Structure-function analysis of a double-mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein occurring in disorders related to cystic fibrosis.

A number of disorders related to cystic fibrosis have been described since the cloning of the cystic fibrosis gene, including infertility due to the congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens. We have identified, in several patients, complex cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator genotypes like double-mutant alleles. We have now analyzed the structure-function relationships of one of these mutants, R74W-D1270N cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, expressed in HeLa cells, to evaluate the contribution of each mutation in the phenotype. We found that R74W cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator appears to be a polymorphism, while D1270N cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator could be responsible for the congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens phenotype. The combination of the two produced a more severe effect on the chloride conductance pathway as well as on the phenotype.

Aspirin and some other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein gene expression in T-84 cells.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CF gene, which encodes CF transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR), a transmembrane protein that acts as a cAMP-regulated chloride channel The disease is characterized by inflammation but the relationship between inflammation, abnormal transepithelial ion transport, and the clinical manifestations of CF are uncertain. The present study was undertaken to determine whether three nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (aspirin, ibuprofen, and indomethacin) modulate CFTR gene expression in T-84 cells. Treatment with NSAIDs reduced CFTR transcripts, and decreased cAMP-stimulated anion fluxes, an index of CFTR function. However, the two phenomena occurred at different concentrations of both drugs. The results indicate that NSAIDs can regulate both CFTR gene expression and the function of CFTR-related chloride transport, and suggest that NSAIDs act via multiple transduction pathways.

Cystic fibrosis phenotype associated with pancreatic insufficiency does not always reflect the cAMP-dependent chloride conductive pathway defect. Analysis of C225R-CFTR and R1066C-CFTR.

We have previously screened the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and identified new disease-causing mutations. C225R and R1066C are both associated with pancreatic insufficiency, but the former mutation is associated with mild and unusual lung disease, whereas the latter is associated with severe lung disease. In the present study, we expressed these mutants heterologously in HeLa cells, and we analyzed protein synthesis by immunoprecipitation and chloride channel function by using a halide-sensitive fluorescent dye, 6-methoxy-N-ethylquinolinium. Immunoprecipitation and functional studies showed that cells transfected with C225R-CFTR exhibit cAMP-dependent chloride fluxes; C225R-CFTR protein is poorly expressed but fully glycosylated and can be compared with R117H-CFTR. R1066C-CFTR protein is not correctly processed and, unlike DeltaF508-CFTR, this defect cannot be corrected by reduced temperature or overexpression in butyrate-treated cells; defective processing may occur at a different step in the biosynthetic pathway. These results point to two different mechanisms underlying the same pancreatic status and suggest that it is unwise to use pancreatic sufficiency and insufficiency to define mild and severe cystic fibrosis (CF) disease, respectively. Finally, the experimental model described here may be helpful to predict the pulmonary status of CF patients bearing mutations located in putative membrane-spanning domains of the CFTR protein.