1
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You R, Jia Z. Pathophysiological role of Na-Cl cotransporter in kidneys, blood pressure, and metabolism. Hum Cell 2024; 37:1306-1315. [PMID: 38985392 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-024-01099-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) is a well-recognized regulator of ion transportation in the kidneys that facilitates Na+ reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. It is also the pharmacologic inhibitory target of thiazide diuretics, a class of front-line antihypertensive agents that have been widely used for decades. NCC is a potent regulator of Na+ reabsorption and homeostasis. Hence, its overactivation and suppression lead to hypertension and hypotension, respectively. Genetic mutations that affect NCC function contribute to several diseases such as Gordon and Gitelman syndromes. We summarized the role of NCC in various physiologic processes and pathological conditions, such as maintaining ion and water homeostasis, controlling blood pressure, and influencing renal physiology and injury. In addition, we discussed the recent advancements in understanding cryo-EM structure of NCC, the regulatory mechanisms and binding mode of thiazides with NCC, and novel physiologic implications of NCC in regulating the cross-talk between the immune system and adipose tissue or the kidneys. This review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the pivotal role of NCC in maintaining ion homeostasis, regulating blood pressure, and facilitating kidney function and NCC's novel role in immune and metabolic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran You
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 72 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210008, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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2
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Rioux AV, Nsimba-Batomene TR, Slimani S, Bergeron NAD, Gravel MAM, Schreiber SV, Fiola MJ, Haydock L, Garneau AP, Isenring P. Navigating the multifaceted intricacies of the Na +-Cl - cotransporter, a highly regulated key effector in the control of hydromineral homeostasis. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1147-1204. [PMID: 38329422 PMCID: PMC11381001 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00027.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC; SLC12A3) is a highly regulated integral membrane protein that is known to exist as three splice variants in primates. Its primary role in the kidney is to mediate the cosymport of Na+ and Cl- across the apical membrane of the distal convoluted tubule. Through this role and the involvement of other ion transport systems, NCC allows the systemic circulation to reclaim a fraction of the ultrafiltered Na+, K+, Cl-, and Mg+ loads in exchange for Ca2+ and [Formula: see text]. The physiological relevance of the Na+-Cl- cotransport mechanism in humans is illustrated by several abnormalities that result from NCC inactivation through the administration of thiazides or in the setting of hereditary disorders. The purpose of the present review is to discuss the molecular mechanisms and overall roles of Na+-Cl- cotransport as the main topics of interest. On reading the narrative proposed, one will realize that the knowledge gained in regard to these themes will continue to progress unrelentingly no matter how refined it has now become.
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Affiliation(s)
- A V Rioux
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - T R Nsimba-Batomene
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - S Slimani
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - N A D Bergeron
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - M A M Gravel
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - S V Schreiber
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - M J Fiola
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - L Haydock
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Service de Néphrologie-Transplantation Rénale Adultes, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, INSERM U1151, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - A P Garneau
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Service de Néphrologie-Transplantation Rénale Adultes, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, AP-HP, INSERM U1151, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - P Isenring
- Department of Medicine, Nephrology Research Group, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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3
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Kok M, Brodsky JL. The biogenesis of potassium transporters: implications of disease-associated mutations. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 59:154-198. [PMID: 38946646 PMCID: PMC11444911 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2024.2369986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The concentration of intracellular and extracellular potassium is tightly regulated due to the action of various ion transporters, channels, and pumps, which reside primarily in the kidney. Yet, potassium transporters and cotransporters play vital roles in all organs and cell types. Perhaps not surprisingly, defects in the biogenesis, function, and/or regulation of these proteins are linked to range of catastrophic human diseases, but to date, few drugs have been approved to treat these maladies. In this review, we discuss the structure, function, and activity of a group of potassium-chloride cotransporters, the KCCs, as well as the related sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporters, the NKCCs. Diseases associated with each of the four KCCs and two NKCCs are also discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on how these complex membrane proteins fold and mature in the endoplasmic reticulum, how non-native forms of the cotransporters are destroyed in the cell, and which cellular factors oversee their maturation and transport to the cell surface. When known, we also outline how the levels and activities of each cotransporter are regulated. Open questions in the field and avenues for future investigations are further outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Kok
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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4
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Ruiz Munevar M, Rizzi V, Portioli C, Vidossich P, Cao E, Parrinello M, Cancedda L, De Vivo M. Cation Chloride Cotransporter NKCC1 Operates through a Rocking-Bundle Mechanism. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:552-566. [PMID: 38146212 PMCID: PMC10786066 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
The sodium, potassium, and chloride cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) plays a key role in tightly regulating ion shuttling across cell membranes. Lately, its aberrant expression and function have been linked to numerous neurological disorders and cancers, making it a novel and highly promising pharmacological target for therapeutic interventions. A better understanding of how NKCC1 dynamically operates would therefore have broad implications for ongoing efforts toward its exploitation as a therapeutic target through its modulation. Based on recent structural data on NKCC1, we reveal conformational motions that are key to its function. Using extensive deep-learning-guided atomistic simulations of NKCC1 models embedded into the membrane, we captured complex dynamical transitions between alternate open conformations of the inner and outer vestibules of the cotransporter and demonstrated that NKCC1 has water-permeable states. We found that these previously undefined conformational transitions occur via a rocking-bundle mechanism characterized by the cooperative angular motion of transmembrane helices (TM) 4 and 9, with the contribution of the extracellular tip of TM 10. We found these motions to be critical in modulating ion transportation and in regulating NKCC1's water transporting capabilities. Specifically, we identified interhelical dynamical contacts between TM 10 and TM 6, which we functionally validated through mutagenesis experiments of 4 new targeted NKCC1 mutants. We conclude showing that those 4 residues are highly conserved in most Na+-dependent cation chloride cotransporters (CCCs), which highlights their critical mechanistic implications, opening the way to new strategies for NKCC1's function modulation and thus to potential drug action on selected CCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel
José Ruiz Munevar
- Laboratory
of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Valerio Rizzi
- Biomolecular
& Pharmaceutical Modelling Group, Université
de Genève, Rue Michel-Servet 1, Geneva CH-1211 4, Switzerland
| | - Corinne Portioli
- Laboratory
of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
- Laboratory
of Brain Development and Disease, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Pietro Vidossich
- Laboratory
of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Erhu Cao
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Utah School
of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-5650, United States
| | - Michele Parrinello
- Laboratory
of Atomistic Simulations, Istituto Italiano
di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Laboratory
of Brain Development and Disease, Istituto
Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory
of Molecular Modelling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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5
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Delpire E, Terker AS, Gagnon KB. Pharmacology of Compounds Targeting Cation-Chloride Cotransporter Physiology. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024; 283:249-284. [PMID: 37563251 PMCID: PMC10823342 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Transporters of the solute carrier family 12 (SLC12) carry inorganic cations such as Na+ and/or K+ alongside Cl across the plasma membrane of cells. These tightly coupled, electroneutral, transporters are expressed in almost all tissues/organs in the body where they fulfil many critical functions. The family includes two key transporters participating in salt reabsorption in the kidney: the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter-2 (NKCC2), expressed in the loop of Henle, and the Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC), expressed in the distal convoluted tubule. NCC and NKCC2 are the targets of thiazides and "loop" diuretics, respectively, drugs that are widely used in clinical medicine to treat hypertension and edema. Bumetanide, in addition to its effect as a loop diuretic, has recently received increasing attention as a possible therapeutic agent for neurodevelopmental disorders. This chapter also describes how over the past two decades, the pharmacology of Na+ independent transporters has expanded significantly to provide novel tools for research. This work has indeed led to the identification of compounds that are 100-fold to 1000-fold more potent than furosemide, the first described inhibitor of K-Cl cotransport, and identified compounds that possibly directly stimulate the function of the K-Cl cotransporter. Finally, the recent cryo-electron microscopy revolution has begun providing answers as to where and how pharmacological agents bind to and affect the function of the transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Delpire
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Andrew S Terker
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kenneth B Gagnon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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6
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Xiao L, Yang Q, Tan J, Ma B, Chen D. Engineering a Cl - -Modulated Light-Driven Na + Pump. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302543. [PMID: 37833829 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Microbial Na+ -pumping rhodopsin (NaR) is a promising optogenetic tool due to its unique ability to transport Na+ . Like most rhodopsin-based tools, NaR is limited to light-based control. In this study, our objective was to develop a novel mode of modulation for NaR beyond light control. By introducing a potential Cl- binding site near the putative Na+ release cavity, we engineered Nonlabens dokdonensis rhodopsin 2 (NdR2) to be modulated by Cl- , an essential chemical in organisms. The engineered NdR2 demonstrated an approximately two-fold increase in Na+ pump activity in the presence of 100 mM Cl- compared to Cl- -free solution. Increasing Cl- concentration decreased the lifetimes of the M and O intermediates accordingly. The analysis of competitive ion uptake suggested the bound Cl- may increase the Na+ affinity and selectivity. This chemical modulation allows for more diverse and precise control over cellular processes, advancing the development of next-generation optogenetic tools. Notably, our Cl- -modulated NdR2 establishes an innovative mechanism for linking Cl- to Na+ -related processes, with potential applications in optogenetic therapies for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Xiao
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qifan Yang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jingjing Tan
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Baofu Ma
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Deliang Chen
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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7
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Trejo F, Elizalde S, Mercado A, Gamba G, de losHeros P. SLC12A cryo-EM: analysis of relevant ion binding sites, structural domains, and amino acids. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C921-C939. [PMID: 37545407 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00089.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The solute carrier family 12A (SLC12A) superfamily of membrane transporters modulates the movement of cations coupled with chloride across the membrane. In doing so, these cotransporters are involved in numerous aspects of human physiology: cell volume regulation, ion homeostasis, blood pressure regulation, and neurological action potential via intracellular chloride concentration modulation. Their physiological characterization has been largely studied; however, understanding the mechanics of their function and the relevance of structural domains or specific amino acids has been a pending task. In recent years, single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has been successfully applied to members of the SLC12A family including all K+:Cl- cotransporters (KCCs), Na+:K+:2Cl- cotransporter NKCC1, and recently Na+:Cl- cotransporter (NCC); revealing structural elements that play key roles in their function. The present review analyzes the data provided by these cryo-EM reports focusing on structural domains and specific amino acids involved in ion binding, domain interactions, and other important SCL12A structural elements. A comparison of cryo-EM data from NKCC1 and KCCs is presented in the light of the two recent NCC cryo-EM studies, to propose insight into structural elements that might also be found in NCC and are necessary for its proper function. In the final sections, the importance of key coordination residues for substrate specificity and their implication on various pathophysiological conditions and genetic disorders is reviewed, as this could provide the basis to correlate structural elements with the development of novel and selective treatments, as well as mechanistic insight into the function and regulation of cation-coupled chloride cotransporters (CCCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Trejo
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Stephanie Elizalde
- Departamento de Nefrología y Metabolismo Mineral, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Adriana Mercado
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Gamba
- Departamento de Nefrología y Metabolismo Mineral, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
- Molecular Physiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola de losHeros
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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8
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Modi AD, Khan AN, Cheng WYE, Modi DM. KCCs, NKCCs, and NCC: Potential targets for cardiovascular therapeutics? A comprehensive review of cell and region specific expression and function. Acta Histochem 2023; 125:152045. [PMID: 37201245 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2023.152045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases, the leading life-threatening conditions, involve cardiac arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and heart valve disease that are associated with the altered functioning of cation-chloride cotransporters. The decreased number of cation-chloride cotransporters leads to reduced reactivity to adrenergic stimulation. The KCC family is crucial for numerous physiological processes including cell proliferation and invasion, regulation of membrane trafficking, maintaining ionic and osmotic homeostasis, erythrocyte swelling, dendritic spine formation, maturation of postsynaptic GABAergic inhibition, and inhibitory/excitatory signaling in neural tracts. KCC2 maintains intracellular chlorine homeostasis and opposes β-adrenergic stimulation-induced Cl- influx to prevent arrhythmogenesis. KCC3-inactivated cardiac tissue shows increased vascular resistance, aortic distensibility, heart size and weight (i.e. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Due to KCC4's high affinity for K+, it plays a vital role in cardiac ischemia with increased extracellular K+. The NKCC and NCC families play a vital role in the regulation of saliva volume, establishing the potassium-rich endolymph in the cochlea, sodium uptake in astrocytes, inhibiting myogenic response in microcirculatory beds, regulation of smooth muscle tone in resistance vessels, and blood pressure. NKCC1 regulates chlorine homeostasis and knocking it out impairs cardiomyocyte depolarization and cardiac contractility as well as impairs depolarization and contractility of vascular smooth muscle rings in the aorta. The activation of NCC in vascular cells promotes the formation of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. This narrative review provides a deep insight into the structure and function of KCCs, NKCCs, and NCC in human physiology and cardiac pathobiology. Also, it provides cell-specific (21 cell types) and region-specific (6 regions) expression of KCC1, KCC2, KCC3, KCC4, NKCC1, NKCC2, and NCC in heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshat D Modi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Department of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.
| | - Areej Naim Khan
- Department of Human Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3J6, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wing Yan Elizabeth Cheng
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
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9
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Pressey JC, de Saint-Rome M, Raveendran VA, Woodin MA. Chloride transporters controlling neuronal excitability. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:1095-1135. [PMID: 36302178 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00025.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic inhibition plays a crucial role in regulating neuronal excitability, which is the foundation of nervous system function. This inhibition is largely mediated by the neurotransmitters GABA and glycine that activate Cl--permeable ion channels, which means that the strength of inhibition depends on the Cl- gradient across the membrane. In neurons, the Cl- gradient is primarily mediated by two secondarily active cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs), NKCC1 and KCC2. CCC-mediated regulation of the neuronal Cl- gradient is critical for healthy brain function, as dysregulation of CCCs has emerged as a key mechanism underlying neurological disorders including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and autism spectrum disorder. This review begins with an overview of neuronal chloride transporters before explaining the dependent relationship between these CCCs, Cl- regulation, and inhibitory synaptic transmission. We then discuss the evidence for how CCCs can be regulated, including by activity and their protein interactions, which underlie inhibitory synaptic plasticity. For readers who may be interested in conducting experiments on CCCs and neuronal excitability, we have included a section on techniques for estimating and recording intracellular Cl-, including their advantages and limitations. Although the focus of this review is on neurons, we also examine how Cl- is regulated in glial cells, which in turn regulate neuronal excitability through the tight relationship between this nonneuronal cell type and synapses. Finally, we discuss the relatively extensive and growing literature on how CCC-mediated neuronal excitability contributes to neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica C Pressey
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Miranda de Saint-Rome
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vineeth A Raveendran
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie A Woodin
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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10
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Moreno E, Pacheco-Alvarez D, Chávez-Canales M, Elizalde S, Leyva-Ríos K, Gamba G. Structure-function relationships in the sodium chloride cotransporter. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1118706. [PMID: 36998989 PMCID: PMC10043231 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1118706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The thiazide sensitive Na+:Cl− cotransporter (NCC) is the principal via for salt reabsorption in the apical membrane of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) in mammals and plays a fundamental role in managing blood pressure. The cotransporter is targeted by thiazide diuretics, a highly prescribed medication that is effective in treating arterial hypertension and edema. NCC was the first member of the electroneutral cation-coupled chloride cotransporter family to be identified at a molecular level. It was cloned from the urinary bladder of the Pseudopleuronectes americanus (winter flounder) 30 years ago. The structural topology, kinetic and pharmacology properties of NCC have been extensively studied, determining that the transmembrane domain (TM) coordinates ion and thiazide binding. Functional and mutational studies have discovered residues involved in the phosphorylation and glycosylation of NCC, particularly on the N-terminal domain, as well as the extracellular loop connected to TM7-8 (EL7-8). In the last decade, single-particle cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has permitted the visualization of structures at high atomic resolution for six members of the SLC12 family (NCC, NKCC1, KCC1-KCC4). Cryo-EM insights of NCC confirm an inverted conformation of the TM1-5 and TM6-10 regions, a characteristic also found in the amino acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) superfamily, in which TM1 and TM6 clearly coordinate ion binding. The high-resolution structure also displays two glycosylation sites (N-406 and N-426) in EL7-8 that are essential for NCC expression and function. In this review, we briefly describe the studies related to the structure-function relationship of NCC, beginning with the first biochemical/functional studies up to the recent cryo-EM structure obtained, to acquire an overall view enriched with the structural and functional aspects of the cotransporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Moreno
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - María Chávez-Canales
- Unidad de Investigación UNAM-INC, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Stephanie Elizalde
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karla Leyva-Ríos
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Panamericana, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gerardo Gamba
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
- Molecular Phisiology Unit, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Gerardo Gamba,
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11
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Role of NKCC1 and KCC2 during hypoxia-induced neuronal swelling in the neonatal neocortex. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 178:106013. [PMID: 36706928 PMCID: PMC9945323 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106013] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neonatal hypoxia causes cytotoxic neuronal swelling by the entry of ions and water. Multiple water pathways have been implicated in neurons because these cells lack water channels, and their membrane has a low water permeability. NKCC1 and KCC2 are cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs) involved in water movement in various cell types. However, the role of CCCs in water movement in neonatal neurons during hypoxia is unknown. We studied the effects of modulating CCCs pharmacologically on neuronal swelling in the neocortex (layer IV/V) of neonatal mice (post-natal day 8-13) during prolonged and brief hypoxia. We used acute brain slices from Clomeleon mice which express a ratiometric fluorophore sensitive to Cl- and exposed them to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) while imaging neuronal size and [Cl-]i by multiphoton microscopy. Neurons were identified using a convolutional neural network algorithm, and changes in the somatic area and [Cl-]i were evaluated using a linear mixed model for repeated measures. We found that (1) neuronal swelling and Cl- accumulation began after OGD, worsened during 20 min of OGD, or returned to baseline during reoxygenation if the exposure to OGD was brief (10 min). (2) Neuronal swelling did not occur when the extracellular Cl- concentration was low. (3) Enhancing KCC2 activity did not alter OGD-induced neuronal swelling but prevented Cl- accumulation; (4) blocking KCC2 led to an increase in Cl- accumulation during prolonged OGD and aggravated neuronal swelling during reoxygenation; (5) blocking NKCC1 reduced neuronal swelling during early but not prolonged OGD and aggravated Cl- accumulation during prolonged OGD; and (6) treatment with the "broad" CCC blocker furosemide reduced both swelling and Cl- accumulation during prolonged and brief OGD, whereas simultaneous NKCC1 and KCC2 inhibition using specific pharmacological blockers aggravated neuronal swelling during prolonged OGD. We conclude that CCCs, and other non-CCCs, contribute to water movement in neocortical neurons during OGD in the neonatal period.
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12
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Fan M, Zhang J, Lee CL, Zhang J, Feng L. Structure and thiazide inhibition mechanism of the human Na-Cl cotransporter. Nature 2023; 614:788-793. [PMID: 36792826 PMCID: PMC10030352 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05718-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) is critical for kidney physiology1. The NCC has a major role in salt reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule of the nephron2,3, and mutations in the NCC cause the salt-wasting disease Gitelman syndrome4. As a key player in salt handling, the NCC regulates blood pressure and is the target of thiazide diuretics, which have been widely prescribed as first-line medications to treat hypertension for more than 60 years5-7. Here we determined the structures of human NCC alone and in complex with a commonly used thiazide diuretic using cryo-electron microscopy. These structures, together with functional studies, reveal major conformational states of the NCC and an intriguing regulatory mechanism. They also illuminate how thiazide diuretics specifically interact with the NCC and inhibit its transport function. Our results provide critical insights for understanding the Na-Cl cotransport mechanism of the NCC, and they establish a framework for future drug design and for interpreting disease-related mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minrui Fan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jianxiu Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Chien-Ling Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jinru Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Liang Feng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Zhao Y, Cao E. Structural Pharmacology of Cation-Chloride Cotransporters. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:1206. [PMID: 36557113 PMCID: PMC9784483 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12121206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Loop and thiazide diuretics have been cornerstones of clinical management of hypertension and fluid overload conditions for more than five decades. The hunt for their molecular targets led to the discovery of cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs) that catalyze electroneutral movement of Cl- together with Na+ and/or K+. CCCs consist of two 1 Na+-1 K+-2 Cl- (NKCC1-2), one 1 Na+-1 Cl- (NCC), and four 1 K+-1 Cl- (KCC1-4) transporters in human. CCCs are fundamental in trans-epithelia ion secretion and absorption, homeostasis of intracellular Cl- concentration and cell volume, and regulation of neuronal excitability. Malfunction of NKCC2 and NCC leads to abnormal salt and water retention in the kidney and, consequently, imbalance in electrolytes and blood pressure. Mutations in KCC2 and KCC3 are associated with brain disorders due to impairments in regulation of excitability and possibly cell volume of neurons. A recent surge of structures of CCCs have defined their dimeric architecture, their ion binding sites, their conformational changes associated with ion translocation, and the mechanisms of action of loop diuretics and small molecule inhibitors. These breakthroughs now set the stage to expand CCC pharmacology beyond loop and thiazide diuretics, developing the next generation of diuretics with improved potency and specificity. Beyond drugging renal-specific CCCs, brain-penetrable therapeutics are sorely needed to target CCCs in the nervous system for the treatment of neurological disorders and psychiatric conditions.
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14
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Nan J, Yuan Y, Yang X, Shan Z, Liu H, Wei F, Zhang W, Zhang Y. Cryo-EM structure of the human sodium-chloride cotransporter NCC. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadd7176. [PMID: 36351028 PMCID: PMC9645730 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add7176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The sodium-chloride cotransporter NCC mediates the coupled import of sodium and chloride across the plasma membrane, playing vital roles in kidney extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure control. Here, we present the full-length structure of human NCC, with 2.9 Å for the transmembrane domain and 3.8 Å for the carboxyl-terminal domain. NCC adopts an inward-open conformation and a domain-swap dimeric assembly. Conserved ion binding sites among the cation-chloride cotransporters and the Na2 site are observed in our structure. A unique His residue in the substrate pocket in NCC potentially interacts with Na1 and Cl1 and might also mediate the coordination of Na2 through a Ser residue. Putative observed water molecules are indicated to participate in the coordination of ions and TM coupling. Together with transport activity assays, our structure provides the first glimpse of NCC and defines ion binding sites, promoting drug development for hypertension targeting on NCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Nan
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yafei Yuan
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xuemei Yang
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ziyang Shan
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Huihui Liu
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, Guangdong, China
| | - Feiwen Wei
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yanqing Zhang
- Shanghai Fifth People’s Hospital, Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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15
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The Important Role of Ion Transport System in Cervical Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010333. [PMID: 35008759 PMCID: PMC8745646 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a significant gynecological cancer and causes cancer-related deaths worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is implicated in the etiology of cervical malignancy. However, much evidence indicates that HPV infection is a necessary but not sufficient cause in cervical carcinogenesis. Therefore, the cellular pathophysiology of cervical cancer is worthy of study. This review summarizes the recent findings concerning the ion transport processes involved in cell volume regulation and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of epithelial cells and how these transport systems are themselves regulated by the tumor microenvironment. For cell volume regulation, we focused on the volume-sensitive Cl− channels and K+-Cl− cotransporter (KCC) family, important regulators for ionic and osmotic homeostasis of epithelial cells. Regarding intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, the Ca2+ store sensor STIM molecules and plasma membrane Ca2+ channel Orai proteins, the predominant Ca2+ entry mechanism in epithelial cells, are discussed. Furthermore, we evaluate the potential of these membrane ion transport systems as diagnostic biomarkers and pharmacological interventions and highlight the challenges.
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Savardi A, Borgogno M, De Vivo M, Cancedda L. Pharmacological tools to target NKCC1 in brain disorders. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:1009-1034. [PMID: 34620512 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The chloride importer NKCC1 and the chloride exporter KCC2 are key regulators of neuronal chloride concentration. A defective NKCC1/KCC2 expression ratio is associated with several brain disorders. Preclinical/clinical studies have shown that NKCC1 inhibition by the United States FDA-approved diuretic bumetanide is a potential therapeutic strategy in preclinical/clinical studies of multiple neurological conditions. However, bumetanide has poor brain penetration and causes unwanted diuresis by inhibiting NKCC2 in the kidney. To overcome these issues, a growing number of studies have reported more brain-penetrating and/or selective bumetanide prodrugs, analogs, and new molecular entities. Here, we review the evidence for NKCC1 pharmacological inhibition as an effective strategy to manage neurological disorders. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of bumetanide repurposing and the benefits and risks of new NKCC1 inhibitors as therapeutic agents for brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Savardi
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy; Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Borgogno
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Brain Development and Disease Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy; Dulbecco Telethon Institute, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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