Anomalous potential response and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in in vitro frog gastric mucosa

In general, increasing K+ on the nutrient side decreases the transmucosal PD (nutrient becomes more negative) but after bathing the mucosa in zero K+ media for about 30 min, or longer, elevation of K+ on the nutrient side increases the PD, an anomalous effect. In Cl- media, increasing nutrient K+ from zero to 4 mM produces an increase in PD (an anomalous response) of 3.1 and 5.3 mV in 2 and 5 min, respectively. Ouabain (10(-3) M) to the nutrient side abolished the anomalous response as did removal of Na+ (choline for Na+) from bathing media. In SO4(2-) media (SO4(2-) for Cl-), a significant anomalous PD response was observed when K+ on the nutrient side was increased from zero to 1, 2 or 3 mM but not to higher K+ concentrations. In this case, ouabain also abolished the anomalous response. It is postulated, on the basis of the effects of ouabain and the use of choline media, that an electrogenic (Na+ + K+)-ATPase pump is present on the nutrient-facing membrane in which more Na+ than K+ are transported per cycle.