The effect of temperature on the ouabain-sensitivity of Na+−K+-activated ATPase and fluid secretion by the Malpighian tubules ofLocusta

Summary Temperature markedly affected the ouabain-sensitivity of both the Na⁺–K⁺-activated ATPase activity and the secretion of fluid by the Malpighian tubules ofLocusta. Varying the K⁺ concentration in the bathing medium did not affect the ouabain-sensitivity of the fluid secretory process.     

Bicarbonate and chloride transport across rat ileal basolateral membrane

The mechanisms of HCO ₃ ^– and Cl^– transport across basolateral membranes from rat ileum were investigated in isolated vesicles by means of uptake experiments. Neither Cl^–/HCO ₃ ^– exchanger nor Na⁺–(HCO ₃ ^– )_n cotransport seem to be present in ileal basolateral membranes. Moreover Cl^– uptake is unaffected bycis Na⁺ and/or K⁺ gradients, indicating the absence of Na⁺–Cl^–, K⁺–Cl^– and Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl^– symport activity. An electrically conductive pathway seems to be responsible for both HCO ₃ ^– and Cl^– fluxes. Evidence is also given for the presence of a Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger at the basolateral pole of ileal enterocytes.     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressures on the movements of Na+, K+ and Cl− in isolated eel gills

Summary Hydrostatic pressure applied to isolated eel gills induces changes in the tissue, Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl^– contents. It also inhibits the activity of the (Na⁺+K⁺) ATPase. Results are discussed in terms of an effect of pressure on the Na⁺ and Cl^– pumps and on the passive permeability processes.A. P., Chargé de Recherches du F. N. R. S.; R. G., Chercheur qualifié du F. N. R. S., We are grateful to Prof. A. Distèche and E. Schoffeniels for their advice throughout this work. We also want to thank Mr J. M. Theate and Mrs C. Marchand-Coquay for their valuable technical assistance.     

In vitro effects of methionine-enkephalin,somatostatin and insulin on cultured gonadal cells of the snailHelix aspersa

Isolated snail gonadal cells were cultured in the presence of synthetic neuropeptides in order to determine the subsequent effect of these substances on gonadal synthetic activities. Gonadal cells were incubated for 24 h in concentrations of methionine-enkephalin, somatostatin and insulin ranging from 10^–4 M to 10^–9 M, in medium 199 supplemented with 6% Ultroser G. Synthesis of DNA and protein by the cultured cells were simultaneously estimated by measuring incorporation of³H thymidine and³⁵S methionine. The rate of labelled precursor incorporation was measured using the liquid scintillation technique. All substances tested exerted a dose-dependent effect. The synthetic activity of the cultured cells was highest when the concentration of the peptides added to the medium approximated the physiological levels. Methionine-enkephalin, somatostatin and insulin at 2×10^–8 M significantly increased³H thymidine incorporation, by 62%, 69% and 69% respectively, and protein synthesis by 42%, 57% and 57%, respectively. In the case of juvenile gonadal cultured cells, a similar increase in³H and³⁵S incorporation was registered for a 10^–7 M peptide concentration. Both lower and higher peptide concentrations inhibited³H thymidine and³⁵S methionine incorporation. Pharmacological studies suggest the existence of methionine-enkephalin and somatostatin-like receptors on snail gonadal cells. These results indicate that our gonadal cell culture model provides a useful tool for the study of the neuroendocrinological control of the activity of snail gonadal cells.     

Vanadate: Non-selective inhibition of transepithelial transport of Na+, H+ and water

Summary In the isolated urinary bladder of the toad, 10^–5–10^–4M orthovanadate produces inhibition of the active transport of Na⁺ and H⁺ ions as well as of antidiuretic hormone-mediated osmotic flow of water. Since transport of H⁺ ions and osmotic water flow are not inhibited when (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase is inhibited by ouabain, biological actions of vanadate are not necessarily related to inhibition of (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase.This research was supported by grant AM-14915 from the National Institutes of Helath.     

Die Abhängigkeit der Ca++-Aufnahme isolierter Mitochondrien des Herzmuskels von der Na+-und K+-Konzentration als mögliche Ursache der inotropen Digitaliswirkung

Summary In isolated mitochondria of heart muscle from rabbits and oxen there is, under suitable conditions, an accumulation of Ca⁺⁺, which is significantly enhanced by elevating the K⁺/Na⁺ quotient of the incubation medium. K-strophanthine (10^–5–10^–7) does not influence the accumulation of Ca⁺⁺ by the mitochondria of heart muscle. Therefore the intracellular increase in exchangeable Ca⁺⁺ observed after digitalis-glycosides could be explained by a decrease of the intracellular K⁺/Na⁺ quotient, which is caused by inhibition of the membrane ATPase and diminishes the capacity for Ca⁺⁺ accumulation in mitochondria.     

Cytochemical localization of the K+ regulation interface between blood and brain

Summary Phosphatase activity identified with Na⁺–K⁺-ATPase was localized at the basal surface of cerebral cortical capillary endothelium by perfusion with a p-nitrophenyl phosphate-strontium medium. The relationship of this to the blood-brain barrier to K⁺ is discussed.     

A potent attractant of zoospores ofAphanomyces cochlioides isolated from its host,Spinacia oleracea

A highly potent attractant of zoospores ofAphanomyces cochlioides, a causal fungus of the root rot disease of spinach (Spinacia oleracea), was isolated from spinach roots, and its structure was determined by spectroscopic evidence and chemical synthesis as cochliophilin A (5-hydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone,1). A chromosorb particle prepared by soaking in solution of1 showed a potent attracting activity toward the zoospores using concentrations of1 above 10^–9 or 10^–10 M.     

A histochemical demonstration of the Na++K+-ATPase activity in the thyroid and the effect of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP)

Summary With a suitable modification of the Farquhar and Palade technique the Na⁺+K⁺-ATPase activity in guineapig thyroid is demonstrated. The addition of c-AMP (5×10^–6 M or 1.5×10^–5 M) to the incubation media produced an apparent intensification of the Na⁺+K⁺-ATPase activity in the thyroid.This work was supported by a grant from ZMNU of Serbia.     

Concerning the ionic basis of presynaptic inhibition

Summary The superfused rat cuneate nucleus has been used to investigate the sensitivity of primary afferent terminals and of evoked primary afferent depolarization (PAD) to alterations in extracellular K⁺ and Cl^– ion levels. Results indicate that PAD is caused by an efflux of Cl^– from primary afferent terminals rather than by an increase in extracellular K⁺.     

Insulin effect in vitro on human erythrocyte plasma membrane

Summary The effect of porcine insulin has been tested in vitro on human erythrocyte plasma membrane (Na⁺–K⁺) and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities as well as on membrane fluidity. The results indicate that the hormonal treatment significantly inhibits (Na⁺–K⁺)-ATPase activity, and at the same time decreases membrane fluidity.This investigation has been supported by Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Rome, Italy.     

Réversibilité de la réponse du potentiel de membrane chezNitella flexilis L. à des variations de pH

Summary The better the recovering of the membrane potential ofNitella on restoring the initial value of the external pH after a change, the more acid is the pH of the medium (Table I). On the other hand, a better repeatability was observed in alkaline solutions (Table II) for a change in the external K⁺ concentration. These results are interpreted as a manifestation of the binding of K⁺ ions to ionizable fixed charges (pK about 5–6) at the membrane surface and of the control of molecular structure of the membrane by the pH.     

Demonstration of a Na+−K+−Mg2+ dependent ATPase in a preparation from hindgut and malpighian tubules of two species of insect

Zusammenfassung Die Präsenz einer charakteristischen Na⁺–K⁺-aktivierbaren ATPase (E.C. 3.6.1.3) wurde erstmals in einer mikrosomalen Fraktion des Enddarmes und der malpighischen Gefässe bei der WüstenschreckeScistocerca gregaria und der LaubheuschreckeJamaicana flava nachgewiesen.     

Some factors affecting Malpighian tubule fluid secretion and transepithelial potential inLocusta migratoria L.

Summary Both fluid secretion and transepithelial potential were stimulated by cAMP. Fluid secretion was unaffected by 5-HT over the concentration range 10^–8–10^–4 M. The presence of ouabain in the bathing medium effected a decrease in transepithelial potential.     

Distribution of (Na++K+)-ATPase in the hindgut ofGlossina morsitans morsitans Westwood

Summary (Na⁺+K⁺)-ATPase activity was higher in preparations from the ileum ofGlossina mortisans than in those from the rectum. This result suggests that the ileum as well as the rectum, may play a role in osmoregulation in the tsetse fly.     

The influence of diuretics on the absorption of salts,glucose, and water from the isolated small intestine of the rat

Zusammenfassung (1) Unter dem Einfluss von Mersalyl (5×10^–4 m) und Hydrochlorothiazid (2×10^–3 m) nimmt die Cl-Konzentration in der resorbierten Flüssigkeit ab, während die Na-Konzentration gleich bleibt und die Glucose-Konzentration ansteigt. Gleichzeitig kommt es zu einer osmotisch äquivalenten Einschränkung der Wasserresorption.(2) Die prozentuale Hemmung der Wasserresorption durch Mersalyl nimmt zu bei höherer Cl^–-Konzentration in der angebotenen Flüssigkeit und hängt zwischen pH 6,5 und 7,4 nicht von der H⁺-Konzentration ab.(3) Die Wirkung von Mersalyl lässt sich mit Cystein aufheben und ist auchin vivo an der abgebundenen Darmschlinge nachweisbar.(4) Der Glucosetransport und die Calciumresorption werden durch Mersalylkonzentrationen, die die Wasser-und Natriumresorption um 30% hemmen, nicht beeinträchtigt. Der Durchtritt von Calcium durch die Darmwand ist auf das 1,5fache erhöht, es häuft sich dabei in der resorbierten Flüssigkeit an.(5)p-Chloromercuribenzoat hemmt in Konzentrationen, die die Natrium- und Wasserresorption um 40% vermindern, den Glucosetransport ebenfalls um 40%. Im Unterschied zu Mersalyl setzt es die Cl^–-Konzentration der resorbierten Flüssigkeit nicht herab.

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A preliminary report was presented at the 25th Meeting of the German Pharmacological Society in September 1959, Basel.     

Studies on hydrogen,halides and thiocyanate ions in dioxane-water mixtures at various temperatures

Summary The free enrgies of transfer (G _t ⁰ ) of H⁺, Cl^–, Br^–, I^– and SCN^– ions from water to 10, 20, 30 and 40% dioxanewater mixtures have been studied from potentiometric measurements. For anions the G _t ⁰ values are in the order Cl^–>Br^–>SCN^–>I^–.     

Effetto della ouabaina sul tessuto nervoso in coltura in vitro

Summary The addition of 1 · 10^–4 ouabain (strophantin-G), a Na⁺-K⁺-dependent ATP-ase inhibitor, to the cultivating medium of chick embryo spinal ganglia in vitro cultures caused the vacuolization of the cytoplasm of the fibroblast-like cells, but not of the nervous ones, after 6 h of culture, with a maximum after 24 h.     

Monovalent cation conductance in liposomes induced by ionophore A23187

Summary In the absence of divalent cations, ionophore A23187 supports low rates of monovalent cations loss (Na⁺>K⁺) from unilamellar liposomes containing the sulfate salts. Monovalent cation efflux is optimal when a pH gradient (interior alkaline) is applied. The maximum observed rate of 0.56 ngion K⁺·min^–1·nmole^–1 A23187 is insufficient to account for the rates of K⁺ efflux induced by the ionophore in mitochondria (150 ngion K⁺·min^–1·nmole^–1 A23187). These studies therefore support the concept that A23187 induces loss of K⁺ from mitochondria by removal of regulating divalent cations from an endogenous K⁺/H⁺ exchanger.These studies were supported in part by United States Public Health Services Grant HL09364.     

Dual modes of 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride modulation of apical dipeptide uptake in the human small intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2

Selective pharmacological Na⁺/H⁺ exchange (NHE) inhibitors were used to identify functional NHE isoforms in human small intestinal enterocytes (Caco-2) and to distinguish between direct and indirect effects on transport via the intestinal di/tripeptide transporter hPepT1. The relative potencies of these inhibitors to inhibit ²²Na⁺ influx identifies NHE3 and NHE1 as the apical and basolateral NHE isoforms. The Na⁺-dependent (NHE3-sensitive) component of apical dipeptide ([¹⁴C] Gly-Sar) uptake was inhibited by the selective NHE inhibitors with the same order of potency observed for inhibition of apical ²²Na⁺ uptake. However, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA) also reduced [¹⁴C]Gly-Sar uptake in the absence of Na⁺ and this inhibition was concentration and pH (maximal at pH 5.5) dependent. NHE3 inhibition by S1611 and S3226 modulates dipeptide uptake indirectly by reducing the transapical driving force (H⁺ electrochemical gradient). EIPA (at 100 μM) has similar effects, but at higher concentrations (>200 μM) also has direct inhibitory effects on hPepT1.Received 28 February 2005; received after revision 20 April 2005; accepted 20 May 2005