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.     

Upregulation of CFTR expression but not SLC26A3 and SLC9A3 in ulcerative colitis

In inflamed colonic mucosa, the equilibrium between absorptive and secretory functions for electrolyte and salt transport is disturbed. We compared the expression of three major mediators of the intestinal salt transport between healthy and inflamed colonic mucosa to understand the pathophysiology of diarrhea in inflammatory bowel disease. Expression levels of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) (Cl- channel), SLC26A3 (Cl-/HCO exchanger) and SLC9A3 (Na+/H+ exchanger) mRNAs were measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in peroperative colonic samples from controls (n = 4) and patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 10). Several samples were obtained from each individual. Tissue samples were divided into three subgroups according to their histological degree of inflammation. Expression of CFTR and SLC26A3 proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting from the same samples, respectively. Increased expression of CFTR mRNA was observed in all three groups of affected tissue samples, most pronounced in mildly inflamed colonic mucosa (5-fold increase in expression; P < 0.001). The expression of the CFTR protein was detected from health and inflamed colon tissue. Although the expression of the SLC26A3 mRNA was significantly decreased in severe ulcerative colitis (P < 0.05), the SLC26A3 protein levels remained unchanged in all groups. The expression of SLC9A3 mRNA was significantly changed between the mild and severe groups. Intestinal inflammation modulates the expression of three major mediators of intestinal salt transport and may contribute to diarrhea in ulcerative colitis both by increasing transepithelial Cl- secretion and by inhibiting the epithelial NaCl absorption.     

Membrane topology of the cyanobacterial bicarbonate transporter,BicA, a member of the SulP (SLC26A) family

Abstract

We have completed the first comprehensive transmembrane topology determination for a member of the ubiquitous and important SulP/SLC26 family of coupled anion transporters found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The prokaryotic member that we have mapped, namely BicA from Synechococcus PCC7002, is an important Na⁺-dependent bicarbonate transporter that is likely to play a major role in global primary productivity via the CO₂ concentrating mechanism in cyanobacteria. We experimentally determined the topology based on phoA-lacZ topology mapping combined with reference to a range of predictive models based on hydropathy analysis and positive charge distribution. The 12-TMH structure for BicA is characterized by tight turns between several pairs of TMH and it features a prominent cytoplasmically-located STAS domain that is characteristic of the SulP family. A key difference from previous predicted models is that we identify a cytoplasmic loop between helices 8 and 9 where previous models suggested a TMH. This region includes a highly conserved motif that defines the SulP family. The identification of this region as cytoplasmic, rather than transmembrane, has implications for the function and perhaps regulation of SulP family members. This finding is used to reinterpret mutagenesis data relating to highly conserved residues in this region from both plant and human SulP transporters.     

Mapping of equine potassium chloride co-transporter (SLC12A4) and amino acid transporter (SLC7A10) and preliminary studies on associations between SNPs from SLC12A4, SLC7A10 and SLC7A9 and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes

Consensus DNA sequences from human, mouse and/or rat were used to design oligonucleotide primers for equine homologues of exons 16, 17 and 20-23 of potassium chloride co-transporter (SLC12A4) and exons 10, 11 and 3, 4, respectively, for two amino acid transporters (SLC7A10 and SLC7A9). DNA sequences of the PCR products showed high sequence identity to these regions. Equine BAC clones were obtained for SLC12A4 and SLC7A10 and mapped to equine chromosomes ECA3p13 and ECA10p15, respectively, by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were found. Substitutions of A/G were found within exon 17 of SLC12A4, within intron 11 of SLC7A10 and within intron 3 of SLC7A9. The SNP associated with SLC7A10 and SLC7A9 were sufficiently polymorphic to investigate associations with erythrocyte fragility among a group of 20 thoroughbred horses. A non-parametric rank-sum test showed a weak association between erythrocyte fragility and the SNP associated with SLC7A10 (P < 0.05).     

Regulation of SLC26A3 activity by NHERF4 PDZ-mediated interaction

SLC26A3 functions as a chloride/bicarbonate anion exchanger expressed in the secretory epithelial cells in the intestine, pancreas, and salivary glands. SLC26A3 has a C-terminal class I PDZ binding motif that assembles regulatory factors or other transporters by anchoring to various PDZ scaffold proteins. NHERF4 is an epithelial-enriched PDZ domain scaffold protein that has attracted attention because of its enriched tissue expression in the intestine and kidney. In this study, we identified SLC26A3 as a novel binding transporter of NHERF4. We investigated the functional role of NHERF4 in the regulation of SLC26A3 by using integrated biochemical and physiological approaches. A direct protein-protein interaction was identified between the PDZ-binding motif of SLC26A3 and the third PDZ domain of NHERF4. Interaction with NHERF4 decreased the level of SLC26A3 expression on the plasma membrane, which led to reduced SLC26A3 anion exchange activity. Notably, interaction with NHERF4 induced rapid internalisation of SLC26A3 from the plasma membrane. The SLC26A3-NHERF4 interaction was modulated by phosphorylation; serine 329 of NHERF4-PDZ3 played a critical role in modulating binding selectivity. Our findings suggest that NHERF4 is a novel modulator of luminal fluidity in the intestine by adjusting SLC26A3 expression and activity through a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism.     

Cloning of rainbow trout SLC26A1: involvement in renal sulfate secretion

The kidney plays an important role in ion regulation in both freshwater and seawater fish. However, ion transport mechanisms in the teleost kidney are poorly understood, especially at the molecular level. We have cloned a kidney-specific SLC26 sulfate/anion exchanger from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that is homologous to the mammalian SLC26A1 (Sat-1). Excretion of excess plasma sulfate concentration after Na2SO4 injection corresponded to significantly higher expression of the cloned SLC26A1 mRNA. Detailed morphological observation of rainbow trout renal tubules was also performed by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. According to the structure of brush border and tubular system in the cytoplasm, renal tubules of rainbow trout were classified into proximal tubule first and second (PI and PII) segments and distal tubules. In situ hybridization revealed that SLC26A1 anion exchanger mRNA is specifically localized in the PI segment of kidneys from both seawater- and freshwater-adapted rainbow trout. With immunocytochemistry, Na+-K+-ATPase and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase were colocalized to the same cells and distributed in the basolateral and the apical membranes, respectively, of the cells where the SLC26A1 mRNA expressed. These findings suggest that the cloned kidney-specific SLC26A1 is located in kidney proximal tubules and is involved in excretion of excess plasma sulfate in rainbow trout.     

SLC26A4 Targeted to the Endolymphatic Sac Rescues Hearing and Balance in Slc26a4 Mutant Mice

Mutations of SLC26A4 are a common cause of human hearing loss associated with enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct. SLC26A4 encodes pendrin, an anion exchanger expressed in a variety of epithelial cells in the cochlea, the vestibular labyrinth and the endolymphatic sac. Slc26a4 ^Δ/Δ mice are devoid of pendrin and develop a severe enlargement of the membranous labyrinth, fail to acquire hearing and balance, and thereby provide a model for the human phenotype. Here, we generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses human SLC26A4 controlled by the promoter of ATP6V1B1. Crossing this transgene into the Slc26a4 ^Δ/Δ line restored protein expression of pendrin in the endolymphatic sac without inducing detectable expression in the cochlea or the vestibular sensory organs. The transgene prevented abnormal enlargement of the membranous labyrinth, restored a normal endocochlear potential, normal pH gradients between endolymph and perilymph in the cochlea, normal otoconia formation in the vestibular labyrinth and normal sensory functions of hearing and balance. Our study demonstrates that restoration of pendrin to the endolymphatic sac is sufficient to restore normal inner ear function. This finding in conjunction with our previous report that pendrin expression is required for embryonic development but not for the maintenance of hearing opens the prospect that a spatially and temporally limited therapy will restore normal hearing in human patients carrying a variety of mutations of SLC26A4.     

Boric acid increases the expression levels of human anion exchanger genes SLC4A2 and SLC4A3

Boron is an important micronutrient in plants and animals. The role of boron in living systems includes coordinated regulation of gene expression, growth and proliferation of higher plants and animals. There are several well-defined genes associated with boron transportation and tolerance in plants and these genes show close homology with human anion exchanger genes. Mutation of these genes also characterizes some genetic disorders. We investigated the toxic effects of boric acid on HEK293 cells and mRNA expression of anion exchanger (SLC4A1, SLC4A2 and SLC4A3) genes. Cytotoxicity of boric acid at different concentrations was tested by using the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. Gene expression profiles were examined using quantitative real-time PCR. In the HEK293 cells, the nontoxic upper concentration of boric acid was 250 μM; more than 500 μM caused cytotoxicity. The 250 μM boric acid concentration increased gene expression level of SLC4A2 up to 8.6-fold and SLC4A3 up to 2.6-fold, after 36-h incubation. There was no significant effect of boric acid on SLC4A1 mRNA expression levels.     

SLC26A9 stimulates CFTR expression and function in human bronchial cell lines

We investigated the possible functional‐ and physical protein‐interactions between two airway Cl^? channels, SLC26A9 and CFTR. Bronchial CFBE41o‐ cell lines expressing CFTR_WT or CFTR_ΔF508 were transduced with SLC26A9. Immunoblots identified a migrating band corresponding to SLC26A9 present in whole‐cell lysates as on apical membrane of cells grown on polarized filters. CFTR levels were increased by the presence of SLC26A9 in both CFTR_WT and CFTR_ΔF508 cell lines. In CFBE41o‐ cells and CFBE41o‐/CFTR_WT cells transduced with SLC26A9, currents associated to the protein expression were not detected. However, the forskolin (FK)‐stimulated currents were enhanced in SLC26A9‐transduced cells compared to control cells. Therefore, the presence of SLC26A9 resulted in an increase in CFTR activity (same % of CFTR_(inh)‐172 or GlyH‐101 inhibition in both groups). In CFBE41o‐/CFTR_ΔF508 cells transduced with SLC26A9 (at 27°C), a current associated to the protein expression was also lacking. FK‐stimulated currents and level of CFTR_(inh)‐172 inhibition were not different in both groups. The presence of SLC26A9 in Xenopus oocytes expressing CFTR also enhanced the FK‐stimulated currents as compared to oocytes expressing CFTR alone. This stimulation was mostly linked to CFTR. An enhancement of FK‐stimulated currents was not found in oocytes co‐expressing SLC26A9 and CFTR_ΔF508. In conclusion, in both protein expression systems used, SLC26A9 stimulates CFTR activity but not that of CFTR_ΔF508. Our co‐immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate a physical interaction between both anion channels. We propose as an alternative hypothesis (not exclusive) to the known SLC26A9‐STAS domain/CFTR interaction, that SLC26A9 favors the biogenesis and/or stabilization of CFTR, leading to stimulated currents. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 212–223, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

SLC26A4 genotypes and phenotypes associated with enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct

Enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is the most common inner ear anomaly detected in ears of children with sensorineural hearing loss. Pendred syndrome (PS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with EVA and an iodine organification defect that can lead to thyroid goiter. Pendred syndrome is caused by mutations of the SLC26A4 gene. SLC26A4 mutations may also be identified in some patients with nonsyndromic EVA (NSEVA). The presence of two mutant alleles of SLC26A4 is correlated with bilateral EVA and Pendred syndrome, whereas unilateral EVA and NSEVA are correlated with one (M1) or zero (M0) mutant alleles of SLC26A4. Thyroid gland enlargement (goiter) appears to be primarily dependent on the presence of two mutant alleles of SLC26A4 in pediatric patients, but not in older patients. In M1 families, EVA may be associated with a second, undetected SLC26A4 mutation or epigenetic modifications. In M0 families, there is probably etiologic heterogeneity that includes causes other than, or in addition to, monogenic inheritance.     

The effects of ammonium chloride and bicarbonate on the activity of glutaminase in isolated liver mitochondria.

1. Glutamine hydrolysis in liver mitochondria was studied by measuring the production of glutamate under conditions where this compound could not be further metabolized. 2. Glutaminase activity in intact mitochondria was very low in the absence of activators. 3. Glutamine hydrolysis was markedly stimulated by NH4Cl and also by HCO3- ions. 4. The stimulation by each of these compounds was much decreased if the mitochondria were uncoupled. 5. Maximum rates of glutamine hydrolysis required the addition of phosphate. A correlation was observed between the activity of glutaminase in the presence of NH4Cl plus HCO3- and the intramitochondrial content of ATP. 6. In disrupted mitochondria, NH4Cl stimulated glutaminase to a much smaller extent than in intact mitochondria. The NH4Cl stimulation in disrupted mitochondria was much increased by the addition of ATP. KHCO3 also stimulated glutaminase activity in disrupted mitochondria, and ATP increased the magnitude of this stimulation. 7. It was concluded that maximum rates of glutaminase activity in liver mitochondria require the presence of phosphate, ATP and either HCO3- or NH4+. A comparison of the results obtained on intact and broken mitochondria indicates that these effectors have a direct effect on the glutaminase enzyme system rather than an indirect effect mediated by changes in transmembrane ion gradients or in the concentrations of intramitochondrial metabolites.     

The effect of ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate ingestion on the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion on the physical working capacity at the fatigue threshold (PWCFT). Eighteen adult males (mean age, SD = 23, 2 years) volunteered for two experiments (experiment 1, n = 9; experiment 2, n = 9). In both experiments, the subjects orally ingested 0.3 g.kg-1 body weight of NH4Cl and NaHCO3 over a 3-h period in random order on days separated by 72 h or more. In experiment 1, following ingestion of the substance, the subjects performed a discontinuous incremental cycle ergometer test to the onset of PWCFT which was estimated from integrated electromyography voltages at the vastus lateralis muscle. In experiment 2, the subjects performed a continuous PWCFT test. The results of these experiments indicated that NH4Cl and NaHCO3 ingestion had no significant (P greater than 0.05) effect on PWCFT (experiment 1: NH4Cl = 257, SD 26 W; NaHCO3 = 256, SD 22 W; t = 0.06; r = 0.866; experiment 2: NH4Cl = 231, 14 W; NaHCO3 = 216, 16 W; t = 1.78; r = 0.857).