Occupancy of two primary chloride-binding sites in Natronobacterium pharaonis halorhodopsin is a necessary condition for active anion transport

The existence of two primary chloride-binding sites was found on the basis of the study of halorhodopsin spectra at different chloride concentrations. SVD analysis of the spectra revealed two chloride-dependent components at low chloride concentration (0.1-10 mM). Global fitting of SVD components found K _D values of 0.47 mM and 5.2 mM with unitity Hill coefficients. The second K _D coincides with the apparent K _D of the photovoltage response of halorhodopsin.     

A mutant of Paramecium with increased relative resting potassium permeability

Fast-2, a membrane mutant of Paramecium aurelia, is due to a single-gene mutation and has behavioral abnormalities. Intracellular recordings through changes of external solutions were made. The mutant membrane hyperpolarized when it encountered solutions with low K⁺ concentration. This hyperpolarization and other associated activities were best observed in Ca- or Na-solutions devoid of K⁺. Membrane potential was plotted against the concentration of K⁺ (0.5 to 16 mM) in solutions of fixed Na⁺ or Ca⁺⁺ concentration. The slopes of the curves for the mutant membrane were steeper than those for the wild type at the lower concentrations of K⁺. Inclusion of 2 mM tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA-Cl) counteracted the mutational effects. Spontaneous action potentials in Ba-solution and the electrically evoked action potentials in various solutions are normal in this mutant. We conclude that the resting permeability to K⁺ relative to the permeabilities to Na⁺ and Ca⁺⁺ has been increased by the mutation.     

Potassium transport in salt-stressed barley roots

Salinization of the medium inhibits both K⁺ uptake by excised barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) roots and K⁺ release from their stele, as measured by short-term ⁸⁶Rb uptake and xylem exudation, respectively. Although inhibition was not specific to chloride, mannitol caused a different response from that of inorganic sodium salts, indicating that inhibition was at least partly the result of an ion effect. In roots previously exposed to low levels of NaCl, NaCl stress directly affected stelar K⁺ release, whereas in low-sodium roots stelar K⁺ release was much less salt-sensitive than K⁺ uptake.Abbreviation chCl choline chloride     

PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE FROM THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF DIFFERENT INVERTEBRATES

—Choline acetyltransferase has been purified from three invertebrate species, namely snail (Helix aspersa), cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and horse shoe crab (Limulus polyphemus.) All three enzymes followed a Theorell-Chance enzyme mechanism with a sequential addition of the substrates. All three enzymes were activated by sodium and potassium chloride and inhibited by high concentrations of magnesium or calcium chloride. The apparent K_m for choline and acetyl-CoA was for snail: K_mch= 370 μm ,K_mAcetyl-CoA= 51μm ; cockroach:K_mCh= 550 μm , K_mAcely-CoA= 16 μm horse shoe crab:K_mCn= 2700 μm K_mAcctyl-coA= 68 μm CoA inhibited the enzymes competitively with respect to acetyl-CoA and non-competitively with respect to choline. Acetylcholine inhibited the enzymes competitively with respect to choline and non-competitively with respect to acetyl-CoA. All the enzymes were inhibited strongly by 5,5′-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoate), iodoacetate, acryloylcholine, chloracetylcholine and 3-bromacetonyltrimethyl-ammonium. The enzymes were only weakly inhibited by the styrylpyridine derivatives. The isoelectric points were 5.3 and 5.0 for the horse shoe crab and cockroach enzymes respectively. All three enzymes showed low affinity for a cation-exchanger (CM-Sephadex).     

Purification and characterization of a novel halostable cellulase from Salinivibrio sp. strain NTU-05

A halostable cellulase with a molecular mass of 29 kDa was purified from culture supernatants of the halophilic bacterium Salinivibrio sp. NTU-05 by way of the Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography method and the biochemical properties of the halostable cellulase was studied. The enzyme was active over a range of 0–25% sodium chloride examined in culture broth. The optimum cellulase activity was observed at 5% sodium chloride. Results from the salinity stability test indicated 24% of enzyme activity was retained at 25% sodium chloride for 4 h. The enzyme was also shown to be slightly thermostable with 40% residual activity under 60 °C for 4 h. The enzyme has a K_m of 3.03 mg/ml and a V_max of 142.86 mol/min/mg when tested using carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC). The enzyme activity increased in the presence of K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺ ions and decreased when Hg²⁺ ions were present. The deduced internal amino acid sequence of the Salinivibrio sp. NTU-05 cellulase showed similarity to the sequence of the glycoside hydrolase family protein. These are some of the novel characteristics that make this enzyme have potential applications in cellulose biodegradation.     

Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase by three New Pyridinium Compounds and their Effect on Phosphonylation of the Enzyme

Abstract

Three new mono-pyridinium compounds were prepared: 1-phenacyl-2-methylpyridinium chloride (1), 1-benzoylethylpyridinium chloride (2) and 1-benzoylethylpyridinium-4-aldoxime chloride (3) and assayed in vitro for their inhibitory effect on human blood acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7, AChE). All the three compounds inhibited AChE reversibly; their binding affinity for the enzyme was compared with their protective effect (PI) on AChE phosphonylation by soman and VX. Compound 1 was found to bind to both the catalytic and the allosteric (substrate inhibition) sites of the enzyme with estimated dissociation constants of 6.9 μM (K_cat) and 27 μM (K_all), respectively. Compound 2 bound to the catalytic site with K_cat= 59 μM and compound 3 only to the allosteric site with K_all = 328 μM. PI was evaluated from phosphonylation measured in the absence and in presence of the compounds applied in a concentration corresponding to their K_cat or K_all value, and was also calculated from theoretical equations deduced from the reversible inhibition of the enzyme. Compounds 1 and 3 protected the enzyme from phosphonylation by soman and VX, whereas no protection was observed in the presence of compound 2 under the same conditions. Irrespective of the binding sites to AChE, PI for compounds 1 and 3 evaluated from phosphonylation agreed with PI calculated from reversible inhibition. Compound 3 was found to be a weak reactivator of methylphosphonylated AChE with k_r = 1.1 × 10²Lmol^-1 min^-1.     

Effects of pyridoxal phosphate treatment on the (Na + K)-ATPase

Reaction of a dog kidney (Na + K)-ATPase with pyridoxal phosphate, followed by borohydride reduction, reduced the catalytic activity when measured subsequently. The time course of inactivation did not follow a first-order process, and certain characteristics of the residual enzymatic activity were modified. Moreover, various catalytic activities were diminished differently: Na-ATPase activity was largely spared, K-phosphatase activity was diminished only by half that of the (Na + K)-ATPase, whereas (Na + K)-CTPase and Na-CTPase activities were diminished more. ATP, ADP, CTP, nitrophenyl phosphate, and P_i all protected against inactivation. Increasing salt concentrations increased inactivation, but KCl slowed and NaCl hastened inactivation when compared with choline chloride. Occupancy of certain substrate or cation sites seemed more crucial than selection of conformational states. For the residual (Na + K)-ATPase activity theK _0.5 for K⁺ was lower and theK _0.5 for Na⁺ higher, while the sensitivities to ouabain, oligomycin, and dimethylsulfoxide were diminished; for the residual K-phosphatase activity theK _0.5 for K⁺ was unchanged, the sensitivity to ouabain and oligomycin diminished, but the stimulation by dimethylsulfoxide increased. These properties cannot be wholly accommodated by assuming merely shifts toward either of the two major enzyme conformations.     

Bradykinin-induced potassium current in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells

Summary Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) respond to bradykinin with an increase in cytosolic-free Ca²⁺ concentration, [Ca²⁺] _i , accompanied by an increase in surface membrane K⁺ permeability. In this study, electrophysiological measurement of K⁺ current was combined with⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux measurements to characterize the K⁺ flux pathway in BAECs. Bradykinin- and Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ currents were identified and shown to be blocked by the alkylammonium compound, tetrabutylammonium chloride and by the scorpion toxin,noxiustoxin, but not by apamin or tetraethylammonium chloride. Whole-cell and single-channel current analysis suggest that the threshold for Ca²⁺ activation is in the range of 10 to 100nm [Ca²⁺] _i . The whole-cell current measurement show voltage sensitivity only at the membrane potentials more positive than 0 mV where significant current decay occurs during a sustained depolarizing pulse. Another K⁺ current present in control conditions, an inwardly rectifying K⁺ current, was blocked by Ba²⁺ and was not affected bynoxiustoxin or tetrabutylammonium chloride. Efflux of⁸⁶Rb^– from BAEC monolayers was stimulated by both bradykinin and ionomycin. Stimulated efflux was blocked by tetrabutyl- and tetrapentyl-ammonium chloride and bynoxiustoxin, but not by apamin or furosemide. Thus,⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux stimulated by bradykinin and ionomycin has the same pharmacological sensitivity as the bradykinin- and Ca²⁺-activated membrane currents. The results confirm that bradykinin-stimulated⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux occurs via Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels. The blocking agents identified may provide a means for interpreting the role of the Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ current in the response of BAECs to bradykinin.     

HIGH AFFINITY CHOLINE UPTAKE: IONIC AND ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

Abstract— High affinity choline uptake into rat hippocampal synaptosomes was examined at 37°C when various ions were deleted from normal Kreb's-Ringer media. When sodium chloride was replaced by sucrose, lithium chloride, cesium chloride or rubidium chloride, choline uptake was markedly reduced. When the sodium concentrations of the Kreb's media were gradually reduced to zero, the uptake was gradually reduced in parallel. A kinetic analysis performed at low and normal sodium concentrations revealed changes in K_m and V^max values. When several non-chloride sodium salts were utilized, the uptake was reduced in all cases suggesting also a chloride-dependence in addition to the sodium-dependence. Omission of calcium chloride or magnesium sulfate from the media did not alter uptake. Sodium-dependent choline uptake was examined over a range of potassium concentrations (0–35 DIM). It was found that uptake was maximal between potassium concentrations of 0.35–4.8 mm but was reduced at both lower and higher potassium concentrations. The kinetics of uptake were examined under varying potassium concentrations, and at low potassium, only a change in V_max was observed while at high potassium concentrations, there were changes in both K^m and V^max values. Preincubation and incubation of synaptosomes with 0.1 m -ouabain, 0.1 mm -2,4-dinitrophenol and 1 mm -KCN caused a reduction in sodium-dependent uptake. When dextrose was omitted from the preincubation and incubation media there was also a reduction in sodium-dependent uptake. By contrast, the sodium-independent uptake was unaffected by the metabolic inhibitors or omission of dextrose, and had a very low Q₁₀. When various incubation temperatures were utilized in uptake experiments, the Q¹⁰ for the interval 37-27°C was 2.7 and the activation energy was 22.7 kcal/mol. Slightly different ionic dependences were observed when animals pretreated with pentobarbital of oentylenetetrazol were utilized as the source of synaptosomes.     

Effect of chloride on ferrous iron oxidation by a Leptospirillum ferriphilum‐dominated chemostat culture

Biomining is the use of microorganisms to catalyze metal extraction from sulfide ores. However, the available water in some biomining environments has high chloride concentrations and therefore, chloride toxicity to ferrous oxidizing microorganisms has been investigated. Batch biooxidation of Fe²⁺ by a Leptospirillum ferriphilum‐dominated culture was completely inhibited by 12 g L^?1 chloride. In addition, the effects of chloride on oxidation kinetics in a Fe²⁺ limited chemostat were studied. Results from the chemostat modeling suggest that the chloride toxicity was attributed to affects on the Fe²⁺ oxidation system, pH homeostasis, and lowering of the proton motive force. Modeling showed a decrease in the maximum specific growth rate (µ_max) and an increase in the substrate constant (K_s) with increasing chloride concentrations, indicating an effect on the Fe²⁺ oxidation system. The model proposes a lowered maintenance activity when the media was fed with 2–3 g L^?1 chloride with a concomitant drastic decrease in the true yield (Y_true). This model helps to understand the influence of chloride on Fe²⁺ biooxidation kinetics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 422–431. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of pH,potential, chloride and furosemide on passive Na+ and K+ effluxes from human red blood cells

Summary Ouabain-resistant effluxes from pretreated cells containing K⁺/Na⁺=1.5 into K⁺ and Na⁺ free media were measured.Furosemide-sensitive cation effluxes from cells with nearly normal membrane potential and pH were lower in NO ₃ ^– media than in Cl^– media; they were reduced when pH was lowered in Cl^– media. When the membrane potential was positive inside furosemide increased the effluxes of Na⁺ and K⁺ (7 experiments). With inside-positive membrane potential thefurosemideinsensitive effluxes were markedly increased, they decreased with decreasing pH at constant internal Cl^– and also when internal Cl^– was reduced at constant pH. The correlation between cation flux and the membrane potential was different for cells with high or low internal chloride concentrations. The data with chloride47mm showed a better fit with the single-barrier model than with the infinite number-of-barriers model. With low chloride no significant correlation between flux and membrane potential was found. The data are not compatible with pure independent diffusion of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the presence of ouabain and furosemide.     

Mode of action of furosemide on the chloride-dependent short-circuit current across the ciliary body epithelium of toad eyes

Summary The effects of furosemide on the chloride-dependent short-circuit current across the toad ciliary epithelium were examined. Under control conditions, the short-circuit current obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics against medium chloride concentration, the Michaelis constant (K _m ) for chloride being 90mm and the maximal short-circuit current (V _max) 128 A/cm². Furosemide added to the aqueous side of the epithelium rapidly reduced the short-circuit current; the effect was reversible. The effect of furosemide addition to the stromal side was much smaller and slower than that from the aqueous side. The dose-dependent range of furosemide action was from 0.1 m to 1mm with 50% inhibition occurring at about 3 m. Line-weaver-Burk plot of the short-circuit current against the chloride concentration showed that furosemide decreased the value ofV _max and increased theK _m ; the inhibition being of mixed type. A Hill plot of the dose-response curve yielding a slope of unity suggested one furosemide molecule combines with one chloride transport site. Probenecid, a competitive inhibitor of organic acid transport, reduced the effects of furosemide significantly when added simultaneously. The involvement of organic acid transport system in the mechanism of furosemide action on chloride transport was suggested.Department of Ophthalmology.     

POTASSIUM ALLEVIATES THE INHIBITORY ACTION OF AMMONIUM UPON THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC RECOVERY OF NOSTOC FLAGELLIFORME (CYANOPHYCEAE) DURING REHYDRATION1

Effects of ammonium on the photosynthetic recovery of Nostoc flagelliforme Berk. et M. A. Curtis were assayed when being rehydrated in low‐K⁺ or high‐K⁺ medium. Its photosynthetic recovery was K⁺ limited after 3 years of dry storage. The potassium absorption of N. flagelliforme reached the maximum after 3 h rehydration in low‐K⁺ medium but at 5 min in high‐K⁺ medium. The K⁺ content of N. flagelliforme rehydrated in high‐K⁺ medium was much higher than that in low‐K⁺ medium. The maximal PSII quantum yield (F_v/F_m) value of N. flagelliforme decreased significantly when samples were rehydrated in low‐K⁺ medium treated with 5 mM NH₄Cl. However, the treatment of 20 mM NH₄Cl had little effect on its F_v/F_m value in high‐K⁺ medium. The relative F_v/F_m 24 h EC₅₀ (concentration at which 50% inhibition occurred) value of NH₄⁺ in high‐K⁺ medium (64.35 mM) was much higher than that in low‐K⁺ medium (22.17 mM). This finding indicated that high K⁺ could alleviate the inhibitory action of NH₄⁺ upon the photosynthetic recovery of N. flagelliforme during rehydration. In the presence of 10 mM tetraethylammonium chloride (TEACl), the relative F_v/F_m 24 h EC₅₀ value of NH₄⁺ was increased to 46.34 and 70.78 mM, respectively, in low‐K⁺ and high‐K⁺ media. This observation suggested that NH₄⁺ entered into N. flagelliforme cells via the K⁺ channel. Furthermore, NH₄⁺ could decrease K⁺ absorption in high‐K⁺ medium.     

Fluorescent labelling of Na+,K+-ATPase in intact cells by use of a fluorescent derivative of ouabain: Salinity and teleost chloride cells

Summary Anthroylouabain, a fluorescent derivative of ouabain, was used to localize Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in transport epithelia of two species of teleosts. Exposure of the opercular membrane of seawater-adapted tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the jaw skin of the long-jawed mudsucker (Gillichthys mirabilis) to a 2 M anthroylouabain solution resulted in the appearance of cells stained bright blue. These were deemed to be chloride cells by their large size, distinct morphology and co-localization of DASPEI fluorescence, a mitochondrial stain. Addition of ouabain (1 mM final concentration) greatly decreased anthroylouabain fluorescent staining of chloride cells of seawater-adapted fish. Exposure of opercular membranes from freshwater tilapia to 2 M anthroylouabain did not result in significant staining. Anthroylouabain is therefore a useful vital stain for localizing Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in chloride cells of seawater-adapted teleosts, and may be useful for fluorescent labelling of ouabain-sensitive Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase in other tissues and species.     

The effect of Cl- upon the sensitivity of starch-containing and starch-deficient stomata and guard cell protoplasts towards potassium ions,fusicoccin and abscisic acid

Chloride ions are necessary to compensate for the positively charged potassium ions imported into guard cells of Allium cepa L. during stomatal opening. Therefore an external Cl^- supply of intact Allium plants is important. But high levels of chloride have been found to reduce the sensitivity of the starch-lacking stomata and isolated guard cell protoplasts (GCPs) from Allium to potassium ions, fusicoccin and abscisic acid. Furthermore, with high levels of chloride, malate anions disappear from the guard cells of Allium, a finding which contrasts with situation in Vicia where the stomatal sensitivity to K⁺ ions, fusicoccin and ABA is not influenced by Cl^- ions and malate levels are unaffected. It is suggested that the absence of malate as a proton yielding primer inhibits the mechanism of H⁺/K⁺ exchange in Allium.Abbreviations ABA abscisic acid - FC fusicoccin - GCPs guard cell protoplasts     

Evidence for a Na+/K+/Cl− cotransport system in basolateral membrane vesicles from the rabbit parotid

Summary Sodium (²²Na) transport was studied in a basolateral membrane vesicle preparation from rabbit parotid. Sodium uptake was markedly dependent on the presence of both K⁺ and Cl^– in the extravesicular medium, being reduced 5 times when K⁺ was replaced by a nonphysiologic cation and 10 times when Cl^– was replaced by a nonphysiologic anion. Sodium uptake was stimulated by gradients of either K⁺ or Cl^– (relative to nongradient conditions) and could be driven against a sodium concentration gradient by a KCl gradient. No effect of membrane potentials on KCl-dependent sodium flux could be detected, indicating that this is an electroneutral process. A KCl-dependent component of sodium flux could also be demonstrated under equuilibrium exchange conditions, indicating a direct effect of K⁺ and Cl^– on the sodium transport pathway. KCl-dependent sodium uptake exhibited a hyperbolic dependence on sodium concentration consistent with the existence of a single-transport system withK _m =3.2mm at 80mm KCl and 23°C. Furosemide inhibited this transporter withK _0.5=2×10^–4 m (23°C). When sodium uptake was measured as a function of potassium and chloride concentrations a hyperbolic dependence on [K] (Hill coefficient =1.31±0.07) were observed, consistent with a Na/K/Cl stoichiometry of 112. Taken together these data provide strong evidence for the electroneutral coupling of sodium and KCl movements in this preparation and strongly support the hypothesis that a Na⁺/K⁺/Cl^– cotransport system thought to be associated with transepithelial chloride and water movements in many exocrine glands is present in the parotid acinar basolateral membrane.     

Further photophysical and photochemical characterization of flavins associated with single-shelled vesicles

Summary In order to investigate whether the loop diuretic sensitive, sodium-chloride cotransport system described previously in shark rectal gland is in fact a sodium-potassium chloride cotransport system, plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from rectal glands ofSqualus acanthias and sodium and rubidium uptake were measured by a rapid filtration technique. In addition, the binding of N-methylfurosemide to the membranes was investigated. Sodium uptake into the vesicles in the presence of a 170mm KCl gradient was initially about five-fold higher than in the presence of a 170mm KNO₃ gradient. In the presence of chloride, sodium uptake was inhibited 56% by 0.4mm bumetanide and 40% by 0.8mm N-methylfurosemide. When potassium chloride was replaced by choline chloride or lithium chloride, sodium uptake decreased to the values observed in the presence of potassium nitrate. Replacement of potassium chloride by rubidium chloride, however, did not change sodium uptake. Initial rubidium uptake into the membrane vesicles was about 2.5-fold higher in the presence of a 170mm NaCl gradient than in the presence of a 170mm NaNO₃ gradient. The effect of chloride was completely abolished by 0.4mm bumetanide. Replacement of the sodium chloride gradient by a lithium chloride gradient decreased rubidium uptake by about 40%; replacement by a choline chloride gradient reduced the uptake even further. Rubidium uptake was also strongly inhibited by potassium. Sodium chloride dependence and bumetanide inhibition of rubidium flux were also found in tracer exchange experiments in the absence of salt gradients. The isolated plasma membranes bound³[H]-N-methylfurosemide in a dose-dependent manner. In Scatchard plots, one saturable component could be detected with an apparentK _D of 3.5×10^–6 m and a number of sitesn of 104 pmol/mg protein. At 0.8 m, N-methylfurosemide binding decreased 51% when sodium-free or low-potassium media were used. The same decrease was observed when the chloride concentration was increased from 200 to 600mm or when 1mm bumetanide or furosemide were added to the incubation medium. These studies indicate that the sodium-chloride cotransport system described previously in the rectal gland is in fact a sodium-potassium chloride cotransport system. It is postulated that this transport system plays an essential role in the secondary active chloride secretion of the rectal gland.     

OPOSSUM KIDNEY CELLS TAKE UP L-DOPA THROUGH AN ORGANIC CATION POTENTIAL-DEPENDENT AND PROTON-INDEPENDENT TRANSPORTER

The present work was aimed at studying the kinetics and nature of the l-DOPA transporter in opossum kidney (OK) cells. Saturation experiments were performed in OK cells incubated for 6 min with increasing concentrations of l-DOPA (10 to 2500 μm); non-linear analysis of the saturation curve revealed for l-DOPA aK_mof 129 μm (114, 145) and aV_maxof 30.0±0.4 nmol mg protein^?16 min^?1The uptake of l-DOPA (250 μm) was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by cyanine 863, an organic cation inhibitor, with aK_ivalue of 638 (430, 947) μmthe organic anion inhibitor 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulphonic acid (DIDS), was devoid of effect upon the uptake of l-DOPA. The uptake of l-DOPA (250 μm) was significantly (P<0.02) decreased (25% reduction) when cells were incubated in the presence of 137 mm K⁺plus 5 mm Na⁺when compared with the control condition (137 mm Na⁺plus 5 mm K⁺); substitution of NaCl by choline chloride (137 mm) did not affect l-DOPA uptake. Similarly, inwardly or outwardly directed proton gradients of 0.5 pH units (7.9, 7.4, 6.9, 6.4 and 5.9) were found not to change l-DOPA uptake. In conclusion, the l-DOPA uptake system in OK cells has the characteristics of an organic cation potential-dependent and proton-independent transporter.     

CARRIER MEDIATED BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER TRANSPORT OF CHOLINE AND CERTAIN CHOLINE ANALOGS

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport of choline and certain choline analogs was studied in adult and suckling rats, and additionally compared in the paleocortex and neocortex of adult rats. Saturable uptake was characterized by a single kinetic system in all cases examined, and in adult rat forebrains we determined a K_m= 442 ± 60 μM and V_max= 10.0 ± 0.6 nmol min^-1 g^-1. In 14–15-day-old suckling forebrains a similar K_m (= 404 ± 88 μM) but higher V_max (= 12.5 ± 1.5 nmol min^-1 g^-1) was determined. When choline uptake was compared in two regions of the forebrain, similar Michaelis-Menten constants were determined but a higher uptake velocity was found in the neocortex (i.e. neocortex K_m= 310 ± 103 μM and V_max= 12.6 ± 2.8 nmol min^-1g^-1; paleocortex K_m= 217 ± 76 μM and V_max= 7.2 ± 1.5 nmol min^-1 g^-1). Administration of radiolabelled choline at low (5 μM) and high (100 μM) concentrations, followed by microwave fixation 60 s later and chloroform-methanol-water separations of the homogenized brain did not suggest a relationship between concentration and the appearance of label in lipid or aqueous fractions as observed in another in-vitro study elaborating two-component kinetics of choline uptake. It was observed that 60s after carotid injection 12–14% of the radiolabel in the ipsilateral cortex was found in the chloroform-soluble fraction. Hemicholinium-3 (K_i= 111 μM), dimethylaminoethanol (K_i= 42 μM), tetraethyl ammonium chloride, tetramethyl ammonium chloride, 2-hydroxyethyl triethylammonium iodide, carnitine, normal rat serum, and to a lesser extent lithium and spermidine all inhibited choline uptake in the BBB. Unsubstituted ammonium chloride and imipramine did not inhibit choline uptake. No difference was observed in blood-brain barrier choline uptake of unanesthetised, carotid artery-catheterized animals, and comparable sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized controls.     

FURTHER STUDIES ON THE K+-DEPENDENT SWELLING OF PRIMATE CEREBRAL CORTEX IN VIVO: THE ENZYMATIC BASIS OF THE K+-DEPENDENT TRANSPORT OF CHLORIDE

Abstract— The swelling of intact, exposed primate cerebral cortex perfused in vioo under, isosmotic conditions was a linear function of the concentration of K⁺ in perfusate over the range 25–117 mM. The K⁺-dependent swelling was manifested throughout the depth of the cerebral cortex studied and was associated with an increased content of chloride in the swollen tissue, despite the constancy of the concentration of external chloride. The swelling of the cerebral cortex was a linear function of the temperature of the perfusate over the range 15–38°C, despite the constancy of the concentration of external K⁺. Moreover, the content of chloride in the swollen cerebral cortex was a linear function of the temperature of the overlying perfusate, despite the constancy of the external concentration of chloride. The changes in the contents of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the swollen cerebral cortex perfused with solutions containing constant concentrations of external Na⁺ and K⁺ but differing in temperature suggested that the fluid of swelling in the tissue was rich in both K⁺ and CI^-, as had been shown previously in vitro. Perfusion of the exposed, intact cerebral cortex in uiuo with K⁺-rich fluids usually involved the reciprocal reduction of the concentrations of Na+ in the perfusate to maintain isotonicity. When comparable reductions in the concentration of external Na⁺ were achieved by replacement with choline (instead of K⁺), swelling of the perfused, exposed cortex was significantly less than that attributed to isotonic, K⁺-rich but Na⁺-poor fluids. These observations suggested that it was the elevated levels of K⁺ rather than lowered concentrations of Na+ that promoted the swelling of the perfused cerebral cortex. The apparent rate of influx of ³⁶Cl from the perfusate into the underlying exposed and intact monkey cerebral cortex in vivo was a linear function of the concentration of K⁺ in perfusate over the range 25–117 mM and conformed to Michaelis-Menten kinetics when plotted according to Lineweaver and Burk. Moreover, the apparent influx of chloride from perfusate into swollen cerebral cortex was a linear function of the percentage swelling of cerebral cortex over the range 6–30 per cent. However, the apparent rate of influx of chloride from perfusate into unswollen cortex was not consistent with the linear correlation already described for swollen cerebral cortex. One reason for this discrepancy was the reduction in the size of the true (inulin) extracellular space associated with the K⁺-dependent swelling of cerebral cortex in vivo. The anatomical locus for this K⁺-dependent swelling of cerebral cortex was an expanded glial compartment, as demonstrated by electron-microscopy. The parenteral administration (50 mg/kg) or local perfusion (5 mM) of acetazolamide inhibited the K⁺-dependent swelling of cerebral cortex in vivo. Moreover, administration of acetazolamide inhibited the K⁺-dependent increase in content of C1- and the K⁺-dependent rate of influx of ³⁶Cl into swollen cerebral cortex. We have discussed the possible enzymatic basis of these K⁺-dependent alterations in content of fluid and chloride and transport of chloride in mammalian cerebral cortex in viuo.