Properties of two multisubstate Cl- channels from human syncytiotrophoblast reconstituted on planar lipid bilayers

An outwardly rectifying chloride channel in BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line

In this study, an outwardly rectifying chloride channel was characterized in the trophoblastic cell line BeWo, a human hormone-synthesizing cell which displays many biochemical and morphological properties similar to those reported for the human cytotrophoblast. Ion channel activity was recorded in the cell attached and inside-out configurations with standard patch-clamp technology. In most of the BeWo cells studied, the channel under symmetrical N-methyl-d-glucamine (NMDG-Cl) concentration (Na(+) free solution) in both sides of the membrane exhibited spontaneous activity, an outwardly rectifying current/voltage relationship and single-channel conductances of 15 pS and 48 pS for inwards and outwards currents, respectively. The channel has a low permeability for gluconate with a relative permeability P(gluconate)/P(Cl) of 0.23, and a higher permeability to I(-). The open probability (Po) of the channel exhibited dependence with the applied membrane potential with greater activity at positive pulses. The channel activity was inhibited by the sulphonylurea hypoglycemic agent glibenclamide (50 μM) or by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC, 500 μM) added to the cytoplasmic side of the patch whereas conductances remained unchanged. The blockade with glibenclamide and DPC was independent of the applied membrane potential. All these results are characteristic of the outwardly rectifying Cl channel (ORCC) found in other types of cells. Neither Po, conductances nor reversal potential (Er) values were affected by the absence of intracellular Ca(2+), suggesting that the channel is not sensitive to Ca(2+).

Placental chloride channels: a review

The human placental syncytiotrophoblast (hSTB) is a polarized epithelial structure, that forms the main barrier to materno-fetal exchange. The chloride (Cl(-)) channels in other epithelial tissues contribute to several functions, such as maintenance of the membrane potential, volume regulation, absorption and secretion. Additionally, the contributions of Cl(-) channels to these functions are demonstrated by certain diseases and knock-out animal models. There are multiple lines of evidence for the presence of Cl(-) channels in the hSTB, which could contribute to different placental functions. However, both the mechanism by which these channels are involved in the physiology of the placenta, and their molecular identities are still unclear. Furthermore, a correlation between altered Cl(-) channels functions and pathological pregnancies is beginning to emerge. This review summarizes recent developments on conductive placental chloride transport, and discusses its potential implications for placental physiology.

Effect of hydro-osmotic pressure on polycystin-2 channel function in the human syncytiotrophoblast

Polycystin-2 (PC2), one of the gene products whose mutations cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a transient receptor potential (TRP)-type (TRPP2) Ca(2+)-permeable, non-selective cation channel. PC2 is localized in the plasma membrane, the primary cilium, and other cellular organelles of renal epithelial and other cells. Recent studies indicate that PC2 is involved in signal transduction events associated with the transient increase in cytosolic Ca(2+). Proof of evidence now hinges on involvement of the PC2 channel in the transduction of environmental signals. PC2 is abundantly expressed in the apical membrane of human syncytiotrophoblast (hST), a highly intricate epithelial tissue, which is essential for the maternal-fetal transfer of solutes, including ions. Physical forces such as hydrostatic (H) and osmotic (Pi) pressure play important roles in placenta homeostasis. In this study, we provide new information on PC2 channel regulation in the hST by these environmental factors, and propose a model as to how they may trigger the activation of PC2. Using apical hST vesicles reconstituted in a lipid bilayer system, we found that a change in either H or Pi modified PC2 channel activity. This stimulatory effect was no longer observed in hST vesicles pre-treated with the actin cytoskeleton disrupter cytochalasin D. As shown by immunofluorescence analysis PC2 co-localized with actin filaments in the vicinity of the plasma membrane. This co-localization was disrupted by cytochalasin D. Taken together, our findings indicate that physical forces exerted on cells regulate PC2 channel activity by a sensory mechanism involving the actin cytoskeleton.

Cytoskeletal regulation of calcium-permeable cation channels in the human syncytiotrophoblast: role of gelsolin

The human syncytiotrophoblast (hST) is the most apical epithelial barrier that covers the villous tree of the human placenta. An intricate and highly organized network of cytoskeletal structures supports the hST. Recently, polycystin-2 (PC2), a TRP-type nonselective cation channel, was functionally observed in hST, where it may be an important player to Ca2+ transport. Little is known, however, about channel regulation in hST. In this report, the regulatory role of actin dynamics on PC2 channels reconstituted from hST apical membranes was explored. Acute addition of cytochalasin D (CD, 5 microg ml-1) to reconstituted hST apical membranes transiently increased K+ -permeable channel activity. The actin-binding proteins alpha-actinin and gelsolin, as well as PC2, were observed by Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses in hST vesicles. CD treatment of hST vesicles resulted in a re-distribution of actin filaments, in agreement with the effect of CD on K+ channel activity. In contrast, addition of exogenous monomeric actin, but not prepolymerized actin, induced a rapid inhibition of channel function in hST. This inhibition was obliterated by the presence of CD in the medium. The acute (<15 min) CD stimulation of K+ channel activity was mimicked by addition of the actin-severing protein gelsolin in the presence, but not in the absence, of micromolar Ca2+. Ca2+ transport through PC2 triggers a regulatory feedback mechanism, which is based on the severing and re-formation of filamentous actin near the channels. Cytoskeletal structures may thus be relevant to ion transport regulation in the human placenta.

Estimation of the radius of the pores formed by the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1C delta-endotoxin in planar lipid bilayers

Pore formation constitutes a key step in the mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis delta-endotoxins and various activated Cry toxins have been shown to form ionic channels in receptor-free planar lipid bilayers at high concentrations. Multiple conductance levels have been observed with several toxins, suggesting that the channels result from the multimeric assembly of a variable number of toxin molecules. To test this possibility, the size of the channels formed by Cry1C was estimated with the non-electrolyte exclusion technique and polyethylene glycols of various molecular weights. In symmetrical 300 mM KCl solutions, Cry1C induced channel activity with 15 distinct conductance levels ranging from 21 to 246 pS and distributed in two main conductance populations. Both the smallest and largest conductance levels and the mean conductance values of both populations were systematically reduced in the presence of polyethylene glycols with hydrated radii of up to 1.05 nm, indicating that these solutes can penetrate the pores formed by the toxin. Larger polyethylene glycols had little effect on the conductance levels, indicating that they were excluded from the pores. Our results indicate that Cry1C forms clusters composed of a variable number of channels having a similar pore radius of between 1.0 and 1.3 nm and gating synchronously.

Voltage dependence and pH regulation of human polycystin-2-mediated cation channel activity

Polycystin-2, the product of the human PKD2 gene, whose mutations cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, is a large conductance, Ca(2+)-permeable non-selective cation channel. Polycystin-2 is functionally expressed in the apical membrane of the human syncytiotrophoblast, where it may play a role in the control of fetal electrolyte homeostasis. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms that regulate polycystin-2 channel function. In this study, the role of pH in the regulation of polycystin-2 was assessed by ion channel reconstitution of both apical membranes of human syncytiotrophoblast and the purified FLAG-tagged protein from in vitro transcribed/translated material. A kinetic analysis of single channel currents, including dwell time histograms, confirmed two open and two close states for spontaneous channel behavior and a strong voltage dependence of the open probability of the channel (P(o)). A reduction of cis pH (pH(cis)) decreased P(o) and shifted the voltage dependence of channel function but had no effect on the single channel conductance. An increase in pH(cis), in contrast, increased NP(o) (channel number times P(o)). Elimination of the H(+) chemical gradient did not reverse the low pH(cis) inhibition of polycystin-2. Similar findings confirmed the pH effect on the in vitro translated, FLAG-tagged purified polycystin-2. The data indicate the presence of an H(+) ion regulatory site in the channel protein, which is accessible from the cytoplasmic side of the protein. This protonation site controls polycystin-2 cation-selective channel activity.

Water channel proteins AQP3 and AQP9 are present in syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta

The syncytiotrophoblast of human term placenta (HST) is a continuous, multinucleated structure with minimal tight junctions, which results from the fusion of the underlying cytotrophoblast cells. Consequently, the transport of metabolites, ions and water from mother to fetus could take place primarily via transcellular routes. Transcellular water flux may be facilitated by aquaporins, membrane proteins functioning as water channels that are widely expressed in cells and tissues. Here, we report the presence of AQP3 and AQP9 in the apical membranes of HST using RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Since AQP3 is not only a water channels, but also permits the rapid passage of both urea and glycerol, while AQP9 also mediates the passage of carbamides, polyols, purines, and pyrimidines, we have speculated that these proteins could be involved in the transport of water and solutes from mother to fetus.

Polycystin-2, the protein mutated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), is a Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel

Defects in polycystin-2, a ubiquitous transmembrane glycoprotein of unknown function, is a major cause of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), whose manifestation entails the development of fluid-filled cysts in target organs. Here, we demonstrate that polycystin-2 is present in term human syncytiotrophoblast, where it behaves as a nonselective cation channel. Lipid bilayer reconstitution of polycystin-2-positive human syncytiotrophoblast apical membranes displayed a nonselective cation channel with multiple subconductance states, and a high perm-selectivity to Ca2+. This channel was inhibited by anti-polycystin-2 antibody, Ca2+, La3+, Gd3+, and the diuretic amiloride. Channel function by polycystin-2 was confirmed by patch-clamping experiments of polycystin-2 heterologously infected Sf9 insect cells. Further, purified insect cell-derived recombinant polycystin-2 and in vitro translated human polycystin-2 had similar ion channel activity. The polycystin-2 channel may be associated with fluid accumulation and/or ion transport regulation in target epithelia, including placenta. Dysregulation of this channel provides a mechanism for the onset and progression of ADPKD.