scholarly journals Electrophysiology of flounder intestinal mucosa. I. Conductance properties of the cellular and paracellular pathways.

1985 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
D R Halm ◽  
E J Krasny ◽  
R A Frizzell

We evaluated the conductances for ion flow across the cellular and paracellular pathways of flounder intestine using microelectrode techniques and ion-replacement studies. Apical membrane conductance properties are dominated by the presence of Ba-sensitive K channels. An elevated mucosal solution K concentration, [K]m, depolarized the apical membrane potential (psi a) and, at [K]m less than 40 mM, the K dependence of psi a was abolished by 1-2 mM mucosal Ba. The basolateral membrane displayed Cl conductance behavior, as evidenced by depolarization of the basolateral membrane potential (psi b) with reduced serosal Cl concentrations, [Cl]s. psi b was unaffected by changes in [K]s or [Na]s. From the effect of mucosal Ba on transepithelial K selectivity, we estimated that paracellular conductance (Gp) normally accounts for 96% of transepithelial conductance (Gt). The high Gp attenuates the contribution of the cellular pathway to psi t while permitting the apical K and basolateral Cl conductances to influence the electrical potential differences across both membranes. Thus, psi a and psi b (approximately 60 mV, inside negative) lie between the equilibrium potentials for K (76 mV) and Cl (40 mV), thereby establishing driving forces for K secretion across the apical membrane and Cl absorption across the basolateral membrane. Equivalent circuit analysis suggests that apical conductance (Ga approximately equal to 5 mS/cm2) is sufficient to account for the observed rate of K secretion, but that basolateral conductance (Gb approximately equal to 1.5 mS/cm2) would account for only 50% of net Cl absorption. This, together with our failure to detect a basolateral K conductance, suggests that Cl absorption across this barrier involves KCl co-transport.

1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (6) ◽  
pp. F946-F951 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Frizzell ◽  
D. R. Halm ◽  
M. W. Musch ◽  
C. P. Stewart ◽  
M. Field

We studied the mechanisms of K transport across an epithelium in which NaCl absorption is mediated primarily by Na/K/Cl cotransport at the apical membrane. Rubidium served as a reliable K substitute; under control conditions, both K and Rb were actively secreted. During secretion, K (Rb) enters across the basolateral membrane via the Na/K pump and exits across the apical membrane through K conductance pathways, since serosal ouabain or mucosal barium abolished K secretion, mucosal furosemide or Cl-free media blocked K secretion by interfering with access of Na to the pump, and elevated mucosal solution [K] or [Rb] depolarized the apical membrane electrical potential difference. Mucosal Ba unmasked active Rb absorption that could be blocked by mucosal furosemide. These findings illustrate active K absorption and secretion across an epithelium that comprises a single cell type in which opposing K fluxes across the apical membrane are mediated by Na/K/Cl cotransport entry and conductive K exit. The direction of transepithelial K transport is determined by the relative activities of these pathways.


1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (5) ◽  
pp. C336-C347 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Reuss ◽  
P. Reinach ◽  
S. A. Weinman ◽  
T. P. Grady

Cell membrane potentials, cell membrane resistances, and intracellular ionic activities were measured in bullfrog corneal epithelium. Equivalent circuit analysis was performed by adding adenosine to the apical surface and assuming that only the apical membrane is initially affected. From single-ion substitutions in the apical bathing solution, the apical membrane was found to have a high Cl- permeability, a low K+ permeability, and an unmeasurably small Na+ permeability. Under control conditions intracellular Cl- activity (aCli) was 22 +/- 2 (SE) mM, intracellular Na+ activity (aNai) was 14 +/- 3 mM, and intracellular K+ activity (aKi) was 106 +/- 5 mM. The electrical potential differences across apical and basolateral membranes were about 50 and 67 mV, respectively, both cell negative. aCli and aKi are higher, whereas aNai is much lower than predicted for equilibrium distribution. Inasmuch as Cl- is transported from the basolateral (stromal) to the apical (tear) side, basolateral entry of this anion is uphill and apical exit is downhill. Basolateral entry is Na+ dependent, as evidenced by a fall of aCli to near-equilibrium values after basolateral Na+ removal. The electrochemical gradient for Cl- efflux across the apical membrane is large enough to account for Cl- transport by electrodiffusion only. Na+ removal from the basolateral solution causes a reversible decrease of apical membrane Cl- permeability. The results support the hypothesis that net transepithelial Cl- transport results from coupled NaCl entry (or an equivalent process) at the basolateral membrane and electrodiffusional Cl- exit at the apical membrane.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (2) ◽  
pp. C336-C343 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Duffey ◽  
D. C. Devor

Intracellular pH (pHc) was measured in the short-circuited epithelium of rabbit distal colon using H(+)-selective microelectrodes. pHc was 6.91 +/- 0.02 (SE) when the bath pH was 7.4. Intracellular HCO3- activity (acHCO3-) was estimated from these measurements to be 8 +/- 0 mM. When we replaced all Cl- in the tissue bathing solutions with the impermeant anion gluconate, pHc rose to 7.44 +/- 0.08 and acHCO3- increased to 30 +/- 6 mM. These results demonstrate that this tissue contains a Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange mechanism. During the Cl- replacement the apical membrane electrical potential difference hyperpolarized from -55 +/- 1 to -74 +/- 3 mV, suggesting that membrane ionic conductance had changed. Elevation of either the apical or basolateral membrane bathing solution K+ concentration produced a greater depolarization of membrane potential during Cl- replacement than when tissues were bathed in normal electrolyte solutions. In additional experiments, pHc was raised by lowering the bath CO2 concentration while the bath Cl- concentration was kept normal. Under these conditions, membrane potential hyperpolarized and was more sensitive to the elevation of bath K+ concentration than when pHc was normal. These results suggest that membrane K+ conductance in this tissue is increased by intracellular alkalinization.


1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (5) ◽  
pp. C535-C540 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Demarest ◽  
T. E. Machen

The electrical properties of oxyntic cells were measured in intact isolated Necturus fundic mucosa by dissecting away the serosal muscle and connective tissue and impaling the oxyntic cells across their basolateral membranes. Their properties under resting [i.e., not secreting acid (10(-4) M serosal cimetidine)] and stimulated (10(-4) M histamine) conditions were compared with those of surface cells impaled across their apical membranes in a separate set of experiments. Histamine hyperpolarized the transepithelial potential by 6-10 mV and reduced the transepithelial resistance by approximately 40%. The basolateral membrane potential (Vcs) of both cell types was significantly hyperpolarized by histamine, that of oxyntic cells from a resting value of -50 to -59 mV (P less than 0.001) and that of surface cells from -50 to -54 mV (P less than 0.05). Histamine also hyperpolarized the apical membrane potential (Vmc) of the oxyntic cells; however, the Vmc of surface cells was significantly depolarized. The ratio of the apical to basolateral cell membrane resistances Ra/Rb (delta Vmc/delta Vcs resulting from transepithelial current pulses) of resting oxyntic cells was 1.1 and that of surface cells was 3.6. Stimulation did not affect the Ra/Rb of either cell type. A tenfold increase in serosal K+ concentration depolarized Vcs and increased Ra/Rb of resting and stimulated oxyntic cells, indicating a significant basolateral K+ conductance. The results are consistent with a purely passive role for surface cells and indicate that stimulation results in a simultaneous decrease of both the apical and basolateral membrane resistances of the oxyntic cells.


1985 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
D R Halm ◽  
E J Krasny ◽  
R A Frizzell

We characterized the hyperpolarization of the electrical potential profile of flounder intestinal cells that accompanies inhibition of NaCl cotransport. Several observations indicate that hyperpolarization of psi a and psi b (delta psi a,b) results from inhibition of NaCl entry across the apical membrane: (a) the response was elicited by replacement of mucosal solution Cl or Na by nontransported ions, and (b) mucosal bumetanide or serosal cGMP, inhibitors of NaCl influx, elicited delta psi a,b and decreased the transepithelial potential (psi t) in parallel. Regardless of initial values, psi a and psi b approached the equilibrium potential for K (EK) so that in the steady state following inhibition of NaCl entry, psi a approximately equal to psi b approximately equal to ECl approximately equal to EK. Bumetanide decreased cell Cl activity (aClc) toward equilibrium levels. Bumetanide and cGMP decreased the fractional apical membrane resistance (fRa), increased the slope of the relation of psi a to [K]m, and decreased cellular conductance (Gc) by approximately 85%, which indicates a marked increase in basolateral membrane conductance (Gb). Since the basolateral membrane normally shows a high conductance to Cl, a direct relation between apical salt entry and GClb is suggested by these findings. As judged by the response to bumetanide or ion replacement in the presence of mucosal Ba, inhibition of Na/K/Cl co-transport alone is not sufficient to elicit delta psi a,b. This suggests the presence of a parallel NaCl co-transport mechanism that may be activated when Na/K/Cl co-transport is compromised. The delta psi a,b response to reduced apical NaCl entry would assist in maintaining the driving force for Na-coupled amino acid uptake across the apical membrane as luminal [NaCl] falls during absorption.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (4) ◽  
pp. R1050-R1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Gabbard ◽  
W. M. Moran

The proximal intestine of Aplysia californica was employed to assess the effect of alanine absorption on apical membrane K+ conductance (GKa) and basolateral membrane conductance (Gb) and the role of the electrogenic Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na+ pump) in the repolarization of apical membrane electrical potential difference (Va) after alanine-induced depolarization. Addition of 50 mM L-alanine (isosmotic substitution for mannitol) to the apical superfusate depolarized Va, reduced the ratio of apical to basolateral membrane resistances (Ra/Rb), and stimulated short-circuit current (Isc). Following these initial events, Va repolarized, Ra/Rb increased, and there was a slight decline in Isc. Apical high-K+ artificial seawater revealed an alanine-induced increase in GKa. Washout of alanine from the apical solution increased Ra/Rb above the prealanine control value. Thus alanine absorption is accompanied by an increase in Gb. Basolateral 0.1 mM ouabain abolished alanine-stimulated Isc but had little effect on Va ( < 3 mV depolarization) either before or after exposure to alanine. The repolarization of Va was not affected in tissues superfused with 0.1 mM basolateral ouabain for approximately 3 min even though the alanine-stimulated increase in Isc was abolished. Therefore, the electrogenic Na+ pump contributes minimally to the repolarization of Va in sea hare intestine. The origin of the hyperpolarization of Va resides therefore, at least in part, in the increase in GKa, which restores the driving force for Na(+)-alanine cotransport and prevents K+ accumulation in the enterocytes.


1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (3) ◽  
pp. C521-C529 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Hegarty ◽  
B. Zhang ◽  
T. L. Pannabecker ◽  
D. H. Petzel ◽  
M. D. Baustian ◽  
...  

The effects of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) and bumetanide (both 10(-4) M) on transepithelial Na+, K+, Cl-, and fluid secretion and on tubule electrophysiology were studied in isolated Malpighian tubules of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. Peritubular DBcAMP significantly increased Na+, Cl-, and fluid secretion but decreased K+ secretion. In DBcAMP-stimulated tubules, bumetanide caused Na+, Cl-, and fluid secretion to return to pre-cAMP control rates and K+ secretion to decrease further. Peritubular bumetanide significantly increased Na+ secretion and decreased K+ secretion so that Cl- and fluid secretion did not change. In bumetanide-treated tubules, the secretagogue effects of DBcAMP are blocked. In isolated Malpighian tubules perfused with symmetrical Ringer solution, DBcAMP significantly hyperpolarized the transepithelial voltage (VT) and depolarized the basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) with no effect on apical membrane voltage (Va). Total transepithelial resistance (RT) and the fractional resistance of the basolateral membrane (fRbl) significantly decreased. Bumetanide also hyperpolarized VT and depolarized Vbl, however without significantly affecting RT and fRbl. Together these results suggest that, in addition to stimulating electroconductive transport, DBcAMP also activates a nonconductive bumetanide-sensitive transport system in Aedes Malpighian tubules.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (4) ◽  
pp. C1122-C1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Mayorga-Wark ◽  
W. P. Dubinsky ◽  
S. G. Schultz

K+ channels present in basolateral membrane vesicles isolated from Necturus maculosa small intestinal cells and reconstituted into planar phospholipid bilayers are inhibited by MgATP and sulfonylurea derivatives, such as tolbutamide and glibenclamide, when these agents are added to the solution bathing the inner mouth of the channel. In addition, these channels possess an intrinsic "voltage gate" and are blocked when the electrical potential difference across the channel is oriented so that the inner solution is electrically positive with respect to the outer solution. We now show that increasing the concentration of permeant ions such as K+ or Rb+ in the outer solution reverses channel inhibition resulting from the addition of 50 microM glibenclamide to the inner solution and also inhibits intrinsic voltage gating; these effects are not elicited by increasing the concentrations of the relatively impermeant ions, Na+ or choline, in the outer solution. Furthermore, increasing the K+ concentration in the outer solution in the absence of glibenclamide inhibits voltage gating, and, under these conditions, the subsequent addition of glibenclamide to the inner solution is ineffective. These results are consistent with a model in which the voltage gate is an open-channel blocker whose action is directly reversed by elevating the external concentration of relatively permeant cations and where the action of glibenclamide is to stabilize the inactivated state of the channel, possibly through hydrophobic interactions.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (2) ◽  
pp. C633-C648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Blaug ◽  
Kevin Hybiske ◽  
Jonathan Cohn ◽  
Gary L. Firestone ◽  
Terry E. Machen ◽  
...  

Mammary epithelial 31EG4 cells (MEC) were grown as monolayers on filters to analyze the apical membrane mechanisms that help mediate ion and fluid transport across the epithelium. RT-PCR showed the presence of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) message, and immunomicroscopy showed apical membrane staining for both proteins. CFTR was also localized to the apical membrane of native human mammary duct epithelium. In control conditions, mean values of transepithelial potential (apical-side negative) and resistance ( R T) are −5.9 mV and 829 Ω · cm2, respectively. The apical membrane potential ( V A) is −40.7 mV, and the mean ratio of apical to basolateral membrane resistance ( R A/ R B) is 2.8. Apical amiloride hyperpolarized V A by 19.7 mV and tripled R A/ R B. A cAMP-elevating cocktail depolarized V A by 17.6 mV, decreased R A/ R B by 60%, increased short-circuit current by 6 μA/cm2, decreased R T by 155 Ω · cm2, and largely eliminated responses to amiloride. Whole cell patch-clamp measurements demonstrated amiloride-inhibited Na+ currents [linear current-voltage ( I-V) relation] and forskolin-stimulated Cl−currents (linear I-V relation). A capacitance probe method showed that in the control state, MEC monolayers either absorbed or secreted fluid (2–4 μl · cm−2 · h−1). Fluid secretion was stimulated either by activating CFTR (cAMP) or blocking ENaC (amiloride). These data plus equivalent circuit analysis showed that 1) fluid absorption across MEC is mediated by Na+ transport via apical membrane ENaC, and fluid secretion is mediated, in part, by Cl− transport via apical CFTR; 2) in both cases, appropriate counterions move through tight junctions to maintain electroneutrality; and 3) interactions among CFTR, ENaC, and tight junctions allow MEC to either absorb or secrete fluid and, in situ, may help control luminal [Na+] and [Cl−].


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (4) ◽  
pp. F670-F677 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. Warden ◽  
J. B. Stokes

The rabbit cortical collecting duct absorbs Na+ by a transport system comprised of an apical membrane Na+ channel and a basolateral membrane Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase. The rate of Na+ absorption across this epithelium is acutely inhibited by several hormones and autacoids including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). We used electrophysiological analysis to determine which Na+ transport mechanism is primarily regulated in response to EGF and PGE2. We used concentrations of EGF and PGE2 that inhibited Na+ absorption to a comparable degree. We assessed the effects of these agents on Na+ transport primarily by the calculated equivalent current; the validity of this indicator was verified using simultaneous tracer flux measurements. EGF and PGE2 had different effects on the intracellular electrophysiological parameters. EGF (in the presence of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor) hyperpolarized the apical membrane voltage in a manner analogous to the Na(+)-channel blocker amiloride, reduced the transepithelial conductance, and increased the fractional resistance of the apical membrane. In comparison, PGE2 depolarized the apical membrane voltage in a manner analogous to the Na(+)-K+ pump inhibitor ouabain, and caused no significant changes in transepithelial conductance or apical membrane conductance. The finding that EGF hyperpolarized the apical membrane indicates that this agent attenuates Na+ absorption by reducing apical Na+ entry due to a decrease in the magnitude of the apical membrane Na+ conductance. In contrast, the electrophysiological changes produced by PGE2 indicate primary inhibition of the basolateral Na(+)-K+ pump following PGE2 treatment.


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