Abstract
Cellular volume can be varied substantially by replacing medium Cl− isosmotically by other univalent anions. Since K+ content changes in parallel, cellular K+ concentration is well maintained. Gluconate behaves as an impermeant anion so cells shrink. Acetate enters cells apparently by non-ionic diffusion causing marked cellular swelling. These changes in volume are fully reversed when Cl− is again restored to the medium. However, ouabain (10−3 M) largely prevents this reversal when Cl− replaces acetate, arguing against a ouabain-insensitive volume regulating mechanism. In toad urinary bladder, serosal gluconate inhibits transepithelial Na+ transport and cells shrink. Analysis suggests that cell shrinkage results in a loss of Ba2+-sensitive highly selective basolateral membrane K+ conductance channels.
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Macknight, A.D.C. The role of anions in cellular volume regulation. Pflugers Arch. 405 (Suppl 1), S12–S16 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00581773
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00581773