title: Characterization of the Na/K pump current in N20.1 oligodendrocytes.
abstract: Glial cell Na,K-ATPase is suggested to participate in extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) control by being activated when [K+]o rises in the brain. The extent of that activation directly depends on the Na/K pump affinity to [K+]o, intracellular Na+ ([Na+]i) and, indirectly on pump cycle regulation by membrane potential (Vm). In the present investigation, these Na/K pump properties were studied with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in cultured mouse oligodendrocytes (N20.1 cell line). N20.1 cells possess ouabain-sensitive Na/K pump current (Ip) with a maximal density of 0.5-0.6 pA/pF (estimated for conditions of Na/K pump stimulation by saturating [Na+]i, [ATP]i, [K+]o and at positive Vm). This current was half-inhibited at 83 +/- 31 microM ouabain, and half-activated by [Na+]i of 9.6 +/- 1.1 mM, by [K+]o of 2.0 +/- 0.1 mM and by membrane potential at about -65 mV. High levels of nervous activity may increase [K+]o from 3 to 12 mM which would only increase Na/K pump current by 40% due to the direct effect of [K+]o. However, elevated [K+]o would also depolarize the glial cell membrane which would indirectly activate Ip and together with the direct effect of [K+]o would increase Ip as much as 2-2.5-fold. These data suggest that glial cell Na/K pump regulation by Vm may be an important factor in determining the participation of the Na/K pump in [K+]o homeostasis in the nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobretsov
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stimers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D009836:Oligodendroglia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D012964:Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium