WNK1 affects surface expression of the ROMK potassium channel independent of WNK4

The WNK (with no lysine kinase) kinases are a novel class of serine/threonine kinases that lack a characteristic lysine residue for ATP docking. Both WNK1 and WNK4 are expressed in the mammalian kidney, and mutations in either can cause the rare familial syndrome of hypertension and hyperkalemia (Gordon syndrome, or pseudohypoaldosteronism type 2). The molecular basis for the action of WNK4 is through alteration in the membrane expression of the NaCl co-transporter (NCCT) and the renal outer-medullary K channel KCNJ1 (ROMK). The actions of WNK1 are less well defined, and evidence to date suggests that it can affect NCCT expression but only in the presence of WNK4. The results of co-expressing WNK1 with ROMK in Xenopus oocytes are reported for the first time. These studies show that WNK1 is able to suppress total current directly through ROMK by causing a marked reduction in its surface expression. The effect is mimicked by a kinase-dead mutant of WNK1 (368D > A), suggesting that it is not dependent on its catalytic activity. Study of the time course of ROMK expression further suggests that WNK1 accelerates trafficking of ROMK from the membrane, and this effect seems to be dynamin dependent. Using fragments of full-length WNK1, it also is shown that the effect depends on residues in the middle section of the protein (502 to 1100 WNK1) that contains the acidic motif. Together, these findings emphasize that the molecular mechanisms that underpin WNK1 regulation of ROMK expression are distinct from those that affect NCCT expression.     

Dietary salt regulates the phosphorylation of OSR1/SPAK kinases and the sodium chloride cotransporter through aldosterone

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII) is caused by mutations in the WNK1 and WNK4 genes (WNK with-no-lysine kinase). In a mouse model of this disease where a mutant of Wnk4 D561A was knocked in, increased phosphorylation of the sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) was found and the transporter was concentrated on the apical membrane of the distal tubules. In addition, we recently found that other kinases, such as the oxidative stress response kinase-1/STE20/SPS1-related proline alanine-rich kinase (OSR1/SPAK), also showed increased phosphorylation in these mice. Here we determined whether this kinase cascade is regulated by dietary salt intake. We found that the phosphorylation states of NCC and OSR1/SPAK were increased by low-salt diets and decreased by high-salt diets; a regulation completely lost in the knock-in mice. Increased phosphorylation was reversed by spironolactone and this decreased phosphorylation was reversed by administration of exogenous aldosterone. These studies suggest that that the WNK-OSR1/SPAK-NCC cascade may be a novel effector system of aldosterone action in the kidney.     

WNK kinases regulate sodium chloride and potassium transport by the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron

With-No-Lysine [K] (WNKs) are a recently discovered family of serine/threonine protein kinases that contain a uniquely structured catalytic domain. Mutations in the genes encoding two family members, WNK1 and WNK4, cause a chloride-dependent, thiazide-sensitive inherited syndrome of hypertension and hyperkalemia. Over the past 5 years, physiologic studies have demonstrated that these proteins regulate transcellular and paracellular epithelial ion flux. In this mini review, we discuss WNK1 and WNK4 gene products and their regulatory effects on sodium chloride and potassium handling in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. Experimental observations regarding the effects of these proteins on transport processes mediated by the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl co-transporter, the epithelial sodium channel, the renal outer medullary potassium channel, and the paracellular pathway integrate into a model that suggests an essential role for WNKs in coordinating renal Na-Cl reabsorption and K(+) secretion.     

The sodium/proton exchanger NHA2 regulates blood pressure through a WNK4-NCC dependent pathway in the kidney

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Functional expression of the human thiazide-sensitive NaCl cotransporter in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

The thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC), which is expressed on the apical membrane of epithelial cells lining the distal convoluted tubule, is responsible for the reabsorption of 5% to 10% of filtered Na(+) and Cl(-). To date, functional studies on the structural and regulatory requirements for localized trafficking and ion-transporting activity of NCC have been hampered by lack of a suitable cell system expressing this cotransporter. Reported here is the functional expression of human NCC (hNCC) in a polarized mammalian cell of renal origin-that is, the high-resistance Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell. Western blot testing revealed that the cells predominantly expressed the complex glycosylated (approximately 140 kD) form of hNCC. hNCC was present primarily in the apical part of the cell. The functionality of hNCC was demonstrated by the gain of thiazide-sensitive Na(+) uptake and transepithelial transport activity. Na(+) uptake was significantly increased after short-term (15 min) treatment with forskolin, whereas cyclic guanosine monophosphate, wortmannin, phorbol 12-myriatate 13-acetate, and staurosporine were without effect. This indicates that hNCC activity is regulated through cyclic adenosine monophosphate, rather than via cyclic guanosine monophosphate, phospho-inositide 3-kinases or protein kinase C. Aldosterone did not alter Na(+) uptake in the short term (15 min) but significantly increased the transport activity in the long term (16 h). The latter effect of aldosterone was due to an effect on the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer driving the expression of hNCC. hNCC-MDCK cells are a good model for the study of the regulation of apical trafficking and ion-transporting activity of hNCC.     

醛固酮-WNK4途径参与盐负荷对上皮钠通道的调节

目的 通过建立生理条件下的盐负荷饮食大鼠模型,观察醛固酮和WNK4在水盐代谢调节中的作用。 方法 将SD大鼠分为5组：高盐组（H,4% NaCl）、正常盐组（N,0.4% NaCl）、低盐组（L,0.07% NaCl）、高盐加醛固酮组（H+A,4% NaCl+1 mg&#8226;kg-1&#8226;d-1醛固酮）、低盐加螺内酯（L+S,0.07% NaCl+0.1 g&#8226;kg-1&#8226;d-1螺内酯）,所有大鼠自由饮水,喂养2周。用放射免疫法检测血浆醛固酮的变化。应用实时定量PCR和Western印迹法检测大鼠肾脏上皮钠通道γ亚基（γENaC）、WNK4的mRNA和蛋白的变化。 结果 H组大鼠血浆醛固酮水平低于N组（P < 0.05）,H+A组高于H组（P < 0.05）;L组大鼠血浆醛固酮水平高于N组（P < 0.05）,显示SD大鼠造模成功。L组大鼠肾脏γENaC蛋白表达高于N组,但是L+S低于L组;同时H组低于N组,H+A组高于H组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。mRNA变化趋势和蛋白变化趋势一致。H组肾脏WNK4的蛋白表达高于N组,但是H+A组低于H组;同时L组低于N组,L+S组高于L组,差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。mRNA的变化趋势和蛋白的变化趋势一致。 结论 饮食中的盐可以调节γENaC在肾脏的蛋白表达,醛固酮和WNK4都参与了机体对盐的调节,WNK4受到醛固酮的负调节作用。     

A novel mutation of the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter gene in a Japanese family with Gitelman syndrome

Gitelman syndrome is an inherited renal disorder characterized by impaired NaCl reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule leading to hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia and normocalcemic hypocalciuria. It has been shown that this syndrome results from mutations in the gene encoding the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter (TSC). We performed the mutational analysis in the TSC gene of a 30-year-old Japanese woman with Gitelman syndrome and found two mutations at adjacent spots in both alleles. One was a frame shift mutation which generated stop codon at position 671, the other was a single nucleotide mutation, which resulted in an aminoacid substitution at position 672, Met to Ile. Her 52-year-old mother and two daughters had neither hypokalemia nor hypomagnesemia. However, her mother and her 8-year-old daughter had the Met672Ile mutation as heterozygotes. Her 4-year-old daughter had the same frame shift mutation as her mother, a heterozygotic mutation. These results suggest that Gitelman syndrome requires 2 compound heterozygotic mutations and the coexistence of the large deletion in the C-terminal domain with Met672Ile substitution of the TSC could impair the transporter activity underling the hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia in this patient.     

Endothelin-1 regulates parathyroid hormone expression of human parathyroid cells

OBJECTIVE: Parathyroid cells synthesize and release endothelin-1 (ET-1). ET-1 displays an in vitro inhibitory effect on basal parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion and also counteracts PTH hypersecretion stimulated by low calcium. Such effects are further demonstrated in vivo, independent of the changes in calcitonin. We propose that ET-1 may regulate the pathogenesis of uremic hyperparathyroidism. However, this was not directly demonstrated in human parathyroid glands. DESIGN: Hyperplastic parathyroid glands are obtained from the surgical operation for uremic hyperparathyroidism. Cells are isolated by enzyme digestion and treated with ET-1, and are assessed for PTH mRNA expression. PTH in the plasma and the medium is measured by a newly developed method to detect the whole PTH (1-84). PATIENTS: Uremic patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism and ultrasonography-proved hypertrophy of parathyroid glands received elective surgical approaches under general anesthesia. The resected glands were immediately taken to the laboratory for fresh isolation. MEASUREMENTS: Following ET-1 treatment, PTH mRNA expression is evaluated by RT-PCR method. ET-1 is detected with radioimmunoassay kit and PTH is measured by a new commercially available Duo PTH kit. RESULTS: ET-1 exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect (from 10(-12) - 10(-7) M) on PTH mRNA expression of parathyroid cells, either in the basal or in the low-calcium-stimulated states. Release of PTH into the medium is also gradually inhibited by the increase in ET-1 concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that ET-1 attenuates PTH mRNA expression in freshly isolated human parathyroid cells, and PTH release is also decreased. This result is consistent with our previously reported in vitro and in vivo experiments.     

Altered expression of type II sodium/phosphate cotransporter in polycystic kidney disease

Renal phosphate (Pi) absorption is mediated via the type II sodium/Pi cotransporter (NaPi-2) in the brush border membrane (BBM) of proximal tubules. Simultaneous detection of NaPi-2 mRNA by in situ hybridization and of NaPi-2 immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry was performed to investigate the distribution of the cotransporter in healthy control rats and during progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The purpose of the study was to disclose a relation between proximal tubular cell differentiation and NaPi-2 expression. In controls, NaPi-2 expression was present in the entire proximal tubule. In the Han:SPRD (cy/+) model for ADPKD, the proximal nephron is primarily affected by the cystic changes. Epithelial proliferation and impaired epithelial-matrix interaction result in a loss of cell differentiation that eventually leads to cystic enlargement of the nephron. Normal expression of NaPi-2 in this model was found only in tubules with intact BBM. Loss of BBM and cellular interdigitation were paralleled by the loss of NaPi-2 in situ hybridization and immunoreactive signals. These changes were moderate and focal in 2-mo-old rats and generalized all over the cortex after 8 mo. Advanced renal damage in the older PKD group was associated with mild phosphaturia, which suggests functional insufficiency of tubular NaPi-2 reabsorption. These data show how proliferative changes and loss of tubular epithelial differentiation in ADPKD may prevent functional expression of the NaPi-2 system in the proximal tubule in a rapidly progressive manner. NaPi-2 in proximal tubule BBM is suggested to play an important role in impaired tubular absorption of Pi in renal disease.     

Dietary electrolyte-driven responses in the renal WNK kinase pathway in vivo

WNK1 and WNK4 are unusual serine/threonine kinases with atypical positioning of the catalytic active-site lysine (WNK: With-No-K[lysine]). Mutations in these WNK kinase genes can cause familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt), an autosomal dominant, hypertensive, hyperkalemic disorder, implicating this novel WNK pathway in normal regulation of BP and electrolyte balance. Full-length (WNK1-L) and short (WNK1-S) kinase-deficient WNK1 isoforms previously have been identified. Importantly, WNK1-S is overwhelmingly predominant in kidney. Recent Xenopus oocyte studies implicate WNK4 in inhibition of both thiazide-sensitive co-transporter-mediated Na+ reabsorption and K+ secretion via renal outer medullary K+ channel and now suggest that WNK4 is inhibited by WNK1-L, itself inhibited by WNK1-S. This study examined WNK pathway gene expression in mouse kidney and its regulation in vivo. Expression of WNK1-S and WNK4 is strongest in distal tubule, dropping sharply in collecting duct and with WNK4 also expressed in thick ascending limb and the macula densa. These nephron segments that express WNK1-S and WNK4 mRNA have major influence on long-term NaCl reabsorption, BP, K+, and acid-base balance, processes that all are disrupted in FHHt. In vivo, this novel WNK pathway responds with significant upregulation of WNK1-S and WNK4 with high K+ intake and reduction in WNK1-S on chronic lowering of K+ or Na+ intake. A two-compartment distal nephron model explains these in vivo findings and the pathophysiology of FHHt well, with WNK and classic aldosterone pathways responding to drivers from K+ balance, extracellular volume, and aldosterone and cross-talk through distal Na+ delivery regulating electrolyte balance and BP.     

人血管生成抑制分子的分子克隆与真核表达

目的　克隆人血管生成抑制分子 (METH1)全长cDNA ,建立稳定表达人METH1分子的哺乳动物细胞系。方法　RT PCR获取人METH1cDNA ,序列测定后克隆人真核表达载体pCDNA3 0中 ,用脂质体转染入HepG2细胞 ,G4 18筛选出稳定表达细胞系 ,用RT PCR与Westernblot分别检测RNA和蛋白表达水平。结果　RT PCR扩增得到预期大小的目的条带 ,序列分析表明成熟肽编码区与发表序列 [GI∶5 72 5 5 0 5 ]完全一致 ;克隆人pCDNA3 0中得到METH1真核表达载体 ,G4 18筛选 3周后得到稳定表达细胞系 ,RT PCR与Westernblot显示METH1在HepG2细胞中有高水平表达。结论　人METH1全长cDNA成功克隆 ,并在哺乳动物细胞系HepG2中获得稳定表达 ,为进一步研究METH1分子对增生性瘢痕血管形成的作用奠定了理论基础。     

WNK4激酶通过溶酶体途径抑制BK通道表达

目的 研究WNK4激酶对BK通道的调节作用及机制.方法 将BK和WNK4野生型(WNK4-WT)或CD4(对照)质粒DNA共同转染进Cos-7细胞中,采用免疫染色-共聚焦激光显微镜、化学发光法、Western印迹法检测BK在细胞上的分布、细胞膜表面蛋白和总蛋白的表达;并使用质子泵抑制剂bafilomycin A1( Baf A1)阻断溶酶体降解检测BK蛋白表达水平的减少是否由于其蛋白降解增多所致.结果 免疫染色-共聚焦激光显微镜发现,与对照组相比,WNK4-WT组BK在细胞膜表面的分布明显减少.化学发光法检测结果显示,对照组BK的细胞膜表面蛋白表达水平为299.9±18.6,WNK4-WT组中其细胞膜表面蛋白表达水平为148.4±13.7,比对照组显著下降(P＜0.01).Western印迹结果提示,WNK4-WT组BK的总蛋白表达水平比对照组明显减少.和对照组(100％)相比,WNK4-WT显著减少BK的总蛋白水平(42.3％±15.2％,P＜0.01),而Baf A1则逆转WNK4-WT对BK蛋白的抑制作用(82.2％±12.1％,P＜0.05).结论 WNK4激酶能同时抑制BK在Cos-7细胞膜表面蛋白和总蛋白的表达水平;WNK4激酶抑制BK通道蛋白的表达是通过增加其在溶酶体内的降解所致的.     

胃癌细胞中转录因子激活增强子结合蛋白4调控LINC01235的表达

目的:探讨转录因子激活增强子结合蛋白4(TFAP4)在胃癌中对LINC01235表达的调控作用。方法:通过生物信息学分析,获取TFAP4可在胃癌中调控的LINC01235。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(Real-time PCR)检测在胃癌细胞中敲低TFAP4后LINC01235的表达变化。应用染色质免疫共沉淀(ChI...     

人胚肾细胞SGLT2基因异源表达体系的构建

目的 构建钠依赖的葡萄糖转运蛋白2（SGLT2）基因异源表达体系,为探讨突变引起SGLT2蛋白功能及表达异常的分子机制提供实验依据。 方法 利用RT-PCR法从人肾组织中获得SGLT2基因,将该基因克隆到真核表达载体PEXL-GFP（绿色荧光蛋白）中,将携带有SGLT2基因的PEXL载体转染人胚肾细胞系（HEK293细胞）,获得目的蛋白的瞬时表达。应用Western印迹及激光共聚焦显微镜检测融合蛋白在HEK293细胞的表达和分布,并通过摄取实验进一步验证SGLT2蛋白的转运功能。 结果 SGLT2-GFP蛋白可在HEK293细胞表达,激光共聚焦显微镜观察发现,SGLT2-GFP蛋白在细胞膜上呈点状分布,并且与细胞膜标记物（DiI）有良好的共定位,转染SGLT2-GFP质粒的HEK293细胞的转运活性较对照组（未转染及转染空质粒细胞组）强约3.5倍（P < 0.01）。 结论 成功构建了SGLT2真核表达载体,为探讨SGLT2基因表达、功能及SGLT2突变在家族性肾性糖尿发病的遗传机制提供了重要的依据。