The interaction of lithium ions with the sodium-potassium pump in frog skeletal muscle. 1975

L Beaugé

1. The effects of external Li on Na and K efflux as well as those on K influx were studied in high Na muscles from Rana pipiens. 2. In the absence of external Ba, substitution of K-free Li for K-free Mg resulted in an increase of both Na and K efflux. The additional of ouabain produced an inhibition of Na efflux and at the same time a marked increase in the efflux of K. 3. K permeability was greatly reduced by adding 2 mM-Ba to the incubation solutions. Under these conditions, Li gave rise to a ouabain sensitive Na efflux which was 57% of that in the absence of Ba. On the other hand, the efflux of K was only slightly increased and was not affected further by ouabain. 4. The activation curves of Na efflux against the stimulating cation concentration in Na-free Mg-Ba Ringer followed a more or less hyperbolic function for both K and Li. While half-maximal activation was attained at higher concentrations of Li than of K, the maximal efflux in Li was smaller than in K. 5. The extra Na efflux produced by K was increased when Li was added to the media. This increment was not a simple additive effect and was independent of the Li concentration. In addition, at some concentrations Li increased the ouabain-sensitive K influx, whereas at others it reduced it. 6. Reversible changes in membrane permeability to monovalent cations were accomplished by incubating the muscles in the presence of Nystatin, 50 mug/ml. When internal K was reduced to values around 1-2 mumole/g (using Li as a replacement), thus minimizing the possibility of K leaking out of the cells, both Ko and Lio were able to promote a ouabain-sensitive extra efflux of Na. 7. The residual Na efflux in (K+Na)-free solutions was not affected by the removal of Ca from the media in either Mg or Li solutions, both in the absence and the presence of Ba. On the other hand, the values for the residual efflux were higher in Mg (0-00228 min-1) than in Li (0.00135 min-1). 8. These results fully support the notion that Li ions have a K-like activating action on the Na pump in muscles. In addition, they suggest that some other kind of interaction may exist between Li and the Na-K pump.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008094 Lithium An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER. Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008274 Magnesium A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and atomic weight 24.31. It is important for the activity of many enzymes, especially those involved in OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION.
D009132 Muscles Contractile tissue that produces movement in animals. Muscle Tissue,Muscle,Muscle Tissues,Tissue, Muscle,Tissues, Muscle
D010042 Ouabain A cardioactive glycoside consisting of rhamnose and ouabagenin, obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and other plants of the Apocynaceae; used like DIGITALIS. It is commonly used in cell biological studies as an inhibitor of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE. Acocantherin,G-Strophanthin,Acolongifloroside K,G Strophanthin
D011188 Potassium An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D011894 Rana pipiens A highly variable species of the family Ranidae in Canada, the United States and Central America. It is the most widely used Anuran in biomedical research. Frog, Leopard,Leopard Frog,Lithobates pipiens,Frogs, Leopard,Leopard Frogs
D002463 Cell Membrane Permeability A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells. Permeability, Cell Membrane
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001464 Barium An element of the alkaline earth group of metals. It has an atomic symbol Ba, atomic number 56, and atomic weight 138. All of its acid-soluble salts are poisonous.
D001693 Biological Transport, Active The movement of materials across cell membranes and epithelial layers against an electrochemical gradient, requiring the expenditure of metabolic energy. Active Transport,Uphill Transport,Active Biological Transport,Biologic Transport, Active,Transport, Active Biological,Active Biologic Transport,Transport, Active,Transport, Active Biologic,Transport, Uphill
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