AJP - Cell Physiology, Vol 264, Issue 4 C789-C793, Copyright © 1993 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Intracellular pH regulation of SV-40 virus transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts and cell membrane cholesterol

L. L. Ng, P. Delva and J. E. Davies
Department of Pharmacology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, United Kingdom.

Alterations in membrane cholesterol could affect the activity of various membrane transporters, including the Na(+)-H+ antiport. The effect of cellular cholesterol depletion (with phosphatidylcholine liposomes) and enrichment (with cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine liposomes) on cellular pH regulation was studied in SV-40 virus transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts. Cellular cholesterol depletion led to activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by an increased maximal velocity (Vmax) of the transporter, with no changes in the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) or Hill coefficient for intracellular H+. Cholesterol enrichment had no effect on the activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by intracellular acidosis. However, activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by an osmotic stimulus was enhanced in cholesterol-depleted cells and reduced in cholesterol-enriched cells. Liposomes that had no effect on cellular cholesterol did not alter the activation of Na(+)-H+ antiport activity by intracellular acidosis or an osmotic stimulus. Thus in situ modification of cellular cholesterol altered Na(+)-H+ antiport activity differently depending on the type of activating stimulus.

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