Identification of the fatty acid activation site on human ClC-2.

Fatty acids (including lubiprostone and cobiprostone) are human ClC-2 (hClC-2) Cl- channel activators. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this activation were examined. Role of a four-amino acid PKA activation site, RGET691, of hClC-2 was investigated using wild-type (WT) and mutant (AGET, RGEA, and AGAA) hClC-2 expressed in 293EBNA cells as well as involvement of PKA, intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i), EP2, or EP4 receptor agonist activity. All fatty acids [lubiprostone, cobiprostone, eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), oleic acid, and elaidic acid] caused significant rightward shifts in concentration-dependent Cl- current activation (increasing EC50s) with mutant compared with WT hClC-2 channels, without changing time and voltage dependence, current-voltage rectification, or methadone inhibition of the channel. As with lubiprostone, cobiprostone activation of hClC-2 occurred with PKA inhibitor (myristoylated protein kinase inhibitor) present or when using double PKA activation site (RRAA655/RGEA691) mutant. Cobiprostone did not activate human CFTR. Fatty acids did not increase [cAMP]i in hClC-2/293EBNA or T84 cells. Using T84 CFTR knockdown cells, cobiprostone increased hClC-2 Cl- currents without increasing [cAMP]i, while PGE2 and forskolin-IBMX increased both. Fatty acids were not agonists of EP2 or EP4 receptors. L-161,982, a supposed EP4-selective inhibitor, had no effect on lubiprostone-activated hClC-2 Cl- currents but significantly decreased T84 cell barrier function measured by transepithelial resistance and fluorescent dextran transepithelial movement. The present findings show that RGET691 of hClC-2 (possible binding site) plays an important functional role in fatty acid activation of hClC-2. PKA, [cAMP]i, and EP2 or EP4 receptors are not involved. These studies provide the molecular basis for fatty acid regulation of hClC-2.

Differentiation between human ClC-2 and CFTR Cl- channels with pharmacological agents.

It has been difficult to separate/identify the roles of ClC-2 and CFTR in Cl(-) transport studies. Using pharmacological agents, we aimed to differentiate functionally between ClC-2 and CFTR Cl(-) channel currents. Effects of CFTR inhibitor 172 (CFTRinh172), N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)urea (DASU-02), and methadone were examined by whole cell patch clamp on Cl(-) currents in recombinant human ClC-2/human embryonic kidney 293 (ClC-2/HEK293) cells stably transformed with Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (hClC-2/293EBNA) and human CFTR/HEK293 (hCFTR/HEK293) cells and by short-circuit current (Isc) measurements in T84 cells. Lubiprostone and forskolin-IBMX were used as activators. CFTRinh172 inhibited forskolin-IBMX-stimulated recombinant human CFTR (hCFTR) and lubiprostone-stimulated recombinant human ClC-2 (hClC-2) Cl(-) currents in a concentration-dependent manner equipotently. DASU-02 inhibited forskolin-IBMX-stimulated Cl(-) currents in hCFTR/HEK293 cells, but not lubiprostone-stimulated Cl(-) currents in hClC-2/293EBNA cells. In T84 cells with basolateral nystatin or 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO), lubiprostone-stimulated and forskolin-IBMX-cyclosporin A (FICA)-stimulated Isc components were observed. CFTRinh172 inhibited major portions of both components. DASU-02 had no effect on lubiprostone-stimulated Isc but partially inhibited FICA-stimulated Isc. T84 cells in which ClC-2 or CFTR was knocked down using siRNAs were constructed. T84 ClC-2 knockdown cells did not respond to lubiprostone but did respond to forskolin-IBMX in a methadone-insensitive, DASU-02-sensitive manner, indicating CFTR function. T84 CFTR knockdown cells responded separately to lubiprostone and forskolin-IBMX in a methadone-sensitive and DASU-02-insensitive manner, indicating ClC-2 function. Low lubiprostone concentrations activated ClC-2, but not CFTR, and both channels were activated by forskolin-IBMX but have different inhibitor sensitivities. Methadone, but not DASU-02, inhibited ClC-2. DASU-02, but not methadone, inhibited CFTR. In T84 cells, both ClC-2 and CFTR are present and likely play roles in Cl(-) secretion.

Cellular and molecular effects of unoprostone as a BK channel activator.

Effects of unoprostone isopropyl (unoprostone), a prostaglandin metabolite analog; latanoprost, a PGF(2alpha) analog; and PGF(2alpha) were examined in HCN-1A cells, a model system for studies of large conductance Ca(2+) activated K(+)(BK) channel activator-based neuroprotective agents. Unoprostone and latanoprost, both used as anti-glaucoma agents, have been suggested to act through FP receptors and have neuroprotective effects. Ion channel activation, plasma membrane polarization, [Ca(2+)](i) changes and protection against long-term irreversible glutamate-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases were studied. Unoprostone activated iberiotoxin (IbTX)-sensitive BK channels in HCN-1A cells with an EC(50) of 0.6+/-0.2 nM and had no effect on Cl(-) currents. Unoprostone caused IbTX-sensitive plasma membrane hyperpolarization that was insensitive to AL8810, an FP receptor antagonist. In contrast, latanoprost and PGF(2alpha) activated a Cl(-) current sensitive to [Ca(2+)](i) chelation, tamoxifen and AL8810, and caused IbTX-insensitive, AL8810-sensitive membrane depolarization consistent with FP receptor-mediated Ca(2+) signaling Cl(-) current activation. Latanoprost and PGF(2alpha), but not unoprostone, increased [Ca(2+)](i). Unoprostone, PGF(2alpha) only partially, but not latanoprost protected HCN-1A cells against glutamate-induced Ca(2+) deregulation. These findings show that unoprostone has a distinctly different mechanism of action from latanoprost and PGF(2alpha). Whether unoprostone affects the BK channel directly or an unidentified signaling mechanism has not been determined.

Unoprostone isopropyl and metabolite M1 activate BK channels and prevent ET-1-induced [Ca²âº]i increases in human trabecular meshwork and smooth muscle.

PURPOSE: Effects of cis-unoprostone isopropyl, its primary metabolite M1, trans-unoprostone isopropyl, latanoprost free acid, and fluprostenol were studied on Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels, plasma membrane potential, [cAMP](i), [cGMP](i), and steady state [Ca(2+)](i), and protection against endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced steady state [Ca(2+)](i) increases in human cortical neuronal (HCN-1A), trabecular meshwork (HTMC), and pulmonary artery smooth muscle (PASMC) cells. Effects on recombinant human prostaglandin (PG) receptors were determined. METHODS: BK channel currents were measured using whole-cell patch clamp; [cAMP](i), [cGMP](i) with ELISAs; [Ca(2+)](i) with indo-1; plasma membrane potential using diBAC(4)(3); and PG receptor effects with PG receptor-expressing cells and FLIPR fluo-4 Ca(2+) assays. RESULTS: Unoprostone isopropyl and M1 activated sustained iberiotoxin (IbTX)-sensitive, AL-8810 (FP receptor antagonist)-insensitive BK channel currents with EC(50)s of 0.51 ± 0.03 nM (n = 5) and 0.52 ± 0.03 nM (n = 6) in HTMCs; 0.61 ± 0.06 nM (n = 8) and 0.46 ± 0.04 nM (n = 5) for M1 in HCN-1A cells and PASMC, respectively. They caused AL-8810-insensitive, IbTX-sensitive membrane hyperpolarization at 10 nM; up to 100 nM had no effect on or decreased [cAMP](i), [cGMP](i), and [Ca(2+)](i); and prevented ET-1-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases. In contrast, 10 nM latanoprost free acid and fluprostenol caused membrane depolarization; increased [cAMP](i), [cGMP](i), and [Ca(2+)](i); and did not prevent ET-1-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increases. Trans-unoprostone isopropyl had no effects. Unoprostone isopropyl (1.25 µM) had no effect on PG receptors, and neither did M1, except for activating the FP receptor with EC(50) = 557.9 ± 55.2 nM (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: Prostones, unoprostone isopropyl and M1, are potent AL-8810-insensitive, stereospecific BK channel activators, without [cAMP](i), [cGMP](i), or [Ca(2+)](i) involvement, and prevent ET-1-induced steady state Ca(2+) increases in HTMCs.

Gastric parietal cell secretory membrane contains PKA- and acid-activated Kir2.1 K+ channels.

Our objective was to identify and localize a K+ channel involved in gastric HCl secretion at the parietal cell secretory membrane and to characterize and compare the functional properties of native and recombinant gastric K+ channels. RT-PCR showed that mRNA for Kir2.1 was abundant in rabbit gastric mucosa with lesser amounts of Kir4.1 and Kir7.1, relative to beta-actin. Kir2.1 mRNA was localized to parietal cells of rabbit gastric glands by in situ RT-PCR. Resting and stimulated gastric vesicles contained Kir2.1 by Western blot analysis at approximately 50 kDa as observed with in vitro translation. Immunoconfocal microscopy showed that Kir2.1 was present in parietal cells, where it colocalized with H+ -K+ -ATPase and ClC-2 Cl- channels. Function of native K+ channels in rabbit resting and stimulated gastric mucosal vesicles was studied by reconstitution into planar lipid bilayers. Native gastric K+ channels exhibited a linear current-voltage relationship and a single-channel slope conductance of approximately 11 pS in 400 mM K2SO4. Channel open probability (Po) in stimulated vesicles was high, and that of resting vesicles was low. Reduction of extracellular pH plus PKA treatment increased resting channel Po to approximately 0.5 as measured in stimulated vesicles. Full-length rabbit Kir2.1 was cloned. When stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, it was activated by reduced extracellular pH and forskolin/IBMX with no effects observed in nontransfected CHO cells. Cation selectivity was K+ = Rb+ >> Na+ = Cs+ = Li+ = NMDG+. These findings strongly suggest that the Kir2.1 K+ channel may be involved in regulated gastric acid secretion at the parietal cell secretory membrane.

Sites of protein kinase A activation of the human ClC-2 Cl(-) channel.

Human ClC-2 Cl(-) (hClC-2) channels are activated by protein kinase A (PKA) and low extracellular pH(o). Both of these effects are prevented by the PKA inhibitor, myristoylated PKI. The aims of the present study were to identify the PKA phosphorylation site(s) important for PKA activation of hClC-2 at neutral and low pH(o) and to examine the relationship between PKA and low pH(o) activation. Recombinant hClC-2 with point mutations of consensus phosphorylation sites was prepared and stably expressed in HEK-293 cells. The responses to forskolin plus isobutylmethylxanthine at neutral and acidic pH(o) were studied by whole cell patch clamp in the presence and absence of phosphatase inhibitors. The double phosphorylation site (RRAT655(A) plus RGET691(A)) mutant hClC-2 lost PKA activation and low pH(o) activation. Either RRAT or RGET was sufficient for PKA activation of hClC-2 at pH(o) 7.4, as long as phosphatase inhibitors (cyclosporin A or endothal) were present. At pH(o) 6 only RGET was needed for PKA activation of hClC-2. Low pH(o) activation of hClC-2 Cl(-) channel activity was PKA-dependent, retained in RGET(A) mutant hClC-2, but lost in RRAT(A) mutant hClC-2. RRAT655(D) mutant hClC-2 was constitutively active and was further activated by PKA at pH(o) 7.4 and 6.0, consistent with the above findings. These results show that activation of hClC-2 is differentially regulated by PKA at two sites, RRAT655 and RGET691. Either RRAT655 or RGET691 was sufficient for activation at pH(o) 7.4. RGET, but not RRAT, was sufficient for activation at pH(o) 6.0. However, in the RGET691(D) mutant, there was PKA activation at pH(o) 6.0.

SPI-0211 activates T84 cell chloride transport and recombinant human ClC-2 chloride currents.

The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism of action of SPI-0211 (lubiprostone), a novel bicyclic fatty acid in development for the treatment of bowel dysfunction. Adult rabbit intestine was shown to contain mRNA for ClC-2 using RT-PCR, Northern blot analysis, and in situ hybridization. T84 cells grown to confluence on permeable supports were shown to express ClC-2 channel protein in the apical membrane. SPI-0211 increased electrogenic Cl- transport across the apical membrane of T84 cells, with an EC50 of approximately 18 nM measured by short-circuit current (Isc) after permeabilization of the basolateral membrane with nystatin. SPI-0211 effects on Cl- currents were also measured by whole cell patch clamp using the human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cell line stably transfected with either recombinant human ClC-2 or recombinant human cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR). In these studies, SPI-0211 activated ClC-2 Cl- currents in a concentration-dependent manner, with an EC50 of approximately 17 nM, and had no effect in nontransfected HEK-293 cells. In contrast, SPI-0211 had no effect on CFTR Cl- channel currents measured in CFTR-transfected HEK-293 cells. Activation of ClC-2 by SPI-0211 was independent of PKA. Together, these studies demonstrate that SPI-0211 is a potent activator of ClC-2 Cl- channels and suggest a physiologically relevant role for ClC-2 Cl- channels in intestinal Cl- transport after SPI-0211 administration.