Ion movements in membrane vesicles: a new fluorescence method and application to smooth muscle

1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (3) ◽  
pp. C372-C378 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Grover ◽  
A. P. Singh ◽  
P. K. Rangachari ◽  
P. Nicholls

A method is described for studying ion permeabilities of membrane vesicles based on the principle that when membrane permeability to H+ is very high, the H+ movement is determined by the membrane potential generated by the H+ movement. The rate of H+ movement under these conditions thus gives a measure of the rate of dissipation of this membrane potential by comovement of anions or countermovement of cations present. Thus, by studying the H+ efflux using an impermeant cation and different anions, the membrane permeability to the anions can be assessed. Similarly, the use of an impermeant anion allows the study of the permeation of various cations. H+ movement was followed across the membranes by monitoring a change in the fluorescence intensity of the pH-sensitive dye pyranine trapped inside the membranes. This method when tested using phosphatidylcholine liposomes yielded the expected results, i.e., permeability of the liposomal membrane was: Cl- greater than SO2-4 and K+ greater than Na+. A plasma membrane-enriched fraction loaded with pyranine was isolated from estrogen-dominant rat myometrium. The anion permeability characteristics of this membrane were studied using tetramethylammonium (TMA+) as the poorly permeant cation, and the cation permeability was studied using L-glutamate- as the poorly permeant anion. The anion permeabilities were D-glutamate- less than L-glutamate- less than glutarate2- less than Cl- less than or equal to SO2-4, and the cation permeabilities were TMA+ less than K+ less than Na+. It is hypothesized that the observed anomalously higher Na+ and SO2-4 movements may involve special mechanisms.

Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 2139-2145 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Clark ◽  
ME Rossi

Abstract This study investigated the effect of acute deoxygenation on membrane permeability characteristics of sickle cells. Measured fluxes of Na+ and K+ in ouabain-inhibited cells, of chloride and sulfate exchange in 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (DIDS)-inhibited and untreated cells, and of erythritol, mannitol, and arabinose in cytochalasin B-inhibited cells indicated that a deoxygenation-induced permeability change occurred in sickle cells only for cations and chloride. Monovalent cation permeabilities increased five-fold, and chloride influx into DIDS treated cells was enhanced nearly threefold on sickle cell deoxygenation. In contrast, no detectable increase in permeability to the other solutes was found. To gain perspective on these findings, similar measurements were performed in normal cells treated with diamide, an agent shown by others to induce a coupled increase in membrane permeability and phospholipid translocation, reminiscent of deoxygenation-induced changes in sickle cells. Although the increase in cation permeability was no greater than that in sickled cells, treatment with 2 mmol/L diamide also produced a twofold increase in the first order rate constants for sulfate exchange and mannitol efflux, indicating a relatively nonselective permeability increase that permitted flux of larger solutes than in the case of deoxygenated sickle cells. These results suggest that the deoxygenation of sickle cells induces a permeability increase that is relatively insensitive to charge, but is restrictive with respect to solute size.


Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 76 (10) ◽  
pp. 2139-2145 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Clark ◽  
ME Rossi

This study investigated the effect of acute deoxygenation on membrane permeability characteristics of sickle cells. Measured fluxes of Na+ and K+ in ouabain-inhibited cells, of chloride and sulfate exchange in 4,4′-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2′-disulfonate (DIDS)-inhibited and untreated cells, and of erythritol, mannitol, and arabinose in cytochalasin B-inhibited cells indicated that a deoxygenation-induced permeability change occurred in sickle cells only for cations and chloride. Monovalent cation permeabilities increased five-fold, and chloride influx into DIDS treated cells was enhanced nearly threefold on sickle cell deoxygenation. In contrast, no detectable increase in permeability to the other solutes was found. To gain perspective on these findings, similar measurements were performed in normal cells treated with diamide, an agent shown by others to induce a coupled increase in membrane permeability and phospholipid translocation, reminiscent of deoxygenation-induced changes in sickle cells. Although the increase in cation permeability was no greater than that in sickled cells, treatment with 2 mmol/L diamide also produced a twofold increase in the first order rate constants for sulfate exchange and mannitol efflux, indicating a relatively nonselective permeability increase that permitted flux of larger solutes than in the case of deoxygenated sickle cells. These results suggest that the deoxygenation of sickle cells induces a permeability increase that is relatively insensitive to charge, but is restrictive with respect to solute size.


2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 827-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Novo ◽  
Nancy G. Perlmutter ◽  
Richard H. Hunt ◽  
Howard M. Shapiro

ABSTRACT Although flow cytometry has been used to study antibiotic effects on bacterial membrane potential (MP) and membrane permeability, flow cytometric results are not always well correlated to changes in bacterial counts. Using new, precise techniques, we simultaneously measured MP, membrane permeability, and particle counts of antibiotic-treated and untreated Staphylococcus aureus andMicrococcus luteus cells. MP was calculated from the ratio of red and green fluorescence of diethyloxacarbocyanine [DiOC2(3)]. A normalized permeability parameter was calculated from the ratio of far red fluorescence of the nucleic acid dye TO-PRO-3 and green DiOC2(3) fluorescence. Bacterial counts were calculated by the addition of polystyrene beads to the sample at a known concentration. Amoxicillin increased permeability within 45 min. At concentrations of <1 μg/ml, some organisms showed increased permeability but normal MP; this population disappeared after 4 h, while bacterial counts increased. At amoxicillin concentrations above 1 μg/ml, MP decreased irreversibly and the particle counts did not increase. Tetracycline and erythromycin caused smaller, dose- and time-dependent decreases in MP. Tetracycline concentrations of <1 μg/ml did not change permeability, while a tetracycline concentration of 4 μg/ml permeabilized 50% of the bacteria; 4 μg of erythromycin per ml permeabilized 20% of the bacteria. Streptomycin decreased MP substantially, with no effect on permeability; chloramphenicol did not change either permeability or MP. Erythromycin pretreatment of bacteria prevented streptomycin and amoxicillin effects. Flow cytometry provides a sensitive means of monitoring the dynamic cellular events that occur in bacteria exposed to antibacterial agents; however, it is probably simplistic to expect that changes in a single cellular parameter will suffice to determine the sensitivities of all species to all drugs.


2000 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 533-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina I. Grichtchenko ◽  
Michael F. Romero ◽  
Walter F. Boron

We studied the extracellular [HCOabstract 3 −] dependence of two renal clones of the electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransporter (NBC) heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We used microelectrodes to measure the change in membrane potential (ΔVm) elicited by the NBC cloned from the kidney of the salamander Ambystoma tigrinum (akNBC) and by the NBC cloned from the kidney of rat (rkNBC). We used a two-electrode voltage clamp to measure the change in current (ΔI) elicited by rkNBC. Briefly exposing an NBC-expressing oocyte to HCOabstract 3 −/CO2 (0.33–99 mM HCOabstract 3−, pHo 7.5) elicited an immediate, DIDS (4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid)-sensitive and Na+-dependent hyperpolarization (or outward current). In ΔVm experiments, the apparent Km for HCOabstract 3− of akNBC (10.6 mM) and rkNBC (10.8 mM) were similar. However, under voltage-clamp conditions, the apparent Km for HCOabstract 3− of rkNBC was less (6.5 mM). Because it has been reported that SOabstract 3=/HSO abstract 3− stimulates Na/HCO3 cotransport in renal membrane vesicles (a result that supports the existence of a COabstract 3= binding site with which SOabstract 3= interacts), we examined the effect of SOabstract 3=/HSO abstract 3− on rkNBC. In voltage-clamp studies, we found that neither 33 mM SOabstract 4= nor 33 mM SOabstract 3 =/HSOabstract 3− substantially affects the apparent Km for HCO abstract 3−. We also used microelectrodes to monitor intracellular pH (pHi) while exposing rkNBC-expressing oocytes to 3.3 mM HCOabstract 3 −/0.5% CO2. We found that SO abstract 3=/HSOabstract 3 − did not significantly affect the DIDS-sensitive component of the pHi recovery from the initial CO2 -induced acidification. We also monitored the rkNBC current while simultaneously varying [CO2]o, pHo, and [COabstract 3=]o at a fixed [HCOabstract 3−]o of 33 mM. A Michaelis-Menten equation poorly fitted the data expressed as current versus [COabstract 3=]o . However, a pH titration curve nicely fitted the data expressed as current versus pHo. Thus, rkNBC expressed in Xenopus oocytes does not appear to interact with SOabstract 3 =, HSOabstract 3−, or COabstract 3=.


1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (2) ◽  
pp. C302-C308 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. I. Karl ◽  
S. E. Fisher

Biotin, essential for normal fetal growth and development, must be transported across the placenta to reach the fetus. This study evaluated placental transport of biotin using microvillous membrane vesicles (MMV), cultured trophoblasts, and isolated perfused cotyledon. Biotin uptake in MMV was stimulated by an inward Na+ gradient. In the presence of Na+, maximal stimulation was observed with Cl-, among various anions. Biotin uptake required 1 Na+ per biotin molecule. Kinetic analysis in MMV showed saturable transport with a Michaelis constant (Km) of 26.1 +/- 2.9 microM. Increases in membrane potential did not alter biotin uptake. Biotin uptake by cultured trophoblasts was also stimulated in the presence of Na+ and was saturable (Km = 7.0 +/- 1.5 microM). In the perfused placental cotyledon, maternal-to-fetal (M-to-F) biotin transfer was not saturable. However, biotin transfer in the M-to-F direction was significantly greater than the reverse. When the fetal circulation was closed to allow accumulation, an F/M ratio of only 1.056:1 was achieved. Tissue analysis of biotin contents suggested an active accumulation within the placental compartment. This study demonstrates that biotin is actively transported into the placenta, across the microvillous membrane, and released into the fetal compartment at a slower rate.


1981 ◽  
Vol 240 (3) ◽  
pp. F185-F191 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. F. Boumendil-Podevin ◽  
R. A. Podevin

The transport of nicotinic acid was investigated in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rabbit kidney. The imposition of a Na+ gradient (out to in) induced a transient stimulation of nicotinic acid uptake above its final equilibrium value. This stimulation was specific for Na+. The uptake of nicotinic acid by the brush border membranes represented transport into an internal space and occurred in the absence of significant nicotinic acid degradation. The Na+ gradient-dependent uptake of nicotinic acid was saturable, apparent Km = 0.3 mM. Uptake of nicotinic acid was inhibited by its two isomers: picolinic and isonicotinic acid. In contrast, pyridine derivatives with two carboxyl groups or an amide group in addition to the carboxyl group were without inhibitory effect. Evaluation of changes in membrane potential using the lipophilic cation triphenylmethylphosphonium demonstrated that conditions that transiently generated either an interior-positive or an interior-negative membrane potential failed to affect the Na+-dependent transport of nicotinic acid. These findings provide evidence of the existence on the luminal membrane of a Na+ gradient-dependent and electroneutral transport system for nicotinic acid.


1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (11) ◽  
pp. 779-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Singer

The 22Na efflux from phosphatidylcholine liposomes was measured in the presence of different anions. Only salicylate significantly increases sodium permeability. Although this anion adsorbs onto the liposomal surface creating a negative zeta potential, evidence is presented that this is not the sole mechanism underlying the enhanced cation permeability. It is proposed that salicylate also alters the dipole potential at the membrane–solution interface.


1984 ◽  
Vol 217 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
M D Brand ◽  
S M Felber

The mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m) in intact lymphocytes was calculated by measuring the distribution of radiolabelled methyltriphenylphosphonium cation. The value obtained was 120 mV. The pH gradient across the mitochondrial membrane in situ (delta pH m) was estimated to be 73 mV (1.2 pH units). Thus the electrochemical gradient of protons was about 190 mV. Addition of the mitogen concanavalin A did not alter delta psi m, showing that, if movement of Ca2+ across the inner membrane of lymphocyte mitochondria occurs when concanavalin A is added, it is accompanied by charge-compensating ion movements.


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (6) ◽  
pp. R1206-R1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Ahearn ◽  
P. Franco

Calcium uptake by brush-border membrane vesicles of Atlantic lobster (Homarus americanus) kidneys (antennal glands) in independent experiments was stimulated by outwardly directed Na or H gradients. In the absence of external amiloride, 45Ca uptake was strongly stimulated by an outwardly directed Na gradient, and this stimulation was enhanced by the addition of an inside-negative membrane potential. External amiloride (2 mM) reduced 45Ca uptake sixfold and lowered sensitivity to membrane potential. 45Ca influx kinetics (2.5-s uptake) in the presence of an outwardly directed H gradient and inside-negative membrane potential were composed of three components: 1) an amiloride-sensitive carrier system, 2) an amiloride-insensitive carrier system, and 3) a verapamil- and membrane potential-sensitive process that may represent diffusional transfer through a calcium channel. It was concluded that 45Ca entry by the amiloride-sensitive process occurred by a previously described electrogenic 2 Na-1 H antiport mechanism [Ahearn, G., and L. Clay. Am. J. Physiol. 257 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 26): R484-R493, 1989; Am. J. Physiol. 259 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 28): F758-F767, 1990; Ahearn, G., P. Franco, and L. Clay. J. Membr. Biol. 116: 215-226, 1990]. 45Ca influx by the amiloride-insensitive mechanism occurred by an apparent electroneutral 1 Ca-2 Na exchange. Transport stoichiometry of the latter mechanism was tentatively established by experiments determining intravesicular Na binding properties and by its apparent lack of response to a membrane potential. At physiological Na, Ca, and H concentrations in the antennal gland lumen and epithelial cytosol, these three calcium transport pathways individually may make significant contributions to net calcium reabsorption to the blood.


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