Effects of trialkyllead compounds on growth, respiration and ion transport in Escherichia coli K12

Triethyllead and tripropyllead cations affected growth, energy metabolism and ion transport in Escherichia coli K12. The tripropyllead compound was more liposoluble than the triethyl analogue and was also more effective in inhibiting cell growth and the oxygen uptake of both intact cells and membrane particles. Triethyllead acetate (5 microM) inhibited growth on non-fermentable carbon sources, such as glycerol and succinate, more markedly than on glucose. At higher concentrations, triethyllead caused significant inhibition of respiration rates of intact cells; the concentration giving 50% inhibition was 60 microM for glycerol-grown cells and 150 microM for glucose-grown cells. Oxidation of succinate by membrane particles was less sensitive to inhibition by the tripropyl- or triethyllead compounds than were the oxidations of DL-lactate or NADH. Triethyllead acetate [1.9 mumol (mg membrane protein)-1] inhibited the reduction by NADH of cytochromes; evidence for more than one site of inhibition in the respiratory chain was obtained. Membrane-bound ATPase activity was strongly inhibited by triethyllead acetate in the absence or presence of Cl-. The concentration of inhibitor giving 50% inhibition [0.02 mumol (mg membrane protein)-1] was about two orders of magnitude lower than that required for 50% inhibition of substrate oxidation rates in membranes. Triethyllead acetate (1 microM) induced swelling of spheroplasts in iso-osmotic solutions of either NH4Cl or NH4Br, presumably as a result of the mediation by the organolead compound of Cl-/OH- and Br-/OH- antiports across the cytoplasmic membrane. Similar exchanges of OH- for F-, NO3- or SO4(2)- or the uniport of H+ could not be demonstrated. Comparisons are drawn between the effects of trialkyllead compounds and those of the more widely studied trialkyltin compounds.     

Oxidative phosphorylation. Halide-dependent and halide-independent effects of triorganotin and trioganolead compounds on mitochondrial functions.

1. Each of five triorganotin and five triorganolead compounds was shown to perturb mithochondrial functions in three different ways. One is dependent and two are independent of Cl- in the medium. 2. Structure-activity relationships for the three interactions are described, and compounds suitable as tools for the separate study of each process are defined. 3. In a Cl- -containing medium trimethyltin, triethyltin, trimethyl-lead, triethyl-lead and tri-n-propyl-lead all produce the same maximum rate of ATP hydrolysis and O2 uptake; this rate is much less than that produced by uncoupling agents such as 2,4-dinitrophenol. 4. Increase in ATP hydrolysis and O2 uptake are measures on energy ultilization when triogranotin and triorganolead compounds bring about an exchange of external C1- for intramitochondrial OH- ions. Possible rate-limiting steps in this process are discussed. 5. In a C1- -containing medium ATP synthesis linked to the oxidation of beta-hydroxybutyrate or reduced cytochrone c is less inhibited by triethyltin or triethyl-lead than is ATP synthesis linked to the oxidation of succinate, pyruvate or L-glutamate. 6. The inhibition of ATP synthesis linked to the oxidation of both beta-hydroxybutyrate and reduced cytochrome c consists of two processes: one is a limited uncoupling and is C1- -dependent and the other is a C1- -independent inhibition of the energy-conservation system. 7. The different sensitivities to inhibition by triethyltin of mitochondrial functions involving the oxidation of beta-hydroxybutyrate and succinate are compared and discussed.     

A sensitive technique for the determination of anion exchange activities in brush-border membrane vesicles. Evidence for two exchangers with different affinities for HCO3- and SITS in rat intestinal epithelium

A large percentage (up to 70%) of 36Cl- influx in brush-border membrane vesicles from rat small intestine under equilibrium exchange conditions was found to be mediated by SITS-inhibitable anion exchange. This Cl-/anion exchange could be measured 10-15-times more sensitive by determining the uptake of trace amounts of 125I- driven by a large Cl- gradient (in greater than out) generated by passing the vesicles through an anion-exchange column. Voltage clamping of the vesicle membrane with K+ and valinomycin did not effect the chloride driven 125I- uptake, showing that the 'overshooting' I- uptake was not mediated by an electrical diffusion potential, as might be generated by the Cl- gradient in the presence of a chloride channel. The Cl-/anion exchange was further characterized in brush-border membrane vesicles from both rat ileum and jejunum by studying the inhibitory action of various anions on the Cl- driven I- uptake. NO3-, Cl-, SCN- and formate at 2 mM could inhibit Cl-/I- exchange for more than 80%. The ileal brush-border membrane vesicles displayed a clear heterogeneity with respect to the inhibitory action of SO2-(4), SITS and HCO-3 on Cl-/I- exchange. Approximately 30% of the Cl-/I- exchange was insensitive to SO2-(4) and showed a relatively low sensitivity to SITS (IC50 = 1 mM) but could be inhibited for 80% by 2 mM HCO-3. Presumably this component represents Cl-/OH- or Cl-/HCO-3 exchange. The residual 70% showed a high sensitivity to SO2-(4) (IC50 = 0.5 mM) and SITS (IC50 = 2.5 microM) but was less sensitive to HCO-3. This part of the exchange activity showed inhibition characteristics very similar to the Cl-/I- exchange in the jejunal vesicles. The latter process was also inhibited for 80% by 2 mM oxalate. As discussed in this paper both exchangers may be involved in the electroneutral transport of NaCl across the apical membrane of the small intestinal villus cell.     

The influence of adenine nucleotides and oxidizable substrates on triethyltin-mediated chloride uptake by rat liver mitochondria in potassium chloride media.

In a 100 mM-KCl medium, pH 6.8, containing ATP increasing concentrations of triethyltin cause an uptake of Cl- into mitochondria with a maximum at 1 muM. This can be inhibited by atractylate or oligomycin, but is virtually unaffected by the presence of rotenone. When the medium contains substrate (pyruvate, beta-hydroxybutyrate or succinate), both in the presence and absence of adenine nucleotides, Cl- uptake is greater with a maximum at 1-10 muM-triethyltin. If substrate oxidation is blocked by respiratory-chain inhibitors the Cl- uptake mediated by triethyltin is inhibited except in the media containing ATP, when the characteristics of Cl- uptake similar to that found in the medium containing ATP alone are observed. Under all conditions tested Cl- uptake is decreased by the presence of 2,4-dinitrophenol. It is concluded that energy from either the oxidation of substrate or the hydrolysis of ATP is associated with the generation of sufficient OH- to enable the triethyltin-mediated Cl-/OH- exchange to occur under the metabolic conditions relevant to this action of triethyltin.     

Effect of KCl-medium on succinate oxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation in mitochondria of sugar beet taproot

The effect of substitution of KCl for sucrose in the reaction medium on succinate oxidation and hydrogen peroxide generation was investigated in the mitochondria isolated from stored taproots of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.). In a sucrose-containing medium, oxidation of succinate was inhibited by oxaloacetate; this inhibition was especially pronounced upon a decrease in substrate concentration and eliminated in the presence of glutamate, which removed oxaloacetate in the course of transamination. Irrespective of succinate concentration, substitution of KCl for sucrose in the medium considerably enhanced suppression of succinate oxidation apparently as a result of slow activation of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) by its substrate. In this case, mitochondria showed the symptoms of uncoupling, lower values of membrane potential (ΔΨ), respiratory control (RC), and ADP/O induced by electrophoretic transport of potassium via K⁺ channel of mitochondria. KCl-dependent suppression of succinate oxidation by taproot mitochondria was accompanied by a considerable inhibition of H₂O₂ production as compared with the sucrose-containing medium. These results indicate that in the presence of potassium ions, ΔΨ dissipates, suppression of succinate oxidation by oxaloacetate increases, and succinate-dependent generation of ROS in sugar beet mitochondria is inhibited. A possible physiological role of oxaloacetate-restricted SDH activity in the suppression of respiration of storage organs protecting mitochondria from oxidative stress is discussed.     

An ATP-driven Cl- pump in the brain

EDTA-treated microsomes prepared from rat brain mainly consisted of sealed membrane vesicles 200-500 nm in diameter and were rich in both Cl- -ATPase and Na+,K+-ATPase activities. Such Cl- -ATPase-rich membrane vesicles accumulated Cl- in an ATP-dependent and osmotically reactive manner in the presence of 1 nM ouabain. The Cl- uptake was maximally stimulated by ATP with a Km value of 1.5 mM; GTP, ITP, and UTP partially stimulated Cl- uptake, but CTP, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, ADP, and AMP did not. The ATP-dependent Cl- uptake was accelerated by an increase in the medium Cl- concentration with a Km value of 7.4 mM. Such stimulation of Cl- uptake by ATP was dependent on the pH of the medium, with an optimal pH of 7.4, and also on the temperature of the medium, with an optimal range of 37-42 degrees C. Ethacrynic acid dose dependently inhibited the ATP-dependent Cl- uptake with a concentration for half-maximal inhibition at 57 microM. N-ethylmaleimide (0.1 mM) completely inhibited and sodium vanadate (1 mM) partially inhibited the ATP-dependent Cl- uptake. The membrane vesicles did not accumulate H+ in the Cl- uptake assay medium. The ATP-dependent Cl- uptake profile agreed with that of Cl- -ATPase activity reported previously (Inagaki, C., Tanaka, T., Hara, M., and Ishiko, J. (1985) Biochem. Pharmacol. 34, 1705-1712), and this strongly supports the idea that Cl- -ATPase in the brain actively transports Cl-.     

Modulation of Cl-/OH- exchange activity in Caco-2 cells by nitric oxide

The present studies were undertaken to determine the direct effects of nitric oxide (NO) released from an exogenous donor, S-nitroso-N-acetyl pencillamine (SNAP) on Cl-/OH- exchange activity in human Caco-2 cells. Our results demonstrate that NO inhibits Cl-/OH- exchange activity in Caco-2 cells via cGMP-dependent protein kinases G (PKG) and C (PKC) signal-transduction pathways. Our data in support of this conclusion can be outlined as follows: 1) incubation of Caco-2 cells with SNAP (500 microM) for 30 min resulted in approximately 50% inhibition of DIDS-sensitive 36Cl uptake; 2) soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitors Ly-83583 and (1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one significantly blocked the inhibition of Cl-/OH- exchange activity by SNAP; 3) addition of 8-bromo-cGMP (8-BrcGMP) mimicked the effects of SNAP; 4) specific PKG inhibitor KT-5823 significantly inhibited the decrease in Cl-/OH- exchange activity in response to either SNAP or 8-BrcGMP; 5) Cl-/OH-exchange activity in Caco-2 cells in response to SNAP was not altered in the presence of protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor (Rp-cAMPS), demonstrating that the PKA pathway was not involved; 6) the effect of NO on Cl-/OH- exchange activity was mediated by PKC, because each of the two PKC inhibitors chelerythrine chloride and calphostin C blocked the SNAP-mediated inhibition of Cl-/OH- exchange activity; 7) SO/OH- exchange in Caco-2 cells was unaffected by SNAP. Our results suggest that NO-induced inhibition of Cl-/OH- exchange may play an important role in the pathophysiology of diarrhea associated with inflammatory bowel diseases.     

Reconstitution of the uncoupling protein of brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Demonstration of GDP-sensitive halide anion uniport

The fluorescent anion indicator 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium was trapped in proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified 32-kDa uncoupling protein and used to detect GDP-sensitive uniports of Cl-, Br-, and I-. Transport of these halide anions was rapid and potential-dependent. F- and nitrate were found to inhibit Cl- uptake competitively, suggesting that these anions are also substrates for transport. This preparation also exhibited H+(OH-) transport, showing that the reconstituted uncoupling protein possesses both halide and H+ transport functions, as is observed in intact brown adipose tissue mitochondria. Cl- transport was inhibited to the residual level observed in liposomes without protein when GDP was present on both sides of the membrane. Cl- transport was inhibited by about 50% when GDP was present only on one side of the membrane. We infer that uncoupling protein reconstitutes into proteoliposomes with a 1:1 ratio of sidedness orientation. The Km values for Cl- uniport were 100 and 65 mM, respectively, in GDP-loaded and non-GDP-loaded vesicles. Participation of the inner membrane anion channel in the observed transport is rendered unlikely by the fact that this carrier is insensitive to GDP. A variety of additional experiments probing for inner membrane anion channel yielded uniformly negative results, confirming the absence of contamination by this protein. Our results therefore demonstrate that the uncoupling protein mediates anion translocation, a function previously reported as lacking in the reconstituted system.     

Anion dependence of Ca2+ transport and (Ca2+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent transport ATPase in rat pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum

Anion dependence of (Ca2+ + K+)-stimulated Mg2+-dependent transport ATPase and its phosphorylated intermediate have been characterized in both "intact" and "broken" vesicles from endoplasmic reticulum of rat pancreatic acinar cells using adenosine 5'-[gamma-32P] triphosphate ([gamma-32P]ATP). In intact vesicles (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+-ATPase activity was higher in the presence of Cl- or Br- as compared to NO3-, SCN-, cyclamate-, SO4(2-) or SO3(2-). Incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into the 100-kDa intermediate of this Ca2+ATPase was also higher in the presence of Cl-, Br-, NO3- or SCN- as compared to cyclamate-, SO4(2-) or SO3(2-). When the membrane permeability barrier to anions was abolished by breaking vesicle membrane with the detergent Triton X-100 (0.015%) (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase activity in the presence of weakly permeant anions, such as SO4(2-) and cyclamate-, increased to the level obtained with Cl-. However, 32P incorporation into 100-kDa protein was still higher in the presence of Cl- as compared to cyclamate-, indicating a direct effect of Cl- on the Ca2+ATPase molecule. The anion transport blocker 4,4-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DIDS) inhibited (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase activity to about 10% of the Cl- stimulation level, irrespective of the sort of anions present in both intact and broken vesicles. This indicates a direct effect of DIDS on (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase. K+ ionophore valinomycin influenced (Ca2+ + K+)-Mg2+ATPase activity according to the actual K+ gradient: Ko+ greater than Ki+ caused inhibition, Ko+ less than Ki+ caused stimulation. From these results we conclude that Ca2+ transport into endoplasmic reticulum is coupled to ion movements which must occur to maintain electroneutrality.     

Interaction of anions and ATP with the coated vesicle proton pump

ATP-driven proton transport in intact clathrin-coated vesicles requires the presence of a permeant anion, such as Cl-, to provide charge compensation during the electrogenic movement of protons. Using the purified (H+)-ATPase from clathrin-coated vesicles in both the detergent-solubilized and reconstituted states, we have studied the direct effects of anions on the activity of this enzyme. Both proton transport and ATP hydrolysis by the purified enzyme are independent of the presence of Cl-. In addition, proton transport does not occur even at high Cl- concentrations unless K+ and valinomycin are present to dissipate the membrane potential generated. These results indicate that the anion channel which provides for Cl- flux in intact coated vesicles is not a component of the purified (H+)-ATPase. Inhibition of ATPase activity is observed in the presence of I-, NO3-, or SO4(2-), with 50% inhibition occurring at 350 mM I-, 50 mM NO3-, or 40 mM SO4(2-). The presence of ATP lowers the concentration of I- required for 50% inhibition from 350 mM to 100 mM and increases the maximal inhibition observed in the presence of NO3- from 65% to 100%. Two separate mechanisms appear to be responsible for anion inhibition of the (H+)-ATPase. Thus, I- and high concentrations of NO3- (in the presence of ATP) cause inhibition by dissociation of the (H+)-ATPase complex, while SO4(2-) and NO3- (in the absence of ATP) cause inhibition without dissociation of the complex, suggesting the existence of an inhibitory anion binding site on the enzyme.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Properties of substituted 2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazoles as uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation

1. The activity of 25 substituted 2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazoles in uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation by rat-liver mitochondria has been compared. 2. For halogen- or mixed-halogen- and alkyl-substituted analogues, uncoupling activity was proportional to the acidity of the imidazole -NH group. Tetrachloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole was the most active (50% uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation at 7.9x10(-8)m, pK5.04). Nitro-substituted analogues were less active than predicted from pK considerations or from partition-coefficient measurements. 3. Introduction of an -NH(2) or -CO(2)H substitutent caused a loss of uncoupling activity, as did alkylation at position 1 of the imidazole ring. 4. Benzimidazoles active as uncouplers stimulated mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase but not all stimulated the oxidation of succinate in the absence of a phosphate acceptor. 5. 4,5-Dichloro-2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole inhibited the succinate-oxidase system at about the same concentration required for uncoupling (0.52mum for 50% inhibition of both activities) and the site of this inhibition appears to lie between succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome b.     

Cytosolic pH regulation in osteoblasts. Regulation of anion exchange by intracellular pH and Ca2+ ions

Measurements of cytosolic pH (pHi) 36Cl fluxes and free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were performed in the clonal osteosarcoma cell line UMR-106 to characterize the kinetic properties of Cl-/HCO3- (OH-) exchange and its regulation by pHi and [Ca2+]i. Suspending cells in Cl(-)-free medium resulted in rapid cytosolic alkalinization from pHi 7.05 to approximately 7.42. Subsequently, the cytosol acidified to pHi 7.31. Extracellular HCO3- increased the rate and extent of cytosolic alkalinization and prevented the secondary acidification. Suspending alkalinized and Cl(-)-depleted cells in Cl(-)-containing solutions resulted in cytosolic acidification. All these pHi changes were inhibited by 4',4',-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) and H2DIDS, and were not affected by manipulation of the membrane potential. The pattern of extracellular Cl- dependency of the exchange process suggests that Cl- ions interact with a single saturable external site and HCO3- (OH-) complete with Cl- for binding to this site. The dependencies of both net anion exchange and Cl- self-exchange fluxes on pHi did not follow simple saturation kinetics. These findings suggest that the anion exchanger is regulated by intracellular HCO3- (OH-). A rise in [Ca2+]i, whether induced by stimulation of protein kinase C-activated Ca2+ channels, Ca2+ ionophore, or depolarization of the plasma membrane, resulted in cytosolic acidification with subsequent recovery from acidification. The Ca2+-activated acidification required the presence of Cl- in the medium, could be blocked by DIDS, and H2DIDS and was independent of the membrane potential. The subsequent recovery from acidification was absolutely dependent on the initial acidification, required the presence of Na+ in the medium, and was blocked by amiloride. Activation of protein kinase C without a change in [Ca2+]i did not alter pHi. Likewise, in H2DIDS-treated cells and in the absence of Cl-, an increase in [Ca2+]i did not activate the Na+/H+ exchanger in UMR-106 cells. These findings indicate that an increase in [Ca2+]i was sufficient to activate the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger, which results in the acidification of the cytosol. The accumulated H+ in the cytosol activated the Na+/H+ exchanger. Kinetic analysis of the anion exchange showed that at saturating intracellular OH-, a [Ca2+]i increase did not modify the properties of the extracellular site. A rise in [Ca2+]i increased the apparent affinity for intracellular OH- (or HCO3-) of both net anion and Cl- self exchange. These results indicate that [Ca2+]i modifies the interaction of intracellular OH- (or HCO3-) with the proposed regulatory site of the anion exchanger in UMR-106 cells.     

Na+, Li+ and Cl− transport by brush border membranes from rabbit jejunum

Na+, Li+, K+, Rb+, Br-, Cl- and SO4(2-) transport were studied in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit jejunum. Li+ uptakes were measured by flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy, and all others were measured using isotopic flux and liquid scintillation counting. All uptakes were performed with a rapid filtration procedure. A method is presented for separating various components of ion uptake: 1) passive diffusion, 2) mediated transport and 3) binding. It was concluded that a Na+/H+ exchange mechanism exists in the jejunal brush border. The exchanger was inhibited with 300 microM amiloride or harmaline. The kinetic parameters for sodium transport by this mechanism depend on the pH of the intravesicular solution. The application of a pH gradient (pHin = 5.5, pHout = 7.5) causes an increase in Jmax (50 to 125 pmol/mg protein . sec) with no change in Kt (congruent to 4.5 nM). Competition experiments show that other monovalent cations, e.g. Li+ and NH4+, share the Na+/H+ exchanger. This was confirmed with direct measurements of Li+ uptakes. Saturable uptake mechanisms were also observed for K+, Rb+ and SO4(2-), but not for Br-. The Jmax for K+ and Rb+ are similar to the Jmax for Na+, suggesting that they may share a transporter. The SO4(2-) system appears to be a Na+/SO4(2-) cotransport system. There does not appear to be either a Cl-/OH- transport mechanism of the type observed in ileum or a specific Na+/Cl- symporter.     

Modulation of ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport in rat parotid basolateral membrane vesicles by K+ + Cl- flux

In basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) isolated from rat parotid glands, the initial rate of ATP-dependent Ca2+ transport, in the presence of KCl, was approx. 2-fold higher than that obtained with mannitol, sucrose or N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG)-gluconate. Only NH4+, Rb+, or Br- could effectively substitute for K+ or Cl-, respectively. This KCl activation was concentration dependent, with maximal response by 50 mM KCl. An inwardly directed KCl gradient up to 50 mM KCl had no effect on Ca2+ transport, while equilibration of the vesicles with KCl (greater than 100 mM) increased transport 15-20%. In presence of Cl-, 86Rb+ uptake was 2.5-fold greater than in the presence of gluconate. 0.5 mM furosemide inhibited 86Rb+ flux by approx. 60% in a Cl- medium and by approx. 20% in a gluconate medium. Furosemide also inhibited KCl activation of Ca2+ transport with half maximal inhibition either at 0.4 mM or 0.05 mM, depending on whether 45Ca2+ transport was measured with KCl (150 mM) equilibrium or KCl (150 mM) gradient. In a mannitol containing assay medium, potassium gluconate loaded vesicles had a higher (approx. 25%) rate of Ca2+ transport than mannitol loaded vesicles. Addition of valinomycin (5 microM) to potassium gluconate loaded vesicles further stimulated (approx. 30%) the Ca2+ transport rate. These results suggest that during ATP dependent Ca2+ transport in parotid BLMV, K+ can be recycled by the concerted activities of a K+ and Cl- coupled flux and a K+ conductance.     

Active sulfate secretion by the intestine of winter flounder is through exchange for luminal chloride

SO4(2-) transport by winter flounder intestine in Ussing chambers was characterized. With 50 mM SO4(2-) (physiological level) bathing the lumen, net absorption (lumen to blood) dominated. Under short-circuited conditions, 1 mM SO4(2-) on both sides, net active SO4(2-) secretion occurred (8.55 +/- 0.96 nmol. cm(-2). h(-1)). NaCN (10 mM), ouabain (10(-4) M), and luminal DIDS (0.2 mM) inhibited net secretion. Removal of luminal Cl- and HCO3- together (Cl--HCO3-) or Cl- alone blocked net secretion, whereas removal of luminal HCO3- alone increased net secretion. SO4(2-) uptake into foregut brush-border membrane vesicles was stimulated by a trans-Cl- gradient (in > out) and unaffected by a trans-HCO3- gradient (in > out). Short-circuiting with K+ (in = out) and valinomycin had no effect on Cl--stimulated SO4(2-) uptake, suggesting electroneutral exchange. Satiety (i.e., full stomach) stimulated the unidirectional absorptive flux, eliminating net secretion. It was concluded that the intestine is a site of SO4(2-) absorption in marine teleosts and that active SO4(2-) secretion is in exchange for luminal Cl-.     

Electroneutral, HCO3(-)-independent, pH gradient-dependent uphill transport of Cl- by ileal brush-border membrane vesicles. Possible role in the pathogenesis of chloridorrhea.

By applying a rapid filtration technique to isolated brush border membrane vesicles from guinea pig ileum, 36Cl uptake was quantified in the presence and absence of electrical, pH and alkali-metal ion gradients. A mixture of 20 mM-Hepes and 40 mM-citric acid, adjusted to the desired pH with Tris base, was found to be the most suitable buffer. Malate and Mes could be used to replace the citrate, but succinate, acetate and maleate proved to be unsuitable. In the absence of a pH gradient (pHout:pHin = 7.5:7.5), Cl- uptake increased slightly when an inside-positive membrane potential was applied, but uphill transport was never observed. A pH gradient (pHout:pHin = 5.0:7.5) induced both a 400% increase in the initial Cl- influx rate and a long-lasting (20 to 300 s) overshoot, indicating that a proton gradient can furnish the driving force for uphill Cl- transport. Under pH gradient conditions, initial Cl- entry rates had the following characteristics. (1) They were unaffected by cis-Na+ and/or -K+, indicating the absence of Cl-/K+, Cl-/Na+ or Cl-/K+/Na+ symport activity. (2) Inhibition by 20-100 mM-trans-Na+ and/or -K+ occurred, independent of the existence of an ion gradient. (3) Cl- entry was practically unaffected by short-circuiting the membrane potential with equilibrated potassium and valinomycin. (4) Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone was strongly inhibitory and so, to a lesser extent, was 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid [(SITS)], independent of the sign and size of the membrane potential. (5) Cl- entry was negligibly increased (less than 30%) by either trans-Cl- or -HCO3-, indicating the absence of an obligatory Cl-/anion antiport activity. In contrast, the height of the overshoot at 60 s was increased by trans-Cl-, indicating time-dependent inhibition of 36Cl efflux. That competitive inhibition of 36Cl fluxes by anions is involved here is supported by initial influx rate experiments demonstrating: (1) the saturability of Cl- influx, which was found to exhibit Michaelis-Menten kinetics; and (2) competitive inhibition of influx by cis-Cl- and -Br-. Quantitatively, the conclusion is warranted that over 85% of the total initial Cl- uptake energized by a pH gradient involves an electroneutral Cl-/H+ symporter or its physicochemical equivalent, a Cl-/OH- antiporter, exhibiting little Cl- uniport and either Cl-/Cl- or Cl-/HCO3- antiport activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Ba2+-sensitive K+ channels in luminal-membrane vesicles from pars convoluta of rabbit proximal tubule

This paper describes properties of 86Rb+ fluxes through a novel K+ channel in luminal-membrane vesicles isolated from pars convoluta of rabbit proximal tubule. The uptake of 86Rb+ into potassium salt loaded vesicles was specifically inhibited by Ba2+. The isotope accumulation is driven by an electrical diffusion potential as shown in experiments using these membrane vesicles loaded with anions of different membrane permeability and was as follows: gluconate greater than SO4(2-) greater than Cl-. Furthermore, the vesicles containing the channels show a cation selectivity with the order K+ greater than Rb+ greater than Li+ greater than Na+ = choline+.     

Inhibition of apical Cl-/OH- exchange activity in Caco-2 cells by phorbol esters is mediated by PKCepsilon

The present studies were undertaken to examine the possible regulation of apical membrane Cl-/OH- exchanger in Caco-2 cells by protein kinase C (PKC). The effect of the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an in vitro PKC agonist, on OH- gradient-driven 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS)-sensitive 36Cl uptake in Caco-2 cells was assessed. The results demonstrated that PMA decreased apical Cl-/OH- exchanger activity via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)-mediated activation of PKCepsilon. The data consistent with these conclusions are as follows: 1) short-term treatment of cells for 1-2 h with PMA (100 nM) significantly decreased Cl-/OH- exchange activity compared with control (4alpha-PMA); 2) pretreatment of cells with specific PKC inhibitors chelerythrine chloride, calphostin C, and GF-109203X completely blocked the inhibition of Cl-/OH- exchange activity by PMA; 3) specific inhibitors for PKCepsilon (Ro-318220) but not PKCalpha (Go-6976) significantly blocked the PMA-mediated inhibition; 4) specific PI3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY-294002 significantly attenuated the inhibitory effect of PMA; and 5) PI3-kinase activators IRS-1 peptide and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P(3)] mimicked the effects of PMA. These findings provide the first evidence for PKCepsilon-mediated inhibition of Cl-/OH- exchange activity in Caco-2 cells and indicate the involvement of the PI3-kinase-mediated pathways in the regulation of Cl- absorption in intestinal epithelial cells.     

The interaction of chloride with the sulfate transport system of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

The effect of Cl- on SO4(-2) efflux was studied in both Cl--containing and Cl--free ascites tumor cells loaded with 35SO4(-2) to test the hypothesis that Cl--SO4(-2) exchange is mediated by the same mechanism responsible for SO4(-2)-self exchange. The addition of Cl--free, 35SO4(-2) loaded cells to a SO4(-2)-free, Cl- medium results in: (1) SO4(-2) efflux that is dependent on the extracellular Cl- concentration (Km = 4.85 mM; ke = 0.048 min-1 at 50 mM Cl-) and (2) net Cl--uptake that exceeds SO4(-2) loss. Both SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate) and ANS (1-anilino-8-napthalene sulfonate) inhibit S04(-2) efflux but are without effect on Cl- uptake. The addition of Cl--containing, 35SO4(-2) loaded cells to a SO4(-2)-free, Cl- medium results in: (1) a slight gain in cellular Cl- and (2) ke for SO4(-2) efflux identical to that for Cl--free cells.     

Characterization of chloride transport pathways in cultured human keratinocytes.

In human keratinocytes, mediated transport of Cl- was found to occur mainly by two mechanisms: an anion exchange and an electrically conductive pathway. The contribution of the anion exchange, which accounted for about 50% of overall Cl- efflux, was assessed either by its sensitivity to inhibition by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), and by means of Cl- substitution experiments. The anion exchange exhibited a saturation behaviour over the range 10-135 mM Cl-; Cl- was more efficient than HCO3-, Br- and NO3- in increasing Cl- efflux rate, whereas SO4(2-) and I- inhibited Cl- efflux. The electrically conductive Cl- pathway, which accounted for about 40% of total Cl- efflux, was inhibited by the Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB) and was at least partially sensitive to variation of the plasma membrane potential. The Cl- channel was insensitive to elevation in the intracellular concentration of either cyclic AMP and calcium ions. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase, failed to reduce Cl- efflux, whereas nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase, induced 50% inhibition of Cl- efflux. These results support the conclusion that endogenous production of lipoxygenase-derived arachidonic acid metabolite(s) might be responsible for high basal Cl- permeability in human keratinocytes.