Challenging accepted ion channel biology: p64 and the CLIC family of putative intracellular anion channel proteins (Review)

Chloride intracellular channel 4 is critical for the epithelial morphogenesis of RPE cells and retinal attachment

A plasmid-based transfection method was used to cell-autonomously silence chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) in RPE in situ. These results show CLIC4 is critical for epithelial morphogenesis and retinal attachment. Novel candidate targets for retinal detachment therapy have also been identified.

Retinal detachment is a sight-threatening condition. The molecular mechanism underlying the adhesion between the RPE and photoreceptors is poorly understood because the intimate interactions between these two cell types are impossible to model and study in vitro. In this article, we show that chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) is enriched at apical RPE microvilli, which are interdigitated with the photoreceptor outer segment. We used a novel plasmid-based transfection method to cell-autonomously suppress CLIC4 in RPE in situ. CLIC4 silenced RPE cells exhibited a significant loss of apical microvilli and basal infoldings, reduced retinal adhesion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Ectopically expressing ezrin failed to rescue the morphological changes exerted by CLIC4 silencing. Neural retinas adjacent to the CLIC4-suppressed RPE cells display severe dysplasia. Finally, a high level of aquaporin 1 unexpectedly appeared at the apical surfaces of CLIC4-suppressed RPE cells, together with a concomitant loss of basal surface expression of monocarboxylate transporter MCT3. Our results suggested that CLIC4 plays an important role in RPE-photoreceptor adhesion, perhaps by modulating the activity of cell surface channels/transporters. We propose that these changes may be attributable to subretinal fluid accumulation in our novel retinal detachment animal model.

CLIC5 mutant mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity and exhibit gastric hemorrhaging and increased susceptibility to torpor

Chloride intracellular channel 5 (CLIC5) and other CLIC isoforms have been implicated in a number of biological processes, but their specific functions are poorly understood. The association of CLIC5 with ezrin and the actin cytoskeleton led us to test its possible involvement in gastric acid secretion. Clic5 mutant mice exhibited only a minor reduction in acid secretion, Clic5 mRNA was expressed at only low levels in stomach, and Clic5 mutant parietal cells were ultrastructurally normal, negating the hypothesis that CLIC5 plays a major role in acid secretion. However, the mutants exhibited gastric hemorrhaging in response to fasting, reduced monocytes and granulocytes suggestive of immune dysfunction, behavioral and social disorders suggestive of neurological dysfunction, and evidence of a previously unidentified metabolic defect. Wild-type and mutant mice were maintained on normal and high-fat diets; plasma levels of various hormones, glucose, and lipids were determined; and body composition was studied by quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Clic5 mutants were lean, hyperphagic, and highly resistant to diet-induced obesity. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were reduced, and leptin levels were very low; however, plasma triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, and fatty acids were normal. Indirect calorimetry revealed increased peripheral metabolism and greater reliance on carbohydrate metabolism. Because Clic5 mutants were unable to maintain energy reserves, they also exhibited increased susceptibility to fasting-induced torpor, as indicated by telemetric measurements showing episodes of reduced body temperature and heart rate. These data reveal a requirement for CLIC5 in the maintenance of normal systemic energy metabolism.

CLIC5A, a component of the ezrin-podocalyxin complex in glomeruli, is a determinant of podocyte integrity

The chloride intracellular channel 5A (CLIC5A) protein, one of two isoforms produced by the CLIC5 gene, was isolated originally as part of a cytoskeletal protein complex containing ezrin from placental microvilli. Whether CLIC5A functions as a bona fide ion channel is controversial. We reported previously that a CLIC5 transcript is enriched approximately 800-fold in human renal glomeruli relative to most other tissues. Therefore, this study sought to explore CLIC5 expression and function in glomeruli. RT-PCR and Western blots show that CLIC5A is the predominant CLIC5 isoform expressed in glomeruli. Confocal immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy reveal high levels of CLIC5A protein in glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes. In podocytes, CLIC5A localizes to the apical plasma membrane of foot processes, similar to the known distribution of podocalyxin and ezrin. Ezrin and podocalyxin colocalize with CLIC5A in glomeruli, and podocalyxin coimmunoprecipitates with CLIC5A from glomerular lysates. In glomeruli of jitterbug (jbg/jbg) mice, which lack the CLIC5A protein, ezrin and phospho-ERM levels in podocytes are markedly lower than in wild-type mice. Transmission electron microscopy reveals patchy broadening and effacement of podocyte foot processes as well as vacuolization of glomerular endothelial cells. These ultrastructural changes are associated with microalbuminuria at baseline and increased susceptibility to adriamycin-induced glomerular injury compared with wild-type mice. Together, the data suggest that CLIC5A is required for the development and/or maintenance of the proper glomerular endothelial cell and podocyte architecture. We postulate that the interaction between podocalyxin and subjacent filamentous actin, which requires ezrin, is compromised in podocytes of CLIC5A-deficient mice, leading to dysfunction under unfavorable genetic or environmental conditions.

Nuclear redox signaling

Reactive oxygen species have been described to modulate proteins within the cell, a process called redox regulation. However, the importance of compartment-specific redox regulation has been neglected for a long time. In the early 1980s and 1990s, many in vitro studies introduced the possibility that nuclear redox signaling exists. However, the functional relevance for that has been greatly disregarded. Recently, it has become evident that nuclear redox signaling is indeed one important signaling mechanism regulating a variety of cellular functions. Transcription factors, and even kinases and phosphatases, have been described to be redox regulated in the nucleus. This review describes several of these proteins in closer detail and explains their functions resulting from nuclear localization and redox regulation. Moreover, the redox state of the nucleus and several important nuclear redox regulators [Thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1), Glutaredoxins (Grxs), Peroxiredoxins (Prxs), and APEX nuclease (multifunctional DNA-repair enzyme) 1 (APEX1)] are introduced more precisely, and their necessity for regulation of transcription factors is emphasized.

Chloride channels of intracellular membranes

Proteins implicated as intracellular chloride channels include the intracellular ClC proteins, the bestrophins, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, the CLICs, and the recently described Golgi pH regulator. This paper examines current hypotheses regarding roles of intracellular chloride channels and reviews the evidence supporting a role in intracellular chloride transport for each of these proteins.

Chloride intracellular channel 1 regulates osteoblast differentiation

We have identified chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) through proteomic approach, which was increased in response to canonical wnt signaling while being almost shut-off by adipogenic treatment in mouse mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. We found that CLIC1 was expressed in mouse (MC3T3-E1), rat (ROS 17/2.8 and UMR-106) or human (MG63 and SaOS2) osteoblastic cell lines as well as primary culture of mouse calvarial cells by RT-PCR or Western blot analysis. The expression level of CLIC1 is increased upon treatment of osteogenic medium, whereas it almost disappeared in adipogenic condition, confirming the proteomic data. The expression of CLIC1 was localized mainly in nuclear membrane and vesiculo-cytoplasmic, the latter of which was colocalized with mitochondria. Retroviral overexpression of CLIC1 did not increase whole-cell current but induces hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential estimated using the fluorescent dye TMRE. Moreover, overexpression of CLIC1 resulted in increase in osteoblastic differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells as measured by ALP activities or osteoblastic gene expression (osterix, ALP and osteocalcin), although it did not result in induction of Runx2 transcription activities at mouse osteocalcin (OG2) promoter. Finally, in vitro knock-down of CLIC1 using stable siRNA CLIC1 significantly suppressed osteoblastic differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that CLIC1 may play a role in the regulation of osteoblastic differentiation from mesenchymal progenitors, although its physiologic role in osteoblasts remains to be determined.

Spatiotemporal regulation of chloride intracellular channel protein CLIC4 by RhoA

Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) 4 is a soluble protein structurally related to omega-type glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) and implicated in various biological processes, ranging from chloride channel formation to vascular tubulogenesis. However, its function(s) and regulation remain unclear. Here, we show that cytosolic CLIC4 undergoes rapid but transient translocation to discrete domains at the plasma membrane upon stimulation of G(13)-coupled, RhoA-activating receptors, such as those for lysophosphatidic acid, thrombin, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. CLIC4 recruitment is strictly dependent on Galpha(13)-mediated RhoA activation and F-actin integrity, but not on Rho kinase activity; it is constitutively induced upon enforced RhoA-GTP accumulation. Membrane-targeted CLIC4 does not seem to enter the plasma membrane or modulate transmembrane chloride currents. Mutational analysis reveals that CLIC4 translocation depends on at least six conserved residues, including reactive Cys35, whose equivalents are critical for the enzymatic function of GSTs. We conclude that CLIC4 is regulated by RhoA to be targeted to the plasma membrane, where it may function not as an inducible chloride channel but rather by displaying Cys-dependent transferase activity toward a yet unknown substrate.

Structural dynamics of soluble chloride intracellular channel protein CLIC1 examined by amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry

Chloride intracellular channel protein 1 (CLIC1) functions as an anion channel in plasma and nuclear membranes when its soluble monomeric form converts to an integral-membrane form. The transmembrane region of CLIC1 is located in its thioredoxin-like domain 1, but the mechanism whereby the protein converts to its membrane conformation has yet to be determined. Since channel formation in membranes is enhanced at low pH (5 to 5.5), a condition that is found at the surface of membranes, the structural dynamics of soluble CLIC1 was studied at pH 7 and at pH 5.5 in the absence of membranes by amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS). Rapid hydrogen exchange data indicate that CLIC1 displays a similar core structure at these pH values. Domain 1 is less stable than the all-helical domain 2, and, while the structure of domain 1 remains intact, its conformational flexibility is further increased in an acidic environment (pH 5.5). In the absence of membrane, an acidic environment appears to prime the solution structure of CLIC1 by destabilizing domain 1 in order to lower the activation energy barrier for its conversion to the membrane-insertion conformation. The significantly enhanced H/D-exchange rates at pH 5.5 displayed by two segments (peptides 11-31 and 68-82) could be due to the protonation of acidic residues in salt bridges. One of these segments (peptide 11-31) includes part of the transmembrane region which, in the solution structure, consists of helix alpha1. This helix is intrinsically stable and is most likely retained in the membrane conformation. Strand beta2, another element of the transmembrane region, displays a propensity to form a helical structure and has putative N- and C-capping motifs, suggesting that it too most likely forms a helix in a lipid bilayer.

Human myelin proteome and comparative analysis with mouse myelin

Myelin, formed by oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the CNS, is critical for axonal functions, and its damage leads to debilitating neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of myelination and the pathogenesis of human myelin disease has been limited partly by the relative lack of identification and functional characterization of the repertoire of human myelin proteins. Here, we present a large-scale analysis of the myelin proteome, using the shotgun approach of 1-dimensional PAGE and liquid chromatography/tandem MS. Three hundred eight proteins were commonly identified from human and mouse myelin fractions. Comparative microarray analysis of human white and gray matter showed that transcripts of several of these were elevated in OL-rich white matter compared with gray matter, providing confidence in their detection in myelin. Comparison with other databases showed that 111 of the identified proteins/transcripts also were expressed in OLs, rather than in astrocytes or neurons. Comparison with 4 previous myelin proteomes further confirmed more than 50% of the identified proteins and revealed the presence of 163 additional proteins. A select group of identified proteins also were verified by immunoblotting. We classified the identified proteins into biological subgroups and discussed their relevance in myelin biogenesis and maintenance. Taken together, the study provides insights into the complexity of this metabolically active membrane and creates a valuable resource for future in-depth study of specific proteins in myelin with relevance to human demyelinating diseases.

CLIC4 (p64H1) and its putative transmembrane domain form poorly selective, redox-regulated ion channels

Despite being synthesized in the cytosol without a leader sequence, the soluble 253-residue mammalian protein CLIC4 (Chloride Intracellular Channel 4, or p64H1), a structural homologue of Omega-type glutathione-S-transferase, autoinserts into membranes to form an integral membrane protein with ion channel activity. A predicted transmembrane domain (TMD) near the N-terminus of CLIC4 could mediate membrane insertion, and contribute to oligomeric pores, with minimal reorganization of the soluble protein structure. We tested this idea by reconstituting recombinant CLIC4 in planar bilayers containing phosphatidyethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and cholesterol, recording ion channels with a maximum conductance of approximately 15 pS in KCl under both oxidizing and reducing conditions. The channels discriminated poorly between anions and cations, incompatible with the current "CLIC" nomenclature, and their conductance was modified by the trans (external or luminal) redox potential, as previously observed for CLIC1. We then reconstituted a truncated version of the protein, limited to the first 61 residues containing the predicted TMD. This included a single trans cysteine residue in the putative pore-forming subunits, at the external entrance to the pore. The truncated protein formed non-selective channels with a reduced conductance, but they retained their trans-redox sensitivity, and could still be blocked or inactivated by trans (not cis) thiol-reative dithiobisnitrobenzoic acid. We suggest that oligomers containing the putative TMD are essential components of the CLIC4 pore. However, the pore is inherently non-selective, and any ionic selectivity in CLIC4 (and other membrane CLICs) may be attributable to other regions of the protein, including the channel vestibules.

Chloride intracellular channel-4 is a determinant of native collateral formation in skeletal muscle and brain

The capacity of the collateral circulation to lessen injury in occlusive vascular disease depends on the density and caliber of native (preexisting) collaterals, as well as their ability to outwardly remodel in ischemia. Native collateral conductance varies widely among healthy individuals, yet little is known about what specifies collateral formation. Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC)4 protein is required for endothelial cell hollowing, a process necessary for vessel formation during embryogenesis and ischemia. Whether CLIC4 has other physiological roles in vascular biology is uncertain. We studied collateral formation and remodeling in mice deficient in CLIC1 and CLIC4. Vascular responses to femoral artery ligation were similar in Clic1(-/-) and wild-type mice. In contrast, immediately after ligation perfusion dropped more in Clic4(-/-) than wild-type mice, suggesting fewer preexisting collaterals, a finding confirmed by angiography, greater ischemia, and worse recovery of perfusion; however, collateral remodeling was unaffected. Likewise, native cerebral collateral density in Clic4(-/-) (but not Clic1(-/-)) mice was reduced, resulting in severe infarctions. This was associated with impaired perinatal formation and stabilization of nascent collaterals. Clic4 hemizygous mice had intermediate deficits in the above parameters, suggesting a gene-dose effect. Ischemia augmented CLIC1 and CLIC4 expression similarly in wild-type mice. However, CLIC1 increased 3-fold more in Clic4(-/-) mice, suggesting compensation. Despite greater ischemia in Clic4(-/-) mice, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 increased less compared to wild-type, suggesting CLIC4 exerts influences upstream of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha-VEGF signaling. Hence, CLIC4 represents the second gene that, along with VEGF shown by us previously, specifies native collateral formation.

Chloride intracellular channel 4 is involved in endothelial proliferation and morphogenesis in vitro

New capillaries are formed through angiogenesis and an integral step in this process is endothelial tubulogenesis. The molecular mechanisms driving tube formation during angiogenesis are not yet delineated. Recently, the chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4)-orthologue EXC-4 was found to be necessary for proper development and maintenance of the Caenorhabditis elegans excretory canal, implicating CLIC4 as a regulator of tubulogenesis. Here, we studied the role of CLIC4 in angiogenesis and endothelial tubulogenesis. We report the effects of inhibiting or inducing CLIC4 expression on distinct aspects of endothelial cell behavior in vitro. Our experiments utilized RNA interference to establish cultured human endothelial cell lines with significant reduction of CLIC4 expression, and a CLIC4-expressing lentiviral plasmid was used to establish CLIC4 overexpression in endothelial cells. We observed no effect on cell migration and a modest effect on cell survival. Reduced CLIC4 expression decreased cell proliferation, capillary network formation, capillary-like sprouting, and lumen formation. This suggests that normal endogenous CLIC4 expression is required for angiogenesis and tubulogenesis. Accordingly, increased CLIC4 expression promoted proliferation, network formation, capillary-like sprouting, and lumen formation. We conclude that CLIC4 functions to promote endothelial cell proliferation and to regulate endothelial morphogenesis, and is thus involved in multiple steps of in vitro angiogenesis.

Chloride intracellular channel protein-4 functions in angiogenesis by supporting acidification of vacuoles along the intracellular tubulogenic pathway

Endothelial cells form capillary tubes through the process of intracellular tubulogenesis. Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) family proteins have been previously implicated in intracellular tubulogenesis, but their specific role has not been defined. In this study, we show that disruption of the Clic4 gene in mice results in defective angiogenesis in vivo as reflected in a Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay. An angiogenesis defect is also apparent in the retina, both in the decreased spontaneous development of retinal vasculature of unstressed mice and in the dramatically decreased angiogenic response of retinal vessels to an oxygen toxicity challenge. We found that endothelial cells derived from Clic4(-/-) mice demonstrated impaired tubulogenesis in three-dimensional fibrin gels compared with cells derived from wild-type mice. Furthermore, we found that tubulogenesis of wild-type cells in culture was inhibited by both an inhibitor of CLICs and an inhibitor of the vacuolar proton ATPase. Finally, we showed that vacuoles along the endothelial tubulogenesis pathway are acidic in wild-type cells, and that vacuolar acidification is impaired in Clic4(-/-) cells while lysosomal acidification is intact. We conclude that CLIC4 plays a critical role in angiogenesis by supporting acidification of vacuoles along the cell-hollowing tubulogenic pathway.

CLIC2-RyR1 interaction and structural characterization by cryo-electron microscopy

Chloride intracellular channel 2 (CLIC2), a newly discovered small protein distantly related to the glutathione transferase (GST) structural family, is highly expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle, although its physiological function in these tissues has not been established. In the present study, [3H]ryanodine binding, Ca2+ efflux from skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles, single channel recording, and cryo-electron microscopy were employed to investigate whether CLIC2 can interact with skeletal ryanodine receptor (RyR1) and modulate its channel activity. We found that: (1) CLIC2 facilitated [3H]ryanodine binding to skeletal SR and purified RyR1, by increasing the binding affinity of ryanodine for its receptor without significantly changing the apparent maximal binding capacity; (2) CLIC2 reduced the maximal Ca2+ efflux rate from skeletal SR vesicles; (3) CLIC2 decreased the open probability of RyR1 channel, through increasing the mean closed time of the channel; (4) CLIC2 bound to a region between domains 5 and 6 in the clamp-shaped region of RyR1; (5) and in the same clamp region, domains 9 and 10 became separated after CLIC2 binding, indicating CLIC2 induced a conformational change of RyR1. These data suggest that CLIC2 can interact with RyR1 and modulate its channel activity. We propose that CLIC2 functions as an intrinsic stabilizer of the closed state of RyR channels.

Thioredoxins and glutaredoxins as facilitators of protein folding

Thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase systems of bacterial cytoplasm and eukaryotic cytosol favor reducing conditions and protein thiol groups, while bacterial periplasm and eukaryotic endoplasmatic reticulum provide oxidizing conditions and a machinery for disulfide bond formation in the secretory pathway. Oxidoreductases of the thioredoxin fold superfamily catalyze steps in oxidative protein folding via protein-protein interactions and covalent catalysis to act as chaperones and isomerases of disulfides to generate a native fold. The active site dithiol/disulfide of thioredoxin fold proteins is CXXC where variations of the residues inside the disulfide ring are known to increase the redox potential like in protein disulfide isomerases. In the catalytic mechanism thioredoxin fold proteins bind to target proteins through conserved backbone-backbone hydrogen bonds and induce conformational changes of the target disulfide followed by nucleophilic attack by the N-terminally located low pK(a) Cys residue. This generates a mixed disulfide covalent bond which subsequently is resolved by attack from the C-terminally located Cys residue. This review will focus on two members of the thioredoxin superfamily of proteins known to be crucial for maintaining a reduced intracellular redox state, thioredoxin and glutaredoxin, and their potential functions as facilitators and regulators of protein folding and chaperone activity.

ATP regulation of a large conductance voltage-gated cation channel in rough endoplasmic reticulum of rat hepatocytes

ATP-sensitive K+ channels play an important role in regulating membrane potential during metabolic stress. In this work we report the effect of ATP and ADP-Mg on a K+ channel present in the membrane of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) from rat hepatocytes incorporated into lipid bilayers. Channel activity was found to decrease in presence of ATP 100 microM on the cytoplasmic side and was totally inhibited at ATP concentrations greater than 0.25mM. The effect appeared voltage dependent, suggesting that the ATP binding site was becoming available upon channel opening. Channel activity was suppressed by the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog (ATPgammaS), ruling out a phosphorylation-based mechanism. Notably addition of 2.5mM ADP-Mg to the cytosolic side increased the channel open probability at negative potentials. We conclude that the large conductance voltage-gated cation channel in RER of rat hepatocytes is an ATP and ADP sensitive channel likely to be involved in cellular processes such as Ca(2+) signaling or control of membrane potential across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Interactions of tight junctions with membrane channels and transporters

Tight junctions are unique organelles in epithelial cells. They are localized to the apico-lateral region and essential for the epithelial cell transport functions. The paracellular transport process that occurs via tight junctions is extensively studied and is intricately regulated by various extracellular and intracellular signals. Fine regulation of this transport pathway is crucial for normal epithelial cell functions. Among factors that control tight junction permeability are ions and their transporters. However, this area of research is still in its infancy and much more needs to be learned about how these molecules regulate tight junction structure and functions. In this review we have attempted to compile literature on ion transporters and channels involved in the regulation of tight junctions.

Functional reconstitution of mammalian 'chloride intracellular channels' CLIC1, CLIC4 and CLIC5 reveals differential regulation by cytoskeletal actin

Chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) are soluble, signal peptide-less proteins that are distantly related to Omega-type glutathione-S-transferases. Although some CLICs bypass the classical secretory pathway and autoinsert into cell membranes to form ion channels, their cellular roles remain unclear. Many CLICs are strongly associated with cytoskeletal proteins, but the role of these associations is not known. In this study, we incorporated purified, recombinant mammalian CLIC1, CLIC4 and (for the first time) CLIC5 into planar lipid bilayers, and tested the hypothesis that the channels are regulated by actin. CLIC5 formed multiconductance channels that were almost equally permeable to Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-), suggesting that the 'CLIC' nomenclature may need to be revised. CLIC1 and CLIC5, but not CLIC4, were strongly and reversibly inhibited (or inactivated) by 'cytosolic' F-actin in the absence of any other protein. This inhibition effect on channels could be reversed by using cytochalasin to disrupt the F-actin. We suggest that actin-regulated membrane CLICs could modify solute transport at key stages during cellular events such as apoptosis, cell and organelle division and fusion, cell-volume regulation, and cell movement.

Oncoproteomics of hepatocellular carcinoma: from cancer markers' discovery to functional pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous cancer with no promising treatment and remains one of the most prevailing and lethal malignancies in the world. Researchers in many biological areas now routinely identify and characterize protein markers by a mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach, a method that has been commonly used to discover diagnostic biomarkers for cancer detection. The proteomic research platforms span from the classical two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) to the latest Protein Chip or array technology, which are often integrated with the MALDI (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization), SELDI (surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization) or tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). New advances on quantitative proteomic analysis (e.g. SILAC, ICAT, and ITRAQ) and multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) have greatly enhanced the capability of proteomic methods to study the expressions, modifications and functions of protein markers. The present article reviews the latest proteomic development and discovery of biomarkers in HCC that may provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis and the readiness of biomarkers for clinical uses.

Small-conductance Cl- channels contribute to volume regulation and phagocytosis in microglia

The shape and volume of microglia (brain immune cells) change when they activate during brain inflammation and become migratory and phagocytic. Swollen rat microglia express a large Cl(-) current (I(Clswell)), whose biophysical properties and functional roles are poorly understood and whose molecular identity is unknown. We constructed a fingerprint of useful biophysical properties for comparison with I(Clswell) in other cell types and with cloned Cl(-) channels. The microglial I(Clswell) was rapidly activated by cell swelling but not by voltage, and showed no time-dependence during voltage-clamp steps. Like I(Clswell) in many cell types, the halide selectivity sequence was I(-) > Br(-) > Cl(-) > F(-). However, it differed in lacking inactivation, even at +100 mV with high extracellular Mg(2+), and in having a much lower single-channel conductance: 1-3 pS. Based on these fundamental differences, the microglia channel is apparently a different gene product than the more common intermediate-conductance I(Clswell). Microglia express several candidate genes, with relative mRNA expression levels of: CLIC1 > ClC3 > I(Cln) > or = ClC2 > Best2 > Best1 > or = Best3 > Best4. Using a pharmacological toolbox, we show that all drugs that reduced the microglia current (NPPB, IAA-94, flufenamic acid and DIOA) increased the resting cell volume in isotonic solution and inhibited the regulatory volume decrease that followed cell swelling in hypotonic solution. Both channel blockers tested (NPPB and flufenamic acid) dose-dependently inhibited microglia phagocytosis of E. coli bacteria. Because I(Clswell) is involved in microglia functions that involve shape and volume changes, it is potentially important for controlling their ability to migrate to damage sites and phagocytose dead cells and debris.

CLIC4, skin homeostasis and cutaneous cancer: surprising connections

Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) is a putative chloride channel for intracellular organelles. CLIC4 has biological activities in addition to or because of its channel activity. In keratinocytes, CLIC4 resides in the mitochondria and cytoplasm, and CLIC4 gene expression is regulated by p53, TNF-alpha, and c-Myc. Cytoplasmic CLIC4 translocates to the nucleus in response to cellular stress conditions including DNA damage, metabolic inhibition, senescence, and exposure to certain trophic factors such as TNF-alpha and LPS. Nuclear translocation is associated with growth arrest or apoptosis, depending on the level of expression. In the nucleus CLIC4 interacts with several nuclear proteins as demonstrated by yeast two-hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation. Nuclear CLIC4 appears to act on the TGF-beta pathway, and TGF-beta also causes CLIC4 nuclear translocation. In human and mouse cancer cell lines, CLIC4 levels are reduced, and CLIC4 is excluded from the nucleus. CLIC4 soluble or membrane-inserted status is dependent on redox state, and redox alterations in cancer cells could underly the defect in nuclear translocation. CLIC4 is reduced and excluded from the nucleus of many human epithelial neoplasms. Paradoxically, CLIC4 is reciprocally upregulated in tumor stroma in conjunction with the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in the fibroblast to myofibroblast transition. Overexpression of CLIC4 in cancer cells inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of CLIC4 in tumor stromal cells stimulates tumor growth in vivo. Thus, CLIC4 participates in normal and pathological processes and may serve as a useful target for therapies in disturbances of homeostasis and neoplastic transformation.

CLIC4 mediates and is required for Ca2+-induced keratinocyte differentiation

Keratinocyte differentiation requires integrating signaling among intracellular ionic changes, kinase cascades, sequential gene expression, cell cycle arrest, and programmed cell death. We now show that Cl(-) intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) expression is increased in both mouse and human keratinocytes undergoing differentiation induced by Ca(2+), serum and the protein kinase C (PKC)-activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Elevation of CLIC4 is associated with signaling by PKCdelta, and knockdown of CLIC4 protein by antisense or shRNA prevents Ca(2+)-induced keratin 1, keratin 10 and filaggrin expression and cell cycle arrest in differentiating keratinocytes. CLIC4 is cytoplasmic in actively proliferating keratinocytes in vitro, but the cytoplasmic CLIC4 translocates to the nucleus in keratinocytes undergoing growth arrest by differentiation, senescence or transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) treatment. Targeting CLIC4 to the nucleus of keratinocytes via adenoviral transduction increases nuclear Cl(-) content and enhances expression of differentiation markers in the absence of elevated Ca(2+). In vivo, CLIC4 is localized to the epidermis in mouse and human skin, where it is predominantly nuclear in quiescent cells. These results suggest that CLIC4 participates in epidermal homeostasis through both alterations in the level of expression and subcellular localization. Nuclear CLIC4, possibly by altering the Cl(-) and pH of the nucleus, contributes to cell cycle arrest and the specific gene expression program associated with keratinocyte terminal differentiation.

Pharmacoproteomics of 4-phenylbutyrate-treated IB3-1 cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells

4-Phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) is an oral butyrate derivative that has recently been approved for treatment of urea cycle disorders and is under investigation in clinical trials of cancer, hemoglobinopathies, and cystic fibrosis (CF). We hypothesized that proteome profiling of IB3-1 cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells treated with 4-PBA would identify butyrate-responsive cellular chaperones, protein processing enzymes, and cell trafficking molecules associated with the amelioration of the chloride transport defect in these cells. Protein profiles were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Over a pI range of 4-7 and molecular weight from 20 to 150 kDa a total of 85 differentially expressed proteins were detected. Most of the identified proteins were chaperones, catalytic enzymes, and proteins comprising structural elements, cellular defense, protein biosynthesis, trafficking activity, and ion transport. Subsets of these proteins were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. These data represent a first-draft of the pharmacoproteomics map of 4-PBA treated cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells.

The CLIC1 chloride channel is regulated by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator when expressed in Xenopus oocytes

CLIC proteins comprise a family of chloride channels whose physiological roles are uncertain. To gain further insight into possible means of CLIC1 channel activity regulation, this protein was expressed in Xenopus oocytes alone or in combination with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Whole-cell currents were determined using two-electrode voltage-clamp methods. Expression of CLIC1 alone did not increase whole-cell conductance either at rest or in response to increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). However, expression of CLIC1 with CFTR led to increased cAMP-activated whole-cell currents compared to expression from the same amount of CFTR mRNA alone. IAA-94 is a drug known to inhibit CLIC family channels but not CFTR. In oocytes expressing both CLIC1 and CFTR, a fraction of the cAMP-activated whole-cell current was sensitive to IAA-94, whereas in oocytes expressing CFTR alone, the cAMP-stimulated current was resistant to the drug. Cell fractionation studies revealed that the presence of CFTR conferred cAMP-stimulated redistribution of a fraction of CLIC1 from a soluble to a membrane-associated form. We conclude that when expressed in Xenopus oocytes CFTR confers cAMP regulation to CLIC1 activity in the plasma membrane and that at least part of this regulation is due to recruitment of CLIC1 from the cytoplasm to the membrane.

A Plant Homolog of Animal Chloride Intracellular Channels (CLICs) Generates an Ion Conductance in Heterologous Systems

The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana contains unusual members of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) superfamily with a cysteine in place of a serine at the active site. Four of these genes (at-dhar 1-4) have an appreciable homology to intracellular Cl- channels (CLICs) from vertebrates and invertebrates. Transient expression of AtDHAR1 as wild type protein or as a chimera with GFP in mammalian HEK293 or Chinese hamster ovary cells generated a distinct inward rectifying conductance with a characteristic biphasic kinetics but no apparent ion selectivity. Analysis of the subcellular localization of AtDHRA1::GFP showed that the bulk of the protein was located as soluble form in the cytoplasm; however, an appreciable fraction of it could also be found in association with the non-soluble microsomal fraction. These data suggest that plant members of the GST superfamily have similar to those from animals multiple functions. The increase of ion conductance by AtDHAR1 is better explained by a CLIC-like channel activity than by a modification of endogenous channel proteins.

Tissue and subcellular distribution of CLIC1

Background

CLIC1 is a chloride channel whose cellular role remains uncertain. The distribution of CLIC1 in normal tissues is largely unknown and conflicting data have been reported regarding the cellular membrane fraction in which CLIC1 resides.

Results

New antisera to CLIC1 were generated and were found to be sensitive and specific for detecting this protein. These antisera were used to investigate the distribution of CLIC1 in mouse tissue sections and three cultured cell lines. We find CLIC1 is expressed in the apical domains of several simple columnar epithelia including glandular stomach, small intestine, colon, bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, airway, and the tail of the epididymis, in addition to the previously reported renal proximal tubule. CLIC1 is expressed in a non-polarized distribution in the basal epithelial cell layer of the stratified squamous epithelium of the upper gastrointesitinal tract and the basal cells of the epididymis, and is present diffusely in skeletal muscle. Distribution of CLIC1 was examined in Panc1 cells, a relatively undifferentiated, non-polarized human cell line derived from pancreatic cancer, and T84 cells, a human colon cancer cell line which can form a polarized epithelium that is capable of regulated chloride transport. Digitonin extraction was used to distinguish membrane-inserted CLIC1 from the soluble cytoplasmic form of the protein. We find that digitonin-resistant CLIC1 is primarily present in the plasma membrane of Panc1 cells. In T84 cells, we find digitonin-resistant CLIC1 is present in an intracellular compartment which is concentrated immediately below the apical plasma membrane and the extent of apical polarization is enhanced with forskolin, which activates transepithelial chloride transport and apical membrane traffic in these cells. The sub-apical CLIC1 compartment was further characterized in a well-differentiated mouse renal proximal tubule cell line. The distribution of CLIC1 was found to overlap that of megalin and the sodium-phosphate cotransporter, NaPi-II, which are markers of the apical endocytic/recycling compartment in proximal tubule.

Conclusion

The cell and tissue specific patterns of CLIC1 expression suggest it may play distinct roles in different cell types. In certain polarized columnar epithelia, it may play a role in apical membrane recycling.

Thioredoxin and related molecules--from biology to health and disease

Thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems in mammalian cells utilize thiol and selenol groups to maintain a reducing intracellular redox state acting as antioxidants and reducing agents in redox signaling with oxidizing reactive oxygen species. During the last decade, the functional roles of thioredoxin in particular have continued to expand, also including novel functions such as a secreted growth factor or a chemokine for immune cells. The role of thioredoxin and glutaredoxin in antioxidant defense and the role of thioredoxin in controlling recruitment of inflammatory cells offer potential use in clinical therapy. The fundamental differences between bacterial and mammalian thioredoxin reductases offer new principles for treatment of infections. Clinical drugs already in use target the active site selenol in thioredoxin reductases, inducing cell death in tumor cells. Thioredoxin and binding proteins (ASK1 and TBP2) appear to control apoptosis or metabolic states such as carbohydrate and lipid metabolism related to diseases such as diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Calcium signalling and calcium transport in bone disease

Calcium transport and calcium signalling mechanisms in bone cells have, in many cases, been discovered by study of diseases with disordered bone metabolism. Calcium matrix deposition is driven primarily by phosphate production, and disorders in bone deposition include abnormalities in membrane phosphate transport such as in chondrocalcinosis, and defects in phosphate-producing enzymes such as in hypophosphatasia. Matrix removal is driven by acidification, which dissolves the mineral. Disorders in calcium removal from bone matrix by osteoclasts cause osteopetrosis. On the other hand, although bone is central to management of extracellular calcium, bone is not a major calcium sensing organ, although calcium sensing proteins are expressed in both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Intracellular calcium signals are involved in secondary control including cellular motility and survival, but the relationship of these findings to specific diseases is not clear. Intracellular calcium signals may regulate the balance of cell survival versus proliferation or anabolic functional response as part of signalling cascades that integrate the response to primary signals via cell stretch, estrogen, tyrosine kinase, and tumor necrosis factor receptors.

Atypical mitogen-activated protein kinases: structure, regulation and functions

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases that play a central role in transducing extracellular cues into a variety of intracellular responses ranging from lineage specification to cell division and adaptation. Fourteen MAP kinase genes have been identified in the human genome, which define 7 distinct MAP kinase signaling pathways. MAP kinases can be classified into conventional or atypical enzymes, based on their ability to get phosphorylated and activated by members of the MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK)/MEK family. Conventional MAP kinases comprise ERK1/ERK2, p38s, JNKs, and ERK5, which are all substrates of MAPKKs. Atypical MAP kinases include ERK3/ERK4, NLK and ERK7. Much less is known about the regulation, substrate specificity and physiological functions of atypical MAP kinases.

Expression and cellular localisation of chloride intracellular channel 3 in human placenta and fetal membranes

Chloride channels regulate the movement of a major cellular anion and are involved in fundamental processes that are critical for cell viability. Regulation of intracellular chloride is achieved by multiple classes of channel proteins. One class of putative channels are the chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) family. Evidence suggests that several CLICs are expressed in human placenta, although their roles in this tissue are not certain. Northern blot analysis has shown that CLIC3 is highly expressed in placenta relative to other human tissues; however, its cellular distribution is not known. This study used microarray expression profiling to clarify which CLICs are expressed in human placenta and RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry to determine the expression pattern of CLIC3 in human placenta and fetal membranes. Placentas and fetal membranes were obtained from term pregnancies after delivery and placental tissue was obtained from first trimester following either chorionic villous sampling or elective pregnancy termination. Trophoblast cells were isolated from first trimester and term placentas and placental endothelial cells were isolated from term placentas. Microarray expression profiling identified high expression of mRNA for CLICs 1, 3 and 4 in the isolated first trimester and term trophoblast cells. High mRNA expression in the isolated endothelial cells was also found for CLICs 1 and 4, but not CLIC3. Low expression was found for CLIC5 in all three types of isolated cells. RT-PCR confirmed that CLIC3 mRNA was expressed in trophoblast cells at both gestational ages, but was not present in endothelial cells. CLIC3 mRNA was also identified in whole placental extracts at both gestational ages and in term amnion and choriodecidua. Immunohistochemistry using a chicken anti-human CLIC3 antibody localised strong CLIC3-specific staining to the syncytiotrophoblast and villous cytotrophoblast cells in both first trimester and term placentas, and weaker staining in extravillous trophoblast cells in first trimester. In fetal membranes at term strong CLIC3-specific staining was localised to chorionic trophoblast cells, with weaker staining in amniotic epithelial and decidual cells. It was previously shown that chloride uptake was increased into cells that had been transfected with CLIC3. CLIC3 may facilitate chloride ion movement and the regulation of cellular processes associated with the movement of chloride in the placental and fetal membrane cells in which it is expressed.

c-Src control of chloride channel support for osteoclast HCl transport and bone resorption

Bone degradation by osteoclasts depends upon active transport of hydrogen ions to solubilize bone mineral. This transport is supported by the parallel actions of a proton ATPase and a chloride channel located in the osteoclast ruffled membrane. We have previously identified a novel chloride channel, p62, which appears to be the avian counterpart to CLIC-5b and is expressed coincident with the appearance of acid secretion as avian osteoclasts differentiate in culture. In this article, we show that suppression of CLIC-5b in differentiating avian osteoclasts results in decreased acidification by vesicles derived from these cells and decreased ability of the cells to resorb bone. Acidification is rescued by the presence of valinomycin, consistent with a selective loss of chloride channel but not proton pump activity. Osteoclast bone resorption is known to be dependent on the expression of the tyrosine kinase, c-Src. We show that CLIC-5b from osteoclasts has affinity for both Src SH2 and SH3 domains. We find that suppression of expression of Src in developing osteoclasts results in decreased vesicular acidification, which is rescued by valinomycin, consistent with the loss of chloride conductance in the proton pump-containing vesicles. Suppression of c-Src causes no change in the steady state level of CLIC-5b expression, but does result in failure of proton pump and CLIC-5b to colocalize in cultured osteoclast precursors. We conclude that suppression of c-Src interferes with osteoclast bone resorption by disrupting functional co-localization of proton pump and CLIC-5b.

Mapping Functional Domains of Chloride Intracellular Channel (CLIC) Proteins in Vivo

Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) proteins are small proteins distantly related to the omega family of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). CLIC proteins are expressed in a wide variety of tissues in multicellular organisms and are targeted to specific cellular membranes. Members of this family are capable in vitro of changing conformation from a globular, soluble state to a membrane-inserted state in which they provide chloride conductance. The structural basis for in vivo CLIC protein function, however, is not well understood. We have mapped the functional domains of CLIC family members using an in vivo assay for membrane localization and function of CLIC proteins in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. A<70 amino acid N-terminal domain is a key determinant of membrane localization and function of invertebrate CLIC proteins. This domain, which we term the ''PTM'' domain, named after an amphipathic putative transmembrane helix contained within it, directs distinct C. elegans CLIC homologs to distinct subcellular membranes. We find that within the PTM region, the cysteine residues required for GST-type activity are unnecessary for invertebrate CLIC function, but that specific residues within the proposed transmembrane helix are necessary for correct targeting and protein function. We find that among all tested invertebrate CLIC proteins, function appears to be completely conserved despite striking differences in the charged residues contained within the amphipathic helix. This indicates that these residues do not contribute to anion selectivity as previously suggested. We find that outside the PTM region, the remaining three-quarters of CLIC protein sequence is functionally equivalent not only among vertebrate and invertebrate CLIC proteins, but also among the more distantly related GST-omega and GST-sigma proteins. The PTM region thus provides both targeting information and CLIC functional specificity, possibly adapting GST-type proteins to function as ion channels.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Myc-induced Apoptosis

Myc is a key regulatory protein in higher eukaryotes controlling important cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Myc is profoundly involved in the genesis of many human and animal cancers, and the abrogation of Myc-induced apoptosis is a critical event in cancer progression. Because the mechanisms that mediate Myc-induced apoptosis are largely unknown, we analyzed protein expression during Myc-induced apoptosis using an isotope-coded affinity tag quantitative proteomics approach and identified that a proapoptotic mitochondrial chloride ion channel, mtCLIC/CLIC4, is induced by Myc. Myc binds to the mtCLIC gene promoter and activates its transcription. Suppression of mtCLIC expression by RNA interference inhibited Myc-induced apoptosis in response to different stress conditions and abolished the cooperative induction of apoptosis by Myc and Bax. We also found that Myc reduces the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL and that the apoptosis-inducing stimuli up-regulate Bax expression. These results suggest that up-regulation of mtCLIC, together with a reduction in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, sensitizes Myc-expressing cells to the proapoptotic action of Bax.

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma developed in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major complication of chronic viral hepatitis C. Therapy for HCC is still disappointing. It is thus of great importance to identify novel HCC markers for early detection of the disease, and tumor-specific proteins as potential therapeutic targets. We have used a proteomic approach to identify new proteins involved in HCC development. Four cases of HCC developing from chronic viral hepatitis C were analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and results were compared to those of paired adjacent non-tumorous liver tissues. For MS fingerprinting, protein spots with differential intensity between HCC and non-tumorous liver were directly cut out of gels and processed for MALDI-MS and nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Approximately 850 spots were visualized in each gel. The comparative analysis of paired samples indicated that 345 protein spots showed significant differences in expression level between non-tumor and tumor tissue. Among the 345 protein spots analyzed, 238 spots corresponding to 155 different proteins were identified; 49 proteins were up-regulated, whereas 106 proteins were down-regulated. Among these 155 proteins, 91 proteins were regulated in at least three cases. Although 52 out of these 91 proteins have been already described by previous proteomic or transcriptomic studies, or are already known to be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, this experiment revealed 39 new proteins differentially expressed in HCC developing from viral hepatitis C. Variations in protein accumulation were confirmed for two selected proteins (apolipoprotein E, chloride intracellular channel 1) by Western blotting in ten additional cases of HCC developing in patients with viral hepatitis C.

CLIC4, an intracellular chloride channel protein, is a novel molecular target for cancer therapy

Chloride intracellular channel (CLIC)4 is a p53- and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-regulated chloride channel protein that is localized to the mitochondria and cytoplasm of mouse and human keratinocytes. CLIC4 protein increases in differentiating keratinocytes and in keratinocytes exposed to DNA-damaging agents and metabolic inhibitors. Increasing CLIC4 levels by transduction of recombinant CLIC4 causes apoptosis. CLIC4 translocates to the nucleus under a variety of conditions of cell stress, and nuclear CLIC4 is associated with cell cycle arrest and accelerated apoptosis. Reduction of CLIC4 and several other CLIC family members by expressing a doxycycline-regulated CLIC4 antisense also causes apoptosis in squamous cancer cell lines. Expressing antisense CLIC4 in tumors derived from transplanting these cells into nude mice inhibits tumor growth, increases tumor apoptosis, and reduces tumor cell proliferation. Co-administration of TNFalpha intraperitoneally enhances the tumor-inhibitory influence of CLIC4 antisense expression. Together, these results suggest that CLIC4 is important for keratinocyte viability and may be a novel target for anti-cancer therapy.

Redox regulation of CLIC1 by cysteine residues associated with the putative channel pore

Chloride intracellular channels (CLICs) are putative pore-forming glutathione-S-transferase homologs that are thought to insert into cell membranes directly from the cytosol. We incorporated soluble, recombinant human CLIC1 into planar lipid bilayers to investigate the associated ion channels, and noted that channel assembly (unlike membrane insertion) required a specific lipid mixture. The channels formed by reduced CLIC1 were similar to those previously recorded from cells and "tip-dip" bilayers, and specific anti-CLIC1 antibodies inhibited them. However, the amplitudes of the filtered single-channel currents were strictly regulated by the redox potential on the "extracellular" (or "luminal") side of the membrane, with minimal currents under strongly oxidizing conditions. We carried out covalent functional modification and site-directed mutagenesis of this controversial ion channel to test the idea that cysteine 24 is a critical redox-sensitive residue located on the extracellular (or luminal) side of membrane CLIC1 subunits, in a cysteine-proline motif close to the putative channel pore. Our findings support a simple structural hypothesis to explain how CLIC1 oligomers form pores in membranes, and suggest that native channels may be regulated by a novel mechanism involving the formation and reduction of intersubunit disulphide bonds.

Proteomic analysis of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced endothelial cell differentiation reveals a role for chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) in tubular morphogenesis

Formation of new vessels from pre-existing capillaries demands extensive reprogramming of endothelial cells through transcriptional and post-transcriptional events. We show that 120 protein spots in a two-dimensional isoelectric focusing/electrophoretic analysis were affected during vascular endothelial growth factor-A-induced endothelial cell tubular morphogenesis in vitro, as a result of changes in charge or expression level of the corresponding proteins. For about 22% of the spots, the protein products could be identified, of which several previously have been implicated in cytoskeletal reorganization and angiogenesis. One such protein was heat shock protein 27, a chaperone involved in beta-actin rearrangement that was identified as regulated in degree of serine phosphorylation. We also identified regulation of chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4), the expression of which decreased during tubular morphogenesis. CLIC4 was expressed at high levels in resting vessels, whereas expression was modulated during pathological angiogenesis such as in tumor vessels. The subcellular localization of CLIC4 in endothelial cells was dependent on whether cells were engaged in proliferation or tube formation. Antisense- and small interfering RNA-mediated suppression of CLIC4 expression led to arrest in tubular morphogenesis. Our data implicate CLIC4 in formation of a vessel lumen.

Crystal structure of the soluble form of the redox-regulated chloride ion channel protein CLIC4

The structure of CLIC4, a member of the CLIC family of putative intracellular chloride ion channel proteins, has been determined at 1.8 Angstroms resolution by X-ray crystallography. The protein is monomeric and it is structurally similar to CLIC1, belonging to the GST fold class. Differences between the structures of CLIC1 and CLIC4 are localized to helix 2 in the glutaredoxin-like N-terminal domain, which has previously been shown to undergo a dramatic structural change in CLIC1 upon oxidation. The structural differences in this region correlate with the sequence differences, where the CLIC1 sequence appears to be atypical of the family. Purified, recombinant, wild-type CLIC4 is shown to bind to artificial lipid bilayers, induce a chloride efflux current when associated with artificial liposomes and produce an ion channel in artificial bilayers with a conductance of 30 pS. Membrane binding is enhanced by oxidation of CLIC4 while no channels were observed via tip-dip electrophysiology in the presence of a reducing agent. Thus, recombinant CLIC4 appears to be able to form a redox-regulated ion channel in the absence of any partner proteins.

Antisense Suppression of the Chloride Intracellular Channel Family Induces Apoptosis, Enhances Tumor Necrosis Factor α-Induced Apoptosis, and Inhibits Tumor Growth

mtCLIC/CLIC4 is a p53 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) regulated intracellular chloride channel protein that localizes to cytoplasm and organelles and induces apoptosis when overexpressed in several cell types of mouse and human origin. CLIC4 is elevated during TNFα-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cell lines. In contrast, inhibition of NFκB results in an increase in TNFα-mediated apoptosis with a decrease in CLIC4 protein levels. Cell lines expressing an inducible CLIC4-antisense construct that also reduces the expression of several other chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) family proteins were established in the human osteosarcoma lines SaOS and U2OS cells and a malignant derivative of the mouse squamous papilloma line SP1. Reduction of CLIC family proteins by antisense expression caused apoptosis in these cells. Moreover, CLIC4-antisense induction increased TNFα-mediated apoptosis in both the SaOS and U2OS derivative cell lines without altering TNFα-induced NFκB activity. Reducing CLIC proteins in tumor grafts of SP1 cells expressing a tetracycline-regulated CLIC4-antisense substantially inhibited tumor growth and induced tumor apoptosis. Administration of TNFα i.p. modestly enhanced the antitumor effect of CLIC reduction in vivo. These results suggest that CLIC proteins could serve as drug targets for cancer therapy, and reduction of CLIC proteins could enhance the activity of other anticancer drugs.

The power of two: protein dimerization in biology

The self-association of proteins to form dimers and higher-order oligomers is a very common phenomenon. Recent structural and biophysical studies show that protein dimerization or oligomerization is a key factor in the regulation of proteins such as enzymes, ion channels, receptors and transcription factors. In addition, self-association can help to minimize genome size, while maintaining the advantages of modular complex formation. Oligomerization, however, can also have deleterious consequences when nonnative oligomers associated with pathogenic states are generated. Specific protein dimerization is integral to biological function, structure and control, and must be under substantial selection pressure to be maintained with such frequency throughout biology.

Identification of chloride intracellular channel proteins in spermatozoa

We have identified for the first time the presence of chloride intracellular channel (CLIC) proteins in bovine epididymal spermatozoa. CLIC1 was discovered during microsequencing of proteins that co-purified with protein phosphatase 1, PP1gamma2, in sperm extracts. In addition to CLIC1, Western blot showed that two additional CLIC family members, CLIC4 and CLIC5, are also present in spermatozoa. CLIC fusion proteins, GST-CLIC1, GST-CLIC4 and GST-CLIC5, were all able to bind to PP1gamma2 in sperm extracts during pull-down assays. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that each of the three isoforms occupies a distinct location within the cell. Given that PP1gamma2 is a key enzyme regulating sperm motility, PP1gamma2-binding proteins, such as the CLIC proteins, are likely to play significant roles in sperm function.

Diverse cellular transformation capability of overexpressed genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma

For isolation of novel cellular transforming genes that potentially participated in hepatocarcinogenesis, we conducted anchorage-independent growth (AIG) assays on 10 human liver cancer cell lines and observed strong AIG capabilities in PLC5 and Huh7 but negligible in Tong cells. After cloning of genes by differential subtractive chain reactions (DSC) from strong AIG to AIG negative cells, we sequenced 2304 clones and identified 245 genes. After four stringent criteria for selection of transforming genes among DSC clones, our results of quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that six genes, DDX3, EIF3S2, CLIC1, HDGF, GPC3, and HSPCA were overexpressed in 64%, 62%, 60%, 58%, 49%, and 47%, respectively, of 45 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues. The results of cellular transformation capability by AIG assays indicated that the transfectants of EIF3S2 showed the strongest (> 100-fold), DDX3 and CLIC1 were moderate, GPC3 and HSPCA were weak, and HDGF was none in forming colonies in soft agar. Together, our results suggested that Tong is a suitable human cell line for screening of overexpressed and/or cellular transforming genes. In addition, our results suggested that diverse functions of cellular transforming genes in various biological pathways could transform human Tong cells and potentially reveal new targets for drug development of HCC.

Ion channels and membrane rafts in apoptosis

Ion channels have been demonstrated to be a central element in the induction and the execution of apoptosis. In particular, mitochondrial ion channels, including not only the permeability transition pore but also a mitochondrial, ATP-sensitive (mKATP) channel as well as a mitochondrial calcium-activated potassium channel are involved critically in apoptotic changes in mitochondria. Ion channels in the cell membrane that are altered by induction of apoptosis include potassium, chloride and calcium channels. The Kv1.3 potassium channel belongs to the best-characterized ion channels involved in apoptosis and a genetic model of cells deficient for Kv1.3 has indicated a critical role for Kv1.3, at least in some forms of apoptosis. The mechanisms regulating ion channels during apoptosis are, however, still poorly defined. Recent studies have suggested a function for distinct membrane domains, termed rafts, in the cell membrane for the regulation of ion channels during apoptosis. Small sphingolipid- and cholesterol-enriched membrane domains are modified by many apoptotic stimuli to form large ceramide-enriched membrane platforms. These platforms serve to cluster receptor molecules, to re-organize intracellular signalling molecules including ion channels, to bring ion channels into close contact with their regulators and/or to separate proteins from a specific ion channel. Finally, the lipid composition of the cell membrane might be involved directly in ion channel regulation.

The Organellular Chloride Channel Protein CLIC4/mtCLIC Translocates to the Nucleus in Response to Cellular Stress and Accelerates Apoptosis

CLIC4/mtCLIC, a chloride intracellular channel protein, localizes to the mitochondria and cytoplasm of keratinocytes and participates in the apoptotic response to stress. We now show that multiple stress inducers cause the translocation of cytoplasmic CLIC4 to the nucleus. Immunogold electron microscopy and confocal analyses indicate that nuclear CLIC4 is detected prior to the apoptotic phenotype. CLIC4 associates with the Ran, NTF2, and Importin-alpha nuclear import complexes in immunoprecipitates of lysates from cells treated with apoptotic/stress-inducing agents. Deletion or mutation of the nuclear localization signal in the C terminus of CLIC4 eliminates nuclear translocation, whereas N terminus deletion enhances nuclear localization. Targeting CLIC4 to the nucleus via adenoviral transduction accelerates apoptosis when compared with cytoplasmic CLIC4, and only nuclear-targeted CLIC4 causes apoptosis in Apaf null mouse fibroblasts or in Bcl-2-overexpressing keratinocytes. These results indicate that CLIC4 nuclear translocation is an integral part of the cellular response to stress and may contribute to the initiation of nuclear alterations that are associated with apoptosis.