TMEM16A Protein: A New Identity for Ca2+-Dependent Cl− Channels

Physiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 357-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loretta Ferrera ◽  
Antonella Caputo ◽  
Luis J. V. Galietta
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Sensory Stimuli ◽  
Role Structure ◽  
Cl Channels ◽  
Function Relationship ◽  
Contraction Regulation

Ca+-dependent Cl− channels (CaCCs) play a variety of physiological roles in different organs and tissues, including transepithelial Cl− secretion, smooth muscle contraction, regulation of neuronal excitability, and transduction of sensory stimuli. The recent identification of TMEM16A protein as an important component of CaCCs should allow a better understanding of their physiological role, structure-function relationship, and regulatory mechanisms.

scholarly journals Brain Long Noncoding RNAs: Multitask Regulators of Neuronal Differentiation and Function

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3951
Author(s):  
Sarva Keihani ◽  
Verena Kluever ◽  
Eugenio F. Fornasiero
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Differentiation ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Long Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Control Robustness ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
And Function ◽  
Regulatory Functions ◽  
Neuronal Physiology

The extraordinary cellular diversity and the complex connections established within different cells types render the nervous system of vertebrates one of the most sophisticated tissues found in living organisms. Such complexity is ensured by numerous regulatory mechanisms that provide tight spatiotemporal control, robustness and reliability. While the unusual abundance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in nervous tissues was traditionally puzzling, it is becoming clear that these molecules have genuine regulatory functions in the brain and they are essential for neuronal physiology. The canonical view of RNA as predominantly a ‘coding molecule’ has been largely surpassed, together with the conception that lncRNAs only represent ‘waste material’ produced by cells as a side effect of pervasive transcription. Here we review a growing body of evidence showing that lncRNAs play key roles in several regulatory mechanisms of neurons and other brain cells. In particular, neuronal lncRNAs are crucial for orchestrating neurogenesis, for tuning neuronal differentiation and for the exact calibration of neuronal excitability. Moreover, their diversity and the association to neurodegenerative diseases render them particularly interesting as putative biomarkers for brain disease. Overall, we foresee that in the future a more systematic scrutiny of lncRNA functions will be instrumental for an exhaustive understanding of neuronal pathophysiology.

Human vascular smooth muscle responses mediated by α2 mechanisms in vivo and in vitro

1985 ◽  
Vol 68 (s10) ◽  
pp. 147s-150s ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Thom ◽  
J. Calvete ◽  
R. Hayes ◽  
G. Martin ◽  
P. Sever
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Α1 Receptors ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Higher Doses ◽  
Α2 Receptors ◽  
Autoregulatory Mechanism

1. The effects of compounds with α2-agonist and α2-antagonist properties on human forearm blood flow and on isolated human arterial segments have been studied. 2. The findings from these studies in vivo and in vitro did not provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that postsynaptic α2-receptors mediate smooth muscle contraction in the tissues under investigation. 3. The constriction of the forearm vascular bed in response to low intra-arterial doses of idazoxan (RX 781094), an α2-antagonist, provides evidence for a physiological role for a presynaptic α2 autoregulatory mechanism. 4. The variability of the forearm vascular responses to higher doses of idazoxan highlights the pitfalls that may have misled previous authors in their interpretation of the results of similar studies. A U-shaped dose-response curve to compounds with mixed α2-and α1-antagonist properties may be constructed, which emphasizes the importance of the dose-dependent selectivity of these antagonists at α2- and α1-receptors. 5. The effect of idazoxan on the responses of arterial segments in vitro to exogenous catecholamines was dependent on the integrity of the endothelium, and provides evidence that α2-receptors may mediate release of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor.

Structure and Function of TMEM16 Proteins (Anoctamins)

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Pedemonte ◽  
Luis J. V. Galietta
Keyword(s):  
Ion Transport ◽  
Ion Channel ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Dual Function ◽  
Anoctamin 1 ◽  
Genetic Ablation ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Outer Leaflet

TMEM16 proteins, also known as anoctamins, are involved in a variety of functions that include ion transport, phospholipid scrambling, and regulation of other membrane proteins. The first two members of the family, TMEM16A (anoctamin-1, ANO1) and TMEM16B (anoctamin-2, ANO2), function as Ca2+-activated Cl−channels (CaCCs), a type of ion channel that plays important functions such as transepithelial ion transport, smooth muscle contraction, olfaction, phototransduction, nociception, and control of neuronal excitability. Genetic ablation of TMEM16A in mice causes impairment of epithelial Cl−secretion, tracheal abnormalities, and block of gastrointestinal peristalsis. TMEM16A is directly regulated by cytosolic Ca2+as well as indirectly by its interaction with calmodulin. Other members of the anoctamin family, such as TMEM16C, TMEM16D, TMEM16F, TMEM16G, and TMEM16J, may work as phospholipid scramblases and/or ion channels. In particular, TMEM16F (ANO6) is a major contributor to the process of phosphatidylserine translocation from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. Intriguingly, TMEM16F is also associated with the appearance of anion/cation channels activated by very high Ca2+concentrations. Furthermore, a TMEM16 protein expressed in Aspergillus fumigatus displays both ion channel and lipid scramblase activity. This finding suggests that dual function is an ancestral characteristic of TMEM16 proteins and that some members, such as TMEM16A and TMEM16B, have evolved to a pure channel function. Mutations in anoctamin genes ( ANO3, ANO5, ANO6, and ANO10) cause various genetic diseases. These diseases suggest the involvement of anoctamins in a variety of cell functions whose link with ion transport and/or lipid scrambling needs to be clarified.

scholarly journals Physiological role of ROCKs in the cardiovascular system

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (3) ◽  
pp. C661-C668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kensuke Noma ◽  
Naotsugu Oyama ◽  
James K. Liao
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Smooth Muscle Contraction ◽  
Kinase Substrate ◽  
Cytoskeleton Organization ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Actin Cytoskeleton Organization

Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs), the immediate downstream targets of RhoA, are ubiquitously expressed serine-threonine protein kinases that are involved in diverse cellular functions, including smooth muscle contraction, actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion and motility, and gene expression. Recent studies have shown that ROCKs may play a pivotal role in cardiovascular diseases such as vasospastic angina, ischemic stroke, and heart failure. Indeed, inhibition of ROCKs by statins or other selective inhibitors leads to the upregulation and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and reduction of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. Thus inhibition of ROCKs may contribute to some of the cholesterol-independent beneficial effects of statin therapy. Currently, two ROCK isoforms have been identified, ROCK1 and ROCK2. Because ROCK inhibitors are nonselective with respect to ROCK1 and ROCK2 and also, in some cases, may be nonspecific with respect to other ROCK-related kinases such as myristolated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), protein kinase A, and protein kinase C, the precise role of ROCKs in cardiovascular disease remains unknown. However, with the recent development of ROCK1- and ROCK2-knockout mice, further dissection of ROCK signaling pathways is now possible. Herein we review what is known about the physiological role of ROCKs in the cardiovascular system and speculate about how inhibition of ROCKs could provide cardiovascular benefits.

scholarly journals Reduced Fertility in Male Mice Deficient in the Zinc Metallopeptidase NL1

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 4428-4437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mélanie Carpentier ◽  
Christine Guillemette ◽  
Janice L. Bailey ◽  
Guy Boileau ◽  
Lucie Jeannotte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Sperm Function ◽  
Secreted Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
Fertility Problems ◽  
Targeting Strategy

ABSTRACT Members of the M13 family of zinc metalloendopeptidases have been shown to play critical roles in the metabolism of various neuropeptides and peptide hormones, and they have been identified as important therapeutic targets. Recently, a mouse NL1 protein, a novel member of the family, was identified and shown to be expressed mainly in the testis as a secreted protein. To define its physiological role(s), we used a gene targeting strategy to disrupt the endogenous murine Nl1 gene by homologous recombination and generate Nl1 mutant mice. The Nl1−/− mice were viable and developed normally, suggesting that zygotic expression of Nl1 is not required for development. However, Nl1−/− males produced smaller litters than their wild-type siblings, indicating specific male fertility problems. Reduced fertility may be explained by two impaired processes, decreased egg fertilization and perturbed early development of fertilized eggs. These two phenotypes did not result from gross anatomical modifications of the testis or from impaired spermatogenesis. Basic sperm parameters were also normal. Thus, our findings suggest that one of the roles of NL1 in mice is related to sperm function and that NL1 modulates the processes of fertilization and early embryonic development in vivo.

scholarly journals The Muscle Chloride Channel ClC-1 Is Not Directly Regulated by Intracellular ATP

2008 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Zifarelli ◽  
Michael Pusch
Keyword(s):  
Chloride Channel ◽  
Xenopus Oocytes ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Patch Clamp Technique ◽  
Intracellular Atp ◽  
Cl Channels ◽  
Nucleotide Regulation ◽  
Inside Out ◽  
Striking Contrast

ClC-1 belongs to the gene family of CLC Cl− channels and Cl−/H+ antiporters. It is the major skeletal muscle chloride channel and is mutated in dominant and recessive myotonia. In addition to the membrane-embedded part, all mammalian CLC proteins possess a large cytoplasmic C-terminal domain that bears two so-called CBS (from cystathionine-β-synthase) domains. Several studies indicate that these domains might be involved in nucleotide binding and regulation. In particular, Bennetts et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 2005. 280:32452–32458) reported that the voltage dependence of hClC-1 expressed in HEK cells is regulated by intracellular ATP and other nucleotides. Moreover, very recently, Bennetts et al. (J. Biol. Chem. 2007. 282:32780–32791) and Tseng et al. (J. Gen. Physiol. 2007. 130:217–221) reported that the ATP effect was enhanced by intracellular acidification. Here, we show that in striking contrast with these findings, human ClC-1, expressed in Xenopus oocytes and studied with the inside-out configuration of the patch-clamp technique, is completely insensitive to intracellular ATP at concentrations up to 10 mM, at neutral pH (pH 7.3) as well as at slightly acidic pH (pH 6.2). These results have implications for a general understanding of nucleotide regulation of CLC proteins and for the physiological role of ClC-1 in muscle excitation.

scholarly journals A β-Alanine Catabolism Pathway Containing a Highly Promiscuous ω-Transaminase in the 12-Aminododecanate-Degrading Pseudomonas sp. Strain AAC

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (13) ◽  
pp. 3846-3856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Wilding ◽  
Thomas S. Peat ◽  
Janet Newman ◽  
Colin Scott
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Building Block ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nylon 12 ◽  
Dynamics Simulations

ABSTRACTWe previously isolated the transaminase KES23458 fromPseudomonassp. strain AAC as a promising biocatalyst for the production of 12-aminododecanoic acid, a constituent building block of nylon-12. Here, we report the subsequent characterization of this transaminase. It exhibits activity with a broad substrate range which includes α-, β-, and ω-amino acids, as well as α,ω-diamines and a number of other industrially relevant compounds. It is therefore a prospective candidate for the biosynthesis of a range of polyamide monomers. The crystal structure of KES23458 revealed that the protein forms a dimer containing a large active site pocket and unusual phosphorylated histidine residues. To infer the physiological role of the transaminase, we expressed, purified, and characterized a dehydrogenase from the same operon, KES23460. Unlike the transaminase, the dehydrogenase was shown to be quite selective, catalyzing the oxidation of malonic acid semialdehyde, formed from β-alanine transamination via KES23458. In keeping with previous reports, the dehydrogenase was shown to catalyze both a coenzyme A (CoA)-dependent reaction to form acetyl-CoA and a significantly slower CoA-independent reaction to form acetate. These findings support the original functional assignment of KES23458 as a β-alanine transaminase. However, a seemingly well-adapted active site and promiscuity toward unnatural compounds, such as 12-aminododecanoic acid, suggest that this enzyme could perform multiple functions forPseudomonassp. strain AAC.IMPORTANCEWe describe the characterization of an industrially relevant transaminase able to metabolize 12-aminododecanoic acid, a constituent building block of the widely used polymer nylon-12, and we report the biochemical and structural characterization of the transaminase protein. A physiological role for this highly promiscuous enzyme is proposed based on the characterization of a related gene from the host organism. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to compare the conformational changes in the transaminase protein to better understand the determinants of specificity in the protein. This study makes a substantial contribution that is of interest to the broad biotechnology and enzymology communities, providing insights into the catalytic activity of an industrially relevant biocatalyst as well as the biological function of this operon.

TMEM16A–TMEM16B chimaeras to investigate the structure–function relationship of calcium-activated chloride channels

2013 ◽  
Vol 452 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Scudieri ◽  
Elvira Sondo ◽  
Emanuela Caci ◽  
Roberto Ravazzolo ◽  
Luis J. V. Galietta
Keyword(s):  
Chloride Channels ◽  
Transmembrane Domain ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Intracellular Loop ◽  
Transmembrane Segments ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Third Intracellular Loop ◽  
Cl Channels ◽  
Function Relationship ◽  
Relationship Of

TMEM16A and TMEM16B proteins are CaCCs (Ca2+-activated Cl− channels) with eight putative transmembrane segments. As shown previously, expression of TMEM16B generates CaCCs characterized by a 10-fold lower Ca2+ affinity and by faster activation and deactivation kinetics with respect to TMEM16A. To investigate the basis of the different properties, we generated chimaeric proteins in which different domains of the TMEM16A protein were replaced by the equivalent domains of TMEM16B. Replacement of the N-terminus, TMD (transmembrane domain) 1–2, the first intracellular loop and TMD3–4 did not change the channel's properties. Instead, replacement of intracellular loop 3 decreased the apparent Ca2+ affinity by nearly 8-fold with respect to wild-type TMEM16A. In contrast, the membrane currents derived from chimaeras containing TMD7–8 or the C-terminus of TMEM16B showed higher activation and deactivation rates without a change in Ca2+ sensitivity. Significantly accelerated kinetics were also found when the entire C-terminus of the TMEM16A protein (77 amino acid residues) was deleted. Our findings indicate that the third intracellular loop of TMEM16A and TMEM16B is the site involved in Ca2+-sensitivity, whereas the C-terminal part, including TMD7–8, affect the rate of transition between the open and the closed state.

scholarly journals Defective function of GABA-containing synaptic vesicles in mice lacking the AP-3B clathrin adaptor

2004 ◽  
Vol 167 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fubito Nakatsu ◽  
Motohiro Okada ◽  
Fumiaki Mori ◽  
Noriko Kumazawa ◽  
Hiroto Iwasa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Vesicles ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Gaba Release ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Clathrin Adaptor ◽  
And Function

AP-3 is a member of the adaptor protein (AP) complex family that regulates the vesicular transport of cargo proteins in the secretory and endocytic pathways. There are two isoforms of AP-3: the ubiquitously expressed AP-3A and the neuron-specific AP-3B. Although the physiological role of AP-3A has recently been elucidated, that of AP-3B remains unsolved. To address this question, we generated mice lacking μ3B, a subunit of AP-3B. μ3B−/− mice suffered from spontaneous epileptic seizures. Morphological abnormalities were observed at synapses in these mice. Biochemical studies demonstrated the impairment of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release because of, at least in part, the reduction of vesicular GABA transporter in μ3B−/− mice. This facilitated the induction of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus and the abnormal propagation of neuronal excitability via the temporoammonic pathway. Thus, AP-3B plays a critical role in the normal formation and function of a subset of synaptic vesicles. This work adds a new aspect to the pathogenesis of epilepsy.

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