title: Osmolyte channel regulation by ionic strength in skate RBC.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether the opening of the osmolyte channel in skate red blood cells (RBC) is regulated by intracellular electrolyte concentration and conductivity. Consistent with previous studies, experiments with hyperosmotic preincubation before cell swelling or swelling with an isosmotic electrolyte (e.g., ammonium chloride) showed that an increase in ionic strength inhibits the opening of the taurine channel. However, a decrease in intracellular ionic strength did not always stimulate taurine efflux to the same degree. Whereas hyposmotic swelling caused a large increase in taurine efflux, swelling induced by treatment with isosmotic nonelectrolytes produced much smaller stimulation. Results with assays for band 3 phosphorylating enzymes were consistent with those from the taurine efflux studies; stimulation of enzyme activity was lower in cells that were swollen with isosmotic nonelectrolyte media than in cells swollen in hyposmotic media. These results indicate that a decrease in ionic strength is not the only signal for the opening of the taurine channel in skate RBC. Ionic strength does affect channel activity, but there must also be some other regulator.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wittels
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hubert
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Musch
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D009995:Osmosis; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D012860:Skates, Fish; D013654:Taurine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D006982:Hypertonic Solutions; D007038:Hypotonic Solutions; D007473:Ion Channels; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D013654:Taurine; D011494:Protein Kinases