Inherited persistence of immature type pyruvate kinase and hexokinase isozymes in dog erythrocytes

Cholesterol-binding protein TSPO2 coordinates maturation and proliferation of terminally differentiating erythroblasts

TSPO2 (translocator protein 2) is a transmembrane protein specifically expressed in late erythroblasts and has been postulated to mediate intracellular redistribution of cholesterol. We identified TSPO2 as the causative gene for the HK (high-K⁺) trait with immature red cell phenotypes in dogs and investigated the effects of the TSPO2 defects on erythropoiesis in HK dogs with the TSPO2 mutation and Tspo2 knockout (Tspo2^−/−) mouse models. Bone marrow–derived erythroblasts from HK dogs showed increased binucleated and apoptotic cells at various stages of maturation and shed large nuclei with incomplete condensation when cultured in the presence of erythropoietin, indicating impaired maturation and cytokinesis. The canine TSPO2 induces cholesterol accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum and could thereby regulate cholesterol availability by changing intracellular cholesterol distribution in erythroblasts. Tspo2^−/− mice consistently showed impaired cytokinesis with increased binucleated erythroblasts, resulting in compensated anemia, and their red cell membranes had increased Na,K-ATPase, resembling the HK phenotype in dogs. Tspo2-deficient mouse embryonic stem cell–derived erythroid progenitor (MEDEP) cells exhibited similar morphological defects associated with a cell-cycle arrest at the G₂/M phase, resulting in decreased cell proliferation and had a depletion in intracellular unesterified and esterified cholesterol. When the terminal maturation was induced, Tspo2^−/− MEDEP cells showed delays in hemoglobinization; maturation-associated phenotypic changes in CD44, CD71, and TER119 expression; and cell-cycle progression. Taken together, these findings imply that TSPO2 is essential for coordination of maturation and proliferation of erythroblasts during normal erythropoiesis.

Aquaporin-1 expression in canine peripheral erythrocytes and its relation to cell volume

To evaluate the relationship between aquaporin-1 (AQP1) expression and the cell volume of red blood cells (RBCs), canine peripheral RBCs were separated according to specific gravity, and expression of the AQP1 protein on the membrane of RBCs was compared using anti-dog AQP1 polypeptide serum. Western blot analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in AQP1 expression between large and small cell fractions. In addition, the AQP1 expression of inherited high K/low Na RBCs which are known to be 20% larger than normal RBCs, was comparable to that of normal RBCs. These results suggest that AQP1, the major water channel in RBCs, does not determine the cell volume of peripheral canine RBCs.

Aquaporin 1 expression in tissues of canines possessing inherited high K+ erythrocytes

We investigated the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1) in tissues from canines with an inherited anomaly that causes their erythrocytes to have high K⁺. Northern blot analysis revealed abundant AQP1 expression in lung and kidney, though little expression was found in spleen. Using anti-C-terminus for dog AQP1, abundant expression was shown in kidney, trachea, and eye, but little expression was shown in pancreas and cerebrum, indicating that AQP1 expression in canine tissues is similar to that noted in other mammals.

Comparison of K-Cl cotransport expression in high and low K dog erythrocytes

K-Cl cotransport plays a crucial role in regulatory volume decrease of erythrocytes. K-Cl cotransport activities in dog erythrocytes with an inherited high Na-K pump activity (HK) and normal erythrocytes (LK) were compared. Nitrite (NO(2)) stimulated K-Cl cotransport activity in HK cells around 14-fold at 2.4 mM, and it also increased the Km value of this cotransporter. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis revealed that K-Cl cotransporter 1 was dominant, and that the quantity of K-Cl cotransporter 1 protein was comparable between HK and LK erythrocytes. These results suggest that the difference in cotransport activity was not caused by the amount of K-Cl cotransport protein but by a difference in the regulation system, which is susceptible to oxidant.

Heredity of red blood cells with high K and low glutathione (HK/LG) and high K and high glutathione (HK/HG) in a family of Japanese Shiba Dogs

Forty-two of 81 dogs from a family of Japanese Shiba dogs had red blood cells with a high K and a low Na concentration (HK). Of the HK dogs, 32 were high K and low glutathione (HK/LG) and 10 were high K and high glutathione (HK/HG). These variants were found in both males and females. The phenotype of HK was inherited in a recessive mode as reported earlier. A high incidence of HK/LG dogs was found in this family, and the phenotype was also inherited in a recessive mode. Glutamate (Glu) influx, which defines the cellular glutathione concentration, was lower in HK/LG cells than in HK/HG cells (in some cases extremely low). The fact that the red blood cells of HK/LG dogs have the two varying characteristics of a remaining Na, K-pump and low Glu transport suggests that 2 or more genes may be involved. Since an extremely low Glu influx was also found in normal low K and high Na (LK) red blood cells, the characteristic of low Glu transport also exists in LK cells. The phenotype of low Glu transport may also be inherited in a recessive mode. This family therefore had a very high incidence of homozygous recessive genes which control the phenotypes for the Na, K-pump and low Glu transport.