Na(+)-H+ antiporter and Na(+)-(HCO3-)n symporter regulate intracellular pH in mouse medullary thick limbs of Henle.

To determine mechanisms of intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in mouse medullary thick limbs (MTAL), pHi was measured in MTAL suspensions and in the isolated perfused MTAL by use of 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). A method to obtain MTAL suspensions from the mouse outer medulla is reported. Characterization of suspensions with microscopy, anti-Tamm-Horsfall antibody labeling, measurement of O2 consumption, and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate responses to antidiuretic hormone indicated that these suspensions were highly purified for viable MTAL tubules. The resting pHi was 7.41 +/- 0.02 (means +/- SE) in N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered media and 7.23 +/- 0.02 in CO2- HCO3(-)-buffered media, both at extracellular pH 7.4. MTAL tubules exhibited rapid pHi recovery from intracellular acidification. Recovery of pHi was dependent on luminal Na+ (apparent Km = 13.2 +/- 3.2 mM) and was inhibited by amiloride (apparent Ki = 10.6 microM), consistent with the activity of an apical Na(+)-H+ antiporter. Antiporter activity was enhanced by acidification and was diminished at the resting pHi. Recovery from intracellular alkalinization (rapid withdrawal of CO2- HCO3-) was sensitive to the stilbene anion transport inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, Cl(-)-insensitive, and Na(+)-sensitive, consistent with the activity of a Na(+)-(HCO3-)n symporter. Both transporters were significantly involved in steady-state pHi regulation in the presence of CO2- HCO3-. In contrast, the Na(+)-H+ antiporter played the dominant role in steady-state pHi regulation in the absence of CO2- HCO3-.