The collecting tubule of Amphiuma. I. Electrophysiological characterization

Single collecting tubules of Amphiuma kidneys were perfused in vitro to characterize their electrophysiological properties. The lumen-negative potential (-24 mV) was abolished by amiloride in the lumen and by ouabain in the bath. Ion substitution experiments in the lumen demonstrated the presence of a large sodium conductance in the apical cell membrane, but no evidence was obtained for a significant potassium or chloride conductance. Ion substitutions in the bath solution and the depolarizing effect of barium on the basolateral membrane potential demonstrated the presence of a large potassium conductance in the basolateral cell membrane. Measurements of dilution potentials in amiloride-treated tubules revealed a modest cation selectivity of the paracellular pathway. These results support a cell model in which sodium reabsorption occurs by electrodiffusion across the apical cell membrane and active transport across the basolateral cell membrane. The absence of a detectable potassium conductance in the apical cell membrane suggests that secretion of this ion cannot take place by diffusion from cell to lumen.