Preincubation in acid medium increases Na/H antiporter activity in cultured renal proximal tubule cells.

Chronic acidosis in vivo leads to an increase in proximal tubule Na/H antiporter activity that persists when the transporter is studied out of the acidotic environment. It is presently not clear whether a decrease in extracellular fluid pH alone is sufficient to elicit this adaptation. The present studies examined the effect of acid preincubation on Na/H antiporter activity in cultured proximal tubule cells. Antiporter activity was examined after a 2-day preincubation in control or acid medium, 1 hr after removal from the preincubation fluid. Na/H antiporter activity was assayed as the initial rate of Na-dependent alkalinization after cell acidification in the absence of CO2/HCO3. Preincubation in low [HCO3] acid medium or in high PCO2 acid medium led to increases in amiloride-sensitive Na/H antiporter activity. This adaptation was inhibited by addition of cycloheximide to the preincubation medium. Preincubation of fibroblasts in low [HCO3] acid medium did not lead to increased Na/H antiporter activity but rather caused a small inhibition. These studies demonstrate an adaptation in Na/H antiporter activity elicited by a low pH of the extracellular fluid, which is dependent on protein synthesis, and may be unique to certain H/HCO3-transporting epithelia.