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Use of ion-channel modulating agents to study cyanobacterial Na+-K+ fluxes

Biological Procedures Online volume 6, pages 137–143 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Here we describe an experimental design aimed to investigate changes in total cellular levels of Na+ and K+ ions in cultures of freshwater filamentous cyanobacteria. Ion concentrations were measured in whole cells by flame photometry. Cellular Na+ levels increased exponentially with rising alkalinity, with K+ levels being maximal for optimal growth pH (∼8). At standardized pH conditions, the increase in cellular Na+, as induced by NaCl at 10 mM, was coupled by the two sodium channel-modulating agents lidocaine hydrochloride at 1 µM and veratridine at 100 µM. Both the channel-blockers amiloride (1 mM) and saxitoxin (1 µM), decreased cell-bound Na+ and K+ levels. Results presented demonstrate the robustness of well-defined channel blockers and channel-activators in the study of cyanobacterial Na+- K+ fluxes.

Abbreviations

STX:

saxitoxin

VTD:

veratridine

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cyanobacteria and Astrobiology Research Laboratory, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, 2052, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Francesco Pomati, Brendan P. Burns & Brett A. Neilan

  2. Environmental Research Group, DBSF, University of Insubria, via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100, Varese, Italy

    Francesco Pomati

Authors
  1. Francesco Pomati
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  2. Brendan P. Burns
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  3. Brett A. Neilan
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Correspondence to Brett A. Neilan.

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Published: June 29, 2004.

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Pomati, F., Burns, B.P. & Neilan, B.A. Use of ion-channel modulating agents to study cyanobacterial Na+-K+ fluxes. Biol. Proced. Online 6, 137–143 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1251/bpo82

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1251/bpo82

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Biological Procedures Online

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