Fluid secretion by epithelial cells can be modulated by agents that activate Cl- channels in the apical membrane. To sustain secretion, Cl- influx across the basolateral membrane must also be accelerated. To examine the cellular mechanisms that couple Cl- efflux across the apical membrane to Na(+)-coupled Cl- entry across the basolateral membrane, we employed optical imaging techniques, utilizing single rat salivary acinar cells. Na+ influx was negligible in resting cells but was rapidly increased by carbachol due to activation of a Na(+)-H+ exchanger, a Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter, and, most likely, a nonselective cation channel. Receptor stimulation was not necessary, since elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by thapsigargin activated the Na+ transporters at equivalent rates. Cell acidification, activation of protein kinase C, cell shrinkage, and other events associated with the rise of [Ca2+]i had little effect on Na+ transport in resting cells. Nevertheless, stimulation of cells in a medium that prevented normal Ca(2+)-induced cell shrinkage prevented activation of all three transport pathways. The block of the activation was not overcome by osmotic shrinkage but was relieved when [Cl-]i was allowed to fall, including conditions in which [Cl-]i fell in the absence of cell shrinkage. Activation of a Na(+)-H+ exchanger, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter, and nonselective cation channel therefore exhibits a requirement for agonist-induced fall in [Cl-]i. Low [Cl-]i may create a permissive environment for Ca(2+)-dependent activation of multiple Na(+)-transport pathways, providing a mechanism for cross talk that coordinates transport activities of the apical and basolateral membranes in secretory epithelial cells.

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