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

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

The sinusoidal domain of the plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes contains an amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiport

ATP-dependent trapping of [14C]methylamine was demonstrated in vesicles selectively derived from the sinusoidal plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes; activity was lacking in vesicles prepared from the canalicular domain of the plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes. The proton movement was inhibited by carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, strophanthidin, vanadate, amiloride, and absence of sodium. 22Na efflux from sinusoidal membrane vesicles increased inversely to extravesicular pH. The results indicate that the sinusoidal plasma membrane of rat hepatocytes contains a Na+/H+ antiport.     

The renal Na+/Ca2+ exchange system is located exclusively in the distal tubule.

The movement of Ca2+ across the basolateral plasma membrane was determined in purified preparations of this membrane isolated from rabbit proximal and distal convoluted tubules. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was present in basolateral membranes from both these tubular segments, but the activity was higher in the distal tubules. A very active Na+/Ca2+ exchange system was also demonstrated in the distal-tubular membranes, but in proximal-tubular membranes this exchange system was not demonstrable. The presence of Na+ outside the vesicles gradually inhibited the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake in the distal-tubular-membrane preparations, but remained without effect in those from the proximal tubules. The activity of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange system in the distal-tubular membranes was a function of the imposed Na+ gradient. These results suggest that the major differences in the characteristics of Ca2+ transport in the proximal and in the distal tubules are due to the high activity of a Na+/Ca2+ exchange system in the distal tubule and its virtual absence in the proximal tubule.     

Calcium transport mechanisms in basolateral plasma membrane-enriched vesicles from rat parotid gland.

Ca2+ transport was studied by using basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat parotid gland prepared by a Percoll gradient centrifugation method. In these membrane vesicles, there were two Ca2+ transport systems; Na+/Ca2+ exchange and ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport. An outwardly directed Na+ gradient increased Ca2+ uptake. Ca2+ efflux from Ca2+-preloaded vesicles was stimulated by an inwardly directed Na+ gradient. However, Na+/Ca2+ exchange did not show any 'uphill' transport of Ca2+ against its own gradient. ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport exhibited 'uphill' transport. An inwardly directed Na+ gradient also decreased Ca2+ accumulation by ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. The inhibition of Ca2+ accumulation was proportional to the external Na+ level. Na+/Ca2+ exchange was inhibited by monensin, tetracaine and chlorpromazine, whereas ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport was inhibited by orthovanadate, tetracaine and chlorpromazine. Oligomycin had no effect on either system. These results suggest that in the parotid gland cellular free Ca2+ is extruded mainly by an ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system, and Na+/Ca2+ exchange may modify the efficacy of that system.     

Effect of Monovalent Cations on Na+/Ca2+ Exchange and ATP-Dependent Ca2+ Transport in Synaptic Plasma Membranes

Two Ca2+ transport systems were investigated in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from sheep brain cortex synaptosomes by hypotonic lysis and partial purification. Synaptic plasma membrane vesicles loaded with Na+ (Na+i) accumulate Ca2+ in exchange for Na+, provided that a Na+ gradient (in leads to out) is present. Agents that dissipate the Na+ gradient (monensin) prevent the Na+/Ca2+ exchange completely. Ca2+ accumulated by Na+/Ca2+ exchange can be released by A 23187, indicating that Ca2+ is accumulated intravesicularly. In the absence of any Na+ gradient (K+i-loaded vesicles), the membrane vesicles also accumulate Ca2+ owing to ATP hydrolysis. Monovalent cations stimulate Na+/Ca2+ exchange as well as the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake activity. Taking the value for Na+/Ca2+ exchange in the presence of choline chloride (external cation) as reference, other monovalent cations in the external media have the following effects: K+ or NH4+ stimulates Na+/Ca2+ exchange; Li+ or Cs+ inhibits Na+/Ca2+ exchange. The ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system is stimulated by increasing K+ concentrations in the external medium (Km for K+ is 15 mM). Replacing K+ by Na+ in the external medium inhibits the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, and this effect is due more to the reduction of K+ than to the elevation of Na+. The results suggest that synaptic membrane vesicles isolated from sheep brain cortex synaptosomes possess mechanisms for Na+/Ca2+ exchange and ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake, whose activity may be regulated by monovalent cations, specifically K+, at physiological concentrations.     

Intestinal calcium transport in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their genetically matched WKY rats

Calcium transport across the basolateral membranes of the enterocyte represents the active step in calcium translocation. This step occurs by two mechanisms, an ATP-dependent pump and a Ca2+/Na+ exchange process. These studies were designed to investigate these two processes in jejunal basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) of the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their genetically matched controls, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The ATP-dependent calcium uptake was stimulated several-fold compared with no ATP condition in both SHR and WKY, but no differences were noted between rate of calcium uptake in SHR and WKY. Kinetics of ATP-dependent calcium uptake at concentrations between 0.01 and 1.0 microM revealed a Vmax of 0.67 +/- 0.03 nmol/mg protein/20 sec and a Km of 0.2 +/- 0.03 microM in SHR and Vmax of 0.69 +/- 0.12 and a Km of 0.32 +/- 0.14 microM in WKY rats. Ca2+/Na+ exchange in jejunal BLMV of SHR and WKY was investigated in two ways. First, sodium was added to the incubation medium (cis-Na+). Second, Ca2+ efflux from BLMV was studied in the presence of extravesicular Na+ (trans-Na+). Both studies suggest a decreased exchange of calcium and Na+. Kinetic parameters of Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ uptake at concentrations between 0.01 and 1.0 microM exhibited Vmax of 0.05 +/- 0.01 nanmol/mg protein/5 sec and a Km of 0.21 +/- 0.13 microM in SHR and Vmax of 0.11 +/- 0.02 nanmol/mg protein/5 sec and a Km of 0.09 +/- 0.05 in WKY, respectively. These results confirm that the intestinal BLMV of SHR and WKY rats have two mechanisms for calcium extrusion, an ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport process and a Na+/Ca2+ exchange process. The ATP-dependent process appears to be functional in SHR; however, the Ca2+/Na+ exchange mechanism appears to have a marked decrease in its maximal capacity. These findings suggest that calcium extrusion via Ca2+/Na+ is impaired in the SHR, which may lead to an increase in intracellular calcium concentration. These findings may have relevance to the development of hypertension.     

1 alpha, 25-Dihydroxy-vitamin D-3 regulates ATP-dependent calcium transport in basolateral plasma membranes of rat enterocytes

Basolateral plasma membrane vesicles of rat small intestinal epithelium accumulate calcium through an ATP-dependent pumping system. The activity of this system is highest in duodenum and decreases towards the ileum. This distribution along the intestinal tract is similar as the active calcium absorption capacity of intact intestinal epithelial segments. ATP-dependent calcium uptake in basolateral membrane vesicles from duodenum and ileum increased significantly after repletion of young vitamin D-3-deficient rats with 1 alpha,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D-3. Ca2+ -ATPase activity in duodenal basolateral membranes increased to the same extend as ATP-dependent calcium transport, but (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity remained unaltered.     

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced calcium release from platelet plasma membrane vesicles

A platelet membrane preparation, enriched in plasma membrane markers, took up 45Ca2+ in exchange for intravesicular Na+ and released it after the addition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). The possibility that contaminating dense tubular membrane (DTS) vesicles contributed the Ca2+ released by IP3 was eliminated by the addition of vanadate to inhibit Ca+-ATPase-mediated DTS Ca2+ sequestration and by the finding that only plasma membrane vesicles exhibit Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake. Ca2+ released by IP3 was dependent on low extravesicular Ca2+ concentrations. IP3-induced Ca2+ release was additive to that released by Na+ addition while GTP or polyethylene glycol (PEG) had no effect. These results strongly suggest that IP3 facilitates extracellular Ca2+ influx in addition to release from DTS membranes.     

Altered Mg2+ transport across liver plasma membrane from streptozotocin-treated rats

Type-I diabetes is associated with a decrease in magnesium content in various tissues, including liver. We have reported that hepatocytes from streptozotocin-injected rats have lost the ability to accumulate Mg2+ following hormonal stimulation. To assess whether the defect is inherent to the Mg2+ transport mechanism located in the hepatocyte cell membrane, plasma membrane vesicles were purified from diabetic livers. Diabetic plasma membranes do not retain intravesicular Mg2+ as tightly as vesicles purified from livers of age-matched non-diabetic rats. In addition, the amount of intravesicular Mg2+ these vesicles exchange for extravesicular Na+ or Ca2+ is 2-3-fold larger than in non-diabetic vesicles. The partition of Ca2+/Mg2+ and Na+/Mg2+ exchange mechanisms in the apical and basolateral domains of liver plasma membrane is maintained under diabetic conditions, although the Na+/Mg2+ exchanger in diabetic basolateral membranes has lost the ability to operate in reverse and favor an accumulation of extravesicular Mg2+ within the vesicles in exchange for entrapped Na+. These data indicate the occurrence of a major alteration in Mg2+ transport across the hepatocyte membrane, which can explain, at least in part, the decrease in liver magnesium content observed in diabetic animals and patients.     

Evidence for a zinc/proton antiporter in rat brain

The data presented in this paper are consistent with the existence of a plasma membrane zinc/proton antiport activity in rat brain. Experiments were performed using purified plasma membrane vesicles isolated from whole rat brain. Incubating vesicles in the presence of various concentrations of 65Zn2+ resulted in a rapid accumulation of 65Zn2+. Hill plot analysis demonstrated a lack of cooperativity in zinc activation of 65Zn2+ uptake. Zinc uptake was inhibited in the presence of 1 mM Ni2+, Cd2+, or CO2+. Calcium (1 mM) was less effective at inhibiting 65Zn2+ uptake and Mg2+ and Mn2+ had no effect. The initial rate of vesicular 65Zn2+ uptake was inhibited by increasing extravesicular H+ concentration. Vesicles preloaded with 65Zn2+ could be induced to release 65Zn2+ by increasing extravesicular H+ or addition of 1 mM nonradioactive Zn2+. Hill plot analysis showed a lack of cooperativity in H+ activation of 65Zn2+ release. Based on the Hill analyses, the stoichiometry of transport may include Zn2+/Zn2+ exchange and Zn2+/H+ antiport, the latter being potentially electrogenic. Zinc/proton antiport may be an important mode of zinc uptake into neurons and contribute to the reuptake of zinc to replenish presynaptic vesicle stores after stimulation.     

A vacuolar-type proton pump energizes K+/H+ antiport in an animal plasma membrane.

In this paper we demonstrate that a vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase energizes secondary active transport in an insect plasma membrane and thus we provide an alternative to the classical concept of plasma membrane energization in animal cells by the Na+/K(+)-ATPase. We investigated ATP-dependent and -independent vesicle acidification, monitored with fluorescent acridine orange, in a highly purified K(+)-transporting goblet cell apical membrane preparation of tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta) midgut. ATP-dependent proton transport was shown to be catalyzed by a vacuolar-type ATPase as deduced from its sensitivity to submicromolar concentrations of bafilomycin A1. ATP-independent amiloride-sensitive proton transport into the vesicle interior was dependent on an outward-directed K+ gradient across the vesicle membrane. This K(+)-dependent proton transport may be interpreted as K+/H+ antiport because it exhibited the same sensitivity to amiloride and the same cation specificity as the K(+)-dependent dissipation of a pH gradient generated by the vacuolar-type proton pump. The vacuolar-type ATPase is exclusively a proton pump because it could acidify vesicles independent of the extravesicular K+ concentration, provided that the antiport was inhibited by amiloride. Polyclonal antibodies against the purified vacuolar-type ATPase inhibited ATPase activity and ATP-dependent proton transport, but not K+/H+ antiport, suggesting that the antiporter and the ATPase are two different molecular entities. Experiments in which fluorescent oxonol V was used as an indicator of a vesicle-interior positive membrane potential provided evidence for the electrogenicity of K+/H+ antiport and suggested that more than one H+ is exchanged for one K+ during a reaction cycle. Both the generation of the K+ gradient-dependent membrane potential and the vesicle acidification were sensitive to harmaline, a typical inhibitor of Na(+)-dependent transport processes including Na+/H+ antiport. Our results led to the hypothesis that active and electrogenic K+ secretion in the tobacco hornworm midgut results from electrogenic K+/nH+ antiport which is energized by the electrical component of the proton-motive force generated by the electrogenic vacuolar-type proton pump.     

The asymmetric effect of lanthanides on Na+-gradient-dependent Ca2+ transport in synaptic plasma membrane vesicles

Lanthanides (La3+, Pr3+ and Tb3+) inhibit Na+-gradient-dependent Ca2+ influx into synaptic plasma membrane vesicles. 50% inhibition is obtained by 7 microM lanthanide concentration. The inhibition of the Na+-gradient-dependent Ca2+ uptake exhibits competitive kinetic behaviour. The apparent Km of the Ca2+ influx is increased from 50 microM in the absence of lanthanides to 118 microM in the presence of La3+, 170 microM in the presence of Pr3+ and 130 microM in the presence of Tb3+. The maximal reaction velocity is not altered (8.35 nmol Ca2+ transported per mg protein per min in the absence of lanthanides and 8.16 nmol/mg per min in the presence of lanthanides). Lanthanides also inhibited Na+-gradient-dependent Ca2+ efflux from synaptic plasma membrane vesicles that were preloaded with Ca2+ in a Na+-gradient-dependent manner. Introduction of La3+ into the interior of the synaptic plasma membrane vesicles by rapid freezing of the vesicles in liquid N2 and slow thawing had no effect on either Na+-gradient-dependent Ca2+ influx or efflux. Synaptic plasma membrane vesicles can be preloaded with Ca2+ also in an ATP-dependent manner. This form of Ca2+ uptake is also inhibited by La3+ though at higher concentrations than the Na+-gradient-dependent Ca2+ uptake. Na+-gradient-dependent efflux from synaptic plasma membrane vesicles preloaded in an ATP-dependent fashion ('inside-out' vesicles) unlike efflux from synaptic plasma membrane vesicles preloaded in a Na+-gradient-dependent manner was not inhibited by La3+. These findings suggest that the inhibition by La3+ is manifested asymmetrically on both sides of the synaptic plasma membrane. Lanthanides are probably not transported via the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger since Tb3+ entry measured by fluorescence of Tb3+-dipicolinic acid complex formation occurred at high Tb3+ concentrations only (1.5 mM or above) and was not Na+-gradient dependent.     

Modulation of Na+/alanine cotransport in liver sinusoidal membrane vesicles by internal divalent cations

Rat liver basolateral plasma membrane (blLPM) vesicles resuspended in 5 mM Mg2(+)-, Ca2(+)-, Mn2(+)- or Co2(+)-containing media exhibited a markedly lower rate of Na(+)-stimulated L-alanine transport. Divalent cation inhibition of L-alanine uptake was dose dependent, and was observed only when the vesicles were pre-loaded with the divalent cations. The presence or absence of the metal ions in the extravesicular incubation media had no effect on L-alanine transport. Conversely, pretreatment of the vesicles with 0.2 mM of either EGTA or EDTA resulted in higher initial rates of L-alanine transport. This stimulation was overcome by addition of excess divalent cation to the vesicle suspension solution. Since these blLPM vesicles are primarily oriented right-side-out, the divalent cation inhibition of L-alanine transport appears to be a result of their interaction with cytosolic components of the cell membrane. Total Na+ flux as measured with 22Na+ was not affected by intravesicular 5 mM Mg2+ or Ca2+, indicating that the inhibition was not due to dissipation of the Na+ gradient. These observations suggest that intracellular divalent cations may serve to modulate L-alanine transport across the liver cell plasma membrane.     

Increased Na pump activity in the kidney cortex of the Milan hypertensive rat strain

The (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity from the kidney cortex of the Milan hypertensive rat strain (MHS) and the corresponding normotensive control (MNS) was measured both in active solubilized enzyme preparations and in isolated basolateral membrane vesicles. Kinetic analysis of the purified enzyme showed that the Vmax value was significantly higher in MHS rats. The difference between MHS and MNS was not linked to a different number of sodium pumps, but was related to the molecular activity of the enzyme. Using basolateral membrane vesicles, an increased ATP-dependent ouabain-sensitive sodium transport was also demonstrated in MHS rats. These results support the hypothesis that a higher tubular sodium reabsorption may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in this rat strain.     

Tonoplast Na+/H+ Antiport Activity and Its Energization by the Vacuolar H+-ATPase in the Halophytic Plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L

Tonoplast vesicles were isolated from leaf mesophyll tissue of the inducible Crassulacean acid metabolism plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum to investigate the mechanism of vacuolar Na+ accumulation in this halophilic species. In 8-week-old plants exposed to 200 mM NaCl for 2 weeks, tonoplast H+-ATPase activity was approximately doubled compared with control plants of the same age, as determined by rates of both ATP hydrolysis and ATP-dependent H+ transport. Evidence was also obtained for the presence of an electroneutral Na+/H+ antiporter at the tonoplast that is constitutively expressed, since extravesicular Na+ was able to dissipate a pre-existing transmembrane pH gradient. Initial rates of H+ efflux showed saturation kinetics with respect to extravesicular Na+ concentration and were 2.1-fold higher from vesicles of salt-treated plants compared with the controls. Na+-dependent H+ efflux also showed a high selectivity for Na+ over K+, was insensitive to the transmembrane electrical potential difference, and was more than 50% inhibited by 200 [mu]M N-amidino-3,5-diamino-6-chloropyrazinecarboxamide hydrochloride. The close correlation between increased Na+/H+ antiport and H+-ATPase activities in response to salt treatment suggests that accumulation of the very high concentrations of vacuolar Na+ found in M. crystallinum is energized by the H+ electrochemical gradient across the tonoplast.     

Calcium ion transport across plasma membranes isolated from rat kidney cortex.

Basal-lateral-plasma-membrane vesicles and brush-border-membrane vesicles were isolated from rat kidney cortex by differential centrifugation followed by free-flow-electrophoresis. Ca2+ uptake into these vesicles was investigated by a rapid filtration method. Both membranes show a considerable binding of Ca2+ to the vesicle interior, making the analysis of passive fluxes in uptake experiments difficult. Only the basal-lateral-plasma-membrane vesicles exhibit an ATP-dependent pump activity which can be distinguished from the activity in mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum by virtue of the different distribution during free-flow electrophoresis and its lack of sensitivity to oligomycin. The basal-lateral plasma membranes contain in addition a Na+/Ca2+-exchange system which mediates a probably rheogenic counter-transport of Ca2+ and Na+ across the basal cell border. The latter system is probably involved in the secondary active Na+-dependent and ouabain-inhibitable Ca2+ reabsorption in the proximal tubule, the ATP-driven system is probably more important for the maintenance of a low concentration of intracellular Ca2+.     

ATP-dependent calcium transport in rat parotid basolateral membrane vesicles. Modulation by agents which elevate cyclic AMP

ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport was studied in basolateral membrane vesicles prepared from rat parotid gland slices incubated without or with agents which increase cyclic AMP. Isoproterenol (10(-5) M), forskolin (2 X 10(-6) M) and 8-bromocyclic AMP (2 X 10(-3) M) all increased ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake 1.5- to 3-fold. The effect of isoproterenol was concentration-dependent and blocked by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Enhanced uptake did not appear an artifact of vesicle preparation as apparent vesicle sidedness, 45Ca2+ efflux rates, specific activity of marker enzymes and equilibrium Ca2+ content were identical in vesicle preparations from control and 8-bromocyclic AMP-treated slices. Kinetic studies showed the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport system in vesicles from 8-bromocyclic AMP-treated slices displayed a approximately 50% increase in Vmax and in Km Ca2+, compared to controls. The data suggest that physiological secretory stimuli to rat parotid acinar cells, which involve cyclic AMP, result in a readjustment of the basolateral membrane ATP-dependent Ca2+ pump.     

Characteristics of the Ca2+ pump and Ca2+-ATPase in the plasma membrane of rat myometrium.

A plasma membrane-enriched fraction from rat myometrium shows ATP-Mg2+-dependent active calcium uptake which is independent of the presence of oxalate and is abolished by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Ca2+ loaded into vesicles via the ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake was released by extravesicular Na+. This showed that the Na+/Ca2+ exchange and the Ca2+ uptake were both occurring in plasma membrane vesicles. In a medium containing KCl, vanadate readily inhibited the Ca2+ uptake (K1/2 5 microM); when sucrose replaced KCl, 400 microM-vanadate was required for half inhibition. Only a slight stimulation of the calcium pump by calmodulin was observed in untreated membrane vesicles. Extraction of endogenous calmodulin from the membranes by EGTA decreased the activity and Ca2+ affinity of the calcium pump; both activity and affinity were fully restored by adding back calmodulin or by limited proteolysis. A monoclonal antibody (JA3) directed against the human erythrocyte Ca2+ pump reacted with the 140 kDa Ca2+-pump protein of the myometrial plasma membrane. The Ca2+-ATPase activity of these membranes is not specific for ATP, and is not inhibited by mercurial agents, whereas Ca2+ uptake has the opposite properties. Ca2+-ATPase activity is also over 100 times that of calcium transport; it appears that the ATPase responsible for transport is largely masked by the presence of another Ca2+-ATPase of unknown function. Measurements of total Ca2+-ATPase activity are, therefore, probably not directly relevant to the question of intracellular Ca2+ control.     

Molecular basis of renal handling of calcium in response to thyroid hormone status of rat

We investigated the effect of thyroid hormone status on renal handing of Ca2+. Further, like kinetics of Ca2+ transport across brush-border membrane (BBM) and basolateral membrane (BLM) of renal epithelial cells was carried out. FE(Ca) was decreased in hyperthyroid (Hyper-T) rats and increased in hypothyroid (Hypo-T) rats as compared to euthyroid (Eu-T) rats. Ca2+ uptake into renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) was increased in Hyper-T rats and decreased in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats. K(m) was lower in Hyper-T rats and higher in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats whereas, V(max) remained unaltered. The transition temperature for calcium uptake varied inversely with the thyroid hormone status. Renal BBM of Hyper-T rats showed decreased anisotropy and polarisation of DPH as compared to EU-T rats whereas these values were increased in Hypo-T rats. Thus, the altered BBM fluidity appears to modulate Ca2+ transport across BBM. Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity of renal cells was increased in Hyper-T and decreased in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats. V(max) for Na+/Ca2+ exchange was increased in Hyper-T rats and deceased in Hypo-T rats as compared to Eu-T rats, whereas, [Na+](0.5) was similar in all three groups. The c-AMP levels of renal cortex of Hyper-T rats was increased and that of Hypo-T rats decreased as compared to Eu-T rats. Thus, thyroid hormones increased Ca2+ reabsorption in the kidney of rat. Thyroid hormone-mediated modulation of BBM fluidity appears to stimulate Ca2+ uptake into renal BBMV. Thyroid hormones possibly activated the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger through cAMP-dependent pathway.     

ATP-driven Ca2+ pump in the basolateral membrane of rat kidney cortex catalyzes an electroneutral Ca2+/H+ antiport

An ATP-driven Ca2+ pump in the basolateral membrane of rat kidney cortex pumps Ca2+ out of the cell at the expense of MgATP (Km = 0.191 mM). This pump has a high affinity for free Ca2+ (26 nM). Vanadate, lanthanum, N-ethylmaleimide and calmodulin inhibitor R24571 inhibited this pump activity. Dimethyl[2-14C]oxazolidine-2,4-dione [( 14C]DMO) was entrapped in the vesicles in association with the ATP-driven Ca2+ influx. The ATP-driven Ca2+ influx was stimulated by the intravesicular acid pH and an upper convex Lineweaver-Burk reciprocal plot suggested two possible kinetics; one is that this Ca2+ pump is an allosteric enzyme with more than 1.72 H+ binding sites and another is the presence of two Ca2+ pumps with different affinities for H+. Valinomycin study indicated that the ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport by the BLMV was electroneutral and voltage independent. These results strongly suggest that the ATP-driven Ca2+ pump in the renal basolateral membrane catalyzes an electroneutral Ca2+/H+ antiport.