Regulation of cellular pH Flashcards

1
Q

What is the pH of the plasma?

A

7.4

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2
Q

What is the pH inside the cell?

A

7-7.1

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3
Q

What scale is pH? (equation)

What does this mean?

A

Logarithmic scale:
pH = -log[H+]

1 small change in H+ has a LARGE change in pH

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4
Q

How do proteins buffer pH?

A

1) H+ binds to protein - changes the protein charge
2) Conformational change in the protein
3) Change in protein function

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5
Q

Why can increase in H+ concentration potentially have disastrous effects?

A

H+ binds to proteins and changes their charge and therefore shape and FUNCTION

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6
Q

What 2 methods can be used to measure intracellular pH?

A

1) Microelectrodes

2) Fluorescent indicators

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7
Q

Which method is good for measuring pH of large cells?

Describe this method

A

Microelectrodes:

1) 2 voltage electrodes - measure ion current across the membrane
2) Measure voltage difference between V1 and V2
3) Change in voltage is proportional to pH

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8
Q

How are the electrodes in the microelectrode technique calibrated?

A

1) Buffer at pH 6 and measure voltage
2) Buffer at pH 8 and measure voltage
3) Construct a curve

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9
Q

How can voltage be converted into pH?

A

Using the curve constructed:

pH = (V-offset) / slope

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10
Q

Which method is good for measuring pH of small cells?

Describe this method

A

Fluorescent indicators:

1) Cells loaded with LIPID SOLUBLE, INACTIVE form of the indicator
2) Inside the cell - the inactive form is converted into an active form
3) Indicator is excited with light of a specific wavelength and the amount of EMITTED fluorescence light is measured (emits at a different wavelength)
4) Fluorescence is proportional to intracellular pH and [H+]

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11
Q

In the fluorescent indicator method to measure pH, why is the cell loaded with an INACTIVE form of the indicator?

A

It is positively charged - so it can cross the membrane

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12
Q

In the fluorescent indicator method to measure pH, how is the inactive form of the indicator turned into the active form?

What does this cause?

A

Inactive form is cleaved

Active form has a negative charge - is TRAPPED inside the cell

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13
Q

How is the fluorescent indicator method calibrated?

A

At the end of the experiment:

  • Proton ionophore which calibrates pH inside of the cell with the pH outside
  • When change pH outside of the cell, pH inside the cell becomes the same
  • Look at the signal intensity when the pH changes
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14
Q

What 3 things are involved in the control of intracellular pH?

A

1) Buffering
2) Acid extrusion
3) Acid loading

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15
Q

What is the relationship between acid extrusion and acid loading in a cell under normal conditions?

What do these systems do?

A

They are balanced

These systems act to REVERSE pH changes

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16
Q

What is ‘buffering power’?

A

The amount of strong base that must be added to a solution in order to raise the pH by a given amount

17
Q

What buffers inside the cell?

How?

A

Proteins

Reversibly consume or release protons
Using their COOH and NH2 groups

18
Q

What can buffers do and what can’t they do?

A

Can MINIMISE pH changes

Cant REVERSE or PREVENT pH changes

19
Q

What happens if pH increases (in regards to buffers)?

A

COOH in the protein buffer releases a H+

COO-

20
Q

What happens if pH decreases (in regards to buffers)?

A

NH2 in the protein buffer accepts a H+

NH3+

21
Q

Which transport protein performs acid extrusion and what does this channel rely on?

A

Na/H exchanger (Na in, H out)

Relies upon the inward Na gradient created by Na/K ATPase

22
Q

What is allosteric modification?

A
  • H+ which aren’t being transported out of the exchanger BIND to the exchanger
  • Leading to a conformational change of the exchanger and amplification of activity
  • Increased acid extrusion
23
Q

At normal pH conditions, what does the Na/H exchanger work on?

A

The Na gradient

24
Q

What is the structure of the Na/H exchanger?

A
  • 12 transmembrane domains
  • Between transmembrane 4 and 5 is the Na+ and H+ binding and exchange region
  • Large intracellular C domain which is the regulating region
25
Q

What is the name for the Na/H exchanger?

A

NHE1

26
Q

What function does NHE1 have?

A

Housekeeping function:

  • Regulates pH inside the cell and cell volume
27
Q

What is NHE1 (Na/H exchanger) inhibited by?

A

Amiloride and EIPA (analogue of amiloride)

28
Q

Which transport protein is involved in acid loading?

How does this work?

A

Cl/HCO3 exchanger:

  • HCO3- out and Cl into the cell
  • Removal of HCO3- leaves H+ behind, causing acidification
29
Q

What is the name of the Cl/HCO3 exchanger?

A

AE (anion exchanger)

30
Q

What is an example of an anion exchanger?

A

Band 3

31
Q

When is AE active?

A

At alkaline pH

32
Q

Is AE a target of allosteric modification?

A

Yes

33
Q

Does the AE rely on Na+?

A

No

34
Q

What is the structure of an AE?

A

14 transmembrane domains

35
Q

In AE, which transmembrane span is important in the transport pathway?

A

8

36
Q

How many subtypes are there of AE?

A

4

37
Q

What inhibits all isoforms of AE?

A

DIDs

38
Q

What is another form of Na/H exchanger?

Does this have a housekeeping role?

A

NHE3

No

39
Q

What happens when calmodulin binds to the C terminal of NHE1?

A

Shifts the set point in the alkaline direction

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