Role of liver-cell potassium ions in secretion of serum albumin and lipoproteins

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Abstract
1. The incorporation of l-[1-14C]leucine into the proteins of liver slices and into the serum albumin and lipoproteins transported by these slices was investigated. 2. Transport rates were found to be dependent on the K+ content of the slices. 3. The effect of K+ on transport of serum albumin and of serum lipoprotein can be separated from any effect on synthesis by altering K+ concentrations after inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide or puromycin. 4. The effect of low K+ concentrations is reversible. 5. There is linear relationship between the K+ content of the slices and the transport of protein. A simple method is described for maintaining various steady concentrations of K+ in the liver slices. 6. K+ may be replaced by Rb+. Cs+ is partly effective, but NH4+ and Li+ are no more effective than Na+. 7. We found evidence that K+ content rather than the flux rates of K+ or Na+ is important in this effect. 8. These results are probably important in ethionine and carbon tetrachloride poisoning in the rat, and may be significant in liver transplantation.