Side-chain charge effects and conductance determinants in the pore of ClC-0 chloride channels

The charge on the side chain of the internal pore residue lysine 519 (K519) of the Torpedo ClC-0 chloride (Cl-) channel affects channel conductance. Experiments that replace wild-type (WT) lysine with neutral or negatively charged residues or that modify the K519C mutant with various methane thiosulfonate (MTS) reagents show that the conductance of the channel decreases when the charge at position 519 is made more negative. This charge effect on the channel conductance diminishes in the presence of a high intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i). However, the application of high concentrations of nonpermeant ions, such as glutamate or sulfate (SO42-), does not change the conductance, suggesting that the electrostatic effects created by the charge at position 519 are unlikely due to a surface charge mechanism. Another pore residue, glutamate 127 (E127), plays an even more critical role in controlling channel conductance. This negatively charged residue, based on the structures of the homologous bacterial ClC channels, lies 4-5 A from K519. Altering the charge of this residue can influence the apparent Cl- affinity as well as the saturated pore conductance in the conductance-Cl- activity curve. Amino acid residues at the selectivity filter also control the pore conductance but mutating these residues mainly affects the maximal pore conductance. These results suggest at least two different conductance determinants in the pore of ClC-0, consistent with the most recent crystal structure of the bacterial ClC channel solved to 2.5 A, in which multiple Cl--binding sites were identified in the pore. Thus, we suggest that the occupancy of the internal Cl--binding site is directly controlled by the charged residues located at the inner pore mouth. On the other hand, the Cl--binding site at the selectivity filter controls the exit rate of Cl- and therefore determines the maximal channel conductance.     

Cysteine accessibility in ClC-0 supports conservation of the ClC intracellular vestibule

ClC chloride channels, which are ubiquitously expressed in mammals, have a unique double-barreled structure, in which each monomer forms its own pore. Identification of pore-lining elements is important for understanding the conduction properties and unusual gating mechanisms of these channels. Structures of prokaryotic ClC transporters do not show an open pore, and so may not accurately represent the open state of the eukaryotic ClC channels. In this study we used cysteine-scanning mutagenesis and modification (SCAM) to screen >50 residues in the intracellular vestibule of ClC-0. We identified 14 positions sensitive to the negatively charged thiol-modifying reagents sodium (2-sulfonatoethyl)methanethiosulfonate (MTSES) or sodium 4-acetamido-4'-maleimidylstilbene-2'2-disulfonic acid (AMS) and show that 11 of these alter pore properties when modified. In addition, two MTSES-sensitive residues, on different helices and in close proximity in the prokaryotic structures, can form a disulfide bond in ClC-0. When mapped onto prokaryotic structures, MTSES/AMS-sensitive residues cluster around bound chloride ions, and the correlation is even stronger in the ClC-0 homology model developed by Corry et al. (2004). These results support the hypothesis that both secondary and tertiary structures in the intracellular vestibule are conserved among ClC family members, even in regions of very low sequence similarity.     

Different fast-gate regulation by external Cl(-) and H(+) of the muscle-type ClC chloride channels.

The fast gate of the muscle-type ClC channels (ClC-0 and ClC-1) opens in response to the change of membrane potential (V). This gating process is intimately associated with the binding of external Cl(-) to the channel pore in a way that the occupancy of Cl(-) on the binding site increases the channel's open probability (P(o)). External H(+) also enhances the fast-gate opening in these channels, prompting a hypothesis that protonation of the binding site may increase the Cl(-) binding affinity, and this is possibly the underlying mechanism for the H(+) modulation. However, Cl(-) and H(+), modulate the fast-gate P(o)-V curve in different ways. Varying the external Cl(-) concentrations ([Cl(-)](o)) shifts the P(o)-V curve in parallel along the voltage axis, whereas reducing external pH mainly increases the minimal P(o) of the curve. Furthermore, H(+) modulations at saturating and nonsaturating [Cl(-)](o) are similar. Thus, the H(+) effect on the fast gating appears not to be a consequence of an increase in the Cl(-) binding affinity. We previously found that a hyperpolarization-favored opening process is important to determine the fast-gate P(o) of ClC-0 at very negative voltages. This [Cl(-)](o)-independent mechanism attracted little attention, but it appears to be the opening process that is modulated by external H(+).     

ClC-3 chloride channels are involved in estradiol regulation of bone formation by MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts

Evidence has been reported by us and others supporting the important roles of chloride channels in a number of osteoblast cell functions. The ClC-3 chloride channel is activated by estradiol binding to estrogen receptor alpha on the cell membranes of osteoblasts. However, the functions of these chloride channels in estrogen regulation of osteoblast metabolism remain unclear. In the present study, the roles of chloride channels in estrogen regulation of osteoblasts were investigated in the osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. Estrogen 17β-estradiol enhanced collagen I protein expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization were inhibited, by chloride channel blockers. Estradiol promoted ClC-3 chloride channel protein expression. Silencing of ClC-3 chloride channel expression prevented the elevation of osteodifferentiation in osteoblasts, which were regulated by estrogen. These data suggest that estrogen can regulate bone formation by activating ClC-3 chloride channels and the activation of ClC-3 chloride channels can enhance the osteodifferentiation in osteoblasts.     

Localization of a putative ClC chloride channel in spinach chloroplasts

Seven genes seem to encode for putative ClC chloride channels (AtClC-a to AtClC-g) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Their function and localization is still largely unknown. AtClC-f shares considerable sequence similarity with putative ClC channel proteins from Synechocystis, considered to represent the precursor of chloroplasts. We show by biochemical and mass spectrometry analysis that ClC-f is located in the outer envelope membrane of spinach chloroplasts. Consistent with the plastidial localization of ClC-f, p-chlorophenoxy-acetic acid (CPA) reduces photosynthetic activity and the protein is expressed in etioplasts and chloroplasts but not in root tissue. These findings may represent a step toward the molecular identification of ion channel activities in chloroplast membranes.     

甲状旁腺激素对成骨细胞中ClC-3 氯通道表达及成骨分化影响的研究

目的:观察甲状旁腺激素(PTH)对成骨细胞中Cl C-3氯通道表达及成骨分化影响,初步探索Cl C-3介导PTH在细胞成骨分化中的作用。方法:采用10-8M、10-9M、10-10M PTH持续刺激和间断刺激MC3T3-E1细胞72 h后,通过CCK-8试剂盒法检测MC3T3-E1细胞的增殖情况,Real-Time PCR法检测MC3T3-E1细胞中Clcn3及成骨相关基因Alp、Runx2的表达情况,免疫荧光法检测10-9M PTH不同给药方式下对Cl C-3蛋白表达的影响。结果 :经不同浓度PTH连续和间断处理72 h后,结果显示10-9 M PTH间断刺激的MC3T3-E1细胞的增殖能力最强,且其Alp、Runx2 m RNA表达均高于10-8 M组和10-10 M组(P<0.05),而相同浓度间断刺激的MC3T3-E1细胞成骨相关基因的表达均高于持续刺激组,以10-9M间断刺激组差异最显著(P<0.05),而10-8 M和10-10M均无统计学差异(P>0.05),10-9 M PTH刺激的MC3T3-E1细胞中Cl C-3蛋白表达也显著增加(P<0.05)。结论 :成骨细胞的Cl C-3氯通道能够响应PTH的刺激发生变化,并伴随着成骨相关基因Alp、Runx2表达的增强。     

Myotonia-related mutations in the distal C-terminus of ClC-1 and ClC-0 chloride channels affect the structure of a poly-proline helix

Apoptosis of VSMCs (vascular smooth-muscle cells) leads to features of atherosclerotic plaque instability. We have demonstrated previously that plaque-derived VSMCs have reduced IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) signalling, resulting from a decrease in the expression of IGF1R (IGF1 receptor) compared with normal aortic VSMCs [Patel, Zhang, Siddle, Soos, Goddard, Weissberg and Bennett (2001) Circ. Res. 88, 895-902]. In the present study, we show that apoptosis induced by oxidative stress is inhibited by ectopic expression of IGF1R. Oxidative stress repressed IGF1R expression at multiple levels, and this was also blocked by mutant p53. Oxidative stress also induced p53 phosphorylation and apoptosis in VSMCs. p53 negatively regulated IGF1R promoter activity and expression and, consistent with this, p53-/- VSMCs demonstrated increased IGF1R expression, both in vitro and in advanced atherosclerotic plaques in vivo. Oxidative-stress-induced interaction of endogenous p53 with TBP (TATA-box-binding protein) was dependent on p53 phosphorylation. Oxidative stress also increased the association of p53 with HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1). Trichostatin A, a specific HDAC inhibitor, or p300 overexpression relieved the repression of IGF1R following oxidative stress. Furthermore, acetylated histone-4 association with the IGF1R promoter was reduced in cells subjected to oxidative stress. These results suggest that oxidative-stress-induced repression of IGF1R is mediated by the association of phosphorylated p53 with the IGF1R promoter via TBP, and by the subsequent recruitment of chromatin-modifying proteins, such as HDAC1, to the IGF1R promoter-TBP-p53 complex.     

Conformational changes in the pore of CLC-0

The Torpedo Cl- channel, CLC-0, is inhibited by clofibric acid derivatives from the intracellular side. We used the slow gate-deficient mutant CLC-0C212S to investigate the mechanism of block by the clofibric acid-derivative p-chlorophenoxy-acetic acid (CPA). CPA blocks open channels with low affinity (KDO= 45 mM at 0 mV) and shows fast dissociation (koff = 490 s-1 at -140 mV). In contrast, the blocker binds to closed channels with higher affinity and with much slower kinetics. This state-dependent block coupled with the voltage dependence of the gating transitions results in a highly voltage-dependent inhibition of macroscopic currents (KD approximately 1 mM at -140 mV; KD approximately 65 mM at 60 mV). The large difference in CPA affinity of the open and closed state suggests that channel opening involves more than just a local conformational rearrangement. On the other hand, in a recent work (Dutzler, R., E.B. Campbell, and R. MacKinnon. 2003. Science. 300:108-112) it was proposed that the conformational change underlying channel opening is limited to a movement of a single side chain. A prediction of this latter model is that mutations that influence CPA binding to the channel should affect the affinities for an open and closed channel in a similar manner since the general structure of the pore remains largely unchanged. To test this hypothesis we introduced point mutations in four residues (S123, T471, Y512, and K519) that lie close to the intracellular pore mouth or to the putative selectivity filter. Mutation T471S alters CPA binding exclusively to closed channels. Pronounced effects on the open channel block are observed in three other mutants, S123T, Y512A, and K519Q. Together, these results collectively suggest that the structure of the CPA binding site is different in the open and closed state. Finally, replacement of Tyr 512, a residue directly coordinating the central Cl- ion in the crystal structure, with Phe or Ala has very little effect on single channel conductance and selectivity. These observations suggest that channel opening in CLC-0 consists in more than a movement of a side chain and that other parts of the channel and of the selectivity filter are probably involved.     

The cytoplasmic domain of the chloride channel ClC-0: structural and dynamic characterization of flexible regions

Eukaryotic members of the ClC family of chloride channels and transporters are composed of a transmembrane ion transport domain followed by a cytoplasmic domain, which is believed to be involved in the modulation of ClC function. In some family members this putative regulatory domain contains next to a well-folded structured part, long sequence stretches with low sequence complexity. These regions, a 96 residue long linker connecting two structured sub-domains, and 35 residues on the C teminus of the domain were found disordered in a recent crystal structure of this domain in ClC-0. Both regions have a large influence on the modulation of channel function in closely related family members. Here we describe a NMR study to characterize the structural and dynamic properties of these putatively unstructured stretches. Our study reveals that the two regions indeed show large conformational flexibility with dynamics on the nanosecond timescale. However, small islands of secondary structure are found interdispersed between the unfolded regions. This study characterizes for the first time the biophysical properties of these protein segments, which may become important for the understanding of novel regulatory mechanisms within the ClC family.     

Mechanism of block of single protopores of the Torpedo chloride channel ClC-0 by 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (CPB).

We investigated in detail the mechanism of inhibition by the S(-) enantiomer of 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)butyric acid (CPB) of the Torpedo Cl(-)channel, ClC-0. The substance has been previously shown to inhibit the homologous skeletal muscle channel, CLC-1. ClC-0 is a homodimer with probably two independently gated protopores that are conductive only if an additional common gate is open. As a simplification, we used a mutant of ClC-0 (C212S) that has the common gate "locked open" (Lin, Y.W., C.W. Lin, and T.Y. Chen. 1999. J. Gen. Physiol. 114:1-12). CPB inhibits C212S currents only when applied to the cytoplasmic side, and single-channel recordings at voltages (V) between -120 and -80 mV demonstrate that it acts independently on individual protopores by introducing a long-lived nonconductive state with no effect on the conductance and little effect on the lifetime of the open state. Steady-state macroscopic currents at -140 mV are half-inhibited by approximately 0.5 mM CPB, but the inhibition decreases with V and vanishes for V > or = 40 mV. Relaxations of CPB inhibition after voltage steps are seen in the current responses as an additional exponential component that is much slower than the gating of drug-free protopores. For V = 60 mV) with an IC50 of approximately 30-40 mM. Altogether, these findings support a model for the mechanism of CPB inhibition in which the drug competes with Cl(-) for binding to a site of the pore where it blocks permeation. CPB binds preferentially to closed channels, and thereby also strongly alters the gating of the single protopore. Since the affinity of CPB for open WT pores is extremely low, we cannot decide in this case if it acts also as an open pore blocker. However, the experiments with the mutant K519E strongly support this interpretation. CPB block may become a useful tool to study the pore of ClC channels. As a first application, our results provide additional evidence for a double-barreled structure of ClC-0 and ClC-1.     

Electrophysiological evidence for 4-isobutyl-3-isopropylbicyclophosphorothionate as a selective blocker of insect GABA-gated chloride channels

Invertebrate γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels (GABACls) and glutamate-gated chloride channels (GluCls), which function as inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors, are important targets of insecticides and antiparasitic agents. The antagonism of GABACls and GluCls by 4-isobutyl-3-isopropylbicyclophosphorothionate (PS-14) was examined in cultured cockroach and rat neurons using a whole-cell patch-clamp method. The results indicated that PS-14 selectively blocks cockroach GABACls relative to cockroach GluCls and rat GABACls. PS-14 represents a useful probe for the study of insect GABA receptors.     

An arginine residue in the pore region is a key determinant of chloride dependence in cardiac pacemaker channels

The modulation of ion channel activity by extracellular ions plays a central role in the control of heart function. Here, we show that the sinoatrial pacemaker current I(f) is strongly affected by the extracellular Cl- concentration. We investigated the molecular basis of the Cl- dependence in heterologously expressed hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels that represent the molecular correlate of I(f). Currents carried by the two cardiac HCN channel isoforms (HCN2 and HCN4) showed the same strong Cl- dependence as the sinoatrial I(f) and decreased to about 10% in the absence of external Cl-. In contrast, the neuronal HCN1 current was reduced to only 50% under the same conditions. Depletion of Cl- did not affect the voltage dependence of activation or the ion selectivity of the channels, indicating that the reduction of I(f) was caused by a decrease of channel conductance. A series of chimeras between HCN1 and HCN2 was constructed to identify the structural determinants underlying the different Cl- dependence of HCN1 and HCN2. Exchange of the ion-conducting pore region was sufficient to switch the Cl- dependence from HCN1- to HCN2-type and vice versa. Replacement of a single alanine residue in the pore of HCN1 (Ala-352) by an arginine residue present in HCN2 at equivalent position (Arg-405) induced HCN2-type chloride sensitivity in HCN1. Our data indicate that Arg-405 is a key component of a domain that allosterically couples Cl- binding with channel activation.     

钙激活氯离子通道对大鼠肺动脉张力的调节作用

目的：研究钙激活氯离子通道及其通道阻断剂尼氟灭酸（niflumic acid,NFA）、indaryloxyacetic acid（IAA-94）在苯福林（phenylephrine,PE）引起的肺动脉收缩中的作用。方法：常规离体血管灌流法检测肺动脉环张力;采用钙荧光探针（Fura-2／AM）负载急性酶分离法（胶原酶Ⅰ型和木瓜蛋白酶）获得的大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）,观察NFA和IAA-94对PE诱导的PASMCs胞浆游离钙离子浓度（[Ca^2＋]i）的影响,用荧光分光光度计法检测[Ca^2＋]i。结果：钙激活氯离子通道阻断剂NFA和IAA-94可以舒张PE引起的肺动脉环收缩;NFA和IAA-94对KCl引起的血管收缩无影响;PE可以引起[Ca^2＋]i升高,NFA和IAA-94对PE诱导[Ca^2＋]i升高无影响。结论：钙激活氯离子通道在生理状态下与血管活性药（PE）引起的肺动脉张力变化有关,这为研究其在低氧肺血管收缩中的作用提供了新的线索。     

Oxidation induces ClC-3-dependent anion channels in human leukaemia cells

To test for redox regulation of anion channels in erythroid cells, we exposed K562 cells to oxidants and measured changes in transmembrane Cl(-) currents using patch-clamp, and in intracellular Cl(-) content using the Cl(-) selective dye MQAE. Oxidation with tert-butylhydroperoxide or H(2)O(2) produced a plasma membrane anion permeability with a permselectivity of NO(3)(-)>lactate(-)>gluconate(-). The permeability increase was paralleled by insertion of ClC-3 protein into the plasma membrane as evident from immunofluorescence microscopy and surface biotinylation. Down-regulation of ClC-3 protein by RNA interference as assessed by immunoblotting decreased the oxidation-stimulated permeability. In conclusion, oxidation induces surface expression of ClC-3 and activation of a ClC-3-dependent anion permeability in K562 cells.     

Actions of avermectin B1a on the γ-aminobutyric AcidA receptor and chloride channels in rat brain

The interaction of avermectin B_1a (AVM) with the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor of rat brain was studied using radioactive ligand binding and tracer ion flux assays. Avermectin potentiated the binding of [³H]flunitrazepam and inhibited the binding of both [³H]muscimol and [³⁵S]t-butylbicyclo-phosphorothionate to the GABA_A receptor. Inhibition of muscimol binding by AVM suggested competitive displacement. Two kinds of ³⁶chloride (Cl) flux were studied. The ³⁶Cl efflux from preloaded microsacs was potentiated by AVM and was highly inhibited by the Cl-channel blocker 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS). However, it was not potentiated by GABA nor was it sensitive to the convulsants picrotoxin or bicuculline. On the other hand, ³⁶Cl-influx measurement in a different microsac preparation of rat brain was very sensitive to GABA and other GABA-ergic drugs. Avermectin induced ³⁶Cl influx into these microsacs in a dose–dependent manner, but to only 35% of the maximal influx induced by GABA. The AVM-induced ³⁶Cl influx was totally blocked by bicuculline. It is suggested that AVM opens the GABA_A-receptor Cl channel by binding to the GABA recognition site and acting as a partial receptor agonist, and also opens a voltage–dependent Cl channel which is totally insensitive to GABA but is very sensitive to DIDS.     

A chloride channel at the basolateral membrane of the distal-convoluted tubule: a candidate ClC-K channel

The distal-convoluted tubule (DCT) of the kidney absorbs NaCl mainly via an Na+-Cl- cotransporter located at the apical membrane, and Na+, K+ ATPase at the basolateral side. Cl- transport across the basolateral membrane is thought to be conductive, but the corresponding channels have not yet been characterized. In the present study, we investigated Cl- channels on microdissected mouse DCTs using the patch-clamp technique. A channel of approximately 9 pS was found in 50% of cell-attached patches showing anionic selectivity. The NPo in cell-attached patches was not modified when tubules were preincubated in the presence of 10-5 M forskolin, but the channel was inhibited by phorbol ester (10-6 M). In addition, NPo was significantly elevated when the calcium in the pipette was increased from 0 to 5 mM (NPo increased threefold), or pH increased from 6.4 to 8.0 (NPo increased 15-fold). Selectivity experiments conducted on inside-out patches showed that the Na+ to Cl- relative permeability was 0.09, and the anion selectivity sequence Cl(-)--I(-) > Br(-)--NO3(-) > F(-). Intracellular NPPB (10-4 M) and DPC (10-3 M) blocked the channel by 65% and 80%, respectively. The channel was inhibited at acid intracellular pH, but intracellular ATP and PKA had no effect. ClC-K Cl- channels are characterized by their sensitivity to the external calcium and to pH. Since immunohistochemical data indicates that ClC-K2, and perhaps ClC-K1, are present on the DCT basolateral membrane, we suggest that the channel detected in this study may belong to this subfamily of the ClC channel family.     

Properties of histamine-activated chloride channels in the large monopolar cells of the dipteran compound eye: a comparative study

The large monopolar cells (LMCs) of the first optic neuropil (lamina) in insects respond to the photoreceptor neurotransmitter histamine with an increase in chloride conductance. We have compared the properties of this conductance from a range of diptera from different visual environments: Tipula paludosa (slow flying, crepuscular), Drosophila melanogaster (slow-flying diurnal), and 3 fast-flying diurnal species Musca domestica, Calliphora vicina and Lucilia sericata. In whole-cell recordings of dissociated LMCs, histamine-induced currents were elicited using a multichannel parallel perfusion device, allowing rapid determination of the dose-response function, characterised by affinity (K _d) and Hill coefficient (n). Calliphora, Lucilia and Musca had the steepest dose response curves (n = 2.8) and the lowest affinity for histamine (K _d 35–50 M); the crepuscular Tipula had a significantly higher affinity (K _d = 16 M) and lower Hill coefficient (n = 1.8). Drosophila had a high affinity (K _d 24 M), and a high Hill coefficient (n = 2.5). In excised inside-out patch recordings all species showed similar single channel properties (conductance 40–60 pS, mean open time < 1 ms). The low Hill coefficient in Tipula would be expected to result in lower synaptic gain. We suggest this may be an adaptation to prevent the LMC's response bandwidth being filled with the high levels of photon noise typical of photoreceptors adapted for low light levels. The lower affinity for histamine found in the more photopic species suggests that the concentration of histamine (and therefore presumably number of synaptic vesicles released from the photoreceptors) should be higher. This might improve signal-to-noise ratio by decreasing the contribution of the shot event noise introduced by stochastic release of synaptic vesicles.Abbreviations LMC large monopolar cell - TES N Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-methyl-2-amino-ethane-sulphonic acid - K _D slow delayed rectifier - K _A transient A current - K _a apparent dissociation constant     

A simple method for the determination of the pore radius of ion channels in planar lipid bilayer membranes

Abstract A new method of pore size determination is presented. The results of applying this simple method to ion channels formed by staphylococcal α-toxin and its N-terminal fragment as well as to cholera toxin channels are shown. The advantages and the difficulties of this method are discussed. It was found that (i) the mobility of ions in solutions depends only on the percentage of concentration of added non-electrolytes and practically not on their chemical nature (sugars or polyglycols) and molecular size; (ii) the proportional change of both ion channel conductance and bulk solution conductivity by low M . non-electrolytes may be used as an indication of a diffusion mechanism of ion transport through channels; (iii) the slope of the dependence of the ion channel conductance on the bulk conductivity of solutions containing different concentrations of non-electrolyte is a good measure of channel permeability for non-electrolytes.     

N type rapid inactivation in human Kv1.4 channels: functional role of a putative C-terminal helix

Voltage gated potassium channels are tetrameric membrane proteins, which have a central role in cellular excitability. Human Kv1.4 channels open on membrane depolarization and inactivate rapidly by a ‘ball and chain’ mechanism whose molecular determinants have been mapped to the cytoplasmic N terminus of the channel. Here we show that the other terminal end of the channel also plays a role in channel inactivation. Swapping the C-terminal residues of hKv1.4 with those from two non-inactivating channels (hKv1.1 and hKv1.2) affects the rates of inactivation, as well as the recovery of the channel from the inactivated state. Secondary structure predictions of the hKv1.4 sequence reveal a helical structure at its distal C-terminal. Complete removal or partial disruption of this helical region results in channels with remarkably slowed inactivation kinetics. The ionic selectivity and voltage-dependence of channel opening were similar to hKv1.4, indicative of an unperturbed channel pore. These results demonstrate that fast inactivation is modulated by structural elements in the C-terminus, suggesting that the process involves the concerted action of the N- and C-termini.