1
|
Calamita G, Delporte C. Insights into the Function of Aquaporins in Gastrointestinal Fluid Absorption and Secretion in Health and Disease. Cells 2023; 12:2170. [PMID: 37681902 PMCID: PMC10486417 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs), transmembrane proteins permeable to water, are involved in gastrointestinal secretion. The secretory products of the glands are delivered either to some organ cavities for exocrine glands or to the bloodstream for endocrine glands. The main secretory glands being part of the gastrointestinal system are salivary glands, gastric glands, duodenal Brunner's gland, liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, intestinal goblet cells, exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Due to their expression in gastrointestinal exocrine and endocrine glands, AQPs fulfill important roles in the secretion of various fluids involved in food handling. This review summarizes the contribution of AQPs in physiological and pathophysiological stages related to gastrointestinal secretion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Calamita G, Delporte C. Aquaporins in Glandular Secretion. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1398:225-249. [PMID: 36717498 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7415-1_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Exocrine and endocrine glands deliver their secretory product, respectively, at the surface of the target organs or within the bloodstream. The release of their products has been shown to rely on secretory mechanisms often involving aquaporins (AQPs). This chapter will provide insight into the role of AQPs in secretory glands located within the gastrointestinal tract, including salivary glands, gastric glands, duodenal Brunner's glands, liver, gallbladder, intestinal goblets cells, and pancreas, as well and in other parts of the body, including airway submucosal glands, lacrimal glands, mammary glands, and eccrine sweat glands. The involvement of AQPs in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions will also be highlighted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cheng Q, Zhang J, Fang J, Ding H, Xu Y, Lu X, Zhang W. Untargeted metabolomics reveals the role of AQP9 in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a mice model. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:864-875. [PMID: 35961555 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that AQP9 plays an important role in energy metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recently, metabolomic analyses were used to determine the slight changes in metabolic profiles and helped to understand the disease progression, therapeutic intervention of NAFLD. A mouse model of NAFLD was established with a high-fat diet (HFD), and Aqp9 knockout mice were constructed. Untargeted metabolomics techniques were used to evaluate the potential mechanism of the effect of AQP9 in NAFLD. The results indicated that AQP9 plays a regulatory role in the occurrence of NAFLD. Moreover, a total of 220 candidate biomarkers were screened and identified. Cluster analysis and enrichment analysis of differential metabolites indicated that fatty acid biosynthesis was mainly disturbed when compared against the control group, which was mitigated by knockout of Aqp9. These results show that untargeted metabolomics help to understand the effects of AQP9 in NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quancheng Cheng
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Junwei Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Jinyu Fang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Huiru Ding
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yiyao Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Xin Lu
- Department of Liver Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Weiguang Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
da Silva IV, Garra S, Calamita G, Soveral G. The Multifaceted Role of Aquaporin-9 in Health and Its Potential as a Clinical Biomarker. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12070897. [PMID: 35883453 PMCID: PMC9313442 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane channels essential for water, energy, and redox homeostasis, with proven involvement in a variety of pathophysiological conditions such as edema, glaucoma, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, oxidative stress, sepsis, cancer, and metabolic dysfunctions. The 13 AQPs present in humans are widely distributed in all body districts, drawing cell lineage-specific expression patterns closely related to cell native functions. Compelling evidence indicates that AQPs are proteins with great potential as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic intervention. Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) is the most expressed in the liver, with implications in general metabolic and redox balance due to its aquaglyceroporin and peroxiporin activities, facilitating glycerol and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) diffusion across membranes. AQP9 is also expressed in other tissues, and their altered expression is described in several human diseases, such as liver injury, inflammation, cancer, infertility, and immune disorders. The present review compiles the current knowledge of AQP9 implication in diseases and highlights its potential as a new biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis in clinical medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inês V. da Silva
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sabino Garra
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (G.S.)
| | - Graça Soveral
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence: (G.C.); (G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vartak N, Drasdo D, Geisler F, Itoh T, P J Oude Elferink R, van de Graaf SFJ, Chiang J, Keitel V, Trauner M, Jansen P, Hengstler JG. On the Mechanisms of Biliary Flux. Hepatology 2021; 74:3497-3512. [PMID: 34164843 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Since the late 1950s, transport of bile in the liver has been described by the "osmotic concept," according to which bile flows into the canaliculi toward the ducts, countercurrent to the blood flow in the sinusoids. However, because of the small size of canaliculi, it was so far impossible to observe, let alone to quantify this process. Still, "osmotic canalicular flow" was a sufficient and plausible explanation for the clearance characteristics of a wide variety of choleretic compounds excreted in bile. Imaging techniques have now been established that allow direct flux analysis in bile canaliculi of the intact liver in living organisms. In contrast to the prevailing osmotic concept these analyses strongly suggest that the transport of small molecules in canalicular bile is diffusion dominated, while canalicular flow is negligibly small. In contrast, with the same experimental approach, it could be shown that in the interlobular ducts, diffusion is augmented by flow. Thus, bile canaliculi can be compared to a standing water zone that is connected to a river. The seemingly subtle difference between diffusion and flow is of relevance for therapy of a wide range of liver diseases including cholestasis and NAFLD. Here, we incorporated the latest findings on canalicular solute transport, and align them with extant knowledge to present an integrated and explanatory framework of bile flux that will undoubtedly be refined further in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nachiket Vartak
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Dirk Drasdo
- National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology, Paris, France
| | - Fabian Geisler
- Clinic and Polyclinic for Internal Medicine II, Kinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tohru Itoh
- Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ronald P J Oude Elferink
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Stan F J van de Graaf
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - John Chiang
- North-East Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Verena Keitel
- Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty at Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Jansen
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan G Hengstler
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hashizume N, Shin R, Akiba J, Sotogaku N, Asagiri K, Hikida S, Fukahori S, Ishii S, Saikusa N, Koga Y, Egami H, Tanaka Y, Nishi A, Yagi M. The herbal medicines Inchinkoto and Saireito improved hepatic fibrosis via aquaporin 9 in the liver of a rat bile duct ligation model. Pediatr Surg Int 2021; 37:1079-1088. [PMID: 33710364 DOI: 10.1007/s00383-021-04882-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine if the administration of the Japanese herbal medicines Inchinkoto (ICKT) and Saireito (SRT) ameliorate hepatic fibrosis and derangement of hepatocyte aquaporins (AQPs) following bile duct ligation (BDL) in a rat model of obstructive cholestasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Five groups of Wistar rats were used, and the groups included sham surgery (Sham group), BDL with no treatment (NT group), BDL plus ICKT (ICKT group), BDL plus SRT (SRT group), and BDL plus ICKT and SRT (SRT/ICKT group). Each herbal medicine was administered at 1 g/kg/day on the first postoperative day. The serum levels and various clinical markers were measured with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Staining was used to evaluate the degree of fibrosis and the inflammatory responses. RESULTS Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the ICKT and SRT/ICKT groups were significantly lower than those in the NT group. NF-κB mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the ICKT group and the SRT/ICKT group compared with the NT group. AQP9 mRNA expression was significantly increased in the ICKT group and the SRT/ICKT group compared with the NT group. The degree of Masson's trichrome staining in the SRT/ICKT group was significantly lower than that in the NT group. The degree of NF-κB staining in the SRT/ICKT group was significantly lower than that in the NT, ICKT, or SRT group. CONCLUSIONS The postoperative administration of ICKT and SRT induced synergistic beneficial effects, resulting in the reduction of hepatic fibrosis via mechanisms involving the inhibition of NF-κB expression and the improvement of AQP9 downregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Hashizume
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan.
| | - Ryusuke Shin
- Department of Pharmacology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Jun Akiba
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Naoki Sotogaku
- Department of Pharmacology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Kimio Asagiri
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Shigeki Hikida
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Suguru Fukahori
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Shinji Ishii
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Saikusa
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Koga
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Hideaki Egami
- Department of Innovative Kampo Medicine, Kurume University Medical Center, Kurume, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Tanaka
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan.,Division of Medical Safety Management, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Akinori Nishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
| | - Minoru Yagi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Calamita G, Delporte C. Involvement of aquaglyceroporins in energy metabolism in health and disease. Biochimie 2021; 188:20-34. [PMID: 33689852 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins are a group of the aquaporin (AQP) family of transmembrane water channels. While AQPs facilitate the passage of water, small solutes, and gases across biological membranes, aquaglyceroporins allow passage of water, glycerol, urea and some other solutes. Thanks to their glycerol permeability, aquaglyceroporins are involved in energy homeostasis. This review provides an overview of what is currently known concerning the functional implication and control of aquaglyceroporins in tissues involved in energy metabolism, i.e. liver, adipose tissue and endocrine pancreas. The expression, role and (dys)regulation of aquaglyceroporins in disorders affecting energy metabolism, and the potential relevance of aquaglyceroporins as drug targets to treat the alterations of the energy balance is also addressed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liao S, Chen H, Liu M, Gan L, Li C, Zhang W, Lv L, Mei Z. Aquaporin 9 inhibits growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:1527-1544. [PMID: 31969493 PMCID: PMC7053619 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer worldwide, and it is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Aquaporin 9 (AQP9) is an essential aquaporin in the liver and located in the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes, but its roles on HCC has not been completely elucidated. This study investigated the regulatory functions of AQP9 in the pathogenesis of HCC. The expression levels of AQP9 were significantly down-regulated in HCC tissues and cells, which was also correlated with tumor size and number, TNM stage, five-year survival rate, lymphatic and distal metastasis within the patients. Furthermore, overexpressed AQP9 suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells. The levels of PCNA, E-cad, N-cad, α-SMA, DVL2, GSK-3β, cyclinD1 and β-catenin in HCC cells were reduced by overexpressed AQP9, while cell apoptosis was remarkably enhanced. Additionally, following the treatment with Wnt/β-catenin signaling inhibitor (XAV939), the proliferative activity of HCC cells was significantly inhibited; PCNA and EMT-related markers were down-regulated; migration and invasion of cells were notably suppressed; cell apoptotic rate was decreased. Vice versa, after the cells were treated with Wnt/β-catenin inducer (SKL2001), the effects caused by overexpressed AQP9 were abrogated. In vivo studies indicated that tumor volume and weight were remarkably decreased in AQP9 overexpression group, where the levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling- and EMT-associated molecules were also reduced. Taken together, our results suggested that overexpressed AQP9 could inhibit growth and metastasis of HCC cells via Wnt/β-catenin pathway. AQP9 may be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengtao Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401331, P.R. China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China
| | - Li Gan
- Teaching and Research Section of Forensic Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Chuanfei Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China
| | - Wenguang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Banan People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing 401320, P.R. China
| | - Lin Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China
| | - Zhechuan Mei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liao S, Gan L, Lv L, Mei Z. The regulatory roles of aquaporins in the digestive system. Genes Dis 2020; 8:250-258. [PMID: 33997172 PMCID: PMC8093583 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2019.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are highly conserved small transmembrane proteins, which are responsible for the water transport across the cell membrane. AQPs are abundantly expressed in numerous types of cells such as epithelial and endothelial cells. The expression of AQP-1, -3, -4, -5, -8 and -9 were found in the digestive system, where these six AQP isoforms serve essential roles including mediating the transmembrane water transport and regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, consequently facilitating the digestion and absorption of GI contents. In addition, the expression levels of AQPs are controlled by various factors, and AQPs can stimulate numerous signaling pathways; however, aberrant expression of AQPs in the GI tracts are associated with the initiation and development of numerous diseases. Thus, this review provides an overview of the expression and functions of AQPs in the digestive system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shengtao Liao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
| | - Li Gan
- Teaching and Research Section of Forensic Medicine, College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Lin Lv
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
| | - Zhechuan Mei
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cataldo I, Maggio A, Gena P, de Bari O, Tamma G, Portincasa P, Calamita G. Modulation of Aquaporins by Dietary Patterns and Plant Bioactive Compounds. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:3457-3470. [PMID: 28545373 DOI: 10.2174/0929867324666170523123010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Healthful dietary patterns and bioactive compounds supplementation can be adopted as simple and easy intervention to prevent, attenuate or cure clinical disorders, especially when it comes to degenerative and chronic diseases. In the recent years, a growing body of evidence indicates Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of membrane channel proteins widely expressed in the human body, among the targets underlying the beneficial action played by some food nutrients and phytochemical compounds. Here, we provide an overview of what is known regarding the AQP modulation exerted by healthful dietary patterns and plant polyphenols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maggio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Gena
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Ornella de Bari
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Tamma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sonntag Y, Gena P, Maggio A, Singh T, Artner I, Oklinski MK, Johanson U, Kjellbom P, Nieland JD, Nielsen S, Calamita G, Rützler M. Identification and characterization of potent and selective aquaporin-3 and aquaporin-7 inhibitors. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:7377-7387. [PMID: 30862673 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The aquaglyceroporins are a subfamily of aquaporins that conduct both water and glycerol. Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) has an important physiological function in renal water reabsorption, and AQP3-mediated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) permeability can enhance cytokine signaling in several cell types. The related aquaglyceroporin AQP7 is required for dendritic cell chemokine responses and antigen uptake. Selective small-molecule inhibitors are desirable tools for investigating the biological and pathological roles of these and other AQP isoforms. Here, using a calcein fluorescence quenching assay, we screened a library of 7360 drug-like small molecules for inhibition of mouse AQP3 water permeability. Hit confirmation and expansion with commercially available substances identified the ortho-chloride-containing compound DFP00173, which inhibited mouse and human AQP3 with an IC50 of ∼0.1-0.4 μm but had low efficacy toward mouse AQP7 and AQP9. Surprisingly, inhibitor specificity testing revealed that the methylurea-linked compound Z433927330, a partial AQP3 inhibitor (IC50, ∼0.7-0.9 μm), is a potent and efficacious inhibitor of mouse AQP7 water permeability (IC50, ∼0.2 μm). Stopped-flow light scattering measurements confirmed that DFP00173 and Z433927330 inhibit AQP3 glycerol permeability in human erythrocytes. Moreover, DFP00173, Z433927330, and the previously identified AQP9 inhibitor RF03176 blocked aquaglyceroporin H2O2 permeability. Molecular docking to AQP3, AQP7, and AQP9 homology models suggested interactions between these inhibitors and aquaglyceroporins at similar binding sites. DFP00173 and Z433927330 constitute selective and potent AQP3 and AQP7 inhibitors, respectively, and contribute to a set of isoform-specific aquaglyceroporin inhibitors that will facilitate the evaluation of these AQP isoforms as drug targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yonathan Sonntag
- From the Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Patrizia Gena
- the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Maggio
- the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Tania Singh
- the Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden, and
| | - Isabella Artner
- the Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184 Lund, Sweden, and
| | - Michal K Oklinski
- the Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Urban Johanson
- From the Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Per Kjellbom
- From the Division of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Department of Chemistry, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - John Dirk Nieland
- the Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Søren Nielsen
- the Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- the Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Michael Rützler
- the Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Calamita G, Perret J, Delporte C. Aquaglyceroporins: Drug Targets for Metabolic Diseases? Front Physiol 2018; 9:851. [PMID: 30042691 PMCID: PMC6048697 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of transmembrane channel proteins facilitating the transport of water, small solutes, and gasses across biological membranes. AQPs are expressed in all tissues and ensure multiple roles under normal and pathophysiological conditions. Aquaglyceroporins are a subfamily of AQPs permeable to glycerol in addition to water and participate thereby to energy metabolism. This review focalizes on the present knowledge of the expression, regulation and physiological roles of AQPs in adipose tissue, liver and endocrine pancreas, that are involved in energy metabolism. In addition, the review aims at summarizing the involvement of AQPs in metabolic disorders, such as obesity, diabetes and liver diseases. Finally, challenges and recent advances related to pharmacological modulation of AQPs expression and function to control and treat metabolic diseases are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Jason Perret
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tesse A, Grossini E, Tamma G, Brenner C, Portincasa P, Marinelli RA, Calamita G. Aquaporins as Targets of Dietary Bioactive Phytocompounds. Front Mol Biosci 2018; 5:30. [PMID: 29721498 PMCID: PMC5915544 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2018.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived bioactive compounds have protective role for plants but may also modulate several physiological processes of plant consumers. In the last years, a wide spectrum of phytochemicals have been found to be beneficial to health interacting with molecular signaling pathways underlying critical functions such as cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, redox balance, cell volume regulation, metabolic homeostasis, and energy balance. Hence, a large number of biologically active phytocompounds of foods have been isolated, characterized, and eventually modified representing a natural source of novel molecules to prevent, delay or cure several human diseases. Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of membrane channel proteins involved in many body functions, are emerging among the targets of bioactive phytochemicals in imparting their beneficial actions. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of this fast growing topic focusing especially on what it is known on the modulatory effects played by several edible plant and herbal compounds on AQPs, both in health and disease. Phytochemical modulation of AQP expression may provide new medical treatment options to improve the prognosis of several diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Tesse
- Centre National de La Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, l'Institut du Thorax, Universitè de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Elena Grossini
- Laboratory of Physiology, Department of Translational Medicine, University East Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Grazia Tamma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotecnhologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Catherine Brenner
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR-S 1180-LabEx LERMIT, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Châtenay Malabry, France
| | - Piero Portincasa
- Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Medical School, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Raul A Marinelli
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotecnhologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lipopolysaccharide Modifies Glycerol Permeability and Metabolism in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18122566. [PMID: 29186031 PMCID: PMC5751169 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18122566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins-aquaporin membrane channels (AQP) that conduct glycerol and other small neutral solutes in addition to water-play major roles in obesity. In adipocytes, aquaglyceroporins mediate glycerol uptake and release across the plasma membrane, which are two key steps for triacylglycerols (TAGs) synthesis (lipogenesis) and hydrolysis (lipolysis). The aim of this study was to assess both glycerol permeability and metabolism in undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells (UDCs) as well as in untreated (CTL-DCs) versus lipopolysaccharide (LPS-DCs)-treated differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Glycerol release, TAGs content and whole membrane glycerol permeability were significantly increased in DCs as compared to UDCs. Moreover, in DCs, LPS treatment significantly increased TAGs content and decreased glycerol permeability. In addition, a significant reduction in whole membrane glycerol permeability was observed in LPS-DCs as compared to CTL-DCs. The relative contributions of AQP3, AQP7 and AQP9 (facilitated diffusion), as well as that of the phospholipid bilayer (simple diffusion), to the whole membrane glycerol permeability, were estimated biophysically in UDCs, CTL-DCs and LPS-DCs, using selective AQP inhibitors. Further studies will be required to determine if modifications in either subcellular localization and/or activity of aquaglyceroporins could account for the data herein. Nevertheless, our findings provide novel insights in understanding the LPS-induced adipocyte hypertrophy that accompanies obesity.
Collapse
|
15
|
Dhanda S, Sandhir R. Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Is Exacerbated in Experimental Model of Hepatic Encephalopathy via MMP-9 Activation and Downregulation of Tight Junction Proteins. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3642-3659. [PMID: 28523565 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0521-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms involved in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in bile duct ligation (BDL) model of chronic hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Four weeks after BDL surgery, a significant increase was observed in serum bilirubin levels. Masson trichrome staining revealed severe hepatic fibrosis in the BDL rats. 99mTc-mebrofenin retention was increased in the liver of BDL rats suggesting impaired hepatobiliary transport. An increase in permeability to sodium fluorescein, Evans blue, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran along with increase in water and electrolyte content was observed in brain regions of BDL rats suggesting disrupted BBB. Increased brain water content can be attributed to increase in aquaporin-4 mRNA and protein expression in BDL rats. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) mRNA and protein expression was increased in brain regions of BDL rats. Additionally, mRNA and protein expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was also increased in different regions of brain. A significant decrease in mRNA expression and protein levels of tight junction proteins, viz., occludin, claudin-5, and zona occluden-1 (ZO-1) was observed in different brain regions of BDL rats. VCAM-1 mRNA and protein expression was also found to be significantly upregulated in different brain regions of BDL animals. The findings from the study suggest that increased BBB permeability in HE involves activation of MMP-9 and loss of tight junction proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Dhanda
- Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Block-II, Sector-25, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India
| | - Rajat Sandhir
- Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Science Block-II, Sector-25, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Gena P, Buono ND, D'Abbicco M, Mastrodonato M, Berardi M, Svelto M, Lopez L, Calamita G. Dynamical modeling of liver Aquaporin-9 expression and glycerol permeability in hepatic glucose metabolism. Eur J Cell Biol 2016; 96:61-69. [PMID: 28049557 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 12/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver is crucial in the homeostasis of glycerol, an important metabolic intermediate. Plasma glycerol is imported by hepatocytes mainly through Aquaporin-9 (AQP9), an aquaglyceroporin channel negatively regulated by insulin in rodents. AQP9 is of critical importance in glycerol metabolism since hepatic glycerol utilization is rate-limited at the hepatocyte membrane permeation step. Glycerol kinase catalyzes the initial step for the conversion of the imported glycerol into glycerol-3-phosphate, a major substrate for de novo synthesis of glucose (gluconeogenesis) and/or triacyglycerols (lipogenesis). A model addressing the glucose-insulin system to describe the hepatic glycerol import and metabolism and the correlation with the glucose homeostasis is lacking so far. Here we consider a system of first-order ordinary differential equations delineating the relevance of hepatocyte AQP9 in liver glycerol permeability. Assuming the hepatic glycerol permeability as depending on the protein levels of AQP9, a mathematical function is designed describing the time course of the involvement of AQP9 in mouse hepatic glycerol metabolism in different nutritional states. The resulting theoretical relationship is derived fitting experimental data obtained with murine models at the fed, fasted or re-fed condition. While providing useful insights into the dynamics of liver AQP9 involvement in male rodent glycerol homeostasis our model may be adapted to the human liver serving as an important module of a whole body-model of the glucose metabolism both in health and metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Gena
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Del Buono
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Abbicco
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Mastrodonato
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Berardi
- Istituto di Ricerca sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), via De Blasio, 5-70132 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Svelto
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Luciano Lopez
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona, 4-70125 Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bernardino RL, Marinelli RA, Maggio A, Gena P, Cataldo I, Alves MG, Svelto M, Oliveira PF, Calamita G. Hepatocyte and Sertoli Cell Aquaporins, Recent Advances and Research Trends. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17071096. [PMID: 27409609 PMCID: PMC4964472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17071096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporins (AQPs) are proteinaceous channels widespread in nature where they allow facilitated permeation of water and uncharged through cellular membranes. AQPs play a number of important roles in both health and disease. This review focuses on the most recent advances and research trends regarding the expression and modulation, as well as physiological and pathophysiological functions of AQPs in hepatocytes and Sertoli cells (SCs). Besides their involvement in bile formation, hepatocyte AQPs are involved in maintaining energy balance acting in hepatic gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism, and in critical processes such as ammonia detoxification and mitochondrial output of hydrogen peroxide. Roles are played in clinical disorders including fatty liver disease, diabetes, obesity, cholestasis, hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. In the seminiferous tubules, particularly in SCs, AQPs are also widely expressed and seem to be implicated in the various stages of spermatogenesis. Like in hepatocytes, AQPs may be involved in maintaining energy homeostasis in these cells and have a major role in the metabolic cooperation established in the testicular tissue. Altogether, this information represents the mainstay of current and future investigation in an expanding field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel L Bernardino
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS) and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Raul A Marinelli
- Instituto de Fisiología Experimental-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas-Universidad Nacional de Rosario, 531 S2002LRK Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Anna Maggio
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharnaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Gena
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharnaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Cataldo
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharnaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Marco G Alves
- CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, 6201-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Maria Svelto
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharnaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS) and Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharnaceutics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Leptin administration restores the altered adipose and hepatic expression of aquaglyceroporins improving the non-alcoholic fatty liver of ob/ob mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:12067. [PMID: 26159457 PMCID: PMC4498231 DOI: 10.1038/srep12067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycerol is an important metabolite for the control of lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver. We aimed to investigate whether exogenous administration of leptin improves features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice via the regulation of AQP3 and AQP7 (glycerol channels mediating glycerol efflux in adipocytes) and AQP9 (aquaglyceroporin facilitating glycerol influx in hepatocytes). Twelve-week-old male wild type and ob/ob mice were divided in three groups as follows: control, leptin-treated (1 mg/kg/d) and pair-fed. Leptin deficiency was associated with obesity and NAFLD exhibiting an AQP3 and AQP7 increase in WAT, without changes in hepatic AQP9. Adipose Aqp3 and hepatic Aqp9 transcripts positively correlated with markers of adiposity and hepatic steatosis. Chronic leptin administration (4-weeks) was associated with improved body weight, whole-body adiposity, and hepatosteatosis of ob/ob mice and to a down-regulation of AQP3, AQP7 in WAT and an up-regulation of hepatic AQP9. Acute leptin stimulation in vitro (4-h) induced the mobilization of aquaglyceroporins towards lipid droplets (AQP3) and the plasma membrane (AQP7) in murine adipocytes. Our results show that leptin restores the coordinated regulation of fat-specific AQP7 and liver-specific AQP9, a step which might prevent lipid overaccumulation in WAT and liver in obesity.
Collapse
|
19
|
Gregoire F, Lucidi V, Zerrad-Saadi A, Virreira M, Bolaky N, Delforge V, Lemmers A, Donckier V, Devière J, Demetter P, Perret J, Delporte C. Analysis of aquaporin expression in liver with a focus on hepatocytes. Histochem Cell Biol 2015; 144:347-63. [PMID: 26126651 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-015-1341-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A deeper understanding of aquaporins (AQPs) expression and transcriptional regulation will provide useful information for liver pathophysiology. We established a complete AQPs mRNA expression profile in human and mouse liver, as well as protein localization of expressed AQPs. Additionally, the modulation of AQPs mRNA levels in response to various agents was determined in human HuH7 cells and in primary culture of mouse hepatocytes. AQP1, AQP3, AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9 mRNA and protein expressions were detected in human liver, while only AQP6 and AQP11 mRNAs were detected. We reported for the first time the localization of AQP3 in Kupffer cells, AQP7 in hepatocytes and endothelial cells, and AQP9 in cholangiocytes. In addition, we confirmed the localization of AQP1 in endothelial cells, and of AQP8 and AQP9 in hepatocytes. On HuH7 cells, we reported the presence of AQP4 mRNA, confirmed the presence of AQP3, AQP7, and AQP11 mRNAs, but not of AQP8 mRNA. On primary culture of murine hepatocytes, AQP1 and AQP7 mRNAs were identified, while the presence of AQP3, AQP8, AQP9, and AQP11 mRNAs was confirmed. At the protein level, murine endothelial liver cells expressed AQP1 and AQP9, while hepatocytes expressed AQP3, AQP7, AQP8, and AQP9, and macrophages expressed AQP3. Dexamethasone, forskolin, AICAR, rosiglitazone, octanoylated, and non-octanoylated ghrelin regulated some AQP expression in primary culture of murine hepatocytes and human HuH7 cells. Additional studies will be required to further assess the role of AQPs expression in human and murine liver and understand the transcriptional regulation of AQPs in hepatocytes under pathophysiological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Gregoire
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Valério Lucidi
- Digestive Oncology Department, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Amal Zerrad-Saadi
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Myrna Virreira
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nargis Bolaky
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Valérie Delforge
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Lemmers
- Gastroenterology Department, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vincent Donckier
- Digestive Oncology Department, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jacques Devière
- Gastroenterology Department, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pieter Demetter
- Anatomopathology Department, Erasme Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jason Perret
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ranieri M, Tamma G, Di Mise A, Russo A, Centrone M, Svelto M, Calamita G, Valenti G. Negative feedback from CaSR signaling to aquaporin-2 sensitizes vasopressin to extracellular Ca2. J Cell Sci 2015; 128:2350-60. [PMID: 25977473 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.168096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
We previously described that high luminal Ca(2+) in the renal collecting duct attenuates short-term vasopressin-induced aquaporin-2 (AQP2) trafficking through activation of the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaSR). Here, we evaluated AQP2 phosphorylation and permeability, in both renal HEK-293 cells and in the dissected inner medullary collecting duct, in response to specific activation of CaSR with NPS-R568. In CaSR-transfected cells, CaSR activation drastically reduced the basal levels of AQP2 phosphorylation at S256 (AQP2-pS256), thus having an opposite effect to vasopressin action. When forskolin stimulation was performed in the presence of NPS-R568, the increase in AQP2-pS256 and in the osmotic water permeability were prevented. In the freshly isolated inner mouse medullar collecting duct, stimulation with forskolin in the presence of NPS-R568 prevented the increase in AQP2-pS256 and osmotic water permeability. Our data demonstrate that the activation of CaSR in the collecting duct prevents the cAMP-dependent increase in AQP2-pS256 and water permeability, counteracting the short-term vasopressin response. By extension, our results suggest the attractive concept that CaSR expressed in distinct nephron segments exerts a negative feedback on hormones acting through cAMP, conferring high sensitivity of hormone to extracellular Ca(2+).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Ranieri
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Tamma
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (I.N.B.B.) 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Annarita Di Mise
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Annamaria Russo
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Centrone
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Svelto
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (I.N.B.B.) 00136, Rome, Italy Centro di Eccellenza di Genomica in campo Biomedico ed Agrario (CEGBA) 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (I.N.B.B.) 00136, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Valenti
- Dept of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy Istituto Nazionale di Biostrutture e Biosistemi (I.N.B.B.) 00136, Rome, Italy Centro di Eccellenza di Genomica in campo Biomedico ed Agrario (CEGBA) 70125, Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Vilas G, Krishnan D, Loganathan SK, Malhotra D, Liu L, Beggs MR, Gena P, Calamita G, Jung M, Zimmermann R, Tamma G, Casey JR, Alexander RT. Increased water flux induced by an aquaporin-1/carbonic anhydrase II interaction. Mol Biol Cell 2015; 26:1106-18. [PMID: 25609088 PMCID: PMC4357510 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e14-03-0812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) enables greatly enhanced water flux across plasma membranes. The cytosolic carboxy terminus of AQP1 has two acidic motifs homologous to known carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) binding sequences. CAII colocalizes with AQP1 in the renal proximal tubule. Expression of AQP1 with CAII in Xenopus oocytes or mammalian cells increased water flux relative to AQP1 expression alone. This required the amino-terminal sequence of CAII, a region that binds other transport proteins. Expression of catalytically inactive CAII failed to increase water flux through AQP1. Proximity ligation assays revealed close association of CAII and AQP1, an effect requiring the second acidic cluster of AQP1. This motif was also necessary for CAII to increase AQP1-mediated water flux. Red blood cell ghosts resealed with CAII demonstrated increased osmotic water permeability compared with ghosts resealed with albumin. Water flux across renal cortical membrane vesicles, measured by stopped-flow light scattering, was reduced in CAII-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. These data are consistent with CAII increasing water conductance through AQP1 by a physical interaction between the two proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Vilas
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Devishree Krishnan
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Sampath Kumar Loganathan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Darpan Malhotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Megan Rachele Beggs
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Patrizia Gena
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Calamita
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Martin Jung
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, D-66424 Homburg, Germany
| | - Richard Zimmermann
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, D-66424 Homburg, Germany
| | - Grazia Tamma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
| | - Joseph Roman Casey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Robert Todd Alexander
- Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Membrane Protein Disease Research Group, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Scalera V, Gena P, Mastrodonato M, Kitagawa Y, Carulli S, Svelto M, Calamita G. Functional reconstitution of a rice aquaporin water channel, PIP1;1, by a micro-batchwise methodology. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2014; 85:78-84. [PMID: 25394803 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the selectivity, regulation and physiological relevance of aquaporin membrane channels (AQPs)requires structural and functional studies of wild type and modified proteins. In particular, when characterizing their transport properties, reconstitution in isolation from native cellular or membrane processes is of pivotal importance. Here, we describe rapid and efficient incorporation of OsPIP1;1, a rice AQP, in liposomes at analytical scale. PIP1;1 was produced as a histidine-tagged form, 10 His-OsPIP1;1, in an Escherichia coli-based expression system. The recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography and incorporated into liposomes by a micro-batchwise technology using egg-yolk phospholipids and the non-polar Amberlite resin. PIP1;1 proteoliposomes and control empty liposomes had good size homogeneity as seen by quasi-elastic light scattering and electron microscopy analyses. By stopped-flow light scattering, indicating correct protein folding of the incorporated protein, the osmotic water permeability exhibited by the PIP1;1 proteoliposomes was markedly higher than empty liposomes. Functional reconstitution of OsPIP1;1 was further confirmed by the low Arrhenius activation energy (3.37 kcal/mol) and sensitivity to HgCl2, a known AQP blocker, of the PIP1;1-mediated osmotic water conductance. These results provide a valuable contribution in fully elucidating the regulation and water-conducting property of PIP1;1, an AQP that needs to hetero-multimerize with AQPs of the PIP2 subgroupto reach the native plasma membrane and play its role. The micro-batchwise methodology is suitable for the functional reconstitution of whichever AQPs and other membrane transport proteins.
Collapse
|
23
|
Méndez-Giménez L, Rodríguez A, Balaguer I, Frühbeck G. Role of aquaglyceroporins and caveolins in energy and metabolic homeostasis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 397:78-92. [PMID: 25008241 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2014.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Aquaglyceroporins and caveolins are submicroscopic integral membrane proteins that are particularly abundant in many mammalian cells. Aquaglyceroporins (AQP3, AQP7, AQP9 and AQP10) encompass a subfamily of aquaporins that allow the movement of water, but also of small solutes, such as glycerol, across cell membranes. Glycerol constitutes an important metabolite as a substrate for de novo synthesis of triacylglycerols and glucose as well as an energy substrate to produce ATP via the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In this sense, the control of glycerol influx/efflux in metabolic organs by aquaglyceroporins plays a crucial role with the dysregulation of these glycerol channels being associated with metabolic diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiac hypertrophy. On the other hand, caveolae have emerged as relevant plasma membrane sensors implicated in a wide range of cellular functions, including endocytosis, apoptosis, cholesterol homeostasis, proliferation and signal transduction. Caveolae-coating proteins, namely caveolins and cavins, can act as scaffolding proteins within caveolae by concentrating signaling molecules involved in free fatty acid and cholesterol uptake, proliferation, insulin signaling or vasorelaxation, among others. The importance of caveolae in whole-body homeostasis is highlighted by the link between homozygous mutations in genes encoding caveolins and cavins with metabolic diseases, such as lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, muscular dystrophy and insulin resistance in rodents and humans. The present review focuses on the role of aquaglyceroporins and caveolins on lipid and glucose metabolism, insulin secretion and signaling, energy production and cardiovascular homeostasis, outlining their potential relevance in the development and treatment of metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leire Méndez-Giménez
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Amaia Rodríguez
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Inmaculada Balaguer
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Gema Frühbeck
- Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Pamplona, Spain; Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Obesity and secondary development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) are major health care problems throughout the developed world. Accumulating evidence suggest that glycerol metabolism contributes to the pathophysiology of obesity and T2D. Glycerol is a small molecule that serves as an important intermediate between carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is stored primarily in adipose tissue as the backbone of triglyceride (TG) and during states of metabolic stress, such as fasting and diabetes, it is released for metabolism in other tissues. In the liver, glycerol serves as a gluconeogenic precursor and it is used for the esterification of free fatty acid into TGs. Aquaporin 7 (AQP7) in adipose tissue and AQP9 in the liver are transmembrane proteins that belong to the subset of AQPs called aquaglyceroporins. AQP7 facilitates the efflux of glycerol from adipose tissue and AQP7 deficiency has been linked to TG accumulation in adipose tissue and adult onset obesity. On the other hand, AQP9 expressed in liver facilitates the hepatic uptake of glycerol and thereby the availability of glycerol for de novo synthesis of glucose and TG that both are involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the role of the two glycerol channels in controlling glycerol metabolism in adipose tissue and liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janne Lebeck
- The Danish Diabetes Academy, Odense, Denmark Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 3, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Reduced hepatic aquaporin-9 and glycerol permeability are related to insulin resistance in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Int J Obes (Lond) 2013; 38:1213-20. [PMID: 24418844 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2013.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Glycerol represents an important metabolite for the control of lipid accumulation and hepatic gluconeogenesis. We investigated whether hepatic expression and functionality of aquaporin-9 (AQP9), a channel mediating glycerol influx into hepatocytes, is impaired in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and steatohepatitis (NASH) in the context of insulin resistance. SUBJECTS/METHODS Liver biopsies were obtained from 66 morbid obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery (66% women, mean body mass index (BMI) 46.1±1.0 kg m(-2)) with available liver echography and pathology analysis of the biopsies in this cross-sectional study. Subjects were classified according to normoglycemia (NG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Hepatic expression of AQP9 was analyzed by real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry, while glycerol permeability (P(gly)) was measured by stopped-flow light scattering. RESULTS AQP9 was the most abundantly (P<0.0001) expressed aquaglyceroporin in human liver (AQP9>>>AQP3>AQP7>AQP10). Obese patients with T2D showed increased plasma glycerol as well as lower P(gly) and hepatic AQP9 expression. The prevalence of NAFLD and NASH in T2D patients was 100 and 65%, respectively. Interestingly, AQP9 expression was decreased in patients with NAFLD and NASH as compared with those without hepatosteatosis, in direct relation to the degree of steatosis and lobular inflammation, being further reduced in insulin-resistant individuals. The association of AQP9 with insulin sensitivity was independent of BMI and age. Consistent with these data, fasting insulin and C-reactive protein contributed independently to 33.1% of the hepatic AQP9 mRNA expression variance after controlling for the effects of age and BMI. CONCLUSIONS AQP9 downregulation together with the subsequent reduction in hepatic glycerol permeability in insulin-resistant states emerges as a compensatory mechanism whereby the liver counteracts further triacylglycerol accumulation within its parenchyma as well as reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis in patients with NAFLD.
Collapse
|
26
|
Liver glycerol permeability and aquaporin-9 are dysregulated in a murine model of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78139. [PMID: 24205128 PMCID: PMC3813550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
One form of liver steatosis, namely Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is a worrisome health problem worldwide characterized by intrahepatic triacylglycerol (TG) overaccumulation. NAFLD is a common feature of metabolic syndrome being often associated with obesity, dyslipidemia and diabetes and mostly closely linked to insulin resistance. The mechanism of NAFLD pathogenesis is object of intense investigation especially regarding complex systems ultimately resulting in excessive TG deposition in hepatocytes. However, scarce is the attention about the relevance of hepatic import of glycerol, the other primary source (as glycerol-3-phosphate) of increased TG in hepatocytes. Obese leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice, an animal model of NAFLD, were used to evaluate the functional involvement of Aquaporin-9 (AQP9), the major pathway of liver glycerol entry, in hepatosteatosis. By RT-PCR and qPCR, the level of Aqp9 mRNA in the liver of starved obese mice was comparable with the corresponding control lean littermates. By immunoblotting, the AQP9 protein at the hepatocyte sinusoidal plasma membrane of obese mice was markedly lower (33%) than lean mice, a finding fully confirmed by immunohistochemistry. By stopped-flow light scattering, the liver glycerol permeability of ob/ob mice was significantly lower (53%) than lean mice, a finding consistent with both the observed down-regulation of AQP9 protein and increased level of plasma glycerol characterizing obese mice. In summary, our results suggest implication of AQP9 in liver steatosis. The reduction of hepatocyte AQP9 and, consequently, glycerol permeability might be a defensive mechanism to counteract further fat infiltration in liver parenchyma.
Collapse
|
27
|
Iguchi H, Oda M, Yamazaki H, Yokomori H. Participation of aquaporin-1 in vascular changes and remodeling in cirrhotic liver. Med Mol Morphol 2013; 46:123-32. [PMID: 23549977 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-013-0039-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiology of arterial capillary proliferation accompanying fibrosis in human cirrhosis remains unclear. However, evidence regarding the molecules participating in the pathophysiological process has been accumulating. Water channel proteins known as aquaporins (AQP)s, notably AQP-1, appear to be involved in the arterial capillary proliferation in the cirrhotic liver.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyoshi Iguchi
- Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Medical Center, Saitama, 364-8501, Japan
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Müller-Lucks A, Gena P, Frascaria D, Altamura N, Svelto M, Beitz E, Calamita G. Preparative scale production and functional reconstitution of a human aquaglyceroporin (AQP3) using a cell free expression system. N Biotechnol 2013; 30:545-51. [PMID: 23541697 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2013.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the selectivity of aquaporin (AQP) membrane channels and exploiting their biotechnological potential will require structural and functional studies of wild type and modified proteins; however, expression systems have not previously yielded AQPs in the necessary milligrams quantities. Cell free (CF) systems have emerged in recent years as fast, efficient and versatile technologies for the production of high quality membrane proteins. Here, we establish a convenient method to synthesize large amounts of functional human aquaglyceroporin 3 protein (AQP3), an AQP of physiological relevance conducting glycerol and some small neutral solutes besides water. Milligram amounts of AQP3 were produced as a histidine-tagged protein (hAQP3-6His) in an Escherichia coli extract-based CF system in the presence of the non-ionic detergent Brij-98. The recombinant AQP3 was purified by affinity chromatography, incorporated into liposomes and evaluated functionally by stopped-flow light scattering. Correct protein folding was indicated by the high glycerol and water permeability exhibited by the hAQP3-6His proteoliposomes as compared to empty control liposomes. Functionality of hAQP3-6His was further confirmed by the strong inhibition of the glycerol and water permeability by phloretin and HgCl2, respectively, two blockers of AQP3. Fast and convenient CF production of functional AQP3 may serve as basis for further structural/functional assessment of aquaglyceroporins and help boosting the AQP-based biomimetic technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annika Müller-Lucks
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Maeda N. Implications of aquaglyceroporins 7 and 9 in glycerol metabolism and metabolic syndrome. Mol Aspects Med 2012; 33:665-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Revised: 02/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
30
|
Portincasa P, Calamita G. Water channel proteins in bile formation and flow in health and disease: when immiscible becomes miscible. Mol Aspects Med 2012; 33:651-64. [PMID: 22487565 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Revised: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
An essential function of the liver is the formation and secretion of bile, a complex aqueous solution of organic and inorganic compounds essential as route for the elimination of body cholesterol as unesterified cholesterol or as bile acids. In bile, a considerable amount of otherwise insoluble cholesterol is solubilized by carriers including two other classes of lipids, namely phospholipid and bile acids. Formation of bile and generation of bile flow are driven by the active secretion of bile acids, lipids and electrolytes into the canalicular and bile duct lumens followed by the parallel movement of water. Thus, water has to cross rapidly into and out of the cell interior driven by osmotic forces. Bile as a fluid, results from complicated interplay of hepatocyte and cholangiocyte uptake and secretion, concentration, by involving a number of transporters of lipids, anions, cations, and water. The discovery of the aquaporin water channels, has clarified the mechanisms by which water, the major component of bile (more than 95%), moves across the hepatobiliary epithelia. This review is focusing on novel acquisitions in liver membrane lipidic and water transport and functional participation of aquaporin water channels in multiple aspects of hepatobiliary fluid balance. Involvement of aquaporins in a series of clinically relevant hepatobiliary disorders are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piero Portincasa
- University of Bari Medical School, Clinica Medica A. Murri, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Policlinico Hospital, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Calamita G, Gena P, Ferri D, Rosito A, Rojek A, Nielsen S, Marinelli RA, Frühbeck G, Svelto M. Biophysical assessment of aquaporin-9 as principal facilitative pathway in mouse liver import of glucogenetic glycerol. Biol Cell 2012; 104:342-51. [PMID: 22316404 DOI: 10.1111/boc.201100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Lipolytic glycerol, released from adipocytes, flows through the bloodstream to the liver, where its utilisation in supplying hepatocyte gluconeogenesis is rate-limited by the permeation step. An aquaglyceroporin expressed in hepatocytes, aquaporin-9 (AQP9), has been often linked to liver uptake of glycerol. However, the truthfulness of this postulation and the potential existence of additional pathways of glycerol import by hepatocytes have never been assessed directly. Here, we define the identity and extent of liver glycerol transport and evaluate the correlation between hepatic AQP9 expression and glycerol permeability (P(gly) ) in AQP9(+/+) wild-type mice in different nutritional states and circulating insulin levels. The liver P(gly) of AQP9 null mice is also assessed. RESULTS By stopped-flow light scattering, facilitated diffusion of glycerol into hepatocytes was indicated by the low Arrhenius activation energy (3.5 kcal/mol) and strong inhibition by phloretin, an AQP9 blocker, that characterised the transport. Although fasting markedly increased hepatic AQP9, a straight parallelism was seen both in quantitative and time-space terms between P(gly) and AQP9 protein in AQP9(+/+) mice kept in fed or fasted/refed states. In line with these findings, the highest P(gly) (P(gly) ≈ 14.0 × 10(-6) cm/s at 20°C) at 18-h fasting coincided with the highest percent of phloretin inhibition (63%). Besides being markedly lower than that in AQP9(+/+) mice, the liver P(gly) of the AQP9 null mice did not increase during fasting. Reverse-transcription PCR analysis showed lack of compensation by AQP3 and AQP7, the other known murine glycerol facilitators, in AQP9 null mice. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results experimentally prove major functional significance for AQP9 in maximising liver glycerol import during states requiring increased glucose production. If any, alternative facilitated pathways would be of minor importance in transporting glucogenetic glycerol into hepatocytes during starvation. Refining the understanding of liver AQP9 in metabolic and energy homeostasis may reveal helpful for therapeutic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Calamita
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Scienze Farmacologiche, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lebeck J, Gena P, O'Neill H, Skowronski MT, Lund S, Calamita G, Praetorius J. Estrogen prevents increased hepatic aquaporin-9 expression and glycerol uptake during starvation. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2012; 302:G365-74. [PMID: 22114114 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00437.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In starvation, glycerol is released from adipose tissue and serves as an important precursor for hepatic gluconeogenesis. By unknown sex-specific mechanisms, women suppress the endogenous glucose production better than men and respond to metabolic stress with higher plasma glycerol levels. Hepatic glycerol uptake is facilitated by aquaporin-9 (AQP9), a broad-selectivity neutral solute channel, and represents an insulin-regulated step in supplying gluconeogenesis with glycerol. In the present study, hepatic AQP9 abundance was increased 2.6-fold in starved male rats as assessed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. By contrast, starvation had no significant effect on hepatic AQP9 expression in female rats. Coordinately, plasma glycerol levels remained unchanged with starvation in male rats, whereas it was increased in female rats. The different responses to starvation were paralleled by higher glycerol permeability in basolateral hepatocyte membranes from starved male rats compared with starved females. Ovariectomy led to a starvation-response pattern identical to that observed in male rats with increased hepatic AQP9 expression and unchanged plasma glycerol levels. In cultured hepatocytes, 17β-estradiol and the selective estrogen receptor α-agonist, propyl pyrazole triol, caused a decrease in AQP9 expression. Our results support that a sex-specific regulation of the hepatic glycerol channel AQP9 during starvation contributes to the higher plasma glycerol levels observed in women during fasting and possibly results in a lower cytosolic availability of glycerol. Furthermore, the sexual dimorphism in the hepatic handling of glycerol during starvation might be explained by 17β-estradiol preventing the starvation-induced increase in hepatic AQP9 abundance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janne Lebeck
- Dept. of Biomedicine, the Water and Salt Research Center, Aarhus Univ., Wilhelm Meyers Allé 3, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mastrodonato M, Calamita G, Rossi R, Mentino D, Bonfrate L, Portincasa P, Ferri D, Liquori GE. Altered distribution of caveolin-1 in early liver steatosis. Eur J Clin Invest 2011; 41:642-51. [PMID: 21250982 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2010.02459.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Caveolin-1, the main structural protein of caveolae, is involved in cholesterol homoeostasis, transcytosis, endocytosis and signal transduction and thought to play an important role in lipidogenesis. Little is known about the pathophysiological role of caveolin-1 in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition frequently associated with the metabolic syndrome and characterized by abnormal accumulation of intrahepatic triglycerides with a potentially harmful risk of evolution to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Liver steatosis (micro/macrovesicular) was induced in adult rats fed a choline-deficient diet for 14days and compared with a control normal diet. The expression and subcellular distribution of caveolin-1 was assessed using light and electron microscopy by immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical techniques and by Western blotting. RESULTS Caveolin-1 was mainly associated with the hepatocyte basolateral plasma membrane. Fatty hepatocytes were characterized by a significant increase in the expression of caveolin-1 around and within the lipid droplets as well as in the inner membrane of mitochondria. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest the involvement of caveolin-1 in the case of abnormal lipogenesis and mitochondrial function typical of steatotic hepatocytes in NAFLD. Addressing the role played by caveolin-1 in liver membranes in NAFLD may help future therapeutic choices in a frequent metabolic liver disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mastrodonato
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Aquaporin-8-facilitated mitochondrial ammonia transport. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 393:217-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.01.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
35
|
Lehmann GL, Larocca MC, Soria LR, Marinelli RA. Aquaporins: Their role in cholestatic liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14:7059-67. [PMID: 19084912 PMCID: PMC2776835 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.7059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on current knowledge on hepatocyte aquaporins (AQPs) and their significance in bile formation and cholestasis. Canalicular bile secretion results from a combined interaction of several solute transporters and AQP water channels that facilitate water flow in response to the osmotic gradients created. During choleresis, hepatocytes rapidly increase their canalicular membrane water permeability by modulating the abundance of AQP8. The question was raised as to whether the opposite process, i.e. a decreased canalicular AQP8 expression would contribute to the development of cholestasis. Studies in several experimental models of cholestasis, such as extrahepatic obstructive cholestasis, estrogen-induced cholestasis, and sepsis-induced cholestasis demonstrated that the protein expression of hepatocyte AQP8 was impaired. In addition, biophysical studies in canalicular plasma membranes revealed decreased water permeability associated with AQP8 protein downregulation. The combined alteration in hepatocyte solute transporters and AQP8 would hamper the efficient coupling of osmotic gradients and canalicular water flow. Thus cholestasis may result from a mutual occurrence of impaired solute transport and decreased water permeability.
Collapse
|