Targeting of two Arabidopsis H(+)-ATPase isoforms to the plasma membrane.

More than 11 different P-type H(+)-ATPases have been identified in Arabidopsis by DNA cloning. The subcellular localization for individual members of this proton pump family has not been previously determined. We show by membrane fractionation and immunocytology that a subfamily of immunologically related P-type H(+)-ATPases, including isoforms AHA2 and AHA3, are primarily localized to the plasma membrane. To verify that AHA2 and AHA3 are both targeted to the plasma membrane, we added epitope tags to their C-terminal ends and expressed them in transgenic plants. Both tagged isoforms localized to the plasma membrane, as indicated by aqueous two-phase partitioning and sucrose density gradients. In contrast, a truncated AHA2 (residues 1-193) did not, indicating that the first two transmembrane domains alone are not sufficient for plasma membrane localization. Two epitope tags were evaluated: c-myc, a short, 11-amino acid sequence, and beta-glucuronidase (GUS), a 68-kD protein. The c-myc tag is recommended for its sensitivity and specific immunodetection. GUS worked well as an epitope tag when transgenes were expressed at relatively high levels (e.g. with AHA2-GUS944); however, evidence suggests that GUS activity may be inhibited when a GUS domain is tethered to an H(+)-ATPase complex. Nevertheless, the apparent ability to localize a GUS protein to the plasma membrane indicates that a P-type H(+)-ATPase can be used as a delivery vehicle to target large, soluble proteins to the plasma membrane.     

Selective mobility and sensitivity to SNAREs is exhibited by the Arabidopsis KAT1 K+ channel at the plasma membrane

Recent findings indicate that proteins in the SNARE superfamily are essential for cell signaling, in addition to facilitating vesicle traffic in plant cell homeostasis, growth, and development. We previously identified SNAREs SYP121/Syr1 from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and the Arabidopsis thaliana homolog SYP121 associated with abscisic acid and drought stress. Disrupting tobacco SYP121 function by expressing a dominant-negative Sp2 fragment had severe effects on growth, development, and traffic to the plasma membrane, and it blocked K(+) and Cl(-) channel responses to abscisic acid in guard cells. These observations raise questions about SNARE control in exocytosis and endocytosis of ion channel proteins and their organization within the plane of the membrane. We have used a dual, in vivo tagging strategy with a photoactivatable green fluorescent protein and externally exposed hemagglutinin epitopes to monitor the distribution and trafficking dynamics of the KAT1 K(+) channel transiently expressed in tobacco leaves. KAT1 is localized to the plasma membrane within positionally stable microdomains of approximately 0.5 microm in diameter; delivery of the K(+) channel, but not of the PMA2 H(+)-ATPase, to the plasma membrane is suppressed by Sp2 fragments of tobacco and Arabidopsis SYP121, and Sp2 expression leads to profound changes in KAT1 distribution and mobility within the plane of the plasma membrane. These results offer direct evidence for SNARE-mediated traffic of the K(+) channel and a role in its distribution within subdomains of the plasma membrane, and they implicate a role for SNAREs in positional anchoring of the K(+) channel protein.     

An SH3 binding region in the epithelial Na+ channel (alpha rENaC) mediates its localization at the apical membrane.

The amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel constitutes the rate-limiting step for Na+ transport in epithelia. Immunolocalization and electrophysiological studies have demonstrated that this channel is localized at the apical membrane of polarized epithelial cells. This localization is essential for proper channel function in Na+ transporting epithelia. In addition, the channel has been shown to associate with the cytoskeletal proteins ankyrin and alpha-spectrin in renal epithelia. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cytoskeletal interactions and apical membrane localization of this channel are largely unknown. In this study we show that the putative pore forming subunit of the rat epithelial (amiloride-sensitive) Na+ channel (alpha ENaC) binds to alpha-spectrin in vivo, as determined by co-immunoprecipitation. This binding is mediated by the SH3 domain of alpha-spectrin which binds to a unique proline-rich sequence within the C-terminal region of alpha rENaC. Accordingly, the C-terminal region is sufficient to mediate binding to intact alpha-spectrin from alveolar epithelial cell lysate. When microinjected into the cytoplasm of polarized primary rat alveolar epithelial cells, a recombinant fusion protein containing the C-terminal proline-rich region of alpha rENaC localized exclusively to the apical area of the plasma membrane, as determined by confocal microscopy. This localization paralleled that of alpha-spectrin. In contrast, microinjected fusion protein containing the N-terminal (control) protein of alpha rENaC remained diffuse within the cytoplasm. These results suggest that an SH3 binding region in alpha rENaC mediates the apical localization of the Na+ channel. Thus, cytoskeletal interactions via SH3 domains may provide a novel mechanism for retaining proteins in specific membranes of polarized epithelial cells.     

Nucleotides and Mg2+ ions differentially regulate K+ channels and non-selective cation channels present in cells forming the stomatal complex

Voltage-dependent inward-rectifying (K(in)) and outward-rectifying (K(out)) K(+) channels are capable of mediating K(+) fluxes across the plasma membrane. Previous studies on guard cells or heterologously expressed K(+) channels provided evidence for the requirement of ATP to maintain K(+) channel activity. Here, the nucleotide and Mg(2+) dependencies of time-dependent K(in) and K(out) channels from maize subsidiary cells were examined, showing that MgATP as well as MgADP function as channel activators. In addition to K(out) channels, these studies revealed the presence of another outward-rectifying channel type (MgC) in the plasma membrane that however gates in a nucleotide-independent manner. MgC represents a new channel type distinguished from K(out) channels by fast activation kinetics, inhibition by elevated intracellular Mg(2+) concentration, permeability for K(+) as well as for Na(+) and insensitivity towards TEA(+). Similar observations made for guard cells from Zea mays and Vicia faba suggest a conserved regulation of channel-mediated K(+) and Na(+) transport in both cell types and species.     

KCNE1 subunits require co-assembly with K+ channels for efficient trafficking and cell surface expression

KCNE peptides are a class of type I transmembrane beta subunits that assemble with and modulate the gating and ion conducting properties of a variety of voltage-gated K(+) channels. Accordingly, mutations that disrupt the assembly and trafficking of KCNE-K(+) channel complexes give rise to disease. The cellular mechanisms responsible for ensuring that KCNE peptides assemble with voltage-gated K(+) channels have yet to be elucidated. Using enzymatic deglycosylation, immunofluorescence, and quantitative cell surface labeling experiments, we show that KCNE1 peptides are retained in the early stages of the secretory pathway until they co-assemble with specific K(+) channel subunits; co-assembly mediates KCNE1 progression through the secretory pathway and results in cell surface expression. We also address an apparent discrepancy between our results and a previous study in human embryonic kidney cells, which showed wild type KCNE1 peptides can reach the plasma membrane without exogenously expressed K(+) channel subunits. By comparing KCNE1 trafficking in three cell lines, our data suggest that the errant KCNE1 trafficking observed in human embryonic kidney cells may be due, in part, to the presence of endogenous voltage-gated K(+) channels in these cells.     

Expression of ATP sensitive K+ channel subunit Kir6.1 in rat kidney

ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels in kidney are considered to play roles in regulating membrane potential during the change in intracellular ATP concentration. They are composed of channel subunits (Kir6.1, Kir6.2), which are members of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel family, and sulphonylurea receptors (SUR1, SUR2A and SUR2B), which belong to the ATP-binding cassette superfamily. In the present study, we have investigated the expression and localization of Kir6.1 in rat kidney with Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization histochemistry, and immunoelectron microscopy. Western blot analysis showed that Kir6.1 was expressed in the mitochondria and microsome fractions of rat kidney and very weakly in the membrane fractions. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Kir6.1 was widely distributed in renal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular mesangial cells, and smooth muscles of blood vessels. In immunoelectron microscopy, Kir6.1 is mainly localized in the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and very weakly in cell membranes. Thus, Kir6.1 is contained in the kidney and may be a candidate of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels.     

Native polycystin 2 functions as a plasma membrane Ca2+-permeable cation channel in renal epithelia

Mutations in polycystin 2 (PC2), a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel, cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Whether PC2 functions in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or in the plasma membrane has been controversial. Here we generated and characterized a polyclonal antibody against PC2, determined the subcellular localization of both endogenous and transfected PC2 by immunohistochemistry and biotinylation of cell surface proteins, and assessed PC2 channel properties with electrophysiology. Endogenous PC2 was found in the plasma membrane and the primary cilium of mouse inner medullar collecting duct (IMCD) cells and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, whereas heterologously expressed PC2 showed a predominant ER localization. Patch-clamping of IMCD cells expressing endogenous or heterologous PC2 confirmed the presence of the channel on the plasma membrane. Treatment with chaperone-like factors facilitated the translocation of the PC2 channel to the plasma membrane from intracellular pools. The unitary conductances, channel kinetics, and other characteristics of both endogenously and heterologously expressed PC2 were similar to those described in our previous study in Xenopus laevis oocytes. These results show that PC2 functions as a plasma membrane channel in renal epithelia and suggest that PC2 contributes to Ca(2+) entry and transport of other cations in defined nephron segments in vivo.     

Characterization of a tobacco TPK-type K+ channel as a novel tonoplast K+ channel using yeast tonoplasts

The tonoplast K(+) membrane transport system plays a crucial role in maintaining K(+) homeostasis in plant cells. Here, we isolated cDNAs encoding a two-pore K(+) channel (NtTPK1) from Nicotiana tabacum cv. SR1 and cultured BY-2 tobacco cells. Two of the four variants of NtTPK1 contained VHG and GHG instead of the GYG signature sequence in the second pore region. All four products were functional when expressed in the Escherichia coli cell membrane, and NtTPK1 was targeted to the tonoplast in tobacco cells. Two of the three promoter sequences isolated from N. tabacum cv. SR1 were active, and expression from these was increased approximately 2-fold by salt stress or high osmotic shock. To determine the properties of NtTPK1, we enlarged mutant yeast cells with inactivated endogenous tonoplast channels and prepared tonoplasts suitable for patch clamp recording allowing the NtTPK1-related channel conductance to be distinguished from the small endogenous currents. NtTPK1 exhibited strong selectivity for K(+) over Na(+). NtTPK1 activity was sensitive to spermidine and spermine, which were shown to be present in tobacco cells. NtTPK1 was active in the absence of Ca(2+), but a cytosolic concentration of 45 microM Ca(2+) resulted in a 2-fold increase in the amplitude of the K(+) current. Acidification of the cytosol to pH 5.5 also markedly increased NtTPK1-mediated K(+) currents. These results show that NtTPK1 is a novel tonoplast K(+) channel belonging to a different group from the previously characterized vacuolar channels SV, FV, and VK.     

Yeast plasma membrane Ena1p ATPase alters alkali-cation homeostasis and confers increased salt tolerance in tobacco cultured cells

In plants, the plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) antiporter is the only key enzyme that extrudes cytosolic Na(+) and contributes to salt tolerance. But in fungi, the plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) antiporter and Na(+)-ATPase are known to be key enzymes for salt tolerance. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ena1p ATPase encoded by the ENA1/PMR2A gene is primarily responsible for Na(+) and Li(+) efflux across the plasma membrane during salt stress and for K(+) efflux at high pH and high K(+). To test if the yeast ATPase would improve salt tolerance in plants, we expressed a triple hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged Ena1p (Ena1p-3HA) in cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cv Bright Yellow 2 (BY2) cells. The Ena1p-3HA proteins were correctly localized to the plasma membrane of transgenic BY2 cells and conferred increased NaCl and LiCl tolerance to the cells. Under moderate salt stress conditions, the Ena1p-3HA-expressing BY2 clones accumulated lower levels of Na(+) and Li(+) than nonexpressing BY2 clones. Moreover, the Ena1p-3HA expressing BY2 clones accumulated lower levels of K(+) than nonexpressing cells under no-stress conditions. These results suggest that the yeast Ena1p can also function as an alkali-cation (Na(+), Li(+), and K(+)) ATPase and alter alkali-cation homeostasis in plant cells. We conclude that, even with K(+)-ATPase activity, Na(+)-ATPase activity of the yeast Ena1p confers increased salt tolerance to plant cells during salt stress.     

A 59 Amino Acid Insertion Increases Ca2+ Sensitivity of rbslo1, a Ca2+-Activated K+ Channel in Renal Epithelia

We previously cloned a MaxiK channel α-subunit isoform, rbslo1, from rabbit kidney with an amino acid sequence highly homologous to mslo but with a 59 amino acid insertion between S8 and S9 (Morita et al., 1997. Am. J. Physiol. 273:F615–F624). rbslo1 activation properties differed substantially from mslo with much greater Ca²⁺ sensitivity, half-activation potential of −49 mV in 1 μm Ca²⁺. We now report single-channel analysis of rbslo1 and delA, a construct produced by removal of the 59 amino acid insertion at site A. delA is identical to mslo from upstream of S1 to downstream of S10 with the exception of 8 amino acids. Slope of the steady-state Boltzmann voltage activation curve was 8.1 mV per e-fold change in probability of opening for both rbslo1 and delA. The apparent [Ca²⁺] _i properties in delA were more like mslo but the voltage-activation properties remained distinctly rbslo1. Ca²⁺ affinity decreased and transmembrane voltage effects on apparent Ca²⁺ affinity increased in delA. The differences between rbslo1 and other cloned channels appear to be localized at insertion site A with both the insertion sequence and amino acid substitutions near site A being important. The steeper activation slope makes the channel more responsive to small changes in transmembrane voltage while the insertion sequence makes the channel functional at physiological low levels of [Ca²⁺] _i . Received: 23 August 1999     

Intracellular localization and physiological function of a rice Ca2+-permeable channel OsTPC1

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are cation channels with a voltage-sensor domain conserved in plants and animals. Rice OsTPC1 is predominantly localized to the plasma membrane (PM), and assumed to play an important role as a Ca²⁺-permeable cation channel in the regulation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ rise and innate immune responses including hypersensitive cell death and phytoalexin biosynthesis in cultured rice cells triggered by a fungal elicitor, xylanase from Trichoderma viride. In contrast, Arabidopsis AtTPC1 is localized to the vacuolar membrane (VM). To gain further insights into the intracellular localization of OsTPC1, we stably expressed OsTPC1-GFP in tobacco BY-2 cells. Confocal imaging and membrane fractionation revealed that, unlike in rice cells, the majority of OsTPC1-GFP fusion protein was targeted to the VM in tobacco BY-2 cells. Intracellular localization and functions of the plant TPC family is discussed.     

Interaction of ATP sensor, cAMP sensor, Ca2+ sensor, and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel in insulin granule exocytosis

ATP, cAMP, and Ca(2+) are the major signals in the regulation of insulin granule exocytosis in pancreatic beta cells. The sensors and regulators of these signals have been characterized individually. The ATP-sensitive K(+) channel, acting as the ATP sensor, couples cell metabolism to membrane potential. cAMP-GEFII, acting as a cAMP sensor, mediates cAMP-dependent, protein kinase A-independent exocytosis, which requires interaction with both Piccolo as a Ca(2+) sensor and Rim2 as a Rab3 effector. l-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) regulate Ca(2+) influx. In the present study, we demonstrate interactions of these molecules. Sulfonylurea receptor 1, a subunit of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels, interacts specifically with cAMP-GEFII through nucleotide-binding fold 1, and the interaction is decreased by a high concentration of cAMP. Localization of cAMP-GEFII overlaps with that of Rim2 in plasma membrane of insulin-secreting MIN6 cells. Localization of Rab3 co-incides with that of Rim2. Rim2 mutant lacking the Rab3 binding region, when overexpressed in MIN6 cells, is localized exclusively in cytoplasm, and impairs cAMP-dependent exocytosis in MIN6 cells. In addition, Rim2 and Piccolo bind directly to the alpha(1)1.2-subunit of VDCC. These results indicate that ATP sensor, cAMP sensor, Ca(2+) sensor, and VDCC interact with each other, which further suggests that ATP, cAMP, and Ca(2+) signals in insulin granule exocytosis are integrated in a specialized domain of pancreatic beta cells to facilitate stimulus-secretion coupling.     

上皮细胞K+通道的生理学意义与临床应用:跨上皮细胞转运的驱动力生成和K+循环

K^＋通道在上皮细胞内以极化的方式表达,形成一个庞大的膜蛋白家族。出于对主要依赖Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase而维持的细胞内跨膜K^＋梯度的考虑,K^＋通道在跨上皮细胞转运中的主要作用为：膜电位生成和K^＋循环。本文以肾近端小管和胃壁上皮细胞转运为例简要阐述了K^＋通道的作用。在这两个组织中,K^＋通道活性限速跨上皮细胞转运,调节细胞体积。近年来,药理学工具和转基因动物的实验证实了对K^＋通道的原先认知,并将研究深入到分子水平。K^＋通道的分子结构挑战高亲和力药物分子的设计,及其多组织同时表达的两个典型特征阻碍了高活性、组织特异性小分子治疗的进展。然而,抑制K^＋通道能阻断胃酸分泌等病理生理机制的深入研究,促进K^＋通道药物用于胃病治疗和作为肾脏转运抑制剂用于肾脏相关疾病治疗。     

Regulation by external K+ in a maize inward shaker channel targets transport activity in the high concentration range

An inward Shaker K(+) channel identified in Zea mays (maize), ZmK2.1, displays strong regulation by external K(+) when expressed in Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog) oocytes or COS cells. ZmK2.1 is specifically activated by K(+) with an apparent K(m) close to 15 mM independent of the membrane hyperpolarization level. In the absence of K(+), ZmK2.1 appears to enter a nonconducting state. Thus, whatever the membrane potential, this maize channel cannot mediate K(+) influx in the submillimolar concentration range, unlike its relatives in Arabidopsis thaliana. Its expression is restricted to the shoots, the strongest signal (RT-PCR) being associated with vascular/bundle sheath strands. Based on sequence and gene structure, the closest relatives of ZmK2.1 in Arabidopsis are K(+) Arabidopsis Transporter 1 (KAT1) (expressed in guard cells) and KAT2 (expressed in guard cells and leaf phloem). Patch-clamp analyses of guard cell protoplasts reveal a higher functional diversity of K(+) channels in maize than in Arabidopsis. Channels endowed with regulation by external K(+) similar to that of ZmK2.1 (channel activity regulated by external K(+) with a K(m) close to 15 mM, regulation independent of external Ca(2+)) constitute a major component of the maize guard cell inward K(+) channel population. The presence of such channels in maize might reflect physiological traits of C4 and/or monocotyledonous plants.