Adam Bertl

Characterization of potassium transport in wild‐type and isogenic yeast strains carrying all combinations of trk1, trk2 and tok1 null mutations

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells express three defined potassium‐specific transport systems en‐coded by TRK1 , TRK2 and TOK1 . To gain a more complete understanding of the physiological function of these transport proteins, we have constructed a set of isogenic yeast strains carrying all combinations of trk1 Δ, trk2 Δ and tok1 Δ null mutations. The in vivo K + transport characteristics of each strain have been documented using growth‐based assays, and the in vitro biochemical and electrophysiological properties associated with K + transport have been determined. As has been reported previously, Trk1p and Trk2p facilitate high‐affinity potassium uptake and appear to be functionally redundant under a wide range of environmental conditions. In the absence of TRK1 and TRK2 , strains lack the ability specifically to take up K + , and trk1 Δ trk2 Δ double mutant cells depend upon poorly understood non‐specific cation uptake mechanisms for growth. Under conditions that impair the activity of the non‐specific uptake system, termed NSC1, we have found that the presence of functional Tok1p renders cells sensitive to Cs + . Based on this finding, we have established a growth‐based assay that monitors the in vivo activity of Tok1p.

Light-induced cytoplasmic pH changes and their interrelation to the activity of the electrogenic proton pump in Riccia fluitans

Abstract In green thallus cells of the aquatic liverwort Riccia fluitans light-induced pH changes have been measured, using a turgor-resistant pH-sensitive microelectrode. (1) Light-off/-on causes oscillations of the cytoplasmic pH (pH c ), as well as of the membrane potential difference across the plasmalemma (ψ). Beside the well-known ψ m changes, the first detectable pH c change following light-off is a transient acidification of about 0.3 pH units, whereas light-on causes a transient alkalinization of roughly 0.4 pH units. (2) 1 μM DCMU eliminates these transients. (3) In the presence of 0.2 mM procaine, which alkalizes the cytoplasm to over pH 8, the light-induced ψ m transients are enhanced, but are almost absent, if pH c is acidified to 6.9 by 1 mM acetate. It is suggested that the transient light-induced changes in pH c are caused by light-dependent proton translocation across the thylakoid membranes, and it is concluded that the subsequent changes in ψ m are essentially the result of altered activities of the electrogenic proton pump in the plasmalemma, due to the observed fluctuations of its substrate, the proton.

Gating and conductance in an outward-rectifying K+ channel from the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

SummaryThe plasma membrane of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been investigated by patch-clamp techniques, focusing upon the most conspicuous ion channel in that membrane, a K+-selective channel. In simple observations on inside-out patches, the channel is predominantly closed at negative membrane voltages, but opens upon polarization towards positive voltages, typically displaying long flickery openings of several hundred milliseconds, separated by long gaps (G). Elevating cytoplasmic calcium shortens the gaps but also introduces brief blocks (B, closures of 2–3 msec duration). On the assumption that the flickery open intervals constitute bursts of very brief openings and closings, below the time resolution of the recording system, analysis via the beta distribution revealed typical closed durations (interrupts, I) near 0.3 msec, and similar open durations. Overall behavior of the channel is most simply described by a kinetic model with a single open state (O), and three parallel closed states with significantly different lifetimes: long (G), short (B) and very short (I). Detailed kinetic analysis of the three open/closed transitions, particularly with varied membrane voltage and cytoplasmic calcium concentration, yielded the following stability constants for channel closure: KI=3.3 · e−zu in which u=eVm/kT is the reduced membrane voltage, and z is the charge number; KG = 1.9 · 10−4([Ca2+] · ezu )−1; and KB =2.7 · 103([Ca2+] · ezu )2. Because of the antagonistic effects of both membrane voltage (Vm ) and cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) on channel opening from the B state, compared with openings from the G state, plots of net open probability (P0) vs. either Vm or [Ca2+] are bell-shaped, approaching unity at low calcium (μm) and high voltage (+150 mV), and approaching 0.25 at high calcium (10 mm) and zero voltage. Current-voltage curves of the open channel are sigmoid vs. membrane voltage, saturating at large positive or large negative voltages; but time-averaged currents, along the rising limb of P0 (in the range 0 to +150 mV, for 10 μm [Ca2+]) make this channel a strong outward rectifier. The overall properties of the channel suggest that it functions in balancing charge movements during secondary active transport in Saccharomyces.

Functional comparison of plant inward-rectifier channels expressed in yeast

Functional expression of plant ion channels in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is readily demonstrated by the successful screening of plant cDNA libraries for complementation of transport defects in especially constructed strains of yeast. The first experiments of this sort identified two potassium-channel genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, designated KAT1 and AKT1 (Anderson et al., 1992; Sentenac et al., 1992), both of which code for proteins resembling the Shaker superfamily of K(+) channels in animal cells. Patch-clamp analysis, directly in yeast, of the two channel proteins (Kat1 and Akt1) reveals both functional similarities and functional differences: similarities in selectivity and in normal gating kinetics; and differences in time-dependent effects of ion replacement, in the affinities of blocking ions, and in dependence of gating kinetics on extracellular K(+). Kat1, previously described in yeast (Bertl et al., 1995), is about 20-fold more permeable to K(+) than to Na(+) or NH(+)(4), shows K(+)-independent gating kinetics, and is blocked with moderate effectiveness (30-50% at 10 mM) by barium and tetraethylammonium (TEA(+)) ions. Akt1, by contrast, is weakly inhibited by TEA(+), more strongly inhibited by Ba(2+), and very strongly inhibited by Cs(+). Furthermore Na(+) and NH(+)(4), while having about the same permeance to Akt1 as to Kat1, have delayed effects on Akt1: brief replacement of extracellular K(+) by Na(+) enhances by nearly 100% the subsequent K(+) currents after sodium removal; and brief replacement of K(+) by NH(+)(4) reduces subsequent K(+) currents by nearly 75%. Furthermore, lowering of extracellular K(+) concentration, by replacement with osmotically equivalent sorbitol, significantly retards the opening of Akt1 channels; that is, the gating kinetics for Akt1 are clearly influenced by the concentration of permeant ions. In this respect, Akt1 resembles the native yeast outward rectifier, Ypk1 (Duk1; Reid et al., 1996). The data suggest that all of the ions tested bind within the open channels, such that the weakly permeant species (Na(+), NH(+)(4)) are easily displaced by K(+), but the blocking species (Cs(+), Ba(2+), TEA(+)) are not easily displaced. With Akt1, furthermore, the permeant ions bind to a modulator site where they persist after removal from the medium, and through which they can alter the channel conductance. Extracellular K(+) itself also binds to a modulator site, thereby enhancing the rate of opening of Akt1.

TPK1 Is a Vacuolar Ion Channel Different from the Slow-Vacuolar Cation Channel

TPK1 (formerly KCO1) is the founding member of the family of two-pore domain K+ channels in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), which originally was described following expression in Sf9 insect cells as a Ca2+- and voltage-dependent outwardly rectifying plasma membrane K+ channel. In plants, this channel has been shown by green fluorescent protein fusion to localize to the vacuolar membrane, which led to speculations that the TPK1 gene product would be a component of the nonselective, Ca2+ and voltage-dependent slow-vacuolar (SV) cation channel found in many plants species. Using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as an expression system for TPK1, we show functional expression of the channel in the vacuolar membrane. In isolated vacuoles of yeast yvc1 disruption mutants, the TPK1 gene product shows ion channel activity with some characteristics very similar to the SV-type channel. The open channel conductance of TPK1 in symmetrically 100 mm KCl is slightly asymmetric with roughly 40 pS at positive membrane voltages and 75 pS at negative voltages. Similar to the SV-type channel, TPK1 is activated by cytosolic Ca2+, requiring micromolar concentration for activation. However, in contrast to the SV-type channel, TPK1 exhibits strong selectivity for K+ over Na+, and its activity turned out to be independent of the membrane voltage over the range of ±80 mV. Our data clearly demonstrate that TPK1 is a voltage-independent, Ca2+-activated, K+-selective ion channel in the vacuolar membrane that does not mediate SV-type ionic currents.

Low-affinity potassium uptake by Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by NSC1, a calcium-blocked non-specific cation channel

Previous descriptions by whole-cell patch clamping of the calcium-inhibited non-selective cation channel (NSC1) in the plasma membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (H. Bihler, C.L. Slayman, A. Bertl, FEBS Lett. 432 (1998); S.K. Roberts, M. Fischer, G.K. Dixon, D.Sanders, J. Bacteriol. 181 (1999)) suggested that this inwardly rectifying pathway could relieve the growth inhibition normally imposed on yeast by disruption of its potassium transporters, Trk1p and Trk2p. Now, demonstration of multiple parallel effects produced by various agonists and antagonists on both NSC1 currents and growth (of trk1 Delta trk2 Delta strains), has identified this non-selective cation pathway as the primary low-affinity uptake route for potassium ions in yeast. Factors which suppress NSC1-mediated inward currents and inhibit growth of trk1 Delta trk2 Delta cells include (i) elevating extracellular calcium over the range of 10 microM-10 mM, (ii) lowering extracellular pH over the range 7.5-4, (iii) blockade of NSC1 by hygromycin B, and (iv) to a lesser extent by TEA(+). Growth of trk1 Delta trk2 Delta cells is also inhibited by lithium and ammonium; however, these ions do not inhibit NSC1, but instead enter yeast cells via NSC1. Growth inhibition by lithium ions is probably a toxic effect, whereas growth inhibition by ammonium ions probably results from competitive inhibition, i.e. displacement of intracellular potassium by entering ammonium.

Function of a separate NH3-pore in Aquaporin TIP2;2 from wheat

Functional analysis of heterologously expressed TaTIP2;2 by means of stopped‐flow spectrometric studies provide evidence for water and ammonia conductivity. A series of experiments under increasing pH indicate that the gaseous NH3, rather than the ammonium ion NH 4 + was transported. Results from inhibitor studies strongly suggest that NH3 is not transported in file with water, but through a separate pathway, which could be supplied by the 5th central pore in a tetramer conformation.

Electrophysiology in the eukaryotic model cell Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Since the mid-1980s, use of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, for expression of heterologous (foreign) genes and proteins has burgeoned for several major purposes, including facile genetic manipulation, large-scale production of specific proteins, and preliminary functional analysis. Expression of heterologous membrane proteins in yeast has not kept pace with expression of cytoplasmic proteins for two principal reasons: (1) although plant and fungal proteins express and function easily in yeast membranes, animal proteins do not, at least yet; and (2) the yeast plasma membrane is generally regarded as a difficult system to which to apply the standard electrophysiological techniques for detailed functional analysis of membrane proteins. Especially now, since completion of the genome-sequencing project for Saccharomyces, yeast membranes themselves can be seen as an ample source of diverse membrane proteins – including ion channels, pumps, and cotransporters – which lend themselves to electrophysiological analysis, and specifically to patch-clamping. Using some of these native proteins for assay, we report systematic methods to prepare both the yeast plasma membrane and the yeast vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) for patch-clamp experiments. We also describe optimized ambient conditions – such as electrode preparation, buffer solutions, and time regimens – which facilitate efficient patch recording from Saccharomyces membranes. There are two main keys to successful patch-clamping with Saccharomyces. The first is patience; the second is scrupulous cleanliness. Large cells, such as provided by polyploid strains, are also useful in yeast patch recording, especially while the skill required for gigaseal formation is being learned. Cleanliness is aided by (1) osmotic extrusion of protoplasts, after minimal digestion of yeast walls; (2) use of a rather spare suspension of protoplasts in the recording chamber; (3) maintenance of continuous chamber perfusion prior to formation of gigaseals; (4) preparation (pulling and filling) of patch pipettes immediately before use; (5) application of a modest pressure head to the pipette-filling solution before the tip enters the recording bath; (6) optical control for debris at the pipette tip; and (7) discarding of any pipette that does not ”work” on the first try at gigaseal formation. Other useful tricks toward gigaseal formation include the making of protoplasts from cells grown aerobically, rather than anaerobically; use of sustained but gentle suction, rather than hard suction; and manipulation of bath temperature and/or osmotic strength. Yeast plasma membranes form gigaseals with difficulty, but these tend to be very stable and allow for long-term cell-attached or whole-cell recording. Yeast tonoplasts form gigaseals with ease, but these tend to be unstable and rarely allow recording for more than 15 min. The difference of stability accrues mainly because of the fact that yeast protoplasts adhere only lightly to the recording chamber and can therefore be lifted away on the patch pipette, whereas yeast vacuoles adhere firmly to the chamber bottom and are subsequently stressed by very slight relative movements of the pipette. With plasma membranes, conversion from cell-attached recording geometry to isolated ISO patch (inside-out) geometry is accomplished by blowing a fine stream of air bubbles across the pipette tip; to whole-cell recording geometry, by combining suction and one high-voltage pulse; and from whole-cell to OSO patch (outside-out) geometry, by sudden acceleration of the bath perfusion stream. With tonoplasts, conversion from the vacuole-attached recording geometry to whole-vacuole geometry is accomplished by application of a large brief voltage pulse; and further conversion to the OSO patch geometry is carried out conventionally, by slow withdrawal of the patch pipette from the vacuole, which usually remains attached to the chamber bottom.

Na+/H+ antiporters are differentially regulated in response to NaCl stress in leaves and roots of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum.

Salinity tolerance in plants involves controlled Na(+) transport at the site of Na(+) accumulation and intracellular Na(+) compartmentation. The focus of this study was the identification and analysis of the expression of Na(+)/H(+) antiporters in response to NaCl stress in one particular plant, the facultative halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Na(+)/H(+) antiporters of M. crystallinum were cloned by RACE-PCR from total mRNA of leaf mesophyll cells. Functional complementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli mutants was performed. The kinetics of changes in the expression of antiporters were quantified by real-time PCR in leaves and roots. Five Na(+)/H(+) antiporters (McSOS1, McNhaD, McNHX1, McNHX2 and McNHX3) were cloned, representing the entire set of these transporters in M. crystallinum. The functionality of McSOS1, McHX1 and McNhaD was demonstrated in complementation experiments. Quantitative analysis revealed a temporal correlation between salt accumulation and expression levels of genes in leaves, but not in roots, which was most pronounced for McNhaD. Results suggest a physiological role of McSOS1, McNhaD and McNHX1 in Na(+) compartmentation during plant adaptation to high salinity. The study also provides evidence for salt-induced expression and function of the Na(+)/H(+) antiporter McNhaD in chloroplasts and demonstrates that the chloroplast is one of the compartments involved in the response of cells to salt stress.

Current-voltage relationships of a sodium-sensitive potassium channel in the tonoplast of Chara corallina

SummaryThe membrane of mechanically prepared vesicles ofChara corallina has been investigated by patch-clamp techniques. This membrane consists of tonoplast as demonstrated by the measurement of ATP-driven currents directed into the vesicles as well as by the ATP-dependent accumulation of neutral red. Addition of 1mm ATP to the bath medium induced a membrane current of about 3.2 mA·m−2 creating a voltage across the tonoplast of about −7 mV (cytoplasmic side negative). On excised tonoplast patches, currents through single K+-selective channels have been investigated under various ionic conditions. The open-channel currents saturate at large voltage displacements from the equilibrium voltage for K+ with limiting currents of about +15 and −30 pA, respectively, as measured in symmetric 250mm KCl solutions. The channel is virtually impermeable to Na+ and Cl−. However, addition of Na+ decreases the K+ currents. TheI–V relationships of the open channel as measured at various K+ concentrations with or without Na+ added are described by a 6-state model, the 12 parameters of which are determined to fit the experimental data.