Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of divalent cations on chloride movement across amphibian skin

  • Transport Processes, Metabolism and Endocrinology; Kidney, Gastrointestinal Tract, and Exocrine Glands
  • Published:
Pflügers Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Effects of the divalent heavy metal ions Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ on pathways for sodium and chloride were assessed on isolated amphibian skin (Rana temporaria andesculenta, Bufo marinus andviridis). It was observed that these agents, in addition to the previously reported stimulation of sodium transport, inhibit chloride-related tissue conductance (g Cl) in frog skin with spontaneously highg Cl when added to the external incubation medium. Serosal application was ineffective. Half-maximal inhibition ofg t occurred at approximately 0.2 mmol/l Ni2+ and Zn2+, 0.5 mmol/l Co2+ and Cd2+, and more than 3 mmol/l Mn2+. The onset of inhibition was rapid, steady state values being reached within 3 min; reversibility was complete with approximately similar time course. Cu2+, which could not be tested at concentrations above 0.1 mmol/l, had only minimal and poorly reversible effect ong Cl. Skin ofBufo was virtually insensitive to these metal ions. Microelectrode determinations demonstrate that the decrease of conductance was restricted to a pathway distinct from the principal cells which show, on the contrary, increase of apical membrane conductance originating from stimulation of sodium permeability. The metal ions might be valuable for characterization of the pathway and the mechanism of transepithelial conductive chloride transport.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Banks RO (1974) Cadmium stimulation and cadmium-cysteine inhibition of active Na transport by the frog. Physiologist 17:175

    Google Scholar 

  2. Beauwens R, Beaujean V, Zizi M, Rentmeesters M, Crabbé J (1986) Increased chloride permeability of amphibian epithelia treated with aldosterone. Pflügers Arch 407:620–624

    Google Scholar 

  3. Borghgraef R, Stymans A, Driessche W Van (1971) The action of divalent cations on the electrical resistance of frog skin. Arch Int Physiol Biochim 79:171–173

    Google Scholar 

  4. Candia OA (1978) Reduction of chloride fluxes by amiloride across the short-circuited frog skin. Am J Physiol 234:F437-F445

    Google Scholar 

  5. Driessche W Van, Zeiske W (1985) Ionic channels in epithelial cell membranes. Physiol Rev 65:833–903

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dürr JE, Larsen EH (1986) Indacrinone (MK-196) — a specific inhibitor of the voltage-dependent Cl permeability in toad skin. Acta Physiol Scand 127:145–153

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ferreira KTG (1970) The effect of Cu2+ on isolated frog skin. Biochim Biophys Acta 203:555–567

    Google Scholar 

  8. Foskett JK, Ussing HH (1986) Localization of chloride conductance to mitochondria-rich cells in frog skin epithelium. J Membr Biol 91:251–258

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hajjar JJ, Abu-Murad C, Khuri RN, Nassar R (1975) Effect of Mn2+ on permeability properties of frog skin. Pflügers Arch 359:57–67

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hayashi H, Takada M, Arita A (1977) Effects of cadmium on the active transport of sodium by the abdominal skin of a bullfrog (Rana catesbiana). Jpn J Physiol 27:337–352

    Google Scholar 

  11. Helman SI, Miller DA (1971) In vitro techniques for avoiding edge damage in studies of frog skin. Science 173:146–148

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hillyard SD, Gonick HC (1976) Effects of Cd++ on short-circuit current across epithelial membranes. I. Interactions with Ca++ and vasopressin on frog skin. J Membr Biol 26:109–119

    Google Scholar 

  13. Katz U, Driessche W Van, Scheffey C (1985) The role of mitochondria-rich cells in the chloride conductance across toad skins. Biol Cell 55:245–250

    Google Scholar 

  14. Koefoed-Johnsen V, Levi H, Ussing HH (1952) The mode of passage of chloride ions through the isolated frog skin. Acta Physiol Scand 25:150–163

    Google Scholar 

  15. Koefoed-Johnsen V, Ussing HH (1974) Transport pathways in frog skin and their modification by copper ions. In: Thorn NA, Petersen OH (eds) Secretory mechanism of exocrine glands. Munksgaard, Copenhagen, pp 411–421

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kristensen P (1983) Exchange diffusion, electrodiffusion and rectification in the chloride transport pathway of frog skin. J Membr Biol 72:141–151

    Google Scholar 

  17. Larsen EH, Kristensen P (1978) Properties of a conductive cellular chloride pathway in the skin of the toad (Bufo bufo). Acta Physiol Scand 102:1–21

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lyon I (1974) Cu and permeability of isolated frog skin. Biochim Biophys Acta 352:349–360

    Google Scholar 

  19. Nagel W, Garcia-Diaz JF, Essig A (1983) Contribution of junctional conductance to the cellular voltage-divider ratio in frog skins. Pflügers Arch 399:336–341

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nagel W, Beauwens R, Crabbé J (1985) Opposite effects of indacrinone (MK-196) on sodium and chloride conductance of the amphibian skin. Pflügers Arch 403:337–343

    Google Scholar 

  21. Takada M, Hayashi H (1981) Interaction of cadmium, calcium, and amiloride in the kinetics of active sodium transport through frog skin. Jpn J Physiol 31:285–303

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ussing HH (1949) The distinction by means of tracers between active transport and diffusion. Acta Physiol Scand 19:43–56

    Google Scholar 

  23. Voûte CL, Meier W (1978) The mitochondria-rich cell of frog skin as hormone-sensitive “shunt-path”. J Membr Biol (Special issue) 40:151–165

    Google Scholar 

  24. Willumsen NJ, Larsen EH (1986) Membrane potentials and intracellular Cl activity of toad skin epithelium in relation to activation of the transepithelial Cl conductance. J Membr Biol 94:173–190

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nagel, W., Natochin, Y. & Crabbé, J. Effects of divalent cations on chloride movement across amphibian skin. Pflugers Arch. 411, 540–545 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582375

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582375

Key words

Navigation