title: Cation-coupled chloride influx in squid axon. Role of potassium and stoichiometry of the transport process.
abstract: Evidence is presented showing that the Cl- uptake process in the squid giant axon is tightly coupled not only to Na+ uptake but also to K+ uptake. Thus, removal of external K+ causes both Cl- and Na+ influxes to be reduced, particularly when [Cl-]i is low, that is, under conditions previously shown to be optimal for Cl-/Na+-coupled influx. In addition, there exists a ouabain-insensitive K+ influx, which depends on the presence of external Cl- and Na+, is inversely proportional to [Cl-]i, and is blocked by furosemide/bumetanide. Finally, this ouabain-insensitive K+ influx appears to require the presence of cellular ATP. The stoichiometry of the coupled transport process was measured using a double-labeling technique combining in the same axon either 36Cl and 42K or 22Na and 42K. The stoichiometry of the flux changes occurring in response either to varying [Cl-]i between 150 and 0 mM or to treatment with 0.3 mM furosemide is, in both cases, approximately 3:2:1 (Cl-/Na+/K+). Although these fluxes require ATP, they are not inhibited by 3 mM vanadate. In addition, treatment with DIDS has no effect on the fluxes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism*; D049832:Decapodiformes; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium