A model for fluid secretion in Rhodnius upper Malpighian tubules (UMT)

We have measured fluid secretion rate in Rhodnius prolixus upper Malpighian tubules (UMT) stimulated to secrete with 5-OH-tryptamine. We used double perfusions in order to have access separately to the basolateral and to the apical cell membranes. Thirteen pharmacological agents were applied: ouabain, Bafilomycin A(1), furosemide, bumetanide, DIOA, Probenecid, SITS, acetazolamide, amiloride, DPC, BaCl(2), pCMBS and DTT. These agents are known to block different ion transport functions, namely ATPases, co- and/or counter-transporters and ion and water channels. The basic assumption is that water movement changes reflect changes in ion transport mechanisms, which we localize as follows: (i) At the basolateral cell membrane, fundamental are a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter and a Cl(-)-HCO(3) (-) exchanger; of intermediate importance are the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, Cl(-) channels and Rp-MIP water channels; K(+) channels play a lesser role: (ii) At the apical cell membrane, most important are a K(+)-Cl(-) cotransport that is being located for the first time, a V-H(+)-ATPase; and a Na(+)-H(+) exchanger; a urate-anion exchanger and K(+) channels are less important, while Cl(-) channels are not important at all. A tentative model for the function of the UMT cell is presented.