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Ferreira JJ, Kent LN, McCarthy R, Butler A, Ma X, Peramsetty N, Amazu C, Zhang A, Whitter GC, England SK, Santi CM. SLO2.1/NALCN Functional Complex Activity in Mouse Myometrial Smooth Muscle Cells During Pregnancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596465. [PMID: 38853884 PMCID: PMC11160795 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
At the end of pregnancy, the uterus transitions from a quiescent to a highly contractile state. This is partly due to depolarization of the resting membrane potential in uterine (myometrial) smooth muscle cells (MSMCs). Experiments with human MSMCs showed that the membrane potential is regulated by a functional complex between the sodium (Na+)-activated potassium (K+) channel SLO2.1 and the Na+ Leak Channel Non-Selective (NALCN). In human MSMCs, Na+ entering through NALCN activates SLO2.1, leading to K+ efflux, membrane hyperpolarization (cells become more negative inside), and reduced contractility. Decreased SLO2.1/NALCN activity results in reduced K+ efflux, leading to membrane depolarization, Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent calcium channels, and increased MSMC contractility. However, all of these experiments were performed with MSMCs isolated from women at term, so the role of the SLO2.1/NALCN complex early in pregnancy was speculative. To address this question here, we examined the role of the SLO2.1/NALCN complex in regulating mouse MSMC membrane potential across pregnancy. We report that Slo2.1 and Nalcn expression change along pregnancy, being more highly expressed in MSMCs from non-pregnant and early pregnant mice than in those from late-pregnant mice. Functional studies revealed that SLO2.1 channels mediate a significant portion of the K+ current in mouse MSMCs, particularly in cells from non-pregnant and early pregnant mice. Activation of SLO2.1 by Na+ influx through NALCN led to membrane hyperpolarization in MSMCs from early pregnancy but not in MSMCs from later pregnancy. Moreover, we found that the NALCN/SLO2.1 complex regulates intracellular Ca2+ responses more in MSMCs from non-pregnant and early pregnancy mice than in MSMCs from late pregnancy. Together, these findings reveal that the SLO2.1/NALCN functional complex is conserved between mouse and humans and functions throughout pregnancy. This work could open avenues for targeted pharmacological interventions in pregnancy-related complications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ronald McCarthy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alice Butler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nikita Peramsetty
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chinwendu Amazu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Alexander Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Grace C. Whitter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Sarah K. England
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Celia M. Santi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 425 S. Euclid Avenue, CB 8064, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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Monteil A, Guérineau NC, Gil-Nagel A, Parra-Diaz P, Lory P, Senatore A. New insights into the physiology and pathophysiology of the atypical sodium leak channel NALCN. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:399-472. [PMID: 37615954 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00014.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell excitability and its modulation by hormones and neurotransmitters involve the concerted action of a large repertoire of membrane proteins, especially ion channels. Unique complements of coexpressed ion channels are exquisitely balanced against each other in different excitable cell types, establishing distinct electrical properties that are tailored for diverse physiological contributions, and dysfunction of any component may induce a disease state. A crucial parameter controlling cell excitability is the resting membrane potential (RMP) set by extra- and intracellular concentrations of ions, mainly Na+, K+, and Cl-, and their passive permeation across the cell membrane through leak ion channels. Indeed, dysregulation of RMP causes significant effects on cellular excitability. This review describes the molecular and physiological properties of the Na+ leak channel NALCN, which associates with its accessory subunits UNC-79, UNC-80, and NLF-1/FAM155 to conduct depolarizing background Na+ currents in various excitable cell types, especially neurons. Studies of animal models clearly demonstrate that NALCN contributes to fundamental physiological processes in the nervous system including the control of respiratory rhythm, circadian rhythm, sleep, and locomotor behavior. Furthermore, dysfunction of NALCN and its subunits is associated with severe pathological states in humans. The critical involvement of NALCN in physiology is now well established, but its study has been hampered by the lack of specific drugs that can block or agonize NALCN currents in vitro and in vivo. Molecular tools and animal models are now available to accelerate our understanding of how NALCN contributes to key physiological functions and the development of novel therapies for NALCN channelopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Monteil
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- LabEx "Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics," Montpellier, France
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nathalie C Guérineau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- LabEx "Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics," Montpellier, France
| | - Antonio Gil-Nagel
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Program, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Parra-Diaz
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Program, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
| | - Philippe Lory
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
- LabEx "Ion Channel Science and Therapeutics," Montpellier, France
| | - Adriano Senatore
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
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Tehrani Fateh S, Bagheri S, Sadeghi H, Salehpour S, Fazeli Bavandpour F, Sadeghi B, Jamshidi S, Tonekaboni SH, Mirfakhraie R, Miryounesi M, Ghasemi MR. Extending and outlining the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of novel mutations of NALCN gene in IHPRF1 syndrome: identifying recurrent urinary tract infection. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:4491-4498. [PMID: 37452996 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Infantile hypotonia with psychomotor retardation and characteristic facies 1 (IHPRF1) is caused by biallelic mutations in the NALCN gene, the major ion channel responsible for the background Na + conduction in neurons. Through whole-exome sequencing (WES), we report three novel homozygous variants in three families, including c.1434 + 1G > A, c.3269G > A, and c.2648G > T, which are confirmed and segregated by Sanger sequencing. Consequently, intron 12's highly conserved splice donor location is disrupted by the pathogenic c.1434 + 1G > A variation, most likely causing the protein to degrade through nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). Subsequently, a premature stop codon is thus generated at amino acid 1090 of the protein as a result of the pathogenic c.3269G > A; p.W1090* variation, resulting in NMD or truncated protein production. Lastly, the missense mutation c.2648G > T; p.G883V can play a critical role in the interplay of functional domains. This study introduces recurrent urinary tract infections for the first time, broadening the phenotypic range of IHPRF1 syndrome in addition to the genotypic spectrum. This trait may result from insufficient bladder emptying, which may be related to the NALCN channelosome's function in background Na + conduction. This work advances knowledge about the molecular genetic underpinnings of IHPRF1 and introduces a novel phenotype through the widespread use of whole exome sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahand Tehrani Fateh
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
- Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saman Bagheri
- Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Sadeghi
- Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shadab Salehpour
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Research Development Unit, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Behnia Sadeghi
- Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sanaz Jamshidi
- Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Hassan Tonekaboni
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, School of Medicine, Pediatric Neurology Research Center, Mofid Children's Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Miryounesi
- Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad-Reza Ghasemi
- Center for Comprehensive Genetic Services, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Zangeneh FZ, Hantoushzadeh S. The physiological basis with uterine myometrium contractions from electro-mechanical/hormonal myofibril function to the term and preterm labor. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22259. [PMID: 38034762 PMCID: PMC10687101 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most labor-related problems can be attributed to the uterine myometrium muscle, as this irritable tissue must suppress its irritability potential during pregnancy. Unfortunately, fewer studies have investigated the causes of this lack of suppression in preterm labor. Methods We conducted a scoping narrative review using three online databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct). Results The review focused on ion channel functions in the myometrium, including sodium channels [Na K-ATPase, Na-activated K channels (Slo2), voltage-gated (SCN) Na+, Na+ leaky channels, nonselective (NALCN) channels], potassium channels [KATP (Kir6) channels, voltage-dependent K channels (Kv4, Kv7, and Kv11), twin-pore domain K channels (TASK, TREK), inward rectifier Kir7.1, Ca2+-activated K+ channels with large (KCNMA1, Slo1), small (KCNN1-3), intermediate (KCNN4) conductance], and calcium channels [L-Type and T-type Ca2+ channels, calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCC)], as well as hyperpolarization-activated cation channels. These channels' functions are associated with hormonal effects such as oxytocin, estrogen/progesterone, and local prostaglandins. Conclusion Electromechanical/hormonal activity and environmental autocrine factors can serve as the primary practical basis for premature uterine contractions in term/preterm labor. Our findings highlight the significance of.1.the amplitude rate of hyperpolarization and the frequency of contractions,2.changes in the estrogen/progesterone ratio,3.Prostaglandins E/F involvement in initiating potential spikes and the increase of intracytoplasmic Ca2+.This narrative study highlights the range of hyperpolarization and the frequency of myometrium contractions as crucial factors. The synchronized complex progress of estrogen to progesterone ratio and prostaglandins plays a significant role in initiating potential spikes and increasing intracytoplasmic Ca2+, which further influences the contraction process during labor. Insights into myometrium physiology gained from this study may pave the way for much-needed new treatments to reduce problems associated with normal and preterm labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farideh Zafari Zangeneh
- Vali-E-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedighe Hantoushzadeh
- Department of Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran
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Ion Channel Partnerships: Odd and Not-So-Odd Couples Controlling Neuronal Ion Channel Function. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23041953. [PMID: 35216068 PMCID: PMC8878034 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The concerted function of the large number of ion channels expressed in excitable cells, including brain neurons, shapes diverse signaling events by controlling the electrical properties of membranes. It has long been recognized that specific groups of ion channels are functionally coupled in mediating ionic fluxes that impact membrane potential, and that these changes in membrane potential impact ion channel gating. Recent studies have identified distinct sets of ion channels that can also physically and functionally associate to regulate the function of either ion channel partner beyond that afforded by changes in membrane potential alone. Here, we review canonical examples of such ion channel partnerships, in which a Ca2+ channel is partnered with a Ca2+-activated K+ channel to provide a dedicated route for efficient coupling of Ca2+ influx to K+ channel activation. We also highlight examples of non-canonical ion channel partnerships between Ca2+ channels and voltage-gated K+ channels that are not intrinsically Ca2+ sensitive, but whose partnership nonetheless yields enhanced regulation of one or the other ion channel partner. We also discuss how these ion channel partnerships can be shaped by the subcellular compartments in which they are found and provide perspectives on how recent advances in techniques to identify proteins in close proximity to one another in native cells may lead to an expanded knowledge of other ion channel partnerships.
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