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Biomedical subjects

Joseph R Casey

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph R Casey.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Carbonic anhydrase inhibition prevents and reverts cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyocyte growth contributes substantially to the progression of heart failure. Activation of the plasma membrane Na+-H+ exchanger (NHE1) and Cl- -HCO3- exchanger (AE3) has emerged as a central point in the hypertrophic cascade. Both NHE1 and AE3 bind carbonic anhydrase (CA), which activates their transport flux, by providing H+ and HCO3-, their respective transport substrates. We examined the contribution of CA activity to the hypertrophic response of cultured neonatal and adult rodent cardiomyocytes. Phenylephrine (PE) increased cell size by 37 +/- 2% and increased expression of the hypertrophic marker, atrial natriuretic factor mRNA, twofold in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Cell size was also increased in adult cardiomyocytes subjected to angiotensin II or PE treatment. These effects were associated with increased expression of cytosolic CAII protein and the membrane-anchored isoform, CAIV. The membrane-permeant CA inhibitor, 6-ethoxyzolamide (ETZ), both prevented and reversed PE-induced hypertrophy in a concentration-dependent manner in neonate cardiomyocytes (IC50=18 microm). ETZ and the related CA inhibitor methazolamide prevented hypertrophy in adult cardiomyocytes. In addition, ETZ inhibited transport activity of NHE1 and the AE isoform, AE3, with respective EC50 values of 1.2 +/- 0.3 microm and 2.7 +/- 0.3 microm. PE significantly increased neonatal cardiomyocyte Ca2+ transient frequency from 0.33 +/- 0.4 Hz to 0.77 +/- 0.04 Hz following 24 h treatment; these Ca2+ -handling abnormalities were completely prevented by ETZ (0.28 +/- 0.07 Hz). Our study demonstrates a novel role for CA in mediating the hypertrophic response of cardiac myocytes to PE and suggests that CA inhibition represents an effective therapeutic approach towards mitigation of the hypertrophic phenotype.

Age Factors↗

Cardiac hypertrophy in anion exchanger 1-null mutant mice with severe hemolytic anemia.

Anion exchanger 1 (AE1; SLC4A1), the plasma membrane Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger of erythrocytes, is also expressed in heart. The aim of this study was to assess the role of AE1 in heart function through study of AE1-null (AE1(-/-)) mice, which manifest severe hemolytic anemia resulting from erythrocyte fragility. Heart weight-to-body weight ratios were significantly higher in the AE1(-/-) mice than in wild-type (AE1(+/+)) littermates at both 1-3 days postnatal (3.01 +/- 0.38 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.04) and at 7 days postnatal (9.45 +/- 0.53 vs. 4.13 +/- 0.41), indicating that loss of AE1 led to cardiac hypertrophy. Heterozygous (AE1(+/-)) mice had no signs of cardiac hypertrophy. Morphology of the adult AE1(-/-) mutant heart revealed an increased left ventricular mass, accompanied by increased collagen deposition and fibrosis. M-mode echocardiography revealed dysfunction of the AE1(-/-) hearts, including dilated left ventricle end diastole and systole and expanded left ventricular mass compared with AE1(+/+) hearts. Expression of intracellular pH-regulatory mechanisms in the hypertrophic myocardium of neonate AE1(-/-) mutant mice was indistinguishable from AE1(+/-) and AE1(+/+) mice, as assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Confocal immunofluorescence revealed that, in normal mouse myocardium, AE1 is sarcolemmal, whereas AE3 and slc26a6 are found both at the sarcolemma and in internal membranes (T tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum). These results indicate that AE1(-/-) mice, which suffer from severe hemolytic anemia and spherocytosis, display cardiac hypertrophy and impaired cardiac function, reminiscent of findings in patients with hereditary abnormalities of red blood cells. No essential role for AE1 in heart function was found.

Anemia, Hemolytic↗

Mutations in sodium-borate cotransporter SLC4A11 cause recessive congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED2).

Congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is a heritable, bilateral corneal dystrophy characterized by corneal opacification and nystagmus. We describe seven different mutations in the SLC4A11 gene in ten families with autosomal recessive CHED. Mutations in SLC4A11, which encodes a membrane-bound sodium-borate cotransporter, cause loss of function of the protein either by blocking its membrane targeting or nonsense-mediated decay.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

A novel carbonic anhydrase II binding site regulates NHE1 activity.

Carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) binds to and regulates transport by the NHE1 isoform of the mammalian Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. We localized and characterized the CAII binding region on the C-terminal tail of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. CAII did not bind to acidic sequences in NHE1 that were similar to the CAII binding site of bicarbonate transporters. Instead, by expressing a variety of fusion proteins of the C-terminal region of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger, we demonstrated that CAII binds to the penultimate group of 13 amino acids of the cytoplasmic tail. Within this region, site-specific mutagenesis demonstrated that amino acids S796 and D797 form part of a novel CAII binding site. Phosphorylation of the C-terminal 26 amino acids by heart cell extracts did not alter CAII binding to this region, but phosphorylation greatly increased CAII binding to a protein containing the C-terminal 182 amino acids of NHE1. This suggested that an upstream region of the cytoplasmic tail acts as an inhibitor of CAII binding to the penultimate group of 13 amino acids. The results demonstrate that a novel phosphorylation-regulated CAII binding site exists in distal amino acids of the NHE1 tail.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Involvement of AE3 isoform of Na(+)-independent Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger in myocardial pH(i) recovery from intracellular alkalization.

Myocardial pH(i) recovery from intracellular alkalization results in part from the acid load (-J(H+)) carried by Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) anion-exchangers (AE). Three AE isoforms, AE1, AE2 and AE3, have been identified in cardiac membranes, but the function of each isoform on pH(i) homeostasis is still under investigation. This work explored, by means of specific antibodies, the role of AE3 isoform in myocardial pH(i) regulation. We developed rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the extracellular "loops": one connecting the fifth to sixth and the other one the seventh to eighth transmembrane domains (loops 3 and 4, respectively) of AE3, and their effect on pH(i) regulation was studied in rat papillary muscles. The anti-AE3 loop 3 antibody decreased -J(H+) in response to myocardial alkalization (from a mean control value of 1.06+/-0.26 to 0.32+/-0.13 mmol/L/min, n=7, P<0.05) without affecting the baseline pH(i) (7.22+/-0.03 vs. 7.21+/-0.04). The anti-AE3 loop 4 antibody did not modify either pH(i) recovery or baseline pH(i). Under control conditions, endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased -J(H+) in response to myocardial alkalization from 1.30+/-0.18 to 2.01+/-0.33 mmol/L /min (n=5, P<0.05). This effect of ET-1 on -J(H+) was abolished by anti-AE3 loop 3 antibody. In addition, the MgATP-induced stimulation of AE activity was reduced by the anti-AE3 loop 3 antibody. These data support the key role of the AE3 isoform in myocardial pH(i) recovery from alkaline loads and also in the stimulatory effect of ET-1 on AE activity. To a lesser extent, it may also contribute to the effect of MgATP on pH(i).

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Why bicarbonate?

Bicarbonate is a simple single carbon molecule that plays surprisingly important roles in diverse biological processes. Among these are photosynthesis, the Krebs cycle, whole-body and cellular pH regulation, and volume regulation. Since bicarbonate is charged it is not permeable to lipid bilayers. Mammalian membranes thus contain bicarbonate transport proteins to facilitate the specific transmembrane movement of HCO3(-). This review provides a wide-ranging view of the biochemistry of bicarbonate and its membrane transporters, revealing what makes the study of bicarbonate transport such a rewarding activity.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Metabolon disruption: a mechanism that regulates bicarbonate transport.

Carbonic anhydrases (CA) catalyze the reversible conversion of CO2 to HCO3-. Some bicarbonate transporters bind CA, forming a complex called a transport metabolon, to maximize the coupled catalytic/transport flux. SLC26A6, a plasma membrane Cl-/HCO3- exchanger with a suggested role in pancreatic HCO3- secretion, was found to bind the cytoplasmic enzyme CAII. Mutation of the identified CAII binding (CAB) site greatly reduced SLC26A6 activity, demonstrating the importance of the interaction. Regulation of SLC26A6 bicarbonate transport by protein kinase C (PKC) was investigated. Angiotensin II (AngII), which activates PKC, decreased Cl-/HCO3- exchange in cells coexpressing SLC26A6 and AT1a-AngII receptor. Activation of PKC reduced SLC26A6/CAII association in immunoprecipitates. Similarly, PKC activation displaced CAII from the plasma membrane, as monitored by immunofluorescence. Finally, mutation of a PKC site adjacent to the SLC26A6 CAB site rendered the transporter unresponsive to PKC. PKC therefore reduces CAII/SLC26A6 interaction, reducing bicarbonate transport rate. Taken together, our data support a mechanism for acute regulation of membrane transport: metabolon disruption.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Interaction of isozymes I, II, IV, V, and IX with carboxylates.

A detailed inhibition study of five carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes with carboxylates including aliphatic (formate, acetate), dicarboxylic (oxalate, malonate), hydroxy/keto acids (l-lactate, l-malate, pyruvate), tricarboxylic (citrate), or aromatic (benzoate, tetrafluorobenzoate) representatives, some of which are important intermediates in the Krebs cycle, is presented. The cytosolic isozyme hCA I was strongly activated by acetate, oxalate, pyruvate, l-lactate, and citrate (K(A) around 0.1 microM), whereas formate, malonate, malate, and benzoate were weaker activators (K(A) in the range 0.1-1mM). The cytosolic isozyme hCA II was weakly inhibited by all the investigated anions, with inhibition constants in the range of 0.03-24 mM. The membrane-associated isozyme hCA IV was the most sensitive to inhibition by carboxylates, showing a K(I) of 99 nM for citrate and oxalate, of 2.8 microM for malonate and of 14.5 microM for pyruvate among others. The mitochondrial isozyme hCA V was weakly inhibited by all these carboxylates (K(I)s in the range of 1.67-25.9 mM), with the best inhibitor being citrate (K(I) of 1.67 mM), whereas this is the most resistant CA isozyme to pyruvate inhibition (K(I) of 5.5mM), which may be another proof that CA V is the isozyme involved in the transfer of acetyl groups from the mitochondrion to the cytosol for the provision of substrate(s) for de novo lipogenesis. Furthermore, the relative resistance of CA V to inhibition by pyruvate may be an evolutionary adaptation of this mitochondrial isozyme to the presence of high concentrations of this anion within this organelle. The transmembrane, tumor-associated isozyme hCA IX was similar to isozyme II in its slight inhibition by all these anions (K(I) in the range of 1.12-7.42 mM), except acetate, lactate, and benzoate, which showed a K(I)>150 mM. The lactate insensitivity of CA IX also represents an interesting finding, since it is presumed that this isozyme evolved in such a way as to show a high catalytic activity in hypoxic tumors rich in lactate, and suggests a possible metabolon in which CA IX participates together with the monocarboxylate/H(+) co-transporter in dealing with the high amounts of lactate/H(+) present in tumors.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Mutant carbonic anhydrase 4 impairs pH regulation and causes retinal photoreceptor degeneration.

Retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) belong to the metabolically most active tissues in the human body. Efficient removal of acid load from retina and RPE is a critical function mediated by the choriocapillaris. However, the mechanism by which pH homeostasis is maintained is largely unknown. Here, we show that a functional complex of carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) and Na+/bicarbonate co-transporter 1 (NBC1) is specifically expressed in the choriocapillaris and that missense mutations in CA4 linked to autosomal dominant rod-cone dystrophy disrupt NBC1-mediated HCO3- transport. Our results identify a novel pathogenic pathway in which a defect in a functional complex involved in maintaining pH balances, but not expressed in retina or RPE, leads to photoreceptor degeneration. The importance of a functional CA4 for survival of photoreceptors implies that CA inhibitors, which are widely used as medications, particularly in the treatment of glaucoma, may have long-term adverse effects on vision.

Carbonic Anhydrase IV↗

Slc26a6: a cardiac chloride-hydroxyl exchanger and predominant chloride-bicarbonate exchanger of the mouse heart.

Bicarbonate facilitate more than 50% of pH recovery in the acidotic myocardium, and have roles in cardiac hypertrophy and steady-state pH regulation. To determine which bicarbonate transporters are responsible for this activity, we measured the expression levels of all known HCO3(-)-anion exchange proteins in mouse heart, by quantitative real time RT-PCR. Bicarbonate-anion exchangers are members of either the SLC4A or the SLC26A gene families. In neonatal and adult myocardium, AE1 (Slc4a1), AE2 (Slc4a2), AE3 (Slc4a3) (AE3fl and AE3c variants), Slc26a3 and Slc26a6 were expressed. Adult hearts expressed Slc26a3 and Slc4a1-3 mRNAs at similar levels, while Slc26a6 mRNA was about seven-fold higher than AE3, which was more abundant than any other. Immunohistochemistry revealed that Slc26a6 and AE3 are present in the plasma membrane of ventricular myocytes. Slc26a6 expression levels were higher in ventricle than atrium, whereas AE3 was detected only in ventricle. Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) and Cl(-)-OH(-) exchange activity of SLC26A6 and AE3 were investigated in transfected HEK293 cells, using intracellular fluorescence measurements of 2',7'-bis (2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF), to monitor intracellular pH (pH(i)). Rates of pH(i) change were measured under HCO3(-)-containing (Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-)) or nominally HCO3(-)-free (Cl(-)-OH(-)) conditions. HCO3(-) fluxes were similar for cells expressing AE3fl, SLC26A6 or Slc26a3, suggesting that they have similar transport activity. However, only SLC26A6 and Slc26a3 functioned as Cl(-)-OH(-) exchangers. Activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors, which stimulates protein kinase C, inhibited SLC26A6 Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchange activity. We conclude that Slc26a6 is the predominant Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) and Cl(-)-OH(-) exchanger of the myocardium and that Slc26a6 is negatively regulated upon alpha-adrenergic stimulation.

Animals↗

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Design of selective, membrane-impermeant inhibitors targeting the human tumor-associated isozyme IX.

A series of positively charged sulfonamides were obtained by reaction of aminobenzolamide [5-(4-aminobenzenesulfonylamino)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide] with tri-/tetrasubstituted pyrilium salts possessing alkyl-, aryl- or combinations of alkyl and aryl groups at the pyridinium ring. The new compounds reported here were assayed for the inhibition of four physiologically relevant carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes: the cytosolic hCA I and II, the membrane-anchored bCA IV, and the membrane-bound, tumor-associated isozyme hCA IX. They showed potent inhibitory activity against all investigated isozymes, although with different profiles. For CA I the new derivatives showed inhibition constants in the range of 3-12 nM, for CA II in the range of 0.20-5.96 nM, against CA IV in the range of 2.0-10.3 nM, and against CA IX in the range of 3-45 nM, respectively. These new compounds are membrane-impermeant due to their salt-like character. Some of these derivatives were also tested for their inhibitory activity against the Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) anion exchanger AE1: two derivatives showed inhibitory activity in the low micromolar range, whereas one compound was inactive at these concentrations. The high affinity of these new derivatives for the tumor-associated isozyme CA IX and their membrane impermeability make this type of CA inhibitor interesting candidates for the selective inhibition of only the tumor-associated isozyme and not the cytosolic ones, for which they also show high potency. Furthermore, we prove here for the first time that the CA-AE metabolon can be inhibited by the same type of sulfonamide derivative.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

The substrate anion selectivity filter in the human erythrocyte Cl-/HCO3- exchange protein, AE1.

AE1 facilitates Cl-/HCO3- exchange across the erythrocyte membrane. To identify residues involved in substrate selection and translocation, we prepared an array of single cysteine mutants in an otherwise cysteineless background. These mutants spanning the C-terminal portion of the AE1 membrane domain from Phe806-Cys885 were characterized for functional activity when expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells by measurement of changes of intracellular pH associated with bicarbonate transport. To identify residues involved in substrate translocation, transport activity was assessed for each mutant before and after treatment with the following sulfhydryl reagents: anionic para-chloromercuibenzenesulfonate; permeant (2-aminoethyl)methanethiosulfonate; and cationic [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate (MTSET). Among the 80 mutants, only certain key residues in the Val849-Leu863 region were inhibited by the sulfhydryl reagent, consistent with direct involvement of these sites in anion transport. In the last two transmembrane segments, only mutants in the extracellular portion of the transmembrane segments could be inhibited by sulfhydryl reagent, suggesting that the outer portions line the translocation channel and the inner portions have some other role. Sensitivity to cationic MTSET and effects of Cl- identified the substrate charge filter as Ser852-Leu857.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗

Regulation of the human NBC3 Na+/HCO3- cotransporter by carbonic anhydrase II and PKA.

Human NBC3 is an electroneutral Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporter expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and kidney in which it plays an important role in HCO(3)(-) metabolism. Cytosolic enzyme carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) catalyzes the reaction CO(2) + H(2)O left arrow over right arrow HCO(3)(-) + H(+) in many tissues. We investigated whether NBC3, like some Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange proteins, could bind CAII and whether PKA could regulate NBC3 activity through modulation of CAII binding. CAII bound the COOH-terminal domain of NBC3 (NBC3Ct) with K(d) = 101 nM; the interaction was stronger at acid pH. Cotransfection of HEK-293 cells with NBC3 and CAII recruited CAII to the plasma membrane. Mutagenesis of consensus CAII binding sites revealed that the D1135-D1136 region of NBC3 is essential for CAII/NBC3 interaction and for optimal function, because the NBC3 D1135N/D1136N retained only 29 +/- 22% of wild-type activity. Coexpression of the functionally dominant-negative CAII mutant V143Y with NBC3 or addition of 100 microM 8-bromoadenosine to NBC3 transfected cells reduced intracellular pH (pH(i)) recovery rate by 31 +/- 3, or 38 +/- 7%, respectively, relative to untreated NBC3 transfected cells. The effects were additive, together decreasing the pH(i) recovery rate by 69 +/- 12%, suggesting that PKA reduces transport activity by a mechanism independently of CAII. Measurements of PKA-dependent phosphorylation by mass spectroscopy and labeling with [gamma-(32)P]ATP showed that NBC3Ct was not a PKA substrate. These results demonstrate that NBC3 and CAII interact to maximize the HCO(3)(-) transport rate. Although PKA decreased NBC3 transport activity, it did so independently of the NBC3/CAII interaction and did not involve phosphorylation of NBC3Ct.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

The bicarbonate transport metabolon.

To allow cells to control their pH and bicarbonate levels, cells express bicarbonate transport proteins that rapidly and selectively move bicarbonate across the plasma membrane. Physical interactions have been identified between the carbonic anhydrase isoform, CAII, and the erythrocyte membrane Cl- /HCO3(-) anion exchanger, AE1, mediated by an acidic motif in the AE1 C-terminus. We have found that the presence of CAII attached to AE1 accelerates AE1 HCO3(-) transport activity, as AE1 moves bicarbonate either into or out of the cell. In efflux mode the presence of CAII attached to AE1 will increase the local concentration of bicarbonate at the AE1 transport site. As bicarbonate is transported into the cell by AE1, the presence of CAII on the cytosolic surface accelerates transport by consumption of bicarbonate, thereby maximizing the transmembrane bicarbonate concentration gradient experienced by the AE1 molecule. Functional and physical interactions also occur between CAII and Na+/HCO3(-) co-transporter isoforms NBC1 and NBC3. All examined bicarbonate transport proteins, except the DRA (SLC26A3) Cl-/HCO3(-) exchange protein, have a consensus CAII binding site in their cytoplasmic C-terminus. Interestingly, CAII does not bind DRA. CAIV is anchored to the extracellular surface of cells via a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol linkage. We have identified extracellular regions of AE1 and NBC1 that directly interact with CAIV, to form a physical complex between the proteins. In summary, bicarbonate transporters directly interact with the CAII and CAIV carbonic anhydrases to increase the transmembrane bicarbonate flux. The complex of a bicarbonate transporter with carbonic anhydrase forms a "Bicarbonate Transport Metabolon."

Animals↗

Direct extracellular interaction between carbonic anhydrase IV and the human NBC1 sodium/bicarbonate co-transporter.

Sodium/bicarbonate co-transporters (NBC) are crucial in the regulation of intracellular pH (pH(i)) and HCO(3)(-) metabolism. Electrogenic NBC1 catalyzes HCO(3)(-) fluxes in mammalian kidney, pancreas, and heart cells. Carbonic anhydrase IV (CAIV), which is also present in these tissues, is glycosylphosphatidyl inositol-anchored to the outer surface of the plasma membrane where it catalyzes the hydration-dehydration of CO(2)/HCO(3)(-). The physical and functional interactions of CAIV and NBC1 were investigated. NBC1 activity was measured by changes of pH(i) in NBC1-transfected HEK293 cells subjected to acid loads. Cotransfection of CAIV with NBC1 increased the rate of pH(i) recovery by 44 +/- 3%, as compared to NBC1-alone. In contrast, CAIV did not increase the functional activity of G767T-NBC1 (mutated on the fourth extracellular loop (EC4) of NBC1), and G767T-NBC1, unlike wild-type NBC1, did not interact with CAIV in glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays. This indicates that G767 of NBC1 is directly involved in CAIV interaction. NBC1-mediated pH(i) recovery rate after acid load was inhibited by 40 +/- 7% when coexpressed with the inactive human CAII mutant, V143Y. V143Y CAII competes with endogenous CAII for interaction with NBC1 at the inner surface of the plasma membrane, which indicates that NBC1/CAII interaction is needed for full pH(i) recovery activity. We conclude that CAIV binds EC4 of NBC1, and this interaction is essential for full NBC1 activity. The tethering of CAII and CAIV close to the NBC1 HCO(3)(-) transport site maximizes the transmembrane HCO(3)(-) gradient local to NBC1 and thereby activates the transport rate.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Influence of Na+-independent Cl--HCO3- exchange on the slow force response to myocardial stretch.

Previous work demonstrated that the slow force response (SFR) to stretch is due to the increase in calcium transients (Ca2+T) produced by an autocrine-paracrine mechanism of locally produced angiotensin II/endothelin activating Na+-H+ exchange. Although a rise in pHi is presumed to follow stretch, it was observed only in the absence of extracellular bicarbonate, suggesting pHi compensation through the Na+-independent Cl--HCO3- exchange (AE) mechanism. Because available AE inhibitors do not distinguish between different bicarbonate-dependent mechanisms or even between AE isoforms, we developed a functional inhibitory antibody against both the AE3c and AE3fl isoforms (anti-AE3Loop III) that was used to explore if pHi would rise in stretched cat papillary muscles superfused with bicarbonate after AE3 inhibition. In addition, the influence of this potential increase in pHi on the SFR was analyzed. In this study, we present evidence that cancellation of AE3 isoforms activity (either by superfusion with bicarbonate-free buffer or with anti-AE3Loop III) results in pHi increase after stretch and the magnitude of the SFR was larger than when AE was operative, despite of similar increases in [Na+]i and Ca2+T under both conditions. Inhibition of reverse mode Na+-Ca2+ exchange reduced the SFR to the half when the AE was inactive and totally suppressed it when AE3 was active. The difference in the SFR magnitude and response to inhibition of reverse mode Na+-Ca2+ exchange can be ascribed to a pHi-induced increase in myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness.

Animals↗

Transport activity of chimaeric AE2-AE3 chloride/bicarbonate anion exchange proteins.

Chloride/bicarbonate anion exchangers (AEs), found in the plasma membrane of most mammalian cells, are involved in pH regulation and bicarbonate metabolism. Although AE2 and AE3 are highly similar in sequence, AE2-transport activity was 10-fold higher than AE3 (41 versus 4 mM x min(-1) respectively), when expressed by transient transfection of HEK-293 cells. AE2-AE3 chimaeras were constructed to define the region responsible for differences in transport activity. The level of AE2 expression was approx. 30% higher than that of AE3. Processing to the cell surface, studied by chemical labelling and confocal microscopy, showed that AE2 is processed to the cell surface approx. 8-fold more efficiently than AE3. The efficiency of cell-surface processing was dependent on the cytoplasmic domain, since the AE2 domain conferred efficient processing upon the AE3 membrane domain, with a predominant role for amino acids 322-677 of AE2. AE2 that was expressed in HEK-293 cells was glycosylated, but little of AE3 was. However, AE2 expressed in the presence of the glycosylation inhibitor, tunicamycin, was not glycosylated, yet retained 85 +/- 8% of anion-transport activity. Therefore glycosylation has little, if any, role in the cell-surface processing or activity of AE2 or AE3. We conclude that the low anion-transport activity of AE3 in HEK-293 cells is due to low level processing to the plasma membrane, possibly owing to protein interactions with the AE3 cytoplasmic domain.

Animals↗