Decreased expression of colonic Slc26a3 and carbonic anhydrase iv as a cause of fatal infectious diarrhea in mice.

Citrobacter rodentium causes epithelial hyperplasia and colitis and is used as a model for enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infections. Little or no mortality develops in most inbred strains of mice, but C3H and FVB/N mice exhibit fatal outcomes of infection. Here we test the hypothesis that decreased intestinal transport activity during C. rodentium infection results in fatality in C3H/HeOu and FVB/N mice. Susceptible strains were compared to resistant C57BL/6 mice and to inbred strains SWR and SJL of Swiss origin, which have not been previously characterized for outcomes of C. rodentium infection. Mortality in susceptible strains C3H/HeOu and FVB/N was associated with significant fluid loss in feces, a remarkable downregulation of Slc26a3 and carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV) message and protein expression, retention of chloride in stool, and hypochloremia, suggesting defects in intestinal chloride absorption. SWR, SJL, and C57BL/6 mice were resistant and survived the infection. Fluid therapy fully prevented mortality in C3H/HeOu and FVB/N mice without affecting clinical disease. Common pathogenic mechanisms, such as decreased levels of expression of Slc26a3 and CAIV, affect intestinal ion transport in C. rodentium-infected FVB and C3H mice, resulting in profound electrolyte loss, dehydration, and mortality. Intestinal chloride absorption pathways are likely a potential target for the treatment of infectious diarrhea.

Role of down-regulated in adenoma anion exchanger in HCO3- secretion across murine duodenum.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The current model of duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion proposes that basal secretion results from Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange, whereas cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-stimulated secretion depends on a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel (Cftr)-mediated HCO(3)(-) conductance. However, discrepancies in applying the model suggest that Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange also contributes to cAMP-stimulated secretion. Of 2 candidate Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchangers, studies of putative anion transporter-1 knockout (KO) mice find little contribution of putative anion transporter-1 to basal or cAMP-stimulated secretion. Therefore, the role of down-regulated in adenoma (Dra) in duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion was investigated using DraKO mice. METHODS: Duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion was measured by pH stat in Ussing chambers. Apical membrane Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange was measured by microfluorometry of intracellular pH in intact villous epithelium. Dra expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Basal HCO(3)(-) secretion was reduced approximately 55%-60% in the DraKO duodenum. cAMP-stimulated HCO(3)(-) secretion was reduced approximately 50%, but short-circuit current was unchanged, indicating normal Cftr activity. Microfluorimetry of villi demonstrated that Dra is the dominant Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger in the lower villous epithelium. Dra expression increased from villous tip to crypt. DraKO and wild-type villi also demonstrated regulation of apical Na(+)/H(+) exchange by Cftr-dependent cell shrinkage during luminal Cl(-) substitution. CONCLUSIONS: In murine duodenum, Dra Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange is concentrated in the lower crypt-villus axis where it is subject to Cftr regulation. Dra activity contributes most basal HCO(3)(-) secretion and approximately 50% of cAMP-stimulated HCO(3)(-) secretion. Dra Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange should be considered in efforts to normalize HCO(3)(-) secretion in duodenal disorders such as ulcer disease and cystic fibrosis.

Down-regulated in adenoma Cl/HCO3 exchanger couples with Na/H exchanger 3 for NaCl absorption in murine small intestine.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Electroneutral NaCl absorption across small intestine contributes importantly to systemic fluid balance. Disturbances in this process occur in both obstructive and diarrheal diseases, eg, cystic fibrosis, secretory diarrhea. NaCl absorption involves coupling of Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger(s) primarily with Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (Nhe3) at the apical membrane of intestinal epithelia. Identity of the coupling Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger(s) was investigated using mice with gene-targeted knockout (KO) of Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchangers: Slc26a3, down-regulated in adenoma (Dra) or Slc26a6, putative anion transporter-1 (Pat-1). METHODS: Intracellular pH (pH(i)) of intact jejunal villous epithelium was measured by ratiometric microfluoroscopy. Ussing chambers were used to measure transepithelial (22)Na(36)Cl flux across murine jejunum, a site of electroneutral NaCl absorption. Expression was estimated using immunofluorescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Basal pH(i) of DraKO epithelium, but not Pat-1KO epithelium, was alkaline, whereas pH(i) in the Nhe3KO was acidic relative to wild-type. Altered pH(i) was associated with robust Na(+)/H(+) and Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange activity in the DraKO and Nhe3KO villous epithelium, respectively. Contrary to genetic ablation, pharmacologic inhibition of Nhe3 in wild-type did not alter pH(i) but coordinately inhibited Dra. Flux studies revealed that Cl(-) absorption was essentially abolished (>80%) in the DraKO and little changed (<20%) in the Pat-1KO jejunum. Net Na(+) absorption was unaffected. Immunofluorescence demonstrated modest Dra expression in the jejunum relative to large intestine. Functional and expression studies did not indicate compensatory changes in relevant transporters. CONCLUSIONS: These studies provide functional evidence that Dra is the major Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger coupled with Nhe3 for electroneutral NaCl absorption across mammalian small intestine.

PAT-1 (Slc26a6) is the predominant apical membrane Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in the upper villous epithelium of the murine duodenum.

Basal HCO(3)(-) secretion across the duodenum has been shown in several species to principally involve the activity of apical membrane Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger(s). To investigate the identity of relevant anion exchanger(s), experiments were performed using wild-type (WT) mice and mice with gene-targeted deletion of the following Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchangers localized to the apical membrane of murine duodenal villi: Slc26a3 [down-regulated in adenoma (DRA)], Slc26a6 [putative anion transporter 1 (PAT-1)], and Slc4a9 [anion exchanger 4 (AE4)]. RT-PCR of the isolated villous epithelium demonstrated PAT-1, DRA, and AE4 mRNA expression. Using the pH-sensitive dye BCECF, anion exchange rates were measured across the apical membrane of epithelial cells in the upper villus of the intact duodenal mucosa. Under basal conditions, Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange activity was reduced by 65-80% in the PAT-1(-) duodenum, 30-40% in the DRA(-) duodenum, and <5% in the AE4(-) duodenum compared with the WT duodenum. SO(4)(2-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange was eliminated in the PAT-1(-) duodenum but was not affected in the DRA(-) and AE4(-) duodenum relative to the WT duodenum. Intracellular pH (pH(i)) was reduced in the PAT-1(-) villous epithelium but increased to WT levels in the absence of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) or during methazolamide treatment. Further experiments under physiological conditions indicated active pH(i) compensation in the PAT-1(-) villous epithelium by combined activities of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 and Cl(-)-dependent transport processes at the basolateral membrane. We conclude that 1) PAT-1 is the major contributor to basal Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) and SO(4)(2-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange across the apical membrane and 2) PAT-1 plays a role in pH(i) regulation in the upper villous epithelium of the murine duodenum.

slc26a3 (dra)-deficient mice display chloride-losing diarrhea, enhanced colonic proliferation, and distinct up-regulation of ion transporters in the colon.

Mutations in the SLC26A3 (DRA (down-regulated in adenoma)) gene constitute the molecular etiology of congenital chloride-losing diarrhea in humans. To ascertain its role in intestinal physiology, gene targeting was used to prepare mice lacking slc26a3. slc26a3-deficient animals displayed postpartum lethality at low penetrance. Surviving dra-deficient mice exhibited high chloride content diarrhea, volume depletion, and growth retardation. In addition, the large intestinal loops were distended, with colonic mucosa exhibiting an aberrant growth pattern and the colonic crypt proliferative zone being greatly expanded in slc26a3-null mice. Apical membrane chloride/base exchange activity was sharply reduced, and luminal content was more acidic in slc26a3-null mouse colon. The epithelial cells in the colon displayed unique adaptive regulation of ion transporters; NHE3 expression was enhanced in the proximal and distal colon, whereas colonic H,K-ATPase and the epithelial sodium channel showed massive up-regulation in the distal colon. Plasma aldosterone was increased in slc26a3-null mice. We conclude that slc26a3 is the major apical chloride/base exchanger and is essential for the absorption of chloride in the colon. In addition, slc26a3 regulates colonic crypt proliferation. Deletion of slc26a3 results in chloride-rich diarrhea and is associated with compensatory adaptive up-regulation of ion-absorbing transporters.

Alterations in PMS2, MSH2 and MLH1 expression in human prostate cancer.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is involved in the post-replication correction of errors due to misincorporated nucleotides or DNA slippage during DNA synthesis. We previously reported the reduction or loss of MMR protein expression in human prostate cancer cell lines and some primary tumors. In the present report, we further demonstrate the involvement of defects of MMR in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis of 39 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human prostate tumors, showed reduction or absence of MMR protein expression (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2) in the epithelium of prostate tumor foci compared to normal adjacent prostate tissue. The reduction or absence of the PMS2 and MSH2 (but not MLH1) protein was correlated to the differentiation of the tumor. Poorly differentiated tumors showed greater loss of these two proteins than the well differentiated tumors (P<0.05). We previously reported that microsatellite instability was detectable by a beta-galactosidase restoration mutation assay in the prostate cancer cell lines DU145, PC3, LNCaP, p67SV40T, M2182, and M12. In this study, we detected the insertion or deletion of one nucleotide in the mononucleotide repeats located within the coding regions of BAX gene in DU145, and TGFbetaRII in M12 cells. In addition, we used an in vitro model of defective MMR to demonstrate that microsatellite instability can be induced in an otherwise stable cancer cell line by transfection with a dominant negative fragment of PMS2. These results suggest that defects in MMR may result in MSI in the secondary genes in prostate cancer. From these results, we conclude that loss of MMR function can produce MSI and target some secondary genes containing microsatellites in their coding regions. These series of events may play important roles in the development of human prostate cancer.

Acute regulation of the SLC26A3 congenital chloride diarrhoea anion exchanger (DRA) expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

Mutations in the human SLC26A3 gene, also known as down-regulated in adenoma (hDRA), cause autosomal recessive congenital chloride-losing diarrhoea (CLD). hDRA expressed in Xenopus oocytes mediated bidirectional Cl--Cl- and Cl--HCO3- exchange. In contrast, transport of oxalate was low, and transport of sulfate and of butyrate was undetectable. Two CLD missense disease mutants of hDRA were nonfunctional in oocytes. Truncation of up to 44 C-terminal amino acids from the putatively cytoplasmic C-terminal hydrophilic domain left transport function unimpaired, but deletion of the adjacent STAS (sulfate transporter anti-sigma factor antagonist) domain abolished function. hDRA-mediated Cl- transport was insensitive to changing extracellular pH, but was inhibited by intracellular acidification and activated by NH4+ at acidifying concentrations. These regulatory responses did not require the presence of either hDRA's N-terminal cytoplasmic tail or its 44 C-terminal amino acids, but they did require more proximate residues of the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. Although only weakly sensitive to inhibition by stilbenes, hDRA was inhibited with two orders of magnitude greater potency by the anti-inflammatory drugs niflumate and tenidap. cAMP-insensitive Cl--HCO3- exchange mediated by hDRA gained modest cAMP sensitivity when co-expressed with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Despite the absence of hDRA transcripts in human cell lines derived from CFTR patients, DRA mRNA was present at wild-type levels in proximal colon and nearly so in the distal ileum of CFTR(-/-) mice. Thus, pharmacological modulation of DRA might be a useful adjunct treatment of cystic fibrosis.

The colon anion transporter, down-regulated in adenoma, induces growth suppression that is abrogated by E1A.

The down-regulated in adenoma (DRA) gene is significantly down-regulated in adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the colon as well as in colon cancer cell lines. It is also mutated in the disease congenital chloride diarrhea, which is characterized by loss of chloride transport and diarrhea. We now show a second function for DRA relevant to colon tumorigenesis, i.e., growth suppression. Transfection of full-length DRA into various cell lines (DLD-1, HT-29, HCT-15, SW837, SW480, MCF-7, NIH3T3, CaSki, and HeLa) that lack endogenous DRA expression results in a reduced number of drug-resistant colonies compared with vector control, suggesting growth suppression by DRA. In addition, expression of DRA under the control of an inducible promoter reduced the growth rate of DLD-1 cells compared with cells not expressing DRA. The COOH-terminal cytoplasmic domain of DRA is required for growth suppression, but an in-frame deletion (DeltaVal317) that causes congenital chloride diarrhea and results in a loss of anion transport had no effect on growth suppression, indicating that anion transport and growth suppression are independent functions of DRA. One cell line, adenovirus-transformed HEK293, exhibited significant resistance to DRA-induced growth suppression, whereas the human papillomavirus-transformed cell lines, CaSki and HeLa, did not. E1A is an adenoviral protein required to transform HEK293 cells. DLD-1 cells that stably express 12S E1A are resistant to growth suppression by DRA, similar to HEK293 cells.

The role of Hsp90N, a new member of the Hsp90 family, in signal transduction and neoplastic transformation.

The 90-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90), the target of the ansamycin class of anti-cancer drugs, is required for the conformational activation of a specific group of signal transducers, including Raf-1. In this report we have identified a 75-kDa Raf-associated protein as Hsp90N, a novel member of the Hsp90 family. Intriguingly, the ansamycin-binding domain is replaced in Hsp90N by a much shorter, hydrophobic sequence, preceded by a putative myristylation signal. We demonstrate that, although much less abundant, Hsp90N binds Raf with a higher affinity than Hsp90. In sharp contrast to Hsp90, Hsp90N does not associate with p50(cdc37), the Hsp90 kinase cofactor. Hsp90N was found to activate Raf in transiently transfected cells, while Rat F111 fibroblasts stably transfected with Hsp90N exhibited elevated activity of the Raf and downstream ERK kinases. This may be due to Raf binding to myristylated Hsp90N, followed by Raf translocation to the membrane. To examine whether Hsp90N could therefore substitute for Ras in Raf recruitment to the cell membrane, Hsp90N was transfected in c-Ras-deficient, 10T1/2-derived preadipocytes. Our results indicate that, as shown before for activated Ras or Raf, the introduction of even low levels of Hsp90N through transfection in c-Ras-deficient preadipocytes causes a dramatic block of differentiation. Higher levels of Hsp90N expression resulted in neoplastic transformation, including interruption of gap junctional, intercellular communication, and anchorage-independent proliferation. These results indicate that the observed activation of Raf by Hsp90N has a profound biological effect, which is largely c-Ras-independent. With the recent finding that p50(cdc37) is tumorigenic in transgenic mice, these results reinforce the intriguing observation that the family of heat shock proteins represents a novel class of molecules with oncogenic potential.