Role of an extracellular loop in determining the stoichiometry of Na+-HCO₃⁻ cotransporters

pH regulating mechanisms of astrocytes: A critical component in physiology and disease of the brain

Strict homeostatic control of pH in both intra- and extracellular compartments of the brain is fundamentally important, primarily due to the profound impact of free protons ([H+]) on neuronal activity and overall brain function. Astrocytes, crucial players in the homeostasis of various ions in the brain, actively regulate their intracellular [H+] (pHi) through multiple membrane transporters and carbonic anhydrases. The activation of astroglial pHi regulating mechanisms also leads to corresponding alterations in the acid-base status of the extracellular fluid. Notably, astrocyte pH regulators are modulated by various neuronal signals, suggesting their pivotal role in regulating brain acid-base balance in both health and disease. This review presents the mechanisms involved in pH regulation in astrocytes and discusses their potential impact on extracellular pH under physiological conditions and in brain disorders. Targeting astrocytic pH regulatory mechanisms represents a promising therapeutic approach for modulating brain acid-base balance in diseases, offering a potential critical contribution to neuroprotection.

Potential Theranostic Roles of SLC4 Molecules in Human Diseases

The solute carrier family 4 (SLC4) is an important protein responsible for the transport of various ions across the cell membrane and mediating diverse physiological functions, such as the ion transporting function, protein-to-protein interactions, and molecular transduction. The deficiencies in SLC4 molecules may cause multisystem disease involving, particularly, the respiratory system, digestive, urinary, endocrine, hematopoietic, and central nervous systems. Currently, there are no effective strategies to treat these diseases. SLC4 proteins are also found to contribute to tumorigenesis and development, and some of them are regarded as therapeutic targets in quite a few clinical trials. This indicates that SLC4 proteins have potential clinical prospects. In view of their functional characteristics, there is a critical need to review the specific functions of bicarbonate transporters, their related diseases, and the involved pathological mechanisms. We summarize the diseases caused by the mutations in SLC4 family genes and briefly introduce the clinical manifestations of these diseases as well as the current treatment strategies. Additionally, we illustrate their roles in terms of the physiology and pathogenesis that has been currently researched, which might be the future therapeutic and diagnostic targets of diseases and a new direction for drug research and development.

Understanding the Physiological Role of Electroneutral Na+-Coupled HCO3− Cotransporter and Its Therapeutic Implications

Acid–base homeostasis is critical for proper physiological function and pathology. The SLC4 family of HCO₃⁻ transmembrane cotransporters is one of the HCO₃⁻ transmembrane transport carriers responsible for cellular pH regulation and the uptake or secretion of HCO₃⁻ in epithelial cells. NBCn1 (SLC4A7), an electroneutral Na⁺/HCO₃⁻ cotransporter, is extensively expressed in several tissues and functions as a cotransporter for net acid extrusion after cellular acidification. However, the expression and activity level of NBCn1 remain elusive. In addition, NBCn1 has been involved in numerous other cellular processes such as cell volume, cell death/survival balance, transepithelial transport, as well as regulation of cell viability. This review aims to give an inclusive overview of the most recent advances in the research of NBCn1, emphasizing the basic features, regulation, and tissue-specific physiology as well as the development and application of potent inhibitors of NBCn1 transporter in cancer therapy. Research and development of targeted therapies should be carried out for NBCn1 and its associated pathways.

The electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter and its roles in the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion induced cardiac diseases

Cardiac tissue ischemia/hypoxia increases glycolysis and lactic acid accumulation in cardiomyocytes, leading to intracellular metabolic acidosis. Sodium bicarbonate cotransporters (NBCs) play a vital role in modulating intracellular pH and maintaining sodium ion concentrations in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes mainly express electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe1), which has been demonstrated to participate in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This review outlines the structural and functional properties of NBCe1, summarizes the signaling pathways and factors that may regulate the activity of NBCe1, and reviews the roles of NBCe1 in the pathogenesis of I/R-induced cardiac diseases. Further studies revealing the regulatory mechanisms of NBCe1 activity should provide novel therapeutic targets for preventing I/R-induced cardiac diseases.

Carbonic anhydrases enhance activity of endogenous Na-H exchangers and not the electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransporter NBCe1-A, expressed in Xenopus oocytes

KEY POINTS

According to the HCO 3 - metabolon hypothesis, direct association of cytosolic carbonic anhydrases (CAs) with the electrogenic Na/HCO3 cotransporter NBCe1-A speeds transport by regenerating/consuming HCO 3 - . The present work addresses published discrepancies as to whether cytosolic CAs stimulate NBCe1-A, heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We confirm the essential elements of the previous experimental observations, taken as support for the HCO 3 - metabolon hypothesis. However, using our own experimental protocols or those of others, we find that NBCe1-A function is unaffected by cytosolic CAs. Previous conclusions that cytosolic CAs do stimulate NBCe1-A can be explained by an unanticipated stimulatory effect of the CAs on an endogenous Na-H exchanger. Theoretical analyses show that, although CAs could stimulate non- HCO 3 - transporters (e.g. Na-H exchangers) by accelerating CO2 / HCO 3 - -mediated buffering of acid-base equivalents, they could not appreciably affect transport rates of NBCe1 or other transporters carrying HCO 3 - , CO 3 = , or NaCO 3 - ion pairs.

ABSTRACT

The HCO 3 - metabolon hypothesis predicts that cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA) binds to NBCe1-A, promotes HCO 3 - replenishment/consumption, and enhances transport. Using a short step-duration current-voltage (I-V) protocol with Xenopus oocytes expressing eGFP-tagged NBCe1-A, our group reported that neither injecting human CA II (hCA II) nor fusing hCA II to the NBCe1-A carboxy terminus affects background-subtracted NBCe1 slope conductance (GNBC ), which is a direct measure of NBCe1-A activity. Others - using bovine CA (bCA), untagged NBCe1-A, and protocols keeping holding potential (Vh ) far from NBCe1-A's reversal potential (Erev ) for prolonged periods - found that bCA increases total membrane current (ΔIm ), which apparently supports the metabolon hypothesis. We systematically investigated differences in the two protocols. In oocytes expressing untagged NBCe1-A, injected with bCA and clamped to -40 mV, CO2 / HCO 3 - exposures markedly decrease Erev , producing large transient outward currents persisting for >10 min and rapid increases in [Na+ ]i . Although the CA inhibitor ethoxzolamide (EZA) reduces both ΔIm and d[Na+ ]i /dt, it does not reduce GNBC . In oocytes not expressing NBCe1-A, CO2 / HCO 3 - triggers rapid increases in [Na+ ]i that both hCA II and bCA enhance in concentration-dependent manners. These d[Na+ ]i /dt increases are inhibited by EZA and blocked by EIPA, a Na-H exchanger (NHE) inhibitor. In oocytes expressing untagged NBCe1-A and injected with bCA, EIPA abolishes the EZA-dependent decreases in ΔIm and d[Na+ ]i /dt. Thus, CAs/EZA produce their ΔIm and d[Na+ ]i /dt effects not through NBCe1-A, but endogenous NHEs. Theoretical considerations argue against a CA stimulation of HCO 3 - transport, supporting the conclusion that an NBCe1-A- HCO 3 - metabolon does not exist in oocytes.

pH and male fertility: making sense on pH homeodynamics throughout the male reproductive tract

In the male reproductive tract, ionic equilibrium is essential to maintain normal spermatozoa production and, hence, the reproductive potential. Among the several ions, HCO3- and H+ have a central role, mainly due to their role on pH homeostasis. In the male reproductive tract, the major players in pH regulation and homeodynamics are carbonic anhydrases (CAs), HCO3- membrane transporters (solute carrier 4-SLC4 and solute carrier 26-SLC26 family transporters), Na+-H+ exchangers (NHEs), monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) and voltage-gated proton channels (Hv1). CAs and these membrane transporters are widely distributed throughout the male reproductive tract, where they play essential roles in the ionic balance of tubular fluids. CAs are the enzymes responsible for the production of HCO3- which is then transported by membrane transporters to ensure the maturation, storage, and capacitation of the spermatozoa. The transport of H+ is carried out by NHEs, Hv1, and MCTs and is essential for the electrochemical balance and for the maintenance of the pH within the physiological limits along the male reproductive tract. Alterations in HCO3- production and transport of ions have been associated with some male reproductive dysfunctions. Herein, we present an up-to-date review on the distribution and role of the main intervenient on pH homeodynamics in the fluids throughout the male reproductive tract. In addition, we discuss their relevance for the establishment of the male reproductive potential.

Structure and Function of SLC4 Family [Formula: see text] Transporters

The solute carrier SLC4 family consists of 10 members, nine of which are [Formula: see text] transporters, including three Na(+)-independent Cl(-)/[Formula: see text] exchangers AE1, AE2, and AE3, five Na(+)-coupled [Formula: see text] transporters NBCe1, NBCe2, NBCn1, NBCn2, and NDCBE, as well as "AE4" whose Na(+)-dependence remains controversial. The SLC4 [Formula: see text] transporters play critical roles in pH regulation and transepithelial movement of electrolytes with a broad range of demonstrated physiological relevances. Dysfunctions of these transporters are associated with a series of human diseases. During the past decades, tremendous amount of effort has been undertaken to investigate the topological organization of the SLC4 transporters in the plasma membrane. Based upon the proposed topology models, mutational and functional studies have identified important structural elements likely involved in the ion translocation by the SLC4 transporters. In the present article, we review the advances during the past decades in understanding the structure and function of the SLC4 transporters.

The Role of Flexible Loops in Folding, Trafficking and Activity of Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) are integral membrane proteins, which reside in plasma membranes of all eukaryotic cells and mediate thermodynamically downhill transport of nucleosides. This process is essential for nucleoside recycling, and also plays a key role in terminating adenosine-mediated cellular signaling. Furthermore, ENTs mediate the uptake of many drugs, including anticancer and antiviral nucleoside analogues. The structure and mechanism, by which ENTs catalyze trans-membrane transport of their substrates, remain unknown. To identify the core of the transporter needed for stability, activity, and for its correct trafficking to the plasma membrane, we have expressed human ENT deletion mutants in Xenopus laevis oocytes and determined their localization, transport properties and susceptibility to inhibition. We found that the carboxyl terminal trans-membrane segments are essential for correct protein folding and trafficking. In contrast, the soluble extracellular and intracellular loops appear to be dispensable, and must be involved in the fine-tuning of transport regulation.

Cation-coupled bicarbonate transporters

Cation-coupled HCO3(-) transport was initially identified in the mid-1970s when pioneering studies showed that acid extrusion from cells is stimulated by CO2/HCO3(-) and associated with Na(+) and Cl(-) movement. The first Na(+)-coupled bicarbonate transporter (NCBT) was expression-cloned in the late 1990s. There are currently five mammalian NCBTs in the SLC4-family: the electrogenic Na,HCO3-cotransporters NBCe1 and NBCe2 (SLC4A4 and SLC4A5 gene products); the electroneutral Na,HCO3-cotransporter NBCn1 (SLC4A7 gene product); the Na(+)-driven Cl,HCO3-exchanger NDCBE (SLC4A8 gene product); and NBCn2/NCBE (SLC4A10 gene product), which has been characterized as an electroneutral Na,HCO3-cotransporter or a Na(+)-driven Cl,HCO3-exchanger. Despite the similarity in amino acid sequence and predicted structure among the NCBTs of the SLC4-family, they exhibit distinct differences in ion dependency, transport function, pharmacological properties, and interactions with other proteins. In epithelia, NCBTs are involved in transcellular movement of acid-base equivalents and intracellular pH control. In nonepithelial tissues, NCBTs contribute to intracellular pH regulation; and hence, they are crucial for diverse tissue functions including neuronal discharge, sensory neuron development, performance of the heart, and vascular tone regulation. The function and expression levels of the NCBTs are generally sensitive to intracellular and systemic pH. Animal models have revealed pathophysiological roles of the transporters in disease states including metabolic acidosis, hypertension, visual defects, and epileptic seizures. Studies are being conducted to understand the physiological consequences of genetic polymorphisms in the SLC4-members, which are associated with cancer, hypertension, and drug addiction. Here, we describe the current knowledge regarding the function, structure, and regulation of the mammalian cation-coupled HCO3(-) transporters of the SLC4-family.

Structure, function, and regulation of the SLC4 NBCe1 transporter and its role in causing proximal renal tubular acidosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There has been significant progress in our understanding of the structural and functional properties and regulation of the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotansporter NBCe1, a membrane transporter that plays a key role in renal acid-base physiology. The NBCe1 variant NBCe1-A mediates basolateral electrogenic sodium-base transport in the proximal tubule and is critically required for transepithelial bicarbonate absorption. Mutations in NBCe1 cause autosomal recessive proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA). The review summarizes recent advances in this area.

RECENT FINDINGS

A topological model of NBCe1 has been established that provides a foundation for future structure-functional studies of the transporter. Critical residues and regions have been identified in NBCe1 that play key roles in its structure, function (substrate transport, electrogenicity) and regulation. The mechanisms of how NBCe1 mutations cause pRTA have also recently been elucidated.

SUMMARY

Given the important role of proximal tubule transepithelial bicarbonate absorption in systemic acid-base balance, a clear understanding of the structure-functional properties of NBCe1 is a prerequisite for elucidating the mechanisms of defective transepithelial bicarbonate transport in pRTA.

NBCe1 as a model carrier for understanding the structure-function properties of Na⁺ -coupled SLC4 transporters in health and disease

SLC4 transporters are membrane proteins that in general mediate the coupled transport of bicarbonate (carbonate) and share amino acid sequence homology. These proteins differ as to whether they also transport Na(+) and/or Cl(-), in addition to their charge transport stoichiometry, membrane targeting, substrate affinities, developmental expression, regulatory motifs, and protein-protein interactions. These differences account in part for the fact that functionally, SLC4 transporters have various physiological roles in mammals including transepithelial bicarbonate transport, intracellular pH regulation, transport of Na(+) and/or Cl(-), and possibly water. Bicarbonate transport is not unique to the SLC4 family since the structurally unrelated SLC26 family has at least three proteins that mediate anion exchange. The present review focuses on the first of the sodium-dependent SLC4 transporters that was identified whose structure has been most extensively studied: the electrogenic Na(+)-base cotransporter NBCe1. Mutations in NBCe1 cause proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA) with neurologic and ophthalmologic extrarenal manifestations. Recent studies have characterized the important structure-function properties of the transporter and how they are perturbed as a result of mutations that cause pRTA. It has become increasingly apparent that the structure of NBCe1 differs in several key features from the SLC4 Cl(-)-HCO3 (-) exchanger AE1 whose structural properties have been well-studied. In this review, the structure-function properties and regulation of NBCe1 will be highlighted, and its role in health and disease will be reviewed in detail.

COPA and SLC4A4 are required for cellular entry of arginine-rich peptides

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have gained attention as promising tools to enable the delivery of various molecules in a non-invasive manner. Among the CPPs, TAT and poly-arginine have been extensively utilized in numerous studies for the delivery of functional proteins, peptides, and macromolecules to analyze cellular signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms of cellular entry remain largely unknown. Here, we applied siRNA library screening to identify the regulatory genes for the cellular entry of poly-arginine peptide based on microscopic observation of the entry of fluorescent peptides in siRNA-treated cells. In this screening, we identified the cell membrane gene SLC4A4 and the trafficking regulator gene COPA, which also plays an important role in early endosome maturation. These results demonstrated that cellular entry of poly-arginine requires at least two different steps, probably binding on the cell surface and endosomal entry. The identification of genes for cellular entry of poly-arginine provides insights into its mechanisms and should further aid in the development of highly efficient cell-penetrating peptides.

Proximal renal tubular acidosis mediated by mutations in NBCe1-A: unraveling the transporter's structure-functional properties

NBCe1 belongs to the SLC4 family of base transporting membrane proteins that plays a significant role in renal, extrarenal, and systemic acid-base homeostasis. Recent progress has been made in characterizing the structure-function properties of NBCe1 (encoded by the SLC4A4 gene), and those factors that regulate its function. In the kidney, the NBCe1-A variant that is expressed on the basolateral membrane of proximal tubule is the key transporter responsible for overall transepithelial bicarbonate absorption in this nephron segment. NBCe1 mutations impair transepithelial bicarbonate absorption causing the syndrome of proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA). Studies of naturally occurring NBCe1 mutant proteins in heterologous expression systems have been very helpful in elucidation the structure-functional properties of the transporter. NBCe1 mutations are now known to cause pRTA by various mechanisms including the alteration of the transporter function (substrate ion interaction, electrogenicity), abnormal processing to the plasma membrane, and a perturbation in its structural properties. The elucidation of how NBCe1 mutations cause pRTA in addition to the recent studies which have provided further insight into the topology of the transporter have played an important role in uncovering its critically important structural-function properties.

Molecular mechanisms of renal and extrarenal manifestations caused by inactivation of the electrogenic Na(+)-HCO3 (-) cotransporter NBCe1

The electrogenic Na(+)-HCO3 (-) cotransporter NBCe1 plays an essential role in bicarbonate absorption from renal proximal tubules, but also mediates the other biological processes in extrarenal tissues such as bicarbonate secretion from pancreatic ducts, maintenance of tissue homeostasis in eye, enamel maturation in teeth, or local pH regulation in synapses. Homozygous mutation in NBCe1 cause proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA) associated with extrarenal manifestations such as short stature, ocular abnormalities, enamel abnormalities, and migraine. Functional analyses of NBCe1 mutants using different expression systems suggest that at least a 50% reduction of the transport activity may be required to induce severe pRTA. In addition to functional impairments, some NBCe1 mutants show trafficking defects. Some of the pRTA-related NBCe1 mutants showing the cytoplasmic retention have been shown to exert a dominant negative effect through hetero-oligomer complexes with wild-type NBCe1 that may explain the occurrence of extrarenal manifestations in the heterozygous carries of NBCe1 mutations. Both NBCe1 knockout (KO) and W516X knockin (KI) mice showed very severe pRTA and reproduced most of the clinical manifestations observed in human pRTA patients. Functional analysis on isolated renal proximal tubules from W516X KI mice directly confirmed the indispensable role of NBCe1 in bicarbonate absorption from this nephron segment. In this review, we will focus on the molecular mechanisms underling the renal and extrarenal manifestations caused by NBCe1 inactivation.

Effects of optional structural elements, including two alternative amino termini and a new splicing cassette IV, on the function of the sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter NBCn1 (SLC4A7)

The SLC4A7 gene encodes the electroneutral sodium/HCO3 cotransporter NBCn1, which plays important physiological and pathophysiological roles in many cell types. Previous work identified six NBCn1 variants differing in the sequence of the extreme N terminus--MEAD in rat only, MERF in human only--as well as in the optional inclusion of cassettes I, II, and III. Earlier work also left open the question of whether optional structural elements (OSEs) affect surface abundance or intrinsic (per-molecule) transport activity. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that SLC4A7 from one species can express both MEAD- and MERF-NBCn1. We also identify a novel cassette IV of 20 aa, and extend by 10 the number of full-length NBCn1 variants. The alternative N termini and four cassettes could theoretically produce 32 major variants. Moreover, we identify a group of cDNAs predicted to encode just the cytosolic N-terminal domain (Nt) of NBCn1. A combination of electrophysiology and biotinylation shows that the OSEs can affect surface abundance and intrinsic HCO3(-) transport activity of NBCn1, as expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Specifically, MEAD tends to increase whereas novel cassette IV reduces surface abundance. Cassettes II, III and novel cassette IV all appear to increase the intrinsic activity of NBCn1.

Missense mutation T485S alters NBCe1-A electrogenicity causing proximal renal tubular acidosis

Mutations in SLC4A4, the gene encoding the electrogenic Na(+)-HCO3(-) cotransporter NBCe1, cause severe proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA), growth retardation, decreased IQ, and eye and teeth abnormalities. Among the known NBCe1 mutations, the disease-causing mechanism of the T485S (NBCe1-A numbering) mutation is intriguing because the substituted amino acid, serine, is structurally and chemically similar to threonine. In this study, we performed intracellular pH and whole cell patch-clamp measurements to investigate the base transport and electrogenic properties of NBCe1-A-T485S in mammalian HEK 293 cells. Our results demonstrated that Ser substitution of Thr485 decreased base transport by ~50%, and importantly, converted NBCe1-A from an electrogenic to an electroneutral transporter. Aqueous accessibility analysis using sulfhydryl reactive reagents indicated that Thr485 likely resides in an NBCe1-A ion interaction site. This critical location is also supported by the finding that G486R (a pRTA causing mutation) alters the position of Thr485 in NBCe1-A thereby impairing its transport function. By using NO3(-) as a surrogate ion for CO3(2-), our result indicated that NBCe1-A mediates electrogenic Na(+)-CO3(2-) cotransport when functioning with a 1:2 charge transport stoichiometry. In contrast, electroneutral NBCe1-T485S is unable to transport NO3(-), compatible with the hypothesis that it mediates Na(+)-HCO3(-) cotransport. In patients, NBCe1-A-T485S is predicted to transport Na(+)-HCO3(-) in the reverse direction from blood into proximal tubule cells thereby impairing transepithelial HCO3(-) absorption, possibly representing a new pathogenic mechanism for generating human pRTA.

The divergence, actions, roles, and relatives of sodium-coupled bicarbonate transporters

The mammalian Slc4 (Solute carrier 4) family of transporters is a functionally diverse group of 10 multi-spanning membrane proteins that includes three Cl-HCO3 exchangers (AE1-3), five Na(+)-coupled HCO3(-) transporters (NCBTs), and two other unusual members (AE4, BTR1). In this review, we mainly focus on the five mammalian NCBTs-NBCe1, NBCe2, NBCn1, NDCBE, and NBCn2. Each plays a specialized role in maintaining intracellular pH and, by contributing to the movement of HCO3(-) across epithelia, in maintaining whole-body pH and otherwise contributing to epithelial transport. Disruptions involving NCBT genes are linked to blindness, deafness, proximal renal tubular acidosis, mental retardation, and epilepsy. We also review AE1-3, AE4, and BTR1, addressing their relevance to the study of NCBTs. This review draws together recent advances in our understanding of the phylogenetic origins and physiological relevance of NCBTs and their progenitors. Underlying these advances is progress in such diverse disciplines as physiology, molecular biology, genetics, immunocytochemistry, proteomics, and structural biology. This review highlights the key similarities and differences between individual NCBTs and the genes that encode them and also clarifies the sometimes confusing NCBT nomenclature.

Cloning and functional characterization of novel variants and tissue-specific expression of alternative amino and carboxyl termini of products of slc4a10

Previous studies have shown that the electroneutral Na⁺/HCO₃⁻ cotransporter NBCn2 (SLC4A10) is predominantly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). The physiological and pathological significances of NBCn2 have been well recognized. However, little is known about the tissue specificity of expression of different NBCn2 variants. Moreover, little is known about the expression of NBCn2 proteins in systems other than CNS. Here, we identified a set of novel Slc4a10 variants differing from the originally described ones by containing a distinct 5′ untranslated region encoding a new extreme amino-terminus (Nt). Electrophysiology measurements showed that both NBCn2 variants with alternative Nt contain typical electroneutral Na⁺-coupled HCO₃⁻ transport activity in Xenopus oocytes. Luciferase reporter assay showed that Slc4a10 contains two alternative promoters responsible for expression of the two types of NBCn2 with distinct extreme Nt. Western blotting showed that NBCn2 proteins with the original Nt are primarily expressed in CNS, whereas those with the novel Nt are predominantly expressed in the kidney and to a lesser extent in the small intestine. Due to alternative splicing, the known NBCn2 variants contain two types of carboxyl-termini (CT) differing in the optional inclusion of a PDZ-binding motif. cDNA cloning showed that virtually all NBCn2 variants expressed in epithelial tissues contain, but the vast majority of those from the neural tissues lack the PDZ-binding motif. We conclude that alternative transcription and splicing of Slc4a10 products are regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Our findings provide critical insights that will greatly influence the study of the physiology of NBCn2.

PSD-95 interacts with NBCn1 and enhances channel-like activity without affecting Na/HCO(3) cotransport

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The sodium/bicarbonate transporter NBCn1 plays an essential role in intracellular pH regulation and transepithelial HCO(3)(-) movement in the body. NBCn1 also has sodium channel-like activity uncoupled to Na/HCO(3) cotransport. We previously reported that NBCn1 interacts with the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 in the brain. Here, we elucidated the structural determinant and functional consequence of NBCn1/PSD-95 interaction.

METHODS

RESULTS

In rat hippocampal CA3 neurons, NBCn1 was localized to the postsynaptic membranes of both dendritic shafts and spines and occasionally to the presynaptic membranes. A GST/NBCn1 fusion protein containing the C-terminal 131 amino acids of NBCn1 pulled down PSD-95 from rat brain lysates, whereas GST/NBCn1-ΔETSL (deletion of the last four amino acids) and GST/NBCn2 (NCBE) lacking the same ETSL did not. NBCn1 and PSD-95 were coimmunoprecipitated in HEK 293 cells, and their interaction did not affect the efficacy of PSD-95 to bind to the NMDA receptor NR2A. PSD-95 has negligible effects on intracellular pH changes mediated by NBCn1 in HEK 293 cells and Xenopus oocytes. However, PSD-95 increased an ionic conductance produced by NBCn1 channel-like activity. This increase was abolished by NBCn1-ΔETSL or by the peptide containing the last 15 amino acids of NBCn1.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that PSD-95 interacts with NBCn1 and increases its channel-like activity while negligibly affecting Na/HCO(3) cotransport. The possibility that the channel-like activity occurs via an intermolecular cavity of multimeric NBCn1 proteins is discussed.

Binding of carbonic anhydrase IX to extracellular loop 4 of the NBCe1 Na+/HCO3− cotransporter enhances NBCe1-mediated HCO3− influx in the rat heart

Na+/HCO3− cotransporter (NBC)e1 catalyze the electrogenic movement of 1 Na+:2 HCO3− into cardiomyocytes cytosol. NBC proteins associate with carbonic anhydrases (CA), CAII, and CAIV, forming a HCO3− transport metabolon. Herein, we examined the physical/functional interaction of NBCe1 and transmembrane CAIX in cardiac muscle. NBCe1 and CAIX physical association was examined by coimmunoprecipitation, using rat ventricular lysates. NBCe1 coimmunoprecipitated with anti-CAIX antibody, indicating NBCe1 and CAIX interaction in the myocardium. Glutathione- S-transferase (GST) pull-down assays with predicted extracellular loops (EC) of NBCe1 revealed that NBCe1-EC4 mediated interaction with CAIX. Functional NBCe1/CAIX interaction was examined using fluorescence measurements of BCECF in rat cardiomyocytes to monitor cytosolic pH. NBCe1 transport activity was evaluated after membrane depolarization with high extracellular K+ in the presence or absence of the CA inhibitors, benzolamide (BZ; 100 μM) or 6-ethoxyzolamide (ETZ; 100 μM) (* P < 0.05). This depolarization protocol produced an intracellular pH (pHi) increase of 0.17 ± 0.01 ( n = 11), which was inhibited by BZ (0.11 ± 0.02; n = 7) or ETZ (0.06 ± 0.01; n = 6). NBCe1 activity was also measured by changes of pHi in NBCe1-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells subjected to acid loads. Cotransfection of CAIX with NBCe1 increased the rate of pHi recovery (in mM/min) by about fourfold (12.1 ± 0.8; n = 9) compared with cells expressing NBCe1 alone (3.1 ± 0.5; n = 7), which was inhibited by BZ (7.5 ± 0.3; n = 9). We demonstrated that CAIX forms a complex with EC4 of NBCe1, which activates NBCe1-mediated HCO3− influx in the myocardium. CAIX and NBCe1 have been linked to tumorigenesis and cardiac cell growth, respectively. Thus inhibition of CA activity might be useful to prevent activation of NBCe1 under these pathological conditions.

The physiology of bicarbonate transporters in mammalian reproduction

HCO(3)(-) plays critically important roles during virtually the entire process of reproduction in mammals, including spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, fertilization, and development of early stage embryos. Therefore, the acid-base balance in the male and female reproductive tracts must be finely modulated. The fluid milieu in the epididymis is acidic, containing very low concentration of HCO(3)(-). In this acidic low HCO(3)(-) environment, mature sperm are rendered quiescent in the epididymis. In contrast, the luminal fluid in the female uterus and oviduct is alkaline, with very high concentration of HCO(3)(-) that is essential for sperm to fulfill fertilization. HCO(3)(-) transporter of solute carrier 4 (SLC4) and SLC26 families represent the major carriers for HCO(3)(-) transport across the plasma membrane. These transporters play critical roles in intracellular pH regulation and transepithelial HCO(3)(-) transport. The physiological roles of these transporters in mammalian reproduction are of fundamental interest to investigators. Here we review recent progress in understanding the expression of HCO(3)(-) transporters in reproductive tract tissues as well as the physiological roles of these transporters in mammalian reproduction.

Effect of simultaneously replacing putative TM6 and TM12 of human NBCe1-A with those from NBCn1 on surface abundance in Xenopus oocytes

HCO₃⁻ translocation across the plasma membrane via the electrogenic Na/HCO₃⁻ cotransporter NBCe1 plays an important role in intracellular pH regulation and transepithelial HCO₃⁻ transport. However, the structural determinants of transporter function remain largely unknown. A previous study showed that the putative fourth extracellular loop (EL4) plays an essential role in determining the electrogenicity of NBCe1. In the present study, we generated eight new chimeras of human NBCe1-A and NBCn1-A. All possess the putative NBCe1 EL4 and are electrogenic. Chimera O, in which the putative sixth transmembrane segment (TM6) and EL5 through the C terminus (Ct) of NBCe1 was replaced by corresponding NBCn1 sequence, produces the smallest hyperpolarization (1-2 mV) when CO₂/HCO₃⁻ is added to the extracellular solution. Biotinylation experiments show that O has a very low abundance at the plasma membrane. However, chimeras in which we simultaneously replaced the putative TM6 and smaller subdomains of the EL5-Ct region for the NBCn1 sequence were strongly electrogenic except for chimera T, in which we replaced TM6 and TM12 of NBCe1 with the corresponding regions of NBCn1. T exhibited greatly reduced transporter surface expression compared to wild-type NBCe1-A, while retaining at least some electrogenic character. We hypothesize that putative TM6 and TM12 are part of a functional unit and that if the two TMs are replaced by those of the same transporter type, high surface expression would require that the surrounding TMs are also from the same transporter type.

SLC4A transporters

SLC4A gene family proteins include bicarbonate transporters that move HCO(3)(-) across the plasma membrane and regulate intracellular pH and transepithelial movement of acid-base equivalents. These transporters are Cl/HCO(3) exchangers, electrogenic Na/HCO(3) cotransporters, electroneutral Na/HCO(3) cotransporters, and Na(+)-driven Cl/HCO(3) exchanger. Studies of the bicarbonate transporters in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated their physiological importance for acid-base homeostasis at the cellular and systemic levels. Recent advances in structure/function analysis have also provided valuable information on domains or motifs critical for regulation, ion translocation, and protein topology. This chapter focuses on the molecular mechanisms of ion transport along with associated structural aspects from mutagenesis of particular residues and from chimeric constructs. Structure/function studies have helped to understand the mechanism by which ion substrates are moved via the transporters. This chapter also describes some insights into the structure of SLC4A1 (AE1) and SLC4A4 (NBCe1) transporters. Finally, as some SLC4A transporters exist in concert with other proteins in the cells, the structural features associated with protein-protein interactions are briefly discussed.

Role of N-glycosylation in cell surface expression and protection against proteolysis of the intestinal anion exchanger SLC26A3

SLC26A3 is a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger that plays a major role in Cl(-) absorption from the intestine. Its mutation causes congenital chloride-losing diarrhea. It has been shown that SLC26A3 are glycosylated, with the attached carbohydrate being extracellular and perhaps modulating function. However, the role of glycosylation has yet to be clearly determined. We used the approaches of biochemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis to prevent glycosylation. Deglycosylation experiments with glycosidases indicated that the mature glycosylated form of SLC26A3 exists at the plasma membrane, and a putative large second extracellular loop contains all of the N-linked carbohydrates. Deglycosylation of SLC26A3 causes depression of transport activity compared with wild-type, although robust intracellular pH changes were still observed, suggesting that N-glycosylation is not absolutely necessary for transport activity. To localize glycosylation sites, we mutated the five consensus sites by replacing asparagine (N) with glutamine. Immnoblotting suggests that SLC26A3 is glycosylated at N153, N161, and N165. Deglycosylation of SLC26A3 causes a defect in cell surface processing with decreased cell surface expression. We also assessed whether SLC26A3 is protected from tryptic digestion. While the mature glycosylated SLC26A3 showed little breakdown after treatment with trypsin, deglycosylated SLC26A3 exhibited increased susceptibility to trypsin, suggesting that the oligosaccharides protect SLC26A3 from tryptic digestion. In conclusion, our data indicate that N-glycosylation of SLC26A3 is important for cell surface expression and for protection from proteolytic degradation that may contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis of congenital disorders of glycosylation.