Evidence for presence of functional beta-adrenoceptor in rabbit S2 proximal straight tubules

The effect of isoproterenol on the electrophysiological properties of the S2 proximal segment of the rabbit was examined. Isoproterenol at 10(-8) to 10(-4) M depolarized the basolateral membrane voltage (Vb) in a dose-dependent manner. Propranolol attenuated the isoproterenol-induced depolarization. These possible mechanisms of cell depolarization were explored. The role of luminal Na(+)-organic solute cotransport was negligible, since the removal of organic solute did not change the depolarization. Basolateral Na(+)-(HCO3-) cotransport was supported by the finding that 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid inhibited isoproterenol-induced depolarization. Basolateral K+ conductance was suggested by the finding that the application of Ba2+ blocked the isoproterenol-induced depolarization. Na(+)-K(+)-adenosine-triphosphatase (ATPase) was questionable. Although ouabain blocked isoproterenol-induced depolarization, the removal of Na+ did not inhibit the depolarization. Further experiment revealed that dibutylyl-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), 8-bromo cAMP, and forskolin did not mimic the response of isoproterenol. These results demonstrate: 1) there is a functional beta-adrenoceptor that depolarizes Vb; 2) isoproterenol-induced depolarization is due to an inhibition of basolateral K+ channel or the activation of basolateral Na(+)-(HCO3-)n cotransport; 3) isoproteronol-induced depolarization is independent of cAMP in the rabbit proximal tubule.