Localisation of potassium pumps in Drosophila ovarian follicles

It has been shown previously that, in Drosophila oogenesis, potassium ions are important for bioelectric phenomena as well as for other physiological and developmental processes. In the present study we determined the spatial distribution and activity of the Na+,K+)-pump and of ouabain-insensitive K+ pumps in plasma membranes of vitellogenic ovarian follicles (stage 10). We used the light microscopic anthroylouabain method as well as the cytochemical lead and cerium precipitation methods in combination with electron spectroscopic imaging (ESI) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). (Na+,K+)-ATPase activity was predominantly observed on the oolemma as well as on the membranes of the columnar follicle cells covering the oocyte, whereas on the membranes of the nurse cells and of the squamous follicle cells covering the nurse cells the activity was very low. The highest activity of the (Na+,K+)-pump was found at the anterior and posterior ends of the oocyte, and this on the oolemma as well as on the membranes of the follicle cells located here. Strong activity of the ouabain-insensitive K+-pumps was observed on most of the oolemma (except at the anterior of the oocyte) and on the membranes of some nurse cells located next to the oocyte, whereas less activity was found on the other nurse cell membranes and on the membranes of all follicle cells. The suitability of the different methods used for determining the localisation as well as the activity of K+-pumps is discussed. We further discuss the nature of the ouabain-insensitive K+ pumps and the relevance of the observed distribution of K+-pumps for K+ uptake, extrafollicular ionic current flow, intercellular signalling and other developmental processes in Drosophila oogenesis.