Abstract
Betaine plays an important role in the osmoregulation of various renal cells. In the kidney betaine synthesis seems to be highest in the cortex, whereas osmotically regulated accumulation seems to play a crucial role in the inner medulla. Therefore, the influence of betaine synthesis on the long-term osmotic regulation of betaine content was investigated in epithelial SV40 transfected cell culture, derived from the outer medullary thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (TALH) of rabbit kidney. Under hyperosmotic conditions the betaine content of TALH was significantly increased from 218 +/- 35 mumol/g protein (300 mOsm/liter; control) to 334 +/- 27 mumol/g (600 mOsm/liter; P < 0.0005). In addition the intracellular accumulation of 14C-betaine from 14C-choline was significantly elevated from 4.3 +/- 1.0 mumol/g protein x hr) to 8.2 +/- 1.0 mumol/g protein x hr; P < 0.001) under hyperosmotic conditions. Synthesis of betaine was also influenced by the extracellular betaine content. In a betaine free medium the synthesis of betaine was increased by 7% (300 mOsm/liter; NS) or 40% (600 mOsm/liter; P < 0.0001) when compared to betaine containing medium. The alteration of betaine synthesis is presumably caused by osmotic regulation of the betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase. Activity of this enzyme was significantly higher under hyperosmotic conditions compared to isoosmotic control conditions (Vmax 4.1 +/- 0.8 U/g protein; 600 mOsm/liter) versus 1.4 +/- 0.1 U/g (300 mOsm/liter; P < 0.0001), while the affinity to betaine aldehyde remained unaltered. These results demonstrate that during long-term adaptation, betaine synthesis in TALH cells of the outer medulla of rabbit kidney can be regulated by extracellular osmolarity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.