Subunits alpha, beta and gamma of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) are functionally related to the hypertonicity-induced cation channel (HICC) in rat hepatocytes.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Plettenberg S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2756400 | biostudies-other | 2008 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:The extracellular domain of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is exposed to a wide range of anion concentrations in the kidney. We have previously demonstrated that extracellular Cl(-) inhibits ENaC activity. To identify sites involved in Cl(-) inhibition, we mutated residues in the extracellular domain of ?-, ?-, and ?ENaC that are homologous to the Cl(-) binding site in acid-sensing ion channel 1a and tested the effect of Cl(-) on the activity of ENaC expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We identified two Cl(-) inhibitory sites in ENaC. One is formed by residues in the thumb domain of ?ENaC and the palm domain of ?ENaC. Mutation of residues at this interface decreased Cl(-) inhibition and decreased Na(+) self-inhibition. The second site is formed by residues at the interface of the thumb domain of ?ENaC and the palm domain of ?ENaC. Mutation of these residues also decreased Cl(-) inhibition yet had no effect on Na(+) self-inhibition. In contrast, mutations in the thumb domain of ?ENaC and palm of ?ENaC had little or no effect on Cl(-) inhibition or Na(+) self-inhibition. The data demonstrate that Cl(-) inhibits ENaC activity by two distinct Na(+)-dependent and Na(+)-independent mechanisms that correspond to the two functional Cl(-) inhibitory sites. Furthermore, based on the effects of mutagenesis on Cl(-) inhibition, the additive nature of mutations, and on differences in the mechanisms of Cl(-) inhibition, the data support a model in which ENaC subunits assemble in an ??? orientation (listed clockwise when viewed from the top).
| S-EPMC3057804 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Canonical epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) are heterotrimers formed by ?, ?, and ? ENaC subunits in vertebrates and belong to the Degenerin/ENaC family of proteins. Proteins from this family form mechanosensitive channels throughout the animal kingdom. Activity of canonical ENaC is regulated by shear force (SF) mediating Na+ absorption in the kidney and vascular tone of arteries. Expression analysis suggests that non-canonical ENaC, formed by single or only two subunits, exist in certain tissues, but it is unknown if these channels respond to SF. ?, ?, ?, and ? ENaC subunits were expressed either alone or in combinations of two subunits in Xenopus oocytes. Amiloride-sensitive currents and the responses to SF were assessed using two-electrode voltage clamp recordings. With the exception of ? ENaC, all homomeric channels provided amiloride-sensitive currents and responded to SF applied via a fluid stream directed onto the oocytes. Channels containing two subunits were also activated by SF. Here, the presence of the ? ENaC subunit when co-expressed with ? or ? augmented the SF response in comparison to the ???/??? ENaC. Overall, we provide evidence that non-canonical ENaC can form channels that respond to SF. This supports a potential function of non-canonical ENaC as mechanosensors in epithelial, vascular, and sensory cells.
| S-EPMC7090232 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The molecular correlate of hypertonicity-induced cation channels (HICCs) and their role in proliferation vs. apoptosis is a matter of debate. We report in this paper that, in whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, hypertonic stress (340-->450 mosM) reversibly increased the Na(+) conductance of HepG2 cells from 0.8 to 5.8 nS. The effect was dose-dependently inhibited by flufenamate and amiloride, known blockers of HICCs, with some 50% efficiency at 300 muM. In parallel, both drugs decreased HepG2 cell proliferation [in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and with automatic cell counting]. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of the alpha-subunit of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) reduced hypertonicity-induced Na(+) currents to 60%, whereas the rate of HepG2 cell proliferation was approximately half of that of the control. Moreover, alpha-ENaC siRNA inhibited the regulatory volume increase of HepG2 cells (measured with scanning acoustic microscopy) by 60%. In florescence-activated cell sorting measurements, silencing of alpha-ENaC led to a significant decrease in the G1 and an increase in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, whereas the S phase was not changing. Finally (determined by a caspase 3/7 assay), HICC inhibition by flufenamate and silencing of alpha-ENaC increased the rate of apoptosis in HepG2 cells. It is concluded that alpha-ENaC is one functional element of the HICC in HepG2 cells and that the channel is an important mediator of cell proliferation; likewise, HICC blockage shifts the system from a proliferative into a rather apoptotic one. This is the first report of a role of alpha-ENaC in cell proliferation.
| S-EPMC2704294 | biostudies-other
Project description:The gamma subunit of the Na,K-ATPase is a hydrophobic protein of approximately 10 kDa. The gamma subunit was expressed in Sf-9 insect cells and Xenopus oocytes to ascertain its role in Na,K-ATPase function. Immunoblotting has shown that the gamma subunit is expressed in Sf-9 cells infected with recombinant baculovirus containing the cDNA for the human gamma subunit. Confocal microscopy demonstrates that the gamma subunit can be delivered to the plasma membrane of Sf-9 cells independently of the other Na,K-ATPase subunits and that gamma colocalizes with alpha1 when these proteins are coexpressed. When Sf-9 cells were coinfected with alpha1 and gamma, antibodies to the gamma subunit were able to coimmunoprecipitate the alpha1 subunit, suggesting that gamma is able to associate with alpha1. The gamma subunit is a member of a family of single-pass transmembrane proteins that induces ion fluxes in Xenopus oocytes. Evidence that the gamma subunit is a functional component was supported by experiments showing gamma-induced cation channel activity when expressed in oocytes and increases in Na+ and K+ uptake when expressed in Sf-9 cells.
| S-EPMC27846 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron (ASDN) is under negative-feedback regulation by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in protection of sodium balance and blood pressure. We test here whether aldosterone is necessary and sufficient for ENaC expression and activity in the ASDN. Surprisingly, ENaC expression and activity are robust in adrenalectomized (Adx) mice. Exogenous mineralocorticoid increases ENaC activity equally well in control and Adx mice. Plasma [AVP] is significantly elevated in Adx vs. control mice. Vasopressin (AVP) stimulates ENaC. Inhibition of the V(2) AVP receptor represses ENaC activity in Adx mice. The absence of aldosterone combined with elevated AVP release compromises normal feedback regulation of ENaC in Adx mice in response to changes in sodium intake. These results demonstrate that aldosterone is sufficient but not necessary for ENaC activity in the ASDN. Aldosterone-independent stimulation by AVP shifts the role of ENaC in the ASDN from protecting Na(+) balance to promoting water reabsorption. This stimulation of ENaC likely contributes to the hyponatremia of adrenal insufficiency.
| S-EPMC3382497 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The plasma membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) regulates the activity of diverse ion channels to include the epithelial Na+ channel ENaC. Whether PIP2 regulation of ENaC is due to a direct phospholipid-protein interaction, remains obscure. To date, possible interaction of PIP2 with ENaC primarily has been tested indirectly through assays of channel function. A fragment-based biochemical analysis approach is used here to directly quantify possible PIP2-ENaC interactions. We find using the CIBN-CRY2 optogenetic dimerization system that the phosphoryl group positioned at carbon 5 of PIP2 is necessary for interaction with ENaC. Previous studies have implicated conserved basic residues in the cytosolic portions of β- and γ-ENaC subunits as being important for PIP2-ENaC interactions. To test this, we used synthetic peptides of these regions of β- and γ-ENaC. Steady-state intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that phosphoinositides change the local conformation of the N terminus of β-ENaC, and two sites of γ-ENaC adjacent to the plasma membrane, suggesting direct interactions of PIP2 with these three regions. Microscale thermophoresis elaborated PIP2 interactions with the N termini of β- (Kd ∼5.2 μm) and γ-ENaC (Kd ∼13 μm). A weaker interaction site within the carboxyl terminus of γ-ENaC (Kd ∼800 μm) was also observed. These results support that PIP2 regulates ENaC activity by directly interacting with at least three distinct regions within the cytoplasmic domains of the channel that contain conserved basic residues. These interactions are probably electrostatic in nature, and are likely to bear a key structural role in support of channel activity.
| S-EPMC7278353 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND: In rodents, dietary Na+ deprivation reduces gustatory responses of primary taste fibers and central taste neurons to lingual Na+ stimulation. However, in the rat taste bud cells Na+ deprivation increases the number of amiloride sensitive epithelial Na+ channels (ENaC), which are considered as the "receptor" of the Na+ component of salt taste. To explore the mechanisms, the expression of the three ENaC subunits (alpha, beta and gamma) in taste buds were observed from rats fed with diets containing either 0.03% (Na+ deprivation) or 1% (control) NaCl for 15 days, by using in situ hybridization and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Since BDNF/TrkB signaling is involved in the neural innervation of taste buds, the effects of Na+ deprivation on BDNF and its receptor TrkB expression in the rat taste buds were also examined. RESULTS: In situ hybridization analysis showed that all three ENaC subunit mRNAs were found in the rat fungiform taste buds and lingual epithelia, but in the vallate and foliate taste buds, only alpha ENaC mRNA was easily detected, while beta and gamma ENaC mRNAs were much less than those in the fungiform taste buds. Between control and low Na+ fed animals, the numbers of taste bud cells expressing alpha, beta and gamma ENaC subunits were not significantly different in the fungiform, vallate and foliate taste buds, respectively. Similarly, qRT-PCR also indicated that Na+ deprivation had no effect on any ENaC subunit expression in the three types of taste buds. However, Na+ deprivation reduced BDNF mRNA expression by 50% in the fungiform taste buds, but not in the vallate and foliate taste buds. The expression of TrkB was not different between control and Na+ deprived rats, irrespective of the taste papillae type. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that dietary Na+ deprivation does not change ENaC mRNA expression in rat taste buds, but reduces BDNF mRNA expression in the fungiform taste buds. Given the roles of BDNF in survival of cells and target innervation, our results suggest that dietary Na+ deprivation might lead to a loss of gustatory innervation in the mouse fungiform taste buds.
| S-EPMC2661083 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) possesses a large extracellular domain formed by a ?-strand core enclosed by three peripheral ?-helical subdomains, which have been dubbed thumb, finger, and knuckle. Here we asked whether the ENaC thumb domains play specific roles in channel function. To this end, we examined the characteristics of channels lacking a thumb domain in an individual ENaC subunit (?, ?, or ?). Removing the ? subunit thumb domain had no effect on Na+ currents when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, but moderately reduced channel surface expression. In contrast, ENaCs lacking the ? or ? subunit thumb domain exhibited significantly reduced Na+ currents along with a large reduction in channel surface expression. Moreover, channels lacking an ? or ? thumb domain exhibited a diminished Na+ self-inhibition response, whereas this response was retained in channels lacking a ? thumb domain. In turn, deletion of the ? thumb domain had no effect on the degradation rate of the immature ? subunit as assessed by cycloheximide chase analysis. However, accelerated degradation of the immature ? subunit and mature ? subunit was observed when the ? or ? thumb domain was deleted, respectively. Our results suggest that the thumb domains in each ENaC subunit are required for optimal surface expression in oocytes and that the ? and ? thumb domains both have important roles in the channel's inhibitory response to external Na+ Our findings support the notion that the extracellular helical domains serve as functional modules that regulate ENaC biogenesis and activity.
| S-EPMC6231141 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Vertebrates evolved mechanisms for sodium conservation and gas exchange in conjunction with migration from aquatic to terrestrial habitats. Epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) function is critical to systems responsible for extracellular fluid homeostasis and gas exchange. ENaC is activated by cleavage at multiple specific extracellular polybasic sites, releasing inhibitory tracts from the channel's α and γ subunits. We found that proximal and distal polybasic tracts in ENaC subunits coevolved, consistent with the dual cleavage requirement for activation observed in mammals. Polybasic tract pairs evolved with the terrestrial migration and the appearance of lungs, coincident with the ENaC activator aldosterone, and appeared independently in the α and γ subunits. In summary, sites within ENaC for protease activation developed in vertebrates when renal Na+ conservation and alveolar gas exchange were required for terrestrial survival.
| S-EPMC8791634 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We have previously reported that Dot1a is located in the cytoplasm and nucleus (Reisenauer MR, Anderson M, Huang L, Zhang Z, Zhou Q, Kone BC, Morris AP, Lesage GD, Dryer SE, Zhang W. J Biol Chem 284: 35659-35669, 2009), widely expressed in the kidney as detected by its histone H3K79 methyltransferase activity (Zhang W, Hayashizaki Y, Kone BC. Biochem J 377: 641-651, 2004), and involved in transcriptional control of the epithelial Na(+) channel subunit-alpha gene (alphaENaC) (Zhang W, Xia X, Jalal DI, Kuncewicz T, Xu W, Lesage GD, Kone BC. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 290: C936-C946, 2006). Aldosterone releases repression of alphaENaC by reducing expression of Dot1a and its partner AF9 (Zhang W, Xia X, Reisenauer MR, Hemenway CS, Kone BC. J Biol Chem 281: 18059-18068, 2006) and by impairing Dot1a-AF9 interaction via Sgk1-mediated AF9 phosphorylation (Zhang W, Xia X, Reisenauer MR, Rieg T, Lang F, Kuhl D, Vallon V, Kone BC. J Clin Invest 117: 773-783, 2007). This network also appears to regulate transcription of several other aldosterone target genes. Here, we provide evidence showing that Dot1a contains at least three potential nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Deletion of these NLSs causes green fluorescent protein-fused Dot1a fusions to localize almost exclusively in the cytoplasm of 293T cells as revealed by confocal microscopy. Deletion of NLSs abolished Dot1a-mediated repression of alphaENaC-promoter luciferase construct in M1 cells. AF9 is widely expressed in mouse kidney. Similar to alphaENaC, the mRNA levels of betaENaC, gammaENaC, and Sgk1 are also downregulated by Dot1a and AF9 overexpression. Small interference RNA-mediated knockdown of Dot1a and AF9 or aldosterone treatment leads to an opposite effect. Using single-cell fluorescence imaging or equivalent short-circuit current in IMCD3 and M1 cells, we show that observed transcriptional alterations correspond to changes in ENaC and Sgk1 protein levels as well as benzamil-sensitive Na(+) transport. In brief, Dot1a and AF9 downregulate Na(+) transport, most likely by regulating ENaC mRNA and subsequent protein expression and ENaC activity.
| S-EPMC2904171 | biostudies-literature