Abstract.
The mineralocorticoid aldosterone is essential for the adequate regulation of electrolyte homeostasis, extracellular volume and blood pressure. As a steroid hormone it influences cellular functions by genomic actions. Previously it has been shown that aldosterone can activate Na+/H+-exchange (NHE) by a rapid, non-genomic mechanism. Because (1) NHE can be regulated by ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and (2) steroids have been reported to rapidly activate ERK1/2, we tested the hypothesis that activation of NHE by aldosterone involves ERK1/2, using MDCK-C11 cells. We show that nanomolar concentrations of aldosterone induce a rapid, non-genomic activation of NHE, which is characterized by an increased affinity for H+ with minor changes in the maximum transport rate. Accordingly, aldosterone led to an increase of cytosolic steady-state pH. The aldosterone-induced activation of NHE was prevented by the two specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 activation, PD 98059 (2.5·10–5 mol/l) and U0126 (10–5 mol/l). Furthermore, in the presence of U0126 there was no aldosterone-induced increase of steady-state pH. Finally, aldosterone induced a rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2, indicating its ability to activate ERK1/2. The data presented here support the hypothesis that the rapid activation of NHE by aldosterone at nanomolar concentrations involves ERK1/2. Thus, in certain cell types, the MAPK cascade may represent an additional pathway mediating rapid aldosterone effects.
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Received after revision: 10 November 2000
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Gekle, M., Freudinger, R., Mildenberger, S. et al. Rapid activation of Na+/H+-exchange in MDCK cells by aldosterone involves MAP-kinases ERK 1/2. Pflügers Arch - Eur J Physiol 441, 781–786 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004240000507
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004240000507