The human organic anion transport protein SLC21A6 is not sufficient for bilirubin transport

A recent study (Cui, Y., Konig, J., Leier, I., Buchholz, U., and Keppler, D. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 9626-9630) suggests that human OATP2 (SLC21A6), also known as OATP-C and LST1, mediates hepatic bilirubin transport. Because of methodologic concerns, this study was designed to examine this issue using a bilirubin transport assay that was validated in overnight cultured rat hepatocytes. These studies showed that cultured rat hepatocytes transported bilirubin with kinetics virtually identical to the transport of sulfobromophthalein. This assay was then used to quantify bilirubin transport by HeLa cells that had been stably transfected with OATP2 under regulation of a metallothionein promoter. Immunoblot analysis revealed abundant expression of OATP2 after incubation of cells for 48 h in zinc, whereas uninduced cells had no expression of this protein. In OATP2-expressing (zinc-induced) HeLa cells at 37 degrees C, the uptake of [35S]sulfobromophthalein was substantial (51.6 +/- 16.5 pmol/15 min/mg protein, n = 5) with little cell-associated ligand in non-expressing (uninduced) cells (0.54 +/- 0.16 pmol/15 min/mg protein, n = 5, p < 0.002). In contrast, there was no difference (p > 0.2) in cell-associated [3H]bilirubin in induced (OATP2-expressing) as compared with uninduced cells (11.25 +/- 3.02 pmol/15 min/mg protein versus 9.15 +/- 1.68 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively, n = 5) We obtained similar results in OATP2-transfected HEK293 cells that were used in the original report. The existence of a bilirubin transporter has been an important field of investigation for many years. Although the current study indicates that a role for OATP2 in hepatocyte bilirubin transport is unlikely, it provides new and sensitive tools that can be adapted to examine the function of putative bilirubin transporters in the future.     

Functional characterization of human NBC4 as an electrogenic Na+-HCO cotransporter (NBCe2)

We have functionally characterized Na+-driven bicarbonate transporter (NBC)4, originally cloned from human heart by Pushkin et al. (Pushkin A, Abuladze N, Newman D, Lee I, Xu G, and Kurtz I. Biochem Biophys Acta 1493: 215-218, 2000). Of the four NBC4 variants currently present in GenBank, our own cloning efforts yielded only variant c. We expressed NBC4c (GenBank accession no. AF293337) in Xenopus laevis oocytes and assayed membrane potential (Vm) and pH regulatory function with microelectrodes. Exposing an NBC4c-expressing oocyte to a solution containing 5% CO2 and 33 mM HCO elicited a large hyperpolarization, indicating that the transporter is electrogenic. The initial CO2-induced decrease in intracellular pH (pH(i)) was followed by a slow recovery that was reversed by removing external Na+. Two-electrode voltage clamp of NBC4c-expressing oocytes revealed large HCO- and Na+-dependent currents. When we voltage clamped V(m) far from NBC4c's estimated reversal potential (E(rev)), the pH(i) recovery rate increased substantially. Both the currents and pH(i) recovery were blocked by 200 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). We estimated the transporter's HCO:Na+ stoichiometry by measuring E(rev) at different extracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) values. A plot of E(rev) against log[Na+]o was linear, with a slope of 54.8 mV/log[Na+]o. This observation, as well as the absolute E(rev) values, are consistent with a 2:1 stoichiometry. In conclusion, the behavior of NBC4c, which we propose to call NBCe2-c, is similar to that of NBCe1, the first electrogenic NBC.     

Molecular expression of SLC4-derived Na+-dependent anion transporters in selected human tissues

NaHCO(3) transporters are involved in maintenance of intracellular pH and transepithelial HCO(3)(-) movement in many rodent tissues. To establish the human relevance of the many investigations on rodents, this study aimed to map these transporters and a related polypeptide, NaBC1 [solute carrier 4 (SLC4)A11], to several human tissues by using PCR on reverse transcribed human mRNA and immunoperoxidase histochemistry. The mRNA encoding the electroneutral Na(+):HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBCe1; SLC4A4), was expressed in renal cortex, renal medulla, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, pancreas, choroid plexus, cerebellum, cerebrum, and hippocampus. NBCe2 (SLC4A5) and NBCn1 (SLC4A7) mRNAs were mainly found in kidney and brain tissues, as was mRNA encoding the Na(+)-dependent anion exchangers NCBE (SLC4A10) and NDCBE1 (SLC4A8). In addition to previous findings, NBCn1 protein was localized to human renal medullary thick ascending limbs and duodenal epithelial villus cells and NBCe2 protein to renal collecting ducts. Finally, the message encoding NaBC1 was found in kidney, stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and brain, and the corresponding protein in the anterior and posterior corneal epithelia, renal corpuscules, proximal tubules, collecting ducts, pancreatic ducts, and the choroid plexus epithelium. In conclusion, the selected human tissues display distinct expression patterns of HCO(3)(-) transporters, which closely resemble that of rodent tissues.     

Synthesis and evaluation of tetrahydropyrazolopyridine inhibitors of anion exchange protein SLC26A4 (pendrin)

Pendrin is a transmembrane chloride/anion antiporter that is strongly upregulated in the airways in rhinoviral infection, asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Based on its role in the regulation of airway surface liquid depth, pendrin inhibitors have potential indications for treatment of inflammatory airways diseases. Here, a completely regioselective route to tetrahydro-pyrazolopyridine pendrin inhibitors based on 1,3-diketone and substituted hydrazine condensation was been developed. Structure-activity relationships at the tetrahydropyridyl nitrogen were investigated using a focused library, establishing the privileged nature of N-phenyl ureas and improving inhibitor potency by greater than 2-fold.     

The activity of the thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter is regulated by protein phosphatase PP4

Cation transport in the distal mammalian nephron relies on the SLC12 family of membrane cotransporters that include the thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl? cotransporter (NCC). NCC is regulated through a scaffold of interacting proteins, including the WNK kinases, WNK 1 and WNK 4, which are mutated in the hypertensive Gordon's syndrome. Dynamic regulation of NCC function by kinases must involve dephosphorylation by phosphatases, as illustrated by the role of PP1 and PP2B in the regulation of KCC members of the SLC12 family. There are 2 phosphorylation-controlled regulatory pathways for NCC: type 1, mediated by WNK4 and affecting trafficking to the surface membrane, and type 2, affecting intrinsic transporter kinetics by phosphorylation of conserved N-terminal S/T amino acids. Using the Xenopus oocyte expression system, we show that PP4 inhibits NCC activity - but not trafficking to the surface membrane - by a mechanism that requires phosphatase activity and a conserved N-terminal amino acid of NCC, threonine 58. This action is distinct from WNK4 regulation of membrane trafficking. In the mouse kidney, PP4 is selectively expressed in the distal nephron, including cells of the distal convoluted tubule cells, suggesting that PP4 may have a physiological role in regulating NCC and hence NaCl reabsorption in vivo.     

Functional characterization of human NBC4 as an electrogenic Na+-HCO3- cotransporter (NBCe2)

We havefunctionally characterized Na⁺-driven bicarbonatetransporter (NBC)4, originally cloned from human heart by Pushkin etal. (Pushkin A, Abuladze N, Newman D, Lee I, Xu G, and Kurtz I. Biochem Biophys Acta 1493: 215-218, 2000). Of the fourNBC4 variants currently present in GenBank, our own cloning efforts yielded only variant c. We expressed NBC4c (GenBank accession no.AF293337) in Xenopus laevis oocytes and assayed membrane potential (V_m) and pH regulatory function withmicroelectrodes. Exposing an NBC4c-expressing oocyte to a solutioncontaining 5% CO₂ and 33 mM HCOelicited a large hyperpolarization, indicating that the transporter iselectrogenic. The initial CO₂-induced decrease inintracellular pH (pH_i) was followed by a slow recovery thatwas reversed by removing external Na⁺. Two-electrodevoltage clamp of NBC4c-expressing oocytes revealed largeHCO- and Na⁺-dependent currents. When wevoltage clamped V_m far from NBC4c's estimatedreversal potential (E_rev), the pH_irecovery rate increased substantially. Both the currents andpH_i recovery were blocked by 200 µM4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). We estimatedthe transporter's HCO:Na⁺ stoichiometryby measuring E_rev at different extracellularNa⁺ concentration ([Na⁺]_o)values. A plot of E_rev againstlog[Na⁺]_o was linear, with a slope of 54.8 mV/log[Na⁺]_o. This observation, as well asthe absolute E_rev values, are consistent with a2:1 stoichiometry. In conclusion, the behavior of NBC4c, which wepropose to call NBCe2-c, is similar to that of NBCe1, the firstelectrogenic NBC.

     

The anion exchanger pendrin (SLC26A4) and renal acid-base homeostasis

The anion exchanger pendrin (Pds, SLC26A4) transports various anions including bicarbonate, chloride and iodide. In the kidney, pendrin is exclusively expressed on the luminal pole of bicarbonate-secretory type B intercalated cells. Genetic ablation of pendrin in mice abolishes luminal chloride-bicarbonate exchanger activity from type B intercalated cells suggesting that pendrin is the apical bicarbonate extruding pathway. The renal expression of pendrin is developmentally adapted and pendrin positive cells originate from both the uretric bud and mesenchyme. In adult kidney, pendrin expression and activity is regulated by systemic acid-base status, dietary electrolyte intake (mostly chloride), and hormones such as angiotensin II and aldosterone which can affect subcellular localization, the relative number of pendrin expressing cells, and the overall abundance consistent with a role of pendrin in maintaining normal acid-base homeostasis. This review summarizes recent findings on the role and regulation of pendrin in the context of the kidneys role in acid-base homeostasis in health and disease.     

Cloning and functional characterization of human sodium-dependent organic anion transporter (SLC10A6)

We have cloned human sodium-dependent organic anion transporter (SOAT) cDNA, which consists of 1502 bp and encodes a 377-amino acid protein. SOAT shows 42% sequence identity to the ileal apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter ASBT and 33% sequence identity to the hepatic Na(+)/taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide NTCP. Immunoprecipitation of a SOAT-FLAG-tagged protein revealed a glycosylated form at 46 kDa that decreased to 42 kDa after PNGase F treatment. SOAT exhibits a seven-transmembrane domain topology with an outside-to-inside orientation of the N-terminal and C-terminal ends. SOAT mRNA is most highly expressed in testis. Relatively high SOAT expression was also detected in placenta and pancreas. We established a stable SOAT-HEK293 cell line that showed sodium-dependent transport of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estrone-3-sulfate, and pregnenolone sulfate with apparent K(m) values of 28.7, 12.0, and 11.3 microm, respectively. Although bile acids, such as taurocholic acid, cholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid, were not substrates of SOAT, the sulfoconjugated bile acid taurolithocholic acid-3-sulfate was transported by SOAT-HEK293 cells in a sodium-dependent manner and showed competitive inhibition of SOAT transport with an apparent K(i) value of 0.24 mum. Several nonsteroidal organosulfates also strongly inhibited SOAT, including 1-(omega-sulfooxyethyl)pyrene, bromosulfophthalein, 2- and 4-sulfooxymethylpyrene, and alpha-naphthylsulfate. Among these inhibitors, 2- and 4-sulfooxymethylpyrene were competitive inhibitors of SOAT, with apparent K(i) values of 4.3 and 5.5 microm, respectively, and they were also transported by SOAT-HEK293 cells.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is an endogenous inhibitor of Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC2) isoform A in the thick ascending limb

The effects of TNF gene deletion on renal Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC2) expression and activity were determined. Outer medulla from TNF(-/-) mice exhibited a twofold increase in total NKCC2 protein expression compared with wild-type (WT) mice. This increase was not observed in TNF(-/-) mice treated with recombinant human TNF (hTNF) for 7 days. Administration of hTNF had no effect on total NKCC2 expression in WT mice. A fourfold increase in NKCC2A mRNA accumulation was observed in outer medulla from TNF(-/-) compared with WT mice; NKCC2F and NKCC2B mRNA accumulation was similar between genotypes. The increase in NKCC2A mRNA accumulation was attenuated when TNF(-/-) mice were treated with hTNF. Bumetanide-sensitive O(2) consumption, an in vitro correlate of NKCC2 activity, was 2.8 ± 0.2 nmol·min(-1)·mg(-1) in medullary thick ascending limb tubules from WT, representing ～40% of total O(2) consumption, whereas, in medullary thick ascending limb tubules from TNF(-/-) mice, it was 5.6 ± 0.3 nmol·min(-1)·mg(-1), representing ～60% of total O(2) consumption. Administration of hTNF to TNF(-/-) mice restored the bumetanide-sensitive component to ～30% of total O(2) consumption. Ambient urine osmolality was higher in TNF(-/-) compared with WT mice (2,072 ± 104 vs. 1,696 ± 153 mosmol/kgH(2)O, P < 0.05). The diluting ability of the kidney, assessed by measuring urine osmolality before and after 1 h of water loading also was greater in TNF(-/-) compared with WT mice (174 ± 38 and 465 ± 81 mosmol/kgH(2)O, respectively, P < 0.01). Collectively, these findings suggest that TNF plays a role as an endogenous inhibitor of NKCC2 expression and function.     

A synaptosomal protein kinase is regulated by phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and Mg2+

Triton X-100 extracts of purified rat brain synaptosomes exhibited marked phosphorylation of an endogenous Mr 87,000 polypeptide following chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The protein kinase catalyzing this reaction was insensitive to cyclic AMP, Ca2+, calmodulin, and phorbol esters. However, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) proved to be a potent inhibitor of the Mr 87,000 polypeptide phosphorylation at submicromolar concentrations, whereas phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylglycerol were less potent inhibitors. Unsaturated fatty acids could also mimic the effects of PIP at levels above 4 micrograms/ml. The inhibitory effect of PIP largely reflected a profound increase in the apparent Km for Mg2+ such that increasing Mg2+ levels could partially offset the action of PIP. The PIP-sensitive protein kinase was enriched in hypotonic lysates of synaptosomes from which it was partially purified by DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, and gel permeation chromatography. This purification separated the enzyme from its Mr 87,000 substrate; however, the presence of this polypeptide in heat-inactivated alkali extracts of rat brain provided an exogenous source of substrate which could be used to assay enzyme activity. The relevance of these data to a possible role for PIP and Mg2+ in cellular signaling is discussed.     

The structural unit of the secretory Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter (NKCC1) is a homodimer

The oligomeric state of the secretory Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC1) in rat parotid plasma membranes was studied using the reversible chemical cross-linker DTSSP [3, 3'-dithiobis(sulfosuccinimidyl propionate)]. The monomeric apparent molecular mass of NKCC1 is approximately 170 kDa. However, we show here that this protein migrates as a approximately 355 kDa complex on SDS-PAGE gels after membrane treatment with DTSSP, indicating that NKCC1 exists as an oligomer in the plasma membrane. The stability of this oligomer is such that it is not disrupted by solubilization of the membrane by low concentrations of the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 (0.3%) or the mild ionic detergent deoxycholate (20 mM); however, higher concentrations of Triton X-100 or treatment with the denaturing detergent SDS do result in destabilization of the NKCC1 complex. In additional experiments, we immunoprecipitated the 355 kDa cross-linked complex from biotinylated membranes, then cleaved the cross-linking bonds and analyzed the resulting components of the NKCC1 oligomer by avidin blotting, silver staining, and 2D electrophoresis. In these studies, we were unable to detect the presence of any proteins other than NKCC1 itself in the 355 kDa oligomer, suggesting that this complex is an NKCC1 dimer. Strong evidence for this conclusion was provided by a quantitative analysis of the molecular sizes of oligomers formed by full-length NKCC1 and an N-terminally truncated version of NKCC1 expressed in HEK293 cells. Taken together, our data provide convincing evidence that the dominant structural unit of NKCC1 in the plasma membrane is a homodimer.     

Cyclic diarylheptanoids as Na+-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors from Acer nikoense

Two cyclic diarylheptanoids, acerogenins A (1) and B (2) have been isolated from the bark of Acer nikoense as inhibitors of Na⁺-glucose cotransporter (SGLT). Acerogenins A (1) and B (2) inhibited both isoforms, SGLT1 and SGLT2. Structure–activity relationship of acerogenin derivatives on inhibitory activity of SGLT as well as conformational analysis of 1 and 2 on the basis of J-resolved HMBC spectra and X-ray analysis were discussed.     

A 40-kDa polypeptide from papain digestion of the rabbit intestinal Na+/phosphate cotransporter retains Na+ and phosphate cotransport

We searched for new fluorescent probes of catalytic-site nucleotide binding in F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase by introducing Cys mutations at positions in or close to catalytic sites and then reacting Cys-mutant F(1) with thiol-reactive fluorescent probes. Four suitable mutant/probe combinations were identified. beta F410C labeled by 7-fluorobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-sulfonamide (ABD-F) gave very large signal changes in response to nucleotide, allowing facile measurement of fluorescence and nucleotide-binding parameters, not only in F(1) but also in F(1)F(0). The results are consistent with the presence of three asymmetric catalytic sites of widely different affinities, with similar properties in both enzymes, and revealed a unique probe environment at the high-affinity site 1. beta Y331C F(1) labeled by ABD-F gave a large signal which monitored catalytic site polarity changes that occur along the ATP hydrolysis pathway. Two other mutant/probe combinations with significant nucleotide-responsive signals were beta Y331C labeled by 5-((((2-iodoacetyl)amino)ethyl)amino)naphthaline-1-sulfonic acid and alpha F291C labeled by 2-4'-(iodoacetamido)anilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid. The signal of the latter responds differentially to nucleoside diphosphate versus triphosphate bound in catalytic sites.     

Differentiation-associated Na+-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter (DNPI) is a vesicular glutamate transporter in endocrine glutamatergic systems

Vesicular glutamate transporter is present in neuronal synaptic vesicles and endocrine synaptic-like microvesicles and is responsible for vesicular storage of L-glutamate. A brain-specific Na(+)-dependent inorganic phosphate transporter (BNPI) functions as a vesicular glutamate transporter in synaptic vesicles, and the expression of this BNPI defines the glutamatergic phenotype in the central nervous system (Bellocchio, E. E., Reimer, R. J., Fremeau, R. T., Jr., and Edwards, R. H. (2000) Science 289, 957-960; Takamori, S., Rhee, J. S., Rosenmund, C., and Jahn, R. (2000) Nature 407, 189-194). However, since not all glutamatergic neurons contain BNPI, an additional transporter(s) responsible for vesicular glutamate uptake has been postulated. Here we report that differentiation-associated Na(+)-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter (DNPI), an isoform of BNPI (Aihara, Y., Mashima, H., Onda, H., Hisano, S., Kasuya, H., Hori, T., Yamada, S., Tomura, H., Yamada, Y., Inoue, I., Kojima, I., and Takeda, J. (2000) J. Neurochem. 74, 2622-2625), also transports L-glutamate at the expense of an electrochemical gradient of protons established by the vacuolar proton pump when expressed in COS7 cells. Molecular, biological, and immunohistochemical studies have indicated that besides its presence in neuronal cells DNPI is preferentially expressed in mammalian pinealocytes, alphaTC6 cells, clonal pancreatic alpha cells, and alpha cells of Langerhans islets, these cells being proven to secrete L-glutamate through Ca(2+)-dependent regulated exocytosis followed by its vesicular storage. Pancreatic polypeptide-secreting F cells of Langerhans islets also expressed DNPI. These results constitute evidence that DNPI functions as another vesicular transporter in glutamatergic endocrine cells as well as in neurons.     

The Escherichia coli SLC26 homologue YchM (DauA) is a C4‐dicarboxylic acid transporter

The SLC26/SulP (solute carrier/sulphate transporter) proteins are a ubiquitous superfamily of secondary anion transporters. Prior studies have focused almost exclusively on eukaryotic members and bacterial members are frequently classified as sulphate transporters based on their homology with SulP proteins from plants and fungi. In this study we have examined the function and physiological role of the Escherichia coli Slc26 homologue, YchM. We show that there is a clear YchM‐dependent growth defect when succinate is used as the sole carbon source. Using an in vivo succinate transport assay, we show that YchM is the sole aerobic succinate transporter active at acidic pH. We demonstrate that YchM can also transport other C₄‐dicarboxylic acids and that its substrate specificity differs from the well‐characterized succinate transporter, DctA. Accordingly ychM was re‐designated dauA (dicarboxylic acid uptake system A). Finally, our data suggest that DauA is a protein with transport and regulation activities. This is the first report that a SLC26/SulP protein acts as a C₄‐dicarboxylic acid transporter and an unexpected new function for a prokaryotic member of this transporter family.