Stable potassium isotopes (⁴¹K/³⁹K) track transcellular and paracellular potassium transport in biological systems.

ABSTRACT: As the most abundant cation in archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryotic cells, potassium (K⁺) is an essential element for life. While much is known about the machinery of transcellular and paracellular K transport-channels, pumps, co-transporters, and tight-junction proteins-many quantitative aspects of K homeostasis in biological systems remain poorly constrained. Here we present measurements of the stable isotope ratios of potassium (⁴¹K/³⁹K) in three biological systems (algae, fish, and mammals). When considered in the context of our current understanding of plausible mechanisms of K isotope fractionation and K⁺ transport in these biological systems, our results provide evidence that the fractionation of K isotopes depends on transport pathway and

SUBMITTER: Higgins JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9644202 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature