Vectorial (transcellular) transport of potassium (86Rb+) by cultured Sertoli cells

Sertoli cells from rats aged 25 days were grown on Millipore filters (pore diameter 0.5 micron) for 7 days and were then used for determination of transport of 86Rb+ through the cells (base to apex); this procedure is referred to as measuring transcellular or vectorial transport. Sertoli cells were also used to measure apical efflux of 86Rb+ by loading the cells with the isotope to steady state and then incubating cells so that the apical surfaces were in contact with medium not containing 86Rb+, from which samples were taken. Basal efflux was measured in the same way except that the opposite surface of the cells was in contact with the medium. Cells grown on filters treated with collagen IV plus fibronectin showed transcellular transport of 86Rb+; t1/2 for equilibration across the cells was 9-12 min. The rate of transport was accelerated by addition of (Bu)2cAMP, forskolin, or FSH to the incubation medium. Half-maximal responses were seen with (Bu)2cAMP at 0.2 mM and with forskolin at 20 microM. Apical efflux (t1/2 9.8 +/- 2.1 min) was not influenced by the presence or absence of K+ in the medium nor by azide or (Bu)2cAMP. Basal efflux showed similar values for t1/2 in the presence of K+ (9.7 +/- 1.9 min) and values of 21.4 +/- 4.2 min in the absence of K+. Vectorial transport of 86Rb+ by these cells may account for the K+ gradient seen in the seminiferous tubule and appears to result from a basolateral potassium pump together with an apical membrane that is permeable to K+.