Molecular basis for defective glycosylation and Pseudomonas pathogenesis in cystic fibrosis lung.

The CFTR gene encodes a transmembrane conductance regulator, which is dysfunctional in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The mechanism by which defective CFTR (CF transmembrane conductance regulator) leads to undersialylation of plasma membrane glycoconjugates, which in turn promote lung pathology and colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing lethal bacterial infections in CF, is not known. Here we show by ratiometric imaging with lumenally exposed pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein that dysfunctional CFTR leads to hyperacidification of the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in CF lung epithelial cells. The hyperacidification of TGN, glycosylation defect of plasma membrane glycoconjugates, and increased P. aeruginosa adherence were corrected by incubating CF respiratory epithelial cells with weak bases. Studies with pharmacological agents indicated a role for sodium conductance, modulated by CFTR regulatory function, in determining the pH of TGN. These studies demonstrate the molecular basis for defective glycosylation of lung epithelial cells and bacterial pathogenesis in CF, and suggest a cure by normalizing the pH of intracellular compartments.

Functional role of protein kinase B/Akt in gastric acid secretion.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates gastric acid secretion and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit gene expression. Because EGF activates the serine-threonine protein kinase Akt, we explored the role of Akt in gastric acid secretion. Akt phosphorylation and activation were measured by kinase assays and by Western blots with an anti-phospho-Akt antibody, using lysates of purified (>95%) canine gastric parietal cells in primary culture. EGF induced Akt phosphorylation and activation, whereas carbachol had no effect. LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, completely blocked EGF induction of Akt phosphorylation, whereas the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059 and the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X had no effect. We examined the role of Akt in H(+)/K(+)-ATPase gene expression by Northern blotting using a canine H(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit cDNA probe. The parietal cells were transduced with a multiplicity of infection of 100 of the adenoviral vector Ad.Myr-Akt, which overexpresses a constitutively active Akt gene, or with the control vector Ad.CMV-beta-gal, which expresses beta-galactosidase. Ad.Myr-Akt induced H(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit gene expression 3-fold, whereas it failed to stimulate the gene cyclooxygenase-2, which was potently induced by carbachol in the same parietal cells. Ad.Myr-Akt induced aminopyrine uptake 4-fold, and it potentiated the stimulatory action of carbachol 3-fold. In contrast, Ad.Myr-Akt failed to induce changes in either parietal cell actin content, measured by Western blots with an anti-actin antibody or in the organization of the actin cellular cytoskeleton, visualized by fluorescein phalloidin staining and confocal microscopy. Transduction of the parietal cells with a multiplicity of infection of 100 of the adenoviral vector Ad.dom.neg.Akt, which overexpresses an inhibitor of Akt, blocked the stimulatory effect of EGF on both aminopyrine uptake and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase production, measured by Western blots with an anti-H(+)/K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit antibody. Thus, EGF induces a cascade of events in the parietal cells that results in the activation of Akt. The functional role of Akt appears to be stimulation of gastric acid secretion through induction of H(+)/K(+)-ATPase expression.

Effect of cholera toxin and cyclic adenosine monophosphate on fluid-phase endocytosis, distribution, and trafficking of endosomes in rat liver.

In prior studies, we showed that cholera (CTX) and pertussis toxins (PTX) increase rat liver endosome acidification. This study was performed to characterize the effects of these toxins and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) on endosome ion transport, fluid-phase endocytosis (FPE), and endosome trafficking in liver. In control liver, more mature populations of endosomes acidified progressively more slowly, but both toxins and cAMP caused retention of an early endosome acidification profile in maturing endosomes. CTX caused a density shift in endosomes, and all agents increased net FPE at time points from 5 to 60 minutes. By confocal microscopy, fluorescent dextrans first appeared in small vesicles at the hepatocyte sinusoidal membrane and trafficked rapidly to the pericanalicular area, near lysosomes and the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Prolonged exposure to these agents caused redistribution of many labeled vesicles to the perinuclear region, colocalized with markers of both early (EEA1 and transferrin receptor) and late (LAMP1) endosomes. We conclude that cAMP is the common agent that disrupted normal maturation and trafficking of endosomes and increased net FPE, in part via decreased diacytosis.

Effect of cholera toxin on rat liver lysosome acidification.

We have shown that cholera toxin and cAMP greatly increase both acidification rates of liver endosomes and the liver and endosome content of fluid-phase endocytosis probes. In this study lysosomes were purified from control and cholera toxin-treated livers that were pulsed with fluorescein conjugated dextran and chased overnight. Cholera toxin-treated livers weighed less, contained less protein and exhibited higher contents of lysosomal marker enzymes, consistent with the catabolic effects of this agent. By contrast to its effects on endosomes, cholera toxin had no consistent or significant effect on lysosome acidification rates, steady-state internal pH or potassium content, proton leak rates or fluorescein-dextran content. We conclude that cholera toxin and cAMP predominantly alter earlier steps of endocytosis but may also increase transfer of probes from lysosomes to bile.

The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium is a substrate for the canalicular organic cation/H+ exchanger.

Hepatic organic cation transport consists, in part, of carrier-mediated sinusoidal uptake stimulated by an inside-negative membrane potential and canalicular excretion driven by electroneutral organic cation/H+ exchange. Intracellular organic cation transport involves sequestration into acidified organelles, also mediated by organic cation/H+ exchange. A sinusoidal organic cation transporter has been cloned; however, canalicular organic cation transport has not been characterized at the molecular level. On the assumption that hepatic organic cation/H+ exchange resembles monoamine transport in synaptic vesicles, we examined, using canalicular rat liver plasma membrane vesicles, the transport of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), a neurotoxin taken up by a synaptic vesicular monoamine transporter that has been cloned. Under voltage-clamped conditions, an outwardly directed H+ gradient stimulated [3H]MPP+ uptake, compared with uptake under pH-equilibrated conditions, consistent with electroneutral MPP+/H+ exchange. Substrates for canalicular organic cation/H+ exchange cis-inhibited pH-dependent MPP+ uptake. Equilibrium exchange of [14C]tetraethylammonium was inhibited by MPP+ in a concentration-dependent manner, consistent with a direct interaction of MPP+ with the organic cation carrier. Carrier-mediated MPP+ uptake exhibited saturability, with kinetic parameters similarto those described for canalicular tetraethylammonium+/H+ exchange. Canalicular [3H]MPP+ uptake was ATP-independent and, thus, distinct from P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux. The finding that MPP+ is a substrate for canalicular organic cation/H+ exchange is applicable to studies, using degenerate oligonucleotides complementary to sequences conserved in neurotransmitter transporters, aimed at cloning this transporter.

Cholera and pertussis toxins increase acidification of endocytic vesicles without altering ion conductances.

Acidification of endocytic vesicles, driven by the vacuolar H+ pump, is affected by parallel ion transporters. Because adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and heterotrimeric G proteins may alter ion transporters, I tested whether cholera and pertussis toxins affected acidification of rat liver endosomes. Fluorescein-labeled dextran-loaded "10-min" endosomes from cholera toxin-treated rats exhibited ATP-dependent rates of acidification in the presence and absence of Cl- or K+ that were approximately 60-120% (P < 0.05) faster than rates from control endosomes. This increase was greater for "older" "20-min" endosomes and less for 'early" "2-min" endosomes. Ion transport functions of 10-min and 20-min toxin-exposed endosomes were similar to those of 2-min control endosomes. Cholera toxin also increased ATP-dependent steady-state intravesicular H+ concentration by 38-218% (P < 0.05). Pertussis toxin increased endosome acidification rates by 20-54% (P < 0.05). Both toxins increased liver cAMP content, and endosomes prepared from perfused livers exposed to 0.75 mM dibutyryl cAMP exhibited similar increases in acidification rates. These studies indicate that both cholera and pertussis toxins markedly alter the function of rat liver endosomes. The mechanism is unlikely to reflect major changes in vesicle ion transporters but rather may indicate either an increase in the number of H+ pumps per endosome and/or changes in fusion, remodeling, and maturation of early endocytic vesicles in response to cAMP.

cAMP and protein kinase A stimulate acidification of rat liver endosomes in the absence of chloride.

Endosomes and lysosomes are acidified by an electrogenic proton pump in parallel with a chloride conductance and in kidney both of these may be regulated by cAMP. In vitro exposure of isolated rat liver endosomes to cAMP, PKA and GTP-gamma S stimulated acidification of "early" endosomes with or without C1-, but not in the absence of K+. cAMP and PKA also increased acidification rates of purified "late" endosomes, multivesicular bodies, CURL vesicles and lysosomes. "Early" endosomes prepared from livers perfused with cAMP also exhibited increased rates of acidification. cAMP and PKA had no consistent effects on steady-state intravesicular pH or proton efflux rates. Thus, acidification of several types of liver endocytic vesicles was stimulated by cAMP and PKA in the presence and absence of chloride, possibly due to changes in the proton pump itself and/or a cation conductance.

Acidification of lysosomes and endosomes.

Lysosomes, endosomes, and a variety of other intracellular organelles are acidified by a family of unique proton pumps, termed the vacuolar H(+)-ATPases, that are evolutionarily related to bacterial membrane proton pumps and the F1-F0 H(+)-ATPases that catalyze ATP synthesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts. The electrogenic vacuolar H(+)-ATPase is responsible for generating electrical and chemical gradients across organelle membranes with the magnitude of these gradients ultimately determined by both proton pump regulatory mechanisms and, more importantly, associated ion and organic solute transporters located in vesicle membranes. Analogous to Na+, K(+)-ATPase on the cell membrane, the vacuolar proton pump not only acidifies the vesicle interior but provides a potential energy source for driving a variety of coupled transporters, many of them unique to specific organelles. Although the basic mechanism for organelle acidification is now well understood, it is already apparent that there are many differences in both the function of the proton pump and the associated transporters in different organelles and different cell types. These differences and their physiologic and pathophysiologic implications are exciting areas for future investigation.

Na+/H+ exchange modulates acidification of early rat liver endocytic vesicles.

Endocytic vesicles are acidified by an electrogenic vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. These studies examined whether rat liver endosomes also exhibit Na+/H+ exchange and whether this transporter alters acidification. Extravesicular Na+ caused saturable proton efflux from acidified endosomes with a Michaelis constant for Na+ of 7.6 mM, whereas an in-to-out Na+ gradient caused endosome acidification without MgATP and accelerated acidification with MgATP. Na(+)-driven proton fluxes were little altered by valinomycin or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. Na+/H+ exchange was inhibited by Li+ but was not affected by K+, Cl-, amiloride (1 mM), or 5-(N,N-dimethyl) amiloride (0.1 mM). Na+/H+ exchange was detected in "early" but not in "late" liver endosomes or in lysosomes. These data suggest that early rat liver endosomes exhibit Na+/H+ exchange that, immediately after endosome formation, may accelerate vesicular acidification. Because of its insensitivity to amiloride, this exchanger may be a pharmacologically altered form of Na+/H+ exchanger-1 or a new isoform.

Organic cation transport by rat liver lysosomes.

Hepatic organic cation transport has been characterized in rat liver plasma membrane vesicles, using the quaternary amine tetraethylammonium (TEA) as a model substrate. Sinusoidal TEA uptake is stimulated by an inside-negative membrane potential; TEA transport across the canalicular membrane is mediated by electroneutral organic cation-H+ exchange. Substrates for these transport processes include procainamide ethobromide (PAEB) and vecuronium, cationic drugs that undergo biliary excretion. Given the apparent absence of sinusoidal transport mechanisms able to generate high hepatocyte-to-blood organic cation concentration ratios, intracellular transport of organic cations may involve sequestration and concentration within acidified organelles. Therefore, the characteristics of TEA uptake were examined in isolated rat liver lysosomes that are acidified by a well-described H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase). Lysosomal uptake of [14C]TEA was a time- and ATP-dependent process, reaching steady state after 30-60 min. Steady-state [14C]TEA uptake was significantly reduced by omission of ATP and by addition of monensin, conditions that alter lysosomal pH and membrane potential gradients, and by the H(+)-ATPase inhibitors, N-ethylmaleimide and bafilomycin A. ATP-dependent lysosomal [14C]TEA uptake was significantly inhibited by PAEB, vecuronium, and other organic cationic substrates of canalicular TEA/H+ exchange. These findings demonstrate that rat liver lysosomes sequester certain organic cationic drugs, most likely via organic cation/H+ exchange driven by H(+)-ATPase. Canalicular organic cation/H+ exchange may reflect, in part, the exocytic insertion of this transporter from an intracellular compartment to this membrane domain.

CFTR does not alter acidification of L cell endosomes.

Endosomes from L cells, transduced with the CFTR gene, and the parental line, which does not express detectable levels of CFTR, were loaded with FITC-dextran, isolated and the initial rates of acidification, steady-state pHi, and proton leak rates were compared over a range of chloride concentrations (0-140 mM). Values for these parameters were similar for endosomes from both cell lines in the presence and absence of cAMP and PKA. These results indicate that CFTR does not alter L cell endosome acidification, possibly due to an adequate intrinsic CI- conductance or to a failure to incorporate sufficient functional CFTR or a necessary co-factor in endocytic membranes.

Role of Na,K-ATPase in regulating acidification of early rat liver endocytic vesicles.

Endocytic vesicles are acidified by an electrogenic proton pump and a parallel chloride conductance; however, acidification might be decreased if electrogenic transporters, such as Na,K-ATPase, that increase vesicle interior-positive membrane potential were also present. We examined this issue in early rat liver endosomes using ion substitution and inhibitors to alter Na,K-ATPase activity. These early endosomes, labeled for 2 min with the fluorescent fluid-phase marker fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran, consistently acidified faster than endosomes similarly labeled for a 10-min period. In chloride-free media initial rates of acidification of early endosomes were faster in K+ media than in Na+ medium, although addition of K+ to Na+ or Na+ to K+ media to allow Na,K-ATPase to function did not decrease the rate of acidification. In chloride-containing media, rates were the same regardless of cation composition. The Na,K-ATPase inhibitor vanadate was prepared from orthovanadate by several methods, all of which inhibited liver ATPase activity. Two hundred mumol/L vanadate, prepared Cl(-)-free, tended to decrease rates of acidification in all media tested and these effects achieved statistical significance in Cl(-)-free media containing 150 mmol/L K+ or mixtures of Na+ and K+ and in 145 mmol/L KCl/5 mmol/L NaCl medium. Vanadate stocks pH-adjusted with hydrogen chloride increased rates of acidification in sodium gluconate buffers, probably as a result of the effects of the included Cl-. Five mmol/L ouabain (loaded into vesicles by endocytosis) and the membrane-permeable analog strophanthidin (2 mmol/L) both markedly inhibited endosome acidification, regardless of buffer ion composition. Collectively, these results suggest that Na,K-ATPase does not regulate acidification of rat liver early endocytic vesicles, that vanadate may modestly inhibit endosome acidification and that ouabain at high concentrations may inhibit acidification from the vesicle interior face.

Acidification of three types of liver endocytic vesicles: similarities and differences.

Endocytosed ligands move through a series of progressively more acidic vesicles. These differences in pH (pHi) could reflect differences in ion transport mechanisms. Vesicles representing three stages of endocytosis, compartment for uncoupling of receptor and ligand (CURL), multivesicular bodies (MVB), and receptor recycling compartment (RRC), were studied, and all exhibited ATP-dependent electrogenic acidification that was a saturable function of medium chloride. Initial rates of acidification differed (RRC > CURL > MVB), and proton influx was similar for CURL and RRC but slower for MVB. Steady-state ATP-dependent pHi in the three vesicles was more similar. Vesicle membrane potential was substantial (+41 to +69 mV) in low-chloride medium and greatest for RRC but was low (-6 to +6 mV) in 140 mM KCl. These vesicles also exhibited -22 to -37 mV Donnan potentials. Steady-state pump-generated proton electrochemical gradients (delta mu H+) ranged from 114 to 175 mV and were greater for CURL and RRC than for MVB; however, delta mu H+ changed little over a 140-fold difference in chloride concentration. Proton leak rates were faster in CURL and RRC than in MVB, but proton efflux was similar. Finally, proton fluxes and permeabilities, calculated with regard to surface area, differed in the opposite direction (MVB > CURL > RRC). Thus, for the endocytic vesicles studied, intrinsic differences in proton flux and in vesicle geometry could be demonstrated that contributed to differences in pre-steady-state vesicle pHi.

Acidification of rat liver lysosomes: quantitation and comparison with endosomes.

Both lysosomes and endosomes are acidified by an electrogenic proton pump, although studies in intact cells indicate that the steady-state internal pH (pHi) of lysosomes is more acid than that of endosomes. We undertook the present study to examine in detail the acidification mechanism of purified rat liver secondary lysosomes and to compare it with that of a population of early endosomes. Both endosomes and lysosomes exhibited ATP-dependent acidification, but proton influx rates were 2.4- to 2.7-fold greater for endosomes than for lysosomes because of differences in both buffering capacity and acidification rates, suggesting that endosomes exhibited greater numbers or rates of proton pumps. Lysosomes, however, exhibited a more acidic steady-state pHi due in part to a slower proton leak rate. Changes in medium Cl- increased acidification rates of endosomes more than lysosomes, and the lysosome ATP-dependent interior-positive membrane potential was only partially eliminated by high-Cl- medium. Permeability studies suggested that lysosomes were less permeable to Na+, Li+, and Cl- and more permeable to K+ and PO4(2-) than endosomes. Na-K-adenosine-triphosphatase did not appear to regulate acidification of either vesicle type. Endosome and lysosome acidification displayed similar inhibition profiles to N-ethylmaleimide, dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide, and vanadate, although lysosomes were somewhat more sensitive [concentration producing 50% maximal inhibition (IC50) 1 nM] to bafilomycin A1 than endosomes (IC50 7.6 nM). Oligomycin (1.5-3 microM) stimulated lysosome acidification due to shunting of membrane potential. Overall, acidification of endosomes and lysosomes was qualitatively similar but quantitatively somewhat different, possibly related to differences in the density or rate of proton pumps as well as vesicle permeability to protons, anions, and other cations.

Ethinyl estradiol decreases acidification of rat liver endocytic vesicles.

Treatment with ethinyl estradiol is known to impair bile formation, bile acid transport and Na,K-ATPase activity, to alter receptor-mediated endocytosis and transcytosis of IgA and asialoorosomucoid and to affect membrane lipid composition and fluidity. Because appropriate sorting and trafficking of asialoorosomucoid requires adequate acidification of endocytic vesicles by a lipid-sensitive electrogenic proton pump, we examined the effects of 5 days of treatment with ethinyl estradiol (5 mg/kg body wt, subcutaneously) on acidification of early endosomes prepared from male rat livers. Littermate control animals received equal volumes of the solvent propylene glycol. Pretreatment with ethinyl estradiol reduced ATP-dependent initial rates of endosome acidification by 11% to 25% when measured in potassium medium containing 0 to 140 mmol/L chloride; these differences were significant at four of six chloride concentrations tested. The proton pumps of ethinyl estradiol and propylene glycol endosomes exhibited similar Michaelis-Menten constants for MgATP (Michaelis-Menten constant of 63 and 66 mumol/L in the absence of chloride and 101 and 126 mumol/L in the presence of chloride, respectively). Acidification of ethinyl estradiol and propylene glycol endosomes changed in the same manner when various cations or anions were substituted for potassium gluconate, although the effects of ethinyl estradiol were less marked in the absence of K+. Kinetics of inhibition for ethinyl estradiol and propylene glycol endosomes were similar for the proton pump inhibitors N-ethylmaleimide (50% inhibitory concentrations of 13.5 and 18.1 mumol/L), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (50% inhibitory concentrations of 206 and 216 mumol/L) and bafilomycin A (50% inhibitory concentrations of 11 and 6 nmol/L). Although initial rates of acidification were slower in ethinyl estradiol endosomes, ATP-dependent steady-state vesicle interior pH was the same as that of propylene glycol endosomes over a range of chloride concentrations; this appeared to be due mainly to a trend toward decreased proton leak rates in ethinyl estradiol endosomes. Overall, ethinyl estradiol treatment modestly decreased initial rates of acidification and vesicle proton leakage, perhaps because of changes in endosome lipid composition; differences in the number, density or activation state of proton pumps; or differences in endosome geometry. Because the decrease in acidification rates was small, the effects of estrogen on the efficiency of uncoupling of endocytosed ligands such as asialoorosomucoid from their receptors in early endosomes; thus the rates of sorting and distribution of ligands remain unclear.

Phase I study of (6R)-5,10-dideazatetrahydrofolate: a folate antimetabolite inhibitory to de novo purine synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer chemotherapy with folate antimetabolites has been traditionally targeted at the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase and is based on the requirement of dividing tumor cells for a supply of thymidylate and purines. However, a new compound, 5,10-dideazatetrahydrofolate (DDATHF, whose 6R diastereomer is also known as Lometrexol), has become available that prevents tumor cell growth by inhibiting the first of the folate-dependent enzymes involved in de novo purine synthesis, glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase. PURPOSE: We investigated the toxicity and therapeutic activity of DDATHF in a phase I clinical trial. METHODS: DDATHF was given at one of the following dose levels to 33 patients (16 females and 17 males) with malignant solid tumors: 3.0 mg/m2 per week (level A) to 10 patients, 4.5 mg/m2 per week (level B) to 13 patients, or 6.0 mg/m2 per week (level C) to 10 patients. Each drug cycle consisted of three weekly injections of DDATHF followed by a 2-week rest prior to redosing in the next cycle. RESULTS: Of 33 patients, 27 received at least one full cycle of DDATHF. Thrombocytopenia was the major dose-limiting toxicity, and it was severe in one of 10 patients during the first cycle and in two of four patients during the second cycle. Because of cumulative toxicity at 6.0 mg/m2, second or later cycles were abbreviated to two weekly doses. Stomatitis was generally mild, but it was dose-limiting in one patient. Neutropenia was infrequent and mild, and normocytic anemia requiring blood transfusion was common with repeat dosing. Leucovorin was given for grade 2 or greater thrombocytopenia and resulted in hematologic recovery within 1 week in all eight patients so treated. Without leucovorin, the thrombocytopenia lasted from 7 to 49 days in three patients. A partial response was noted in one patient with non-small-cell lung cancer and a minor response in one patient with breast cancer. Three patients with colorectal cancer achieved stable disease for greater than 3 months with improvement in carcinoembryonic antigen levels in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: DDATHF has an unusual pattern of toxicity with repetitive dosing, and humans with advanced cancer are considerably more sensitive than would be predicted from previous animal studies. Although doses of 6.0 mg/m2 per week on our schedule have been determined to be safe, repeated cycles require careful monitoring because of cumulative toxic effects. IMPLICATIONS: Additional phase I studies of DDATHF that relate toxicity to folate intake and tissue folate pools appear warranted.

Prostaglandin- and theophylline-induced C1 secretion in rat distal colon is inhibited by microtubule inhibitors.

The aim of the present study was to examine the possible role of microtubules in chloride secretion by distal rat colon stimulated by prostaglandin (PGE2) and theophylline. Distal colonic tissue from male rats was mounted in Ussing chambers, and short-circuit current (Isc) was measured to assess chloride secretion. Three microtubule inhibitors, colchicine, nocodazole, and taxol, all inhibited the stimulated Isc and reduced the 60-min integrated secretory response to PGE2 and theophylline (integral of Iscdt) by 39-52%, whereas the inactive colchicine analog lumicolchicine did not. Atropine and tetrodotoxin had no effect on stimulated chloride secretion. To confirm the source of Isc, unidirectional 22Na+ and 36Cl- fluxes were measured in tissues exposed to lumicolchicine (control) or colchicine. Control tissues absorbed both chloride [5.0 (1.1-8.6) (median and 95% confidence interval) mueq/cm2/hr] and sodium [2.8 (0.9-7.2) mueq/cm2/hr], and this net absorption was reduced by 96% and 79%, respectively, by treatment with PGE2 and theophylline due to an increase in serosal-to-mucosal chloride and sodium movement. Colchicine-treated tissues exhibited similar net basal chloride and sodium absorption that was reduced by 71% and 75%, respectively, by treatment with PGE2 and theophylline. Thus the PGE2- and theophylline-induced increase in chloride secretion was significantly reduced by colchicine (P < 0.05 by Wilcoxon rank-sum test), whereas colchicine had no effect on PGE2- and theophylline-induced changes in sodium fluxes. Furthermore, the colchicine-related changes in stimulated chloride secretion were numerically similar to colchicine-related changes in stimulated Isc.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of CFTR in lysosome acidification.

The role of CFTR in lysosome acidification was examined in CFPAC-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells with the delta F508 mutation that were transduced with a retroviral vector (PLJ-CFPAC) or with the normal CFTR gene (CFTR-CFPAC). Steady-state lysosomal pHi in intact cells was lower in PLJ-CFPAC cells than CFTR-CFPAC cells (3.55 vs 3.80) and was not affected by cAMP or forskolin. Initial rates of ATP-dependent acidification of isolated lysosomes and steady-state ATP-dependent pHi were similar in both cell lines over a range of chloride concentrations and were not altered when cells were exposed to cAMP or to forskolin prior to preparation of lysosomes. These observations suggest that CFTR plays no role in acidification of lysosomes, possibly due to limited permeability of lysosomal membranes to chloride.

Sequestration of organic cations by acidified hepatic endocytic vesicles and implications for biliary excretion.

A number of cationic amine drugs that are taken up by liver and excreted into bile may accumulate in acidified intracellular organelles such as lysosomes and endosomes. These studies were undertaken to assess directly the uptake and accumulation of three types of model organic cationic amines by endocytic vesicles, and the role of vesicle acidification in this process. Uptake of tubocurarine (TC), vecuronium and tributylmethylammonium (TBuMA) by purified rat liver multivesicular bodies (MVB) (prelysosomal endocytic vesicles) was dependent upon MgATP, time and drug concentration. After 60 min, 52 to 81% of MVB cation content was dependent upon vesicle acidification (due to an electrogenic proton pump), but not upon an interior positive vesicle membrane potential. Nineteen to 42% of MVB cation content appeared due to binding to MVB membranes or to internal lipoproteins. Vesicle-to-medium ATP-dependent apparent concentration ratios for these three cations were 3.3 to 51. MVB uptake of these cations resembled uptake of methylamine, a tertiary amine known to distribute across organellar membranes according to pH gradients. By contrast, MVB uptake of the lipophilic quaternary amine methyldeptropine was not dependent upon MgATP or on development of MVB pH or membrane potential gradients. In further studies, TC, vecuronium and TBuMA were rapidly taken up by the isolated perfused rat liver and excreted in bile. Exposure to 250 mciroM primaquin (which partially alkalinized acidic endosomes and lysosomes) reduced accumulation of [3H]vecuronium in a lysosomal fraction by 23%, decreased perfusate disappearance of TC and TBuMA, but not of vecuronium, and decreased biliary appearance of all three cations. These studies suggest that acidified intracellular organelles sequester certain organic cationic drugs, possibly via a drug/proton antiporter, and/or diffusion followed by intravesicular protonation and trapping of tertiary amines. However, attempts at partial displacement of these drugs, accomplished through partial vesicle alkalization by primaquin, decreased excretion of TC, vecuronium and TBuMA, perhaps reflecting the small functional size of the displaceable organellar drug compartment and/or competition between primaquin and the organic cations for membrane transport processes.