Anion channel blockers inhibit swelling-activated anion, cation, and nonelectrolyte transport in HeLa cells

Cell Volume Changes and Membrane Ruptures Induced by Hypotonic Electrolyte and Sugar Solutions

The cell volume changes induced by hypotonic electrolyte and sucrose solutions were studied in Chinese-hamster-ovary epithelial cells. The effects in the solutions with osmolarities between 32 and 315 mosM/L and distilled water were analyzed using bright-field and fluorescence confocal microscopy. The changes of the cell volume, accompanied by the detachment of cells, the formation of blebs, and the occurrence of almost spherical vesicle-like cells (“cell-vesicles”), showed significant differences in the long-time responses of the cells in the electrolyte solutions compared with the sucrose-containing solutions. A theoretical model based on different permeabilities of ions and sucrose molecules and on the action of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pumps is applied. It is consistent with the observed temporal behavior of the cells’ volume and the occurrence of tension-induced membrane ruptures and explains lower long-time responses of the cells in the sucrose solutions.

Functions of volume-sensitive and calcium-activated chloride channels

The review describes molecular and functional properties of the volume regulated anion channel and Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) channels belonging to the anoctamin family with emphasis on physiological importance of these channels in regulation of cell volume, cell migration, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death. Finally, we discuss the role of Cl(-) channels in various diseases.

Downregulation of the taurine transporter TauT during hypo-osmotic stress in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts

The present work was initiated to investigate regulation of the taurine transporter TauT by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts during acute and long-term (4 h) exposure to low-sodium/hypo-osmotic stress. Taurine influx is reduced following reduction in osmolarity, keeping the extracellular Na(+) concentration constant. TonEBP activity is unaltered, whereas TauT transcription as well as TauT activity are significantly reduced under hypo-osmotic conditions. In contrast, TonEBP activity and TauT transcription are significantly increased following hyperosmotic exposure. Swelling-induced ROS production in NIH3T3 fibroblasts is generated by NOX4 and by increasing total ROS, by either exogenous application of H(2)O(2) or overexpressing NOX4, we demonstrate that TonEBP activity and taurine influx are regulated negatively by ROS under hypo-osmotic, low-sodium conditions, whereas the TauT mRNA level is unaffected. Acute exposure to ROS reduces taurine uptake as a result of modulated TauT transport kinetics. Thus, swelling-induced ROS production could account for the reduced taurine uptake under low-sodium/hypo-osmotic conditions by direct modulation of TauT.

Intercellular glutamate signaling in the nervous system and beyond

Most intercellular glutamate signaling in the nervous system occurs at synapses. Some intercellular glutamate signaling occurs outside synapses, however, and even outside the nervous system where high ambient extracellular glutamate might be expected to preclude the effectiveness of glutamate as an intercellular signal. Here, I briefly review the types of intercellular glutamate signaling in the nervous system and beyond, with emphasis on the diversity of signaling mechanisms and fundamental unanswered questions.

Cell volume regulation: physiology and pathophysiology

Cell volume perturbation initiates a wide array of intracellular signalling cascades, leading to protective and adaptive events and, in most cases, activation of volume-regulatory osmolyte transport, water loss, and hence restoration of cell volume and cellular function. Cell volume is challenged not only under physiological conditions, e.g. following accumulation of nutrients, during epithelial absorption/secretion processes, following hormonal/autocrine stimulation, and during induction of apoptosis, but also under pathophysiological conditions, e.g. hypoxia, ischaemia and hyponatremia/hypernatremia. On the other hand, it has recently become clear that an increase or reduction in cell volume can also serve as a specific signal in the regulation of physiological processes such as transepithelial transport, cell migration, proliferation and death. Although the mechanisms by which cell volume perturbations are sensed are still far from clear, significant progress has been made with respect to the nature of the sensors, transducers and effectors that convert a change in cell volume into a physiological response. In the present review, we summarize recent major developments in the field, and emphasize the relationship between cell volume regulation and organism physiology/pathophysiology.

Swelling-induced taurine transport: relationship with chloride channels, anion-exchangers and other swelling-activated transport pathways

Cells have to regulate their volume in order to survive. Moreover, it is now evident that cell volume per se and the membrane transport processes which regulate it, comprise an important signalling unit. For example, macromolecular synthesis, apoptosis, cell growth and hormone secretion are all influenced by the cellular hydration state. Therefore, a thorough understanding of volume-activated transport processes could lead to new strategies being developed to control the function and growth of both normal and cancerous cells. Cell swelling stimulates the release of ions such as K(+) and Cl(-) together with organic osmolytes, especially the beta-amino acid taurine. Despite being the subject of intense research interest, the nature of the volume-activated taurine efflux pathway is still a matter of controversy. On the one hand it has been suggested that osmosensitive taurine efflux utilizes volume-sensitive anion channels whereas on the other it has been proposed that the band 3 anion-exchanger is a swelling-induced taurine efflux pathway. This article reviews the evidence for and against a role of anion channels and exchangers in osmosensitive taurine transport. Furthermore, the distinct possibility that neither pathway is involved in taurine transport is highlighted. The putative relationship between swelling-induced taurine transport and volume-activated anionic amino acid, alpha-neutral amino acid and K(+) transport is also examined.

Effects of taurine on plasma and liver lipids, erythrocyte ouabain sensitive Na efflux and platelet aggregation in Sprague Dawley rats

The effects of taurine on plasma and liver cholesterol, erythrocyte ouabain sensitive Na efflux and platelet aggregation were examined in Sprague Dawley rats fed control or 0.5% cholesterol with 0.2% cholate diet. Plasma and liver levels of total cholesterol were increased significantly (p<0.05) in rats fed cholesterol diet compared to the control, and taurine significantly decreased the elevated plasma level of cholesterol in rats fed cholesterol diet (p<0.05). HDL-cholesterol was decreased in groups fed the cholesterol diet regardless of taurine supplementation and the difference between groups with and without cholesterol was significant (p<0.01). Plasma triglyceride was decreased and liver triglyceride was increased both significantly (p<0.05) in rats fed cholesterol compared to the control. Plasma and liver triglyceride in rats fed taurine was decreased significantly compared to the control (p<0.05). Intracellular Na tended to be lower in rats fed cholesterol or taurine and higher in rats fed cholesterol plus taurine compared to the control. Na efflux through Na-K ATPase and the passive leak of Na was somewhat reduced in rats fed cholesterol or taurine and was augmented in rats fed cholesterol plus taurine compared to the control, which showed a similar trend to the intracellular Na. Taurine supplementation caused a suppression of Na efflux in groups fed control diet and restored the suppressed Na efflux in groups fed cholesterol. Platelet aggregation was significantly decreased in the group fed taurine compared to the control (p<0.05) and the group fed cholesterol plus taurine was also a little lower in aggregation than the group fed cholesterol. Microscopic examination showed that taurine prevented fatty liver in rats fed cholesterol diet. Taurine known for stimulating Na-K ATPase in some cell types rather decreased erythrocyte ouabain sensitive Na-K ATPase in the present study. Taurine had hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects and inhibited platelet aggregation which may be favorable for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Global and regional brain metabolic scaling and its functional consequences

BACKGROUND

Information processing in the brain requires large amounts of metabolic energy, the spatial distribution of which is highly heterogeneous, reflecting the complex activity patterns in the mammalian brain.

RESULTS

In this study, it was found, based on empirical data, that despite this heterogeneity, the volume-specific cerebral glucose metabolic rate of many different brain structures scales with brain volume with almost the same exponent: around -0.15. The exception is white matter, the metabolism of which seems to scale with a standard specific exponent of -1/4. The scaling exponents for the total oxygen and glucose consumptions in the brain in relation to its volume are identical, at 0.86 +/- 0.03, which is significantly larger than the exponents 3/4 and 2/3 that have been suggested for whole body basal metabolism on body mass.

CONCLUSION

These findings show explicitly that in mammals: (i) volume-specific scaling exponents of the cerebral energy expenditure in different brain parts are approximately constant (except brain stem structures), and (ii) the total cerebral metabolic exponent against brain volume is greater than the much-cited Kleiber's 3/4 exponent. The neurophysiological factors that might account for the regional uniformity of the exponents and for the excessive scaling of the total brain metabolism are discussed, along with the relationship between brain metabolic scaling and computation.

Near-infrared spectroscopic quantification of changes in the concentration of oxidized cytochrome c oxidase in the healthy human brain during hypoxemia

The near-IR cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) signal has potential as a clinical marker of changes in mitochondrial oxygen utilization. We examine the CCO signal response to reduced oxygen delivery in the healthy human brain. We induced a reduction in arterial oxygen saturation from baseline levels to 80% in eight healthy adult humans, while minimizing changes in end tidal carbon dioxide tension. We measured changes in the cerebral concentrations of oxidized CCO (Delta[oxCCO]), oxyhemoglobin (Delta[HbO(2)]), and deoxyhemoglobin (Delta[HHb]) using broadband near-IR spectroscopy (NIRS), and estimated changes in cerebral oxygen delivery (ecDO(2)) using pulse oximetry and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Results are presented as median (interquartile range). At the nadir of hypoxemia ecDO(2) decreased by 9.2 (5.4 to 12.1)% (p<0.0001), Delta[oxCCO] decreased by 0.24 (0.06 to 0.28) micromoles/l (p<0.01), total hemoglobin concentration increased by 2.83 (2.27 to 4.46) micromoles/l (p<0.0001), and change in hemoglobin difference concentration (Delta[Hbdiff]=Delta[HbO(2)]-Delta[HHb]) decreased by 12.72 (11.32 to 16.34) micromoles/l (p<0.0001). Change in ecDO(2) correlated with Delta[oxCCO] (r=0.78, p<0.001), but not with either change in total hemoglobin concentration or Delta[Hbdiff]. This is the first description of cerebral Delta[oxCCO] during hypoxemia in healthy adults. Studies are ongoing to investigate the clinical relevance of this signal in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Osmoregulation of taurine efflux from cultured human breast cancer cells: comparison with volume activated Cl- efflux and regulation by extracellular ATP

The properties and regulation of volume-activated taurine efflux from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells have been investigated. Volume-activated taurine release from both cell lines was almost completely inhibited by diidosalicylate. DIDS , was more effective at inhibiting swelling-induced taurine release from MCF-7 than from MDA-MB-231 cells. On the basis of comparing taurine, Cl(-) and I(-) efflux time courses, it appears that volume-activated taurine efflux does not utilize volume-sensitive anion channels in MDA-MB- 231 and MCF-7 cells. Extracellular ATP stimulated volume-activated taurine release from MDA-MB-231 cells but not from MCF-7 cells. The effect of ATP was mimicked by UTP and was dependent upon external calcium and inhibited by suramin. However, suramin inhibited volume-activated taurine efflux from both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells even in the absence of exogenously added ATP suggesting that it acts directly on the taurine efflux pathway and/or is inhibiting the effect of ATP released from the cells. Volume-activated taurine efflux from MDA-MB-231 cells was stimulated by ionomycin. In contrast, ionomycin had no effect on taurine release from MCF-7 cells. Adenosine also stimulated volume-activated taurine efflux from MDA-MB-231 cells. The results suggest that purines regulate taurine transport in MDA-MB- 231 cells via more than one type of receptor.

Rationale for a metabolic approach in diabetic coronary patients

The incidence of ischaemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction are greater in people with diabetes than in nondiabetic individuals. Heart disease patients with diabetes have a higher incidence of mortality during and following an acute myocardial infarction and a high risk for progression to heart failure post-infarction. The greater occurrence of ischaemic heart disease is partially due to a poorer coronary artery disease risk factor profile in diabetic patients, and, importantly, due to diabetes-induced abnormalities in the myocardium, termed 'diabetic cardiomyopathy'. The main metabolic abnormalities in the diabetic myocardium are impaired carbohydrate metabolism, specifically reduced pyruvate oxidation in the mitochondria and a greater reliance on fatty acids and ketone bodies as fuels. The healthy heart takes up glucose and lactate and converts them to pyruvate; however, in the diabetic heart there is a reduced capacity to oxidize pyruvate, and thus less glucose and lactate uptake. The defective metabolism is due to high circulating free fatty acids and ketone body concentrations in the plasma, resulting in greater acetyl-Co-enzyme A/Co-enzyme A and reduced nicotinamide adenonine dinucleotide/nicotinamide adenonine dinucleotide+ ratios in the mitochondria, and the subsequent inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid oxidation during ischaemia increases myocardial pyruvate oxidation and provides clinical benefit to patients with stable angina or ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction. Recent clinical trials with trimetazidine, an inhibitor of the fatty acid beta-oxidation enzyme long chain 3-ketoacylthiolase, showed improvement in cardiac function and exercise performance in diabetic patients with ischaemic heart disease, illustrating the effectiveness of this approach in diabetes.

Activation of PLA2 isoforms by cell swelling and ischaemia/hypoxia

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity is increased in mammalian cells in response to numerous stimuli such as osmotic challenge, oxidative stress and exposure to allergens. The increased PLA2 activity is seen as an increased release of free, polyunsaturated fatty acids, e.g. arachidonic acid and membrane-bound lysophospholipids. Even though arachidonic acid acts as a second messenger in its own most mammalian cells seem to rely on oxidation of the fatty acid into highly potent second messengers via, e.g. cytochrome P450, the cyclo-oxygenase, or the lipoxygenase systems for downstream signalling. Here, we review data that illustrates that stress-induced PLA2 activity involves various PLA2 subtypes and that the PLA2 in question is determined by the cell type and the physiological stress condition.

The effect of a hyposmotic shock and purinergic agonists on K+(Rb+) efflux from cultured human breast cancer cells

The effect of a hyposmotic shock and extracellular ATP on the efflux of K(+)(Rb(+)) from human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) has been examined. A hyposmotic shock increased the fractional efflux of K(+)(Rb(+)) from MDA-MB-231 cells via a pathway which was unaffected by Cl(-) replacement. Apamin, charybdotoxin or removing extracellular Ca(2+) had no effect on volume-activated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux MDA-MB-231 cells. An osmotic shock also stimulated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux from MCF-7 cells but to a much lesser extent than found with MDA-MB-231 cells. ATP-stimulated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux from MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent fashion but had little effect on K(+)(Rb(+)) release from MCF-7 cells. ATP-stimulated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux was only inhibited slightly by replacing Cl(-) with NO(3)(-). Removal of external Ca(2+) during treatment with ATP reduced the fractional efflux of K(+)(Rb(+)) in a manner suggesting a role for cellular Ca(2+) stores. Charybdotoxin, but neither apamin nor iberiotoxin, inhibited ATP-stimulated K(+)(Rb(+)) release from MDA-MB-231 cells. Suramin inhibited the ATP-activated efflux of K(+)(Rb(+)). UTP also stimulated K(+)(Rb(+)) efflux from MDA-MB-231 cells whereas ADP, AMP and adenosine were without effect. A combination of an osmotic shock and ATP increased the fractional efflux of K(+)(Rb(+)) to a level greater than the sum of the individual treatments. It appears that the hyposmotically-activated and ATP-stimulated K(+) efflux pathways are separate entities. However, there may be a degree of 'crosstalk' between the two pathways.

Intracellular delivery of carbohydrates into mammalian cells through swelling-activated pathways

Volume changes of human T-lymphocytes (Jurkat line) exposed to hypotonic carbohydrate-substituted solutions of different composition and osmolality were studied by videomicroscopy. In 200 mOsm media the cells first swelled within 1-2 min and then underwent regulatory volume decrease (RVD) to their original isotonic volume within 10-15 min. RVD also occurred in strongly hypotonic 100 mOsm solutions of di- and trisaccharides (trehalose, sucrose, raffinose). In contrast to oligosaccharide media, 100 mOsm solutions of monomeric carbohydrates (glucose, galactose, inositol and sorbitol) inhibited RVD. The complex volumetric data were analyzed with a membrane transport model that allowed the estimation of the hydraulic conductivity and volume-dependent solute permeabilities. We found that under slightly hypotonic stress (200 mOsm) the cell membrane was impermeable to all carbohydrates studied here. Upon osmolality decrease to 100 mOsm, the membrane permeability to monomeric carbohydrates increased dramatically (apparently due to channel activation caused by extensive cell swelling), whereas oligosaccharide permeability remained very poor. The size-selectivity of the swelling-activated sugar permeation was confirmed by direct chromatographic measurements of intracellular sugars. The results of this study are of interest for biotechnology, where sugars and related compounds are increasingly being used as potential cryo- and lyoprotective agents for preservation of rare and valuable mammalian cells and tissues.

Differential effects of pyrethroids on volume-sensitive anion and organic osmolyte pathways

1. There are no effective ways of screening for potential modulators of volume-regulated anion channels in their native cell type. Generally, cell lines are used for this purpose. Using HeLa and C6 glioma cells, we identified the pyrethroids as a novel class of compounds that inhibit taurine efflux through volume-regulated anion transport pathways in these cells. Subsequently, we examined their effects on volume-regulated anion channels in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes to determine whether results obtained using cell lines could be extrapolated to other tissues. 2. Tetramethrin inhibited taurine efflux in both HeLa and C6 glioma cells with Ki values of approximately 26 and 16 micro mol/L, respectively. Bioallethrin and fenpropathrin inhibited volume-sensitive taurine efflux from C6 glioma cells, but not from HeLa cells. The Ki values for bioallethrin and fenpropathrin were 70 and 59 micro mol/L, respectively. 3. Volume-sensitive I- efflux was observed in HeLa cells but not in C6 glioma cells, suggesting that the taurine efflux pathway in C6 glioma cells may be different to that of the I- efflux pathway. Cyfluthrin, tetramethrin, fenpropathrin, tefluthrin and bioallethrin all significantly inhibited volume-sensitive I- efflux from HeLa cells at 100 micro mol/L. 4. Patch-clamp experiments have shown inhibition of ICl,vol in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes by fenpropathrin, but not tetramethrin or cypermethrin, at 100 micro mol/L. This revealed that further differences exist between ICl,vol in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes and the anion transport pathways in C6 glioma and HeLa cells. 5. In conclusion, we have shown that pyrethroids differentially inhibit volume-regulated anion and taurine efflux in a number of cell types. Because these compounds have different effects in different cells, it is likely that: (i) more than one pathway is involved in the volume-sensitive transport of anions and organic osmolytes; and (ii) the molecular identities of the channels underlying anion transport are different. Finally, for the reasons given above, care should be taken when extrapolating data from one cell type to another. However, in the absence of an existing high-throughput screen, taurine efflux still represents a viable route for the identification of potential modulators of volume-regulated ion channels.

Ca2+-mediated Potentiation of the Swelling-induced Taurine Efflux from HeLa Cells: On the Role of Calmodulin and Novel Protein Kinase C Isoforms

The present work sets out to investigate how Ca(2+) regulates the volume-sensitive taurine-release pathway in HeLa cells. Addition of Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists at the time of exposure to hypotonic NaCl medium augments the swelling-induced taurine release and subsequently accelerates the inactivation of the release pathway. The accelerated inactivation is not observed in hypotonic Ca(2+)-free or high-K(+) media. Addition of Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists also accelerates the regulatory volume decrease, which probably reflects activation of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. The taurine release from control cells and cells exposed to Ca(2+) agonists is equally affected by changes in cell volume, application of DIDS and arachidonic acid, indicating that the volume-sensitive taurine leak pathway mediates the Ca(2+)-augmented taurine release. Exposure to Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists prior to a hypotonic challenge also augments a subsequent swelling-induced taurine release even though the intracellular Ca(2+)-concentration has returned to the unstimulated level. The Ca(2+)-induced augmentation of the swelling-induced taurine release is abolished by inhibition of calmodulin, but unaffected by inhibition of calmodulin-dependent kinase II, myosin light chain kinase and calcineurin. The effect of Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists is mimicked by protein kinase C (PKC) activation and abolished in the presence of the PKC inhibitor Gö6850 and following downregulation of phorbol ester-sensitive PKC isoforms. It is suggested that Ca(2+) regulates the volume-sensitive taurine-release pathway through activation of calmodulin and PKC isoforms belonging to the novel subclass (nPKC).

Regulation of the cellular content of the organic osmolyte taurine in mammalian cells

Change in the intracellular concentration of osmolytes or the extracellular tonicity results in a rapid transmembrane water flow in mammalian cells until intracellular and extracellular tonicities are equilibrated. Most cells respond to the osmotic cell swelling by activation of volume-sensitive flux pathways for ions and organic osmolytes to restore their original cell volume. Taurine is an important organic osmolyte in mammalian cells, and taurine release via a volume-sensitive taurine efflux pathway is increased and the active taurine uptake via the taurine specific taurine transporter TauT decreased following osmotic cell swelling. The cellular signaling cascades, the second messengers profile, the activation of specific transporters, and the subsequent time course for the readjustment of the cellular content of osmolytes and volume vary from cell type to cell type. Using Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and HeLa cells as biological systems, it is revealed that phospholipase A2-mediated mobilization of arachidonic acid from phospholipids and subsequent oxidation of the fatty acid via lipoxygenase systems to potent eicosanoids are essential elements in the signaling cascade that is activated by cell swelling and leads to release of osmolytes. The cellular signaling cascade and the activity of the volume-sensitive taurine efflux pathway are modulated by elements of the cytoskeleton, protein tyrosine kinases/phosphatases, GTP-binding proteins, Ca2+/calmodulin, and reactive oxygen species and nucleotides. Serine/threonine phosphorylation of the active taurine uptake system TauT or a putative regulator, as well as change in the membrane potential, are important elements in the regulation of TauT activity. A model describing the cellular sequence, which is activated by cell swelling and leads to activation of the volume-sensitive efflux pathway, is presented at the end of the review.

Endogenous NO regulates superoxide production at low oxygen concentrations by modifying the redox state of cytochrome c oxidase

We have investigated in whole cells whether, at low oxygen concentrations ([O(2)]), endogenous nitric oxide (NO) modulates the redox state of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), and whether such an action has any signaling consequences. Using a polarographic-and-spectroscopic-coupled system, we monitored redox changes in the ETC cytochromes b(H), cc(1), and aa(3) during cellular respiration. The rate of O(2) consumption (VO(2)) remained constant until [O(2)] fell below 15 microM, whereas the onset of reduction of cytochromes aa(3), part of the terminal ETC enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, occurred at approximately 50 microM O(2). Incubation of the cells with an inhibitor of NO synthase lowered significantly (P < 0.05) the [O(2)] at which reduction of the cytochromes occurred. We also measured intracellular superoxide (O(2)(-)) production at different [O(2)] and found there was no increase in O(2)(-) generation in control cells, or those treated with the NO synthase inhibitor, when incubated at 21% O(2). However, after 30-min exposure of control cells to 3% O(2), an increase in O(2)(-) generation was observed, accompanied by translocation to the nucleus of the transcription factor NF-kappa B. Both of these responses were diminished by NO synthase inhibition. Our results suggest that endogenous NO, by enhancing the reduction of ETC cytochromes, contributes to a mechanism by which cells maintain their VO(2) at low [O(2)]. This, in turn, favors the release of O(2)(-), which initiates the transcriptional activation of NF-kappa B as an early signaling stress response.

Cell volume regulation: osmolytes, osmolyte transport, and signal transduction

In recent years, it has become evident that the volume of a given cell is an important factor not only in defining its intracellular osmolality and its shape, but also in defining other cellular functions, such as transepithelial transport, cell migration, cell growth, cell death, and the regulation of intracellular metabolism. In addition, besides inorganic osmolytes, the existence of organic osmolytes in cells has been discovered. Osmolyte transport systems-channels and carriers alike-have been identified and characterized at a molecular level and also, to a certain extent, the intracellular signals regulating osmolyte movements across the plasma membrane. The current review reflects these developments and focuses on the contributions of inorganic and organic osmolytes and their transport systems in regulatory volume increase (RVI) and regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in a variety of cells. Furthermore, the current knowledge on signal transduction in volume regulation is compiled, revealing an astonishing diversity in transport systems, as well as of regulatory signals. The information available indicates the existence of intricate spatial and temporal networks that control cell volume and that we are just beginning to be able to investigate and to understand.

Reactive oxygen species are important mediators of taurine release from skeletal muscle cells

The present study illustrates elements of the signal cascades involved in the activation of taurine efflux pathways in myotubes derived from skeletal muscle cells. Exposing primary skeletal muscle cells, loaded with (14)C-taurine, to 1) hypotonic media, 2) the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activator melittin, 3) anoxia, or 4) lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) causes an increase in (14)C-taurine release and a concomitant production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidants butulated hydroxy toluene and vitamin E inhibit the taurine efflux after cell swelling, anoxia, and addition of LPC. The muscle cells possess two separate taurine efflux pathways, i.e., a swelling- and melittin-induced pathway that requires 5-lipoxygenase activity for activation and a LPC-induced pathway. The two pathways are distinguished by their opposing sensitivity toward the anion channel blocker DIDS and cholesterol. These data provide evidence for PLA(2) products and ROS as key mediators of the signal cascade leading to taurine efflux in muscle.

Two functionally distinct organic osmolyte pathways in Plasmodium gallinaceum-infected chicken red blood cells

Red cells infected with the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum have an increased permeability to a range of small, structurally unrelated solutes via a malaria-induced pathway. We report here a similar pathway present in parasitised red cells from chickens infected with the avian malaria parasite, Plasmodium gallinaceum. Parasitised cells showed a marked increase in the rate of influx of sorbitol (76-fold) and, to a lesser degree, taurine (3-fold) when compared with red cells from uninfected chickens. Pharmacological data suggest that both sorbitol and taurine are transported via a single malaria-induced pathway, which is sensitive to inhibition by 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (IC(50) approximately 7 microM). The malaria-induced pathway differed in its inhibition by a range of anion channel inhibitors when compared to the endogenous, volume-activated osmolyte pathway of chicken red cells. There were also differences in the selectivity of sorbitol and taurine by the two permeation routes. The data presented here are consistent with the presence of two distinct organic solute pathways in infected chicken red cells. The first is an endogenous volume-activated pathway, which is not activated by the parasite and the second is a malaria-induced pathway, similar to those that are induced by other types of malaria in other host species.

Lysophosphatidylcholine-induced taurine release in HeLa cells involves protein kinase activity

It has recently been demonstrated that exogenous addition of low concentrations (< 15 microM) of lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC, palmitic acid in the sn-1 position) induces a transient increase in taurine efflux from HeLa cells in a process that seems to involve generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and tyrosine phosphorylation (J. Membrane Biol. 176 (2000) 175-185). We now demonstrate that LPC also induces release of taurine under isotonic conditions in mouse fibroblast (NIH/3T3) and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Furthermore, we show that in the case of HeLa cells addition of the calmodulin antagonist W-7 (50 microM) or the calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor KN-62 (10 microM) reduces the LPC-induced taurine release under isotonic conditions. Conversely, addition of a standard protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine (10 microM) leads to a potentiation of the LPC-induced taurine efflux, whereas direct activation of PKC by the phorbol ester PMA has no effect. It is suggested that the putative generation of ROS following addition of LPC is modulated by calmodulin/CaMKII, and that the effect of chelerythrine is more likely related to the ROS production than to PKC inhibition.

Cardiac chloride channels: physiology, pharmacology and approaches for identifying novel modulators of activity

Drugs that block cardiac cation channels have been marketed as the therapeutic answer to cardiac arrhythmia. However, such molecules have been only moderately successful at improving the survival of cardiac patients, and so new targets have been needed for future antiarrhythmic agents. This article outlines the properties and roles of Cl(-) channels, which are one of these new targets, and describes an approach for identifying novel CI(2) channel modulators.

Transport of milk constituents by the mammary gland

This review deals with the cellular mechanisms that transport milk constituents or the precursors of milk constituents into, out of, and across the mammary secretory cell. The various milk constituents are secreted by different intracellular routes, and these are outlined, including the paracellular pathway between interstitial fluid and milk that is present in some physiological states and in some species throughout lactation. Also considered are the in vivo and in vitro methods used to study mammary transport and secretory mechanisms. The main part of the review addresses the mechanisms responsible for uptake across the basolateral cell membrane and, in some cases, for transport into the Golgi apparatus and for movement across the apical membrane of sodium, potassium, chloride, water, phosphate, calcium, citrate, iodide, choline, carnitine, glucose, amino acids and peptides, and fatty acids. Recent work on the control of these processes, by volume-sensitive mechanisms for example, is emphasized. The review points out where future work is needed to gain an overall view of milk secretion, for example, in marsupials where milk composition changes markedly during development of the young, and particularly on the intracellular coordination of the transport processes that result in the production of milk of relatively constant composition at a particular stage of lactation in both placental and marsupial mammals.

Extracellular Cl(-) modulates shrinkage-induced activation of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger in rat mesangial cells

To examine the effect of hyperosmolality on Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) activity in mesangial cells (MCs), we used a pH-sensitive dye, 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein-AM, to measure intracellular pH (pH(i)) in a single MC from rat glomeruli. All the experiments were performed in CO(2)/HCO(-)(3)-free HEPES solutions. Exposure of MCs to hyperosmotic HEPES solutions (500 mosmol/kgH(2)O) treated with mannitol caused cell alkalinization. The hyperosmolality-induced cell alkalinization was inhibited by 100 microM ethylisopropylamiloride, a specific NHE inhibitor, and was dependent on extracellular Na(+). The hyperosmolality shifted the Na(+)-dependent acid extrusion rate vs. pH(i) by 0.15-0.3 pH units in the alkaline direction. Removal of extracellular Cl(-) by replacement with gluconate completely abolished the rate of cell alkalinization induced by hyperosmolality and inhibited the Na(+)-dependent acid extrusion rate, whereas, under isosmotic conditions, it caused no effect on Na(+)-dependent pH(i) recovery rate or Na(+)-dependent acid extrusion rate. The Cl(-)-dependent cell alkalinization rate under hyperosmotic conditions was partially inhibited by pretreatment with 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid, DIDS, and colchicine. We conclude: 1) in MCs, hyperosmolality activates NHE to cause cell alkalinization, 2) the acid extrusion rate via NHE is greater under hyperosmotic conditions than under isosmotic conditions at a wide range of pH(i), 3) the NHE activation under hyperosmotic conditions, but not under isosmotic conditions, requires extracellular Cl(-), and 4) the Cl(-)-dependent NHE activation under hyperosmotic conditions partly occurs via Cl(-) channel and microtubule-dependent processes.

The promoter for constitutive expression of the human ICln gene CLNS1A

The ICln protein is expressed ubiquitously in mammals. Experiments designed to knock down the ICln protein in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as well as in epithelial cells led to the conclusion that this protein is crucially involved in volume regulation after cytoplasmic swelling. Reconstitution of the ICln protein in lipid bilayers revealed the ion channel nature of ICln. Here we describe a new human promoter sequence, composed of 89 nucleotides, which is responsible for a highly constitutive expression of the ICln protein. The promoter sequence lacks a TATA box, and the transcription can be effected at multiple sites. In addition to the starting sites, upstream sequence elements are mandatory for an efficient transcription of the ICln gene (CLNS1A). These new nucleotide elements were defined by site-directed mutagenesis.

Volume-sensitive amino acid efflux from a pancreatic beta-cell line

Cell swelling, induced by a hyposmotic shock, increased the fractional release of taurine from INS-1 cells. Volume-sensitive taurine release was (a) dependent upon the extent of cell swelling; (b) fully reversible; and (c) temperature dependent. Volume-sensitive taurine efflux was independent from the trans-membrane Na(+)-gradient. DIDS markedly inhibited volume-activated taurine efflux but not basal taurine release suggesting that the volume-sensitive pathway is quiescent under isosmotic conditions. Volume-activated taurine release inactivated in the continued presence of a hyposmotic shock. Cell-swelling also increased the fractional release of D-aspartate from INS-1 cells. Volume-activated D-aspartate efflux was inhibited by DIDS, albeit to a lesser extent than volume-sensitive taurine release. It is predicted that volume-sensitive amino acid efflux acts in parallel with other volume-activated transport mechanisms to regulate the volume of insulin-secreting cells.

Cell volume regulation: the role of taurine loss in maintaining membrane potential and cell pH

1. In response to a hypo-osmotic stress cells undergo a regulatory volume decrease (RVD) by losing osmotically active solutes and obliged water. During RVD, trout red cells lost taurine, K+ and Cl- but gained Na+ and Cl-. Over the full time course of RVD the chloride concentration in the cell water remained remarkably constant. Thus membrane potential and cell pH, which depends on the ratio of internal to external chloride concentration ([Cl-]i:[Cl-]o), remained fixed. 2. When cell volume decreases it is only possible to keep the chloride concentration in the cell water constant if an equal percentage of the cell chloride pool and of the cell water pool are lost simultaneously. Quantitative analysis of our data showed that this requirement was fulfilled because, over the full time course of RVD, cells lost osmotically active solutes with a constant stoichiometry: 1 Cl-:1 positive charge:2.35 taurine. Any change in taurine permeability, by modifying the stoichiometric relationship, would affect the amount of water lost and consequently cell chloride concentration. 3. Experiments carried out with different cations as substitutes for external Na+ suggest that the constancy of the chloride concentration is not finely tuned by some mechanism able to modulate the channel transport capacity, but results in part from the fact that the swelling-dependent channel constitutively possesses an adequately fixed relative permeability for cations and taurine. However, as a significant fraction of K+ and Cl- loss occurs via a KCl cotransporter, the contribution of the cotransport to the stoichiometric relationship remains to be defined. 4. The large amount of taurine released during RVD (50 % of all solutes) was shown to be transported as an electroneutral zwitterion and not as an anion. How the channel can accommodate the zwitterionic form of taurine, which possesses a high electrical dipole, is considered.

A novel anionic conductance affects action potential duration in isolated rat ventricular myocytes

Effects of extracellular anions were studied in electrophysiological experiments on freshly isolated rat ventricular myocytes. Under current-clamp, action potential duration (APD) was prolonged by reducing the extracellular Cl(-) concentration and shortened by replacement of extracellular Cl(-) with I(-). Under voltage-clamp, membrane potential steps or ramps evoked an anionic background current (I(AB)) carried by either Cl(-), Br(-), I(-) or NO(3)(-). Activation of I(AB) was Ca(2+)- and cyclic AMP-independent, and was unaffected by cell shrinkage. I(AB) was insensitive to stilbene and fenamate anion transport blockers at concentrations that inhibit Ca(2+)-, cyclic AMP- and swelling-activated Cl(-) currents in ventricular cells of other mammals. These results suggest that I(AB) may be carried by a novel class of Cl(-) channel. Correlation of anion substitution experiments on membrane current and action potentials revealed that I(AB) could play a major role in controlling rat ventricular APD. These findings have important implications for those studying cardiac Cl(-) channels as potential targets for novel antiarrythmic agents.

Focal adhesion kinase promotes phospholipase C-gamma1 activity

The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase FAK ("focal adhesion kinase") is a key mediator of integrin signaling events controlling cellular responses to the extracellular matrix, including spreading, migration, proliferation, and survival. Integrin-ligand interactions stimulate FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of FAK signaling functions. Here evidence is presented that the FAK autophosphorylation site Tyr-397 mediates a direct interaction with the C-terminal Src homology 2 domain of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma1 and that this is required for both adhesion-dependent association of the two molecules and increased inositol phosphate production in mouse embryo fibroblasts. Overexpression of FAK and PLC-gamma1 in COS-7 cells increases PLC-gamma1 enzymatic activity and tyrosine phosphorylation, also dependent on FAK Tyr-397. However, FAK appears incapable of directly phosphorylating PLC-gamma1. These observations suggest a role for FAK in recruiting PLC-gamma1 to the plasma membrane at sites of cell-matrix adhesion and there promoting its enzymatic activity, possibly by releasing the repression caused by intramolecular interactions of the PLC-gamma1 Src homology domains and/or by positioning it for phosphorylation by associated Src-family kinases. These findings expand the known signaling functions of FAK and provide mechanistic insight into integrin-stimulation of PLC-gamma1.

Circadian regulation of cAMP response element-mediated gene expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei

A program of stringently-regulated gene expression is thought to be a fundamental component of the circadian clock. Although recent work has implicated a role for E-box-dependent transcription in circadian rhythmicity, the contribution of other enhancer elements has yet to be assessed. Here, we report that cells of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) exhibit a prominent circadian oscillation in cAMP response element (CRE)-mediated gene expression. Maximal reporter gene expression occurred from late-subjective night to mid-subjective day. Cycling of CRE-dependent transcription was not observed in other brain regions, including the supraoptic nucleus and piriform cortex. Levels of the phospho-active form of the transcription factor CREB (P-CREB) varied as a function of circadian time. Peak P-CREB levels occurred during the mid- to late-subjective night. Furthermore, photic stimulation during the subjective night, but not during the subjective day, triggered a marked increase in CRE-mediated gene expression in the SCN. Reporter gene experiments showed that activation of the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade is required for Ca2+-dependent stimulation of CRE-mediated transcription in the SCN. These findings reveal the CREB/CRE transcriptional pathway to be circadian-regulated within the SCN, and raise the possibility that this pathway provides signaling information essential for normal clock function.

Activation and inactivation of taurine efflux in hyposmotic and isosmotic swelling in cortical astrocytes: role of ionic strength and cell volume decrease

A decrease in intracellular ionic strength appears involved in the activation of swelling-elicited 3H-taurine efflux in cortical cultured astrocytes. Hyposmotic (50%) or isosmotic urea-induced swelling leading to a decrease of intracellular ionic strength, activated 3H-taurine efflux from a rate constant of about 0.008 min(-1) to 0.33 min(-1) (hyposmotic) and 0.59 min(-1) (urea). This efflux rate was markedly lower (maximal 0.03 min(-1)) in isosmotic swelling caused by K+ accumulation, where there is no decrease in ionic strength, or in cold (10 degrees C) hyposmotic medium (maximal 0.18 min(-1)), where swelling is reduced and consequently intracellular ionic strength is less affected. Also, astrocytes pretreated with hyperosmotic medium, which recover cell volume by ion accumulation, did not release 3H-taurine when they swelled by switching to isosmotic medium, but when volume was recovered by accumulation of urea, taurine release was restored. These results point to a key role of ionic strength in the activation of osmosensitive 3H-taurine efflux. In contrast, its inactivation was independent of the change in ionic strength but appears related to the reduction in cell volume after swelling, since despite the extent or direction of the change in ionic strength, the 3H-taurine efflux did not inactivate in isosmotic KCl-elicited swelling when cell volume did not recover nor in hyposmotic swelling when RVD was impaired by replacing NaCl in the medium by permeant osmolytes.

Effects of polyamines and calcium and sodium ions on smooth muscle cytoskeleton-associated phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase

In many different cell types, including smooth muscle cells (Baron et al., 1989, Am. J. Physiol., 256: C375-383; Baron et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 266: 8-15), phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase plays a critical role in the regulation of membrane concentrations of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate and formation of inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate. In unstimulated porcine trachealis smooth muscle, 70% of total cellular phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase activity was associated with cytoskeletal proteins and only trace activity was detectable in isolated sarcolemma. Using two different preparations, we studied cytoskeleton-associated phosphatidyl inositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase under conditions that attempted to mimic the ionic and thermal cytoplasmic environment of living cells. The cytoskeleton-associated enzyme, studied using phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate substrate concentrations that produced phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate at about 10% of the maximal rate, was sensitive to free [Mg2+], had an absolute requirement for phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid, or phosphatidylinositol, and included type I isoforms. At 0.5 mM free [Mg2+], physiological spermine concentrations, 0.2-0.4 mM, increased phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase activity two to four times compared to controls run without spermine. The EC50 for spermine-evoked increases in activity was 0.17 +/- 0.02 mM. Spermine-evoked enzyme activity was a function of both free [Mg2+] and substrate concentration. Cytoskeleton-associated phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase was inhibited by free [Ca2+] over a physiological range for cytoplasm--10(-8) to 10(-5) M, an effect independent of the presence of calmodulin. Na+ over the range 20 to 50 mM also inhibited this enzyme activated by 5 mM Mg2+ but had no effect on spermine-activated enzyme. Na+, Ca2+, and spermine appear to be physiological modulators of smooth muscle cytoskeleton-bound phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate 5-kinase.

Characteristics of L-carnitine transport by lactating rat mammary tissue

The transport of L-carnitine by lactating rat mammary tissue has been examined. L-carnitine uptake by rat mammary tissue explants isolated from lactating rats, 3-4 days post partum, was via both Na+-dependent and Na+-independent pathways. The Na+-dependent pathway, the predominant route for L-carnitine uptake, was a saturable process: the Km and Vmax were, respectively, 132 microM and 201 pmol/2 h/mg of intracellular water. The Na+-independent pathway, which was non-saturable, had a coefficient of 0.26 microl/mg of intracellular water/2 h. The Na+-dependent component of L-carnitine uptake by mammary tissue explants was cis-inhibited by D-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine, but not by choline or taurine. In contrast, the Na+-independent component of L-carnitine uptake was not affected by any of these compounds. The uptake of L-carnitine by mammary tissue isolated from lactating rats, 10-12 days post partum, was qualitatively similar to that by mammary tissue taken from rats during the early stage of lactation. However, L-carnitine uptake was quantitatively lower: this was attributable to a reduction in the Na+-dependent component of L-carnitine uptake. L-Carnitine efflux from rat mammary tissue taken from animals 3-4 days post partum, consisted of at least two components; a fast extracellular component and a slow membrane-limited component. Reversing the trans-membrane Na+-gradient did not stimulate L-carnitine efflux suggesting that the Na+-dependent L-carnitine carrier operates with asymmetrical kinetics. A hyposmotic shock, hence cell-swelling, increased L-carnitine efflux from mammary tissue explants.

Hypotonicity activates a lanthanide-sensitive pathway for K+ release in A6 epithelia

The nature of the pathway for K+ release activated during regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in A6 epithelia was investigated by measuring cell thickness (Tc) as an index of cell volume and by probing K+ efflux with 86Rb as tracer for K+ (RRb). Cell swelling was induced by sudden reduction of basolateral osmolality (from 260 to 140 mosmol/kgH2O). Experiments were performed in the absence of Na+ transport. Apical RRb was negligible in iso- and hyposmotic conditions. On the other hand, osmotic shock increased basolateral RRb (RblRb) rapidly, reaching a maximum 7 min after the peak in Tc. Quinine (0.5 mM) completely inhibited RVD and RblRb. Also verapamil (0.2 mM) impeded volume recovery considerably; lidocaine (0.2 mM) did not exert a noticeable effect. The K+ channel blocker Ba2+ (30 mM) delayed RVD but could not prevent complete volume recovery. Cs+ inhibited RVD noticeably at concentrations <40 mM. With large Cs+ concentrations (>40 mM), the initial osmometric swelling was followed by a gradual increase of Tc, suggesting activation of Cs+ influx. Chronic exposure of the basolateral surface to 0.5 mM La3+ or Gd3+ completely abolished RVD and RblRb. Acute administration of lanthanides at the time of osmolality decrease did not affect the initial phase of RVD and reduced RblRb only slightly. Apical Gd3+ exerted an inhibitory effect on RVD and RblRb. The effect of Gd3+ should therefore be localized at an intracellular site. The role of Ca2+ entry could be excluded by failure of extracellular Ca2+ removal to inhibit volume recovery. In contrast to lanthanides, chronically and acutely administered Mg2+ (0.5 mM) inhibited RVD and RblRb by approximately 50%. These data suggest that K+ excretion during RVD occurs through a rather poorly selective pathway that does not seem to be directly activated by membrane stretch.

Pharmacological characterization of swelling-induced D-[3H]aspartate release from primary astrocyte cultures

During stroke or head trauma, extracellular K+ concentration increases, which can cause astrocytes to swell. In vitro, such swelling causes astrocytes to release excitatory amino acids, which may contribute to excitotoxicity in vivo. Several putative swelling-activated channels have been identified through which such anionic organic cellular osmolytes can be released. In the present study, we sought to identify the swelling-activated channel(s) responsible for D-[3H]aspartate release from primary cultured astrocytes exposed to either KCl or hypotonic medium. KCl-induced D-[3H]aspartate release was inhibited by the anion channel inhibitors 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB), dideoxyforskolin, L-644711, ATP, ITP, 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine, DIDS, and tamoxifen but not by cAMP. The cell swelling caused by raised KCl was not inhibited by extracellular ATP or tamoxifen as measured by an electrical impedance method, which suggests that these anion channel inhibitors directly blocked the channel responsible for efflux. Extracellular nucleotides and DIDS, however, had no or only partial effects on D-[3H]aspartate release from cells swollen by hypotonic medium, but such release was inhibited by NPPB, dideoxyforskolin, and tamoxifen. Of the swelling-activated channels so far identified, our data suggest that a volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying channel is responsible for D-[3H]aspartate release from primary cultured astrocytes during raised extracellular K+ and possibly during hypotonic medium-induced release.