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Epithelial sodium conductance in rabbit preimplantation trophectodermal cells.
D H Robinson1, J K Bubien, P R Smith
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
Developmental Biology
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Epithelial sodium (Na+) channels develop in rabbit embryos by day 7 post coitus. These channels are blocked by amiloride in 7-day embryos but not in 6-day embryos, indicating a developmental change.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Physiology
- Ion Transport
Background:
- Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are crucial for ion and fluid transport in various epithelia.
- Understanding the development of ion transport is vital for studying early embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental emergence of epithelial sodium (Na+) conductance in preimplantation rabbit embryos.
- To characterize the properties and amiloride sensitivity of Na+ currents in trophectodermal cells.
Main Methods:
- Whole-cell patch-clamp technique on dissociated rabbit trophectodermal cells from 6- and 7-day post coitus (p.c.) embryos.
- Immunocytochemical localization using antibodies against epithelial Na+ channel subunits.
- Pharmacological assessment using amiloride and its analogs.
Main Results:
- Outwardly rectified Na+ currents were observed in both 6- and 7-day p.c. trophectodermal cells.
- Na+ currents were amiloride-sensitive in 7-day p.c. embryos but not in 6-day p.c. embryos.
- Immunolocalization showed no specific binding of anti-ENaC antibodies to 6-day p.c. trophectoderm, but binding was observed in 7-day p.c. embryos.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial sodium conductance, likely mediated by amiloride-sensitive channels, develops between day 6 and day 7 p.c. in rabbit embryos.
- This developmental acquisition of Na+ transport function may play a role in blastocyst development and implantation.