Yes-associated protein 65 localizes p62(c-Yes) to the apical compartment of airway epithelia by association with EBP50.

We recently showed that the COOH terminus of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator associates with the submembranous scaffolding protein EBP50 (ERM-binding phosphoprotein 50 kD; also called Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor). Since EBP50 associates with ezrin, this interaction links the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to the cortical actin cytoskeleton. EBP50 has two PDZ domains, and CFTR binds with high affinity to the first PDZ domain. Here, we report that Yes-associated protein 65 (YAP65) binds with high affinity to the second EBP50 PDZ domain. YAP65 is concentrated at the apical membrane in airway epithelia and interacts with EBP50 in cells. The COOH terminus of YAP65 is necessary and sufficient to mediate association with EBP50. The EBP50-YAP65 interaction is involved in the compartmentalization of YAP65 at the apical membrane since mutant YAP65 proteins lacking the EBP50 interaction motif are mislocalized when expressed in airway epithelial cells. In addition, we show that the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Yes is contained within EBP50 protein complexes by association with YAP65. Subapical EBP50 protein complexes, containing the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Yes, may regulate apical signal transduction pathways leading to changes in ion transport, cytoskeletal organization, or gene expression in epithelial cells.

Alternative splicing regulates the subcellular localization of A-kinase anchoring protein 18 isoforms.

The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is localized to specific subcellular compartments by association with A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs). AKAPs are a family of functionally related proteins that bind the regulatory (R) subunit of PKA with high affinity and target the kinase to specific subcellular organelles. Recently, AKAP18, a low molecular weight plasma membrane AKAP that facilitates PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the L-type Ca(2+) channel, was cloned. We now report the cloning of two additional isoforms of AKAP18, which we have designated AKAP18beta and AKAP18gamma, that arise from alternative mRNA splicing. The AKAP18 isoforms share a common R subunit binding site, but have distinct targeting domains. The original AKAP18 (renamed AKAP18alpha) and AKAP18beta target the plasma membrane when expressed in HEK-293 cells, while AKAP18gamma is cytosolic. When expressed in epithelial cells, AKAP18alpha is targeted to lateral membranes, whereas AKAP18beta is accumulated at the apical membrane. A 23-amino acid insert, following the plasma membrane targeting domain, facilitates the association of AKAP18beta with the apical membrane. The data suggest that AKAP18 isoforms are differentially targeted to modulate distinct intracellular signaling events. Furthermore, the data suggest that plasma membrane AKAPs may be targeted to subdomains of the cell surface, adding additional specificity in intracellular signaling.

Persistence of abnormal chloride conductance regulation in transformed cystic fibrosis epithelia.

An airway epithelial cell line (CF/T43) was developed by infecting cultured airway epithelial cells from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with the pZIPneoSV(X)1/SV40T retrovirus and selecting for G418 resistance and ion transport properties. The distinctive chloride secretory phenotypes of the CF cell line CF/T43 and a normal cell line (NL/T4) were not perturbed by SV40T-induced cell transformation. Epithelial cell lines generated from CF cells with the SV40T gene can be used to test candidate CF genes and to evaluate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the CF phenotype.

Cystic fibrosis heterozygote resistance to cholera toxin in the cystic fibrosis mouse model.

The effect of the number of cystic fibrosis (CF) alleles on cholera toxin (CT)-induced intestinal secretion was examined in the CF mouse model. CF mice that expressed no CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein did not secrete fluid in response to CT. Heterozygotes expressed 50 percent of the normal amount of CFTR protein in the intestinal epithelium and secreted 50 percent of the normal fluid and chloride ion in intestinal epithelium and secreted 50 percent of the normal fluid and chloride ion and fluid secretion suggests that CF heterozygotes might possess a selective advantage of resistance to cholera.

CFTR as a cAMP-dependent regulator of sodium channels.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), the gene product that is mutated in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, has a well-recognized function as a cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-regulated chloride channel, but this property does not account for the abnormally high basal rate and cAMP sensitivity of sodium ion absorption in CF airway epithelia. Expression of complementary DNAs for rat epithelial Na+ channel (rENaC) alone in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells generated large amiloride-sensitive sodium currents that were stimulated by cAMP, whereas coexpression of human CFTR with rENaC generated smaller basal sodium currents that were inhibited by cAMP. Parallel studies that measured regulation of sodium permeability in fibroblasts showed similar results. In CF airway epithelia, the absence of this second function of CFTR as a cAMP-dependent regulator likely accounts for abnormal sodium transport.

Abnormal ion permeation through cystic fibrosis respiratory epithelium.

The epithelium of nasal tissue excised from subjects with cystic fibrosis exhibited higher voltage and lower conductance than tissue from control subjects. Basal sodium ion absorption by cystic fibrosis and normal nasal epithelia equaled the short-circuit current and was amiloride-sensitive. Amiloride induced chloride ion secretion in normal but not cystic fibrosis tissue and consequently was more effective in inhibiting the short-circuit current in cystic fibrosis epithelia. Chloride ion-free solution induced a smaller hyperpolarization of cystic fibrosis tissue. The increased voltage and amiloride efficacy in cystic fibrosis reflect absorption of sodium ions across an epithelium that is relatively impermeable to chloride ions.

Abnormal apical cell membrane in cystic fibrosis respiratory epithelium. An in vitro electrophysiologic analysis.

The transepithelial chloride permeability of airway and sweat ductal epithelium has been reported to be decreased in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). In the present study, we investigated whether the airway epithelial defect was in the cell path by characterizing the relative ion permeabilities of the apical membrane of respiratory epithelial cells from CF and normal subjects. Membrane electric potential difference (PD) and the responses to luminal Cl- replacement, isoproterenol, and amiloride were measured with intracellular microelectrodes. The PD across the apical barrier was smaller for CF (-11 mV) than normal (-29 mV) epithelia whereas the PD across the basolateral barrier was similar, (-26 and -34 mV respectively). In contrast to normal nasal epithelium, the apical membrane in CF epithelia was not Cl- permselective and was not responsive to isoproterenol. Amiloride, a selective Na+ channel blocker, induced a larger apical membrane hyperpolarization and a greater increase in transepithelial resistance in CF epithelia. Both reduced apical cell membrane Cl- conductance and increased Na+ conductance appear to contribute to the abnormal function of respiratory epithelia of CF patients.

Na+ transport in cystic fibrosis respiratory epithelia. Abnormal basal rate and response to adenylate cyclase activation.

The transepithelial potential difference (PD) of cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelium is abnormally raised and the Cl- permeability is low. We studied the contribution of active Na+ absorption to the PD and attempted to increase the Cl- permeability of CF epithelia. Nasal epithelia from CF and control subjects were mounted in Ussing chambers and were short-circuited. The basal rate of Na+ absorption was raised in CF polyps compared with control tissues. Whereas beta agonists induced Cl- secretion in normal and atopic epithelia, beta agonists further increased the rate of Na+ absorption in CF epithelia without inducing Cl- secretion. This unusual effect is not due to an abnormal CF beta receptor because similar effects were induced by forskolin, and because cAMP production was similar in normal and CF epithelia. We conclude that CF airway epithelia absorb Na+ at an accelerated rate. The abnormal response to beta agonists may reflect a primary abnormality in a cAMP-modulated path, or a normal cAMP-modulated process in a Cl- impermeable epithelial cell.

Chloride secretory response of cystic fibrosis human airway epithelia. Preservation of calcium but not protein kinase C- and A-dependent mechanisms.

Because the defect in Cl- secretion exhibited by cystic fibrosis (CF) epithelia reflects regulatory rather than conductive abnormalities of an apical membrane Cl- channel, we investigated the role of different regulatory pathways in the activation of Cl- secretion in freshly excised normal and CF nasal epithelia mounted in Ussing chambers. A beta agonist (isoproterenol [ISO]), a Ca2+ ionophore (A23187), and a phorbol ester (PMA) were all effective Cl- secretagogues in normal human nasal epithelia. Agonist addition studies indicated that ISO and PMA but not A23187 may share a common regulatory pathway. In contrast, only A23187 induced Cl- secretion in CF epithelia. Bradykinin raised cytosolic Ca2+ and induced Cl- secretion in both normal and CF tissues, indicating that receptor gated Ca2+ dependent Cl- secretory mechanisms were preserved in CF. The defective Cl- secretory response in CF epithelia to ISO and PMA did not reflect abnormalities in cAMP-dependent (A) and phospholipid Ca2+-dependent (C) kinase activities. We conclude that (a) a Ca2+-sensitive mechanism for regulating Cl- secretion is maintained in CF airway epithelia, and (b) a regulatory pathway shared by two distinct protein kinases is defective in CF, indicating that the CF genetic lesion is not tightly coupled to a single (e.g., cAMP dependent) regulatory mechanism.

Endogenous chloride channels of insect sf9 cells. Evidence for coordinated activity of small elementary channel units.

The endogenous Cl- conductance of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells was studied 20-35 h after plating out of either uninfected cells or cells infected by a baculovirus vector carrying the cloned beta-galactosidase gene (beta-Gal cells). With the cation Tris+ in the pipette and Na+ in the bath, the reversal potential of whole-cell currents was governed by the prevailing Cl- equilibrium potential and could be fitted by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation with similar permeabilities for uninfected and beta-Gal cells. In the frequency range 0.12 < f < 300 Hz, the power density spectrum of whole-cell Cl- currents could be fitted by three Lorentzians. Independent of membrane potential, >50% of the total variance of whole-cell current fluctuations was accounted for by the low frequency Lorentzian (fc = 0.40 +/- 0.03 Hz, n = 6). Single-Cl- channels showed complex gating kinetics with long lasting (seconds) openings interrupted by similar long closures. In the open state, channels exhibited fast burst-like closures. Since the patches normally contained more than a single channel, it was not possible to measure open and closed dwell-time distributions for comparing single-Cl- channel activity with the kinetic features of whole-cell currents. However, the power density spectrum of Cl- currents of cell-attached and excised outside-out patches contained both high and low frequency Lorentzian components, with the corner frequency of the slow component (fc = 0.40 +/- 0.02 Hz, n = 4) similar to that of whole-cell current fluctuations. Chloride channels exhibited multiple conductance states with similar Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz-type rectification. Single-channel permeabilities covered the range from approximately 0.6.10(-14) cm5/s to approximately 6.10(-14) cm3/s, corresponding to a limiting conductance (gamma 150/150) of approximately 3.5 pS and approximately 35 pS, respectively. All states reversed near the same membrane potential, and they exhibited similar halide ion selectivity, P1 > PCl approximately PBr. Accordingly, Cl- current amplitudes larger than current flow through the smallest channel unit resolved seem to result from simultaneous open/shut events of two or more channel units.

Correction of the apical membrane chloride permeability defect in polarized cystic fibrosis airway epithelia following retroviral-mediated gene transfer.

We are studying the introduction and expression of the normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cDNA into cultured human airway epithelial cells as a model for gene therapy of cystic fibrosis. In this paper, we show that the chloride transport defect at the apical membrane is corrected in vitro in differentiated ion-transporting CF airway epithelial cells that exhibit polarized properties similar to those found in vivo. Using a retroviral vector containing a copy of the normal CFTR cDNA, we infected cultures of proliferating, cystic fibrosis CFT1 cells and found that correction was maintained following differentiation into a polarized epithelial sheet. At least partial correction of the Cl- transport defect was preserved in CFT1 cells for periods of up to 6 months without selection for maintenance of the retroviral provirus. These results suggest that it may be feasible to target proliferating cells in the lung using retroviral vectors for treatment of CF lung disease.

Pharmacological selectivity of the cloned human P2U-purinoceptor: potent activation by diadenosine tetraphosphate.

1. The human P2U-purinoceptor was stably expressed in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells and the pharmacological selectivity of the expressed receptor was studied by measurement of inositol lipid hydrolysis. 2. High basal levels of inositol phosphates occurred in P2U-purinoceptor-expressing cells. This phenomenon was shown to be due to release of large amounts of ATP from 1321N1 cells, and could be circumvented by adoption of an assay protocol that did not involve medium changes. 3. UTP, ATP and ATP gamma S were full and potent agonists for activation of phospholipase C with EC50 values of 140 nM, 230 nM, and 1.72 microM, respectively. 5BrUTP, 2C1ATP and 8BrATP were also full agonists although less potent than their natural congeners. Little or no effect was observed with the selective P2Y-, P2X-, and P2T-purinoceptor agonists, 2MeSATP, alpha,beta-MeATP, and 2MeSADP, respectively. 4. Diadenosine tetraphosphate, Ap4A, was a surprisingly potent agonist at the expressed P2U-purinoceptor with an EC50 (720 nM) in the range of the most potent P2U-purinoceptor agonists. Ap4A may be a physiologically important activator of P2U-purinoceptors.

Enzymatic synthesis of UTP gamma S, a potent hydrolysis resistant agonist of P2U-purinoceptors.

1. The defective Cl- secretion characteristic of cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells can be bypassed by an alternative Ca2+ dependent Cl- secretory pathway that is activated by extracellular nucleotides, e.g. uridine-5'triphosphate (UTP), acting on P2U purinoceptors. Since UTP is susceptible to hydrolysis by nucleotidases and phosphatases present in the airways, the identification of stable P2U-purinoceptor agonists would be of therapeutic relevance. 2. Uridine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (UTP gamma S) was synthesized by nucleoside diphosphate kinase-catalyzed transfer of the gamma-phosphorothioate from guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) or adenosine-5' = O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) to UDP. Formation of UTP gamma S was illustrated by observation of transfer of 35S from [35S]-GTP gamma S and transfer of 3H from [3H]-UDP. The chemical identity of high performance liquid chromatography (h.p.l.c.)-purified UTP gamma S was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. 3. Human 1321N1 astrocytoma cells stably expressing the phospholipase C-coupled human P2U-purinoceptor were utilized to test the activity of UTP gamma S. UTP gamma S (EC50 = 240 nM) was essentially equipotent to UTP and ATP for stimulation of inositol phosphate formation. 4. Unlike [3H]-UTP, [3H]-UTP gamma S was not hydrolyzed by alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, or apyrase. Moreover, no hydrolysis was detected during a 1 h incubation with human nasal epithelial cells. 5. UTP gamma S was equally potent and efficacious with UTP for stimulation of Cl- secretion by human nasal epithelium from both normal donors and cystic fibrosis patients. Based on its high potency and resistance to hydrolysis, UTP gamma S represents a promising compound for treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Chemical modulation of alveolar epithelial permeability.

The volume and composition of fluid on the surface of the alveoli can affect alveolar ventilation, gas diffusion, and macrophage function. The passive permeability and active processes of the alveolar epithelial lining play a role in regulating surface fluid and are a potential site of damage by airborne chemicals. Like other epithelial barriers, the alveolar lining is permeable to lipophilic substances but restricts the transmural flow of small ions and hydrophilic nonelectrolytes (equivalent pore radius ca. 0.5-1.5 nm). The mammalian fetal lung and alveolar sacs of the adult bullfrog secrete Cl- and K+ into the airspace. Secretion by the fetal lung ceases at birth. Many environmental agents increase the permeability of the capillary endothelium and/or respiratory epithelium and induce pulmonary edema. Studies with bullfrog alveolar sacs have demonstrated that selective effects may or may not be followed by general derangement of the epithelial barrier. Exposure of the luminal surface to HgCl2 (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) induces a selective increase in Cl- secretion that is followed by a fall in transport and a general increase in ion permeation. CdCl2 (10(-5) to 10(-3) M) depresses ciliomotion on cells on the trabecula of the alveolus but does not affect Cl- secretion or transepithelial conductance. HNO3, like other mineral acids, increases conductance and the radii or pores in the barrier, whereas NaNO3 selectively inhibits Cl- secretion. Amphotericin B(10(7) to 10(-5) MJ) induces K+ secretion into the lumen of both bullfrog and rat lung. We conclude that environmental agents induce changes in epithelial function that may compromise the lung's ability to regulate respiratory fluid without destroying the characteristic permeability of the epithelial lining.

Effects of metabolic inhibition on ion transport by dog bronchial epithelium.

Mammalian bronchial epithelium absorbs Na+ under basal conditions, but Cl- secretion can be induced. We studied the effects of several modes of metabolic inhibition on the bioelectric properties and solute permeability of dog bronchial epithelium mounted in Ussing chambers. Net Na+ absorption and short-circuit current were inhibited by approximately 75% by hypoxia or by 10(-3) M NaCN. The reduced net Na+ absorption was characterized by a decrease in absorptive flux and an increase in backflux. The latter change was proportional to an increase in permeability to [14C]mannitol, implying that solute flow through a paracellular shunt was increased. In contrast, the reduction of conductance expected from exposure to amiloride (0.94 +/- 0.15 ms/cm2 or 12%) was abolished by NaCN pretreatment. Metabolic inhibition also decreased epithelial conductance and unidirectional Cl- fluxes by approximately 25%. NaCN rapidly and reversibly inhibited the hyperpolarization of potential difference (PD) induced by low luminal bath [Cl-]. This effect was mimicked by the Cl- channel blocker, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid. Because the transepithelial Cl- diffusion PD reflects, in part, the depolarization of the Cl- -conductive apical cell membrane, metabolic inhibition appears to affect this path. We conclude that metabolic inhibition not only decreased net ion transport by dog bronchial epithelium but also inhibited cellular Na+- and Cl- -conductive pathways and increased paracellular permeability.

Abnormal respiratory epithelial ion transport in cystic fibrosis.

The respiratory epithelium of cystic fibrosis patients exhibits excessive sodium (and volume) absorption and an absence of chloride (and volume) secretion in response to usual stimuli. These abnormalities likely contribute to the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis lung disease, and provide a rationale for a novel therapeutic approach to this problem.

Effects of ozone on airway epithelial permeability and ion transport.

Hartley guinea pigs had a 3-h sham exposure or a 3-h exposure to 1.0 ppm ozone. Within 2 h tracheas were excised and mounted in conventional Ussing chambers. Potential difference (PD), short circuit current (Isc), conductance (G) and unidirectional fluxes of 22Na, 36Cl and [14C]mannitol were measured in blinded experiments. Compared to the tracheal epithelia of sham-exposed animals, those from exposed animals had a larger PD (45%), an increased Isc (41%) and no change in G. In both groups, the Isc was approximately equivalent to net sodium absorption. The higher current in the exposed animal's tissues was disproportionately more sensitive to inhibition by the specific sodium channel blocker amiloride (44% vs. 13%). These observations suggest that early consequences of exposure of airway epithelium to ozone include increases in the density or open time of sodium channels in the luminal cell membrane or a change in sodium pump activity that increases the gradient for sodium entry across the luminal cell membrane. By 24 h after exposure these changes had been obscured by an increase in epithelial permeability, perhaps as the result of an inflammatory response to the ozone exposure.

Effects of ozone on airway epithelial permeability and ion transport.

Ozone is a highly reactive form of oxygen produced in the atmosphere by photochemical reactions involving substrates emitted from automobile engines. Outdoor air concentrations as high as 0.4 parts per million (ppm) occur. The respiratory tract extracts about 90% of inhaled ozone. From the chemical reactivity of ozone, it is expected to attack organic molecules located on or near the respiratory surfaces. The airways are covered with a cohesive layer of epithelial cells that forms the boundary between the external environment and the respiratory tissues. One important role of this epithelial layer is its barrier function. Airborne particles that deposit (and dissolve) in the airway surface liquid are not readily absorbed, and soluble tissue components are excluded from the surface liquid. The epithelium also controls the volume and composition of the surface liquid. One important process in this regard is the absorption and secretion of ions and water. We have studied the effects of inhalation of ozone on the barrier function (permeability to dissolved molecules) and the ion transport activity of epithelium using both in vivo and in vitro techniques. All our experiments were performed with male Hartley strain guinea pigs. Conscious, unrestrained animals were exposed to a concentration of ozone of 1 ppm for three hours in controlled environmental chambers in the Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, NC. Such exposures caused a marked increase in the rate of appearance in blood of various water-soluble compounds instilled onto the surface of the trachea, indicating increased permeability of the airway epithelium. This interpretation was supported by electron microscopy, which showed that the tracer molecule horseradish peroxidase was present in the intercellular spaces of tracheal epithelium from ozone-exposed, but not air-exposed (control), animals. However, when the tracheas were excised after ozone exposure and mounted in a tissue bath before measurement of permeability, no increase was found. We suggest that the effect of ozone inhalation on airway permeability requires the action of mediators that are washed out in the in vitro situation. When we exposed animals to 1 ppm for 3 hours daily, we found that the increased permeability in vivo was no longer demonstrable after the fourth exposure. The mechanisms for this type of "adaptation" are not known. The phenomenon recalls the response of human subjects to repeated daily ozone exposures. Ozone exposure caused a sharp increase in active ion transport by tracheal epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Activation of chloride conductance induced by potassium in tracheal epithelium.

The effects of partial replacement of bathing solution sodium by potassium on potential difference, conductance and ion transport of canine tracheal epithelium were studied in Ussing chambers. Whereas up to 100 mmol/l mucosal K+ had no effect, raised serosal [K+] induced a concentration dependent decrease in transepithelial potential difference and increase in conductance. When serosal K+ was 100 mmol/l, the potential difference fell 30 mV to 1.1 +/- 1.0 mV and conductance rose 4.5 mS/cm2 to 6.6 +/- 0.9 mS/cm2. Seventy-five percent of the K+ induced conductance required Cl- (120 mmol/l) in the luminal bathing solution. Unidirectional Cl- fluxes were increased by raised serosal K+ but 14C-mannitol permeability was unchanged. The increased unidirectional Cl- flux induced by high K+ exposure was inhibited by luminal exposure to diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC) or other chloride channel blockers, but was not inhibited by loop diuretics. These results suggest that in the presence of 100 mmol/l serosal K+ the transcellular chloride conductance of tracheal epithelium was increased. Increased chloride conductance of the apical cell membrane contributed to the raised transcellular permeability, but the route across the basolateral cell membrane was not identified.