Small conductance chloride channels in the apical membrane of thyroid cells.

A small conductance chloride channel has been identified on the apical membrane of porcine thyroid cells using the patch-clamp technique. In cell attached membrane patches with NaCl in the pipette, the single channel conductance is 5.5 pS. The channel is highly selective for chloride over gluconate and iodide, and is impermeable to Na+, K+ and tetraethylammonium ions. The open state probability of the channel is not affected by voltage. The channel activity disappears after excision of the patch. The Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB) did not affect the activity of the thyroid Cl- channels. Treatment of thyroid cells with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-chloro-cAMP) (0.5 mM) prior to giga-seal formation increased Cl- channel activity in the apical membrane of thyroid cells.

Genotype-phenotype analysis of a newly discovered family with Liddle's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical, biologic, and molecular abnormalities in a family with Liddle's syndrome and analyze the short- and long-term efficacies of amiloride treatment. PATIENTS: The pedigree consisted of one affected mother and four children, of whom three suffered from early-onset and moderate-to-severe hypertension. METHODS: In addition to the biochemical and hormonal measurements, genetic analysis of the carboxy terminus of the beta subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (beta ENaC) was conducted through single-strand conformation analysis and direct sequencing. The functional properties of the mutation were analyzed using the Xenopus expression system and compared with one mutation affecting the proline-rich sequence of the beta ENaC. RESULTS: Mild hypokalemia and suppressed levels of plasma renin and aldosterone were observed in all affected subjects. Administration of 10 mg/day amiloride for 2 months normalized the blood pressure and plasma potassium levels of all of the affected subjects, whereas their plasma and urinary aldosterone levels remained surprisingly low. A similar pattern was observed after 11 years of follow-up, but a fivefold increase in plasma aldosterone was observed under treatment with 20 mg/day amiloride for 2 weeks. Genetic analysis of the beta ENaC revealed a deletion of 32 nucleotides that had modified the open reading frame and introduced a stop codon at position 582. Expression of this beta 579del32 mutant caused a 3.7 +/- 0.3-fold increase in the amiloride-sensitive sodium current, without modification of the unitary properties of the channel. A similar increase was elicited by one mutation affecting the carboxy terminus of the beta ENaC. CONCLUSIONS: This new mutation leading to Liddle's syndrome highlights the importance of the carboxy terminus of the beta ENaC in the activity of the epithelial sodium channel. Small doses of amiloride are able to control the blood pressure on a long-term basis in this monogenic form of hypertension.

H(+)-gated cation channels.

H(+)-gated cation channels are members of a new family of ionic channels, which includes the epithelial Na+ channel and the FMRFamide-activated Na+ channel. ASIC, the first member of the H(+)-gated Na+ channel subfamily, is expressed in brain and dorsal root ganglion cells (DRGs). It is activated by pHe variations below pH 7. The presence of this channel throughout the brain suggests that the H+ might play an essential role as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. The ASIC channel is also present in dorsal root ganglion cells, as is its homolog DRASIC, which is specifically present in DRGs and absent in the brain. Since external acidification is a major factor in pain associated with inflammation, hematomas, cardiac or muscle ischemia, or cancer, these two channel proteins are potentially central players in pain perception. ASIC activates and inactivates rapidly, while DRASIC has both a fast and sustained component. Other members of this family such as MDEG1 and MDEG2 are either H(+)-gated Na+ channels by themselves (MDEG1) or modulators of H(+)-gated channels formed by ASIC and DRASIC. MDEG1 is of particular interest because the same mutations that produce selective neurodegeneration in C. elegans mechanosensitive neurons, when introduced in MDEG1, also produce neurodegeneration. MDEG2 is selectively expressed in DRGs, where it assembles with DRASIC to radically change its biophysical properties, making it similar to the native H(+)-gated channel, which is presently the best candidate for pain perception.

Lack of effect of Presenilin 1, betaAPP and their Alzheimer's disease-related mutated forms on Xenopus oocytes membrane currents.

The effect of the microinjection of Xenopus oocytes with various cRNAs coding for Presenilin 1 and four mutated presenilins linked to early onset familial forms of Alzheimer's disease was examined. These cRNAs were injected either alone or in combination with the cRNA encoding betaAPP751 and the Swedish mutated form of betaAPP751 known to produce exacerbated amount of Abeta. Current-voltage relationships generated by voltage step were recorded. None of the cRNA injected alone or in combination displayed the ability to modify the current recorded with naive cells. Altogether, this study shows that Presenilin 1 does not mediate membrane currents and is more likely involved in the physiopathological maturation of betaAPP.

Block and activation of the hyperpolarization-activated inward current by Ba and Cs in frog sinus venosus.

Voltage clamp experiments were performed on isolated frog sinus venosus trabeculae using the double mannitol gap voltage clamp technique. On hyperpolarization from the holding potential (-30, -50 mV) to various potential levels slow activation of inward current was recorded. Several basic features of this current system resemble those of the current if in mammalian pace-maker tissues. The current activates from a threshold ranging between -50, -70 mV and increases in the inward direction with the negative pulse amplitude. Conductance measurements during current development show a conductance increase. The current is strongly reduced during perfusion with Na-free medium. However, there were several important differences in its properties from those of the if current in other preparations. Ba in concentrations of 0.3-5 mM reduces the amplitude of the inward current in a concentration-dependent manner. Cs in low concentration range (1-10 mM) fails to have any effect on the time dependent current. Cs concentrations higher than 10 mM increase the current amplitude in a dose-dependent manner. The current increase induced by Cs still remains in Na-free solution and is not affected by Cl replacement. These results suggest that Cs may carry inward current. The identity of the ionic mechanism responsible for the observed current is discussed.

Functional degenerin-containing chimeras identify residues essential for amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel function.

The highly selective, amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel is formed of three homologous subunits termed alpha, beta, and gamma. The three subunits exhibit similarities with Caenorhabditis elegans proteins called degenerins involved in sensory touch transduction and, when mutated, in neurodegeneration. Swelling of neurons observed in neurodegeneration suggests an involvement of ion transport, but the channel function of degenerins has not yet been demonstrated. We used chimeras to study the functional relationship between the epithelial sodium channel and the degenerin Mec-4. Exchange of the hydrophobic domains of the Na+ channel alpha subunit by those of Mec-4 results in a functional ion channel with changed pharmacology for amiloride and benzamil and changed selectivity, conductance, gating, and voltage dependence. All of these differences were also obtained by exchanging Ser-589 and Ser-593 in the second transmembrane region by the corresponding residues of Mec-4, suggesting that these two residues are essential for the ionic pore function of the channel.

Ca2+ channel blockers inhibit secretory C1-channels in intestinal epithelial cells.

Outwardly rectifying Cl- channels are present in the human colonic cell line (HT29D4). The classical Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate inhibits Cl- channel activity with a K0.5 value of 20 microM. Epithelial Cl- channel activity is inhibited by Ca2+ channel blockers. Phenylalkylamines are the most effective inhibitors. (+/-)Verapamil and (-)desmethoxyverapamil induce flickering and then the complete blockade of Cl- channels recorded from outside-out patches. K0.5 values are 60 microM and 100 microM for (-)desmethoxyverapamil and (+/-)verapamil, respectively. Other classes of L-type Ca2+ channel blockers have also been studied but they are less active.

A voltage, calcium, and ATP sensitive non selective cation channel in human colonic tumor cells.

A non selective cation channel has been identified in the human colonic cell lines T84 and HT29D4 using the patch clamp technique. The channel is equally permeable to Na+ and K+, has a linear current-voltage relationship and a conductance of about 20 pS in symmetrical NaCl conditions. The channel is not permeable to chloride or to large organic cations such as N-methyl-D-glucamine. The open probability of the channel is voltage dependent. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations higher than 0.1 mM are required to activate the channel. The channel is blocked by cytosolic ATP (1 mM). 3',5-dichlorodiphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid inhibit the channel when present on the extracellular side. The block is not voltage dependent. 3',5-dichlorodiphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid is the most potent blocker and completely inhibits channel activity at a concentration of 50 microM. The channel is insensitive to amiloride and derivatives.

Characterization of the ionic mechanism responsible for the hyperpolarization-activated current in frog sinus venosus.

Voltage clamp experiments were carried out on the sinus venosus of the frog by means of the double mannitol gap technique. The ionic mechanism underlying the slowly hyperpolarization-activated inward current was investigated by changing the concentration and species of alkali cations and divalent cations in the bathing solution. Adding Rb or Cs in concentration of 10-20 mM to the control solution led to a dose-dependent increase in the inward current, as does elevating the external concentration of K from 2.5 to 25 mM. After the inward current had been nearly suppressed by completely substituting Tris for Na in the external medium, it was partially restored after a subsequent addition of K, Rb or Cs to the Na-free medium. Various alkaline earths or transition metals added to the bathing solution markedly depressed the magnitude of the inward current. This inhibitory effect varied with concentration and nature of divalent cations added. It also depended on the concentration and species of alkali cations present in the external solution. From these observations it was proposed that the conductance responsible for the inward rectification in frog sinus venosus does not discriminate among monovalent cations. The results support the existence of a weak-field-strength site located in the permeation pathway. Divalent cation may exert their inhibitory effect by competing with permeant ions for this site.

Cloning of the amiloride-sensitive FMRFamide peptide-gated sodium channel.

The peptide Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide) and structurally related peptides are present both in invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems. Although they constitute a major class of invertebrate peptide neurotransmitters, the molecular structure of their receptors has not yet been identified. In neurons of the snail Helix aspersa, as well as in Aplysia bursting and motor neurons, FMRFamide induces a fast excitatory depolarizing response due to direct activation of an amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel. We have now isolated a complementary DNA from Helix nervous tissue; when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, it encodes an FMRFamide-activated Na+ channel (FaNaCh) that can be blocked by amiloride. The corresponding protein shares a very low sequence identity with the previously cloned epithelial Na+ channel subunits and Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins, but it displays the same overall structural organization. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of a peptide-gated ionotropic receptor.

Mutations causing neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans drastically alter the pH sensitivity and inactivation of the mammalian H+-gated Na+ channel MDEG1.

The mammalian degenerin MDEG1 belongs to the nematode degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel superfamily. It is constitutively activated by the same mutations that cause gain-of-function of the Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins and neurodegeneration. ASIC and DRASIC, which were recently cloned, are structural homologues of MDEG1 and behave as H+-gated cation channels. MDEG1 is also a H+-activated Na+ channel, but it differs from ASIC in its lower pH sensitivity and slower kinetics. In addition to the generation of a constitutive current, mutations in MDEG1 also alter the properties of the H+-gated current. Replacement of Gly-430 in MDEG1 by bulkier amino acids, such as Val, Phe, or Thr, drastically increases the H+ sensitivity of the channel (half-maximal pH (pHm) approximately 4.4 for MDEG1, pHm approximately 6.7 for the different mutants). Furthermore, these replacements completely suppress the inactivation observed with the wild-type channel and increase the sensitivity of the H+-gated channel to blockade by amiloride by a factor of 10 without modification of its conductance and ionic selectivity. These results as well as those obtained with other mutants clearly indicate that the region surrounding Gly-430, situated just before the second transmembrane segment, is essential for pH sensitivity and gating.

Cloning and functional expression of a novel degenerin-like Na+ channel gene in mammals.

1. A degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) homology screening procedure was applied to rat brain cDNA in order to identify novel genes belonging to the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel and degenerin (NaC/DEG) family of ion channels. A single gene was identified that encodes a protein related to but clearly different from the already cloned members of the family (18-30 % amino acid sequence identity). Phylogenetic analysis linked this protein to the group of ligand-gated channels that includes the mammalian acid-sensing ion channels and the Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide (FMRFamide)-activated Na+ channel. 2. Expression of gain-of-function mutants after cRNA injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes or transient transfection of COS cells induced large constitutive currents. The activated channel was amiloride sensitive (IC50, 1.31 microM) and displayed a low conductance (9-10 pS) and a high selectivity for Na+ over K+ (ratio of the respective permeabilities, PNa+/PK+ >= 10), all of which are characteristic of NaC/DEG channel behaviour. 3. Northern blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed a predominant expression of its mRNA in the small intestine, the liver (including hepatocytes) and the brain. This channel has been called the brain-liver-intestine amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel (BLINaC). 4. Corresponding gain-of-function mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins are responsible for inherited neurodegeneration in the nematode. Besides the BLINaC physiological function that remains to be established, mutations in this novel mammalian degenerin-like channel might be of pathophysiological importance in inherited neurodegeneration and liver or intestinal pathologies.

Regulation of expression of the lung amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel by steroid hormones.

Molecular cloning of the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel has permitted analysis of the mechanisms of its stimulation by steroids. In rat lung cells in primary culture, where its mRNA has been detected, the activity of an amiloride-sensitive channel, highly selective for Na+, is controlled by corticosteroids. Dexamethasone (0.1 microM) or aldosterone (1 microM) induced, after a minimum 10 h treatment, a large increase of the amiloride-induced hyperpolarization and of the amiloride-sensitive current. A parallel increase in the amount of the mRNA was observed. The corresponding gene is thus a target for steroid action. Using synthetic specific agonists and antagonists for mineralo- and glucocorticoid receptors, it has been shown that the steroid action on Na+ channel expression is mediated via glucocorticoid receptors. Triiodothyronine, known to modulate steroid action in several tissues, had no effect on both the amiloride-sensitive Na+ current and the level of the mRNA for the Na+ channel protein, but potentiates the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone. The increase in Na+ channel activity observed in the lung around birth can thus be explained by a direct increase in transcription of the Na+ channel gene.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of a novel amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel.

We have isolated a cDNA for a novel human amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel isoform (called delta) which is expressed mainly in brain, pancreas, testis, and ovary. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, it generates an amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel with biophysical and pharmacological properties distinct from those of the epithelial Na+ channel, a multimeric assembly of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. The Na+ current produced by the new delta isoform is increased by two orders of magnitude after coexpression of the beta and gamma subunit of the epithelial Na+ channel showing that delta can associate with other subunits and is part of a novel multisubunit ion channel.

The mammalian degenerin MDEG, an amiloride-sensitive cation channel activated by mutations causing neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Mutations of the degenerins (deg-1, mec-4, mec-10) are the major known causes of hereditary neurodegeneration in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We cloned a neuronal degenerin (MDEG) from human and rat brain. MDEG is an amiloride-sensitive cation channel permeable for Na+, K+, and Li+. This channel is activated by the same mutations which cause neurodegeneration in C. elegans. Like the hyperactive C. elegans degenerin mutants, constitutively active mutants of MDEG cause cell death, suggesting that gain of function of this novel neuronal ion channel might be involved in human forms of neurodegeneration.

Zn2+ and H+ are coactivators of acid-sensing ion channels.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are cationic channels activated by extracellular protons. They are expressed in sensory neurons, where they are thought to be involved in pain perception associated with tissue acidosis. They are also expressed in brain. A number of brain regions, like the hippocampus, contain large amounts of chelatable vesicular Zn(2+). This paper shows that Zn(2+) potentiates the acid activation of homomeric and heteromeric ASIC2a-containing channels (i.e. ASIC2a, ASIC1a+2a, ASIC2a+3), but not of homomeric ASIC1a and ASIC3. The EC(50) for Zn(2+) potentiation is 120 and 111 microm for the ASIC2a and ASIC1a+2a current, respectively. Zn(2+) shifts the pH dependence of activation of the ASIC1a+2a current from a pH(0.5) of 5.5 to 6.0. Systematic mutagenesis of the 10 extracellular histidines of ASIC2a leads to the identification of two residues (His-162 and His-339) that are essential for the Zn(2+) potentiating effect. Mutation of another histidine residue, His-72, abolishes the pH sensitivity of ASIC2a. This residue, which is located just after the first transmembrane domain, seems to be an essential component of the extracellular pH sensor of ASIC2a.

dGNaC1, a gonad-specific amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel.

Amiloride-sensitive sodium channels have been implicated in reproductive and early developmental processes of several species. These include the fast block of polyspermy in Xenopus oocytes that follows the sperm binding to the egg or blastocoel expansion in mammalian embryo. We have now identified a gene called dGNaC1 that is specifically expressed in the gonads and early embryo in Drosophila melanogaster. The corresponding protein belongs to the superfamily of cationic channels blocked by amiloride that includes Caenorhabditis elegans degenerins, the Helix aspersa FMRF-amide ionotropic receptor (FaNaC), the mammalian epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), and acid-sensing ionic channels (ASIC, DRASIC, and MDEG). Expression of dGNaC1 in Xenopus oocytes generates a constitutive current that does not discriminate between Na+ and Li+, but is selective for Na+ over K+. This current is blocked by amiloride (IC50 = 24 microM), benzamil (IC50 = 2 microM), and ethylisopropyl amiloride (IC50 = 49 microM). These properties are clearly different from those obtained after expression of the previously cloned members of this family, including ENaC and the human alphaENaC-like subunit, deltaNaC. Interestingly, the pharmacology of dGNaC1 is not very different from that found for the Na+ channel characterized in rabbit preimplantation embryos. We postulate that this channel may participate in gametogenesis and early embryonic development in Drosophila.

[The amiloride sensitive sodium channel]. / Le canal Na+ sensible à l'amiloride.

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel is formed by the assembly of three homologous subunits alpha, beta and gamma. The channel is characterized by its sensitivity to amiloride and to some amiloride derivatives, such as phenamil and benzamil, by its small unitary conductance (approximately 5pS), by its high selectivity for lithium and sodium, and by its slow kinetics. The alpha, beta, and gamma proteins share significant identity with degenerins, a family of proteins found in the mechanosensory neurons and interneurons of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. They are also homologous to FaNaCh, a protein from Helix aspersa nervous tissues, which corresponds to a neuronal ionotropic receptor for the Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide peptide. All these proteins contain a large extracellular loop, located between two transmembrane alpha-helices. The NH2 and COOH terminal segments are cytoplasmic, and contain potential regulatory segments that are able to modulate the activity of the channel. In Liddle syndrome, in which patients develop a form of genetic hypertension, mutations within the cytoplasmic COOH terminal of the beta and gamma chains of the epithelial Na+ channel lead to a hyper-activity of the channel. Epithelial Na+ channel activity is tightly controlled by several distinct hormonal systems, including corticosteroids and vasopressin. In kidney and colon, aldosterone is the major sodium-retaining hormone, acting, by stimulation of Na+ reabsorption through the epithelium. In the distal colon from steroid-treated animals, a large increase of the beta and gamma subunits transcription is observed, whereas the alpha subunit remains constitutively transcribed. In kidney, RNA levels of the three subunits are not significantly altered by aldosterone, suggesting that other mechanisms control Na+ channel activity in that tissue. In lung, the glucocorticoids are the positive regulators of the channel activity, especially around birth, and act via an increased transcription of the three subunits.

A proton-gated cation channel involved in acid-sensing.

Acid-sensing is associated with both nociception and taste transduction. Stimulation of sensory neurons by acid is of particular interest, because acidosis accompanies many painful inflammatory and ischaemic conditions. The pain caused by acids is thought to be mediated by H+-gated cation channels present in sensory neurons. We have now cloned a H+-gated channel (ASIC, for acid-sensing ionic channel) that belongs to the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel/degenerin family of ion channels. Heterologous expression of ASIC induces an amiloride-sensitive cation (Na+ > Ca2+ > K+) channel which is transiently activated by rapid extracellular acidification. The biophysical and pharmacological properties of the ASIC channel closely match the H+-gated cation channel described in sensory neurons. ASIC is expressed in dorsal root ganglia and is also distributed widely throughout the brain. ASIC appears to be the simplest of ligand-gated channels.

A new type of amiloride-sensitive cationic channel in endothelial cells of brain microvessels.

Endothelial cells from brain microvessels form the blood-brain barrier. Brain microvessels and endothelial cells isolated from rat brain microvessels express an amiloride-sensitive cationic channel that was characterized using [3H]phenamil binding and patch-clamp experiments. [3H]Phenamil, a labeled amiloride analog, recognizes a single family of binding sites with a dissociation constant of 20-30 nM and a maximum binding capacity of 8-15 pmol/mg protein. The pharmacological profile of the channel (phenamil greater than benzamil greater than amiloride) is very similar to that of the epithelium Na+ channel of mammalian kidney and of frog epithelia. Long-lasting currents were observed in patch-clamp experiments using excised outside-out patches. Application of amiloride or phenamil first produced a rapid flickering of channel activity and then its complete blockade. The mean unit channel conductance at 140 mM Na+ was 23 picosiemens. The selectivity of Na+ over K+ was estimated from reversal potentials to be 1.5:1. Properties of the channel in microvessels are clearly distinct from those of the Na+ channel of the kidney, suggesting the existence of several isoforms of cationic channels that are sensitive to amiloride and its derivatives. The low selectivity cationic channel of endothelial cells in brain microvessels might be important for controlling both Na+ and K+ movements across the blood-brain barrier.