Activation of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase by CO(2) requires a basolateral Ba(2+)-sensitive pathway during K restriction.

We studied the activation of H(+)-K(+)-ATPase by CO(2) in the renal cortical collecting duct (CCD) of K-restricted animals. Exposure of microperfused CCD to 10% CO(2) increased net total CO(2) flux (J(t CO(2))) from 4.9 +/- 2.1 to 14.7 +/- 4 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (P < 0. 05), and this effect was blocked by luminal application of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitor Sch-28080. In the presence of luminal Ba, a K channel blocker, exposure to CO(2) still stimulated J(t CO(2)) from 6.0 +/- 1.0 to 16.8 +/- 2.8 pmol. mm(-1). min(-1) (P < 0.01), but peritubular application of Ba inhibited the stimulation. CO(2) substantially increased (86)Rb efflux (a K tracer marker) from 93.1 +/- 23.8 to 249 +/- 60.2 nm/s (P < 0.05). These observations suggest that during K restriction 1) the enhanced H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-mediated acidification after exposure to CO(2) is dependent on a basolateral Ba-sensitive mechanism, which is different from the response of rabbits fed a normal-K diet, where activation of the H(+)-K(+)-ATPase by exposure to CO(2) is dependent on an apical Ba-sensitive pathway; and 2) K/Rb absorption via the apical H(+)-K(+)-ATPase exits through a basolateral Ba-sensitive pathway. Together, these data are consistent with the hypothesis of cooperation between H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-mediated acidification and K exit pathways in the CCD that regulate K homeostasis.