scholarly journals Effects of changes in mucosal solution Cl- or K+ concentration on cell water volume of Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1991 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
C U Cotton ◽  
L Reuss
Keyword(s):  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Cell Water ◽  
Cell Shrinkage ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Significant Change ◽  
Camp Levels

An electrophysiologic technique was used to measure changes in cell water volume in response to isosmotic luminal solution ion replacement. Intracellular Cl- activity (aCl-i) was measured and net flux determined from the changes in volume and activity. Reduction of luminal solution [Cl-] from 98 to 10 mM (Cl- replaced with cyclamate) resulted in a large fall in aCl-i with no significant change in cell water volume. Elevation of luminal solution [K+] from 2.5 to 83.5 mM (K+ replaced Na+) caused a small increase in aCl-i with no change in cell water volume. Exposure of the Necturus gallbladder epithelium to agents that increase intracellular cAMP levels (forskolin and/or theophylline) induces an apical membrane electrodiffusive Cl- permeability accompanied by a fall in aCl-i and cell shrinkage. In stimulated tissues, reduction of luminal solution [Cl-] resulted in a large fall in aCl-i and rapid cell shrinkage, whereas elevation of luminal solution [K+] caused a large, rapid cell swelling with no significant change in aCl-i. The changes in cell water volume of stimulated tissues elicited by lowering luminal solution [Cl-] or by elevating luminal solution [K+] were reduced by 60 and 70%, respectively, by addition of tetraethylammonium (TEA+) to the luminal bathing solution. From these results, we conclude that: (a) In control tissues, the fall in aCl-i upon reducing luminal solution [Cl-], without concomitant cell shrinkage, indicates that the Cl- entry mechanism is electroneutral (Cl-/HCO3-) exchange. (b) Also in control tissues, the small increase in aCl-i upon elevating luminal solution [K+] is consistent with the recent demonstration of a basolateral Cl- conductance. (c) The cell shrinkage elicited by elevation of intracellular cAMP levels results from conductive loss of Cl- (and probably K+). (d) Elevation of cAMP inhibits apical membrane Cl-/HCO-3-exchange activity by 70%. (e) The cell shrinkage in response to the reduction of mucosal solution [Cl-] in stimulated tissues results from net K+ and Cl- efflux via parallel electrodiffusive pathways. (f) A major fraction of the K+ flux is via a TEA(+)-sensitive apical membrane K+ channel.

scholarly journals Cyclic AMP inhibits Na+/H+ exchange at the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1985 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Reuss ◽  
K U Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Intracellular Na Activity ◽  
Acid Extrusion ◽  
Camp Levels

The effects of elevating intracellular cAMP levels on Na+ transport across the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium were studied by intracellular and extracellular microelectrode techniques. Intracellular cAMP was raised by serosal addition of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (3 mM) or mucosal addition of either 8-Br-cAMP (1 mM) or the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (10 microM). During elevation of intracellular cAMP, intracellular Na+ activity (alpha Nai) and intracellular pH (pHi) decreased significantly. In addition, acidification of the mucosal solution, which contained either 100 or 10 mM Na+, was inhibited by approximately 50%. The inhibition was independent of the presence of Cl- in the bathing media. The rates of change of alpha Nai upon rapid alterations of mucosal [Na+] from 100 to 10 mM and from 10 to 100 mM were both decreased, and the rate of pHi recovery upon acid loading was also reduced by elevated cAMP levels. Inhibition was approximately 50% for all of these processes. These results indicate that cAMP inhibits apical membrane Na+/H+ exchange. The results of measurements of pHi recovery at 10 and 100 mM mucosal [Na+] and a kinetic analysis of recovery as a function of pHi suggest that the main or sole mechanism of the inhibitory effect of cAMP is a reduction in the maximal rate of acid extrusion. In conjunction with the increase in apical membrane electrodiffusional Cl- permeability, produced by cAMP, which causes a decrease in net Cl- entry (Petersen, K.-U., and L. Reuss, 1983, J. Gen. Physiol., 81:705), inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange contributes to the reduction of fluid absorption elicited by this agent. Similar mechanisms may account for the effects of cAMP in other epithelia with similar transport properties. It is also possible that inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange by cAMP plays a role in the regulation of pHi in other cell types.

Regulation of apical membrane ion transport in Necturus gallbladder

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. C187-C193 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Garvin ◽  
K. R. Spring
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Camp Levels ◽  
Nacl Cotransport ◽  
Cl Conductance ◽  
Membrane Potential Difference ◽  
Membrane Ion Transport

Na and Cl movement through the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium was investigated using electrophysiological and light microscopic measurements. Changes in membrane potential difference, fractional resistance of the apical membrane, and transepithelial resistance caused by changes in apical bath Cl concentration revealed the presence of a Cl conductance in the apical membrane of control tissues that was apparently not present in the preparations studied by other investigators. This Cl conductance was blocked by bumetanide (10(-5) M) or by the inhibitor of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) action, the Rp isomer of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMPS; 0.5 mM). Treatment of the tissues with Rp-cAMPS also eliminated bumetanide-sensitive cell swelling in the presence of ouabain and activated an amiloride-sensitive swelling, changes consistent with inhibition of NaCl cotransport and the activation of Na-H and Cl-HCO3 exchange. We conclude that the mode of NaCl entry into Necturus gallbladder epithelial cells is determined by the level of cAMP. When cAMP levels are high, entry occurs by NaCl cotransport; when cAMP levels are low, parallel exchange of Na-H and Cl-HCO3 predominates. These observations explain the previous disagreements about the mode of NaCl entry into Necturus gallbladder epithelial cells.

scholarly journals Cyclic AMP inhibits Cl-/HCO3- exchange at the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1987 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Reuss
Keyword(s):  
Cyclic Amp ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Bathing Solution ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Mechanism Of Inhibition ◽  
Camp Levels

Intracellular microelectrode techniques were employed to study the effect of cyclic AMP on apical membrane Cl-/HCO3- exchange and electrodiffusive HCO3- transport in Necturus gallbladder epithelium. Intracellular cAMP levels were raised by addition of either the phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (3 X 10(-3) M) or the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (10(-5) M) to the serosal bathing solution. Measurements of pH in a poorly buffered control mucosal solution upon stopping superfusion show acidification, owing to secretion of both H+ and HCO3-. When the same experiment is performed after addition of amiloride or removal of Na+ from the mucosal bathing medium, alkalinization is observed since H+ transport is either inhibited or reversed, whereas HCO3- secretion persists. The changes in pH in both amiloride or Na-free medium were significantly decreased in theophylline-treated tissues. Theophylline had no effect on the initial rates of fall of intracellular Cl- activity (aCli) upon reducing mucosal solution [Cl-] to either 10 or 0 mM, although membrane voltage and resistance measurements were consistent with stimulation of apical membrane electrodiffusive Cl- permeability. Estimates of the conductive flux, obtained by either reducing simultaneously mucosal [Cl-] and [HCO3-] or lowering [Cl-] alone in the presence of a blocker of anion exchange (diphenylamine-2-carboxylate), indicate that elevation of intracellular cAMP inhibited the anion exchanger by approximately 50%. Measurements of net Cl- uptake upon increasing mucosal Cl- from nominally zero to levels ranging from 2.5 to 100 mM suggest that the mechanism of inhibition is a decrease in Vmax. Consistent with these results, the rate of intracellular alkalinization upon reducing external Cl- was also inhibited significantly by theophylline. Reducing mucosal solution [HCO3-] from 10 to 1 mM under control conditions caused intracellular acidification and an increase in aCli. Theophylline inhibited both changes, by 62 and 32%, respectively. These data indicate that elevation of intracellular cAMP inhibits apical membrane anion (Cl-/HCO3-) exchange. Studies of the effects of rapid changes in mucosal [HCO3-] on membrane voltages and the apparent ratio of membrane resistances, both in the presence and in the absence of theophylline, with or without Cl- in the mucosal solution, do not support the hypothesis that cAMP produces a sizable increase in apical membrane electrodiffusive HCO3- permeability.

scholarly journals cAMP-activated apical membrane chloride channels in Necturus gallbladder epithelium. Conductance, selectivity, and block.

1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Copello ◽  
T A Heming ◽  
Y Segal ◽  
L Reuss
Keyword(s):  
Chloride Channels ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Membrane Conductance ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Channel Blockers ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Cytosolic Side ◽  
Cl Channels

Elevation of intracellular cAMP levels in Necturus gallbladder epithelium (NGB) induces an apical membrane Cl- conductance (GaCl). Its characteristics (i.e., magnitude, anion selectivity, and block) were studied with intracellular microelectrode techniques. Under control conditions, the apical membrane conductance (Ga) was 0.17 mS.cm-2, primarily ascribable to GaK. With elevation of cell cAMP to maximum levels, Ga increased to 6.7 mS.cm-2 and became anion selective, with the permeability sequence SCN- > NO3- > I- > Br- > Cl- > SO4(2-) approximately gluconate approximately cyclamate. GaCl was not affected by the putative Cl- channel blockers Cu2+, DIDS, DNDS, DPC, furosemide, IAA-94, MK-196, NPPB, SITS, verapamil, and glibenclamide. To characterize the cAMP-activated Cl- channels, patch-clamp studies were conducted on the apical membrane of enzyme-treated gallbladders or on dissociated cells from tissues exposed to both theophylline and forskolin. Two kinds of Cl- channels were found. With approximately 100 mM Cl- in both bath and pipette, the most frequent channel had a linear current-voltage relationship with a slope conductance of approximately 10 pS. The less frequent channel was outward rectifying with slope conductances of approximately 10 and 20 pS at -40 and 40 mV, respectively. The Cl- channels colocalized with apical maxi-K+ channels in 70% of the patches. The open probability (Po) of both kinds of Cl- channels was variable from patch to patch (0.3 on average) and insensitive to [Ca2+], membrane voltage, and pH. The channel density (approximately 0.3/patch) was one to two orders of magnitude less than that required to account for GaCl. However, addition of 250 U/ml protein kinase A plus 1 mM ATP to the cytosolic side of excised patches increased the density of the linear 10-pS Cl- channels more than 10-fold to four per patch and the mean Po to 0.5, close to expectations from GaCl. The permeability sequence and blocker insensitivity of the PKA-activated channels were identical to those of the apical membrane. These data strongly suggest that 10-pS Cl- channels are responsible for the cAMP-induced increase in apical membrane conductance of NGB epithelium.

Effects of mucosal sodium removal on cell volume in Necturus gallbladder epithelium

1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (3) ◽  
pp. C304-C312 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Davis ◽  
A. L. Finn
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Fluid Transport ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Sodium Removal

Necturus gallbladder epithelium transports sodium and chloride by a process that first involves the cellular entry of each ion across the apical membrane in an electrically silent process. In this paper we present results from cell volume and fluid flux measurements in the presence of different inhibitors and at normal and reduced sodium concentrations, which bear on the process by which ionic entry is effected. We find that reduction of mucosal sodium to a concentration of 10 mM has no effect on either cell volume or on the rate of transepithelial fluid transport, whereas the complete removal of sodium causes a significant decrease in cell volume in addition to its known inhibitory effect on fluid transport. Amiloride had no effect on cell volume at normal sodium concentrations but markedly reduced it when the sodium concentration was reduced to 10 mM. Amiloride, bumetanide, and dipyridamole markedly and reversibly inhibited fluid transport. Finally, the addition of ouabain to the serosal medium induced cell swelling, which was prevented by the removal of potassium from the mucosal medium. These results indicate that the process of sodium entry at the apical membrane is complicated and likely includes both cotransport (NaCl or Na-K-2Cl) and parallel exchange (Na-H and Cl-HCO3) transport mechanisms, and that the proportion of NaCl transported by the different mechanisms varies with the conditions.

Electrogenic bicarbonate secretion by guinea pig gallbladder epithelium: apical membrane exit

1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (4) ◽  
pp. C736-C749 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Stewart ◽  
J. M. Winterhager ◽  
K. Heintze ◽  
K. U. Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Short Circuit ◽  
Short Circuit Current ◽  
Disulfonic Acid ◽  
Intracellular Camp ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
A Value ◽  
Ph Stat ◽  
Camp Levels

Guinea pig gallbladder epithelium secretes HCO3- by electroneutral mechanisms, resulting in transepithelial Cl- -HCO3- exchange. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) converts HCO3- secretion into an electrogenic process. This transformation was examined using voltage-clamp, pH-stat, and microelectrode techniques. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1; 10(-6) M) was used to raise intracellular cAMP levels. It increased short-circuit current (Isc) by approximately 1.8 mumol.cm-2.h-1, an effect dependent on serosal HCO3- and, partly, on mucosal Cl-. Mucosal 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS; 10(-3) M) halved Isc, but only in Cl- containing solutions. PGE1 increased the secretory HCO3- flux from approximately 2.0 to approximately 2.7 mumol.cm-2.h-1 and reduced the absorptive HCO3- flux from approximately 1.1 to approximately 0.5 mumol.cm-2.h-1, with net HCO3- secretion accounting for the increase in Isc. During single-cell impalements, PGE1 depolarized the apical membrane by greater than 10 mV (transiently in the absence of HCO3-) and decreased the apparent ratio of membrane resistances (Ra/Rb) from 5-8 to a value close to zero. These effects were largely reduced in magnitude and rapidity by removing Cl- and HCO3- from both sides of the epithelium. Ion substitutions in the luminal perfusate revealed substantial Cl- and HCO3- permeabilities at the apical membrane under PGE1 conditions. Our results indicate that, in the presence of PGE1 (cAMP), HCO3- crosses the apical membrane by two different routes. A SITS-sensitive fraction leaves the cell in exchange for luminal Cl-, which, in turn, recycles into the lumen by electrodiffusion. The remaining HCO3- exits through a HCO3- conductive pathway.

scholarly journals Osmotic water permeability of Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1989 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 649-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
C U Cotton ◽  
A M Weinstein ◽  
L Reuss
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
Hydraulic Permeability ◽  
Bathing Solution ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Cell Water ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder

An electrophysiological technique that is sensitive to small changes in cell water content and has good temporal resolution was used to determine the hydraulic permeability (Lp) of Necturus gallbladder epithelium. The epithelial cells were loaded with the impermeant cation tetramethylammonium (TMA+) by transient exposure to the pore-forming ionophore nystatin in the presence of bathing solution TMA+. Upon removal of the nystatin a small amount of TMA+ is trapped within the cell. Changes in cell water content result in changes in intracellular TMA+ activity which are measured with intracellular ion-sensitive microelectrodes. We describe a method that allows us to determine the time course for the increase or decrease in the concentration of osmotic solute at the membrane surface, which allows for continuous monitoring of the difference in osmolality across the apical membrane. We also describe a new method for the determination of transepithelial hydraulic permeability (Ltp). Apical and basolateral membrane Lp's were assessed from the initial rates of change in cell water volume in response to anisosmotic mucosal or serosal bathing solutions, respectively. The corresponding values for apical and basolateral membrane Lp's were 0.66 x 10(-3) and 0.38 x 10(-3) cm/s.osmol/kg, respectively. This method underestimates the true Lp values because the nominal osmotic differences (delta II) cannot be imposed instantaneously, and because it is not possible to measure the true initial rate of volume change. A model was developed that allows for the simultaneous determination of both apical and basal membrane Lp's from a unilateral exposure to an anisosmotic bathing solution (mucosal). The estimates of apical and basal Lp with this method were 1.16 x 10(-3) and 0.84 x 10(-3) cm/s.osmol/kg, respectively. The values of Lp for the apical and basal cell membranes are sufficiently large that only a small (less than 3 mosmol/kg) transepithelial difference in osmolality is required to drive the observed rate of spontaneous fluid absorption by the gallbladder. Furthermore, comparison of membrane and transepithelial Lp's suggests that a large fraction of the transepithelial water flow is across the cells rather than across the tight junctions.

scholarly journals Electrophysiological effects of basolateral [Na+] in Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1992 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
G A Altenberg ◽  
J S Stoddard ◽  
L Reuss
Keyword(s):  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Membrane Resistance ◽  
Membrane Voltage ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
K Channels ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Electrophysiological Effects ◽  
Paracellular Diffusion ◽  
Cl Conductance

In Necturus gallbladder epithelium, lowering serosal [Na+] ([Na+]s) reversibly hyperpolarized the basolateral cell membrane voltage (Vcs) and reduced the fractional resistance of the apical membrane (fRa). Previous results have suggested that there is no sizable basolateral Na+ conductance and that there are apical Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels. Here, we studied the mechanisms of the electrophysiological effects of lowering [Na+]s, in particular the possibility that an elevation in intracellular free [Ca2+] hyperpolarizes Vcs by increasing gK+. When [Na+]s was reduced from 100.5 to 10.5 mM (tetramethylammonium substitution), Vcs hyperpolarized from -68 +/- 2 to a peak value of -82 +/- 2 mV (P less than 0.001), and fRa decreased from 0.84 +/- 0.02 to 0.62 +/- 0.02 (P less than 0.001). Addition of 5 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA+) to the mucosal solution reduced both the hyperpolarization of Vcs and the change in fRa, whereas serosal addition of TEA+ had no effect. Ouabain (10(-4) M, serosal side) produced a small depolarization of Vcs and reduced the hyperpolarization upon lowering [Na+]s, without affecting the decrease in fRa. The effects of mucosal TEA+ and serosal ouabain were additive. Neither amiloride (10(-5) or 10(-3) M) nor tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) had any effects on Vcs or fRa or on their responses to lowering [Na+]s, suggesting that basolateral Na+ channels do not contribute to the control membrane voltage or to the hyperpolarization upon lowering [Na+]s. The basolateral membrane depolarization upon elevating [K+]s was increased transiently during the hyperpolarization of Vcs upon lowering [Na+]s. Since cable analysis experiments show that basolateral membrane resistance increased, a decrease in basolateral Cl- conductance (gCl-) is the main cause of the increased K+ selectivity. Lowering [Na+]s increases intracellular free [Ca2+], which may be responsible for the increase in the apical membrane TEA(+)-sensitive gK+. We conclude that the decrease in fRa by lowering [Na+]s is mainly caused by an increase in intracellular free [Ca2+], which activates TEA(+)-sensitive maxi K+ channels at the apical membrane and decreases apical membrane resistance. The hyperpolarization of Vcs is due to increase in: (a) apical membrane gK+, (b) the contribution of the Na+ pump to Vcs, (c) basolateral membrane K+ selectivity (decreased gCl-), and (d) intraepithelial current flow brought about by a paracellular diffusion potential.

Potassium-induced cell swelling in Necturus gallbladder epithelium

1988 ◽  
Vol 254 (5) ◽  
pp. C643-C650 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Davis ◽  
A. L. Finn
Keyword(s):  
Cell Volume ◽  
Volume Regulation ◽  
Basolateral Membrane ◽  
Cell Volume Regulation ◽  
Cell Swelling ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Bathing Medium ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Cl Conductance

In Necturus gallbladder epithelium, elevation of mucosal K+ to 95 mM in the presence of 10 mM Na+ resulted in cell swelling at a rate of 3.2% original volume per minute, followed by volume-regulatory shrinking. When Na+ was completely removed from or when amiloride (10(-4) M) was added to the mucosal medium, K+-induced cell swelling was abolished. In the presence of 10 mM Na+, 1 mM Ba2+ abolished and substitution of mucosal Cl- by NO-3 had no effect on K+-induced swelling. Thus solute entry following elevation of mucosal K+ is effected by separate K+ and Cl- pathways. Furthermore, substitution of 95 mM K+ for Na+ in the mucosal bathing medium leads to the development of a Cl- conductance in the basolateral membrane as long as some Na+ remains in the medium. However, cell swelling induced by mucosal dilution does not lead to the appearance of a Cl- conductance. Thus the activation of this conductance requires both swelling and membrane depolarization. These results show that 1) high mucosal K+ leads to cell swelling due to the entry of Cl- along with K+ and the Cl- can enter across either membrane, 2) the Cl- pathways require the presence of mucosal Na+, and 3) cell volume regulation is activated by an increase in volume per se, i.e., a hyposmotic exposure is not required for volume regulation to occur.

scholarly journals Maxi K+ channels and their relationship to the apical membrane conductance in Necturus gallbladder epithelium.

1990 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 791-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Segal ◽  
L Reuss
Keyword(s):  
Patch Clamp ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Membrane Conductance ◽  
Membrane Depolarization ◽  
Membrane Voltage ◽  
K Channel ◽  
Gallbladder Epithelium ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
K Channels ◽  
Necturus Gallbladder

Using the patch-clamp technique, we have identified large-conductance (maxi) K+ channels in the apical membrane of Necturus gallbladder epithelium, and in dissociated gallbladder epithelial cells. These channels are more than tenfold selective for K+ over Na+, and exhibit unitary conductance of approximately 200 pS in symmetric 100 mM KCl. They are activated by elevation of internal Ca2+ levels and membrane depolarization. The properties of these channels could account for the previously observed voltage and Ca2+ sensitivities of the macroscopic apical membrane conductance (Ga). Ga was determined as a function of apical membrane voltage, using intracellular microelectrode techniques. Its value was 180 microS/cm2 at the control membrane voltage of -68 mV, and increased steeply with membrane depolarization, reaching 650 microS/cm2 at -25 mV. We have related maxi K+ channel properties and Ga quantitatively, relying on the premise that at any apical membrane voltage Ga comprises a leakage conductance and a conductance due to maxi K+ channels. Comparison between Ga and maxi K+ channels reveals that the latter are present at a surface density of 0.09/microns 2, are open approximately 15% of the time under control conditions, and account for 17% of control Ga. Depolarizing the apical membrane voltage leads to a steep increase in channel steady-state open probability. When correlated with patch-clamp studies examining the Ca2+ and voltage dependencies of single maxi K+ channels, results from intracellular microelectrode experiments indicate that maxi K+ channel activity in situ is higher than predicted from the measured apical membrane voltage and estimated bulk cytosolic Ca2+ activity. Mechanisms that could account for this finding are proposed.

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