Shank2E binds NaP(i) cotransporter at the apical membrane of proximal tubule cells

Phosphate Transport in Epithelial and Nonepithelial Tissue

Phosphate is an essential nutrient for life and is a critical component of bone formation, a major signaling molecule, and structural component of cell walls. Phosphate is also a component of high-energy compounds (i.e., AMP, ADP, and ATP) and essential for nucleic acid helical structure (i.e., RNA and DNA). Phosphate plays a central role in the process of mineralization, normal serum levels being associated with appropriate bone mineralization, while high and low serum levels are associated with soft tissue calcification. The serum concentration of phosphate and the total body content of phosphate are highly regulated, a process that is accomplished by the coordinated effort of two families of sodium-dependent transporter proteins. The three isoforms of the SLC34 family (SLC34A1-A3) show very restricted tissue expression and regulate intestinal absorption and renal excretion of phosphate. SLC34A2 also regulates the phosphate concentration in multiple lumen fluids including milk, saliva, pancreatic fluid, and surfactant. Both isoforms of the SLC20 family exhibit ubiquitous expression (with some variation as to which one or both are expressed), are regulated by ambient phosphate, and likely serve the phosphate needs of the individual cell. These proteins exhibit similarities to phosphate transporters in nonmammalian organisms. The proteins are nonredundant as mutations in each yield unique clinical presentations. Further research is essential to understand the function, regulation, and coordination of the various phosphate transporters, both the ones described in this review and the phosphate transporters involved in intracellular transport.

Mechanisms of phosphate transport

Over the past 25 years, successive cloning of SLC34A1, SLC34A2 and SLC34A3, which encode the sodium-dependent inorganic phosphate (P_i) cotransport proteins 2a-2c, has facilitated the identification of molecular mechanisms that underlie the regulation of renal and intestinal P_i transport. P_i and various hormones, including parathyroid hormone and phosphatonins, such as fibroblast growth factor 23, regulate the activity of these P_i transporters through transcriptional, translational and post-translational mechanisms involving interactions with PDZ domain-containing proteins, lipid microdomains and acute trafficking of the transporters via endocytosis and exocytosis. In humans and rodents, mutations in any of the three transporters lead to dysregulation of epithelial P_i transport with effects on serum P_i levels and can cause cardiovascular and musculoskeletal damage, illustrating the importance of these transporters in the maintenance of local and systemic P_i homeostasis. Functional and structural studies have provided insights into the mechanism by which these proteins transport P_i, whereas in vivo and ex vivo cell culture studies have identified several small molecules that can modify their transport function. These small molecules represent potential new drugs to help maintain P_i homeostasis in patients with chronic kidney disease - a condition that is associated with hyperphosphataemia and severe cardiovascular and skeletal consequences.

Visualizing the regulation of SLC34 proteins at the apical membrane

The cloning of the renal NaPi-2a (SLC34A1) and NaPi-2c (SLC34A3) phosphate transporters has made it possible to characterize the molecular and biophysical regulation of renal proximal tubular reabsorption of inorganic phosphate (Pi). Dietary factors, such as Pi and K, and several hormones and phosphatonins, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and glucocorticoids, regulate the transporters through various transcriptional, translational, and post-translational mechanisms that involve acute trafficking via endocytosis or exocytosis, interactions with PDZ domain proteins, lipid microdomains, and diffusion and clustering in the apical brush border membrane. The visualization of these trafficking events by means of novel microscopy techniques that includes fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluctuation correlation spectroscopy (FCS), and modulation tracking (MT), is the primary focus of this review.

NaPi-IIa interacting partners and their (un)known functional roles

The sorting and stabilization of proteins at specific subcellular domains depend upon the formation of networks build up by specific protein-protein interactions. In addition, protein networks also ensure the specificity of many regulatory processes by bringing together regulatory molecules with their targets. Whereas the success on the identification of protein-protein interactions is (up to a point) technology-driven, the assignment of functional roles to specific partners remains a major challenge. This review summarizes the work that led to the identification of partners of the Na⁺/phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIa as well as the effects of the interactions in the expression and/or regulation of the cotransporter.

Serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1) increases the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in airway epithelial cells by phosphorylating Shank2E protein

The glucocorticoid dexamethasone increases cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) abundance in human airway epithelial cells by a mechanism that requires serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1) activity. The goal of this study was to determine whether SGK1 increases CFTR abundance by phosphorylating Shank2E, a PDZ domain protein that contains two SGK1 phosphorylation consensus sites. We found that SGK1 phosphorylates Shank2E as well as a peptide containing the first SGK1 consensus motif of Shank2E. The dexamethasone-induced increase in CFTR abundance was diminished by overexpression of a dominant-negative Shank2E in which the SGK1 phosphorylation sites had been mutated. siRNA-mediated reduction of Shank2E also reduced the dexamethasone-induced increase in CFTR abundance. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the glucocorticoid-induced increase in CFTR abundance requires phosphorylation of Shank2E at an SGK1 consensus site.

Shank2 mutant mice display a hypersecretory response to cholera toxin

Shank2 is a PDZ (PSD-95/discs large/ZO-1)-based adaptor that has been suggested to regulate membrane transporting proteins in the brain and epithelial tissues. Here, we report that Shank2 mutant (Shank2(-/-)) mice exhibit aberrant fluid and ion transport in the intestine. Molecular characterization using epithelial tissues from Shank2(+/+) and Shank2(-/-) mice revealed that a long spliceoform of Shank2 (Shank2E) is predominantly expressed in the pancreatic, renal and intestinal epithelia. In functional assays, deletion of Shank2 increased the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-dependent short-circuit currents by 84% (P < 0.05) and 101% (P < 0.05) in the mouse colon and rectum, respectively. Disruption of the CFTR-Shank2-phosphodiesterase 4D protein complex appeared to be mostly responsible for the changes in CFTR activities. Notably, Shank2 deletion profoundly increased cholera toxin-induced fluid accumulation in the mouse intestine (∼90%, P < 0.01). Analyses with chemical inhibitors confirmed that the hyperactivation of CFTR channel function is responsible for the increased response to cholera toxin. These results suggest that Shank2 is a key molecule that participates in epithelial homeostasis, in particular to prevent overt secretory responses caused by epithelial pathogens.

The SLC34 family of sodium-dependent phosphate transporters

The SLC34 family of sodium-driven phosphate cotransporters comprises three members: NaPi-IIa (SLC34A1), NaPi-IIb (SLC34A2), and NaPi-IIc (SLC34A3). These transporters mediate the translocation of divalent inorganic phosphate (HPO4 (2-)) together with two (NaPi-IIc) or three sodium ions (NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIb), respectively. Consequently, phosphate transport by NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIb is electrogenic. NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIc are predominantly expressed in the brush border membrane of the proximal tubule, whereas NaPi-IIb is found in many more organs including the small intestine, lung, liver, and testis. The abundance and activity of these transporters are mostly regulated by changes in their expression at the cell surface and are determined by interactions with proteins involved in scaffolding, trafficking, or intracellular signaling. All three transporters are highly regulated by factors including dietary phosphate status, hormones like parathyroid hormone, 1,25-OH2 vitamin D3 or FGF23, electrolyte, and acid-base status. The physiological relevance of the three members of the SLC34 family is underlined by rare Mendelian disorders causing phosphaturia, hypophosphatemia, or ectopic organ calcifications.

Shank2 contributes to the apical retention and intracellular redistribution of NaPiIIa in OK cells

In renal proximal tubule (PT) cells, sodium-phosphate cotransporter IIa (NaPiIIa) is normally concentrated within the apical membrane where it reabsorbs ∼70% of luminal phosphate (Pi). NaPiIIa activity is acutely regulated by moderating its abundance within the apical membrane. Under low-Pi conditions, NaPiIIa is retained within the apical membrane. Under high-Pi conditions, NaPiIIa is retrieved from the apical membrane and trafficked to the lysosomes for degradation. The present study investigates the role of Shank2 in regulating the distribution of NaPiIIa. In opossum kidney cells, a PT cell model, knockdown of Shank2 in cells maintained in low-Pi media resulted in a marked decrease in NaPiIIa abundance. After being transferred into high-Pi media, live-cell imaging showed that mRFP-Shank2E and GFP-NaPiIIa underwent endocytosis and trafficked together through the subapical domain. Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy demonstrated that GFP-NaPiIIa and mRFP-Shank2 have indistinguishable diffusion coefficients and migrated through the subapical domain in temporal synchrony. Raster image cross-correlation spectroscopy demonstrated these two proteins course through the subapical domain in temporal-spatial synchrony. In the microvilli of cells under low-Pi conditions and in the subapical domain of cells under high-Pi conditions, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy-Forster resonance energy transfer analysis of Cer-NaPiIIa and EYFP-Shank2E found these fluors reside within 10 nm of each other. Demonstrating a complexity of functions, in cells maintained under low-Pi conditions, Shank2 plays an essential role in the apical retention of NaPiIIa while under high-Pi conditions Shank2 remains associated with NaPiIIa and escorts NaPiIIa through the cell interior.

NHE3 regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) modulates intestinal sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (NaPi-2b) expression in apical microvilli

P(i) uptake in the small intestine occurs predominantly through the NaPi-2b (SLC34a2) co-transporter. NaPi-2b is regulated by changes in dietary P(i) but the mechanisms underlying this regulation are largely undetermined. Sequence analyses show NaPi-2b has a PDZ binding motif at its C terminus. Immunofluorescence imaging shows NaPi-2b and two PDZ domain containing proteins, NHERF1 and PDZK1, are expressed in the apical microvillar domain of rat small intestine enterocytes. Co-immunoprecipitation studies in rat enterocytes show that NHERF1 associates with NaPi-2b but not PDZK1. In HEK co-expression studies, GFP-NaPi-2b co-precipitates with FLAG-NHERF1. This interaction is markedly diminished when the C-terminal four amino acids are truncated from NaPi-2b. FLIM-FRET analyses using tagged proteins in CACO-2(BBE) cells show a distinct phasor shift between NaPi-2b and NHERF1 but not between NaPi-2b and the PDZK1 pair. This shift demonstrates that NaPi-2b and NHERF1 reside within 10 nm of each other. NHERF1(-/-) mice, but not PDZK1(-/-) mice, had a diminished adaptation of NaPi-2b expression in response to a low P(i) diet. Together these studies demonstrate that NHERF1 associates with NaPi-2b in enterocytes and regulates NaPi-2b adaptation.

Scaffold proteins at the postsynaptic density

Scaffold proteins are abundant and essential components of the postsynaptic density (PSD). They play a major role in many synaptic functions including the trafficking, anchoring, and clustering of glutamate receptors and adhesion molecules. Moreover, they link postsynaptic receptors with their downstream signaling proteins and regulate the dynamics of cytoskeletal structures. By definition, PSD scaffold proteins do not have intrinsic enzymatic activities but are formed by modular and specific domains deputed to form large protein networks. Here, we will discuss the latest findings regarding the structure and functions of major PSD scaffold proteins. Given that scaffold proteins are central components of PSD architecture, it is not surprising that deletion or mutations in their human genes cause severe neuropsychiatric disorders including autism, mental retardation, and schizophrenia. Thus, their dynamic organization and regulation are directly correlated with the essential structure of the PSD and the normal physiology of neuronal synapses.

The spatio-temporal expression of ProSAP/shank family members and their interaction partner LAPSER1 during Xenopus laevis development

Members of the ProSAP/Shank family are important scaffolding proteins of the postsynaptic density (PSD). We investigated for the first time the expression of the three family members named Shank1, ProSAP1/Shank2, and ProSAP2/Shank3 during Xenopus laevis development. Shank1 is expressed in the neural tube, the retina, and the cranial ganglions. In contrast, ProSAP1/Shank2 transcripts could be visualized in the otic vesicle, the pronephros, the liver, the neural tube, and the retina. ProSAP2/Shank3 could be detected in the cardiovascular network, the neural tube, the pronephros, and the retina. Furthermore, we showed that LAPSER1 interacts with all three ProSAP/Shank family members in Xenopus embryos and co-localizes with ProSAP/Shank in a cell-based assay. In Xenopus, LAPSER1 is expressed in somites, brain, proctodeum, pronephros, and in some cranial ganglions. Thus, we suggest that members of the ProSAP/Shank family and LAPSER1 not only play a role in PSD formation and plasticity, but also during embryonic development.

Role of PDZK1 protein in apical membrane expression of renal sodium-coupled phosphate transporters

The sodium-dependent phosphate (Na/P(i)) transporters NaPi-2a and NaPi-2c play a major role in the renal reabsorption of P(i). The functional need for several transporters accomplishing the same role is still not clear. However, the fact that these transporters show differential regulation under dietary and hormonal stimuli suggests different roles in P(i) reabsorption. The pathways controlling this differential regulation are still unknown, but one of the candidates involved is the NHERF family of scaffolding PDZ proteins. We propose that differences in the molecular interaction with PDZ proteins are related with the differential adaptation of Na/P(i) transporters. Pdzk1(-/-) mice adapted to chronic low P(i) diets showed an increased expression of NaPi-2a protein in the apical membrane of proximal tubules but impaired up-regulation of NaPi-2c. These results suggest an important role for PDZK1 in the stabilization of NaPi-2c in the apical membrane. We studied the specific protein-protein interactions of Na/P(i) transporters with NHERF-1 and PDZK1 by FRET. FRET measurements showed a much stronger interaction of NHERF-1 with NaPi-2a than with NaPi-2c. However, both Na/P(i) transporters showed similar FRET efficiencies with PDZK1. Interestingly, in cells adapted to low P(i) concentrations, there were increases in NaPi-2c/PDZK1 and NaPi-2a/NHERF-1 interactions. The differential affinity of the Na/P(i) transporters for NHERF-1 and PDZK1 proteins could partially explain their differential regulation and/or stability in the apical membrane. In this regard, direct interaction between NaPi-2c and PDZK1 seems to play an important role in the physiological regulation of NaPi-2c.

Phosphate transporters in renal, gastrointestinal, and other tissues

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is essential for all living organisms. Bound to organic molecules, Pi fulfills structural, metabolic, and signaling tasks. Therefore, cell growth and maintenance depends on efficient transport of Pi across cellular membranes into the intracellular space. Uptake of Pi requires energy because the substrate is transported against its electrochemical gradient. Till recently, 2 major families of physiologically relevant Pi-specific transporters have been identified: the solute carrier families Slc34 and Slc20. Interestingly, phylogenetic links can be detected between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transporters in both families. Because less complex model organisms are often instrumental in establishing paradigms for protein function in human beings, a brief assessment of Slc34 and Slc20 phylogeny is of interest.

Shank2 redistributes with NaPilla during regulated endocytosis

Serum phosphate levels are acutely impacted by the abundance of sodium-phosphate cotransporter IIa (NaPiIIa) in the apical membrane of renal proximal tubule cells. PSD-95/Disks Large/Zonula Occludens (PDZ) domain-containing proteins bind NaPiIIa and likely contribute to the delivery, retention, recovery, and trafficking of NaPiIIa. Shank2 is a distinctive PDZ domain protein that binds NaPiIIa. Its role in regulating NaPiIIa activity, distribution, and abundance is unknown. In the present in vivo study, rats were maintained on a low-phosphate diet, and then plasma phosphate levels were acutely elevated by high-phosphate feeding to induce the recovery, endocytosis, and degradation of NaPiIIa. Western blot analysis of renal cortical tissue from rats given high-phosphate feed showed NaPiIIa and Shank2 underwent degradation. Quantitative immunofluorescence analyses, including microvillar versus intracellular intensity ratios and intensity correlation quotients, showed that Shank2 redistributed with NaPiIIa during the time course of NaPiIIa endocytosis. Furthermore, NaPiIIa and Shank2 trafficked through distinct endosomal compartments (clathrin, early endosomes, lysosomes) with the same temporal pattern. These in vivo findings indicate that Shank2 is positioned to coordinate the regulated endocytic retrieval and downregulation of NaPiIIa in rat renal proximal tubule cells.

BetaPix up-regulates Na+/H+ exchanger 3 through a Shank2-mediated protein-protein interaction

Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) plays an important role in neutral Na(+) transport in mammalian epithelial cells. The Rho family of small GTPases and the PDZ (PSD-95/discs large/ZO-1) domain-based adaptor Shank2 are known to regulate the membrane expression and activity of NHE3. In this study we examined the role of betaPix, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rho GTPase and a strong binding partner to Shank2, in NHE3 regulation using integrated molecular and physiological approaches. Immunoprecipitation and pulldown assays revealed that NHE3, Shank2, and betaPix form a macromolecular complex when expressed heterologously in mammalian cells as well as endogenously in rat colon, kidney, and pancreas. In addition, these proteins co-segregated at the apical surface of rat colonic epithelial cells, as detected by immunofluorescence staining. When expressed in PS120/NHE3 cells, betaPix increased membrane expression and basal activity of NHE3. Interestingly, the effects of betaPix on NHE3 were abolished by cotransfection with dominant-negative Shank2 mutants and by treatment with Clostridium difficile toxin B, a Rho GTPase inhibitor, indicating that Shank2 and Rho GTPases are involved in betaPix-mediated NHE3 regulation. Knockdown of endogenous betaPix by RNA interference decreased Shank2-induced increase of NHE3 membrane expression in HEK 293T cells. These results indicate that betaPix up-regulates NHE3 membrane expression and activity by Shank2-mediated protein-protein interaction and by activating Rho GTPases in the apical regions of epithelial cells.

The roles of Na/Pi-II transporters in phosphate metabolism

The renal type II Na/Pi cotransporters, Na/Pi-IIa and Na/Pi-IIc, are expressed in the brush border membrane (BBM) of the renal proximal tubule cells. Because it has long been thought that Na/Pi-IIa alone can regulate the reabsorption of phosphate in the proximal renal tubules, Na/Pi-IIc has not been paid much attention by the renal research community. Recent studies, however, have identified Na/Pi-IIc mutations as the defective cause of hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH). This finding indicates that Na/Pi-IIc has a rather important role in renal Pi reabsorption and bone mineralization, and that it may be a key determinant of plasma Pi concentrations in humans. Studies of Na/Pi-IIc mice indicate that Na/Pi-IIc is necessary for normal calcium homeostasis, but its role in the regulation of Pi metabolism and bone physiology may be different from that in HHRH patients. Of note, Na/Pi-IIc KO mice display abnormal vitamin D regulation without hypophosphatemia or hyperphosphaturia. Thus, Na/Pi-IIc may be involved in regulating renal vitamin D synthesis in the proximal tubular cells. The identification of proteins that interact with Na/Pi-IIc is an important area of future research. The physiologic roles of Na/Pi-IIa and Na/Pi-IIc require future elucidation.

Regulation of phosphate transport in proximal tubules

Homeostasis of inorganic phosphate (P(i)) is primarily an affair of the kidneys. Reabsorption of the bulk of filtered P(i) occurs along the renal proximal tubule and is initiated by apically localized Na(+)-dependent P(i) cotransporters. Tubular P(i) reabsorption and therefore renal excretion of P(i) is controlled by a number of hormones, including phosphatonins, and metabolic factors. In most cases, regulation of P(i) reabsorption is achieved by changing the apical abundance of Na(+)/Pi cotransporters. The regulatory mechanisms involve various signaling pathways and a number of proteins that interact with Na(+)/P(i) cotransporters.

Interactions of the growth-related, type IIc renal sodium/phosphate cotransporter with PDZ proteins

Despite similar molecular structures, the growth-related sodium/phosphate cotransporter NaPiIIc is regulated differently than the main NaPiIIa phosphate transporter. Using two-hybrid systems and immunoprecipitation, we identified several proteins that interact with NaPiIIc that might account for this differential regulation. NaPiIIc interacted with the PDZ domain-containing sodium-hydrogen exchange-regulating factor (NHERF) 1 and NHERF3 through novel binding motifs in its C terminus. NaPiIIc from brush-border membranes coprecipitated with both NHERF1 and NHERF3, with more NHERF3 co-precipitated in rats fed a low-phosphorus diet. NaPiIIc colocalizes with both NHERF1 and NHERF3 in brush-border membranes of rats fed either a low- or high-phosphorus diet. When mouse NaPiIIc was transfected into opossum kidney cells, it was localized mainly in apical microvilli and the trans-Golgi. Both confocal and total internal reflection microscopy show that NaPiIIc colocalizes with NHERF1 and NHERF3 in the apical microvilli, and this was not altered by truncation of the last three amino acids of NaPiIIc. Interactions of NaPiIIc with NHERF1 and NHERF3 were modulated by the membrane-associated 17 kDa protein (MAP17) similarly to NaPiIIa, but only the MAP17-NaPiIIc-NHERF3 complexes were internalized to the trans-Golgi. Our study shows that NaPiIIc interacts with a limited number of PDZ domain proteins, and the mechanisms and consequences of such interactions differ from those of NaPiIIa.

Proximal tubular handling of phosphate: A molecular perspective

Members of the SLC34 gene family of solute carriers encode for three Na+-dependent phosphate (P i) cotransporter proteins, two of which (NaPi-IIa/SLC34A1 and NaPi-IIc/SLC34A3) control renal reabsorption of P i in the proximal tubule of mammals, whereas NaPi-IIb/SCLC34A2 mediates P i transport in organs other than the kidney. The P i transport mechanism has been extensively studied in heterologous expression systems and structure-function studies have begun to reveal the intricacies of the transport cycle at the molecular level using techniques such as cysteine scanning mutagenesis, and voltage clamp fluorometry. Moreover, sequence differences between the three types of cotransporters have been exploited to obtain information about the molecular determinants of hormonal sensitivity and electrogenicity. Renal handling of P i is regulated by hormonal and non-hormonal factors. Changes in urinary excretion of P i are almost invariably mirrored by changes in the apical expression of NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIc in proximal tubules. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that control the apical expression of NaPi-IIa and NaPi-IIc as well as their functional properties is critical to understanding how an organism achieves P i homeostasis.

Interaction of MAP17 with NHERF3/4 induces translocation of the renal Na/Pi IIa transporter to the trans-Golgi

The function of the NaPiIIa renal sodium-phosphate transporter is regulated through a complex network of interacting proteins. Several PDZ domain-containing proteins interact with its COOH terminus while the small membrane protein MAP17 interacts with its NH(2) end. To elucidate the function of MAP17, we identified its interacting proteins using both bacterial and mammalian two-hybrid systems. Several PDZ domain-containing proteins, including the four NHERF proteins, as well as NaPiIIa and NHE3, were found to bind to MAP17. The interactions of MAP17 with the NHERF proteins and with NaPiIIa were further analyzed in opossum kidney (OK) cells. Expression of MAP17 alone had no effect on the NaPiIIa apical membrane distribution, but coexpression of MAP17 and NHERF3 or NHERF4 induced internalization of NaPiIIa, MAP17, and the PDZ protein to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). This effect was not observed when MAP17 was cotransfected with NHERF1/2 proteins. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) prevented expression of the three proteins in the TGN. Activation of PKC in OK cells transfected only with MAP17 induced complete degradation of MAP17 and NaPiIIa. When lysosomal degradation was prevented, both proteins accumulated in the TGN. When the dopamine D1-like receptor was activated with fenoldopam, both NaPiIIa and MAP17 also accumulated in the TGN. Finally, cotransfection of MAP17 and NHERF3 prevented the adaptive upregulation of phosphate transport activity in OK cells in response to low extracellular phosphate. Therefore, the interaction between MAP17, NHERF3/4, and NaPiIIa in the TGN could be an important intermediate or alternate path in the internalization of NaPiIIa.

A role for zinc in postsynaptic density asSAMbly and plasticity?

Chemical synapses are asymmetric cell junctions that mediate communication between neurons. Multidomain scaffolding proteins of the Shank family act as major organizing elements of the "postsynaptic density"--that is, the cytoskeletal protein matrix associated with the postsynaptic membrane. A recent study has shown that the C-terminal sterile alpha-motif or "SAM domain" of Shank3 (also known as ProSAP2) can form two-dimensional sheets of helical fibers. Assembly and packaging of these fibers are markedly enhanced by the presence of Zn2+ ions. Zn2+ can be released together with glutamate from synaptic vesicles and can enter the postsynaptic cell through specific ionotropic receptors. Based on these observations, we propose a new model of synaptic plasticity in which Zn2+ influx directly and instantly modulates the structure and function of the postsynaptic density.

Renal phosphate-wasting disorders

The renal regulation of phosphate is a complex process. Clinical disorders of phosphate handling have led to the identification of several genes and proteins involved in the maintenance of phosphate homeostasis. Further work is required to elucidate the precise pathways that regulate renal phosphate transport.

Shank2 associates with and regulates Na+/H+ exchanger 3

Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3) plays a pivotal role in transepithelial Na+ and HCO3(-) absorption across a wide range of epithelia in the digestive and renal-genitourinary systems. Accumulating evidence suggests that PDZ-based adaptor proteins play an important role in regulating the trafficking and activity of NHE3. A search for NHE3-binding modular proteins using yeast two-hybrid assays led us to the PDZ-based adaptor Shank2. The interaction between Shank2 and NHE3 was further confirmed by immunoprecipitation and surface plasmon resonance studies. When expressed in PS120/NHE3 cells, Shank2 increased the membrane expression and basal activity of NHE3 and attenuated the cAMP-dependent inhibition of NHE3 activity. Furthermore, knock-down of native Shank2 expression in Caco-2 epithelial cells by RNA interference decreased NHE3 protein expression as well as activity but amplified the inhibitory effect of cAMP on NHE3. These results indicate that Shank2 is a novel NHE3 interacting protein that is involved in the fine regulation of transepithelial salt and water transport through affecting NHE3 expression and activity.