scholarly journals Chloride Channels in Astrocytes: Structure, Roles in Brain Homeostasis and Implications in Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xabier Elorza-Vidal ◽  
Héctor Gaitán-Peñas ◽  
Raúl Estévez
Keyword(s):  
Chloride Channels ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Multiple Functions ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Brain Homeostasis

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the CNS (central nervous system). They exert multiple functions during development and in the adult CNS that are essential for brain homeostasis. Both cation and anion channel activities have been identified in astrocytes and it is believed that they play key roles in astrocyte function. Whereas the proteins and the physiological roles assigned to cation channels are becoming very clear, the study of astrocytic chloride channels is in its early stages. In recent years, we have moved from the identification of chloride channel activities present in astrocyte primary culture to the identification of the proteins involved in these activities, the determination of their 3D structure and attempts to gain insights about their physiological role. Here, we review the recent findings related to the main chloride channels identified in astrocytes: the voltage-dependent ClC-2, the calcium-activated bestrophin, the volume-activated VRAC (volume-regulated anion channel) and the stress-activated Maxi-Cl−. We discuss key aspects of channel biophysics and structure with a focus on their role in glial physiology and human disease.

scholarly journals Structure of the human voltage-dependent anion channel

2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (40) ◽  
pp. 15370-15375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Bayrhuber ◽  
Thomas Meins ◽  
Michael Habeck ◽  
Stefan Becker ◽  
Karin Giller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Flux ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Bioinformatic Analysis ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Voltage Dependent Anion Channel ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Α Helix ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), also known as mitochondrial porin, is the most abundant protein in the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). VDAC is the channel known to guide the metabolic flux across the MOM and plays a key role in mitochondrially induced apoptosis. Here, we present the 3D structure of human VDAC1, which was solved conjointly by NMR spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography. Human VDAC1 (hVDAC1) adopts a β-barrel architecture composed of 19 β-strands with an α-helix located horizontally midway within the pore. Bioinformatic analysis indicates that this channel architecture is common to all VDAC proteins and is adopted by the general import pore TOM40 of mammals, which is also located in the MOM.

scholarly journals The Role of Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel in Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Human Disease

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1737
Author(s):  
Joyce T. Varughese ◽  
Susan K. Buchanan ◽  
Ashley S. Pitt
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Role ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Voltage Dependent Anion Channel ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
Mitochondrial Regulation ◽  
Interaction Partners ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Conductance States

The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is a β-barrel membrane protein located in the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). VDAC has two conductance states: an open anion selective state, and a closed and slightly cation-selective state. VDAC conductance states play major roles in regulating permeability of ATP/ADP, regulation of calcium homeostasis, calcium flux within ER-mitochondria contact sites, and apoptotic signaling events. Three reported structures of VDAC provide information on the VDAC open state via X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Together, these structures provide insight on how VDAC aids metabolite transport. The interaction partners of VDAC, together with the permeability of the pore, affect the molecular pathology of diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), lupus, and cancer. To fully address the molecular role of VDAC in disease pathology, major questions must be answered on the structural conformers of VDAC. For example, further information is needed on the structure of the closed state, how binding partners or membrane potential could lead to the open/closed states, the function and mobility of the N-terminal α-helical domain of VDAC, and the physiological role of VDAC oligomers. This review covers our current understanding of the various states of VDAC, VDAC interaction partners, and the roles they play in mitochondrial regulation pertaining to human diseases.

The presence of voltage-gated sodium, potassium and chloride channels in rat cultured astrocytes

1985 ◽  
Vol 225 (1240) ◽  
pp. 299-313 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Glial Cells ◽  
Chloride Channels ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Resting Potential ◽  
Patch Clamp Recording ◽  
Anion Conductance ◽  
Cultured Astrocytes ◽  
Potassium Conductances ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Spatial Buffering

Patch-clamp recording from the plasmalemma of rat cultured astrocytes reveals the presence of both voltage-dependent sodium and voltage-dependent potassium conductances. These conductances are similar but not identical to the corresponding conductances in the axolemma. Whereas the h ∞ relation of the sodium channels has the same voltage dependence as in the nodal axolemma, the peak current-voltage relation is shifted by about 30 mV along the voltage axis in the depolarizing direction. It is speculated that the glial cells synthesize sodium and potassium channels for later insertion into the axolemma of neighbouring axons. The astrocytes also express a plasmalemmal voltage-dependent anion conductance that is turned on at about —40 mV (that is, near the resting potential of the cultured astrocytes). The channels involved are large enough to be just permeable to glutamate but not to ascorbate. It is suggested that the conductance of this channel for chloride plays a physiological role in the spatial buffering of pottassium by glial cells.

scholarly journals A synthetic prostone activates apical chloride channels in A6 epithelial cells

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (2) ◽  
pp. G234-G251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Fang Bao ◽  
Lian Liu ◽  
Julie Self ◽  
Billie Jeanne Duke ◽  
Ryuji Ueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chloride Channels ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Hek293 Cells ◽  
Open Probability ◽  
Anion Secretion ◽  
A6 Cells ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Channel Type

The bicyclic fatty acid lubiprostone (formerly known as SPI-0211) activates two types of anion channels in A6 cells. Both channel types are rarely, if ever, observed in untreated cells. The first channel type was activated at low concentrations of lubiprostone (<100 nM) in >80% of cell-attached patches and had a unit conductance of ∼3–4 pS. The second channel type required higher concentrations (>100 nM) of lubiprostone to activate, was observed in ∼30% of patches, and had a unit conductance of 8–9 pS. The properties of the first type of channel were consistent with ClC-2 and the second with CFTR. ClC-2's unit current strongly inwardly rectified that could be best fit by models of the channel with multiple energy barrier and multiple anion binding sites in the conductance pore. The open probability and mean open time of ClC-2 was voltage dependent, decreasing dramatically as the patches were depolarized. The order of anion selectivity for ClC-2 was Cl > Br > NO3 > I > SCN, where SCN is thiocyanate. ClC-2 was a “double-barreled” channel favoring even numbers of levels over odd numbers as if the channel protein had two conductance pathways that opened independently of one another. The channel could be, at least, partially blocked by glibenclamide. The properties of the channel in A6 cells were indistinguishable from ClC-2 channels stably transfected in HEK293 cells. CFTR in the patches had a selectivity of Cl > Br ≫ NO3 ≅ SCN ≅ I. It outwardly rectified as expected for a single-site anion channel. Because of its properties, ClC-2 is uniquely suitable to promote anion secretion with little anion reabsorption. CFTR, on the other hand, could promote either reabsorption or secretion depending on the anion driving forces.

scholarly journals The Open State Selectivity of the Bean Seed VDAC Depends on Stigmasterol and Ion Concentration

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3034
Author(s):  
Hayet Saidani ◽  
Marc Léonetti ◽  
Hanna Kmita ◽  
Fabrice Homblé
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Role ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Physiological Effect ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Voltage Dependent Anion Channel ◽  
Major Pathway ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
State Selectivity

The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) is the major pathway for metabolites and ions transport through the mitochondrial outer membrane. It can regulate the flow of solutes by switching to a low conductance state correlated with a selectivity reversal, or by a selectivity inversion of its open state. The later one was observed in non-plant VDACs and is poorly characterized. We aim at investigating the selectivity inversion of the open state using plant VDAC purified from Phaseolus coccineus (PcVDAC) to evaluate its physiological role. Our main findings are: (1) The VDAC selectivity inversion of the open state occurs in PcVDAC, (2) Ion concentration and stigmasterol affect the occurrence of the open state selectivity inversion and stigmasterol appears to interact directly with PcVDAC. Interestingly, electrophysiological data concerning the selectivity inversion of the PcVDAC open state suggests that the phenomenon probably does not have a significant physiological effect in vivo.

The low-resolution 3D-structure of porin, a channel-forming protein in E. coliouter membranes

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 440-441
Author(s):  
A. Engel ◽  
D.L. Dorset ◽  
A. Massalski ◽  
J.P. Rosenbusch
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Packing ◽  
3D Structure ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Protein Ratio ◽  
Crystal Forms ◽  
Large Molecules ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Planar Membranes ◽  
Hexagonal Arrays

Porins represent a group of channel forming proteins that facilitate diffusion of small solutes across the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, while excluding large molecules (>650 Da). Planar membranes reconstituted from purified matrix porin (OmpF protein) trimers and phospholipids have allowed quantitative functional studies of the voltage-dependent channels and revealed concerted activation of triplets. Under the same reconstitution conditions but using high protein concentrations porin aggregated to 2D lattices suitable for electron microscopy and image processing. Depending on the lipid-to- protein ratio three different crystal packing arrangements were observed: a large (a = 93 Å) and a small (a = 79 Å) hexagonal and a rectangular (a = 79 Å b = 139 Å) form with p3 symmetry for the hexagonal arrays. In all crystal forms distinct stain filled triplet indentations could be seen and were found to be morphologically identical within a resolution of (22 Å). It is tempting to correlate stain triplets with triple channels, but the proof of this hypothesis requires an analysis of the structure in 3 dimensions.

scholarly journals VDAC1 in the diseased myocardium and the effect of VDAC1-interacting compound on atrial fibrosis induced by hyperaldosteronism

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadar Klapper-Goldstein ◽  
Ankit Verma ◽  
Sigal Elyagon ◽  
Roni Gillis ◽  
Michael Murninkas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Anion Channel ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Voltage Dependent Anion Channel ◽  
Cardiac Tissues ◽  
Therapeutic Implications ◽  
Voltage Dependent ◽  
Models Of Lupus

AbstractThe voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) is a key player in mitochondrial function. VDAC1 serves as a gatekeeper mediating the fluxes of ions, nucleotides, and other metabolites across the outer mitochondrial membrane, as well as the release of apoptogenic proteins initiating apoptotic cell death. VBIT-4, a VDAC1 oligomerization inhibitor, was recently shown to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, as validated in mouse models of lupus and type-2 diabetes. In the present study, we explored the expression of VDAC1 in the diseased myocardium of humans and rats. In addition, we evaluated the effect of VBIT-4 treatment on the atrial structural and electrical remodeling of rats exposed to excessive aldosterone levels. Immunohistochemical analysis of commercially available human cardiac tissues revealed marked overexpression of VDAC1 in post-myocardial infarction patients, as well as in patients with chronic ventricular dilatation\dysfunction. In agreement, rats exposed to myocardial infarction or to excessive aldosterone had a marked increase of VDAC1 in both ventricular and atrial tissues. Immunofluorescence staining indicated a punctuated appearance typical for mitochondrial-localized VDAC1. Finally, VBIT-4 treatment attenuated the atrial fibrotic load of rats exposed to excessive aldosterone without a notable effect on the susceptibility to atrial fibrillation episodes induced by burst pacing. Our results indicate that VDAC1 overexpression is associated with myocardial abnormalities in common pathological settings. Our data also indicate that inhibition of the VDAC1 can reduce excessive fibrosis in the atrial myocardium, a finding which may have important therapeutic implications. The exact mechanism\s of this beneficial effect need further studies.

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