Is there a Cl- pump?

Am J Physiol. 1988 Nov;255(5 Pt 2):R677-92. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.1988.255.5.R677.

Abstract

Three universally accepted mechanisms of Cl- transport across plasma membranes exist and they are 1) anion-coupled antiport, 2) cation-coupled symport, and 3) coupling to primary active ion transport through electrical and/or chemical processes. No unequivocal direct evidence has been provided for primary active Cl- transport (Cl- pump) despite numerous reports of cellular Cl- -stimulated adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPases) and of Cl- transport that cannot be accounted for by the three well-documented Cl- transport processes. It has been demonstrated that Cl- -stimulated ATPase activity is localized to both mitochondrial and microsomal aspects of the cellular apparatus. However, one group ascribes microsomal localization of Cl- -stimulated ATPase activity to mitochondrial contamination of that membrane fraction. Therefore, no Cl- pump could ever exist naturally in any plasma membrane. The other group simply states that there is plasma membrane localization of Cl- -stimulated ATPase activity that could function as a Cl- pump. Both arguments are logically advanced and their conclusions are consistent with their respective premises. Resolution to the question Is there a Cl- pump? rests with each reader's critique and objective evaluation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetabularia / metabolism
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport, Active
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Chlorides / metabolism*
  • Chlorides / pharmacology
  • Electrochemistry
  • Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Microsomes / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Urodela

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Ion Channels
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases