased total 86Rb uptake more than the Ca(2+)- mobilizing agonists and the apparent coupling between the NaK2Cl cotransport and the Na+ pump. All the effects of secretin could be attributed to an increase in cAMP, since forskolin affected [Na+]i and 86Rb fluxes similar to secretin. The signaling pathways mediating the effects of the Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists were less clear. Although an increase in [Ca2+]i was required, it was not sufficient to account for the effect of the agonists. Activation of protein kinase C stimulated the NaK2Cl cotransporter to increase [Na+]i and 86Rb fluxes without preventing the inhibition of the cotransporter by Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists. The effects of the agonists were not mediated by changes in cell volume, since cell swelling and shrinkage did not reproduce the effect of the agonists on [Na+]i and 86Rb fluxes. The overall findings of the relationships between the various Na+,K+, and Cl- transporters in resting and stimulated pancreatic acinar cells are discussed in terms of possible models of fluid and electrolyte secretion by these cells.     

Decreasing extracellular Na+ concentration triggers inositol polyphosphate production and Ca2+ mobilization

Removing extracellular Na+ (Na+o) evoked a large increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i in human skin fibroblasts. Decreasing [Na+]o from 120 to 14 mM caused the half-maximal peak increase in [Ca2+]i. Removing Na+o strongly stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux and decreased total cell Ca2+ by about 40%. Bradykinin caused changes in [Ca2+]i, total Ca2+, and 45Ca2+ fluxes similar to those evoked by removing Na+o. Prior stimulation of the cells with bradykinin prevented Na+o removal from increasing [Ca2+]i and vice versa. Na+o removal rapidly increased [3H]inositol polyphosphate production. Loading the cells with Na+ had no effect on the increase in 45Ca2+ efflux produced by Na+o removal. Therefore, decreasing [Na+]o probably stimulates a "receptor(s)" which is sensitive to extracellular, not intracellular, Na+. Removing Na+o also mobilized intracellular Ca2+ in smooth muscle and endothelial cells cultured from human umbilical and dog coronary arteries, respectively.     

Short-term NO synthase inhibition and the Na+-binding properties of cardiac Na,K-ATPase

It is known that hypertension is accompanied by increased [Na+]i. The functional properties of Na,K-ATPase, which transports the Na+ out and K+ into myocardial cells during the relaxation phase, were investigated in the left ventricle (LV), septum (SV) and the right ventricle (RV) of anesthetized dogs with moderate acute blood pressure elevation elicited by short-term (4-hour) NO synthase inhibition. The NO-insufficiency was induced by administration of an L-arginine analogue, the N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Concerning the function of Na,K-ATPase under the conditions of lowered NO synthesis, we focused our attention to the binding of Na+ to the enzyme molecule. Activation of the enzyme by increasing Na+ concentrations revealed significant changes in both the maximal velocity (Vmax) and the affinity for Na+ (K(Na)) in all investigated heart sections. The Vmax increased by 27% in LV, by 87% in SV and by 58% in RV. The K(Na) value increased by 86% in LV, by 105% in SV and by 93% in RV, indicating an apparent decrease in the sensitivity of the Na+-binding site in the Na,K-ATPase molecule. This apparently decreased pump affinity for Na+ together with the increase of Vmax suggest that, during the short-term inhibition of NO synthesis, the Na,K-ATPase is capable of extruding the excessive Na+ from the myocardial cells more effectively at higher [Na+]i, as compared to the Na,K-ATPase of control animals.     

Further characterization of the mechanisms mediating the rise in cytosolic free Na+ in thrombin-stimulated platelets. Evidence for inhibition of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase and for Na+ entry via a Ca2+ influx pathway.

Human platelets were loaded with the fluorescent Na(+)-sensitive dye sodium-binding benzofuran isophtalate (SBFI), and changes in the fluorescence excited at 345 and 385 nm were analyzed after manipulations that evoked predictable changes in the cytosolic Na+ concentration ([Na+]i). Raising [Na+]i by either gramicidin D or monensin specifically increased the fluorescence excited at 345 nm and decreased that excited at 385 nm. Hence, calculation of changes in the 345/385 nm excitation ratio yields an estimate of actual changes in [Na+]i. A transient activation of Na+/H+ exchange evoked by addition of acidified platelets to buffer, pH 7.4, evoked a transient rise in [Na+]i. The re-establishment of basal [Na+]i could be prevented by ouabain, indicating an involvement of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase. Upon stimulation by 0.5 unit/ml of thrombin, [Na+]i immediately increased by 16 +/- 4 mM and this rise continued for at least 60 min after addition of agonist, albeit at a lower rate. This latter sustained rise could not be curtailed by scavenging thrombin by means of hirudin. Addition of ouabain or the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate induced a comparable slow rise in the 345/385 excitation ratio. This may indicate a protein kinase C-mediated inhibition by thrombin of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+o), the [Na+]i gain was augmented to 38 +/- 9 mM. This additional uptake of Na+ was prevented by (i) Mn2+ ions, (ii) La3+ ions, (iii) the blocker of receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry (1-[beta[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxyl]-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-im ida zole hydrochloride), and (iv) by hirudin which reversed receptor occupancy by thrombin. These findings suggest that the additional thrombin-induced [Na+]i gain in the absence of Ca2+o is due to Na+ influx through a Ca2+ entry pathway. The increase in [Na+]i in the presence of Ca2+o results from Na+ influx via Na+/H+ exchange.     

Extracellular adenine nucleotides regulate Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 activity in A6-NHE3 transfectants by a cAMP/PKA-dependent mechanism

As potential autocrine or paracrine factors, extracellular nucleotides are known to be important regulators of renal ion transporters by activating cell surface receptors and intracellular signaling pathways. We investigated the influence of extracellular adenine nucleotides on Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3) activity in A6-NHE3 cells. This is a polarized cell line obtained by stable transfection of A6 cells with the cDNA encoding the rat isoform of NHE3, which is expressed on the apical membrane. Basolateral addition of the P2Y(1) agonist, 2-MeSADP, induced an inhibition of NHE3 activity, which was prevented by preincubation with selective P2Y(1) antagonists, MRS 2179 (N6-methyl-2'-deoxyadenosine-3',5'-bisphosphate) and MRS 2286 (2-[2-(2-chloro-6-methylamino-purin-9-yl)-ethyl]-propane-1,3-bisoxy(diammoniumphosphate)). NHE3 activity was also significantly inhibited by ATP and ATP-gamma-S but not by UTP. 2-MeSADP induced a P2Y(1) antagonist-sensitive increase in both [Ca2+]i and cAMP production. Pre-incubation with a PKC inhibitor, Calphostin C, or the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, had no effect on the 2-MeSADP-dependent inhibition of NHE3 activity, whereas this inhibition was reversed by either incubation with the PKA inhibitor H89 or by mutation of two PKA target serines (S552 and S605) on NHE3. Pre-incubation of the A6-NHE3 cells with the synthetic peptide, Ht31, which prevents the binding between AKAPs and the regulatory PKA subunits RII, also prevented the 2-MeSADP-induced inhibition of NHE3. We conclude that only the cAMP/PKA pathway is involved in the inhibition of NHE3 activity.     

Na(+)-ionophore, monensin-induced rise in cytoplasmic free calcium depends on the presence of extracellular calcium in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells

Calcium is an important regulator of cell function, and may be influenced by the intracellular sodium content. In the present study, the Na(+)-ionophore, monensin, was used to investigate the interrelationship between changes in intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) and elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels were measured using the fluorescent dye, indo-1. Monensin induced a dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in FRTL-5 cells. Inhibitors of intracellular Ca2+ release, TMB-8 and ryanodine, were unable to prevent the monensin effect on [Ca2+]i. The alpha 1-receptor antagonist, prazosin, did not block the monensin-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i. In the absence of extracellular calcium there was a marked diminution in the monensin effect on [Ca2+]i, yet calcium channel antagonists (nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil) did not inhibit the response. Replacement of Na+ by choline chloride in the medium depressed the monensin-evoked rise in [Ca2+]i by up to 84%. Furthermore, addition of the Na(+)-channel agonist, veratridine, elicited an increase in [Ca2+]i, even though less dramatic than that caused by monensin. Ouabain increased the resting cytosolic Ca2+ concentration as well as the magnitude of the monensin effect on [Ca2+]i. The absence of any effect on the Na(+)-ionophore evoked increase in [Ca2+]i upon addition of tetrodotoxin (TTX) excluded a possible involvement of TTX-sensitive Na+ channels. These data show that the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by increasing [Na+]i is largely dependent on both external Na+ and Ca2+. Calcium entry appears not to involve voltage-dependent or alpha 1-receptor sensitive Ca2+ channels, but may result from activation of an Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system.     

Effect of vasopressin on Na+ kinetics in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells

The effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on Na+ kinetics was examined in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and rat renal papillary collecting tubule cells (RPCT) by the direct measurement of intracellular sodium concentration [(Na+]i) using fluorescence dye; SBFI. AVP increased [Na+]i in a dose-dependent manner at a concentration of 10(-9) M or higher in rat VSMC but did not affect [Na+]i in rat RPCT. The calcium (Ca2+)-free solution completely blocked the increasing effect of AVP on [Na+]i in rat VSMC. A Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin (1-2 x 10(-6) M) increased [Na+]i both in rat VSMC and RPCT. The Ca2(+)-free solution abolished the ionomycin-increased [Na+]i both in rat VSMC and RPCT. These results therefore indicate that after binding the V1 receptor AVP increases [Na+]i mediated through an increase in cellular Ca2+ uptake in VSMC.     

ERK1/2 controls Na,K-ATPase activity and transepithelial sodium transport in the principal cell of the cortical collecting duct of the mouse kidney

The collecting duct of normal kidney exhibits significant activity of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway as shown in vivo by immunostaining of phosphorylated active ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). The MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway controls many different ion transports both in proximal and distal nephron, raising the question of whether this pathway is involved in the basal and/or hormone-dependent transepithelial sodium reabsorption in the principal cell of the cortical collecting duct (CCD), a process mediated by the apical epithelial sodium channel and the basolateral sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase). To answer this question we used ex vivo microdissected CCDs from normal mouse kidney or in vitro cultured mpkCCDcl4 principal cells. Significant basal levels of pERK1/2 were observed ex vivo and in vitro. Aldosterone and vasopressin, known to up-regulate sodium reabsorption in CCDs, did not change ERK1/2 activity either ex vivo or in vitro. Basal and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated sodium transport was down-regulated by the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, in parallel with a decrease in pERK1/2 in vitro. The activity of Na,K-ATPase but not that of epithelial sodium channel was inhibited by MEK1/2 inhibitors in both unstimulated and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated CCDs in vitro. Cell surface biotinylation showed that intrinsic activity rather than cell surface expression of Na,K-ATPase was controlled by pERK1/2. PD98059 also significantly inhibited the activity of Na,K-ATPase ex vivo. Our data demonstrate that the ERK1/2 pathway controls Na,K-ATPase activity and transepithelial sodium transport in the principal cell and indicate that basal constitutive activity of the ERK1/2 pathway is a critical component of this control.     

Stimulation by thrombin increases the cytosolic free Na+ concentration in human platelets. Studies with the novel fluorescent cytosolic Na+ indicator sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate

The new fluorescent Na+ indicator sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) was used for determination of the cytosolic free Na+ concentration, [Na+]i, in human platelets. The dye could be loaded into platelets in the form of its acetoxymethyl ester (SBFI-AM). Calibration of the fluorescence in terms of [Na+]i was done by measuring the 345/385 nm excitation ratio (emission 490 nm) at various extracellular Na+ concentrations, [Na+]o, in the presence of gramicidin D. The 345/385 intensity ratio increased almost linearly when [Na+]i was stepwise raised from 20 to 60 mM. The basal value for [Na+]i was found to be 26.0 +/- 4.5 mM (n = 15). Incubation of platelets in Na(+)-free buffer decreased [Na+]i, whereas inhibition of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by 0.5 mM ouabain increased [Na+]i to 56 +/- 4 mM (n = 4) within 60 min. Activation of Na+/H+ exchange by exposing platelets to propionic acid also raised [Na+]i, and a comparable effect was produced by the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin. Activation of platelets with thrombin (0.1-0.5 unit/ml) also increased the 345/385 nm intensity ratio, an effect that was not seen in Na(+)-free buffer or after raising intracellular cAMP by treatment of platelets with prostaglandin E1. On the average, [Na+]i was raised to 59.5 +/- 5.3 mM (n = 15) at 10 min after addition of thrombin without a significant decrease for further 10 min. An increase in [Na+]i was also seen when platelets were challenged with the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, an effect that did not occur in the absence of Na+o. Our findings confirm earlier reports which demonstrated a rise in [Na+]i in stimulated platelets and show that SBFI is a useful tool for determination of [Na+]i in resting and stimulated platelets.     

Elevated [Cl-]i, and [Na+]i inhibit Na+, K+, Cl- cotransport by different mechanisms in squid giant axons

Bumetanide-sensitive (BS) unidirectional fluxes of (36)Cl- or (22)Na+ were measured in internally dialyzed squid giant axons while varying the intra- or extracellular concentrations of Na+ and/or Cl-. Raising either [Cl-]i or [Na+]i resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of the BS influx of both (36)Cl- and (22)Na+. Raising [Cl-]i above 200 mM completely blocked BS influxes. However, raising [Na+]i to 290 mM resulted in saturable but incomplete inhibition of both BS Na+ influx and BS Cl- influx. The consequences of varying intracellular Cl- on cotransporter effluxes were complex. At lower [Cl-]i values (below 100 mM) intracellular Cl- activated cotransporter effluxes. Surprisingly, however, raising [Cl-]i levels > 125 mM resulted in a [Cl-]i-dependent inhibition of BS effluxes of both Na+ and Cl-. On the other hand, raising [Na+]i resulted only in the activation of the BS Na+ efflux; intracellular Na+ did not inhibit BS efflux even at 290 mM. The inhibitory effects of intracellular Na+ on cotransporter-mediated influxes, and lack of inhibitory effects on BS effluxes, are consistent with the trans-side inhibition expected for an ordered binding/release model of cotransporter operation. However, the inhibitory effects of intracellular Cl- on both influxes and effluxes are not explained by such a model. These data suggest that Cl may interact with an intracellular site (or sites), which does not mediate Cl transport, but does modulate the transport activity of the Na+, K+, Cl- cotransporter.     

Interaction of protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent pathways in the phosphorylation of the Na,K-ATPase

To test the hypothesis that there is cross-talk between the protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) pathways in the regulation of the Na,K-ATPase, we measured its phosphorylation in mammalian cell cultures. Phosphorylation of the PKC site, Ser-18, appeared to be due to the activation of the alpha isoform of the kinase. In NRK-52E and L6 cells, this phosphorylation was reduced by prior activation of a cAMP-dependent signaling pathway with forskolin. In principle this would be consistent with direct interaction between the two phosphorylation sites, but further investigation suggested a more indirect mechanism. First, phosphorylation of Ser-938, the PKA site, could not be detected despite the presence of active PKA. Second, there was a major reduction in the phosphorylation of unrelated phosphoproteins as a consequence of elevation of cAMP, suggesting generalized reduction of kinase activity or activation of phosphatase activity. In NRK-52E and L6, phosphorylation of the Na, K-ATPase at Ser-18 paralleled this global change. In C6 cells, in contrast, there was no cAMP effect on Na,K-ATPase phosphorylation at Ser-18 and no global cAMP effect on other phosphoproteins. The cross-talk is evidently mediated by events occurring at the cellular level.     

A single cell model of myocardial reperfusion injury: Changes in intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations in guinea pig ventricular myocytes

To investigate the contribution of the changes in intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations ([Na+]i and [Ca2+]i) to myocardial reperfusion injury, we made an ischemia/reperfusion model in intact guinea pig myocytes. Myocardial ischemia was simulated by the perfusion of metabolic inhibitors (3.3 mM amobarbital and 5 M carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) with pH 6.6 and reperfusion was achieved by the washout of them with pH 7.4. [Na+]i increased from 7.9 ± 2.0 to 14.0 ± 3.4 mM (means ± S.E., p < 0.01) during 7.5 min of simulated ischemia (SI) and increased further to 18.8 ± 3.0 mM at 7.5 min after reperfusion. [Ca2+]i, expressed as the ratio of fluo 3 fluorescence intensity, increased to 133 ± 8% (p < 0.01) during SI and gradually returned to the control level after reperfusion. Intracellular pH decreased from 7.53 ± 0.04 to 6.31 ± 0.04 (p < 0.01) and recovered quickly after reperfusion. Reperfusion with the acidic solution or the continuous perfusion of hexamethylene amiloride (2 M) prevented the reperfusion-induced increase in [Na+]i. When the duration of SI was prolonged to 15 min, the cell response after reperfusion varied, 16 of 37 cells kept quiescent, 21 cells showed spontaneous Ca2+ waves, and 4 cells out of these 21 cells became hypercontracted. In quiescent cells, both [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i decreased immediately after reperfusion. In cells with Ca2+ waves, [Na+]i transiently increased further at the early phase of reperfusion, while [Ca+]i declined. In hypercontracted cells, [Na+]i increased as much as in Ca2+ wave cells, but [Ca2+]i increased extensively and both ion concentrations continued to increase. Reperfusion with the Ca2+-free solution prevented both the [Ca2+]i increase and morphological change. In the presence of ryanodine (10 M), the increase in [Ca2+]i after reperfusion was augmented and some cells became hypercontracted. We concluded that (1) Na+/H+ exchange is active both during SI and reperfusion, resulting in the additional [Na+]i elevation on reperfusion, (2) the [Na+]i level after reperfusion and the following Ca2+ influx via Na+/Ca2+ exchange are crucial for reperfusion cell injury, and (3) the Ca2+ buffering capacity of sarcoplasmic reticulum would also contribute to the Ca2+ regulation and cell injury after reperfusion.     

Light-induced oxygen consumption in Limulus ventral photoreceptors does not result from a rise in the intracellular sodium concentration

Illumination of Limulus ventral photoreceptors leads to an increase in the intracellular concentration of sodium, [Na+]i, and to an increase in the consumption of O2 (delta QO2). After a 1-s light flash, it takes approximately 480 s for [Na+]i to return to within 10% of its preillumination level, whereas delta QO2 takes approximately 90 s. Thus, the delta QO2 is complete long before [Na+]i has returned to its resting level. Pressure injection of Na+ into the cell in order to elevate [Na+]i to the same levels as attained by illumination causes a rise in [Na+]i that returns to baseline with the same time course as the light-induced rise in [Na+]i. However, the injection of Na+ does not lead to an increase of the consumption of O2. We conclude that activation of the Na pump by a rise in [Na+]i is not a factor involved in the light-induced activation of O2 consumption in these cells.     

Steady-state physiological variations across a graded series of Na,K-ATPase-amplified cells.

Measurements of internal ion concentrations, amino acid pools, and membrane potential were made across a series of HeLa subclones which are amplified for the genes for the sodium- and potassium-activated ATPase (Na,K-ATPase). These subclones expressed heterogeneous levels of ouabain-binding sites, allowing us to construct a graded amplification series. While [K+]i levels did not vary systematically across the series studied, [Na+]i ranged from 9 to 20 mM as a function of Na,K-ATPase expression. Steady-state accumulation of tetraphenylphosphonium in low versus high potassium was used to measure membrane potential. Values for [Na+]i and the membrane potential were used to calculate the sodium electrochemical potential, which was also found to be a function of Na,K-ATPase expression. Measurements of acid-soluble amino acid pools in cell lysates demonstrated that amino acids which are substrates for sodium-dependent transport systems, or which can potentially exchange through system L for a substrate of a sodium-dependent system, varied as a function of the sodium electrochemical potential. This confirmed our prediction of increased amino acid pool sizes in Na,K-ATPase-amplified lines based on observations of elevated flux through the sodium-independent system L. Finally, we measured lactate production and glycolytic potential in a subset of clones and found that both were reduced in subclones with elevated Na,K-ATPase.     

Na+, K+, and Cl- transport in resting pancreatic acinar cells

To understand the role of Na+, K+, and Cl- transporters in fluid and electrolyte secretion by pancreatic acinar cells, we studied the relationship between them in resting and stimulated cells. Measurements of [Cl-]i in resting cells showed that in HCO3(-)-buffered medium [Cl- ]i and Cl- fluxes are dominated by the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. In the absence of HCO3-, [Cl-]i is regulated by NaCl and NaK2Cl cotransport systems. Measurements of [Na+]i showed that the Na(+)-coupled Cl- transporters contributed to the regulation of [Na+]i, but the major Na+ influx pathway in resting pancreatic acinar cells is the Na+/H+ exchanger. 86Rb influx measurements revealed that > 95% of K+ influx is mediated by the Na+ pump and the NaK2Cl cotransporter. In resting cells, the two transporters appear to be coupled through [K+]i in that inhibition of either transporter had small effect on 86Rb uptake, but inhibition of both transporters largely prevented 86Rb uptake. Another form of coupling occurs between the Na+ influx transporters and the Na+ pump. Thus, inhibition of NaK2Cl cotransport increased Na+ influx by the Na+/H+ exchanger to fuel the Na+ pump. Similarly, inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange increased the activity of the NaK2Cl cotransporter. The combined measurements of [Na+]i and 86Rb influx indicate that the Na+/H+ exchanger contributes twice more than the NaK2Cl cotransporter and three times more than the NaCl cotransporter and a tetraethylammonium-sensitive channel to Na+ influx in resting cells. These findings were used to develop a model for the relationship between the transporters in resting pancreatic acinar cells.