Na,K-ATPase polypeptide upregulation responses in lens epithelium

Nicholas A. Delamere, Robert E. Manning, Lixia Liu, Amy E. Moseley, William L. Dean

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE. In a previous study, an increase in Na,K-ATPase α2 expression was detected in the epithelium of porcine lenses exposed to amphotericin B, an ionophore that also increases lens sodium and stimulates active sodium transport. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether an increase of Na,K-ATPase α2 synthesis is a response to an episode of rapid Na-K transport or whether the increase in lens sodium alone can initiate the response. METHODS. Western blot analyses were conducted to probe for Na,K- ATPase α polypeptides in membrane material isolated from porcine lens epithelium. Ouabain-sensitive adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis was used as an index of Na,K-ATPase activity, and lens ion content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. 86-Rubidinm (86Rb) uptake was measured as an indicator for active potassium transport. RESULTS. 86Rb uptake was markedly diminished in lenses exposed to dihydro-ouabain (DHO), signifying inhibition of active sodium-potassium transport. Consistent with this, the sodium content of DHO-treated lenses increased. By western blot analysis, a marked increase of Na,K-ATPase α2 polypeptide could be detected in the epithelium of DHO-treated lenses. To rule out the possibility that apparent stimulation of Na,K-ATPase α2 synthesis stemmed from binding of DHO to Na,K-ATPase sites, experiments were conducted to confirm an increase of Na,K- ATPase α2 polypeptide in the epithelium of lenses exposed to low-potassium medium to inhibit active sodium-potassium transport. Consistent with the apparent increase of Na,K-ATPase polypeptide, Na,K-ATPase activity was detectably increased in epithelial material isolated from lenses pretreated with DHO or low-potassium medium. CONCLUSIONS. An increase in Na,K-ATPase α2 polypeptide can occur in the epithelium of lenses subjected to an episode of sodium pump inhibition. This suggests the response could be triggered by an increase in cell sodium and does not necessarily require a period of stimulated active sodium-potassium transport.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)763-768
Number of pages6
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume39
Issue number5
StatePublished - Apr 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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