Biomedical subjects

Jürg Biber

Publications and source records attributed to Jürg Biber.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

PDZ proteins and proximal ion transport.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: PDZ proteins are major structural components of protein assembly. This review covers the implications of these proteins in the regulation of transport systems expressed in renal proximal tubules. RECENT FINDINGS: In the last few years, many reports have highlighted the implication of PDZ proteins in two aspects of proximal tubule physiology, namely the generation and maintenance of epithelial polarity and the formation of regulatory complexes that provide spatial and molecular specificity to the intracellular signalling. SUMMARY: PDZ-mediated interactions are involved in a wide range of cellular functions, from cell division to cell polarity to intracellular signalling. Consistent with this functional spectrum, ablation of PDZ protein genes generates a wide panel of pathological phenotypes, some of which link directly to human syndromes. In proximal tubules, PDZ proteins are thought to play a major role in epithelial polarity and transport regulation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Kidney-specific inactivation of the megalin gene impairs trafficking of renal inorganic sodium phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIa).

Renal reabsorption of inorganic phosphate is mediated by the type IIa sodium phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) of the proximal tubule. Changes in renal phosphate handling are mainly attributable to altered NaPi-IIa brush border membrane (BBM) expression. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) induces inactivation of NaPi-IIa by endocytic membrane retrieval and degradation. The key elements triggering this process are not clear to date. Megalin serves as a receptor for the endocytosis of multiple ligands and is coexpressed with NaPi-IIa in the proximal tubule. Investigated was the role of megalin in the regulation of NaPi-IIa in steady state and during inactivation. Kidneys and tubular BBM fractions from mice with a renal-specific megalin gene defect and from controls were analyzed by light and electron microscopic histochemical techniques and Western blot test. Steady-state levels of NaPi-IIa in BBM were significantly enhanced, mRNA levels preserved, and phosphaturia reduced in the absence of megalin. Fluid-phase endocytosis was prevented and the apical endocytic apparatus markedly reduced. Systemic administration of PTH resulted in a defective retrieval and impaired degradation of NaPi-IIa. In vitro, the application of various stimuli of the PTH-induced signaling cascade had no effect either. Adequate steady-state expression of NaPi-IIa and the capacity of the proximal tubule cell to react on PTH-driven inactivation of NaPi-IIa by endocytosis and intracellular translocation require the presence of megalin.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Novel aspects in regulated expression of the renal type IIa Na/Pi-cotransporter.

Proximal tubular phosphate (P(i)) reabsorption is a key element in overall phosphate homeostasis; physiologic/pathophysiologic alterations are related to the control of brush border membrane expression (regulated endocytosis) of the type IIa sodium (Na)/phosphate(P(i))-cotransporter (NaPi-IIa). The carboxy terminus of NaPi-IIa contains sequences important for its apical delivery/expression; the last three amino acids are involved in PSD95/DglA/ZO-1 (PDZ) interactions involving NaPi-IIa, Na/H exchanger-regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1/2), and PDZK1/2 (apical scaffold). Regulated endocytosis of NaPi-IIa [e.g., parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced] is reduced in megalin-deficient mice; internalization occurs via clathrin-coated structures, early endosomes, and finally leads to lysosomal degradation. NaPi-IIa contains, in the third intracellular loop, a sequence motif required for internalization. Different hormonal [e.g., PTH, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), also nitric oxide (NO)] and nonhormonal factors activate a variety of intracellular signaling cascades [protein kinase A (PK-A), protein kinase C (PK-C), protein kinase G (PK-G), extracellular receptor kinase (ERK)-1/2] leading (by unknown mechanisms) to NaPi-IIa internalization. Different phosphatonins [e.g., fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-23, frizzled related protein (FRP)-4, matrix extracellularphosphoglycoprotein (MEPE)], associated with different pathophysiologic states of renal P(i)-handling, seem also to control apical expression of NaPi-IIa. Internalization of NaPi-IIa first requires its removal from the apical scaffold. This scaffold can also be considered as a regulatory scaffold containing also protein kinase A (PK-A)-anchoring proteins (AKAPs, ezrin) and the apical PTH receptor. The role of the different components of the regulatory scaffold in regulated endocytosis of NaPi-IIa is at present unknown.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

PDZ interactions and proximal tubular phosphate reabsorption.

In adults, the extent of renal reabsorption of P(i) and consequently the extent of urinary excretion of phosphate are to a large extent determined by the abundance of the Na-P(i) cotransporter NaPi-IIa (SLC34A1). Localization of this cotransporter is restricted to the apical membrane of proximal tubular cells, and its abundance is controlled by a number of factors and pathophysiological conditions. To guarantee a proper apical localization and specific regulated endocytosis of NaPi-IIa, an orchestrated pattern of protein interactions has to be envisaged. Attempts to screen for such interacting proteins resulted in the identification of a PDZ domain containing proteins. The purpose of this review is to discuss the roles of these PDZ proteins in proximal tubular Na-P(i) cotransport.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Acute regulation of Na/H exchanger NHE3 by adenosine A(1) receptors is mediated by calcineurin homologous protein.

Adenosine is an autacoid that regulates renal Na(+) transport. Activation of adenosine A(1) receptor (A(1)R) by N(6)-cyclopentidyladenosine (CPA) inhibits the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (NHE3) via phospholipase C/Ca(2+)/protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. Mutation of PKC phosphorylation sites on NHE3 does not affected regulation of NHE3 by CPA, but amino acid residues 462 and 552 are essential for A(1)R-dependent control of NHE3 activity. One binding partner of the NHE family is calcineurin homologous protein (CHP). We tested the role of NHE3-CHP interaction in mediating CPA-induced inhibition of NHE3 in opossum kidney (OK) and Xenopus laevis uroepithelial (A6) cells. Both native and transfected NHE3 and CHP are present in the same immuno-complex by co-immunoprecipitation. CPA (10(-6) M) increases CHP-NHE3 interaction by 30 - 60% (native and transfected proteins). Direct CHP-NHE3 interaction is evident by yeast two-hybrid assay (bait, NHE3(C terminus); prey, CHP); the minimal interacting region is localized to the juxtamembrane region of NHE3(C terminus) (amino acids 462-552 of opossum NHE3). The yeast data were confirmed in OK cells where truncated NHE3 (NHE3(delta552)) still shows CPA-stimulated CHP interaction. Overexpression of the polypeptide from the CHP binding region (NHE3(462-552)) interferes with the ability of CPA to inhibit NHE3 activity and to increase CHPNHE3(Full-length) interaction. Reduction of native CHP expression by small interference RNA abolishes the ability of CPA to inhibit NHE3 activity. We conclude that CHPNHE3 interaction is regulated by A(1)R activation and this interaction is a necessary and integral part of the signaling pathway between adenosine and NHE3.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2003

Interactions of MAP17 with the NaPi-IIa/PDZK1 protein complex in renal proximal tubular cells.

An essential role in phosphate homeostasis is played by Na/Pi cotransporter IIa that is localized in the brush borders of renal proximal tubular cells. Recent studies identified several PDZ proteins interacting with the COOH-terminal tail of NaPi-IIa, such as PDZK1 and NHERF-1. Here, by using yeast two-hybrid screen of mouse kidney cDNA library, we attempted to find proteins interacting with the NH2-terminal part of NaPi-IIa. We identified MAP17, a 17-kDa membrane protein that has been described to be associated with various human carcinomas, but it is also expressed in normal kidneys. Results obtained by various in vitro analyses suggested that MAP17 interacts with the fourth domain of PDZK1 but not with other PDZ proteins localized in proximal tubular brush borders. As revealed by immunofluorescence, MAP17 was abundant in S1 but almost absent in S3 segments. No alterations of the apical abundance of MAP17 were observed after maneuvers undertaken to change the content of NaPi-IIa (parathyroid hormone treatment, different phosphate diets). In agreement, no change in the amount of MAP17 mRNA was observed. Results obtained from transfection studies using opossum kidney cells indicated that the apical localization of MAP17 is independent of PDZK1 but that MAP17 is required for apical localization of PDZK1. In summary, we conclude that MAP17 1) interacts with PDZK1 only, 2) associates with the NH2 terminus of NaPi-IIa within the PDZK1/NaPi-IIa/MAP17 complex, and 3) acts as an apical anchoring site for PDZK1.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The sodium phosphate cotransporter family SLC34.

This review summarizes the characteristics of the solute carrier family SLC34 that is represented by the type ll Na/P(i)-cotransporters NaPi-lla (SLC34A1), NaPi-llb (SLC34A2) and NaPi-llc (SLC34A3). Other Na/P(i)-cotransporters are described within the SLC17 and SLC20 families. Type ll Na/P(i)-cotransporters are expressed in several tissues and play a major role in the homeostasis of inorganic phosphate. In kidney and small intestine, type ll Na/P(i)-cotransporters are located at the apical sites of epithelial cells and represent the rate limiting steps for transepithelial movement of phosphate. Physiological and pathophysiological regulation of renal and small intestinal epithelial transport of phosphate occurs through alterations in the abundance of type ll Na/P(i)-cotransporters.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Impaired PTH-induced endocytotic down-regulation of the renal type IIa Na+/Pi-cotransporter in RAP-deficient mice with reduced megalin expression.

Inorganic phosphate (P(i)) reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule occurs mostly via the Na(+)/P(i) cotransporter type IIa (NaP(i)-IIa) located in the brush-border membrane (BBM) and is regulated, among other factors, by dietary P(i) intake and parathyroid hormone (PTH). The PTH-induced inhibition of P(i) reabsorption is mediated by endocytosis of Na/P(i)-IIa from the BBM and subsequent lysosomal degradation. Megalin is involved in receptor-mediated endocytosis of proteins from the urine in the renal proximal tubule. The recently identified receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a novel type of chaperone responsible for the intracellular transport of endocytotic receptors such as megalin. Gene disruption of RAP leads to a decrease of megalin in the BBM and to a disturbed proximal tubular endocytotic machinery. Here we investigated whether the distribution of NaP(i)-IIa and/or its regulation by dietary P(i) intake and PTH is affected in the proximal tubules of RAP-deficient mice as a model for megalin loss. In RAP-deficient mice megalin expression was strongly reduced and restricted to a subapical localization. NaP(i)-IIa protein distribution and abundance in the kidney was not altered. The localization and abundance of the NaP(i)-IIa interacting proteins MAP17, PDZK-1, D-AKAP2, and NHE-RF1 were also normal. Other transport proteins expressed in the BBM such as the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger NHE-3 and the Na(+)/sulphate cotransporter NaSi were normally expressed. In whole animals and in isolated fresh kidney slices the PTH-induced internalization of NaP(i)-IIa was strongly delayed in RAP-deficient mice. PTH receptor expression in the proximal tubule was not affected by the RAP knock-out. cAMP, cGMP or PKC activators induced internalization which was delayed in RAP-deficient mice. In contrast, both wildtype and RAP-deficient mice were able to adapt to high-, normal, and low-P(i) diets appropriately as indicated by urinary P(i) excretion and NaP(i)-IIa protein abundance.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Essential cysteine residues of the type IIa Na+/Pi cotransporter.

The rat renal Na(+)/P(i) cotransporter (NaP(i)-IIa) contains 12 native cysteines. When individually replaced by a serine, none appears essential for proper expression and function. Nevertheless, the formation of one essential cysteine bridge (C5/C6), together with a postulated second bridge, is necessary. To determine the minimum cysteine residues required for functional NaP(i)-IIa, with the goal of generating a Cys-less backbone for structure-function studies, mutants were constructed in which multiple endogenous cysteines were replaced by serines in different combinations. In Xenopus oocytes, most mutants were functional, except those where cysteine pairs C4/C9, C4/C12 or C9/C12 were simultaneously deleted. This suggested that one of these pairs could form the second cysteine bridge essential for expression and/or protein function. Up to eight cysteines could therefore be removed to give a functional Cys-reduced NaP(i)-IIa with activity and kinetics comparable to the wild-type (WT). This construct, like all intermediate mutants and the WT, was insensitive to cysteine-modifying methanethiosulfonate (MTS) reagents. Moreover, by introducing a novel cysteine into the Cys-reduced NaP(i)-IIa at a site functionally important in the WT (Ser-460), the loss of transport function reported for mutant S460C, after exposure to MTS reagents, was recapitulated. This confirmed that the MTS reagent site of action was Cys-460 and that modification of native cysteines does not contribute to S460C behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Involvement of the MAPK-kinase pathway in the PTH-mediated regulation of the proximal tubule type IIa Na+/Pi cotransporter in mouse kidney.

Reabsorption of phosphate in the proximal tubule is mainly mediated by the type IIa Na(+)/P(i) cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) and tightly regulated by a variety of factors including dietary phosphate intake and parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH signals through both apical and basolateral PTH receptors and induces the rapid internalization and subsequent degradation of NaPi-IIa. At least two signalling cascades can be activated by PTH: the PLC/PKC and the cAMP/PKA pathways. Recent evidence from OK cell culture suggested the involvement of MAPK kinases in the PTH action. Here we used freshly isolated coronal mouse kidney slices and incubated them in a physiological buffer in the absence and presence of PTH with inhibitors and activators of the various signalling cascades to further study the events leading to internalization of NaPi-IIa. No alterations in the pattern of immunostaining for alpha-tubulin, actin and several brush border membrane proteins demonstrated intactness of the slices over the experimental period. Application of PTH (100 nM) induced a strong decrease of NaPi-IIa brush border staining and internalization after 45 min of incubation. The localization of the Na(+)/sulphate cotransporter (NaSi), however, was not affected. The internalization of NaPi-IIa could be completely prevented by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (1 micro M) or the MAPK-kinase (ERK1/2) inhibitor PD098059 (20 micro M). Without PTH both inhibitors alone had no effect. PTH induced phosphorylation of the ERK1/2 MAPK-kinases which was prevented by PD 098059. Separate activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway by 8-Br-cAMP was completely prevented by PD098059 whereas activation of the PLC/PKC pathway by the PKC activator 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol (DOG) and the PKG pathway by 8-Br-cGMP induced internalization of NaPi-IIa which could be only partly blocked by PD 098059. Inhibition by SB203580 or activation by anisomycin of the p38 kinase pathway had no influence on NaPi-IIa localization under control conditions or after PTH stimulation. Furthermore, the PTH-induced decrease in NaPi-IIa protein could be reduced by PD 098059. These results suggest that the ERK1/2 MAPK kinase pathway plays a central role in the signalling of PTH leading to specific internalization and subsequent degradation of the type II NaPi-IIa cotransporter in the proximal tubule.

Actins↗

PubMed2003

PDZK1: I. a major scaffolder in brush borders of proximal tubular cells.

BACKGROUND: In proximal tubular cells, PDZK1 (NaPi-Cap1) has been implicated in apical expression of the Na+-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) via interaction with its C-terminus. PDZK1 represents a multidomain protein consisting of four PDZ domains and thus is believed to have a broader specificity besides NaPi-IIa. METHODS: We subjected single PDZ domains derived from PDZK1 either to yeast two-hybrid screens or yeast trap assays. Different pull-down assays and blot overlays were applied to corroborate the PDZK1-mediated interactions in vitro. Co-localization of interacting proteins with PDZK1 in proximal tubular cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the yeast screens, the most abundant candidate protein to interact with PDZK1 was the membrane-associated protein of 17 kD (MAP17). Besides MAP17, C-terminal parts of following transporters were also identified: NaPi-IIa, solute carrier SLC17A1 (NaPi-I), Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-3), organic cation transporter (OCTN1), chloride-formate exchanger (CFEX), and urate-anion exchanger (URAT1). In addition, other regulatory factors were found among the clones, such as a protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring protein (D-AKAP2) and N+/H+ exchanger regulator factor (NHERF-1). All interactions of itemized proteins with PDZK1 were affirmed by in vitro techniques. Apart from PDZK1, strong in vitro interactions of NHERF-1 were also observed with the solute transporters (excluding MAP17) and D-AKAP2. All identified proteins were immunolocalized in proximal tubular cells, wherein all membrane proteins co-localized with PDZK1 in brush borders. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that PDZK1 and NHERF-1 establish an extended network beneath the apical membrane to which membrane proteins and regulatory components are anchored.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

PDZK1: II. an anchoring site for the PKA-binding protein D-AKAP2 in renal proximal tubular cells.

BACKGROUND: PDZK1, a multiple PDZ protein, was recently found to interact with the type IIa Na/Pi cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) in renal proximal tubular cells. In a preceding study, yeast two-hybrid screens using single PDZ domains of PDZK1 as baits were performed. Among the identified proteins, a C-terminal fragment of the dual-specific A-kinase anchoring protein 2 (D-AKAP2) was obtained by screening PDZ domain 4. METHODS: After its molecular cloning by means of RACE, the renal expression of D-AKAP2 was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Protein interactions were characterized by overlays, pull-downs, and immunoprecipitations from transfected opossum kidney (OK) cells. RESULTS: Based on 5'-RACE and PDZK1 overlays of mouse kidney cortex separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis, it was suggested that the renal isoform of D-AKAP2 in mouse comprises 372 amino acids and exists as a protein of >40 kD. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR localized D-AKAP2 only to the subapical pole of proximal tubular cells in mouse kidney. In pull-down experiments, D-AKAP2 tightly bound PDZK1 as well as N+/H+ exchanger regulator factor (NHERF-1), but the latter with an apparent fourfold lower affinity. Similarly, His-tagged D-AKAP2 specifically retained PDZK1 from mouse kidney cortex homogenate. In addition, myc-tagged D-AKAP2 and HA-tagged PDZK1 co-immunoprecipitated from transfected OK cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that D-AKAP2 anchors protein kinase A (PKA) to PDZK1 and to a lesser extent to NHERF-1. Since PDZK1 and NHERF-1 both sequester NaPi-IIa to the apical membrane, D-AKAP2 may play an important role in the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-mediated regulation of NaPi-IIa by compartmentalization of PKA.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Expression of visinin-like protein-3 in mouse kidney.

In renal proximal brush borders the Na/Pi cotransporter NaPi-IIa is part of a heteromultimeric complex including the PDZ proteins PDZK1 and NHERF1, which interact with the C terminus of NaPi-IIa. In this study, a yeast two-hybrid screen against the N terminus of the Na/Pi cotransporter NaPi-IIa was performed. Thereby we identified visinin-like protein-3 (VILIP-3), a member of neuronal calcium sensors. In this study, expression and protein localization of VILIP-3 in the mouse kidney was performed by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR using laser-assisted microdissected nephron segments. VILIP-3 was found to be abundant in distal and collecting ducts where it partly colocalized with calbindin D28K. In addition VILIP-3 was observed in the brush borders of proximal tubular S1 and S3 segments of both superficial and deep nephrons.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Functional characterization of two naturally occurring mutations in the human sodium-phosphate cotransporter type IIa.

UNLABELLED: Mutations in the gene encoding the human sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NPT2), causing reduced phosphate affinity and dominant-negative behavior, were described. We found no evidence of altered kinetics or dominant-negative effects. Thus, the mutations cannot account for the clinical phenotype. INTRODUCTION: Mutations in NPT22a, the gene encoding the sodium-phosphate cotransporter NaPi-IIa, were for the first time linked to human disease by Priè and colleagues. Two patients are described with renal phosphate wasting who were heterozygous for either the A48F or V147M mutation. Expressed in Xenopus oocytes, both mutants showed reduced phosphate affinity. Furthermore, coexpression of mutants with wildtype (WT) NaPi-IIa resulted in reduced cotransport function, explaining the mutants' dominant-negative effect in the patients. Intrigued by the implications of these findings on transporter kinetics, we decided to examine the transport characteristics of the two mutants in more detail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recreated the two mutants, expressed them in Xenopus oocytes, and analyzed their kinetic behavior by two-electrode voltage clamp. We also performed coexpression experiments where we injected mRNA for WT and mutants containing an additional S462C mutation, enabling complete inhibition of cotransport function with cysteine-modifying reagents. Finally, we expressed WT and mutant NaPi-IIa as C-terminal fusions to green fluorescent protein (GFP) in opossum kidney (OK) cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We found in our oocyte expression experiments that P(i)-induced currents were reduced in both mutants, whereas P(i) and Na affinities and other transport characteristics were not affected. The amount of cotransport activity remaining after cysteine modification, corresponding to WT activity, was not affected by coexpression of either mutant. Finally, GFP-tagged WT and mutants were expressed at the apical membrane in OK cells, showing that both mutants are correctly targeted in a mammalian cell. In conclusion, our data from oocyte and OK cell expression studies suggest that the heterozygous A48F and V 147M mutations cannot explain the pathological phenotype observed by Priè and colleagues.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

PDZ-domain interactions and apical expression of type IIa Na/P(i) cotransporters.

Type IIa Na/P(i) cotransporters are expressed in renal proximal brush border and are the major determinants of inorganic phosphate (P(i)) reabsorption. Their carboxyl-terminal tail contains information for apical expression, and interacts by means of its three terminal amino acids with several PSD95/DglA/ZO-1-like domain (PDZ)-containing proteins. Two of these proteins, NaPi-Cap1 and Na/H exchanger-regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1), colocalize with the cotransporter in the proximal brush border. We used opossum kidney cells to test the hypothesis of a potential role of PDZ-interactions on the apical expression of the cotransporter. We found that opossum kidney cells contain NaPi-Cap1 and NHERF1 mRNAs. For NHERF1, an apical location of the protein could be documented; this location probably reflects interaction with the cytoskeleton by means of the MERM-binding domain. Overexpression of PDZ domains involved in interaction with the cotransporter (PDZ-1/NHERF1 and PDZ-3/NaPi-Cap1) had a dominant-negative effect, disturbing the apical expression of the cotransporter without affecting the actin cytoskeleton or the basolateral expression of Na/K-ATPase. These data suggest an involvement of PDZ-interactions on the apical expression of type IIa cotransporters.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed2002

Regulation of Na/Pi transporter in the proximal tubule.

The physiological tuning and pathophysiological alterations of renal proximal reabsorption of inorganic phosphate can be ascribed to the net amount of the Na/Pi-cotransporter NaPi-IIa localized in the brush border membrane. The net amount of NaPi-IIa appears to be the result of an endocytotic rate regulated by a complex network of different protein kinases. New approaches demonstrated that NaPi-IIa is part of heteromeric protein complexes, organized by PDZ (postsynaptic protein PSD95, Drosophila junction protein Disc-large, tight junction protein ZO-1) proteins. Such complexes are thought to play important roles in the apical positioning and regulated endocytosis of NaPi-IIa and therefore such interactions have to be considered when explaining proximal phosphate ion reabsorption.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Forging the link between structure and function of electrogenic cotransporters: the renal type IIa Na+/Pi cotransporter as a case study.

Electrogenic cotransporters are membrane proteins that use the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane of a cosubstrate ion, for example Na(+) or H(+), to mediate uphill cotransport of a substrate specific to the transport protein. The cotransport process involves recognition of both cosubstrate and substrate and translocation of each species according to a defined stoichiometry. Electrogenicity implies net movement of charges across the membrane in response to the transmembrane voltage and therefore, in addition to isotope flux assays, the cotransport kinetics can be studied in real-time using electrophysiological methods. As well as the cotransport mode, many cotransporters also display a uniport or slippage mode, whereby the cosubstrate ions translocate in the absence of substrate. The current challenge is to define structure-function relationships by identifying functionally important elements in the protein that confer the transport properties and thus contribute to the ultimate goal of having a 3-D model of the protein that conveys both structural and functional information. In this review we focus on a functional approach to meet this challenge, based on a combination of real-time electrophysiological assays, together with molecular biological and biochemical methods. This is illustrated, by way of example, using data obtained by heterologous expression of the renal Na(+)-coupled inorganic phosphate cotransporter (NaP(i)-IIa) for which structure-function relationships are beginning to emerge.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Transport function of the renal type IIa Na+/P(i) cotransporter is codetermined by residues in two opposing linker regions.

Two highly similar regions in the predicted first intracellular (ICL-1) and third extracellular loop (ECL-3) of the type IIa Na+/P(i) cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) have been shown previously to contain functionally important sites by applying the substituted cysteine accessibility method (SCAM). Incubation in methanethiosulfonate (MTS) reagents of mutants that contain novel cysteines in both loops led to full inhibition of cotransport activity. To elucidate further the role these regions play in defining the transport mechanism, a double mutant (A203C-S460C) was constructed with novel cysteines in each region. The effect of cysteine modification by different MTS reagents on two electrogenic transport modes (leak and cotransport) was investigated. MTSEA (2-aminoethyl MTS hydrobromide) and MTSES (MTS ethylsulfonate) led to full inhibition of cotransport and increased the leak, whereas incubation in MTSET (2-[trimethylammonium]ethyl MTS bromide) inhibited only cotransport. The behavior of other double mutants with a cysteine retained at one site and hydrophobic or hydrophilic residues substituted at the other site, indicated that most likely only Cys-460 was modifiable, but the residue at Ala-203 was critical for conferring the leak and cotransport mode behavior. Substrate interaction with the double mutant was unaffected by MTS exposure as the apparent P(i) and Na+ affinities for P(i)-induced currents and respective activation functions were unchanged after cysteine modification. This suggested that the modified site did not interfere with substrate recognition/binding, but prevents translocation of the fully loaded carrier. The time-dependency of cotransport loss and leak growth during modification of the double cysteine mutant was reciprocal, which suggested that the modified site is a kinetic codeterminant of both transport modes. The behavior is consistent with a kinetic model for NaPi-IIa that predicts mutual exclusiveness of both transport modes. Together, these findings suggest that parts of the opposing linker regions are associated with the NaPi-IIa transport pathway.

Amino Acid Substitution↗