1
|
Chen J, Yue K, Shen L, Zheng C, Zhu Y, Han K, Kai L. Aquaporins and CO 2 diffusion across biological membrane. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1205290. [PMID: 37383148 PMCID: PMC10293838 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1205290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the physiological significance of effective CO2 diffusion across biological membranes, the underlying mechanism behind this process is not yet resolved. Particularly debatable is the existence of CO2-permeable aquaporins. The lipophilic characteristic of CO2 should, according to Overton's rule, result in a rapid flux across lipid bilayers. However, experimental evidence of limited membrane permeability poses a challenge to this idea of free diffusion. In this review, we summarized recent progress with regard to CO2 diffusion, and discussed the physiological effects of altered aquaporin expression, the molecular mechanisms of CO2 transport via aquaporins, and the function of sterols and other membrane proteins in CO2 permeability. In addition, we highlight the existing limits in measuring CO2 permeability and end up with perspectives on resolving such argument either by determining the atomic resolution structure of CO2 permeable aquaporins or by developing new methods for measuring permeability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ke Yue
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lulu Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Chuncui Zheng
- Hangzhou Institute of Test and Calibration for Quality and Technology Supervision, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyong Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, National Engineering Research Center for Organic-Based Fertilizers, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kun Han
- Jiangsu Keybio Co., Ltd, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lei Kai
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Increased Aquaporin-7 Expression Is Associated with Changes in Rat Brown Adipose Tissue Whitening in Obesity: Impact of Cold Exposure and Bariatric Surgery. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043412. [PMID: 36834823 PMCID: PMC9963055 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycerol is a key metabolite for lipid accumulation in insulin-sensitive tissues. We examined the role of aquaporin-7 (AQP7), the main glycerol channel in adipocytes, in the improvement of brown adipose tissue (BAT) whitening, a process whereby brown adipocytes differentiate into white-like unilocular cells, after cold exposure or bariatric surgery in male Wistar rats with diet-induced obesity (DIO) (n = 229). DIO promoted BAT whitening, evidenced by increased BAT hypertrophy, steatosis and upregulation of the lipogenic factors Pparg2, Mogat2 and Dgat1. AQP7 was detected in BAT capillary endothelial cells and brown adipocytes, and its expression was upregulated by DIO. Interestingly, AQP7 gene and protein expressions were downregulated after cold exposure (4 °C) for 1 week or one month after sleeve gastrectomy in parallel to the improvement of BAT whitening. Moreover, Aqp7 mRNA expression was positively associated with transcripts of the lipogenic factors Pparg2, Mogat2 and Dgat1 and regulated by lipogenic (ghrelin) and lipolytic (isoproterenol and leptin) signals. Together, the upregulation of AQP7 in DIO might contribute to glycerol influx used for triacylglycerol synthesis in brown adipocytes, and hence, BAT whitening. This process is reversible by cold exposure and bariatric surgery, thereby suggesting the potential of targeting BAT AQP7 as an anti-obesity therapy.
Collapse
|
3
|
Aquaporins Display a Diversity in their Substrates. J Membr Biol 2023; 256:1-23. [PMID: 35986775 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-022-00257-7] [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: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins constitute a family of transmembrane proteins that function to transport water and other small solutes across the cell membrane. Aquaporins family members are found in diverse life forms. Aquaporins share the common structural fold consisting of six transmembrane alpha helices with a central water-transporting channel. Four such monomers assemble together to form tetramers as their biological unit. Initially, aquaporins were discovered as water-transporting channels, but several studies supported their involvement in mediating the facilitated diffusion of different solutes. The so-called water channel is able to transport a variety of substrates ranging from a neutral molecule to a charged molecule or a small molecule to a bulky molecule or even a gas molecule. This article gives an overview of a diverse range of substrates conducted by aquaporin family members. Prime focus is on human aquaporins where aquaporins show a wide tissue distribution and substrate specificity leading to various physiological functions. This review also highlights the structural mechanisms leading to the transport of water and glycerol. More research is needed to understand how one common fold enables the aquaporins to transport an array of solutes.
Collapse
|
4
|
Ozu M, Alvear-Arias JJ, Fernandez M, Caviglia A, Peña-Pichicoi A, Carrillo C, Carmona E, Otero-Gonzalez A, Garate JA, Amodeo G, Gonzalez C. Aquaporin Gating: A New Twist to Unravel Permeation through Water Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12317. [PMID: 36293170 PMCID: PMC9604103 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are small transmembrane tetrameric proteins that facilitate water, solute and gas exchange. Their presence has been extensively reported in the biological membranes of almost all living organisms. Although their discovery is much more recent than ion transport systems, different biophysical approaches have contributed to confirm that permeation through each monomer is consistent with closed and open states, introducing the term gating mechanism into the field. The study of AQPs in their native membrane or overexpressed in heterologous systems have experimentally demonstrated that water membrane permeability can be reversibly modified in response to specific modulators. For some regulation mechanisms, such as pH changes, evidence for gating is also supported by high-resolution structures of the water channel in different configurations as well as molecular dynamics simulation. Both experimental and simulation approaches sustain that the rearrangement of conserved residues contributes to occlude the cavity of the channel restricting water permeation. Interestingly, specific charged and conserved residues are present in the environment of the pore and, thus, the tetrameric structure can be subjected to alter the positions of these charges to sustain gating. Thus, is it possible to explore whether the displacement of these charges (gating current) leads to conformational changes? To our knowledge, this question has not yet been addressed at all. In this review, we intend to analyze the suitability of this proposal for the first time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Ozu
- Department of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, Faculty of Exact & Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
- CONICET—Institute of Biodiversity and Experimental and Applied Biology CONICET (IBBEA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | - Juan José Alvear-Arias
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Miguel Fernandez
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Agustín Caviglia
- CONICET—Institute of Biodiversity and Experimental and Applied Biology CONICET (IBBEA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | - Antonio Peña-Pichicoi
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Christian Carrillo
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Emerson Carmona
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics Department and the Center for Membrane Protein Research, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Anselmo Otero-Gonzalez
- Center of Protein Study, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, La Habana 10400, Cuba
| | - José Antonio Garate
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of San Sebastian, Santiago 8420524, Chile
| | - Gabriela Amodeo
- Department of Biodiversity and Experimental Biology, Faculty of Exact & Natural Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
- CONICET—Institute of Biodiversity and Experimental and Applied Biology CONICET (IBBEA), University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires C1053, Argentina
| | - Carlos Gonzalez
- Interdisciplinary Center of Neurosciences of Valparaiso, University of Valparaiso, CINV, Valparaíso 2360102, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus in NanoBioPhysics, Scientific and Technologic Center of Excellence of Science and Life, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pluhackova K, Schittny V, Bürkner P, Siligan C, Horner A. Multiple pore lining residues modulate water permeability of GlpF. Protein Sci 2022; 31:e4431. [PMID: 36173178 PMCID: PMC9490802 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The water permeability of aquaporins (AQPs) varies by more than an order of magnitude even though the pore structure, geometry, as well as the channel lining residues are highly conserved. However, channel gating by pH, divalent ions or phosphorylation was only shown for a minority of AQPs. Structural and in silico indications of water flux modulation by flexible side chains of channel lining residues have not been experimentally confirmed yet. Hence, the aquaporin "open state" is still considered to be a continuously open pore with water molecules permeating in a single-file fashion. Using protein mutations outside the selectivity filter in the aqua(glycerol)facilitator GlpF of Escherichia coli we, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time, modulate the position of the highly conserved Arg in the selectivity filter. This in turn enhances or reduces the unitary water permeability of GlpF as shown in silico by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and in vitro with purified and reconstituted GlpF. This finding suggests that AQP water permeability can indeed be regulated by lipid bilayer asymmetry and the transmembrane potential. Strikingly, our long-term MD simulations reveal that not only the conserved Arg in the selectivity filter, but the position and dynamics of multiple other pore lining residues modulate water passage through GlpF. This finding is expected to trigger a wealth of future investigations on permeability and regulation of AQPs among others with the aim to tune water permeability for biotechnological applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristyna Pluhackova
- Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075University of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | - Valentin Schittny
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringEidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) ZurichBaselSwitzerland
| | - Paul‐Christian Bürkner
- Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science, Cluster of Excellence EXC 2075University of StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | | | - Andreas Horner
- Institute of BiophysicsJohannes Kepler UniversityLinzAustria
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Critical Role of Aquaporins in Cancer: Focus on Hematological Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14174182. [PMID: 36077720 PMCID: PMC9455074 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14174182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Aquaporins are proteins able to regulate the transfer of water and other small substances such as ions, glycerol, urea, and hydrogen peroxide across cellular membranes. AQPs provide for a huge variety of physiological phenomena; their alteration provokes several types of pathologies including cancer and hematological malignancies. Our review presents data revealing the possibility of employing aquaporins as biomarkers in patients with hematological malignancies and evaluates the possibility that interfering with the expression of aquaporins could represent an effective treatment for hematological malignancies. Abstract Aquaporins are transmembrane molecules regulating the transfer of water and other compounds such as ions, glycerol, urea, and hydrogen peroxide. Their alteration has been reported in several conditions such as cancer. Tumor progression might be enhanced by aquaporins in modifying tumor angiogenesis, cell volume adaptation, proteases activity, cell–matrix adhesions, actin cytoskeleton, epithelial–mesenchymal transitions, and acting on several signaling pathways facilitating cancer progression. Close connections have also been identified between the aquaporins and hematological malignancies. However, it is difficult to identify a unique action exerted by aquaporins in different hemopathies, and each aquaporin has specific effects that vary according to the class of aquaporin examined and to the different neoplastic cells. However, the expression of aquaporins is altered in cell cultures and in patients with acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, in lymphoproliferative diseases and in multiple myeloma, and the different expression of aquaporins seems to be able to influence the efficacy of treatment and could have a prognostic significance, as greater expression of aquaporins is correlated to improved overall survival in leukemia patients. Finally, we assessed the possibility that modifying the aquaporin expression using aquaporin-targeting regulators, specific monoclonal antibodies, and even aquaporin gene transfer could represent an effective therapy of hematological malignancies.
Collapse
|
7
|
Teng GC, Boo MV, Lam SH, Pang CZ, Chew SF, Ip YK. Molecular characterization and light-dependent expression of glycerol facilitator (GlpF) in coccoid Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates of the giant clam Tridacna squamosa. GENE REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
8
|
Truelsen SF, Missel JW, Gotfryd K, Pedersen PA, Gourdon P, Lindorff-Larsen K, Hélix-Nielsen C. The role of water coordination in the pH-dependent gating of hAQP10. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2022; 1864:183809. [PMID: 34699768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2021.183809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Human aquaporin 10 (hAQP10) is an aquaglyceroporin that assists in maintaining glycerol flux in adipocytes during lipolysis at low pH. Hence, a molecular understanding of the pH-sensitive glycerol conductance may open up for drug development in obesity and metabolically related disorders. Control of hAQP10-mediated glycerol flux has been linked to the cytoplasmic end of the channel, where a unique loop is regulated by the protonation status of histidine 80 (H80). Here, we performed unbiased molecular dynamics simulations of three protonation states of H80 to unravel channel gating. Strikingly, at neutral pH, we identified a water coordination pattern with an inverted orientation of the water molecules in vicinity of the loop. Protonation of H80 results in a more hydrophobic loop conformation, causing loss of water coordination and leaving the pore often dehydrated. Our results indicate that the loss of such water interaction network may be integral for the destabilization of the loop in the closed configuration at low pH. Additionally, a residue unique to hAQP10 (F85) reveals structural importance by flipping into the channel in correlation with loop movements, indicating a loop-stabilizing role in the closed configuration. Taken together, our simulations suggest a unique gating mechanism combining complex interaction networks between water molecules and protein residues at the loop interface. Considering the role of hAQP10 in adipocytes, the detailed molecular insights of pH-regulation presented here will help to understand glycerol pathways in these cells and may assist in drug discovery for better management of human adiposity and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sigurd Friis Truelsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bygningstorvet Building 115, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Julie Winkel Missel
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Kamil Gotfryd
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nørre Allé 14, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Per Amstrup Pedersen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Biology, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Pontus Gourdon
- Lund University, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Sölvegatan 19, SE-221 84 Lund, Sweden; Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kresten Lindorff-Larsen
- Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory & Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Claus Hélix-Nielsen
- Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bygningstorvet Building 115, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark; University of Maribor, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Smetanova 17, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Varricchio A, Ramesh SA, Yool AJ. Novel Ion Channel Targets and Drug Delivery Tools for Controlling Glioblastoma Cell Invasiveness. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111909. [PMID: 34769339 PMCID: PMC8584308 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprising more than half of all brain tumors, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a leading cause of brain cancer-related deaths worldwide. A major clinical challenge is presented by the capacity of glioma cells to rapidly infiltrate healthy brain parenchyma, allowing the cancer to escape control by localized surgical resections and radiotherapies, and promoting recurrence in other brain regions. We propose that therapies which target cellular motility pathways could be used to slow tumor dispersal, providing a longer time window for administration of frontline treatments needed to directly eradicate the primary tumors. An array of signal transduction pathways are known to be involved in controlling cellular motility. Aquaporins (AQPs) and voltage-gated ion channels are prime candidates as pharmacological targets to restrain cell migration in glioblastoma. Published work has demonstrated AQPs 1, 4 and 9, as well as voltage-gated potassium, sodium and calcium channels, chloride channels, and acid-sensing ion channels are expressed in GBM and can influence processes of cell volume change, extracellular matrix degradation, cytoskeletal reorganization, lamellipodial and filopodial extension, and turnover of cell-cell adhesions and focal assembly sites. The current gap in knowledge is the identification of optimal combinations of targets, inhibitory agents, and drug delivery systems that will allow effective intervention with minimal side effects in the complex environment of the brain, without disrupting finely tuned activities of neuro-glial networks. Based on published literature, we propose that co-treatments using AQP inhibitors in addition to other therapies could increase effectiveness, overcoming some limitations inherent in current strategies that are focused on single mechanisms. An emerging interest in nanobodies as drug delivery systems could be instrumental for achieving the selective delivery of combinations of agents aimed at multiple key targets, which could enhance success in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alanah Varricchio
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Sunita A. Ramesh
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia;
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ahmed S, Kouser S, Asgher M, Gandhi SG. Plant aquaporins: A frontward to make crop plants drought resistant. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2021; 172:1089-1105. [PMID: 33826759 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.13416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Drought stress alters gene expression and causes cellular damage in crop plants. Drought inhibits photosynthesis by reducing the content and the activity of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle, ultimately decreasing the crop yield. The role of aquaporins (AQP) in improving the growth and adaptation of crop plants under drought stress is of importance. AQP form channels and control water transport in and out of the cells and are associated with drought tolerance mechanisms. The current review addresses: (1) the evolution of AQPs in plants, (2) the classification of plant AQPs, (3) the role of AQPs in drought alleviation in crop plants, and (4) the phytohormone crosstalk with AQPs in crops exposed to drought stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sajad Ahmed
- Plant Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, India
| | - Shaista Kouser
- Department of Botany, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Mohd Asgher
- Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, India
| | - Sumit G Gandhi
- Plant Biotechnology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu, India
- Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Calamita G, Delporte C. Involvement of aquaglyceroporins in energy metabolism in health and disease. Biochimie 2021; 188:20-34. [PMID: 33689852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins are a group of the aquaporin (AQP) family of transmembrane water channels. While AQPs facilitate the passage of water, small solutes, and gases across biological membranes, aquaglyceroporins allow passage of water, glycerol, urea and some other solutes. Thanks to their glycerol permeability, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy homeostasis. This review provides an overview of what is currently known concerning the functional implication and control of aquaglyceroporins in tissues involved in energy metabolism, i.e. liver, adipose tissue and endocrine pancreas. The expression, role and (dys)regulation of aquaglyceroporins in disorders affecting energy metabolism, and the potential relevance of aquaglyceroporins as drug targets to treat the alterations of the energy balance is also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zannetti A, Benga G, Brunetti A, Napolitano F, Avallone L, Pelagalli A. Role of Aquaporins in the Physiological Functions of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122678. [PMID: 33322145 PMCID: PMC7763964 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of membrane water channel proteins that control osmotically-driven water transport across cell membranes. Recent studies have focused on the assessment of fluid flux regulation in relation to the biological processes that maintain mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) physiology. In particular, AQPs seem to regulate MSC proliferation through rapid regulation of the cell volume. Furthermore, several reports have shown that AQPs play a crucial role in modulating MSC attachment to the extracellular matrix, their spread, and migration. Shedding light on how AQPs are able to regulate MSC physiological functions can increase our knowledge of their biological behaviours and improve their application in regenerative and reparative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Zannetti
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Gheorghe Benga
- Romanian Academy, Cluj-Napoca Branch, Strada Republicii 9, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Napolitano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, via Veterinaria 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Avallone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, via Veterinaria 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Pelagalli
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, CNR, Via T. De Amicis 95, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Neumann LSM, Dias AHS, Skaf MS. Molecular Modeling of Aquaporins from Leishmania major. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:5825-5836. [PMID: 32551664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c03550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins are membrane proteins responsible for permeating water, ions, dissolved gases, and other small molecular weight compounds through the protective cell membranes of living organisms. These proteins have been gaining increased importance as targets for treating a variety of parasitic diseases, since they control key physiological processes in the life cycle of parasitic protozoans, such as the uptake of nutrients, release of metabolites, and alleviation of osmotic stress. In this work, we use homology modeling to build three-dimensional structures for the four main aquaporins encoded and expressed by Leishmania major, a protozoan that causes leishmaniasis and affects millions of people worldwide. Physico-chemical properties of the proposed models for LmAQP1, LmAQPα, LmAQPβ, and LmAQPγ are then investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and the reference interaction site model (RISM) molecular theory of solvation. Pore characteristics, water permeation, and potential of mean force across the AQP channels for water, methanol, urea, ammonia, and carbon dioxide are examined and compared with results obtained for a protozoan (Plasmodium falciparum) aquaporin for which a crystal structure is available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas S M Neumann
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering and Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13084-862, Brazil
| | - Artur H S Dias
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering and Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13084-862, Brazil
| | - Munir S Skaf
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Computing in Engineering and Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP 13084-862, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kosicka E, Lesicki A, Pieńkowska JR. Molluscan aquaporins: an overview, with some notes on their role in the entry into aestivation in gastropods. MOLLUSCAN RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2020.1716442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Kosicka
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Lesicki
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna R. Pieńkowska
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
de Maré SW, Venskutonytė R, Eltschkner S, de Groot BL, Lindkvist-Petersson K. Structural Basis for Glycerol Efflux and Selectivity of Human Aquaporin 7. Structure 2020; 28:215-222.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2019.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
16
|
Pommerrenig B, Diehn TA, Bernhardt N, Bienert MD, Mitani-Ueno N, Fuge J, Bieber A, Spitzer C, Bräutigam A, Ma JF, Chaumont F, Bienert GP. Functional evolution of nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins: from bacterial arsenic detoxification to plant nutrient transport. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2020; 225:1383-1396. [PMID: 31550387 DOI: 10.1111/nph.16217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Nodulin 26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs) play essential roles in transporting the nutrients silicon and boron in seed plants, but the evolutionary origin of this transport function and the co-permeability to toxic arsenic remains enigmatic. Horizontal gene transfer of a yet uncharacterised bacterial AqpN-aquaporin group was the starting-point for plant NIP evolution. We combined intense sequence, phylogenetic and genetic context analyses and a mutational approach with various transport assays in oocytes and plants to resolve the transorganismal and functional evolution of bacterial and algal and terrestrial plant NIPs and to reveal their molecular transport specificity features. We discovered that aqpN genes are prevalently located in arsenic resistance operons of various prokaryotic phyla. We provided genetic and functional evidence that these proteins contribute to the arsenic detoxification machinery. We identified NIPs with the ancestral bacterial AqpN selectivity filter composition in algae, liverworts, moss, hornworts and ferns and demonstrated that these archetype plant NIPs and their prokaryotic progenitors are almost impermeable to water and silicon but transport arsenic and boron. With a mutational approach, we demonstrated that during evolution, ancestral NIP selectivity shifted to allow subfunctionalisations. Together, our data provided evidence that evolution converted bacterial arsenic efflux channels into essential seed plant nutrient transporters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Pommerrenig
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
- Division of Plant Physiology, University Kaiserslautern, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Till A Diehn
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Genebank Department, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Manuela D Bienert
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Namiki Mitani-Ueno
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, 710-0046, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Jacqueline Fuge
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Annett Bieber
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Christoph Spitzer
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| | - Andrea Bräutigam
- Computational Biology, Faculty of Biology, Bielefeld University, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jian Feng Ma
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, 710-0046, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - François Chaumont
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UC Louvain, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Gerd P Bienert
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK), 06466, Gatersleben, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Aquaporins are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the diffusion of water and other small, uncharged solutes across the cellular membrane and are widely distributed in organisms from humans to bacteria. However, the characteristics of prokaryotic aquaporins remain largely unknown. We investigated the distribution and sequence characterization of aquaporins in prokaryotic organisms and summarized the transport characteristics, physiological functions, and regulatory mechanisms of prokaryotic aquaporins. Aquaporin homologues were identified in 3315 prokaryotic genomes retrieved from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, but the protein clustering pattern is not completely congruent with the phylogeny of the species that carry them. Moreover, prokaryotic aquaporins display diversified aromatic/arginine constriction region (ar/R) amino acid compositions, implying multiple functions. The typical water and glycerol transport characterization, physiological functions, and regulations have been extensively studied in Escherichia coli AqpZ and GlpF. A Streptococcus aquaporin has recently been verified to facilitate the efflux of endogenous H2O2, which not only contributes to detoxification but also to species competitiveness, improving our understanding of prokaryotic aquaporins. Furthermore, recent studies revealed novel regulatory mechanisms of prokaryotic aquaporins at post-translational level. Thus, we propose that intensive investigation on prokaryotic aquaporins would extend the functional categories and working mechanisms of these ubiquitous, intrinsic membrane proteins.
Collapse
|
18
|
Khan MR, Adam V, Rizvi TF, Zhang B, Ahamad F, Jośko I, Zhu Y, Yang M, Mao C. Nanoparticle-Plant Interactions: Two-Way Traffic. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2019; 15:e1901794. [PMID: 31318142 PMCID: PMC6800249 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201901794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In this Review, an effort is made to discuss the most recent progress and future trend in the two-way traffic of the interactions between plants and nanoparticles (NPs). One way is the use of plants to synthesize NPs in an environmentally benign manner with a focus on the mechanism and optimization of the synthesis. Another way is the effects of synthetic NPs on plant fate with a focus on the transport mechanisms of NPs within plants as well as NP-mediated seed germination and plant development. When NPs are in soil, they can be adsorbed at the root surface, followed by their uptake and inter/intracellular movement in the plant tissues. NPs may also be taken up by foliage under aerial deposition, largely through stomata, trichomes, and cuticles, but the exact mode of NP entry into plants is not well documented. The NP-plant interactions may lead to inhibitory or stimulatory effects on seed germination and plant development, depending on NP compositions, concentrations, and plant species. In numerous cases, radiation-absorbing efficiency, CO2 assimilation capacity, and delay of chloroplast aging have been reported in the plant response to NP treatments, although the mechanisms involved in these processes remain to be studied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mujeebur Rahman Khan
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Vojtech Adam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tanveer Fatima Rizvi
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Baohong Zhang
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, U.S.A
| | - Faheem Ahamad
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Izabela Jośko
- Institute of Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences, Akademicka 12, 20-033 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Institute for Biomedical Science, Engineering and Technology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| | - Mingying Yang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Chuanbin Mao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, Institute for Biomedical Science, Engineering and Technology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Transport of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species across Aquaporin: A Molecular Level Picture. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:2930504. [PMID: 31316715 PMCID: PMC6604302 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2930504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane proteins that conduct not only water molecules across the cell membrane but also other solutes, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), produced (among others) by cold atmospheric plasma (CAP). These RONS may induce oxidative stress in the cell interior, which plays a role in cancer treatment. The underlying mechanisms of the transport of RONS across AQPs, however, still remain obscure. We apply molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the permeation of both hydrophilic (H2O2 and OH) and hydrophobic (NO2 and NO) RONS through AQP1. Our simulations show that these RONS can all penetrate across the pores of AQP1. The permeation free energy barrier of OH and NO is lower than that of H2O2 and NO2, indicating that these radicals may have easier access to the pore interior and interact with the amino acid residues of AQP1. We also study the effect of RONS-induced oxidation of both the phospholipids and AQP1 (i.e., sulfenylation of Cys191) on the transport of the above-mentioned RONS across AQP1. Both lipid and protein oxidation seem to slightly increase the free energy barrier for H2O2 and NO2 permeation, while for OH and NO, we do not observe a strong effect of oxidation. The simulation results help to gain insight in the underlying mechanisms of the noticeable rise of CAP-induced RONS in cancer cells, thereby improving our understanding on the role of AQPs in the selective anticancer capacity of CAP.
Collapse
|
20
|
Wragg D, de Almeida A, Casini A, Leoni S. Unveiling the Mechanisms of Aquaglyceroporin‐3 Water and Glycerol Permeation by Metadynamics. Chemistry 2019; 25:8713-8718. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201902121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darren Wragg
- School of ChemistryCardiff University Park Place CF10 3AT Cardiff UK
| | - Andreia de Almeida
- Tumour Micro Environment Group, Division of Cancer and GeneticsSchool of MedicineCardiff University Tenovus Building Cardiff CF14 4XN UK
| | - Angela Casini
- School of ChemistryCardiff University Park Place CF10 3AT Cardiff UK
| | - Stefano Leoni
- School of ChemistryCardiff University Park Place CF10 3AT Cardiff UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Enkavi G, Javanainen M, Kulig W, Róg T, Vattulainen I. Multiscale Simulations of Biological Membranes: The Challenge To Understand Biological Phenomena in a Living Substance. Chem Rev 2019; 119:5607-5774. [PMID: 30859819 PMCID: PMC6727218 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Biological membranes are tricky to investigate. They are complex in terms of molecular composition and structure, functional over a wide range of time scales, and characterized by nonequilibrium conditions. Because of all of these features, simulations are a great technique to study biomembrane behavior. A significant part of the functional processes in biological membranes takes place at the molecular level; thus computer simulations are the method of choice to explore how their properties emerge from specific molecular features and how the interplay among the numerous molecules gives rise to function over spatial and time scales larger than the molecular ones. In this review, we focus on this broad theme. We discuss the current state-of-the-art of biomembrane simulations that, until now, have largely focused on a rather narrow picture of the complexity of the membranes. Given this, we also discuss the challenges that we should unravel in the foreseeable future. Numerous features such as the actin-cytoskeleton network, the glycocalyx network, and nonequilibrium transport under ATP-driven conditions have so far received very little attention; however, the potential of simulations to solve them would be exceptionally high. A major milestone for this research would be that one day we could say that computer simulations genuinely research biological membranes, not just lipid bilayers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giray Enkavi
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matti Javanainen
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy
of Sciences, Flemingovo naḿesti 542/2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
- Computational
Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Waldemar Kulig
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomasz Róg
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Computational
Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Computational
Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
- MEMPHYS-Center
for Biomembrane Physics
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hall JE, Freites JA, Tobias DJ. Experimental and Simulation Studies of Aquaporin 0 Water Permeability and Regulation. Chem Rev 2019; 119:6015-6039. [PMID: 31026155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
We begin with the history of aquaporin zero (AQP0), the most prevalent membrane protein in the eye lens, from the early days when AQP0 was a protein of unknown function known as Major Intrinsic Protein 26. We progress through its joining the aquaporin family as a water channel in its own right and discuss how regulation of its water permeability by pH and calcium came to be discovered experimentally and linked to lens homeostasis and development. We review the development of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lipid bilayers and membrane proteins, including aquaporins, with an emphasis on simulation studies that have elucidated the mechanisms of water conduction, selectivity, and proton exclusion by aquaporins in general. We also review experimental and theoretical progress toward understanding why mammalian AQP0 has a lower water permeability than other aquaporins and the evolution of our present understanding of how its water permeability is regulated by pH and calcium. Finally, we discuss how MD simulations have elucidated the nature of lipid interactions with AQP0.
Collapse
|
23
|
An aquaporin mediates cell shape change required for cellular immunity in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4988. [PMID: 30899076 PMCID: PMC6428837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41541-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular immunity in insects is accompanied by change in hemocyte shape. This study hypothesizes that cytoskeletal rearrangement is accompanied by transmembrane water transport to change cell volume, thus changing cell shape. A water-transporting pore (=aquaporin:AQP) has been identified in the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua. Its expression was detected in all developmental stages and tissues, although its transcription levels were different between biotic and abiotic conditions. Heterologous expression of Se-AQP in Sf9 cells showed that Se-AQP was localized on cell membrane. RNA interference (RNAi) using double-stranded RNA effectively suppressed its transcript levels. Under different ionic concentrations, hemocytes of RNAi-treated larvae did not change cell volume presumably due to malfunction in water transportation. Se-AQP might participate in glycerol transport because up-regulation of hemolymph glycerol titer after rapid cold-hardening was prevented by RNAi treatment against Se-AQP expression. The inhibitory effect of RNAi treatment on change of cell shape significantly impaired cellular immune responses such as phagocytosis and nodule formation upon bacterial challenge. RNAi treatment also significantly interfered with immature development of S. exigua. These results indicate that Se-AQP plays a crucial role in cell shape change that is required for cellular immunity and other physiological processes.
Collapse
|
24
|
Bernardi M, Marracino P, Ghaani MR, Liberti M, Del Signore F, Burnham CJ, Gárate JA, Apollonio F, English NJ. Human aquaporin 4 gating dynamics under axially oriented electric-field impulses: A non-equilibrium molecular-dynamics study. J Chem Phys 2019; 149:245102. [PMID: 30599740 DOI: 10.1063/1.5044665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human aquaporin 4 has been studied using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations in the absence and presence of pulses of external electric fields. The pulses were 100 ns in duration and 0.005-0.015 V/Å in intensity acting along the pores' axes. Water diffusivity and the dipolar response of various residues of interest within the pores have been studied. Results show relatively little change in levels of water permeability per se within aquaporin channels during axially oriented field impulses, although care must be taken with regard to statistical certainty. However, the spatial variation of water permeability vis-à-vis electric-field intensity within the milieu of the channels, as revealed by heterogeneity in diffusivity-map gradients, indicates the possibility of somewhat enhanced diffusivity, owing to several residues being affected substantially by external fields, particularly for HIS 201 and 95 and ILE 93. This has the effect of increasing slightly intra-pore water diffusivity in the "pore-mouths" locale, albeit rendering it more spatially uniform overall vis-à-vis zero-field conditions (via manipulation of the selectivity filter).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bernardi
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Marracino
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad Reza Ghaani
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D4, Ireland
| | - Micaela Liberti
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Del Signore
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian J Burnham
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D4, Ireland
| | - José-Antonio Gárate
- Centro Interdisciplinario de neurociencia de Valparaíso, CINV, Universidad de Valparaíso, 05101 Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Francesca Apollonio
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Niall J English
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D4, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Stogsdill B, Frisbie J, Krane CM, Goldstein DL. Expression of the aquaglyceroporin HC-9 in a freeze-tolerant amphibian that accumulates glycerol seasonally. Physiol Rep 2018; 5:5/15/e13331. [PMID: 28784850 PMCID: PMC5555883 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.13331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
As ambient temperatures fall in the autumn, freeze‐tolerant Cope's gray treefrogs, Dryophytes chrysoscelis (formerly Hyla chrysoscelis), accumulate glycerol as a cryoprotective agent. We hypothesized that these treefrogs express an ortholog of the mammalian aquaglyceroporin AQP9 and that AQP9 expression is upregulated in the cold to facilitate glycerol transport. We sequenced 1790 bp from cloned cDNA that codes for a 315 amino acid protein, HC‐9, containing the predicted six transmembrane spanning domains, two Asn‐Pro‐Ala (NPA) motifs, and five amino acid residues characteristic of aquaglyceroporins. Functional characterization after heterologous expression of HC‐9 cRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes indicated that HC‐9 facilitates glycerol and water permeability and is partially inhibited by 0.5 mmol/L phloretin or 0.3 mmol/L HgCl2. HC‐9 mRNA (qPCR) and protein (immunoblot) were expressed in most treefrog tissues analyzed (muscle, liver, bladder, stomach, kidney, dorsal skin, and ventral skin) except the protein fraction of red blood cells. Contrary to our prediction, both mRNA and protein expression were either unchanged or downregulated in most tissues in response to cold, freezing, and thawing. A notable exception to that pattern occurred in liver, where protein expression was significantly elevated in frozen (~4‐fold over warm) and thawed (~6‐fold over warm) conditions. Immunofluorescence labeling of HC‐9 protein revealed a signal that appeared to be localized to the plasma membrane of hepatocytes. Our results indicate that gray treefrogs express an AQP9‐like protein that facilitates glycerol permeability. Both the transcriptional and translational levels of HC‐9 change in response to thermal challenges, with a unique increase in liver during freezing and thawing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Stogsdill
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
| | - James Frisbie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
| | | | - David L Goldstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
De Ieso ML, Yool AJ. Mechanisms of Aquaporin-Facilitated Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. Front Chem 2018; 6:135. [PMID: 29922644 PMCID: PMC5996923 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its incidence is rising with numbers expected to increase 70% in the next two decades. The fact that current mainline treatments for cancer patients are accompanied by debilitating side effects prompts a growing demand for new therapies that not only inhibit growth and proliferation of cancer cells, but also control invasion and metastasis. One class of targets gaining international attention is the aquaporins, a family of membrane-spanning water channels with diverse physiological functions and extensive tissue-specific distributions in humans. Aquaporins−1,−2,−3,−4,−5,−8, and−9 have been linked to roles in cancer invasion, and metastasis, but their mechanisms of action remain to be fully defined. Aquaporins are implicated in the metastatic cascade in processes of angiogenesis, cellular dissociation, migration, and invasion. Cancer invasion and metastasis are proposed to be potentiated by aquaporins in boosting tumor angiogenesis, enhancing cell volume regulation, regulating cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions, interacting with actin cytoskeleton, regulating proteases and extracellular-matrix degrading molecules, contributing to the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, and interacting with signaling pathways enabling motility and invasion. Pharmacological modulators of aquaporin channels are being identified and tested for therapeutic potential, including compounds derived from loop diuretics, metal-containing organic compounds, plant natural products, and other small molecules. Further studies on aquaporin-dependent functions in cancer metastasis are needed to define the differential contributions of different classes of aquaporin channels to regulation of fluid balance, cell volume, small solute transport, signal transduction, their possible relevance as rate limiting steps, and potential values as therapeutic targets for invasion and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L De Ieso
- Department of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrea J Yool
- Department of Physiology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Burnham CJ, English NJ. Electropumping of Water Through Human Aquaporin 4 by Circularly Polarized Electric Fields: Dramatic Enhancement and Control Revealed by Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics. J Phys Chem Lett 2017; 8:4646-4651. [PMID: 28905623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b02323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
An extensive suite of nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics (NEMD) simulations have been performed for ∼60 ns of human aquaporin 4 in externally applied circularly polarized (CP) electric fields, applied axially along channels. These external fields were 0.05 V/Å in intensity and 100 GHz in frequency. This has the effect of "electro-pumping" the water through the pores as prototypical biochannels, from conversion of molecules' spin angular momentum to linear momentum in the asymmetric heterogeneous-frictional environment of the pores, thus inducing overall net flow. Water's osmotic permeability was enhanced very substantially (doubled) vis-à-vis the zero-field case. This raises the tantalizing possibility of CP-field-mediated control of water permeability in aquaporins, or other biological (or biomimetic) channels as a potential viable and competitive water-treatment technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian J Burnham
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin , Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Niall J English
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin , Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
|
29
|
|
30
|
Oklinski MK, Skowronski MT, Skowronska A, Rützler M, Nørgaard K, Nieland JD, Kwon TH, Nielsen S. Aquaporins in the Spinal Cord. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E2050. [PMID: 27941618 PMCID: PMC5187850 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17122050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins robustly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). A number of previous studies described the cellular expression sites and investigated their major roles and function in the brain and spinal cord. Among thirteen different mammalian AQPs, AQP1 and AQP4 have been mainly studied in the CNS and evidence has been presented that they play important roles in the pathogenesis of CNS injury, edema and multiple diseases such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, glioblastoma multiforme, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The objective of this review is to highlight the current knowledge about AQPs in the spinal cord and their proposed roles in pathophysiology and pathogenesis related to spinal cord lesions and injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michal K Oklinski
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Mariusz T Skowronski
- Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-752 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Skowronska
- Department of Human Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-752 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Michael Rützler
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Kirsten Nørgaard
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - John D Nieland
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Tae-Hwan Kwon
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Taegu 41944, Korea.
| | - Søren Nielsen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Chng YR, Ong JLY, Ching B, Chen XL, Hiong KC, Wong WP, Chew SF, Lam SH, Ip YK. Molecular Characterization of Aquaporin 1 and Aquaporin 3 from the Gills of the African Lungfish, Protopterus annectens, and Changes in Their Branchial mRNA Expression Levels and Protein Abundance during Three Phases of Aestivation. Front Physiol 2016; 7:532. [PMID: 27891097 PMCID: PMC5102888 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
African lungfishes can undergo long periods of aestivation on land during drought. During aestivation, lungfishes are confronted with desiccation and dehydration, and their gills become non-functional and covered with a thick layer of dried mucus. Aquaporins (Aqps) are a superfamily of integral membrane proteins which generally facilitate the permeation of water through plasma membranes. This study aimed to obtain the complete cDNA coding sequences of aqp1 and aqp3 from the gills of Protopterus annectens, and to determine their branchial mRNA and protein expression levels during the induction, maintenance and arousal phases of aestivation. Dendrogramic analyses of the deduced Aqp1 and Aqp3 amino acid sequences of P. annectens revealed their close relationships with those of Latimeria chalumnae and tetrapods. During the induction phase, there were significant decreases in the transcript levels of aqp1 and aqp3 in the gills of P. annectens, but the branchial Aqp1 and Aqp3 protein abundance remained unchanged. As changes in transcription might precede changes in translation, this could be regarded as an adaptive response to decrease the protein abundance of Aqp1 and Aqp3 in the subsequent maintenance phase of aestivation. As expected, the branchial transcript levels and protein abundance of aqp1/Aqp1 and aqp3/Aqp3 were significantly down-regulated during the maintenance phase, probably attributable to the shutdown of branchial functions and the cessation of volume regulation of branchial epithelial cells. Additionally, these changes could reduce the loss of water through branchial epithelial surfaces, supplementing the anti-desiccating property of the dried mucus. Upon arousal, it was essential for the lungfish to restore branchial functions. Indeed, the protein abundance of Aqp1 recovered partially, with complete recovery of mRNA expression level and protein abundance of Aqp3, in the gills of P. annectens after 3 days of arousal. These results provide insights into how P. annectens regulates branchial Aqp expression to cope with desiccation and rehydration during different phases of aestivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- You R. Chng
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Jasmine L. Y. Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Biyun Ching
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Xiu L. Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Kum C. Hiong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Wai P. Wong
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Shit F. Chew
- Natural Sciences and Science Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore, Singapore
| | - Siew H. Lam
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| | - Yuen K. Ip
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
English NJ, Garate JA. Near-microsecond human aquaporin 4 gating dynamics in static and alternating external electric fields: Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. J Chem Phys 2016; 145:085102. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4961072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Niall J. English
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - José-A. Garate
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Life Sciences Foundation, Santiago, Chile
- Centro Interdisciplinario de neurociencia de Valparaiso, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Marracino P, Liberti M, Trapani E, Burnham CJ, Avena M, Garate JA, Apollonio F, English NJ. Human Aquaporin 4 Gating Dynamics under Perpendicularly-Oriented Electric-Field Impulses: A Molecular Dynamics Study. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1133. [PMID: 27428954 PMCID: PMC4964506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17071133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human aquaporin 4 has been studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the absence and presence of pulses of external static electric fields. The pulses were 10 ns in duration and 0.012-0.065 V/Å in intensity acting along both directions perpendicular to the pores. Water permeability and the dipolar response of all residues of interest (including the selectivity filter) within the pores have been studied. Results showed decreased levels of water osmotic permeability within aquaporin channels during orthogonally-oriented field impulses, although care must be taken with regard to statistical certainty. This can be explained observing enhanced "dipolar flipping" of certain key residues, especially serine 211, histidine 201, arginine 216, histidine 95 and cysteine 178. These residues are placed at the extracellular end of the pore (serine 211, histidine 201, and arginine 216) and at the cytoplasm end (histidine 95 and cysteine 178), with the key role in gating mechanism, hence influencing water permeability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Marracino
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
| | - Micaela Liberti
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
| | - Erika Trapani
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
| | - Christian J Burnham
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4 Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Massimiliano Avena
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
| | - José-Antonio Garate
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Life Sciences Foundation, 7750000 Santiago, Chile.
- Centro Interdisciplinario de neurociencia de Valparaiso, Universidad de Valparaiso, 05101 Valparaiso, Chile.
| | - Francesca Apollonio
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, La Sapienza University, 00184 Rome, Italy.
| | - Niall J English
- School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, D4 Dublin, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Klein N, Hellmann N, Schneider D. Anionic Lipids Modulate the Activity of the Aquaglyceroporin GlpF. Biophys J 2016; 109:722-31. [PMID: 26287624 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2015.06.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The structure and composition of a biological membrane can severely influence the activity of membrane-embedded proteins. Here, we show that the E. coli aquaglyceroporin GlpF has only little activity in lipid bilayers formed from native E. coli lipids. Thus, at first glance, GlpF appears to not be optimized for its natural membrane environment. In fact, we found that GlpF activity was severely affected by negatively charged lipids regardless of the exact chemical nature of the lipid headgroup, whereas GlpF was not sensitive to changes in the lateral membrane pressure. These observations illustrate a potential mechanism by which the activity of an α-helical membrane protein is modulated by the negative charge density around the protein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Klein
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nadja Hellmann
- Institut für Molekulare Biophysik, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dirk Schneider
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
In this review, we provide a brief synopsis of the evolution and functional diversity of the aquaporin gene superfamily in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Based upon the latest data, we discuss the expanding list of molecules shown to permeate the central pore of aquaporins, and the unexpected diversity of water channel genes in Archaea and Bacteria. We further provide new insight into the origin by horizontal gene transfer of plant glycerol-transporting aquaporins (NIPs), and the functional co-option and gene replacement of insect glycerol transporters. Finally, we discuss the origins of four major grades of aquaporins in Eukaryota, together with the increasing repertoires of aquaporins in vertebrates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roderick Nigel Finn
- Department of Biology, Bergen High Technology Centre, University of Bergen, Norway; Institute of Marine Research, Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway; and
| | - Joan Cerdà
- Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentàries (IRTA)-Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Klein N, Kümmerer N, Hobernik D, Schneider D. The AQP2 mutation V71M causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in humans but does not impair the function of a bacterial homolog. FEBS Open Bio 2015; 5:640-6. [PMID: 26442203 PMCID: PMC4552806 DOI: 10.1016/j.fob.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The aquaporin 2 mutation V71M causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in humans. Val71 is highly conserved in aqua(glycero)porins and points into the translocation pore. The V71M mutation does not impair the activity and oligomerization of a bacterial homolog.
Several point mutations have been identified in human aquaporins, but their effects on the function of the respective aquaporins are mostly enigmatic. We analyzed the impact of the aquaporin 2 mutation V71M, which causes nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in humans, on aquaporin structure and activity, using the bacterial aquaglyceroporin GlpF as a model. Importantly, the sequence and structure around the V71M mutation is highly conserved between aquaporin 2 and GlpF. The V71M mutation neither impairs substrate flux nor oligomerization of the aquaglyceroporin. Therefore, the human aquaporin 2 mutant V71M is most likely active, but cellular trafficking is probably impaired.
Collapse
Key Words
- AQP ER, endoplasmic reticulum
- AQP, aquaporin
- AVP, arginine vasopressin
- AVPR2, V2 receptor
- Activity
- Aquaporin
- GlpF
- GlpF, glycerol facilitator
- GpA, glycophorin A
- HM, half-membrane-spanning
- NDI, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
- Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
- Protein oligomerization
- TM, transmembrane
- wt, wild-type
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Klein
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nadine Kümmerer
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dominika Hobernik
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Dirk Schneider
- Institut für Pharmazie und Biochemie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Cordeiro RM. Molecular dynamics simulations of the transport of reactive oxygen species by mammalian and plant aquaporins. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2015; 1850:1786-94. [PMID: 25982446 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2015.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aquaporins are responsible for water transport across lipid membranes. They are also able to transport reactive oxygen species, playing an important role in redox signaling. Certain plant aquaporins have even the ability to be regulated by oxidative stress. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. METHODS Here, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to determine the activation free energies related to the transport of reactive oxygen species through both mammalian and plant aquaporin models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Both aquaporins may transport hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the protonated form of superoxide radicals (HO2). The solution-to-pore transfer free energies were low for small oxy-radicals, suggesting that even highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (HO) might have access to the pore interior and oxidize amino acids responsible for channel selectivity. In the plant aquaporin, no significant change in water permeability was observed upon oxidation of the solvent-exposed disulfide bonds at the extracellular region. During the simulated time scale, the existence of a direct oxidative gating mechanism involving these disulfide bonds could not be demonstrated. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Simulation results may improve the understanding of redox signaling mechanisms and help in the interpretation of protein oxidative labeling experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo M Cordeiro
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Avenida dos Estados 5001, CEP 09210-580, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wang J, Feng L, Zhu Z, Zheng M, Wang D, Chen Z, Sun H. Aquaporins as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer: how far we are? J Transl Med 2015; 13:96. [PMID: 25886458 PMCID: PMC4382841 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0439-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water channel proteins distributed in various human tissues, responsible for the transport of small solutes such as glycerol, even gas and ions. The expression of AQPs has been found in more than 20 human cancer types and is significantly correlated with the severity of histological tumors and prognosis of patients with cancer. More recent evidence showed that AQPs could also play a role in tumor-associated edema, tumor cell proliferation and migration, and tumor angiogenesis in solid and hematological tumors. Inhibitors of AQPs in tumor cells and microvessels have been suggested as new therapeutic strategies. The present review overviews AQPs structures, expression variation among normal tissues and tumors, AQPs functions and roles in the development of cancer with special focuses on lung, colorectal, liver, brain and breast cancers, and potential AQPs-target inhibitors. We call the special attention to consider AQPs important as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. It may be a novel anticancer therapy by the AQPs inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Feng
- Minghang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhitu Zhu
- The First Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jingzhou, China.
| | - Minghuan Zheng
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Diane Wang
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Zhihong Chen
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Hongzhi Sun
- The First Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jingzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Drake LL, Rodriguez SD, Hansen IA. Functional characterization of aquaporins and aquaglyceroporins of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Sci Rep 2015; 5:7795. [PMID: 25589229 PMCID: PMC4295104 DOI: 10.1038/srep07795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
After taking vertebrate blood, female mosquitoes quickly shed excess water and ions while retaining and concentrating the mostly proteinaceous nutrients. Aquaporins (AQPs) are an evolutionary conserved family of membrane transporter proteins that regulate the flow of water and in some cases glycerol and other small molecules across cellular membranes. In a previous study, we found six putative AQP genes in the genome of the yellow fever mosquito, Ae. aegypti, and demonstrated the involvement of three of them in the blood meal-induced diuresis. Here we characterized AQP expression in different tissues before and after a blood meal, explored the substrate specificity of AQPs expressed in the Malpighian tubules and performed RNAi-mediated knockdown and tested for changes in mosquito desiccation resistance. We found that AQPs are generally down-regulated 24 hrs after a blood meal. Ae. aegypti AQP 1 strictly transports water, AQP 2 and 5 demonstrate limited solute transport, but primarily function as water transporters. AQP 4 is an aquaglyceroporin with multiple substrates. Knockdown of AQPs expressed in the MTs increased survival of Ae. aegypti under dry conditions. We conclude that Malpighian tubules of adult female yellow fever mosquitoes utilize three distinct AQPs and one aquaglyceroporin in their osmoregulatory functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L Drake
- Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
| | | | - Immo A Hansen
- 1] Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM [2] Institute for Applied Biosciences, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM [3] Molecular Biology Program, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Folding energetics and oligomerization of polytopic α-helical transmembrane proteins. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 564:281-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
|
41
|
Klein N, Neumann J, O'Neil JD, Schneider D. Folding and stability of the aquaglyceroporin GlpF: Implications for human aqua(glycero)porin diseases. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2014; 1848:622-33. [PMID: 25462169 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Aquaporins are highly selective polytopic transmembrane channel proteins that facilitate the permeation of water across cellular membranes in a large diversity of organisms. Defects in aquaporin function are associated with common diseases, such as nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, congenital cataract and certain types of cancer. In general, aquaporins have a highly conserved structure; from prokaryotes to humans. The conserved structure, together with structural dynamics and the structural framework for substrate selectivity is discussed. The folding pathway of aquaporins has been a topic of several studies in recent years. These studies revealed that a conserved protein structure can be reached by following different folding pathways. Based on the available data, we suggest a complex folding pathway for aquaporins, starting from the insertion of individual helices up to the formation of the tetrameric aquaporin structure. The consequences of some known mutations in human aquaporin-encoding genes, which most likely affect the folding and stability of human aquaporins, are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noreen Klein
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jennifer Neumann
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Joe D O'Neil
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Dirk Schneider
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Multiple intracranial metastatic tumor case report and aquaporin water channel-related research. Cell Biochem Biophys 2014; 71:1015-21. [PMID: 25342397 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-014-0303-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This case report deals with multiple intracranial metastatic tumors and studies of expression and regulation characteristics of aquaporins (AQPs) of cerebellar metastatic tumor and brain tissue surrounding tumor. In this work, we try to understand the role of abnormal expression of AQPs in formation and elimination of brain edema and provide new ideas for the treatment of brain edema induced by tumor. The work involves resection of intracranial occupying lesions to get cerebellar metastatic tumor organization. Total RNA was extracted, RT-PCR was done, and immunohistochemical staining was done to study the expression and regulation characteristics of AQPs. We found that AQP4 had a high expression in the peritumoral brain tissue and no expression in the center of brain metastasis tumor organization. Around the tumor tissue, the AQP4 staining was junior in the more distant region from tumor and it added significantly in close to the tumor tissue region. It demonstrated that the AQP4 expression was upregulated, obviously with the distance drawing near gradually to tumor tissue. In addition, stained AQP1 was not observed on cerebellar metastatic tumor and peritumoral brain microvascular endothelial cells. The phenomenon that AQP4 had an increased expression in the surrounding region of cerebellar metastatic tumor and, moreover, increased significantly in the region next to the cerebellar metastatic tumor tightly is probably related to the formation of peritumoral brain edema and plays an important role in cytotoxic brain edema mechanism. AQP1 was not expressed on cerebellar metastatic tumor and peritumoral brain tissue microvascular endothelial cells, and this may be an important factor that the peritumoral interstitial brain edema is removed ineffectively to cause 'small tumor, big edema.'
Collapse
|
43
|
Reale R, English NJ, Garate JA, Marracino P, Liberti M, Apollonio F. Human aquaporin 4 gating dynamics under and after nanosecond-scale static and alternating electric-field impulses: A molecular dynamics study of field effects and relaxation. J Chem Phys 2013; 139:205101. [DOI: 10.1063/1.4832383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
44
|
Rozenbaum VM, Makhnovskii YA, Shapochkina IV, Sheu SY, Yang DY, Lin SH. Adiabatically driven Brownian pumps. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2013; 88:012104. [PMID: 23944411 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.88.012104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We investigate a Brownian pump which, being powered by a flashing ratchet mechanism, produces net particle transport through a membrane. The extension of the Parrondo's approach developed for reversible Brownian motors [Parrondo, Phys. Rev. E 57, 7297 (1998)] to adiabatically driven pumps is given. We demonstrate that the pumping mechanism becomes especially efficient when the time variation of the potential occurs adiabatically fast or adiabatically slow, in perfect analogy with adiabatically driven Brownian motors which exhibit high efficiency [Rozenbaum et al., Phys. Rev. E 85, 041116 (2012)]. At the same time, the efficiency of the pumping mechanism is shown to be less than that of Brownian motors due to fluctuations of the number of particles in the membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viktor M Rozenbaum
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Multiscale simulations reveal conserved patterns of lipid interactions with aquaporins. Structure 2013; 21:810-9. [PMID: 23602661 PMCID: PMC3746155 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2013.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 02/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Interactions of membrane proteins with lipid molecules are central to their stability and function. We have used multiscale molecular dynamics simulations to determine the extent to which interactions with lipids are conserved across the aquaporin (Aqp) family of membrane proteins. Simulation-based assessment of the lipid interactions made by Aqps when embedded within a simple phospholipid bilayer agrees well with the protein-lipid contacts determined by electron diffraction from 2D crystals. Extending this simulation-based analysis to all Aqps of known structure reveals a degree of conservation of such interactions across the Aqp structural proteome. Despite similarities in the binding orientations and interactions of the lipids, there do not appear to be distinct, high-specificity lipid binding sites on the surface of Aqps. Rather Aqps exhibit a more broadly conserved protein/lipid interface, suggestive of interchange between annular and bulk lipids, instead of a fixed annular "shell" of lipids.
Collapse
|
46
|
Influence of lipids on protein-mediated transmembrane transport. Chem Phys Lipids 2013; 169:57-71. [PMID: 23473882 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2013.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Transmembrane proteins are responsible for transporting ions and small molecules across the hydrophobic region of the cell membrane. We are reviewing the evidence for regulation of these transport processes by interactions with the lipids of the membrane. We focus on ion channels, including potassium channels, mechanosensitive and pentameric ligand gated ion channels, and active transporters, including pumps, sodium or proton driven secondary transporters and ABC transporters. For ion channels it has been convincingly shown that specific lipid-protein interactions can directly affect their function. In some cases, a combined approach of molecular and structural biology together with computer simulations has revealed the molecular mechanisms. There are also many transporters whose activity depends on lipids but understanding of the molecular mechanisms is only beginning.
Collapse
|
47
|
Romanowska J, Nowiński KS, Trylska J. Determining Geometrically Stable Domains in Molecular Conformation Sets. J Chem Theory Comput 2012; 8:2588-99. [DOI: 10.1021/ct300206j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Romanowska
- Department of Biophysics,
Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, Hoża 69, 00-681 Warsaw, Poland
- Interdisciplinary
Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling (ICM), University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego
5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof S. Nowiński
- Interdisciplinary
Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling (ICM), University of Warsaw, Pawińskiego
5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Trylska
- Centre of New Technologies
(CeNT), University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 93, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Transport routes of metalloids into and out of the cell: A review of the current knowledge. Chem Biol Interact 2012; 197:47-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2012.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2011] [Revised: 01/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
49
|
Gupta AB, Verma RK, Agarwal V, Vajpai M, Bansal V, Sankararamakrishnan R. MIPModDB: a central resource for the superfamily of major intrinsic proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:D362-9. [PMID: 22080560 PMCID: PMC3245135 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkr914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 10/05/2011] [Accepted: 10/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The channel proteins belonging to the major intrinsic proteins (MIP) superfamily are diverse and are found in all forms of life. Water-transporting aquaporin and glycerol-specific aquaglyceroporin are the prototype members of the MIP superfamily. MIPs have also been shown to transport other neutral molecules and gases across the membrane. They have internal homology and possess conserved sequence motifs. By analyzing a large number of publicly available genome sequences, we have identified more than 1000 MIPs from diverse organisms. We have developed a database MIPModDB which will be a unified resource for all MIPs. For each MIP entry, this database contains information about the source, gene structure, sequence features, substitutions in the conserved NPA motifs, structural model, the residues forming the selectivity filter and channel radius profile. For selected set of MIPs, it is possible to derive structure-based sequence alignment and evolutionary relationship. Sequences and structures of selected MIPs can be downloaded from MIPModDB database which is freely available at http://bioinfo.iitk.ac.in/MIPModDB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Bansal Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Verma
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| | - Vatsal Agarwal
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| | - Manu Vajpai
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| | - Vivek Bansal
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| | - Ramasubbu Sankararamakrishnan
- Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016 and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Araya-Secchi R, Garate JA, Holmes DS, Perez-Acle T. Molecular dynamics study of the archaeal aquaporin AqpM. BMC Genomics 2011; 12 Suppl 4:S8. [PMID: 22369250 PMCID: PMC3287591 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-s4-s8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aquaporins are a large family of transmembrane channel proteins that are present throughout all domains of life and are implicated in human disorders. These channels, allow the passive but selective movement of water and other small neutral solutes across cell membranes. Aquaporins have been classified into two sub-families: i) strict aquaporins that only allow the passage of water and ii) the less selective aquaglyceroporins that transport water and other neutral solutes, such as glycerol, CO2 or urea. Recently, the identification and characterization of a number of archaeal and bacterial aquaporins suggested the existence of a third sub-family; one that is neither a strict aquaporin nor an aquaglyceroporin. The function and phylogeny of this third family is still a matter of debate. Results Twenty nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of a fully hydrated tetramer of AqpM embedded in a lipid bilayer permitted predictions to be made of key biophysical parameters including: single channel osmotic permeability constant (pf), single channel diffusive permeability constant (pd), channel radius, potential water occupancy of the channel and water orientation inside the pore. These properties were compared with those of well characterized representatives of the two main aquaporin sub-families. Results show that changes in the amino acid composition of the aromatic/arginine region affect the size and polarity of the selectivity filter (SF) and could help explain the difference in water permeability between aquaporins. In addition, MD simulation results suggest that AqpM combines characteristics of strict aquaporins, such as the narrow SF and channel radius, with those of aquaglyceroporins, such as a more hydrophobic and less polar SF. Conclusions MD simulations of AqpM extend previous evidence that this archaeal aquaporin exhibits hybrid features intermediate between the two known aquaporin sub-families, supporting the idea that it may constitute a member of a novel class of aquaporins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raul Araya-Secchi
- Computational Biology Laboratory, Centro de Modelamiento Matematico, Facultad de Ciencias Fisicas y Matematicas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|