Isolation of a cDNA for rat CHIP28 water channel: high mRNA expression in kidney cortex and inner medulla.

The cDNA coding for the rat CHIP28 water channel was isolated from a kidney library. At the amino acid level, rat CHIP28 is 93% identical to the recently published human protein (1). Expression of rat CHIP28 mRNA was highest in the renal inner medulla, unchanged during antidiuresis and twice the level expressed in outer cortex, with lower expression levels also apparent in parotid gland, urinary bladder and prostate. The evidence suggests that CHIP28 water channels in the ADH-sensitive collecting tubules are identical to those of the ADH-insensitive proximal convoluted tubules and possibly other tissues specialised in fluid transport.     

Functional reconstitution of the isolated erythrocyte water channel CHIP28.

Measurements of water permeability indicate the existence of a facilitated water transporting pathway in erythrocytes, kidney tubules and amphibian urinary bladder. Two lines of evidence suggest that one type of water channel is an approximately 30-kDa protein: the approximately 30-kDa target size determined by radiation inactivation (van Hoek, A. N., Hom, M. L., Luthjens, L. H., de Jong, M. D., Dempster, J. A., and van Os, C. H. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 16633-16635) and the increased water permeability in oocytes that express mRNA encoding a 28-kDa erythrocyte protein (CHIP28, Preston, B. M., Carroll, T. P., Guggino, W. B., and Agre, P. (1992) Science 256, 385-387). We report direct evidence that CHIP28 is the erythrocyte water channel. Osmotic water permeability (Pf) remained high (0.029 cm/s, 37 degrees C) when erythrocyte membranes were stripped of nearly all proteins except for CHIP28. N-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that the 28-kDa protein was CHIP28. Pf in proteoliposomes reconstituted with solubilized CHIP28 was high (Pf = 0.03 cm/s, 37 degrees C), the activation energy was low (2.2 kcal/mol), and Pf was decreased by greater than 50-fold by mercurial sulfhydryl reagents and Me2SO. The single-channel water permeability was approximately 10(-13) cm3/s, slightly higher than that of the gramicidin A channel. The water channel excluded the small solute urea. These data establish a procedure to reconstitute functional water channels into liposomes and demonstrate that CHIP28 is the erythrocyte water channel.     

Biogenesis and transmembrane topology of the CHIP28 water channel at the endoplasmic reticulum

CHIP28 is a 28-kD hydrophobic integral membrane protein that functions as a water channel in erythrocytes and renal tubule epithelial cell membranes. We examined the transmembrane topology of CHIP28 in the ER by engineering a reporter of translocation (derived from bovine prolactin) into nine sequential sites in the CHIP28 coding region. The resulting chimeras were expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and the topology of the reporter with respect to the ER membrane was determined by protease sensitivity. We found that although hydropathy analysis predicted up to seven potential transmembrane regions, CHIP28 spanned the membrane only four times. Two putative transmembrane helices, residues 52-68 and 143-157, reside on the lumenal and cytosolic surfaces of the ER membrane, respectively. Topology derived from these chimeric proteins was supported by cell-free translation of five truncated CHIP28 cDNAs, by N-linked glycosylation at an engineered consensus site in native CHIP28 (residue His69), and by epitope tagging of the CHIP28 amino terminus. Defined protein chimeras were used to identify internal sequences that direct events of CHIP28 topogenesis. A signal sequence located within the first 52 residues initiated nascent chain translocation into the ER lumen. A stop transfer sequence located in the hydrophobic region from residues 90-120 terminated ongoing translocation. A second internal signal sequence, residues 155-186, reinitiated translocation of a COOH-terminal domain (residues 186-210) into the ER lumen. Integration of the nascent chain into the ER membrane occurred after synthesis of 107 residues and required the presence of two membrane-spanning regions. From this data, we propose a structural model for CHIP28 at the ER membrane in which four membrane- spanning alpha-helices form a central aqueous channel through the lipid bilayer and create a pathway for water transport.     

CHIP28 water channels are localized in constitutively water-permeable segments of the nephron

The sites of water transport along the nephron are well characterized, but the molecular basis of renal water transport remains poorly understood. CHIP28 is a 28-kD integral protein which was proposed to mediate transmembrane water movement in red cells and kidney (Preston, G. M., T. P. Carroll, W. B. Guggino, and P. Agre. 1992. Science [Wash. DC]. 256:385-387). To determine whether CHIP28 could account for renal epithelial water transport, we used specific polyclonal antibodies to quantitate and localize CHIP28 at cellular and subcellular levels in rat kidney using light and electron microscopy. CHIP28 comprised 3.8% of isolated proximal tubule brush border protein. Except for the first few cells of the S1 segment, CHIP28 was immunolocalized throughout the convoluted and straight proximal tubules where it was observed in the microvilli of the apical brush border and in basolateral membranes. Very little CHIP28 was detected in endocytic vesicles or other intracellular structures in proximal tubules. Uninterrupted, heavy immunostaining of CHIP28 was also observed over both apical and basolateral membranes of descending thin limbs, including both short and long loops of Henle. These nephron sites have constitutively high osmotic water permeabilities. CHIP28 was not detected in ascending thin limbs, thick ascending limbs, or distal tubules, which are highly impermeable to water. Moreover, CHIP28 was not detected in collecting duct epithelia, where water permeability is regulated by antidiuretic hormone. These determinations of abundance and structural organization provide evidence that the CHIP28 water channel is the predominant pathway for constitutive transepithelial water transport in the proximal tubule and descending limb of Henle's loop.     

Cloning, functional analysis and cell localization of a kidney proximal tubule water transporter homologous to CHIP28

The localization and transporting properties of a kidney protein homologous to human erythrocyte protein CHIP28 was evaluated. The cDNA encoding rat kidney protein CHIP28k was isolated from a rat renal cortex cDNA library. A 2.8-kb cDNA was identified which contained an 807 bp open reading frame encoding a 28.8 kD protein with 94% amino acid identity to CHIP28. in vitro translation of CHIP28k cDNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysate generated a 28-kD protein; addition of ER-derived microsomes gave a 32-kD transmembrane glycoprotein. Translation of truncated RNA demonstrated glycosylation of residue Asn42 which is predicted to lie between the first and second transmembrane domains. Expression of in vitro transcribed mRNA encoding CHIP28k in Xenopus oocytes increased oocyte osmotic water permeability (Pf) from (4 +/- 1) x 10(-4) to (33 +/- 4) x 10(-4) cm/s at 10 degrees C; the increase in oocyte Pf was weakly temperature dependent and inhibited by HgCl2. Two- electrode voltage clamp measurements indicated that CHIP28k was not permeable to ions. Oocyte Pf also increased with expression of total mRNA from kidney cortex and papilla; the increase in Pf with mRNA from cortex, but not kidney papilla, was blocked by coinjection with excess antisense CHIP28k cRNA. In situ hybridization of a 150 base cRNA antisense probe to tissue sections from rat kidney showed selective CHIP28k localization to epithelial cells in proximal tubule and thin descending limb of Henle. Pf in purified apical membrane vesicles from rat and human proximal tubule, and in proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified protein, was very high and inhibited by HgCl2; stripping of apical vesicles with N-lauroylsarcosine enriched a 28-kD protein by 25-fold and yielded a vesicle population with high water, but low urea and proton permeabilities. CHIP28k identity was confirmed by NH2- terminus sequence analysis. These results indicate that CHIP28k is a major and highly selective water transporting protein in the kidney proximal tubule and thin descending limb of Henle, but not collecting duct.     

Localization of nucleotide pyrophosphatase in the rat kidney

Summary Hydrolysis of NAD by a nucleotide pyrophosphatase of renal membrane fractions has been reported previously. The aim of the present study was to localize this enzyme in the rat kidney. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase was assayed in glomeruli, in three parts of the proximal tubule and in four parts of the distal tubule dissected form freezedried sections. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity, expressed in mol·min^–1·mg protein^–1, ranged between 9.8 and 32.3 in the proximal tubular segments and between 1.1 and 2.7 in the distal tubular segments. It was 3.4 in the glomeruli. The enrichement of the activity during the purification of brush border vesicles was measured. A tenfold higher specific activity was found in the brush border vesicles as compared to the renal cortical homogenates. Thus, most of the renal nucleotide pyrophosphatase appears to be localized in the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule. A permeabilization of the membrane did not increase the activity of brush border vesicles. This indicates that all catalytic sites are accessible at the outer surface of the membrane.Supported by the Swiss National Foundation, grant nr. 3.813.084     

Localization of nucleotide pyrophosphatase in the rat kidney

Hydrolysis of NAD by a nucleotide pyrophosphatase of renal membrane fractions has been reported previously. The aim of the present study was to localize this enzyme in the rat kidney. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase was assayed in glomeruli, in three parts of the proximal tubule and in four parts of the distal tubule dissected form freeze-dried sections. Nucleotide pyrophosphatase activity, expressed in mumol X min-1 X mg protein-1, ranged between 9.8 and 32.3 in the proximal tubular segments and between 1.1 and 2.7 in the distal tubular segments. It was 3.4 in the glomeruli. The enrichment of the activity during the purification of brush border vesicles was measured. A ten-fold higher specific activity was found in the brush border vesicles as compared to the renal cortical homogenates. Thus, most of the renal nucleotide pyrophosphatase appears to be localized in the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule. A permeabilization of the membrane did not increase the activity of brush border vesicles. This indicates that all catalytic sites are accessible at the outer surface of the membrane.     

Localization of the thioredoxin system in normal rat kidney

Components of the thioredoxin system were localized in normal rat kidney using immunoperoxidase techniques at the light microscopic level and immunogold techniques at the ultrastructural level. Results from both methods were similar. Thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductases, and peroxiredoxins showed cell-type-specific localization, with the same cell types (proximal and distal tubular epithelial, papillary collecting duct, and transitional epithelial cells) previously identified as having high amounts of antioxidant enzyme immunoreactive proteins and oxidative damage products also having high levels of proteins of the thioredoxin system. In addition, peroxiredoxins II and IV were found in high levels in the cytoplasm of red blood cells, identified in kidney blood vessels. While thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase 1 were found in all subcellular locations in kidney cells, thioredoxin reductase 2 was found predominantly in mitochondria. Thioredoxin reductase 1 was identified in rat plasma, suggesting it is a secreted protein. Peroxiredoxins often had specific subcellular locations, with peroxiredoxins III and V found in mitochondria and peroxiredoxin IV found in lysosomes. Our results emphasize the complex nature of the thioredoxin system, demonstrating unique cell-type and organelle specificity.     

Localization of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase in the rat kidney.

S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) hydrolase is a cytosolic enzyme present in the kidney. Enzyme activities of SAH hydrolase were measured in the kidney in isolated glomeruli and tubules. SAH hydrolase activity was 0.62 +/- 0.02 mU/mg in the kidney, 0.32 +/- 0.03 mU/mg in the glomeruli, and 0.50 +/- 0.02 mU/mg in isolated tubules. Using immunohistochemical methods, we describe the localization of the enzyme SAH hydrolase in rat kidney with a highly specific antibody raised in rabbits against purified SAH hydrolase from bovine kidney. This antibody crossreacts to almost the same extent with the SAH hydrolase from different species such as rat, pig, and human. Using light microscopy, SAH hydrolase was visualized by the biotin-streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical procedure. SAH hydrolase immunostaining was observed in glomeruli and in the epithelium of the proximal and distal tubules. The collecting ducts of the cortex and medulla were homogeneously stained. By using double immunofluorescence staining and two-channel immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy, we differentiated the glomerular cells (endothelium, mesangium, podocytes) and found intensive staining of podocytes. Our results show that the enzyme SAH hydrolase is found ubiquitously in the rat kidney. The prominent staining of SAH hydrolase in the podocytes may reflect high rates of transmethylation. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:211-218, 2000)     

Localization of neurotensin binding sites in rat kidney

[3H]Neurotensin ([3H]NT) appears to bind specifically to a single class of sites in slide-mounted rat kidney sections (KD = 8.3 nM; Bmax = 31.6 fmol/mg tissue). Bound [3H]NT can be displaced by nonradioactive NT and a series of its fragments and analogues with relative potencies that correlate well (r = 0.91; p less than 0.005) to their potencies in the rat stomach strip bioassay. These results suggest that NT receptors are similar in both systems. However, they are probably slightly different from those present in the guinea pig atria (r = 0.78; p less than 0.1). We visualized these sites by using the tritium-sensitive LKB film technique analysed by computerized densitometry. [3H]NT binding sites are highly concentrated in the renal cortex while low levels are observed in the renal medulla. The possible physiological and/or pathophysiological significances of the presence of [3H]NT binding sites in the kidney are discussed.     

Localization of carboxypeptidase A-like enzyme in rat kidney

In this study we demonstrate that carboxypeptidase A (CPA)-like enzyme is expressed in rat kidney. The major metabolites of angiotensin (Ang) I by the rat renal mesangial cell extract at 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, were Ang 1-9 and Ang II. Quinaprilat did not influence the formation of Ang 1-9, but it inhibited formation of Ang II. The formation of Ang 1-9 was inhibited by potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor, 1,10-phenanthroline or EDTA. Lowering the pH from 7.4 to 4.0 also inhibited the formation of this nonapeptide. These findings suggest that a metallocarboxypeptidase is responsible for Ang 1-9 production. Using monoclonal antibodies to CPA, Western blot showed the presence of CPA-like enzyme in the extracts prepared from the mesangial cells or kidney cortex of the rat. Immunohistochemistry showed that CPA-like enzyme is localized in the mesangial glomerular cells and adventitia of kidney blood vessels, whereas it was absent in the renal tubules. Our data suggest that a CPA-like enzyme could be added to a repertoire of enzymes present in the rat mesangial cells and adventitia of renal blood vessels.     

Reconstitution of functional water channels in liposomes containing purified red cell CHIP28 protein.

Water rapidly crosses the plasma membranes of red blood cells (RBCs) and renal tubules through highly specialized channels. CHIP28 is an abundant integral membrane protein in RBCs and renal tubules, and Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with CHIP28 RNA exhibit high osmotic water permeability, Pf [Preston et al. (1992) Science 256, 385-387]. Purified CHIP28 from human RBCs was reconstituted into proteoliposomes in order to establish if CHIP28 is itself the functional unit of water channels and to characterize its physiological behavior. CHIP28 proteoliposomes exhibit Pf which is up to 50-fold above that of control liposomes, but permeability to urea and protons is not increased. Like intact RBC, the Pf of CHIP28 proteoliposomes is reversibly inhibited by mercurial sulfhydryl reagents and exhibits a low Arrhenius activation energy. The magnitude of CHIP28-mediated water flux (11.7 x 10(-14) cm3/s per CHIP28) corresponds to the known Pf of intact RBCs. These results demonstrate that CHIP28 protein functions as a molecular water channel and also indicate that CHIP28 is responsible for most transmembrane water movement in RBCs.     

Expression of multiple water channel activities in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA from rat kidney

To test the hypothesis that renal tissue contains multiple distinct water channels, mRNA prepared from either cortex, medulla, or papilla of rat kidney was injected into Xenopus oocytes. The osmotic water permeability (Pf) of oocytes injected with either 50 nl of water or 50 nl of renal mRNA (1 microgram/microliter) was measured 4 d after the injection. Pf was calculated from the rate of volume increase on exposure to hyposmotic medium. Injection of each renal mRNA preparation increased the oocyte Pf. This expressed water permeability was inhibited by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate and had a low energy of activation, consistent with the expression of water channels. The coinjection of an antisense oligonucleotide for CHIP28 protein, at an assumed > 100-fold molar excess, with either cortex, medulla, or papilla mRNA reduced the expression of the water permeability by approximately 70, 100, and 30%, respectively. Exposure of the oocyte to cAMP for 1 h resulted in a further increase in Pf only in oocytes injected with medulla mRNA. This cAMP activation was not altered by the CHIP28 antisense oligonucleotide. These results suggest that multiple distinct water channels were expressed in oocytes injected with mRNA obtained from sections of rat kidney: (a) CHIP28 water channels in cortex and medulla, (b) cAMP-activated water channels in medulla, and (c) cAMP-insensitive water channels in papilla.     

Localization of cerebroside-sulfotransferase activity in the Golgi apparatus of rat kidney

A Golgi-rich fraction that contains both uridine diphosphogalactose: N-acetylglucosamine galactosyltransferase activity and 3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate:cerebroside sulfotransferase activity has been isolated from rat kidney. Both activities are increased about 80-fold in the Golgi fraction compared to the homogenate. Little or no galactosyltransferase or sulfotransferase activity was found in purified nuclei, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, plasma membranes and supernatant. The results indicate that both galactosyltransferase and sulfotransferase are localized in Golgi apparatus from rat kidney. This is the first evidence that Golgi apparatus functions to modify a lipid component of the cell.     

Tetrameric assembly of CHIP28 water channels in liposomes and cell membranes: a freeze-fracture study

Channel forming integral protein of 28 kD (CHIP28) functions as a water channel in erythrocytes, kidney proximal tubule and thin descending limb of Henle. CHIP28 morphology was examined by freeze-fracture EM in proteoliposomes reconstituted with purified CHIP28, CHO cells stably transfected with CHIP28k cDNA, and rat kidney tubules. Liposomes reconstituted with HPLC-purified CHIP28 from human erythrocytes had a high osmotic water permeability (Pf0.04 cm/s) that was inhibited by HgCl2. Freeze-fracture replicas showed a fairly uniform set of intramembrane particles (IMPs); no IMPs were observed in liposomes without incorporated protein. By rotary shadowing, the IMPs had a diameter of 8.5 +/- 1.3 nm (mean +/- SD); many IMPs consisted of a distinct arrangement of four smaller subunits surrounding a central depression. IMPs of similar size and appearance were seen on the P-face of plasma membranes from CHIP28k-transfected (but not mock-transfected) CHO cells, rat thin descending limb (TDL) of Henle, and S3 segment of proximal straight tubules. A distinctive network of complementary IMP imprints was observed on the E-face of CHIP28-containing plasma membranes. The densities of IMPs in the size range of CHIP28 IMPs, determined by non-linear regression, were (in IMPs/microns 2): 2,494 in CHO cells, 5,785 in TDL, and 1,928 in proximal straight tubules; predicted Pf, based on the CHIP28 single channel water permeability of 3.6 x 10(-14) cm3/S (10 degrees C), was in good agreement with measured Pf of 0.027 cm/S, 0.075 cm/S, and 0.031 cm/S, respectively, in these cell types. Assuming that each CHIP28 monomer is a right cylindrical pore of length 5 nm and density 1.3 g/cm3, the monomer diameter would be 3.2 nm; a symmetrical arrangement of four cylinders would have a greatest diameter of 7.2 nm, which after correction for the thickness of platinum deposit, is similar to the measured IMP diameter of approximately 8.5 nm. These results provide a morphological signature for CHIP28 water channels and evidence for a tetrameric assembly of CHIP28 monomers in reconstituted proteoliposomes and cell membranes.     

Localization of dihydroorotate oxidase in myocardium and kidney cortex of the rat

Biochemical studies have demonstrated that dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHOdehase; EC 1.3.3.1 or 1.3.99.11) is the sole enzyme of de novo pyrimidine synthesis in mitochondria, whereas the rest of the pathway takes place in the cytosol. The dehydrogenation of dihydroorotate to orotate is linked to the respiratory chain via ubiquinone. In this study, we show for the first time the ultrastructural localization of DHOdehase. Since the purified enzyme was found to act both as dehydrogenase and as oxidase, the cerium capture technique for detecting enzymatically generated hydrogen peroxide could be applied to pin-point the in situ activity of DHOdehase oxidase in mitochondria of rat heart and kidney cortex. Cerium perhydroxide as the final reaction product was detected predominantly in the matrix with some focal condensation along the inner membrane, but not in the intermembrane space. From this pattern of localization, it is concluded that the active site of the membrane-bound enzyme could face the mitochondrial matrix similar to succinate dehydrogenase. The reliability of the applied method for the demonstration of DHOdehase oxidase was demonstrated by the addition of Brequinar sodium to the incubation medium. This quinoline-carboxylic acid derivative is a potent inhibitor of DHOdehase and has proven anti-proliferative activity. The present observations do not ascertain whether the oxidase is permanently active as a constant portion of the enzyme in vivo, similar to xanthine oxidase/dehydrogenase. However, DHOdehase should be considered as a source of radical oxygen species under pathophysiological conditions.