Automated Scanning Microelectrode Analysis of Epithelial K^+ Transport in Malpighian Tubules of Drosophilia melanogaster: Evidence for Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity

Abstract

Malpighian (renal) tubules of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster consist of three functional domains: a non-secretory distal segment, a secretory main segment and a reabsorptive lower segment. In this study a computer-controlled micropositioning system and a self-referencing K^+ microelectrode were used to measure K^+ concentration gradients of extracellular unstirred layers associated with specific epithelial domains. K^+ fluxes were calculated from the measured gradients. This is the first time: that an accurate assessment of the concentration gradients of the unstirred layer of Drosophila melanogaster could be assessed due to the enhanced sensitivity of this self-referencing technique over conventional ion-selective microelectrodes. The technique permits high resolution spatial and temporal mapping of the flux patterns in response to stimulation or inhibition of ion transport. Variations in K^+ transport over time and at different sites suggest that transport is non-uniform within any one functional domain.