Coexpression of alpha 1 with putative beta 3 subunits results in functional Na+/K+ pumps in Xenopus oocytes

Endogenous cardiotonic steroids and cardiovascular disease, where to next?

Ever since British Physician William Withering first described the use of foxglove extract for treatment of patients with congestive heart failure in 1785, cardiotonic steroids have been used clinically to treat heart failure and more recently atrial fibrillation. Due to their ability to bind and inhibit the ubiquitous transport enzyme sodium potassium pump, thus regulating intracellular Na⁺ concentration in every living cell, they are also an essential tool for research into the sodium potassium pump structure and function. Exogenous CTS have been clearly demonstrated to affect cardiovascular system through modulation of vagal tone, cardiac contraction (via ionic changes) and altered natriuresis. Reports of a number of endogenous CTS, since the 1980s, have intensified research into their physiologic and pathophysiologic roles and opened up novel therapeutic targets. Substantive evidence pointing to the role of endogenous ouabain and marinobufagenin, the two most prominent CTS, in development of cardiovascular disease has accumulated. Nevertheless, their presence, structure, biosynthesis pathways and even mechanism of action remain unclear or controversial. In this review the current state-of-the-art, the controversies and the remaining questions surrounding the role of endogenous cardiotonic steroids in health and disease are discussed.

Differential expression patterns of sodium potassium ATPase alpha and beta subunit isoforms in mouse brain during postnatal development

The sodium potassium ATPase (Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase) is essential for the maintenance of a low intracellular Na⁺ and a high intracellular K⁺ concentration. Loss of function of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase due to mutations in Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase genes, anoxic conditions, depletion of ATP or inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase function using cardiac glycosides such as digitalis, causes a depolarization of the resting membrane potential. While in non-excitable cells, the uptake of glucose and amino acids is decreased if the function of the Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase is compromised, in excitable cells the symptoms range from local hyper-excitability to inactivating depolarization. Although several studies have demonstrated the differential expression of the various Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase alpha and beta isoforms in the brain tissue of rodents, their expression profile during development has yet to be thoroughly investigated. An immunohistochemical analysis of postnatal day 19 mouse brain showed ubiquitous expression of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase isoforms α1, β1 and β2 in both neurons and glial cells, whereas α2 was expressed mostly in glial cells and the α3 and β3 isoforms were expressed in neurons. Furthermore, we examined potential changes in the relative expression of the different Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase isoforms in different brain areas of postnatal day 6 and in adult 9 months old animals using immunoblot analysis. Our results show a significant up-regulation of the α1 isoform in cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, whereas, the α2 isoform was significantly up-regulated in midbrain. The β3 isoform showed a significant up-regulation in all brain areas investigated. The up-regulation of the α3 isoform matched that of the β2 isoform which were both significantly up-regulated in cortex, hippocampus and midbrain, suggesting that the increased maturation of the neuronal network is accompanied by an increase in expression of α3/β2 complexes in these brain structures.

Clock-Generated Temporal Codes Determine Synaptic Plasticity to Control Sleep

Neurons use two main schemes to encode information: rate coding (frequency of firing) and temporal coding (timing or pattern of firing). While the importance of rate coding is well established, it remains controversial whether temporal codes alone are sufficient for controlling behavior. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of specific temporal codes are enigmatic. Here, we show in Drosophila clock neurons that distinct temporal spike patterns, dissociated from changes in firing rate, encode time-dependent arousal and regulate sleep. From a large-scale genetic screen, we identify the molecular pathways mediating the circadian-dependent changes in ionic flux and spike morphology that rhythmically modulate spike timing. Remarkably, the daytime spiking pattern alone is sufficient to drive plasticity in downstream arousal neurons, leading to increased firing of these cells. These findings demonstrate a causal role for temporal coding in behavior and define a form of synaptic plasticity triggered solely by temporal spike patterns.

Greasing the wheels or a spanner in the works? Regulation of the cardiac sodium pump by palmitoylation

The ubiquitous sodium/potassium ATPase (Na pump) is the most abundant primary active transporter at the cell surface of multiple cell types, including ventricular myocytes in the heart. The activity of the Na pump establishes transmembrane ion gradients that control numerous events at the cell surface, positioning it as a key regulator of the contractile and metabolic state of the myocardium. Defects in Na pump activity and regulation elevate intracellular Na in cardiac muscle, playing a causal role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmias and heart failure. Palmitoylation is the reversible conjugation of the fatty acid palmitate to specific protein cysteine residues; all subunits of the cardiac Na pump are palmitoylated. Palmitoylation of the pump's accessory subunit phospholemman (PLM) by the cell surface palmitoyl acyl transferase DHHC5 leads to pump inhibition, possibly by altering the relationship between the pump catalytic α subunit and specifically bound membrane lipids. In this review, we discuss the functional impact of PLM palmitoylation on the cardiac Na pump and the molecular basis of recognition of PLM by its palmitoylating enzyme DHHC5, as well as effects of palmitoylation on Na pump cell surface abundance in the cardiac muscle. We also highlight the numerous unanswered questions regarding the cellular control of this fundamentally important regulatory process.

The inner mantle of the giant clam, Tridacna squamosa, expresses a basolateral Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit, which displays light-dependent gene and protein expression along the shell-facing epithelium

Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) is essential for maintaining the Na+ and K+ gradients, and supporting the secondary active transport of certain ions/molecules, across the plasma membrane of animal cells. This study aimed to clone the NKA α-subunit (NKAα) from the inner mantle adjacent to the extrapallial fluid of Tridacna squamosa, to determine its subcellular localization, and to examine the effects of light exposure on its transcript level and protein abundance. The cDNA coding sequence of NKAα from T. squamosa comprised 3105 bp, encoding 1034 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 114 kDa. NKAα had a basolateral localization along the shell-facing epithelium of the inner mantle. Exposure to 12 h of light led to a significantly stronger basolateral NKAα-immunofluorescence at the shell-facing epithelium, indicating that NKA might play a role in light-enhanced calcification in T. squamosa. After 3 h of light exposure, the transcript level of NKAα decreased transiently in the inner mantle, but returned to the control level thereafter. In comparison, the protein abundance of NKAα remained unchanged at hour 3, but became significantly higher than the control after 12 h of light exposure. Hence, the expression of NKAα in the inner mantle of T. squamosa was light-dependent. It is probable that a higher expression level of NKA was needed in the shell-facing epithelial cells of the inner mantle to cope with a rise in Na+ influx, possibly caused by increases in activities of some Na+-dependent ion transporters/channels involved in light-enhanced calcification.

Mineralocorticoids modulate the expression of the β-3 subunit of the Na+, K+-ATPase in the renal collecting duct

Renal sodium reabsorption depends on the activity of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase α/β heterodimer. Four α (α_1-4) and 3 β (β_1-3) subunit isoforms have been described. It is accepted that renal tubule cells express α₁/β₁ dimers. Aldosterone stimulates Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity and may modulate α₁/β₁ expression. However, some studies suggest the presence of β₃ in the kidney. We hypothesized that the β₃ isoform of the Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase is expressed in tubular cells of the distal nephron, and modulated by mineralocorticoids. We found that β₃ is highly expressed in collecting duct of rodents, and that mineralocorticoids decreased the expression of β₃. Thus, we describe a novel molecular mechanism of sodium pump modulation that may contribute to the effects of mineralocorticoids on sodium reabsorption.

The role of cardiotonic steroids in the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy in chronic kidney disease

Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) are a new class of hormones that circulate in the blood and are divided into two distinct groups, cardenolides, such as ouabain and digoxin, and bufadienolides, such as marinobufagenin, telocinobufagin and bufalin. They have the ability to bind and inhibit the ubiquitous transport enzyme sodium potassium pump, thus regulating intracellular Na(+) concentration in every living cell. Although digoxin has been prescribed to heart failure patients for at least 200 years, the realization that CTS are endogenously produced has intensified research into their physiological and pathophysiological roles. Over the last two decades, substantial evidence has accumulated demonstrating the effects of endogenously synthesised CTS on the kidneys, vasculature and the heart. In this review, the current state of art and the controversies surrounding the manner in which CTS mediate their pathophysiological effects are discussed. Several potential therapeutic strategies have emerged as a result of our increased understanding of the role CTS play in health and disease.

Regulation of the cardiac Na(+) pump by palmitoylation of its catalytic and regulatory subunits

The Na+/K+-ATPase (Na+ pump) is the principal consumer of ATP in multicellular organisms. In the heart, the Na+ gradient established by the pump is essential for all aspects of cardiac function, and appropriate regulation of the cardiac Na+ pump is therefore crucial to match cardiac output to the physiological requirements of an organism. The cardiac pump is a multi-subunit enzyme, consisting of a catalytic α-subunit and regulatory β- and FXYD subunits. All three subunits may become palmitoylated, although the functional outcome of these palmitoylation events is incompletely characterized to date. Interestingly, both β- and FXYD subunits may be palmitoylated or glutathionylated at the same cysteine residues. These competing chemically distinct post-translational modifications may mediate functionally different effects on the cardiac pump. In the present article, we review the cellular events that control the balance between these modifications, and discuss the likely functional effects of pump subunit palmitoylation.

Novel regulation of cardiac Na pump via phospholemman

As the only quantitatively significant Na efflux pathway from cardiac cells, the Na/K ATPase (Na pump) is the primary regulator of intracellular Na. The transmembrane Na gradient it establishes is essential for normal electrical excitability, numerous coupled-transport processes and, as the driving force for Na/Ca exchange, thus setting cardiac Ca load and contractility. As Na influx varies with electrical excitation, heart rate and pathology, the dynamic regulation of Na efflux is essential. It is now widely recognized that phospholemman, a 72 amino acid accessory protein which forms part of the Na pump complex, is the key nexus linking cellular signaling to pump regulation. Phospholemman is the target of a variety of post-translational modifications (including phosphorylation, palmitoylation and glutathionation) and these can dynamically alter the activity of the Na pump. This review summarizes our current understanding of the multiple regulatory mechanisms that converge on phospholemman and govern NA pump activity in the heart. The corrected Fig. 4 is reproduced below. The publisher would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused. [corrected].

Regulation of the cardiac sodium pump

In cardiac muscle, the sarcolemmal sodium/potassium ATPase is the principal quantitative means of active transport at the myocyte cell surface, and its activity is essential for maintaining the trans-sarcolemmal sodium gradient that drives ion exchange and transport processes that are critical for cardiac function. The 72-residue phosphoprotein phospholemman regulates the sodium pump in the heart: unphosphorylated phospholemman inhibits the pump, and phospholemman phosphorylation increases pump activity. Phospholemman is subject to a remarkable plethora of post-translational modifications for such a small protein: the combination of three phosphorylation sites, two palmitoylation sites, and one glutathionylation site means that phospholemman integrates multiple signaling events to control the cardiac sodium pump. Since misregulation of cytosolic sodium contributes to contractile and metabolic dysfunction during cardiac failure, a complete understanding of the mechanisms that control the cardiac sodium pump is vital. This review explores our current understanding of these mechanisms.

ERK1/2 Controls Na,K-ATPase Activity and Transepithelial Sodium Transport in the Principal Cell of the Cortical Collecting Duct of the Mouse Kidney

The collecting duct of normal kidney exhibits significant activity of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway as shown in vivo by immunostaining of phosphorylated active ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). The MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway controls many different ion transports both in proximal and distal nephron, raising the question of whether this pathway is involved in the basal and/or hormone-dependent transepithelial sodium reabsorption in the principal cell of the cortical collecting duct (CCD), a process mediated by the apical epithelial sodium channel and the basolateral sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase). To answer this question we used ex vivo microdissected CCDs from normal mouse kidney or in vitro cultured mpkCCDcl4 principal cells. Significant basal levels of pERK1/2 were observed ex vivo and in vitro. Aldosterone and vasopressin, known to up-regulate sodium reabsorption in CCDs, did not change ERK1/2 activity either ex vivo or in vitro. Basal and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated sodium transport was down-regulated by the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, in parallel with a decrease in pERK1/2 in vitro. The activity of Na,K-ATPase but not that of epithelial sodium channel was inhibited by MEK1/2 inhibitors in both unstimulated and aldosterone- or vasopressin-stimulated CCDs in vitro. Cell surface biotinylation showed that intrinsic activity rather than cell surface expression of Na,K-ATPase was controlled by pERK1/2. PD98059 also significantly inhibited the activity of Na,K-ATPase ex vivo. Our data demonstrate that the ERK1/2 pathway controls Na,K-ATPase activity and transepithelial sodium transport in the principal cell and indicate that basal constitutive activity of the ERK1/2 pathway is a critical component of this control.

Structure-function relationship in P-type ATPases--a biophysical approach

P-type ATPases are a large family of membrane proteins that perform active ion transport across biological membranes. In these proteins the energy-providing ATP hydrolysis is coupled to ion-transport that builds up or maintains the electrochemical potential gradients of one or two ion species across the membrane. P-type ATPases are found in virtually all eukaryotic cells and also in bacteria, and they are transporters of a broad variety of ions. So far, a crystal structure with atomic resolution is available only for one species, the SR Ca-ATPase. However, biochemical and biophysical studies provide an abundance of details on the function of this class of ion pumps. The aim of this review is to summarize the results of preferentially biophysical investigations of the three best-studied ion pumps, the Na,K-ATPase, the gastric H,K-ATPase, and the SR Ca-ATPase, and to compare functional properties to recent structural insights with the aim of contributing to the understanding of their structure-function relationship.

A novel vasopressin-induced transcript promotes MAP kinase activation and ENaC downregulation

In the principal cell of the renal collecting duct, vasopressin regulates the expression of a gene network responsible for sodium and water reabsorption through the regulation of the water channel and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). We have recently identified a novel vasopressin-induced transcript (VIT32) that encodes for a 142 amino acid vasopressin-induced protein (VIP32), which has no homology with any protein of known function. The Xenopus oocyte expression system revealed two functions: (i) when injected alone, VIT32 cRNA rapidly induces oocyte meiotic maturation through the activation of the maturation promoting factor, the amphibian homolog of the universal M phase trigger Cdc2/cyclin; and (ii) when co-injected with the ENaC, VIT32 cRNA selectively downregulates channel activity, but not channel cell surface expression. In the kidney principal cell, VIP32 may be involved in the downregulation of transepithelial sodium transport observed within a few hours after vasopressin treatment. VIP32 belongs to a novel gene family ubiquitously expressed in oocyte and somatic cells that may be involved in G to M transition and cell cycling.

Functional differences between alpha subunit isoforms of the rat Na,K-ATPase expressed in Xenopus oocytes

The functional properties of the three most widely distributed alpha subunit isoforms of the Na,K-ATPase are not well known, particularly concerning the voltage dependence of their activity and cation binding kinetics. We measured the electrogenic activity generated by Na,K-ATPases resulting from co-expression of the rat alpha1, alpha2* or alpha3* subunits with the rat beta1 subunit in Xenopus oocytes; alpha2* and alpha3* are ouabain-resistant mutants of the alpha2 and alpha3 isoform, which allowed selective inhibition of the endogenous Na(+),K(+)-pump of the oocyte. In oocytes expressing the three isoforms of the alpha subunit, K(+) induced robust outward currents that were largely ouabain-sensitive. In addition, ouabain-sensitive inward currents were recorded for all three isoforms in sodium-free and potassium-free acid solutions. The very similar voltage dependence of the Na(+),K(+)-pump activity observed in the absence of extracellular Na(+) indicated a similar stoichiometry of the transported cations by the three isoforms. The affinity for extracellular K(+) was slightly lower for the alpha2* and alpha3* than for the alpha1 isoform. The alpha2* isoform was, however, more sensitive to voltage-dependent inhibition by extracellular Na(+), indicating a higher affinity of the extracellular Na(+) site in this isoform. We measured and controlled [Na(+)](i) using a co-expressed amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channel. The intracellular affinity for Na(+) was slightly higher in the alpha2* than in the alpha1 or alpha3* isoforms. These results suggest that the alpha2 isoform could have an activity that is strongly dependent upon [Na(+)](o) and [K(+)](o). These concentrations could selectively modulate its activity when large variations are present, for instance in the narrow intercellular spaces of brain or muscle tissues.

Voltage dependence of the apparent affinity for external Na(+) of the backward-running sodium pump

The steady-state voltage and [Na(+)](o) dependence of the electrogenic sodium pump was investigated in voltage-clamped internally dialyzed giant axons of the squid, Loligo pealei, under conditions that promote the backward-running mode (K(+)-free seawater; ATP- and Na(+)-free internal solution containing ADP and orthophosphate). The ratio of pump-mediated (42)K(+) efflux to reverse pump current, I(pump) (both defined by sensitivity to dihydrodigitoxigenin, H(2)DTG), scaled by Faraday's constant, was -1.5 +/- 0.4 (n = 5; expected ratio for 2 K(+)/3 Na(+) stoichiometry is -2.0). Steady-state reverse pump current-voltage (I(pump)-V) relationships were obtained either from the shifts in holding current after repeated exposures of an axon clamped at various V(m) to H(2)DTG or from the difference between membrane I-V relationships obtained by imposing V(m) staircases in the presence or absence of H(2)DTG. With the second method, we also investigated the influence of [Na(+)](o) (up to 800 mM, for which hypertonic solutions were used) on the steady-state reverse I(pump)-V relationship. The reverse I(pump)-V relationship is sigmoid, I(pump) saturating at large negative V(m), and each doubling of [Na(+)](o) causes a fixed (29 mV) rightward parallel shift along the voltage axis of this Boltzmann partition function (apparent valence z = 0.80). These characteristics mirror those of steady-state (22)Na(+) efflux during electroneutral Na(+)/Na(+) exchange, and follow without additional postulates from the same simple high field access channel model (Gadsby, D.C., R.F. Rakowski, and P. De Weer, 1993. Science. 260:100-103). This model predicts valence z = nlambda, where n (1.33 +/- 0.05) is the Hill coefficient of Na binding, and lambda (0.61 +/- 0.03) is the fraction of the membrane electric field traversed by Na ions reaching their binding site. More elaborate alternative models can accommodate all the steady-state features of the reverse pumping and electroneutral Na(+)/Na(+) exchange modes only with additional assumptions that render them less likely.

Structure of the 5th transmembrane segment of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit: a cysteine-scanning mutagenesis study

To study the structure of the pathway of cations across the Na, K-ATPase, we applied the substituted cysteine accessibility method to the putative 5th transmembrane segment of the alpha subunit of the Na,K-ATPase of the toad Bufo marinus. Only the most extracellular amino acid position (A(796)) was accessible from the extracellular side in the native Na,K-pump. After treatment with palytoxin, six other positions (Y(778), L(780), S(782), P(785), E(786) and L(791)), distributed along the whole length of the segment, became readily accessible to a small-size methanethiosulfonate compound (2-aminoethyl methanethiosulfonate). The accessible residues are not located on the same side of an alpha-helical model but the pattern of reactivity would rather suggest a beta-sheet structure for the inner half of the putative transmembrane segment. These results demonstrate the contribution of the 5th transmembrane segment to the palytoxin-induced channel and indicate which amino acid positions are exposed to the pore of this channel.

Residues of the fourth transmembrane segments of the Na,K-ATPase and the gastric H,K-ATPase contribute to cation selectivity

We have generated protein chimeras to investigate the role of the fourth transmembrane segments (TM4) of the Na,K- and gastric H, K-ATPases in determining the distinct cation selectivities of these two pumps. Based on a helical wheel analysis, three residues of TM4 of the Na,K-ATPase were changed to their H,K-counterparts. A construct carrying three mutations in TM4 (L319F, N326Y, and T340S) and two control constructs were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in the pig kidney epithelial cell line LLC-PK(1). Biochemical ATPase assays demonstrated a large sodium-independent ATPase activity at pH 6.0 for the pump carrying the TM4 substitutions, whereas the control constructs exhibited little or no activity in the absence of sodium. Furthermore, at pH 6.0 the K(1/2)(Na(+)) shifted to 1.5 mM for the TM4 construct compared with 9.4 and 5.9 mM for the controls. In contrast, at pH 7.5 all three constructs had characteristics similar to wild type Na,K-ATPase. Large increases in K(1/2)(K(+)) were observed for the TM4 construct compared with the control constructs both in two-electrode voltage clamp experiments in Xenopus oocytes and in ATPase assays. ATPase assays also revealed a 10-fold shift in vanadate sensitivity for the TM4 construct. Based on these findings, it appears that the three identified TM4 residues play an important role in determining both the specific cation selectivities and the E(1)/E(2) conformational equilibria of the Na,K- and H,K-ATPase.

Transport and pharmacological properties of nine different human Na, K-ATPase isozymes

Na,K-ATPase plays a crucial role in cellular ion homeostasis and is the pharmacological receptor for digitalis in man. Nine different human Na,K-ATPase isozymes, composed of 3 alpha and beta isoforms, were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and were analyzed for their transport and pharmacological properties. According to ouabain binding and K(+)-activated pump current measurements, all human isozymes are functional but differ in their turnover rates depending on the alpha isoform. On the other hand, variations in external K(+) activation are determined by a cooperative interaction mechanism between alpha and beta isoforms with alpha2-beta2 complexes having the lowest apparent K(+) affinity. alpha Isoforms influence the apparent internal Na(+) affinity in the order alpha1 > alpha2 > alpha3 and the voltage dependence in the order alpha2 > alpha1 > alpha3. All human Na,K-ATPase isozymes have a similar, high affinity for ouabain. However, alpha2-beta isozymes exhibit more rapid ouabain association as well as dissociation rate constants than alpha1-beta and alpha3-beta isozymes. Finally, isoform-specific differences exist in the K(+)/ouabain antagonism which may protect alpha1 but not alpha2 or alpha3 from digitalis inhibition at physiological K(+) levels. In conclusion, our study reveals several new functional characteristics of human Na,K-ATPase isozymes which help to better understand their role in ion homeostasis in different tissues and in digitalis action and toxicity.

Cation selectivity of gastric H,K-ATPase and Na,K-ATPase chimeras

Chimeras of the catalytic subunits of the gastric H,K-ATPase and Na, K-ATPase were constructed and expressed in LLC-PK1 cells. The chimeras included the following: (i) a control, H85N (the first 85 residues comprising the cytoplasmic N terminus of Na,K-ATPase replaced by the analogous region of H,K-ATPase); (ii) H85N/H356-519N (the N-terminal half of the cytoplasmic M4-M5 loop also replaced); and (iii) H519N (the entire front half replaced). The latter two replacements confer a decrease in apparent affinity for extracellular K+. The 356-519 domain and, to a greater extent, the H519N replacement confer increased apparent selectivity for protons relative to Na+ at cytoplasmic sites as shown by the persistence of K+ influx when the proton concentration is increased and the Na+ concentration decreased. The pH and K+ dependence of ouabain-inhibitable ATPase of membranes derived from the transfected cells indicate that the H519N and, to a lesser extent, the H356-519N substitution decrease the effectiveness of K+ to compete for protons at putative cytoplasmic H+ activation sites. Notable pH-independent behavior of H85N/H356-519N at low Na+ suggests that as pH is decreased, Na+/K+ exchange is replaced largely by (Na+ + H+)/K+ exchange. With H519N, the pH and Na+ dependence of pump and ATPase activities suggest relatively active H+/K+ exchange even at neutral pH. Overall, this study provides evidence for important roles in cation selectivity for both the N-terminal half of the M4-M5 loop and the adjacent transmembrane helice(s).

Role of the intracellular domain of the beta subunit in Na,K pump function

The catalytic alpha subunit of the (Na,K)- and (H,K)-ATPases needs to be coexpressed with a beta subunit in order to produce cation transport activity. Although the isoform of the beta subunit is known to influence the functional characteristics of the Na,K pump, the role of the different domains of the beta subunit is not fully understood. We have studied the function of a Na,K pump resulting from the expression of a wild-type alpha subunit with a N-terminally truncated mutant of the beta subunit using the two-electrode voltage clamp and the cut-open oocyte techniques. While the maximal activity, measured as the K+-activated outward current, was not significantly altered, the beta N-terminal truncation induced an ouabain-sensitive conductance in the absence of extracellular K+. The voltage dependence of the ouabain-sensitive charge distribution indicated that in the Na/Na exchange conditions, the E1-E2 conformation equilibrium was shifted towards the E2 conformation, a change resulting from alteration of both the forward and the backward reaction rate. Removal of the intracellular domain of the beta subunit modifies several aspects of the whole enzyme function by a mechanism that must imply the state of the extracellular and/or transmembrane parts of the alpha/beta subunit complex.

Na,K-ATPase subunit beta1 knock-in prevents lethality of beta2 deficiency in mice

The beta2 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase displays functional properties of both an integral constituent of an ion pump and an adhesion and neurite outgrowth-promoting molecule in vitro. To investigate whether the beta1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase can functionally substitute for the beta2 isoform in vivo, we have generated beta2/beta1 knock-in mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. In beta2/beta1 knock-in mice, expression of beta2 was abolished, whereas beta1 mRNA expression from the mutated gene amounted to approximately 15% of the normal expression of beta2 in the adult mouse brain and prevented the juvenile lethality observed for beta2 null mutant mice. In contrast to beta2 null mutant mice, the overall morphological structure of all analyzed brain regions was normal. By immunohistochemical analysis, beta1 expression was detected in photoreceptor cells in the retina of knock-in mice at an age when expression of beta1 and beta2, respectively, is downregulated and persisting in the wild-type mice. Morphological analysis by light and electron microscopy revealed a progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells. Apoptotic death of photoreceptor cells determined quantitatively by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling analysis increased in beta2/beta1 knock-in mice with age. These observations suggest that the beta1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase can substitute sufficiently, at least in certain cell types, for the role of the beta2 subunit as a component of a functional Na,K-ATPase, but they do not allow us to determine the possible role of the beta2 subunit as an adhesion molecule in vivo.

Ras pathway activates epithelial Na+ channel and decreases its surface expression in Xenopus oocytes

The small G protein K-Ras2A is rapidly induced by aldosterone in A6 epithelia. In these Xenopus sodium reabsorbing cells, aldosterone rapidly activates preexisting epithelial Na+ channels (XENaC) via a transcriptionally mediated mechanism. In the Xenopus oocytes expression system, we tested whether the K-Ras2A pathway impacts on XENaC activity by expressing XENaC alone or together with XK-Ras2A rendered constitutively active (XK-Ras2AG12V). As a second control, XENaC-expressing oocytes were treated with progesterone, a sex steroid that induces maturation of the oocytes similarly to activated Ras. Progesterone or XK-Ras2AG12V led to oocyte maturation characterized by a decrease in surface area and endogenous Na+ pump function. In both conditions, the surface expression of exogenous XENaC's was also decreased; however, in comparison with progesterone-treated oocytes, XK-ras2AG12V-coinjected oocytes expressed a fivefold higher XENaC-mediated macroscopic Na+ current that was as high as that of control oocytes. Thus, the Na+ current per surface-expressed XENaC was increased by XK-Ras2AG12V. The chemical driving force for Na+ influx was not changed, suggesting that XK-Ras2AG12V increased the mean activity of XENaCs at the oocyte surface. These observations raise the possibility that XK-Ras2A, which is the first regulatory protein known to be transcriptionally induced by aldosterone, could play a role in the control of XENaC function in aldosterone target cells.

Na,K-ATPase subunit beta1 knock-in prevents lethality of beta2 deficiency in mice

The beta2 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase displays functional properties of both an integral constituent of an ion pump and an adhesion and neurite outgrowth-promoting molecule in vitro. To investigate whether the beta1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase can functionally substitute for the beta2 isoform in vivo, we have generated beta2/beta1 knock-in mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. In beta2/beta1 knock-in mice, expression of beta2 was abolished, whereas beta1 mRNA expression from the mutated gene amounted to approximately 15% of the normal expression of beta2 in the adult mouse brain and prevented the juvenile lethality observed for beta2 null mutant mice. In contrast to beta2 null mutant mice, the overall morphological structure of all analyzed brain regions was normal. By immunohistochemical analysis, beta1 expression was detected in photoreceptor cells in the retina of knock-in mice at an age when expression of beta1 and beta2, respectively, is downregulated and persisting in the wild-type mice. Morphological analysis by light and electron microscopy revealed a progressive degeneration of photoreceptor cells. Apoptotic death of photoreceptor cells determined quantitatively by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling analysis increased in beta2/beta1 knock-in mice with age. These observations suggest that the beta1 subunit of the Na,K-ATPase can substitute sufficiently, at least in certain cell types, for the role of the beta2 subunit as a component of a functional Na,K-ATPase, but they do not allow us to determine the possible role of the beta2 subunit as an adhesion molecule in vivo.

An epithelial serine protease activates the amiloride-sensitive sodium channel

Sodium balance, and ultimately blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume, is maintained by precise regulation of the activity of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). In a Xenopus kidney epithelial cell line (A6), exposure of the apical membrane to the protease inhibitor aprotinin reduces transepithelial sodium transport. Sodium-channel activity can be restored by subsequent exposure to the nonspecific protease trypsin. Using A6 cells and a functional complementation assay to detect increases in ENaC activity, we have cloned a 329-residue protein belonging to the serine protease family. We show that coexpression of this protein with ENaC in Xenopus oocytes increases the activity of the sodium channel by two- to threefold. This channel-activating protease (CAP1) is expressed in kidney, gut, lung, skin and ovary. Sequence analysis predicts that CAP1 is a secreted and/or glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein: ENaC activity would thus be regulated by the activity of a protease expressed at the surface of the same cell. This previously undiscovered mechanism for autocrine regulation may apply to other ion channels, in particular to members of the ENaC family that are present in neurons and epithelial cells.

Palytoxin effects through interaction with the Na,K-ATPase in Xenopus oocyte

Palytoxin (PTX) is known to bind to Na,K-ATPase, to inhibit its activity, and to induce cation conductance, but the mechanism of these effects is still poorly understood. In Xenopus oocytes, PTX induced a large cation conductance, an effect that could be prevented or reversed by ouabain for oocytes expressing Xenopus Na,K-pumps but not with those expressing Bufo Na,K-pumps. In both cases patch-clamp experiments demonstrated a 7-8 pS channel in the presence of PTX. A large PTX-induced conductance could be observed with minimal Na,K-pump inhibition. From the single PTX-induced channel and macroscopic whole oocyte conductance, and the number of Na,K-pumps, we can conclude that PTX-induced conductance occurs through a direct interaction of PTX with a small number of Na,K-pumps.

Degradation and endoplasmic reticulum retention of unassembled alpha- and beta-subunits of Na,K-ATPase correlate with interaction of BiP

Assembly of alpha- and beta-subunits in the endoplasmic reticulum is a prerequisite for the structural and functional maturation of oligomeric P-type ATPases. In Xenopus oocytes, overexpressed, unassembled alpha- and beta-subunits of Xenopus Na,K-ATPase are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are degraded with different kinetics, while unassembled beta-subunits of gastric H, K-ATPase leave the ER. In this study, we have investigated the role of the immunoglobulin-binding protein, BiP, in the folding, assembly, and ER retention of ATPase subunits. We determined the primary sequence of Xenopus BiP and used polyclonal antibodies to examine the interaction with BiP of various wild type and mutant alpha- and beta-subunits overexpressed in Xenopus oocytes. Our results show that ER-retained, unassembled Na,K-ATPase beta-subunits, but not transport-competent H,K-ATPase beta-subunits, efficiently associate with BiP until assembly with alpha-subunits occurs. Furthermore, the kinetics of BiP interaction with unassembled wild type and with mutant Na,K-ATPase beta-subunits parallels their respective stability against cellular degradation. Finally, alpha-subunits that are overexpressed in oocytes and are rapidly degraded and endogenous oocyte alpha-subunits that are stably expressed as individual assembly-competent proteins also interact with oocyte or exogenous BiP, and the interaction time correlates with the protein's stability. These data demonstrate for the first time that BiP might be involved in a long term maturation arrest and/or in the ER quality control of a multimembrane-spanning protein and lend support for a universal chaperone function of BiP.

The rat distal colon P-ATPase alpha subunit encodes a ouabain-sensitive H+, K+-ATPase

The functional properties and the pharmacological profile of the recently cloned cDNA colonic P-ATPase alpha subunit (Crowson, M.S., and Shull, G.E. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 13740-13748) were investigated by using the Xenopus oocyte expression system. Xenopus oocytes were injected with alpha subunit cRNAs from Bufo marinus bladder or rat distal colon and/or with beta subunit cRNA from B. marinus bladder. Two days after injection, K+ uptake was measured by using 86 Rb+ as a K+ surrogate, and pH measurements were performed by means of ion-selective microelectrodes. Co-injection of alpha and beta subunit cRNAs led to a large increase in 86Rb+ uptake, an intracellular alkalinization, and an extracellular medium acidification, as compared to alpha or beta injection alone. These results indicate that the colonic P-ATPase alpha subunit, like the bladder alpha subunit, acts as a functional H+,K+-ATPase, and that co-expression of alpha and beta subunits is required for the function. External K+ activation of the 86Rb+ uptake had a K1/2 of approximately 440 microM for the bladder isoform (consistent with the previously reported value (Jaisser, F., Horisberger, J.D., Geering, K., and Rossier, B.C. (1993) J. Cell. Biol. 123, 1421-1431) and a K1/2 of approximately 730 microM for the colonic isoform. Sch28080 was ineffective to reduce 86Rb+ uptake whereas ouabain inhibited the activity expressed from rat colon alpha subunit with a Ki of 970 microM when measured at the Vmax of the enzyme. We conclude that, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, the rat colon P-ATPase alpha subunit encodes a ouabain-sensitive H+,K+-ATPase.

Role in cation translocation of the N-terminus of the alpha-subunit of the Na(+)-K+ pump of Bufo

1. We have studied the effects on the physiological properties of the Na(+)-K+ pump of both 31- and 40-amino acid N-terminal truncated forms of the alpha-subunit of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. 2. Na(+)-K+ pumps that were moderately ouabain resistant (K1 = 50 microM) were expressed in the Xenopus oocyte by injection of wild-type or truncated variants of the Bufo marinus Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha-subunit cRNA with Bufo beta-subunit cRNA. The function of the Na(+)-K+ pump was studied by electrophysiological methods after Na+ loading and inhibition of the endogenous Xenopus Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase by exposure to a low concentration (0.2 microM) of ouabain. 3. The voltage-dependent potassium activation kinetics of the Na(+)-K+ pump current and the ouabain-sensitive proton-dependent inward current were studied using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. A novel technique involving permeabilization of part of the oocyte membrane with digitonin was developed to enable study of the pre-steady-state current following fast voltage perturbation. 4. By comparison with the wild type, the 40-amino acid N-terminal truncation induced a lower level of Na(+)-K+ pump current, a 2- to 3-fold reduction in the apparent external K+ affinity when measured in the presence of extracellular Na+, a relative increase in the proton-dependent inward current, and a reduction in the rate constant of the pre-steady-state current following a voltage step towards a positive membrane potential. The 31-amino acid truncation induced changes that were qualitatively similar but of smaller magnitude. 5. We have analysed these results using a kinetic model of the Na(+)-K+ pump cycle and have shown that all these effects can be explained by the change in a single rate constant in the cycle kinetics, namely a reduction in the rate of the main charge translocating part of the Na(+)-K+ pump cycle, i.e. the forward E1 to E2 conformational change, the deocclusion and release of Na+ to the external side. 6. The highly charged N-terminal segment seems to be directly involved in the mechanism that translocates Na+ ions across the membrane's electrical field.

Modulation of the Na,K-pump function by beta subunit isoforms

To study the role of the Na,K-ATPase beta subunit in the ion transport activity, we have coexpressed the Bufo alpha 1 subunit (alpha 1) with three different isotypes of beta subunits, the Bufo Na,K-ATPase beta 1 (beta 1NaK) or beta 3 (beta 3NaK) subunit or the beta subunit of the rabbit gastric H,K-ATPase (beta HK), by cRNA injection in Xenopus oocyte. We studied the K+ activation kinetics by measuring the Na,K-pump current induced by external K+ under voltage clamp conditions. The endogenous oocyte Na,K-ATPase was selectively inhibited, taking advantage of the large difference in ouabain sensitivity between Xenopus and Bufo Na,K pumps. The K+ half-activation constant (K1/2) was higher in the alpha 1 beta 3NaK than in the alpha 1 beta 1NaK groups in the presence of external Na+, but there was no significant difference in the absence of external Na+. Association of alpha 1 and beta HK subunits produced active Na,K pumps with a much lower apparent affinity for K+ both in the presence and in the absence of external Na+. The voltage dependence of the K1/2 for external K+ was similar with the three beta subunits. Our results indicate that the beta subunit has a significant influence on the ion transport activity of the Na,K pump. The small structural differences between the beta 1NaK and beta 3NaK subunits results in a difference of the apparent affinity for K+ that is measurable only in the presence of external Na+, and thus appears not to be directly related to the K+ binding site. In contrast, association of an alpha 1 subunit with a beta HK subunit results in a Na,K pump in which the K+ binding or translocating mechanisms are altered since the apparent affinity for external K+ is affected even in the absence of external Na+.

Polyadenylation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase beta 1-subunit during early development of Xenopus laevis

In fully grown Xenopus oocytes, the synthesis of beta-subunits is limiting for the formation of functional Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase alpha/beta-complexes (Geering, K. FEBS Lett. 285: 189-193, 1991). In the present study, we show that during oocyte growth (from stage I to stage VI) alpha 1-, but not beta 1- or beta 3-isoform, mRNAs accumulate. In addition, beta-mRNAs are apparently sequestered in an untranslated pool in fully grown oocytes (stage VI). From fertilization to morulation, the total pools of alpha 1-, beta 1-, or beta 3-mRNAs vary little. Whereas polyadenylated [poly(A)+] alpha 1- and beta 3-isoform mRNAs did not change significantly, poly(A)+ beta 1-mRNA abundance increased three- to fourfold at morulation, accompanied by a parallel increase in beta 1-protein synthesis. After midblastula transition (i.e., at early gastrula) and during neurulation, poly(A)+ alpha 1- and beta 3-mRNAs accumulated rapidly, whereas poly(A)+ beta 1-mRNA accumulation was delayed by approximately 2 h, beginning only at early neurula. Our results indicate that 1) the abundance of poly(A)+ beta 1-mRNA is rate limiting during embryonic development for the assembly of alpha 1/beta 1-heterodimers, shown to be involved in the vectorial transport of sodium in kidney cells, and 2) the polyadenylation of beta 1-mRNA is a rate-limiting factor during morulation for the synthesis and assembly of new sodium pumps at the time of blastocoel fluid formation. The 3'-untranslated region of beta 1-mRNA (but not of alpha 1-mRNA) expresses cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) with the consensus sequence AXX-AUUUU(A/U)(A/U)(A/U). A role of CPE in the differential polyadenylation of alpha 1- and beta 1-mRNA is proposed.

Role of the transmembrane and extracytoplasmic domain of beta subunits in subunit assembly, intracellular transport, and functional expression of Na,K-pumps

The ubiquitous Na,K- and the gastric H,K-pumps are heterodimeric plasma membrane proteins composed of an alpha and a beta subunit. The H,K-ATPase beta subunit (beta HK) can partially act as a surrogate for the Na,K-ATPase beta subunit (beta NK) in the formation of functional Na,K-pumps (Horisberger et al., 1991. J. Biol. Chem. 257:10338-10343). We have examined the role of the transmembrane and/or the ectodomain of beta NK in (a) its ER retention in the absence of concomitant synthesis of Na,K-ATPase alpha subunits (alpha NK) and (b) the functional expression of Na,K-pumps at the cell surface and their activation by external K+. We have constructed chimeric proteins between Xenopus beta NK and rabbit beta HK by exchanging their NH2-terminal plus transmembrane domain with their COOH-terminal ectodomain (beta NK/HK, beta HK/NK). We have expressed these constructs with or without coexpression of alpha NK in the Xenopus oocyte. In the absence of alpha NK, Xenopus beta NK and all chimera that contained the ectodomain of beta NK were retained in the ER while beta HK and all chimera with the ectodomain of beta HK could leave the ER suggesting that ER retention of unassembled Xenopus beta NK is mediated by a retention signal in the ectodomain. When coexpressed with alpha NK, only beta NK and beta NK/HK chimera assembled efficiently with alpha NK leading to similar high expression of functional Na,K-pumps at the cell surface that exhibited, however, a different apparent K+ affinity. beta HK or chimera with the transmembrane domain of beta HK assembled less efficiently with alpha NK leading to lower expression of functional Na,K-pumps with a different apparent K+ affinity. The data indicate that the transmembrane domain of beta NK is important for efficient assembly with alpha NK and that both the transmembrane and the ectodomain of beta subunits play a role in modulating the transport activity of Na,K-pumps.

Mechanisms of urinary K+ and H+ excretion: primary structure and functional expression of a novel H,K-ATPase

The kidney plays an essential role in regulating potassium and acid balance. A major site for these regulations is in the collecting tubule. In the present study, we report the primary sequence of a novel alpha subunit of the P-ATPase gene family, which we isolated from the urinary bladder epithelium of the toad Bufo marinus, the amphibian equivalent of the mammalian collecting tubule. The cDNA encodes a protein of 1,042 amino acids which shares approximately 67% identity with the alpha 1 subunit of the ouabain-inhibitable Na,K-ATPase and approximately 69% identity with the alpha subunit of the SCH28080-inhibitable gastric H,K-ATPase. When coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes with a beta subunit isolated from the same cDNA library, the ATPase is able to transport rubidium (a potassium surrogate) inward, and hydrogen outward, leading to alkalization of the intracellular compartment and acidification of the external medium. The novel ATPase has a unique pharmacological profile showing intermediate sensitivity to both ouabain and SCH28080. Our findings indicate that the bladder ATPase is a member of a new ion motive P-ATPase subfamily. The bladder ATPase is expressed in the urinary tract but not in the stomach or the colon. This H,K-ATPase may be one of the molecules involved in H+ and K+ homeostasis, mediating the transport of these ions across urinary epithelia and therefore regulating their urinary excretion.

Primary sequence and functional expression of a novel beta subunit of the P-ATPase gene family

The cortical collecting tubule (CCT) of the mammalian kidney reabsorbs sodium and potassium, processes that are mediated by Na/K-ATPase and H/K-ATPase. CCT is also an important site for proton secretion, which is driven, in part, by H/K-ATPase. Na/K-ATPase and H/K-ATPase are members of the ion-motive P-ATPase gene family. They are closely related plasma membrane proteins which consist of alpha beta heterodimers. The urinary bladder of the toad Bufo marinus is the amphibian counterpart of mammalian CCT. We have previously characterized a ouabain-resistant Na/K-ATPase [see ref. 17], from TBM cells, a clonal cell line derived from the toad bladder, which expresses transepithelial sodium transport. In the present study, we report the primary sequence and functional expression of a novel beta subunit (beta bladder = beta b1) isolated from a toad bladder epithelial cell cDNA library. The deduced polypeptide is 299 amino acids in length and has a predicted molecular mass of 33 kDa. The beta b1 protein exhibits 35% amino acid identity to the previously characterized beta 1 of B. marinus Na/K-ATPase and 39% identity with beta 3 of B. marinus Na/K-ATPase. It shares 38% identity with the mammalian beta gastric H/K-ATPase and 52% with the mammalian beta 2 Na/K-ATPase. Northern blot analysis shows that a 1.4 x 10(3)-base mRNA is expressed at a high level in bladder epithelial cells and eye and at a trace level in kidney; it is not detectable in significant amounts in the stomach, colon and small intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anomalous interaction of Sp1 and specific binding of an E-box-binding protein with the regulatory elements of the Na,K-ATPase alpha 2 subunit gene promoter

We identified cis elements in the 5'-flanking region of rat Na,K-ATPase alpha 2 subunit gene (Atp1a2) using transient transfection assays in L6 rat skeletal muscle myoblast cells. By 5'-deletion mutation analysis, the region between nucleotide positions -175 and -108 was identified as a positive regulatory region. In the region, the distal E box (nucleotides -144 to -139) acts as a negative regulatory element, and the Sp1 consensus sequence (nucleotides -123 to -118) and the GGGAGG sequence (nucleotides -114 to -109) act as positive regulatory elements. Gel-retardation analysis revealed that binding factors are an E-box-binding protein and Sp1. DNase I footprinting and methylation-interference analyses revealed that Sp1 binds to the region from nucleotides -122 to -101 and the E-box-binding protein to the region from nucleotides -144 to -136. T4 DNA polymerase footprinting revealed that there are three Sp1-binding sites in the region and that Sp1 binds to one of the three sites in a mutually exclusive manner. The mechanism by which Sp1 activates the Atp1a2 promoter is discussed.

Mutation of a conserved proline residue in the beta-subunit ectodomain prevents Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase oligomerization

A highly conserved sequence motif (4 tyrosines and 1 proline: YYPYY) of the Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) beta 1-subunit ectodomain has been mutagenized to study its possible role in alpha/beta-assembly and sodium pump function. Single as well as double tyrosine mutants (tyrosine to phenylalanine: Y to F) of Xenopus laevis beta 1-subunits are able to associate with alpha 1-subunits and form functional Na-K pumps at the plasma membrane that are indistinguishable from wild-type alpha 1, beta 1-Na-K pumps (as assessed by measurements of ouabain binding, 86Rb flux, Na-K pump current, and activation by external potassium). In contrast, a single proline mutation (proline to glycine: P244G) reduced by > 90% the proper assembly and function of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, despite a normal rate of synthesis and core glycosylation. Our data indicate that proline-244 plays a critical role in the proper folding of the beta-subunit and its ability to associate efficiently with the alpha 1-subunit in the endoplasmic reticulum.

Expression of beta subunit isoforms of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase is muscle type-specific

Hindlimb skeletal muscles of the rat express two isoforms of the alpha (alpha 1 and alpha 2) and two isoforms of the beta (beta 1 and beta 2) subunits of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase. Because several muscles constitute the hindlimb, we investigated if specific isoforms are expressed in particular muscles. Northern blot analysis using isoform-specific cDNA probes demonstrated that soleus muscle expressed only the beta 1 transcript, whereas EDL or white gastrocnemius muscles expressed only the beta 2 transcript, and red gastrocnemius muscle expressed both mRNAs. All muscles tested expressed both alpha 1 and alpha 2 transcripts, albeit to various degrees: alpha 1 transcripts were present to about the same extent in all muscles but alpha 2 mRNA was 4-fold more abundant in soleus than in EDL for the same amount of total RNA. Beta subunit protein levels were investigated in purified plasma membrane fractions of pooled red (soleus + red gastrocnemius + red quadriceps) or white (white gastrocnemius + white quadriceps) muscles using isoform-specific antibodies. Red muscles expressed mostly the beta 1 protein while white muscles expressed mostly the beta 2 subunit. Both muscle groups had similar levels of alpha 1 or alpha 2 subunits, and crude membranes isolated from red muscles had 30% higher Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity than white muscle membranes. We conclude that oxidative muscles (slow and fast twitch) express beta 1 subunits, whereas glycolytic, fast twitch muscles express beta 2 subunits, and that both beta isoforms support the Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity of the alpha subunits.

Primary structure of an apical protein from Xenopus laevis that participates in amiloride-sensitive sodium channel activity

High resistance epithelia express on their apical side an amiloride-sensitive sodium channel that controls sodium reabsorption. A cDNA was found to encode a 1,420-amino acid long polypeptide with no signal sequence, a putative transmembrane segment, and three predicted amphipathic alpha helices. A corresponding 5.2-kb mRNA was detected in Xenopus laevis kidney, intestine, and oocytes, with weak expression in stomach and eyes. An antibody directed against a fusion protein containing a COOH-terminus segment of the protein and an antiidiotypic antibody known to recognize the amiloride binding site of the epithelial sodium channel (Kleyman, T. R., J.-P. Kraehenbuhl, and S. A. Ernst. 1991. J. Biol. Chem. 266:3907-3915) immunoprecipitated a similar protein complex from [35S]methionine-labeled and from apically radioiodinated Xenopus laevis kidney-derived A6 cells. A single integral of 130-kD protein was recovered from samples reduced with DTT. The antibody also cross-reacted by ELISA with the putative amiloride-sensitive sodium channel isolated from A6 cells (Benos, D. J., G. Saccomani, and S. Sariban-Sohraby. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:10613-10618). Although the protein is translated, cRNA injected into oocytes did not reconstitute amiloride-sensitive sodium transport, while antisense RNA or antisense oligodeoxynucleotides specific for two distinct sequences of the cloned cDNA inhibited amiloride-sensitive sodium current induced by injection of A6 cell mRNA. We propose that the cDNA encodes an apical plasma membrane protein that plays a role in the functional expression of the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel. It may represent a subunit of the Xenopus laevis sodium channel or a regulatory protein essential for sodium channel function.

The beta subunit modulates potassium activation of the Na-K pump

We recently cloned the alpha 1 and the beta 1 and beta 3 subunits of the Na,K-ATPase of the toad Bufo marinus. To investigate possible functional differences between beta 1 and beta 3, we studied the potassium activation of Na-K pumps expressed in the oocyte of Xenopus laevis. Na-K pump activity was measured as K(+)-induced current in voltage-clamped oocytes. We could take advantage of the relative resistance to ouabain conferred by the Bufo alpha subunit to study specifically the exogenously expressed Na-K pumps after inhibition of the ouabain-sensitive endogenous Xenopus Na-K pumps. Coinjection of Bufo alpha 1 subunit cRNA with either beta 1 or beta 3 cRNAs results in the expression of functional Na-K pumps that share similar low ouabain sensitivity but differ in their K+ half activation constant (K1/2). Similar results were obtained with Xenopus alpha 1 and beta 1 or beta 3 subunits and with Bufo/Xenopus heterodimers. We conclude that some specific sequence of the beta subunit can influence the activation of the Na,K pump by extracellular K+ ions.

Stimulation of system y(+)-like amino acid transport by the heavy chain of human 4F2 surface antigen in Xenopus laevis oocytes

A kidney cortex cDNA clone (rBAT) has recently been isolated, which upon in vitro transcription and capping complementary RNA (cRNA) and injection into Xenopus laevis oocytes induces a system b0,(+)-like amino acid transport activity. This cDNA encodes a type II membrane glycoprotein that shows significant homology to another type II membrane glycoprotein, the heavy chain of the human and mouse 4F2 surface antigen (4F2hc). Here we demonstrate that injection of human 4F2hc cRNA into oocytes results in the activation of a cation-preferring amino acid transport system that appears to be identical to the y(+)-like transport already present in the oocyte. This is based on the following results: (i) Injection of in vitro transcripts from 4F2hc cDNA (4F2hc cRNA) into oocytes stimulates up to 10-fold the sodium-independent uptake of L-arginine and up to 4.1-fold the sodium-dependent uptake of L-leucine. In contrast, 4F2hc cRNA does not increase the basal sodium-independent uptake of L-leucine. (ii) Basal and 4F2hc cRNA-stimulated sodium-independent uptake of L-arginine is completely inhibited by L-leucine in the presence of sodium. Similarly, the basal and 4F2hc cRNA-stimulated sodium-dependent uptake of L-leucine is entirely inhibited by L-arginine. (iii) The stimulation of sodium-independent uptake of L-arginine and the stimulation of sodium-dependent uptake of L-leucine induced by injection of 4F2hc cRNA are both completely inhibited by dibasic L amino acids and to a lesser extent by D-ornithine. (iv) Both basal and 4F2hc cRNA-stimulated sodium-independent uptake of L-arginine show two additional characteristics of the system y+ transport activity: inhibition of L-arginine uptake by L-homoserine only in the presence of sodium and an increase in the inhibition exerted by L-histidine as the extracellular pH decreased. Our results allow us to propose that an additional family of type II membrane glycoproteins (composed by rBAT and 4F2hc) is involved in amino acid transport, either as specific activators or as components of amino acid transport systems.

Regulation of alpha 1-beta 3-NA(+)-K(+)-ATPase isozyme during meiotic maturation of Xenopus laevis oocytes

During progesterone-induced maturation of Xenopus oocytes, the transport and ouabain binding capacity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase at the plasma membrane is completely downregulated. To elucidate the mechanism and the physiological significance of this process, we have followed the fate of oocyte alpha-beta 3-Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase complexes during meiotic maturation and early embryonic development. An immunocytochemical follow-up of the catalytic alpha-subunit, ouabain binding studies, cell surface iodination, and oocyte cell fractionation combined with immunochemical subunit detection provides evidence that following progesterone treatment Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase molecules are retrieved from the oocyte plasma membrane. The enzyme complexes are recovered in an active form in an intracellular compartment in both in vitro and in vivo matured eggs. Exogenous Xenopus alpha 1- and beta 1-complexes expressed in the oocyte from injected cRNAs are regulated by progesterone similar to endogenous Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase complexes. Finally, active Na(+)-K+ pumps internalized during oocyte maturation appear to be redistributed to plasma membrane fractions during blastula formation in Xenopus embryos. In conclusion, our data suggest that endocytosis of alpha 1- and beta 3-complexes during meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes is responsible for downregulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and results in an intracellular pool of functional enzymes, which might be reexpressed during early development in response to physiological needs.