Expression of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter in Xenopus oocytes

The Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter (NKCCT) is important in mediating net salt transport in a variety of cells. As a first step in obtaining structural information on this transport system, we attempted to express it in Xenopus laevis oocytes by injection of poly(A)+ mRNA from rat kidney. Four days after injection, batches of oocytes were tested for 86Rb uptake in presence and absence of 10 microM bumetanide to distinguish that fraction of influx mediated by NKCCT. In the absence of bumetanide, the oocytes formed a bimodal distribution with respect to 86Rb uptake, with some oocytes accumulating significantly more 86Rb than others. In the presence of bumetanide, or when Na was replaced with choline, that group of oocytes taking up more 86Rb did not appear. Sham-injected oocytes did not accumulate sufficient 86Rb to be distinguishable above background. Taken together, these data suggest that some of the mRNA-injected oocytes expressed the rat renal NKCCT. Crude poly(A)+ mRNA was separated by acid-urea agarose gel electrophoresis, and fractions were injected into oocytes. One fraction corresponding to messages of approximately 7 kilobases in length induced a bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb influx resembling that seen with total mRNA. Poly(A)+ mRNA fractionated on sucrose density gradients gave similar results. It is concluded that the rat kidney NKCCT has been expressed in Xenopus oocytes from a high molecular weight fraction of poly(A)+ mRNA.