Regulation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in rat pancreatic ducts

The Ca2+ content of pancreatic juice is closely regulated by yet unknown mechanisms. One aim of the present study was to find whether rat pancreatic ducts have a Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, as found in some Ca-2+ transporting epithelia. Another aim was to establish whether the exchanger is regulated by hormones/agonists affecting pancreatic secretion. Whole pancreas, pure pancreatic acini and ducts were obtained from rats and used for RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and intracellular Ca2+ measurements using Fura-2. RT-PCR analysis indicated Na+/Ca2+-exchanger isoforms NCX1.3 and NCX1.7 in acini and pancreas. Western blot with NCX1 antibody identified bands of 70, 120 and 150 kDa in isolated ducts, acini and pancreas. Immunofluorescence experiments showed the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger on the basolateral membrane of acini and small intercalated/intralobular ducts, but in larger intralobular/extralobular ducts the exchanger was predominantly on the luminal membrane. Na+/Ca2+ exchange in ducts was monitored by changes in intracellular Ca2+ activity upon reversal of the Na+ gradient. Secretin (1 nM) and carbachol (1 mum) reduced Na+/Ca2+ exchange by 40% and 51%, respectively. Insulin (1 nM) increased Na+/Ca2+ exchange by 230% within 5 min. The present study shows that pancreatic ducts express the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Its distinct localization along the ductal tree and regulation by secretin, carbachol and insulin indicate that ducts might be involved in regulation of Ca2+ concentrations in pancreatic juice.