Effects of ATP on lysosomes: protection against hyperosmolar KCl

After incubation at 37 degrees C in isosmolar (200 mM) KCl, rat liver lysosomes are susceptible to damage caused by brief exposure to hyperosmolar (greater than 200 mM) KCl. Lysosomes that are exposed to hyperosmolar KCl do not undergo significant lysis as long as they are maintained at hyperosmolar conditions; however, they will lyse on being returned to lower osmolarities. If the hyperosmolar KCl-treated lysosomes are intermittently transferred into equally hyperosmolar sucrose, they no longer undergo lysis on subsequent exposure to lower osmolarities; this confirms the reversible nature of the hyperosmolar KCl-induced damage. Thus the hypothesis that the hyperosmolar KCl damage involves an isosmotic permeating of the lysosome by KCl appears reasonable. The increase caused by the hyperosmolar KCl in free activity of beta-N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase is reduced by about 50% by ATP but not by ATP analogues. ATP protects provided that it is added either before, or simultaneously with, exposure of the lysosomes to hyperosmolar KCl. However, if the ATP is not added until the lysosomes are already in the presence of the hyperosmolar KCl, it does not reverse the damaging effects of the KCl even though actual lysis has not yet occurred at the time of the ATP addition. The protective effect is established very rapidly, because ATP added simultaneously with the addition of the hyperosmolar KCl protects to the same extent as does ATP added any time prior to the KCl addition. The protective effect requires Mg2+ and is not supported by Ca2+. Maximal protection is provided by 5 X 10(-4) M ATP. It is postulated that ATP protects lysosomes by reducing an increase in intralysosomal concentration of KCl, which occurs when incubated lysosomes are exposed to hyperosmolar KCl.