title: Proton pump-driven cutaneous chloride uptake in anuran amphibia.
abstract: Krogh introduced the concept of active ion uptake across surface epithelia of freshwater animals, and proved independent transports of Na(+) and Cl(-) in anuran skin and fish gill. He suggested that the fluxes of Na(+) and Cl(-) involve exchanges with ions of similar charge. In the so-called Krogh model, Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) and Na(+)/H(+) antiporters are located in the apical membrane of the osmoregulatory epithelium. More recent studies have shown that H(+) excretion in anuran skin is due to a V-ATPase in mitochondria-rich (MR) cells. The pump has been localized by immunostaining and H(+) fluxes estimated by pH-stat titration and mathematical modelling of pH-profiles in the unstirred layer on the external side of the epithelium. H(+) secretion is voltage-dependent, sensitive to carbonic-anhydrase inhibitors, and rheogenic with a charge/ion-flux ratio of unity. Cl(-) uptake from freshwater is saturating, voltage independent, and sensitive to DIDS and carbonic-anhydrase inhibitors. Depending on anuran species and probably on acid/base balance of the animal, apical exit of protons is coupled to an exchange of Cl(-) with base (HCO(3)(-)) either in the apical membrane (gamma-type of MR cell) or in the basolateral membrane (alpha-type MR cell). The gamma-cell model accounts for the rheogenic active uptake of Cl(-) observed in several anuran species. There is indirect evidence also for non-rheogenic active uptake accomplished by a beta-type MR cell with apical base secretion and basolateral proton pumping. Several studies have indicated that the transport modes of MR cells are regulated via ion- and acid/base balance of the animal, but the signalling mechanisms have not been investigated. Estimates of energy consumption by the H(+)-ATPase and the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase indicate that the gamma-cell accomplishes uptake of NaCl in normal and diluted freshwater. Under common freshwater conditions with serosa-positive or zero V(t), the K(+) conductance of the basolateral membrane would have to maintain the inward driving force for Na(+) uptake across the apical membrane. With the K(+) equilibrium potential across the basolateral membrane estimated to -105 mV, this would apply to external Na(+) concentrations down to 40-120 micromol/l. NaCl uptake from concentrations down to 10 micromol/l, as observed by Krogh, presupposes that the H(+) pump hyperpolarizes the apical membrane, which would then have to be associated with serosa-negative V(t). In diluted freshwater, exchange of cellular HCO(3)(-) with external Cl(-) seems to be possible only if the proton pump has the additional function of keeping the external concentration of HCO(3)(-) low. Quantitative considerations also lead to the conclusion that with the above extreme demand, at physiological intracellular pH of 7.2, the influx of Cl(-) via the apical antiporter and the passive exit of Cl(-) via basolateral channels would be possible within a common range of intracellular Cl(-) concentrations.
authors.affiliation: August Krogh Institute, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars Jørn
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Niels Johannes
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Willumsen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amstrup
authors.forename: Erik Hviid
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Larsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000378:metabolism*; D002023:Bufo bufo; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005618:Fresh Water; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000378:metabolism*; D011893:Rana esculenta; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000032:analysis; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D017494:Proton Pumps; D012964:Sodium; D025262:Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases