Regulation of apical K channels in rat cortical collecting tubule during changes in dietary K intake

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (5) ◽  
pp. F805-F812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence G. Palmer ◽  
Gustavo Frindt

Long-term adaptation to a high-K diet is known to increase the density of conducting secretory K (SK) channels in the luminal membrane of the rat cortical collecting tubule (CCT). To examine whether these channels are involved in the short-term, day-to-day regulation of K secretion, we examined the density of K channels in animals fed a high-K diet for 6 or 48 h. CCTs were isolated and split open to provide access to the luminal membrane. Cell-attached patches were formed on principal cells with 140 mM KCl in the patch-clamp pipette. SK channels were recognized from their characteristic single-channel conductance (40–50 pS) and gating patterns. Animals fed a control diet had SK channel densities of 0.40 channels/μm2. When the diet was changed for one containing 10% KCl for 6 h, the channel density increased to 1.51 channels/μm2. Maintaining the animals on a high-K diet for 48 h resulted in a further increase in SK channels to 2.29 channels/μm2. Animals fed a low-K diet for 5 days or longer had SK densities of 0.53 channels/μm2, not significantly different from control values. The presence of conducting Na channels in the luminal membrane will also affect K secretion by the CCT by altering the electrical driving force through the K channels. The density of Na channels, measured with LiCl in the pipette, was 0.08 for controls and 1.00 and 1.08 channels/μm2 after 6 h and 48 h on a high-K diet. Plasma aldosterone increased from 15 ± 4 ng/dl (controls ) to 36 ± 8 and 98 ± 23 ng/dl after 6 and 48 h of K loading, respectively. The increase in K channel density could not be reproduced by infusion of the animals with aldosterone. We conclude that regulation of the density of conducting Na and K channels may contribute to day-to-day variation in the rate of renal K secretion and to the short-term maintenance of K balance.

1994 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Palmer ◽  
L Antonian ◽  
G Frindt

The patch-clamp technique was used to study the properties and the density of conducting K and Na channels in the apical membrane of rat cortical collecting tubule. The predominant K channel observed in cell-attached patches (SK channels) had an outward single-channel conductance (with LiCl in the pipette) of 10 pS. The inward conductance (with KCl in the pipette) was 42 pS. The channel had a high open probability that increased with depolarization. Kinetic analysis indicated the presence of a single open state and two closed states. Increasing K intake by maintaining animals on a high K diet for 12-16 d increased the number of SK channels per patch by threefold (0.7-2.0/patch) over control levels. In addition, conducting Na-selective channels, which were not observed in control animals, were seen at low density (0.5/patch). These channels had properties similar to those observed when the animals were on a low Na diet, except that the mean open probability (0.84) was higher. In other experiments, the whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to measure Na channel activity (as amiloride-sensitive current, INa) and Na pump activity (as ouabain-sensitive current, Ipump). In animals on a high K diet, INa was greater than in controls but much less than in rats on a low Na diet. Ipump was greater after K loading than in controls or Na-depleted animals. These K diet-dependent effects were not accompanied by a significant increase in plasma aldosterone concentrations. To further investigate the relationship between K channel activity and mineralocorticoids, rats were maintained on a low Na diet to increase endogenous aldosterone secretion. Under these conditions, no increase in SK channel density was observed, although there was a large increase in the number of Na channels (to 2.7/patch). Aldosterone was also administered exogenously through osmotic minipumps. As with the low Na diet, there was no change in the density of conducting SK channels, although Na channel activity was induced. These results suggest that SK channels, Na channels and Na/K pumps are regulated during changes in K intake by factors other than aldosterone.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (3) ◽  
pp. F525-F531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Frindt ◽  
Hao Zhou ◽  
Henry Sackin ◽  
Lawrence G. Palmer

The density of conducting K channels in the apical membrane of the rat cortical collecting tubule (CCT) is increased by a high-K diet. To see whether this involved increased abundance of mRNA coding for K channel protein, we measured the relative amounts of mRNA for ROMK, the clone of the gene thought to encode the secretory K channel in the CCT. Tubules were isolated and fixed for in situ hybridization with a probe based on the ROMK sequence. Radiolabeled probe associated with the tubule was quantified using densitometric analysis of the autoradiographic images of the tubules. The densitometry signal was shown to be proportional to the amount of radioactive probe in the sample and to the time of exposure of the film. The technique was able to detect an approximately twofold increase in the abundance of mRNA coding for the water channel aquaporin 3 (AQP3), in response to a 30-h dehydration period. Tubules from rats fed a normal diet or a high-K (10% KCl) diet had equal amounts of ROMK mRNA. This suggests that an increase in the abundance of mRNA does not underlie the increase in channel density observed under these conditions.


1996 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Palmer ◽  
G Frindt

The gating kinetics of apical membrane Na channels in the rat cortical collecting tubule were assessed in cell-attached and inside-out excised patches from split-open tubules using the patch-clamp technique. In patches containing a single channel the open probability (Po) was variable, ranging from 0.05 to 0.9. The average Po was 0.5. However, the individual values were not distributed normally, but were mainly < or = 0.25 or > or = 0.75. Mean open times and mean closed times were correlated directly and inversely, respectively, with Po. In patches where a sufficient number of events could be recorded, two time constants were required to describe the open-time and closed-time distributions. In most patches in which basal Po was < 0.3 the channels could be activated by hyperpolarization of the apical membrane. In five such patches containing a single channel hyperpolarization by 40 mV increased Po by 10-fold, from 0.055 +/- 0.023 to 0.58 +/- 0.07. This change reflected an increase in the mean open time of the channels from 52 +/- 17 to 494 +/- 175 ms and a decrease in the mean closed time from 1,940 +/- 350 to 336 +/- 100 ms. These responses, however, could not be described by a simple voltage dependence of the opening and closing rates. In many cases significant delays in both the activation by hyperpolarization and deactivation by depolarization were observed. These delays ranged from several seconds to several tens of seconds. Similar effects of voltage were seen in cell-attached and excised patches, arguing against a voltage-dependent chemical modification of the channel, such as a phosphorylation. Rather, the channels appeared to switch between gating modes. These switches could be spontaneous but were strongly influenced by changes in membrane voltage. Voltage dependence of channel gating was also observed under whole-cell clamp conditions. To see if mechanical perturbations could also influence channel kinetics or gating mode, negative pressures of 10-60 mm Hg were applied to the patch pipette. In most cases (15 out of 22), this maneuver had no significant effect on channel behavior. In 6 out of 22 patches, however, there was a rapid and reversible increase in Po when the pressure was applied. In one patch, there was a reversible decrease. While no consistent effects of pressure could be documented, membrane deformation could contribute to the variation in Po under some conditions.


1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (2) ◽  
pp. F306-F313 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Wingo

In various epithelia K and Cl transport are molecularly coupled and KCl cotransport is dependent on the Na-K pump. The present study examines 1) the effect of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient on K secretion during active Na transport and 2) the effect of basolateral ouabain on K secretion and Na absorption in the presence and the absence of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient. Under symmetrical conditions there was significant K secretion (JK = -24.0 +/- 3.9 pmol.mm-1.min-1) and Cl secretion (JCl = -15.7 +/- 3.7 pmol.mm-1.min-1). Transepithelial voltage (VT) was significantly lumen negative (-25.3 +/- 5.9 mV), and Cl secretion occurred against its electrochemical gradient by a transcellular mechanism. Increasing bath [Cl] did not hyperpolarize VT; in fact there was a tendency for VT to depolarize and K secretion was not stimulated. However, ouabain significantly inhibited active Cl secretion and net Na absorption both in the presence and absence of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient. Furthermore, ouabain totally inhibited K secretion in the absence of external ion gradients but inhibited K secretion by only 50% in the presence of a bath-to-lumen Cl gradient. This ouabain-insensitive K secretion exhibited a codependence on Cl secretion. Thus K secretion may occur passively, utilizing Cl movement down its electrochemical gradient when active Na transport is inhibited by ouabain. The results are compatible with the presence of a Cl-linked K-secretory process in the rabbit CCT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (1) ◽  
pp. F117-F126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Gray ◽  
Gustavo Frindt ◽  
Lawrence G. Palmer

Outward and inward currents through single small-conductance K+ (SK) channels were measured in cell-attached patches of the apical membrane of principal cells of the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD). Currents showed mild inward rectification with high [K+] in the pipette (Kp+), which decreased as Kp+ was lowered. Inward conductances had a hyperbolic dependence on Kp+ with half-maximal conductance at ∼20 mM. Outward conductances, measured near the reversal potential, also increased with Kp+ from 15 pS (Kp+ = 0) to 50 pS (Kp+ = 134 mM). SK channel density was measured as the number of conducting channels per patch in cell-attached patches. As reported previously, channel density increased when animals were on a high-K diet for 7 days. Addition of 8-cpt-cAMP to the bath at least 5 min before making a seal increased SK channel density to an even greater extent, although this increase was not additive with the effect of a high-K diet. In contrast, increases in Na channel activity, assessed as the whole cell amiloride-sensitive current, due to K loading and 8-cpt-cAMP treatment were additive. Single-channel conductances and channel densities were used as inputs to a simple mathematical model of the CCD to predict rates of transepithelial Na+ and K+ transport as a function of apical Na+ permeability and K+ conductance, basolateral pump rates and K+ conductance, and the paracellular conductance. With measured values for these parameters, the model predicted transport rates that were in good agreement with values measured in isolated, perfused tubules. The number and properties of SK channels account for K+ transport by the CCD under all physiological conditions tested.


1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 771-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Honrath ◽  
D. R. Wilson ◽  
H. Sonnenberg

In the late distal and cortical collecting tubule, which is the principal regulatory site for potassium (K) excretion, vasopressin stimulates, and epinephrine via β-adrenergic action, inhibits K secretion. In the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) we have shown that vasopressin also stimulates K secretion. The present experiments were designed to determine whether the β-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, would induce K reabsorption in the IMCD, and (or) prevent a secretory response to acute KCl infusion. Two groups of rats, with or without isoproterenol administration (3 μg/h), were subjected to retrograde microcatheterization of the IMCD before and during infusion of 0.83 mol/h KCl. Isoproterenol reduced plasma K concentration and urinary K excretion, but the response to acute KCl infusion was qualitatively similar to control. Isoproterenol decreased delivery of potassium, chloride, and fluid to the IMCD, there was no net transport of K along the duct in either group, and KCl infusion did not result in K secretion in either group. The results indicate that isoproterenol may inhibit K secretion in the late distal or cortical collecting tubule. However, there was no statistically significant difference in K transport along the IMCD between isoproterenol and control groups. Reduced sodium excretion, which was found during isoproterenol administration both before and after KCl infusion, was associated with no change in sodium delivery but with increased sodium reabsorption in the IMCD. This increased sodium reabsorption may be a direct effect of isoproterenol, or may be due to reflex cardiovascular adjustments associated with systemic actions of the drug.Key words: rat, KCl infusion, potassium transport, fluid reabsorption, sodium reabsorption, chloride reabsorption, catecholamines.


1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (1) ◽  
pp. F120-F126 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Stokes

The passive (lumen-to-bath) K+ permeation (KK) of rabbit cortical collecting tubules was measured before and after inhibition of Na+ transport. Inhibition of the Na-K pump with ouabain reduced KK. This result contrasts sharply with the previously described increase in KK observed following inhibition of Na+ transport with amiloride. These opposite changes in KK are owing to the fact that a substantial component of the lumen-to-bath K+ permeation involves a transcellular pathway. Amiloride, because it hyperpolarizes the apical membrane, increases KK; ouabain, because it depolarizes the cell, decreases KK. Previous results have also suggested that the cell K+ permeability is secondarily altered by these agents so that the changes in voltage and permeability are additive. These patterns of changes in KK were used to evaluate the mechanism of action of two agents that partially inhibit Na+ transport: vasopressin and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Their effect on KK was qualitatively similar to that of amiloride. In amiloride-treated tubules, neither vasopressin nor PGE2 altered KK. Neither did they alter the normal reduction in KK caused by pump inhibition. Thus they did not have any direct effect on K+ permeability. These results are consistent with the thesis that vasopressin and PGE2 inhibit Na+ absorption by reducing apical membrane permeability. The relation between the regulation of Na+ absorption and K+ permeation may have important implications for the regulation of K+ secretion by the cortical collecting tubule.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Pácha ◽  
G Frindt ◽  
L Antonian ◽  
R B Silver ◽  
L G Palmer

The activity of apical membrane Na channels in the rat cortical collecting tubule was studied during manipulation of the animals' mineralocorticoid status in vivo using a low-Na diet or the diuretic furosemide. Tubules were isolated and split open to expose the luminal membrane surface. Induction of Na channel activity was studied in cell-attached patches of the split tubules. No activity was observed with control animals on a normal diet. Channel activity could be induced by putting the animals on the low-Na diet for at least 48 h. The mean number of open channels per patch (NPo) was maximal after 1 wk on low Na. Channels were also induced within 3 h after injection of furosemide (20 mg/kg body wt per d). NPo was maximal 48 h after the first injection. In both cases, increases in NPo were primarily due to increases in the number of channels per patch (N) at a constant open probability (Po). With salt depletion or furosemide injection NPo is a saturable function of aldosterone concentration with half-maximal activity at approximately 8 nM. When animals were salt repleted after 1-2 wk of salt depletion, both plasma aldosterone and NPo fell markedly within 6 h. NPo continued to decrease over the next 14 h, while plasma aldosterone rebounded partially. Channel activity may be dissociated from aldosterone concentrations under conditions of salt repletion.


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