Na+, Cl− cotransport in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells activated during volume regulation (regulatory volume increase)

Ehrlich ascites cells were preincubated in hypotonic medium with subsequent restoration of tonicity. After the initial osmotic shrinkage the cells recovered their volume within 5 min with an associated KCl uptake. The volume recovery was inhibited when NO-3 was substituted for Cl-, and when Na+ was replaced by K+, or by choline (at 5 mM external K+). The volume recovery was strongly inhibited by furosemide and bumetanide, but essentially unaffected by DIDS. The net uptake of Cl- was much larger than the value predicted from the conductive Cl- permeability. The undirectional 36Cl flux, which was insensitive to bumetanide under steady-state conditions, was substantially increased during regulatory volume increase, and showed a large bumetanide-sensitive component. During volume recovery the Cl- flux ratio (influx/efflux) for the bumetanide-sensitive component was estimated at 1.85, compatible with a coupled uptake of Na+ and Cl-, or with an uptake via a K+,Na+,2Cl- cotransport system. The latter possibility is unlikely, however, because a net uptake of KCl was found even at low external K+, and because no K+ uptake was found in ouabain-poisoned cells. In the presence of ouabain a bumetanide-sensitive uptake during volume recovery of Na+ and Cl- in nearly equimolar amounts was demonstrated. It is proposed that the primary process during the regulatory volume increase is an activation of an otherwise quiescent, bumetanide-sensitive Na+,Cl- cotransport system with subsequent replacement of Na+ by K+ via the Na+/K+ pump, stimulated by the Na+ influx through the Na+,Cl- cotransport system.     

Dissection of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release fluxes in situ after depolarization-evoked [Ca2+](i) elevations in sympathetic neurons

We studied how mitochondrial Ca2+ transport influences [Ca2+](i) dynamics in sympathetic neurons. Cells were treated with thapsigargin to inhibit Ca2+ accumulation by SERCA pumps and depolarized to elevate [Ca2+(i); the recovery that followed repolarization was then examined. The total Ca2+ flux responsible for the [Ca2+](i) recovery was separated into mitochondrial and nonmitochondrial components based on sensitivity to the proton ionophore FCCP, a selective inhibitor of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in these cells. The nonmitochondrial flux, representing net Ca2+ extrusion across the plasma membrane, has a simple dependence on [Ca2+](i), while the net mitochondrial flux (J(mito)) is biphasic, indicative of Ca+) accumulation during the initial phase of recovery when [Ca2+](i) is high, and net Ca2+ release during later phases of recovery. During each phase, mitochondrial Ca2+ transport has distinct effects on recovery kinetics. J(mito) was separated into components representing mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release based on sensitivity to the specific mitochondrial Na(+)/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, CGP 37157 (CGP). The CGP-resistant (uptake) component of J(mito) increases steeply with [Ca2+](i), as expected for transport by the mitochondrial uniporter. The CGP-sensitive (release) component is inhibited by lowering the intracellular Na(+) concentration and depends on both intra- and extramitochondrial Ca2+ concentration, as expected for the Na(+)/Ca2+ exchanger. Above approximately 400 nM [Ca2+](i), net mitochondrial Ca2+ transport is dominated by uptake and is largely insensitive to CGP. When [Ca2+](i) is approximately 200-300 nM, the net mitochondrial flux is small but represents the sum of much larger uptake and release fluxes that largely cancel. Thus, mitochondrial Ca2+ transport occurs in situ at much lower concentrations than previously thought, and may provide a mechanism for quantitative control of ATP production after brief or low frequency stimuli that raise [Ca(2+)](i) to levels below approximately 500 nM.     

Net uptake of chloride across the posterior gills of the Chinese crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Two methods are commonly used for the determination of transbranchial net fluxes of Na+ and Cl-: direct analysis of changes in ion concentrations in the external medium using flame spectrophotometry or titration (net flux method), and measurement of unidirectional ion fluxes by means of radioactive tracers (tracer method). When we applied both methods in the same preparation, the isolated perfused posterior gill of freshwater-acclimated Eriocheir sinensis, to determine net fluxes of Cl-, the results differed substantially. In artificial fresh water (AFW) containing NaCl, the net flux method yielded a net uptake, but the tracer method showed a net efflux of Cl-. The net uptake of Cl- was abolished in Na(+)-free AFW indicating that Cl- uptake is coupled with the uptake of Na+. Applying the tracer method, net efflux of Cl- remained almost unchanged in Na(+)-free AFW. This suggests the opposite mechanism, i.e. uncoupled uptake of Na+ and Cl-. The discrepancy in the results obviously depends on the method employed. Since the data obtained with the net flux method explain the osmoregulatory performance of crabs living in fresh water, we consider this method as appropriate for determining net transbranchial ion fluxes.     

Influence of chronic alterations of salt intake and aging on the kinetic of red cell Na+ and K+ transport in Sprague-Dawley rats

The kinetics of Na+ and K+ (Rb)+ transport mediated by the Na(+)-K+ pump and Na(+)-K+ cotransport system (assessed as a function of Rb+o and Na+i) as well as the magnitude of cation leaks were determined in red cells of young male rats subjected to chronic salt deprivation or salt loading (0.1% and 8% NaCl diet). These salt intake alterations induced moderate kinetic changes of the Na(+)-K+ pump which did not result in significant changes of ouabain-sensitive (OS) Rb+ uptake or Na+ net extrusion at in vivo Na+i and K+o concentrations because a decreased affinity for Na+i in salt-loaded animals was compensated by an increased maximal transport rate. High furosemide-sensitive (FS) Rb+ uptake in red cells of salt-deprived rats was caused by an increase of both the maximal transport rate and the affinity for Rb+o. Cation leaks were also higher in salt-deprived than in salt-loaded rats. In three age groups of rats fed a 1% NaCl diet FS Rb+ uptake (but not FS Na+ net uptake) rose with age due to an increasing maximal transport rate whereas the affinity of the cotransport system for Rbo+ did not change. The age-dependent changes in the kinetics of the Na(+)-K+ pump resulted in a slight decrease of OS Rb+ uptake with age that was not paralleled by corresponding Na+ net extrusion. No major age-related changes of cation leaks were found. Thus some intrinsic properties of red cell transport systems can be altered by salt intake and aging.     

Red cell sodium in DOCA-salt hypertension: a Brattleboro study.

The alteration of red cell Na+ content (Na+i), its causes and the possible relationship to the development of DOCA-salt hypertension were studied in Brattleboro rats. A pronounced hypertension developed in heterozygous (non-DI) animals that synthesize vasopressin (VP) although no substantial Na+i elevation was observed in their erythrocytes. In contrast, Na+i rose progressively in red cells of homozygous VP-deficient (DI) rats in which only marginal increase of systolic blood pressure was found after six weeks of DOCA-salt regimen. DOCA-salt treatment of non-DI rats did not cause major alterations in ouabain-resistant (OR) net Na+ uptake or ouabain-sensitive (OS) net Na+ extrusion but moderately increased furosemide-sensitive (FS) Rb+ uptake. The same treatment of DI rats doubled Na+i by an increased OR net Na+ uptake (due to a major elevation in both Na(+)-K+ cotransport and Na+ leak). Consequently, OS net Na+ extrusion was augmented in red cells of these animals. This was accompanied by an about threefold elevated FS Rb+ uptake. It can be concluded that a) the alterations of OR and/or OS Na+ or K+ transport observed in erythrocytes of Brattleboro DI rats are not essential for the development of severe DOCA-salt hypertension, b) red cell ion transport abnormalities revealed in DOCA-salt treated DI rats might be rather ascribed to cell potassium depletion, and c) increased inward Na(+)-K+ cotransport and Na+ leak causes red cell Na+i elevation that stimulates Na(+)-K+ pump activity.     

Cation flux in the ehrlich ascites tumor cell. Evidence for Na+-for-Na+ and K+-for-K+ exchange diffusion.

In a previous study, evidence was presented for an external Na+-dependent, ouabain-insensitive component of Na+ efflux and an external K+-dependent component of K+ efflux in the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell. Evidence is now presented that these components are inhibited by the diuretic furosemide and that under conditions of normal extracellular Na+ and K+ they represent Na+-for-Na+ and K-+for-K+ exchange mechanisms. Using 86Rb to monitor K+ movements, furosemide is shown to inhibit an ouabain-insensitive component of Rb+ influx and a component of Rb+ efflux, both representing approx. 30 percent of the total flux. Inhibition of Rb+ efflux is greatly reduced by removal of extracellular K+. Furosemide does not alter steady-state levels of intracellular K+ and it does not prevent cells depleted of K+ by incubation in the cold from regaining K+ upon warming. Using 22Na to monitor Na+ movements, furosemide is shown to inhibit an ouabain-insensitive component of unidirectional Na+ efflux which represents approx. 22 percent of total Na+ efflux. Furosemide does not alter steady-state levels of intracellular Na+ and does not prevent removal of intracellular Na+ upon warming from cells loaded with Na+ by preincubation in the cold. The ability of furosemide to affect unidirectional Na+ and K+ fluxes but not net fluxes is consistent with the conclusion that these components of cation movement across the cell membrane represent one-for-one exchange mechanisms. Data are also presented which demonstrate that the uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyrate is not affected by furosemide. This indicates that these components of cation flux are not directly involved in the Na+-dependent amino acid transport system A.     

Sodium uptake across the apical border of the isolated turtle colon: Confirmation of the two-barrier model

Summary The initial rate of Na uptake by the turtle colon from the mucosal bathing solution consists of two operationally distinct components. One component is a linear function of mucosal Na concentration, is unaffected by amiloride, and appears to represent Na uptake into the paracellular shunt path. The major component of Na uptake is abolished by amiloride and is virtually equal to the short-circuit current over a wide range of. mucosal Na concentrations, suggesting that this portion of Na uptake represents Na movement into Na-transporting cells of the colon. The amiloride-sensitive component of Na uptake, at low mucosal Na concentrations, was unaffected if net Na transport was abolished by ouabain. Similarly, at low mucosal Na concentrations the amiloride-sensitive conductance of the colon was identical in the presence and in the absence of net Na transport.These results show that the isolated turtle colon behaves, as two distinct barriers to transmural Na transport, an apical barrier blocked by amiloride and a more basal-lying barrier where active, transmural Na transport is blocked by ouabain. In addition, these experiments appear to provide the first unambiguous demonstration that the initial-rate isotope uptake technique can provide adirect measure of the properties of the amiloridesensitive barrier to transmural Na movement, presumably the apical membranes of the Na-transporting cells. The results are consistent with the notion that the rate of transmural active Na transport and the conductance of the active Na-transport path are determined by the properties of the apical membrane.     

Regulatory interaction of ATP Na+ and Cl- in the turnover cycle of the NaK2Cl cotransporter

To probe the mechanism by which intracellular ATP, Na+, and Cl- influence the activity of the NaK2Cl cotransporter, we measured bumetanide-sensitive (BS) 86Rb fluxes in the osteosarcoma cell line UMR- 106-01. Under physiological gradients of Na+, K+, and Cl-, depleting cellular ATP by incubation with deoxyglucose and antimycin A (DOG/AA) for 20 min at 37 degrees C reduced BS 86Rb uptake from 6 to 1 nmol/mg protein per min. Similar incubation with 0.5 mM ouabain to inhibit the Na+ pump had no effect on the uptake, excluding the possibility that DOG/AA inhibited the uptake by modifying the cellular Na+ and K+ gradients. Loading the cells with Na+ and depleting them of K+ by a 2-3- h incubation with ouabain or DOG/AA increased the rate of BS 86Rb uptake to approximately 12 nmol/mg protein per min. The unidirectional BS 86Rb influx into control cells was approximately 10 times faster than the unidirectional BS 86Rb efflux. On the other hand, at steady state the unidirectional BS 86Rb influx and efflux in ouabain-treated cells were similar, suggesting that most of the BS 86Rb uptake into the ouabain-treated cells is due to K+/K+ exchange. The entire BS 86Rb uptake into ouabain-treated cells was insensitive to depletion of cellular ATP. However, the influx could be converted to ATP-sensitive influx by reducing cellular Cl- and/or Na+ in ouabain-treated cells to impose conditions for net uptake of the ions. The BS 86Rb uptake in ouabain-treated cells required the presence of Na+, K+, and Cl- in the extracellular medium. Thus, loading the cells with Na+ induced rapid 86Rb (K+) influx and efflux which, unlike net uptake, were insensitive to cellular ATP. Therefore, we suggest that ATP regulates a step in the turnover cycle of the cotransporter that is required for net but not K+/K+ exchange fluxes. Depleting control cells of Cl- increased BS 86Rb uptake from medium-containing physiological Na+ and K+ concentrations from 6 to approximately 15 nmol/mg protein per min. The uptake was blocked by depletion of cellular ATP with DOG/AA and required the presence of all three ions in the external medium. Thus, intracellular Cl- appears to influence net uptake by the cotransporter. Depletion of intracellular Na+ was as effective as depletion of Cl- in stimulating BS 86Rb uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Interaction of cations with phosphate uptake by Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Effects of surface potential.

The effect of bivalent cations on phosphate uptake by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. Phosphate uptake via the Na+-dependent transport system at pH 7.2 is stimulated by bivalent cations. The apparent affinity of phosphate for the transport mechanism is increased, but the apparent affinity for Na+ is decreased. Uptake of phosphate via the Na+-independent transport system is accompanied by a net proton influx of 2H+ and an efflux of 1 K+ for each phosphate ion taken up. At pH 4.5 phosphate uptake via the Na+-independent system is stimulated by bivalent cations, whereas at pH 7.2 uptake is inhibited. The effect of bivalent cations on phosphate uptake can be ascribed to a decrease in the surface potential.     

Ionic balance in the freshwater-adapted Chinese crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Ionic regulation by the gills of the freshwater-adapted Chinese crab, Eriocheir sinensis, was examined. The balance of uptake and loss of NaCl in crabs living in freshwater was established. Urine production was measured directly by cannulating the nephropores. Daily urinary loss of Na+ is equivalent to 16% of the haemolymph Na+ content and is substantially higher than that based on data from indirect measurements reported in the literature. Weight and area of anterior and posterior gills are proportional to body weight. The role of the gills in compensating urinary loss by uptake was determined by analysing changes in Na+ and Cl- concentrations in the external medium in which isolated perfused gills were suspended. In posterior gills, salt loss is quantitatively balanced by NaCl net uptake from an external concentration of 1.3 mmol l(-1) NaCl upwards. The transport constant (Kt) for half maximum saturation of net uptake and saturation of NaCl uptake are 1.5 mmol l(-1) and 4 mmol l(-1), respectively. In contrast to previous studies in which tracer fluxes or transepithelial short-circuit currents were determined, our method of direct ion determination shows that no net uptake of Na+ or Cl- occurs in posterior gills in the absence of the respective counter ion, or when uptake of one ion is blocked by a specific inhibitor. Net uptake of Na+ and Cl- was about equal. We conclude that the uptake of the two ions is coupled. The properties of the branchial ion uptake of E. sinensis correlates with the distribution of this crab in river systems.     

Volume regulatory activity of the Ehrlich ascites tumor cell and its relationship to ion transport

The volume regulatory response of the Ehrlich ascites tumor was studied in KCl-depleted, Na+-enriched cells. Subsequent incubation in K+-containing NaCl medium results in the reaccumulation of K+, Cl-, water and the extrusion of Na+. The establishment of the physiological steady state is due primarily to the activity of 2 transport systems. One is the Na/K pump (KM for K+o = 3.5 mM; Jmax = 30.1 mEq/kg dry min), which in these experiments was coupled 1K+/1 Na+. The second is the Cl--dependent (Na+ + K+) cotransport system (KM for K+o = 6.8 mM; Jmax = 20.8 mEq/kg dry min) which mediates, in addition to net ion uptake in the ratio of 1K+:1Na+:2Cl-, the exchange of K+i for K+o. The net passive driving force on the cotransport system is initially inwardly directed but does not decrease to zero at the steady state. This raises the possibility of the involvement of an additional source of energy. Although cell volume increases concomitant with net ion uptake, this change does not appear to be a major factor regulating the activity of the cotransport system.     

Amino acid transport by resealed ghosts from pigeon erythrocytes.

Resealed ghosts from pigeon erythrocytes were shown to haemolyse during incubation in isotonic media with pH values greater than about 7 and high concentrations of Na+ inside the ghosts seemed to enhance this effect. At lower pH values the ghosts were stable but still highly permeable to Na+ and K+, and moderately permeable to sucrose. Under the latter conditions the ghosts transported amino acids in a way qualitatively but not quantitatively similar to intact erythrocytes. The Na+-dependent transport of serine and alanine by the ghosts consisted essentially of an exchange of extracellular for intracellular amino acids, with no significant net flux. In contrast, net fluxes of glycine in the direction of the Na+-concentration gradient across the ghost membrane were demonstrated. However, under one condition a small net influx of glycine occurred against the prevailing Na+-concentration gradient. Unlike Na+-dependent glycine uptake, the uptake of six other amino acids by intact pigeon erythrocytes was not influenced by the nature of the anion present. The significance of these findings in relation to previous work on the Na+-gradient hypothesis of membrane transport is discussed.     

Biochemical characterization of the Na+/K+/Cl- co-transport in chick cardiac cells

Cultured chick cardiac cells possess a Na+K+Cl-co-transport system that is inhibited by the "loop diuretics" benzmetanide (IC50 = 0.3 microM), bumetanide (IC50 = 0.6 microM), piretanide (IC50 = 1.5 microM) and furosemide (IC50 = 5 microM). The K0.5 values for Cl- and Na+ activation of the bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake are 59 mM and 40mM respectively. Bumetanide also inhibits a 22Na+ uptake component that is suppressed when external Cl- or K+ are substituted by impermeant ions. The ratio of bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb+ to 22Na+ uptake is close to 1. The cardiac Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport is a major uptake pathway for Na+ and K+. It accounts for 50% of the initial rate of 86Rb+ uptake and 17% of the initial rate of 22Na+ uptake by chick cardiac cells. It is activated two-fold by an hyperosmotic shock produced with 200 mM mannitol.     

Adrenergic-agonist-induced Ca2+ fluxes in rat parotid cells are not Na+-dependent.

We investigated the hypothesis that extracellular Na+ is required for the rapid mobilization of Ca2+ by rat parotid cells after adrenergic stimulation. When Na+ salts in the media were osmotically replaced with either choline chloride (+atropine) or sucrose, efflux of 45Ca2+ from preloaded cells, caused by 10 microM-(-)-adrenaline, was unchanged. Similarly adrenaline stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake into cells under nonsteady-state conditions in the presence or absence of Na+. Monensin, a Na+ ionophore, was able to elicit a modest increase in 45Ca2+ efflux, compared with controls. Studies of net 45Ca2+ flux, performed under near-steady-state conditions, showed that adrenaline caused net 45Ca2+ accumulation, whereas monensin caused net 45Ca2+ release. The effect of monensin required the presence of Na+ in the incubation medium. Both 1 mM-LaCl3 and 0.1 mM-D-600 prevented adrenaline-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake into cells, but had no effect on monensin-induced changes. We conclude that (1) the rapid mobilization of Ca2+ by adrenergic agonists seen in rat parotid cells does not require a Na+out greater than Na+in gradient and (2) the nature of the monensin effect is quite different from the adrenergic-agonist-induced response.     

Analysis of angiotensin-stimulated sodium transport in cultured smooth muscle cells from rat aorta

Angiotensin peptides (AI, AII, AIII) increased the rate of Na+ accumulation by smooth muscle cells (SMC) cultured from rat aorta. The stimulatory effect of AII on Na+ uptake was observed when Na+ exodus via the Na+/K+ pump was blocked either by ouabain or by the removal of extracellular K+. AII was at least ten times more potent than AIII and about 100 times more potent than AI in stimulating Na+ uptake. Saralasin had little effect on Na+ uptake by itself but almost completely blocked the increase caused by AII. The stimulation of net Na+ entry by AI, but not AII, was prevented by protease inhibitors. The stimulation of Na+ uptake was almost completely blocked by amiloride. Tetrodotoxin, which prevented veratridine from increasing Na+ uptake, had no effect on the response to AII. Angiotensin increased the rate of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake (Na+/K+ pump activity) but had no effect on ouabain-sensitive ATPase activity in frozen-thawed SMC or in microsomal membranes isolated from cultured SMC. The stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by AII was blocked by saralasin. Omitting Na+ from the external medium prevented AII from increasing 86Rb+ uptake. AII had no effect on cell volume or cyclic AMP levels in the cultured SMC. These results suggest that angiotensin peptides activate an amiloride-sensitive Na+ transporter which supplies the Na+/K+ pump with more Na+, its rate-limiting substrate.     

Is Na+-dependent exchange diffusion a true exchange?

Trans-stimulation of glycine uptake by cellular glycine in Ehrlich cells is a Na+-dependent phenomenon. In contrast trans-stimulated methionine or leucine uptake is Na+-independent. Trans-stimulated uptake of glycine does not show any characteristics of an ex change process but rather appears to be due to changes in membrane potential which occur as a result of a net Na+-dependent loss of cellular amino acids. Trans-stimulated influx of glycine occurs during the time of net loss of cellular glycine and is absent when the cellular amino acid level is at steady or when the cell is depolarized. Exchange of leucine or methionine occurs when the amino acid level is at steady state and it is not directly affected by depolarizing agents such as gramicidin.     

Studies of insulin action on the amphibian oocyte plasma membrane using NMR, electrophysiological and ion flux techniques

Insulin (0.1-10 microM) reinitiates the meiotic divisions in Rana oocytes and produces a 14-20 mV negative-going hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane as well as a 0.25 unit increase in intracellular pH during the first 90 min. During hyperpolarization, the Na+ conductance of the membrane decreases by 40-50% with a concomitant increase in 22Na+ uptake from the medium. The increased uptake of Na+ during a period of decreasing Na+ conductance is apparently due to an increase in fluid phase turnover associated with insulin-mediated endocytosis. Both membrane hyperpolarization and increase in pHi are Na+-dependent and are blocked by the serine proteinase inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The membrane potential of the prophase oocyte has a significant electrogenic component with potential but not conductance sensitive to glycosides and substitution of Li+ for Na+. Insulin hyperpolarizes Li+ or glycoside-treated oocytes whereas glycosides do not affect insulin-hyperpolarized oocytes. [3H]Ouabain binding by the plasma membrane of the untreated oocyte shows at least two K+-sensitive components (Kd = 42 and 2000 nM) linked to inhibition of the Na+ pump. Insulin-treated oocytes show a single class of intermediate-affinity ouabain sites (Kd = 490 nM) which appear to result from insulin-induced internalization of membrane-bound ouabain. [125I]Insulin binding to the plasma membrane shows a class of high-affinity sites (Kd = 87 nM) with 40-50 pump sites per insulin-binding site. Our results suggest that insulin-induced mediator peptides stimulate Na+-H+ exchange resulting in an increase in intracellular pH and Na+ uptake concomitant with an increase in receptor-mediated endocytosis and a decrease in Na+ conductance and associated membrane hyperpolarization. The net result appears to be a down-regulation of the Na+ pump which together with a decrease in Na+ conductance may divert high-energy phosphate compounds from cation regulation to anabolic processes of meiosis.     

Copper ion redox state is critical for its effects on ion transport pathways and methaemoglobin formation in trout erythrocytes.

We have studied the mechanism of copper uptake by the cells, its oxidative action and effects on ion transport systems using rainbow trout erythrocytes. Cupric ions enter trout erythrocytes as negatively charged complexes with chloride and hydroxyl anions via the band 3-mediated Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Replacement of Cl- by gluconate, and complexation of cupric ions with histidine abolish rapid Cu2+ uptake. Within the cell cupric ions interact with haemoglobin, causing methaemoglobin formation by direct electron transfer from heme Fe2+ to Cu2+, and consecutive proton release. Ascorbate-mediated reduction of cupric ions to cuprous decreases copper-induced metHb formation and proton release. Moreover, cuprous ions stimulate Na+H+ exchange and residual Na+ transport causing net Na+ accumulation in the cells. The effect requires copper binding to an externally facing thiol group. Copper-induced Na+ accumulation is accompanied by K+ loss occurring mainly via K+-Cl- cotransporter. Taurine efflux is also stimulated by copper exposure. However, net loss of osmolytes is not as pronounced as Na+ uptake and modest swelling of the cells occurs after 5 min of copper exposure. Taken together the results indicate that copper toxicity, including copper transport into the cells and its interactions with ion transport processes, depend on the valency and complex formation of copper ions.     

Effect of Ca2+ on the ouabain-insensitive, active Na+ uptake in inside-out basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat kidney proximal tubular cells

The ouabain-insensitive, active Na+ uptake of inside-out vesicles prepared with basolateral plasma membranes from rat kidney proximal tubular cells can be increased by the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+ in the assay medium. The concomitant ATP hydrolysis associated with the Na+ uptake is also increased by the presence of Ca2+. The Na+ uptake and the concomitant ATP hydrolysis are inhibited by 2 mM furosemide. The effect of Ca2+ is not due to the activity of an Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. The present results are in accordance with our previous model (Proverbio, F., Proverbio, T. and Marín, R. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 688, 757-763) in which we proposed that Ca2+ seems to modulate the activity of the ouabain-insensitive Na+ pump, in two different ways: (1) in a strong association with the membranes in which Ca2+ (stable component) is essential for the pump activity and (2) in a weak association with the membranes in which Ca2+ (labile component) can be quickly and easily removed by reducing the free Ca2+ concentration of the assay medium to values lower than 1 microM. The Ka for Ca2+ (for the labile component) is around 5 microM. The Ca2+ modulation of the ouabain-insensitive Na+ pump is an indication that Ca2+ could regulate the magnitude of the Na+ extrusion accompanied by Cl- and water present in rat kidney proximal tubular cells.     

Dicarboxylate transport in human placental brush-border membrane vesicles

Pathways for transport of dicarboxylic acid metabolites by human placental epithelia were investigated using apical membrane vesicles isolated by divalent cation precipitation. The presence of Na+/dicarboxylate cotransport was assessed directly by [14C]succinate tracer flux measurements and indirectly by fluorescence determinations of voltage sensitive dye responses. The imposition of an inwardly directed Na+ gradient stimulated vesicle uptake of succinate achieving levels approximately 5-fold greater than those observed at equilibrium. The increased succinate uptake was specific for Na+ as no stimulation was observed in the presence of Li+, K+ or choline+ gradients. In addition to concentrative accumulation of succinate, a direct coupling of Na+/succinate cotransport was suggested by the absence of a sizeable conductive pathway for succinate uptake and decreased succinate uptake levels associated with a more rapid decay of an imposed Na+ gradient. Na+ gradient-driven succinate uptake was not the result of parallel Na+/H+ and succinate/OH- exchange activities but was reduced by the Na+-coupled inhibitor harmaline. The voltage sensitivity of Na+ gradient-driven succinate uptake suggests Na+/succinate cotransport is electrogenic occurring with net transfer of positive charge. Substrate-specificity studies suggest the tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates as candidates for transport by the Na+-coupled pathway. Decreasing pH increased the citrate-induced inhibition of succinate uptake suggesting divalent citrate as the preferred substrate for transport. Initial rate determinations of succinate uptake indicate succinate interacts with a single saturable site (Km 33 microM) with a maximal transport rate of 0.5 nmol/mg per min.