Small-molecule screening identifies modulators of aquaporin-2 trafficking

Intracellular sites of AQP2 S256 phosphorylation identified using inhibitors of the AQP2 recycling itinerary

Vasopressin (VP)-regulated aquaporin-2 (AQP2) trafficking between cytoplasmic vesicles and the plasma membrane of kidney principal cells is essential for water homeostasis. VP affects AQP2 phosphorylation at several serine residues in the COOH-terminus; among them, serine 256 (S256) appears to be a major regulator of AQP2 trafficking. Mutation of this serine to aspartic acid, which mimics phosphorylation, induces constitutive membrane expression of AQP2. However, the intracellular location(s) at which S256 phosphorylation occurs remains elusive. Here, we used strategies to block AQP2 trafficking at different cellular locations in LLC-PK1 cells and monitored VP-stimulated phosphorylation of S256 at these sites by immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis with phospho-specific antibodies. Using methyl-β-cyclodextrin, cold block or bafilomycin, and taxol, we blocked AQP2 at the plasma membrane, in the perinuclear trans-Golgi network, and in scattered cytoplasmic vesicles, respectively. Regardless of its cellular location, VP induced a significant increase in S256 phosphorylation, and this effect was not dependent on a functional microtubule cytoskeleton. To further investigate whether protein kinase A (PKA) was responsible for S256 phosphorylation in these cellular compartments, we created PKA-null cells and blocked AQP2 trafficking using the same procedures. We found that S256 phosphorylation was no longer increased compared with baseline, regardless of AQP2 localization. Taken together, our data indicate that AQP2 S256 phosphorylation can occur at the plasma membrane, in the trans-Golgi network, or in cytoplasmic vesicles and that this event is dependent on the expression of PKA in these cells.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Phosphorylation of aquaporin-2 by PKA at serine 256 (S256) occurs in various subcellular locations during its recycling itinerary, suggesting that the protein complex necessary for AQP2 S256 phosphorylation is present in these different recycling stations. Furthermore, we showed, using PKA-null cells, that PKA activity is required for vasopressin-induced AQP2 phosphorylation. Our data reveal a complex spatial pattern of intracellular AQP2 phosphorylation at S256, shedding new light on the role of phosphorylation in AQP2 membrane accumulation.

Signaling Mechanisms and Pharmacological Modulators Governing Diverse Aquaporin Functions in Human Health and Disease

The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small integral membrane proteins that facilitate the bidirectional transport of water across biological membranes in response to osmotic pressure gradients as well as enable the transmembrane diffusion of small neutral solutes (such as urea, glycerol, and hydrogen peroxide) and ions. AQPs are expressed throughout the human body. Here, we review their key roles in fluid homeostasis, glandular secretions, signal transduction and sensation, barrier function, immunity and inflammation, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Evidence from a wide variety of studies now supports a view of the functions of AQPs being much more complex than simply mediating the passive flow of water across biological membranes. The discovery and development of small-molecule AQP inhibitors for research use and therapeutic development will lead to new insights into the basic biology of and novel treatments for the wide range of AQP-associated disorders.

Aurora Kinase A Is Involved in Controlling the Localization of Aquaporin-2 in Renal Principal Cells

The cAMP-dependent aquaporin-2 (AQP2) redistribution from intracellular vesicles into the plasma membrane of renal collecting duct principal cells induces water reabsorption and fine-tunes body water homeostasis. However, the mechanisms controlling the localization of AQP2 are not understood in detail. Using immortalized mouse medullary collecting duct (MCD4) and primary rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells as model systems, we here discovered a key regulatory role of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) in the control of AQP2. The AURKA-selective inhibitor Aurora-A inhibitor I and novel derivatives as well as a structurally different inhibitor, Alisertib, prevented the cAMP-induced redistribution of AQP2. Aurora-A inhibitor I led to a depolymerization of actin stress fibers, which serve as tracks for the translocation of AQP2-bearing vesicles to the plasma membrane. The phosphorylation of cofilin-1 (CFL1) inactivates the actin-depolymerizing function of CFL1. Aurora-A inhibitor I decreased the CFL1 phosphorylation, accounting for the removal of the actin stress fibers and the inhibition of the redistribution of AQP2. Surprisingly, Alisertib caused an increase in actin stress fibers and did not affect CFL1 phosphorylation, indicating that AURKA exerts its control over AQP2 through different mechanisms. An involvement of AURKA and CFL1 in the control of the localization of AQP2 was hitherto unknown.

Systems Biology of the Vasopressin V2 Receptor: New Tools for Discovery of Molecular Actions of a GPCR

Systems biology can be defined as the study of a biological process in which all of the relevant components are investigated together in parallel to discover the mechanism. Although the approach is not new, it has come to the forefront as a result of genome sequencing projects completed in the first few years of the current century. It has elements of large-scale data acquisition (chiefly next-generation sequencing-based methods and protein mass spectrometry) and large-scale data analysis (big data integration and Bayesian modeling). Here we discuss these methodologies and show how they can be applied to understand the downstream effects of GPCR signaling, specifically looking at how the neurohypophyseal peptide hormone vasopressin, working through the V2 receptor and PKA activation, regulates the water channel aquaporin-2. The emerging picture provides a detailedframework for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in water balance disorders, pointing the way to improved treatment of both polyuric disorders and water-retention disorders causing dilutional hyponatremia.

Updates and Perspectives on Aquaporin-2 and Water Balance Disorders

Ensuring the proper amount of water inside the body is essential for survival. One of the key factors in the maintenance of body water balance is water reabsorption in the collecting ducts of the kidney, a process that is regulated by aquaporin-2 (AQP2). AQP2 is a channel that is exclusively selective for water molecules and impermeable to ions or other small molecules. Impairments of AQP2 result in various water balance disorders, including nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), which is a disease characterized by a massive loss of water through the kidney and consequent severe dehydration. Dysregulation of AQP2 is also a cause of water retention with hyponatremia in heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Antidiuretic hormone vasopressin is an upstream regulator of AQP2. Its binding to the vasopressin V2 receptor promotes AQP2 targeting to the apical membrane and thus enables water reabsorption. Tolvaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, is effective and widely used for water retention with hyponatremia. However, there are no studies showing improvement in hard outcomes or long-term prognosis. A possible reason is that vasopressin receptors have many downstream effects other than AQP2 function. It is expected that the development of drugs that directly target AQP2 may result in increased treatment specificity and effectiveness for water balance disorders. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of AQP2 and drug development challenges for water balance disorders.

Aquaporin 2 regulation: implications for water balance and polycystic kidney diseases

Targeting the collecting duct water channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2) to the plasma membrane is essential for the maintenance of mammalian water homeostasis. The vasopressin V2 receptor (V2R), which is a G_S protein-coupled receptor that increases intracellular cAMP levels, has a major role in this targeting process. Although a rise in cAMP levels and activation of protein kinase A are involved in facilitating the actions of V2R, studies in knockout mice and cell models have suggested that cAMP signalling pathways are not an absolute requirement for V2R-mediated AQP2 trafficking to the plasma membrane. In addition, although AQP2 phosphorylation is a known prerequisite for V2R-mediated plasma membrane targeting, none of the known AQP2 phosphorylation events appears to be rate-limiting in this process, which suggests the involvement of other factors; cytoskeletal remodelling has also been implicated. Notably, several regulatory processes and signalling pathways involved in AQP2 trafficking also have a role in the pathophysiology of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, although the role of AQP2 in cyst progression is unknown. Here, we highlight advances in the field of AQP2 regulation that might be exploited for the treatment of water balance disorders and provide a rationale for targeting these pathways in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

A mini-review of pharmacological strategies used to ameliorate polyuria associated with X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is characterized by renal resistance to the antidiuretic hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP), which leads to polyuria, plasma hyperosmolarity, polydipsia, and impaired quality of living. Inherited forms are caused by X-linked loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the vasopressin 2 receptor (V2R) or autosomal recessive/dominant mutations in the gene encoding aquaporin 2 (AQP2). A common acquired form is lithium-induced NDI. AVP facilitates reabsorption of water through increased abundance and insertion of AQP2 in the apical membrane of principal cells in the collecting ducts. In X-linked NDI, V2R is dysfunctional, which leads to impaired water reabsorption. These patients have functional AQP2, and thus the challenge is to achieve AQP2 membrane insertion independently of V2R. The current treatment is symptomatic and is based on distally acting diuretics (thiazide or amiloride) and cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin). This mini-review covers published data from trials in preclinical in vivo models and a few human intervention studies to improve NDI by more causal approaches. Promising effects on NDI in preclinical studies have been demonstrated by the use of pharmacological approaches with secretin, Wnt5a, protein kinase A agonist, fluconazole, prostaglandin E₂ EP2 and EP4 agonists, statins, metformin, and soluble prorenin receptor agonists. In patients, only casuistic reports have evaluated the effect of statins, phosphodiesterase inhibitors (rolipram and sildenafil), and the guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat without amelioration of symptoms. It is concluded that there is currently no established intervention that causally improves symptoms or quality of life in patients with NDI. There is a need to collaborate to improve study quality and conduct formal trials.

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 18 Controls Trafficking of Aquaporin-2 and Its Abundance through Ubiquitin Ligase STUB1, Which Functions as an AKAP

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) facilitates water reabsorption in renal collecting duct principal cells through regulation of the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2). The hormone binds to vasopressin V2 receptors (V2R) on the surface of the cells and stimulates cAMP synthesis. The cAMP activates protein kinase A (PKA), which initiates signaling that causes an accumulation of AQP2 in the plasma membrane of the cells facilitating water reabsorption from primary urine and fine-tuning of body water homeostasis. AVP-mediated PKA activation also causes an increase in the AQP2 protein abundance through a mechanism that involves dephosphorylation of AQP2 at serine 261 and a decrease in its poly-ubiquitination. However, the signaling downstream of PKA that controls the localization and abundance of AQP2 is incompletely understood. We carried out an siRNA screen targeting 719 kinase-related genes, representing the majority of the kinases of the human genome and analyzed the effect of the knockdown on AQP2 by high-content imaging and biochemical approaches. The screening identified 13 hits whose knockdown inhibited the AQP2 accumulation in the plasma membrane. Amongst the candidates was the so far hardly characterized cyclin-dependent kinase 18 (CDK18). Our further analysis revealed a hitherto unrecognized signalosome comprising CDK18, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, STUB1 (CHIP), PKA and AQP2 that controls the localization and abundance of AQP2. CDK18 controls AQP2 through phosphorylation at serine 261 and STUB1-mediated ubiquitination. STUB1 functions as an A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP) tethering PKA to the protein complex and bridging AQP2 and CDK18. The modulation of the protein complex may lead to novel concepts for the treatment of disorders which are caused or are associated with dysregulated AQP2 and for which a satisfactory treatment is not available, e.g., hyponatremia, liver cirrhosis, diabetes insipidus, ADPKD or heart failure.

Small molecules for modulating the localisation of the water channel aquaporin-2-disease relevance and perspectives for targeting local cAMP signalling

The tight spatial and temporal organisation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling plays a key role in arginine-vasopressin (AVP)-mediated water reabsorption in renal collecting duct principal cells and in a plethora of other processes such as in the control of cardiac myocyte contractility. This review critically discusses in vitro- and cell-based screening strategies for the identification of small molecules that interfere with AVP/cAMP signalling in renal principal cells; it features phenotypic screening and approaches for targeting protein-protein interactions of A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs), which organise local cAMP signalling hubs. The discovery of novel chemical entities for the modulation of local cAMP will not only provide tools for elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying cAMP signalling. Novel chemical entities can also serve as starting points for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of human diseases. Examples illustrate how screening for small molecules can pave the way to novel approaches for the treatment of certain forms of diabetes insipidus, a disease caused by defects in AVP-mediated water reabsorption.

Fluconazole Increases Osmotic Water Transport in Renal Collecting Duct through Effects on Aquaporin-2 Trafficking

BACKGROUND

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) binding to vasopressin V2 receptors promotes redistribution of the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) from intracellular vesicles into the plasma membrane of renal collecting duct principal cells. This pathway fine-tunes renal water reabsorption and urinary concentration, and its perturbation is associated with diabetes insipidus. Previously, we identified the antimycotic drug fluconazole as a potential modulator of AQP2 localization.

METHODS

We assessed the influence of fluconazole on AQP2 localization in vitro and in vivo as well as the drug's effects on AQP2 phosphorylation and RhoA (a small GTPase, which under resting conditions, maintains F-actin to block AQP2-bearing vesicles from reaching the plasma membrane). We also tested fluconazole's effects on water flow across epithelia of isolated mouse collecting ducts and on urine output in mice treated with tolvaptan, a VR2 blocker that causes a nephrogenic diabetes insipidus-like excessive loss of hypotonic urine.

RESULTS

Fluconazole increased plasma membrane localization of AQP2 in principal cells independent of AVP. It also led to an increased AQP2 abundance associated with alterations in phosphorylation status and ubiquitination as well as inhibition of RhoA. In isolated mouse collecting ducts, fluconazole increased transepithelial water reabsorption. In mice, fluconazole increased collecting duct AQP2 plasma membrane localization and reduced urinary output. Fluconazole also reduced urinary output in tolvaptan-treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluconazole promotes collecting duct AQP2 plasma membrane localization in the absence of AVP. Therefore, it might have utility in treating forms of diabetes insipidus (e.g., X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus) in which the kidney responds inappropriately to AVP.

An AKAP-Lbc-RhoA interaction inhibitor promotes the translocation of aquaporin-2 to the plasma membrane of renal collecting duct principal cells

Stimulation of renal collecting duct principal cells with antidiuretic hormone (arginine-vasopressin, AVP) results in inhibition of the small GTPase RhoA and the enrichment of the water channel aquaporin-2 (AQP2) in the plasma membrane. The membrane insertion facilitates water reabsorption from primary urine and fine-tuning of body water homeostasis. Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) interact with RhoA, catalyze the exchange of GDP for GTP and thereby activate the GTPase. However, GEFs involved in the control of AQP2 in renal principal cells are unknown. The A-kinase anchoring protein, AKAP-Lbc, possesses GEF activity, specifically activates RhoA, and is expressed in primary renal inner medullary collecting duct principal (IMCD) cells. Through screening of 18,431 small molecules and synthesis of a focused library around one of the hits, we identified an inhibitor of the interaction of AKAP-Lbc and RhoA. This molecule, Scaff10-8, bound to RhoA, inhibited the AKAP-Lbc-mediated RhoA activation but did not interfere with RhoA activation through other GEFs or activities of other members of the Rho family of small GTPases, Rac1 and Cdc42. Scaff10-8 promoted the redistribution of AQP2 from intracellular vesicles to the periphery of IMCD cells. Thus, our data demonstrate an involvement of AKAP-Lbc-mediated RhoA activation in the control of AQP2 trafficking.

Ser-261 phospho-regulation is involved in pS256 and pS269-mediated aquaporin-2 apical translocation

Vasopressin catalyzes aquaporin-2 phosphorylation at several serine sites in the C-terminal region. Compared with Ser-256 and Ser-269 phosphorylation, the role of Ser-261 phospho-regulation on vasopressin-regulated AQP2 apical translocation is largely unknown. In addition, recent discovery of transcytotic apical delivery of AQP2 made the concept of its intracellular trafficking even more complicated. In this study, we evaluated how intact phospho-AQP2 signals fit with the transcytosis trafficking model in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. PS256 and pS269 signals were intracellularly detectable in wild-type AQP2 at the beginning of forskolin stimulation (1 min). These phospho-signals were detectable in basolateral membranes even after 10 min of stimulation. AQP2 stably inserted in the apical membrane increased pS269 and decreased pS261 signals. In an NDI-causing mutant P262L-AQP2, in which Ser-261 phospho-regulation is impaired, the pS256 and pS269 signals were detectable in the basolateral membranes with increased pS261 signals after forskolin stimulation. These results suggest that Ser-261 phospho-regulation is involved in pS256- and pS269-mediated AQP2 apical translocation.

Bimodal antagonism of PKA signalling by ARHGAP36

Protein kinase A is a key mediator of cAMP signalling downstream of G-protein-coupled receptors, a signalling pathway conserved in all eukaryotes. cAMP binding to the regulatory subunits (PKAR) relieves their inhibition of the catalytic subunits (PKAC). Here we report that ARHGAP36 combines two distinct inhibitory mechanisms to antagonise PKA signalling. First, it blocks PKAC activity via a pseudosubstrate motif, akin to the mechanism employed by the protein kinase inhibitor proteins. Second, it targets PKAC for rapid ubiquitin-mediated lysosomal degradation, a pathway usually reserved for transmembrane receptors. ARHGAP36 thus dampens the sensitivity of cells to cAMP. We show that PKA inhibition by ARHGAP36 promotes derepression of the Hedgehog signalling pathway, thereby providing a simple rationale for the upregulation of ARHGAP36 in medulloblastoma. Our work reveals a new layer of PKA regulation that may play an important role in development and disease.

Protein kinase A (PKA) is a key mediator of cyclic AMP signalling. Here, Eccles et al. show that ARHGAP36 antagonizes PKA by acting as a kinase inhibitor and targeting the catalytic subunit for endolysosomal degradation, thus reducing sensitivity of cells to cAMP and promoting Hedgehog signalling.

The Trafficking of the Water Channel Aquaporin-2 in Renal Principal Cells-a Potential Target for Pharmacological Intervention in Cardiovascular Diseases

Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) stimulates the redistribution of water channels, aquaporin-2 (AQP2) from intracellular vesicles into the plasma membrane of renal collecting duct principal cells. By this AVP directs 10% of the water reabsorption from the 170 L of primary urine that the human kidneys produce each day. This review discusses molecular mechanisms underlying the AVP-induced redistribution of AQP2; in particular, it provides an overview over the proteins participating in the control of its localization. Defects preventing the insertion of AQP2 into the plasma membrane cause diabetes insipidus. The disease can be acquired or inherited, and is characterized by polyuria and polydipsia. Vice versa, up-regulation of the system causing a predominant localization of AQP2 in the plasma membrane leads to excessive water retention and hyponatremia as in the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), late stage heart failure or liver cirrhosis. This article briefly summarizes the currently available pharmacotherapies for the treatment of such water balance disorders, and discusses the value of newly identified mechanisms controlling AQP2 for developing novel pharmacological strategies. Innovative concepts for the therapy of water balance disorders are required as there is a medical need due to the lack of causal treatments.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 mediates relaxation of coronary arteries via cAMP/PKA-dependent activation of MLCP

Activation of GPER exerts a protective effect in hypertension and ischemia-reperfusion models and relaxes arteries in vitro. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of GPER-mediated vascular regulation is far from complete. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that GPER-induced relaxation of porcine coronary arteries is mediated via cAMP/PKA signaling. Our findings revealed that vascular relaxation to the selective GPER agonist G-1 (0.3-3 μM) was associated with increased cAMP production in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, inhibition of adenylyl cyclase (AC) with SQ-22536 (100 μM) or of PKA activity with either Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS (5 μM) or PKI (5 μM) attenuated G-1-induced relaxation of coronary arteries preconstricted with PGF2α (1 μM). G-1 also increased PKA activity in cultured coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). To determine downstream signals of the cAMP/PKA cascade, we measured RhoA activity in cultured human and porcine coronary SMCs and myosin-light chain phosphatase (MLCP) activity in these artery rings by immunoblot analysis of phosphorylation of myosin-targeting subunit protein-1 (p-MYPT-1; the MLCP regulatory subunit). G-1 decreased PGF2α-induced p-MYPT-1, whereas Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS prevented this inhibitory effect of G-1. Similarly, G-1 inhibited PGF2α-induced phosphorylation of MLC in coronary SMCs, and this inhibitory effect was also reversed by Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS. RhoA activity was downregulated by G-1, whereas G36 (GPER antagonist) restored RhoA activity. Finally, FMP-API-1 (100 μM), an inhibitor of the interaction between PKA and A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs), attenuated the effect of G-1 on coronary artery relaxation and p-MYPT-1. These findings demonstrate that localized cAMP/PKA signaling is involved in GPER-mediated coronary vasodilation by activating MLCP via inhibition of RhoA pathway.

High-throughput chemical screening identifies AG-490 as a stimulator of aquaporin 2 membrane expression and urine concentration

A reduction or loss of plasma membrane aquaporin 2 (AQP2) in kidney principal cells due to defective vasopressin (VP) signaling through the VP receptor causes excessive urine production, i.e., diabetes insipidus. The amount of AQP2 on the plasma membrane is regulated by a balance of exocytosis and endocytosis and is the rate limiting step for water reabsorption in the collecting duct. We describe here a systematic approach using high-throughput screening (HTS) followed by in vitro and in vivo assays to discover novel compounds that enhance vasopressin-independent AQP2 membrane expression. We performed initial chemical library screening with a high-throughput exocytosis fluorescence assay using LLC-PK1 cells expressing soluble secreted yellow fluorescent protein and AQP2. Thirty-six candidate exocytosis enhancers were identified. These compounds were then rescreened in AQP2-expressing cells to determine their ability to increase AQP2 membrane accumulation. Effective drugs were then applied to kidney slices in vitro. Three compounds, AG-490, β-lapachone, and HA14-1 increased AQP2 membrane accumulation in LLC-PK1 cells, and both AG-490 and β-lapachone were also effective in MDCK cells and principal cells in rat kidney slices. Finally, one compound, AG-490 (an EGF receptor and JAK-2 kinase inhibitor), decreased urine volume and increased urine osmolality significantly in the first 2-4 h after a single injection into VP-deficient Brattleboro rats. In conclusion, we have developed a systematic procedure for identifying new compounds that modulate AQP2 trafficking using initial HTS followed by in vitro assays in cells and kidney slices, and concluding with in vivo testing in an animal model.

New insights into regulated aquaporin-2 function

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channels in principal cells of the kidney collecting duct are essential for urine concentration. Due to application of modern technologies, progress in our understanding of AQP2 has accelerated in recent years. In this article, we highlight some of the new insights into AQP2 function that have developed recently, with particular focus on the cell biological aspects of AQP2 regulation.

RECENT FINDINGS

AQP2 is subjected to a number of regulated modifications, including phosphorylation and ubiquitination, which are important for AQP2 function, cellular localization and degradation. AQP2 is likely internalized via clathrin and non-clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Regulation of AQP2 endocytosis, in addition to exocytosis, is a vital mechanism in determining overall AQP2 membrane abundance. AQP2 is associated with regulated membrane microdomains. Studies using membrane cholesterol depleting reagents, for example statins, have supported the role of membrane rafts in regulation of AQP2 trafficking. Noncanonical roles for AQP2, for example in epithelial cell migration, are emerging.

SUMMARY

AQP2 function and thus urine concentration is dependent on a variety of cell signalling mechanisms, posttranslational modification and interplay between AQP2 and its lipid environment. This complexity of regulation allows fine-tuning of AQP2 function and thus body water homeostasis.