Reactive sulfhydryl groups of the band 3 polypeptide from human erythrocyte membranes. Identification of the sulfhydryl groups involved in Cu2+-o-phenanthroline cross-linking

Organization and Dynamics of the Red Blood Cell Band 3 Anion Exchanger SLC4A1: Insights From Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have provided new insights into the organization and dynamics of the red blood cell Band 3 anion exchanger (AE1, SLC4A1). Band 3, like many solute carriers, works by an alternating access mode of transport where the protein rapidly (104/s) changes its conformation between outward and inward-facing states via a transient occluded anion-bound intermediate. While structural studies of membrane proteins usually reveal valuable structural information, these studies provide a static view often in the presence of detergents. Membrane transporters are embedded in a lipid bilayer and associated lipids play a role in their folding and function. In this review, we highlight MD simulations of Band 3 in realistic lipid bilayers that revealed specific lipid and protein interactions and were used to re-create a model of the Wright (Wr) blood group antigen complex of Band 3 and Glycophorin A. Current MD studies of Band 3 and related transporters are focused on describing the trajectory of substrate binding and translocation in real time. A structure of the intact Band 3 protein has yet to be achieved experimentally, but cryo-electron microscopy in combination with MD simulations holds promise to capture the conformational changes associated with anion transport in exquisite molecular detail.

Cell Physiology and Molecular Mechanism of Anion Transport by Erythrocyte Band 3/AE1

The major transmembrane protein of the red blood cell, known as band 3, AE1, and SLC4A1, has two main functions: 1) catalysis of Cl^-/HCO₃^- exchange, one of the steps in CO₂ excretion; 2) anchoring the membrane skeleton. This review summarizes the 150 year history of research on red cell anion transport and band 3 as an experimental system for studying membrane protein structure and ion transport mechanisms. Important early findings were that red cell Cl^- transport is a tightly coupled 1:1 exchange and band 3 is labeled by stilbenesulfonate derivatives that inhibit anion transport. Biochemical studies showed that the protein is dimeric or tetrameric (paired dimers) and that there is one stilbenedisulfonate binding site per subunit of the dimer. Transport kinetics and inhibitor characteristics supported the idea that the transporter acts by an alternating access mechanism with intrinsic asymmetry. The sequence of band 3 cDNA provided a framework for detailed study of protein topology and amino acid residues important for transport. The identification of genetic variants produced insights into the roles of band 3 in red cell abnormalities and distal renal tubular acidosis. The publication of the membrane domain crystal structure made it possible to propose concrete molecular models of transport. Future research directions include improving our understanding of the transport mechanism at the molecular level and of the integrative relationships among band 3, hemoglobin, carbonic anhydrase, and gradients (both transmembrane and subcellular) of HCO₃^-, Cl^-, O₂, CO₂, pH, and NO metabolites during pulmonary and systemic capillary gas exchange.

Band 3, the human red cell chloride/bicarbonate anion exchanger (AE1, SLC4A1), in a structural context

The crystal structure of the dimeric membrane domain of human Band 3(1), the red cell chloride/bicarbonate anion exchanger 1 (AE1, SLC4A1), provides a structural context for over four decades of studies into this historic and important membrane glycoprotein. In this review, we highlight the key structural features responsible for anion binding and translocation and have integrated the following topological markers within the Band 3 structure: blood group antigens, N-glycosylation site, protease cleavage sites, inhibitor and chemical labeling sites, and the results of scanning cysteine and N-glycosylation mutagenesis. Locations of mutations linked to human disease, including those responsible for Southeast Asian ovalocytosis, hereditary stomatocytosis, hereditary spherocytosis, and distal renal tubular acidosis, provide molecular insights into their effect on Band 3 folding. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations of phosphatidylcholine self-assembled around Band 3 provide a view of this membrane protein within a lipid bilayer.

A substrate access tunnel in the cytosolic domain is not an essential feature of the solute carrier 4 (SLC4) family of bicarbonate transporters

Anion exchanger 1 (AE1; Band 3; SLC4A1) is the founding member of the solute carrier 4 (SLC4) family of bicarbonate transporters that includes chloride/bicarbonate AEs and Na(+)-bicarbonate co-transporters (NBCs). These membrane proteins consist of an amino-terminal cytosolic domain involved in protein interactions and a carboxyl-terminal membrane domain that carries out the transport function. Mutation of a conserved arginine residue (R298S) in the cytosolic domain of NBCe1 (SLC4A4) is linked to proximal renal tubular acidosis and results in impaired transport function, suggesting that the cytosolic domain plays a role in substrate permeation. Introduction of single and double mutations at the equivalent arginine (Arg(283)) and at an interacting glutamate (Glu(85)) in the cytosolic domain of human AE1 (cdAE1) had no effect on the cell surface expression or the transport activity of AE1 expressed in HEK-293 cells. In addition, the membrane domain of AE1 (mdAE1) efficiently mediated anion transport. A 2.1-Å resolution crystal structure of cdΔ54AE1 (residues 55-356 of cdAE1) lacking the amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal disordered regions, produced at physiological pH, revealed an extensive hydrogen-bonded network involving Arg(283) and Glu(85). Mutations at these residues affected the pH-dependent conformational changes and stability of cdΔ54AE1. As these structural alterations did not impair functional expression of AE1, the cytosolic and membrane domains operate independently. A substrate access tunnel within the cytosolic domain is not present in AE1 and therefore is not an essential feature of the SLC4 family of bicarbonate transporters.

Role of sulfhydryl groups in band 3 in the inhibition of phosphate transport across erythrocyte membrane in visceral leishmaniasis

Membrane destabilization in erythrocytes plays an important role in the premature hemolysis and development of anemia during visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Marked degradation of the anion channel protein band 3 is likely to allow modulation of anion flux across the red cell membrane in infected animals. The present study describes the effect of structural modification of band 3 on phosphate transport in VL using (31)P NMR. The result showed progressive decrease in the rate and extent of phosphate transport during the post-infection period. Interdependence between the intracellular ionic levels seems to be a determining factor in the regulation of anion transport across the erythrocyte membrane in control and infected conditions. Infection-induced alteration in band 3 made the active sites of transport more susceptible to binding with amino reactive agents. Inhibition of transport by oxidation of band 3 and subsequent reversal by reduction using dithiothreitol suggests the contribution of sulfhydryl group in the regulation of anion exchange across the membrane. Quantitation of sulfhydryl groups in the anion channel protein showed the inhibition to be closely related to the decrease of sulfhydryl groups in the infected hamsters. Downregulation of phosphate transport during leishmanial infection may be ascribed to the sulfhydryl modification of band 3 resulting in the impaired functioning of this protein under the diseased condition.

Band 3 Campinas: A Novel Splicing Mutation in the Band 3 Gene (AE1 ) Associated With Hereditary Spherocytosis, Hyperactivity of Na+/Li+ Countertransport and an Abnormal Renal Bicarbonate Handling

We have studied the molecular defect underlying band 3 deficiency in one family with hereditary spherocytosis using nonradioactive single strand conformation polimorphism of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA of the AE1 gene. By direct sequencing, a single base substitution in the splicing donor site of intron 8 (position + 1G → T) was identified. The study of the cDNA showed a skipping of exon 8. This exon skipping event is responsible for a frameshift leading to a premature stop codon 13 amino acids downstream. The distal urinary acidification test by furosemide was performed to verify the consequences of the band 3 deficiency in α intercalated cortical collecting duct cells (αICCDC). We found an increased basal urinary bicarbonate excretion, associated with an increased basal urinary pH and an efficient distal urinary acidification. We also tested the consequences of band 3 deficiency on the Na+/H+ exchanger, by the measurement of Na+/Li+ countertransport activity in red blood cells. The Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was increased threefold to sixfold in the patients compared with the controls. It is possible that band 3 deficiency in the kidney leads to a decrease in the reabsorption of HCO−3 in αICCDC and anion loss, which might be associated with an increased sodium-lithium countertransport activity.

Band 3 Campinas: A Novel Splicing Mutation in the Band 3 Gene (AE1 ) Associated With Hereditary Spherocytosis, Hyperactivity of Na+/Li+ Countertransport and an Abnormal Renal Bicarbonate Handling

We have studied the molecular defect underlying band 3 deficiency in one family with hereditary spherocytosis using nonradioactive single strand conformation polimorphism of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified genomic DNA of the AE1 gene. By direct sequencing, a single base substitution in the splicing donor site of intron 8 (position + 1G → T) was identified. The study of the cDNA showed a skipping of exon 8. This exon skipping event is responsible for a frameshift leading to a premature stop codon 13 amino acids downstream. The distal urinary acidification test by furosemide was performed to verify the consequences of the band 3 deficiency in α intercalated cortical collecting duct cells (αICCDC). We found an increased basal urinary bicarbonate excretion, associated with an increased basal urinary pH and an efficient distal urinary acidification. We also tested the consequences of band 3 deficiency on the Na+/H+ exchanger, by the measurement of Na+/Li+ countertransport activity in red blood cells. The Na+/Li+ countertransport activity was increased threefold to sixfold in the patients compared with the controls. It is possible that band 3 deficiency in the kidney leads to a decrease in the reabsorption of HCO−3 in αICCDC and anion loss, which might be associated with an increased sodium-lithium countertransport activity.

Partial characterization of the cytoplasmic domain of human kidney band 3

The major anion exchanger in type A intercalated cells of the cortical and medullary collecting ducts of the human kidney is a truncated isoform of erythrocyte band 3 (AE1) that lacks the N-terminal 65 residues. Because this missing sequence has been implicated in the binding of ankyrin, protein 4.1, several glycolytic enzymes, hemoglobin, and hemichromes in erythrocytes, we have undertaken examination of the structure and peripheral protein interactions of this kidney isoform. The cytoplasmic domain of kidney band 3, kidney CDB3, was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The kidney isoform exhibited a circular dichroism spectrum and Stokes radius similar to its larger erythrocyte counterpart. Kidney CDB3 was also observed to engage in the same conformational equilibrium characteristic of erythrocyte CDB3. In contrast, the tryptophan and cysteine clusters of kidney CDB3 behaved very differently from erythrocyte CDB3 in response to pH changes and oxidizing conditions. Furthermore, kidney CDB3 did not bind ankyrin, protein 4.1, or aldolase, and expression of erythrocyte CDB3 was toxic to its bacterial host, whereas expression of kidney CDB3 was not. Taken together, these data suggest that the absence of the N-terminal 65 amino acids in kidney CDB3 eliminates the major function currently ascribed to CDB3 in erythrocytes, i.e. that of peripheral protein binding. The primary function of residues 66-379 found in kidney CDB3 thus remains to be elucidated.

The role of cysteine residues in the erythrocyte plasma membrane anion exchange protein, AE1

AE1 (Band 3), a congruent to 110-kDa integral plasma membrane protein, facilitates the electroneutral movement of Cl- and HCO3- across the erythrocyte membrane and serves as the primary attachment site for the erythrocyte spectrin-actin cytoskeleton. In this investigation, we have characterized the role of native cysteines in the function of AE1. We have constructed a mutant version of human AE1 (AE1C-) in which all five cysteines of AE1 were replaced with serines. Wild-type and AE1C- cDNAs were expressed by transient transfection of human embryonic kidney cells. Two of the mutated cysteines in AE1C- are in a region involved in ankyrin binding, and ankyrin binding has previously been shown to be sensitive to the oxidation state of these cysteines. However, the KD values for ankyrin binding by AE1 and AE1C- were indistinguishable, suggesting that AE1 cysteines are not essential components of the ankyrin-binding site. Using size exclusion chromatography, both AE1 and AE1C- were found to associate as a mixture of dimers and high molecular mass complexes. The rate of anion exchange by AE1C-, as measured in a reconstituted microsome sulfate transport assay, was indistinguishable from that by AE1 and was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanodihydrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. We conclude that the cysteines of AE1 are not required for the anion exchange or cytoskeletal binding roles of the protein.

Binding of naturally occurring antibodies to oxidatively and nonoxidatively modified erythrocyte band 3

Both oxidative clustering (elicited by diamide treatment) and nonoxidative clustering (elicited by zinc/BS3 (bis[sulfosuccinimidyl]suberate) treatment) of erythrocyte integral membrane proteins induce binding of autologous antibodies with anti-band 3 specificity, followed by complement deposition and phagocytosis. Autologous antibodies eluted from nonoxidatively clustered erythrocytes bind to and stimulate phagocytosis of oxidatively damaged erythrocytes. Those eluted antibodies bind specifically to disulfide-crosslinked band 3 dimers generated by diamide treatment. Band 3 dimerization and antibody binding are abrogated by cleavage of band 3 cytoplasmic domain. Thus, disulfide-crosslinked band 3 dimers are the minimal band 3 aggregate with enhanced affinity for anti-band 3 antibodies. The eluted antibodies do not bind to band 3 dimers generated nonoxidatively by BS3 treatment but bind avidly to larger band 3 clusters generated nonoxidatively by zinc/BS3 treatment. Possibly, disulfide crosslinking of cytoplasmic domain cysteines induces reorientation of intramembrane domains as to expose putative anti-band 3 epitopes and allow bivalent binding of anti-band 3 antibodies. Extensive nonoxidative band 3 clustering appears to disrupt the native band 3 conformation and generate reoriented dimers which expose putative anti-band 3 epitopes in the proper distance and orientation as to allow bivalent antibody binding.

Inhibition of phosphate transport across the human erythrocyte membrane by chemical modification of sulfhydryl groups

Effects of sulfhydryl-reactive reagents on phosphate transport across human erythrocyte membranes were examined using 31P NMR. Phosphate transport was significantly inhibited in erythrocytes treated with sulfhydryl modifiers such as N-ethylmaleimide, diamide, and Cu2+/o-phenanthroline. Quantitation of sulfhydryl groups in band 3 showed that the inhibition is closely associated with the decrease of sulfhydryl groups. Data from erythrocytes treated with diamide or Cu2+/o-phenanthroline demonstrated that intermolecular cross-linking of band 3 by oxidation of a sulfhydryl group, perhaps Cys-201 or Cys-317, decreases the phosphate influx by about 10%. The inhibition was reversed by reduction using dithiothreitol. These results suggest that sulfhydryl groups in the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 may play an important role in the regulation of anion exchange across the membrane.

Crosslinking of membrane proteins during erythrocyte ageing

Membrane proteins of bovine erythrocytes were crosslinked with cupric di(1,10-phenanthroline) and analysed by one-dimensional and two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An increase in crosslinking of the Band 3 protein and of spectrin was found with increasing erythrocyte age suggesting an increased aggregation of main membrane proteins in aged erythrocytes.

The IgG binding function of the normal red cell plasma membrane: identification of integral polypeptides that bind IgG

Non-immune IgG binds to red cell integral membrane proteins obtained by mild alkaline extraction of ghosts. Detergent gel chromatography and electrophoretic analyses of IgG-membrane protein complexes obtained by nonionic detergent solubilization and affinity binding to protein A indicate that three polypeptides participate in the binding of IgG. These have apparent molecular weights of 90 000, 44 000 and 22 000 and are present in a 1:3:0.9 stoichiometry. Evidence obtained indicates that the major sialoglycoproteins are not involved in this type of binding.

Some properties of alkali-extracted red cell ghost membranes

The properties of integral membrane proteins obtained by dilute alkali extraction of red cell ghosts were examined. A variety of conditions promoted the disulfide-mediated aggregation of integral membrane proteins, principally band 3. Procedural modifications which minimized aggregation were the use of EDTA and S-alkylation. Integral membrane proteins were solubilized under non-denaturing conditions using Brij 36T, a lauryl polyoxyethylene ether with an NMR-determined average chain length of 8.2 (oxyethylene) units. Detergent gel filtration revealed a chromatographic shoulder due to aggregated band 3 when membrane proteins were not alkylated. Analyses of the column profile also revealed a discrete peak for sialoglycoproteins and two phosphate peaks, an early one due to phospholipid and a later one not identified, but probably due to phosphoinositide.

A relationship between anion transport and a structural transition of the human erythrocyte membrane

Scanning microcalorimetry was employed as an aid in examining some structural features of the anion transport system in red blood cell vesicles. Two structural transitions were previously shown to be sensitive to several covalent and non-covalent inhibitors of anion transport in red cells. In this study, these transitions were selectively removed, either thermally or enzymatically, and the subsequent effect on 35SO2- 4 efflux in red cell vesicles was determined. It is shown that removal of one of these transitions (B2) has a negligible inhibitory effect on anion transport. Cytoplasmic, intermolecular disulfide linkages between band 3 dimers are known to form during the B2 transition. The integrity of the 4,4-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulfonate-sensitive C transition, on the other hand, is shown to be a requirement for anion transport. The localized region of the membrane giving rise to this transition contains the transmembrane segment of band 3, as well as membrane phospholipids. The calorimetric results suggest a structure of band 3 which involves independent structural domains, and are consistent with the transmembrane segment playing a direct role in the transport process.