Potassium exchange in the whole cell, cytoplasm, and nucleus of amphibian oocytes.

Potassium isotope exchange was studied in whole oocytes, with and without ovarian follicles, and in oocyte cytoplasm and nucleus. Cryomicrodissection was used to prevent solute redistribution during nuclear and cytoplasmic separation. Manual follicle removal causes a small decrease in the K+ of the preparation. No effect of follicle removal is seen on 42K+ exchange. Whole oocyte exchange is multiphasic and reflects the presence of two intracellular K+ fractions. One of these fractions is present in both nucleus and cytoplasm. It exhibits first-order exponential kinetics, apparently established at the cell membrane. The second fraction is restricted to cytoplasm and exchanges at an imperceptible rate. The fractions differ in pre- and posthibernation oocytes. These observations clarify the mechanism whereby nuclear/cytoplasmic K+ concentration asymmetries are maintained and the mechanisms responsible for the high K+-activity coefficient previously reported in these cells.