Sodium dependent ion transporters in trout gills

Biochemical procedures developed to isolate plasma membranes from the branchial epithelium of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) yield membrane fractions that are specifically enriched in the plasma membrane marker enzyme Na+/K+-ATPase. As the bulk of the branchial Na+/K+-ATPase is assumed to be confined to the mitochondria-rich chloride cells, such membrane preparations must contain the essence of the enzymatic machinery of the chloride cells. Basal Na+ activity in branchial (chloride) cells is around 10 millimolar and, accordingly, we find a K-m for Na+ of the Na+/K+-ATPase of 13 millimolar, indicating that the enzyme may be regulated by changes in cytosolic sodium. The Na+-gradient across the serosal plasma membrane created by this pump provides energy for 3Na(+)/Ca2+-exchange and bumetanide-sensitive Na+/K+/2Cl(-)-cotransport. Here we further postulate the presence of a Na+/Cl--cotransporter, indicated by thiazide-sensitive, bumetanide-insensitive transport of Na+ and Cl-; this cotransporter activity awaits the characterization of its kinetics. The Na+/Ca2+-exchanger has kinetic characteristics compatible with a regulatory role of cytosolic Na+ in the activity of this carrier. Both Na+/Ca2+-exchange and Ca2+-ATPase activity may contribute to transport of Ca2+, the former having lower affinity for calcium but a higher capacity than the latter carrier. The Na+/K+/2Cl(-)-cotransporter has kinetics that favor a regulatory role for plasma K+ in the activity of this carrier. Seawater adaptation leads to increased activity of cotransporter molecules in the plasma membrane fractions (the activity increases relative to that of the Na+/K+-ATPase) and this may reflect a function in Cl--extrusion performed by the chloride cells in a seawater environment. A function for the cotransporter in the gills of freshwater fish may be the regulation of cell volume.