Molecular insights into the normal operation, regulation, and multisystemic roles of K+-Cl− cotransporter 3 (KCC3)

Long before the molecular identity of the Na+-dependent K+-Cl− cotransporters was uncovered in the mid-nineties, a Na+-independent K+-Cl− cotransport system was also known to exist. It was initially observed in sheep and goat red blood cells where it was shown to be ouabain-insensitive and to increase in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). After it was established between the early and mid-nineties, the expressed sequence tag (EST) databank was found to include a sequence that was highly homologous to those of the Na+-dependent K+-Cl− cotransporters. This sequence was eventually found to code for the Na+-independent K+-Cl− cotransport function that was described in red blood cells several years before. It was termed KCC1 and led to the discovery of three isoforms called KCC2, KCC3, and KCC4. Since then, it has become obvious that each one of these isoforms exhibits unique patterns of distribution and fulfills distinct physiological roles. Among them, KCC3 has been the subject of great attention in view of its important role in the nervous system and its association with a rare hereditary sensorimotor neuropathy (called Andermann syndrome) that affects many individuals in Quebec province (Canada). It was also found to play important roles in the cardiovascular system, the organ of Corti, and circulating blood cells. As will be seen in this review, however, there are still a number of uncertainties regarding the transport properties, structural organization, and regulation of KCC3. The same is true regarding the mechanisms by which KCC3 accomplishes its numerous functions in animal cells.

Guanylin activates Cl− secretion into the lumen of seawater eel intestine via apical Cl− channel under simulated in vivo conditions

Guanylin (GN) action on seawater eel intestine was examined under simulated in vivo conditions, where isotonic luminal fluid has low NaCl and high MgSO4 (MgSO4 Ringer). In Ussing chamber, MgSO4 Ringer induced serosa-negative potential difference (PD) even after bumetanide treatment, which is due to the higher paracellular Na+ permeability over Cl−, as confirmed by the replacement by MgCl2 (no Cl− gradient) or Na2SO4 Ringer (no Na+ gradient). Luminal GN reversed serosa-negative PD, probably by enhancing Cl− secretion into the lumen, as the GN effect was blocked by apical Cl− channel blockers [diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC), 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid, glibenclamide but not cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR)inh-172] or replacement of luminal fluid by MgCl2 Ringer. The blockers' effect was undetectable when normal Ringer was on both sides. In the sac preparation, NaCl secretion occurred into the lumen (Na+ > Cl−), and GN further enhanced Cl− secretion (Cl− > Na+), resulting in water secretion. These GN effects were also blocked by DPC. Quantitative analyses showed that isotonic NaCl is absorbed when luminal fluid is normal Ringer, but, when luminal fluid is MgSO4 Ringer, hypertonic NaCl, almost equivalent to seawater, is secreted into the lumen after GN. These results indicate that GN stimulates the secretion of hypertonic NaCl into the lumen of seawater eel intestine, like rectal gland of marine elasmobranchs, to get rid of excess NaCl although marine teleost intestine is thought to have only absorptive-type cells with a unique Na-K-Cl cotransport system. The secreted NaCl may activate the cotransport system and further help absorb water in the final segment of seawater eel intestine.

Characterization of sulfate, proline, and glucose transport systems in anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament cells

The present study was undertaken to define the nature of key transport processes for sodium, glucose, proline, and sulfate in primary culture of canine anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) cells. Uptake studies using radiolabeled isotopes were performed and Na,K-ATPase activity was determined in cell lysates. At 25 °C both ACL and MCL cells showed a significant uptake of 86Rb. Ouabain inhibited Rb uptake by 55% in ACL cells and by 60% in MCL cells. The transport activity of Na,K-ATPase in intact cells was calculated to be 57 and 71 nmol·(mg protein)–1·(15 min)–1, respectively. The enzymatic activity of Na,K-ATPase in cell lysates was observed to be 104 for ACL cells and 121 nmol·(mg protein)–1·(15 min)–1 for MCL cells. Cytochalasin B, a known inhibitor of sodium-independent D-glucose transport, completely inhibited D-glucose uptake in ACL and MCL cells. Removal of Na+ or addition of 10–5 mol/L phlorizin, a potent inhibitor of the sodium-D-glucose cotransporter, did not alter D-glucose uptake, suggesting that glucose entered the cells using a sodium-independent pathway. Both ACL and MCL cells exhibited high sulfate uptake that was not altered by replacement of Na+ by N-methyl-D-glucamine, whereas DIDS, an inhibitor of sulfate/anion exchange abolished sulfate uptake in both cell types. Thus, neither cell type seems to possess a sodium-sulfate cotransport system. Rather, sulfate uptake appeared to be mediated by sulfate/anion exchange. Proline was rapidly taken up by ACL and MCL cells and its uptake was reduced by 85% when Na+ was replaced by N-methyl-D-glucamine, indicating that proline entered the cells via sodium-dependent cotransport systems. The data demonstrate that both ACL and MCL cells possess a highly active sodium pump, a secondary active sodium-proline cotransport system, and sodium-independent transport systems for D-glucose and sulfate.Key words: ligament, fibroblasts, transport, proline, sulfate, glucose, sodium.

High glucose-induced oxidative stress inhibits Na+/glucose cotransporter activity in renal proximal tubule cells

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. The metabolism of excessive intracellular glucose may involve a number of processes. One consequence of excessive intracellular glucose levels is an increased rate of oxidative phosphorylation under hyperglycemic conditions, whereas another consequence is an increase in the metabolism of glucose to sorbitol by aldose reductase. In addition, hyperglycemia may result in the activation of NADPH oxidase, the production of superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In this report, we investigate the mechanisms responsible for the H2O2 production that occurs as the consequence of hyperglycemia and the effect of H2O2 on the activity of the Na+/glucose cotransport system (SGLT) in primary cultures of renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs). When primary PTCs were cultured in the presence of high glucose, one consequence was that the Na+/glucose cotransport system was inhibited, as indicated by uptake studies utilizing α-methyl-d-glucoside (α-MG), a nonmetabolizable analog of d-glucose. Pretreatment of the cultures with either 1) aminoguanidine or pyridoxamine [inhibitors of the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)], 2) rotenone (an inhibitor of the mitochondrial electron transport chain), or 3) apocynin or diphenylene iodonium (DPI; inhibitors of NADPH oxidase) blocked the observed changes that occurred as a consequence of the incubation of the PTCs with high glucose. Included among these changes were the observed increase in H2O2 levels, as well as an increase in lipid peroxide production, and a decrease both in the activity of catalase and in the level of glutathione (GSH), endogenous antioxidants. The high glucose-induced decrease in the level of the Na+/glucose cotransporter was similarly prevented by either aminoguanidine, rotenone, or apocynin. Thus the inhibitory effect of high glucose on both the level of the Na+/glucose cotransport system and the activity of the Na+/glucose cotransport system can be explained, at least in part, as being due to the effects of the H2O2, the consequent formation of AGEs, the increase in mitochondrial metabolism, and in NADPH oxidase activity in the PTCs. Other related changes observed in the PTCs that could be reversed by treatment with either aminoguanidine, pyridoxamine, rotenone, apocynin, or DPI included an increase in transforming growth factor-β1 secretion and the activation of the NF-κB signal transduction pathway.

Osmoregulation in the Parasitic Protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus

ABSTRACT Tritrichomonas foetus was shown to undergo a regulatory volume increase (RVI) when it was subjected to hyperosmotic challenge, but there was no regulatory volume decrease after hypoosmotic challenge, as determined by using both light-scattering methods and measurement of intracellular water space to monitor cell volume. An investigation of T. foetus intracellular amino acids revealed a pool size (65 mM) that was similar to that of Trichomonas vaginalis but was considerably smaller than those of Giardia intestinalis and Crithidia luciliae. Changes in amino acid concentrations in response to hyperosmotic challenge were found to account for only 18% of the T. foetus RVI. The T. foetus intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations were determined to be 35 and 119 mM, respectively. The intracellular K+ concentration was found to increase considerably during exposure to hyperosmotic stress, and, assuming that there was a monovalent accompanying anion, this increase was estimated to account for 87% of the RVI. By using light scattering it was determined that the T. foetus RVI was enhanced by elevated external K+ concentrations and was inhibited when K+ and/or Cl− was absent from the medium. The results suggested that the well-documented Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransport system was responsible for the K+ influx activated during the RVI. However, inhibitors of Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransport in other systems, such as quinine, ouabain, furosemide, and bumetanide, had no effect on the RVI or K+ influx in T. foetus.