Renal Cortical Brush Border Membrane Research Articles

Procainamide transport in rabbit renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles.

Previous studies in canine and rat renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) and some results in isolated perfused rabbit proximal tubules indicate that organic cations may be transported across the apical cell membrane by an organic cation/proton exchange process. To determine more directly whether organic cations are transported across the apical cell membrane of rabbit proximal tubules, [3H]procainamide uptake in BBMV was studied. Procainamide uptake was linearly related to the inverse of the media osmolarity, indicating uptake into an intravesicular space. A proton gradient directed from vesicle interior outwardly stimulated and an opposite gradient inhibited procainamide uptake. pH-stimulated uptake was inhibited by the proton ionophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP) and was also reduced by an inwardly directed sodium gradient. pH-stimulated procainamide uptake was inhibited by other organic cations including the quarternary ammonium ion tetramethylammonium, indicating that the effect of proton gradients was not due to changes in nonionic diffusion. pH-stimulated procainamide uptake at 10 s was saturable with an apparent Km of 5.4 X 10(-4) M and Vmax of 4.7 X 10(-10) mol X mg protein-1. Uptake of [3H]procainamide was enhanced when BBMV were preloaded with nonradioactive procainamide but this was prevented by FCCP and valinomycin. Finally, an outwardly directed potassium gradient in the presence of valinomycin failed to significantly stimulate procainamide uptake. These results are consistent with a mechanism of secretion that involves electroneutral exchange of procainamide for protons across the apical cell membrane of rabbit proximal tubules.

Renal cortical brush-border and basolateral membranes: cholesterol and phospholipid composition and relative turnover.

A new procedure for the rapid isolation of renal cortical brush-border and basolateral membranes from the same homogenate is described. Brush-border membranes isolated using Mg2+-EGTA precipitation were enriched 18-fold for leucine aminopeptidase and had a recovery of 32.5%. Basolateral membrane fractions were isolated using a discontinuous sucrose gradient and showed an enrichment of 10.7-fold and recovery of 12.8% using (Na+,K+)-ATPase as a marker enzyme. Lipid analysis using two-dimensional TLC separation of phospholipids and gas liquid chromatography for cholesterol showed marked differences in the lipid composition of the brush-border and basolateral membranes. The brush-border membrane had increased sphingomyelin, phosphatidylserine, ethanolamine plasmalogens, and an increased cholesterol-to-phospholipid and sphingomyelin-to-phosphatidylcholine ratio compared to the basolateral membrane. The relative turnover of total membrane and individual phospholipid species using a double isotope ratio method was carried out. Phospholipids were labeled with either phosphorus 32 and 33 or acetate (3H, 1-14C). The relative turnover of phospholipid species and cholesterol differed strikingly. Phosphatidylcholine showed a high turnover, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol had intermediate values and sphingomyelin, phosphatidylserine and cholesterol had low relative turnover rates. The order of phospholipid class relative turnover was independent of the labeled precursor used. The brush-border membrane had a significantly reduced relative turnover rate for total membrane phospholipids, sphingomyelin and cholesterol compared to the basolateral membrane. These data show marked differences in the lipid composition and relative turnover rates of the phospholipid species of the brush-border and basolateral membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nephron adaptation to renal injury or ablation.

In early stages of permanent renal injury or extensive ablation, structural and functional adaptations associated with hypertrophy partially compensate for nephron losses. Glomerulotubular balance is maintained in these conditioned nephrons by intrinsic tubule and peritubular capillary adaptations that parallel single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR). Studies of Na+-H+ exchange in renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles indicate that tubule functional adaptation is not tied to loss of renal mass per se but rather to factors such as dietary protein content that set the level of SNGFR. Likewise, the structural heterogeneity that follows chronic renal injury or extreme ablation of renal mass is less a consequence of nephron injury than of adaptation linked to dietary protein intake. Indeed, since dietary protein restriction blunts the need for compensatory glomerular hyperfiltration, there is neither a stimulus for nephron hypertrophy nor for enhanced tubule ion and fluid transport. In rats with remnant kidneys, experimentally induced diabetes mellitus, or severe hypertension, increases in glomerular pressures and flows precede proteinuria, glomerular sclerosis, and azotemia. Protein restriction prevents these hemodynamic adaptations as well as the late complications. Similar conclusions appear to be applicable to a wide spectrum of clinical circumstances characterized by reduced nephron number.

Mechanism of rapid phosphate (Pi) transport adaptation to a single low Pi meal in rat renal brush border membrane.

Previous studies have shown that the adaptive response of tubular inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport to Pi deprivation is detectable in the whole kidney 24 h after switching rats from a high (HPD) to a low (LPD) Pi diet. In the present work we report on a more rapid adaptive response of the sodium (Na)-dependent Pi transport system located in the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule and its relation with changes in phosphatemia an parathyroid hormone status. Rats were fed HPD and trained to eat their daily ration within 1 h. After two weeks of equilibration half of the animals received a single LPD ration. 1, 2 and 4 h after the end of food consumption the animals were either sacrificed for renal cortical brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) isolation or used for determining plasma Pi concentration, urinary excretion of Pi and cAMP. The results indicate that 2 and 4 h after the end of feeding, the Na-dependent Pi transport in BBMV was stimulated by 70 and 140% respectively in intact rats exposed for the first time to LPD. This response was preceded by a significant fall in plasma Pi concentration (HPD: 2.46 +/- 0.03, LPD: 2.04 +/- 0.05 mM), in the urinary excretion of Pi (HPD: 899.0 +/- 68.1; LPD: 6.5 +/- 3.3 mumol/ml GFR) and cAMP (HPD: 76.9 +/- 7.4, LPD: 48.2 +/- 1.4 pmol/ml GF). This last result suggested a rapid inhibition of PTH after one single LPD feeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cation dependence of renal outer cortical brush border membrane L-glutamate transport.

The cation dependence of L-glutamate transport in renal outer cortical brush border membrane vesicles was studied. Both cis sodium and trans potassium were required for optimal L-glutamate flux. Relative to simultaneous sodium (out greater than in) and potassium (in greater than out) gradient conditions, flux was reduced 50-fold by potassium removal and more than 100-fold by sodium removal. The effect of potassium removal in this preparation was markedly larger than that observed in other renal brush border membrane preparations. No other monovalent cation tested was effective in replacing sodium. However, Rb+ and Cs+ and to a lesser degree NH+4 were found to be effective potassium substitutes. Kinetic analysis of the Na/K-dependent component of L-glutamate flux indicated a single transport system of Km = 13 microM and Vmax = 1.3 nmol X min-1 X mg protein-1. Studies of the dependence of L-glutamate flux on potassium and sodium concentrations yielded Hill coefficients of 0.9 and 1.9, respectively, consistent with involvement of one potassium ion and two or more sodium ions in the L-glutamate transport event. Efflux studies indicated that sodium and potassium act at different steps in the transport cycle, sodium to facilitate the translocation of the glutamate-carrier complex, and potassium to facilitate the return of the unloaded carrier. A model for renal Na/K-dependent L-glutamate transport is suggested on the basis of these results.

Direct evidence for the role of the membrane potential in glutathione transport by renal brush-border membranes.

Transport of GSH was studied in isolated rat kidney cortical brush-border membrane vesicles in which gamma-glutamyltransferase had been inactivated by a specific affinity labeling reagent, L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid (AT-125). Transport of intact 2-3H-glycine-labeled GSH occurred into an osmotically active intravesicular space of AT-125-treated membranes. The initial rate of transport followed saturation kinetics with respect to GSH concentrations; an apparent Km of 0.21 mM and Vmax of 0.23 nmol/mg protein X 20 were calculated at 25 degrees C with a 0.1 M NaCl gradient (vesicle inside less than vesicle outside). Sodium chloride in the transport medium could be replaced with KCl without affecting transport activity. The rate of GSH uptake was enhanced by replacing KCl in the transport medium with K2SO4, providing a less permeant anion, and was reduced by replacing KCl with KSCN, providing a more permeant anion. The rate of GSH transport markedly decreased in the absence of a K+ gradient across the vesicular membranes and was enhanced by a valinomycin-induced K+ diffusion potential (vesicle-inside-positive). These results indicate that GSH transport is dependent on membrane potential and involves the transfer of negative charge. The rate of GSH transport was inhibited by S-benzyl glutathione but not by glycine, glutamic acid, and gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide. When incubated with [2-3H]glycine-labeled GSH, intact untreated vesicles also accumulated radioactivity; the rate of uptake was significantly higher in a Na+ gradient than in a K+ gradient. Sodium-dependent transport, but not sodium-independent uptake, was almost completely inhibited by a high concentration of unlabeled glycine. At equilibrium, most of the radioactivity which accumulated in the intravesicular space was accounted for by free glycine. These results suggest that GSH which is secreted into the tubular lumen by a specific translocase in the lumenal membranes or filtered by the glomerulus may be degraded in situ by membranous gamma-glutamyltransferase and peptidase activities which hydrolyze peptide bonds of cysteinylglycine and its derivatives. The resulting free amino acids can be reabsorbed into tubule cells by sodium-dependent transport systems in renal cortical brush-border membranes.

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.

Phosphate uptake by superficial and deep nephron brush border membranes. Effect of the dietary phosphate and parathyroid hormone.

Dietary phosphate restriction and acute parathyroidectomy in rat are known to be associated with a selective increase in phosphate uptake by renal cortical brush border membranes (BBM). Conversely, phosphate loading and parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration result in a decrease of this uptake. In the present study, we investigated whether the response of the membrane to these various stimuli implies similar or different modifications of the kinetic properties of this membrane, whether these modifications affect one or both of the two systems of phosphate transport previously described, whether both superficial and deep nephron populations are involved, and whether the two stimuli: dietary phosphate, and parathyroid activity, are additive or not. Kinetic studies of phosphate (PO4) uptake by BBM vesicles were performed in seven groups of rats: control (N), acutely thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX), PTH loaded (PTH), phosphate loaded (P+), phosphate depleted (P-), phosphate depleted with acute thyroparathyroidectomy (P-TPTX), and phosphate depleted-PTH loaded (P-PTH). In each of these experimental conditions, superficial and deep nephrons were investigated. Results indicated that 1. BBM from deep nephrons present a greater capacity for PO4 transport than those from superficial nephrons; 2. Whereas a dual system of PO4 uptake is observed in superficial BBM, deep BBM present only one single system; 3. Phosphate in the diet influences PO4 uptake by BBM to a greater extent in the deep than in the superficial nephrons; 4. PTH status on the contrary, equally influences both populations; 5. TPTX does not significantly enhance PO4 uptake in phosphate depleted rats; however, PTH loading curtails this uptake; 6.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of thyroxine administration on phosphate transport across renal cortical brush border membrane.

Previous studies indicate that in hyperthyroid states the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate is enhanced. To determine the cellular basis of this phenomenon, we investigated the effect of L-thyroxine (T4) administration on Pi transport across brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from rat renal cortex. Rats were thyroparathyroidectomized, fed a diet containing 1.2% phosphate, and treated intraperitoneally for 6 days with 200 micrograms T4 X 100 g body wt-1 X day-1. At the end of the treatment period, the rats had a significantly (+ delta 25%) elevated plasma Pi and a slightly decreased plasma Ca compared with controls. The renal clearance of Pi was not different between the two groups. Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of 32Pi by BBMV from renal cortex was significantly enhanced in T4-treated rats. BBMV uptake of 32Pi in the absence of Na+ -gradient as well as Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of D-[3H]glucose and L-[3H]proline did not differ between BBMV from T4-treated and control rats. Kinetic analysis showed that the Na+ gradient-dependent 32Pi transport system in BBMV from T4-treated rats had a significantly increased Vmax compared with controls (5.2 +/- 0.4 vs. 4.1 +/- 0.4 nmol Pi X 30 s-1 X mg protein-1) and also a slightly higher affinity for Pi (apparent Km in controls, 95 +/- 9; in T4-treated, 78 +/- 8 microM). Gluconeogenesis in cortical slices was not significantly different between T4-treated rats and controls. Specific activities of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were significantly lower in BBMV from the T4-treated group compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sodium-dependent succinate transport in renal outer cortical brush border membrane vesicles.

The transport of succinate into outer cortical brush border membrane vesicles (early proximal tubule) was studied. Succinate is taken up into an osmotically active space and exhibits the same distribution volume and the same degree of nonspecific binding and trapping as D-glucose. Succinate uptake is markedly enhanced by sodium and slightly enhanced by lithium but shows no stimulation by other monovalent cations tested. Kinetic analysis of the sodium-dependent component of succinate flux indicates a single transport site obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km = 1 mM and Vmax = 50 nmol X min -1 X mg protein -1 as measured under zero trans conditions at 100 mM NaCl and 28 degrees C with delta psi = 0). Direct evidence is given that succinate transport is coupled to sodium and is rheogenic, involving the net transfer of positive charge. The sodium:succinate coupling stoichiometry is found to be 2:1 by two independent methods.

Metabolic acidosis and parathyroidectomy increase Na+-H+ exchange in brush border vesicles.

Na+-H+ exchange across the brush border membrane of the renal proximal tubular cell is a mechanism for Na+ reabsorption and H+ secretion. An electroneutral Na+-H+ exchange activity has been identified in isolated renal brush border membrane vesicles from rat and dog kidney, and increased Na+-H+ exchange has been measured in brush border membrane vesicles from remnant kidneys of dogs with chronic renal failure. To ascertain whether changes in H+ secretion by the kidney observed in chronic metabolic acidosis and in states of altered parathyroid function might result from altered Na+-H+ exchange across the renal cortical cellular brush border membrane, we measured Na+-H+ exchange in brush border membrane vesicles from kidneys of dogs with chronic metabolic acidosis and from kidneys of thyroparathyroidectomized dogs. Increased amiloride-sensitive Na+-H+ exchange was demonstrated in brush border membrane vesicles from kidneys of both groups of dogs, suggesting that adaptations in H+ excretion in chronic metabolic acidosis and hypoparathyroidism might be explained by increased activity of a renal brush border membrane Na+-H+ exchanger.

Evidence for two disulfide bonds important to the functioning of the renal outer cortical brush-border membrane D-glucose transporter.

The effects of the disulfide reducing agent dithiothreitol on the renal outer cortical brushborder membrane D-glucose transporter are studied. Two apparently independent results of dithiothreitol treatment are observed. The first is a completely reversible increase in the affinity of the carrier for the nontransported competitive inhibitor phlorizin. The second is a partially reversible loss of phlorizin binding sites. Similar results are observed with the monothiol disulfide reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol. Reversal of both effects of dithiothreitol could be prevented by exposing the membranes to an excess of N-ethylmaleimide following treatment with the reducing agent. When transported sugars are included with dithiothreitol treatment, the magnitude of both of its effects on the carrier are influenced; more specifically, the affinity for phlorizin is further increased and the loss of phlorizin binding sites is reduced. Nontransported sugars are without effect. These observations provide strong evidence for the existence of (at least) two disulfide bonds important to the functioning of this transporter.

Effect of metabolic acidosis on renal brushborder membrane adaptation to low phosphorus diet

In previous in vitro studies the level of oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in renal cortex changed parallel to changes in gluconeogenesis and NAD+ inhibited phosphate transport by renal cortical brushborder membrane (BBM) vesicles. To determine whether or not changes in renal gluconeogenesis in vivo were accompanied by altered renal handling of phosphate, possibly related to NAD+ action on BBM phosphate transport in vivo, renal gluconeogenesis was stimulated in rats by metabolic acidosis. Chronic acidosis in rats previously adapted to low phosphorus diet was associated with increased UPiV (controls, 68 +/- 19; acidotic, 1055 +/- 428 nmoles/mg creatinine; P less than 0.05) without changes in plasma phosphate and creatinine (Cr) and in UCrV compared to controls. The initial rate of sodium gradient-dependent transport of phosphate by renal cortical BBM vesicles was lower in acidotic TPTX rats compared to TPTX controls (controls, 3.10 +/- 0.16; acidotic, 1.50 +/- 0.06 nmole/mg protein/0.5 min; P less than 0.001), attributed to a decrease in the apparent Vmax. In renal cortex, gluconeogenesis and the NAD+/NADH ratio were increased in acidosis. Decreased BBM transport of phosphate in proximal tubules of acidotic rats may explain the increased UPiV. This change indicates reversal of the adaptation of the BBM phosphate transport system to dietary phosphorus deprivation and may be related to increases in gluconeogenesis and the NAD+/NADH ratio in renal cortex.

Alkaline phosphatase activity does not mediate phosphate transport in the renal-cortical brush-border membrane.

We studied (1) the effect of primary modulators of phosphate transport, namely the hypophosphataemic mouse mutant (Hyp) and low-phosphorus diet, on alkaline phosphatase activity in mouse renal-cortex brush-border membrane vesicles and (2) the effect of several primary inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase on phosphate transport. Brush-border membrane vesicles from Hyp-mouse kidney had 50% loss of Na+-dependent phosphate transport, but only 18% decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity. The low-phosphorus diet effectively stimulated Na+/phosphate co-transport in brush-border membrane vesicles (+ 118%), but increased alkaline phosphatase activity only slightly (+13%). Levamisole (0.1 mM) and EDTA (1.0 mM) inhibited brush-border membrane-vesicle alkaline phosphatase activity of 82% and 93% respectively, but had no significant effect on Na+/phosphate co-transport. We conclude that alkaline phosphatase does not play a direct role in phosphate transport across the brush-border membrane of mouse kidney.

Renal brush border membrane adaptation to phosphorus deprivation: Effects of fasting versus low-phosphorus diet

Alimentary phosphorus deprivation due to a low-phosphorus diet (LPD) elicits a profound antiphosphaturia and an increase in sodium-dependent inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake by renal cortical brush border membrane (BBM) vesicles. But, in alimentary phosphorus deprivation due to total fasting, high urinary excretion of Pi persists. In the present study, we determined whether low tubular reabsorption of Pi in fasting is due to a diminished capacity of the specific Pi transport system with the renal cortical luminal BBM or whether it is due to a reduced transepithelial reabsorption of Pi because of metabolic conditions occurring in proximal tubule cells during fasting. Sodium-dependent Pi transport in compared with fasted rats or rats fed a normal phosphorus diet. Sodium-dependent uptake of D-glucose was significantly lower in LPD rats, compared with fast animals or animals fed a normal diet. Thus, in contrast to LPD, fasting does nt elicit an increase in Pi transport and a decrease in D-glucose transport across the isolated renal BBM. The same differences in BBM transport of Pi were present also in thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Further experiments demonstrated that the adaptation of renal function and the renal BBM transport to LPD are overridden by a subsequent period of total fasting. Results of the present study show that fasting both prevents and reverses the renal response of rats to alimentary phosphorus deprivation. The differences in Pi excretion between fasted rats, LPD rats, and LPD rats subsequently fasted are attributed, at least in part, to specific adaptive changes in sodium-dependent Pi transport across the luminal BBM, rather than to alterations in other cellular (metabolic) components of transepithelial Pi reabsorption in the proximal tubule.

Effects of metabolic intermediates on sugar and amino acid uptake in rabbit renal tubules and brush border membranes.

1. The effects of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates on the renal transport of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and alpha-amino-isobutyric acid were examined using separated renal tubules of the rabbit. 2. The effect of citrate on alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and alpha-amino-isobutyric acid uptake was markedly biphasic with maximum stimulation of transport occurring at a citrate concentration of 0.64 mM. Biphasic effects were also apparent for L-malate, succinate, fumarate, alpha-ketoglutarate and oxaloacetate. 3. The route of uptake of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside into separated renal tubules is primarily across the brush border (luminal) membrane. 4. Tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates produced significant stimulation of renal O2 consumption; however, the effects on O2 consumption were not biphasic suggesting that reduced stimulation of transport at high substrate concentration was not caused by a reduction in the supply of metabolic energy. 5. In purified renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles, citrate and alpha-ketoglutarate inhibited the uptake of alpha-methyl-D-glucoside and alpha-amino-isobutyric acid indicating that inhibition of their transport in respiring renal tubules by high concentrations of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates occurs via an effect at the membrane level.

Adaptive changes in renal cortical brush border membrane.

The kidney plays a key role in phosphorus (P)* homeostasis.1 The amount of phosphate (Pi) excreted by the kidney depends mostly on the extent to which Pi filtered in glomeruli is reabsorbed back to peritubular circulation in tubules.2 The bulk of the filtered Pi is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule2 and the first step in the mechanism of Pi transport from the lumen across the proximal tubule epithelium is a Na+-dependent Pi uptake across the luminal brush border membrane (BBM).3,4 Studies on 32Pi uptake by BBM vesicles isolated from the renal cortex allows analysis of this initial step in tubular Pi reabsorption in a variety of pathophysiologic situations, independent of immediate supply of energy from tubular cell metabolism and independent of other factors which could contribute to or regulate overall proximal tubular Pi reabsorption in situ.KeywordsBrush Border MembranePhosphate TransportBrush Border Membrane VesicleDietary PhosphateRenal 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.

Renal adaptation to a low phosphate diet in rats.

The major renal adaptive changes in response to selective dietary phosphate restriction are a marked reduction in urinary excretion of phosphate and an increased urinary excretion of calcium; at the cellular level, there is selective increase in renal cortical brush border membrane phosphate uptake and increase in specific activity of alkaline phosphatase. In the present study we examined whether these functional and biochemical adaptive changes could be blocked by drugs known to inhibit protein synthesis. Administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide to rats switched from a diet with normal phosphate content (0.7%) to a diet with low (0.07%) phosphate content either completely (actinomycin D) or partially (cycloheximide) prevented the expected decrease in urinary excretion of phosphate and increase in the urinary excretion of calcium. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase measured in crude membrane fraction (washed 100,000 g pellet) from renal cortical homogenate in animals fed a low phosphate diet and treated with actinomycin D or with cycloheximide was significantly lower than in control animals also on a low phosphate diet receiving placebo; but there were no differences between treated and untreated animals in the activities of two other brush border enzymes, gamma-glutamyltransferase and leucine aminopeptidase. Actinomycin D administered to rats maintained on a normal phosphate diet throughout the course of the experiment caused an increase in the urinary excretion of phosphate on the last (6th) day of the experiment but did not change urinary excretion of calcium. In acute clearance experiments, infusion of actinomycin D to rats adapted to a low phosphate diet did not increase fractional excretion of phosphate. In separate experiments, using the same dietary protocol as above, brush border membrane fraction (vesicles) was prepared from renal cortex of rats sacrificed at the end of the experiment. In this preparation Na(+)-dependent (32)Pi and d-[(3)H]glucose uptake and activities of brush border enzymes membrane were determined. Brush border membrane vesicles prepared from rats fed a low phosphate diet showed significantly higher Na(+)-dependent (32)Pi uptake compared with rats fed a normal phosphate diet. This increase in (32)Pi uptake was completely prevented when rats on a low phosphate diet were simultaneously treated with actinomycin D. These differences were specific for (32)Pi transport as no differences were observed in d-[(3)H]glucose uptake among the three groups. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.82, P < 0.01) between (32)Pi uptake and specific activity of alkaline phosphatase measured in aliquots of the same brush border membranes, whereas no such correlation was observed with two other brush border membrane enzymes gamma-glutamyltransferase and leucine aminopeptidase. These observations show that actinomycin D prevents both the functional and cellular renal adaptive changes induced by a low phosphate diet. Taken together, these observations suggest that renal adaptation to a low phosphate diet could be prevented by inhibition of de novo protein synthesis.

Phosphate transport across renal cortical brush border membrane vesicles from rats stabilized on a normal, high or low phosphate diet

Phosphate uptake measured at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 min time intervals was 2-fold higher in renal brush border membrane vesicles from rats fed a low phosphate diet compared to control rats given a normal phosphate diet. In rats on a high phosphate diet the uptake of phosphate at the same time intervals was 2-fold lower compared to controls. D-glucose uptake by the same vesicle preparations was not significantly different between the three groups at 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 min. At each of these time points there was a positive correlation between phosphate uptake and the activity of alkaline phosphatase which was measured in the vesicle preparations from each group of rats. There was no correlation between phosphate uptake and the activities of three other brush border enzymes.