Serum stimulation of potassium fluxes, ouabain binding, and sodium fluxes in quiescent chicken embryo fibroblasts.

Growth-contingent alterations in potassium and sodium fluxes, ouabain binding, and potassium ion content were examined following serum stimulation of quiescent, density-inhibited chicken embryo fibroblasts. Serum stimulation resulted in very rapid 1.5- to 1.8-fold increases in ouabain-sensitive potassium influx and lesser 1.4- to 1.5-fold increases in potassium efflux and sodium influx. Potassium influx stimulation was maximal after addition of 5-20% calf serum and was unaffected by cycloheximide inhibition of protein synthesis. Reflecting the slightly greater stimulation of potassium influx versus potassium efflux, potassium ion levels were 10-15% higher in serum-stimulated compared to unstimulated cells. Specific ouabain binding levels in stimulated and unstimulated control cells were initially similar, however, by four hours after stimulation a 40-50% increase in specific ouabain binding was observed. Incubation with ouabain was found also to inhibit later serum-stimulated hexose uptake and thymidine incorporation; this blockage may be consequence of subnormal potassium levels rather than ouabain inhibition of the serum-stimulated potassium influx.