ATP depletion and inactivation of an ATP-sensitive taurine channel by classic ion channel blockers.

Cell volume regulation in different cell types is mediated in part by plasma membrane channel(s) that allow taurine and other important intracellular organic osmolytes to efflux from the cell. Previous studies have demonstrated that intracellular ATP is required for activation of a volume-sensitive taurine-permeable channel. The present study examined the relation between cellular ATP and ADP concentrations and swelling-induced [14C]taurine efflux and anion current (whole-cell patch-clamp) after exposure of isolated skate (Raja erinacea) hepatocytes to metabolic poisons and a series of ion channel blockers. When intracellular ATP content was lowered with gradually increasing concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol, a sigmoidal relation between ATP content and volume-activated [14C]taurine efflux was observed. Taurine efflux was progressively inhibited over a relatively narrow range of intracellular ATP levels, indicating that physiologic alterations in cellular nucleotides may modulate the opening of the channel. Surprisingly, the inhibition of [14C]taurine efflux by a number of ion channel blockers [glibenclamide, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate, diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, ketoconazole, gossypol, niflumic acid, and quinine] was related to a decrease in cellular ATP concentrations and ATP/ADP ratios, rather than to a direct interaction with the channel. In contrast, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and pyridoxal-5-phosphate inhibited volume-activated anion channels but had no effect on cellular ATP levels. These findings suggest multiple sites for regulation of volume-sensitive osmolyte channels and indicate that some putative ion channel blockers may actually alter the activity of ATP-regulated transporters by depleting cellular ATP.