The effect of external anions on steady-state chloride exchange across ascites tumour cells

1. The rate of cell chloride exchange, or efflux coefficient, was measured after equilibration in media of different anionic composition.2. When sulphate substituted for chloride in the medium, the efflux coefficient was always higher than in control chloride solutions and varied inversely with external chloride concentration. In sulphate the chloride efflux coefficient varied from 19.6 to 100.7 hr(-1). The mean control efflux coefficient was 6.60 +/- 0.677 (S.E. of mean).3. In contrast, when external nitrate substituted for chloride, the efflux coefficient was independent of external chloride concentration and the same as in control chloride media. The mean value in nitrate was 6.42 +/- 0.603 (S.E. of mean). The results confirm findings of Hempling & Kromphardt (1965).4. Steady-state chloride flux varied in direct proportion to the external chloride concentration, which would be expected for passive chloride exchange. However, the slope of the line relating these variables was higher in sulphate than in nitrate and control media. Thus at any given external chloride concentration chloride flux was greater in sulphate than in nitrate and control solutions.5. It is suggested that the effect of sulphate to increase cell chloride exchange may be related to its greater tendency to bind water, relative to chloride and nitrate.