Proximal Tubular Brush Border Membrane Research Articles

Membrane-associated crystallization of calcium oxalatein vitro

Incubation of proximal tubular brush border membrane in a metastable calcium oxalate solution of low supersaturation resulted in the equimolar depletion of calcium and oxalate and the formation of monoclinic calcium oxalate crystals. We propose that membrane fragments from sloughed epithelial cells of the nephron can similarly induce crystallization in urine that is metastable for calcium oxalate.

Cholesterol modulates rat renal brush border membrane phosphate transport.

In dietary phosphate (Pi) deprivation and in aging there is an inverse correlation between renal proximal tubular brush border membrane (BBM) cholesterol (Chol) content, BBM fluidity, and BBM sodium gradient-dependent Pi transport activity (Na-Pi cotransport). The purpose of this study was to determine whether in vitro enrichment of renal BBM with Chol has a direct modulating effect on Na-Pi cotransport. 12 and 24 mol % increases in Chol content caused dose-dependent decreases in Na-Pi cotransport activity, 2,000 in control, vs. 1,450 in Chol (+12%), vs. 900 pmol/5 s/mg BBM protein in Chol (+24%), all P less than 0.01, which was paralleled by dose-dependent increases in the fluorescence anisotropy of diphenylhexatriene, rDPH, i.e., decrease in BBM fluidity, 0.203 in control, vs. 0.210 in Chol (+12%), vs. 0.219 in Chol (+24%), all P less than 0.01. We found that increasing ambient temperature, which increases BBM fluidity independent of changes in Chol content, increased Na-Pi cotransport. When Na-Pi cotransport was analyzed as a function of BBM fluidity, 1/rDPH, we found that at an equivalent BBM fluidity BBM Chol enrichment still resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in Na-Pi cotransport. Finally, in BBM isolated from rats fed a low Pi diet in vitro enrichment with Chol completely reversed the adaptive increases in Na-Pi cotransport and fluidity. Our study therefore, indicates that Chol is a direct modulator of renal BBM Na-Pi cotransport activity, and that in vivo alterations in BBM Chol content most likely plays an important role in the regulation of renal tubular Pi transport.

Regulation of Na+/H+ exchange in opossum kidney cells by parathyroid hormone, cyclic AMP and phorbol esters

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) controls two proximal tubular brush border membrane transport systems, Na+/phosphate co-transport and Na+/H+ exchange. In OK cells, a cell line with proximal tubular transport characteristics, PTH acts via kinase C and kinase A activation to inhibit Na+/phosphate co-transport [6, 8, 9, 19, 22]. In the present study, we show that PTH inhibits Na+/H+ exchange and that this effect can be mimicked by pharmacological activation of kinase A and kinase C. Ionomycin-dependent increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration do not induce inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange; PTH-dependent inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange is not prevented by ionomycin or by the intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (Ca2+ clamping). Detailed dose-response curves for the different agonists, given either alone or in combination, suggest that the two regulatory cascades (kinase A and kinase C) are operating independent of each other and reach a common final target, resulting in 40-50% inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange. An analysis of intracellular pH sensitivity of Na+/H+ exchange suggests that inhibition is not related to a shift in set point, but is rather explained by a reduced Vmax of Na+/H+ exchange and/or reduced affinity for protons at the internal membrane surface. It is suggested that kinase A as well as kinase C can mediate PTH inhibition of renal proximal tubular Na+/H+ exchange and that the relative importance of a particular regulatory cascade is determined by the PTH-concentration-dependent rates in the liberation of diacylglycerol (phospholipase C/kinase C) and cAMP (adenylate cyclase/kinase A).

Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance formation of rat kidney brush border membrane vesicles induced by ferric nitrilotriacetate

An iron chelate, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe 3+-NTA), is nephrotoxic and also carcinogenic to the kidney in experimental animals. Iron-promoted lipid peroxidation in the proximal tubules is thought to be responsible for the pathologic process. In the present study, iron-promoted lipid peroxidation, with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) formation as an indication, in the tubular surface was simulated in vitro using rat kidney brush border membrane vesicles and the results were compared with those using linoleate micelles and rat liver microsomal lipid liposomes. Addition of ascorbate, cysteine, or dithiothreitol to the Fe 3+-NTA solution resulted in consumption of dissolved oxygen and promoted the lipid peroxidation in the micelles and in the liposomes. In contrast, addition of glutathione to the Fe 3+-NTA solution caused only sluggish oxygen consumption and far less peroxidation in these lipid systems. When the brush border membrane vesicles were used for the peroxidation substrate, Fe 3+-NTA and glutathione could promote TBA formation at a rate comparable to that elicited by Fe 3+-NTA with cysteine or dithiothreitol. Acivicin, a γ-glutamyl transpeptidase inhibitor, suppressed the peroxidation of the brush border membrane vesicles promoted by Fe 3+-NTA and glutathione. These results suggest the following mechanism of proximal tubular cell lipid peroxidation promoted by Fe-NTA: Fe 3+-NTA filtered through glomeruli is rapidly reduced by cysteine and Fe 2+-NTA starts lipid peroxidation at the site, leading to proximal tubular necrosis. Cysteine is amply supplied by the decomposition of glutathione within the lumen by the action of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and dipeptidase situated at the proximal tubular brush border membrane.

Parathyroid hormone-induced translocation of Na-H antiporters in rat proximal tubules

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is believed to inhibit bicarbonate reabsorption by inhibiting Na-H antiport activity in proximal tubular brush-border membranes. The sequence of events triggered by PTH was investigated in a crude preparation of proximal tubules obtained by mechanical disruption and filtration through nylon mesh filters. Tubule samples were subjected to analytical subcellular fractionation after 2-, 5-, and 30-min treatments with 1 IU/ml PTH. These PTH-treatment intervals caused 54, 63, and 68% decreases in the Na-H antiport activity of a population of brush-border membrane vesicles that was resolved from a PTH-unresponsive brush-border population by density-gradient centrifugation. The rapid loss of Na-H antiport activity from the responsive population was accompanied by a transient increase in the Na-H antiport activity of a region of the density gradient, designated density window III, which was shown to contain two distinct membrane populations; these populations were both enriched in acid phosphatase activity, and one of them was also an important locus of galactosyltransferase activity. The increase in the Na-H antiport activity of window III accounted for 52% of the activity lost from the PTH-responsive population after 2 min, and for 43% of the activity lost after 5 min, but it was completely abolished after 25 more minutes in the presence of PTH. These observations suggest that PTH triggers a rapid translocation of Na-H antiporters from the microvillus membrane to a distinct membrane domain, where they are subsequently inactivated.

Cellular aspects of proximal tubular phosphate reabsorption

In vivo manipulations to alter renal Pi reabsorption and the subsequent isolation of proximal tubular brush border membrane vesicles have greatly increased our knowledge about the regulation of renal Pi reabsorption via the Na+/Pi cotransport system. Only recently, direct biochemical and cell-biological access has become possible by the use of established and primary cell cultures. Based on the results obtained with isolated brush border membranes and cultured cells, a model has been presented, which might serve as a basis for future research of the regulatory control mechanisms of the renal Na+/Pi cotransport. At present, a major drawback is the fact that the molecular identity of the Na+/Pi cotransport system is still unknown. The identification of this transport system would certainly be a great step and would allow to verify or falsify one or the other hypotheses postulated in the past few years for the regulatory control mechanism(s) of the renal Na+/Pi cotransport.

20] Transport studies with renal proximal tubular and small intestinal brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles: Vesicle heterogeneity, coexistence of transport systems

The membrane mechanisms involved in small intestinal and renal proximal tubular transcellular transport of various solutes can be explored in isolated brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles. This chapter discusses the properties of a transport system. Studies with isolated membrane vesicles are useful for the determination of the asymmetric distribution of transport pathways between a brush border and a basolateral membrane. However, the heterogeneity of vesicle preparations presents problems that should be considered in the interpretation of experiments on the localization of specific transport pathways. Preparations of membrane vesicles are heterogeneous—that is, membranes with different transport pathways even for the same substrate might be present. This heterogeneity can be related to (1) the cross contamination of basolateral membranes with brush border membranes and vice versa and (2) a heterogeneous epithelial cell population used for vesicle isolation. The chapter provides recommendations regarding the problems related to tissue heterogeneity and/or cross contaminations and presents some experimental approaches that allow the documentation of different transport pathways coexisting in one membrane vesicle.

Enhancement of gentamicin-induced inhibition of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in rabbit renal proximal tubular brush-border membrane by furosemide.

Gentamicin inhibited phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis catalyzed by rabbit renal phospholipase C in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition was potentiated by furosemide in a dose-dependent manner. Furosemide may enhance gentamicin nephrotoxicity by potentiating the inhibitory effect of gentamicin on brush-border membrane PI degradation.

Gentamicin nephrotoxicity in the setting of acute renal hypoperfusion

The purpose of this study is to assess interactions between acute renal hypoperfusion and aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity. One hour of renal hypoperfusion (55-60 mmHg; renal blood flow 1.6 +/- 0.13 ml/min) was created in rats by suprarenal partial aortic constriction. Gentamicin, 120 mg/kg, was given at the start of the hypoperfusion period. Rats that either received gentamicin alone or were subjected to hypoperfusion alone served as controls. Hypoperfusion alone induced mild S3 proximal tubular brush-border membrane blebbing, but it caused no enzymuria, azotemia, or tubular necrosis. Gentamicin alone induced no azotemia or tubular necrosis. However, gentamicin injected during hypoperfusion caused severe azotemia (blood urea nitrogen 94 +/- 16; creatinine 1.74 +/- 0.22 mg/dl) and extensive S3 proximal tubular necrosis without affecting renal perfusion. S1 and S2 tubular segments, the major targets of gentamicin toxicity, showed minimal damage. Hypoperfusion increased renal gentamicin uptake, but matching it in control rats induced no renal damage. In conclusion, gentamicin can precipitate hypoperfusion-induced acute renal failure. This effect appears to be due to an S3 cytotoxic effect, which converts sublethal ischemic S3 tubular injury into overt cell necrosis.

Distribution of IGF receptors in the plasma membrane of proximal tubular cells.

To characterize the distribution of receptors for insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF I and II) in the plasma membrane of the renal proximal tubular cell, we measured binding of 125I-labeled IGF I and 125I-labeled IGF II to proximal tubular basolateral and brush-border membranes and characterized IGF I-stimulated phosphorylation of detergent-solubilized membranes. 125I-IGF I bound primarily to a 135,000 relative molecular weight (Mr) protein and IGF II to a 260,000 Mr protein in isolated membranes. Binding of 125I-IGF I was severalfold greater in basolateral than in brush-border membranes. IGF I-stimulated phosphorylation of the 92,000 Mr beta-subunit of its receptor could be demonstrated only in basolateral membranes. These findings are consistent with an asymmetrical distribution of receptors for IGF I in the plasma membrane of the renal proximal tubular cell, localization being primarily on the basolateral side. In contrast, binding of 125I-IGF II to isolated basolateral and brush-border membranes was equivalent, suggesting that receptors for this peptide are distributed more symmetrically in the plasma membrane. Our findings suggest that the actions of IGF I in proximal tubule are mediated via interaction of circulating peptide with specific receptors in the basolateral membrane. However, our findings establish the potential for actions of IGF II to be exerted in proximal tubule via interaction with both basolateral and/or brush-border membrane receptors.

Effect of acute acidemia on phosphate uptake by renal proximal tubular brush-border membranes

Prolonged metabolic acidosis is associated with depressed phosphate (Pi) uptake by the brush-border membrane (BBM) of the proximal tubule. To examine if changes in systemic pH underlie this inhibition, we measured Pi transport by renal cortical BBM from thyroparathyroidectomized rats with respiratory or metabolic acidosis of 1 or 3 h, respectively, and in appropriate controls. Also, Pi transport was measured in BBM prepared using tissue slices from nonacidotic rats that were preincubated for 20 or 45 min at either pH 6.9 (HCO3 = 10 mM, CO2 = 10%) or 7.4 (HCO3 = 10 mM, CO2 = 2.5%). Despite comparable acidemia (pH 7.06 +/- 0.05 with respiratory acidosis and 7.10 +/- 0.03 with metabolic acidosis), Na-dependent Pi uptake at 5 s incubation was reduced by 15.2 +/- 3.5% with respiratory acidosis compared with paired controls. It was not altered with metabolic acidosis. Vmax in respiratory acidosis (1.2 nmol X mg protein-1 X 5 s-1) was less than in controls (1.6); Kt was similar in both groups. 22Na transport and Na-dependent glucose transport were unchanged. Plasma phosphorus (P) increased from 8.75 +/- 0.35 mg/dl to 12.42 +/- 1.9 with respiratory acidosis. Therefore BBM vesicles transport was measured in controls after plasma P was raised. Under these conditions, Pi transport was similar to that with respiratory acidosis. Also Pi transport by BBM was unchanged when tissue slices were preincubated in vitro at high CO2 concentrations for 20 or 45 min. Thus respiratory acidosis specifically inhibits Na-dependent Pi transport by decreasing the number or rate of the BBM Pi carrier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phosphate transport across renal proximal tubular cell membranes.

The transport of phosphate across the plasma membrane of the renal proximal tubular epithelial cell is thought to take place through the activities of specific transporters located in the membrane. The activities of these transporters are essential to effect the reabsorption of phosphate present in glomerular ultrafiltrate. In addition, their activities are thought to be important for the maintenance of metabolic functions in the proximal tubular cell. Studies utilizing proximal tubular brush-border and basolateral membranes isolated from mammalian kidney have provided significant insights into the mechanisms by which phosphate transport across the brush-border and basolateral membranes of the intact proximal tubular cell occurs and is modulated. In this editorial review, the results of many of these studies are summarized. Particular emphasis is placed on studies that utilized isolated membranes to determine the mechanism by which the phosphaturic action of parathyroid hormone is mediated in the renal proximal tubule. On the basis of studies conducted in isolated membranes and in more physiologically intact preparations, models are constructed to integrate the role of the brush-border and basolateral membranes in the transport of phosphate into and out of the renal proximal tubular cell.

The direct effect of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on membrane phospholipid composition and phosphate transport.

Current evidence suggests that the mechanism of action of several hormones may be mediated through alterations in membrane lipid composition1–4. Both the content and the degree of fatty acid unsaturation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in renal proximal tubular and duodenal brush border membranes is increased after 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) administration to animals5,6. In both the intestine5’7 and the kidney8 indirect evidence suggests that these lipid changes may be important in stimulating calcium and phosphate transport. In recent studies performed in this laboratory fluorescent phospholipid derivatives have been used to demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 rapidly and directly stimulates the transfer of PC from liposomes to renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV)9. The following studies were performed to investigate the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 induced membrane phospholipid alterations on phosphate transport.KeywordsBrush Border MembranePhosphate TransportPhosphate UptakeBrush Border Membrane VesicleRenal Brush Border MembraneThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Transport of citrate across renal brush border membrane: effects of dietary acid and alkali loading.

Dietary acid or alkali loading was given to rats by providing 150 mM NH4Cl or 150 mM NaHCO3 in place of drinking water for 6 days; control animals received 150 mM NaCl. After 6 days, the citrate clearance was 0.04 +/- 0.01 ml/min (mean +/- SE) in the acid-loaded group, 0.9 +/- 0.1 ml/min in the control group, and 2.5 +/- 0.2 ml/min in the alkali-loaded group. At the end of the experiment, the rats were killed, and the Na+ gradient-dependent (Nao+ greater than Nai+) citrate uptake (pmol/mg protein) was measured in brush border membrane (BBM) vesicles prepared from each group. At 0.3 min, the [14C]citrate uptake was 198 +/- 8 pmol/mg protein (mean +/- SE) in the acid-loaded group, 94 +/- 16 pmol/mg protein in the control group, and 94 +/- 13 pmol/mg protein in the alkali-loaded group. The rate of Na+-independent (NaCl in medium replaced by KCl) [14C]-citrate uptake by BBM vesicles was the same for acid-loaded, control, and alkali-loaded animals. Thus, the increased capacity of the proximal tubular BBM to transport citrate from the tubular lumen into the cell interior may be an important factor that contributes to decreased urinary citrate in the presence of metabolic acidosis induced by chronic dietary acid loading.

Sugar uptake into a primary culture of dog kidney proximal tubular cells.

We describe the functional characteristics of a new primary culture system derived from a suspension of dog proximal tubular cells. The culture system is maintained on alpha minimal essential medium with 15% fetal calf serum supplementation. At confluency the cultured cells demonstrate the following: (i) typical epithelial morphology using light microscopy, with multiple dome formation inhibited by ouabain; (ii) strong binding with a polyclonal antibody directed against dog proximal tubular brush border membrane antigens; (iii) high concentration of alkaline phosphatase activity by histochemical staining; and (iv) 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3)-24-hydroxylase activity. Sugar transport was assessed using alpha-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (alpha MG), a nonmetabolizable analog of D-glucose, as well as L-glucose, and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3OMG). The transport of alpha MG was stereospecific; temperature sensitive; inhibited strongly by phlorizin but not by cytochalasin B, phloretin, or 3OMG; and Na dependent. The transport of 3OMG is stereospecific, temperature sensitive, and inhibited strongly by phloretin and cytochalasin B, but not by phlorizin. Despite the apparent heterogeneity of cell type, this primary culture system exhibits many features of normal dog proximal tubule function.

Evidence for electroneutral chloride transport in rabbit renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles.

Controversial evidence exists as to whether electroneutral Cl-OH exchange occurs across the proximal tubular brush border membrane of the mammalian kidney. To help resolve this controversy, we carried out a series of experiments using rabbit renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles to determine the effect of changes in pH on 36Cl uptake across this membrane. Reducing pH equally inside and outside of the vesicle stimulated Cl-Cl exchange as well as chloride uptake. A proton gradient (out greater than in) stimulated and caused an overshoot in unidirectional Cl uptake. All three of these processes were inhibited by 4-acetoamido-4-isothiocyano-2,2-disulfonic stilbene. Valinomycin with K+ out-in added to shunt any proton diffusion potential, minimally inhibited pH gradient-dependent Cl uptake, and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoro-methoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP), added to increase the proton diffusion potential, minimally stimulated pH gradient-dependent Cl uptake. Sodium-glucose cotransport (an electrogenic system) was used to assess the efficacy of these ionophores. FCCP markedly enhanced and valinomycin markedly inhibited pH gradient stimulated sodium-glucose cotransport. Valinomycin added to vesicles with a 180/0 meq K+ out greater than in gradient stimulated less Cl uptake than a 6.0/7.5 pH out greater than in gradient. We conclude that these results provide strong evidence for the existence of an electroneutral Cl-OH exchanger or Cl-H symporter in this membrane.

Insulin stimulates Pi transport in brush border vesicles from proximal tubular segments.

Induction of hyperinsulinemia in dogs results in enhanced reabsorption of Pi from glomerular filtrate in the renal proximal tubule. To determine whether this may be a direct action of insulin mediated by altered transport characteristics of the proximal tubular brush border membrane, we measured Na+-dependent 32Pi transport in brush border membrane vesicles prepared from isolated proximal tubular segments originating from dog kidney that had been incubated with or without insulin. Specific high affinity binding sites for insulin were detected in proximal tubular segments. Increased initial rates (15 s) of Na+-dependent 32Pi transport were measured in brush border vesicles prepared from segments that had been incubated with insulin. This effect of insulin was concentration dependent over the range of 10(-10) to 10(-6) M insulin. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using brush border vesicles prepared from proximal tubular segments to study solute transport. Our findings suggest that insulin-induced increased Pi reabsorption in the proximal tubule is mediated by a direct action of insulin on the proximal tubular cell, which results in increased Na+-Pi cotransport across the brush border membrane.

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on phosphate transport in vitamin D-deprived rats.

To clarify the role of vitamin D in renal phosphate transport, weanling rats were fed a vitamin D-deficient diet containing 1.8% calcium and 1.2% phosphorus. After 5-6 wk, the rats were normocalcemic, normophosphatemic, and had normal levels of PTH. Assays of vitamin D metabolites revealed undetectable plasma levels of 25(OH)D, and 1,25(OH)2D levels of 92 +/- 16 pg/ml in partially vitamin D-depleted (PVDD) rats and 169 +/- 58 pg/ml in normal rats. PVDD rats had increased phosphate excretion, both absolute and fractional, and a decrease in Na+ gradient-dependent Pi transport in proximal tubular brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from their kidneys. Vitamin D repletion of PVDD rats with 1,25(OH)2D3, 15 pmol/100 g body wt, decreased fractional excretion of Pi from 22.6 +/- 1.9 to 13.5 +/- 1.3%; the latter values were similar to normal rats. Repletion with 1,25(OH)2D3 also increased Na+-dependent phosphate transport in BBMV from 322 +/- 24 pmol X mg protein-1 X 15 s-1 in BBMV from PVDD rats to 698 +/- 70 pmol X mg protein-1 X 15 s-1. Repletion with larger doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 produced hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia from intestinal absorption, an increase in phosphate excretion, and a blunted response of Pi transport to 1,25(OH)2D3. Prevention of hyperphosphatemia by dietary adjustments allowed full expression of the stimulatory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on Pi transport. These later data may partially explain the inhibitory effects reported in prior studies in which plasma Pi was not controlled and the larger doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 administered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Na/H- and Cl/OH-exchange in rat jejunal and rat proximal tubular brush border membrane vesicles. Studies with acridine orange.

The quenching of the acridine orange fluorescence was used to monitor the formation and/or dissipation of a delta pH in brush border vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex or rat jejunum. Similar findings were obtained with both brush border membrane vesicle preparations. Acridine orange fluorescence was quenched by a preset delta pH (intravesicular acid) or by the ionophore (valinomycin/CCCP) dependent development of a delta pH (intravesicular acid) under conditions of potassium efflux. Under sodium efflux conditions, an acidification of the intravesicular space occurred: a) due to indirect (electrical) coupling of sodium and proton fluxes; b) due to directly coupled sodium/proton exchange. The initial rate of the dissipation of a preset delta pH was accelerated by pulse injections of sodium in a saturable manner; lithium partially replaced sodium. The sodium dependent acceleration in the rate of dissipation of a preset delta pH was not altered by replacing gluconate with chloride. Amiloride was an inhibitor of directly coupled sodium/proton exchange. An inwardly directed chloride gradient did not induce intravesicular acidification. The initial rate of the dissipative proton fluxes (preset delta pH) was slightly accelerated by an outwardly directed chloride gradient. Sodium/proton exchange dependent acidification of the intravesicular space was not altered by replacing gluconate with chloride. These results clearly document the existence of sodium/proton exchange in both renal and intestinal brush border membrane vesicles. In contrast, Cl/OH exchange--under our experimental conditions--must have a much smaller rate than Na/H exchange.

Functional roles of Na+ and H+ in SO2-4 transport by rabbit ileal brush border membrane vesicles.

Sulphate uptake by rabbit ileal brush border membrane vesicles was stimulated by a transmembrane sodium gradient [( Na+]o greater than [Na+]i), but not by a similar potassium gradient. 35SO4(-2) influx ( JSO4 oi ) from outside (o) to inside (i) these vesicles was a hyperbolic function of [SO4-2]o and the affinity constant for anion transport was strongly influenced by [Na+]o (100 mM Na+, KSO4 t = 0.52 mM SO4 -2; 10 mM Na+, KSO4 t = 4.32 mM SO4-2). JSO4 oi was a sigmoidal function of [Na+]o at pH 7.4 for both low (0.2 M) and high (4.0 mM) [SO4-2]o. The Na+-dependency of JSO4 oi was examined at pH 6.0, 7.4, and 8.0 (same pH inside and outside). At pH 6.0 and 7.4 sigmoidal Na+-dependent JSO4 oi exhibited nonlinear Eadie-Hofstee plots indicative of a transport mechanism capable of binding a variable number of sodium ions over the [Na+]o range used. Hill plots of anion transport under these conditions displayed slopes near unity at low [Na+]o and slopes approximating 2.0 at higher cation concentrations. At pH 8.0, Na+-dependent JSO4 oi was hyperbolic and showed linear Eadie-Hofstee and Hill plots, the latter with a single slope near 1.0. When a H+ gradient was imposed across the vesicle wall (pHi = 8.0, pHo = 6.0), Na+-dependent JSO4 oi was hyperbolic and significantly increased at each [Na+]o over values observed using bilateral pH 8.0. In contrast, a H+ gradient oriented in the opposite direction (pHi = 6.0, pHo = 8.0) led to Na+-dependent JSO4 oi that was sigmoidal and significantly lower at each [Na+]o than values found using bilateral pH 6.0. Electrogenicity of JSO4 oi at pH 8.0 for both high and low [Na+]o was demonstrated by using a valinomycin-induced transmembrane electrical potential difference. At pH 6.0, electrogenic JSO4 oi occurred only at low [Na+]o (5 mM); anion transfer was electroneutral at 50 mM Na+. A model is proposed for proton regulation of sodium sulphate cotransport where flux stoichiometry is controlled by [H+]i and sodium binding affinity is modified by [H+]o. Preliminary experiments with rabbit proximal tubular brush border membrane vesicles disclosed similar JSO4 oi kinetic properties and a common transport mechanism may occur in both tissues.