title: Hydrogen transport in rabbit kidney proximal tubules--Na:H exchange.
abstract: In order to examine the cellular mechanisms of H transfer, we studied the [14C]DMO-derived cell pH in rabbit separated renal proximal tubules. Under normal conditions, cell pH (7.508 +/- 0.008, SE) was found to be more alkaline than medium pH (7.404 +/- 0.009, SE). The [14C]DMO-derived cell pH was not affected either by 10(-2) M unlabeled DMO or 10(-3) M probenecid. Removal of external sodium resulted in cell acidification. Addition or 10(-3) M ouabain to the medium dissipated the transmembrane sodium gradient [Na]o/[Na]i and lowered cell pH. However, the DMO-derived cell pH observed in the presence of ouabain was higher than the calculated cell pH, assuming passive distribution of H ions across the cell membrane. In the presence of ouabain, reducing [Na]o/[Na]i led to cell acidification, and augmenting [Na]o/[Na]i caused cell alkalinization. These results indicate that in the proximal tubule: 1) the H transfer from cell to lumen is active, whereas the HCO3 transfer across the basal membrane may be passive; 2) there is evidence for a Na:H exchange via a countertransport mechanism; and 3) Na:H exchange may not be the only mechanism responsible for active H transfer.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000378:metabolism*; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D011339:Probenecid / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010042:Ouabain; D006859:Hydrogen; D012964:Sodium; D011339:Probenecid