Calcium-activated potassium channels and fluid secretion by exocrine glands

Fluid secretion by exocrine glands is regulated by neurotransmitters and hormones. The secretagogues act on the acinar cells by switching on two types of conductance pathways: K+-selective channels in the basolateral membrane and Cl(-)-selective channels localized to the luminal membrane. The K+ channels have been quantitatively characterized in patch-clamp single-channel and whole-cell current-recording studies. Opening of the K+ channels is determined by the membrane potential (depolarization enhances the probability of channel opening), and the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (a rise in [Ca2+]i increases the open-state probability). The Cl- channels are also controlled by internal Ca2+ in such a way that an elevation of [Ca2+]i favors opening. Secretagogues evoking an increase in [Ca2+]i activate both sets of channels causing a substantial loss of cellular KCl. KCl is taken up via a Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransport mechanism in the basolateral membrane and the Na+ uptake activates the Na+-K+ pump. In the steady-state stimulated situation the three basolateral transport proteins, the K+ channels, the Na+-K+ pump, and the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter operate together as an electrogenic Cl- pump. Cl- exits into the lumen via the Ca2+-activated Cl- channels and Na+ follows through the paracellular shunt pathway. When stimulation of the acinar cells ceases the K+ and Cl- conductance pathways close and the Na+-K+ pump together with the Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter operate as a KCl pump, restoring the intracellular KCl lost initially after start of stimulation and secretion stops.