Reconstitution of a kidney chloride channel and its identification by covalent labeling

New findings concerning vertebrate porin II--on the relevance of glycine motifs of type-1 VDAC

New findings concerning vertebrate porin part I was published in 1997, then summarizing early data and reflections regarding the molecular structure of vertebrate voltage-dependent anion-selective channels, VDAC/eukaryotic porin, and the extra-mitochondrial expression pattern of human type-1 VDAC. Meanwhile, endeavors of different laboratories confirmed and widened this beginning by encircling the function of the channels. Regarding the function of mitochondrial outer membrane-standing VDACs the channels are established parts of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and thus therapeutic targets in studies on several diseases: cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Down Syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, cystic fibrosis and malaria. Regarding cell membrane-integrated type-1 VDAC it has been documented by different approaches that this porin channel is engaged in cell volume regulation, trans-membrane electron transport and apoptosis. Furthermore, new data insinuate a bridging of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, putatively gaining relevance in Alzheimer research. Mammalian type-1 VDAC, a β-barrel, is basically built up by nineteen β-sheets connected by peptide stretches of varying lengths. The molecule also comprises an N-terminal stretch of some twenty amino acids which, according to biochemical data, traverses the channel lumen towards the cytosolic surface of outer mitochondrial membranes or the plasma lemma, respectively and works as voltage sensor in channel gating. In artificial lipid bilayers VDACs figure as anion or cation-channels, as VDACs are permeable to both cations and anions, with voltage shifts changing the relative permeability. Type-1 VDAC carries several motifs where glycine residues are in critical positions. Motifs of this type, on the on hand, are established nucleotide binding sites. On the other hand, the GxxxG motifs are also discussed as relevant peptide dimerization/aggregation/membrane perturbation motifs. Finally, GxxxG motifs bind cholesterol. Type-1 VDAC shows one such GxxxG motif at the proximal end of its N-terminal voltage sensor while amyloid Aβ peptides include three of them in series. Noteworthy, two additional may be modified versions, GxxxGxG and GxxGxxxG, are found on β-sheet 19 or 9, respectively. Recent data have allowed speculating that amyloid Aβ induces apoptosis via opening type-1 VDAC in cell membranes of hypo-metabolic neurons, a process most likely running over life time--as leaves fall from trees in the tropics--and ending in Alzheimer's disease whenever critical brain regions are affected. The expression of GxxxG motifs on either reactant under consideration is in line with this model of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, which clearly differs from the amyloid Aβ cascade theory, and which can, furthermore, be understood as a basic model for apoptosis induction. However, to assume randomly distributed interactions of body wide found amyloid Aβ peptides with the N-terminal voltage sensors of ubiquitously expressed cell membrane-standing human type-1 VDAC opens up a new view on Alzheimer's disease, which might even include a clue on systemic aspects of the disease. While elaborating this concept, my focus was at first only on the GxxxG motif at the proximal end of the N-terminal voltage sensor of type-1 VDAC. Here, I include a corresponding sequence stretch on the channel's β-sheet 19, too.

Studies on human porin XXII: cell membrane integrated human porin channels are involved in regulatory volume decrease (RVD) of HeLa cells

Cell volume regulation receives increasing attention not only as the basis of regulatory volume increase or regulatory volume decrease (RVD) of cells in surroundings of changing osmolarity, but also appears to be relevant in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. A central event in RVD is the opening of a volume-sensitive chloride/anion channel(s), and blocking this pathway would abolish RVD. This is shown here with monoclonal mouse anti-human type-1 porin antibodies, proving that porin is involved in this process. HeLa cells preincubated with these antibodies dramatically increase their volume within about 1 min after a hypotonic stimulus by 70 mM NaCl Ringer solution, but do not move back toward their starting volume, thus indicating abolished RVD. Corresponding effects are induced by the established anion channel inhibitor DIDS. Video camera monitoring of cell size over time was used as a direct and noninvasive approach. We had already accumulated evidence that plasmalemma integrated eukaryotic porin channels form chloride/anion channels in this cell compartment and that they are involved in cell volume regulation. Finally, the present data again demonstrate the suitability of our anti-porin antibodies in physiological studies.

Methodology for assaying iodide conductance in proteoliposomes: specific induction by thyroid membrane protein

A sensitive assay is developed to assess the existence of an iodide channel in a fraction of solubilized membrane proteins. This step is critical when considering various procedures for purification of this channel. Sodium cholate is used as a detergent as it does not denature the iodide channel. A simple and rapid method involving gel-filtration chromatography is used simultaneously to remove the detergent and to adjust the buffer composition, before protein insertion into liposomes. The presence of an iodide channel is investigated by measuring the iodide conductance of these proteoliposomes at 4 degrees C. An outward iodide gradient is set up across the proteoliposomal membrane by anion-exchange chromatography, allowing uptake of radiolabelled iodide. This uptake is conductive as it is abolished by valinomycin in the presence of potassium. It is specifically mediated by a thyroid plasma-membrane protein inserted into liposomes, as its denaturation before insertion totally abolished uptake. It was observed only within a well-defined fraction of thyroid membrane proteins collected by size-exclusion chromatography (molecular mass between 100 and 200 kDa). Furthermore, it was not observed with other membrane proteins such as ileal brush-border-membrane proteins or bacteriorhodopsin. Like many anion channels, this conductance was also inhibited by N-phenylanthranilic acid. Optimization of the assay is described, validating the measurement of conductive iodide uptake at 30 s by proteoliposomes reconstituted in a ratio of 10 micrograms of protein to 90 micrograms of lipid, with an outward iodide gradient (KI 15 mM inside and 1 microM outside). This assay provides a test of the biological activity of the iodide channel at each step of the purification; it can be applied to any anionic channel.

Labeling of the Amphiuma erythrocyte K+/H+ exchanger with H2DIDS

Subsequent to swelling, the Amphiuma red blood cells lose K+, Cl-, and water until normal cell volume is restored. Net solute loss is the result of K+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- exchangers functionally coupled through changes in pH and therefore HCO3-. Whereas the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger is constitutively active, K+/H+ actively is induced by cell swelling. The constitutive Cl-/HCO3- exchanger is inhibited by low concentrations (< 1 microM) of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) or H2DIDS, yet the concentration of H2DIDS > 25 microM irreversibly modifies the K+/H+ exchanger in swollen cells. We exploited the volume-dependent irreversible low-affinity reaction between H2DIDS and the K+/H+ to identify the protein(s) associated with K+/H+ exchange activity. Labeling of the membrane proteins of intact cells with 3H2DIDS results in high-affinity labeling of a broad 100-kDa band, thought to be the anion exchanger. Additional swelling-dependent low-affinity labeling at 110 kDa suggests the possibility of a volume-induced population of anion exchangers. Finally, the correlation between volume-sensitive K+/H+ modification and low-affinity labeling suggests that transport activity is associated with a protein of approximately 85 kDa. Although a 55-kDa protein is also labeled, it is a less likely candidate, since label incorporation and transport modification are less well correlated than that of the 85- and 110-kDa proteins.

Halide permeation through three types of epithelial anion channels after reconstitution into giant liposomes

Anion-selective channels from apical membranes of cultured CFPAC-1 cells were isolated and incorporated into giant liposomes for patch clamp recording. Liposomes were formed from L-alpha-lecithin by a dehydration-hydration method. Ion channels were characterized using the excised inside-out patch clamp configuration. The most commonly observed anion channels were similar to those observed in native epithelial tissues. The linear 20 pS Cl- channel had the halide permeability sequence Cl- > I- > or = Br- > F-, and showed anomalous mole-fraction behavior in solutions containing different proportions of Cl- and F- ions. The autwardly rectifying Cl- channel had the halide permeability sequence I- > Br- > Cl- > F-, and also showed anomalous mole-fraction behavior, indicating that both these channels probably contain multi-ion pores. The third, voltage-dependent anion channel showed at least five different substrates, had a conductance of 390 pS in the main state, and showed two types of kinetics, fast (openings and closings < 1 ms), and slow (openings and closings > 1 s). The channel was seen more frequently after reconstitution into giant liposomes than in intact cells. It was not selective amongst the halides, and there was no deviation from a linear dependence of relative current on molar fractions, indicating relatively simple permeation through the pore. Differences in halide permeabilities suggest that different anion channels may be related to different membrane proteins. Comparison with the chloride channel proteins isolated biochemically from epithelial cell membranes is discussed.

Isolation of a chloride channel-enriched membrane fraction from tracheal and renal epithelia

A membrane fraction, enriched in Cl- channels, has been isolated from bovine tracheal epithelia and renal cortex homogenates by hydrophobic chromatography. The fraction (MPS) shows a 37-fold enrichment of Cl- channels over crude tracheal homogenates by net Cl- flux measurements. Alkaline phosphatase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase are not found in these membranes, suggesting that they are not apical or basolateral plasma membranes. Marker enzyme analysis for major subcellular membranes also proved negative. The MPS fraction exhibits a protein profile unlike that of other membrane fractions, with major proteins of 200 and 42 kDa, proteins of 30-35 kDa, and lesser amounts of other proteins. Reconstitution of MPS fractions from both trachea and kidney into planar lipid bilayers demonstrates the presence of a single type of anion channel. The current-voltage relationship of this channel is identical to that of the predominant anion channel observed in tracheal apical membranes under similar conditions (H. H. Valdivia, W. P. Dubinsky, and R. Coronado. Science Wash. DC 242: 1441-1444, 1988). In addition, the voltage dependence, selectivity sequence of Cl- > Br- > or = I-, and inhibition by low concentrations of 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid correspond to those of the predominant apical membrane channel. Thus, although the MPS appear to be of subcellular origin, they may be functionally related to an apical membrane Cl- permeability.

Studies on human porin. VII. The channel properties of the human B-lymphocyte membrane-derived "Porin 31HL" are similar to those of mitochondrial porins

Porin 31HL was isolated and purified from total membrane preparations of a human B-lymphocyte cell line. The protein showed a single band of apparent molecular mass 31 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Reconstitution of the protein into artificial lipid bilayer membranes defines its function as a channel-forming protein. The distribution of single-channel conductances had two maxima of 2.4 and 4.3 nS in 1M KCl. The channel formed by Porin 31HL of human B-lymphocytes was found to be voltage-dependent and switched to ion-permeable substates at membrane voltage larger than 20mV. In the open state the pore exhibited the characteristics of a general diffusion pore because the mobility sequence of the ions inside the pore was similar to that in the bulk aqueous phase. The effective diameter was estimated to be about 1.7 nm. The properties of the low conductance state of the channel were studied in detail. In this state the pore favored the passage of cations, in contrast to the open state which favored anions slightly. Monoclonal antibodies against the N-terminal end of Porin 31HL blocked its reconstitution but had otherwise no influence on the channel properties. This result suggested that the amphipathic alpha-helical structure at the N-terminal end is probably not involved in channel gating. The channel-forming properties of Porin 31HL were compared to those of porins isolated from mitochondrial outer membranes and to those of the "maxi chloride channel" observed in the cytoplasmic membrane of several eukaryotic cells.

Chemical probes for anion transporters of mammalian cell membranes

Mammalian cell membranes harbor several types of chloride channels, chloride-cation symporters/cotransporters, and several classes of anion exchangers/antiporters. These transport systems subserve different cellular or organismic functions, depending on the nature of the cell, the spatial organization of transporters, and their functional interplay. Chemical probing has played a central role in the structural and functional delineation of the various anion transport systems. The design of specific probes or their selection from existing sources coupled with their judicious application to the most appropriate biological system had led to the identification of specific anion transporters and to the elucidation of the underlying molecular transport mechanism. In many instances, chemical probing has remained the major or exclusive analytical tool for the functional definition or identification of a given transport system, particularly for discerning among the various anion transporters which operate in highly heterogeneous cell membrane systems. This work critically reviews the present state of the chemical armamentarium available for the most common anion transporters found in mammalian cell membranes. It encompasses the description of the most useful or commonly used probes in terms of their chemical, biochemical, physiological, and pharmacological properties. The review deals primarily with what chemical probes tell about anion transporters and, most importantly, with the limitations inherent in the use of probes in transport studies.

Inhibition of sodium-phosphate cotransport in renal brush-border membranes with the stilbenedisulfonate, H2-DIDS

Membrane proteins involved with sodium/phosphate cotransport across the renal brush border provide the sensitive control for phosphate homeostasis. The present study describes the inhibition of sodium/phosphate cotransport with the stilbenedisulfonate derivatives, DIDS and H2-DIDS. Preincubation of the rat brush-border membrane vesicles with H2-DIDS led to the inhibition of sodium-dependent phosphate uptake with a half maximal concentration, IC50, of about 10 microM. The inhibition was irreversible supporting the notion that H2-DIDS forms covalent bonds with the cotransporter. The cotransporter could be protected by excess sodium phosphate but not sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium succinate, sodium bicarbonate, nor sodium phosphonoformate. These observations suggest that the stilbenedisulfonates may be useful in labeling the sodium/phosphate cotransporter within renal brush-border membranes.

Characterisation of the effects of anthranilic and (indanyloxy) acetic acid derivatives on chloride transport in membrane vesicles

The effects of the Cl- channel blockers, NPPB, IAA94/95 and a number of related compounds on 36Cl- transport in membrane vesicles from bovine kidney cortex and rabbit ileum mucosa brush borders have been studied. These vesicles have been previously shown to be enriched in Cl- channel and Cl-/anion cotransport activity, respectively. Chloride transport was assayed in both types of vesicles by measuring the uptake of 36Cl- in response to an outwardly-directed Cl- concentration gradient. In kidney microsomes, a large proportion of the observed 36Cl- uptake was mediated by an electrogenic uniport and could be substantially reduced by clamping the membrane potential at zero mV using K+ and valinomycin. Chloride uptake was inhibited by both NPPB and IAA94/95 with apparent IC50 values of around 10 microM under optimal conditions (i.e., 4 min uptake at 4 degrees C). Under other conditions (e.g., 10 min uptake at 25 degrees C), where uptake had reached a steady-state level, much higher concentrations of inhibitor were required to cause inhibition. Therefore, previous differences in the reported potency of these compounds may, in part, have been due to the conditions under which Cl- uptake was measured. In addition, both NPPB and, to a lesser extent, IAA94/95 were found to have other effects on the vesicles, in that, when added at a concentration of 100 microM, they induced a leakage of pre-accumulated 36Cl-. This was probably caused by either dissipation of membrane potential or damage to the vesicle membranes. The sulphonic acid derivatives of NPPB and IAA94/95 (NPPB-S and ISA94/95, respectively) blocked 36Cl- uptake with around the same potency as NPPB and IAA94/95, but did not cause any non-specific Cl- leakage, when added at concentrations up to 100 microM. Inhibition of 36Cl- uptake by all four compounds was almost completely reversible. However, when vesicles were incubated with the inhibitors in the presence of an outward Cl- concentration gradient, or if vesicles were freeze/thawed in the presence of the compounds, inhibition could be only partially reversed. In rabbit brush border membrane vesicles, 36Cl- uptake was not reduced when the vesicles were voltage clamped using valinomycin and K+, and was therefore probably mediated by Cl-/Cl- exchange. However, despite the lack of effect of valinomycin, 36Cl- uptake was inhibited by both NPPB (approx. 80% inhibition at 100 microM) and, to a lesser extent, by IAA94/95 (approx. 30% inhibition at 100 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[A flip-flop model of the chloride channel complex explains the dysregulation of the chloride flow in the plasmalemma of cells in cystic fibrosis]

The basic defect in cystic fibrosis is the chloride impermeability of the plasmalemma in different cells. A candidate for the chloride channel, thought to be affected in the syndrome, is "Porin 31HL" recently described by us. The molecule is i) expressed in the plasmalemma of different cells, it has ii) a molecular mass of 31,000 Daltons, it shows iii) high conductance in artificial membranes and it can be iv) modified by 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. A porin in the outer membrane of cells should furthermore v) be regulated by modulators. All these characters of "Porin 31HL" correspond to those given in literature for chloride channels. The regulation of the channels can be explained by a two component flip flop model.

Studies on human porin. III. Does the voltage-dependent anion channel "Porin 31HL" form part of the chloride channel complex, which is observed in different cells and thought to be affected in cystic fibrosis?

"Porin 31HL", of known primary structure, is an integral protein of the plasmalemma of human B cells (Thinnes, F.P. et al. (1989) This Journal 370, 1253-1264; Kayser, H. et al. (1989) This Journal 370, 1265-1278). Purified "Porin 31HL" from human B lymphocytes was reconstituted into lipid bilayer membranes, where it formed defined voltage-dependent channels. Five minutes preincubation with 100 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate, potent inhibitor of chloride transport, altered the channel-forming properties of the protein, so that it now showed small irregular channels instead of distinct steps. In addition, the voltage-dependence of the channel was abolished by the action of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. Functional and structural similarities between "Porin 31HL" and porin preparations from other human tissues and from other species suggest that this protein may be part of the chloride channel complex, which is defective in cystic fibrosis.