CHARACTERIZATION OF A SWELLING-INDUCED CHLORIDE CONDUCTANCE IN CULTURED RAT EPIDIDYMAL CELLS

Swelling-induced Cl conductance in cultured rat epididymal cells was c haracterized using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. Activation of wh ole cell current with an outwardly rectifying current-potential relati onship was observed in cells exposed to hyposmotic solutions. This cur rent was determined, from the observed current-reversal potentials at different Cl- concentrations, to be Cl- selective. The anion selectivi ty sequence of the swelling-induced Cl- conductance was I- almost-equa l-to NO3- almost-equal-to Br- > Cl- > 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic a cid. The swelling-induced Cl- conductance was reversibly inhibited by different Cl- channel blockers. Unlike diphenylamine-2-carboxylate or 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate, which showed voltage-indepen dent blockade, 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid showed a marked voltage-dependent blockade of the volume-sensitive Cl- curre nt, with a greater effect at depolarizing voltages. The swelling-induc ed Cl- conductance appeared to be different from the Ca2+- or adenosin e 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-activated Cl- conductances on the basis o f the following observations: 1) swelling-induced current activation w as seen even in the presence of kinase inhibitor (H-8) or absence of e xternal free Ca2+, and 2) further increase in current activation could be produced by swelling after Ca2+-or adenosine 3',5'cyclic monophosp hate-induced current activation. The swelling-induced Cl- conductance may be involved in regulating epithelial cell volume as well as servin g other important epididymal functions such as facilitating transepith elial secretion of organic compounds.