Biomedical subjects

J Biber

Publications and source records attributed to J Biber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Protein kinase C activators induce membrane retrieval of type II Na+-phosphate cotransporters expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

1. The rate of inorganic phosphate (Pi) reabsorption in the mammalian kidney is determined by the amount of type II sodium-coupled inorganic phosphate (Na+-Pi) cotransport protein present in the brush border membrane. Under physiological conditions, parathyroid hormone (PTH) leads to an inhibition of Na+-Pi cotransport activity, most probably mediated by the protein kinase A (PKA) and/or C (PKC) pathways. 2. In this study, PKC-induced inhibition of type II Na+-Pi cotransport activity was characterized in Xenopus laevis oocytes using electrophysiological and immunodetection techniques. Transport function was quantified in terms of Pi-activated current. 3. Oocytes expressing the type IIa rat renal, type IIb flounder renal or type IIb mouse intestinal Na+-Pi cotransporters lost > 50 % of Pi-activated transport function when exposed to the PKC activators DOG (1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol) or PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). DOG-induced inhibition was partially reduced with the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide I. Oocytes exposed to the inactive phorbol ester 4alpha-PDD (4alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate) showed no significant loss of cotransporter function. 4. Oocytes expressing the rat renal Na+-SO42- cotransporter alone, or coexpressing this with the type IIa rat renal Na+-Pi cotransporter, showed no downregulation of SO42--activated cotransport activity by DOG. 5. Steady-state and presteady-state voltage-dependent kinetics of type II Na+-Pi cotransporter function were unaffected by DOG. 6. DOG induced a decrease in membrane capacitance which indicated a reduction in membrane area, thereby providing evidence for PKC-mediated endocytosis. 7. Immunocytochemical studies showed a redistribution of type II Na+-Pi cotransporters from the oolemma to the submembrane region after DOG treatment. Surface biotinylation confirmed a DOG-induced internalization of the transport protein. 8. These findings document a specific retrieval of exogenous type II Na+-Pi cotransporters induced by activation of a PKC pathway in the Xenopus oocyte.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of two tyrosine mutations on the activity and regulation of the renal type II Na/Pi-cotransporter expressed in oocytes.

The rat renal type II Na/Pi-cotransporter (NaPi2), which is regulated by mechanisms involving endocytosis and lysosomal degradation, contains two sequences that show high homology with two tyrosine (Y)-based consensus motifs previously reported to be involved in such intracellular trafficking: GY402FAM matching the consensus sequence GYXXZ, and Y509RWF matching the motif YXXO. Mutations of any of these two Y nearly abolished the NaPi2 mediated 32Pi-uptake after cRNA-injection into oocytes. The mechanisms underlying these defects are however different. Mutation of the Y402 results in a lack of glycosylation and reduced surface expression of the cotransporter, that are specific for the Y402 mutation since substitution of the neighboring F403 did not have any effect. The inhibitory effect of the Y509 mutation is related to a functional inactivation of the protein expressed in the plasma membrane; mutation of the neighboring R510 also led to a decrease in the cotransporter activity. Pharmacological activation of the protein kinase C cascade by DOG induced the retrieval of both wild-type (WT) as well as Y509 cotransporters from the oocyte plasma membrane. These data suggest that the Y402 is important for the surface expression whereas Y509 for the function of the type II Na/Pi-cotransporter expressed in oocytes. Y509 seems not to be involved in the membrane retrieval of the cotransporter.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed1999

Studies on the topology of the renal type II NaPi-cotransporter.

The rat type II sodium/phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-2) is a 85- to 90-kDa glycosylated protein located at the proximal tubular brush border membrane. Hydropathy predictions suggest eight transmembrane domains (sTM) with a large glycosylated loop between sTM 3 and sTM 4. We have studied the membrane topology of NaPi-2 expressed in oocytes. A 33-amino-acid fragment containing the FLAG epitope was inserted into seven loops connecting the sTMs and into the NH2- and COOH-ends of the protein. FLAG-antibody binding suggested that the loops connecting sTM 1 and sTM 2 as well as sTM 3 and sTM 4 are located extracellularly. Based on the lack of FLAG-antibody binding we suggest intracellular locations for the NH2- and COOH-termini and the region connecting sTM 4 and sTM 5. Immunoprecipitation studies of in vitro translated protein also suggest that the NH2-terminus is sited extracellularly. In immunohistochemical studies with NaPi-2-transfected MDCK cells, an interaction with NH2- and COOH- terminal antipeptide antibodies could only be obtained after membrane permeabilization. The presented data are an experimental documentation of the intracellular location of the NH2- and COOH-termini, and of the extracellular location of extracellular loops 1 and 2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase in OK-cells reduces Na/Pi-cotransport but does not interfere with its regulation by parathyroid hormone.

The importance of phosphatidylinositide 3- kinase(s) [PI 3-kinase(s)] in membrane trafficking processes led us to examine its/their possible role in parathyroid-hormone- (PTH-) induced endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of the type IIa Na/Pi-cotransporter in opossum kidney cells (OK-cells). We used wortmannin, a potent inhibitor of several mammalian PI 3-kinase isoforms, and measured Na/Pi-cotransporter activity and type IIa Na/Pi-cotransporter protein expression; also the induction of a negative dominant subunit (Deltap85) was used to reduce PI 3-kinase activity. Wortmannin and Deltap85 led to a reduction of Na/Pi-cotransport activity but were unable to prevent its inhibition by PTH. Wortmannin led in a dose- and time-dependent manner to a reduction of Na/Pi-cotransport activity and transporter protein expression, and retarded their recovery from PTH-induced inhibition/degradation. The data suggest that a PI 3-kinase "controlled" mechanism is involved in the synthesis (and/or routing) of the apical type IIa Na/Pi-cotransporter in OK-cells.

Androstadienes↗

PubMed1999

Chronic K depletion inhibits renal brush border membrane Na/sulfate cotransport.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if dietary potassium (K) deficiency regulates renal proximal tubular sodium gradient-dependent sulfate transport (Na/Si cotransport) in the rat and, furthermore, determine if the regulation takes place at the level of the recently cloned Na/Si cotransport system (NaSi-1). Methods and Results. Rats treated chronically (seven days) with a K-deficient diet had a significant decrease in serum Si levels and an increase in fractional excretion of ultrafilterable Si, which paralleled a significant decrease in brush border membrane (BBM) Na/Si cotransport activity. The decrease in BBM Na/Si cotransport activity was associated with decreases in BBM NaSi-1 protein and renal cortical NaSi-1 mRNA abundance. In addition, in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA from kidney cortex slices of K-deficient rats, there was a significant reduction in the induced Na/Si cotransport, whereas there was no alteration in l-leucine uptake, suggesting that in K-deficient rats, there is a specific decrease in functional mRNA encoding the NaSi-1 mRNA. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that chronic K deficiency leads to a reduction in serum Si levels and an increase fractional excretion of Si, and reduces Si reabsorption by down-regulating the expression of the proximal tubular Na/Si-1 cotransporter protein and mRNA.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Kidney cortex cells derived from SV40 transgenic mice retain intrinsic properties of polarized proximal tubule cells.

BACKGROUND: We have developed a nontransformed immortalized mice kidney cortex epithelial cell (MKCC) culture from a mouse transgenic for a recombinant plasmid adeno-SV40 (PK4). Methods and Results. After 12 months in culture, the immortalized cells had a stable homogeneous epithelial-like phenotype, expressed simian virus 40 (SV40) T-antigen, but failed to induce tumors after injection in nude mice. Epithelium exhibited polarity with an apical domain bearing many microvilli separated from lateral domains by junctional complexes with ZO1 protein. The transepithelial resistance was low. A Na-dependent glucose uptake sensitive to phlorizin and a Na-dependent phosphate uptake sensitive to arsenate were present. Western blot analysis of membrane fractions showed that anti-Na-Pi antiserum reacted with a 87 kD protein. The Na/H antiporters NHE-1, NHE-2, and NHE-3 mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The corresponding proteins with molecular weights of 111, 81, and 75 kD, respectively, could be detected by Western blot and were shown to be functional. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) induced a tenfold increase in cAMP and reduced the Na-dependent phosphate uptake and NHE-3 activity, as observed in proximal tubule cells. Isoforms alpha, delta, epsilon, and zeta of protein kinase C (PKC) were present in the cells. Angiotensin II (Ang II) elicited a translocation of the PKC-alpha toward the basolateral and apical domains. CONCLUSION: Thus, the MKCC culture retains the structural and functional properties of proximal tubular cells. To our knowledge, it is the first cell culture obtained from transgenic mice that exhibits the NHE-3 antiporter and type II Na-Pi cotransporter. MKCCs also display functional receptors for PTH and Ang II. Thus, MKCCs offer a powerful in vitro system to study the cellular mechanisms of ion transport regulation in proximal epithelium.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1999

Effects of phosphate intake on distribution of type II Na/Pi cotransporter mRNA in rat kidney.

BACKGROUND: Renal phosphate (Pi) reabsorption is regulated by dietary Pi intake, as well as in other ways. Changes in Pi reabsorption are associated with the modulation of sodium/Pi cotransporter type II (NaPi-2) protein abundance in the brush border membrane (BBM) of proximal tubules (PTs) and of renal NaPi-2 mRNA levels. In this study, we address whether the NaPi-2 protein and NaPi-2 mRNA distribution patterns in the renal cortex vary in parallel with changes of dietary Pi intake. METHODS: We investigated in cryosections of perfusion-fixed rat kidneys by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) the distribution patterns of NaPi-2 mRNA and of NaPi-2 protein one week, two hours, and four hours after changes in dietary Pi intake. RESULTS: NaPi-2 mRNA and NaPi-2 protein were present in PTs exclusively. In rats adapted to one week of high Pi intake, signals for NaPi-2 mRNA and NaPi-2 protein in cortical PTs were weak, except in the convoluted parts of PTs of juxtamedullary nephrons. After one week of low Pi intake, the ISH and IHC signals for NaPi-2 were high in PT segments in all cortical levels. The switch from a chronic high to a low Pi intake within two and four hours induced no increase and a slight increase, respectively, in the NaPi-2 mRNA signal in PTs of midcortical and of superficial nephrons, whereas in the BBM of these nephrons, NaPi-2 protein was markedly up-regulated. Two and four hours after switching from low to high Pi intake, the overall high ISH signal for NaPi-2 mRNA was unchanged, whereas NaPi-2 protein staining was drastically down-regulated in the BBM of PTs from superficial and midcortical nephrons. CONCLUSIONS: The marked changes in NaPi-2 protein abundance in the BBM, following altered dietary Pi intake, precede corresponding changes at the RNA level by several hours. Thus, the early adaptation to altered Pi intake involves mRNA-independent mechanisms. The up- or down-regulation of NaPi-2 protein abundance in the BBM and NaPi-2 mRNA in PT affects mainly midcortical and superficial nephrons.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Metabolic acidosis regulates rat renal Na-Si cotransport activity.

Recently, we cloned a cDNA (NaSi-1) localized to rat renal proximal tubules and encoding the brush-border membrane (BBM) Na gradient-dependent inorganic sulfate (Si) transport protein (Na-Si cotransporter). The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of metabolic acidosis (MA) on Na-Si cotransport activity and NaSi-1 protein and mRNA expression. In rats with MA for 24 h (but not 6 or 12 h), there was a significant increase in the fractional excretion of Si, which was associated with a 2.4-fold decrease in BBM Na-Si cotransport activity. The decrease in Na-Si cotransport correlated with a 2.8-fold decrease in BBM NaSi-1 protein abundance and a 2.2-fold decrease in cortical NaSi-1 mRNA abundance. The inhibitory effect of MA on BBM Na-Si cotransport was also sustained in rats with chronic (10 days) MA. In addition, in Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with mRNA from kidney cortex, there was a significant reduction in the induced Na-Si cotransport in rats with MA compared with control rats, suggesting that MA causes a decrease in the abundance of functional mRNA encoding the NaSi-1 cotransporter. These findings indicate that MA reduces Si reabsorption by causing decreases in BBM Na-Si cotransport activity and that decreases in the expression of NaSi-1 protein and mRNA abundance, at least in part, play an important role in the inhibition of Na-Si cotransport activity during MA.

Acidosis↗

PubMed1999

Type II Na-Pi cotransport is regulated transcriptionally by ambient bicarbonate/carbon dioxide tension in OK cells.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether isohydric changes in HCO3 concentration and PCO2 directly affect apical Na-dependent Pi (Na-Pi) cotransport in OK cells (opossum kidney cell line). Cells were kept at either 44 mM NaHCO3/10% CO2, pH 7.4 (high-HCO3/CO2 condition), or 22 mM NaHCO3/5% CO2, pH 7.4 (low-HCO3/CO2 condition) (for 14-24 h). Incubation in lower HCO3/CO2 concentrations increased Na-Pi cotransport 1.5-fold. The increased Na-Pi cotransport was paralleled by a two- to threefold increased expression of the NaPi-4 transporter protein and a two- to threefold increase in NaPi-4 mRNA abundance. The increase in NaPi-4 mRNA could be completely prevented by incubation in the presence of a transcriptional inhibitor, suggesting that the increase in NaPi-4 mRNA results from an increased NaPi-4 mRNA transcription. In agreement, the NaPi-4 promoter activity was stimulated by 50% at lower HCO3/CO2 concentrations. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that isohydric changes in HCO3 concentration and PCO2 exert a significant, direct cellular effect on Na-Pi cotransport and NaPi-4 protein expression in OK cells by affecting NaPi-4 mRNA transcription.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

cAMP-dependent and -independent downregulation of type II Na-Pi cotransporters by PTH.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) leads to the inhibition of Na-Pi cotransport activity and to the downregulation of the number of type II Na-Pi cotransporters in proximal tubules, as well as in opossum kidney (OK) cells. PTH is known also to lead to an activation of adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C in proximal tubular preparations, as well as in OK cells. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of these two regulatory pathways in OK cells in the PTH-dependent downregulation of the number of type II Na-Pi cotransporters. We have addressed this issue by using pharmacological activators of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC), i.e., 8-bromo-cAMP (8-BrcAMP) and beta-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (beta-TPA), respectively, as well as by the use of synthetic peptide fragments of PTH that activate adenylate cyclase and/or phospholipase C, i.e., PTH-(1-34) and PTH-(3-34), respectively. Our results show that PTH signal transduction via cAMP-dependent, as well as cAMP-independent, pathways leads to a membrane retrieval and degradation of type II Na-Pi cotransporters and, thereby, to the inhibition of Na-Pi cotransport activity. Thereby, the cAMP-independent regulatory pathway leads only to partial effects (approximately 50%).

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1999

Role of thyroid hormone in regulation of renal phosphate transport in young and aged rats.

In the present study, we have examined the cellular mechanisms mediating the regulation of renal proximal tubular sodium-coupled inorganic phosphate (Na/Pi) transport by thyroid hormone (T3) in young and aged rats. Young hypothyroid rats showed a marked decrease in Na/Pi cotransport activity, which was associated with parallel decreases in type II Na/Pi cotransporter (NaPi-2) protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance. In contrast, administration of long-term physiological and supraphysiological doses of T3 resulted in significant increases in Na/Pi cotransport activity, protein, and mRNA levels. Nuclear run-on experiments indicated that thyroid hormone regulates NaPi-2 mRNA levels by a transcriptional mechanism. In aged rats, although there were no changes in T3 serum levels (when compared with young animals), there were significant decreases in serum Pi concentration, renal Na/Pi cotransport activity, and NaPi-2 protein and mRNA abundance. These effects were mediated, at least in part, by a reduction in the transcriptional rate of the NaPi-2 gene, probably caused by, among other factors, a smaller response to the stimulatory action of T3. Compared with young rats, the old rats exhibited less sensitivity of the Na/Pi cotransporter to thyroid hormone, with-decreased effects in both hypothyroid (inhibitory) and hyperthyroid (stimulatory) animals.

Absorption↗

PubMed1999

Distribution of the sodium/phosphate transporter during postnatal ontogeny of the rat kidney.

Renal phosphate reabsorption via the type II sodium/ phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-2) in the brush border membrane (BBM) of proximal tubules underlies alterations during aging. The ontogeny of NaPi-2 in kidneys from newborn to 6-wk-old rats was investigated. NaPi-2 protein distribution in the kidneys of neonatal, 13-d-old, 22-d-old, and 6-wk-old rats was immunohistochemically analyzed, and NaPi-2 mRNA distribution in neonatal and 6-wk-old rats was analyzed by in situ hybridization. In kidneys of newborn rats, the appearance of NaPi-2 protein and mRNA coincided with the development of the brush border (assessed by actin staining) on proximal tubular cells. NaPi-2 was not detectable in the nephrogenic zone or in the outgrowing straight sections of proximal tubules, which lack a brush border. In 13-d-old suckling rats, strong NaPi-2 staining was seen in the BBM of convoluted proximal tubules of all nephron generations. In contrast, in 22-d-old weaned rats, NaPi-2 staining in the BBM of superficial nephrons was weaker than that in the BBM of juxtamedullary nephrons. Western blotting demonstrated that the overall abundance of NaPi-2 protein in the BBM of 22-d-old rats was decreased to approximately 70% of that in 13-d-old rats. In kidneys of 6-wk-old rats, the internephron gradient for NaPi-2 abundance in the BBM corresponded to that in adult rats. The data suggest that the NaPi-2 system in the kidney is fully functional and possesses the capacity for regulation as soon as nephrogenesis is completed. The manifestation of NaPi-2 internephron heterogeneity immediately after weaning might be related to the change in dietary inorganic phosphate content.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Characterization of a murine type II sodium-phosphate cotransporter expressed in mammalian small intestine.

An isoform of the mammalian renal type II Na/Pi-cotransporter is described. Homology of this isoform to described mammalian and nonmammalian type II cotransporters is between 57 and 75%. Based on major diversities at the C terminus, the new isoform is designed as type IIb Na/Pi-cotransporter. Na/Pi-cotransport mediated by the type IIb cotransporter was studied in oocytes of Xenopus laevis. The results indicate that type IIb Na/Pi-cotransport is electrogenic and in contrast to the renal type II isoform of opposite pH dependence. Expression of type IIb mRNA was detected in various tissues, including small intestine. The type IIb protein was detected as a 108-kDa protein by Western blots using isolated small intestinal brush border membranes and by immunohistochemistry was localized at the luminal membrane of mouse enterocytes. Expression of the type IIb protein in the brush borders of enterocytes and transport characteristics suggest that the described type IIb Na/Pi-cotransporter represents a candidate for small intestinal apical Na/Pi-cotransport.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1998

Preparation of basal cell membranes for scanning probe microscopy.

Scanning probe microscopy has the potential for investigating membranes in a physiological environment. We prepared with a lysis-squirting protocol basal cell membranes, that are suitable for scanning probe microscopy. Investigations using atomic force microscopy under liquid revealed cellular filaments which correlated perfectly with fluorescently stained actin filaments. Globular structures with a diameter as little as 10 nm could be resolved by stripping cytoplasmic components from the membranes. Therefore, cytoplasmic sides of supported basal cell membranes prove useful to gain high resolution with scanning probe microscopy in studies of plasma membrane associated structures and processes under buffer solution.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

[Molecular physiology and pathophysiology of renal phosphate excretion].

The kidney is a key organ in phosphate homeostasis. Phosphate excretion is largely determined by free glomerular filtration and by regulated reabsorption in the proximal tubule. The cellular/molecular mechanisms involved in phosphate reabsorption have been elucidated in great detail over the past few years. A brush border membrane protein with most probably 8 membrane-spanning regions represents the rate-limiting and physiologically/pathophysiologically modified transport mechanism. Altered phosphate reabsorption correlates with an altered brush border membrane transporter protein content, altered either by new synthesis/membrane insertion or by membrane retrieval/degradation. Current knowledge on the molecular/cellular level is a prerequisite for an understanding of kidney based alterations in phosphate homoeostasis.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Chloride conductance and Pi transport are separate functions induced by the expression of NaPi-1 in Xenopus oocytes.

Expression of the protein NaPi-1 in Xenopus oocytes has previously been shown to induce an outwardly rectifying Cl- conductance (GCl), organic anion transport and Na+-dependent Pi-uptake. In the present study we investigated the relation between the NaPi-1 induced GCl and Pi-induced currents and transport. NaPi-1 expression induced Pi-transport, which was not different at 1-20 ng/oocyte NaPi-1 cRNA injection and was already maximal at 1-2 days after cRNA injection. In contrast, GCl was augmented at increased amounts of cRNA injection (1-20 ng/oocyte) and over a five day expression period. Subsequently all experiments were performed on oocytes injected with 20 ng/oocytes cRNA. Pi-induced currents (Ip) could be observed in NaPi-1 expressing oocytes at high concentrations of Pi (>/= 1 mm Pi). The amplitudes of Ip correlated well with GCl. Ip was blocked by the Cl- channel blocker NPPB, partially Na+-dependent and completely abolished in Cl- free solution. In contrast, Pi-transport in NaPi-1 expressing oocytes was not NPPB sensitive, stronger depending on extracellular Na+ and weakly affected by Cl- substitution. Endogenous Pi-uptake in water-injected oocytes amounted in all experiments to 30-50% of the Na+-dependent Pi-transport observed in NaPi-1 expressing oocytes. The properties of the endogenous Pi-uptake system (Km for Pi > 1 mM; partial Na+- and Cl--dependence; lack of NPPB block) were similar to the NaPi-1 induced Pi-uptake, but no Ip could be recorded at Pi-concentrations </=3 mM. In summary, the present data suggest that Ip does not reflect charge transfer related to Pi-uptake, but a Pi-mediated modulation of GCl.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Parathyroid hormone leads to the lysosomal degradation of the renal type II Na/Pi cotransporter.

We have studied the involvement of proteolytic pathways in the regulation of the Na/Pi cotransporter type II by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in opossum kidney cells. Inhibition of lysosomal degradation (by leupeptin, ammonium chloride, methylamine, chloroquine, L-methionine methyl ester) prevented the PTH-mediated degradation of the transporter, whereas inhibition of the proteasomal pathway (by lactacystin) did not. Moreover it was found (i) that whereas lysosomal inhibitors prevented the PTH-mediated degradation of the transporter they did not prevent the PTH-mediated inhibition of the Na/Pi cotransport and (ii) that treating opossum kidney cells with lysosomal inhibitors led to an increased expression of the transporter without any concomitant increase in the Na/Pi cotransport. Further analysis by subcellular fractionation and morphological techniques showed (i) that the Na/Pi cotransporter is constitutively transported to and degraded within late endosomes/lysosomes and (ii) that PTH leads to the increased degradation of the transporter in late endosomes/lysosomes.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed1998

Cellular mechanisms involved in the acute adaptation of OK cell Na/Pi-cotransport to high- or low-Pi medium.

Variations in dietary phosphate (Pi) intake in rats lead to alterations of renal Pi reabsorption. These effects are associated with corresponding changes in the abundance of the type II Na/Pi-cotransporter protein in proximal tubular brush-border membranes. In the present study we investigated the regulation of the type II Na/Pi-cotransporter in response to high- and low-Pi medium in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an epithelial cell-line of proximal tubular origin. We show that "acute" (4 h) and "chronic" (24 h) exposures of OK cells to high- or low-Pi medium lead to decreases or increases, respectively, in Na/Pi-cotransport activity which are paralleled by alterations in the total cellular amount of the corresponding type II Na/Pi-cotransporter protein (NaPi-4), but not by changes in the amount of the NaPi-4 mRNA. Also in OK cells transfected with the corresponding rat renal type II Na/Pi-cotransporter (NaPi-2) alterations in the Pi concentration in the medium lead to changes in the amount of NaPi-2 protein but not in the amount of NaPi-2 mRNA. Furthermore we show that lysosomal inhibitors prevent the degradation of the transporter, but do not interfere with its inhibition, in response to "acute" exposure of OK cells to high-Pi medium. Inhibition of lysosomal degradation also leads, in control conditions, to an accumulation of the transporter detectable on Western blot. It is concluded that the lysosomal proteolytic pathway is not only involved in the Pi-induced downregulation of the type II Na/Pi-cotransporter but also in its basic turnover.

Adaptation, Physiological↗