The influence of H+ on the membrane potential and ion fluxes of Nitella

Abstract

The resting membrane potential of the Nitella cell is relatively insensitive to [K](o), but behaves like a hydrogen electrode. K(+) and Cl(-) effluxes from the cell were measured continuously, while the membrane potential was changed either by means of a negative feedback circuit or by external pH changes. The experiments indicate that P(K) and P(Cl) are independent of pH but are a function of membrane potential. Slope ion conductances, G(K), G(Cl), and G(Na) were calculated from efflux measurements, and their sum was found to be negligible compared to membrane conductance. The possibility that a boundary potential change might be responsible for the membrane potential change was considered but was ruled out by the fact that the peak of the action potential remained at a constant level regardless of pH changes in the external solution. The conductance for H(+) was estimated by measuring the membrane current change during an external pH change while the membrane potential was clamped at K(+) equilibrium potential. In the range of external pH 5 to 6, H(+) chord conductance was substantially equal to the membrane conductance. However, the [H](i) measured by various methods was not such as would be predicted from the [H](o) and the membrane potential using the Nernst equation. In artificial pond water containing DNP, the resting membrane potential decreased; this suggested that some energy-consuming mechanism maintains the membrane potential at the resting level. It is probable that there is a H(+) extrusion mechanism in the Nitella cell, because the potential difference between the resting potential and the H(+) equilibrium potential is always maintained notwithstanding a continuous H(+) inward current which should result from the potential difference.