Signal transduction mechanisms of K+-Cl- cotransport regulation and relationship to disease.

The K+-Cl- cotransport (COT) regulatory pathways recently uncovered in our laboratory and their implication in disease state are reviewed. Three mechanisms of K+-Cl- COT regulation can be identified in vascular cells: (1) the Li+-sensitive pathway, (2) the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-sensitive pathway and (3) the nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway. Ion fluxes, Western blotting, semi-quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were used. Li+, used in the treatment of manic depression, stimulates volume-sensitive K+-Cl- COT of low K+ sheep red blood cells at cellular concentrations <1 mM and inhibits at >3 mM, causes cell swelling, and appears to regulate K+-Cl- COT through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway. PDGF, a potent serum mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), regulates membrane transport and is involved in atherosclerosis. PDGF stimulates VSM K+-Cl- COT in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, both acutely and chronically, through the PDGF receptor. The acute effect occurs at the post-translational level whereas the chronic effect may involve regulation through gene expression. Regulation by PDGF involves the signalling molecules phosphoinositides 3-kinase and protein phosphatase-1. Finally, the NO/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway, involved in vasodilation and hence cardiovascular disease, regulates K+-Cl- COT in VSMCs at the mRNA expression and transport levels. A complex and diverse array of mechanisms and effectors regulate K+-Cl- COT and thus cell volume homeostasis, setting the stage for abnormalities at the genetic and/or regulatory level thus effecting or being affected by various pathological conditions.

K-Cl cotransport in red blood cells from patients with KCC3 isoform mutants.

Red blood cells (RBCs) possess the K-Cl cotransport (KCC) isoforms 1, 3, and 4. Mutations within a given isoform may affect overall KCC activity. In a double-blind study, we analyzed, with Rb as a K congener, K fluxes (total flux, ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+ pump, and bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransport, Cl-dependent, and ouabain- and bumetanide-insensitive KCC with or without stimulation by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and staurosporine or Mg removal, and basal channel-mediated fluxes, osmotic fragility, and ions and water in the RBCs of 8 controls, and of 8 patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy with agenesis of corpus callosum (HMSN-ACC) with defined KCC3 mutations (813FsX813 and Phe529FsX532) involving the truncations of 338 and 619 C-terminal amino acids, respectively. Water and ion content and, with one exception, mean osmotic fragility, as well as K fluxes without stimulating agents, were similar in controls and HMSN-ACC RBCs. However, the NEM-stimulated KCC was reduced 5-fold (p < 0.0005) in HMSN-ACC vs control RBCs, as a result of a lower Vmax (p < 0.05) rather than a lower Km (p = 0.109), accompanied by corresponding differences in Cl activation. Low intracellular Mg activated KCC in 6 out of 7 controls vs 1 out of 6 HMSN-ACC RBCs, suggesting that regulation is compromised. The lack of differences in staurosporine-activated KCC indicates different action mechanisms. Thus, in HMSN-ACC patients with KCC3 mutants, RBC KCC activity, although indistinguishable from that of the control group, responded differently to biochemical stressors, such as thiol alkylation or Mg removal, thereby indirectly indicating an important contribution of KCC3 to overall KCC function and regulation.

Regulation of K-Cl cotransport: from function to genes.

This review intends to summarize the vast literature on K-Cl cotransport (COT) regulation from a functional and genetic viewpoint. Special attention has been given to the signaling pathways involved in the transporter's regulation found in several tissues and cell types, and more specifically, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The number of publications on K-Cl COT has been steadily increasing since its discovery at the beginning of the 1980s, with red blood cells (RBCs) from different species (human, sheep, dog, rabbit, guinea pig, turkey, duck, frog, rat, mouse, fish, and lamprey) being the most studied model. Other tissues/cell types under study are brain, kidney, epithelia, muscle/smooth muscle, tumor cells, heart, liver, insect cells, endothelial cells, bone, platelets, thymocytes and Leishmania donovani. One of the salient properties of K-Cl-COT is its activation by cell swelling and its participation in the recovery of cell volume, a process known as regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Activation by thiol modification with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) has spawned investigations on the redox dependence of K-Cl COT, and is used as a positive control for the operation of the system in many tissues and cells. The most accepted model of K-Cl COT regulation proposes protein kinases and phosphatases linked in a chain of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events. More recent studies include regulatory pathways involving the phosphatidyl inositol/protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated pathway for regulation by lithium (Li) in low-K sheep red blood cells (LK SRBCs), and the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG) pathway as well as the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated mechanism in VSMCs. Studies on VSM transfected cells containing the PKG catalytic domain demonstrated the participation of this enzyme in K-Cl COT regulation. Commonly used vasodilators activate K-Cl COT in a dose-dependent manner through the NO/cGMP/PKG pathway. Interaction between the cotransporter and the cytoskeleton appears to depend on the cellular origin and experimental conditions. Pathophysiologically, K-Cl COT is altered in sickle cell anemia and neuropathies, and it has also been proposed to play a role in blood pressure control. Four closely related human genes code for KCCs (KCC1-4). Although considerable information is accumulating on tissue distribution, function and pathologies associated with the different isoforms, little is known about the genetic regulation of the KCC genes in terms of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation. A few reports indicate that the NO/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway regulates KCC1 and KCC3 mRNA expression in VSMCs at the post-transcriptional level. However, the detailed mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation of KCC genes and of regulation of KCC2 and KCC4 mRNA expression are unknown. The K-Cl COT field is expected to expand further over the next decades, as new isoforms and/or regulatory pathways are discovered and its implication in health and disease is revealed.

KCl cotransport regulation and protein kinase G in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

K-Cl cotransport is activated by vasodilators in erythrocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells and its regulation involves putative kinase/phosphatase cascades. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) activates the system presumably by inhibiting a protein kinase. Nitrovasodilators relax smooth muscle via cGMP-dependent activation of protein kinase G (PKG), a regulator of membrane channels and transporters. We investigated whether PKG regulates K-Cl cotransport activity or mRNA expression in normal, PKG-deficient-vector-only-transfected (PKG-) and PKG-catalytic-domain-transfected (PKG+) rat aortic smooth muscle cells. K-Cl cotransport was calculated as the Cl-dependent Rb influx, and mRNA was determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Baseline K-Cl cotransport was higher in PKG+ than in PKG- cells (p <0.01). At 0.5 mM, NEM stimulated K-Cl cotransport by 5-fold in PKG- but not in PKG+ cells. However, NEM was more potent although less effective to activate K-Cl cotransport in normal (passage 1-3) and PKG+ than in PKG- cells. In PKG- cells, [(dihydroindenyl) oxy] alkanoic acid (300 mM) but not furosemide (1 mM) inhibited K-Cl cotransport. Furthermore, no difference in K-Cl cotransport mRNA expression was observed between these cells. In conclusion, this study shows that manipulation of PKG expression in vascular smooth muscle cells affects K-Cl cotransport activity and its activation by NEM.

GSH depletion, K-Cl cotransport, and regulatory volume decrease in high-K/high-GSH dog red blood cells.

Thiol reagents activate K-Cl cotransport (K-Cl COT), the Cl-dependent and Na-independent ouabain-resistant K flux, in red blood cells (RBCs) of several species, upon depletion of cellular glutathione (GSH). K-Cl COT is physiologically active in high potassium (HK), high GSH (HG) dog RBCs. In this unique model, we studied whether the same inverse relationship exists between GSH levels and K-Cl COT activity found in other species. The effects of GSH depletion by three different chemical reactions [nitrite (NO(2))-mediated oxidation, diazene dicarboxylic acid bis-N,N-dimethylamide (diamide)-induced dithiol formation, and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-catalyzed conjugation of GSH with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB)] were tested on K-Cl COT and regulatory volume decrease (RVD). After 85% GSH depletion, all three interventions stimulated K-Cl COT half-maximally with the following order of potency: diamide > NO(2) > CDNB. Repletion of GSH reversed K-Cl COT stimulation by 50%. Cl-dependent RVD accompanied K-Cl COT activation by NO(2) and diamide. K-Cl COT activation at concentration ratios of oxidant/GSH greater than unity was irreversible, suggesting either nitrosothiolation, heterodithiol formation, or GST-mediated dinitrophenylation of protein thiols. The data support the hypothesis that an intact redox system, rather than the absolute GSH levels, protects K-Cl COT activity and cell volume regulation from thiol modification.

Nitric oxide signaling pathway regulates potassium chloride cotransporter-1 mRNA expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) express at least two mRNAs for K-Cl cotransporters (KCC): KCC1 and KCC3. cGMP-dependent protein kinase I regulates KCC3 mRNA expression in these cells. Here, we show evidence implicating the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway in the expression of KCC1 mRNA, considered to be the major cell volume regulator. VSMCs, expressing soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and PKG-I isoforms showed a time- and concentration-dependent increase in KCC1 mRNA levels after treatment with sodium nitroprusside as demonstrated by semiquantitative RT-PCR. sGC-dependent regulation of KCC1 mRNA expression was confirmed using YC-1, a NO-independent sGC stimulator. The sGC inhibitor LY83583 blocked the effects of sodium nitroprusside and YC-1. Moreover, 8-Br-cGMP increased KCC1 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The 8-Br-cGMP effect was partially blocked by KT5823 but not by actinomycin D. However, actinomycin D and cycloheximide increased basal KCC1 mRNA in an additive manner, suggesting different mechanisms of action for both drugs. These findings suggest that in VSMCs, the NO/cGMP-signaling pathway participates in KCC1 mRNA regulation at the post-transcriptional level.

K-Cl cotransport: immunohistochemical and ion flux studies in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells transfected with full-length and C-terminal-domain-truncated KCC1 cDNAs.

Coupled K and Cl movements are mediated by several isoforms of the K-Cl cotransporter (COT) encoded by the KCC genes. The ubiquitous KCC1 isoform, important for cell volume and ion homeostasis, has 12 transmembrane domains (Tmds), and cytoplasmic N- and C-terminal domains (Ntd and Ctd). This study investigates the cellular localization of KCC1 by confocal microscopy, activation of K-Cl COT by various non-osmotic and osmotic interventions with net unidirectional K and Rb fluxes at 37( degrees )C, and the effect of Ctd deletion on K-Cl COT regulation. Human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were transfected with full-length (fl) rabbit (rb)KCC1 and - CtdKCC1 cDNAs obtained after truncation at nucleotide 2011. Normal cells exposed to polyclonal anti-Ctd antibodies against Ctd epitopes within a 77 amino acid sequence (a.a.943-1020) revealed granular membrane and cytoplasmic immunostaining, presumably endogenous KCC1. Additional diffuse membrane and cytoplasmic immunofluorescence in flKCC1-transfected cells was absent in -CtdKCC1-transfected cells. Monoclonal antibodies against a c-myc epitope at the protein Ntd showed both membrane and cytosolic fluorescence. Basal and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-stimulated Rb influxes through K-Cl COT, calculated as Cl-dependent Rb fluxes, were 2-3-fold higher in flKCC1-transfected than in normal cells. NEM stimulation of K-Cl COT was highest in flKCC1-transfected cells, significantly lower in stably and abrogated in transiently -CtdKCC1-transfected cells. Furosemide, calyculin and genistein inhibited basal and NEM-stimulated K-Cl COT in normal and transfected cells. Staurosporine and hydroxylamine were ineffective stimulators. No effect of pH(0) changes (6.3-8.4) was observed in basal or NEM-stimulated K-Cl COT, in both normal and transfected cells. However, inhibition by NEM occurred at pH(0) 8.4. Furthermore, in a Cl-independent manner, NEM lowered cell K content by >30% and hypotonicity (210-70mOsM) stimulated furosemide-sensitive Rb influx and K loss. Thus, in cultured normal and KCC1-transfected cells, K-Cl COT shows significant differences from erythrocytes, and NEM and cell swelling open furosemide-sensitive and Cl-independent K/Rb channels. Failure of K-Cl COT in cells transfected with Ctd-truncated KCC1 to respond to NEM suggests a role of the Ctd for signal transduction.

Protein kinase G regulates potassium chloride cotransporter-4 [corrected] expression in primary cultures of rat vascular smooth muscle cells.

K-Cl cotransport (KCC) is activated by nitric oxide donors and appears to be regulated by the cGMP signaling pathway. Expression of KCC mRNAs (KCC1-KCC4) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unknown. We have reported the presence of KCC1 and KCC3 mRNAs in primary cultures of VSMCs by specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. KCC2 mRNA appeared at extremely low levels. KCC4 mRNA was undetectable. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed a 2:1 KCC1/KCC3 mRNA ratio in VSMCs. Depletion of protein kinase G (PKG)-1 from VSMCs did not change KCC3 mRNA expression. Analogous results were obtained with PKG-1-catalytic domain- and vector only-transfected VSMCs lacking endogenous PKG, suggesting no involvement of PKG-1 in the maintenance of basal KCC3 mRNA expression. However, 8-bromo-cGMP, a PKG stimulator, acutely increased KCC3 mRNA expression in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion; this effect was blocked by the PKG inhibitor KT5823 but not by actinomycin D. These findings show that VSMCs express mainly two mRNA isoforms, KCC1 and KCC3, and suggest that PKG participates post-transcriptionally in the acute KCC3 mRNA regulation. The role of KCC3 on cell volume and electrolyte homeostasis in response to PKG modulators remains to be determined.

Swelling-induced K(+) fluxes in vascular smooth muscle cells are mediated by charybdotoxin-sensitive K(+) channels.

This study examines the relative contributions of K-Cl cotransport and K(+) channels to swelling-induced K(+) fluxes in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). DIOA known as a potent inhibitor of erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport exerts diverse side-effects on VSMC and can not be used to analyze the role of this carrier in swelling-induced K(+) fluxes. Other inhibitors of K-Cl cotransport (furosemide, okadaic acid and calyculin A) did not affect K(+) fluxes in VSMC triggered by swelling. Swelling-induced K(+) fluxes in VSMC were also not affected by K(+) channel blockers such as TEA, glibenclamide and apamin, but were blocked by Ba(2+) and charybdotoxin (ChTX), a potent inhibitor of Ca(2+)- and voltage-gated K(+) channels. Swelling-induced K(+) influx in VSMC was diminished in Ca(2+)-free medium and in cells loaded with Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA, but was not accompanied by detectable elevation of [Ca(2+)](i). In contrast to Ca(2+)-induced hyperpolarization of erythrocytes triggered by activation of intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-gated K(+) channels (IK(Ca)), neither clotrimazole nor calmodulin antagonists (R24571, trifluoroperazine, fluphenazine) affected swelling-induced K(+) influx in VSMC. In conclusion, K(+) fluxes triggered in swollen VSMC are mediated by Ba(2+)- and ChTX-sensitive K(+) channels. These channels are distinct from IK(Ca) expressed in erythrocytes. Their molecular origin and systems involved in the swelling-induced Ca(2+)(i)-independent signal transduction pathway need further investigation.

K-Cl co-transport: immunocytochemical and functional evidence for more than one KCC isoform in high K and low K sheep erythrocytes.

K-Cl co-transport (COT) is significantly higher in low K (LK), L-antigen (L) positive, than in high K (HK), M-antigen (M) positive, sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) and is inhibited by sheep allo-anti-L1 antibody. To answer the question of whether this difference in K-Cl co-transport activity resides at the level of the transporter or its regulation, a combined immunocytochemical and functional approach was taken. At least four isoforms of K-Cl COT encoded by different KCC genes are known, with 12 transmembrane domains and cytoplasmic C- and N-terminal domains (Ctd and Ntd, respectively). Polyclonal anti-rat (rt)KCC1 antibodies against a fusion peptide with 77 amino acids from the Ctd of rtKCC1 and anti-human (h)KCC3 against an 18-aa peptide from the Ntd of hKCC3, were prepared in rabbits (rb). Two distinctly separate protein bands of 180 and 145 kDa molecular mass were detected in hemoglobin-free ghosts from RBCs of two LK (one homozygous LL and one heterozygous LM) and one HK (homozygous MM) sheep by Western blots with rb anti-rtKCC1 and rb anti-hKCC3. Confocal microscopy showed specific immunostaining of KCC1 with rb anti-rtKCC1, and of KCC3 with rb anti-hKCC3, in white ghosts from both LK and HK SRBCs. To test the functional heterogeneity of K-Cl COT, the effect of the anti-L1 antibody was assessed on K-Cl COT activated by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine. Incubation of LK SRBCs with anti-L1 serum inhibited by 30% staurosporine-stimulated K-Cl COT suggesting that approximately two-thirds of the transport activity is independent of the L1 antigen. That staurosporine altered the L1 antigen/antibody reaction is unlikely since the action of another antibody, anti-Lp, stimulating the Na/K pump flux, was not modified. The present results, in conjunction with earlier work, lead to the hypothesis that the partial anti-L1 inhibition of K-Cl COT may be related to the molecular KCC dimorphism, seen in these cells with anti-KCC1 and anti-KCC3 antibodies.

K-Cl cotransport: properties and molecular mechanism.

K-Cl cotransport (COT), defined first in red blood cells as the Cl-dependent, ouabain-insensitive bidirectional K transport, encoded by at least four KCC (kalium-chloride-cotransport) genes, is now recognized as a functional and structural reality in all cell membranes. As functional system, K-Cl COT is necessary for volume and ionic homeostasis. Since its original discovery by swelling red cells in hyposmotic solutions and by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), K-Cl COT has been recognized as one of the prime electroneutral, low ion affinity pathways effecting regulatory volume decrease (RVD). This review first summarizes the general properties of K-Cl COT, including ion dependence, kinetics, thermodynamics and regulation in erythrocytes of various species, and then focuses on the newest findings of the molecular mechanisms behind K-Cl COT, the KCC isoforms and their expression in epithelial cells and in Xenopus oocytes. Based on early biophysical studies on red cells amalgamated with the recent molecular expression studies of the four KCC isoforms, K-Cl COT emerges as one of the oldest membrane transporters that is controlled by a complex redox-dependent cascade of kinases and phosphatases, yet to be defined at the molecular level. Whereas RVD is a primeval role of K-Cl COT for survival of cells challenged by hyposmotic environments, maintenance of intracellular Cl ([Cl](I) ) levels away from electrochemical equilibrium and K buffering capability during neuronal function are new additions to the list of physiological functions of this system.

Lithium and protein kinase C modulators regulate swelling-activated K-Cl cotransport and reveal a complete phosphatidylinositol cycle in low K sheep erythrocytes.

K-Cl cotransport (COT), a ouabain-insensitive, Cl-dependent bidirectional K flux, is ubiquitously present in all cells, plays a major role in ion and volume homeostasis, and is activated by cell swelling and a variety of chemical interventions. Lithium modulates several cation transport pathways and inhibits phospholipid turnover in red blood cells (RBCs). Lithium also inhibits K-Cl COT by an unknown mechanism. To test the hypothesis whereby Li inhibits swelling-activated K-Cl COT by altering either its osmotic response, its regulation, or by competing with K for binding sites, low K (LK) sheep (S) RBCs were loaded with Li by Na/Li exchange or the cation ionophore nystatin. K-Cl COT was measured as the Cl-dependent, ouabain-insensitive K efflux or Rb influx. The results show that Li altered the cell morphology, and increased both cell volume and diameter. Internal (Li(i)) but not external (Li(o)) Li inhibited swelling-activated K-Cl COT by 85% with an apparent K(i) of approximately 7 mm. In Cl, Li(i) decreased K efflux at relative cell volumes between 0.9 and 1.2, and at external pHs between 7.2 and 7.4. Li(i) reduced the V(max) and increased the K(m) for K efflux in Cl. Furthermore, Li(i) increased the production of diacylglycerol in a bimodal fashion, without significant effects on the phosphatidylinositol concentration, and revealed the presence of a complete PI cycle in LK SRBCs. Finally, phorbol ester treatment and PD89059, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK2) kinase, caused a time-dependent inhibition of K-Cl COT. Hence, Li(i) appears to inhibit K-Cl COT by acting at an allosteric site on the transporter or its putative regulators, and by modulation of the cellular phospholipid metabolism and a PKC-dependent regulatory pathway, causes an altered response of K-Cl COT to pH and volume.

K-Cl cotransport in vascular smooth muscle and erythrocytes: possible implication in vasodilation.

K-Cl cotransport, the electroneutral-coupled movement of K and Cl ions, plays an important role in regulatory volume decrease. We recently reported that nitrite, a nitric oxide derivative possessing potent vasodilation properties, stimulates K-Cl cotransport in low-K sheep red blood cells (LK SRBCs). We hypothesized that activation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) K-Cl cotransport by vasodilators decreases VSM tension. Here we tested this hypothesis by comparing the effects of commonly used vasodilators, hydralazine (HYZ), sodium nitroprusside, isosorbide mononitrate, and pentaerythritol, on K-Cl cotransport in LK SRBCs and in primary cultures of rat VSM cells (VSMCs) and of HYZ-induced K-Cl cotransport activation on relaxation of isolated porcine coronary rings. K-Cl cotransport was measured as the Cl-dependent K efflux or Rb influx in the presence and absence of inhibitors for other K/Rb transport pathways. All vasodilators activated K-Cl cotransport in LK SRBCs and HYZ in VSMCs, and this activation was inhibited by calyculin and genistein, two inhibitors of K-Cl cotransport. KT-5823, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase G, abolished the sodium nitroprusside-stimulated K-Cl cotransport in LK SRBCs, suggesting involvement of the cGMP pathway in K-Cl cotransport activation. Hydralazine, in a dose-dependent manner, and sodium nitroprusside relaxed (independently of the endothelium) precontracted arteries when only K-Cl cotransport was operating and other pathways for K/Rb transport, including the Ca-activated K channel, were inhibited. Our findings suggest that K-Cl cotransport may be involved in vasodilation.

Role of nitrite, a nitric oxide derivative, in K-Cl cotransport activation of low-potassium sheep red blood cells.

K-Cl cotransport (COT) is the coupled movement of K and Cl, present in most cells, associated with regulatory volume decrease, susceptible to oxidation and functionally overexpressed in sickle cell anemia. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of the oxidant nitrite (NO2-) on K-Cl COT. NO2- is a stable metabolic end product of the short-lived highly reactive free radical nitric oxide (NO), an oxidant and modulator of ion channels, and a vasodilator. In some systems, the response to NO2- is identical to that of NO. We hypothesized that NO2- activates K-Cl COT. Low potassium (LK) sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) were used as a model. The effect of various concentrations (10(-6) to 10(-1) m) of NaNO2 was studied on K efflux in hypotonic Cl and NO3 media, Cl-dependent K efflux (K-Cl COT), glutathione (GSH), and methemoglobin (MetHb) formation. In support of our hypothesis, K efflux and K-Cl COT were stimulated by increasing concentrations of NaNO2. Stimulation of K efflux was dependent upon external Cl and exhibited a lag phase, consistent with activation of K-Cl COT through a regulatory mechanism. Exposure of LK SRBCs to NaNO2 decreased GSH, an effect characteristic of a thiol-oxidizing agent, and induced MetHb formation. K-Cl COT activity was positively correlated with Methb formation. N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM), a potent activator of K-Cl COT, was used to assess the mechanism of NO2- action. The results suggest that NEM and NO2- utilize at least one common pathway for K-Cl COT activation. Since NaNO2 is also a well known vasodilator, the present findings suggest a role of K-Cl COT in vasodilation.

Functional evidence for a pH sensor of erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport through inhibition by internal protons and diethylpyrocarbonate.

The sidedness of proton modulation of K-Cl cotransport (K-Cl COT) was studied in low K sheep red blood cells stripped of cellular Mg, Mgi, at alkaline medium pH, pHo, by the divalent ionophore A23187 and a chelator. This procedure activates K-Cl COT, presumably, by inhibition of MgATP-dependent kinases. Ouabain-resistant K efflux and Rb influx were measured in Cl or NO3 either at variable pHi and fixed pHo, or vice versa, in erythrocytes pH- and volume-clamped with the anion exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-2,2'-disulfonic stilbene (DIDS) and sucrose. Between pHi 9 and 6, and at constant pHo 9, K effluxes decreased hyperbolically in Cl and linearly in NO3 whereas Rb influxes fell almost linearly in Cl and asymptotically in NO3. Thus, saturation of outward and inward K-Cl COT, the calculated difference of the fluxes in Cl and NO3, occurred at slightly different pHi values. Hill plots revealed pKa values of 6.5 and 7.0, and Hill coefficients of > 1 for outward and inward K-Cl COT, respectively. Raising pHo from 6 to 9 at fixed pHi slightly increased K and Rb fluxes in both Cl or NO3, but not K-Cl COT. The histidine reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) inhibited low Mgi-activated K-Cl COT at approximately 4 mM, an effect partially reversible by subsequent treatment with hydroxylamine. It is concluded that protons inhibit erythrocyte K-Cl COT through internal histidine(s) which may be part of a pH sensor.

Alkaline pH and internal calcium increase Na+ and K+ effluxes in LK sheep red blood cells in Cl--free solutions.

We examined the effects of pH, internal ionized Ca (Ca2+i), cellular ATP, external divalent cations and quinine on Cl-independent ouabain-resistant K+ efflux in volume-clamped sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) of normal high (HK) and low (LK) intracellular K+ phenotypes. In LK SRBCs the K+ efflux was higher at pH 9.0 (350%) than at pHs 7. 4 and 6.5, and was inhibited by external divalent cations, quinine, and cellular ATP depletion. The above findings suggest that the increased K+ efflux at alkaline pH is due to the opening of ion channels or specific transporters in the cell membrane. In addition, K+ efflux was activated (100%) when Ca2+i was increased (+A23187, +Ca2+o) into the microm range. However, in comparison to human red blood cells, the Ca2+i-induced increase in K+ efflux in LK SRBCs was fourfold smaller and insensitive to quinine and charybdotoxin. The Na+ efflux was also higher at pH 9.0 than at pH 7.4, and activated (about 40%) by increasing Ca2+i. In contrast, in HK SRBCs the K+ efflux at pH 9.0 was neither inhibited by quinine nor activated by Ca2+i. These studies suggest the presence in LK SRBCs, of at least two pathways for Cl--independent K+ and Na+ transport, of which one is unmasked by alkalinization, and the other by a rise in Ca2+i.

Oxidative activation of K-Cl cotransport by diamide in erythrocytes from humans with red cell disorders, and from several other mammalian species.

Red blood cells (RBCs) from different mammalian species were investigated for the presence of diamide-induced oxidative activation of K-Cl cotransport reported to be present in sheep but absent in human RBCs. K efflux was measured in RBCs from human with hemoglobin (Hb) A or S, glucose-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and a cytoskeletal deficiency, and from rat, mouse and rabbit. RBCs were incubated with diamide (0-1.0 mm) in K-free Cl or NO3 media of variable osmolalities (200-450 mOsM). Cl-dependent K efflux or K-Cl cotransport (estimated as the difference between K efflux rate constants in Cl and NO3) was activated by diamide in a sigmoidal fashion. Relative maximum K-Cl cotransport followed the sequence: human HbA (1) < rabbit (1.8) < sheep (6.9) < human HbS (9.5) approximately rat (9.7). Relative diamide concentrations for half maximal activation of K-Cl cotransport followed the sequence: sheep (1.9) > human Hb A (1) > rabbit (0.75) > human HbS and rat (0.67). Cell swelling in 200 mOsM doubled K-Cl cotransport in diamide, both in human HbA and S cells but reduced that in rat RBCs. In contrast, cell shrinkage at 450 mOsM obliterated K-Cl cotransport in human HbA and S but not in rat RBCs. Human RBCs with G6PDH and a cytoskeleton deficiency behaved like HbA RBCs. In mouse RBCs, diamide-activated K-Cl cotransport was 30% higher in isotonic than in hypotonic medium. In human HbA and S, and in low or high K sheep RBCs fractionated by Percoll density gradient, diamide increased the activity of K-Cl cotransport, an effect inversely correlated with cell density. Analysis of pooled data reveals that K-Cl cotransport accounted for about 80% of all K flux in Cl. There was a statistically significant correlation between K-Cl cotransport and K efflux in Cl (P < 0. 00001) and in NO3 (P < 0.00001). In conclusion, a diamide-activated K-Cl cotransport was present in human RBCs and in all other mammalian RBCs tested, with a large inter-, and for human and sheep, intraspecies variability for its maximum activity.

Modulation of K-Cl cotransport in volume-clamped low-K sheep erythrocytes by pH, magnesium, and ATP.

Cellular pH, ionized Mg (Mgi2+), and MgATP concentration of red blood cells, concomitantly with cell volume, change transiently during circulation. The action of these three effectors on Cl-dependent K efflux was examined in low-K sheep red blood cells with constant cell volume. Activation of K-Cl efflux by Mgi2+ extraction required ATP, suggesting that phosphorylation of a putative component occurred before Mgi2+ extraction. Conversely, Mg and ATP were synergistic inhibitors of K-Cl cotransport, since maximal inhibition was observed only in cells containing both ATP and > 300 microM Mgi2+. Both findings suggest dual roles for Mg and ATP. At 300-600 microM Mgi2+, lowering the pH from approximately 7.4 to approximately 6.5 stimulated K-Cl efflux only in fed cells, suggesting that protons oppose or release the inhibition by Mgi2+ and ATP. A direct effect of both protons and Mgi2+ on the cotransporter is suggested by their inhibition of K-Cl efflux in ATP-depleted cells. These findings are discussed in light of the current phosphorylation/dephosphorylation hypothesis.

A thermodynamic study of electroneutral K-Cl cotransport in pH- and volume-clamped low K sheep erythrocytes with normal and low internal magnesium.

Swelling-induced human erythrocyte K-Cl cotransport is membrane potential independent and capable of uphill transport. However, a complete thermodynamic analysis of basal and stimulated K-Cl cotransport, at constant cell volume, is missing. This study was performed in low K sheep red blood cells before and after reducing cellular free Mg into the nanomolar range with the divalent cation ionophore A23187 and a chelator, an intervention known to stimulate K-Cl cotransport. The anion exchange inhibitor 4,4'diisothiocyanato-2,2'disulfonic stilbene was used to clamp intracellular pH and Cl or NO3 concentrations. Cell volume was maintained constant as external and internal pH differed by more than two units. K-Cl cotransport was calculated from the K effluxes and Rb (as K congener) influxes measured in Cl and NO3, at constant internal K and external anions, and variable concentrations of extracellular Rb and internal anions, respectively. The external Rb concentration at which net K-Cl cotransport is zero was defined as flux reversal point which changed with internal pH and hence Cl. Plots of the ratio of external Rb concentrations corresponding to the flux reversal points and the internal K concentration versus the ratio of the internal and external Cl concentrations (i.e., the Donnan ratio of the transported ions) yielded slopes near unity for both control and low internal Mg cells. Thus, basal as well as low internal Mg-stimulated net K-Cl cotransport depends on the electrochemical potential gradient of KCl.