Quantitative immunoelectron microscopic localization of (Na+,K+)ATPase on rat exocrine pancreatic cells

Distribution of (Na+,K+)ATPase in rat exocrine pancreatic cells was investigated quantitatively by immunoelectron microscopy using the post-embedding protein A-gold technique. We found that in acinar and duct cells (Na+,K+)ATPase exists on both the luminal and the basolateral surfaces, with higher particle density on the luminal surface (4.4 times in the acinar cells and 5.6 times in the duct cells). According to Bolender (J Cell Biol 61:269, 1974), the luminal surface represents only 5% of the total cell surface of an average pancreatic acinar cell. It is roughly estimated, therefore, that approximately 80% of the plasma membrane (Na+,K+)ATPase in the acinar cells exists on the basolateral surface. When the acinar and duct cells were compared, more than twice as many particles were found on acinar cells than on duct cells. The enzyme existed on all the cell surfaces, preferentially on the microvilli or on the cell membrane folds, and no clustering was detected. We suggest that the (Na+,K+)ATPase on the basolateral surface is mainly responsible for the extrusion of a large number of sodium ions that are incorporated into the cytoplasm accompanying the secondary active transport of various organic substances and inorganic ions, whereas that on the luminal surface is responsible for active extrusion of sodium ions that are partially responsible for the fluid secretion of the pancreatic cells.     

Quantitative immunocytochemical localization of Na+,K+-ATPase alpha-subunit in the lateral wall of rat cochlear duct

Ultrastructural localization of the alpha-subunit of Na+,K+-ATPase on the lateral wall of rat cochlear duct was investigated quantitatively by the protein A-gold method, using affinity-purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of rat kidney Na+,K+-ATPase. In the stria vascularis, gold particles were sparse over the endolymphatic luminal surface of the marginal cells but were numerous over the basolateral membrane. The labeling density of the basolateral membrane was almost equal to that of the same domain of the distal tubule cells of kidney. The intermediate cells were studded with a large number of gold particles on the plasma membrane domain facing the basolateral domain of the marginal cells. On the luminal surfaces of the other epithelial cells, including those of Reissner's membrane, no significant amount of gold particles was found. Many gold particles were localized on all the plasma membranes of the spiral prominence stromal cells and on the intracellular membrane domain of the external sulcus cells.     

Quantitative immunogold localization of Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit in the tympanic wall of rat cochlear duct

Ultrastructural localization of Na+,K(+)-ATPase was quantitatively investigated in the tympanic wall of rat cochlear duct by use of the protein A-gold method, using an affinity-purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of rat kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase. A moderate number of gold particles were found on the basolateral membrane of the interdental cells of the spiral limbus. A small number of gold particles were found on the basolateral surfaces of the border cells and Hensen's cells. On the inner and outer sensory hair cells, however, the plasma membranes were rarely labeled by gold particles. The general pattern of labeling densities in cochlear structures determined here and in a previous communication from our laboratory shows good correlation with the distribution of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity as previously estimated biochemically, cytochemically, and autoradiographically.     

Autoradiographic and cytochemical localization of (Na+-K+)-activated adenosine triphosphatase in the acini of dog salivary gland (author's transl)

The distribution of Na pump sites (Na+-K+ ATPase) in the acinar cells of dog submandibular gland was demonstrated by light and electron microscopical radioautography of 3H-ouabain binding sites and electron microscopical ATPase cytochemistry. The grains of 3H-ouabain by light microscopical radioautography were localized to the basal parts of acini and/or the striated ducts, and a small quantity of the grains was also present on the luminal parts of acini. The grains of 3H-ouabain by electron microscopical radioautography and the reaction products of ATPase were found to be localized on the basolateral plasma membrane of both serous and mucous cells, while slightly on the microvilli of the luminal plasma membranes. The present evidence that the distribution of ATPase on the acinar cells determined by the cytochemistry is well concomitant with that of 3H-ouabain binding sites on the acinar cells by the radioautography, suggests that the above mentioned ATPase is Na+-K+ ATPase, a Na pump. The relationship of the distribution of the Na+-K+ ATPase and the cation transport of the plasma membranes in the acinar cells of the dog submandibular gland are discussed.     

Increase of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase activity of basolateral plasma membranes from intestinal mucosa of diabetic rats

A significant increase of the (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase was found in mucosal homogenates of rat small intestine under conditions of alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes. From studies with isolated plasma membranes it has been shown that the activity changes were caused by that part of the (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase only which is localized in the basolateral plasma membranes, whereas the enzyme activity in the brush border region remains unchanged. In connection with the enhanced capacity of ion, nonelectrolyte and water absorption in experimental diabetes, our findings support a concept of intestinal transport mechanism which suggest that the basolateral part of the (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase is responsible for metabolic energy supply. The luminal part of the enzyme may be involved in regulation of passive Na+ influx.     

Luminal and basolateral surface membranes of secretory acinar cells: electrophysiological comparison of cationic sensitivities

Cation sensitivities (K+, Na+, and Ca2+) of luminal and basolateral membrane surfaces of secretory acinar cells were compared using a luminally perfused and externally superfused salivary gland from the aquatic snail, Helisoma trivolvis. Tight junctions delimiting the two membrane surfaces were observed near the acinar lumen suggesting that the total membrane area exposed to the superfusion solution exceeded that in contact with the luminal perfusion solution. The resting membrane potential of acinar cells was found to be dependent upon the K+ concentration in both the external superfusion and the luminal perfusion solutions. Unilateral K+ elevation at either membrane surface produced a rapid and sustained depolarization of the acinar cell. For a given K+ concentration, the level of depolarization produced by K+ elevation at the basolateral surface was significantly higher than at the luminal surface. The highest level of membrane depolarization was observed following simultaneous K+ elevation at both membrane surfaces. The ability of acinar cells to generate overshooting action potentials in response to electrical field stimulation was dependent upon both Na+ and Ca2+. Complete blockade invariably occurred following bilateral removal of either cation. The effects of unilateral removal of either Na+ or Ca2+ proved to be somewhat variable. In general, unilateral removal of Na+ was more effective in reducing the regenerative response than Ca2+ while removal of either cation from the basolateral surface was more effective in reducing the regenerative response than its removal from the luminal surface. Electrically evoked action potentials in acinar cells could also be blocked with unilateral application of the Ca2+ antagonist, cadmium (Cd2+), at either membrane surface. However, higher Cd2+ concentrations were required to achieve complete blockade when applied to the luminal than to the basolateral gland surface. This result fails to support a hypothesis of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels being spatially restricted to the luminal cell surface in this preparation.     

Histochemical and cytochemical localization of (Na+-K+)-activated adenosine triphosphatase in the acini of dog submandibular glands.

p-Nitrophenyl phosphatase (p-NPPase) activity of (Na+-K+)-activated adenosine triphosphatase ((Na+-K+)-ATPase) on the acinar cells of dog submandibular gland was demonstrated by using light microscopy. The reaction products of p-NPPase of fresh frozen sections were seen to be localized on the basal parts of acini, and disappeared when the sections were incubated in medium containing 10(-3) Mouabain or in a K-free medium. Under the electron microscope, the reaction products of ATPase were found to be localized on the basolateral plasma membrane of both serous and mucous cells. On the microvilli of the luminal plasma membrane of the acinar cell, a small quantity of the reaction products was also present. This localization of ATPase reaction products on the serous and mucous cells seemed to coincide well with that of p-NPPase activity observed on the acini under light microscopy. Possible explanations are given regarding distribution of the above mentioned enzymes in relation to the cation transport of the plasma membrane. Structural and functional asymmetrical properties of acinar cells of the dog submandibular gland are also discussed.     

The surface membrane of the small intestinal epithelial cell. I. Localization of adenyl cyclase.

The subcellular distribution of adenyl cyclase was investigated in small intestinal epithelial cells. Enterocytes were isolated, disrupted and the resulting membranes fractionated by differential and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Separation of luminal (brush border) and contra-luminal (basolateral) plasma membrane was achieved on a discontinuous sucrose gradient. The activity of adenyl cyclase was followed during fractionation in relation to other enzymes, notably those considered as markers for luminal and contraluminal plasma membrane. The luminal membrane was identified by the membrane-bound enzymes sucrase and alkaline phosphatase and the basolateral region by (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Enrichment of the former two enzymes in purified luminal plasma membrane was 8-fold over cells and that of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in purified bisolateral plasma membranes was 13-fold. F--activated adenyl cyclase co-purified with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, suggesting a common localization on the plasma membrane. The distribution of K+-stimulated phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase also followed (Na+ + K+)-ATPase during fractionation.     

Na+-stimulated ATPase activities in basolateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig small intestinal epithelial cells

Two ATPase activities, a Na+-ATPase and a (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, have been found associated with sheets of basolateral plasma membranes from guinea-pig small intestinal epithelial cells. The specific activity of the former is 10-15% of the latter. The two ATPase activities differ in their affinity for Na+, their optimal pH, their K+ requirement and particularly in their behaviour in the presence of some inhibitors and of Ca2+. Thus the Na+-ATPase is refractory to ouabain but it is strongly inhibited by ethacrynic acid and furosemide, whilst the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase is totally suppressed by ouabain, partially by ethacrynic acid and refractory to furosemide. In addition, the Na+-ATPase is activated by micromolar concentrations of calcium and by resuspension of the membrane preparation at pH 7.8. The Na+-ATPase is only stimulated by sodium and to a lesser extent by lithium; however, this stimulation is independent of the anion accompanying Na+. The latter rules out the participation of an anionic ATPase. The relation between the characteristics of the sodium transport mechanism in basolateral membrane vesicles (Del Castillo, J.R. and Robinson, J.W.L. (1983) Experientia 39,631) and those of the two ATPase activities present in the same membranes, allow us to postulate the existence of two separate sodium pumps in this membranes. Each pump would derive the necessary energy for active ion transport from the hydrolysis of ATP, catalyzed by different ATPase systems.     

Quantitative immunogold localization of Na, K-ATPase along rat nephron.

Ultrastructural localization of Na, K-ATPase alpha-subunit along rat nephron segments was investigated quantitatively by immunogold electron microscopy on LR-White ultrathin sections using affinity-purified antibody against alpha-subunit of the enzyme. Ultrathin sections were incubated with the antibody at a saturation level and the number of gold particles bound per micron of the plasma membrane (particle density) of the tubular epithelial cells from the proximal tubule to the collecting duct was determined. In all the tubular epithelial cells, gold particles were located exclusively on the basolateral surface, and no significant binding of gold particles to the apical surface was observed. Distribution of gold particles on the basolateral membranes was quite heterogeneous; lateral membranes and infolded basal membranes were highly labeled, whereas the basal membranes which are in direct contact with the basal lamina were scarcely labeled. The average particle density on the basal surface was highest in the distal straight tubule cells (11.4 units), very high in the distal convoluted tubule cells (9.8 units), intermediate in the proximal tubule cells (3.3 units), in the connecting tubule cells (4.3 units), and in the principal cells of the collecting duct (5.6-3.8 units), low in the thin limb of Henle's loop (1.0 unit), and at the control level in the intercalated cells in the connecting and collecting duct. The relative number of gold particles/mm nephron segment and the relative number of gold particles in the various nephron segments were calculated using quantitative morphological data. The estimated distribution profile of the former was in good agreement with the Na, K-ATPase activity profile in rat nephron, which was determined biochemically with a microenzymatic method.     

Immunohistochemical localization of Na+,K+-ATPase in rodent and human salivary and lacrimal glands

The enzyme Na+,K+-ATPase was localized immunohistochemically in major salivary glands of mouse, rat, and human and in exorbital lacrimal glands of the rodents. Immunoreactive Na+,K+-ATPase was abundant in the basolateral membranes of all epithelial cells lining striated and intra- and interlobular ducts of all glands. Reactivity of intercalated ducts varied among gland type and species. Cells lining granular ducts in rodent submandibular gland showed a heterogeneous staining pattern in rat but stained homogeneously in mouse. Secretory cells varied greatly in their content of immunoreactive Na+,K+-ATPase. As with all duct cells, staining was present only at the basolateral surface and was never observed at the luminal surface of reactive secretory cells. Mucous cells failed to show any reactivity in any gland examined. Serous cells showed a gradient of immunostaining intensity ranging from strongly positive in demilunes of human sublingual gland to negative in rat submandibular gland and lacrimal glands of rats and mice. The presence of basolaterally localized Na+,K+-ATPase in most serous cells but not in mucous cells suggests that the enzyme contributes to the ion and water content of copious, low-protein serous secretions. The intense immunostaining of cells in most if not all segments of the duct system supports the idea that the ducts are involved with modification of the primary saliva, and extends this concept to include all segments of the duct system.     

Cytochemical localization of ouabain-sensitive, K+ -dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase and Ca++-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase activities in human parotid and submandibular glands

K+ -dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (pNPPase) and Ca++ -stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities were studied in human parotid and submandibular glands using cytochemical methods at the ultrastructural level. In both glands, only the striated-duct epithelium showed K+ -pNPPase reaction product, thereby indicating the localization of Na+, K+ -ATPase. The precipitate was concentrated on the deep invaginations of the basolateral plasma membranes, in close association with their cytoplasmic surface. Ca++ -ATPase activity was also found on the basolateral plasma membranes, but two striking differences from the K+ -pNPPase distribution were observed: firstly, Ca++ -ATPase appeared in both acinar and ductal cells, and secondly, it was localized on the outer side of the plasma membranes.     

Immunocytochemical localization of Na+/K+-ATPase and V-H+-ATPase in the salivary glands of the cockroach,Periplaneta americana

The acinous salivary glands of the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) consist of four morphologically different cell types with different functions: the peripheral cells are thought to produce the fluid component of the primary saliva, the central cells secrete the proteinaceous components, the inner acinar duct cells stabilize the acini and secrete a cuticular, intima, whereas the distal duct cells modify the primary saliva via the transport of water and electrolytes. Because there is no direct information available on the distribution of ion transporting enzymes in the salivary glands, we have mapped the distribution of two key transport enzymes, the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (sodium pump) and a vacuolar-type H⁺-ATPase, by immunocytochemical techniques. In the peripheral cells, the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase is localized to the highly infolded apical membrane surface. The distal duct cells show large numbers of sodium pumps localized to the basolateral part of their plasma membrane, whereas their highly folded apical membranes have a vacuolar-type H⁺-ATPase. Our immunocytochemical data are supported by conventional electron microscopy, which shows electrondense 10-nm particles (portasomes) on the cytoplasmic surface of the infoldings of the apical membranes of the distal duct cells. The apically localized Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the peripheral cells is probably directly involved in the formation of the Na⁺-rich primary saliva. The latter is modified by the distal duct cells by transport mechanisms energized by the proton motive force of the apically localized V-H⁺-ATPase.     

Detection of a Na+-activated, furosemide-inhibited ATPase activity in rat intestinal mucosa

An ouabain-insensitive, Mg++-dependent, Na+-stimulated ATPase activity which is inhibited by furosemide was found in mucosal homogenate of rat small intestine. The subcellular localization of this ATPase activity was studied by means of isolated purified brush borders and basolateral plasma membranes. The results suggest a nearly identical distribution of Na+-activated and (Na+K+)-activated ATPase within the epithelial cells. Under conditions of alloxan and streptozotocin diabetes an increase of both ATPase activities can be found only in the basolateral plasma membranes. These observations agree well with the convective model of intestinal absorption.     

Uptake of aminoglycoside antibiotics into brush-border membrane vesicles and inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of basolateral membrane

The effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics on plasma membranes were studied using rat renal basolateral and brush-border membrane vesicles. 3',4'-Dideoxykanamycin was bound to the basolateral membrane and brush-border membrane vesicles. They had a single class of binding sites with nearly the same constant, and the basolateral membrane vesicles had more binding sites than those of the brush-border membrane. Dideoxykanamycin B was transported into the intravesicular space of brush-border membrane vesicles, but not into that of basolateral membrane vesicles. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of the plasma membrane fraction prepared from the kidney of rat administered with dideoxykanamycin B intravenously decreased significantly. Aminoglycoside antibiotics entrapped in the basolateral membrane vesicles inhibited (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity, but those added to the basolateral membrane vesicles externally failed to do so. The activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was non-competitively inhibited by gentamicin. It is thus concluded that aminoglycoside antibiotics are taken up into the renal proximal tubular cells across the brush-border membrane and inhibit the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity of basolateral membrane. This inhibition may possibly disrupt the balance of cellular electrolytes, leading to a cellular dysfunction, and consequently to the development of aminoglycoside antibiotics' nephrotoxicity.     

Effects of cholesterol on (Na+,K+)-ATPase ATP hydrolyzing activity in bovine kidney

The (Na+,K+)-ATPase ATP hydrolyzing activity from rabbit kidney medulla basolateral membrane vesicles was studied as a function of the cholesterol content of the basolateral membranes. The cholesterol content of the membranes was modified by incubation with phospholipid vesicles. When the cholesterol content was increased above that found in the native membrane, the (Na+,K+)-ATPase ATP hydrolyzing activity was inhibited. When the cholesterol content was decreased from that found in the native membranes, the (Na+,K+)-ATPase ATP hydrolyzing activity was inhibited. Analogous effects were found with the K+-activated phosphatase activity of the same membrane vesicles. Therefore, at low cholesterol contents, cholesterol was stimulatory, and at high cholesterol contents, cholesterol was inhibitory. The structural specificity of this effect was tested by introducing lanosterol and ergosterol as 50% of the membrane sterol. Ergosterol was the least effective at supporting (Na+,K+)-ATPase ATP hydrolyzing activity, while lanosterol was more effective, but still not as effective as cholesterol.     

Ultracytochemical localization of ouabain-sensitive,potassium-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity in the lacrimal gland of the rat

The electron-microscopic localization of ouabain-sensitive, K-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K-NPPase) activity of the Na - K-ATPase complex was studied in the exorbital lacrimal gland of the untreated rat with the use of a newly developed one-step lead-citrate method (Mayahara and Ogawa 1980; Mayahara et al. 1980). In the rat lacrimal gland fixed for 15 min in a mixture of 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.25% glutaraldehyde, an electron-dense reaction product was observed on the plasma membrane of the basal infoldings and the lateral interdigitations of the ductal cells. The most intense reaction product - and thus the major site of the Na - K-ATPase activity - was evident on the basolateral membranes of the cells of the large interlobular ducts; a weak reaction was seen on the basolateral, extensively folded plasma membranes of the small intercalated ducts; no reaction product was observed on the plasma membranes of the acinar cells. Addition of 1) 10 mM ouabain, 2) p-chloromercuri-phenyl-sulfonic acid (PCMB-S), 3) elimination of K-ions from the incubation medium, or 4) preheating abolished completely the K-NPPase reaction. The activity was also substrate-dependent. Mg-ATPase-activity was observed not only in the basolateral membranes of all ductal cells but also in the basal part of the acinar cells and on the walls of blood vessels. This reaction was neither inhibited by ouabain nor activated by K-ions. The precipitate of the Mg-ATPase-activity was localized at the extracellular side of the plasma membrane, whereas the K-NPPase-reaction product was restricted to the cytoplasmic side of the plasmalemma. In contrast, non-specific alkaline-phosphatase (ALPase) activity was missing in cells of the large interlobular ducts, but obvious on the apical plasmalemma of cells lining the small intercalated ducts. With respect to its localization and reactivity pattern the activity of the K-NPPase (member of the Na - K-ATase complex) differs markedly from the Mg-ATPase- and ALPase-activity.     

Immunocytochemical localization of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in rat retinal pigment epithelial cells

We investigated quantitatively the ultrastructural localization of the alpha-subunit of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in rat retinal pigment epithelial cells by the protein A-gold technique, using an affinity-purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of rat kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase. Immunoblot analysis showed that the antibody bound specifically to the alpha- and alpha(+)-subunits of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the whole retina [the sensory retina plus retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)]. Rat eyes were fixed by perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde containing 1% glutaraldehyde and embedded in Lowicryl K4M. Ultra-thin sections were incubated with affinity-purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of rat kidney Na+,K(+)-ATPase and subsequently with protein A-gold complex. Light microscopy with a silver enhancement procedure revealed Na+,K(+)-ATPase localized to both the apical and the basal plasma membrane domains of the RPE. Quantitative immunocytochemical analysis by electron microscopy showed a higher density of gold particles on the apical surface than on the basolateral one. Microvilli are so well developed on the apical surface of the RPE that the apical surface profile is much longer than the basolateral one. This means that Na+,K(+)-ATPase is mainly located on the apical surface of the RPE cells.     

The surface characteristics of the plasma membrane of the exocrine pancreas.

Regional differentiation of the plasma membrane and related structures of the exocrine pancreas has been studied ultrastructurally and cytochemically. Fixation with an osmium tetroxide-silver acetate solution produced abundant fine precipitates on the luminal and basal surface of the centroacinar but not the acinar cells. Staining with dialyzed iron (DI) revealed the heaviest concentration of anionic sites on the luminal plasma membrane of the acinar cells, including the surface of both the intercellular canaliculi and the main lumen. The reactive sites on the apical acinar plasmalemma appeared to consist of discrete globules. DI-reactivity of the lateral basal membranes was most prominent in the centroacinar cells and essentially absent in the acinar cells but was weak relative to that of the acinar-cell apical plasmalemma. The lamina lucida of the basement membrane of the duct stained with DI, but that of basement membrane under acinar cells did not. Sialidase digestion prior to DI staining abolished the staining of plasma membranes. These results indicate that duct epithelial cells, including most prominently the centroacinar cells, are chiefly responsible for electrolyte and fluid transport.     

Inside-out basolateral plasma membrane vesicles from rat kidney proximal tubular cells

A method for preparation of highly purified basolateral plasma membranes from rat kidney proximal tubular cells is reported. These membranes were assayed for the presence of vesicles as well as for their orientation. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain binding studies with membranes treated with or without SDS revealed that the preparation consisted of almost 100% vesicles. The percentage of inside-out vesicles was found to be approx. 70%. This percentage was determined measuring the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity in K+-loaded vesicles and in membranes treated with or without trypsin and SDS. These membranes represent a very efficient tool to assay the correlation between active transport and ATPase activities in basolateral plasma membranes from rat kidney proximal tubular cells.