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Patch-clamp methodology was applied to principal cell apical membranes of rabbit cortical collecting tubule (CCT) primary cultures grown on collagen supports in the presence of aldosterone (1.5 microM). The most frequently observed channel had a unit conductance of 3-5 pS, nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) relationship, Na permeability (PNa)-to-K permeability (PK) ratio greater than 19:1, and inward current at all applied potentials (Vapp) less than +80 mV (n = 41). Less frequently, an 8- to 10-pS channel with a linear I-V curve, PNa/PK less than 5:1, and inward current at Vapp less than +40 mV was also observed (n = 7). Luminal amiloride (0.75 microM) decreased the open probability (Po) for both of these channels. Mean open time for the high-selectivity Na+ channel was 2.1 +/- 0.5 s and for the low-selectivity Na+ channel was 50 +/- 12 ms. In primary cultures grown without aldosterone the high-selectivity Na+ channel was rarely observed (1 of 32 patches). Lastly, a 26- to 35-pS channel, nonselective for Na+ over K+, was not activated by cytoplasmic Ca2+ or voltage nor inhibited by amiloride (n = 17). We conclude that under specific growth conditions, namely permeable transporting supports and chronic mineralocorticoid hormone exposure, principal cell apical membranes of rabbit CCT primary cultures contain 1) both high-selectivity and low-selectivity, amiloride-inhibitable Na+ channels and 2) amiloride-insensitive, nonselective cation channels.

The receptors mediating adrenergic stimulation of acid secretion by Amphiuma jejunum were characterized in this study using alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists. Isolated segments of jejunum were mounted in Ussing chambers and bathed in Cl- -free (SO4(2-] medium. Shortcircuit current (Isc) and acid secretion (JH) were recorded, the latter by measuring the rate of alkalinization of the serosal medium. The beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol (10(-4) M), had no effect on the Isc and JH stimulated by norepinephrine (NE). The alpha 2-adrenergic agonists, clonidine and UK-14,304, mimicked the effect of NE, with effective concentrations providing 50% maximal delta Isc of 2.0 X 10(-7) and 9.0 X 10(-8) M, respectively. NE added subsequently produced no greater stimulation. In contrast, the alpha 1-adrenergic agonists, phenylephrine and methoxamine, produced little stimulation of JH and Isc; NE added subsequently stimulated the Isc. The alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin had no effect on the NE-induced Isc or JH, whereas the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine inhibited the NE-stimulated Isc with a half-maximal effective concentration of 3.5 X 10(-7) M. Yohimbine (10(-4) M) reduced the NE-stimulated Isc by 88%, whereas the spontaneous Isc was reduced by only 12%. These results demonstrate that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on the basolateral membrane of Amphiuma enterocytes mediate NE-enhanced, but not spontaneous, intestinal acid secretion.

This report describes the expression of a sodium-selective, amiloride-blockable conductance in Xenopus oocytes that have been injected with RNA prepared from a distal nephron cell line (A6). After injecting the RNA into mature oocytes (stage V or VI) and incubating the oocytes for 2-4 days, the oocytes were examined for amiloride-blockable current. The RNA induced a substantial amiloride-blockable current. Uninjected or water-injected oocytes had no measurable amiloride-blockable current. RNA prepared from aldosterone-treated A6 cells was much more effective in inducing amiloride-blockable sodium current than RNA prepared from aldosterone-depleted A6 cells. Oocytes injected with RNA prepared from mineralocorticoid-depleted cells appeared very similar to water-injected oocytes. The amiloride-blockable current in oocytes has a reversal potential of approximately +50 - +60 mV, which varies 61 mV/decade change in external sodium concentration, suggesting that the current is highly selective for sodium over other ions. In addition, the concentration of amiloride that produces half block of the current is 48 +/- 8 nM. Thus the current expressed in oocytes appears very similar to sodium-selective currents observed from the apical membranes of various tight epithelial tissues.

Catecholamines stimulate Na+-dependent acid secretion by Amphiuma small intestine. Studies were undertaken to localize the response within the mucosa and characterize the effect on Na+ and Cl- transport. Stripped segments of jejunum were mounted in tissue chambers that permitted isolation of villus or intervillus epithelium. In Cl-free medium, norepinephrine (NE) stimulated the transepithelial voltage (Vms) in both villus and intervillus epithelium, whereas galactose and valine elevated Vms predominately in the villus. Paired segments of whole mucosa were maintained under short circuit while the rate of acid secretion (JH) was measured by titration of the unbuffered serosal medium and unidirectional fluxes of Na+ were measured by 22Na. NE significantly stimulated net Na+ absorption (JNanet), short circuit current (Isc), and JH. Amiloride reduced JH and Isc in NE-stimulated tissues and blocked the stimulation of JNanet by NE. The NE-induced current was nearly completely and reversibly inhibited by replacement of luminal medium HCO3- or CO2. NE significantly stimulated net Cl- absorption without changing Isc or JH. It is concluded that cells throughout the mucosa respond to catecholamines with enhanced Na+ and Cl- absorption, possibly through induction or stimulation of Na+-H+ and Cl- -HCO3- exchange.