Anion exchange pathways for Cl- transport in rabbit renal microvillus membranes

We evaluated the mechanisms of chloride transport in microvillus membrane vesicles isolated from the rabbit renal cortex. The presence of Cl-formate exchange was confirmed. Outward gradients of oxaloacetate, HCO3, acetate, lactate, succinate, sulfate, and p-aminohippurate (PAH) stimulated the rate of Cl uptake minimally (less than 25%) or not at all. However, an outward gradient of oxalate stimulated Cl uptake by 70%, and an outward Cl gradient induced uphill oxalate uptake, indicating Cl-oxalate exchange. Moreover, an outward formate gradient induced uphill oxalate uptake, indicating formate-oxalate exchange. Studies of inhibitor and substrate specificity indicated the probable operation of at least two separate anion exchangers in mediating Cl transport. The Cl-formate exchanger accepted Cl and formate as substrates, had little or no affinity for oxalate, was sensitive to inhibition by furosemide, and was less sensitive to inhibition by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). The Cl (formate)-oxalate exchanger also accepted Cl and formate as substrates but had high affinity for oxalate, was highly sensitive to inhibition by DIDS, and was less sensitive to inhibition by furosemide. The Cl-formate exchanger was electroneutral, whereas the Cl (formate)-oxalate exchanger was electrogenic. We conclude that at least two separate anion exchangers mediating Cl transport are present on the luminal membrane of the rabbit proximal tubule cell. These exchangers may play important roles in mediating transtubular Cl and oxalate transport in this nephron segment.