Biomaterial Database

Amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport across cultured renal (A6) epithelium: evidence for large currents and high Na:K selectivity. 1990

N K Wills, and L P Millinoff

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Texas Medical Br., Galveston 77550-2781.

Electrical techniques were used to determine the Na:K selectivity of the amiloride-sensitive pathway and to characterize cellular and paracellular properties of A6 epithelium. Under control conditions, the mean transepithelial voltage (VT) was -57 +/- 5 mV, the short-circuit current (Isc) averaged 23 +/- 2 microA/cm2 and the transepithelial resistance (RT) was 2.8 +/- 0.3 k omega cm2 (n = 13). VT and Isc were larger than reported in previous studies and were increased by aldosterone. The conductance of the amiloride-sensitive pathway (Gamil) was assessed before and after replacement of Na+ in the mucosal bath by K+, using two independent measurements: (1) the slope conductance (GT), determined from current-voltage (I-V) relationships for control and amiloride-treated tissues and (2) the maximum amiloride-sensitive conductance (Gmax) calculated from the amiloride dose-response relationship. The ratio of Gamil in mucosal Na+ solutions to Gamil for mucosal K+ solutions was 22 +/- 6 for GT measurements and 15 +/- 2 for Gmax data. Serosal ion replacements in tissues treated with mucosal nystatin indicated a potassium conductance in the basolateral membrane. Equivalent circuit analyses of nystatin and amiloride data were used to resolve the cellular (Ec) and paracellular (Rj) resistances (approximately 5 k omega cm2 and 8-9 k omega cm2, respectively). Analysis of I-V relationships for tissues depolarized with serosal K+ solutions revealed that the amiloride-sensitive pathway could be described as a Na+ conductance with a permeability coefficient (PNa) = 1.5 +/- 0.2 x 10(-6) cm/s and the intracellular Na+ concentration (Nai) = 5 +/- 1 mM (n = 5), similar to values from other tight epithelia. We conclude that A6 epithelia are capable of expressing large amiloride-sensitive currents which are highly Na+ selective.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007668	Kidney	Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations.	Kidneys
D008564	Membrane Potentials	The voltage differences across a membrane. For cellular membranes they are computed by subtracting the voltage measured outside the membrane from the voltage measured inside the membrane. They result from differences of inside versus outside concentration of potassium, sodium, chloride, and other ions across cells' or ORGANELLES membranes. For excitable cells, the resting membrane potentials range between -30 and -100 millivolts. Physical, chemical, or electrical stimuli can make a membrane potential more negative (hyperpolarization), or less negative (depolarization).	Resting Potentials,Transmembrane Potentials,Delta Psi,Resting Membrane Potential,Transmembrane Electrical Potential Difference,Transmembrane Potential Difference,Difference, Transmembrane Potential,Differences, Transmembrane Potential,Membrane Potential,Membrane Potential, Resting,Membrane Potentials, Resting,Potential Difference, Transmembrane,Potential Differences, Transmembrane,Potential, Membrane,Potential, Resting,Potential, Transmembrane,Potentials, Membrane,Potentials, Resting,Potentials, Transmembrane,Resting Membrane Potentials,Resting Potential,Transmembrane Potential,Transmembrane Potential Differences
D009092	Mucous Membrane	An EPITHELIUM with MUCUS-secreting cells, such as GOBLET CELLS. It forms the lining of many body cavities, such as the DIGESTIVE TRACT, the RESPIRATORY TRACT, and the reproductive tract. Mucosa, rich in blood and lymph vessels, comprises an inner epithelium, a middle layer (lamina propria) of loose CONNECTIVE TISSUE, and an outer layer (muscularis mucosae) of SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS that separates the mucosa from submucosa.	Lamina Propria,Mucosa,Mucosal Tissue,Muscularis Mucosae,Mucous Membranes,Membrane, Mucous,Membranes, Mucous,Mucosae, Muscularis,Mucosal Tissues,Propria, Lamina,Tissue, Mucosal,Tissues, Mucosal
D009761	Nystatin	Macrolide antifungal antibiotic complex produced by Streptomyces noursei, S. aureus, and other Streptomyces species. The biologically active components of the complex are nystatin A1, A2, and A3.	Fungicidin,Mycostatin,Nilstat,Nystatin A1,Nystatin A2,Nystatin A3,Nystatin G,Stamicin,Stamycin
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.
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D004553	Electric Conductivity	The ability of a substrate to allow the passage of ELECTRONS.	Electrical Conductivity,Conductivity, Electric,Conductivity, Electrical
D004848	Epithelium	The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body.	Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D000450	Aldosterone	A hormone secreted by the ADRENAL CORTEX that regulates electrolyte and water balance by increasing the renal retention of sodium and the excretion of potassium.	Aldosterone, (+-)-Isomer,Aldosterone, (11 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer
D000584	Amiloride	A pyrazine compound inhibiting SODIUM reabsorption through SODIUM CHANNELS in renal EPITHELIAL CELLS. This inhibition creates a negative potential in the luminal membranes of principal cells, located in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. Negative potential reduces secretion of potassium and hydrogen ions. Amiloride is used in conjunction with DIURETICS to spare POTASSIUM loss. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p705)	Amidal,Amiduret Trom,Amiloberag,Amiloride Hydrochloride,Amiloride Hydrochloride, Anhydrous,Kaluril,Midamor,Midoride,Modamide,Anhydrous Amiloride Hydrochloride,Hydrochloride, Amiloride,Hydrochloride, Anhydrous Amiloride,Trom, Amiduret