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Tsare EPG, Klapa MI, Moschonas NK. Protein-protein interaction network-based integration of GWAS and functional data for blood pressure regulation analysis. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:15. [PMID: 38326862 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00565-6] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is valuable to analyze the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data for a complex disease phenotype in the context of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, as the related pathophysiology results from the function of interacting polyprotein pathways. The analysis may include the design and curation of a phenotype-specific GWAS meta-database incorporating genotypic and eQTL data linking to PPI and other biological datasets, and the development of systematic workflows for PPI network-based data integration toward protein and pathway prioritization. Here, we pursued this analysis for blood pressure (BP) regulation. METHODS The relational scheme of the implemented in Microsoft SQL Server BP-GWAS meta-database enabled the combined storage of: GWAS data and attributes mined from GWAS Catalog and the literature, Ensembl-defined SNP-transcript associations, and GTEx eQTL data. The BP-protein interactome was reconstructed from the PICKLE PPI meta-database, extending the GWAS-deduced network with the shortest paths connecting all GWAS-proteins into one component. The shortest-path intermediates were considered as BP-related. For protein prioritization, we combined a new integrated GWAS-based scoring scheme with two network-based criteria: one considering the protein role in the reconstructed by shortest-path (RbSP) interactome and one novel promoting the common neighbors of GWAS-prioritized proteins. Prioritized proteins were ranked by the number of satisfied criteria. RESULTS The meta-database includes 6687 variants linked with 1167 BP-associated protein-coding genes. The GWAS-deduced PPI network includes 1065 proteins, with 672 forming a connected component. The RbSP interactome contains 1443 additional, network-deduced proteins and indicated that essentially all BP-GWAS proteins are at most second neighbors. The prioritized BP-protein set was derived from the union of the most BP-significant by any of the GWAS-based or the network-based criteria. It included 335 proteins, with ~ 2/3 deduced from the BP PPI network extension and 126 prioritized by at least two criteria. ESR1 was the only protein satisfying all three criteria, followed in the top-10 by INSR, PTN11, CDK6, CSK, NOS3, SH2B3, ATP2B1, FES and FINC, satisfying two. Pathway analysis of the RbSP interactome revealed numerous bioprocesses, which are indeed functionally supported as BP-associated, extending our understanding about BP regulation. CONCLUSIONS The implemented workflow could be used for other multifactorial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evridiki-Pandora G Tsare
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras, Greece
| | - Maria I Klapa
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras, Greece.
| | - Nicholas K Moschonas
- Department of General Biology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- Metabolic Engineering and Systems Biology Laboratory, Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ICE-HT), Patras, Greece.
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Nikpay M. Multiomics Data Analysis Identified CpG Sites That Mediate the Impact of Smoking on Cardiometabolic Traits. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:19. [PMID: 37754271 PMCID: PMC10528714 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7030019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the epigenome paths through which smoking contributes to cardiometabolic traits is important for downstream applications. In this study, an SNP-based analytical pipeline was used to integrate several publicly available datasets in order to identify CpG sites that mediate the impact of smoking on cardiometabolic traits and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. After applying stringent statistical criteria, 11 CpG sites were detected that showed significant association (p < 5 × 10-8) with cardiometabolic traits at both the discovery and replication stages. By integrating eQTL data, I found genes behind a number of these associations. cg05228408 was hypomethylated in smokers and contributed to higher blood pressure by lowering the expression of the CLCN6 gene. cg08639339 was hypermethylated in smokers and lowered the metabolic rate by increasing the expression of RAB29; furthermore, I noted TMEM120A mediated the impact of smoking-cg17325771 on LDL, and LTBP3 mediated the smoking-cg07029024 effect on heart rate. The pathway analysis identified processes through which the identified genes impact their traits. This study provides a list of CpG sites that mediates the impact of smoking on cardiometabolic traits and a framework to investigate the underlying molecular paths using publicly available data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Nikpay
- Omics and Biomedical Analysis Core Facility, Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1Y 4W7, Canada
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Costello HM, Juffre A, Cheng KY, Bratanatawira P, Crislip GR, Zietara A, Spires DR, Staruschenko A, Douma LG, Gumz ML. The circadian clock protein PER1 is important in maintaining endothelin axis regulation in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2023; 101:136-146. [PMID: 36450128 PMCID: PMC9992312 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2022-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a peptide hormone that acts on its receptors to regulate sodium handling in the kidney's collecting duct. Dysregulation of the endothelin axis is associated with various diseases, including salt-sensitive hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Previously, our lab has shown that the circadian clock gene PER1 regulates ET-1 levels in mice. However, the regulation of ET-1 by PER1 has never been investigated in rats. Therefore, we used a novel model where knockout of Per1 was performed in Dahl salt-sensitive rat background (SS Per1 -/-) to test a hypothesis that PER1 regulates the ET-1 axis in this model. Here, we show increased renal ET-1 peptide levels and altered endothelin axis gene expression in several tissues, including the kidney, adrenal glands, and liver in SS Per1 -/- compared with control SS rats. Edn1 antisense lncRNA Edn1-AS, which has previously been suggested to be regulated by PER1, was also altered in SS Per1 -/- rats compared with control SS rats. These data further support the hypothesis that PER1 is a negative regulator of Edn1 and is important in the regulation of the endothelin axis in a tissue-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah M. Costello
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Alexandria Juffre
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Kit-Yan Cheng
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Phillip Bratanatawira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - G. Ryan Crislip
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Adrian Zietara
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602
| | - Denisha R. Spires
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Alexander Staruschenko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33602
- James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612
| | - Lauren G. Douma
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Michelle L. Gumz
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Center for Integrative Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610
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Yahya NA, Lanham JK, Sprague DJ, Palygin O, McCorvy JD, Marchant JS. Molecular and cellular basis of praziquantel action in the cardiovascular system. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C573-C587. [PMID: 36622066 PMCID: PMC9942900 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00520.2022] [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: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) causes contraction of parasitic schistosomes as well as constriction of blood vessels within the mesenteric vasculature of the host where the adult blood flukes reside. The contractile action of PZQ on the vasculature is mediated by the activation of host serotonergic 5-HT2B receptors (5-HT2BRs). However, the molecular basis for PZQ interaction with these targets and the location of these 5-HT2B receptors in the vessel wall have not been experimentally defined. Evaluation of a PZQ docking pose within the 5-HT2BR orthosteric site, using both Ca2+ reporter and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays, identified residues F3406.51 and F3416.52 (transmembrane helix 6, TM6) as well as L209EL2 (extracellular loop 2) as critical for PZQ-mediated agonist activity. A key determinant of PZQ selectivity for the 5-HT2B receptor over the 5-HT2A/2C receptors was determined by M2185.39 in transmembrane helix 5 (TM5) of the orthosteric site. Mutation of this residue to valine (M218V), as found in 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, decreased PZQ agonist activity, whereas the reciprocal mutation (V215M) in 5-HT2C increased PZQ activity. Two-photon imaging in intact mesenteric arterial strips visualized PZQ-evoked Ca2+ transients within the smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall. PZQ also triggered cytoplasmic Ca2+ signals in arterial smooth muscle cells in primary culture that were isolated from mesenteric blood vessels. These data define the molecular basis for PZQ action on 5-HT2B receptors localized in vascular smooth muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal A Yahya
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Janelle K Lanham
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Daniel J Sprague
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Oleg Palygin
- Division of Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - John D McCorvy
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Jonathan S Marchant
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Zhang L, Wang Y, Qiu L, Wu J. Psoriasis and cardiovascular disease risk in European and East Asian populations: evidence from meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization analysis. BMC Med 2022; 20:421. [PMID: 36320003 PMCID: PMC9628092 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02617-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psoriasis has been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF). However, available studies regarding this relationship have shown inconsistent results. Therefore, in this report, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to assess the effects of psoriasis on risk of these CVDs. METHODS A search of literature until 24 December 2021 was done in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. Within European and East Asian populations, meta-analyses of observational studies assessing correlations between psoriasis and various CVD risk factors were conducted. Mendelian randomization (MR) was then employed to assess the causative impact of genetic pre-disposition for psoriasis on these CVD risk factors. RESULTS The results of the meta-analyses indicated that, in both the European and East Asian populations, psoriasis was significantly linked to an elevated risk in the incidence of CAD (RR = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-2.18, p = 0.028 and RR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.62-2.25, p < 0.001) and MI (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.04-1.46, p = 0.017 and RR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.44-3.28, p < 0.001). A positive genetic relationship of psoriasis with CAD was found in European individuals (IVW OR:1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, p = 0.005) and in East Asian individuals (IVW OR:1.18; 95% CI: 1.03-1.32, p = 0.031). We also established that psoriasis was causally linked with an elevated risk of MI (IVW OR:1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, p = 0.026) in the European population as determined using an MR approach. Moreover, our MR results were congruent with the null findings from the meta-analysis assessing associations of psoriasis with HF risk. CONCLUSIONS This research work provides preliminary evidence that psoriasis and CVD have a common genetic origin and that targeted psoriasis treatment might improve cardiovascular outcomes. These results not only increase our knowledge of the genetic underpinnings linking a comorbidity of psoriasis with CVD but also suggests a novel approach for CVD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology of Ministry of Education, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Shenyang, 110001, China.
| | - Yuxiang Wang
- China Mobile Communications Group Co, Ltd, Shenyang, China
| | - Li Qiu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology of Ministry of Education, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology, Key Laboratory of Immunodermatology of Ministry of Education, No. 155 Nanjing Bei Street, Shenyang, 110001, China
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Maaliki D, Itani MM, Itani HA. Pathophysiology and genetics of salt-sensitive hypertension. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1001434. [PMID: 36176775 PMCID: PMC9513236 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1001434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Most hypertensive cases are primary and heavily associated with modifiable risk factors like salt intake. Evidence suggests that even small reductions in salt consumption reduce blood pressure in all age groups. In that regard, the ACC/AHA described a distinct set of individuals who exhibit salt-sensitivity, regardless of their hypertensive status. Data has shown that salt-sensitivity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and mortality. However, despite extensive research, the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension is still unclear and tremendously challenged by its multifactorial etiology, complicated genetic influences, and the unavailability of a diagnostic tool. So far, the important roles of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, sympathetic nervous system, and immune system in the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension have been studied. In the first part of this review, we focus on how the systems mentioned above are aberrantly regulated in salt-sensitive hypertension. We follow this with an emphasis on genetic variants in those systems that are associated with and/or increase predisposition to salt-sensitivity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Maaliki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maha M. Itani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hana A. Itani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- *Correspondence: Hana A. Itani,
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Klemens CA, Dissanayake LV, Levchenko V, Zietara A, Palygin O, Staruschenko A. Modulation of blood pressure regulatory genes in the Agtrap-Plod1 locus associated with a deletion in Clcn6. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15417. [PMID: 35927940 PMCID: PMC9353118 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The AGTRAP-PLOD1 locus is a conserved gene cluster containing several blood pressure regulatory genes, including CLCN6, MTHFR, NPPA, and NPPB. Previous work revealed that knockout of Clcn6 on the Dahl Salt-Sensitive (SS) rat background (SS-Clcn6) resulted in lower diastolic blood pressure compared to SS-WT rats. Additionally, a recent study found sickle cell anemia patients with mutations in CLCN6 had improved survival and reduced stroke risk. We investigated whether loss of Clcn6 would delay the mortality of Dahl SS rats on an 8% NaCl (HS) diet. No significant difference in survival was found. The ability of Clcn6 to affect mRNA expression of nearby Mthfr, Nppa, and Nppb genes was also tested. On normal salt (0.4% NaCl, NS) diets, renal Mthfr mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in the SS-Clcn6 rats. MTHFR reduces homocysteine to methionine, but no differences in circulating homocysteine levels were detected. Nppa mRNA levels in cardiac tissue from SS-Clcn6 rat in both normotensive and hypertensive conditions were significantly reduced compared to SS-WT. Nppb mRNA expression in SS-Clcn6 rats on a NS diet was also substantially decreased. Heightened Mthfr expression would be predicted to be protective; however, diminished Nppa and Nppb expression could be deleterious and by preventing or blunting vasodilation, natriuresis, and diuresis that ought to normally occur to offset blood pressure increases. The conserved nature of this genetic locus in humans and rats suggests more studies are warranted to understand how mutations in and around these genes may be influencing the expression of their neighbors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A. Klemens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
- Hypertension and Kidney Research CenterUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Lashodya V. Dissanayake
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
- Department of PhysiologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Vladislav Levchenko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
| | - Adrian Zietara
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
- Department of PhysiologyMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Oleg Palygin
- Department of MedicineMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Alexander Staruschenko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and PhysiologyUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
- Hypertension and Kidney Research CenterUniversity of South FloridaTampaFloridaUSA
- James A. Haley Veterans' HospitalTampaFloridaUSA
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Zifarelli G, Pusch M, Fong P. Altered voltage-dependence of slowly activating chloride-proton antiport by late endosomal ClC-6 explains distinct neurological disorders. J Physiol 2022; 600:2147-2164. [PMID: 35262198 DOI: 10.1113/jp282737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Ionic composition and pH within intracellular compartments, such as endo-lysosomes, rely on the activity of chloride/proton transporters including ClC-6. Distinct CLCN6 mutations previously were found in individuals with neurodegenerative disease, and also putatively associated with neuronal ceroidal lipofuscinosis. Limited knowledge of wild-type ClC-6 transport function impedes understanding of mechanisms underlying these conditions. We resolved transient and transport currents that permit measurement of voltage- and pH- dependences, as well as kinetics, for wild-type and disease-associated mutant ClC-6s. These findings define wild-type ClC-6 function robustly, and reveal how alterations of the slow activation gating of the transporter cause different kinds of neurological diseases. ABSTRACT ClC-6 is an intracellularly localized member of the CLC family of chloride transport proteins. It presumably functions in the endo-lysosomal compartment as a chloride-proton antiporter, despite a paucity of biophysical studies in direct support. Observations of lysosomal storage disease, as well as neurodegenerative disorders, emerge with its disruption by knockout or mutation, respectively. An incomplete understanding of wild type ClC-6 function obscures clear mechanistic insight into disease etiology. Here, high-resolution recording protocols that incorporate extreme voltage pulses permit detailed biophysical measurement and analysis of transient capacitive, as well as ionic transport currents. This approach reveals that wild type ClC-6 activation and transport require depolarization to voltages beyond 140 mV. Mutant Y553C associated with early-onset neurodegeneration exerts gain-of-function by shifting the half-maximal voltage for activation to less depolarized voltages. Moreover, we show that the E267A proton glutamate mutant conserves transport currents, albeit reduced. Lastly, the positive shift in activation voltage shown by V580M, a mutant identified in a patient with late- onset lysosomal storage disease, can explain loss-of-function leading to disease. Abstract figure legend CLC transport proteins comprise both channels and transporters. Vesicular CLC transporters function to regulate compartmental ionic homeostasis and acidification. ClC-6 is a vesicular CLC that localizes to the endo-lysosomal compartment. Functional plasma membrane overexpression of GFP-tagged ClC-6 in HEK293 cells surmounted spatial inaccessibility, and rapid whole cell patch recording protocols enabling resolution of fast capacitive transients, as well as ionic transport currents, provided details of wild-type ClC-6 biophysical properties including voltage-dependence, pH-dependence, and kinetics. Clearly defined wild-type ClC-6 function permitted subsequent comparative analysis of mutants, including but not limited to those pertinent to disease. These range from one causing severe, early-onset neurodegeneration, to two variants previously identified in Kufs disease, a late-onset lysosomal storage disease characterized by neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. These findings further inform models whereby disruption of ClC-6 biophysical properties set the stage for dysregulated compartmental homeostasis and hence, disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Zifarelli
- Institute of Biophysics, CNR, Genoa, Italy.,Present address: Centogene GmbH, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Peying Fong
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Manhattan, KS, USA
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