The effect of exogenous ATP on the electrolyte content of TA3 ascites tumor cells

Abstract In the presence of 1 mM ATP in the external medium, TA3 mouse ascites tumor cells showed a dramatic loss of potassium and gain of sodium down their respective concentration gradients. The volume changes detected by size discrimination with the Coulter counter have been adequately confirmed by densimetric techniques. Further, some experiments were so designed that net losses of both ions occurred and the cell shrank in response to ATP, a response which was predictable if the volume change was produced by a loss of cell water. We believe that ATP produces a major change in the passive permeability of the membrane to these ions and the effect may be due to a response of a contractile protein in the membrane to ATP.