Involvement of disulphide bonds in the renal sodium/phosphate co-transporter NaPi-2

The molecular mechanism of SLC34 proteins: insights from two decades of transport assays and structure-function studies

The expression cloning some 25 years ago of the first member of SLC34 solute carrier family, the renal sodium-coupled inorganic phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) from rat and human tissue, heralded a new era of research into renal phosphate handling by focussing on the carrier proteins that mediate phosphate transport. The cloning of NaPi-IIa was followed by that of the intestinal NaPi-IIb and renal NaPi-IIc isoforms. These three proteins constitute the main secondary-active Na⁺-driven pathways for apical entry of inorganic phosphate (P_i) across renal and intestinal epithelial, as well as other epithelial-like organs. The key role these proteins play in mammalian P_i homeostasis was revealed in the intervening decades by numerous in vitro and animal studies, including the development of knockout animals for each gene and the detection of naturally occurring mutations that can lead to P_i-handling dysfunction in humans. In addition to characterising their physiological regulation, research has also focused on understanding the underlying transport mechanism and identifying structure-function relationships. Over the past two decades, this research effort has used real-time electrophysiological and fluorometric assays together with novel computational biology strategies to develop a detailed, but still incomplete, understanding of the transport mechanism of SLC34 proteins at the molecular level. This review will focus on how our present understanding of their molecular mechanism has evolved in this period by highlighting the key experimental findings.

Analysis of different complexes of type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate transporter in rat renal cortex using blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Type IIa sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (NaPi-IIa) can be localized in the apical plasma membrane of renal proximal tubule to carry out a rate-limiting step of phosphate reabsorption. For the apical localization, NaPi-IIa is required to form a macromolecular complex with some adaptor proteins such as Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF-1) and ezrin. However, the detail of macromolecular complex containing NaPi-IIa in the apical membrane of the renal proximal tubular cells has not been clarified. In this study, we identified at least four different complexes (220, 480, 920, 1,100 kDa) containing NaPi-IIa by using blue-native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Interestingly, LC-MS/MS analysis and immunoprecipitation analysis reveal that megalin is a component of larger complexes (920 and 1,100 kDa). In addition, NaPi-IIa can be heterogeneously co-localized with ezrin and megalin on the apical membrane of renal proximal tubuler cells by fluorescence microscopy analysis. These results suggest that NaPi-IIa can form some different complexes on the apical plasma membrane of renal proximal tubular cells.

Characterisation of the purified human sodium/iodide symporter reveals that the protein is mainly present in a dimeric form and permits the detailed study of a native C-terminal fragment

The sodium/iodide symporter is an intrinsic membrane protein that actively transports iodide into thyroid follicular cells. It is a key element in thyroid hormone biosynthesis and in the radiotherapy of thyroid tumours and their metastases. Sodium/iodide symporter is a very hydrophobic protein that belongs to the family of sodium/solute symporters. As for many other membrane proteins, particularly mammalian ones, little is known about its biochemistry and structure. It is predicted to contain 13 transmembrane helices, with an N-terminus oriented extracellularly. The C-terminal, cytosolic domain contains approximately one hundred amino acid residues and bears most of the transporter's putative regulatory sites (phosphorylation, sumoylation, di-acide, di-leucine or PDZ-binding motifs). In this study, we report the establishment of eukaryotic cell lines stably expressing various human sodium/iodide symporter recombinant proteins, and the development of a purification protocol which allowed us to purify milligram quantities of the human transporter. The quaternary structure of membrane transporters is considered to be essential for their function and regulation. Here, the oligomeric state of human sodium/iodide symporter was analysed for the first time using purified protein, by size exclusion chromatography and light scattering spectroscopy, revealing that the protein exists mainly as a dimer which is stabilised by a disulfide bridge. In addition, the existence of a sodium/iodide symporter C-terminal fragment interacting with the protein was also highlighted. We have shown that this fragment exists in various species and cell types, and demonstrated that it contains the amino-acids [512-643] from the human sodium/iodide symporter protein and, therefore, the last predicted transmembrane helix. Expression of either the [1-512] truncated domain or the [512-643] domain alone, as well as co-expression of the two fragments, was performed, and revealed that co-expression of [1-512] with [512-643] allowed the reconstitution of a functional protein. These findings constitute an important step towards an understanding of some of the post-translational mechanisms that finely tune iodide accumulation through human sodium/iodide symporter regulation.

Klotho: a novel phosphaturic substance acting as an autocrine enzyme in the renal proximal tubule

Klotho has profound effects on phosphate metabolism, but the mechanisms of how Klotho affects phosphate homeostasis is unknown. We detected Klotho in the proximal tubule cell, brush border, and urinary lumen, where phosphate homeostasis resides. Increasing Klotho in the kidney and urine chronically by transgenic overexpression or acutely by intravenous infusion caused hypophosphatemia, phosphaturia from decreased proximal phosphate reabsorption, and decreased activity and protein of the principal renal phosphate transporter NaPi-2a. The phosphaturic effect was present in FGF23-null mice, indicating a direct action distinct from Klotho's known role as a coreceptor for FGF23. Direct inhibition of NaPi-2a by Klotho was confirmed in cultured cells and in cell-free membrane vesicles characterized by acute inhibition of transport activity followed by decreased cell surface protein. Transport inhibition can be mimicked by recombinant beta-glucuronidase and is associated with proteolytic degradation and reduced surface NaPi-2a. The inhibitory effect of Klotho on NaPi-2a was blocked by beta-glucuronidase inhibitor but not by protease inhibitor. Klotho is a novel phosphaturic substance that acts as an enzyme in the proximal tubule urinary lumen by modifying glycans, which cause decreased transporter activity, followed by proteolytic degradation and possibly internalization of NaPi-2a from the apical membrane.

Forging the link between structure and function of electrogenic cotransporters: the renal type IIa Na+/Pi cotransporter as a case study

Electrogenic cotransporters are membrane proteins that use the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane of a cosubstrate ion, for example Na(+) or H(+), to mediate uphill cotransport of a substrate specific to the transport protein. The cotransport process involves recognition of both cosubstrate and substrate and translocation of each species according to a defined stoichiometry. Electrogenicity implies net movement of charges across the membrane in response to the transmembrane voltage and therefore, in addition to isotope flux assays, the cotransport kinetics can be studied in real-time using electrophysiological methods. As well as the cotransport mode, many cotransporters also display a uniport or slippage mode, whereby the cosubstrate ions translocate in the absence of substrate. The current challenge is to define structure-function relationships by identifying functionally important elements in the protein that confer the transport properties and thus contribute to the ultimate goal of having a 3-D model of the protein that conveys both structural and functional information. In this review we focus on a functional approach to meet this challenge, based on a combination of real-time electrophysiological assays, together with molecular biological and biochemical methods. This is illustrated, by way of example, using data obtained by heterologous expression of the renal Na(+)-coupled inorganic phosphate cotransporter (NaP(i)-IIa) for which structure-function relationships are beginning to emerge.

Nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis associated with hypophosphatemia caused by mutations in the type 2a sodium-phosphate cotransporter

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies suggest that genetic factors confer a predisposition to the formation of renal calcium stones or bone demineralization. Low serum phosphate concentrations due to a decrease in renal phosphate reabsorption have been reported in some patients with these conditions, suggesting that genetic factors leading to a decrease in renal phosphate reabsorption may contribute to them. We hypothesized that mutations in the gene coding for the main renal sodium-phosphate cotransporter (NPT2a) may be present in patients with these disorders.

METHODS

We studied 20 patients with urolithiasis or bone demineralization and persistent idiopathic hypophosphatemia associated with a decrease in maximal renal phosphate reabsorption. The coding region of the gene for NPT2a was sequenced in all patients. The functional consequences of the mutations identified were analyzed by expressing the mutated RNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

RESULTS

Two patients, one with recurrent urolithiasis and one with bone demineralization, were heterozygous for two distinct mutations. One mutation resulted in the substitution of phenylalanine for alanine at position 48, and the other in a substitution of methionine for valine at position 147. Phosphate-induced current and sodium-dependent phosphate uptake were impaired in oocytes expressing the mutant NPT2a. Coinjection of oocytes with wild-type and mutant RNA indicated that the mutant protein had altered function.

CONCLUSIONS

Heterozygous mutations in the NPT2a gene may be responsible for hypophosphatemia and urinary phosphate loss in persons with urolithiasis or bone demineralization.

Pit2 assemblies at the cell surface are modulated by extracellular inorganic phosphate concentration

Pit2 is a type III sodium-dependent phosphate transporter and the cell surface receptor for amphotropic murine leukemia virus. Indirect arguments have previously suggested that retrovirus receptor assembly play a role in triggering membrane fusion. Using CHO cells expressing physiological amounts of functional versions of human Pit2 fused to various tagging epitopes, we provide evidence that Pit2 forms assemblies at the cell surface. Living cells were exposed to cross-linking reagents and protein extracts were treated with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical that destroys all protein interactions but covalent links. Assemblies were also detected in the absence of cross-linking and TFA treatment, indicating that they are partially resistant to detergent denaturation. The formation of homo-oligomers was documented by the coimmunoprecipitation of differently tagged molecules. The amounts of Pit2 assemblies detected in the presence or in the absence of cross-linking reagents varied with extracellular inorganic phosphate concentration ([P(i)]). Variation of signal intensity was in the range of twofold, occurred in the absence of de novo protein synthesis and took place at the cell surface. These results indicate that Pit2 assemblies exhibit variable conformations at the surface of living cells. Susceptibility to virus infection and phosphate uptake also vary with extracellular [P(i)]. A model is proposed in which cell surface Pit2 assemblies switch from a compacted to an expanded configuration in response to changes of extracellular [P(i)], and possible relationships with the variation of biological activities are discussed.

Effect of ischemia-reperfusion on the renal brush-border membrane sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter NaPi-2

To understand the mechanisms underlying ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal proximal tubule damage, we analyzed the expression of the Na+-dependent phosphate (Na+/Pi) cotransporter NaPi-2 in brush border membranes (BBM) isolated from rats which had been subjected to 30 min renal ischemia and 60 min reperfusion. Na+/Pi cotransport activities of the BBM vesicles were also determined. Ischemia caused a significant decrease (about 40%, P < 0.05) in all forms of NaPi-2 in the BBM, despite a significant increase (31 ± 3%, P < 0.05) in the Na+/Pi cotransport activity. After reperfusion, both NaPi-2 expression and Na+/Pi cotransport activity returned to control levels. In contrast with Na+/Pi cotransport, ischemia significantly decreased Na+-dependent glucose cotransport but did not affect Na+-dependent proline cotransport. Reperfusion caused further decreases in both Na+/glucose (by 60%) and Na+/proline (by 33%) cotransport. Levels of NaPi-2 were more reduced in the BBM than in cortex homogenates, suggesting a relocalization of NaPi-2 as a result of ischemia. After reperfusion, NaPi-2 levels returned to control values in both BBM and homogenates. These data indicate that the NaPi-2 protein and BBM Na+/Pi cotransport activity respond uniquely to reversible renal ischemia and reperfusion, and thus may play an important role in maintaining and restoring the structure and function of the proximal tubule.Key words: kidney, ischemia, reperfusion, phosphate, transport.

Proximal tubular phosphate reabsorption: molecular mechanisms

Renal proximal tubular reabsorption of P(i) is a key element in overall P(i) homeostasis, and it involves a secondary active P(i) transport mechanism. Among the molecularly identified sodium-phosphate (Na/P(i)) cotransport systems a brush-border membrane type IIa Na-P(i) cotransporter is the key player in proximal tubular P(i) reabsorption. Physiological and pathophysiological alterations in renal P(i) reabsorption are related to altered brush-border membrane expression/content of the type IIa Na-P(i) cotransporter. Complex membrane retrieval/insertion mechanisms are involved in modulating transporter content in the brush-border membrane. In a tissue culture model (OK cells) expressing intrinsically the type IIa Na-P(i) cotransporter, the cellular cascades involved in "physiological/pathophysiological" control of P(i) reabsorption have been explored. As this cell model offers a "proximal tubular" environment, it is useful for characterization (in heterologous expression studies) of the cellular/molecular requirements for transport regulation. Finally, the oocyte expression system has permitted a thorough characterization of the transport characteristics and of structure/function relationships. Thus the cloning of the type IIa Na-P(i )cotransporter (in 1993) provided the tools to study renal brush-border membrane Na-P(i) cotransport function/regulation at the cellular/molecular level as well as at the organ level and led to an understanding of cellular mechanisms involved in control of proximal tubular P(i) handling and, thus, of overall P(i) homeostasis.

The functional unit of the renal type IIa Na+/Pi cotransporter is a monomer

The composition of the functional unit of the rat renal type IIa Na(+)/P(i) cotransporter (NaPi-IIa) was investigated by using two approaches based on the differential sensitivities of the wild type (WT) and mutant S460C proteins to 2-aminoethylmethanethiosulfonate hydrobromide (MTSEA), a charged cysteine modifier. Transport activity of S460C is completely blocked after incubation in MTSEA, whereas that of the WT remains unaffected. First, Xenopus laevis oocytes were coinjected with cRNAs coding for the WT and S460C in different proportions, and the transport inhibition after MTSEA incubation was assayed by electrophysiology. The relationship between MTSEA inhibition and proportion of cRNA was consistent with that for a functional monomer. Second, concatameric proteins were constructed that either comprised two WT proteins (WT-WT), two S460C mutants (S460C-S460C), or one of each (WT-S460C). Western blots of oocytes injected with fusion protein cRNA showed bands at approximately 200 kDa, whereas a main band at approximately 90 kDa was obtained for the WT cRNA alone. The kinetic properties of concatamers were the same as for the single proteins. Transport activity of the WT-WT concatamer was unaffected by MTSEA incubation, fully inhibited for S460C-S460C, but 50% inhibited for WT-S460C. This behavior was also consistent with NaPi-IIa being a functional monomer.

Posttranscriptional regulation of the proximal tubule NaPi-II transporter in response to PTH and dietary P(i)

The rate of proximal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (P(i)) is a major determinant of P(i) homeostasis. Deviations of the extracellular concentration of P(i) are corrected by many factors that control the activity of Na-P(i) cotransport across the apical membrane. In this review, we describe the regulation of proximal tubule P(i) reabsorption via one particular Na-P(i) cotransporter (the type IIa cotransporter) by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and dietary phosphate intake. Available data indicate that both factors determine the net amount of type IIa protein residing in the apical membrane. The resulting change in transport capacity is a function of both the rate of cotransporter insertion and internalization. The latter process is most likely regulated by PTH and dietary P(i) and is considered irreversible since internalized type IIa Na-P(i) cotransporters are subsequently routed to the lysosomes for degradation.

Protein-RNA interactions determine the stability of the renal NaPi-2 cotransporter mRNA and its translation in hypophosphatemic rats

Hypophosphatemia leads to an increase in type II Na(+)-dependent inorganic phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-2) mRNA and protein levels in the kidney and increases renal phosphate reabsorption. Nuclear transcript run-on experiments showed that the effect of a low phosphate diet was post-transcriptional. In an in vitro degradation assay, renal proteins from hypophosphatemic rats stabilized the NaPi-2 transcript 6-fold compared with control rats and this was dependent upon an intact NaPi-2 3'-untranslated region (UTR). To determine an effect of hypophosphatemia upon NaPi-2 protein synthesis, the incorporation of injected [(35)S]methionine into renal proteins was studied in vivo. Hypophosphatemia led to increased [(35)S]methionine incorporation only into NaPi-2 protein. The effect of hypophosphatemia on translation was studied in an in vitro translation assay, where hypophosphatemic renal proteins led to increased translation of NaPi-2 and other transcripts. NaPi-2 RNA interaction with cytosolic proteins was studied by UV cross-linking and Northwestern gels. Hypophosphatemic proteins led to increased binding of renal cytosolic proteins to the 5'-UTR of NaPi-2 mRNA. Therefore, hypophosphatemia increases NaPi-2 gene expression post-transcriptionally, which correlates with a more stable transcript mediated by the 3'-UTR, and an increase in NaPi-2 translation involving protein binding to the 5'-UTR. These findings show that phosphate regulates gene expression by affecting protein-RNA interactions in vivo.

Protein kinase C activators induce membrane retrieval of type II Na+-phosphate cotransporters expressed in Xenopus oocytes

1. The rate of inorganic phosphate (Pi) reabsorption in the mammalian kidney is determined by the amount of type II sodium-coupled inorganic phosphate (Na+-Pi) cotransport protein present in the brush border membrane. Under physiological conditions, parathyroid hormone (PTH) leads to an inhibition of Na+-Pi cotransport activity, most probably mediated by the protein kinase A (PKA) and/or C (PKC) pathways. 2. In this study, PKC-induced inhibition of type II Na+-Pi cotransport activity was characterized in Xenopus laevis oocytes using electrophysiological and immunodetection techniques. Transport function was quantified in terms of Pi-activated current. 3. Oocytes expressing the type IIa rat renal, type IIb flounder renal or type IIb mouse intestinal Na+-Pi cotransporters lost > 50 % of Pi-activated transport function when exposed to the PKC activators DOG (1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol) or PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). DOG-induced inhibition was partially reduced with the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide I. Oocytes exposed to the inactive phorbol ester 4alpha-PDD (4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate) showed no significant loss of cotransporter function. 4. Oocytes expressing the rat renal Na+-SO42- cotransporter alone, or coexpressing this with the type IIa rat renal Na+-Pi cotransporter, showed no downregulation of SO42--activated cotransport activity by DOG. 5. Steady-state and presteady-state voltage-dependent kinetics of type II Na+-Pi cotransporter function were unaffected by DOG. 6. DOG induced a decrease in membrane capacitance which indicated a reduction in membrane area, thereby providing evidence for PKC-mediated endocytosis. 7. Immunocytochemical studies showed a redistribution of type II Na+-Pi cotransporters from the oolemma to the submembrane region after DOG treatment. Surface biotinylation confirmed a DOG-induced internalization of the transport protein. 8. These findings document a specific retrieval of exogenous type II Na+-Pi cotransporters induced by activation of a PKC pathway in the Xenopus oocyte.

Membrane topography of the renal phosphate carrier NaPi-2: limited proteolysis studies

The rat sodium/phosphate cotransporter NaPi-2 is a 70 kDa polypeptide (p70) for which eight transmembrane segments have been predicted. We have shown that p70 exists predominantly as p45 and p40 fragments which are linked by disulfide bonds. In this work, the p40 fragment, corresponding to the C-terminus of NaPi-2, was purified from renal brush-border membranes using non-reducing and then reducing column electrophoresis followed by enzymatic deglycosylation and SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal sequence obtained for this fragment, VEAIG, indicates that the formation of p45 and p40 arises from the cleavage of p70 between arginine-319 and valine-320. In order to determine the membrane topography of NaPi-2, brush-border membrane vesicles were digested with various proteases and the transporter-derived proteolytic peptides were subsequently identified by Western blotting using N- and C-terminal-directed antibodies. Our results lead us to propose an alternative topographical model in which p45 and p40 possess three transmembrane domains each and indicate that the processing site of p70 for the generation of p45 and p40 is localized in a large protein core facing the extracellular milieu. This localization of the cleavage site indicated that NaPi-2 could either be processed intracellularly by vesicular proteases or extracellularly by secretory proteases or by brush-border membrane ectoenzymes.

Modulation of phosphate uptake and amphotropic murine leukemia virus entry by posttranslational modifications of PIT-2

PIT-2 is a type III sodium phosphate cotransporter and the receptor for amphotropic murine leukemia viruses. We have investigated the expression and the functions of a tagged version of PIT-2 in CHO cells. PIT-2 remained equally abundant at the cell surface within 6 h following variation of the phosphate supply. In contrast, the efficiency of phosphate uptake and retrovirus entry was inversely related to the extracellular phosphate concentration, indicating that PIT-2 activities are modulated by posttranslational modifications of cell surface molecules induced by phosphate. Conformational changes of PIT-2 contribute to both activities, as shown by the inhibitory effect of sulfhydryl reagents known as inhibitors of type II cotransporters. A physical association of PIT-2 with actin was demonstrated. Modifications of the actin network were induced by variations of the concentrations of extracellular phosphate, cytochalasin D, or lysophosphatidic acid. They revealed that the formation of actin stress fibers determines the cell surface distribution of PIT-2, the internalization of the receptor in response to virus binding, and the capacity to process retrovirus entry. Thus, the presence of PIT-2 at the cell surface is not sufficient to ensure phosphate transport and susceptibility to amphotropic retrovirus infection. Further activation of cell surface PIT-2 molecules is required for these functions.

Identification of three isoforms for the Na+-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-2) in rat kidney

We have isolated three unique NaPi-2-related protein cDNAs (NaPi-2alpha, NaPi-2beta, and NaPi-2gamma) from a rat kidney library. NaPi-2alpha cDNA encodes 337 amino acids which have high homology to the N-terminal half of NaPi-2 containing 3 transmembrane domains. NaPi-2beta encodes 327 amino acids which are identical to the N-terminal region of NaPi-2 containing 4 transmembrane domains, whereas the 146 amino acids in the C-terminal region are completely different. In contrast, NaPi-2gamma encodes 268 amino acids which are identical to the C-terminal half of NaPi-2. An analysis of phage and cosmid clones indicated that the three related proteins were produced by alternative splicing in the NaPi-2 gene. In a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system, NaPi-2 alpha, beta, and gamma were found to be 36, 36, and 29 kDa amino acid polypeptides, respectively. NaPi-2alpha and NaPi-2gamma were glycosylated and revealed to be 45- and 35-kDa proteins, respectively. In isolated brush-border membrane vesicles, an N-terminal antibody was reacted with 45- and 40-kDa, and a C-terminal antibody was reacted with 37-kDa protein. The sizes of these proteins corresponded to those in glycosylated forms. A functional analysis demonstrated that NaPi-2gamma and -2alpha markedly inhibited NaPi-2 activity in Xenopus oocytes. The results suggest that these short isoforms may function as a dominant negative inhibitor of the full-length transporter.

Immunodetection of a type III sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter in tissues and OK cells

Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits against a 14-amino acid portion of the gibbon ape leukemia virus human membrane receptor Glvr-1. This epitope also contained seven amino acids common to the receptor for the amphotropic murine retrovirus Ram-1. Antibody specificity and molecular size of Glvr-1/Ram-1-related proteins were assayed by Western blot. Using a standard Laemmli buffer system, under reducing conditions, a single band of approximately 85 kDa (designated p85) was immunodetected in membranes prepared from opossum kidney (OK) cells and in brain membranes from rat, rabbit and hamster. In mouse brain, p85 as well as a protein of 70-72 kDa were immunodetected. This protein was also present in several other mouse tissues. Limited proteolysis of p85 and the 70-72kDa-protein from mouse yielded similar peptide fragments, suggesting that both proteins are related. Fragments of the same molecular masses were also detected in OK cell membranes following proteolysis, showing that p85 in both models (mouse brain and OK cell) share a similar sequence. p85 is not N-glycosylated since an assay using endoglycosidase F/N-glycosidase F did not alter the electrophoretic mobility of p85. We also observed that regulation of phosphate transport by incubating OK cells without any phosphate or by PTH treatment occurs without any changes in the amount of p85. In conclusion, these data demonstrate for the first time a Western blot detection of a type III phosphate transporter using polyclonal antibodies. They also suggest that, conversely to type I and type II phosphate transporters which are localized in the kidney, this third type of transporter is ubiquitous and probably absorbs the readily available phosphate from interstitial fluid for normal cellular functions in many species and tissues, serving as a housekeeping Na+/Pi cotransport system. This is also the first report showing that p85 is not regulated in the same manner as type II phosphate transporters.