Voltage dependence of Na channel blockage by amiloride: relaxation effects in admittance spectra

Bile acids regulate the epithelial Na+ channel in native tissues through direct binding at multiple sites

Bile acids, originally known to emulsify dietary lipids, are now established signalling molecules that regulate physiological processes. Signalling targets several proteins that include the ion channels involved in regulating intestinal motility and bile viscosity. Studies show that bile acids regulate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in cultured cell models and heterologous expression systems. ENaC plays both local and systemic roles in regulating extracellular fluids. Here we investigated whether bile acids regulate ENaC expressed in native tissues. We found that taurocholic acid and taurohyodeoxycholic acid regulated ENaC in both the distal nephron and distal colon. We also tested the hypothesis that regulation occurs through direct binding. Using photoaffinity labelling, we found evidence for specific binding to both the β and γ subunits of the channel. In functional experiments, we found that the α subunit was sufficient for regulation. We also found that regulation by at least one bile acid was voltage-sensitive, suggesting that one binding site may be closely associated with the pore-forming helices of the channel. Our data provide evidence that bile acids regulate ENaC by binding to multiple sites to influence the open probability of the channel. KEY POINTS: Recent studies have shown that bile acids regulate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in vitro. Here we investigated whether bile acids regulate ENaC in native tissues and whether bile acids directly bind the channel. We found that bile acids regulate ENaC expressed in the mouse cortical collecting duct and mouse colon by modulating open probability. Photoaffinity labelling experiments showed specific binding to the β and γ subunits of the channel, while channels comprising only α subunits were sensitive to taurocholic acid in functional experiments using Xenopus oocytes. Taurocholic acid regulation of ENaC was voltage-dependent, providing evidence for binding to pore-forming helices. Our data indicate that bile acids are ENaC regulatory effectors that may have a role in the physiology and pathophysiology of several systems.

Redox artifacts in electrophysiological recordings

Electrophysiological techniques make use of Ag/AgCl electrodes that are in direct contact with cells or bath. In the bath, electrodes are exposed to numerous experimental conditions and chemical reagents that can modify electrode voltage. We examined voltage offsets created in Ag/AgCl electrodes by exposure to redox reagents used in electrophysiological studies. Voltage offsets were measured in reference to an electrode separated from the solution by an agar bridge. The reducing reagents Tris-2-carboxyethly-phosphine, dithiothreitol (DTT), and glutathione, as well as the oxidizing agent H(2)O(2) used at experimentally relevant concentrations reacted with Ag in the electrodes to produce voltage offsets. Chloride ions and strong acids and bases produced offsets at millimolar concentrations. Electrolytic depletion of the AgCl layer, to replicate voltage clamp and sustained use, resulted in increased sensitivity to flow and DTT. Offsets were sensitive to electrode silver purity and to the amount and method of chloride deposition. For example, exposure to 10 μM DTT produced a voltage offset between 10 and 284 mV depending on the chloride deposition method. Currents generated by these offsets are significant and dependent on membrane conductance and by extension the expression of ion channels and may therefore appear to be biological in origin. These data demonstrate a new source of artifacts in electrophysiological recordings that can affect measurements obtained from a variety of experimental techniques from patch clamp to two-electrode voltage clamp.

Sodium selectivity of Reissner's membrane epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Sodium absorption by Reissner's membrane is thought to contribute to the homeostasis of the volume of cochlear endolymph. It was previously shown that the absorptive transepithelial current was blocked by amiloride and benzamil. The most commonly-observed target of these drugs is the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), which is composed of the three subunits α-,β- and γ-ENaC. However, other less-selective cation channels have also been observed to be sensitive to benzamil and amiloride. The aim of this study was to determine whether Reissner's membrane epithelial cells could support parasensory K+ absorption via amiloride- and benzamil-sensitive electrogenic pathways.

RESULTS

We determined the molecular and functional expression of candidate cation channels with gene array (GEO GSE6196), RT-PCR, and whole-cell patch clamp. Transcript expression analysis of Reissner's membrane detected no amiloride-sensitive acid-sensing ion channels (ASIC1a, ASIC2a, ASIC2b) nor amiloride-sensitive cyclic-nucleotide gated channels (CNGA1, CNGA2, CNGA4, CNGB3). By contrast, α-,β- and γ-ENaC were all previously reported as present in Reissner's membrane. The selectivity of the benzamil-sensitive cation currents was observed in whole-cell patch clamp recordings under Cl--free conditions where cations were the only permeant species. The currents were carried by Na+ but not K+, and the permeability of Li+ was greater than that of Na+ in Reissner's membrane. Complete replacement of bath Na+ with the inpermeable cation NMDG+ led to the same inward current as with benzamil in a Na+ bath.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are consistent with the amiloride/benzamil-sensitive absorptive flux of Reissner's membrane mediated by a highly Na+-selective channel that has several key characteristics in common with αβγ-ENaC. The amiloride-sensitive pathway therefore absorbs only Na+ in this epithelium and does not provide a parasensory K+ efflux route from scala media.

On the interaction between amiloride and its putative alpha-subunit epithelial Na+ channel binding site

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) belongs to the structurally conserved ENaC/Degenerin superfamily. These channels are blocked by amiloride and its analogues. Several amino acid residues have been implicated in amiloride binding. Primary among these are alphaSer-583, betaGly-525, and gammaGly-542, which are present at a homologous site within the three subunits of ENaC. Mutations of the beta and gamma glycines greatly weakened amiloride block, but, surprisingly, mutation of the serine of the alpha subunit resulted in moderate (<5-fold) weakening of amiloride K(i). We investigated the role of alphaSer-583 in amiloride binding by systematically mutating alphaSer-583 and analyzing the mutant channels with two-electrode voltage clamp. We observed that most mutations had moderate effects on amiloride block, whereas those introducing rings showed dramatic effects on amiloride block. In addition, mutations introducing a beta-methyl group at this site altered the electric field of ENaC, affecting both amiloride binding and the voltage dependence of channel gating. We also found that the His mutation, in addition to greatly weakening amiloride binding, appends a voltage-sensitive gate within the pore of ENaC at low pH. Because diverse residues at alpha583, such as Asn, Gln, Ser, Gly, Thr, and Ala, have similar amiloride binding affinities, our results suggest that the wild type Ser side chain is not important for amiloride binding. However, given that some alphaSer-583 mutations affect the electrical properties of the channel whereas those introducing rings greatly weaken amiloride block, we conclude that amiloride binds at or near this site and that alphaSer-583 may have a role in ion permeation through ENaC.

Amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+channel currents in surface cells of rat rectal colon

Surface cells of the mammalian distal colon are shown to molecularly express the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+channel composed of three homologous subunits (α-, β-, and γ-ENaC). However, because basic electrophysiological properties of amiloride-sensitive Na+channels expressed in these cells are largely unknown at the cellular level, functional evidence for the involvement of the subunits in the native channels is incomplete. Using electrophysiological techniques, we have now characterized functional properties of native ENaC in surface cells of rectal colon (RC) of rats fed a normal Na+diet. Ussing chamber experiments showed that apical amiloride inhibited a basal short-circuit current in mucosal preparation of RC with an apparent half-inhibition constant ( Ki) value of 0.20 μM. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the presence of transcripts of α-, β-, and γ-rENaC in rectal mucosa. Whole cell patch-clamp experiments in surface cells of intact crypts acutely isolated from rectal mucosa identified an inward cationic current, which was inhibited by amiloride with a Kivalue of 0.12 μM at a membrane potential of –64 mV, the inhibition being weakly voltage dependent. Conductance ratios of the currents were Li+(1.8) > Na+(1) >> K+(≈0), respectively. Amiloride-sensitive current amplitude was almost the same at 15 or 150 mM extracellular Na+, suggesting a high Na+affinity for current activation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a heterooligomer composed of α-, β-, and γ-ENaC may be the molecular basis of the native channels, which are responsible for amiloride-sensitive electrogenic Na+absorption in rat rectal colon.

The role of Pre-H2 domains of alpha- and delta-epithelial Na+ channels in ion permeation, conductance, and amiloride sensitivity

Epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaC) regulate salt and water re-absorption across the apical membrane of absorptive epithelia such as the kidney, colon, and lung. Structure-function studies have suggested that the second transmembrane domain (M2) and the adjacent pre- and post-M2 regions are involved in channel pore formation, cation selectivity, and amiloride sensitivity. Because Na(+) selectivity, unitary Na(+) conductance (gamma(Na)), and amiloride sensitivity of delta-ENaC are strikingly different from those of alpha-ENaC, the hypothesis that the pre-H2 domain may contribute to these characterizations has been examined by swapping the pre-H2, H2, and both (pre-H2+H2) domains of delta- and alpha-ENaCs. Whole-cell and single channel results showed that the permeation ratio of Li(+) and Na(+) (P(Li)/P(Na)) for the swap alpha chimeras co-expressed with betagamma-ENaC in Xenopus oocytes decreased significantly. In contrast, the ratio of P(Li)/P(Na) for the swap delta constructs was not significantly altered. Single channel studies confirmed that swapping of the H2 and the pre-H2+H2 domains increased the gamma(Na) of alpha-ENaC but decreased the gamma(Na) of delta-ENaC. A significant increment in the apparent inhibitory dissociation constant for amiloride (K(i)(amil)) was observed in the alpha chimeras by swapping the pre-H2, H2, and pre-H2+H2 domains. In contrast, a striking decline of K(i)(amil) was obtained in the chimeric delta constructs with substitution of the H2 and pre-H2+H2 domains. Our results demonstrate that the pre-H2 domain, combined with the H2 domain, contributes to the P(Li)/P(Na) ratio, single channel Na(+) conductance, and amiloride sensitivity of alpha- and delta-ENaCs.

External nickel inhibits epithelial sodium channel by binding to histidine residues within the extracellular domains of alpha and gamma subunits and reducing channel open probability

Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are regulated by various intracellular and extracellular factors including divalent cations. We studied the inhibitory effect and mechanism of external Ni(2+) on cloned mouse alpha-beta-gamma ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Ni(2+) reduced amiloride-sensitive Na(+) currents of the wild type mouse ENaC in a dose-dependent manner. The Ni(2+) block was fast and partially reversible at low concentrations and irreversible at high concentrations. ENaC inhibition by Ni(2+) was accompanied by moderate inward rectification at concentrations higher than 0.1 mm. ENaC currents were also blocked by the histidine-reactive reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate. Pretreatment of the oocytes with the reagent reduced Ni(2+) inhibition of the remaining current. Mutations at alphaHis(282) and gammaHis(239) located within the extracellular loops significantly decreased Ni(2+) inhibition of ENaC currents. The mutation alphaH282D or double mutations alphaH282R/gammaH239R eliminated Ni(2+) block. All mutations at gammaHis(239) eliminated Ni(2+)-induced inward current rectification. Ni(2+) block was significantly enhanced by introduction of a histidine at alphaArg(280). Lowering extracellular pH to 5.5 and 4.4 decreased or eliminated Ni(2+) block. Although alphaH282C-beta-gamma channels were partially inhibited by the sulfhydryl-reactive reagent [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl] methanethiosulfonate bromide (MTSET), alpha-beta-gamma H239C channels were insensitive to MTSET. From patch clamp studies, Ni(2+) did not affect unitary current but decreased open probability when perfused into the recording pipette. Our results suggest that external Ni(2+) reduces ENaC open probability by binding to a site consisting of alphaHis(282) and gammaHis(239) and that these histidine residues may participate in ENaC gating.

Regulation of the epithelial Na(+) channel by extracellular acidification

The effect of extracellular acidification was tested on the native epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in A6 epithelia and on the cloned ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Channel activity was determined utilizing blocker-induced fluctuation analysis in A6 epithelia and dual electrode voltage clamp in oocytes. In A6 cells, a decrease of extracellular pH (pH(o)) from 7.4 to 6.4 caused a slow stimulation of the amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current (I(Na)) by 68.4 +/- 11% (n = 9) at 60 min. This increase of I(Na) was attributed to an increase of open channel and total channel (N(T)) densities. Similar changes were observed with pH(o) 5.4. The effects of pH(o) were blocked by buffering intracellular Ca(2+) with 5 microM 1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. In oocytes, pH(o) 6.4 elicited a small transient increase of the slope conductance of the cloned ENaC (11.4 +/- 2.2% at 2 min) followed by a decrease to 83.7 +/- 11.7% of control at 60 min (n = 6). Thus small decreases of pH(o) stimulate the native ENaC by increasing N(T) but do not appreciably affect ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. These effects are distinct from those observed with decreasing intracellular pH with permeant buffers that are known to inhibit ENaC.

Antiidiotypic antibody recognizes an amiloride binding domain within the alpha subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel

We previously raised an antibody (RA6.3) by an antiidiotypic approach which was designed to be directed against an amiloride binding domain on the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). This antibody mimicked amiloride in that it inhibited transepithelial Na+ transport across A6 cell monolayers. RA6.3 recognized a 72-kDa polypeptide in A6 epithelia treated with tunicamycin, consistent with the size of nonglycosylated Xenopus laevis alphaENaC. RA6.3 specifically recognized an amiloride binding domain within the alpha-subunit of mouse and bovine ENaC. The deduced amino acid sequence of RA6.3 was used to generate a three-dimensional model structure of the antibody. The combining site of RA6.3 was epitope mapped using a novel computer-based strategy. Organic residues that potentially interact with the RA6.3 combining site were identified by data base screening using the program LUDI. Selected residues docked to the antibody in a manner corresponding to the ordered linear array of amino acid residues within an amiloride binding domain on the alpha-subunit of ENaC. A synthetic peptide spanning this domain inhibited the binding of RA6.3 to alphaENaC. This analysis provided a novel approach to develop models of antibody-antigen interaction as well as a molecular perspective of RA6.3 binding to an amiloride binding domain within alphaENaC.

Electrophysiological characterization of the rat epithelial Na+ channel (rENaC) expressed in MDCK cells. Effects of Na+ and Ca2+

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), composed of three subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma), is expressed in several epithelia and plays a critical role in salt and water balance and in the regulation of blood pressure. Little is known, however, about the electrophysiological properties of this cloned channel when expressed in epithelial cells. Using whole-cell and single channel current recording techniques, we have now characterized the rat alpha beta gamma ENaC (rENaC) stably transfected and expressed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Under whole-cell patch-clamp configuration, the alpha beta gamma rENaC-expressing MDCK cells exhibited greater whole cell Na+ current at -143 mV (-1,466.2 +/- 297.5 pA) than did untransfected cells (-47.6 +/- 10.7 pA). This conductance was completely and reversibly inhibited by 10 microM amiloride, with a Ki of 20 nM at a membrane potential of -103 mV; the amiloride inhibition was slightly voltage dependent. Amiloride-sensitive whole-cell current of MDCK cells expressing alpha beta or alpha gamma subunits alone was -115.2 +/- 41.4 pA and -52.1 +/- 24.5 pA at -143 mV, respectively, similar to the whole-cell Na+ current of untransfected cells. Relaxation analysis of the amiloride-sensitive current after voltage steps suggested that the channels were activated by membrane hyperpolarization. Ion selectivity sequence of the Na+ conductance was Li+ > Na+ >> K+ = N-methyl-D-glucamine+ (NMDG+). Using excised outside-out patches, amiloride-sensitive single channel conductance, likely responsible for the macroscopic Na+ channel current, was found to be approximately 5 and 8 pS when Na+ and Li+ were used as a charge carrier, respectively. K+ conductance through the channel was undetectable. The channel activity, defined as a product of the number of active channel (n) and open probability (Po), was increased by membrane hyperpolarization. Both whole-cell Na+ current and conductance were saturated with increased extracellular Na+ concentrations, which likely resulted from saturation of the single channel conductance. The channel activity (nPo) was significantly decreased when cytosolic Na+ concentration was increased from 0 to 50 mM in inside-out patches. Whole-cell Na+ conductance (with Li+ as a charge carrier) was inhibited by the addition of ionomycin (microM) and Ca2+ (1 mM) to the bath. Dialysis of the cells with a pipette solution containing 1 microM Ca2+ caused a biphasic inhibition, with time constants of 1.7 +/- 0.3 min (n = 3) and 128.4 +/- 33.4 min (n = 3). An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration from <1 nM to 1 microM was accompanied by a decrease in channel activity. Increasing cytosolic Ca2+ to 10 microM exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect. Single channel conductance, however, was unchanged by increasing free Ca2+ concentrations from <1 nM to 10 microM. Collectively, these results provide the first characterization of rENaC heterologously expressed in a mammalian epithelial cell line, and provide evidence for channel regulation by cytosolic Na+ and Ca2+.

Identification of an amiloride binding domain within the alpha-subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel

Limited information is available regarding domains within the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) which participate in amiloride binding. We previously utilized the anti-amiloride antibody (BA7.1) as a surrogate amiloride receptor to delineate amino acid residues that contact amiloride, and identified a putative amiloride binding domain WYRFHY (residues 278-283) within the extracellular domain of alpharENaC. Mutations were generated to examine the role of this sequence in amiloride binding. Functional analyses of wild type (wt) and mutant alpharENaCs were performed by cRNA expression in Xenopus oocytes and by reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers. Wild type alpharENaC was inhibited by amiloride with a Ki of 169 nM. Deletion of the entire WYRFHY tract (alpharENaC Delta278-283) resulted in a loss of sensitivity of the channel to submicromolar concentrations of amiloride (Ki = 26.5 microM). Similar results were obtained when either alpharENaC or alpharENaC Delta278-283 were co-expressed with wt beta- and gammarENaC (Ki values of 155 nM and 22.8 microM, respectively). Moreover, alpharENaC H282D was insensitive to submicromolar concentrations of amiloride (Ki = 6.52 microM), whereas alpharENaC H282R was inhibited by amiloride with a Ki of 29 nM. These mutations do not alter ENaC Na+:K+ selectivity nor single-channel conductance. These data suggest that residues within the tract WYRFHY participate in amiloride binding. Our results, in conjunction with recent studies demonstrating that mutations within the membrane-spanning domains of alpharENaC and mutations preceding the second membrane-spanning domains of alpha-, beta-, and gammarENaC alters amiloride's Ki, suggest that selected regions of the extracellular loop of alpharENaC may be in close proximity to residues within the channel pore.

Effect of dexamethasone on sodium channel block and densities in A6 cells

The association (ON) and dissociation (OFF) rates of either positively charged amiloride or its uncharged analogue, CDPC (6-chloro-3, 5-diaminopyrazine-2-carboxamide), with the apical Na+ channel protein of renal A6 cells were analysed during exposure to the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, using noise analysis. These rates were further used to reach specific conclusions about single-channel current, channel density and open probability of the channel in the absence of the blocker. Short-term exposure (3 h) to 10(-7) mol/l dexamethasone at the basolateral side increased the short-circuit current, Isc by 85%, without a change in the ON and OFF rates of the interaction between amiloride and the Na+ channel. A longer incubation (24 h) with dexamethasone tripled the current with a notable increase in the ON rate of the interaction between amiloride and the and channel. The OFF rate remained constant. The effects of dexamethasone on the rate constants of the reaction of amiloride with the channel did not match with the expected changes in membrane potential. On the other hand, ON and OFF rates of the interaction between neutral CDPC and the channel were not influenced by a 24-h incubation with dexamethasone. Further calculations disclosed that the gain in macroscopic current after a 24-h incubation with dexamethasone might be explained by an increase in Na+ channel density, and, to a lesser extent, by a rise in single-channel current. This all occurred without a change in the fraction of time spent by the channel in the conducting state in the absence of the blocker.

Contribution of electrogenic ion transport to impedance of the algae Valonia utricularis and artificial membranes

The cell membrane of Valonia utricularis contains an electrogenic carrier system for chloride (Wang et al., Biophys J. 59:235-248 (1991)). The electrical impedance of V. utricularis was measured in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 50 kHz. The analysis of the impedance spectra from V. utricularis and its comparison with equivalent circuit models showed that the transport system created a characteristic contribution to the impedance in the frequency range between 10 Hz and 5 kHz. The fit of the impedance spectra with the formalism derived from the theory of carrier-mediated transport allowed the determination of the kinetic parameters of chloride transport through the cell membrane of V. utricularis, and its passive electrical properties. Simultaneous measurements of the kinetic parameters with the charge pulse method demonstrated the equivalence of both experimental approaches with respect to the evaluation of the translocation rate constants of the free and the charged carriers and the total density of carriers within the membrane. Moreover, the impedance spectra of the protonophor-mediated proton transport by FCCP (carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-hydrazone) were measured in model membranes. The carrier system made a substantial contribution to the impedance of the artificial membranes. The analysis of the spectra in terms of a simple carrier system (Benz and McLaughlin, 1983, Biophys. J. 41:381-398) allowed the evaluation of the kinetic and equilibrium parameters of the FCCP-mediated proton transport. The possible application of the measurement of impedance spectra for the study of biological transport systems is discussed.

Assessment of conduction properties and thermal noise in cell membranes by admittance spectroscopy

Advances in the speed of signal processing enable application of a Fourier-synthesized function as a small perturbation (1 mV) superposed on voltage clamp steps to rapidly (< 1 sec) acquire cell membrane complex driving-point functions (impedance or admittance) in several frequency bands ranging from 1 Hz to 10 kHz. Curve fits of admittance models to these data yield a complete quantitative linear description of membrane conduction systems and their kinetics. Furthermore, the rate constants between microscopic states of an ion channel can be calculated from conductance parameters derived from model curve fits of membrane admittances. Additionally, the power spectrum of membrane thermal noise is obtainable from impedance determinations by use of the Nyquist relation. Consequently, rapid driving-point function determinations provide the most complete macroscopic assessment of membrane conduction properties presently available. Admittance determinations of the potassium conduction system in squid giant axon and the potassium conducting "inward rectifier" in snail neuron are used to illustrate the above points.

Transport-related modulation of the membrane properties of toad urinary bladder epithelium

Impedance analysis and transepithelial electrical measurements were used to assess the effects of the apical membrane Na+ channel blocker amiloride and anion replacement on the apical and basolateral membrane conductances and areas of the toad urinary bladder (Bufo marinus). Mucosal amiloride addition decreased both apical and basolateral membrane conductances (Ga and Gbl, respectively) with no change in membrane capacitances (Ca and Cbl). Consequently, the specific conductances of these membranes decreased without significant changes in membrane area. Following amiloride removal, an increase was obtained in the steady-state rate of sodium transport compared to values before amiloride addition. This increase was independent of the initial transport rate, suggesting activation of a quiescent pool of apical sodium channels. Chloride replacement by acetate or gluconate had no significant effects on apical or basolateral membrane capacitances. The effects of these replacements on membrane conductances depended on the anion species. Gluconate (which induces cell shrinkage) decreased both membrane conductances. In contrast, acetate (which induces cell swelling) increased Ga and had no effect on Gbl. The increase in the apical membrane conductance was due to an increase in the amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance of this membrane. In summary, mucosal amiloride addition or chloride replacements led to changes in membrane conductances without significant effects on net membrane areas.

The anion in salt taste: a possible role for paracellular pathways

It is well established from psychophysical and electrophysiological measurements that both Na and Cl contribute to the taste response to NaCl. The contribution of Na to the NaCl response can be studied using amiloride, a drug that inhibits Na transport in taste and other epithelial cells. The pathways involved in response to Cl are less well understood. We undertook a series of experiments in the rat to determine whether tonic chorda tympani responses to NaCl are inhibited by specific inhibitors of anion transport. Whole nerve responses to NaCl were unchanged by bathing the tongue in SITS, DIDS, bumetanide, furosemide, 9-anthracene carboxylic acid, or an antibody that blocks Cl conductance pathways in many epithelia. Thus, Cl co-transporters, exchangers, and channels (at least in the apical membrane of taste cells) are probably not involved in NaCl taste responses. When other anions (acetate, isethionate, methane sulfonate, gluconate, tartrate), which are generally impermeant in other Cl-selective pathways, were substituted for Cl, the dose-response curves for the chorda tympani response were shifted toward higher concentrations than the response to NaCl, but achieved the same maximum value at sufficiently high concentrations (1.0 M Na). For all the organic Na salts, the amiloride-insensitive portion of the response was substantially less than for NaCl. Experiments with Na acetate at different pHs showed that intracellular acidification is not responsible for the differences between NaCl and organic salts of Na. One possibility which remains is that apical stimulation with these other Na salts results in a taste cell membrane potential that is hyperpolarized with respect to the membrane potential in NaCl.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of epithelial Na channels in Xenopus oocytes

Epithelial Na channel activity was expressed in oocytes from Xenopus laevis after injection of mRNA from A6 cells, derived from Xenopus kidney. Poly A(+) RNA was extracted from confluent cell monolayers grown on either plastic or permeable supports. 1-50 ng RNA was injected into stage 5-6 oocytes. Na channel activity was assayed as amiloride-sensitive current (INa) under voltage-clamp conditions 1-3 d after injection. INa was not detectable in noninjected or water-injected oocytes. This amiloride-sensitive pathway induced by the mRNA had a number of characteristics in common with that in epithelial cells, including (a) high selectivity for Na over K, (b) high sensitivity to amiloride with an apparent K1 of approximately 100 nM, (c) saturation with respect to external Na with an apparent Km of approximately 10 mM, and (d) a time-dependent activation of current with hyperpolarization of the oocyte membrane. Expression of channel activity was temperature dependent, being slow at 19 degrees C but much more rapid at 25 degrees C. Fractionation of mRNA on a sucrose density gradient revealed that the species of RNA inducing channel activity had a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 17 S. Treatment of filter-grown cells with 300 nM aldosterone for 24 h increased Na transport in the A6 cells by up to fivefold but did not increase the ability of mRNA isolated from those cells to induce channel activity in oocytes. The apparent abundance of mRNA coding for channel activity was 10-fold less in cells grown on plastic than in those grown on filters, but was increased two- to threefold by aldosterone.

Blocker-related changes of channel density. Analysis of a three-state model for apical Na channels of frog skin

Blocker-induced noise analysis of apical membrane Na channels of epithelia of frog skin was carried out with the electroneutral blocker (CDPC, 6-chloro-3,5-diamino-pyrazine-2-carboxamide) that permitted determination of the changes of single-channel Na currents and channel densities with minimal inhibition of the macroscopic rates of Na transport (Baxendale, L. M., and S. I. Helman. 1986. Biophys. J. 49:160a). Experiments were designed to resolve changes of channel densities due to mass law action (and hence the kinetic scheme of blocker interaction with the Na channel) and to autoregulation of Na channel densities that occur as a consequence of inhibition of Na transport. Mass law action changes of channel densities conformed to a kinetic scheme of closed, open, and blocked states where blocker interacts predominantly if not solely with open channels. Such behavior was best observed in "pulse" protocol experiments that minimized the time of exposure to blocker and thus minimized the contribution of much longer time constant autoregulatory influences on channel densities. Analysis of data derived from pulse, staircase, and other experimental protocols using both CDPC and amiloride as noise-inducing blockers and interpreted within the context of a three-state model revealed that Na channel open probability in the absence of blocker averaged near 0.5 with a wide range among tissues between 0.1 and 0.9.

Interactions of amiloride and small monovalent cations with the epithelial sodium channel. Inferences about the nature of the channel pore

The voltage dependence of amiloride-induced inhibition of current flow through apical membrane sodium channels in toad urinary bladder was studied at different ionic conditions. The "inert" salt N-methyl-D-glucamine HCl (NMDG HCl) affected neither the apparent inhibition constant (Kl) for the amiloride-induced current inhibition nor the apparent fraction of the transmembrane voltage that falls between the mucosal solution and the amiloride-binding site (delta). When NMDG+ was replaced with Na+, Kl increased, reflecting amiloride-Na+ competition, whereas delta was unchanged. Similar results were obtained with another permeant cation, Li+. When NMDG+ was replaced by K+, an impermeant but channel-blocking cation, Kl increased whereas delta decreased. Similar results were obtained using another impermeant, channel-blocking cation guanidinium. The results are interpreted on the premise that Na+ and K+ compete with amiloride by binding to cation binding sites within the channel lumen such that ion occupancy of these sites vary with voltage. Occupancy by K+, which cannot traverse the channel, will increase as the mucosal solution becomes positive, relative to the serosal solution. Occupancy by Na+, which can traverse the channel, is comparatively voltage independent. Ion movement through the channels was simulated using discrete-state kinetic models. Two types of models could describe the shape of the current-voltage relationship and the voltage dependence of the amiloride-induced channel block. One model had a single ion-binding site with a broad energy barrier at the inner (cytoplasmic) side of the site. The other model had two binding sites separated from each other and from the aqueous solutions by sharp energy barriers.

Voltage dependence of the basolateral membrane conductance in the Amphiuma collecting tubule

The basolateral potassium conductance of cells of most epithelial cells plays an important role in the transcellular sodium transport inasmuch as the large negative equilibrium potential of potassium across this membrane contributes to the electrical driving force for Na+ across the apical membrane. In the present study, we have attempted to establish the I-V curve of the basolateral membrane of the Amphiuma collecting tubule, a membrane shown to be K+ selective. Transepithelial I-V curves were obtained in short, isolated perfused collecting tubule segments. The "shunt" conductance was determined using amiloride to block the apical membrane Na+ conductance. In symmetrical solutions, the "shunt" I-V curve was linear (conductance: 2.2 +/- 0.3 mS.cm-2). Transcellular current was calculated by subtracting the "shunt" current from the transepithelial current in the absence of amiloride. Using intracellular microelectrodes, it was then possible to measure the basolateral membrane potential simultaneously with the transcellular current. The basolateral conductance was found to be voltage dependent, being activated by hyperpolarization: conductance values at -30 and -80 mV were 3.6 +/- 1.0 and 6.6 +/- 1.0 mS.cm-2, respectively. Basolateral I-V curves were thus clearly different from that predicted by the "constant field" model. These results indicate that the K+-selective basolateral conductance of an amphibian collecting tubule shows inward ("anomalous") rectification. Considering the electrogenic nature basolateral Na-K-pump, this may account for coupling between pump-generated potential and basolateral K+ conductance.

Amiloride-blockable sodium currents in isolated taste receptor cells

Isolated taste receptor cells from the frog tongue were investigated under whole-cell patch-clamp conditions. With the cytosolic potential held at -80 mV, more than 50% of the cells had a stationary inward Na current of 10 to 700 pA in Ringer's solution. This current was in some cells partially, in others completely, blockable by low concentrations of amiloride. With 110 mM Na in the external and 10 mM Na in the internal solution, the inhibition constant of amiloride was (at -80 mV) near 0.3 microM. In some cells the amiloride-sensitive conductance was Na specific; in others it passed both Na and K. The Na/K selectivity (estimated from reversal potentials) varied between 1 and 100. The blockability by small concentrations of amiloride resembled that of channels found in some Na-absorbing epithelia, but the channels of taste cells showed a surprisingly large range of ionic specificities. Receptor cells, which in situ express these channels in their apical membrane, may be competent to detect the taste quality "salty." The same cells also express TTX-blockable voltage-gated Na channels.

Amiloride blocks the mechano-electrical transduction channel of hair cells of the chick

1. Effects of amiloride, applied extracellularly, on mechano-electrical transduction (MET) currents were investigated in dissociated hair cells of a chick with a whole-cell patch-electrode voltage clamp technique. Amiloride blocked the MET channel. The blocking was reversible and was both dose and voltage dependent and specific to the MET channel. The voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel of the basolateral membrane was not affected within the concentration range studied (up to 0.7 mM). 2. The limiting conductance of the MET at large negative membrane potentials decreased with increasing amiloride concentration. A dose-response relationship of the relative MET conductance (defined as the ratio of the MET channel conductance in the presence of amiloride to that without) at membrane potentials more negative than -50 mV had a Hill coefficient of 1, and a dissociation constant (KD) of 5 x 10(-5) M. 3. When amiloride was applied, the MET conductance increased as the membrane was depolarized, and the limiting value at positive membrane potentials was close to that of the control. The relationship between the relative MET conductance and the membrane potential was S-shaped. The conductance vs. voltage relationship was shifted in a positive direction along the voltage axis as the amiloride concentration was increased. 4. The blocking effect of amiloride on the MET channel was apparently independent of the mechanical gating of the channel. The voltage-independent block at or near the resting membrane potential and a voltage-dependent lifting of the block at depolarized membrane potentials could be explained quantitatively by a kinetic model which postulates one blocked state and two open states which have different amiloride affinities.

Effects of basolateral ouabain, amphotericin B, cyanide and potassium on amiloride noise during voltage clamp of Rana pipiens skin support sodium-amiloride competition

In a previous study, the amiloride-induced corner frequency (fc) was found to decrease as apical sodium was increased. This effect was small or absent when the basolateral surface was exposed to high potassium. It has been suggested that the apical sodium effect may be indirect, due either to increased intracellular [Na+] which repelled amiloride or to an increased potential at the apical surface which reduced amiloride affinity. High basolateral K+ might then suppress the sodium effect either by preventing intracellular [Na+] from increasing or by allowing a better clamp of the apical membrane potential by reducing basolateral membrane resistance and potential. We checked the effects of basolateral [K+], of cyanide and of ouabain at concentrations known to increase intracellular [Na+]. We found only negligible effects on fc. In addition, amphotericin B added to the basolateral bathing solution either in 115 mM Na+ or in 120 mM K+ had no significant effect on fc. We found that relatively wide variation in clamp potential under all conditions, even with active transport severely inhibited, left fc virtually constant. Since the amiloride kinetics were independent of clamp potential, we were able to measure paracellular and transcellular conductances separately by examining the voltage dependence of clamp current (linear) and amiloride noise power (quadratic). This made possible estimation of channel density and single-channel current.

Inward rectifier K+-channel kinetics from analysis of the complex conductance of Aplysia neuronal membrane

Conduction in inward rectifier, K+-channels in Aplysia neuron and Ba++ blockade of these channels were studied by rapid measurement of the membrane complex admittance in the frequency range 0.05 to 200 Hz during voltage clamps to membrane potentials in the range -90 to -40 mV. Complex ionic conductances of K+ and Cl- rectifiers were extracted from complex admittances of other membrane conduction processes and capacitance by vector subtraction of the membrane complex admittance during suppressed inward K+ current (near zero-mean current and in zero [K+]0) from complex admittances determined at other [K+]0 and membrane potentials. The contribution of the K+ rectifier to the admittance is distinguishable in the frequency domain above 1 Hz from the contribution of the Cl- rectifier, which is only apparent at frequencies less than 0.1 Hz. The voltage dependence (-90 to -40 mV) of the chord conductance (0.2 to 0.05 microS) and the relaxation time (4-8 ms) of K+ rectifier channels at [K+]0 = 40 mM were determined by curve fits of admittance data by a membrane admittance model based on the linearized Hodgkin-Huxley equations. The conductance of inward rectifier, K+ channels at a membrane potential of -80 mV had a square-root dependence on external K+ concentration, and the relaxation time increased from 2 to 7.5 ms for [K+]0 = 20 and 100 mM, respectively. The complex conductance of the inward K+ rectifier, affected by Ba++, was obtained by complex vector subtraction of the membrane admittance during blockage of inward rectifier, K+ channels (at -35 mV and [Ba++]0 = 5 mM) from admittances determined at -80 mV and at other Ba++ concentrations. The relaxation time of the blockade process decreased with increases in Ba++ concentration. An open-closed channel state model produces the inductive-like kinetic behavior in the complex conductance of inward rectifier, K+ channels and the addition of a blocked channel state accounts for the capacitive-like kinetic behavior of the Ba++ blockade process.

An amiloride-sensitive Na+ conductance in the basolateral membrane of toad urinary bladder

Exposing the apical membrane of toad urinary bladder to the ionophore nystatin lowers its resistance to less than 100 omega cm2. The basolateral membrane can then be studied by means of transepithelial measurements. If the mucosal solution contains more than 5 mM Na+, and serosal Na+ is substituted by K+, Cs+, or N-methyl-D-glucamine, the basolateral membrane expresses what appears to be a large Na+ conductance, passing strong currents out of the cell. This pathway is insensitive to ouabain or vanadate and does not require serosal or mucosal Ca2+. In Cl-free SO2-(4) Ringer's solution it is the major conductive pathway in the basolateral membrane even though the serosal side has 60 mM K+. This pathway can be blocked by serosal amiloride (Ki = 13.1 microM) or serosal Na+ ions (Ki approximately 10 to 20 mM). It also conducts Li+ and shows a voltage-dependent relaxation with characteristic rates of 10 to 20 rad sec-1 at 0 mV.

Structure-activity relationship of amiloride analogs as blockers of epithelial Na channels: II. Side-chain modifications

The overall on- and off-rate constants for blockage of epithelial Na channels by amiloride analogs were estimated by noise analysis of the stationary Na current traversing frog skin epithelium. The (2-position) side chain structure of amiloride was varied in order to obtain structure/rate constant relationships. Hydrophobic chain elongations (benzamil and related compounds of high blocking potency) increase the stability of the blocking complex (lowered off-rate), explained by attachment of the added phenyl moiety to a hydrophobic area near the site of side chain interaction with the channel protein. Some other chain modifications show that the on-rate, which is smaller than a diffusion-limited rate, varies with side chain structure. In several cases this effect is not attributable to steric hindrance on encounter, and implies that the side chain interacts briefly with the channel protein (encounter complex) before the main blocking position of the molecule is attained. The encounter complex must be labile since the overall rate constants of blockage are not concentration-dependent. In two cases, changes at the 2-position side chain and at other ring ligands, with known effects on the blocking rate constants, could be combined in one analog. The rate constants of blocking by the resulting compounds indicate that the structural changes have additive effects in terms of activation energies. Along with other observations (voltage dependence of the rate constants and competition with the transported Na ion), these results suggest a blocking process of at least two steps. It appears that initially the 2-position side chain invades the outward-facing channel entrance, establishing a labile complex. Then the molecule is either released completely (no block) or the 6-ligand of the pyrazine ring gains access to its receptor counterpart, thus establishing the blocking complex, the lifetime of which is strongly determined by the electronegativity of the 6-ligand.

Interactions of amiloride and other blocking cations with the apical Na channel in the toad urinary bladder

A simple model of the action of amiloride to block apical Na channels in the toad urinary bladder was tested. According to the model, the positively charged form of the drug binds to a site in the lumen of the channel within the electric field of the membrane. In agreement with the predictions of the model: (1) The voltage dependence of amiloride block was consistent with the assumption of a single amiloride binding site, at which about 15% of the transmembrane voltage is sensed, over a voltage range of +/- 160 mV. (2) The time course of the development of voltage dependence was consistent with that predicted from the rate constants for amiloride binding previously determined. (3) The ability of organic cations to mimic the action of amiloride showed a size dependence implying a restriction of access to the binding site, with an effective diameter of about 5 angstroms. In a fourth test, divalent cations (Ca, Mg, Ba and Sr) were found to block Na channels with a complex voltage dependence, suggesting that these ions interact with two or more sites, at least one of which may be within the lumen of the pore.

Voltage dependence of Na channel blockage by amiloride: relaxation effects in admittance spectra

Amiloride, present in the mucosal solution, causes the appearance of a distinct additional dispersion in the admittance spectrum of the apical membrane of toad urinary bladder. The parameters of this dispersion (characteristic frequency, amplitude) change with amiloride concentration and with membrane voltage. They allow the calculation of the overall rate constants for Na channel blockage by the positively charged form of amiloride, and the voltage dependence of these rate constants. The on-rate of blockage increases and the off-rate decreases when the membrane surface to which cationic amiloride has access, is made more positive. This result is suggestive of a blocking model where the cationic amidino group of amiloride, depending on its charge, senses 10 to 13% of the membrane voltage while invading the channel entrance by a single-step process, and rests at an electrical distance corresponding to 24 to 30% of membrane voltage while occupying the blocking position.

Voltage dependence of the blocking rate constants of amiloride at apical Na channels

The overall rate constants of blockage of apical Na channels by amiloride, previously determined by noise analysis, were obtained in macroscopic relaxation experiments with toad urinary bladders exposed to a mucosal Na activity of 60 mM. By the use of step voltage perturbations and by admittance analysis we show that the on-rate constant of blockage increases, and the off-rate constant decreases when the outer membrane surface is made more positive. In the frame-work of a plug-type blocking model the results imply that the cationic amidino group of amiloride senses about 10% of the membrane voltage while invading the channel entrace and slightly more than 10% while leaving the entrance.