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Bizior A, Williamson G, Harris T, Hoskisson PA, Javelle A. Prokaryotic ammonium transporters: what has three decades of research revealed? Microbiology (Reading) 2023; 169:001360. [PMID: 37450375 PMCID: PMC10433425 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The exchange of ammonium across cellular membranes is a fundamental process in all domains of life. In plants, bacteria and fungi, ammonium represents a vital source of nitrogen, which is scavenged from the external environment. In contrast, in animal cells ammonium is a cytotoxic metabolic waste product and must be excreted to prevent cell death. Transport of ammonium is facilitated by the ubiquitous Amt/Mep/Rh transporter superfamily. In addition to their function as transporters, Amt/Mep/Rh proteins play roles in a diverse array of biological processes and human physiopathology. Despite this clear physiological importance and medical relevance, the molecular mechanism of Amt/Mep/Rh proteins has remained elusive. Crystal structures of bacterial Amt/Rh proteins suggest electroneutral transport, whilst functional evidence supports an electrogenic mechanism. Here, focusing on bacterial members of the family, we summarize the structure of Amt/Rh proteins and what three decades of research tells us concerning the general mechanisms of ammonium translocation, in particular the possibility that the transport mechanism might differ in various members of the Amt/Mep/Rh superfamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Bizior
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Gordon Williamson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Thomas Harris
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Paul A. Hoskisson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Arnaud Javelle
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
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2
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Harris AN, Skankar M, Melanmed M, Batlle D. An Update on Kidney Ammonium Transport Along the Nephron. Adv Kidney Dis Health 2023; 30:189-196. [PMID: 36868733 DOI: 10.1053/j.akdh.2022.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis is critical to the maintenance of normal health. The kidneys have a central role in bicarbonate generation, which occurs through the process of net acid excretion. Renal ammonia excretion is the predominant component of renal net acid excretion under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Ammonia produced in the kidney is selectively transported into the urine or the renal vein. The amount of ammonia produced by the kidney that is excreted in the urine varies dramatically in response to physiological stimuli. Recent studies have advanced our understanding of ammonia metabolism's molecular mechanisms and regulation. Ammonia transport has been advanced by recognizing that the specific transport of NH3 and NH4+ by specific membrane proteins is critical to ammonia transport. Other studies show that proximal tubule protein, NBCe1, specifically the A variant, significantly regulates renal ammonia metabolism. This review discusses these critical aspects of the emerging features of ammonia metabolism and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Autumn N Harris
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Science, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Mythri Skankar
- Department of Nephrology, Institute of Nephro-urology, Bengaluru, India
| | - Michal Melanmed
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
| | - Daniel Batlle
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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3
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Han Z, Ma K, Tao H, Liu H, Zhang J, Sai X, Li Y, Chi M, Nian Q, Song L, Liu C. A Deep Insight Into Regulatory T Cell Metabolism in Renal Disease: Facts and Perspectives. Front Immunol 2022; 13:826732. [PMID: 35251009 PMCID: PMC8892604 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.826732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney disease encompasses a complex set of diseases that can aggravate or start systemic pathophysiological processes through their complex metabolic mechanisms and effects on body homoeostasis. The prevalence of kidney disease has increased dramatically over the last two decades. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells that express the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) are critical for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune disease and tissue damage caused by excessive or unnecessary immune activation, including autoimmune kidney diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of metabolic reprogramming in controlling the plasticity, stability, and function of Treg cells. They are also likely to play a vital role in limiting kidney transplant rejection and potentially promoting transplant tolerance. Metabolic pathways, such as mitochondrial function, glycolysis, lipid synthesis, glutaminolysis, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, are involved in the development of renal diseases by modulating the function and proliferation of Treg cells. Targeting metabolic pathways to alter Treg cells can offer a promising method for renal disease therapy. In this review, we provide a new perspective on the role of Treg cell metabolism in renal diseases by presenting the renal microenvironment、relevant metabolites of Treg cell metabolism, and the role of Treg cell metabolism in various kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyu Han
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China.,Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kuai Ma
- Department of Nephrology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hongxia Tao
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiong Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiyalatu Sai
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China
| | - Yunlong Li
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingxuan Chi
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Nian
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China.,Department of Blood Transfusion Sicuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Linjiang Song
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chi Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
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4
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Riazanski V, Mauleon G, Lucas K, Walker S, Zimnicka AM, McGrath JL, Nelson DJ. Real time imaging of single extracellular vesicle pH regulation in a microfluidic cross-flow filtration platform. Commun Biol 2022; 5:13. [PMID: 35013561 PMCID: PMC8748679 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02965-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membranous structures carrying transmembrane proteins and luminal cargo. Their complex cargo requires pH stability in EVs while traversing diverse body fluids. We used a filtration-based platform to capture and stabilize EVs based on their size and studied their pH regulation at the single EV level. Dead-end filtration facilitated EV capture in the pores of an ultrathin (100 nm thick) and nanoporous silicon nitride (NPN) membrane within a custom microfluidic device. Immobilized EVs were rapidly exposed to test solution changes driven across the backside of the membrane using tangential flow without exposing the EVs to fluid shear forces. The epithelial sodium-hydrogen exchanger, NHE1, is a ubiquitous plasma membrane protein tasked with the maintenance of cytoplasmic pH at neutrality. We show that NHE1 identified on the membrane of EVs is functional in the maintenance of pH neutrality within single vesicles. This is the first mechanistic description of EV function on the single vesicle level. Riazanski et al describe a platform to capture extracellular vesicles (EVs) using a nanoporous silicon nitride membrane, investigate the expression of NHE1 protein on the surface of EVs and monitor the transport of Na+ and H+ at the single EV level. The authors report a mechanistic function of the proteins found in EVs and specifically identify NHE1 on a single EV, where it maintains pH neutrality within single vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Riazanski
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Gerardo Mauleon
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Kilean Lucas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Samuel Walker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Adriana M Zimnicka
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - James L McGrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Deborah J Nelson
- Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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5
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Synoground BF, McGraw CE, Elliott KS, Leuze C, Roth JR, Harcum SW, Sandoval NR. Transient ammonia stress on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells yield alterations to alanine metabolism and IgG glycosylation profiles. Biotechnol J 2021; 16:e2100098. [PMID: 34014036 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ammonia concentrations typically increase during mammalian cell cultures, mainly due to glutamine and other amino acid consumption. An early ammonia stress indicator is a metabolic shift with respect to alanine. To determine the underlying mechanisms of this metabolic shift, a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line with two distinct ages (standard and young) was cultured in parallel fed-batch bioreactors with 0 mM or 10 mM ammonia added at 12 h. Reduced viable cell densities were observed for the stressed cells, while viability was not significantly affected. The stressed cultures had higher alanine, lactate, and glutamate accumulation. Interestingly, the ammonia concentrations were similar by Day 8.5 for all cultures. We hypothesized the ammonia was converted to alanine as a coping mechanism. Interestingly, no significant differences were observed for metabolite profiles due to cell age. Glycosylation analysis showed the ammonia stress reduced galactosylation, sialylation, and fucosylation. Transcriptome analysis of the standard-aged cultures indicated the ammonia stress had a limited impact on the transcriptome, where few of the significant changes were directly related metabolite or glycosylation reactions. These results indicate that mechanisms used to alleviate ammonia stress are most likely controlled post-transcriptionally, and this is where future research should focus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire E McGraw
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Kathryn S Elliott
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Christina Leuze
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.,Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jada R Roth
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Sarah W Harcum
- Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Nicholas R Sandoval
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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6
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Michenkova M, Taki S, Blosser MC, Hwang HJ, Kowatz T, Moss FJ, Occhipinti R, Qin X, Sen S, Shinn E, Wang D, Zeise BS, Zhao P, Malmstadt N, Vahedi-Faridi A, Tajkhorshid E, Boron WF. Carbon dioxide transport across membranes. Interface Focus 2021; 11:20200090. [PMID: 33633837 PMCID: PMC7898146 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2020.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO2) movement across cellular membranes is passive and governed by Fick's law of diffusion. Until recently, we believed that gases cross biological membranes exclusively by dissolving in and then diffusing through membrane lipid. However, the observation that some membranes are CO2 impermeable led to the discovery of a gas molecule moving through a channel; namely, CO2 diffusion through aquaporin-1 (AQP1). Later work demonstrated CO2 diffusion through rhesus (Rh) proteins and NH3 diffusion through both AQPs and Rh proteins. The tetrameric AQPs exhibit differential selectivity for CO2 versus NH3 versus H2O, reflecting physico-chemical differences among the small molecules as well as among the hydrophilic monomeric pores and hydrophobic central pores of various AQPs. Preliminary work suggests that NH3 moves through the monomeric pores of AQP1, whereas CO2 moves through both monomeric and central pores. Initial work on AQP5 indicates that it is possible to create a metal-binding site on the central pore's extracellular face, thereby blocking CO2 movement. The trimeric Rh proteins have monomers with hydrophilic pores surrounding a hydrophobic central pore. Preliminary work on the bacterial Rh homologue AmtB suggests that gas can diffuse through the central pore and three sets of interfacial clefts between monomers. Finally, initial work indicates that CO2 diffuses through the electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransporter NBCe1. At least in some cells, CO2-permeable proteins could provide important pathways for transmembrane CO2 movements. Such pathways could be amenable to cellular regulation and could become valuable drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Michenkova
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sara Taki
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Matthew C. Blosser
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hyea J. Hwang
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Thomas Kowatz
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Fraser. J. Moss
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rossana Occhipinti
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Xue Qin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Soumyo Sen
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Eric Shinn
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Dengke Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian S. Zeise
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Pan Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Noah Malmstadt
- Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ardeschir Vahedi-Faridi
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- NIH Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Bioinformatics, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Department of Biochemistry, and Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Walter F. Boron
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
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7
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Abstract
The hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) in intracellular cytoplasmic fluid (ICF) must be maintained in a narrow range in all species for normal protein functions. Thus, mechanisms regulating ICF are of fundamental biological importance. Studies on the regulation of ICF [H+] have been hampered by use of pH notation, failure to consider the roles played by differences in the concentration of strong ions (strong ion difference, SID), the conservation of mass, the principle of electrical neutrality, and that [H+] and bicarbonate ions [HCO3-] are dependent variables. This argument is based on the late Peter Stewart's physical-chemical analysis of [H+] regulation reported in this journal nearly forty years ago (Stewart. 1983. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 61: 1444-1461. Doi:10.1139/y83-207). We start by outlining the principles of Stewart's analysis and then provide a general understanding of its significance for regulation of ICF [H+]. The system may initially appear complex, but it becomes evident that changes in SID dominate regulation of [H+]. The primary strong ions are Na+, K+, and Cl-, and a few organic strong anions. The second independent variable, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), can easily be assessed. The third independent variable, the activity of intracellular weak acids ([Atot]), is much more complex but largely plays a modifying role. Attention to these principles will potentially provide new insights into ICF pH regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheldon Magder
- Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Alexandr Magder
- Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Gordan Samoukovic
- Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.,Department of Critical Care, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
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8
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Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the major clinical decompensations of cirrhosis, with a high impact on health care resource utilization and cost. For an effective and comprehensive management of HE, the clinicians need to understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms of HE. This review describes the multiorgan processes involved in HE and how several HE precipitants and treatment strategies act on ammonia production, excretion, and neurotoxicity, including the impact of diabetes and use of cannabinoids. The authors also discuss the current and future role of gut microbiome, systemic/central inflammation, and various neurotransmitters for the pathogenesis and treatment of HE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Jaffe
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, LMP 1080, New Haven, CT 06520-8019, USA
| | - Joseph K Lim
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, LMP 1080, New Haven, CT 06520-8019, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sofia Simona Jakab
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale Liver Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, LMP 1080, New Haven, CT 06520-8019, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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9
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Abstract
Ammonia metabolism has a critical role in acid-base homeostasis and in other cellular functions. Kidneys have a central role in bicarbonate generation, which occurs through the process of net acid excretion; ammonia metabolism is the quantitatively greatest component of net acid excretion, both under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Several recent studies have advanced our understanding substantially of the molecular mechanisms and regulation of ammonia metabolism. First, the previous paradigm that ammonia transport could be explained by passive NH3 diffusion and NH4+ trapping has been advanced by the recognition that specific transport of NH3 and of NH4+ by specific membrane proteins is critical to ammonia transport. Second, significant advances have been made in the understanding of the regulation of ammonia metabolism. Novel studies have shown that hyperkalemia directly inhibits ammonia metabolism, thereby leading to the metabolic acidosis present in type IV renal tubular acidosis. Other studies have shown that the proximal tubule protein NBCe1, specifically the A variant NBCe1-A, has a major role in regulating renal ammonia metabolism. Third, there are important sex differences in ammonia metabolism that involve structural and functional differences in the kidney. This review addresses these important aspects of ammonia metabolism and transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL; Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL.
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL
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10
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Abstract
Although students initially learn of ionic buffering in basic chemistry, buffering and acid-base transport in biology often is relegated to specialized classes, discussions, or situations. That said, for physiology, nephrology, pulmonology, and anesthesiology, these basic principles often are critically important for mechanistic understanding, medical treatments, and assessing therapy effectiveness. This short introductory perspective focuses on basic chemistry and transport of buffers and acid-base equivalents, provides an outline of basic science acid-base concepts, tools used to monitor intracellular pH, model cellular responses to pH buffer changes, and the more recent development and use of genetically encoded pH-indicators. Examples of newer genetically encoded pH-indicators (pHerry and pHire) are provided, and their use for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo experiments are described. The continued use and development of these basic tools provide increasing opportunities for both basic and potentially clinical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Romero
- Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN.
| | - Adam J Rossano
- Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, MN
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11
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Westman J, Moran G, Mogavero S, Hube B, Grinstein S. Candida albicans Hyphal Expansion Causes Phagosomal Membrane Damage and Luminal Alkalinization. mBio 2018; 9:e01226-18. [PMID: 30206168 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.01226-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
C. albicans is the most common cause of nosocomial fungal infection, and over 3 million people acquire life-threatening invasive fungal infections every year. Even if antifungal drugs exist, almost half of these patients will die. Despite this, fungi remain underestimated as pathogens. Our study uses quantitative biophysical approaches to demonstrate that yeast-to-hypha transition occurs within the nutrient-deprived, acidic phagosome and that alkalinization is a consequence, as opposed to the cause, of hyphal growth. Macrophages rely on phagosomal acidity to destroy engulfed microorganisms. To survive this hostile response, opportunistic fungi such as Candida albicans developed strategies to evade the acidic environment. C. albicans is polymorphic and able to convert from yeast to hyphae, and this transition is required to subvert the microbicidal activity of the phagosome. However, the phagosomal lumen, which is acidic and nutrient deprived, is believed to inhibit the yeast-to-hypha transition. To account for this apparent paradox, it was recently proposed that C. albicans produces ammonia that alkalinizes the phagosome, thus facilitating yeast-to-hypha transition. We reexamined the mechanism underlying phagosomal alkalinization by applying dual-wavelength ratiometric pH measurements. The phagosomal membrane was found to be highly permeable to ammonia, which is therefore unlikely to account for the pH elevation. Instead, we find that yeast-to-hypha transition begins within acidic phagosomes and that alkalinization is a consequence of proton leakage induced by excessive membrane distension caused by the expanding hypha.
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12
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Gamba G. Letter to the editor: Remembering Steve Hebert (1946-2008). Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2018; 315:C122-C123. [PMID: 29975850 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00178.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Gamba
- Molecular Physiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
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13
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Werber JR, Elimelech M. Permselectivity limits of biomimetic desalination membranes. Sci Adv 2018; 4:eaar8266. [PMID: 29963628 PMCID: PMC6025908 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aar8266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Water scarcity and inadequate membrane selectivity have spurred interest in biomimetic desalination membranes, in which biological or synthetic water channels are incorporated in an amphiphilic bilayer. As low channel densities (0.1 to 10%) are required for sufficient water permeability, the amphiphilic bilayer matrix will play a critical role in separation performance. We determine selectivity limits for biomimetic membranes by studying the transport behavior of water, neutral solutes, and ions through the bilayers of lipid and block-copolymer vesicles and projecting performance for varying water channel densities. We report that defect-free biomimetic membranes would have water/salt permselectivities ~108-fold greater than current desalination membranes. In contrast, the solubility-based permeability of lipid and block-copolymer bilayers (extending Overton's rule) will result in poor rejection of hydrophobic solutes. Defect-free biomimetic membranes thus offer great potential for seawater desalination and ultrapure water production, but would perform poorly in wastewater reuse. Potential strategies to limit neutral solute permeation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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14
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Dimke H, Schnermann J. Axial and cellular heterogeneity in electrolyte transport pathways along the thick ascending limb. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 223:e13057. [PMID: 29476644 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The thick ascending limb (TAL) extends from the border of the inner medulla to the renal cortex, thus ascending through regions with wide differences in tissue solute and electrolyte concentrations. Structural and functional differences between TAL cells in the medulla (mTAL) and the cortex (cTAL) would therefore be useful to adapt TAL transport function to a changing external fluid composition. While mechanisms common to all TAL cells play a central role in the reclamation of about 25% of the NaCl filtered by the kidney, morphological features, Na+ / K+ -ATPase activity, NKCC2 splicing and phosphorylation do vary between segments and cells. The TAL contributes to K+ homeostasis and TAL cells with high or low basolateral K+ conductances have been identified which may be involved in K+ reabsorption and secretion respectively. Although transport rates for HCO3- do not differ between mTAL and cTAL, divergent axial and cellular expression of H+ transport proteins in TAL have been documented. The reabsorption of the divalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ is highest in cTAL and paralleled by differences in divalent cation permeability and the expression of select claudins. Morphologically, two cell types with different cell surface phenotypes have been described that still need to be linked to specific functional characteristics. The unique external environment and its change along the longitudinal axis require an axial functional heterogeneity for the TAL to optimally participate in conserving electrolyte homeostasis. Despite substantial progress in understanding TAL function, there are still considerable knowledge gaps that are just beginning to become bridged.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Dimke
- Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research; Institute of Molecular Medicine; University of Southern Denmark; Odense Denmark
| | - J. Schnermann
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Bethesda MD USA
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15
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Abstract
Gases have been long known to have essential physiological functions in the CNS such as respiration or regulation of vascular tone. Since gases have been classically considered to freely diffuse, research in gas biology has so far focused on mechanisms of gas synthesis and gas reactivity, rather than gas diffusion and transport. However, the discovery of gas pores during the last two decades and the characterization of diverse diffusion patterns through different membranes has raised the possibility that modulation of gas diffusion is also a physiologically relevant parameter. Here we review the means of gas movement into and within the brain through "free" diffusion and gas pores, notably aquaporins, discussing the role that gas diffusion may play in the modulation of gas function. We highlight how diffusion is relevant to neuronal signaling, volume transmission, and cerebrovascular control in the case of NO, one of the most extensively studied gases. We point out how facilitated transport can be especially relevant for gases with low permeability in lipid membranes like NH3 and discuss the possible implications of NH3 -permeable channels in physiology and hyperammonemic encephalopathy. We identify novel research questions about how modulation of gas diffusion could intervene in CNS pathologies. This emerging area of research can provide novel and interesting insights in the field of gas biology.
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16
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Abstract
Ammonia is diffused and transported across all plasma membranes. This entails that hyperammonemia leads to an increase in ammonia in all organs and tissues. It is known that the toxic ramifications of ammonia primarily touch the brain and cause neurological impairment. However, the deleterious effects of ammonia are not specific to the brain, as the direct effect of increased ammonia (change in pH, membrane potential, metabolism) can occur in any type of cell. Therefore, in the setting of chronic liver disease where multi-organ dysfunction is common, the role of ammonia, only as neurotoxin, is challenged. This review provides insights and evidence that increased ammonia can disturb many organ and cell types and hence lead to dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivasan Dasarathy
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pathobiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rajeshwar P Mookerjee
- Liver Failure Group, UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Veronika Rackayova
- Laboratory of Functional and Metabolic Imaging, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vinita Rangroo Thrane
- Department of Ophthalmology, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Glial Disease and Therapeutics, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Balasubramaniyan Vairappan
- Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Dhanvantri Nagar, Pondicherry, India
| | - Peter Ott
- Department of Medicine V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Christopher F Rose
- Hepato-Neuro Laboratory, CRCHUM, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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17
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Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis is critical to maintenance of normal health. Renal ammonia excretion is the quantitatively predominant component of renal net acid excretion, both under basal conditions and in response to acid-base disturbances. Although titratable acid excretion also contributes to renal net acid excretion, the quantitative contribution of titratable acid excretion is less than that of ammonia under basal conditions and is only a minor component of the adaptive response to acid-base disturbances. In contrast to other urinary solutes, ammonia is produced in the kidney and then is selectively transported either into the urine or the renal vein. The proportion of ammonia that the kidney produces that is excreted in the urine varies dramatically in response to physiological stimuli, and only urinary ammonia excretion contributes to acid-base homeostasis. As a result, selective and regulated renal ammonia transport by renal epithelial cells is central to acid-base homeostasis. Both molecular forms of ammonia, NH3 and NH4+, are transported by specific proteins, and regulation of these transport processes determines the eventual fate of the ammonia produced. In this review, we discuss these issues, and then discuss in detail the specific proteins involved in renal epithelial cell ammonia transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; and Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida; and Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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18
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Ngo JP, Ow CP, Gardiner BS, Kar S, Pearson JT, Smith DW, Evans RG. Diffusive shunting of gases and other molecules in the renal vasculature: physiological and evolutionary significance. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 311:R797-R810. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00246.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Countercurrent systems have evolved in a variety of biological systems that allow transfer of heat, gases, and solutes. For example, in the renal medulla, the countercurrent arrangement of vascular and tubular elements facilitates the trapping of urea and other solutes in the inner medulla, which in turn enables the formation of concentrated urine. Arteries and veins in the cortex are also arranged in a countercurrent fashion, as are descending and ascending vasa recta in the medulla. For countercurrent diffusion to occur, barriers to diffusion must be small. This appears to be characteristic of larger vessels in the renal cortex. There must also be gradients in the concentration of molecules between afferent and efferent vessels, with the transport of molecules possible in either direction. Such gradients exist for oxygen in both the cortex and medulla, but there is little evidence that large gradients exist for other molecules such as carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia. There is some experimental evidence for arterial-to-venous (AV) oxygen shunting. Mathematical models also provide evidence for oxygen shunting in both the cortex and medulla. However, the quantitative significance of AV oxygen shunting remains a matter of controversy. Thus, whereas the countercurrent arrangement of vasa recta in the medulla appears to have evolved as a consequence of the evolution of Henle’s loop, the evolutionary significance of the intimate countercurrent arrangement of blood vessels in the renal cortex remains an enigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer P. Ngo
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biosciences Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology and
| | - Connie P.C. Ow
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biosciences Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology and
| | - Bruce S. Gardiner
- School of Engineering and Information Technology, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia
| | - Saptarshi Kar
- School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; and
| | - James T. Pearson
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biosciences Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology and
- Monash Biomedical Imaging Facility, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Cardiac Physiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - David W. Smith
- School of Computer Science and Software Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; and
| | - Roger G. Evans
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biosciences Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology and
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19
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Abstract
Acid-base homeostasis and pH regulation are critical for both normal physiology and cell metabolism and function. The importance of this regulation is evidenced by a variety of physiologic derangements that occur when plasma pH is either high or low. The kidneys have the predominant role in regulating the systemic bicarbonate concentration and hence, the metabolic component of acid-base balance. This function of the kidneys has two components: reabsorption of virtually all of the filtered HCO3(-) and production of new bicarbonate to replace that consumed by normal or pathologic acids. This production or generation of new HCO3(-) is done by net acid excretion. Under normal conditions, approximately one-third to one-half of net acid excretion by the kidneys is in the form of titratable acid. The other one-half to two-thirds is the excretion of ammonium. The capacity to excrete ammonium under conditions of acid loads is quantitatively much greater than the capacity to increase titratable acid. Multiple, often redundant pathways and processes exist to regulate these renal functions. Derangements in acid-base homeostasis, however, are common in clinical medicine and can often be related to the systems involved in acid-base transport in the kidneys.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lee Hamm
- Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Tulane Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Medicine Service, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Nazih Nakhoul
- Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Tulane Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Medicine Service, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Kathleen S Hering-Smith
- Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Tulane Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Medicine Service, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana
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20
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Lerchundi R, Fernández-Moncada I, Contreras-Baeza Y, Sotelo-Hitschfeld T, Mächler P, Wyss MT, Stobart J, Baeza-Lehnert F, Alegría K, Weber B, Barros LF. NH4(+) triggers the release of astrocytic lactate via mitochondrial pyruvate shunting. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:11090-5. [PMID: 26286989 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1508259112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural activity is accompanied by a transient mismatch between local glucose and oxygen metabolism, a phenomenon of physiological and pathophysiological importance termed aerobic glycolysis. Previous studies have proposed glutamate and K(+) as the neuronal signals that trigger aerobic glycolysis in astrocytes. Here we used a panel of genetically encoded FRET sensors in vitro and in vivo to investigate the participation of NH4(+), a by-product of catabolism that is also released by active neurons. Astrocytes in mixed cortical cultures responded to physiological levels of NH4(+) with an acute rise in cytosolic lactate followed by lactate release into the extracellular space, as detected by a lactate-sniffer. An acute increase in astrocytic lactate was also observed in acute hippocampal slices exposed to NH4(+) and in the somatosensory cortex of anesthetized mice in response to i.v. NH4(+). Unexpectedly, NH4(+) had no effect on astrocytic glucose consumption. Parallel measurements showed simultaneous cytosolic pyruvate accumulation and NADH depletion, suggesting the involvement of mitochondria. An inhibitor-stop technique confirmed a strong inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake that can be explained by mitochondrial matrix acidification. These results show that physiological NH4(+) diverts the flux of pyruvate from mitochondria to lactate production and release. Considering that NH4(+) is produced stoichiometrically with glutamate during excitatory neurotransmission, we propose that NH4(+) behaves as an intercellular signal and that pyruvate shunting contributes to aerobic lactate production by astrocytes.
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21
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Abstract
Renal nitrogen metabolism primarily involves urea and ammonia metabolism, and is essential to normal health. Urea is the largest circulating pool of nitrogen, excluding nitrogen in circulating proteins, and its production changes in parallel to the degradation of dietary and endogenous proteins. In addition to serving as a way to excrete nitrogen, urea transport, mediated through specific urea transport proteins, mediates a central role in the urine concentrating mechanism. Renal ammonia excretion, although often considered only in the context of acid-base homeostasis, accounts for approximately 10% of total renal nitrogen excretion under basal conditions, but can increase substantially in a variety of clinical conditions. Because renal ammonia metabolism requires intrarenal ammoniagenesis from glutamine, changes in factors regulating renal ammonia metabolism can have important effects on glutamine in addition to nitrogen balance. This review covers aspects of protein metabolism and the control of the two major molecules involved in renal nitrogen excretion: urea and ammonia. Both urea and ammonia transport can be altered by glucocorticoids and hypokalemia, two conditions that also affect protein metabolism. Clinical conditions associated with altered urine concentrating ability or water homeostasis can result in changes in urea excretion and urea transporters. Clinical conditions associated with altered ammonia excretion can have important effects on nitrogen balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida; Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida;
| | - William E Mitch
- Nephrology Division, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and
| | - Jeff M Sands
- Nephrology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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22
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Abstract
The H(+) concentration in human blood is kept within very narrow limits, ~40 nmol/L, despite the fact that dietary metabolism generates acid and base loads that are added to the systemic circulation throughout the life of mammals. One of the primary functions of the kidney is to maintain the constancy of systemic acid-base chemistry. The kidney has evolved the capacity to regulate blood acidity by performing three key functions: (i) reabsorb HCO3(-) that is filtered through the glomeruli to prevent its excretion in the urine; (ii) generate a sufficient quantity of new HCO3(-) to compensate for the loss of HCO3(-) resulting from dietary metabolic H(+) loads and loss of HCO3(-) in the urea cycle; and (iii) excrete HCO3(-) (or metabolizable organic anions) following a systemic base load. The ability of the kidney to perform these functions requires that various cell types throughout the nephron respond to changes in acid-base chemistry by modulating specific ion transport and/or metabolic processes in a coordinated fashion such that the urine and renal vein chemistry is altered appropriately. The purpose of the article is to provide the interested reader with a broad review of a field that began historically ~60 years ago with whole animal studies, and has evolved to where we are currently addressing questions related to kidney acid-base regulation at the single protein structure/function level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Kurtz
- Division of Nephrology, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA; Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
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23
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Lee HW, Osis G, Handlogten ME, Guo H, Verlander JW, Weiner ID. Effect of dietary protein restriction on renal ammonia metabolism. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2015; 308:F1463-73. [PMID: 25925252 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00077.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary protein restriction has multiple benefits in kidney disease. Because protein intake is a major determinant of endogenous acid production, it is important that net acid excretion change in parallel during protein restriction. Ammonia is the primary component of net acid excretion, and inappropriate ammonia excretion can lead to negative nitrogen balance. Accordingly, we examined ammonia excretion in response to protein restriction and then we determined the molecular mechanism of the changes observed. Wild-type C57Bl/6 mice fed a 20% protein diet and then changed to 6% protein developed an 85% reduction in ammonia excretion within 2 days, which persisted during a 10-day study. The expression of multiple proteins involved in renal ammonia metabolism was altered, including the ammonia-generating enzymes phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and the ammonia-metabolizing enzyme glutamine synthetase. Rhbg, an ammonia transporter, increased in expression in the inner stripe of outer medullary collecting duct intercalated cell (OMCDis-IC). However, collecting duct-specific Rhbg deletion did not alter the response to protein restriction. Rhcg deletion did not alter ammonia excretion in response to dietary protein restriction. These results indicate 1) dietary protein restriction decreases renal ammonia excretion through coordinated regulation of multiple components of ammonia metabolism; 2) increased Rhbg expression in the OMCDis-IC may indicate a biological role in addition to ammonia transport; and 3) Rhcg expression is not necessary to decrease ammonia excretion during dietary protein restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Gunars Osis
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Mary E Handlogten
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hui Guo
- Division of Nephrology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Yaiyuan, Shanxi, Peoples Republic of China; and
| | - Jill W Verlander
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, Nephrology and Hypertension Section, Medical Service, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida
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24
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Eladari D, Kumai Y. Renal acid-base regulation: new insights from animal models. Pflugers Arch 2015; 467:1623-41. [PMID: 25515081 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-014-1669-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Because majority of biological processes are dependent on pH, maintaining systemic acid-base balance is critical. The kidney contributes to systemic acid-base regulation, by reabsorbing HCO3 (-) (both filtered by glomeruli and generated within a nephron) and acidifying urine. Abnormalities in those processes will eventually lead to a disruption in systemic acid-base balance and provoke metabolic acid-base disorders. Research over the past 30 years advanced our understanding on cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for those processes. In particular, a variety of transgenic animal models, where target genes are deleted either globally or conditionally, provided significant insights into how specific transporters are contributing to the renal acid-base regulation. Here, we broadly overview the mechanisms of renal ion transport participating to acid-base regulation, with emphasis on data obtained from transgenic mice models.
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25
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Ito Y, Kato A, Hirata T, Hirose S, Romero MF. Na+/H+ and Na+/NH+4 activities of zebrafish NHE3b expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2014; 306:R315-27. [PMID: 24401990 PMCID: PMC3949079 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00363.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Zebrafish Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3b (zNHE3b) is highly expressed in the apical membrane of ionocytes where Na(+) is absorbed from ion-poor fresh water against a concentration gradient. Much in vivo data indicated that zNHE3b is involved in Na(+) absorption but not leakage. However, zNHE3b-mediated Na(+) absorption has not been thermodynamically explained, and zNHE3b activity has not been measured. To address this issue, we overexpressed zNHE3b in Xenopus oocytes and characterized its activity by electrophysiology. Exposure of zNHE3b oocytes to Na(+)-free media resulted in significant decrease in intracellular pH (pH(i)) and intracellular Na(+) activity (aNa(i)). aNa(i) increased significantly when the cytoplasm was acidified by media containing CO₂-HCO₃(-) or butyrate. Activity of zNHE3b was inhibited by amiloride or 5-ethylisopropyl amiloride (EIPA). Although the activity was accompanied by a large hyperpolarization of ∼50 mV, voltage-clamp experiments showed that Na(+)/H(+) exchange activity of zNHE3b is electroneutral. Exposure of zNHE3b oocytes to medium containing NH₃/NH₄(+) resulted in significant decreases in pH(i) and aNa(i) and significant increase in intracellular NH₄(+) activity, indicating that zNHE3b mediates the Na(+)/NH₄(+) exchange. In low-Na(+) (0.5 mM) media, zNHE3b oocytes maintained aNa(i) of 1.3 mM, and Na(+)-influx was observed when pHi was decreased by media containing CO₂-HCO₃(-) or butyrate. These results provide thermodynamic evidence that zNHE3b mediates Na(+) absorption from ion-poor fresh water by its Na(+)/H(+) and Na(+)/NH₄(+) exchange activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Ito
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan; and
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26
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Endeward V, Al-Samir S, Itel F, Gros G. How does carbon dioxide permeate cell membranes? A discussion of concepts, results and methods. Front Physiol 2014; 4:382. [PMID: 24409149 PMCID: PMC3884148 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2013.00382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We review briefly how the thinking about the permeation of gases, especially CO2, across cell and artificial lipid membranes has evolved during the last 100 years. We then describe how the recent finding of a drastic effect of cholesterol on CO2 permeability of both biological and artificial membranes fundamentally alters the long-standing idea that CO2—as well as other gases—permeates all membranes with great ease. This requires revision of the widely accepted paradigm that membranes never offer a serious diffusion resistance to CO2 or other gases. Earlier observations of “CO2-impermeable membranes” can now be explained by the high cholesterol content of some membranes. Thus, cholesterol is a membrane component that nature can use to adapt membrane CO2 permeability to the functional needs of the cell. Since cholesterol serves many other cellular functions, it cannot be reduced indefinitely. We show, however, that cells that possess a high metabolic rate and/or a high rate of O2 and CO2 exchange, do require very high CO2 permeabilities that may not be achievable merely by reduction of membrane cholesterol. The article then discusses the alternative possibility of raising the CO2 permeability of a membrane by incorporating protein CO2 channels. The highly controversial issue of gas and CO2 channels is systematically and critically reviewed. It is concluded that a majority of the results considered to be reliable, is in favor of the concept of existence and functional relevance of protein gas channels. The effect of intracellular carbonic anhydrase, which has recently been proposed as an alternative mechanism to a membrane CO2 channel, is analysed quantitatively and the idea considered untenable. After a brief review of the knowledge on permeation of O2 and NO through membranes, we present a summary of the 18O method used to measure the CO2 permeability of membranes and discuss quantitatively critical questions that may be addressed to this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Endeward
- Zentrum Physiologie, Vegetative Physiologie 4220, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Hannover, Germany
| | - Samer Al-Samir
- Zentrum Physiologie, Vegetative Physiologie 4220, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Hannover, Germany
| | - Fabian Itel
- Departement Chemie, Universität Basel Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gerolf Gros
- Zentrum Physiologie, Vegetative Physiologie 4220, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Hannover, Germany
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27
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Nakhoul NL, Lee Hamm L. Characteristics of mammalian Rh glycoproteins (SLC42 transporters) and their role in acid-base transport. Mol Aspects Med 2013; 34:629-37. [PMID: 23506896 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Accepted: 04/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian Rh glycoproteins belong to the solute transporter family SLC42 and include RhAG, present in red blood cells, and two non-erythroid members RhBG and RhCG that are expressed in various tissues, including kidney, liver, skin and the GI tract. The Rh proteins in the red blood cell form an "Rh complex" made up of one D-subunit, one CE-subunit and two RhAG subunits. The Rh complex has a well-known antigenic effect but also contributes to the stability of the red cell membrane. RhBG and RhCG are related to the NH4(+) transporters of the yeast and bacteria but their exact function is yet to be determined. This review describes the expression and molecular properties of these membrane proteins and their potential role as NH3/NH4(+) and CO2 transporters. The likelihood that these proteins transport gases such as CO2 or NH3 is novel and significant. The review also describes the physiological importance of these proteins and their relevance to human disease.
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28
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Abstract
Renal ammonia metabolism and transport mediates a central role in acid-base homeostasis. In contrast to most renal solutes, the majority of renal ammonia excretion derives from intrarenal production, not from glomerular filtration. Renal ammoniagenesis predominantly results from glutamine metabolism, which produces 2 NH4(+) and 2 HCO3(-) for each glutamine metabolized. The proximal tubule is the primary site for ammoniagenesis, but there is evidence for ammoniagenesis by most renal epithelial cells. Ammonia produced in the kidney is either excreted into the urine or returned to the systemic circulation through the renal veins. Ammonia excreted in the urine promotes acid excretion; ammonia returned to the systemic circulation is metabolized in the liver in a HCO3(-)-consuming process, resulting in no net benefit to acid-base homeostasis. Highly regulated ammonia transport by renal epithelial cells determines the proportion of ammonia excreted in the urine versus returned to the systemic circulation. The traditional paradigm of ammonia transport involving passive NH3 diffusion, protonation in the lumen and NH4(+) trapping due to an inability to cross plasma membranes is being replaced by the recognition of limited plasma membrane NH3 permeability in combination with the presence of specific NH3-transporting and NH4(+)-transporting proteins in specific renal epithelial cells. Ammonia production and transport are regulated by a variety of factors, including extracellular pH and K(+), and by several hormones, such as mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and angiotensin II. This coordinated process of regulated ammonia production and transport is critical for the effective maintenance of acid-base homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Nephrology and Hypertension Section, NF/SGVHS, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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29
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Ritchie RJ. The ammonia transport, retention and futile cycling problem in cyanobacteria. Microb Ecol 2013; 65:180-196. [PMID: 22940733 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-012-0111-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Ammonia is the preferred nitrogen source for many algae including the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatis (Synechococcus R-2; PCC 7942). Modelling ammonia uptake by cells is not straightforward because it exists in solution as NH(3) and NH (4) (+) . NH(3) is readily diffusible not only via the lipid bilayer but also through aquaporins and other more specific porins. On the other hand, NH (4) (+) requires cationic transporters to cross a membrane. Significant intracellular ammonia pools (≈1-10 mol m(-3)) are essential for the synthesis of amino acids from ammonia. The most common model envisaged for how cells take up ammonia and use it as a nitrogen source is the "pump-leak model" where uptake occurs through a simple diffusion of NH(3) or through an energy-driven NH (4) (+) pump balancing a leak of NH(3) out of the cell. The flaw in such models is that cells maintain intracellular pools of ammonia much higher than predicted by such models. With caution, [(14)C]-methylamine can be used as an analogue tracer for ammonia and has been used to test various models of ammonia transport and metabolism. In this study, simple "proton trapping" accumulation by the diffusion of uncharged CH(3)NH(2) has been compared to systems where CH(3)NH (3) (+) is taken up through channels, driven by the membrane potential (ΔU (i,o)) or the electrochemical potential for Na(+) (ΔμNa (i,o) (+) ). No model can be reconciled with experimental data unless the permeability of CH(3)NH(2) across the cell membrane is asymmetric: permeability into the cell is very high through gated porins, whereas permeability out of the cell is very low (≈40 nm s(-1)) and independent of the extracellular pH. The best model is a Na (in) (+) /CH(3)NH (3) (+) (in) co-porter driven by ΔμNa (i,o) (+) balancing synthesis of methylglutamine and a slow leak governed by Ficks law, and so there is significant futile cycling of methylamine across the cell membrane to maintain intracellular methylamine pools high enough for fixation by glutamine synthetase. The modified pump-leak model with asymmetric permeability of the uncharged form is a viable model for understanding ammonia uptake and retention in plants, free-living microbes and organisms in symbiotic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond J Ritchie
- Faculty of Technology & Environment, Prince of Songkla University-Phuket Campus, Kathu, Phuket, 83120, Thailand.
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Bourgeois S, Bounoure L, Christensen EI, Ramakrishnan SK, Houillier P, Devuyst O, Wagner CA. Haploinsufficiency of the ammonia transporter Rhcg predisposes to chronic acidosis: Rhcg is critical for apical and basolateral ammonia transport in the mouse collecting duct. J Biol Chem 2012; 288:5518-29. [PMID: 23281477 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.441782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonia secretion by the collecting duct (CD) is critical for acid-base homeostasis and, when defective, causes distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). The Rhesus protein RhCG mediates NH(3) transport as evident from cell-free and cellular models as well as from Rhcg-null mice. Here, we investigated in a Rhcg mouse model the metabolic effects of Rhcg haploinsufficiency, the role of Rhcg in basolateral NH(3) transport, and the mechanisms of adaptation to the lack of Rhcg. Both Rhcg(+/+) and Rhcg(+/-) mice were able to handle an acute acid load, whereas Rhcg(-/-) mice developed severe metabolic acidosis with reduced ammonuria and high mortality. However, chronic acid loading revealed that Rhcg(+/-) mice did not fully recover, showing lower blood HCO(3)(-) concentration and more alkaline urine. Microperfusion studies demonstrated that transepithelial NH(3) permeability was reduced by 80 and 40%, respectively, in CDs from Rhcg(-/-) and Rhcg(+/-) mice compared with controls. Basolateral membrane permeability to NH(3) was reduced in CDs from Rhcg(-/-) mice consistent with basolateral Rhcg localization. Rhcg(-/-) responded to acid loading with normal expression of enzymes and transporters involved in proximal tubular ammoniagenesis but reduced abundance of the NKCC2 transporter responsible for medullary accumulation of ammonium. Consequently, tissue ammonium content was decreased. These data demonstrate a role for apical and basolateral Rhcg in transepithelial NH(3) transport and uncover an incomplete dRTA phenotype in Rhcg(+/-) mice. Haploinsufficiency or reduced expression of RhCG may underlie human forms of (in)complete dRTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soline Bourgeois
- Institute of Physiology and Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Itel F, Al-Samir S, Öberg F, Chami M, Kumar M, Supuran CT, Deen PMT, Meier W, Hedfalk K, Gros G, Endeward V. CO2 permeability of cell membranes is regulated by membrane cholesterol and protein gas channels. FASEB J 2012; 26:5182-91. [PMID: 22964306 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-209916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent observations that some membrane proteins act as gas channels seem surprising in view of the classical concept that membranes generally are highly permeable to gases. Here, we study the gas permeability of membranes for the case of CO(2), using a previously established mass spectrometric technique. We first show that biological membranes lacking protein gas channels but containing normal amounts of cholesterol (30-50 mol% of total lipid), e.g., MDCK and tsA201 cells, in fact possess an unexpectedly low CO(2) permeability (P(CO2)) of ∼0.01 cm/s, which is 2 orders of magnitude lower than the P(CO2) of pure planar phospholipid bilayers (∼1 cm/s). Phospholipid vesicles enriched with similar amounts of cholesterol also exhibit P(CO2) ≈ 0.01 cm/s, identifying cholesterol as the major determinant of membrane P(CO2). This is confirmed by the demonstration that MDCK cells depleted of or enriched with membrane cholesterol show dramatic increases or decreases in P(CO2), respectively. We demonstrate, furthermore, that reconstitution of human AQP-1 into cholesterol-containing vesicles, as well as expression of human AQP-1 in MDCK cells, leads to drastic increases in P(CO2), indicating that gas channels are of high functional significance for gas transfer across membranes of low intrinsic gas permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Itel
- Department of Chemistry, Universität Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Ip YK, Wilson JM, Loong AM, Chen XL, Wong WP, Delgado ILS, Lam SH, Chew SF. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in the gills of the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, is involved in both hypoosmotic regulation during seawater acclimation and active ammonia excretion during ammonia exposure. J Comp Physiol B 2012; 182:793-812. [PMID: 22526263 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-012-0664-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to clone and sequence the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (cftr) from, and to determine the effects of seawater acclimation or exposure to 100 mmol l⁻¹ NH₄Cl in freshwater on its mRNA and protein expressions in, the gills of Anabas testudineus. There were 4,530 bp coding for 1,510 amino acids in the cftr cDNA sequence from A. testudineus. The branchial mRNA expression of cftr in fish kept in freshwater was low (<50 copies of transcript per ng cDNA), but significant increases were observed in fish acclimated to seawater for 1 day (92-fold) or 6 days (219-fold). Branchial Cftr expression was detected in fish acclimated to seawater but not in the freshwater control, indicating that Cl⁻ excretion through the apical Cftr of the branchial epithelium was essential to seawater acclimation. More importantly, fish exposed to ammonia also exhibited a significant increase (12-fold) in branchial mRNA expression of cftr, with Cftr being expressed in a type of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase-immunoreactive cells that was apparently different from the type involved in seawater acclimation. It is probable that Cl⁻ excretion through Cftr generated a favorable electrical potential across the apical membrane to drive the excretion of NH₄⁺ against a concentration gradient through a yet to be determined transporter, but it led to a slight loss of endogenous Cl⁻. Since ammonia exposure also resulted in significant decreases in blood pH, [HCO₃⁻] and [total CO₂] in A. testudineus, it can be deduced that active NH₄⁺ excretion could also be driven by the exit of HCO₃⁻ through the apical Cftr. Furthermore, A. testudineus uniquely responded to ammonia exposure by increasing the ambient pH and decreasing the branchial bafilomycin-sensitive V-type H⁺-ATPase activity, which suggests that its gills might have low NH₃ permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen K Ip
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore.
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Wilson JM, Moreira-Silva JC, Delgado ILS, Ebanks SC, Vijayan MM, Coimbra J, Grosell M. Mechanisms of transepithelial ammonia excretion and luminal alkalinization in the gut of an intestinal air-breathing fish, Misgurnus anguilliacaudatus. J Exp Biol 2012; 216:623-32. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.074401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Summary
The weatherloach, Misgurnus angulliacaudatus, is an intestinal air-breathing, freshwater fish that has the unique ability to excrete ammonia through gut volatilization when branchial and cutaneous routes are compromised during high environmental ammonia or air exposure. We hypothesized that transepithelial gut NH4+ transport is facilitated by an apical Na+/H+ (NH4+) exchanger (NHE) and basolateral Na+/K+(NH4+)-ATPase, and that gut boundary layer alkalinization (NH4+ => NH3 + H+) is facilitated by apical HCO3- secretion through a Cl-/HCO3- anion exchanger. This was tested using a pharmacological approach with anterior (digestive) and posterior (respiratory) intestine preparations mounted in pH-stat equipped Ussing chambers. The anterior intestine had a markedly higher conductance, short circuit current and net base (Jbase) and ammonia excretions rates (Jamm) than posterior intestine. In anterior intestine, HCO3- accounted for 70% Jbase. In the presence of an imposed serosal-mucosal ammonia gradient, both NHE and Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitors EIPA (0.1mM) and ouabain (0.1mM) significantly inhibit Jamm in the anterior intestine, although only the former in the posterior intestine. In addition, the anion exchange inhibitor DIDS significantly reduced Jbase in anterior intestine although only at a high dose (1mM). Carbonic anhydrase does not appear to be associated with gut alkalization under these conditions since etoxzolamide was without effect on Jbase. Membrane fluidity of the posterior intestine was low suggesting low permeability, which was also reflected in a lower mucosal-serosal Jamm in the presence of an imposed gradient in contrast to the anterior intestine. To conclude although the posterior intestine is highly modified for gas exchange, it is the anterior intestine that is the likely site of ammonia excretion and alkalinization leading to ammonia volatilization in the gut.
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Abstract
This review will briefly summarize current knowledge on the basolateral ammonia transport mechanisms in the thick ascending limb (TAL) of the loop of Henle. This segment transports ammonia against a concentration gradient and is responsible for the accumulation of ammonia in the medullary interstitium, which, in turn, favors ammonia secretion across the collecting duct. Experimental data indicate that the sodium/hydrogen ion exchanger isoform 4 (NHE4; Scl9a4) is a sodium/ammonia exchanger and plays a major role in this process. Disruption of murine NHE4 leads to metabolic acidosis with inappropriate urinary ammonia excretion and decreases the ability of the TAL to absorb ammonia and to build the corticopapillary ammonia gradient. However, NHE4 does not account for the entirety of ammonia absorption by the TAL, indicating that, at least, one more transporter is involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Houillier
- Département de Physiologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
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Liu W, Schreck C, Coleman RA, Wade JB, Hernandez Y, Zavilowitz B, Warth R, Kleyman TR, Satlin LM. Role of NKCC in BK channel-mediated net K⁺ secretion in the CCD. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2011; 301:F1088-97. [PMID: 21816753 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00347.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Apical SK/ROMK and BK channels mediate baseline and flow-induced K secretion (FIKS), respectively, in the cortical collecting duct (CCD). BK channels are detected in acid-base transporting intercalated (IC) and Na-absorbing principal (PC) cells. Although the density of BK channels is greater in IC than PC, Na-K-ATPase activity in IC is considered inadequate to sustain high rates of urinary K secretion. To test the hypothesis that basolateral NKCC in the CCD contributes to BK channel-mediated FIKS, we measured net K secretion (J(K)) and Na absorption (J(Na)) at slow (∼1) and fast (∼5 nl·min(-1)·mm(-1)) flow rates in rabbit CCDs microperfused in vitro in the absence and presence of bumetanide, an inhibitor of NKCC, added to the bath. Bumetanide inhibited FIKS but not basal J(K), J(Na), or the flow-induced [Ca(2+)](i) transient necessary for BK channel activation. Addition of luminal iberiotoxin, a BK channel inhibitor, to bumetanide-treated CCDs did not further reduce J(K). Basolateral Cl removal reversibly inhibited FIKS but not basal J(K) or J(Na). Quantitative PCR performed on single CCD samples using NKCC1- and 18S-specific primers and probes and the TaqMan assay confirmed the presence of the transcript in this nephron segment. To identify the specific cell type to which basolateral NKCC is localized, we exploited the ability of NKCC to accept NH(4)(+) at its K-binding site to monitor the rate of bumetanide-sensitive cytosolic acidification after NH(4)(+) addition to the bath in CCDs loaded with the pH indicator dye BCECF. Both IC and PC were found to have a basolateral bumetanide-sensitive NH(4)(+) entry step and NKCC1-specific antibodies labeled the basolateral surfaces of both cell types in CCDs. These results suggest that BK channel-mediated FIKS is dependent on a basolateral bumetanide-sensitive, Cl-dependent transport pathway, proposed to be NKCC1, in both IC and PC in the CCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Liu
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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Abstract
Gas molecules play important roles in human physiology. Volatile substances produced by one cell often regulate neighboring cells in a paracrine fashion. While gaseous molecules have traditionally been thought to travel from cell to cell by free diffusion through the bilayer portion of the membrane, this does not explain their rapid physiological actions. The recent observations that: (1) water channels can transport other molecules besides water, and (2) aquaporins are often expressed in tissues where gas (but not water) transport is essential suggest that these channels conduct physiologically important gases in addition to water. This review summarizes recent findings on the role of aquaporins as gas transporters as well as their physiological significance.
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Wagner CA, Devuyst O, Belge H, Bourgeois S, Houillier P. The rhesus protein RhCG: a new perspective in ammonium transport and distal urinary acidification. Kidney Int 2011; 79:154-61. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2010.386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Abstract
Renal ammonia excretion is the predominant component of renal net acid excretion. The majority of ammonia excretion is produced in the kidney and then undergoes regulated transport in a number of renal epithelial segments. Recent findings have substantially altered our understanding of renal ammonia transport. In particular, the classic model of passive, diffusive NH3 movement coupled with NH4+ "trapping" is being replaced by a model in which specific proteins mediate regulated transport of NH3 and NH4+ across plasma membranes. In the proximal tubule, the apical Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE-3, is a major mechanism of preferential NH4+ secretion. In the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, the apical Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter, NKCC2, is a major contributor to ammonia reabsorption and the basolateral Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE-4, appears to be important for basolateral NH4+ exit. The collecting duct is a major site for renal ammonia secretion, involving parallel H+ secretion and NH3 secretion. The Rhesus glycoproteins, Rh B Glycoprotein (Rhbg) and Rh C Glycoprotein (Rhcg), are recently recognized ammonia transporters in the distal tubule and collecting duct. Rhcg is present in both the apical and basolateral plasma membrane, is expressed in parallel with renal ammonia excretion, and mediates a critical role in renal ammonia excretion and collecting duct ammonia transport. Rhbg is expressed specifically in the basolateral plasma membrane, and its role in renal acid-base homeostasis is controversial. In the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD), basolateral Na+-K+-ATPase enables active basolateral NH4+ uptake. In addition to these proteins, several other proteins also contribute to renal NH3/NH4+ transport. The role and mechanisms of these proteins are discussed in depth in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- I David Weiner
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Transplantation, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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Hub JS, Winkler FK, Merrick M, de Groot BL. Potentials of mean force and permeabilities for carbon dioxide, ammonia, and water flux across a Rhesus protein channel and lipid membranes. J Am Chem Soc 2010; 132:13251-63. [PMID: 20815391 DOI: 10.1021/ja102133x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
As a member of the ubiquitous ammonium transporter/methylamine permease/Rhesus (Amt/MEP/Rh) family of membrane protein channels, the 50 kDa Rhesus channel (Rh50) has been implicated in ammonia (NH(3)) and, more recently, also in carbon dioxide (CO(2)) transport. Here we present molecular dynamics simulations of spontaneous full permeation events of ammonia and carbon dioxide across Rh50 from Nitrosomonas europaea. The simulations show that Rh50 is functional in its crystallographic conformation, without the requirement for a major conformational change or the action of a protein partner. To assess the physiological relevance of NH(3) and CO(2) permeation across Rh50, we have computed potentials of mean force (PMFs) and permeabilities for NH(3) and CO(2) flux across Rh50 and compare them to permeation through a wide range of lipid membranes, either composed of pure lipids or composed of lipids plus an increasing cholesterol content. According to the PMFs, Rh50 is expected to enhance NH(3) flux across dense membranes, such as membranes with a substantial cholesterol content. Although cholesterol reduces the intrinsic CO(2) permeability of lipid membranes, the CO(2) permeabilities of all membranes studied here are too high to allow significant Rh50-mediated CO(2) flux. The increased barrier in the PMF for water permeation across Rh50 shows that Rh50 discriminates 40-fold between water and NH(3). Thus, Rh50 channels complement aquaporins, allowing the cell to regulate water and NH(3) flux independently. The PMFs for methylamine and NH(3) are virtually identical, suggesting that methylamine provides an excellent model for NH(3) in functional experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen S Hub
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Box 596, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden.
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Abstract
Many fishes are ammonotelic but some species can detoxify ammonia to glutamine or urea. Certain fish species can accumulate high levels of ammonia in the brain or defense against ammonia toxicity by enhancing the effectiveness of ammonia excretion through active NH4+transport, manipulation of ambient pH, or reduction in ammonia permeability through the branchial and cutaneous epithelia. Recent reports on ammonia toxicity in mammalian brain reveal the importance of permeation of ammonia through the blood-brain barrier and passages of ammonia and water through transporters in the plasmalemma of brain cells. Additionally, brain ammonia toxicity could be related to the passage of glutamine through the mitochondrial membranes into the mitochondrial matrix. On the other hand, recent reports on ammonia excretion in fish confirm the involvement of Rhesus glycoproteins in the branchial and cutaneous epithelia. Therefore, this review focuses on both the earlier literature and the up-to-date information on the problems and mechanisms concerning the permeation of ammonia, as NH(3), NH4+ or proton-neutral nitrogenous compounds, across mitochondrial membranes, the blood-brain barrier, the plasmalemma of neurons, and the branchial and cutaneous epithelia of fish. It also addresses how certain fishes with high ammonia tolerance defend against ammonia toxicity through the regulation of the permeation of ammonia and related nitrogenous compounds through various types of membranes. It is hoped that this review would revive the interests in investigations on the passage of ammonia through the mitochondrial membranes and the blood-brain barrier of ammonotelic fishes and fishes with high brain ammonia tolerance, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuen K Ip
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
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Abstract
The traditional dogma has been that all gases diffuse through all membranes simply by dissolving in the lipid phase of the membrane. Although this mechanism may explain how most gases move through most membranes, it is now clear that some membranes have no demonstrable gas permeability, and that at least two families of membrane proteins, the aquaporins (AQPs) and the Rhesus (Rh) proteins, can each serve as pathways for the diffusion of both CO2 and NH3. The knockout of RhCG in the renal collecting duct leads to the predicted consequences in acid–base physiology, providing a clear-cut role for at least one gas channel in the normal physiology of mammals. In our laboratory, we have found that surface-pH (pHS) transients provide a sensitive approach for detecting CO2 and NH3 movement across the cell membranes of Xenopus oocytes. Using this approach, we have found that each tested AQP and Rh protein has its own characteristic CO2/NH3 permeability ratio, which provides the first demonstration of gas selectivity by a channel. Our preliminary AQP1 data suggest that all the NH3 and less than half of the CO2 move along with H2O through the four monomeric aquapores. The majority of CO2 takes an alternative route through AQP1, possibly the central pore at the four-fold axis of symmetry. Preliminary data with two Rh proteins, bacterial AmtB and human erythroid RhAG, suggest a similar story, with all the NH3 moving through the three monomeric NH3 pores and the CO2 taking a separate route, perhaps the central pore at the three-fold axis of symmetry. The movement of different gases via different pathways is likely to underlie the gas selectivity that these channels exhibit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter F Boron
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4970, USA.
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Lee S, Lee HJ, Yang HS, Thornell IM, Bevensee MO, Choi I. Sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 in the kidney medullary thick ascending limb cell line is upregulated under acidic conditions and enhances ammonium transport. Exp Physiol 2010; 95:926-37. [PMID: 20591978 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2010.053967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we examined the effect of bicarbonate transporters on ammonium/ammonia uptake in the medullary thick ascending limb cell line ST-1. Cells were treated with 1 mm ouabain and 0.2 mM bumetanide to minimize carrier-mediated NH(4)(+) transport, and the intracellular accumulation of (14)C-methylammonium/methylammonia ((14)C-MA) was determined. In CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-free solution, cells at normal pH briefly accumulated (14)C-MA over 7 min and reached a plateau. In CO(2)/HCO(3)(-) solution, however, cells markedly accumulated (14)C-MA over the experimental period of 30 min. This CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-dependent accumulation was reduced by the bicarbonate transporter blocker, 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DIDS; 0.5 mM). Replacing Cl(-) with gluconate reduced the accumulation, but the reduction was more substantial in the presence of DIDS. Incubation of cells at pH 6.8 (adjusted with NaHCO(3) in 5% CO(2)) for 24 h lowered the mean steady-state intracellular pH to 6.96, significantly lower than 7.28 for control cells. The presence of DIDS reduced (14)C-MA accumulation in control conditions but had no effect after acidic incubation. Immunoblotting showed that NBCn1 was upregulated after acidic incubation and in NH(4)Cl-containing media. The Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger AE2 was present, but its expression remained unaffected by acidic incubation. Expressed in Xenopus oocytes, NBCn1 increased carrier-mediated (14)C-MA transport, which was abolished by replacing Na(+). Two-electrode voltage clamp of oocytes exhibited negligible current after NH(4)Cl application. These results suggest that DIDS-sensitive HCO(3)(-) extrusion normally governs NH(4)(+)/NH(3) uptake in the medullary thick ascending limb cells. We propose that, in acidic conditions, DIDS-sensitive HCO(3)(-) extrusion is inactivated, while NBCn1 is upregulated to stimulate NH(4)(+) transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soojung Lee
- Department of Physiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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Bourgeois S, Meer LV, Wootla B, Bloch-Faure M, Chambrey R, Shull GE, Gawenis LR, Houillier P. NHE4 is critical for the renal handling of ammonia in rodents. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:1895-904. [PMID: 20484819 DOI: 10.1172/jci36581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ammonia absorption by the medullary thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MTALH) is thought to be a critical step in renal ammonia handling and excretion in urine, in which it is the main acid component. Basolateral Na+/H+ exchangers have been proposed to play a role in ammonia efflux out of MTALH cells, which express 2 exchanger isoforms: Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) and NHE4. Here, we investigated the role of NHE4 in urinary acid excretion and found that NHE4-/- mice exhibited compensated hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, together with inappropriate urinary net acid excretion. When challenged with a 7-day HCl load, NHE4-/- mice were unable to increase their urinary ammonium and net acid excretion and displayed reduced ammonium medulla content compared with wild-type littermates. Both pharmacologic inhibition and genetic disruption of NHE4 caused a marked decrease in ammonia absorption by the MTALH. Finally, dietary induction of metabolic acidosis increased NHE4 mRNA expression in mouse MTALH cells and enhanced renal NHE4 activity in rats, as measured by in vitro microperfusion of MTALH. We therefore conclude that ammonia absorption by the MTALH requires the presence of NHE4 and that lack of NHE4 reduces the ability of MTALH epithelial cells to create the cortico-papillary gradient of NH3/NH4+ needed to excrete an acid load, contributing to systemic metabolic acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soline Bourgeois
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, UMRS872, Paris, France
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Nawata CM, Wood CM, O'Donnell MJ. Functional characterization of Rhesus glycoproteins from an ammoniotelic teleost, the rainbow trout, using oocyte expression and SIET analysis. J Exp Biol 2010; 213:1049-59. [PMID: 20228341 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.038752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Recent experimental evidence from rainbow trout suggests that gill ammonia transport may be mediated in part via Rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins. In this study we analyzed the transport properties of trout Rh proteins (Rhag, Rhbg1, Rhbg2, Rhcg1, Rhcg2, Rh30-like) expressed in Xenopus oocytes, using the radiolabeled ammonia analogue [14C]methylamine, and the scanning ion electrode technique (SIET). All of the trout Rh proteins, except Rh30-like, facilitated methylamine uptake. Uptake was saturable, with Km values ranging from 4.6 to 8.9 mmol l−1. Raising external pH from 7.5 to 8.5 resulted in 3- to 4-fold elevations in Jmax values for methylamine; Km values were unchanged when expressed as total or protonated methylamine. Efflux of methylamine was also facilitated in Rh-expressing oocytes. Efflux and influx rates were stimulated by a pH gradient, with higher rates observed with steeper H+ gradients. NH4Cl inhibited methylamine uptake in oocytes expressing Rhbg1 or Rhcg2. When external pH was elevated from 7.5 to 8.5, the Ki for ammonia against methylamine transport was 35–40% lower when expressed as total ammonia or NH4+, but 5- to 6-fold higher when expressed as NH3. With SIET we confirmed that ammonia uptake was facilitated by Rhag and Rhcg2, but not Rh30-like proteins. Ammonia uptake was saturable, with a comparable Jmax but lower Km value than for total or protonated methylamine. At low substrate concentrations, the ammonia uptake rate was greater than that of methylamine. The Km for total ammonia (560 μmol l−1) lies within the physiological range for trout. The results are consistent with a model whereby NH4+ initially binds, but NH3 passes through the Rh channels. We propose that Rh glycoproteins in the trout gill are low affinity, high capacity ammonia transporters that exploit the favorable pH gradient formed by the acidified gill boundary layer in order to facilitate rapid ammonia efflux when plasma ammonia concentrations are elevated.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Michele Nawata
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Chris M. Wood
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Michael J. O'Donnell
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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Rubio-Texeira M, Van Zeebroeck G, Voordeckers K, Thevelein JM. Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasma membrane nutrient sensors and their role in PKA signaling. FEMS Yeast Res 2010; 10:134-49. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1567-1364.2009.00587.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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Szutkowska M, Vernimmen C, Debaix H, Devuyst O, Friedlander G, Karim Z. ζ-Crystallin mediates the acid pH-induced increase of BSC1 cotransporter mRNA stability. Kidney Int 2009; 76:730-8. [DOI: 10.1038/ki.2009.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Holtug K, Laverty G, Árnason SS, Skadhauge E. NH4+ secretion in the avian colon. An actively regulated barrier to ammonium permeation of the colon mucosa. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2009; 153:258-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2007] [Revised: 02/13/2009] [Accepted: 02/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
Renal ammonium metabolism is the primary component of net acid excretion and thereby is critical for acid-base homeostasis. Briefly, ammonium is produced from glutamine in the proximal tubule in a series of biochemical reactions that result in equimolar bicarbonate. Ammonium is predominantly secreted into the luminal fluid via the apical Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE3. The thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle reabsorbs luminal ammonium, predominantly by transport of NH4+ by the apical Na+/K+/2Cl- cotransporter, BSC1/NKCC2. This process results in renal interstitial ammonium accumulation. Finally, the collecting duct secretes ammonium from the renal interstitium into the luminal fluid. Although in past ammonium was believed to move across epithelia entirely by passive diffusion, an increasing number of studies demonstrated that specific proteins contribute to renal ammonium transport. Recent studies have yielded important new insights into the mechanisms of renal ammonium transport. In this review, we will discuss renal handling of ammonium, with particular emphasis on the transporters involved in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
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49
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Lee HW, Verlander JW, Bishop JM, Igarashi P, Handlogten ME, Weiner ID. Collecting duct-specific Rh C glycoprotein deletion alters basal and acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia excretion. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2009; 296:F1364-75. [PMID: 19321595 PMCID: PMC2692449 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.90667.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
NH3 movement across plasma membranes has traditionally been ascribed to passive, lipid-phase diffusion. However, ammonia-specific transporters, Mep/Amt proteins, are present in primitive organisms and mammals express orthologs of Mep/Amt proteins, the Rh glycoproteins. These findings suggest that the mechanisms of NH3 movement in mammalian tissues should be reexamined. Rh C glycoprotein (Rhcg) is expressed in the collecting duct, where NH3 secretion is necessary for both basal and acidosis-stimulated ammonia transport. To determine whether the collecting duct secretes NH3 via Rhcg or via lipid-phase diffusion, we generated mice with collecting duct-specific Rhcg deletion (CD-KO). CD-KO mice had loxP sites flanking exons 5 and 9 of the Rhcg gene (Rhcg(fl/fl)) and expressed Cre-recombinase under control of the Ksp-cadherin promoter (Ksp-Cre). Control (C) mice were Rhcg(fl/fl) but Ksp-Cre negative. We confirmed kidney-specific genomic recombination using PCR analysis and collecting duct-specific Rhcg deletion using immunohistochemistry. Under basal conditions, urinary ammonia excretion was less in KO vs. C mice; urine pH was unchanged. After acid-loading for 7 days, CD-KO mice developed more severe metabolic acidosis than did C mice. Urinary ammonia excretion did not increase significantly on the first day of acidosis in CD-KO mice, despite an intact ability to increase urine acidification, whereas it increased significantly in C mice. On subsequent days, urinary ammonia excretion slowly increased in CD-KO mice, but was always significantly less than in C mice. We conclude that collecting duct Rhcg expression contributes to both basal and acidosis-stimulated renal ammonia excretion, indicating that collecting duct ammonia secretion is, at least in part, mediated by Rhcg and not solely by lipid diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Wook Lee
- University of Florida College of Medicine, PO Box 100224, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Günzel D, Stuiver M, Kausalya PJ, Haisch L, Krug SM, Rosenthal R, Meij IC, Hunziker W, Fromm M, Müller D. Claudin-10 exists in six alternatively spliced isoforms that exhibit distinct localization and function. J Cell Sci 2009; 122:1507-17. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.040113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The tight junction protein claudin-10 is known to exist in two isoforms, resulting from two alternative exons, 1a and 1b (Cldn10a, Cldn10b). Here, we identified and characterized another four claudin-10 splice variants in mouse and human. One (Cldn10a_v1) results from an alternative splice donor site, causing a deletion of the last 57 nucleotides of exon 1a. For each of these three variants one further splice variant was identified (Cldn10a_v2, Cldn10a_v3, Cldn10b_v1), lacking exon 4. When transfected into MDCK cells, Cldn10a, Cldn10a_v1 and Cldn10b were inserted into the tight junction, whereas isoforms of splice variants lacking exon 4 were retained in the endoplasmic reticulum. Cldn10a transfection into MDCK cells confirmed the previously described increase in paracellular anion permeability. Cldn10a_v1 transfection had no direct effect, but modulated Cldn10a-induced organic anion permeability. At variance with previous reports in MDCK-II cells, transfection of high-resistance MDCK-C7 cells with Cldn10b dramatically decreased transepithelial resistance, increased cation permeability, and changed monovalent cation selectivity from Eisenman sequence IV to X, indicating the presence of a high field-strength binding site that almost completely removes the hydration shell of the permeating cations. The extent of all these effects strongly depended on the endogenous claudins of the transfected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothee Günzel
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Charité, 12200 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marchel Stuiver
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Charité, 13535 Berlin, Germany
| | - P. Jaya Kausalya
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Singapore 138673
| | - Lea Haisch
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Charité, 13535 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne M. Krug
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Charité, 12200 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rita Rosenthal
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Charité, 12200 Berlin, Germany
| | - Iwan C. Meij
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Hunziker
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Singapore 138673
| | - Michael Fromm
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Charité, 12200 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Müller
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Charité, 13535 Berlin, Germany
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