Initial Rate Of Na Research Articles

An ontogenically regulated 48-kDa protein is a component of the Na(+)-bile acid cotransporter of rat liver

Recent evidence suggests that the Na(+)-coupled carrier mechanism for bile acids on the hepatocyte basolateral plasma membrane is a polypeptide in the molecular weight range of 48,000-50,000. In this study we used a strategy for the identification and isolation of this transport protein based on the observation that Na(+)-dependent transport activity is abruptly expressed in fetal rat liver just before birth [Suchy et al. Am. J. Physiol. 251 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 14): G665-G673, 1986]. Analysis of basolateral plasma membranes by SDS-PAGE revealed that a protein of apparent molecular weight 48,000 was absent from fetal rat liver on day 19 of gestation, barely detectable on day 20, and thereafter increased progressively with postnatal development. Monospecific, polyclonal antibodies raised against the 48-kDa protein but not preimmune antibodies significantly inhibited the initial rate of Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake by isolated rat hepatocytes. In contrast, Na(+)-independent taurocholate transport and uptake of another anion, 35SO4(2-), were not affected by antibody treatment. When an extract containing the total complement of basolateral proteins was incorporated into asolectin liposomes, Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of taurocholate was observed, including a 2- to 2.5-fold accumulation of substrate above its equilibrium concentration (overshoot). However, if the membrane extract was first selectively depleted of the 48-kDa protein by immunoprecipitation with the anti-48-kDa antibody before reconstitution, Na(+)-dependent stimulation of taurocholate transport was completely abolished. These studies indicate that an ontogenically regulated 48-kDa protein is a component of the basolateral Na(+)-dependent transport system for bile acids.

Phosphate transport in kidneys: effect of transmembrane electrical potential

The effect of a transmembrane electrical potential on phosphate transport by kidney brush-border membrane vesicles was studied. The initial rate of Na(+)-dependent phosphate influx was twice as high as that of efflux. Generation of a negative transmembrane potential had a stimulatory effect on the rate of influx but had no effect on efflux. The Na+ saturation curve for phosphate influx was sigmoidal, and the Hill coefficients were similar, in the presence and absence of a transmembrane potential. The membrane potential increased both the affinity for phosphate and the maximal velocity (Vmax) of the transporter. In the absence of a Na+ gradient, the stimulation by the potential was 1.78-fold. When a proton gradient (in greater than out) was the driving force, the electrical potential stimulated phosphate transport 1.71-fold. Internal Na+ (trans) inhibited phosphate influx whether a potential was present or not. Internal phosphate (trans) stimulated phosphate influx in the absence of a potential but not in its presence. These results indicate that the electrical potential is an important driving force for the Na(+)-phosphate carrier and that the translocation of the carrier is a potential-dependent step.

Inhibition of Na(+)-independent H+ pump by Na(+)-induced changes in cell Ca2+.

Apical membrane H+ extrusion in the renal outer medullary collecting duct, inner stripe, is mediated by a Na(+)-independent H+ pump. To examine the regulation of this transporter, cell pH and cell Ca2+ were measured microfluorometrically in in vitro perfused tubules using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and fura-2, respectively. Apical membrane H+ pump activity, assayed as cell pH recovery from a series of acid loads (NH3/NH+4 prepulse) in the total absence of ambient Na+, initially occurred at a slow rate (0.06 +/- 0.02 pH units/min), which was not sufficient to account for physiologic rates of H+ extrusion. Over 15-20 min after the initial acid load, the rate of Na(+)-independent cell pH recovery increased to 0.63 +/- 0.09 pH units/min, associated with a steady-state cell pH greater than the initial pre-acid load cell pH. This pattern suggested an initial suppression followed by a delayed activation of the apical membrane H+ pump. Replacement of peritubular Na+ with choline or N-methyl-D-glucosamine resulted in an initial spike increase in cell Ca2+ followed by a sustained increase in cell Ca2+. The initial rate of Na(+)-independent cell pH recovery could be increased by elimination of the Na+ removal-induced sustained cell Ca2+ elevation by: (a) performing studies in the presence of 135 mM peritubular Na+ (1 mM peritubular amiloride used to inhibit basolateral membrane Na+/H+ antiport); (b) clamping cell Ca2+ low with dimethyl-BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelating agent; or (c) removal of extracellular Ca2+. Cell acidification induced a spike increase in cell Ca2+. The late acceleration of Na(+)-independent cell pH recovery was independent of Na+ removal and of the method used to acidify the cell, but was eliminated by prevention of the cell Ca2+ spike and markedly delayed by the microfilament-disrupting agent, cytochalasin B. This study demonstrates that peritubular Na+ removal results in a sustained elevation in cell Ca2+, which inhibits the apical membrane H+ pump. In addition, rapid cell acidification associated with a spike increase in cell Ca2+ leads to a delayed activation of the H+ pump. Thus, cell Ca2+ per se, or a Ca(2+)-activated pathway, can modulate H+ pump activity.

Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+ depletion in rat proximal tubules.

The removal of external Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) reduces cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in rat proximal tubules. In this report the role of external Na+ ([Na+]o) on the changes of [Ca2+]i and Ca2+ efflux caused by withdrawal of [Ca2+]o is described in rat renal proximal tubules. In aequorin-loaded tubules [Ca2+]i decreased from 235 +/- 25 to 48 +/- 16 (n = 4, P = 0.017), and 45Ca2+ fractional efflux ratio (45Ca2+ FER) increased from 0.94 +/- 0.03 to 1.64 +/- 0.19 (n = 6, P = 0.021) when Ca2+ was withdrawn from the bathing media of Krebs buffer (KB). The fall of [Ca2+]i, as well as the activation of 45Ca2+ FER, was reversed when [Na+]o in Ca(2+)-free KB was lowered isosmotically from 150 to 15 mM. However, when tubules were superfused with only 5 mM [Na+]o before [Ca2+]o was removed, [Ca2+]i also declined, but 45Ca2+ FER did not increase. The Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange inhibitor dichlorobenzamil (DCB) added after [Ca2+]o was removed evoked responses similar to [Na+]o removal, although DCB also inhibited internal Ca2+ release. These results are congruous with stimulation of Na+ influx in exchange for [Ca2+]i in Ca(2+)-free KB. However, even though total tubular Na+ was higher in Ca(2+)-free KB after 10 min, the initial rate of 22Na+ influx was not different without or with [Ca2+]o.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of hypothermic ischemia and reperfusion on calcium transport by myocardial sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum

The effects of hypothermic ischemia and reperfusion on sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ transport were studied in vesicles isolated from rabbit hearts. Hypothermic global ischemia was produced by immersing hearts in saline at 4°C for 3 h. Following hypothermic ischemia, reperfusion was carried out for 40 min using a Langendorff perfusion system for the working heart. Na +, K +-ATPase activity of sarcolemmal vesicles (SL) was not depressed by hypothermic ischemia nor by ischemia and reperfusion. The initial rate of Na +-Ca 2+ exchange in SL vesicles was not depressed, but the maximum amount of Ca 2+ uptake was increased both after hypothermic ischemia and after reperfusion. Ca 2+ uptake activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles (SR) isolated from hearts subjected to hypothermic ischemia was slightly lower than that of control, and was further reduced following reperfusion. Ca 2+-ATPase activity of SR was unaffected by hypothermic ischemia, while it was markedly lowered after reperfusion. Although the phosphoenzyme level in SR vesicles was slightly decreased, the turnover rate was reduced after reperfusion. Reperfusion injury thus took place mainly in SR while SL appeared to be tolerant to ischemia and reperfusion.

A High Yield Preparation of Brush Border Membrane Vesicles from Organ-Cultured Embryonic Chick Jejunum: Demonstration of Insulin Sensitivity of Na+-Dependent D-Glucose Transport

Although embryonic chick small intestinal segments provide a very limited amount of tissue for preparation of enterocyte brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV), we were able to develop a procedure for isolation of BBMV from cultured 20-d-old embryonic chick jejunum in high yield by modifying a divalent cation precipitation method. Total yield of the brush border marker enzyme alkaline phosphatase in the vesicle fraction as compared to the crude homogenate was approximately 40%, and the specific activity of the enzyme was increased 25-fold on the average. The brush border membrane vesicle fraction was only contaminated with other cellular organelles (basolateral membranes, mitochondria, lysosomes or endoplasmic reticulum) to a minor extent. Functional integrity of the brush border vesicles was indicated by Na+ gradient-driven electrogenic D-glucose transport leading to concentrative transfer (overshoot) of the sugar into an osmotically active intravesicular space. When jejuna were cultured for 48 h in the presence of 10(-6) mol/L insulin, the initial rate of Na(+)-dependent D-glucose uptake by brush border membrane vesicles as well as Na(+)-dependent [3H]phlorizin binding to brush border membranes was approximately twice as high as in vesicles from untreated controls. This strongly suggests that insulin could enhance intestinal absorption of D-glucose by increasing the intrinsic activity of the Na(+)-dependent D-glucose transport system at the luminal membrane of enterocytes.

On the mechanism of sodium ion translocation by methylmalonyl‐CoA decarboxylase from Veillonella alcalescens

Veillonella alcalescens during lactate degradation developed an Na+ concentration gradient with 7-8 times higher external than internal Na+ concentrations in the logarithmic growth phase. The gradient declined to a factor of 1.9 in the late stationary phase. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase reconstituted into proteoliposomes performed an active electrogenic Na+ transport, creating delta psi of 60 mV, delta pNa+ of 50 mV, and delta mu Na+ of 110 mV. In the initial phase of the transport, the decarboxylase catalyzed the uptake of 2 Na+ ions malonyl-CoA molecule decarboxylated. During further development of the electrochemical Na+ gradient, this ratio gradually declined to zero, when decarboxylation continued without further increase of the internal Na+ concentration. The rate of malonyl-CoA decarboxylation declined initially during development of the membrane potential, but remained unchanged later on. Monensin abolished the Na+ gradient and increased the malonyl-CoA decarboxylation rate 2.8-fold. On dissipating the membrane potential with valinomycin, the internal Na+ concentration reached three times higher values than in its absence, and the decarboxylation rate increased 2.8-fold. Methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase catalyzed an exchange of internal and external Na+ ions in addition to net Na+ accumulation. The initial rate of Na+ influx was double that of malonyl-CoA decarboxylation. In the following, both rates decreased about twofold in parallel to values which remained constant during further development of the electrochemical Na+ gradient. Thus, Na+ influx and malonyl-CoA decarboxylation follow a stoichiometry of approximately 2:1, independent of the magnitude of the electrochemical Na+ gradient and are thus highly coupled events.

PH gradient as an additional driving force in the renal re-absorption of phosphate

The effects of the Na+ gradient and pH on phosphate uptake were studied in brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex. The initial rates of Na(+)-dependent phosphate uptake were measured at pH 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 in the presence of sodium gluconate. At a constant total phosphate concentration, the transport values at pH 7.5 and 8.5 were similar, but at pH 6.5 the influx was 31% of that at pH 7.5. However, when the concentration of bivalent phosphate was kept constant at all three pH values, the effect of pH was less pronounced; at pH 6.5, phosphate influx was 73% of that measured at pH 7.5. The Na(+)-dependent phosphate uptake was also influenced by a transmembrane pH difference; an outwardly directed H+ gradient stimulated the uptake by 48%, whereas an inwardly directed H+ gradient inhibited the uptake by 15%. Phosphate on the trans (intravesicular) side stimulated the Na(+)-gradient-dependent phosphate transport by 59%, 93% and 49%, and the Na(+)-gradient-independent phosphate transport by 240%, 280% and 244%, at pH 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 respectively. However, in both cases, at pH 6.5 the maximal stimulation was seen only when the concentration of bivalent trans phosphate was the same as at pH 7.5. In the absence of a Na+ gradient, but in the presence of Na+, an outwardly directed H+ gradient provided the driving force for the transient hyperaccumulation of phosphate. The rate of uptake was dependent on the magnitude of the H+ gradient. These results indicate that: (1) the bivalent form of phosphate is the form of phosphate recognized by the carrier on both sides of the membrane; (2) protons are both activators and allosteric modulators of the phosphate carrier; (3) the combined action of both the Na+ (out/in) and H+ (in/out) gradients on the phosphate carrier contribute to regulate efficiently the re-absorption of phosphate.

Ca2+ transport in myocardial sarcolemma from rainbow trout

Sacrolemmal vesicles were isolated from trout ventricles with a yield of 0.51 mg protein/g wet wt of a fraction enriched approximately 15-fold over the crude homogenate as estimated by K(+)-stimulated p-nitrophenylphosphatase (K(+)-pNPPase) activity. Although the K(+)-pNPPase specific activity compared favorably with that of the rat heart, there were some striking differences in the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and specific phospholipid content (mumol/mg protein) of the sacrolemmal fractions between the two species. Two major sarcolemmal Ca2(+)-transport proteins were investigated, the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger and the dihydropyridine (DHP) receptor, a component of the voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channel. From the initial rates of Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ uptake, it was determined that the exchanger has an apparent Km for Ca2+ of 14 +/- 1 microM and a maximum velocity of 7.7 +/- 1.1 nmol.mg protein-1.s-1 at 21 degrees C. Experiments using the DHP ligand [3H] (+) PN 200-110 to characterize the equilibrium binding to the DHP receptor in the sarcolemmal fraction yielded a Kd of 0.08 nM and maximum binding sites of 3.06 +/- 0.49 pmol/mg protein. Given the smaller dimensions of the trout myocyte and the resultant higher sarcolemmal surface to cytosolic volume compared with the mammalian myocyte, these in vitro findings are consistent with the notion that Ca2+ transport across sarcolemma is a quantitatively important contributor of Ca2+ delivery to and removal from the contractile element.

Calcium and alpha-adrenergic regulation of Na-Cl(K) cotransport in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells

The marked sensitivity of Cl and fluid secretion in mammalian airways to basolateral application of loop diuretics has led to postulates that electrically neutral Na-Cl entry plays a critical role during secretion. Electrically neutral Na-Cl(K) cotransport was investigated by determining the initial rate of 22Na and 36Cl efflux in epithelial cells isolated from rabbit trachea and preequilibrated with radioactive tracer at 25 degrees C. Tracer transport was initiated by 10-fold dilution of an aliquot of cells in radioisotope-free medium. The initial rate of radiolabeled ion transport was calculated from the linear portion of efflux curves. Base-line Na and Cl transport rates were not affected by furosemide or bumetanide. l-Epinephrine stimulated Na and Cl transport rates 1.8-fold each in Ca2(+)-replete and 2.6- and 2.3-fold, respectively, in Ca2(+)-deficient transport medium. Loop diuretics and yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, blocked the effects of l-epinephrine, and, clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, stimulated yohimbine- and furosemide-sensitive Cl transport. The beta-adrenergic agonist l-isoproterenol alone did not affect tracer transport and, in combination with clonidine, did not affect the response to clonidine. Elevation of intracellular Ca2+ with ionomycin stimulated tracer transport, and buffering of intracellular Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(aminophenoxy)ethane- N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid blocked the stimulatory effects of alpha-adrenergic agents. These results indicate an alpha 2-adrenergic stimulation of loop diuretic-sensitive Na and Cl transport that requires elevated intracellular Ca2+ as the second messenger. The transport mechanism is probably a Na-Cl or Na-K-2Cl cotransport located in the basolateral membrane.

Refined Estimation of Kinetic Parameters of the Na+/H+ Antiport in Human Fibroblasts and Platelets

A technique is presented to estimate the initial rates of Na(+)-dependent alkalinization of acidified human fibroblasts and platelets and assess the kinetics of the Na+/H+ antiport in these cells. Cytosolic pH (pHi) exhibits an exponential recovery following cellular acidification. Thus, the length of the time interval selected to monitor changes in pHi (delta pHi) is critical to estimating the kinetics of the Na+/H+ antiport. We compared kinetic parameters of the Na+/H+ antiport, using computed and observed changes in delta pHi, for arbitrarily selected time intervals following Na(+)-dependent activation. In both cells, significant increases in both the [Na+] for half-maximal activation (K0.5) and maximal velocities (Vmax) were observed as delta pHi was decreased. We conclude that kinetic parameters derived from initial rate determinations enable a more accurate characterization of the Na+/H+ antiport.

Kinins inhibit conductive Na+ uptake by rabbit inner medullary collecting duct cells

Kinins promote natriuresis in vivo, at least in part by altering Na+ transport in the collecting duct. Using freshly prepared suspensions of rabbit inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells, we have examined the effects of kinins on Na+ transport using measurements of oxygen consumption (QO2) and isotopic Na+ uptake. Bradykinin (BK) inhibited IMCD cell QO2 by 24.7 +/- 0.9% without significantly reducing QO2 in cells derived from the outer medullary collecting duct. BK and kallidin half-maximally inhibited QO2 at concentrations in the 10(-12)-10-(-11) M range; beta 1-receptor agonists did not alter QO2, and beta 1-receptor antagonism did not reduce the effect of kinins. These observations indicate that the actions of kinins on IMCD cells are mediated by beta 2-receptors or a distinct subclass. Several observations indicate that kinins reduce QO2 by inhibiting Na+ entry: in the absence of Na+, BK did not reduce QO2; BK inhibition of QO2 was not additive with ouabain, amiloride, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), or 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and was abolished in the presence of the cation ionophore amphotericin B. Measurements of isotopic Na+ uptake demonstrated that BK reduced the initial rate of Na+ entry by 58%; BK inhibited the amiloride-sensitive component of conductive Na+ uptake. Because ANP inhibits conductive Na+ entry in IMCD cells via stimulation of cGMP accumulation, the effect of BK on cGMP levels was determined. Unlike ANP, BK did not increase cGMP levels, indicating that transport effects of kinins in IMCD are not mediated by cGMP. Thus kinins directly inhibit conductive Na+ entry in IMCD cells at concentrations suggestive of a physiological effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular sizes of amino acid transporters in the luminal membrane from the kidney cortex, estimated by the radiation-inactivation method

Renal brush-border membrane vesicles from rat kidney cortex were irradiated in frozen state with a gamma-radiation source. Initial rates of influx into these vesicles were estimated for substrates such as L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, L-proline and L-leucine to establish the molecular sizes of their carriers. Transport was measured in initial-rate conditions to avoid artifacts arising from a decrease in the driving force caused by a modification of membrane permeability. Initial rates of Na(+)-independent uptakes for those four substrates appeared unaffected in the dose range used (0-6 Mrad), indicating that the passive permeability of the membrane towards these substrates was unaffected. However, at higher doses of irradiation the Na+ influx and the intravesicular volume evaluated by the uptake of glucose at equilibrium were altered by radiation. Thus Na(+)-dependent influx values were corrected for volume changes, and the corrected values were used to compute radiation-inactivation sizes of the transport systems. Their respective values for L-glutamic acid, L-proline, L-leucine and L-alanine carriers were 250, 224, 293 and 274 kDa. The presence of the free-radicals scavenger benzoic acid in the frozen samples during irradiation did not affect the uptake of glucose, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase activity. These results indicate that freezing samples in a cryoprotective medium was enough to prevent secondary inactivation of transporters by free radicals. Uptakes of beta-alanine and L-lysine were much less affected by radiation. The radiation-inactivation size of the Na(+)-dependent beta-alanine carrier was 127 kDa and that of the L-lysine carrier was 90 kDa.

Angiotensin II stimulation of Na(+)-H+ exchange in proximal tubule cells

Experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of angiotensin II (ANG II) on the sodium transport activity of isolated intact rabbit proximal tubule cells. Initial rates of 22Na(+) uptake were measured in Na+-depleted and ouabain-treated cells in the presence of an opposing H+ gradient (pHin less than pHout). ANG II (10(-12)-10(-9) M) stimulated the initial rate of 22Na+ uptake by 33 +/- 2%, whereas amiloride (0.5 mM) inhibited both basal and ANG II-stimulated 22Na+ uptake. ANG II-stimulated rate of 22Na+ uptake was inhibited by the receptor antagonist saralasin. Additional experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of ANG II on the rate of recovery of pHin in acid-loaded proximal tubule cells. Cells were acid loaded by an NH4Cl pulse in the presence of the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. ANG II increased the initial rate of intracellular alkalinization, and this effect was inhibited by amiloride (1.0 mM). ANG II stimulation increased the Vmax of H+ efflux (from 0.53 +/- 0.02 to 0.64 +/- 0.04 pH units/min) without changing the Km for extracellular Na+. The present findings indicate that physiological concentrations of ANG II stimulate an amiloride-sensitive Na+-H+ antiport in proximal tubule cells.

The effect of Li + on NaCa exchange in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

The effects of Li + on NaCa exchange in bovine cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles were examined. The initial rate of Na +-dependent Ca 2+ uptake and efflux was inhibited by Li + in a dose dependent manner. The initial rate of Na +-dependent Ca 2+ uptake was inhibited 49.8±2.9% (S.E.) (n=6) in the presence of Li + compared to activity in external K + or choline +. Kinetic analysis indicated that Li + increased the Km for Ca 2+ (96.3 μM) compared to K + and choline + (25.5 and 22.9 μM respectively) while Vmax (1.4, 1.2 and 1.1 nmol Ca 2+/mg protein/sec respectively) remained unchanged. Li + did not alter the experimentally derived stoichiometry of the exchange reaction of 3 Na + for 1 Ca 2+.

Sarcolemmal Ca2+ transport activities in cardiac hypertrophy caused by pressure overload

To examine Ca2+ transport activities in sarcolemmal membrane in cardiac hypertrophy caused by pressure overload, rats were subjected to aortic banding for 28 days. Heart-to-body weight ratio was increased by 46% in aortic-banded animals in comparison with the sham-operated rats. Ouabain-sensitive Na+-K+-ATPase activity in sarcolemma (SL) from hypertrophied hearts was not different from that in the control preparation. The initial rate of Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake in SL vesicles from the hypertrophied hearts was stimulated by 53% compared with the control vesicles. ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+-stimulated adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities in SL from hypertrophied hearts were increased by 35%. The number of Ca2+ channels estimated by [5-methyl-3H]nitrendipine binding was decreased by 33% in SL from hypertrophied hearts. Total and individual phospholipid contents in the hypertrophied heart preparations were not different from those in the control, except that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine contents were significantly increased. Sarcolemmal preparations from hypertrophied hearts from the 22-wk-old spontaneously hypertensive rats exhibited changes in Na+-Ca2+ exchange and Ca2+-pump activities (similar to those observed in banded hearts), whereas the Na+-K+-ATPase activity decreased, [3H]nitrendipine binding increased, and phospholipid contents were not different. Thus, although differences were defined between two types of hypertrophy, these results suggest alterations in the sarcolemmal Ca2+ transport activities that may serve as an adaptive mechanism for the removal of Ca2+ from the myocardial cells during the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Increased Na+-taurine symporter in rat renal brush border membranes: preformed or newly synthesized?

The renal adaptive response to a varied intake of sulfur amino acids is demonstrated by an increase in the initial rate of Na+-taurine symport (cotransport) by rat renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) after 8-14 days of a low methionine diet. A high (3%) taurine diet reduces Na+-taurine symport. Fasting for 3 days, which depletes renal tubule cell taurine content, also enhances Na+-taurine symport both initially (15 s) and throughout the overshoot. In this study we examine the possibility that a rapid-onset adaptive response is expressed in BBMV, with the increased Na+-taurine symport reflecting the incorporation of preformed symporter into membranes rather than new synthesis. Rats fed the low methionine diet for 14 days were placed on the high taurine diet for 12-18 h; Na+-taurine symport activity fell by 40%. Fasting for 4 h restored low methionine diet levels of Na+-taurine symport activity (92 pmol.mg protein-1.15 s-1), defining a rapidly induced rise in uptake. Colchicine (0.6 mg) was injected prior to fasting in a group of rats because it blocks the incorporation (import) of preformed symporter into the membrane. Animals injected with colchicine had a pattern of BBMV uptake similar to that found in animals switched to the high taurine diet for 18 h. This agent blocked the rapidly induced rise in uptake. Feeding with the high taurine diet for 4 h caused a fall in uptake of 16.5%; colchicine blocked this reduction in uptake. These results indicate that the nephron can respond rapidly to changes in the intake of amino acids, conserving taurine in periods of nutrient lack and excreting excess taurine within 4 h in periods of surfeit. This rapid response is expressed at the brush border surface. The use of cholchicine indicates that the increase or reduction in Na+-taurine symport activity is due to incorporation (import) of transporter into the BBMV rather than to de novo synthesis.

Mechanism of function of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive [formula omitted]-antiporter in Halobacterium halobium: pH effect

The regulatory roles of medium pH, a transmembrane pH gradient (ΔpH), and an electrical potential (Δφ) on the activation of the N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive Na + H + -antiporter were studied in the membrane vesicle of Halobacterium halobium in the dark. Neither ΔpH nor Δφ independently activated the antiporter but a combination could. The initial rate of Na + extrusion did not proportionally relate to the size of Δ μ H + ~ imposed. The Δ μ H + -coupled Na + efflux in the presence of Δφ(−140 mV) increased as external pH decreased, regardless of the size of ΔpH, suggesting the existence of one external H +-binding site (apparent p K a 4.6) whose protonation determines primarily the Na + H + -exchange activity. On the other hand, the dependence of the Na + efflux on cytoplasmic pH varied with the size of ΔpH imposed and the apparent p K a for the cytoplasmic H + increased with elevating ΔpH. The resulting p K a difference across the membrane seems to be the key mechanism for the facilitation of Na +-coupled H + influx. In other words, ΔpH modulates Na + H + -exchange activity through manipulating the H + affinity on the cytoplasmic regulatory site. The Na + extrusion was gated by the threshold Δφ of −100 mV regardless of the size of existing ΔpH. Δφ acts on the protonated antiporter and converts it into an active state which becomes ΔpH reactive.

Characterization of Na+-dependent phosphate transport in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

Pi uptake by purified bovine cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles was stimulated by an inwardly directed Na+ gradient, but not by such gradients of K+, Rb+, Li+, and choline. When Na+ was present both inside and outside the vesicles, or when Na+ gradient was dissipated by monensin, the Na+-dependent Pi uptake increased with time, reached a peak, and then declined approaching a steady state. The initial rate of Na+-dependent Pi uptake was a saturable function of Pi concentration (Km = 0.5 mM). These findings indicate the existence of a Na+,Pi-cotransporter in the sarcolemma. The Na+-activation curve of the Pi uptake exhibited positive cooperativity, suggesting the requirement for multiple Na+ binding to the functional unit of the carrier. The initial rate of Na+-dependent Pi uptake decreased as extra-vesicular pH increased in the range of 5.5-8.7. The uptake rate increased under conditions that are known or expected to generate an inside-negative membrane potential, indicating that Pi uptake is accompanied by the uptake of positive charge. These results suggest the electrogenic cotransports of two Na+ and one H2PO4-. We conclude that this cotransporter catalyzes the secondary active transport of Pi across the cardiac plasma membrane and regulates myocardial energy metabolism. We also suggest that the cotransporter may control intracellular Na+ and thus be involved in the regulation of trans-sarcolemmal Ca2+ movement and cardiac contractility.

Na +Ca 2+ exchange in squid optic nerve membrane vesicles is activated by internal calcium

The role of intracellular Ca 2+ as essential activator of the Na +Ca 2+ exchange carrier was explored in membrane vesicles containing 67% right-side-out and 10% inside-out vesicles, isolated from squid optic nerves. Vesicles containing 100 μM free calcium exhibited a 2-fold increase in the initial rate of Na i +-dependent Ca 2+ uptake as compared with vesicles where intravesicular calcium was chelated by 2 mM EGTA or 10 mM HEDTA. The activatory effect exerted by intravesicular Ca 2+ on the reverse mode of Na +Ca 2+ exchange (i.e. Na i +Ca 0 2+ exchange) is saturated at about 100 μM Ca i 2+ and displays an apparent K 1 2 of 12 μM. Intravesicular Ca 2+ produced activation of Na i +Ca 0 2+ exchange activity rather than an increase in Ca 2+ uptake due to Ca 2+Ca 2+ exchange. The presence of Ca i 2+ was essential for the Na i +-dependent Na + influx, a partial reaction of the Na +Ca 2+ exchanger. In fact, the Na + influx levels in vesicles loaded with 2 mM EGTA were close to those expected from diffusional leak while in vesicles containing Ca i 2+ an additional Na +Na + exchange was measured. The results suggest that in nerve membrane vesicles Ca 2+ at the inner aspect of the membrane acts as an activator of the Na +Ca 2+ exchange system.