Stochastic transport through carbon nanotubes in lipid bilayers and live cell membranes.

There is much interest in developing synthetic analogues of biological membrane channels with high efficiency and exquisite selectivity for transporting ions and molecules. Bottom-up and top-down methods can produce nanopores of a size comparable to that of endogenous protein channels, but replicating their affinity and transport properties remains challenging. In principle, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) should be an ideal membrane channel platform: they exhibit excellent transport properties and their narrow hydrophobic inner pores mimic structural motifs typical of biological channels. Moreover, simulations predict that CNTs with a length comparable to the thickness of a lipid bilayer membrane can self-insert into the membrane. Functionalized CNTs have indeed been found to penetrate lipid membranes and cell walls, and short tubes have been forced into membranes to create sensors, yet membrane transport applications of short CNTs remain underexplored. Here we show that short CNTs spontaneously insert into lipid bilayers and live cell membranes to form channels that exhibit a unitary conductance of 70-100 picosiemens under physiological conditions. Despite their structural simplicity, these 'CNT porins' transport water, protons, small ions and DNA, stochastically switch between metastable conductance substates, and display characteristic macromolecule-induced ionic current blockades. We also show that local channel and membrane charges can control the conductance and ion selectivity of the CNT porins, thereby establishing these nanopores as a promising biomimetic platform for developing cell interfaces, studying transport in biological channels, and creating stochastic sensors.

Dynamic constriction and fission of endoplasmic reticulum membranes by reticulon.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a continuous cell-wide membrane network. Network formation has been associated with proteins producing membrane curvature and fusion, such as reticulons and atlastin. Regulated network fragmentation, occurring in different physiological contexts, is less understood. Here we find that the ER has an embedded fragmentation mechanism based upon the ability of reticulon to produce fission of elongating network branches. In Drosophila, Rtnl1-facilitated fission is counterbalanced by atlastin-driven fusion, with the prevalence of Rtnl1 leading to ER fragmentation. Ectopic expression of Drosophila reticulon in COS-7 cells reveals individual fission events in dynamic ER tubules. Consistently, in vitro analyses show that reticulon produces velocity-dependent constriction of lipid nanotubes leading to stochastic fission via a hemifission mechanism. Fission occurs at elongation rates and pulling force ranges intrinsic to the ER, thus suggesting a principle whereby the dynamic balance between fusion and fission controlling organelle morphology depends on membrane motility.

Synthesis, lipid membrane incorporation, and ion permeability testing of carbon nanotube porins.

Carbon nanotube porins (CNTPs) are 10- to 20-nm-long segments of lipid-stabilized single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that can be inserted into phospholipid membranes to form nanometer-scale-diameter pores that approximate the geometry and many key transport characteristics of biological membrane channels. We describe protocols for CNTP synthesis by ultrasound-assisted cutting of long CNTs in the presence of lipid amphiphiles, and for validation of CNTP incorporation into a lipid membrane using a proton permeability assay. In addition, we describe protocols for measuring conductance of individual CNTPs in planar lipid bilayers and plasma membranes of live cells. The protocol for the preparation and testing of the CNTPs in vesicle systems takes 3 d, and single CNTP conductance measurements take 2-5 h. The CNTPs produced by this cutting protocol remain stable and active for at least 10-12 weeks.

Geometry of membrane fission.

Cellular membranes define the functional geometry of intracellular space. Formation of new membrane compartments and maintenance of complex organelles require division and disconnection of cellular membranes, a process termed membrane fission. Peripheral membrane proteins generally control membrane remodeling during fission. Local membrane stresses, reflecting molecular geometry of membrane-interacting parts of these proteins, sum up to produce the key membrane geometries of fission: the saddle-shaped neck and hour-glass hemifission intermediate. Here, we review the fundamental principles behind the translation of molecular geometry into membrane shape and topology during fission. We emphasize the central role the membrane insertion of specialized protein domains plays in orchestrating fission in vitro and in cells. We further compare individual to synergistic action of the membrane insertion during fission mediated by individual protein species, proteins complexes or membrane domains. Finally, we describe how local geometry of fission intermediates defines the functional design of the protein complexes catalyzing fission of cellular membranes.

Modulation of aqueous humor outflow by ionic mechanisms involved in trabecular meshwork cell volume regulation.

PURPOSE: Trabecular meshwork (TM) cell shape, volume, contractility and their interactions with extracellular matrix determine outflow facility. Because cell volume seems essential to TM function, this study was conducted to investigate further the ionic channels and receptors involved in regulatory volume decrease and their roles in modulating outflow facility. METHODS: Primary cultures of bovine TM cells were used. K(+) and Cl(-) currents were studied with whole-cell patch clamping. Swelling was induced by hypotonic shock. [Ca(2+)](i) was measured in TM cells loaded with fura-2. Bovine anterior segments were perfused at constant pressure to measure outflow facility. RESULTS: Hypotonic media activated both the high-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) and swelling-activated Cl(-) channel (Cl(swell)) currents and induced release of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) from TM cells. ATP activated P2Y(2) receptors with the following profile: ATP = uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) > adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP-gamma S) > adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) = uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP), and increased BK(Ca) current. Hypotonic medium initially decreased outflow facility in perfused anterior segments, which recovered with time to baseline levels. Addition of tamoxifen or iberiotoxin (Cl(swell) and BK(Ca) blockers, respectively) lengthened the recovery phase, which implies that these channels participate in cell volume regulation. In contrast, an activator of BK(Ca)s (NS1619) produced the opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS: Cell swelling activates a regulatory volume decrease mechanism that implies activation of K(+) and Cl(-) currents and participation of P2Y(2) receptors. Because previous studies have shown that intracellular volume of TM cells is an important determinant of outflow facility, it seems feasible that cell volume regulation would be part of the homeostatic mechanisms of the TM, to regulate the outflow pathway.

Kv1.5 association modifies Kv1.3 traffic and membrane localization.

Kv1.3 activity is determined by raft association. In addition to Kv1.3, leukocytes also express Kv1.5, and both channels control physiological responses. Because the oligomeric composition may modify the channel targeting to the membrane, we investigated heterotetrameric Kv1.3/Kv1.5 channel traffic and targeting in HEK cells. Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 generate multiple heterotetramers with differential surface expression according to the subunit composition. FRET analysis and pharmacology confirm the presence of functional hybrid channels. Raft association was evaluated by cholesterol depletion, caveolae colocalization, and lateral diffusion at the cell surface. Immunoprecipitation showed that both Kv1.3 and heteromeric channels associate with caveolar raft domains. However, homomeric Kv1.3 channels showed higher association with caveolin traffic. Moreover, FRAP analysis revealed higher mobility for hybrid Kv1.3/Kv1.5 than Kv1.3 homotetramers, suggesting that heteromers target to distinct surface microdomains. Studies with lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages further supported that different physiological mechanisms govern Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 targeting to rafts. Our results implicate the traffic and localization of Kv1.3/Kv1.5 heteromers in the complex regulation of immune system cells.

Kv1.3/Kv1.5 heteromeric channels compromise pharmacological responses in macrophages.

Voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) channels are involved in the immune response. Kv1.3 is highly expressed in activated macrophages and T-effector memory cells of autoimmune disease patients. Macrophages are actively involved in T-cell activation by cytokine production and antigen presentation. However, unlike T-cells, macrophages express Kv1.5, which is resistant to Kv1.3-drugs. We demonstrate that mononuclear phagocytes express different Kv1.3/Kv1.5 ratios, leading to biophysically and pharmacologically distinct channels. Therefore, Kv1.3-based treatments to alter physiological responses, such as proliferation and activation, are impaired by Kv1.5 expression. The presence of Kv1.5 in the macrophagic lineage should be taken into account when designing Kv1.3-based therapies.

Association of Kv1.5 and Kv1.3 contributes to the major voltage-dependent K+ channel in macrophages.

Voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) currents in macrophages are mainly mediated by Kv1.3, but biophysical properties indicate that the channel composition could be different from that of T-lymphocytes. K(+) currents in mouse bone marrow-derived and Raw-264.7 macrophages are sensitive to Kv1.3 blockers, but unlike T-cells, macrophages express Kv1.5. Because Shaker subunits (Kv1) may form heterotetrameric complexes, we investigated whether Kv1.5 has a function in Kv currents in macrophages. Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 co-localize at the membrane, and half-activation voltages and pharmacology indicate that K(+) currents may be accounted for by various Kv complexes in macrophages. Co-expression of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells showed that the presence of Kv1.5 leads to a positive shift in K(+) current half-activation voltages and that, like Kv1.3, Kv1.3/Kv1.5 heteromers are sensitive to r-margatoxin. In addition, both proteins co-immunoprecipitate and co-localize. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies further demonstrated that Kv1.5 and Kv1.3 form heterotetramers. Electrophysiological and pharmacological studies of different ratios of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5 co-expressed in Xenopus oocytes suggest that various hybrids might be responsible for K(+) currents in macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced activation of macrophages increased Kv1.3 with no changes in Kv.1.5, which is consistent with a hyperpolarized shift in half-activation voltage and a lower IC(50) for margatoxin. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Kv1.5 co-associates with Kv1.3, generating functional heterotetramers in macrophages. Changes in the oligomeric composition of functional Kv channels would give rise to different biophysical and pharmacological properties, which could determine specific cellular responses.

Pattern of Kv beta subunit expression in macrophages depends upon proliferation and the mode of activation.

Voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv) in leukocytes are involved in the immune response. In bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), proliferation and activation induce delayed rectifier K+ currents, generated by Kv1.3, via transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational controls. Furthermore, modulatory Kv beta subunits coassociate with Kv alpha subunits, increasing channel diversity and function. In this study we have identified Kv beta subunits in mouse BMDM, studied their regulation during proliferation and activation, and analyzed K+ current parameters influenced by these proteins. BMDM express all isoforms of Kv beta1 (Kv beta1.1, Kv beta1.2, and Kv beta1.3) and Kv beta2 (Kv beta2.1), but not Kv beta4, the alternatively spliced murine Kv beta3 variant. M-CSF-dependent proliferation induced all Kv beta isoforms. However, LPS- and TNF-alpha-induced activation differentially regulated these subunits. Although LPS increased Kv beta1.3, reduced Kv beta1.2, and maintained Kv beta1.1 mRNA levels constant, TNF-alpha up-regulated Kv beta1.1, down-regulated Kv beta1.2, and left Kv beta1.3 expression unchanged. Moreover, in contrast to TNF-alpha, M-CSF- and LPS- up-regulated Kv beta2.1. K+ currents from M-CSF- and LPS-stimulated BMDM exhibited faster inactivation, whereas TNF-alpha increased tau values. Although in M-CSF-stimulated cells the half-inactivation voltage shifted to more positive potentials, the incubation with LPS and TNF-alpha resulted in a hyperpolarizing displacement similar to that in resting BMDM. Furthermore, activation time constants of K+ currents and the kinetics of the tail currents were different depending upon the mode of activation. Our results indicate that differential Kv beta expression modifies the electrical properties of Kv in BMDM, dependent upon proliferation and the mode of activation. This could determine physiologically appropriate surface channel complexes, allowing for greater flexibility in the precise regulation of the immune response.

Gadolinium inhibition of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase activity in Torpedo electric organ.

Ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (E-NTPDases) are widely expressed enzymes implicated in the modulation of nucleotide cell signaling. They dephosphorylate either ATP or ADP in the presence of divalent cations, and efforts have been made to identify efficient inhibitors. E-NTPDase activity has been described in Torpedo electric organ electrocytes. We show here that gadolinium, an established blocker of stretch-activated channels, efficiently inhibits E-NTPDase activity of Torpedo electric organ (Ki = 3 microM for ATPase) as well as apyrase from potato tuber, frequently used in inhibition experiments. To our knowledge, gadolinium is the most potent inhibitor described to date for both membrane-bound and soluble E-NTPDases.

Differential voltage-dependent K+ channel responses during proliferation and activation in macrophages.

Voltage-dependent K+ channels (VDPC) are expressed in most mammalian cells and involved in the proliferation and activation of lymphocytes. However, the role of VDPC in macrophage responses is not well established. This study was undertaken to characterize VDPC in macrophages and determine their physiological role during proliferation and activation. Macrophages proliferate until an endotoxic shock halts cell growth and they become activated. By inducing a schedule that is similar to the physiological pattern, we have identified the VDPC in non-transformed bone marrow-derived macrophages and studied their regulation. Patch clamp studies demonstrated that cells expressed outward delayed and inwardly rectifying K+ currents. Pharmacological data, mRNA, and protein analysis suggest that these currents were mainly mediated by Kv1.3 and Kir2.1 channels. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor-dependent proliferation induced both channels. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation differentially regulated VDPC expression. While Kv1.3 was further induced, Kir2.1 was down-regulated. TNF-alpha mimicked LPS effects, and studies with TNF-alpha receptor I/II double knockout mice demonstrated that LPS regulation mediates such expression by TNF-alpha-dependent and -independent mechanisms. This modulation was dependent on mRNA and protein synthesis. In addition, bone marrow-derived macrophages expressed Kv1.5 mRNA with no apparent regulation. VDPC activities seem to play a critical role during proliferation and activation because not only cell growth, but also inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression were inhibited by blocking their activities. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the differential regulation of VDPC is crucial in intracellular signals determining the specific macrophage response.