The mechanism of NaCl reabsorption in the collecting tubule system is distinct from the mechanisms found in other tubule segments. The principal cells are the major sites of Na+, K+, and water transport (Figures 15–5 and 15–6), and the intercalated cells (α, β) are the primary sites of H+ (α cells) or bicarbonate (β cells) secretion. The α and β intercalated cells are very similar, except that the membrane locations of the H+-ATPase and Cl−/ HCO3− exchanger are reversed. Principal cells do not contain apical cotransport systems for Na+ and other ions, unlike cells in other nephron segments. Principal cell membranes exhibit separate ion channels for Na+ and K+. Since these channels exclude anions, transport of Na+ or K+ leads to a net movement of charge across the membrane. Because Na+ entry into the principal cell predominates over K+ secretion into the lumen, a 10–50 mV lumen-negative electrical potential develops. Sodium that enters the principal cell from the tubular fluid is then transported back to the blood via the basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase (Figure 15–5). The 10–50 mV lumen-negative electrical potential drives the transport of Cl− back to the blood via the paracellular pathway and draws K+ out of cells through the apical membrane K+ channel. Thus, there is an important relationship between Na+ delivery to the collecting tubule system and the resulting secretion of K+. Upstream diuretics increase Na+ delivery to this site and enhance K+ secretion. If Na+ is delivered to the collecting system with an anion that cannot be reabsorbed as readily as Cl− (eg, HCO3−), the lumen-negative
AQP3,4 H2O
FIGURE 15–6 Water transport across the luminal and basolateral membranes of collecting duct cells. Above, low water permeability exists in the absence of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Below, in the presence of ADH, aquaporins are inserted into the apical membrane, greatly increasing water permeability. AQP2, apical aquaporin water channels; AQP3,4, basolateral aquaporin water channels; V2, vasopressin V2 receptor.
potential is increased, and K+ secretion is enhanced. This mechanism, combined with enhanced aldosterone secretion due to volume depletion, is the basis for most diuretic-induced K+ wasting. Reabsorption of Na+ via the epithelial Na channel (ENaC) and its coupled secretion of K+ are regulated by aldosterone. This steroid hormone, through its actions on gene transcription, increases the activity of both the apical membrane channels and the basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase. This leads to an increase in the transepithelial electrical potential and a dramatic increase in both Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion.