Anion- and proton-dependent gating of ClC-4 anion/proton transporter under uncoupling conditions

ClC-4 is a secondary active transporter that exchanges Cl⁻ ions and H⁺ with a 2:1 stoichiometry. In external SCN⁻, ClC-4 becomes uncoupled and transports anions with high unitary transport rate. Upon voltage steps, the number of active transporters varies in a time-dependent manner, resembling voltage-dependent gating of ion channels. We here investigated modification of the voltage dependence of uncoupled ClC-4 by protons and anions to quantify association of substrates with the transporter. External acidification shifts voltage dependence of ClC-4 transport to more positive potentials and leads to reduced transport currents. Internal pH changes had less pronounced effects. Uncoupled ClC-4 transport is facilitated by elevated external [SCN⁻] but impaired by internal Cl⁻ and I⁻. Block by internal anions indicates the existence of an internal anion-binding site with high affinity that is not present in ClC channels. The voltage dependence of ClC-4 coupled transport is modulated by external protons and internal Cl⁻ in a manner similar to what is observed under uncoupling conditions. Our data illustrate functional differences but also similarities between ClC channels and transporters.     

4,4'-diisothiocyano-2 ,2'-stilbenedisulfonate protects cultured cerebellar granule neurons from death

We examined the effects of 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonate (DIDS), an inhibitor of the chloride-bicarbonate exchangers and chloride channels, on death in cultured cerebellar granule neurons. Various stimuli, such as reduction of extracellular K⁺ concentration, removal of growth factors, and staurosporine treatment, induced cell death. This death was blocked by DIDS in a dose dependent manner. In the presence of DIDS, the cells exposed to such stimuli did not show DNA fragmentation, but retained the ability to exclude trypan blue and to metabolize MTT to formazan. On the other hand, pretreatment of the cells with DIDS did not show any protective effects. The neuroprotective effect of DIDS was not influenced by extracellular Na⁺, Cl⁻, HCO₃⁻ or Ca²⁺ concentrations, although reduction of extracellular Cl⁻ or Ca²⁺ concentrations per se induced neuronal death. Other chloride-bicarbonate exchange blockers like 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilmene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS) or 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DNDS) showed no significant effects on neuronal survival under these death-inducing stimuli. Dimethylamiloride, an inhibitor of the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger, did not influence neuronal death induced by these stimuli. Cells undergoing death showed gradual intracellular acidification, and DIDS did not inhibit this response, although DIDS (2 mM) per se induced transitory acidification followed by recovery within 10 min. DIDS did not influence intracellular Ca²⁺ or Cl⁻ levels during the lethal process. DIDS suppressed the cleavage of caspase-3 in the cells exposed to the death-inducing stimuli. These findings suggest that the neuroprotective effect of DIDS is mediated by a novel mechanism other than by nonselective inhibition of transporters or channels, and that DIDS blocks the death program upstream of caspases and downstream of all of the activation processes triggered by various stimuli.     

Structure of the Membrane Domain of Human Erythrocyte Anion Exchanger 1 Revealed by Electron Crystallography

The membrane domain of human erythrocyte anion exchanger 1 (AE1) works as a Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ antiporter. This exchange is a key step for CO₂/O₂ circulation in the blood. In spite of their importance, structural information about AE1 and the AE (anion exchanger) family are still very limited. We used electron microscopy to solve the three-dimensional structure of the AE1 membrane domain, fixed in an outward-open conformation by cross-linking, at 7.5-Å resolution. A dimer of AE1 membrane domains packed in two-dimensional array showed a projection map similar to that of the prokaryotic homolog of the ClC chloride channel, a Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporter. In a three-dimensional map, there are V-shaped densities near the center of the dimer and slightly narrower V-shaped clusters at a greater distance from the center of the dimer. These appear to be inserted into the membrane from opposite sides. The structural motifs, two homologous pairs of helices in internal repeats of the ClC transporter (helices B + C and J + K), are well fitted to those AE1 densities after simple domain movement.     

IRBIT: A regulator of ion channels and ion transporters

IRBIT (also called AHCYL1) was originally identified as a binding protein of the intracellular Ca^2 + channel inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃) receptor and functions as an inhibitory regulator of this receptor. Unexpectedly, many functions have subsequently been identified for IRBIT including the activation of multiple ion channels and ion transporters, such as the Na⁺/HCO₃⁻ co-transporter NBCe1-B, the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger NHE3, the Cl⁻ channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and the Cl⁻/HCO₃⁻ exchanger Slc26a6. The characteristic serine-rich region in IRBIT plays a critical role in the functions of this protein. In this review, we describe the evolution, domain structure, expression pattern, and physiological roles of IRBIT and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the coordinated regulation of these diverse ion channels/transporters through IRBIT. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Calcium signaling in health and disease. Guest Editors: Geert Bultynck, Jacques Haiech, Claus W. Heizmann, Joachim Krebs, and Marc Moreau.     

Measuring and modeling chloride-hydroxyl exchange in the Guinea-pig ventricular myocyte

Protons are powerful modulators of cardiac function. Their intracellular concentration is regulated by sarcolemmal ion transporters that export or import H⁺-ions (or their ionic equivalent: ). One such transporter, which imports H⁺-equivalents, is a putative Cl⁻/OH⁻ exchanger (CHE). A strong candidate for CHE is SLC26A6 protein, a product of the SLC26A gene family of anion transporters, which has been detected in murine heart. SLC26A6 protein is suggested to be an electrogenic ) exchanger. Unfortunately, there is insufficient characterization of cardiac CHE against which the properties of heterologously expressed SLC26A6 can be matched. We therefore investigated the proton, Cl⁻, and voltage dependence of CHE activity in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes, using voltage-clamp, intracellular pH fluorescence, and mathematical modeling techniques. We find that CHE activity is tightly regulated by intracellular and extracellular pH, is voltage-insensitive over a wide range (±80 mV), and displays substrate dependence suggestive of electroneutral 1Cl⁻/1OH⁻ exchange. These properties exclude electrogenic SLC26A6 as sole contributor to CHE. Either the SLC26A6 product in heart is electroneutral, or CHE comprises at least two transporters with oppositely balanced voltage sensitivity. Alternatively, CHE may comprise an H⁺-Cl⁻ coinflux system, which cannot be distinguished kinetically from an exchanger. Irrespective of ionic mechanism, CHE's pH sensitivity helps to define resting intracellular pH, and hence basal function in the heart.     

The Late Endosomal ClC-6 Mediates Proton/Chloride Countertransport in Heterologous Plasma Membrane Expression

Members of the CLC protein family of Cl⁻ channels and transporters display the remarkable ability to function as either chloride channels or Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporters. Due to the intracellular localization of ClC-6 and ClC-7, it has not yet been possible to study the biophysical properties of these members of the late endosomal/lysosomal CLC branch in heterologous expression. Whereas recent data suggest that ClC-7 functions as an antiporter, transport characteristics of ClC-6 have remained entirely unknown. Here, we report that fusing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the N terminus of ClC-6 increased its cell surface expression, allowing us to functionally characterize ClC-6. Compatible with ClC-6 mediating Cl⁻/H⁺ exchange, Xenopus oocytes expressing GFP-tagged ClC-6 alkalinized upon depolarization. This alkalinization was dependent on the presence of extracellular anions and could occur against an electrochemical proton gradient. As observed in other CLC exchangers, ClC-6-mediated H⁺ transport was abolished by mutations in either the “gating” or “proton” glutamate. Overexpression of GFP-tagged ClC-6 in CHO cells elicited small, outwardly rectifying currents with a Cl⁻ > I⁻ conductance sequence. Mutating the gating glutamate of ClC-6 yielded an ohmic anion conductance that was increased by additionally mutating the “anion-coordinating” tyrosine. Additionally changing the chloride-coordinating serine 157 to proline increased the NO₃⁻ conductance of this mutant. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that ClC-6 is a Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporter.     

The Domain Interface of the Human Glutamate Transporter EAAT1 Mediates Chloride Permeation

The concentration of glutamate within the glutamatergic synapse is tightly regulated by the excitatory amino-acid transporters (EAATs). In addition to their primary role of clearing extracellular glutamate, the EAATs also possess a thermodynamically uncoupled Cl⁻ conductance. Several crystal structures of an archaeal EAAT homolog, Glt_Ph, at different stages of the transport cycle have been solved. In a recent structure, an aqueous cavity located at the interface of the transport and trimerization domains has been identified. This cavity is lined by polar residues, several of which have been implicated in Cl⁻ permeation. We hypothesize that this cavity opens during the transport cycle to form the Cl⁻ channel. Residues lining this cavity in EAAT1, including Ser-366, Leu-369, Phe-373, Arg-388, Pro-392, and Thr-396, were mutated to small hydrophobic residues. Wild-type and mutant transporters were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and two-electrode voltage-clamp electrophysiology, and radiolabeled substrate uptake was used to investigate function. Significant alterations in substrate-activated Cl⁻ conductance were observed for several mutant transporters. These alterations support the hypothesis that this aqueous cavity at the interface of the transport and trimerization domains is a partially formed Cl⁻ channel, which opens to form a pore through which Cl⁻ ions pass. This study enhances our understanding as to how glutamate transporters function as both amino-acid transporters and Cl⁻ channels.     

The Split Personality of Glutamate Transporters: A Chloride Channel and a Transporter

Transporters and ion channels are conventionally categorised into distinct classes of membrane proteins. However, some membrane proteins have a split personality and can function as both transporters and ion channels. The excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) in particular, function as both glutamate transporters and chloride (Cl^?) channels. The EAATs couple the transport of glutamate to the co-transport of three Na⁺ ions and one H⁺ ion into the cell, and the counter-transport of one K⁺ ion out of the cell. The EAAT Cl^? channel is activated by the binding of glutamate and Na⁺, but is thermodynamically uncoupled from glutamate transport and involves molecular determinants distinct from those responsible for glutamate transport. Several crystal structures of an EAAT archaeal homologue, Glt_Ph, at different stages of the transport cycle, alongside numerous functional studies and molecular dynamics simulations, have provided extensive insights into the mechanism of substrate transport via these transporters. However, the molecular determinants involved in Cl^? permeation, and the mechanism by which this channel is activated are not entirely understood. Here we will discuss what is currently known about the molecular determinants involved in EAAT-mediated Cl^? permeation and the mechanisms that underlie their split personality.     

Proton Transport Pathway in the ClC Cl/H Antiporter

A fundamental question concerning the ClC Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporters is the nature of their proton transport (PT) pathway. We addressed this issue by using a novel computational methodology capable of describing the explicit PT dynamics in the ClC-ec1 protein. The main result is that the Glu²⁰³ residue delivers a proton from the intracellular solution to the core of ClC-ec1 via a rotation of its side chain and subsequent acid dissociation. After reorientation of the Glu²⁰³ side chain, a transient water-mediated PT pathway between Glu²⁰³ and Glu¹⁴⁸ is established that is able to receive and translocate the proton via Grotthuss shuttling after deprotonation of Glu²⁰³. A molecular-dynamics simulation of an explicit hydrated excess proton in this pathway suggests that a negatively charged Glu¹⁴⁸ and the central Cl⁻ ion act together to drive H⁺ to the extracellular side of the membrane. This finding is consistent with the experimental result that Cl⁻ binding to the central site facilitates the proton movement. A calculation of the PT free-energy barrier for the ClC-ec1 E203V mutant also supports the proposal that a dissociable residue is required at this position for efficient delivery of H⁺ to the protein interior, in agreement with recent experimental results.     

Functional characterization of a ClC transporter by solid-supported membrane electrophysiology

EcClC, a prokaryotic member of the ClC family of chloride channels and transporters, works as coupled H⁺/Cl⁻ exchanger. With a known structure and the possibility of investigating its behavior with different biochemical and biophysical techniques, the protein has become an important model system for the family. Although many aspects of its function have been previously characterized, it was difficult to measure transport on the same sample under different environmental conditions. To overcome this experimental limitation, we have studied EcClC by solid-supported membrane electrophysiology. The large transport-related transient currents and a simple way of relating transport rates to the measured signal have allowed a thorough investigation of ion selectivity, inhibition, and the dependence of transport on changes in ion concentration and pH. Our results confirm that the protein transports larger anions with about similar rates, whereas the smaller fluoride is not a substrate. We also show that 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2’-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS), a known inhibitor of other anion transport protein, irreversibly inhibits EcClC from the intracellular side. The chloride dependence shows an apparent saturation at millimolar concentrations that resembles a similar behavior in eukaryotic ClC channels. Our experiments have also allowed us to quantify the pH dependence of transport. EcClC shows a strong activation at low pH with an apparent pKa of 4.6. The pronounced pH dependence is lost by the mutation of a conserved glutamate facing the extracellular solution that was previously shown to be an acceptor for transported protons, whereas it is largely retained by the mutation of an equivalent residue at the intracellular side. Our results have provided a quantitative basis for the transport behavior of EcClC, and they will serve as a reference for future investigations of novel electrogenic transporters with still-uncharacterized properties.     

Insights into the ClC-4 transport mechanism from studies of Zn2+ inhibition

The CLC family of chloride channels and transporters is a functionally diverse group of proteins important in a wide range of physiological processes. ClC-4 and ClC-5 are localized to endosomes and seem to play roles in the acidification of these compartments. These proteins were recently shown to function as Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporters. However, relatively little is known about the detailed mechanism of CLC-mediated Cl⁻/H⁺ antiport, especially for mammalian isoforms. We attempted to identify molecular tools that might be useful in probing structure-function relationships in these proteins. Here, we record currents from human ClC-4 (hClC-4) expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and find that Zn²⁺ inhibits these currents, with an apparent affinity of ∼50 μM. Although Cd²⁺ has a similar effect, Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ do not inhibit hClC-4 currents. In contrast, the effect of Zn²⁺ on the ClC-0 channel, Zn²⁺-mediated inhibition of hClC-4 is minimally voltage-dependent, suggesting an extracellular binding site for the ion. Nine candidate external residues were tested; only mutations of three consecutive histidine residues, located in a single extracellular loop, significantly reduced the effect of Zn²⁺, with one of these making a larger contribution than the other two. An analogous tri-His sequence is absent from ClC-0, suggesting a fundamentally different inhibitory mechanism for the ion on hClC-4. Manipulations that alter transport properties of hClC-4, varying permeant ions as well as mutating the “gating glutamate”, dramatically affect Zn²⁺ inhibition, suggesting the involvement of a heretofore unexplored part of the protein in the transport process.     

Common Gating of Both CLC Transporter Subunits Underlies Voltage-dependent Activation of the 2Cl?/1H+ Exchanger ClC-7/Ostm1

CLC anion transporters form dimers that function either as Cl⁻ channels or as electrogenic Cl⁻/H⁺ exchangers. CLC channels display two different types of “gates,” “protopore” gates that open and close the two pores of a CLC dimer independently of each other and common gates that act on both pores simultaneously. ClC-7/Ostm1 is a lysosomal 2Cl⁻/1H⁺ exchanger that is slowly activated by depolarization. This gating process is drastically accelerated by many CLCN7 mutations underlying human osteopetrosis. Making use of some of these mutants, we now investigate whether slow voltage activation of plasma membrane-targeted ClC-7/Ostm1 involves protopore or common gates. Voltage activation of wild-type ClC-7 subunits was accelerated by co-expressing an excess of ClC-7 subunits carrying an accelerating mutation together with a point mutation rendering these subunits transport-deficient. Conversely, voltage activation of a fast ClC-7 mutant could be slowed by co-expressing an excess of a transport-deficient mutant. These effects did not depend on whether the accelerating mutation localized to the transmembrane part or to cytoplasmic cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) domains of ClC-7. Combining accelerating mutations in the same subunit did not speed up gating further. No currents were observed when ClC-7 was truncated after the last intramembrane helix. Currents and slow gating were restored when the C terminus was co-expressed by itself or fused to the C terminus of the β-subunit Ostm1. We conclude that common gating underlies the slow voltage activation of ClC-7. It depends on the CBS domain-containing C terminus that does not require covalent binding to the membrane domain of ClC-7.     

The coupled proton transport in the ClC-ec1 Cl(-)/H(+) antiporter

Using a reactive molecular dynamics simulation methodology, the free energy barrier for water-mediated proton transport between the two proton gating residues Glu²⁰³ and Glu¹⁴⁸ in the ClC-ec1 antiporter, including the Grotthuss mechanism of proton hopping, was calculated. Three different chloride-binding states, with 1), both the central and internal Cl⁻, 2), the central Cl⁻ only, and 3), the internal Cl⁻ only, were considered and the coupling to the H⁺ transport studied. The results show that both the central and internal Cl⁻ are essential for the proton transport from Glu²⁰³ to Glu¹⁴⁸ to have a favorite free energy driving force. The rotation of the Glu¹⁴⁸ side chain was also found to be independent of the internal chloride binding state. These results emphasize the importance of the 2:1 stoichiometry of this well-studied Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporter.     

Tubular Fluid Secretion in the Seminiferous Epithelium: Ion Transporters and Aquaporins in Sertoli Cells

Sertoli cells play a key role in the establishment of an adequate luminal environment in the seminiferous tubules of the male reproductive tract. Secretion of the seminiferous tubular fluid (STF) is vital for the normal occurrence of spermatogenesis and for providing a means of transport to the developing spermatozoa. However, several studies on this subject have not completely clarified the origin and composition of this fluid. Electrolyte and water are central components of STF. Sertoli cells secrete an iso-osmotic fluid with a higher content of K⁺ than the blood and express various membrane and water transporters (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase; Ca²⁺-ATPase; V-type ATPase; Cl⁻ channels; CFTR Cl⁻ channels; K⁺ channels; L-, T- and N-type Ca²⁺ channels; Na⁺/H⁺ exchangers; Na⁺-driven HCO₃ ⁻/Cl⁻ exchangers (NDCBEs); Na⁺/HCO₃ ⁻ cotransporters (NBCes); Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ cotransporter; Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger; and aquaporins 0 and 8) involved in cellular and secretory functions. Studies with knockout mice for some of these transporters showed tubular fluid accumulation and associated infertility, revealing the relevance of these processes for the normal occurrence of spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, the role of the several membrane transporters in the establishment of STF electrolyte composition needs to be further elucidated. This review summarizes the available data on the ionic composition of STF and on the Sertoli cell membrane mechanisms responsible for ion and water movement. Deepening the knowledge on the mechanisms involved in the secretion, composition and regulation of SFT is essential and will be a major step in understanding the infertility associated with some pathological conditions.     

Bioenergetics of Neurotransmitter Transport

Neurotransmitter transporters are essential components in the recycling of neurotransmitters released during neuronal activity. These transporters are the targets for important drugs affecting mood and behavior. They fall into at least four gene families, two encoding proteins in the plasma membrane and two in the synaptic vesicle membrane, although the known vesicular transporters have not all been cloned. Each of these transporters works by coupling the downhill movement of small ions such as Na⁺, Cl^–, K⁺, and H⁺ to the uphill transport of neurotransmitter. Plasma membrane transporters move the transmitter into the cytoplasm by cotransport with Na⁺. Many transporters also couple Cl^– cotransport to transmitter influx and these all belong to the NaCl-coupled family, although within the family the coupling stoichiometry can vary. Transporters for glutamate couple influx of this excitatory amino acid to Na⁺ and H⁺ influx and K⁺ efflux. Transporters in synaptic vesicles couple H⁺ efflux to neurotransmitter transport from the cytoplasm to the vesicle lumen.     

Anion-Sensitive, H-Pumping ATPase of Oat Roots : Direct Effects of Cl, NO(3), and a Disulfonic Stilbene

To understand the mechanism and molecular properties of the tonoplast-type H⁺-translocating ATPase, we have studied the effect of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, and 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) on the activity of the electrogenic H⁺-ATPase associated with low-density microsomal vesicles from oat roots (Avena sativa cv Lang). The H⁺-pumping ATPase generates a membrane potential (Δψ) and a pH gradient (ΔpH) that make up two interconvertible components of the proton electrochemical gradient (μh⁺). A permeant anion (e.g. Cl⁻), unlike an impermeant anion (e.g. iminodiacetate), dissipated the membrane potential ([¹⁴C]thiocyanate distribution) and stimulated formation of a pH gradient ([¹⁴C]methylamine distribution). However, Cl⁻-stimulated ATPase activity was about 75% caused by a direct stimulation of the ATPase by Cl⁻ independent of the proton electrochemical gradient. Unlike the plasma membrane H⁺-ATPase, the Cl⁻-stimulated ATPase was inhibited by NO₃⁻ (a permeant anion) and by DIDS. In the absence of Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ decreased membrane potential formation and did not stimulate pH gradient formation. The inhibition by NO₃⁻ of Cl⁻-stimulated pH gradient formation and Cl⁻-stimulated ATPase activity was noncompetitive. In the absence of Cl⁻, DIDS inhibited the basal Mg,ATPase activity and membrane potential formation. DIDS also inhibited the Cl⁻-stimulated ATPase activity and pH gradient formation. Direct inhibition of the electrogenic H⁺-ATPase by NO₃⁻ or DIDS suggest that the vanadate-insensitive H⁺-pumping ATPase has anion-sensitive site(s) that regulate the catalytic and vectorial activity. Whether the anion-sensitive H⁺-ATPase has channels that conduct anions is yet to be established.     

Distinct expression/function of potassium and chloride channels contributes to the diverse volume regulation in cortical astrocytes of GFAP/EGFP mice

Recently, we have identified two astrocytic subpopulations in the cortex of GFAP-EGFP mice, in which the astrocytes are visualized by the enhanced green–fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the human glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promotor. These astrocytic subpopulations, termed high response- (HR-) and low response- (LR-) astrocytes, differed in the extent of their swelling during oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). In the present study we focused on identifying the ion channels or transporters that might underlie the different capabilities of these two astrocytic subpopulations to regulate their volume during OGD. Using three-dimensional confocal morphometry, which enables quantification of the total astrocytic volume, the effects of selected inhibitors of K⁺ and Cl⁻ channels/transporters or glutamate transporters on astrocyte volume changes were determined during 20 minute-OGD in situ. The inhibition of volume regulated anion channels (VRACs) and two-pore domain potassium channels (K_2P) highlighted their distinct contributions to volume regulation in HR-/LR-astrocytes. While the inhibition of VRACs or K_2P channels revealed their contribution to the swelling of HR-astrocytes, in LR-astrocytes they were both involved in anion/K⁺ effluxes. Additionally, the inhibition of Na⁺-K⁺-Cl⁻ co-transporters in HR-astrocytes led to a reduction of cell swelling, but it had no effect on LR-astrocyte volume. Moreover, employing real-time single-cell quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we characterized the expression profiles of EGFP-positive astrocytes with a focus on those ion channels and transporters participating in astrocyte swelling and volume regulation. The PCR data revealed the existence of two astrocytic subpopulations markedly differing in their gene expression levels for inwardly rectifying K⁺ channels (Kir4.1), K_2P channels (TREK-1 and TWIK-1) and Cl⁻ channels (ClC2). Thus, we propose that the diverse volume changes displayed by cortical astrocytes during OGD mainly result from their distinct expression patterns of ClC2 and K_2P channels.     

Confronting fusion protein-based membrane protein topology mapping with reality: the Escherichia coli ClcA H+/Cl- exchange transporter

The topology of bacterial inner membrane proteins is commonly determined using topology reporters such as alkaline phosphatase and green fluorescent protein fused to a series of C-terminally truncated versions of the protein in question. Here, we report a detailed topology mapping of the Escherichia coli inner membrane H⁺/Cl⁻ exchange transporter ClcA. Since the 3-D structure of ClcA is known, our results provide a critical test of the reporter fusion approach and offer new insights into the ClcA folding pathway.     

No evidence for inhibition of ENaC through CFTR-mediated release of ATP

Both purinergic stimulation and activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) increases Cl⁻ secretion and inhibit amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ transport. CFTR has been suggested to conduct adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) or to control ATP release to the luminal side of epithelial tissues. Therefore, a possible mechanism on how CFTR controls the activity of epithelial Na⁺ channels (ENaC) could be by release of ATP or uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), which would then bind to P2Y receptors and inhibit ENaC. We examined this question in native tissues from airways and colon and in Xenopus oocytes. Inhibition of amiloride-sensitive transport by both CFTR and extracellular nucleotides was observed in colon and trachea. However, nucleotides did not inhibit ENaC in Xenopus oocytes, even after coexpression of P2Y₂ receptors. Using different tools such as hexokinase, the P2Y inhibitor suramin or the Cl⁻ channel blocker 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS), we did not detect any role of a putative ATP secretion in activation of Cl⁻ transport or inhibition of amiloride sensitive short circuit currents by CFTR. In addition, N²,2′-O-dibutyrylguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and protein kinase G (PKG)-dependent phosphorylation or the nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK) do not seem to play a role for the inhibition of ENaC by CFTR, which, however, requires the presence of extracellular Cl⁻.