Bicarbonate determines cytoplasmic pH and suppresses mitogen-induced alkalinization in fibroblastic cells.
Addition of growth factors to responsive cells in HCO3- -free media results in a rapid rise in cytoplasmic pH (pHi) caused by activation of Na+/H+ exchange. In this paper, we have examined how pHi regulation and growth factor responsiveness are affected by HCO3(-)using quiescent mouse MES-1 fibroblastic cells as a model. When cells are exposed to 25 mM HCO3-, 5% CO2, steady-state pHi reaches a new more alkaline level (by 0.25 unit) within 10 min. This rise in pHi is both Na+- and HCO3- -dependent, does not occur in Cl(-)-depleted cells, and is inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, but not by 5-(n,n-dimethyl)-amiloride, indicating the involvement of Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange. Furthermore, the recovery of pHi from acute acid loads is accelerated by HCO3- in a Na+-dependent and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid-sensitive manner and is blocked in Cl(-) -depleted cells. Similar results were obtained for mouse 3T3 cells and human fibroblasts. In the presence of HCO3-/CO2 (pH 7.35), mitogens and phorbol esters fail to induce a detectable rise in pHi. However, when steady-state pHi is artificially lowered by approximately 0.4 unit, growth factors evoke significant increases in pHi due to activation of Na+/H+ exchange. In the absence of HCO3-, mitogen-induced alkalinizations are readily detectable but not when pHi is artificially elevated to the value normally observed in HCO3- media. From these results we conclude that: 1) Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange determines steady-state pHi and acts in parallel with Na+/H+ exchange to stimulate pHi recovery from acid loading; 2) Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange raises steady-state pHi to a level beyond the operating range of the Na+/H+ exchanger and thereby prevents growth factors from alkalinizing the cytoplasm any further. The results also imply that, unlike Na+/H+ exchange, Na+-dependent HCO3-/Cl- exchange is not activated by mitogens.
Bierman
A J
AJ
Hubrecht Laboratory, Netherlands Institute for Developmental Biology, Utrecht.
Cragoe
E J
EJ
de Laat
S W
SW
Moolenaar
W H
WH
D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid; D012856:4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D027963:Chloride-Bicarbonate Antiporters; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects*; D005470:Fluorometry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D027963:Chloride-Bicarbonate Antiporters; D008934:Mitogens; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers; D012856:4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid; D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid