Observed Physiological Changes in Na+,K+-ATPase in Bovine Lens Epithelial Cells Upon Ouabain Exposure

Authors

Steven Jason Crellin, Brigham Young University
Dr. Steven Graves, Brigham Young University

Keywords

physiological changes, Na+, K+-ATPase, bovine lens epithelial cells, ouabain exposure

College

Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Department

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract

Age-related cataractogenesis is a worldwide leading cause of blindness. The fact that the causes as well as the apparent symptoms of cataract are diverse has contributed to increased difficulty in the study of the ailment. However, a ubiquitous symptom in animal cataract is the presence of elevated sodium concentrations within the lens. Therefore, studies have emphasized the importance of the sodium pump, or Na+,K+-ATPase in the lens, particularly in the lens epithelial cells.1 The sodium pump is primarily responsible for extruding three Na+ ions from within the cell and taking in two K+ ions, thus establishing a net negative charge within the cell. Noting increased intracellular sodium concentrations and the responsibility of the sodium pump for the maintenance of the intracellular sodium concentrations, researchers have searched for sodium pump inhibitors in vivo. They have isolated a class of compounds called digitalis-like factors or cardiac glycosides that are common inhibitors of sodium pump activity. 2 Ouabain is one such inhibitor.

Recommended Citation

Crellin, Steven Jason and Graves, Dr. Steven (2013) "Observed Physiological Changes in Na+,K+-ATPase in Bovine Lens Epithelial Cells Upon Ouabain Exposure," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 2544.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/2544