Gary A. Quamme

Cytosolic free magnesium in cardiac myocytes: Identification of a Mg2+ influx pathway

Regulation of intracellular Mg2+ activity in the heart is not well characterized. Cardiac myocytes were prepared as primary cultures from 7 day old chick embryo hearts and intracellular Mg2+ concentration [( Mg2+]i) was determined in single ventricular cells with mag-fura-2. Basal [Mg2+]i was 0.48 +/- 0.03 mM in normal culture medium. There was no correlation of basal [Mg2+]i with cellular contraction or intracellular [Ca2+]i (determined with fura-2). Cardiocytes cultured (16 hr) in low Mg (0.16 mM) media contained 0.21 +/- 0.05 mM Mg2+ which returned to normal levels when placed in Mg media with a refill time of 20 min. Basal [Ca2+]i (121 +/- 11 nM) and stimulated [Ca2+]i (231 +/- 41 nM) was similar to control cells. Verapamil, 25 microM, reversibly blocked Mg2+ refill. In conclusion, the basal [Mg2+]i of isolated cardiomyocytes is considerably below the Mg2+ electrochemical equilibrium allowing passive Mg2+ influx. The influx pathway for Mg2+ is inhibited by verapamil and appears to be independent of Ca2+ as assessed by fura-2.

Molecular identification of ancient and modern mammalian magnesium transporters

A large number of mammalian Mg(2+) transporters have been hypothesized on the basis of physiological data, but few have been investigated at the molecular level. The recent identification of a number of novel proteins that mediate Mg(2+) transport has enhanced our understanding of how Mg(2+) is translocated across mammalian membranes. Some of these transporters have some similarity to those found in prokaryocytes and yeast cells. Human Mrs2, a mitochondrial Mg(2+) channel, shares many of the properties of the bacterial CorA and yeast Alr1 proteins. The SLC41 family of mammalian Mg(2+) transporters has a similarity with some regions of the bacterial MgtE transporters. The mammalian ancient conserved domain protein (ACDP) Mg(2+) transporters are found in prokaryotes, suggesting an ancient origin. However, other newly identified mammalian transporters, including TRPM6/7, MagT, NIPA, MMgT, and HIP14 families, are not represented in prokaryotic genomes, suggesting more recent development. MagT, NIPA, MMgT, and HIP14 transporters were identified by differential gene expression using microarray analysis. These proteins, which are found in many different tissues and subcellular organelles, demonstrate a diversity of structural properties and biophysical functions. The mammalian Mg(2+) transporters have no obvious amino acid similarities, indicating that there are many ways to transport Mg(2+) across membranes. Most of these proteins transport a number of divalent cations across membranes. Only MagT1 and NIPA2 are selective for Mg(2+). Many of the identified mammalian Mg(2+) transporters are associated with a number of congenital disorders encompassing a wide range of tissues, including intestine, kidney, brain, nervous system, and skin. It is anticipated that future research will identify other novel Mg(2+) transporters and reveal other diseases.

Identification and characterization of a novel mammalian Mg2+ transporter with channel-like properties.

BackgroundIntracellular magnesium is abundant, highly regulated and plays an important role in biochemical functions. Despite the extensive evidence for unique mammalian Mg2+ transporters, few proteins have been biochemically identified to date that fulfill this role. We have shown that epithelial magnesium conservation is controlled, in part, by differential gene expression leading to regulation of Mg2+ transport. We used this knowledge to identify a novel gene that is regulated by magnesium.ResultsOligonucleotide microarray analysis was used to identify a novel human gene that encodes a protein involved with Mg2+-evoked transport. We have designated this magnesium transporter (MagT1) protein. MagT1 is a novel protein with no amino acid sequence identity to other known transporters. The corresponding cDNA comprises an open reading frame of 1005 base pairs encoding a protein of 335 amino acids. It possesses five putative transmembrane (TM) regions with a cleavage site, a N- glycosylation site, and a number of phosphorylation sites. Based on Northern analysis of mouse tissues, a 2.4 kilobase transcript is present in many tissues. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, MagT1 mediates saturable Mg2+ uptake with a Michaelis constant of 0.23 mM. Transport of Mg2+ by MagT1 is rheogenic, voltage-dependent, does not display any time-dependent inactivation. Transport is very specific to Mg2+ as other divalent cations did not evoke currents. Large external concentrations of some cations inhibited Mg2+ transport (Ni2+, Zn2+, Mn2+) in MagT1-expressing oocytes. Ca2+and Fe2+ were without effect. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis using a specific antibody demonstrated that MagT1 mRNA and protein is increased by about 2.1-fold and 32%, respectively, in kidney epithelial cells cultured in low magnesium media relative to normal media and in kidney cortex of mice maintained on low magnesium diets compared to those animals consuming normal diets. Accordingly, it is apparent that an increase in mRNA levels is translated into higher protein expression.ConclusionThese studies suggest that MagT1 may provide a selective and regulated pathway for Mg2+ transport in epithelial cells.

NIPA1(SPG6), the Basis for Autosomal Dominant Form of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, Encodes a Functional Mg2+ Transporter

Mutations in the NIPA1(SPG6) gene, named for “nonimprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman” has been implicated in one form of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive lower limb spasticity and weakness. However, the function of NIPA1 is unknown. Here, we show that reduced magnesium concentration enhances expression of NIPA1 suggesting a role in cellular magnesium metabolism. Indeed NIPA1 mediates Mg2+ uptake that is electrogenic, voltage-dependent, and saturable with a Michaelis constant of 0.69 ± 0.21 mm when expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Subcellular localization with immunofluorescence showed that endogenous NIPA1 protein associates with early endosomes and the cell surface in a variety of neuronal and epithelial cells. As expected of a magnesium-responsive gene, we find that altered magnesium concentration leads to a redistribution between the endosomal compartment and the plasma membrane; high magnesium results in diminished cell surface NIPA1 whereas low magnesium leads to accumulation in early endosomes and recruitment to the plasma membrane. The mouse NIPA1 mutants, T39R and G100R, corresponding to the respective human mutants showed a loss-of-function when expressed in oocytes and altered trafficking in transfected COS7 cells. We conclude that NIPA1 normally encodes a Mg2+ transporter and the loss-of function of NIPA1(SPG6) due to abnormal trafficking of the mutated protein provides the basis of the HSP phenotype.

Huntingtin-interacting Proteins, HIP14 and HIP14L, Mediate Dual Functions, Palmitoyl Acyltransferase and Mg2+ Transport

Polyglutamine expansions of huntingtin protein are responsible for the Huntington neurological disorder. HIP14 protein has been shown to interact with huntingtin. HIP14 and a HIP14-like protein, HIP14L, with a 69% similarity reside in the Golgi and possess palmitoyl acyltransferase activity through innate cysteine-rich domains, DHHC. Here, we used microarray analysis to show that reduced extracellular magnesium concentration increases HIP14L mRNA suggesting a role in cellular magnesium metabolism. Because HIP14 was not on the microarray platform, we used real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR to show that HIP14 and HIP14L transcripts were up-regulated 3-fold with low magnesium. Western analysis with a specific HIP14 antibody also showed that endogenous HIP14 protein increased with diminished magnesium. Furthermore, we demonstrate that when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, HIP14 and HIP14L mediate Mg2+ uptake that is electrogenic, voltage-dependent, and saturable with Michaelis constants of 0.87 ± 0.02 and 0.74 ± 0.07 mm, respectively. Diminished magnesium leads to an apparent increase in HIP14-green fluorescent protein and HIP14L-green fluorescent fusion proteins in the Golgi complex and subplasma membrane post-Golgi vesicles of transfected epithelial cells. We also show that inhibition of palmitoylation with 2-bromopalmitate, or deletion of the DHHC motif HIP14ΔDHHC, diminishes HIP14-mediated Mg2+ transport by about 50%. Coexpression of an independent protein acyltransferase, GODZ, with the deleted HIP14ΔDHHC mutant restored Mg2+ transport to values observed with wild-type HIP14. Although we did not directly measure palmitoylation of HIP14 in these studies, the data are consistent with a regulatory role of autopalmitoylation in HIP14-mediated Mg2+ transport. We conclude that the huntingtin interacting protein genes, HIP14 and HIP14L, encode Mg2+ transport proteins that are regulated by their innate palmitoyl acyltransferases thus fulfilling the characteristics of “chanzymes.”

The Physiology of Renal Magnesium Handling

Present evidence suggests that the renal handling of magnesium is normally a filtration-reabsorption process as evidence for secretion is unsubstantiated. Magnesium reabsorption has distinctive features when compared with that of sodium and calcium. The proximal tubule concentration of magnesium rises to levels about 1.5 times greater than the glomerular filtrate and only 20-30% of the filtered magnesium is reabsorbed in this segment. Although the fractional reabsorption of magnesium is only half that of sodium, it changes in parallel with that of sodium in response to changes in extracellular fluid volume. The major portion of filtered magnesium (some 65%) is reabsorbed in the loop of Henle and evidence indicates that the thick ascending limb is the principal segment involved in magnesium absorption. Recent observations suggests that magnesium reabsorption in the ascending limb may be voltage dependent and secondary to active sodium chloride reabsorption. The loop of Henle appears to be the major nephron site where magnesium reabsorption is regulated possibly by cAMP-mediated hormones including parathyroid hormones, calcitonin, glucagon and antidiuretic hormone. About 10% of the filtered magnesium is delivered into the distal nephron. The distal tubule reabsorbs only a small fraction of the filtered magnesium which may be regulated by the same cAMP-mediated hormones involved in control of magnesium in the loop.

Parathyroid hormone inhibition of Na+/phosphate cotransport in OK cells: Generation of second messengers in the regulatory cascade

Dose-dependent inhibition of Na/phosphate cotransport by parathyroid hormone (PTH) was correlated with the generation of hormone-mediated second messengers, cAMP, 1,2-diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate in an established epithelial cell line (opossum kidney (OK) cells). PTH results in a dose-dependent decline in Na/phosphate cotransport with a half-maximal response at about 10(-11) M. This hormone concentration is commensurate with the levels required to increase 1,2-diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate concentrations by about half maximal but not with those needed for cAMP generation (10(-9) to 10(-8) M PTH). Accordingly, activation of phospholipase C may be physiologically more important than stimulation of adenylate cyclase at normal PTH levels.

Functional characterization of NIPA2, a selective Mg2+ transporter.

We used microarray analysis to identify renal cell transcripts that were upregulated with low magnesium. One transcript, identified as NIPA2 (nonimprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome) subtype 2, was increased over twofold relative to cells cultured in normal magnesium. The deduced sequence comprises 129 amino acids with 8 predicted transmembrane regions. As the secondary structure of NIPA2 conformed to a membrane transport protein, we expressed it in Xenopus oocytes and determined that it mediated Mg(2+) uptake with two-electrode voltage-clamp and fluorescence studies. Mg(2+) transport was electrogenic, voltage dependent, and saturable, demonstrating a Michaelis affinity constant of 0.31 mM. Unlike other reported Mg(2+) transporters, NIPA2 was very selective for the Mg(2+) cation. NIPA2 mRNA is found in many tissues but particularly abundant in renal cells. With the use of immunofluorescence, it was shown that NIPA2 protein was normally localized to the early endosomes and plasma membrane and was recruited to the plasma membrane in response to low extracellular magnesium. We conclude that NIPA2 plays a role in magnesium metabolism and regulation of renal magnesium conservation.

Parathyroid hormone inhibition of Na+/phosphate contransport in OK cells: requirement of protein kinase C-dependent pathway

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) inhibits sodium/phosphate (Na+/Pi) cotransport across the apical membrane of opossum kidney (OK) cells principally through two pathways. First, cAMP stimulation and activation of protein kinase A; second, diacylglycerol release and stimulation of protein kinase C. Studies were designed to determine the importance of these regulatory cascades. Down-regulation of protein kinase C with prolonged phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA] treatment leads to a refractory state in which the cells do not respond to PTH (10(-8) M), cAMP (10(-4) M) or rechallenge of TPA (200 nM) even though Na+/Pi cotransport is similar to control cells (8.1 +/- 0.1 nmol.mg-1 protein.5 min-1). Staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, resulted in the complete inhibition of PTH, cAMP and TPA action in a dose-dependent manner. PTH, cAMP and TPA were additive below maximal concentrations, but had no further effect at maximal agonist concentrations. These results suggest that protein kinase C activity is important in PTH-mediated inhibition of Na+/phosphate cotransport in OK cells.

Mg2+/Ca2+sensing inhibits hormone-stimulated Mg2+ uptake in mouse distal convoluted tubule cells

The distal convoluted tubule plays a significant role in renal magnesium conservation. An immortalized mouse distal convoluted tubule (MDCT) cell line has been extensively used to study the cellular mechanisms of magnesium transport in this nephron segment. MDCT cells possess an extracellular polyvalent cation-sensing mechanism responsive to Mg2+, Ca2+, and neomycin. The present studies determined the effect of Mg2+/Ca2+ sensing on hormone-mediated cAMP formation and Mg2+ uptake in MDCT cells. MDCT cells were Mg2+ depleted by culturing in Mg2+-free media for 16 h, and Mg2+ uptake was measured by microfluorescence after placing the depleted cells in 1.5 mM MgCl2. The mean rate of Mg2+ uptake was 164 +/- 5 nM/s in control MDCT cells. Activation of Mg2+/Ca2+ sensing with neomycin did not affect basal Mg2+ uptake (155 +/- 5 nM/s). We have previously reported that treatment of MDCT cells with either glucagon or arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulated Mg2+ entry. In the present studies, the addition of extracellular Mg2+ or Ca2+ inhibited glucagon- and AVP-stimulated cAMP formation and Mg2+ uptake in concentration-dependent manner with half-maximal concentrations of approximately 1.5 and 3.0 mM, respectively. Exogenous cAMP or forskolin stimulated Mg2+ uptake in the presence of Mg2+/Ca2+ sensing activation. We infer from these studies that Mg2+/Ca2+-sensing mechanisms located in the distal convoluted tubule may play a role in control of distal magnesium absorption.The distal convoluted tubule plays a significant role in renal magnesium conservation. An immortalized mouse distal convoluted tubule (MDCT) cell line has been extensively used to study the cellular mechanisms of magnesium transport in this nephron segment. MDCT cells possess an extracellular polyvalent cation-sensing mechanism responsive to Mg2+, Ca2+, and neomycin. The present studies determined the effect of Mg2+/Ca2+sensing on hormone-mediated cAMP formation and Mg2+ uptake in MDCT cells. MDCT cells were Mg2+ depleted by culturing in Mg2+-free media for 16 h, and Mg2+ uptake was measured by microfluorescence after placing the depleted cells in 1.5 mM MgCl2. The mean rate of Mg2+ uptake was 164 ± 5 nM/s in control MDCT cells. Activation of Mg2+/Ca2+sensing with neomycin did not affect basal Mg2+ uptake (155 ± 5 nM/s). We have previously reported that treatment of MDCT cells with either glucagon or arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulated Mg2+ entry. In the present studies, the addition of extracellular Mg2+ or Ca2+ inhibited glucagon- and AVP-stimulated cAMP formation and Mg2+ uptake in concentration-dependent manner with half-maximal concentrations of ∼1.5 and 3.0 mM, respectively. Exogenous cAMP or forskolin stimulated Mg2+ uptake in the presence of Mg2+/Ca2+sensing activation. We infer from these studies that Mg2+/Ca2+-sensing mechanisms located in the distal convoluted tubule may play a role in control of distal magnesium absorption.