α1-Adrenergic activation of myocardial Na-K-2Cl cotransport involving mitogen-activated protein kinase

Abstract

The translocation mechanisms involved in the α1-adrenoceptor-stimulated efflux of the potassium analog86Rb+were studied in isolated rat hearts. Phenylephrine (in the presence of a β-blocker) increased the efflux of86Rb+and42K+, and the Na-K-2Cl (or K-Cl) cotransport inhibitor bumetanide reduced the response by 42 ± 11%. Furosemide inhibited the response with a lower potency than that of bumetanide. The bumetanide-insensitive efflux was largely sensitive to the K+ channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine. Inhibitors of the Na+/H+exchanger or the Na+-K+pump had no effect on the increased86Rb+efflux. The activation of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter was dependent on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) subgroup of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family. Phenylephrine stimulation increased ERK activity 3.4-fold. PD-98059, an inhibitor of the ERK cascade, reduced both the increased86Rb+efflux and ERK activity. Specific inhibitors of protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II had no effect. In conclusion, α1-adrenoceptor stimulation increases86Rb+efflux from the rat heart via K+channels and a Na-K-2Cl cotransporter. Activation of the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter is apparently dependent on the MAP kinase pathway.