Cytochromes and gastric acid secretion. A reevaluation of mucosal acidification experiments

Using an improved spectrophotometer, we have reinvestigated the report (Hersey, S.J. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 344, 157--203) that acidification of the mucosal surface of frog gastric mucosa produces a crossover point between flavoprotein and cytochrome b, thus identifying a site of energy coupling between the cytochrome and H+ transport systems. While we find spectrophotometric changes upon addition of HCl to the mucosal solution, we find similar changes upon addition of NaCl without pH change, but no changes when the pH is lowered by substitution of H+ for Na+ at constant osmolality. We show that osmolality changes, with consequent alteration in tissue light scattering, are responsible for these effects. Further, we can show that the pH changes used do not inhibit acid secretion, and that one cannot do so without osmolality increase. We conclude that the imputed crossover point is not demonstrated, and that models based on its existence must be revised.