Modulation of Na+/Mg²+ exchanger stoichiometry ratio by Cl⁻ ions in basolateral rat liver plasma membrane vesicles.

The Na+/Mg²+ exchanger represents the main Mg²+ extrusion mechanism operating in mammalian cells including hepatocytes. We have previously reported that this exchanger, located in the basolateral domain of the hepatocyte, promotes the extrusion of intravesicular trapped Mg²+ for extravesicular Na+ with ratio 1. This electrogenic exchange is supported by the accumulation of tetraphenyl-phosphonium within the vesicles at the time when Mg²+ efflux occurs. In this present study, the role of extra- and intra-vesicular Cl⁻ on the Na+/Mg²+ exchange ratio was investigated. The results reported here suggest that Cl⁻ ions are not required for the Na+ to Mg²+ exchange to occur, but the stoichiometry ratio of the exchanger switches from electrogenic (1Na(in)+ :1Mg(out)²+) in the presence of intravesicular Cl⁻ to electroneutral (2Na(in)+ :1 Mg(out)²+) in their absence. In basolateral liver plasma membrane vesicles loaded with MgCl2 labeled with ³6Cl⁻, a small but significant Cl⁻ efflux (~30 nmol Cl⁻/mg protein/1 min) is observed following addition of NaCl or Na-isethionate to the extravesicular medium. Both Cl⁻ and Mg²+ effluxes are inhibited by imipramine but not by amiloride, DIDS, niflumic acid, bumetanide, or furosemide. In vesicles loaded with Mg-gluconate and stimulated by Na-isethionate, an electroneutral Mg²+ extrusion is observed. Taken together, these results suggest that the Na+/Mg²+ exchanger can operate irrespective of the absence or the presence of Cl⁻ in the extracellular or intracellular environment. Changes in trans-cellular Cl⁻ content, however, can affect the modus operandi of the Na+/Mg²+ exchanger, and consequently impact "cellular" Na+ and Mg²+ homeostasis as well as the hepatocyte membrane potential.

Mg2+ release coupled to Ca2+ uptake: a novel Ca 2+ accumulation mechanism in rat liver.

Isolated hepatocytes release 2-3 nmol Mg2+/mg protein or approximately 10% of the total cellular Mg2+ content within 2 minutes from the addition of agonists that increase cellular cAMP, for example, isoproterenol (ISO). During Mg2+ release, a quantitatively similar amount of Ca2+ enters the hepatocyte, thus suggesting a stoichiometric exchange ratio of 1 Mg2+:1Ca2+. Calcium induced Mg2+ extrusion is also observed in apical liver plasma membranes (aLPM), in which the process presents the same 1 Mg2+:1Ca2+ exchange ratio. The uptake of Ca2+ for the release of Mg2+ occurs in the absence of significant changes in Deltapsi as evidenced by electroneutral exchange measurements with a tetraphenylphosphonium (TPP+) electrode or 3H-TPP+. Collapsing the Deltapsi by high concentrations of TPP+ or protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) does not inhibit the Ca2+-induced Mg2+ extrusion in cells or aLPM. Further, the process is strictly unidirectional, serving only in Ca2+ uptake and Mg2+ release. These data demonstrate the operation of an electroneutral Ca2+/Mg2+ exchanger which represents a novel pathway for Ca2+ accumulation in liver cells following adrenergic receptor stimulation.

Protein kinase A dependent phosphorylation activates Mg2+ efflux in the basolateral region of the liver.

Isolated hepatocytes in physiological [Na(+)]( 0 ) tightly maintain [Mg(2+)]( i ). Upon beta-adrenergic stimulation or in the presence of permeable cAMP, hepatocytes release 5-10% (1-3 mM Mg(2+)) of their total Mg(2+) content. However, isolated basolateral liver plasma membranes (bLPM), release Mg(2+) in the presence of [Na(+)]( o ) even in the absence of catecholamine stimulation. The data indicate that a physiological brake for Mg(2+) efflux is present in the hepatocyte and is removed upon cellular signaling. In contrast, this regulation "brake" is absent in purified bLPM thus rendering them fully active. The present study was carried out to reconstruct the missing regulatory component. Activation of Mg(2+) extrusion in intact cells is consistent with cAMP dependent phosphorylation of the transporter or a regulatory protein. Treatment of bLPM with a non-specific phosphatase such as alkaline phosphatase (AP), decreased Mg(2+) efflux by 70% compared to untreated bLPM. When AP-treated bLPM were loaded with protein kinase A (PKA), and stimulated with permeable cAMP, Mg(2+) transport fully recovered. These data suggest that phosphorylation of the Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger or a nearby protein activates the Mg(2+) transport mechanism in hepatocytes.

Differential localization and operation of distinct Mg(2+) transporters in apical and basolateral sides of rat liver plasma membrane.

Upon activation of specific cell signaling, hepatocytes rapidly accumulate or release an amount of Mg(2+) equivalent to 10% of their total Mg(2+) content. Although it is widely accepted that Mg(2+) efflux is Na(+)-dependent, little is known about transporter identity and the overall regulation. Even less is known about the mechanism of cellular Mg(2+) uptake. Using sealed and right-sided rat liver plasma membrane vesicles representing either the basolateral (bLPM) or apical (aLPM) domain, it was possible to dissect three different Mg(2+) transport mechanisms based upon specific inhibition, localization within the plasma membrane, and directionality. The bLPM possesses only one Mg(2+) transporter, which is strictly Na(+)-dependent, bi-directional, and not inhibited by amiloride. The aLPM possesses two separate Mg(2+) transporters. One, similar to that in the bLPM because it strictly depends on Na(+) transport, and it can be differentiated from that of the bLPM because it is unidirectional and fully inhibited by amiloride. The second is a novel Ca(2+)/Mg(2+) exchanger that is unidirectional and inhibited by amiloride and imipramine. Hence, the bLPM transporter may be responsible for the exchange of Mg(2+) between hepatocytes and plasma, and vice versa, shown in livers upon specific metabolic stimulation, whereas the aLPM transporters can only extrude Mg(2+) into the biliary tract. The dissection of these three distinct pathways and, therefore, the opportunity to study each individually will greatly facilitate further characterization of these transporters and a better understanding of Mg(2+) homeostasis.

Characterization of two Mg2+ transporters in sealed plasma membrane vesicles from rat liver.

The plasma membrane of mammalian cells possesses rapid Mg2+ transport mechanisms. The identity of Mg2+ transporters is unknown, and so are their properties. In this study, Mg2+ transporters were characterized using a biochemically and morphologically standardized preparation of sealed rat liver plasma membranes (LPM) whose intravesicular content could be set and controlled. The system has the advantages that it is not regulated by intracellular signaling machinery and that the intravesicular ion milieu can be designed. The results indicate that 1) LPM retain trapped intravesicular total Mg2+ with negligible leak; 2) the addition of Na+ or Ca2+ induces a concentration- and temperature-dependent efflux corresponding to 30-50% of the intravesicular Mg2+; 3) the rate of flux is very rapid (137.6 and 86.8 nmol total Mg2+ . micrometer -2 . min-1 after Na+ and Ca2+ addition, respectively); 4) coaddition of maximal concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+ induces an additive Mg2+ efflux; 5) both Na+- and Ca2+-stimulated Mg2+ effluxes are inhibited by amiloride, imipramine, or quinidine but not by vanadate or Ca2+ channel blockers; 6) extracellular Na+ or Ca2+ can stimulate Mg2+ efflux in the absence of Mg2+ gradients; and 7) Mg2+ uptake occurs in LPM loaded with Na+ but not with Ca2+, thus indicating that Na+/Mg2+ but not Ca2+/Mg2+ exchange is reversible. These data are consistent with the operation of two distinct Mg2+ transport mechanisms and provide new information on rates of Mg2+ transport, specificity of the cotransported ions, and reversibility of the transport.

Diagnostic significance of anti-HBc IgM (RIA) in healthy HBsAg carriers and in chronic hepatitis B.

The diagnostic significance of IgM antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in healthy hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and in subjects affected by chronic hepatitis B was evaluated. IgM anti-HBc was sought and found in all nine patients examined who were affected by acute HBsAg-positive hepatitis. It was also detected in 2 out of 18 patients with HBsAg-positive chronic persistent hepatitis and in 12 out of 42 patients affected by HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis. The absence of this marker was noted in all 26 HBsAg healthy carriers and in the subjects with HBsAg-positive cirrhosis. No relationship was found between the presence of IgM anti-HBc and the degree of inflammatory activity in the patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis. A correlation was not found between the presence of IgM anti-HBc and the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in the same patients. These data show that the absence of IgM anti-HBc may be useful in identifying healthy carriers of HBsAg. The presence of this antibody may be a suitable indication of acute HBsAg-positive hepatitis. In patients with chronic active hepatitis B the presence of IgM anti-HBc cannot be used as diagnostic tool in predicting the severity of liver disease.