Structure and regulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in killifish: A comparative genomics approach.

The structure, regulation and evolution of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene were characterized in common killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus). Killifish CFTR (kfCFTR) structure was conserved with other CFTR homologues, but was more compact than those of mammals. A motif in intron 1 was conserved across all teleost CFTR homologues except zebrafish, and was similar to a functionally important site in human CFTR. The sequence of the CFTR promoter was highly conserved across nine species within the genus Fundulus, but contained additional glucocorticoid responsive elements in seawater species. The promoters of the seawater species also contained a putative osmotic responsive element that differed by a single base in the freshwater species. The kfCFTR promoter was only active in cell lines that express the endogenous CFTR gene. Transcription from the kfCFTR promoter was unaffected by application of dexamethasone or cortisol in cell culture, but increased by 1.5-fold in response to high osmolarity. Cortisol injection in vivo increased CFTR mRNA but there was no increase in luciferase expression driven by the kfCFTR promoter in transiently transgenic fish. Administration of the cortisol blocker RU486 resulted in a significant reduction in luciferase activity driven by the kfCFTR promoter in vivo.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in teleost fish.

The gills and intestinal epithelia of teleost fish express cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), and utilize this low conductance anion channel in the apical membrane for ion secretion in seawater gill and in the basolateral membrane for ion absorption in freshwater gill. Similarly, in the intestine CFTR is present in the basolateral membrane for intestinal absorption and also in the apical membrane of secreting intestine. The expression of CFTR and the directed trafficking of the protein to the apical or basolateral membrane is salinity-dependent. The CFTR gene has been cloned and sequenced from several teleost species and although all the major elements in the human gene are present, including two nucleotide binding domains that are common to all ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters, the sequences are divergent compared to shark or human. In euryhaline fish adapting to seawater, CFTR, localized immunocytochemically, redistributes slowly from a basolateral location to the apical membrane while ion secretory capacity increases. The facility with which teleosts regulate CFTR expression and activation during salinity adaptation make this system an appealing model for the expression and trafficking operation of this labile gene product.

Dependence of KCC2 K-Cl cotransporter activity on a conserved carboxy terminus tyrosine residue.

K-Cl cotransporters (KCC) play fundamental roles in ionic and osmotic homeostasis. To date, four mammalian KCC genes have been identified. KCC2 is expressed exclusively in neurons. Injection of Xenopus oocytes with KCC2 cRNA induced a 20-fold increase in Cl(-)-dependent, furosemide-sensitive K(+) uptake. Oocyte swelling increased KCC2 activity 2-3 fold. A canonical tyrosine phosphorylation site is located in the carboxy termini of KCC2 (R1081-Y1087) and KCC4, but not in other KCC isoforms. Pharmacological studies, however, revealed no regulatory role for phosphorylation of KCC2 tyrosine residues. Replacement of Y1087 with aspartate or arginine dramatically reduced K(+) uptake under isotonic and hypotonic conditions. Normal or near-normal cotransporter activity was observed when Y1087 was mutated to phenylalanine, alanine, or isoleucine. A tyrosine residue equivalent to Y1087 is conserved in all identified KCCs from nematodes to humans. Mutation of the Y1087 congener in KCC1 to aspartate also dramatically inhibited cotransporter activity. Taken together, these results suggest that replacement of Y1087 and its congeners with charged residues disrupts the conformational state of the carboxy terminus. We postulate that the carboxy terminus plays an essential role in maintaining the functional conformation of KCC cotransporters and/or is involved in essential regulatory protein-protein interactions.

A divergent CFTR homologue: highly regulated salt transport in the euryhaline teleost F. heteroclitus.

The killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus, is a euryhaline teleost fish capable of adapting rapidly to transfer from freshwater (FW) to four times seawater (SW). To investigate osmoregulation at a molecular level, a 5.7-kilobase cDNA homologous to human cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (hCFTR) was isolated from a gill cDNA library from SW-adapted killifish. This cDNA encodes a protein product (kfCFTR) that is 59% identical to hCFTR, the most divergent form of CFTR characterized to date. Expression of kfCFTR in Xenopus oocytes generated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-activated, Cl(-)-selective currents similar to those generated by hCFTR. In SW-adapted killifish, kfCFTR was expressed at high levels in the gill, opercular epithelium, and intestine. After abrupt exposure of FW-adapted killifish to SW, kfCFTR expression in the gill increased severalfold, suggesting a role for kfCFTR in salinity adaptation. Under similar conditions, plasma Na+ levels rose significantly after 8 h and then fell, although it is not known whether these changes are directly responsible for the changes in kfCFTR expression. The killifish provides a unique opportunity to understand teleost osmoregulation and the role of CFTR.

Short-term effects of triiodothyronine on the bowfin, Amia calva (Holostei), and the lake char, Salvelinus namaycush (Teleostei).

To assess the role of triiodothyronine (T3) in mediating short-term changes in metabolism, such as those occurring in circadian patterns, we examined the effects of intraperitoneal injection of T3 on the oxidation of substrates by isolated mitochondria from liver of the bowfin, Amia calva, and red muscle and liver of the lake char, Salvelinus namaycush. Selected enzymes were measured in red muscle and liver of the lake char. Three hours after intraperitoneal injection of T3, oxidation of some substrates by mitochondria isolated from the liver of the bowfin was reduced. Similar treatment had no effect on substrate oxidation in liver mitochondria isolated from lake char. Oxidation of substrates by lake char red muscle mitochondria was stimulated by T3 injection. Citrate synthase levels were increased in red muscle suggesting that changes in enzyme activity may be in part responsible for the short-term mitochondrial responses to T3 injection.

The effects of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) on plasma nonesterified fatty acids in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The effects of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222), a commonly used fish anesthetic, on plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels (NEFA) were examined in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Total NEFA levels declined with increasing duration of exposure to MS-222. Most of the decline in total NEFA was due to decreases in saturated fatty acids (14:0, 16:0 and 18:0). The fatty acid displaying the most rapid response to exposure to MS-222 was 20:5n-3. The lower plasma NEFA levels in anesthetized fish may be explained by depressed lipolysis in the presence of the anesthetic.