An electroneutral anion exchange mechanism is present in brush-border membranes isolated from eel kidney

The mechanism of bicarbonate translocation across the luminal membrane of the eel (Anguilla anguilla) kidney tubular cells was studied by monitoring the uptake of H14CO3- into isolated brush-border membrane vesicles. Results indicate that the presence of a transmembrane outwardly directed Cl- gradient was able to transiently accumulate H14CO3- into the vesicular space, whereas neither an inwardly directed sodium gradient nor a transmembrane electrical potential gradient (inside positive) was able to stimulate the H14CO3- influx. This anion-dependent H14CO3- uptake was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, suggesting that an anion exchanger was present in the brush-border membrane vesicles.