Dynamic formation of ER-PM junctions presents a lipid phosphatase to regulate phosphoinositides.

Endoplasmic reticulum-plasma membrane (ER-PM) contact sites play an integral role in cellular processes such as excitation-contraction coupling and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). Another ER-PM assembly is one tethered by the extended synaptotagmins (E-Syt). We have discovered that at steady state, E-Syt2 positions the ER and Sac1, an integral ER membrane lipid phosphatase, in discrete ER-PM junctions. Here, Sac1 participates in phosphoinositide homeostasis by limiting PM phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P), the precursor of PI(4,5)P2 Activation of G protein-coupled receptors that deplete PM PI(4,5)P2disrupts E-Syt2-mediated ER-PM junctions, reducing Sac1's access to the PM and permitting PM PI(4)P and PI(4,5)P2to recover. Conversely, depletion of ER luminal calcium and subsequent activation of SOCE increases the amount of Sac1 in contact with the PM, depleting PM PI(4)P. Thus, the dynamic presence of Sac1 at ER-PM contact sites allows it to act as a cellular sensor and controller of PM phosphoinositides, thereby influencing many PM processes.

Control of TMEM16A by INO-4995 and other inositolphosphates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion (CaCC) in airways and other tissues is due to activation of the Cl(-) channel TMEM16A (anoctamin 1). Earlier studies suggested that Ca(2+) -activated Cl(-) channels are regulated by membrane lipid inositol phosphates, and that 1-O-octyl-2-O-butyryl-myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate octakis(propionoxymethyl) ester (INO-4995) augments CaCC. Here we examined whether TMEM16A is the target for INO-4995 and if the channel is regulated by inositol phosphates. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effects of INO-4995 on CaCC were examined in overexpressing HEK293, colonic and primary airway epithelial cells as well as Xenopus oocytes. We used patch clamping, double electrode voltage clamp and Ussing chamber techniques. KEY RESULTS: We found that INO-4995 directly activates a TMEM16A whole cell conductance of 6.1 ± 0.9 nS pF(-1) in overexpressing cells. The tetrakisphosphates Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) or Ins(1,3,4,5)P(4) and enzymes controlling levels of InsP(4) or PIP(2) and PIP(3) had no effects on the magnitude or kinetics of TMEM16A currents. In contrast in Xenopus oocytes, human airways and colonic cells, which all express TMEM16A endogenously, Cl(-) currents were not acutely activated by INO-4995. However incubation with INO-4995 augmented 1.6- to 4-fold TMEM16A-dependent Cl(-) currents activated by ionomycin or ATP, while intracellular Ca(2+) signals were not affected. The potentiating effect of INO-4995 on transient ATP-activated TMEM16A-currents in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways was twice of that observed in non-CF airways. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These data indicate that TMEM16A is the target for INO-4995, although the mode of action appears different for overexpressed and endogenous channels. INO-4995 may be useful for the treatment of CF lung disease.

INO-4995 therapeutic efficacy is enhanced with repeat dosing in cystic fibrosis knockout mice and human epithelia.

Progressive lung damage in cystic fibrosis (CF) has been linked to inadequate airway mucosal hydration. We previously demonstrated that an inositol tetrakisphosphate analog, 1-O-octyl-2-O-butyryl-myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate octakis(propionoxymethyl)ester (INO-4995), regulates airway secretory and absorptive processes, affecting mucosal hydration by prolonged (24 h) inhibition of Na(+) and fluid absorption in CF human nasal epithelia (CFHNE). The objectives of this study were to further assess clinical potential of INO-4995 in CF through ascertaining in vivo activity in mice with CF, determining the effects of repeated administration on potency and determining cytoplasmic half-life. Uptake and metabolism of [(3)H]INO-4995 was monitored with HPLC to calculate intracellular half-life. INO-4995 was administered in vitro repeatedly over 4 to 8 days to CFHNE. Fluid absorption was assessed by blue dextran exclusion, and basal short-circuit current was measured in Ussing chambers. INO-4995 (1-100 microg/kg) was dosed intranasally either as a single dose or once per day over 4 days to gut-corrected CF mice. [(3)H]INO-4995 was rapidly taken up by epithelial cultures and converted to the active drug, which had a half-life of 40 hours. Repeated daily application of INO-4995 to CFHNE lowered the effective concentration for inhibition of fluid absorption and amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current in cultured CFHNE, and reduced nasal potential difference to nearly control levels in gut-corrected CF mice. Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel activity was also boosted in cultures. Mouse nasal levels fell from abnormal levels to within 2 muA of normal with repeated exposure to 0.8 microg/kg over 4 days. These data support further development of INO-4995 for the treatment of CF.

Inositol polyphosphate derivative inhibits Na+ transport and improves fluid dynamics in cystic fibrosis airway epithelia.

Amiloride-sensitive, epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC)-mediated, active absorption of Na(+) is elevated in the airway epithelium of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, resulting in excess fluid removal from the airway lumen. This excess fluid/volume absorption corresponds to CF transmembrane regulator-linked defects in ENaC regulation, resulting in the reduced mucociliary clearance found in CF airways. Herein we show that INO-4995, a synthetic analog of the intracellular signaling molecule, D-myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate, inhibits Na(+) and fluid absorption across CF airway epithelia, thus alleviating this critical pathology. This conclusion was based on electrophysiological studies, fluid absorption, and (22)Na(+) flux measurements in CF airway epithelia, contrasted with normal epithelia, and on electrophysiological studies in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and 3T3 cells overexpressing ENaC. The effects of INO-4995 were long-lasting, dose-dependent, and more pronounced in epithelia from CF patients vs. controls. These findings support preclinical development of INO-4995 for CF treatment and demonstrate for the first time the therapeutic potential of inositol polyphosphate derivatives.

Antagonists of myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate allow repeated epithelial chloride secretion.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients suffer from a defect in hydration of mucosal membranes due to mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), an apical chloride channel in mucosal epithelia. Disease expression in CF knockout mice is organ specific, varying with the level of expression of calcium activated Cl(-) channels (CLCA). Therefore, restoring transepithelial Cl(-) secretion by augmenting alternate Cl(-) channels, such as CLCA, could be beneficial. However, CLCA-mediated Cl(-) secretion is transient, due in part to the inhibitory effects of myo-inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4)]. This suggests that antagonists of Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) could be useful in treatment of CF. We have, therefore, synthesized a series of membrane-permeant Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) derivatives, carrying alkyl substituents on the hydroxyl groups and screened them for effects on Cl(-) secretion in a human colonic epithelial cell line, T(84). While membrane-permeant Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) derivatives had no direct effects on carbachol-stimulated Cl(-) secretion, Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) derivatives, but not enantiomeric Ins(1,4,5,6)P(4) derivatives, reversed the inhibitory effect of Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) on subsequent thapsigargin activation of Cl(-) secretion. The extent of the antagonistic effect of the Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) derivatives varied with the position of the alkyl substituents. Derivatives with a cyclohexylidene ketal or a butyl-chain at the 1-position reversed the Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4)-mediated inhibition of Cl(-) secretion by up to 96 and 85%, respectively, whereas butylation of the 1- and 2-position generated a reversal effect of only 65%. Derivatives carrying the butyl chain only at the 2-position showed no antagonistic effect. These data: (1) Support the hypothesis that Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) stereospecifically inhibits Ca(2+) activated Cl(-) secretion and that Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) mediates most, if not all of the cholinergic-mediated inhibition of chloride secretion in T(84) cells; (2) Demonstrate Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4)-mediated inhibition can be completely reversed with rationally designed membrane-permeant Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) antagonists; (3) Demonstrate that a SAR for membrane-permeant Ins(3,4,5,6) P(4) antagonists can be generated and screened in a physiologically relevant cell-based assay; (4) Indicate that Ins(3,4,5,6)P(4) derivatives could serve as a starting point for the development of therapeutics to treat cystic fibrosis.