Influence of external K+ on potassium efflux in isolated chicken enterocytes

1. Efflux of K+ was measured in pre-loaded (86Rb+) chicken enterocytes incubated in buffers with external K+ concentration ([K+]0) between 1 and 40 mM. 2. A decrease in [K+]0 from 6 to 1 mM reduced the rate constant of K+ efflux, whereas it was stimulated by increasing [K+]0 from 6 to 40 mM. 3. The inhibitory effect of low [K+]0 on K+ efflux was: (i) higher than that expected from a change in the electrical driving force, suggesting that membrane K+ permeability has been decreased, and (ii) attenuated by A23187 and Na(+)-free buffers. 4. The effect of A23187 on K(+)-induced K+ efflux was abolished by apamin and that of Na(+)-free buffers by apamin, quinine or verapamil, which suggests that the effect of low K+ on K+ efflux seems to be due to decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. 5. The stimulatory effect of 40 mM K0+ on K+ exit can be accounted for by an increase in the electrical driving force. 6. The efflux of K+ at 40 mM K0 appears to occur through Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels (KCa) since it was prevented by 500 microM quinine and unaffected by bumetanide or 3,4-diaminopyridine. 7. In addition, the current results show that an increase in external K+ concentration reduced the ability of quinine to inhibit KCa channels, and even abolished that of Ba2+ and apamin.