Shyama Masilamani

Aldosterone-mediated regulation of ENaC α, β, and γ subunit proteins in rat kidney

Aldosterone stimulates sodium transport in the renal collecting duct by activating the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). To investigate the basis of this effect, we have developed a novel set of rabbit polyclonal antibodies to the 3 subunits of ENaC and have determined the abundance and distribution of ENaC subunits in the principal cells of the rat renal collecting duct. Elevated circulating aldosterone (due to either dietary NaCl restriction or aldosterone infusion) markedly increased the abundance of alphaENaC protein without increasing the abundance of the beta and gamma subunits. Thus, alphaENaC is selectively induced by aldosterone. In addition, immunofluorescence immunolocalization showed a striking redistribution in ENaC labeling to the apical region of the collecting duct principal cells. Finally, aldosterone induced a shift in molecular weight of gammaENaC from 85 kDa to 70 kDa, consistent with physiological proteolytic clipping of the extracellular loop as postulated previously. Thus, at the protein level, the response of ENaC to aldosterone stimulation is heterogenous, with both quantitative and qualitative changes that can explain observed increases in ENaC-mediated sodium transport.

Long-term regulation of ENaC expression in kidney by angiotensin II.

Abstract—We carried out semiquantitative immunoblotting of kidney to identify apical sodium transporter proteins whose abundances are regulated by angiotensin II. In NaCl-restricted rats (0.5 mEq Na/200 g BW/d), the type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1 receptor) antagonist, candesartan, (1 mg/kg of body weight per day SC for 2 days) markedly decreased the abundance of the &agr; subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). This subunit has been shown to be rate-limiting for assembly of mature ENaC complexes. In addition, systemic infusion of angiotensin II increased &agr;ENaC protein abundance in rat kidney cortex. The decrease in &agr;ENaC protein abundance in response to AT1 receptor blockade was associated with a fall in &agr;ENaC mRNA abundance (real-time RT-PCR), consistent with transcriptionally mediated regulation. The effect of AT1 receptor blockade on &agr;ENaC expression was not blocked by spironolactone, suggesting a direct role of the AT1 receptor in regulation of &agr;ENaC gene expression. Candesartan administration was also found to increase the abundances of the &bgr; and &ggr; subunits. The increase in &bgr; and &ggr;ENaC protein abundance was not associated with a significant increase in the renal abundances of the corresponding mRNAs, suggesting a posttranscriptional mechanism. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the increase in &bgr; and &ggr;ENaC protein abundance and demonstrated candesartan-induced ENaC internalization in collecting duct cells. The results support the view that the angiotensin II receptor regulates ENaC abundance, consistent with a role for angiotensin II in regulation of collecting duct function.

Renal Tubule Sodium Transporter Abundance Profiling in Rat Kidney

Abstract: Based on extensive physiological study of sodium transport mechanisms along the renal tubule, complementary DNAs for all of the major transporters and channels responsible for renal tubular sodium reabsorption have been cloned over the past decade. There is now a comprehensive set of cDNA and antibody probes that can be used to investigate physiological mechanisms on a molecular level. Using rabbit polyclonal antibodies to all of the major renal Na transport proteins, we have developed profiling methods allowing comprehensive, integrated analysis of sodium transporter protein abundance changes along the renal tubule in response to physiological and pathophysiological perturbations. Here, we review some of our recent findings with this approach, focusing on renal responses to aldosterone and to variations in NaCl intake.

Are Sodium Transporters in Urinary Exosomes Reliable Markers of Tubular Sodium Reabsorption in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Altered renal sodium handling has a major pathogenic role in salt-sensitive hypertension. Renal sodium transporters are present in urinary exosomes. We hypothesized that sodium transporters would be excreted into the urine in different amounts in response to sodium intake in salt-sensitive versus salt-resistant patients. Methods: Urinary exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation, and their content of Na-K-2Cl cotransporter (NKCC2) and Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) was analyzed by immunoblotting. Animal studies: NKCC2 and NCC excretion was measured in 2 rat models to test whether changes in sodium transporter excretion are indicative of regulated changes in the kidney tissue. Human studies: in hypertensive patients (n = 41), we investigated: (1) a possible correlation between sodium reabsorption and urinary exosomal excretion of sodium transporters, and (2) the profile of sodium transporter excretion related to blood pressure (BP) changes with salt intake. A 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and a 24-hour urine collection were performed after 1 week on a low- and 1 week on a high-salt diet. Results: Animal studies: urinary NKCC2 and NCC excretion rates correlated well with their abundance in the kidney. Human studies:6 patients (15%) were classified as salt sensitive. The NKCC2 and NCC abundance did not decrease after the high-salt period, when the urinary sodium reabsorption decreased from 99.7 to 99.0%. In addition, the changes in BP with salt intake were not associated with a specific profile of exosomal excretion. Conclusions: Our results do not support the idea that excretion levels of NKCC2 and NCC via urinary exosomes are markers of tubular sodium reabsorption in hypertensive patients.

Differential Regulation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) in Rat Kidney, Lung and Distal Colon in Response to Aldosterone.

P170 The mineralocorticoid hormone, aldosterone increases renal tubule Na absorption via increases in the protein abundances of the α-subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the 70 kDa form of the γ- subunit of ENaC (JCI 104:R19-R23). This study assesses the affect of dietary salt restriction on the regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the lung and distal colon, in addition to kidney, using semiquantitative immunoblotting. Rats were placed initially on either a control Na intake (0.02 meq/day), or a low Na intake (0.2 meq/day) for 10 days. The low salt treated rats demonstrated an increase in plasma aldosterone levels at day 10 (control = 0.78 + 0.32 nM; Na restricted = 3.50 + 1.30 nM). In kidney homogenates, there were marked increases in the band density of the α-subunit of ENaC (286 % of control) and the 70 kDa form of γ-subunit of ENaC (262 % of control), but no increase in the abundance of the β-subunit of ENaC. In lung homogenates, there was no significant change in the band densities of the α, β, or γ subunits of ENaC. In distal colon, there was an increase in the band density of the β-subunit of ENaC (311 % of control) and an increase in both the 85 kDa (2355% of control) and 70 kDa (843 % of control) form of the γ subunit of ENaC in response to dietary Na restriction. However, there was no significant difference in the band density of the α-subunit of ENaC. These findings demonstrate tissue specific regulation of the three subunits of ENaC in response to dietary salt restriction.