Role of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase in pHi regulation in inner medullary collecting duct cells in culture

Studies in inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells in primary culture have proposed two mechanisms for Na(+)-independent hydrogen ion transport: an H(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase) and an H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. In the present study, we have employed two sources of IMCD cells, cells in primary culture derived from the terminal papilla of the Munich-Wistar rat (IMCDp) and an established murine cell line (mIMCD-3), to define the predominant mechanism(s) of Na(+)-independent intracellular pH (pHi) recovery in the IMCD. In confluent monolayers of IMCDp and mIMCD-3 cells, pHi was measured using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) following addition and withdrawal of NH4Cl. Removal of K+ completely abolished Na(+)-independent pHi recovery in both IMCDp (delta pHi/min = 0.039 +/- 0.006 to 0.005 +/- 0.003; P < 0.001) and in mIMCD-3 (delta pHi/min = 0.055 +/- 0.009 to -0.003 +/- 0.002; P < 0.001) cells, respectively. In mIMCD-3 cells, K(+)-dependent pHi recovery was abolished by either of two specific inhibitors of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Sch-28080 (5 or 10 microM) or A-80915A (10 microM). In contrast, bafilomycin A1 (2.5 and 10 nM), an inhibitor of the H(+)-ATPase, failed to attenuate K(+)-dependent pHi recovery. Moreover, sequence verified mouse gastric and colonic alpha-H(+)-K(+)-ATPase probes hybridized to total RNA from mIMCD-3 cells. Based on these findings, we conclude that Na(+)-independent pHi recovery from an acid load in both IMCDp and mIMCD-3 cells in critically dependent on extracellular K(+)-That K(+)-dependent pHi recovery was inhibited by both Sch-28080 and A-80915A but not by bafilomycin A1 suggests that the predominant mechanism by which Na(+)-independent pHi recovery is accomplished in IMCD is through the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Expression of both gastric and colonic alpha-H(+)-K(+)-ATPase mRNA in mIMCD-3 cells suggests that one or both of these H(+)-K(+)-ATPases may be responsible for proton secretion in the IMCD.

Brain buffering is restored in hyponatremic rats by correcting their plasma sodium concentration.

Previous studies from this laboratory showed that both acute and chronic hyponatremia impaired active brain buffering. These studies were performed to determine whether correcting the plasma sodium restored normal buffering in hyponatremic rats. Acute (1- and 2-day) and chronic (7- and 14-day) hyponatremia was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by constant desmopressin administration combined with a liquid diet. Plasma sodium was corrected by stopping desmopressin for 6 h, substituting solid chow, and allowing free access to water. Studies were performed 24 h later. Uncorrected hyponatremic rats who continued to receive desmopressin and liquid diet served as controls. Brain pH was determined by [31P]NMR in rats anesthetized with N2O and paralyzed with pancuronium. Brain buffering was determined by the response to CO2 loading. Resting brain pH was the same in corrected and uncorrected rats, but the two groups responded differently to CO2 loading. Thus, 55 min after ventilation with 20% CO2, corrected rat brain pH was 0.13 pH units higher than in uncorrected rats despite statistically similar changes in CO2 tension and arterial pH in both groups. Moreover, 15 min into recovery from CO2 exposure, brain pH in corrected rats overshot resting pH by 0.07, whereas no overshoot occurred in uncorrected rats. Buffering in corrected rats was identical to that shown previously in normonatremic rats. The complete restoration of late-phase buffering achieved by normalizing the plasma sodium of hyponatremic rats indicates that at least some portion of active hydrogen ion transport is sodium dependent in the brain.

ATP-dependent proton transport in human renal medulla

An electrogenic proton-translocating ATPase (H+-ATPase) has been described in turtle urinary bladder and bovine and rat renal medulla. In the present study, a membrane fraction with ATP-dependent H+ transport activity was isolated from human renal medulla. Intravesicular acidification was assessed by acridine orange absorbance changes. Proton transport was abolished by N-ethylmaleimide but not oligomycin or vanadate, differentiating this H+-ATPase from mitochondrial F0-F1 H+-ATPase and gastric H+-K+-ATPase. In addition, vesicular proton uptake was demonstrated to be independent of sodium and potassium cotransport. Proton translocation rate increased when transmembrane potential was clamped with valinomycin supporting an electrogenic mechanism. Hydrogen ion transport was dependent on the presence of chloride or bromide, since substitution by fluoride or nitrate markedly decreased intravesicular acidification. The transport characteristics of this proton-translocating ATPase are similar to those described for turtle urinary bladder and bovine and rat renal medulla, which have been assumed to play a role in urinary acidification by the medullary collecting duct.