Rapid activation of basolateral potassium transport in human colon by oestradiol

1. We investigated the effect of oestradiol on basolateral potassium channels in human colonic epithelium. 2. Ion transport was quantified using short circuit current (I:(sc)) measurements of samples mounted in Ussing chambers. Serosal K transport was studied using nystatin permeabilization of the apical membrane. Intracellular pH changes were quantified using spectroflouresence techniques. 3. Experiments were performed with either 10 nM or 1 microM Ca(2+) in the apical bathing solution. With 10 nM Ca(2+) in the apical bathing solution addition of oestradiol (1 nM) to the basolateral bath produced a rapid increase in current (delta I(K)=11.2+/-1.2 microA.cm(-2), n=6). This response was prevented by treatment of the serosal membrane with tolbutamide (1 microM). With 1 microM Ca(2+) in the apical bathing solution addition of oestradiol produced a rapid fall in current (delta I(K)=-12.8+/-1.4 microA.cm(-2)), this response was prevented by treatment of the basolateral membrane with tetra-pentyl-ammonium (TPeA). These responses were rapid and occurred independently of protein synthesis. 4. Inhibition of basolateral Na(+)/H(+) exchange with either amiloride or a low sodium bathing solution prevented this response. These responses were prevented by inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with bis-indolyl-maleimide. 5. Oestradiol (1 nM) produced a rapid intracellular alkanization (mean increase=0.11 pH units; n=6; P<0.01). 6. These results suggest that oestradiol rapidly modulates serosal K transport in human colon. These effects depend upon intact Na(+)/H(+) exchange and protein kinase C. We propose a non-classical, possibly membrane linked, mechanism for oestradiol action in human colonic epithelium.