Apical membrane K conductance in the toad urinary bladder

Summary The conductance of the apical membrane of the toad urinary bladder was studied under voltage-clamp conditions at hyperpolarizing potentials (mucosa negative to serosa). The serosal medium contained high KCl concentrations to reduce the voltage and electrical resistance across the basal-lateral membrane, and the mucosal solution was Na free, or contained amiloride, to eliminate the conductance of the apical Na channels. As the mucosal potential (V _m) was made more negative the slope conductance of the epithelium increased, reaching a maximum at conductance of the epithelium increased, reaching a maximum atV _m=–100 mV. This rectifying conductance activated with a time constant of 2 msec whenV _m was changed abruptly from 0 to –100 mV, and remained elevated for at least 10 min, although some decrease of current was observed. ReturningV _m to+100 mV deactivated the conductance within 1 msec. Ion substitution experiments showed that the rectified current was carried mostly by cations moving from cell to mucosa. Measurement of K flux showed that the current could be accounted for by net movement of K across the apical membrane, implying a voltage-dependent conductance to K (G _K). Mucosal addition of the K channel blockers TEA and Cs had no effect onG _K, while 29mm Ba diminished it slightly. Mucosal Mg (29mm) also reducedG _K, while Ca (29mm) stimulated it.G _K was blocked by lowering the mucosal pH with an apparent pK₁ of 4.5. Quinidine (0.5mm in the serosal bath) reducedG _K by 80%.G _K was stimulated by ADH (20 mU/ml), 8-Br-cAMP (1mm), carbachol (100 m), aldosterone (5×10^–7 m for 18 hr), intracellular Li and extracellular CO₂.     

Dissociation of cellular K+ accumulation from net Na+ transport by toad urinary bladder

Summary A number of published data suggest a variable stoichiometry between the rates of cellular potassium uptake and net sodium transport (J _Na) across the urinary bladder of the toad. This problem was examined by simultaneously studying the intracellular chemical activity of potassium (a _K) with open-tip K⁺-selective microelectrodes and micropipets, and monitoringJ _Na by measuring the short-circuit current (SCC). When bathed in the short-circuited state with solutions containing ana _K of 2.7mm, the mean ±sem values for intracellulara _K were 43±0.6mm.Ouabain, at a concentration of 10^–2 m, reduced intracellulara _K by 56–67% and SCC by 96–100%. At 5×10^–4 m, ouabain reversibly reduced intracellulara _K by 40–55%, and SCC by 63–68%; the inhibition of SCC was only partly reversible during the period of observation.Removal of external potassium reduced intracellulara _K by 69–80% and SCC by 51–76%. Restoration of external potassium entirely returned intracellulara _K to its control value, but only partially reversed the inhibition of SCC during the period of study. Furthermore, recovery ofa _K began 19–43 min before that of SCC; recovery ofa _K was 90–97% complete before any increase in SCC could be measured. Although other interpretations are possible, the simplest interpretation of the data is that the processes responsible for potassium accumulation and transepithelial sodium transport are not identical. We propose the existence of a separate transfer mechanism at the basolateral cell membrane, responsible for accumulating intracellular potassium, and not directly coupled to active sodium transport.     

Reversible inhibition by lanthanum of the hydrosmotic response to serosal hypertonicity in toad urinary bladder

Summary In the urinary bladder of amphibia, hypertonicity of the serosal bath (SH) evokes an increase in transepithelial water permeability, the characteristics of which resemble the response to antidiuretic hormone (ADH). The ionic dependency, in particular for Ca²⁺, appears very similar forSH- and ADH-induced water fluxes. In the present experiments La³⁺ was used as a probe to study the Ca²⁺-dependency of the hydrosmotic response toSH in isolated urinary bladder of the toadBufo marinus.Addition of La³⁺ (5mm) on the serosal side of the membrane produced a significant and reversible increase in basal transepithelial water flux. The hydrosmotic response elicited by adding 250mm mannitol to the serosal Ringer's solution was inhibited by 30% in the absence of serosal Ca²⁺. Similarly, the hydrosmotic response toSH was inhibited by 37%, 30% and 40% when 5mm La³⁺ was added to the serosal medium 30 min before, concommitantly with, or 60 min after induction ofSH. The inhibition of transepithelial water flux observed in the absence of serosal Ca²⁺ or in the presence of serosal La³⁺ was reversible.The results support a critical role for Ca²⁺ in the modulation of transepithelial water permeability in the urinary bladder of amphibia. Ca²⁺ presumably exerts its effects at a post-cyclic AMP step.     

Microelectrode study of K+ accumulation by tight epithelia: I. Baseline values of split frog skin and toad urinary bladder

Toad bladder and split frog skin were impaled with fine-tipped single- and double-barrelled K+-selective microelectrodes. In order to circumvent membrane damage induced by impaling toad bladder, a null point method was developed, involving elevations of mucosal potassium concentration. The results suggest that intracellular potassium activity of short-circuited toad bladder is approximately 82 mM, twice as large as earlier estimates. Far more stable and rigorously defined intracellular measurements were recorded from short-circuited split frog skins. The intracellular positions of the micropipette and microelectrode tips were verified by transient hyperpolarizations of the membrane potential with mucosal amiloride or by transient depolarizations with serosal barium or strophanthidin. Simultaneous impalement of distant cells with separate micropipettes demonstrated that both the baseline membrane potentials and the responses to depolarizing agents were similar, further documenting that frog skin is a functional syncytium. Measurements with double-barrelled microelectrodes and simultaneous single-barrelled microelectrodes and reference micropipettes suggest that the intracellular potassium activity is about 104 mM, lower than previously reported. Taken together with measurements of intracellular potassium concentration, this datum suggests that potassium is uniformly distributed within the epithelial cells.     

Insulin-stimulated sodium transport in toad urinary bladder

Mammalian and teleost insulins increase active sodium transport by the toad urinary bladder at subnanomolar concentrations. This stimulation is evident within 15 min and persists for hours. Porcine proinsulin and a cross-linked derivative of bovine insulin are less effective than porcine insulin in stimulating the short-circuit current (SCC), indicating the specificity appropriate for activation of sodium transport through an insulin receptor. The initial stimulation by insulin of the SCC is not blocked by pretreatment with actinomycin D, puromycin, cycloheximide, or tunicamycin. However, in the presence of any one of these inhibitors the sustained increase in SCC is blocked and the rise is short-lived, lasting only 45 to 90 min. In amphotericin-treated bladders, the addition of insulin did not further stimulate SCC.     

The effect of catecholamines on H+ and NH+4 excretion in toad urinary bladder

The catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine, when placed on the toad urinary bladder in vitro, at a final concentration of 50 microM, caused a significant increase in H+ and NH+4 excretion by the bladder. Isoprenaline in a final concentration of 50 microM also increased H+ and NH+4 excretion in the bladder. Propranolol at a concentration of 50 microM blocked the stimulation of H+ excretion by isoprenaline but propranolol at 100 microM was required to block the stimulation of NH+4 by isoprenaline. The dose-response analysis indicates that the concentration of epinephrine used (50 microM) is at or near the maximal effective dose. These findings indicate that catecholamines stimulate H+ and NH+4 excretion in the toad urinary bladder and evidence suggests this may be mediated via the beta receptor mechanism.     

Effects of parathyroid hormone on H+ and NH 4 + excretion in toad urinary bladder

Summary The urinary bladder ofBufo marinus excretes H⁺ and NH ₄ ⁺ , and the H⁺ excretion is increased after the animal is placed in metabolic acidosis. The present study was done to determine if parathyroid hormone could stimulate the bladder to increase the excretion of H⁺ and/or NH ₄ ⁺ . Parathyroid hormone added to the serosal solution in a final concentration of 10 g/ml was found to increase H⁺ excretion by 50% above the control hemibladders, while there was no effect on NH ₄ ⁺ excretion. Parathyroid hormone had no effect on H⁺ excretion when added to the mucosal solution. We also performed experiments utilizing theophylline and dibutyryl cyclic AMP which mimicked those of the parathyroid hormone experiments. A dose-response analysis was performed and the results indicate that 1 g/ml of parathyroid hormone was the minimal effective dose. These results suggest that parathyroid hormone can stimulate H⁺ excretion in the toad urinary bladder and this effect seems to be mediated by cyclic AMP. In addition, it was found that parathyroid hormone has no effect on NH ₄ ⁺ excretion.     

Action of steroids on H+ and NH 4 + excretion in the toad urinary bladder

Summary This study was done to determine if steroid compounds will stimulate the urinary bladder of the toad to increase its capacity to acidify the urine and excrete NH ₄ ⁺ , Aldosterone, 17-estradiol, dexamethasone, pregnenolone, and cholesterol were tested on the bladder. All compounds tested were found to stimulate the rate of acidification by the bladder, above that of a paired control hemibladder. In contrast, only the steroids aldosterone and 17-estradiol were found to stimulate NH ₄ ⁺ excretion in the bladder. Cycloheximide was found to block the action of aldosterone on the NH ₄ ⁺ excretion, but did not have a significant effect on the stimulation of acidification by aldosterone. We conclude that steroids stimulate H⁺ and NH ₄ ⁺ excretion in the toad urinary bladder. In addition, the NH ₄ ⁺ excretory system seems to be more specific to this effect than is the H⁺ excretory system.This work was presented in part at the 62nd annual meeting, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Atlantic City, N.J., April 1978.     

Metabolic regulation of apical sodium permeability in toad urinary bladder in the presence and absence of aldosterone

In the present study, further evidence was adduced for energy-dependent regulation of passive apical transport of Na in toad bladder epithelium. In potassium-depolarized preparations studied by current-voltage analysis, additions of pyruvate or glucose to the media of substrate-depleted bladders evoked proportionate increases in the transepithelial Na current and in apical Na permeability. These responses were large in aldosterone pretreated hemibladders and almost absent in the aldosterone-depleted preparations or when hormonal action was blocked by spironolactone or cycloheximide. The substrate-induced increases in apical Na permeability were fully reversed by appropriate metabolic inhibitors, i.e. 2-deoxyglucose and oxythiamine. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of 2-deoxyglucose was bypassed by the addition of pyruvate to the serosal medium. Thus apical Na permeability is clearly sensitive to the supply of cellular energy. The possibility that changes in intracellular free Na activity may mediate metabolic regulation of apical Na permeability was evaluated by prolonged exposure to Na-free mucosal and serosal media, with and without inhibition of the Na/K-pump by ouabain. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of pyruvate, 2-deoxyglucose and oxythiamine on Na currents and Na conductances were preserved under these circumstances. Furthermore, reduction of serosal Ca to a minimal level of 3 microM, was without effect on the response to metabolic inhibition. These experiments demonstrate the existence of Na-independent metabolic regulation of apical Na transport and imply that neither basal-lateral nor mitochondrial Na/Ca exchange is required for this regulatory process under the imposed conditions. The possibility that a Na-independent, Ca transport mechanism in mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum may be involved in metabolic regulation of apical Na transport, however, remains to be evaluated.     

Mode of action of amiloride in toad urinary bladder

Summary The effect of amiloride on the sensitivity to Na of the mucosal border of toad urinary bladder was investigated by recording Na concentration-dependent transepithelial potential difference (V_t) and the intracellular potential. When mucosal Na concentration was normal, amiloride added to the mucosal solution at 10^–4m markedly reduced the mucosal membrane potential (V_m) and altered the potential profile from a two-step type to a well type. Similar changes were observed when Na was totally eliminated from the mucosal medium. The serosal membrane potential was insensitive to amiloride and elimination of mucosal Na. In the absence of amiloride, theV_t could be described by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation in the range of mucosal Na concentration from 0 to 16mm, and amiloride extended this concentration range. By using the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, Na permeability was calculated from the data ofV_t's obtained in the allowed ranges of Na concentration and compared before and after the addition of amiloride. The results show that Na permeability decreases to 1/600 of control when the maximum dose of amiloride (10^–4m) is applied. The relationship between Na permeability and amiloride concentration is well explained on the basis of assumptions that amiloride binds to the Na site of the mucosal border in one-to-one fashion and in a competitive manner with Na and that Na permeability reduces in proportion to increase in number of the sites bound with amiloride.     

Ba2+-inhibitable86Rb+ fluxes across membranes of vesicles from toad urinary bladder

Summary ⁸⁶Rb⁺ fluxes have been measured in suspensions of vesicles prepared from the epithelium of toad urinary bladder. A readily measurable barium-sensitive, ouabain-insensitive component has been identified; the concentration of external Ba²⁺ required for half-maximal inhibition was 0.6mm. The effects of externally added cations on⁸⁶Rb⁺ influx and efflux have established that this pathway is conductive, with a selectivity for K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ over Na⁺ and Li⁺. the Rb⁺ uptake is inversely dependent on external pH, but not significantly affected by internal Ca²⁺ or external amiloride, quinine, quinidine or lidocaine. It is likely, albeit not yet certain, that the conductive Rb⁺ pathway is incorporated in basolateral vesicles oriented right-side-out. It is also not yet clear whether this pathway comprises the principle basolateral K⁺ channel in vivo, and that its properties have been unchanged during the preparative procedures. Subject to these caveats, the data suggest that the inhibition by quinidine of Na⁺ transport across toad bladder does not arise primarily from membrane depolarization produced by a direct blockage of the basolateral channels. It now seems more likely that the quinidine-induced elevation of intracellular Ca²⁺ activity directly blocks apical Na⁺ entry.     

Reserve of vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in toad urinary bladder

Studies have been performed on the effect of vasopressin on cyclic AMP content of toad bladders. A prompt increase in cyclic AMP content occurred after exposure to vasopressin, which reached maximal values within 8 min and remained elevated up to 30 min. By a comparison of the dose-response characteristics of vasopressin on cyclic AMP content, with those Na⁺ transport and osmotic water flow, it was shown that supramaximal concentrations of vasopressin with respect to physiological function generate more cyclic AMP than is required for maximal stimulation of Na⁺ transport and water flow. Thus, it would seem that a reverse of hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase is present in this tissue.