Induction of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and its subunit mRNAs by serum in a rat liver cell line

Identification of a pool of non-pumping Na/K-ATPase

Recent studies have ascribed many non-pumping functions to the Na/K-ATPase. Here, we present experimental evidence demonstrating that over half of the plasma membrane Na/K-ATPase in LLC-PK1 cells is performing cellular functions other than ion pumping. This "non-pumping" pool of Na/K-ATPase, like the pumping pump, binds ouabain. Depletion of either cholesterol or caveolin-1 moves some of the "non-pumping" Na/K-ATPase into the pumping pool. Graded knock-down of the alpha1 subunit of the Na/K-ATPase eventually results in loss of this "non-pumping" pool while preserving the pumping pool. Our prior studies indicate that a loss of the non-pumping pool is associated with a loss of receptor function as evidenced by the failure of ouabain administration to induce the activation of Src and/or ERK. Therefore, our new findings suggest that a substantial amount of surface-expressed Na/K-ATPase, at least in some types of cells, may function as non-canonical ouabain-binding receptors.

Stress-induced expression of the gamma subunit (FXYD2) modulates Na,K-ATPase activity and cell growth

In kidney, the Na,K-ATPase is associated with a single span protein, the gamma subunit (FXYD2). Two splice variants are differentially expressed along the nephron and have a differential influence on Na,K-ATPase when stably expressed in mammalian cells in culture. Here we used a combination of gene induction and gene silencing techniques to test the functional impact of gamma by means other than transfection. NRK-52E cells (of proximal tubule origin) do not express gamma as a protein under regular tissue culture conditions. However, when they were exposed to hyperosmotic medium, induction of only the gammaa splice variant was observed, which was accompanied by a reduction in the rate of cell division. Kinetic analysis of stable enzyme properties from control (alpha1beta1) and hypertonicity-treated cultures (alpha1beta1gammaa) revealed a significant reduction (up to 60%) of Na,K-ATPase activity measured under V(max) conditions with little or no change in the amounts of alpha1beta1. This effect as well as the reduction in cell growth rate was practically abolished when gamma expression was knocked down using specific small interfering RNA duplexes. Surprisingly, a similar induction of endogenous gammaa because of hypertonicity was seen in rat cell lines of other than renal origin: C6 (glioma), PC12 (pheochromocytoma), and L6 (myoblasts). Furthermore, exposure of NRK-52E cells to other stress inducers such as heat shock, exogenous oxidation, and chemical stress also resulted in a selective induction of gammaa. Taken together, the data imply that induction of gammaa may have adaptive value by being a part of a general cellular response to genotoxic stress.

Thyroid hormone regulation of myocardial Na/K-ATPase gene expression

Employing published methods for isolation of cardiac myocyte nuclei from adult rat ventricular myocardium with the use of mechanical disruption without digestive enzymes, we obtained transcriptionally active cardiac myocyte nuclei with sufficient yield and purity. The relative content of Na/K-ATPase subunit mRNAs (alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta 1) in ventricular myocardium of euthyroid rats closely matched the relative rates of transcription of the respective subunit genes determined by nuclear run-on assay. Treatment of hypothyroid rats with T(3)to elicit hyperthyroidism was associated with 2.9-, 7.5-, and seven-fold increases in the contents of alpha 1-, alpha 2, beta 1-mRNAs, respectively. In contrast, rates of transcription of the subunit genes were not changed significantly by T(3), while transcription of the 18 S ribosomal gene was stimulated identical with three-fold by the treatment. A quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay for measurement of primary RNA transcripts of the beta 1 gene was developed employing a rat genomic DNA fragment that contains the first exon and part of the first intron of the beta 1 gene. The relative abundance of beta 1 primary transcripts did not change in RNA isolated from hypothyroid, euthyroid, and hyperthyroid rats. It is concluded that: (1) The relative contents of Na/K-ATPase subunit mRNAs in euthyroid adult myocardium is primarily controlled at the transcriptional level, and (2) T(3)-induced increases in the contents of Na/K-ATPase subunit mRNAs in the heart is not associated with increased rates of transcription of the subunit genes, and the effect is mediated at the post-transcriptional level.

Hypercortisolemia does not affect the branchial osmoregulatory responses of the marine teleost Sparus sarba

The effect of cortisol treatment on branchial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase subunit mRNA abundance, enzyme activity, chloride cell number/morphometrics and serum electrolyte levels were investigated for the marine teleost Sparus sarba. Groups of fish received intraperitoneal injections of cortisol at a concentration of 4 micrograms/g body weight, daily, over a seven-day period. This dose of cortisol was sufficiently high enough to maintain a condition of hypercortisolemia as serum cortisol levels in treated fish were eleven fold higher than controls at time of sacrifice. By using branchial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunit cDNA clones we were able to demonstrate that cortisol administration to S. sarba caused a significant elevation in the abundance of alpha-mRNA whereas the levels of beta-mRNA were unchanged. In addition Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity remained unaltered by cortisol administration. Branchial chloride cell number, exposure, apical area as well as serum Na+ and Cl- levels remained unchanged after cortisol administration. The results of this study suggest that elevated cortisol level may not necessarily translate into modulated branchial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and chloride cell function in hypo-osmoregulating marine fish.

Hormonal modulation of branchial Na+-K+-ATPase subunit mRNA in a marine teleost Sparus sarba

The effect of hormone treatment on the abundance of Na+-K+-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunit mRNA in Sparus sarba branchial tissue was investigated. Groups of seawater (33/1000) and hypo-osmotic (6/1000) acclimated fish were injected daily, with either saline, cortisol, recombinant bream growth hormone (rbGH) or ovine prolactin (oPRL). Total RNA from branchial tissue was analyzed by Northern blotting using PCR amplified Na+-K+-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunit cDNA clones. Na+-K+-ATPase alpha- and beta- subunit transcripts of 3.3kb and 2.4kb respectively, were detected and their abundance, after hormone treatment was assessed using RNA dot blots. The abundance of subunit mRNAs increased 1.4-1.9 fold, relative to controls, after cortisol treatment. The alpha:beta mRNA ratio also increased in cortisol treated seawater acclimated fish. Growth hormone treatment did not cause any significant changes in Na+-K+-ATPase subunit mRNA, whereas prolactin significantly reduced alpha-subunit mRNA levels by approximately 0.5 fold in both seawater and hypo-osmotic conditions. The data from this study add further support to the generally accepted roles that cortisol and prolactin have in the modulation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity. It can be concluded from this study that S. sarba branchial Na+-K+-ATPase subunit expression is multihormonally regulated.

Na, K-ATPase pump in activated human lymphocytes: on the mechanisms of rapid and long-term increase in K influxes during the initiation of phytohemagglutinin-induced proliferation

Functional expression of Na, K-ATPase pump as determined by ouabain-sensitive Rb influxes has been investigated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, activated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) from resting state to proliferation. It is found that a rapid twofold elevation of ouabain-sensitive Rb influx in response to PHA is followed by a long-term increase in pump activity, which precedes the DNA synthesis and is temporally related to the growth phase of mitogenic response. Unlike the early pump activation, the late enhanced pump activity is not the result of elevated cell Na content, it is inhibited by cycloheximide and requires new protein synthesis. Actinomycin D and alpha-amanitin, in doses, which suppress the PHA-induced increase in the RNA synthesis, do not abolish the elevated Rb influx until 20-24h of mitogenic activation and inhibit the late, growth-associated increase in Rb influx. It is concluded that (1) in mitogen-activated cells both short- and long-term control is involved in the enhanced pump activity, and (2) translational and transcriptional mechanisms may contribute to the long-term up-regulation of Na, K-ATPase pump during blast transformation of human lymphocytes.

Effects of cyclosporine A on Na,K-ATPase expression in the renal epithelial cell line NBL-1

The bovine renal epithelial cell line NBL-1 has been used to monitor the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and expression. CsA at two single doses (0.6 mg/liter and 2.5 mg/liter) inhibits the ouabain-sensitive component of Rb+ uptake, assumed to be Na+,K(+)-ATPase, but increases the low activity of a furosemide-sensitive component corresponding to a Na+/K+/Cl- cotransporter. CsA addition also induces a slight decrease of alpha 1 subunit mRNA levels, without altering the already low beta 1 subunit mRNA amounts. Hypertonic treatment of NBL-1 cells leads to a significant increase in both Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and alpha 1 subunit mRNA amounts, but does not modify beta 1 subunit mRNA levels. The differential response of the alpha 1 and beta 1 subunit genes may explain why hypertonic treatment does not result in higher alpha 1 protein expression, and supports the view that increased activity relies upon post-translational events, despite the likely transcriptional activation of the alpha 1 subunit gene. The addition of CsA does not alter the hypertonicity-mediated increase of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity but blocks the accumulation of alpha 1 subunit mRNA. In conclusion, CsA may compromise the ion handling by renal cells as a result of the inhibition of basal Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and the stimulation of Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport activity. Moreover, this is the first report showing that CsA may affect the long-term adaptation of the pump by altering its subunit gene expression.

Long-term enhancement of Na,K-ATPase pump during blasttransformation of human lymphocytes is controlled first by translational, then by transcriptional mechanisms

The transition of phytohemagglutinin-activated human lymphocytes from resting state to proliferation is accompanied by a long-term increase in ouabain-sensitive Rb(K) influx which is closely related to a cyclosporin A-sensitive step of G0/G1/S progression. At least two distinct phases of the up-regulation of cation pump has been revealed: the initial stage (5-20 h) which is cycloheximide-inhibitable and actinomycin D (alpha-amanitin)-unaffected, and the later stage (after 20 h) which is cycloheximide- and actinomycin D (alpha-amanitin)-inhibitable. Thus, the enhanced Na,K-ATPase pump during the cell progression from quiescence to proliferation is controlled both at translational and transcriptional levels.

Repression of the macrophage scavenger receptor in macrophage-smooth muscle cell heterokaryons

Macrophage scavenger receptors mediate the uptake of chemically modified LDL in an unregulated manner, leading to massive intracellular accumulation of lipid and thus a foamy cellular morphology. In atherosclerotic lesions, foam cells originate not only from macrophages but also from smooth muscle cells, yet smooth muscle cells do not normally express scavenger receptors, and when exposed to chemically modified LDL in vitro, lipid accumulation does not occur. The mechanism of conversion of smooth muscle cells into foam cells in the arterial wall is thus still under discussion. To investigate whether direct interaction between macrophages and smooth muscle cells may be involved and to explore the effects of components of the two cell types on the expression of scavenger receptors, we report here experiments using somatic cell hybrids formed by fusion of the two cell types. Immunofluorescent labeling and confocal microscopic techniques were applied to investigate and measure (1) lipid accumulation (using Nile Red staining), (2) the binding and uptake of acetylated LDL (using 1,1'-dioctadecyl-1-3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanine perchlorate-labeled acetylated LDL), and (3) receptor expression (assessed using a specific anti-receptor antibody) in smooth muscle cell-macrophage heterokaryons, macrophage-macrophage homokaryons, smooth muscle cell-smooth muscle cell homokaryons, and unfused macrophages and smooth muscle cells. The results demonstrate that scavenger receptor expression becomes repressed in macrophage-smooth muscle cell heterokaryons but not in macrophage-macrophage homokaryons. One possible explanation for the observed repression would be the existence of a negative regulatory cytoplasmic factor produced by smooth muscle cells.

Coordinate induction of Na(+)-dependent transport systems and Na+,K(+)-ATPase in the liver of obese Zucker rats

Solute uptake into liver plasma membrane vesicles from either lean or obese Zucker rats was monitored. D-Glucose and L-leucine uptakes at physiological concentrations of the substrate were not different in lean and obese Zucker rats. In agreement with a previous report (Ruiz et al. (1991) Biochem. J. 280, 367-372) L-alanine uptake was significantly enhanced in those preparations from obese animals. Na(+)-coupled uridine transport was markedly enhanced also in obese rats. The effect was due to an increase in Vmax (5.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg protein per 3 s, P < 0.01) without any significant change in Km (11.0 +/- 2.8 vs. 9.0 +/- 2.7 microM for obese and lean rats, respectively). Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was also higher in liver plasma membrane vesicles from rat liver and it correlated with a higher amount of alpha 1-subunit protein in both, plasma membrane vesicles and homogenates from obese rat livers. In summary, in the hypertrophic liver of obese Zucker rats a coordinate induction of several Na(+)-dependent transport systems occurs and, in order to sustain the metabolic pressure associated with this adaptation, a significant induction of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase expression is also found. These data also provide new evidence for regulation of the recently characterized Na(+)-dependent nucleoside transporter.

Expression of mRNAs encoding the alpha 1 and the beta 1 subunits of Na+, K(+)-ATPase in human lymphocytes activated with phytohaemagglutinine

Increase in Na+, K(+)-ATPase mRNAs was detected in activated lymphocytes by the RT-PCR method. alpha 1 subunit mRNA gradually increased with time and by 36 h was 2.4 times higher than at the start. Increase in the beta 1 mRNA was transient reaching a maximum in the 8 h probe and declining to the initial level in the 24 and 36 h probes. The elevation of Na+, K(+)-ATPase mRNAs does not underlie a cycloheximide-inhibited increase in cation pumping peculiar to the prereplicative period as can be judged from the fact that Act D fails to eliminate PHA-induced enhancement of pump fluxes.

Properties of plasma membrane-induced amylase release from rat parotid secretory granules: effects of Ca2+ and Mg-ATP

A secretory granular fraction (SG) and a plasma membrane rich fraction (PM) have been isolated from rat parotid gland by differential and Percoll gradient centrifugation. With these two fractions, a cell-free interaction system has been reconstituted to clarify the exocytotic interaction between the secretory granules and plasma membranes, and the conditions of amylase release from SG have been characterized in vitro. The addition of PM into this assay system induced a rapid and transient release of amylase from SG. Some other membranes such as erythrocyte ghosts also mimicked the effect of PM. This release was increased by Ca2+, but was not completely blocked by EGTA. Simultaneous addition of 1 mM ATP with 1 mM MgCl2 (Mg-ATP) in the presence of Ca2+ reduced this release. However, in spite of the existence of Mg-ATP, the stimulation of PM-induced amylase release was caused by Ca2+ in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-7)-10(-3) M). These results suggest that Ca2+ and Mg-ATP should participate as important regulators in the exocytotic interaction between secretory granules and plasma membranes in this system. Furthermore, the differences between our system and intact cells are also discussed.

Characterization of the 5' flanking region of the rat Na+/K(+)-ATPase beta 1 subunit gene

We have isolated the 5' end of the rat Na+/K(+)-ATPase beta 1 subunit gene. A genomic fragment containing 817 bp of the 5' flanking sequence, exon 1 and 479 bp of intron 1 was sequenced. The 5' flanking region contains a potential TATA box and several putative CAAT and GC boxes. Potential binding sites for thyroid and glucocorticoid receptors were identified together with multiple sequence motifs which exhibit homology to calcium and serum responsive elements.