The suppression of testis-brain RNA binding protein and kinesin heavy chain disrupts mRNA sorting in dendrites.

Ribonucleoprotein particles (RNPs) are thought to be key players in somato-dendritic sorting of mRNAs in CNS neurons and are implicated in activity-directed neuronal remodeling. Here, we use reporter constructs and gel mobility shift assays to show that the testis brain RNA-binding protein (TB-RBP) associates with mRNPs in a sequence (Y element) dependent manner. Using antisense oligonucleotides (anti-ODN), we demonstrate that blocking the TB-RBP Y element binding site disrupts and mis-localizes mRNPs containing (alpha)-calmodulin dependent kinase II (alpha)-CAMKII) and ligatin mRNAs. In addition, we show that suppression of kinesin heavy chain motor protein alters only the localization of (alpha)-CAMKII mRNA. Thus, differential sorting of mRNAs involves multiple mRNPs and selective motor proteins permitting localized mRNAs to utilize common mechanisms for shared steps.

Fractals for multicyclic synthesis conditions of biopolymers. Examples of oligonucleotide synthesis measured by high-performance capillary electrophoresis and ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography.

We have developed models of patterns for nucleotide chain growth. These patterns are measurable by high-performance capillary electrophoresis and ion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography in crude products of solid-phase synthesized 30mer and 65mer oligodeoxyribonucleotide target sequences N. We introduce mathematical methods for finding characteristic values d(o) and p(o) for constant chemical modes of growth as well as d and p for non-constant chemical modes of growth (d = probability of propagation, p = probability of termination). These methods are employed by presenting the accompanying computer software developed by us in C code, Mathematica R languages, and Fortran. Characteristic values of the parameters d, p, and the target nucleotide length N describe the complete composition of the crude product. From this we have developed the relation 2 - [N/(N - 1)]/Da, measurable(N,d) as a universal quantitative measure for multicyclic synthesis conditions (D, fractal dimension and similarity exponent, respectively). We use this mathematical treatment to compare the efficiency of oligodeoxyribonucleotide syntheses of different target length N on polymer support materials. Further, we analyze selected syntheses of short and long oligodeoxyribonucleotides as well as single-stranded DNA sequences by well-known empirical autocorrelation, fast Fourier transformation, and embedding dimension techniques.

pH modulates cAMP-induced increase in Na+ transport across frog skin epithelium.

Apical membrane potential (Va), fractional apical membrane resistance (FRa), and/or intracellular pH (pHi) were measured in principal cells of isolated frog (Rana pipiens) skin with microelectrodes under short-circuit conditions. Apical exposure to 0.33 mM 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) depolarized Va, decreased FRa and increased short-circuit current (Isc). cAMP-induced 50% larger effects on Va and Isc at external pH (pHo) of 8.0 than at pHo 6.4. Increasing pHo from 6.4 to 8.0 in presence of cAMP further depolarized Va and increased Isc. cAMP-induced effects on Va and Isc were observed in the absence of Cl- and HCO3- and in the presence of 1 mM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) or 10 microM 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA) or 1 microM 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride (MIA). These data indicate that Na(+)-H+ exchange, Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange, and electrogenic Na(+)-(HCO3-)n cotransport are not involved in cAMP-induced increase in Isc. Apical exposure to 2 mM Cd2+ or Zn2+ depolarized Va, decreased FRa, increased Isc and increased pHi. In HCO(3-)-free solutions containing DIDS, unilateral replacement of apical Cl- by NO3- induced a fast transient depolarization of Va and an increase in Isc. These data suggest that potential-dependent changes in pHi are involved in increases in Isc. However, when changes in Va were minimized by pretreating the basolateral membrane with 25 or 75 mM K+, the cAMP-induced increase in Isc was not blocked. These data indicate that changes in pHi do not play a strict regulatory role but are only permissive in cAMP-induced effects on Isc.

Regulation of apical Na+ conductive transport in epithelia by pH.

Alterations in extracellular (pHo) and/or intracellular pH (pHi) have significant effects on the apical Na+ conductive transport in tight epithelia. They influence apical membrane Na+ conductance via a direct effect on amiloride-sensitive apical Na+ channel activity and indirectly through effects on the basolateral Na+/K(+)-ATPase. Changes in pH also modulate the hormonal regulation of apical Na+ conductive transport. The pH sensitive steps in hormone action include: (i) hormone-receptor binding, (ii) increase in intracellular cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), (iii) mobilization of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), and (iv) incorporation of new channels into the apical membrane or recruitment of existing channels. Alternately, changes in pH induce secondary effects via alterations in [Ca2+]i. A reciprocal relationship between pHi and [Ca2+]i has been demonstrated in renal epithelial cells. Natriferic hormones induce a significant increase in pHi. There is a strong temporal relation between hormone-induced increase in pHi and overall increase in transepithelial Na+ transport. This suggests that changes in pHi act as an intermediate in the second messenger cascade initiated by the hormones. Several natriferic hormones activate Na(+)-H+ exchanger, H(+)-ATPase, H+/K(+)-ATPase, H+ conductive pathways in cell membranes or potential-induced changes in pHi. However, changes in pHi do not seem to be essential for the hormone effect on Na+ conductive transport. It is suggested that the role of pHi changes during hormone action is permissive rather than strictly obligatory.

Na+ transport and pH in principal cells of frog skin: effect of antidiuretic hormone.

Intracellular pH (pHi), apical membrane potential (Va), and fractional apical membrane resistance (FRa) were measured in principal cells of isolated frog skin (Rana pipiens) with double-barreled microelectrodes under short-circuit conditions. Basolateral exposure to 10 mU/ml arginine vasotocin (AVT) depolarized Va by 30 mV, decreased FRa by 33%, increased short-circuit current (Isc) by 17 microA, and increased pHi by 0.17 pH units. The response of Va, Isc, and pHi occurred concurrently. Forskolin, theophylline, and 8-(4-chlorophenyl-thio)-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate caused similar changes in Va, Isc, and pHi. The enhanced response of Isc, Va, and FRa to short pulses of apical amiloride applied during AVT or cAMP exposure suggests an increase in apical Na+ conductance. The presence of cAMP agonists also enhanced the response of pHi to amiloride. We conclude that the AVT- and cAMP-induced increase in Na+ transport across the apical cell membrane is associated with a change in pHi. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in pHi may play a role in the second messenger cascade initiated by the antidiuretic hormone.

Potential-induced changes in intracellular pH.

In a variety of cell types and tissues there is a strong dependence of intracellular pH (pHi) on membrane potential (Vm). Since cell Vm values can be altered by hormones, ion concentrations, and changes in membrane conductances, the potential-dependent changes in pHi may serve as an important mechanism by which cells can alter their pHi to an environmental stimulus. The H+ flux across the cell membranes is thought to take place via putative H+ channels that are blocked by low concentrations of divalent metal ions. However, in Na(+)-transporting epithelia, a major part of the H+ flux seems to be via the amiloride-sensitive apical Na+ channels, which are not sensitive to divalent metal ions. The H+ flux via the Na+ channels can be modulated by natriferic hormones and intracellular second messengers. The H(+)-conductive pathways may play an important role in signal transduction in some cells.

Na+ channel blockers inhibit voltage-dependent intracellular pH changes in principal cells of frog (Rana pipiens) skin.

1. The relationship between Va and pHi was studied with double-barrelled microelectrodes in principal cells of frog skin (Rana pipiens) when (i) the transepithelial potential (Vt) was clamped at different values of Vt and (ii) when the pH of the apical solution was altered. 2. Under all conditions examined here, depolarization of Va was associated with an increase in pHi and hyperpolarization of Va was accompanied by a decrease in pHi. However, the changes in the basolateral cell membrane potential occurred, either in the same or opposite direction to that of Va depending on the conditions. 3. The voltage-dependent changes in pHi were not affected by H+ transport inhibitors or the complete removal of Na+, Cl- and HCO3- but were effectively inhibited by the application of amiloride (10(-4) M) or benzamil (10(-6)M) on the apical side. 4. A decrease in pH of the apical solution hyperpolarized Va and decreased pHi, an effect that was significantly attenuated when benzamil was present on the apical side. 5. The results indicate the presence of an H+ and/or OH- conductive pathway in the apical cell membrane of the principal cells. The effect of Na+ channel blockers suggests that this pathway proceeds through the apical Na+ channels.

Effect of changes in extracellular potassium on intracellular pH in principal cells of frog skin.

Intracellular pH (pHi), apical membrane potential (Va), and fractional apical membrane resistance (FRa) were measured in principal cells of isolated frog skin (Rana pipiens) with double-barreled microelectrodes under short-circuit and open-circuit conditions. Basolateral exposure to high K+ concentration or Ba2+ depolarized V(a), decreased short-circuit current, and increased FRa and pHi. However, an increase in K+ subsequent to Ba2+ application did not induce additional changes in these parameters. High basolateral K+, previously shown to increase apical K+ secretion (N. S. Bricker, T. Biber, and H. H. Ussing. J. Clin. Invest. 41: 88-99, 1963), also increased apical Na+ conductance. The depolarization and intracellular alkalinization induced by high K+ were also observed in absence of Na+, Cl-, and HCO3- and in presence of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Under all these conditions pHi moved toward electrochemical equilibrium. Reduced basolateral K+ hyperpolarized V(a) and decreased pHi. The data suggest that depolarization and hyperpolarization of the apical and/or basolateral membrane are associated with an increase and decrease, respectively, in pHi without involvement of Na(+)-H+, Cl(-)-HCO3-, or K(+)-H+ exchange and are apparently also independent of an active H+ secretion pathway. This indicates the presence of a potential-dependent H+ and/or OH- conductance in the apical and/or basolateral cell membrane that may play an important role in pHi regulation and signal transduction.

A modified technique for the measurement of sulfhydryl groups oxidized by reactive oxygen intermediates.

This paper suggests a simple modification of the Ellman procedure when used to measure accurate changes in sulfhydryl (-SH) content induced by reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). This modification became necessary when we found that the standard technique did not produce time invariant results in the presence of ROI-generating systems. Cysteine (cys; 20-100 microM) in 20 mM imidazole buffer (pH 7.0) containing 1.0 mM EDTA was reacted with excess (0.2 mM) 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), DTNB. The absorbance of the product (p-nitrothiophenol anion) was recorded at 412 nm (A412). This A412 was stable for 60 min and gave a linear relationship with cys concentrations used. ROI were generated either by 0.01 U xanthine oxidase (XO) + 0.01-1.0 mM hypoxanthine (HX), 0.01-1.0 mM H2O2, or H2O2 + 100 microM FeSO4. In the presence of ROI, A412 decreased with time and its rate of decrease was dependent upon the concentration of components of the ROI-generating system. This time-dependent decrease in A412 was prevented completely by the addition of 100 U of catalase (CAT). Therefore, we modified the DTNB method as follows: -SH groups were reacted with ROI for 30 min; this was followed by the addition of 100 U of CAT to scavenge the excess unreacted ROI before the addition of DTNB to generate the product. Using this modification the ROI-induced decrease in A412 was stable with time and was linearly related to the cys concentration. We further tested the modified procedure using metallothionein (MT) as a substrate for the ROI-induced changes in -SH content. MT, at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 microM, was treated with XO + 100 microM HX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

pH in principal cells of frog skin (Rana pipiens): effects of amiloride and potential.

Intracellular pH (pHi) and apical cell membrane potential (Va) were determined in principal cells of frog skin (Rana pipiens) with double-barrel micro-electrodes. In the Northern and Southern varieties, respectively, pHi is 0.38 and 0.26 pH units below bath pH. Amiloride, applied apically, causes reversible intracellular acidification at concentrations of 10(-5) M or higher. Voltage clamp-induced hyperpolarization and depolarization of Va result in intracellular acidification and alkalinization, respectively. This response of pHi is inhibited or abolished when the apical side is treated with 10(-3) M 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). Amiloride-induced intracellular acidification is not exclusively due to the hyperpolarization of Va that accompanies amiloride treatment since 1) amiloride causes greater acidification than equivalent voltage clamp-induced hyperpolarization of Va, 2) amiloride-induced acidification persists in DIDS-treated tissues, and 3) there is no correlation between hyperpolarization of Va and intracellular acidification occurring after amiloride. We conclude that pHi is below the extracellular pH. Amiloride causes intracellular acidification that may be in part connected with hyperpolarization of Va. However, a major component of amiloride-induced acidification is due to other factors, possibly inhibition of apical Na+-H+ exchange. The inhibitory effect of apically applied DIDS suggests that the voltage dependent changes in pHi are related to movement of HCO3 (or OH) ions across the apical cell membrane.

pH in principal cells of frog skin (Rana pipiens): dependence on extracellular Na+.

Measurements of intracellular pH (pHi) and of apical cell membrane potential (Va) were made in principal cells of frog skin (Rana pipiens) with double-barrel microelectrodes under open-circuit conditions. The tissues were pretreated with stilbenes (10(-3) M) and bathed in HCO3- -free NaCl Ringer solution that was buffered with 6 mM N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (pH 7.8). Substitution of extracellular Na+ on both sides of the epithelium with N-methyl-D-glucamine caused intracellular acidification by 0.27 pH units. Restoration of Na+ on the apical side alone or on both sides caused a pHi recovery of 0.24 and 0.28 pH units, respectively, whereas return of Na+ on the basolateral side caused no recovery. Recovery of pHi on restoration of Na+ to the apical side was prevented by 10(-5) M 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride. In individual preparations there was no correlation between pHi recovery due to return of apical Na+ and changes in Va. The average change in pHi was several times greater than the one expected from voltage clamp-induced changes in Va at constant extracellular Na+. The results suggest the presence of a Na+-H+ exchange on the apical side of principal cells. Such a process could be part of a negative feedback mechanism for regulation of Na+ entry via apical Na+ channels into principal cells.

Effect of changes in extracellular Cl on intracellular Cl activity in frog skin.

Intracellular Cl activity was measured in isolated frog skin (Rana pipiens) with double-barrel microelectrodes. The initial rate of Cl uptake was measured in Cl-depleted cells on reexposure to Cl on apical or basolateral side. In skins with high and low conductance, cell CL activity increased 1.33 and 0.14 mM/s with apical reexposure and 5.03 and 0.30 mM/s with basolateral reexposure, respectively. The initial Cl uptake was reduced on the apical side by 93% with 10(-3) M DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) and on the basolateral side by 99% with 10(-3) M SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid) plus 10(-5) M bumetanide. The initial rate of Cl loss was measured when Cl was removed from the bath: addition of HCO3 to Cl- and HCO3-free solution caused an acceleration of Cl loss in absence but not in presence of DIDS on apical side. In contrast, Cl loss across the basolateral side was not enhanced by HCO3. In conclusion, Na-transporting cells have a substantial Cl permeability on both sides. HCO3-stimulated Cl loss provides evidence for Cl-HCO3 exchange and permits localization of this process in apical cell membranes of granular cells.

Potential dependence of unidirectional chloride fluxes across isolated frog skin.

Isolated frog skins were voltage clamped at transepithelial potentials (Vt) ranging from -60 mV to 60 mV to measure transepithelial 36Cl- fluxes from the apical to the basolateral bathing solution (J13) and in the opposite direction (J31). The potential dependence of fluxes obtained in Na+-free choline Ringer's indicates the presence of conductive and nonconductive components that probably correspond to fluxes through paracellular and cellular pathways, respectively. Rectification of fluxes with reversal of the potential reflects a structural asymmetry, presumably in surface charge density. The data are consistent with a charge density of one negative charge per 280 A2 on the apical side. A new model for passive Cl- transport was developed that includes surface charge asymmetry and specifically accounts for the observed variation of conductance with potential. In normal frog Ringer's, J13 was larger than J31 at zero potential (active Cl- transport), J13 rose exponentially with increasing positive potential to reach a maximum at 40 mV (approximately open-circuit), and the predicted partial Cl- conductance exceeded the measured conductance leading to the conclusion that when J13 is largely driven by Na+ transport, much of the coupling occurs via nonconductive pathways. Theophylline stimulates Cl- transport that also occurs via nonconductive pathways as Vt becomes more positive.

Active transport and exchange diffusion of Cl across the isolated skin of Rana pipiens.

Transepithelial Cl influx and efflux were measured in pairs of frog skin (Rana pipiens) matched according to short-circuit current, tissue conductance, and transepithelial potential (TEP). The skins were bathed symmetrically in NaCl Ringer and voltage clamped at TEP values ranging from -60 to +60 mV. At 0 TEP, Cl influx and net inward Cl movement (in neq X h-1 X cm-2) were, respectively, 961 +/- 116 and 463 +/- 68 in NaCl Ringer, 509 +/- 52 and 202 +/- 53 in amiloride-treated skins, 4,168 +/- 777 and 1,444 +/- 447 in theophylline-treated skins, and 587 +/- 38 and 97 +/- 44 in Na-free Ringer. A correlation was discovered between short-circuit current and Cl fluxes corresponding to a 2:6:1 relationship between changes in active Na transport and active Cl transport. Deviations from the predicted Cl flux ratio indicate the presence of exchange diffusion in the range of spontaneously occurring TEPs, in contrast to observations on R. temporaria and R. esculenta. The experiments indicate that a substantial portion of transepithelial Cl movement proceeds transcellularly 1) via active Cl transport that is Na dependent, amiloride sensitive, stimulated by theophylline, and apparently correlated with active Na transport, and 2) by means of exchange diffusion that not only occurs under short-circuit conditions but also at positive TEPs. It is possible to explain both the exchange diffusion and the properties of active Cl transport by a Cl-HCO3 exchange system at the apical side of the transporting cell that interacts with a Na-H exchange mechanism, a notion consistent with the recent observation of an amiloride-induced decrease in intracellular pH.

Intracellular Cl activity changes of frog skin.

The intracellular Cl activity and potential were determined in short-circuited frog skin with single-barrel microelectrodes. With NaCl Ringer solution on the apical and basolateral side, the intracellular Cl activity was 15.5 +/- 0.5 mM and the intracellular potential was -90 +/- 1.0 mV, indicating that the intracellular Cl activity was above electrochemical equilibrium. When the solution on the apical side was changed to a Cl-free solution (Cl replaced by methanesulfonate), no significant difference was observed in intracellular Cl activity. However, when the skins were Cl-depleted by replacing the NaCl Ringer solution on both sides with a Cl-free solution, the intracellular Cl activity decreased to 1.7 +/- 0.1 mM and the intracellular potential fell to -66.7 +/- 1.3 mV. Addition of Cl (i.e., NaCl Ringer solution) to the apical side of Cl-depleted skins caused a significant increase in intracellular Cl activity to 6.3 mM. This increase was prevented by amiloride (10(-4) M) added on the apical side simultaneously with Cl. Restoration of Cl on the basolateral side of Cl-depleted tissues also raised the intracellular Cl activity to about the same level as when Cl was added on the apical side (6.8 mM). Changes in membrane potential occurred in a delayed fashion over a period of 15 min or more when Cl was added or removed on either side of the skin. The absence of an immediate membrane potential response indicates that Cl conductance is not detectable. We conclude, therefore, that the Cl transfer across the apical and basolateral cell membrane occurs primarily via electroneutral mechanisms.

The identity of the current carriers in canine lingual epithelium in vitro.

Ion transport across the lingual epithelium has been implicated as an early event in gustatory transduction. The fluxes of isotopically labelled Na+ and Cl- were measured across isolated canine dorsal lingual epithelium under short-circuit conditions. The epithelium actively absorbs Na+ and to a lesser extent actively secretes Cl-. Under symmetrical conditions with Krebs-Henseleit buffer on both sides, (1) Na+ absorption accounts for 46% of the short-circuit current (Isc); (2) there are two transcellular Na+ pathways, one amiloride-sensitive and one amiloride-insensitive; (3) ouabain, added to the serosal solution, inhibits both Isc and active Na+ absorption. When hyperosmotic (0.25 M) NaCl is placed in the mucosal bath, both Isc and Na+ absorption increase; net Na+ absorption is at least as much as Isc. Ion substitution studies indicate that the tissue may transport a variety of larger ions, though not as effectively as Na+ and Cl-. Thus we have shown that the lingual epithelium, like other epithelia of the gastrointestinal tract, actively transports ions. However, it is unusual both in its response to hyperosmotic solutions and in the variety of ions that support a transepithelial short-circuit current. Since sodium ion transport under hyperosmotic conditions has been shown to correlate well with the gustatory neural response, the variety of ions transported may likewise indicate a wider role for transport in taste transduction.

Sodium transport and distribution of electrolytes in frog skin.

The objective of this study on frog skin was to examine correlations between transepidermal active Na-transport and intracellular [Na]c, [K]c, [Cl]c homeostasis. Isolated, whole skins, and "split skins" were used in measurements of short-circuit current (SCC) and open skin potential (PD). Water and ion contents were estimated on split skins. Absolute [Na]c and [K]c varied over the range of 18 to 46, and 113 to 80 mM, respectively (Figure 7), but a complementary relationship existed between Na and K, such that [Na]c + [K]c remained approximately equal to 129 mM. Average values for [Na]c and [K]c were approximately equal to 31 and approximately equal to 96 mM, respectively. [Cl]c remained constant at approximately equal to 38 mM. This complementary relationship does not seem to be an artifact, caused by collagenase, used in the preparation of split skins. Whole skins and split skins in Ringer's solution, when treated with fluoroacetate (FAc), ouabain (Ou), or vanadate (Va) over wide ranges of concentrations, showed that FAc greatly depressed the SCC and the PD, without changing [Na]c, [K]c, [Cl]c. FAc acted only from the corium side of the skin. The decreasing SCC remained a Na-current, as in control skins. By comparison, such a separation of cellular functions could not be established with Ou, or Va. These inhibitors either affected SCC, PD, and cellular ion concentration, or they had no effect on any of these parameters. The complementary relationship between [Na]c and [K]c, with [Cl]c remaining again at approximately equal to 38 mM, was also found in tissues exposed to inhibitors. These results indicate that transcellular active Na transport and electrolyte homeostasis are not always rigidly coupled, suggesting that these processes may not be uniformly distributed within the epithelial cells, or among the interconnected cell layers of the frog skin epidermis.

Insulin decreases apical cell membrane resistance in cultured kidney cells (A6).

Intracellular potentials measured across the apical and basolateral cell membranes of cultured renal A6 cells were -53.5 +/- 1.5 and -48.7 +/- 1.3 mV, respectively, (19 measurements) and did not significantly change after insulin treatment. Analysis based on an equivalent circuit indicates that the resistances of the apical cell membrane and of the transcellular pathway decrease after insulin treatment to 36 +/- 6 and 42 +/- 6% of the control value respectively (7 measurements). Thus, the decrease in transcellular resistance which accompanies an increase in transcellular Na transport after insulin treatment appears to be connected with a commensurate decrease in apical cell membrane resistance.

Insulin stimulation of Na+ transport and glucose metabolism in cultured kidney cells.

A line of toad kidney cells (A6) in continuous culture was evaluated for ion transport and metabolic responses to insulin. The cells were grown on permeable supports to allow access of the medium to both basolateral and apical sides of the epithelium. Insulin, on the basolateral side only, produced an increase in short-circuit current (Isc) that was maximal at 40-60 min. A concentration-dependent increase in Isc and potential difference (PD) was found in the range of 10-3.2 X 10(3) microunits/ml insulin. The maximal stimulation of Isc and PD was approximately six- and twofold, respectively. After insulin exposure Isc was equivalent to net Na+ transport, indicating active Na+ transport stimulation. Insulin was also found to increase the incorporation of radiolabeled glucose into glycogen. Thus A6 cells exhibit both transepithelial transport and metabolic responses to insulin.