Losartan-sensitive AII receptors linked to depolarization-dependent cortisol secretion through a novel signaling pathway.

In bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells, angiotensin II (AII) may stimulate depolarization-dependent Ca2+ entry and cortisol secretion through inhibition of a novel potassium channel (IAC), which appears to set the resting potential of these cells. Aspects of the signaling pathway, which couples AII receptors to membrane depolarization and secretion, were characterized in patch clamp and membrane potential recordings and in secretion studies. AII-mediated inhibition of IAC, membrane depolarization, and cortisol secretion were all blocked by the AII type I (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan. These responses were unaffected by the AT2 antagonist PD123319. Inhibition of IAC by AII was prevented by intracellular application of guanosine 5'-O-2-(thio)-diphosphate but was not affected by pre-incubation of cells with pertussis toxin. Although mediated through an AT1 receptor, several lines of evidence indicated that AII inhibition of IAC occurred through an unusual phospholipase C (PLC)-independent pathway. Acetylcholine, which activates PLC in AZF cells, did not inhibit IAC. Neither the PLC antagonist neomycin nor PLC-generated second messengers prevented IAC expression or mimicked the inhibition of this current by AII. IAC expression and inhibition by AII were insensitive to variations in intracellular or extracellular Ca2+ concentration. AII-mediated inhibition of IAC was markedly reduced by the non-hydrolyzable ATP analog adenosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imino)triphosphate and by the non-selective protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine. The protein phosphatase antagonist okadaic acid reversibly inhibited IAC in whole cell recordings. These findings indicate that AII-stimulated effects on IAC current, membrane voltage, and cortisol secretion are linked through a common AT1 receptor. Inhibition of IAC in AZF cells appears to occur through a novel signaling pathway, which may include a losartan-sensitive AT1 receptor coupled through a pertussis-insensitive G protein to a staurosporine-sensitive protein kinase. Apparently, the mechanism linking AT1 receptors to IAC inhibition and Ca2+ influx in adrenocortical cells is separate from that involving inositol trisphosphate-stimulated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. AII-stimulated cortisol secretion may occur through distinct parallel signaling pathways.

Voltage-gated transient currents in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells. I. T-type Ca2+ current.

The whole cell version of the patch clamp technique was used to identify and characterize voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in enzymatically dissociated bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells. The great majority of cells (84 of 86) expressed only low voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating Ca2+ current with properties of T-type Ca2+ current described in other cells. Voltage-dependent activation of this current was fit by a Boltzmann function raised to an integer power of 4 with a midpoint at -17 mV. Independent estimates of the single channel gating charge obtained from the activation curve and using the "limiting logarithmic potential sensitivity" were 8.1 and 6.8 elementary charges, respectively. Inactivation was a steep function of voltage with a v1/2 of -49.9 mV and a slope factor K of 3.73 mV. The expression of a single Ca2+ channel subtype by AZF cells allowed the voltage-dependent gating and kinetic properties of T current to be studied over a wide range of potentials. Analysis of the gating kinetics of this Ca2+ current indicate that T channel activation, inactivation, deactivation (closing), and reactivation (recovery from inactivation) each include voltage-independent transitions that become rate limiting at extreme voltages. Ca2+ current activated with voltage-dependent sigmoidal kinetics that were described by an m4 model. The activation time constant varied exponentially at test potentials between -30 and +10 mV, approaching a voltage-independent minimum of 1.6 ms. The inactivation time constant (tau i) also decreased exponentially to a minimum of 18.3 ms at potentials positive to 0 mV. T channel closing (deactivation) was faster at more negative voltages; the deactivation time constant (tau d) decreased from 8.14 +/- 0.7 to 0.48 +/- 0.1 ms at potentials between -40 and -150 mV. T channels inactivated by depolarization returned to the closed state along pathways that included two voltage-dependent time constants. tau rec-s ranged from 8.11 to 4.80 s when the recovery potential was varied from -50 to -90 mV, while tau rec-f decreased from 1.01 to 0.372 s. At potentials negative to -70 mV, both time constants approached minimum values. The low voltage-activated Ca2+ current in AZF cells was blocked by the T channel selective antagonist Ni2+ with an IC50 of 20 microM. At similar concentrations, Ni2+ also blocked cortisol secretion stimulated by adrenocorticotropic hormone. Our results indicate that bovine AZF cells are distinctive among secretory cells in expressing primarily or exclusively T-type Ca2+ channels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A novel K+ current inhibited by adrenocorticotropic hormone and angiotensin II in adrenal cortical cells.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and angiotensin II (AII) are peptides that regulate the production of steroid hormones by cells of the adrenal cortex. The cellular mechanisms linking these peptides to corticosteroid hormone secretion are not understood. In patch clamp recordings from bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells, we have identified a novel cholera toxin-sensitive K+ current (IAC), which is potently inhibited by both ACTH and AII with respective EC50 values of 4.5 and 145 pM. These two peptides depolarize AZF cells with a temporal pattern and potency that parallels the inhibition of IAC. With the discovery of IAC, we have identified a common molecular target for both ACTH and AII. The convergent inhibition of IAC by these two peptides suggests a mechanism whereby biochemical signals originating at the cell membrane can be transduced to depolarization-dependent Ca2+ entry and steroid hormone secretion.

Membrane currents in a calcitonin-secreting human C cell line.

The whole cell version of the patch-clamp technique was used to identify and characterize voltage-gated Ca2+, Na+, and K+ currents in the calcitonin-secreting human thyroid TT cell line. Ca2+ current consisted of a single low-voltage-activated rapidly inactivating component. The current was one-half maximally activated at a potential of -27 mV, while steady-state voltage-dependent inactivation was one-half complete at -51 mV. The Ca2+ current inactivated with a voltage-dependent time constant that reached a minimum of 16 ms at potentials positive to -15 mV. Deactivation kinetics could also be fit with a single voltage-dependent time constant of approximately 2 ms at -80 mV. Replacing Ca2+ with Ba2+ reduced the maximum current by 18 +/- 5% (n = 6). The dihydropyridine Ca2+ agonist (-)BAY K 8644 did not affect the Ca2+ current, but 50 microM Ni2+ reduced it by 81 +/- 0.8% (n = 5). TT cells also possessed tetrodotoxin-sensitive voltage-gated Na+ channels and tetraethylammonium-sensitive delayed rectifier type K+ currents. These results indicate that TT cells possess membrane currents necessary for the generation of action potentials. T-type Ca2+ channels are the sole pathway for voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry into these cells and may couple electrical activity to calcitonin secretion.

Preferential block of T-type calcium channels by neuroleptics in neural crest-derived rat and human C cell lines.

We have used the whole-cell version of the patch-clamp technique to analyze the inhibition of Ca2+ currents by antipsychotic agents in neural crest-derived rat and human thyroid C cell lines. Diphenylbutylpiperidine (DPBP) antipsychotics, including penfluridol and fluspirilene, potently and preferentially block T-type Ca2+ current in the rat medullary thyroid carcinoma 6-23 (clone 6) cell line. When step depolarizations were applied at 0.1 Hz from a holding potential of -80 mV, with 10 mM Ca2+ as the charge carrier, the DPBP penfluridol inhibited T-type current with an IC50 of 224 nM. High voltage-activated L and N currents were less potently blocked. At a concentration of 500 nM, penfluridol inhibited 78.0 +/- 2.3% (n = 29) of inactivating T-type Ca2+ current, whereas the sustained high voltage-activated current was reduced by 25.6 +/- 3.5% (n = 28). Block of T-type current by penfluridol was enhanced by depolarizing test pulses applied at frequencies above 0.03 Hz. The use-dependent component of block was largely reversed by pulse-free periods at -80 mV. T-type Ca2+ channels in the human TT C cell line were blocked by penfluridol, and the potency was enhanced by reduction of extracellular Ca2+. Non-DPBP antipsychotics, including haloperidol, clozapine, and thioridazine, also blocked T-type channels, but these were 20-100 times less potent than the DPBPs. These results identify the DPBPs as a new class of organic Ca2+ channel antagonists, which are distinctive in their ability to preferentially block T-type channels. These agents will be useful in defining the function of T channels in various excitable cells. Their potent block of T-type Ca2+ channels, which would be enhanced in rapidly firing cells, suggests that this action may be relevant to the therapeutic or toxic effects of these drugs when used in clinical pharmacology.

Interaction between carbachol and vasoactive intestinal peptide in cells of isolated colonic crypts.

In a previous study [B. Biagi, Y.-Z. Wang, and H. J. Cooke, Am. J. Physiol. 258 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 21): G223-G230, 1990], carbachol stimulated active chloride transport in rabbit distal colon, yet had no effect on the basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) of cells from isolated crypts from the same tissue. In the present study, crypt cells were first depolarized with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP; 1 x 10(-9) M) (control Vbl = -62 mV; VIP Vbl = -48 mV) and then exposed to carbachol in the presence of VIP. The VIP-induced depolarization of Vbl was completely reversed by carbachol (0.1 mM; repolarization to -65 mV). Similar repolarization was seen by applying carbachol to crypt cells depolarized by 10 mM aminophylline. Intracellular K+ activity (aiK), measured with K(+)-selective microelectrodes, was 64.3 mM (concn = 85 mM), yielding a K+ equilibrium potential (EK+) of -76 mV. Neither carbachol nor VIP application caused significant changes in aiK. These results demonstrate the presence of cholinergic receptors on colonic crypt cells. The magnitude of the carbachol effect on Vbl is greater when Vbl is depolarized relative to EK+. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that carbachol acts by increasing basolateral K+ conductance, driving the cell toward the EK+.

Ca2+ channel modulation and kinase-C activation in a pituitary cell line: induction of immediate early genes and inhibition of proliferation.

We have studied the interaction between dihydropyridine (DHP) Ca2+ modulators and the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on whole cell Ca2+ currents, 45Ca2+ uptake, immediate early gene (IEG) expression, and proliferation in the rat pituitary GH4C1 cell line. When short (3- to 5-msec) depolarizing voltage clamp steps were used to activate L-type Ca2+ channels, the DHP Ca2+ agonist (-)Bay K 8644 markedly enhanced Ca2+ entry by slowing channel closing upon repolarization. In contrast, the Ca2+ agonist induced only small and inconsistent increases in c-fos mRNA and did not measurably increase NGFI-A. Ca2+ channel activation by depolarization with 50 mM KCl in the presence of (-)Bay K 8644 induced large increases in 45Ca2+ uptake, but failed to markedly induce either of the IEGs. The phorbol ester PMA did not alter T- or L-type Ca2+ current or 45Ca2+ uptake by GH4C1 cells, but triggered large increases in both c-fos and NGFI-A mRNA. In combination, PMA and (-)Bay K 8644 acted synergistically to increase mRNAs for both IEGs. The effect of the DHPs was stereospecific; (+)Bay K 8644, a Ca2+ antagonist, inhibited PMA-induced increases in c-fos and NGFI-A mRNAs. Both PMA and (-)Bay K 8644 inhibited the proliferation of GH4C1 cells, measured by cell count or [3H]thymidine incorporation. The inhibition by the Ca2+ agonist was stereoselective and approximately additive to that of PMA. These results indicate that the expression of c-fos IEG and that of NGFI-A IEG are differentially regulated by separate second messenger pathways in GH4C1 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multiple calcium currents in a thyroid C-cell line: biophysical properties and pharmacology.

The whole cell version of the patch-clamp technique was used to characterize voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in the calcitonin-secreting rat thyroid C-cell line 6-23 (clone 6). Three types of Ca2+ channels could be distinguished based on differences in voltage dependence, kinetics, and pharmacological sensitivity. T-type current was half-maximal at -31 mV, showed steady-state voltage-dependent inactivation that was half-maximal at -57 mV, inactivated with a voltage-dependent time constant that reached a minimum of 20 ms at potentials positive to -20 mV, and deactivated with a single time constant of approximately 2 ms at -80 mV. Reactivation of inactivated channels occurred with a time constant of 1.26 s at -90 mV. T current was selectively blocked by Ni2+ at concentrations between 5 and 50 microM. La3+ and Y3+ blocked the T current at 10- to 20-fold lower concentrations. Dihydropyridine-sensitive L-type current was half-maximal at a test potential of -3 mV and was approximately doubled in size when Ba2+ replaced Ca2+ as the charge carrier. Unlike L-type Ca2+ current in many cells, this current in C-cells displayed little Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation. N-type current was composed of inactivating and sustained components that were inhibited by omega-conotoxin. The inactivating component was half-maximal at +9 mV and could be fitted by two exponentials with time constants of 22 and 142 ms. A slow inactivation of N current with a time constant of 24.9 s was observed upon switching the holding potential from -80 to -40 mV. These results demonstrate that, similar to other neural crest derived cells, thyroid C-cells express multiple Ca2+ channels, including one previously observed only in neurons.

Blockade of low and high threshold Ca2+ channels by diphenylbutylpiperidine antipsychotics linked to inhibition of prolactin gene expression.

The effects of diphenylbutylpiperidine (DPBP) antipsychotics on Ca2+ currents and prolactin (PRL) synthesis were studied in rat pituitary growth hormone (GH) cell lines (GH3 and GH4C1). In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, DPBPs including fluspirilene, penfluridol, and pimozide at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 5 microM each blocked current through low threshold T-type as well as high threshold L-type channels. Each of the drugs preferentially blocked T-type current, and complete inhibition was observed at concentrations as low as 1 microM. Inhibition of L-type channels by DPBPS was enhanced at depolarized holding potentials and promoted by prolonged channel activation. At concentrations similar to those which blocked Ca2+ currents, each of the three DPBPs markedly reduced basal PRL production by GH cells. PRL synthesis stimulated by the dihydropyridine Ca2+ agonist R5417 or thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) was also inhibited. The inhibitory effects of the DPBPs were observed at the level of gene transcription. Penfluridol and fluspirilene inhibited basal, Ca2(+)- and TRH-stimulated expression of a fusion gene construct containing the 5'-flanking sequence of the rat PRL gene linked to the luciferase gene. The effect was concentration-dependent with the IC50 values for both drugs of less than 1 microM. Nimodipine also reduced basal, R5417, and TRH-stimulated expression of the reporter gene construct. Similar results were obtained with a reporter gene construct containing the 5'-flanking sequence of the rat GH gene. The GH luciferase construct was only slightly responsive to R5417 and TRH; however, these responses were reduced by fluspirilene and nimodipine at concentrations of less than 1 microM. These studies demonstrate that the DPBP antipsychotics block T- as well as L-type Ca2+ channels in GH cells and inhibit PRL production at the level of transcription. They also indicate that functioning Ca2+ channels are necessary for TRH-stimulated PRL gene transcription.

Gadolinium blocks low- and high-threshold calcium currents in pituitary cells.

The inhibition of L- and T-type Ca2+ currents by Gd3+ was studied in the rat pituitary GH4C1 cell line. In whole cell patch recordings, Gd3+ at concentrations of 50 nM to 5 microM blocked Ca2+ current through L-type channels. Block was promoted by prolonged channel activation. With 4.5-s test pulses to + 10 mV, Gd3+ at concentrations as low as 200 nM produced near-complete block of L current. At higher Gd3+ concentrations (5 microM), complete block occurred with short test pulses and appeared to be independent of channel activation. Gd3+ also blocked current through low-threshold T channels in GH4C1 cells. Two other trivalent elements, La3+ and Y3+, blocked L-type Ca2+ channels in GH4C1 cells with potency similar to Gd3+. These results indicate that these trivalent cations are effective nonselective inhibitors of both low- and high-threshold Ca2+ channels in endocrine cells. In this regard, they are among the most potent inorganic Ca2+ antagonists yet discovered.

Hyperthyroid adult rat cardiomyocytes. II. Single cell electrophysiology and free calcium transients.

The effects of hyperthyroidism on electrophysiological properties and intracellular free calcium transients in single adult rat cardiomyocytes were studied using conventional microelectrodes and time-resolved single cell fura-2 fluorescence microscopy. Under control conditions, resting membrane potentials and triggered action potentials were not different in euthyroid and hyperthyroid myocytes. Calcium transients produced by electrical stimulation, however, were markedly abbreviated in hyperthyroid myocytes. During a train of stimuli, the duration of the calcium transients at half peak amplitude (half time) was 124 +/- 14 ms at the fifth beat in hyperthyroid cells vs. 287 +/- 35 ms in euthyroid cells. Isoproterenol (1 microM) prolonged time to 50% repolarization (APD50) of the action potentials and increased the peak calcium transients in both euthyroid and hyperthyroid myocytes. It also shortened the half time of the calcium transients in euthyroid myocytes but had little effect on the half time in hyperthyroid cells. These data are consistent with the electrophysiology and mechanical performance in intact euthyroid and hyperthyroid cardiac tissues, and the intrinsic changes in hyperthyroid tissues can therefore be illustrated in single ventricular myocytes. Furthermore, the results suggest that alterations in intracellular calcium handling by sarcoplasmic reticulum may account for contractile changes of the heart induced by hyperthyroidism.

Microelectrode characterization of the basolateral membrane of rabbit S3 proximal tubule.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the basolateral membrane of the S3 segment of the rabbit proximal tubule using conventional and ion-selective microelectrodes. When compared with results from S1 and S2 segments, S3 cells under control conditions have a more negative basolateral membrane potential (Vbl = -69 mV), a higher relative potassium conductance (tK = 0.6), lower intracellular Na+ activity (ANa = 18.4 mM), and higher intracellular K+ activity (AK = 67.8 mM). No evidence for a conductive sodium-dependent or sodium-independent HCO3- pathway could be demonstrated. The basolateral Na-K pump is inhibited by 10(-4) M ouabain and bath perfusion with a potassium-free (0-K) solution. 0-K perfusion results in ANa = 64.8 mM, AK = 18.5 mM, and Vbl = -28 mV. Basolateral potassium channels are blocked by barium and by acidification of the bathing medium. The relative K+ conductance, as evaluated by increasing bath K+ to 17 mM, is dependent upon the resting Vbl in both S2 and S3 cells. In summary, the basolateral membrane of S3 cells contains a pump-leak system with similar properties to S1 and S2 proximal tubule cells. The absence of conductive bicarbonate pathways results in a hyperpolarized cell and larger Na+ and K+ gradients across the cell borders, which will influence the transport properties and intracellular ion activities in this tubule segment.

pH sensitivity of the basolateral membrane of the rabbit proximal tubule.

Conventional microelectrodes were used to study the effects of bath pH and bicarbonate concentrations on the basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) of cells from the superficial proximal convoluted (PCT) and proximal straight (PST) tubules of the rabbit kidney perfused in vitro. Bathing solution pH was varied over the range of 5.9-7.4 using either control (22-25 mM) or low bicarbonate (5.0-6.6 mM) Ringer solutions and the appropriate CO2 tensions. The results show a strong pH dependence of the steady-state values of Vbl in both the convoluted and straight tubule segments. The pH-dependent depolarization was approximately 35 mV/pH unit change of the bathing solution in the acid direction and could be demonstrated in CO2-free HEPES-buffered solutions. A depolarizing response to increased bath potassium concentration (HK) was observed that was linearly related to the absolute value of the Vbl under control conditions. Under acidotic conditions, reduced HK depolarizations indicate that a decrease in the relative potassium permeability of the basolateral membrane is the principle mechanism underlying the effects of bath pH on Vbl.

Electrophysiology of basolateral bicarbonate transport in the rabbit proximal tubule.

Conventional microelectrodes were used to examine the electrogenic pathways for bicarbonate transport across the basolateral membranes of proximal convoluted (PCT) and straight (PST) tubule segments of the rabbit kidney perfused in vitro. When bath bicarbonate concentration was reduced from 22 to 6.6 mM at a constant pH, transient depolarizations lasting several seconds with a peak value of approximately 15 mV were seen in both tubule segments. Acetazolamide (0.1 mM) in the lumen and bath solutions reduced the magnitude and increased the duration fo this response. The final pH of the bathing solution influenced both the peak height and steady-state values of the intracellular potential when bicarbonate concentration was reduced either with constant CO2 or with an increase in CO2. Reducing bath sodium concentration by replacement with either tetramethylammonium or N-methyl-D-glucamine resulted in a sustained depolarization of both PCT and PST cells. This response was inhibited by the addition of 10(-4) M 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (SITS) in the bathing solution. By analogy with bicarbonate transport in rat and amphibian proximal tubules, these data suggest that bicarbonate exit across the basolateral membrane of the rabbit proximal tubule is electrogenic and coupled to sodium and that basolateral bicarbonate exit can be inhibited by both acetazolamide and SITS in the bathing solution.

Effects of the anion transport inhibitor, SITS, on the proximal straight tubule of the rabbit perfused in vitro.

Conventional microelectrodes were used to study the effects of SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate) on the basolateral membrane potential Vbl of the superficial proximal straight tubule (PST) of the rabbit kidney perfused in vitro. Addition of 0.1 mM SITS to the bathing solution resulted in a slow and irreversible hyperpolarization of Vbl from -42.5 +/- 1.17 (37) mV to -77.3 +/- 0.83 (52) mV. The new steady-state potential was reached in 10 to 15 min and was accompanied by visible cell swelling. Associated with this Vbl hyperpolarization was: 1) an increased steady-state depolarization (from 6.2 +/- 0.77 (17) mV to 25.7 +/- 0.83 (29) mV) in response to increasing bath potassium concentration from 5 to 16.7 mM (HK); 2) a decreased transient depolarization (from 19.8 +/- 1.88 (8) mV to 0.43 +/- 0.37 (8) mV) in response to decreasing bath bicarbonate concentration from 22 to 6.6 mM at constant bath pH (L-HCO3); and 3) inhibition of a depolarizing overshoot and a decreased steady-state depolarization (from 35.9 +/- 1.84 (12) mV to 4.7 +/- 1.37 (13) mV) in response to reducing bath sodium concentration from 144 to zero (0-Na). Sodium, chloride and NMDG (N-methyl-D-glucamine) were used as the substituting ions, respectively. These results are consistent with the presence of a coupled sodium-bicarbonate carrier in the basolateral membrane which is electrogenic and SITS inhibitable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of acid base disturbances on basolateral membrane potential and intracellular potassium activity in the proximal tubule of Necturus.

The effects of extracellular acid-base disturbances on intracellular potential (Em) and potassium activity (aiK) in the early proximal tubule of Necturus were examined. Using conventional and double barreled potassium ion selective microelectrodes it was possible to measure both the transient and steady-state responses to various states of extracellular acidosis and alkalosis. The results show that (i) when extracellular [HCO-3] is varied at constant pCO2, Em and aiK decrease in acidosis and increase in alkalosis. The greatest sensitivity in Em is between pH 7.6 and 6.8 with apparent saturation above and below these extremes; (ii) decreased [HCO-3] at constant pH = 7.6 also causes a depolarization of Em and reduces aiK, suggesting a major effect of extracellular [HCO-3] on intracellular potential and aiK; (iii) rapid perfusions and transient delta Em analysis suggest a high basolateral conductance for K+ and HCO-3 and a low Cl- conductance; (iv) increasing extracellular [K+] decreases the response of both Em and aiK to reduced [HCO-3] at constant pCO2. The results of this study demonstrate the important role of extracellular pH and/or [HCO-3] on the maintenance of cellular K+ homeostasis.

Intracellular microelectrode characterization of the rabbit cortical collecting duct.

Cortical collecting ducts of the rabbit were perfused in vitro and the intracellular potential (Vbl) was measured with KCl-filled microelectrodes. The ratio of apical to basolateral membrane resistance (Ra/Rbl) was estimated from the voltage divider ratio using cable analysis. In control tubules Vbl averaged--84.0 +/- 2.5 mV and Ra/Rbl was 0.83 +/- 0.11. Pretreatment of the rabbits with mineralocorticoid caused Vbl to hyperpolarize to--105.8 +/- 3.1 mV and Ra/Rbl to decrease slightly to 0.62 +/- 0.10. A 10-fold increase of the luminal [K+] caused a 40.6 +/- 3.1 mV depolarization of Vbl in control tubules and a 33.0 +/- 4.2 mV depolarization in tubules from DOCA-pretreated rabbits. Concurrently, Ra/Rbl decreased in both groups, consistent with the existence of a conductive K+ channel at the apical cell membrane. This apical K+ channel was not sensitive to amiloride but was blocked by Ba2+. Conductive movement of Na+ across the apical membrane was also apparent in that Ra/Rbl increased with amiloride from 0.61 +/- 0.10 to 1.45 +/- 0.28. A 10-fold increase in the bath [K+] caused a 28.6 +/- 3.8 and a 49.4 +/- 4.4 mV depolarization of Vbl in tubules obtained from control and DOCA-pretreated rabbits, respectively. In both groups Ra/Rbl increased, suggesting that the basolateral cell membrane also contains a conductive K+ channel. Taken together the results support a model in which the transepithelial reabsorption of Na+ and the transepithelial secretion of K+ are driven by the Na+-K+-ATPase located in the basolateral cell membrane, with passive movement of these ions occurring through separate conductive pathways in the apical cell membrane.

Temperature dependence of transepithelial potential in isolated perfused rabbit proximal tubules.

The response of the transepithelial potential to rapid cooling in isolated perfused proximal convoluted (PCT) and proximal straight (PST) tubules has been studied. Tubules were perfused with solutions which simulated glomerular filtrate (A), filtrate minus glucose and alanine (B), and late proximal tubular fluid (C). The values of the potentials at 37 and 10 degrees C as well as the temperature-sensitive component were found to vary with perfusate composition. Temperature sensifound to vary with perfusate composition. Temperature sensitivity in PCT was seen only when glucose and alanine were present in the perfusate. In contrast, a portion of the potential difference in PST was temperature dependent under each of the perfusion conditions. Temperature sensitivity in PST was inhibited by 10(-5) M ouabain in the bath. It is concluded that the lumen-negative, temperature-sensitive component of PCT potential may reflect the coupled luminal entry of Na+ along with glucose and alanine. In PST, the temperature-sensitive component can be associated with Na+ transport but is not dependent on luminal concentrations of glucose, alanine, HCO3- or Cl- over the ranges examined. Potentials in both segments at 10 degrees C are interpreted as resulting from processes that are passive in nature.