scholarly journals THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POTASSIUM AND CALCIUM CONCENTRATIONS ON THE RECOVERY OF THE ACTION POTENTIAL AND RELATED FUNCTIONS OF NERVE

1947 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 493-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Tredway Graham ◽  
H. A. Blair

1. When the Ringer's solution applied to isolated frog sciatic nerve contains K+ in concentrations greater than 2 x standard, the height of the spike and of the after-potential is decreased, as is the duration of the after-potential; recovery of height and of excitability following response is delayed; degree and duration of supernormal excitability are decreased; postcathodal depression and postanodal enhancement are increased and prolonged. 2. The nerve functions just listed in general all change in the opposite direction when exposed' to increased environmental [Ca++]. (4.5–20 x standard) or decreased [K+] (0.05–0.2 x standard). The effects of decreased [Ca++] (0.20–0.25 x standard) are indeterminate. 3. When [K+] and [Ca++] are both greater than 2 x standard, whatever the ratio between the concentrations the effects characteristic of high [K+] eventually predominate. However, these effects, except for those involving spike height, are preceded by effects characteristic of high [Ca++] when this cation is present in sufficient excess. 4. When [K+] and [Ca++] are reduced to equal low levels (0.1–0.2 x standard), effects characteristic of low [K+] and high [Ca++] are obtained. 5. The experimentally determined order of ability of the environments to produce changes characteristic of high K+ (which is the reverse of the order of their ability to produce changes characteristic of high [Ca++]), is not the order of their K+ or Ca++ concentrations, nor of the ratio between these concentrations (Table II). 6. The results may be explained by the assumption that the functions investigated are all to greater or less degree controlled by (1) the [K+]/[Ca++] ratio and (2) the K+ concentration, at least when this exceeds a critical level. Control by [K+] is more effective for spike height and its recovery after stimulation than for the other functions. The special rôle of K+ is attributed to an unknown specific effect of this ion which Ca++ is unable to oppose. It is suggested that this K+ effect in general becomes marked on the frog nerve functions investigated when the K+ concentration is somewhat above 2 x standard, while the [K+]/[Ca++] ratio must be changed by a factor of 4 or more before it exerts a definite effect on these functions. 7. In standard and in modified cationic environments, nerve functions vary in the ease with which they manifest changes characteristic of high [K+] or of high [Ca++]. 8. The after-potential functions are less completely controlled by the cationic environment than are the other functions investigated.

1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (2) ◽  
pp. F174-F179
Author(s):  
O. F. Kohn ◽  
P. P. Mitchell ◽  
P. R. Steinmetz

To explore the possible contribution of an H-K-adenosine-triphosphatase (H-K-ATPase) to H+ secretion (JH) in the isolated turtle bladder, we measured electrogenic JH (JeH) as short-circuit current and total JH (JTH) by pH stat titration in the presence of ouabain at different ambient K+ concentration ([K+]) and during luminal addition of a known gastric H-K-ATPase inhibitor, Schering (Sch)-28080. JH was not reduced by decreasing ambient [K+] to undetectable or very low levels (< 0.05 mM by atomic absorption) and luminal BaCl2 addition to further reduce local [K+] at the apical membrane. These K(+)-removal studies indicate that H+ transport is not coupled to countertransport of K+. JTH did not exceed JeH at any point: in K(+)-free solutions JTH was 0.73 +/- 0.05, and JeH was 0.95 +/- 0.08 mumol/h; in standard (3.5 mM) K+ solutions JTH was 0.72 +/- 0.05 and JeH 0.98 +/- 0.06 mumol/h; in high (118 mM) K+ solutions JTH was 0.65 +/- 0.07 and JeH 0.94 +/- 0.08 mumol/h. Sch-28080 caused a rapid inhibition of JH, with similar half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) in K(+)-free, standard [K+], and high [K+] solutions. Bafilomycin inhibited JeH and JTH with an IC50 of approximately 100 nM. The observed non-potassium-competitive inhibition of JH by Sch-28080 and the bafilomycin sensitivity distinguish the H-ATPase of the turtle bladder from the gastric H-K-ATPase. The rapidity of the inhibition by Sch-28080 suggests that it acts at an accessible luminal site of the ATPase.


1982 ◽  
Vol 202 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Passarella ◽  
E Marra ◽  
S Doonan ◽  
L R Languino ◽  
C Saccone ◽  
...  

1. The effects of various inhibitors of electron transport and of oxidative phosphorylation and the effects of ionophores on the uptake of native aspartate aminotransferase into mitochondria were investigated. 2. Both antimycin and cyanide completely inhibited the uptake of the enzyme. On the other hand, uptake was stimulated to ATP and by oligomycin; however, the stimulation by ATP is inhibited by oligomycin. 3. The effects of ionophores of the valinomycin type in media containing K+ ions depended on the conditions used. Valinomycin alone stimulated the uptake of the enzyme, but in the presence of phosphate ions uptake was abolished. Nonactin was without effect at a low K+ concentration, but was stimulatory at 100 mM-KCl. Gramicidin also stimulated the uptake process. 4. Nigericin completely abolished uptake of aspartate aminotransferase into mitochondria. 5. The uptake of te enzyme was decreased by 18% in the absence of inhibitors or ionophores when the external pH was increased from 6.9 to 7.6. 6. These results indicate that ATP is not directly involved in the uptake of aspartate aminotransferase into mitochondria, neither is there a requirement for a cation gradient. Rather the uptake depends on the maintenance of a pH gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane.


2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Gould ◽  
Michael R. Thorpe ◽  
Peter E. H. Minchin ◽  
Jeremy Pritchard ◽  
Philip J. White

This work relates solute import to elongating root cells in barley to the water relations of the symplastic pathway under conditions of varied plant K+ status. K+ is a major constituent of phloem sieve element (SE) sap, and as an osmoticum, it is believed to have a role in maintaining SE hydrostatic pressure and thus sap flow from source to sink tissue. The hypothesis that the solute import to elongating root cells is linked to pressure driven flow from the sieve tube is examined.Plants were grown in solutions containing either 0.05 mM (low K) or 2.05 mM (high K) K+ concentration. Solute import to the root elongation zone was estimated from biomass accumulation over time accounting for respiration and root elongation rate. SE sap K+ concentration was measured using X-ray microanalyses and osmotic pressure by picolitre osmometry. SE hydrostatic pressure was measured directly with a pressure probe glued onto an excised aphid stylet. Elongating root cell hydrostatic pressure was measured using a cell pressure probe.The low-K plants had lower SE K+ concentration and SE hydrostatic pressure compared to the high-K plants, but the elongating root cell hydrostatic pressure was similar in both treatments, thus the pressure difference between the SE and elongating root cells was less in the low-K plants compared to the high-K plants.The solute import rate to elongating root cells was lower in the low K plants and the reduction could be accounted for as a pressure driven solute flux, with a reduction both in the pressure difference between root sieve elements and elongating cells, and in the sap concentration.


1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. H. W. Thijssen ◽  
M. J. Drittij-Reijnders

The present study was undertaken to determine whether there is selective tissue distribution of vitamin K in the rat and whether this distribution mirrors the distribution of tissue vitamin K metabolism. The effects of feeding a vitamin K-free diet followed by resupplementation with phylloquinone (K1) were studied. K1was recovered in all tissues. In K1-supplemented rats, most tissues accumulated K1relative to plasma K1with the highest levels in liver, heart, bone, and cartilaginous tissue (sternum). Low K1levels were found in the brain. In the K1-free rats, relatively high K1levels were still found in heart, pancreas, bone and sternum. Surprisingly, menaquinone-4 (MK-4) was detected in all tissues, with low levels in plasma and liver, and much higher levels in pancreas, salivary gland and sternum. MK-4 levels exceeded K1levels in brain, pancreas, salivary gland and sternum. Supplementation with K1, orally and by intravenous infusion, caused MK-4 levels to rise. Some accumulation of K1and MK-4 in the mitochondrial fraction was found for kidney, pancreas and salivary gland. In the liver the higher menaquinones (MK-6–9) accumulated in the mitochondria. The results indicate that: (1) there is selective tissue distribution of K1and MK-4, (2) dietary K1is a source of MK-4. The results also suggest there may be an as yet unrecognized physiological function for vitamin K (MK-4).


2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qifu Ma ◽  
Richard Bell

Although soil salinity and potassium (K) deficiency are widespread in agricultural lands, there is a paucity of knowledge about the interactive effects of sodium (Na) and K on the growth and yield of major grain crops. In pot experiments, we examined salt tolerance of canola (Brassica napus L.), narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and crop K requirement under Na supply ranging from low to high. Plant growth and seed yield of all three crops were lower at 40 mg K/kg than at 100 mg K/kg soil. Although 100 mg Na/kg (4 dS/m in soil solution) had little effect on canola cv. Boomer and wheat cv. Wyalkatchem, the salt-treated narrow-leafed lupin cv. Mandelup died at 47 days after sowing, regardless of amount of soil K. In low-K soils, canola with 100 mg Na/kg and wheat with 50 mg Na/kg did not show K-deficiency symptoms and produced greater seed yield than plants with nil Na addition. At 100 mg K/kg, Na-induced reduction in growth and yield occurred only to plants with 200 mg Na/kg. However, at 160 mg K/kg, 200 mg Na/kg did not have an adverse effect. In canola and wheat, shoot K concentration increased and shoot Na concentration decreased with increasing amount of soil K; however, high soil K did not reduce shoot Na concentration in narrow-leafed lupin. The study showed that narrow-leafed lupin was very susceptible to salinity, whereas canola and wheat plants were relatively salt-tolerant. The stimulation of growth and yield in canola and wheat by low–moderate Na in low-K soils suggests partial K substitution by Na, and that adaptation of canola and wheat to salt-affected soils can be enhanced by high K supply.


1960 ◽  
Vol 198 (6) ◽  
pp. 1223-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. C. Holland

The effects of varying the extracellular K concentration (K0), ouabain (10–6 m) and acetylcholine (10–5 m) on the Na and K content of the pacemaker region, right atrium, and left atrium have been investigated. The Na content is higher, and K content lower in pacemaker, as compared to atria. Increased K0 elevated K in atria, but had no effect on nodal K. Ouabain caused a net loss of K from atria, but had no effect on pacemaker K. At low K0 acetylcholine reduced K in all regions, while at high K0 this agent increased atrial cell K. It is concluded that ‘active transport’ mechanisms are absent or reduced in pacemaker tissue.


1959 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Welch ◽  
A. D. Scott

An active culture of nitrifying bacteria was established by adding moist garden soil to a high-K nutrient solution and incubating the system at room temperature with adequate aeration. By a succession of transfers into a low-K nutrient solution the soil particles were eliminated and the K level reduced to 0.40 p.p.m. Inoculum from this soil-free, low-K nitrifying culture was then used to study nitrification in buffered nutrient solutions that contained even less K.When the nutrient solutions contained 0.40 p.p.m. K or more, there was no effect of the K level on the nitrification of NH4 added as (NH4)2SO4. Nitrification was impaired, however, when the K level was less than 0.35 p.p.m. In a solution that contained virtually no K there was negligible nitrification after a second transfer was made to eliminate the K added by the original inoculum. Under these conditions, the number of nitrifying bacteria apparently decreased, but some of them persisted for at least 48 days. Upon the addition of K, nitrification occurred to about the same extent as if ample K had always been present.


1981 ◽  
Vol 241 (1) ◽  
pp. C68-C75 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Spalding ◽  
O. Senyk ◽  
J. G. Swift ◽  
P. Horowicz

Small bundles of frog skeletal muscle fibers were loaded with 305 mM K+ and 120 mM Cl-, and 42K+ tracer efflux and influx were measured as a function of external K+ concentration ([K+]o) at a resting potential of -2 mV. As [K+]o was lowered from 305 mM, efflux decreased along a markedly sigmoidal curve, reaching a constant nonzero value at low [K+]o. Influx varied linearly with [K+]o at low [K+]o and more steeply at higher [K+]o. The ratio of influx to efflux was described by the equation: influx/efflux = exp[-n(V - VK)F/RT] with n = 2 at high [K+]o, but the ratio approached this equation with n = 1 at low [K+]o. Efflux did not depend on [K+]o when the membrane potential was raised to +36 mV, whereas at low [K+]o decreasing the membrane potential to -19 mV further activated the efflux. The results are discussed in terms of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel with two or more activating sites within the membrane that bind K+ and are accessible from the external solution.


1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 707 ◽  
Author(s):  
EH Ruhl

Differences in petiole K+ concentration of ungrafted grapevine rootstocks grown under field conditions at Merbein, Victoria, were compared with the rootstock effects on grape juice pH of the scion varieties Chardonnay and Ruby Cabernet. Significant positive correlations were obtained between grape juice pH of the scion varieties on various rootstocks and K+ accumulation in the petioles of ungrafted rootstock vines. Rootstock varieties that contributed to high pH in the grape juice of the scion (e.g. Freedom, Dog Ridge, Rupestris du Lot) showed high K+ concentrations in their petioles, while those rootstocks that contributed to low pH in the grape juice of the scion (e.g. 140 Ruggeri, 1202 Couderc, 110 Richter), had low K+ concentrations in their petioles. In 2 water culture experiments in the glasshouse, K+ uptake and distribution in ungrafted rootstock vines was examined at different K+ levels. In the first experiment the rootstocks 140 Ruggeri and Freedom had similar K+ concentrations in the various plant parts when grown in nutrient solution with 0.1 mmol K+/L. With K+ concentrations of 1, 2, and 10 mmol/L in the nutrient solution Freedom had significantly higher K+ contents in leaves and petioles than 140 Ruggeri. When K+ supply was increased from 1 to 2 mmol/L, K+ concentrations in the various plant parts were not significantly increased. However, when the supply was increased to 10 mmol/L, K t concentrations were significantly different. In the second experiment with K+ levels of 1 and 10 mmol/L, higher K+ contents were obtained in the basal and apical leaves of Dog Ridge and Ramsey compared with 140 Ruggeri, Schwarzmann, 1103 Paulsen and Sultana, while in roots, 140 Ruggeri, 110 Richter and Sultana had the highest K+ contents. Dog Ridge and Rarnsey are both known to increase scion grape juice K+ concentration and pH of the scion variety, while 140 Ruggeri and 1103 Paulsen contribute to low grape juice K+ concentration and pH. The results demonstrate that differences between rootstocks in the extent of K+ accumulation in the shoot are a major determinant of the rootstock effects on grape juice pH. The extent of K+ accumulation can best be measured in basal leaves or petioles. This provides a screening method for the evaluation of rootstocks which restrict K+ accumulation and contribute to lower grape juice pH.


Author(s):  
Avril V. Somlyo ◽  
H. Shuman ◽  
A.P. Somlyo

This is a preliminary report of electron probe analysis of rabbit portal-anterior mesenteric vein (PAMV) smooth muscle cryosectioned without fixation or cryoprotection. The instrumentation and method of electron probe quantitation used (1) and our initial results with cardiac (2) and skeletal (3) muscle have been presented elsewhere.In preparations depolarized with high K (K2SO4) solution, significant calcium peaks were detected over the sarcoplasmic reticulum (Fig 1 and 2) and the continuous perinuclear space. In some of the fibers there were also significant (up to 200 mM/kg dry wt) calcium peaks over the mitochondria. However, in smooth muscle that was not depolarized, high mitochondrial Ca was found in fibers that also contained elevated Na and low K (Fig 3). Therefore, the possibility that these Ca-loaded mitochondria are indicative of cell damage remains to be ruled out.


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