Stimulation of CFTR activity by its phosphorylated R domain

A single conductance pore for chloride ions formed by two cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator molecules

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)- and ATP-regulated chloride channel, whose gating process involves intra- or intermolecular interactions among the cytosolic domains of the CFTR protein. Tandem linkage of two CFTR molecules produces a functional chloride channel with properties that are similar to those of the native CFTR channel, including trafficking to the plasma membrane, ATP- and PKA-dependent gating, and a unitary conductance of 8 picosiemens (pS). A heterodimer, consisting of a wild type and a mutant CFTR, also forms an 8-pS chloride channel with mixed gating properties of the wild type and mutant CFTR channels. The data suggest that two CFTR molecules interact together to form a single conductance pore for chloride ions.

The Hdj-2/Hsc70 chaperone pair facilitates early steps in CFTR biogenesis

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a chloride ion channel constructed from two membrane-spanning domains (MSDs), two nucleotide-binding domains (NBD) and a regulatory (R) domain. The NBDs and R-domain are cytosolic and how they are assembled with the MSDs to achieve the native CFTR structure is not clear. Human DnaJ 2 (Hdj-2) is a co-chaperone of heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70) which is localized to the cytosolic face of the ER. Whether Hdj-2 directs Hsc70 to facilitate the assembly of cytosolic regions on CFTR was investigated. We report that immature ER forms of CFTR and DeltaF508 CFTR can be isolated in complexes with Hdj-2 and Hsc70. The DeltaF508 mutation is localized in NBD1 and causes the CFTR to misfold. Levels of complex formation between DeltaF508 CFTR and Hdj-2/Hsp70 were approximately 2-fold higher than those with CFTR. The earliest stage at which Hdj-2/Hsc70 could bind CFTR translation intermediates coincided with the expression of NBD1 in the cytosol. Interestingly, complex formation between Hdj-2 and nascent CFTR was greatly reduced after expression of the R-domain. In experiments with purified components, Hdj-2 and Hsc70 acted synergistically to suppress NBD1 aggregation. Collectively, these data suggest that Hdj-2 and Hsc70 facilitate early steps in CFTR assembly. A putative step in the CFTR folding pathway catalyzed by Hdj-2/Hsc70 is the formation of an intramolecular NBD1-R-domain complex. Whether this step is defective in the biogenesis of DeltaF508 CFTR will be discussed.

Functional dissection of the R domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

Exogenously expressed unphosphorylated sub-domains of the R domain block CFTR Cl- channels in the planar lipid bilayer, though the block differs from block with full length R domain. Full length R domain peptide (aa 588-855) blocks CFTR Cl- channels quickly, completely and permanently. Two sub-domains, RD1RD2 (aa 588-805) and RD2TM (aa 672-855), also inhibit CFTR Cl- channels, but the block takes longer to effect and is not complete. Shorter sequences, RD1 (aa 588-746) and RD2 (aa 672-805), fail to effect any block. These data suggest that either the amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal portions of the R domain protein or its stabilized secondary structure are critical to functional regulation.

Control of CFTR channel gating by phosphorylation and nucleotide hydrolysis

Control of CTFR Channel Gating by Phosphorylation and Nucleotide Hydrolysis. Physiol. Rev. 79, Suppl.: S77-S107, 1999. - The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel is the protein product of the gene defective in cystic fibrosis, the most common lethal genetic disease among Caucasians. Unlike any other known ion channel, CFTR belongs to the ATP-binding cassette superfamily of transporters and, like all other family members, CFTR includes two cytoplasmic nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), both of which bind and hydrolyze ATP. It appears that in a single open-close gating cycle, an individual CFTR channel hydrolyzes one ATP molecule at the NH2-terminal NBD to open the channel, and then binds and hydrolyzes a second ATP molecule at the COOH-terminal NBD to close the channel. This complex coordinated behavior of the two NBDs is orchestrated by multiple protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation events, at least some of which occur within the third large cytoplasmic domain, called the regulatory domain. Two or more kinds of protein phosphatases selectively dephosphorylate distinct sites. Under appropriately controlled conditions of progressive phosphorylation or dephosphorylation, three functionally different phosphoforms of a single CFTR channel can be distinguished on the basis of channel opening and closing kinetics. Recording single CFTR channel currents affords an unprecedented opportunity to reproducibly examine, and manipulate, individual ATP hydrolysis cycles in a single molecule, in its natural environment, in real time.

Structure and function of the CFTR chloride channel

Structure and Function of the CFTR Chloride Channel. Physiol. Rev. 79, Suppl.: S23-S45, 1999. - The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a unique member of the ABC transporter family that forms a novel Cl- channel. It is located predominantly in the apical membrane of epithelia where it mediates transepithelial salt and liquid movement. Dysfunction of CFTR causes the genetic disease cystic fibrosis. The CFTR is composed of five domains: two membrane-spanning domains (MSDs), two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs), and a regulatory (R) domain. Here we review the structure and function of this unique channel, with a focus on how the various domains contribute to channel function. The MSDs form the channel pore, phosphorylation of the R domain determines channel activity, and ATP hydrolysis by the NBDs controls channel gating. Current knowledge of CFTR structure and function may help us understand better its mechanism of action, its role in electrolyte transport, its dysfunction in cystic fibrosis, and its relationship to other ABC transporters.

A conserved region of the R domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator is important in processing and function

The R domain of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) connects the two halves of the protein, each of which possess a transmembrane-spanning domain and a nucleotide binding domain. Phosphorylation of serine residues, which reside mostly within the C-terminal two-thirds of the R domain, is required for nucleotide-dependent activation of CFTR chloride channel activity. The N terminus of the R domain is also likely to be important in CFTR function, since this region is highly conserved among CFTRs of different species and exhibits sequence similarity with the "linker region" of the related protein, P-glycoprotein. To date, however, the role of this region in CFTR channel function remains unknown. In this paper, we report the effects of five disease-causing mutations within the N terminus of the CFTR-R domain. All five mutants exhibit defective protein processing in mammalian HEK-293 cells, suggesting that they are mislocalized and fail to reach the cell surface. However, in the Xenopus oocyte, three mutants reached the plasma membrane. One of these mutants, L619S, exhibits no detectable function, whereas the other two, D614G and I618T, exhibit partial activity as chloride channels. Single channel analysis of these latter two mutants revealed that they possess defective rates of channel opening, consistent with the hypothesis that the N terminus of the R domain participates in ATP-dependent channel gating. These findings support recent structural models that include this region within extended boundaries of the first nucleotide binding domain.

Phosphorylation site independent single R-domain mutations affect CFTR channel activity

We investigated CFTR channel activity of mature R-domain mutants showing single alterations at sites other than the predicted phosphorylation sites. All mutations were found in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (H620Q, E822K and E826K). The macroscopic CFTR chloride conductance induced by phosphorylation was significantly enhanced in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA of H620Q but reduced in the E822K and E826K mutants compared to wild type CFTR. The anion permeability sequence for all three mutants was the same as that of wild type CFTR. Cell attached single channel studies in COS cells revealed that both open channel probability and/or the number of functional channels were either higher (H620Q) or lower (E822K and E826K) than in wild type CFTR. Single channel conductances were unchanged in all mutants. Our results suggest that additional sites in the R-domain other than phosphorylation sites influence gating of CFTR channels.

Regulation of murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells

1. We investigated the effect of protein kinases and phosphatases on murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channels, expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, using iodide efflux and the excised inside-out configuration of the patch-clamp technique. 2. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol dibutyrate, enhanced cAMP-stimulated iodide efflux. However, PKC did not augment the single-channel activity of either human or murine CFTR Cl- channels that had previously been activated by protein kinase A. 3. Fluoride, a non-specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases, stimulated both human and murine CFTR Cl- channels. However, calyculin A, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A, did not enhance cAMP-stimulated iodide efflux. 4. The alkaline phosphatase inhibitor, (-)-bromotetramisole augmented cAMP-stimulated iodide efflux and, by itself, stimulated a larger efflux than that evoked by cAMP agonists. However, (+)-bromotetramisole, the inactive enantiomer, had the same effect. For murine CFTR, neither enantiomer enhanced single-channel activity. In contrast, both enantiomers increased the open probability (Po) of human CFTR, suggesting that bromotetramisole may promote the opening of human CFTR. 5. As murine CFTR had a low Po and was refractory to stimulation by activators of human CFTR, we investigated whether murine CFTR may open to a subconductance state. When single-channel records were filtered at 50 Hz, a very small subconductance state of murine CFTR was observed that had a Po greater than that of human CFTR. The occupancy of this subconductance state may explain the differences in channel regulation observed between human and murine CFTR.

Characterization of 19 disease-associated missense mutations in the regulatory domain of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

In order to gain a better insight into the structure and function of the regulatory domain (RD) of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, 19 RD missense mutations that had been identified in patients were functionally characterized. Nine of these (I601F, L610S, A613T, D614G, I618T, L619S, H620P, G628R and L633P) resulted in aberrant processing. No or a very small number of functional CFTR proteins will therefore appear at the cell membrane in cells expressing these mutants. These mutations were clustered in the N-terminal part of the RD, suggesting that this subdomain has a folding pattern that is very sensitive to amino acid changes. Mutations that caused no aberrant processing were further characterized at the electrophysiological level. First, they were studied at the whole cell level in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Mutants that induced a whole cell current that was significantly different from wild-type CFTR were subsequently analysed at the single channel level in COS1 cells transiently expressing the different mutant and wild-type proteins. Three mutant chloride channels, G622D, R792G and E822K CFTR, were characterized by significantly lower intrinsic chloride channel activities compared with wild-type CFTR. Two mutations, H620Q and A800G, resulted in increased intrinsic chloride transport activities. Finally, T665S and E826K CFTR had single channel properties not significantly different from wild-type CFTR.

What we know and what we do not know about cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-regulated chloride channel that resides in the apical membrane of many epithelial cells. Channel opening requires phosophorylation of serine residues in an intracellular regulatory domain by protein kinase A and as the binding and hydrolysis of ATP by intracellular nucleotide binding domains. Besides conducting the chloride ion, CFTR also regulates the function of other membrane proteins, directly or indirectly, notably the outwardly rectifying chloride channel and the epithelial sodium channel. The disease cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in CFTR, which can result in defective protein production, defective processing and degradation in the endoplasmic reticulum, or defective channel pore properties or gating properties.

Comparison of the gating behaviour of human and murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels expressed in mammalian cells

1. To investigate the function of the murine cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a full-length cDNA encoding wild-type murine CFTR was assembled and stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. 2. Like human CFTR, murine CFTR formed Cl- channels that were regulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and intracellular ATP. However, murine CFTR Cl- channels had a reduced single-channel conductance and decreased open probability (Po) compared with those of human CFTR. 3. Analysis of the dwell time distributions of single channels suggested that the reduced Po of murine CFTR was caused by both decreased residence in the open state and transitions to a new closed state, described by an intermediate closed time constant. 4. For both human and murine CFTR, ATP and ADP regulated the rate of exit from the long-lived closed state. 5. 5'-Adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) and pyrophosphate, two compounds that disrupt cycles of ATP hydrolysis, stabilized the open state of human CFTR. However, neither agent locked murine CFTR Cl- channels open, although AMP-PNP increased the Po of murine CFTR. 6. The data indicate that although human and murine CFTR have many properties in common, some important differences in function are observed. These differences could be exploited in future studies to provide new understanding about CFTR.