Primary structure of an apical protein from Xenopus laevis that participates in amiloride-sensitive sodium channel activity.

High resistance epithelia express on their apical side an amiloride-sensitive sodium channel that controls sodium reabsorption. A cDNA was found to encode a 1,420-amino acid long polypeptide with no signal sequence, a putative transmembrane segment, and three predicted amphipathic alpha helices. A corresponding 5.2-kb mRNA was detected in Xenopus laevis kidney, intestine, and oocytes, with weak expression in stomach and eyes. An antibody directed against a fusion protein containing a COOH-terminus segment of the protein and an antiidiotypic antibody known to recognize the amiloride binding site of the epithelial sodium channel (Kleyman, T. R., J.-P. Kraehenbuhl, and S. A. Ernst. 1991. J. Biol. Chem. 266:3907-3915) immunoprecipitated a similar protein complex from [35S]methionine-labeled and from apically radioiodinated Xenopus laevis kidney-derived A6 cells. A single integral of 130-kD protein was recovered from samples reduced with DTT. The antibody also cross-reacted by ELISA with the putative amiloride-sensitive sodium channel isolated from A6 cells (Benos, D. J., G. Saccomani, and S. Sariban-Sohraby. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:10613-10618). Although the protein is translated, cRNA injected into oocytes did not reconstitute amiloride-sensitive sodium transport, while antisense RNA or antisense oligodeoxynucleotides specific for two distinct sequences of the cloned cDNA inhibited amiloride-sensitive sodium current induced by injection of A6 cell mRNA. We propose that the cDNA encodes an apical plasma membrane protein that plays a role in the functional expression of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel. It may represent a subunit of the Xenopus laevis sodium channel or a regulatory protein essential for sodium channel function.

Cation transport probes: the amiloride series.

The use of amiloride and its analogs in the study of ion transport requires a knowledge of the pharmacology of inhibition of transport proteins, and of effects on enzymes, receptors, and other cellular processes, such as DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism. We have reviewed the pharmacology of inhibition of these processes by amiloride an its analogs, as well as the use of amiloride analogs as potential probes for the characterization of ion transport systems.

The mechanism of action of amiloride.

Amiloride induces a mild natriuresis as well as antikaliuresis. These changes in salt excretion are due to direct inhibition of the sodium channel in the apical plasma membrane of the distal nephron. Amiloride does not exert any direct or indirect inhibitory effect on apical potassium channels. The antikaliuretic effect is most likely a result of hyperpolarization of the apical plasma membrane and decrease in the electrochemical driving force for potassium movement across the apical membrane into the urinary space.

Mechanism of action of amiloride: a molecular prospective.

Amiloride is a prototypic inhibitor of epithelial sodium channels. Rapid progress has been made in our understanding of the structure of the sodium channel and related cation-selective channels. This work, coupled with experiments examining how selected sodium channel mutations affect amiloride binding, provides critical clues towards defining sites within the channel that bind amiloride. Residues within the channel pore and within its extracellular domain participate in amiloride binding. These results suggest that sites that interact with amiloride within the channel's extracellular domain may be in close proximity to residues within the channel's pore.

Regulation of ENaCs by proteases: An increasingly complex story.

Proteolytic processing of epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) subunits has an important role in the regulation of ENaC gating. This Commentary addresses the potential roles of specific proteases and protease inhibitors in the control of Na+ channel gating.

Amiloride and its analogs as tools in the study of ion transport.

Amiloride inhibits most plasma membrane Na+ transport systems. We have reviewed the pharmacology of inhibition of these transporters by amiloride and its analogs. Thorough studies of the Na+ channel, the Na+/H+ exchanger, and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, clearly show that appropriate modification of the structure of amiloride will generate analogs with increased affinity and specificity for a particular transport system. Introduction of hydrophobic substituents on the terminal nitrogen of the guanidino moiety enhances activity against the Na+ channel; whereas addition of hydrophobic (or hydrophilic) groups on the 5-amino moiety enhances activity against the Na+/H+ exchanger. Activity against the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger and Ca2+ channel is increased with hydrophobic substituents at either of these sites. Appropriate modification of amiloride has produced analogs that are several hundred-fold more active than amiloride against specific transporters. The availability of radioactive and photoactive amiloride analogs, anti-amiloride antibodies, and analogs coupled to support matrices should prove useful in future studies of amiloride-sensitive transport systems. The use of amiloride and its analogs in the study of ion transport requires a knowledge of the pharmacology of inhibition of transport proteins, as well as effects on enzymes, receptors, and other cellular processes, such as DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and cellular metabolism. One must consider whether the effects seen on various cellular processes are direct or due to a cascade of events triggered by an effect on an ion transport system.

Distinct epitopes on amiloride. II. Variably restricted epitopes defined by monoclonal anti-amiloride antibodies.

Specific regions of amiloride appear to participate in binding to receptors on amiloride-sensitive transport proteins. Previous studies characterizing epitopes on amiloride recognized by anti-amiloride antibodies have demonstrated that antibodies recognize specific domains on amiloride and that these epitopes are determined, in part, by the site on amiloride used to couple to carrier protein. The 3,5-diaminopyrazinyl and guanidinocarbonyl moieties were identified as distinct epitopes. Since Na(+)-selective transport proteins are sensitive to changes of the halide on the amiloride molecule, additional monoclonal anti-amiloride antibodies were raised to determine whether the C-6 halo group of amiloride could be identified as an important site for drug-antibody binding. The epitopes recognized by a series of three monoclonal antibodies raised against amiloride coupled to rabbit serum albumin through its C-5 NH2-group were defined. Two antibodies recognize extensive regions on the amiloride molecule, including both the acylguanidino and pyrazinyl groups. In addition, both antibodies are sensitive to changes in the C-6 halo group on amiloride. A third antibody was relatively insensitive to changes in the halide in the C-6 position of the pyrazine ring of amiloride and recognized a more restricted epitope on amiloride.

Differential arrival of newly synthesized apical and basolateral plasma membrane proteins in the epithelial cell line A6.

The labeling of specific cell surface proteins with biotin was used to examine both protein distribution and delivery of newly synthesized proteins to the apical and basolateral cell surface in A6 cells. Steady-state metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine followed by specific cell surface biotinylation demonstrated polarization of membrane proteins. The delivery of newly synthesized proteins to the apical or basolateral cell surface was examined by metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine using a pulse-chase protocol in combination with specific cell surface biotinylation. Newly synthesized biotinylated proteins at the apical cell surface reached a maximum after a 5 min chase, and then fell over the remainder of a 2 hr chase. The bulk flow of newly synthesized proteins to the basolateral membrane slowly rose to a maximum after 90 min. The detergent Triton X-114 was used to examine delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic proteins to the cell surface. Delivery of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic proteins to the apical cell surface reached a maximum 5 to 10 min into the chase period. The arrival of hydrophilic proteins at the basolateral surface showed early delivery and a maximum peak delivery at 120 min into the chase period. In contrast, only an early peak of delivery of newly synthesized hydrophobic proteins to the basolateral membrane was observed.

Aldosterone does not alter apical cell-surface expression of epithelial Na+ channels in the amphibian cell line A6.

The steroid hormone aldosterone regulates reabsorptive Na+ transport across specific high resistance epithelia. The increase in Na+ transport induced by aldosterone is dependent on protein synthesis and is due, in part, to an increase in Na+ conductance of the apical membrane mediated by amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. To examine whether an increment in the biochemical pool of Na+ channels expressed at the apical cell surface is a mechanism by which aldosterone increases apical membrane Na+ conductance, apical cell-surface proteins from the epithelial cell line A6 were specifically labeled by an enzyme-catalyzed radioiodination procedure following exposure of cells to aldosterone. Labeled Na+ channels were immunoprecipitated to quantify the biochemical pool of Na+ channels at the apical cell surface. The activation of Na+ transport across A6 cells by aldosterone was not accompanied by alterations in the biochemical pool of Na+ channels at the apical plasma membrane, despite a 3.7-4.2-fold increase in transepithelial Na+ transport. Similarly, no change in the distribution of immunoreactive protein was resolved by immunofluorescence microscopy. The oligomeric subunit composition of the channel remained unaltered, with one exception. A 75,000-Da polypeptide and a broad 70,000-Da polypeptide were observed in controls. Following addition of aldosterone, the 75,000-Da polypeptide was not resolved, and the 70,000-Da polypeptide was the major polypeptide found in this molecular mass region. Aldosterone did not alter rates of Na+ channel biosynthesis. These data suggest that neither changes in rates of Na+ channel biosynthesis nor changes in its apical cell-surface expression are required for activation of transepithelial Na+ transport by aldosterone. Post-translational modification of the Na+ channel, possibly the 75,000 or 70,000-Da polypeptide, may be one of the cellular events required for Na+ channel activation by aldosterone.

A mechanism for pentamidine-induced hyperkalemia: inhibition of distal nephron sodium transport.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether pentamidine directly affects the transport of renal ions and thus provides a mechanism for hyperkalemia, which develops in as many as 100% of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who receive pentamidine for more than 6 days. DESIGN: Transepithelial and single-channel electrical measurements were made on two models of distal-nephron ion transport: an amphibian distal-nephron cell line (A6) and primary cultures of rabbit cortical collecting tubules. RESULTS: Luminal bath application of pentamidine to A6 monolayers inhibited the amiloride-sensitive, short-circuit current with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 700 microM (five experiments). In the principal cell apical membranes of cortical collecting tubule primary cultures, amiloride-sensitive, 4-picosiemen Na+ channels in cell-attached patches were also identified. When the luminal membrane was directly exposed to 1.0 microM of pentamidine in the patch pipette solution, channel activity decreased by 40% (11 experiments). Channel inhibition rapidly reversed with washout of intrapipette pentamidine (four experiments). In contrast, replacement of either the luminal bath outside the patch pipette (four experiments) or the serosal bath (five experiments) with pentamidine did not significantly affect Na+ channel activity in the patches. CONCLUSIONS: Luminal or "urinary" pentamidine inhibits distal nephron reabsorption of Na+ by blocking apical Na+ channels in a manner similar to "potassium-sparing" diuretics (for example, amiloride and triamterene). This results in a decrease in the electrochemical gradients that drive secretion of distal nephron K+. Because pentamidine is eliminated through urinary excretion, this renal tubular effect provides a mechanism for pentamidine-induced hyperkalemia.

Epithelial sodium channel genes Scnn1b and Scnn1g are closely linked on distal mouse chromosome 7.

The chromosomal localizations of Scnn1b and Scnn1g, genes corresponding to the beta- and gamma-subunits, respectively, of an epithelial non-voltage-gated amiloride-sensitive sodium channel, were determined by analyses of two sets of multilocus crosses using probes generated by polymerase chain reaction and a mouse kidney cortical collecting tubule cell line (M1). Scnn1b and Scnn1g were determined to be closely linked on distal mouse chromosome 7, showing no recombination with Zp2, whereas the gene for the alpha-subunit, Scnn1a, was confirmed to map to distal mouse chromosome 6.

Regulation of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump in vitro after long-term exposure to cocaine: role of serotonin.

Long-term exposure to cocaine can cause persistent behavioral changes and alterations in neuronal function. One cocaine-regulated mRNA in the rat brain is the beta-1 subunit of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump. We examined both Na+/K(+)-ATPase function and expression after cocaine treatment of pheochromocytoma cells. One-hour exposure to cocaine did not alter Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity, as measured by the ouabain-sensitive component of rubidium uptake. Four days of cocaine resulted in an approximately 30% decrease in Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. Western blot analyses demonstrated an approximately 25% decrease in levels of the beta-1 isoform, without changes in pump total alpha subunit levels. Treatment with dopamine type 1 or type 2 receptor agonists for the same period did not affect Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. The serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor paroxetine caused an approximately 45% decrease in rubidium uptake after 4 days, whereas pump function was not altered after treatment with either the dopamine-selective reuptake blocker nomifensine or the norepinephrine-selective reuptake blocker desipramine. Chronic treatment with both cocaine and LY 278,584, a serotonin type 3 receptor antagonist, did not replicate the cocaine-associated decrease in pump function. Long-term cocaine exposure regulates expression and function of the Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump in neuronal-like cells; this regulation is mediated in part via the serotonin type 3 receptor. Similar Na+/K(+)-ATPase pump regulation in vivo may selectively alter neuronal function in the mammalian brain.

Utilization of amiloride analogs for characterization and labeling of the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter from Dunaliella salina.

The interactions of amiloride analogs with the Na+/H+ antiporter from plasma membrane of the halotolerant alga Dunaliella salina [Katz et al. (1989) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 983, 9-14] have been investigated. Analogs bearing hydrophobic substitutions at the guanidino moiety of amiloride, such as benzamil, are the most effective inhibitors of Na+ uptake in plasma membrane vesicles, whereas substituents of the 5-amino group are less effective inhibitors than amiloride. This order of specificity is opposite to that found for most Na+/H+ antiporters. The photoaffinity amiloride analog 2'-methoxy-5'-nitrobenzamil (NMBA), a competitive inhibitor with respect to Na+ with Ki = 10 microM, photolabels upon illumination two polypeptides of apparent MW 30 and 50 kDa in purified plasma membrane vesicles. Similar labeling is obtained by immunodetection with antiamiloride antibodies and by incorporation of [125I]NMBA. The specificity of the labeling was ascertained by competition with benzamil. Plasma membrane preparations from high-salt or ammonia-adapted cells, which have higher Na+/H+ antiporter activity [Katz et al. (1992) Plant Physiol. 100, 1224-1229], also show increased incorporation of NMBA into the 30- and 50-kDa polypeptides. It is suggested that: (1) the structure of the Na+ binding site of the D. salina Na+/H+ antiporter differs from that of most Na+/H+ antiporters and (2) the 50- and/or 30-kDa polypeptides are subunits of the plasma membrane antiporter of this alga.

K(+)-sparing diuretic actions of trimethoprim: inhibition of Na+ channels in A6 distal nephron cells.

Hyperkalemia complicates trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) therapy in over 20% of HIV-infected patients. TMP is a heterocyclic weak base, similar to amiloride, a "K(+)-sparing" diuretic and Na+ channel blocker. Apical TMP is known to inhibit amiloride-sensitive short circuit current in A6 cells, a tissue culture model for mammalian cortical collecting tubule principal cells [1]. We used cell-attached patch clamp techniques to investigate the effect of TMP on the 4 pS, highly selective Na+ channel in the apical membrane of A6 cells grown on permeable supports in the presence of 1.5 microM aldosterone. Baseline channel activity at resting membrane potential, measured as NPo (N of channels x open probability), was 1.09 +/- 0.50 (N = 18). NPo (0.92 +/- 0.38; N = 9) was unchanged when 10(-3) M TMP was added to the basolateral bath for 30 minutes. However, apical exposure with pipettes containing 10(-3) or 10(-5) M TMP reduced NPo approximately tenfold (0.12 +/- 0.08; N = 7 and 0.18 +/- 0.14; N = 12, respectively). Kinetic analysis revealed the appearance of a new closed state after apical TMP treatment. Another group of A6 cells were pretreated with 10(-3) M apical TMP for 30 minutes prior to patching with pipettes filled with TMP-free saline. NPo progressively rose from 0.07 +/- 0.09 to 0.87 +/- 0.23 (N = 5) as the residual TMP was diluted within the pipette. Apical or basolateral pretreatment (30 min) with 10(-3) M SMX did not change Na+ channel activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization and cellular localization of the epithelial Na+ channel. Studies using an anti-Na+ channel antibody raised by an antiidiotypic route.

Amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels are expressed at the apical membrane of high resistance, Na+-transporting epithelial. The specific interaction of amiloride with this transport protein suggested the feasibility of raising anti-Na+ channel antibodies by an antiidiotypic approach designed to generate antibodies directed against the amiloride-binding domain on the channel. Antiidiotypic monoclonal antibody RA6.3 mimicked the effect of amiloride by inhibiting Na+ transport across A6 cell monolayers when applied to the apical cell surface. Inhibition of transport required pretreatment of the apical cell surface with trypsin in the presence of amiloride in order to enhance accessibility of the antibody to the amiloride-binding site. This antibody specifically immunoprecipitated a large 750,000-700,000 Da protein from [35S]methionine-labeled A6 cell cultures, which was resolved further under reducing conditions as a set of polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 260,000-230,000, 180,000, 140,000-110,000, and 70,000 Da. The antibody recognized the 140,000-Da subunit, known to contain the amiloride-binding domain, on immunoblots of purified A6 cell Na+ channel. Immunoprecipitation of apical or basolateral plasma membrane proteins selectively labeled with 125I demonstrated that expression of the oligomeric Na+ channel was restricted to the apical plasma membrane. Immunocytochemical localization in A6 cultures revealed apical membrane as well as cytosolic immunoreactive sites. Immunostaining was also observed at or near the basolateral plasma membrane.

Characterization and localization of epithelial Na+ channels in toad urinary bladder.

The toad urinary bladder and epithelial cell lines derived from the urinary bladder, including TBM, serve as model systems for the study of transepithelial Na+ transport. We examined biochemical characteristics of epithelial Na+ channels in toad urinary bladder and TBM cells and their cellular localization in the urinary bladder. The radiolabeled amiloride analogue [3H]benzamil bound to a single class of high-affinity binding sites in membrane vesicles from toad urinary bladder with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 10 nM. Photoactive benzamil analogues specifically labeled a 135,000-Da polypeptide in toad urinary bladder and TBM cells. A monoclonal anti-Na+ channel antibody directed against the amiloride-binding component of the channel specifically recognized a 135,000-Da polypeptide in TBM cells. Polyclonal anti-Na+ channel antibodies generated against purified bovine epithelial Na+ channel specifically recognized a 235,000-Da polypeptide in toad urinary bladder and localized Na+ channels to the apical plasma membrane of urinary bladder epithelial cells. The biochemical characteristics and the cellular localization of epithelial Na+ channels in toad urinary bladder are similar to those previously described in mammalian kidney and in the A6 cell line.

Arginine vasopressin and forskolin regulate apical cell surface expression of epithelial Na+ channels in A6 cells.

Both arginine vasopressin (AVP) and forskolin regulate vectorial Na+ transport across high-resistance epithelia by increasing the Na+ conductance of the apical membrane mediated by amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels. Pretreatment of A6 cells with brefeldin A partially inhibited the increase in Na+ transport in response to forskolin, suggesting recruitment of Na+ channels from an intracellular pool. The activation of Cl- secretion was not affected. Apical cell surface expression of Na+ channels was examined following activation of transepithelial Na+ transport across the epithelial cell line A6 by AVP or forskolin. Apical cell surface radioiodinated Na+ channels were immunoprecipitated to quantify the biochemical pool of Na+ channels at the apical plasma membrane and to determine whether an increment in the biochemical pool of Na+ channels expressed at the apical cell surface is a potential mechanism by which AVP and forskolin increase apical membrane Na+ conductance. The activation of Na+ transport across A6 cells by AVP was accompanied by a significant increase in the biochemical pool of Na+ channels at the apical plasma membrane within 5 min after addition of hormone, which was sustained for at least 30 min. The increase in apical cell surface expression of Na+ channels was also observed 30 min after application of forskolin. No changes in the oligomeric subunit composition of the channel were noted. Brefeldin A inhibited the forskolin-stimulated increase in apical cell surface expression of Na+ channels. These results suggest that AVP and forskolin regulate Na+ transport, in part, via rapid recruitment of Na+ channels to the cell surface, perhaps from a pool of channels in the subapical cytoplasm.

Distinct regulation of Na+ reabsorption and Cl- secretion by arginine vasopressin in the amphibian cell line A6.

The neurohypophysial peptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) increases Na+ absorption across A6 epithelia. In addition to the positive natriferic response, AVP increases net basolateral to apical Cl- flux. The time course of activation of electrogenic ion transport in A6 epithelia was examined by measuring transepithelial short-circuit current (ISC). Basolateral application of AVP (0.1 U/ml) or forskolin (10 microM) affects ISC in a biphasic manner. Shortly after addition of AVP, an early (transient) phase is observed in which ISC is rapidly stimulated, reaching a peak value at 1.4 +/- 0.1 min. A subsequent decrease in current is interrupted by a slower, late phase in which ISC reaches a peak 23 +/- 3 min after addition of AVP. The late increase in ISC is sustained over the remainder of the 40-min period of observation. The time course of ISC stimulation by forskolin is qualitatively similar. Replacement of external Cl- by aspartate lowers baseline transport nearly 40%, strongly blunts the early phase of ISC stimulation, and retains the late increase. Addition of amiloride (10 microM) to the apical bath before AVP or forskolin stimulation of ISC eliminates the late increase of ISC. Steady-state amiloride-insensitive ISC activated under these conditions was sensitive to apical application of the Cl- channel blockers 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (20 microM) and niflumic acid (100 microM). 4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (1 mM) was not an effective inhibitor of this current. Basolateral bumetanide (100 microM) inhibited baseline ISC and reduced both the peak transient and steady-state amiloride-insensitive ISC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldosterone alters the open probability of amiloride-blockable sodium channels in A6 epithelia.

We used patch-clamp methods to examine the effects of depletion and readdition of aldosterone on single, highly selective, amiloride-blockable sodium channels in the A6 cell line. Single-channel characteristics changed little before 24 h of continuous aldosterone depletion, although there was some reduction in short-circuit current. Thereafter, apical sodium permeability, measured as product of channel number per patch and individual channel open probability (NPo), was reduced between five- and sevenfold, primarily due to a large decrease in channel mean open time. With about the same time course, short-circuit current also decreased approximately fivefold. Readdition of aldosterone to depleted cells produced an increase in NPo within 2 h, primarily through an increase in mean open time. After readdition, channel number per patch increased twofold compared with cells not hormone deprived, with a return to control levels between 24 and 48 h after continuous exposure. The increase in short-circuit current followed a similar time course. The primary effect of aldosterone appears to be modulation of the open time of channels continuously present in the apical membrane, rather than promotion of the appearance or disappearance of channels from the membrane. In particular, it cannot be demonstrated statistically that aldosterone removal reduces the number of channels per patch, and there may actually be up to a twofold increase after a long period of aldosterone depletion.

The cellular pool of Na+ channels in the amphibian cell line A6 is not altered by mineralocorticoids. Analysis using a new photoactive amiloride analog in combination with anti-amiloride antibodies.

An amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel is found in the apical plasma membrane of high resistance, Na+ transporting epithelia. We have developed a method for the identification of this channel based on the use of a new high affinity photoreactive amiloride analog, 2'-methoxy-5'-nitrobenzamil (NMBA), and anti-amiloride antibodies to identify photolabeled polypeptides. NMBA specifically labels the putative Na+ channel in bovine kidney microsomes. A 130-kDa polypeptide is detected on immunoblots with anti-amiloride antibodies. NMBA is a potent inhibitor of Na+ transport in the established amphibian kidney epithelial cell line A6, and specifically labels a 130-kDa polypeptide. We utilized both NMBA photolabeling and [3H]benzamil binding in order to examine the cellular pool of putative channels following hormonal regulation of Na+ transport. This pool is not significantly altered by the mineralocorticoid agonist aldosterone or antagonist spironolactone, despite a 3.8-fold difference in transepithelial Na+ transport.