P De Smet

Volume regulation in a toad epithelial cell line: role of coactivation of K+ and Cl- channels.

1. We have measured changes in cell volume, membrane potential and ionic currents in distal nephron A6 cells following a challenge with hypotonic solutions (HTS). 2. The volume increase induced by HTS is compensated by a regulatory volume decrease (RVD), which is inhibited by both 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)‐benzoate (NPPB) and quinine. Quinine (500 microM) completely blocked RVD, whereas 100 microM NPPB delayed and attenuated RVD. 3. The resting potential in A6 cells was ‐52.3 +/‐ 4.8 mV (n = 53), and shifted to ‐35.1 +/‐ 2.2 mV (n = 33) during HTS. 4. Resting membrane current in A6 cells was 0.35 +/‐ 0.12 pA pF‐1 at ‐80 mV and 0.51 +/‐ 0.16 pA pF‐1 at +80 mV (n = 5). During cell swelling these values increased to 11.5 +/‐ 1.1 and 29.3 +/‐ 2.8 pA pF‐1 (n = 29), respectively. 5. Quinine (500 microM) completely blocked the HTS‐activated current at ‐15 mV, the reversal potential for Cl‐ currents, but exerted only a small block at ‐100 mV (K+ equilibrium potential). NPPB (100 microM) inhibited the current at both potentials almost to the same extent. The HTS‐induced net current reversed at ‐41 +/‐ 2.5 mV (n = 15), which is close to the measured resting potential during HTS. 6. The quinine‐insensitive current reversed near the Cl‐ equilibrium potential. The quinine‐sensitive current reversed near the K+ equilibrium potential. The respective conductances activated by HTS at the zero‐current potential were 2.1 +/‐ 0.7 nS for K+ and 5.2 +/‐ 1.3 nS for Cl‐ (n = 15). 7. Single channel analysis unveiled activation of at least two different channels during HTS. A 36 pS channel reversing at the Cl‐ equilibrium potential showed increased open probability at depolarized potentials. HTS also activated a K+ channel with a 29 pS conductance in high‐K+ extracellular solutions (130 mM) or 12 pS in 2.5 mM K+. 8. This coactivation of K+ and Cl‐ channels shifts the membrane potential towards a value between EK and ECl (the reversal potentials for K+ and Cl‐), where a net efflux of Cl‐ (Cl‐ inward current) and K+ (K+ outward current) under zero‐current conditions occurs. Block of either the K+ or the Cl‐ conductance will shift the zero‐current potential towards the equilibrium potential of the unblocked channel, preventing net efflux of osmolytes and RVD. This coactivation of K+ and Cl‐ currents causes a shift of osmolytes out of the cells, which almost completely accounts for the observed RVD.

Effect of insulin on area and Na+ channel density of apical membrane of cultured toad kidney cells.

1. The stimulation of transepithelial Na+ transport caused by insulin in A6 cultured toad kidney cells was investigated by determination of membrane capacitance (Cm), short circuit current (Isc) and current fluctuation analysis. Values of Cm are proportional to membrane area while blocker‐induced current fluctuation analysis provides an estimate of the number of active amiloride‐sensitive Na+ channels in the apical membrane. 2. Insulin simultaneously increased Cm, Isc and Gt (transepithelial conductance) in epithelia incubated with Na(+)‐containing solutions on both sides. 3. Analysis of 6‐chloro‐3,5‐diaminopyrazine‐2‐carboxamide (CDPC)‐induced noise showed that insulin increased the number of active Na+ channels in the apical membrane, without altering the single channel current. 4. When nystatin was used to permeabilize the apical membrane the impedance data revealed the presence of a second time constant. Analysis of these data indicated that the basolateral membrane capacitance (Cb) is much larger than the apical membrane capacitance (Ca). Insulin administered to nystatin‐treated epithelia increased the values for both capacitances. 5. We suggest that the stimulation of transepithelial Na+ transport caused by insulin may be associated with the exocytotic delivery of transporters to the apical membrane.

Ca2+ and calmodulin differentially modulate myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-binding to the recombinant ligand-binding domains of the various IP3 receptor isoforms

We have expressed the N-terminal 581 amino acids of type 1 myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R1), IP(3)R2 and IP(3)R3 as recombinant proteins [ligand-binding site 1 (lbs-1), lbs-2, lbs-3] in the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli. These recombinant proteins contain the complete IP(3)-binding domain and bound IP(3) and adenophostin A with high affinity. Ca(2+) and calmodulin were previously found to maximally inhibit IP(3) binding to lbs-1 by 42+/-6 and 43+/-6% respectively, and with an IC(50) of approx. 200 nM and 3 microM respectively [Sipma, De Smet, Sienaert, Vanlingen, Missiaen, Parys and De Smedt (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 12157-12562]. We now report that Ca(2+) inhibited IP(3) binding to lbs-3 with an IC(50) of approx. 700 nM (37+/-4% inhibition at 5 microM Ca(2+)), while IP(3) binding to lbs-2 was not affected by increasing [Ca(2+)] from 100 nM to 25 microM. Calmodulin (10 microM) inhibited IP(3) binding to lbs-3 by 37+/-4%, while IP(3) binding to lbs-2 was inhibited by only 11+/-2%. The inhibition of IP(3) binding to lbs-3 by calmodulin was dose-dependent (IC(50) approximately 2 microM). We conclude that the IP(3)-binding domains of the various IP(3)R isoforms differ in binding characteristics for IP(3) and adenophostin A, and are differentially modulated by Ca(2+) and calmodulin, suggesting that the various IP(3)R isoforms can have different intracellular functions.

The relative order of IP3 sensitivity of types 1 and 3 IP3 receptors is pH dependent.

Abstract The type-3 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor, in contrast to the type-1 IP3 receptor (IP3R), is not stimulated by sulfhydryl oxidation and is less sensitive to adenosine 5’-triphosphate. In the present study we compared the effect of pH on the Ca2+ release induced by IP3 and cytosolic Ca2+ between IP3R3-expressing 16HBE14o– cells and IP3R1-expressing A7r5 cells. Changing pH from 6.8 to 7.5 decreased the IP3 concentration required for half-maximal stimulation of IP3R3 (EC50) 10.7-fold (from 2.14 to 0.20 µM). Similar alkalinization decreased the IP3 concentration (EC50) for stimulation of IP3R1 only 2.5-fold (from 0.87 to 0.35 µM). IP3R1 is therefore the more sensitive isoform at pH 6.8, while IP3R3 is more sensitive at pH 7.5. Stimulation and inhibition of IP3R1 and -3 by low and high cytosolic [Ca2+] respectively was observed at both pH 6.8 and 7.5. Increasing [H+] shifted the Ca2+-activation curve of IP3R1 towards higher [Ca2+] but did not affect the Ca2+ dependence of IP3R3. We conclude that IP3R1 and -3 differ markedly in their response to protons.

IP3-mediated Ca2+ signals in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells with exogenous overexpression of type 3 IP3 receptor

Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, predominantly expressing type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor (IP(3)R), were stably transfected with IP(3)R type 3 (IP(3)R3) cDNA. Immunocytochemistry experiments showed a homogeneous cytoplasmic distribution of type 3 IP(3)Rs in transfected and selected high expression cloned cells. Using confocal Ca(2+) imaging, carbachol (CCh)-induced Ca(2+) release signals were studied. Low CCh concentrations (< or = 750 nM) evoked baseline Ca(2+) oscillations. Transfected cells displayed a higher CCh responsiveness than control or cloned cells. Ca(2+) responses varied between fast, large Ca(2+) spikes and slow, small Ca(2+) humps, while in the clone only Ca(2+) humps were observed. Ca(2+) humps in the transfected cells were associated with a high expression level of IP(3)R3. At high CCh concentrations (10 microM) Ca(2+) transients in transfected and cloned cells were similar to those in control cells. In the clone exogenous IP(3)R3 lacked the C-terminal channel domain but IP(3)-binding capacity was preserved. Transfected cells mainly expressed intact type 3 IP(3)Rs but some protein degradation was also observed. We conclude that in transfected cells expression of functional type 3 IP(3)Rs causes an apparent higher affinity for IP(3). In the clone, the presence of degraded receptors leads to an efficient cellular IP(3) buffer and attenuated IP(3)-evoked Ca(2+) release.

IP3-induced Ca2+ release in A7r5 vascular smooth-muscle cells represents a partial emptying of the stores and not an all-or-none Ca2+ release of separate quanta

Abstract There is still no agreement on the mechanism of the intracellular action of low concentrations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). Intracellular Ca2+ stores may transiently release some Ca2+ before they become insensitive to IP3. Alternatively, stores with a low IP3 threshold may lose all their Ca2+ and the others none. We now report that the IP3 threshold was not correlated with the extent of Ca2+ release in permeabilized A7r5 smooth-muscle cells. In contrast, the maximum rate of release, which was changed either by varying the level of IP3 receptor (IP3R) activation, or by changing the concentration of IP3R at a constant level of IP3R activation, was directly related to the extent of Ca2+ release. We conclude that IP3-induced Ca2+ release reflects partial emptying of the stores and not all-or-none Ca2+ release of separate quanta.

Effect of ouabain on membrane conductances and volume in A6 cells.

The present study reports the effect of a reduction in the Na(+)-transport rate on cell volume. A decrease in transport rate was achieved by inhibition of the basolateral Na+/K+ pump with ouabain. Cultured A6 cell monolayers were short-circuited and exposed to ouabain at the basolateral surface. In one series of experiments, cells were impaled with microelectrodes to measure cell voltage, apical fractional resistance and thus derive membrane conductances. Another set, A6, served for cell height measurements. Ouabain decreased short-circuit current (Isc), which is an index of transepithelial Na+ transport: the reduction in transport rate varied from 26 to 79% within 10 min. Equivalent circuit analysis revealed a 20% decrease in apical membrane conductance (ga), whereas basolateral membrane conductance (gb) increased by 66%. A decrease in cell voltage (12 mV) together with drop in ga during ouabain may account for the reduction in Isc. The rise in gb is mainly due to a gain in Cl- conductance which increased from 114 to 613 microS/cm2, compatible with activation of Cl- channels. All of this occurs without a detectable change in cell height. We may conclude from these data that inhibition of Na+ exit by ouabain is quickly compensated by a decrease in apical Na+ entry and an increase in basolateral Cl- conductance. Constant cell volume during ouabain implies that the total cell solute is essentially unchanged.

Insulin effects on ouabain binding in A6 renal cells.

Abstract The effects of insulin on the Na+-K+-ATPase pump of the basolateral membrane of tight epithelia were evaluated by measuring transepithelial transport and [3H]ouabain binding in cultured A6 kidney cells. [3H]Ouabain binding in epithelia incubated in either K+-containing or K+-free solutions was measured. Insulin induced increases in transepithelial sodium transport, as measured by the short-circuit current (Isc), and in the initial rate of [3H]ouabain binding determined when the preparation was bathed in K+-containing solutions. However, when initial [3H]ouabain binding in tissues incubated in K+-free solutions was measured the stimulation of the initial rate of [3H]ouabain binding caused by insulin was markedly reduced. Incubating the apical side of the epithelium with either amiloride or Na+-free solutions also reduced or abolished the increase in the initial rate of [3H]ouabain binding caused by insulin. Equilibrium binding measurements showed that insulin did not increase the maximum number of [3H]ouabain-binding sites in tissues incubated with either normal K+ or K+-free solutions. These results indicate that the increase in the initial rate of [3H]ouabain binding under transporting conditions is due to an effect on the binding kinetics of ouabain, probably related to an increased rate of Na+ entry, rather than to an increase in the number of Na+-K+-ATPases in the basolateral membrane. Cycloheximide inhibited both the increase in Isc and the increase in the initial rate of [3H]ouabain binding caused by insulin in epithelia incubated in K+-containing solutions. However, cycloheximide was without effect on the initial rate of [3H]ouabain binding in insulin-treated tissues incubated in K+-free solution. This finding suggests that the cycloheximide-sensitive step of the action of insulin is related to Na+ delivery to the pump.