Increase of potassium flux by valinomycin in embryonic chick heart.
The effect of different concentrations of the antibiotic valinomycin, was determined on 42K efflux and Na, K content of embryonic chick hearts. Valinomycin produces an increase of K efflux which is progressive in time and markedly dependent on the concentration of external K (0-5 mM) and valinomycin (10(-8) to 10(-5) M). The changes in K efflux is not due to a reversal of the Na-K pump mechanism, secondary to ATP depletion: i) the increase of K efflux by valinomycin persists in the absence of external Na ions. ii) analysis of Na and K content and 42K influx measurements with and without valinomycin indicate that active K influx is not inhibited in a solution containing 0.5 mM K and only slightly decreased in a solution containing 5 mM K. Valinomycin, acting as a K carrier, presumably increases K conductance of the cell membrane resulting in a rise in K efflux.
D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D002642:Chick Embryo; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D014634:Valinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014634:Valinomycin; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium