Novel gain-of-function mutation of TRPC6 Q134P contributes to late onset focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a Chinese pedigree

BACKGROUND

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS, OMIM®#603 965) is an overriding cause that leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As a member of TRP superfamily, mutations of TRPC6 gene are closely linked to FSGS. By now, 20 missense mutations have been reported, among them, nine gain-of-function (GOF), and five loss-of-function (LOF) mutations have been recognized according to the effect on TRPC6 channel activity. Systematic investigations of functional mutations will provide valuable evidences for understanding the pathophysiology of TRPC6 involved in FSGS. The aim of this study is to investigate the pathogenicity of a novel TRPC6 mutation p.Q134P in FSGS.

METHODS

High-throughput sequencing was performed to analyse 436 genes which are associated with hereditary kidney diseases in a Chinese pedigree. Then we constructed TRPC6 expression plasmids of wide type and variant. Immunofluorescence, cell-surface biotinylation assays and electrophysiology were used to analyse the localization, cell surface expression, and calcium transport activity of TRPC6.

RESULTS

A novel variant c.401A>C (p.Q134P) in exon 2 of TRPC6 gene was found. There was no significant difference between the expression levels of p.Q134P mutant and WT TRPC6 protein in the whole cell lysate and cell-surface fraction. Q134P mutant-bearing TRPC6 elicited much higher Ca⁺ current amplitude than WT.

CONCLUSION

We identified a novel GOF mutation p.Q134P of TRPC6 which contributed to late-onset FSGS. Our study expands the mutational spectrum of TRPC6 associated with FSGS and furtherly supports the hypothesis of calcium dose-response dependency that a moderate increased calcium influx elicited a mild FSGS phenotype.

TRPC Channels in Proteinuric Kidney Diseases

Over a decade ago, mutations in the gene encoding TRPC6 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 6) were linked to development of familial forms of nephrosis. Since this discovery, TRPC6 has been implicated in the pathophysiology of non-genetic forms of kidney disease including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), diabetic nephropathy, immune-mediated kidney diseases, and renal fibrosis. On the basis of these findings, TRPC6 has become an important target for the development of therapeutic agents to treat diverse kidney diseases. Although TRPC6 has been a major focus for drug discovery, more recent studies suggest that other TRPC family members play a role in the pathogenesis of glomerular disease processes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review highlights the data implicating TRPC6 and other TRPC family members in both genetic and non-genetic forms of kidney disease, focusing on TRPC3, TRPC5, and TRPC6 in a cell type (glomerular podocytes) that plays a key role in proteinuric kidney diseases.

"TRPV1 is a component of the atrial natriuretic signaling complex, and using orally delivered antagonists, presents a valid therapeutic target in the longitudinal reversal and treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure"

Activation of the atrial natriuretic signaling pathway is intrinsic to the pathological responses associated with a range of cardiovascular diseases that stress the heart, especially those involved in sustained cardiac pressure overload which induces hypertrophy and the pathological remodeling that frequently leads to heart failure. We identify transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1, as a regulated molecular component, and therapeutic target of this signaling system. Data show that TRPV1 is a physical component of the natriuretic peptide A, cGMP, PKG signaling complex, interacting with the Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 1 (NPR1), and upon binding its ligand, Natriuretic Peptide A (NPPA, ANP) TRPV1 activation is subsequently suppressed through production of cGMP and PKG mediated phosphorylation of the TRPV1 channel. Further, inhibition of TRPV1, with orally delivered drugs, suppresses chamber and myocyte hypertrophy, and can longitudinally improve in vivo heart function in mice exposed to chronic pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction, reversing pre-established hypertrophy induced by pressure load while restoring chamber function. TRPV1 is a physical and regulated component of the natriuretic peptide signaling system, and TRPV1 inhibition may provide a new treatment strategy for treating, and reversing the loss of function associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

A Pilot Study of Tranilast for Cardiomyopathy of Muscular Dystrophy

Objective Heart failure is currently the most serious complication of muscular dystrophy. The transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 2 (TRPV2) is a stretch-sensitive Ca channel. In damaged myocytes or cardiomyocytes, TRPV2 translocates to the cytoplasmic membrane and enhances Ca influx, triggering cell damage. Evidence suggests that the inhibition of TRPV2 may be a new therapeutic target in heart failure. We found that tranilast, which is widely used as an anti-allergic drug, inhibits TRPV2. A pilot study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of tranilast in muscular dystrophy patients with cardiomyopathy. Methods After obtaining informed consent, two muscular dystrophy patients with advanced heart failure took tranilast (300 mg/day) for three months. Blood tests, echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), Holter ECG, analyses of the TRPV2 expression in peripheral mononuclear cells, and circulating micro ribonucleic acid profiling were performed to assess the safety and efficacy of tranilast. Results The brain natriuretic peptide levels decreased after treatment. The expression of TRPV2 on the cytoplasmic membrane of peripheral mononuclear cells was enhanced before treatment and was decreased after treatment. Some heart-related micro ribonucleic acids (miR-208a-5p, miR-223-3p) were elevated and then decreased after treatment. Some adverse events, including the potentiation of warfarin, the worsening of renal dysfunction, an increased heart rate and premature ventricular contractions, were observed. Conclusion Tranilast can inhibit TRPV2 and can be effective for treating heart failure, even in patients with muscular dystrophy. Although careful attention is needed, the inhibition of TRPV2 can be a new treatment target for cardiomyopathy. A multi-center trial is planned.

TRPA5, an Ankyrin Subfamily Insect TRP Channel, is Expressed in Antennae of Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Multiple Splice Variants

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are an ancient family of cation channels, working as metabotropic triggers, which respond to physical and chemical environmental cues. Perception of chemical signals mediate reproductive behaviors and is therefore an important target for sustainable management tactics against the codling moth Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). However, olfactory behavior strongly depends on diel periodicity and correlation of chemical with physical cues, like temperature, and physical cues thus essentially contribute to the generation of behavioral response. From an antennal transcriptome generated by next generation sequencing, we characterized five candidate TRPs in the codling moth. The coding DNA sequence of one of these was extended to full length, and phylogenetic investigation revealed it to be orthologous of the TRPA5 genes, reported in several insect genomes as members of the insect TRPA group with unknown function but closely related to the thermal sensor pyrexia Reverse transcription PCR revealed the existence of five alternate splice forms of CpTRPA5. Identification of a novel TRPA and its splice forms in codling moth antennae open for investigation of their possible sensory roles and implications in behavioral responses related to olfaction.

Interaction of membrane/lipid rafts with the cytoskeleton: impact on signaling and function: membrane/lipid rafts, mediators of cytoskeletal arrangement and cell signaling. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2014;1838:532-545. [PMID: 23899502 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2013.07.018]

The plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells contains microdomains that are enriched in certain glycosphingolipids, gangliosides, and sterols (such as cholesterol) to form membrane/lipid rafts (MLR). These regions exist as caveolae, morphologically observable flask-like invaginations, or as a less easily detectable planar form. MLR are scaffolds for many molecular entities, including signaling receptors and ion channels that communicate extracellular stimuli to the intracellular milieu. Much evidence indicates that this organization and/or the clustering of MLR into more active signaling platforms depends upon interactions with and dynamic rearrangement of the cytoskeleton. Several cytoskeletal components and binding partners, as well as enzymes that regulate the cytoskeleton, localize to MLR and help regulate lateral diffusion of membrane proteins and lipids in response to extracellular events (e.g., receptor activation, shear stress, electrical conductance, and nutrient demand). MLR regulate cellular polarity, adherence to the extracellular matrix, signaling events (including ones that affect growth and migration), and are sites of cellular entry of certain pathogens, toxins and nanoparticles. The dynamic interaction between MLR and the underlying cytoskeleton thus regulates many facets of the function of eukaryotic cells and their adaptation to changing environments. Here, we review general features of MLR and caveolae and their role in several aspects of cellular function, including polarity of endothelial and epithelial cells, cell migration, mechanotransduction, lymphocyte activation, neuronal growth and signaling, and a variety of disease settings. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Reciprocal influences between cell cytoskeleton and membrane channels, receptors and transporters. Guest Editor: Jean Claude Hervé.

Contributions of retinal direction-selective ganglion cells to optokinetic responses in mice

In the mouse retina, there are two distinct groups of direction-selective ganglion cells, ON and ON-OFF, that detect movement of visual images. To understand the roles of these cells in controlling eye movements, we studied the optokinetic responses (OKRs) of mutant mice with dysfunctional ON-bipolar cells that have a functional obstruction of transmission to ON direction-selective ganglion cells. Experiments were carried out to examine the initial and late phases of OKRs. The initial phase was examined by measurement of eye velocity using stimuli of sinusoidal grating patterns of various spatiotemporal frequencies that moved for 0.5 s. The mutant mice showed significant initial OKRs, although the range of spatiotemporal frequencies that elicited these OKRs was limited and the response magnitude was weaker than that in wild-type mice. To examine the late phase of the OKRs, the same visual patterns were moved for 30 s to induce alternating slow and quick eye movements (optokinetic nystagmus) and the slow-phase eye velocity was measured. Wild-type mice showed significant late OKRs with a stimulus in an appropriate range of spatiotemporal frequencies (0.0625-0.25 cycles/°, 0.75-3.0 Hz, 3-48°/s), but mutant mice did not show late OKRs in response to the same visual stimuli. The results suggest that two groups of direction-selective ganglion cells play different roles in OKRs: ON direction-selective ganglion cells contribute to both initial and late OKRs, whereas ON-OFF direction-selective ganglion cells contribute to OKRs only transiently.

Temporal changes in tissue 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, vitamin D receptor target genes, and calcium and PTH levels after 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment in mice

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) maintains a balance of plasma calcium and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], its natural active ligand, by directly regulating the calcium ion channel (TRPV6) and degradation enzyme (CYP24A1), and indirectly regulating the parathyroid hormone (PTH) for feedback regulation of the synthetic enzyme CYP27B1. Studies that examined the intricate relationships between plasma and tissue 1,25(OH)2D3 levels and changes in VDR target genes and plasma calcium and PTH are virtually nonexistent. In this study, we investigated temporal correlations between tissue 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations and VDR target genes in ileum and kidney and plasma calcium and PTH concentrations in response to 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment in mice (2.5 μg/kg ip, singly or q2d × 4). After a single ip dose, plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 peaked at ∼0.5 h and then decayed biexponentially, falling below basal levels after 24 h and then returning to baseline after 8 days. Upon repetitive ip dosing, plasma, ileal, renal, and bone 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations rose and decayed in unison. Temporal profiles showed increased expressions of ileal Cyp24a1 and renal Cyp24a1, Mdr1/P-gp, and VDR but decreased renal Cyp27b1 mRNA after a time delay in VDR activation. Increased plasma calcium and attenuated PTH levels and increased ileal and renal Trpv6 expression paralleled the changes in tissue 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations. Gene changes in the kidney were more sustained than those in intestine, but the magnitudes of change for Cyp24a1 and Trpv6 were lower than those in intestine. The data revealed that 1,25(OH)2D3 equilibrates with tissues rapidly, and VDR target genes respond quickly to exogenously administered 1,25(OH)2D3.