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Sure F, Einsiedel J, Gmeiner P, Duchstein P, Zahn D, Korbmacher C, Ilyaskin AV. The small molecule activator S3969 stimulates the epithelial sodium channel by interacting with a specific binding pocket in the channel's β-subunit. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105785. [PMID: 38401845 PMCID: PMC11065748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is essential for mediating sodium absorption in several epithelia. Its impaired function leads to severe disorders, including pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 and respiratory distress. Therefore, pharmacological ENaC activators have potential therapeutic implications. Previously, a small molecule ENaC activator (S3969) was developed. So far, little is known about molecular mechanisms involved in S3969-mediated ENaC stimulation. Here, we identified an S3969-binding site in human ENaC by combining structure-based simulations with molecular biological methods and electrophysiological measurements of ENaC heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. We confirmed a previous observation that the extracellular loop of β-ENaC is essential for ENaC stimulation by S3969. Molecular dynamics simulations predicted critical residues in the thumb domain of β-ENaC (Arg388, Phe391, and Tyr406) that coordinate S3969 within a binding site localized at the β-γ-subunit interface. Importantly, mutating each of these residues reduced (R388H; R388A) or nearly abolished (F391G; Y406A) the S3969-mediated ENaC activation. Molecular dynamics simulations also suggested that S3969-mediated ENaC stimulation involved a movement of the α5 helix of the thumb domain of β-ENaC away from the palm domain of γ-ENaC. Consistent with this, the introduction of two cysteine residues (βR437C - γS298C) to form a disulfide bridge connecting these two domains prevented ENaC stimulation by S3969 unless the disulfide bond was reduced by DTT. Finally, we demonstrated that S3969 stimulated ENaC endogenously expressed in cultured human airway epithelial cells (H441). These new findings may lead to novel (patho-)physiological and therapeutic concepts for disorders associated with altered ENaC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Sure
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Einsiedel
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter Gmeiner
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Patrick Duchstein
- Theoretical Chemistry/Computer Chemistry Center (CCC), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dirk Zahn
- Theoretical Chemistry/Computer Chemistry Center (CCC), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Korbmacher
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandr V Ilyaskin
- Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Nickerson AJ, Mutchler SM, Sheng S, Cox NA, Ray EC, Kashlan OB, Carattino MD, Marciszyn AL, Winfrey A, Gingras S, Kirabo A, Hughey RP, Kleyman TR. Mice lacking γENaC palmitoylation sites maintain benzamil-sensitive Na+ transport despite reduced channel activity. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e172051. [PMID: 37707951 PMCID: PMC10721255 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.172051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial Na+ channels (ENaCs) control extracellular fluid volume by facilitating Na+ absorption across transporting epithelia. In vitro studies showed that Cys-palmitoylation of the γENaC subunit is a major regulator of channel activity. We tested whether γ subunit palmitoylation sites are necessary for channel function in vivo by generating mice lacking the palmitoylated cysteines (γC33A,C41A) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. ENaCs in dissected kidney tubules from γC33A,C41A mice had reduced open probability compared with wild-type (WT) littermates maintained on either standard or Na+-deficient diets. Male mutant mice also had higher aldosterone levels than WT littermates following Na+ restriction. However, γC33A,C41A mice did not have reduced amiloride-sensitive Na+ currents in the distal colon or benzamil-induced natriuresis compared to WT mice. We identified a second, larger conductance cation channel in the distal nephron with biophysical properties distinct from ENaC. The activity of this channel was higher in Na+-restricted γC33A,C41A versus WT mice and was blocked by benzamil, providing a possible compensatory mechanism for reduced prototypic ENaC function. We conclude that γ subunit palmitoylation sites are required for prototypic ENaC activity in vivo but are not necessary for amiloride/benzamil-sensitive Na+ transport in the distal nephron or colon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ossama B. Kashlan
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology
| | | | | | | | - Sebastien Gingras
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Annet Kirabo
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Thomas R. Kleyman
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Cell Biology, and
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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3
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Sure F, Bertog M, Afonso S, Diakov A, Rinke R, Madej MG, Wittmann S, Gramberg T, Korbmacher C, Ilyaskin AV. Transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) proteolytically activates the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by cleaving the channel's γ-subunit. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102004. [PMID: 35504352 PMCID: PMC9163703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a heterotrimer consisting of α-, β-, and γ-subunits. Channel activation requires proteolytic release of inhibitory tracts from the extracellular domains of α-ENaC and γ-ENaC; however, the proteases involved in the removal of the γ-inhibitory tract remain unclear. In several epithelial tissues, ENaC is coexpressed with the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). Here, we explored the effect of human TMPRSS2 on human αβγ-ENaC heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. We found that coexpression of TMPRSS2 stimulated ENaC-mediated whole-cell currents by approximately threefold, likely because of an increase in average channel open probability. Furthermore, TMPRSS2-dependent ENaC stimulation was not observed using a catalytically inactive TMPRSS2 mutant and was associated with fully cleaved γ-ENaC in the intracellular and cell surface protein fractions. This stimulatory effect of TMPRSS2 on ENaC was partially preserved when inhibiting its proteolytic activity at the cell surface using aprotinin but was abolished when the γ-inhibitory tract remained attached to its binding site following introduction of two cysteine residues (S155C–Q426C) to form a disulfide bridge. In addition, computer simulations and site-directed mutagenesis experiments indicated that TMPRSS2 can cleave γ-ENaC at sites both proximal and distal to the γ-inhibitory tract. This suggests a dual role of TMPRSS2 in the proteolytic release of the γ-inhibitory tract. Finally, we demonstrated that TMPRSS2 knockdown in cultured human airway epithelial cells (H441) reduced baseline proteolytic activation of endogenously expressed ENaC. Thus, we conclude that TMPRSS2 is likely to contribute to proteolytic ENaC activation in epithelial tissues in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Sure
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marko Bertog
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sara Afonso
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexei Diakov
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf Rinke
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - M Gregor Madej
- Department of Biophysics II/Structural Biology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Wittmann
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas Gramberg
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Korbmacher
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Alexandr V Ilyaskin
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Erlangen, Germany
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4
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Wang XP, Balchak DM, Gentilcore C, Clark NL, Kashlan OB. Activation by cleavage of the epithelial Na + channel α and γ subunits independently coevolved with the vertebrate terrestrial migration. eLife 2022; 11:75796. [PMID: 34984981 PMCID: PMC8791634 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertebrates evolved mechanisms for sodium conservation and gas exchange in conjunction with migration from aquatic to terrestrial habitats. Epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) function is critical to systems responsible for extracellular fluid homeostasis and gas exchange. ENaC is activated by cleavage at multiple specific extracellular polybasic sites, releasing inhibitory tracts from the channel’s α and γ subunits. We found that proximal and distal polybasic tracts in ENaC subunits coevolved, consistent with the dual cleavage requirement for activation observed in mammals. Polybasic tract pairs evolved with the terrestrial migration and the appearance of lungs, coincident with the ENaC activator aldosterone, and appeared independently in the α and γ subunits. In summary, sites within ENaC for protease activation developed in vertebrates when renal Na+ conservation and alveolar gas exchange were required for terrestrial survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ping Wang
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Deidra M Balchak
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Clayton Gentilcore
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
| | - Nathan L Clark
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Ossama B Kashlan
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States.,Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, United States
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5
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Noreng S, Posert R, Bharadwaj A, Houser A, Baconguis I. Molecular principles of assembly, activation, and inhibition in epithelial sodium channel. eLife 2020; 9:59038. [PMID: 32729833 PMCID: PMC7413742 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular bases of heteromeric assembly and link between Na+ self-inhibition and protease-sensitivity in epithelial sodium channels (ENaCs) are not fully understood. Previously, we demonstrated that ENaC subunits – α, β, and γ – assemble in a counterclockwise configuration when viewed from outside the cell with the protease-sensitive GRIP domains in the periphery (Noreng et al., 2018). Here we describe the structure of ENaC resolved by cryo-electron microscopy at 3 Å. We find that a combination of precise domain arrangement and complementary hydrogen bonding network defines the subunit arrangement. Furthermore, we determined that the α subunit has a primary functional module consisting of the finger and GRIP domains. The module is bifurcated by the α2 helix dividing two distinct regulatory sites: Na+ and the inhibitory peptide. Removal of the inhibitory peptide perturbs the Na+ site via the α2 helix highlighting the critical role of the α2 helix in regulating ENaC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Noreng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Richard Posert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Arpita Bharadwaj
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Alexandra Houser
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Isabelle Baconguis
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
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6
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Abstract
Epithelial Na+ channels (ENaCs) are members of a family of cation channels that function as sensors of the extracellular environment. ENaCs are activated by specific proteases in the biosynthetic pathway and at the cell surface and remove embedded inhibitory tracts, which allows channels to transition to higher open-probability states. Resolved structures of ENaC and an acid-sensing ion channel revealed highly organized extracellular regions. Within the periphery of ENaC subunits are unique domains formed by antiparallel β-strands containing the inhibitory tracts and protease cleavage sites. ENaCs are inhibited by Na+ binding to specific extracellular site(s), which promotes channel transition to a lower open-probability state. Specific inositol phospholipids and channel modification by Cys-palmitoylation enhance channel open probability. How these regulatory factors interact in a concerted manner to influence channel open probability is an important question that has not been resolved. These various factors are reviewed, and the impact of specific factors on human disorders is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R Kleyman
- Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine, and Departments of Cell Biology and of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Douglas C Eaton
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Zhao R, Ali G, Chang J, Komatsu S, Tsukasaki Y, Nie HG, Chang Y, Zhang M, Liu Y, Jain K, Jung BG, Samten B, Jiang D, Liang J, Ikebe M, Matthay MA, Ji HL. Proliferative regulation of alveolar epithelial type 2 progenitor cells by human Scnn1d gene. Am J Cancer Res 2019; 9:8155-8170. [PMID: 31754387 PMCID: PMC6857051 DOI: 10.7150/thno.37023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) encoded by Scnn1 genes is essential for maintaining transepithelial salt and fluid homeostasis in the airway and the lung. Compared to α, β, and γ subunits, the role of respiratory δ-ENaC has not been studied in vivo due to the lack of animal models. Methods: We characterized full-length human δ802-ENaC expressed in both Xenopus oocytes and humanized transgenic mice. AT2 proliferation and differentiation in 3D organoids were analysed with FACS and a confocal microscope. Both two-electrode voltage clamp and Ussing chamber systems were applied to digitize δ802-ENaC channel activity. Immunoblotting was utilized to analyse δ802-ENaC protein. Transcripts of individual ENaC subunits in human lung tissues were quantitated with qPCR. Results: The results indicate that δ802-ENaC functions as an amiloride-inhibitable Na+ channel. Inhibitory peptide α-13 distinguishes δ802- from α-type ENaC channels. Modified proteolysis of γ-ENaC by plasmin and aprotinin did not alter the inhibition of amiloride and α-13 peptide. Expression of δ802-ENaC at the apical membrane of respiratory epithelium was detected with biophysical features similar to those of heterologously expressed channels in oocytes. δ802-ENaC regulated alveologenesis through facilitating the proliferation of alveolar type 2 epithelial cells. Conclusion: The humanized mouse line conditionally expressing human δ802-ENaC is a novel model for studying the expression and function of this protein in vivo .
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Wang XP, Im SJ, Balchak DM, Montalbetti N, Carattino MD, Ray EC, Kashlan OB. Murine epithelial sodium (Na +) channel regulation by biliary factors. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:10182-10193. [PMID: 31092599 PMCID: PMC6664190 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) mediates Na+ transport in several epithelia, including the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron, distal colon, and biliary epithelium. Numerous factors regulate ENaC activity, including extracellular ligands, post-translational modifications, and membrane-resident lipids. However, ENaC regulation by bile acids and conjugated bilirubin, metabolites that are abundant in the biliary tree and intestinal tract and are sometimes elevated in the urine of individuals with advanced liver disease, remains poorly understood. Here, using a Xenopus oocyte-based system to express and functionally study ENaC, we found that, depending on the bile acid used, bile acids both activate and inhibit mouse ENaC. Whether bile acids were activating or inhibiting was contingent on the position and orientation of specific bile acid moieties. For example, a hydroxyl group at the 12-position and facing the hydrophilic side (12α-OH) was activating. Taurine-conjugated bile acids, which have reduced membrane permeability, affected ENaC activity more strongly than did their more membrane-permeant unconjugated counterparts, suggesting that bile acids regulate ENaC extracellularly. Bile acid-dependent activation was enhanced by amino acid substitutions in ENaC that depress open probability and was precluded by proteolytic cleavage that increases open probability, consistent with an effect of bile acids on ENaC open probability. Bile acids also regulated ENaC in a cortical collecting duct cell line, mirroring the results in Xenopus oocytes. We also show that bilirubin conjugates activate ENaC. These results indicate that ENaC responds to compounds abundant in bile and that their ability to regulate this channel depends on the presence of specific functional groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ping Wang
- From the Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine
| | | | | | | | - Marcelo D Carattino
- From the Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine
- the Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology, and
| | - Evan C Ray
- From the Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine
| | - Ossama B Kashlan
- From the Renal-Electrolyte Division, Department of Medicine,
- the Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
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Mutchler SM, Kleyman TR. New insights regarding epithelial Na+ channel regulation and its role in the kidney, immune system and vasculature. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 2019; 28:113-119. [PMID: 30585851 PMCID: PMC6349474 DOI: 10.1097/mnh.0000000000000479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes recent findings regarding the epithelial Na channel (ENaC) and its roles in physiologic and pathophysiologic states. We discuss new insights regarding ENaC's structure, its regulation by various factors, its potential role in hypertension and nephrotic syndrome, and its roles in the immune system and vasculature. RECENT FINDINGS A recently resolved structure of ENaC provides clues regarding mechanisms of ENaC activation by proteases. The use of amiloride in nephrotic syndrome, and associated complications are discussed. ENaC is expressed in dendritic cells and contributes to immune system activation and increases in blood pressure in response to NaCl. ENaC is expressed in endothelial ENaC and has a role in regulating vascular tone. SUMMARY New findings have emerged regarding ENaC and its role in the kidney, immune system, and vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M. Mutchler
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Thomas R. Kleyman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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