Cl-/HCO-3 antiporter in red cell ghosts: a kinetic assessment with fluorescent probes

The pH sensitive fluorescent probe acridine orange and membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent probe acridine orange and membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent probe 3,3'-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide were used to evaluate the Cl-/HCO-3 antiporter and proton and potassium conductances, respectively, in human red blood cell ghosts. Acidic, chloride-loaded ghosts alkalinized rapidly in pH 8.5 chloride-free media. Alkalinization could not be ascribed to conductive proton efflux with either depolarizing potassium influx or chloride efflux. Alkalinization was consequent to flux on the Cl-/HCO-3 antiporter: this process displayed saturation kinetics, competitive inhibition by external chloride, and inhibition by 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. The mean Kms for internal chloride, external bicarbonate, and external chloride were 2.19, 0.24, and 0.44 mM, respectively. These studies confirm both the asymmetry of this carrier and the high affinity for external HCO-3; however, the affinities for internal and external chloride are significantly greater than prior estimates. The Km for internal chloride (2.19 mM) was considerably lower than levels previously reported (20-65 mM) unless external (trans) chloride was raised above 2 mM. The present studies thus demonstrate and emphasize the critical importance of trans substrate concentration in assessing the kinetics of a carrier whose mobility is faster in the loaded than in the unloaded state.