[Molecular biology in regulation of kidney functions: VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Hiroshi Nonoguchi.
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Human organic anion transporter 4 (OAT4) is an apical organic anion/dicarboxylate exchanger in the renal proximal tubules and mediates high-affinity transport of steroid sulfates such as estrone-3-sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Here, two multivalent PDZ (PSD-95/Discs Large/ZO-1) proteins PDZK1 and NHERF1 were examined as interactors of OAT4 by a yeast two-hybrid assay. These interactions require the extreme C-terminal region of OAT4 and the first and fourth PDZ domains of PDZK1 and the first PDZ domain of NHERF1. These interactions were confirmed by surface plasmon resonance assays (K(D): 36 nM, 1.2 microM, and 41.7 microM, respectively). In vitro binding assays and co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the OAT4 wild-type but not a mutant lacking the PDZ motif interacted directly with both PDZK1 and NHERF1. OAT4, PDZK1, and NHERF1 proteins were shown to be localized at the apical membrane of renal proximal tubules. The association with PDZK1 or NHERF1 enhanced OAT4-mediated E1S transport activities in HEK293 cells (1.2- to 1.4-fold), and the deletion of the OAT4 C-terminal PDZ motif abolished this effect. The augmentation of the transport activity was accompanied by alteration in V(max) of E(1)S transport via OAT4 and was associated with the increased surface expression level of OAT4 protein. This study indicates that the functional activity of OAT4 is modulated through the PDZ interaction with the network of PDZK1 and NHERF1 and suggests that OAT4 is involved in the regulated apical organic anion handling in the renal proximal tubules, provided by the PDZ scaffold.
A novel member of the organic anion transporter (OAT) family, Oat5 (Slc22a19), has been reported to transport a naturally occurring mycotoxin, ochratoxin A (OTA). However, neither its endogenous substrate and driving force nor physiological functions have been determined. Herein, we report the functional characterization of rat Oat5 (rOat5), as well as its intrarenal distribution and membrane localization. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, rOat5 mediated the transport of sulfate conjugates of steroids such as estrone-3-sulfate (E(1)S; K(m) = 18.9 +/- 3.9 microM) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (K(m) = 2.3 +/- 0.2 microM) in a sodium-independent manner, in addition to OTA. The rOat5-mediated E(1)S transport was strongly inhibited by four-carbon (C4) dicarboxylate succinate and longer dicarboxylates (C7-C9). The uptake of [(3)H]E(1)S via rOat5 was significantly trans-stimulated by succinate, and the efflux of [(14)C]succinate was significantly trans-stimulated by E(1)S. A similar trans-stimulatory effect of preloaded succinate on E(1)S uptake was also detected in cells stably expressing rOat5 (S(2) rOat5). rOat5 interacted with chemically heterogenous anionic compounds. The rOat5-mediated E(1)S transport was inhibited by several sulfate conjugates, such as 4-methylumbelliferyl sulfate and beta-estradiol sulfate, but not by glucuronide conjugates. An immunohistochemical study showed that rOat5 was localized at the apical membrane of renal proximal tubules in the corticomedullary region. rOat5 mRNA was expressed in the late segments (S(2) and S(3)) of proximal tubules. These results indicate that rOat5 is renal organic anion/dicarboxylates exchanger and, under physiological conditions, may function as an apical reabsorptive pathway for organic anions in proximal tubules driven by an outward gradient of dicarboxylates.
To date, 11 loss of function mutations in the human urate transporter 1 (hURAT1) gene have been identified in subjects with idiopathic renal hypouricemia. In the present studies we investigated the clinical features and the mutations in the hURAT1 gene in seven families with presecretory reabsorption defect-type renal hypouricemia and in one family with the postsecretory reabsorption defect type. Twelve affected subjects and 26 family members were investigated. Mutations were analyzed by PCR and the direct sequencing method. Urate-transporting activities of wild-type and mutant hURAT1 were determined by [14C]urate uptake in Xenopus oocytes. Mutational analysis revealed three previously reported mutations (G774A, A1145T, and 1639-1643 del-GTCCT) and a novel mutation (T1253G) in families with the presecretory reabsorption defect type. Neither mutations in the coding region of hURAT1 gene nor significant segregation patterns of the hURAT1 locus were detected in the postsecretory reabsorption defect type. All hURAT1 mutants had significantly reduced urate-transporting activities compared with wild type (P < 0.05; n = 12), suggesting that T1253G is a loss of function mutation, and hURAT1 is responsible for the presecretory reabsorption defect-type familial renal hypouricemia. Future studies are needed to identify a responsible gene for the postsecretory reabsorption defect-type familial renal hypouricemia.
BACKGROUND: Prostasin has been shown to be involved in the regulation of sodium handling in the kidney. TGF-beta1 has been demonstrated to suppress alphaENaC expression and sodium uptake. Therefore, we hypothesized that TGF-beta1 may regulate prostasin expression to modulate sodium reabsorption in the kidney. METHODS: To determine if TGF-beta1 has an effect on prostasin expression, we isolated 2.9 kb of the rat prostasin promoter, and measured its transcriptional activity with a luciferase assay in mouse cortical collecting duct cell line (M-1). The effect of TGF-beta1 on the mRNA and protein abundance of prostasin, and amiloride-sensitive (22)Na uptake was determined. RESULTS: Treatment of M-1 cells with 20 ng/mL of TGF-beta1 for 24 hours significantly decreased the promoter activity by 50 +/- 1%, and the inhibitory effect was dose dependent over the range of 0.1 to 20 ng/mL. We identified a 50 bp region (-410 to -360) containing c-Rel-like sequence in prostasin promoter that is responsible for the TGF-beta1-mediated inhibition, and found that TGF-beta1 increases IkappaBalpha expression in M-1 cells. TGF-beta1 reduced endogenous prostasin mRNA and protein expression in M-1 cells by 50 +/- 12% and 44 +/- 12%, respectively, and the amiloride-sensitive (22)Na uptake by 35.9 +/- 4.8%. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate the possibility that TGF-beta1 transcriptionally inhibits prostasin expression by the induction of IkappaBalpha and the subsequent inhibition of NF-kappaB/Rel activity in M-1 cells, and also suggest the possibility that TGF-beta1 might inhibit sodium reabsorption through a reduction in prostasin expression and subsequent inhibition of ENaC activity.
Hyperosmolality in the renal medullary interstitium is generated by the renal countercurrent multiplication system, in which the medullary thick ascending limb (MAL) and the outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) primarily participate. Since arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulates Na-K-ATPase activity directly via protein kinase A and indirectly via hyperosmolality, we investigated the acute and chronic effects of hyperosmolality on Na-K-ATPase and AVP-dependent cAMP generation in the MAL and OMCD. Microdissected MAL and OMCD from control and dehydrated rats were used for the measurement of Na-K-ATPase activity, mRNA expression of alpha-1, beta-1, and beta-2 subunits of Na-K-ATPase, and AVP-dependent cAMP generation. Na-K-ATPase activity in the MAL from dehydrated rats, as measured in isotonic medium, was higher than that of control rats. Moreover, incubation of samples in hypertonic medium (490 mOsm/kg H2O) further increased Na-K-ATPase activity. Dehydration increased alpha-1, beta-1, and beta-2 mRNA expression in the MAL without changing that in the OMCD. Western blot analysis revealed that in the outer medulla, the expression of beta-1, but not that of alpha-1 or beta-2, was stimulated by dehydration. Incubation of MAL or OMCD in hypertonic medium increased AVP-dependent cAMP generation. Higher levels of AVP-dependent cAMP were generated in the MAL from dehydrated rats than that of controls, although incubation in hypertonic medium did not lead to additional increases in AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation. In contrast, AVP-dependent cAMP generation in the OMCD was stimulated by dehydration, and was further stimulated by incubation in hypertonic medium. These findings demonstrate that Na-K-ATPase is upregulated short- and long-term hyperosmolality in the MAL, but not in OMCD.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) have a renoprotective effect in patients with chronic renal failure. Prostaglandins (PGs) have also been shown to ameliorate renal impairment. Although these two have different mechanisms-ACE-I reduces intraglomerular pressure by dilating the efferent arterioles, while it is thought that PGs may increase intraglomerular pressure--coadministration of these drugs may have an additive effect. Administration of a PG with an ACE-I might have an additive effect on chronic renal failure. However, there have been no studies on the efficacy of such a combination therapy. This study was conducted to determine whether combination therapy with PGE1 and an ACE-I might have a long-term benefit on chronic renal failure. Sixty patients with chronic renal disease receiving an ACE-I in advance were assigned to receive an ACE-I alone or an ACE-I plus PGE1. Blood pressure, blood chemistry, urinary protein excretion, and the changes in the reciprocal of serum creatinine (delta1/Cr) were monitored once monthly for an average of 36.5 months. In patients treated only with an ACE-I, the progression of renal failure did not change with time. In contrast, the decline of renal function was significantly reduced with the combination therapy. The renoprotective effect of the combination therapy was not exerted by reduced proteinuria or by decreased blood pressure. PGE1 may reinforce the renoprotective effects of ACE-I to prevent the progression of chronic renal failure.
Fabry disease is an X-linked recessive disease resulting from a deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase alpha-galactosidase A. In male patients with the classic hemizygous form, acroparesthesias, hypohidrosis, corneal opacities, and dysfunction of the heart, brain, and kidney are observed. Recently, it was reported that 0.5-1.2% of male chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients were diagnosed as having Fabry disease based on the measurement of alpha-galactosidase A activity. Fabry disease is thought to be an important cause of end-stage renal disease. There are a few reports of patients with Fabry disease on long-term HD. Here we report two male siblings with classical type Fabry disease on HD. They had acroparesthesias, and hypohidrosis. Their mother had severe heart failure due to a heterozygous form of Fabry disease. Case 1 is a 44-year-old male. He had mid-cerebral apoplexy at 30 years of age. He started maintenance HD in 2000. Remarkable left ventricular hypertophy and conduction disorders of the heart were found. In 2004, he collapsed and ventricular-tachycardia and severe hypoxic brain damage were found. Now his consciousness level has been in the range of 100 to 300 on the Japan Coma Scale. Case 2 is a 40-year-old male. He started maintenance HD in 1993. Malnutrition due to chronic diarrhea and severe ischemic change in the brain were found. In 1998, he had severe joint pain of shoulders and fingers with ectopic calcifications detected by X ray. The ectopic calcifications were extended to the whole body. In 2004, his dementia by ischemic change in the brain has rapidly progressed. In conclusion, cardiovascular complications, cerebrovascular manifestations, painful ectopic carcifications, and chronic diarrheas in our patients were considered to be specific symptoms of Fabry disease. Young HD patients with these symptoms will need to be examined for Fabry disease.
BACKGROUND: Intravenous iron administration (IVIR) is effective for correcting anemia in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, it may also enhance the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Recently, plasma proteins have been demonstrated to be extremely susceptible to oxidative stress. Therefore, we investigated the effect of IVIR on the oxidative status of albumin, a major plasma protein, in HD patients. METHODS: Eleven hemodialysis (HD) patients were treated with 40 mg of saccharated ferric oxide intravenously after every dialysis session for four weeks, and 11 age-/gender-matched HD patients were treated with vehicle. We performed high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of serum albumin and determined the levels of reduced and oxidized albumin. Carbonyl formation of plasma proteins were also measured using an anti-2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine antibody in patients with or without IVIR. RESULTS: IVIR resulted in an increase in both disulfide form (f(HNA-1)) and oxidized form (f(HNA-2)) of albumin in HD patients (36.0 +/- 6.03 vs. 41.7 +/- 6.27; 5.46 +/- 1.50 vs. 8.7 +/- 2.22, respectively, P < 0.05). The findings here also show that IVIR substantially increased plasma protein carbonyl content by oxidizing albumin. In addition, we found a strong correlation between plasma carbonyl content and the levels of oxidized albumin (f(HNA-1) and f(HNA-2)) in HD patients (R= 0.674 and R= 0.724, respectively, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the HPLC analysis of serum albumin represents a potentially useful method for the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of oxidative stress in HD patients, and strongly suggest the possibility that oxidative stress, generated by IVIR, enhances the oxidation of albumin in those patients.
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BACKGROUND: Na- and Cl-dependent organic solute cotransporters participate in transporting neurotransmitters in the brain and organic osmolytes in the kidney. METHODS: We examined the intranephron localization and regulation of the renal osmotic-stress-induced Na-Cl organic solute cotransporter (ROSIT) mRNA expression using microdissected nephron segments from control and dehydrated rats and RT-PCR. To further know the mechanisms of gene regulation of ROSIT, microdissected proximal straight tubules (PST) were incubated in isotonic (290 mosm/kg H2O) or hyperosmotic (490- 1,090 mosm/kg H2O) solution. RESULTS: ROSIT mRNA was expressed predominantly in PST and to a lesser extent in cortical thick ascending limbs and cortical collecting ducts in control rats, and dehydration caused an increase in the expression in whole nephron segments. ROSIT mRNA in PST was decreased with time by incubation in isotonic solution. Incubation of PST in hypertonic solution by adding NaCl increased mRNA expression as early as 15 min (1.5- and 3-fold at 15 and 30 min, respectively). This stimulating effect of NaCl was largest at 890 mosm/kg H2O. Hypertonicity by mannitol or myoinositol also increased ROSIT mRNA expression. In contrast, hyperosmolality by urea reduced ROSIT mRNA expression. GAPDH mRNA expression, an internal standard, did not change by incubation in NaCl or mannitol solution. CONCLUSION: In summary, ROSIT mRNA expression was most abundant in PST in control and it was stimulated in whole nephron segments by dehydration. ROSIT mRNA expression in PST was stimulated by hypertonicity but not by urea. These data suggest that ROSIT may participate in the transport of amino acid under control conditions and organic osmolytes in dehydration.
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BACKGROUND: Although hypercalcemia causes diuresis and natriuresis, the molecular mechanisms of these effects are not well established. Recently, the important role of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) in hypercalcemia-induced polyuria was reported. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) that is locally produced in the nephron has been suggested to have the natriuretic and/or diuretic effects in the kidney. Therefore, we hypothesized that ET-1 expression could be increased through the activation of CaR in the kidney in hypercalcemia. METHODS: Rats were made hypercalcemic by dihydrotachysterol (DHT) treatment. The urinary concentration of ET-1 and the mRNA expression of ET-1 in the kidney were determined. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine types of the cells that produce ET-1. CaR and ET-1 promoter luciferase constructs were co-expressed in COS-7 cells and the ET-1 promoter activity following the addition of extracellular calcium was measured by the luciferase assay. RESULTS: In hypercalcemic rat, urinary ET-1 excretion was increased by twofold, and ET-1 mRNA expression was increased in the kidney cortex by threefold. In cortical collecting duct (CCD), both principal cells and intercalated cells synthesized ET-1. In cells that express CaR, ET-1 promoter was activated in a dose-dependent manner by extracellular calcium over the range of 0.5 to 3.0 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: First, activation of CaR increases ET-1 transcription in a dose-dependent manner. Second, hypercalcemia increases ET-1 production in the kidney cortex. These data suggest the possibility that CaR might play an important role in hypercalcemia-induced increase in ET-1 production.
Familial renal hypouricemia with exercise-induced acute renal failure (ARF) is rare. A 45-year-old man presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and oliguria after severe exercise. The diagnosis was ARF based on high serum creatinine (SCr) level (5.1 mg/dL [451 micromol/L]). Renal function recovered completely within 2 weeks of conservative treatment (creatinine clearance [Ccr], 100.4 mL/min [1.67 mL/s]). After remission, laboratory results showed serum urate (SUA) of 0.8 mg/dL (48 micromol/L), and fractional excretion of uric acid (FE(UA)) of 46%. The final diagnosis was ARF associated with idiopathic renal hypouricemia. Other diseases that could increase the excretion of urate were excluded. Because only mild responses were observed both in pyradinamide and benzbromarone loading tests, he was considered to be a presecretory reabsorption disorder type. The younger brother (42 years old) also had episodes of low and middle back pain after severe exercise and experienced similar attacks at least 5 times since the age of 29. SCr level was elevated in every attack. Hypouricemia (SUA, 1.0 mg/dL [59 micromol/L]) and high urinary urate excretion (FE(UA), 65.7%) also were detected. Renal function recovered almost completely without any specific treatment. Radiologic examination of the 2 cases showed bilateral urolithiasis probably caused by the high urinary urate excretion. Sequence analysis of a urate anion exchanger known to regulate blood urate level (URAT1 gene) in both brothers showed homozygous mutation in exon 4 (W258Stop), resulting in a premature truncated URAT1 protein. Both their parents and their children showed heterozygous mutation of the URAT1 gene. This is the first report of the 2 male siblings of familial renal hypouricemia complicated with exercise-induced ARF, with definite demonstration of genetic abnormality in the responsible gene (URAT1).
A serine protease, prostasin, has been shown to stimulate the activity of amiloride-sensitive sodium channels (ENaC). Prostasin is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein that is found free in physiologic fluids and tissue culture medium, but the mechanism by which prostasin is secreted from the cells has not been elucidated. The current studies found that serine protease inhibitor aprotinin blocked the secretion of prostasin in a mouse cortical collecting duct (CCD) cell line (M-1 cells). A synthetic serine protease inhibitor, nafamostat mesilate (NM), which is commonly used for the treatment of pancreatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation in Japan, also inhibited the secretion of prostasin in M-1 cells. Continuous infusion of NM into rats resulted in a substantial decrease in urinary prostasin and urinary sodium excretion. p-guanidinobenzoic acid and 6-amidino-2-naphtol, catalytically inactive metabolites of NM, had no effect on prostasin secretion both in M-1 cells and in rats. These findings suggest that a serine protease-sensitive mechanism is involved in the secretion of prostasin in vitro as well as in vivo. Potassium secretion in the CCD is tightly linked to sodium reabsorption through EnaC; therefore, NM-induced decrease in prostasin secretion and subsequent inhibition of ENaC activity could account for the side effects of hyponatremia and/or hyperkalemia that are found sometimes in patients treated with NM. The results indicate an important role for prostasin in sodium reabsorption in the kidney under pathophysiologic conditions.
Hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and resistance to the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are well-characterized features in advanced chronic renal failure (CRF). Their pathogenesis has been attributed to both PTH receptor (PTH-R) down-regulation and postreceptor abnormalities. In this study, we examined the renal expression of the PTH-R mRNA in CRF (5/6 nephrectomy) rats. Experiments were also performed to determine whether an acidic condition and PTH itself influence PTH-R mRNA expression. RT-competitive PCR was used to examine mRNA expression, and polyclonal antibody against PTH-R was used for Western blot. PTH-R mRNA expression was abundant in glomeruli, proximal convoluted and straight tubules (PCT, PST), small in medullary and cortical thick ascending limbs, and cortical collecting ducts and not detectable in outer and inner medullary collecting ducts. The expression was significantly decreased in PCT and PST in CRF rats. Decrease in PTH-R mRNA expression was observed 1 week after the induction of CRF. PTH-R protein was decreased at 2 (-23%) and 4 (-45%) weeks in renal cortex, but not in medulla in CRF rats. PTH-R mRNA expression in PST was decreased by low pH (7.1 or 6.7) incubation compared with that at pH 7.4. PTH(1-34) (10(-9) M) increased PTH-R mRNA expression in PST from control rats by 250%. The stimulatory effect of PTH on PTH-R mRNA expression was decreased by the incubation at low pH medium. In summary, renal PTH-R is down-regulated in CRF rats. The decrease in mRNA expression in PCT and PST causes the decrease in PTH-R protein. Metabolic acidosis may participate in the down-regulation of PTH-R in early stage of CRF. This abnormality could be important in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism of CRF.
BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by severe proteinuria and sodium and water retention. Although endothelin (ET) 1 can cause natriuresis or antinatriuresis, the role played by ET-1 in proteinuria and in sodium retention due to nephrotic syndrome remains unclear. METHODS: We investigated the role played by the ET-1 system in sodium and water retention and in proteinuria in puromycin aminonucleoside induced nephrotic syndrome in rats using microdissected nephron segments, competitive polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot. RESULTS: The expression of prepro ET-1, ET-converting enzyme 1 (ECE-1), and ET A receptor mRNAs, but not ET B receptor mRNA, in the glomeruli was increased in rats with nephrotic syndrome. The cGMP generation in the glomeruli induced by atrial natriuretic peptide and ET-1 was decreased, whereas the ET-3-induced cGMP generation was increased in rats with nephrotic syndrome. ECE-1 mRNA expression was increased not only in the glomeruli, but also in the thick ascending limbs and collecting ducts. The protein expression of ECE-1 was increased in the membrane fraction of the cortex and in the outer and the inner medulla of nephrotic rats. Blockade of ET A and B receptors by bosentan did not inhibit the occurrence of nephrotic syndrome. However, the administration of bosentan increased the urinary sodium excretion. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that an activated ET-1-ET A receptor pathway in glomeruli and/or an increased ECE-1 mRNA expression in distal segments may participate in sodium and water retention, but not in the occurrence of nephrotic syndrome.
Angiotensin II plays important roles in renal vasoconstriction, sodium reabsorption in proximal tubules, and cell proliferation. Angiotensin II receptors are present not only in proximal but also in distal tubules. We investigated the effects of dehydration on the mRNA expression of type 1A angiotensin II receptor (AT1A) in proximal and distal nephron segments and on the expression of type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1) protein. Competitive polymerase chain reaction was employed to quantitatively examine mRNA expression, and AT1-specific polyclonal antibody was used for Western blot analysis. AT1A mRNA expression was most abundant in glomeruli. Collecting ducts showed higher expressions than did proximal tubules or thick ascending limbs. Dehydration caused an increase of AT1A mRNA expression in glomeruli, proximal straight tubules (PST), and medullary and cortical thick ascending limbs (MAL and CAL, respectively). In contrast, dehydration decreased AT1A mRNA expression in cortical, outer medullary, and inner medullary collecting ducts (CCD, OMCD, and IMCD, respectively). Incubation of isolated glomeruli, PST, and IMCD in hypertonic solution made by NaCl and mannitol in vitro increased AT1A mRNA expression. Incubation of IMCD with AVP (10(-7) mol/l) also increased AT1A mRNA expression. AT1 was detected at 45 kDa by Western blotting. Dehydration caused a decrease and increase of AT1 expression in the cortex and the medulla, respectively. In summary, these data showed that the mechanisms of the regulation of AT1A differ between proximal and distal tubules. The finding that AT1 was up-regulated in the medulla during dehydration may suggest that this receptor plays an important role in dehydration in the distal tubules.