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The GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex during repeated episodes of physical ethanol dependence in the rat.

The GABA/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptor chloride channel complex was investigated during repeated episodes of ethanol intoxication and withdrawal in the rat; the intragastric intoxication technique was applied and the severity of intoxication, withdrawal and number of seizures were recorded. The following groups were studied after decapitation during withdrawal 10-16 h after the last ethanol feeding: A) isocalorically fed controls not receiving ethanol; B) isocalorical controls subjected to a single ethanol intoxication period; C) animals subjected to 15 intoxication-withdrawal episodes (spontaneous seizures); D) same as C, but without developing seizures. A radio receptor technique was applied in the characterization of the receptor complex comprising specific binding to the BZ-receptor, the chloride channel and the GABA receptor by 3H-diazepam, 35S-TBPS and 3H-muscimol, respectively. The allosteric couplings among the components of the receptor complex were studied by 3H-diazepam and 35S-TBPS binding enhancement tests involving muscimol, ZK 93423 and DMCM. Cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum were the brain regions studied. Except for a reduced specific binding of 3H-diazepam in cerebellum, there were no indications of changes in specific binding to any part of the receptor complex. The allosteric coupling of BZ and GABA receptors as well as chloride channel-BZ receptors were unchanged in all groups. It is notable that no changes at all could be related to number of intoxication-withdrawal episodes or to the development of seizures. Thus, the present study gave no indication that the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex is directly involved in the augmentation of cerebral nervous system excitability (seizures) during repeated episodes of physical ethanol dependence.

Alcoholism↗

Disruption of ClC-3, a chloride channel expressed on synaptic vesicles, leads to a loss of the hippocampus.

Several plasma membrane chloride channels are well characterized, but much less is known about the molecular identity and function of intracellular Cl- channels. ClC-3 is thought to mediate swelling-activated plasma membrane currents, but we now show that this broadly expressed chloride channel is present in endosomal compartments and synaptic vesicles of neurons. While swelling-activated currents are unchanged in mice with disrupted ClC-3, acidification of synaptic vesicles is impaired and there is severe postnatal degeneration of the retina and the hippocampus. Electrophysiological analysis of juvenile hippocampal slices revealed no major functional abnormalities despite slightly increased amplitudes of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. Mice almost lacking the hippocampus survive and show several behavioral abnormalities but are still able to acquire motor skills.

Acids↗

Molecular evidence for a glycine-gated chloride channel in macrophages and leukocytes.

Recent studies have demonstrated that glycine blunts the response of Kupffer cells to endotoxin. Based on pharmacological evidence, it was hypothesized that Kupffer cells and other macrophages contain a glycine-gated chloride channel similar to the glycine receptor expressed in neuronal tissues. Moreover, glycine stimulates influx of radiolabeled chloride in Kupffer cells in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR was used to identify mRNA of both alpha- and beta-subunits of the glycine receptor in rat Kupffer cells, peritoneal neutrophils, and splenic and alveolar macrophages, similar to the sequence generated from rat spinal cord. Importantly, the sequence of the cloned Kupffer cell glycine receptor fragment for the beta-subunit was >95% homologous with the receptor from the spinal cord. Membranes of these cells also contain a protein that is immunoreactive with antibodies against the glycine-gated chloride channel. These data demonstrate that Kupffer cells, as well as other macrophages and leukocytes, express mRNA and protein for a glycine-gated chloride channel with both molecular and pharmacological properties similar to the channel expressed in the central nervous system.

Animals↗

CIC-2: a developmentally dependent chloride channel expressed in the fetal lung and downregulated after birth.

Growth and differentiation of the fetal lung are dependent on chloride and fluid secretion, yet the specific molecular identities of fetal chloride channels have not been fully determined. In this study, we demonstrate mRNA expression of the volume-activated chloride channel, CIC-2, in fetal rat lung using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ribonuclease (RNase) protection assay. By RNase protection assay, CIC-2 mRNA expression is most abundant in fetal lung and diminishes after birth until it is almost undetectable in adult rat lung. To confirm this result at the protein level, a C-terminal fragment of CIC-2 cDNA derived from 19-day fetal rat lung was cloned into an expression plasmid. The truncated 33-kD CIC-2 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by column chromatography. Polyclonal antibodies to this antigen were raised in chickens, and the antisera detected a 94-kD protein in fetal rat lung homogenates by Western blotting. Protein expression of CIC-2 was most abundant in mid and late gestation and decreased significantly shortly after birth, as would be predicted by the RNase protection data. CIC-2 protein was localized along the apical surface of fetal airway epithelium by immunocytochemistry. The abundant fetal expression of CIC-2 RNA and protein supports the hypothesis that CIC-2 is important to fetal lung development, and its apical location suggests that it may be involved in fluid secretion during normal lung morphogenesis.

Animals↗

Propofol inhibits volume-sensitive chloride channels in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

Volume-sensitive chloride channels (VSCC) play an important role in regulation of cell volume and electrical activity. Activation of vascular smooth muscle VSCC causes smooth muscle depolarization and contraction. We investigated the effects of propofol on VSCC in cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells by using the chloride-sensitive dye 6-methoxy-N-ethylquinolinium (MEQ). To activate VSCC, cells were superfused for 2 min with hypotonic gluconate solutions and then potassium thiocyanate solution. The percentage reduction in MEQ fluorescence during 60 s in the presence of potassium thiocyanate was measured and used as an index of VSCC activity. 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB), a well characterized chloride channel blocker, and propofol were dissolved in hypotonic gluconate solution to test their effect on VSCC activity. The reduction in fluorescence was inversely related to osmolality, indicating that activation of VSCC is osmolality dependent. Hypotonic gluconate solution (210 mOsm/kg H(2)O) reduced fluorescence by 38.9% +/- 2.6% of the baseline value. The reduction in fluorescence was dose-dependently inhibited by NPPB. Propofol at 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 micro g/mL significantly inhibited the reduction in fluorescence to 23.6% +/- 4.8%, 19.7% +/- 7.4%, 18.2% +/- 3.5%, 17.6% +/- 5.0%, 15.8% +/- 3.1%, and 10.3% +/- 3.9% of the baseline value, respectively. Our results indicate that propofol inhibits VSCC in a dose-dependent manner in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

RdlDv, a novel GABA-gated chloride channel gene from the American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis.

The American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis is a major transmitter of bacterial and viral pathogens in human and animal populations, and compounds active against this species would benefit both human and animal health. Invertebrate GABA-gated chloride channels are validated targets of commonly used insecticides and acaricides. We cloned a novel member of the invertebrate GABA-gated chloride channel gene family from Dermacentor variabilis, RdlDv. The closest homologue of the predicted gene product of RdlDv is the RDL protein encoded by the GABA-gated chloride channel gene Drosophila Rdl (Resistance to Dieldrin), with which it shares 64% amino acid identity. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, RdlDv produces GABA-activated currents blocked by the known insecticides and RDL antagonists fipronil and picrotoxinin. These results suggest that RdlDv encodes a GABA-gated chloride channel subunit, making it a potential target for compounds active against the tick D. variabilis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Overt nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in mice lacking the CLC-K1 chloride channel.

CLC-K1 is a kidney-specific chloride channel that mediates transepithelial chloride transport in the thin ascending limb of Henle's loop (tAL) in the inner medulla. Transport of NaCl in the tAL is thought to be a component of urinary concentration in a passive model of the countercurrent multiplication system, but there has been no direct evidence that CLC-K1 is involved in urine concentration. To analyse the physiological function of CLC-K1 in vivo, we generated mice lacking CLC-K1 by targeted gene disruption. Clcnk1-/- mice were physically normal appearance, but produced approximately five times more urine than Clcnk1+/- and Clcnk1+/+ mice. After 24 hours of water deprivation, Clcnk1-/- mice were severely dehydrated and lethargic, with a decrease of approximately 27% in body weight. Intraperitoneal injection of the V2 agonist 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP) induced a threefold increase in urine osmolarity in Clcnk1+/- and Clcnk1+/+ mice, whereas only a minimal increase was seen in Clcnk1-/- mice, indicating nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. After in vitro perfusion of the tAL, the lumen-to-bath chloride gradient did not produce a diffusion potential in Clcnk1-/- mice in contrast to Clcnk1+/+ and Clcnk1+/- mice. These results establish that CLC-K1 has a role in urine concentration, and that the countercurrent system in the inner medulla is involved in the generation and maintenance of hypertonic medullary interstitium.

Animals↗

A CLC-type chloride channel gene is required for laccase activity and virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Laccase is a major virulence factor required for infection caused by the human pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans. However, cellular processes involved in the regulation and expression of laccase remain largely unknown in C. neoformans. Here we report the identification of a chloride channel gene CLC-A which is essential for laccase activity in C. neoformans. CLC-A shares homology to CLC-type voltage-gated chloride channels from other organisms; for example, 63% homology to GEF1, a chloride channel gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A clc-a mutant, Mlac3, generated by insertional mutagenesis as well as a targeted Deltaclc-a mutant produced undetectable laccase in a liquid assay and produced no melanin on asparagine agar containing norepinephrine. Mlac3 was complemented with wild-type CLC-A which restored laccase activity and melanin biosynthesis. The clc-a mutants also showed reduced synthesis of another important virulence factor, capsule, and showed reduced growth at elevated pH. In addition, the clc-a mutation resulted in attenuated virulence in a mouse cryptococcosis model that was restored by complementation with wild-type CLC-A, indicating that the chloride channel plays an important role in the virulence of the organism. Further analysis revealed that the basis for absent laccase expression in the clc-a mutant was a laccase transcriptional defect that could be restored by adding exogenous copper. In conclusion, our findings show that CLC-A plays a role in the expression of two important virulence factors, capsule and laccase expression, which are required for virulence of the fungal pathogen.

Animals↗

Pharmacological block of chloride channels of developing rat skeletal muscle affects the differentiation of specific contractile properties.

A specific chloride channel blocker, anthracene 9-carboxylic acid was locally applied for 8-9 days on the extensor digitorum longus muscle of 7-8-day-old rats. The effects of chronic anthracene 9-carboxylic acid treatment on muscle development, were evaluated in vitro on the electrical properties with intracellular microelectrodes and in vivo on the contractile parameters by recording isometric concentrations. Our data show that the treatment prevented the normal development of chloride conductance so that by 15 days of age it was 45% lower in fibers of the treated muscles when compared to age-related control fibers. Potassium conductance was not significantly changed by the treatment. In vivo the anthracene-9-carboxylic acid-treated muscles were slower to contract and relax; having a 20% slower time to peak twitch force and time of half relaxation. These muscles were also 32% less fatiguable with respect to the controls. Moreover, in most of the treated muscles tetanic contractions during high-frequency stimulation were not maintained. The block of chloride channels in developing striated fibers appears to affect the differentiation of specific properties of fast skeletal muscle such as the speed of contraction.

Animals↗

Chloride is an allosteric effector of copper assembly for the yeast multicopper oxidase Fet3p: an unexpected role for intracellular chloride channels.

GEF1 is a gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which encodes a putative voltage-regulated chloride channel. gef1 mutants have a defect in the high-affinity iron transport system, which relies on the cell surface multicopper oxidase Fet3p. The defect is due to an inability to transfer Cu+ to apoFet3p within the secretory apparatus. We demonstrate that the insertion of Cu into apoFet3p is dependent on the presence of Cl-. Cu-loading of apoFet3p is favored at acidic pH, but in the absence of Cl- there is very little Cu-loading at any pH. Cl- has a positive allosteric effect on Cu-loading of apoFet3p. Kinetic studies suggest that Cl- may also bind to Fet3p and that Cu+ has an allosteric effect on the binding of Cl- to the enzyme. Thus, Cl- may be required for the metal loading of proteins within the secretory apparatus. These results may have implications in mammalian physiology, as mutations in human intracellular chloride channels result in disease.

Allosteric Regulation↗

Spontaneous and GABA-evoked chloride channels on pituitary intermediate lobe cells and their internal Ca requirements.

On porcine intermediate lobe (IL) endocrine cells, spontaneously opening chloride channels have been studied and compared to GABA-A activated chloride channels. Elementary currents were recorded mainly from outside-out patches excised from IL cells maintained in culture for 1-4 weeks. Spontaneous inward currents were observed in Cs-loaded cells after replacing Na in the extracellular medium by the impermeant ion choline. This activity, at an internal calcium concentration of 10(-8) M corresponded to a channel for chloride ions with a main conductance level of 26 pS, and substates around 11 pS. The sequence of permeabilities to halides was I greater than Br greater than Cl. These conductance characteristics were common to the GABA-operated channels which also showed a main conductance substate of 23-31 pS. The open time of the 26 pS level mostly encountered in spontaneous activity, was distributed along two modes: one, the most frequent, around 1 ms, and the other around 4 ms. This latter mode was the predominant one observed during GABA and isoguvacine applications but in addition a bursting activity of 19 ms duration was also seen. Specific GABA-A receptor antagonists (bicuculline and SR42641, 1 microM) blocked activity evoked by GABA (1-10 microM), but did not affect spontaneous events. These spontaneous Cl events were only observed in a restricted range of internal Ca concentrations, i.e. between 1 nM and 0.1 microM, and were practically abolished at Cai 1 microM. The GABA-induced activity of Cl channels was also Ca-sensitive, being reduced when Cai reached 1 microM.

Animals↗

Attenuation of endothelin effects by a chloride channel inhibitor, indanyloxyacetic acid.

We have recently proposed that the actions of endothelin (ET) are in part mediated by opening of chloride channels (K. Iijima, L. Lin, A. Nasjletti, and M. S. Goligorsky. Am. J. Physiol. 260 (Cell Physiol. 29: C982-C992, 1991). In the present study the ability of a chloride channel inhibitor, an indanyloxyacetic acid (IAA-94), to block ET-induced effects was examined in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by spectrofluorometry and direct videomicroscopic visualization of the renal microcirculation in isolated perfused hydronephrotic kidneys (IPHK). A fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled IAA-94 analogue showed specific binding to VSMC. IAA-94 (30 microM) neither affected basal cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in VSMC nor peak response to ET, but it significantly curtailed sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i (half-time recovery was 147 +/- 23 vs. 248 +/- 33 s in control, P less than 0.05). IAA-94 blunted ET-induced membrane depolarization from 24.5 +/- 3.3 to 8.0 +/- 1.8 mV. In IPHK, ET constricted afferent arterioles (AA) by 29 +/- 2% (18.7 +/- 0.8 to 13.2 +/- 0.6 microns, P less than 0.001). Isradipine reversed this ET-induced vasoconstriction. Pretreatment with IAA-94 did not alter AA diameter, but markedly attenuated ET-induced AA constriction (reduction of AA diameters by only 9 +/- 2%, P less than 0.001). The subsequent addition of isradipine (0.1-1 microM) did not further dilate AA. Our data indicate that IAA-94 markedly attenuates AA vasoconstriction elicited by ET and suggest that ET-induced opening of chloride channels, membrane depolarization, and subsequent activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels contribute to the vasoconstrictor mechanisms of this peptide.

Animals↗

Cloning of a putative human voltage-gated chloride channel (CIC-2) cDNA widely expressed in human tissues.

We have cloned a cDNA from the human epithelial cell line T84 whose predicted amino acid sequence shows 93.9% identity with rat CIC-2. Mapping by somatic cell hybrids and polymerase chain reaction localizes the gene corresponding to this cDNA to chromosome 3q26-qter. The major transcription start site assessed by RNA primer extension is 100 nt upstream of the putative translation initiation codon. Analysis of the 5' flanking sequence revealed a high GC content and lack of common transcriptional elements such as TATA and CCAAT boxes. Northern blot analysis indicated wide organ distribution including tissues affected in cystic fibrosis (CF) and expression in an airway epithelial cell line derived from a CF patient. The high degree of sequence similarity and similar tissue distribution to rat CIC-2 suggests that this cDNA encodes the human CIC-2 voltage-gated chloride channel. Since this chloride channel is present in epithelial tissues it may be amenable to manipulation to circumvent the chloride secretion defect observed in CF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

c-Src control of chloride channel support for osteoclast HCl transport and bone resorption.

Bone degradation by osteoclasts depends upon active transport of hydrogen ions to solubilize bone mineral. This transport is supported by the parallel actions of a proton ATPase and a chloride channel located in the osteoclast ruffled membrane. We have previously identified a novel chloride channel, p62, which appears to be the avian counterpart to CLIC-5b and is expressed coincident with the appearance of acid secretion as avian osteoclasts differentiate in culture. In this article, we show that suppression of CLIC-5b in differentiating avian osteoclasts results in decreased acidification by vesicles derived from these cells and decreased ability of the cells to resorb bone. Acidification is rescued by the presence of valinomycin, consistent with a selective loss of chloride channel but not proton pump activity. Osteoclast bone resorption is known to be dependent on the expression of the tyrosine kinase, c-Src. We show that CLIC-5b from osteoclasts has affinity for both Src SH2 and SH3 domains. We find that suppression of expression of Src in developing osteoclasts results in decreased vesicular acidification, which is rescued by valinomycin, consistent with the loss of chloride conductance in the proton pump-containing vesicles. Suppression of c-Src causes no change in the steady state level of CLIC-5b expression, but does result in failure of proton pump and CLIC-5b to colocalize in cultured osteoclast precursors. We conclude that suppression of c-Src interferes with osteoclast bone resorption by disrupting functional co-localization of proton pump and CLIC-5b.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Cellular mode of action of nedocromil sodium: from asthma to chloride channels].

In asthma, the role of inflammatory cell activation and of cell hyperexcitability is better and better understood. Fundamental work, carried out in the late 80's, have allowed a better understanding of the precise function of chloride channels in cell activation and especially in mast cells. Following this work, many teams have demonstrated that nedocromil sodium interacts with some chloride channels. This effect should explain its inhibitory function in cellular activation responsible for the release of inflammatory mediators. This "chloride channels blocker" effect might explain the activity of this drug in humans.

Asthma↗

Outward-rectifying chloride channels in cultured adult and fetal human nasal epithelial cells.

The patch-clamp technique was used to characterize ion channels in the apical membranes of cultured human nasal epithelial cells, dissociated from fetal nasal mucosa and from adult nasal polyps. Outward-rectifying chloride channels were found in 4.3% of the cell-attached patches from fetal cells (n = 258) and in 3.1% of the patches from adult cells (n = 320). After excision the number of patches containing active chloride channels increased threefold to 13% of the patches from the fetal cells and 10% from adult cells. The single-channel conductance at 0 mV in symmetrical 150 mM NaCl solutions was 24.3 +/- 0.9 pS (n = 28) and 26.0 +/- 1.2 pS (n = 30), respectively, in adult and fetal cells and showed outward rectification in the potential range from -80 to +80 mV. In fetal cells as well as in adult cells the channels were anion selective, and were almost impermeable for larger anions and monovalent cations. In cell-free patches the channels were Ca2+ independent. In most of the channels the open probability was voltage independent and high (+/- 0.86); in 20% of the channels, however, the open probability increased with depolarization. In conclusion, fetal nasal epithelial cells contain chloride channels in their apical membranes with single-channel properties and regulatory mechanisms similar to those found in cells from adults.

Cells, Cultured↗

Mutations in the chloride channel gene CLCNKB as a cause of classic Bartter syndrome.

ABSTRACT.: Inherited hypokalemic renal tubulopathies are differentiated into at least three clinical subtypes: (1) the Gitelman variant of Bartter syndrome (GS); (2) hyperprostaglandin E syndrome, the antenatal variant of Bartter syndrome (HPS/aBS); and (3) the classic Bartter syndrome (cBS). Hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis and renal salt wasting are the common characteristics of all three subtypes. Hypocalciuria and hypomagnesemia are specific clinical features of Gitelman syndrome, while HPS/aBS is a life-threatening disorder of the newborn with polyhydramnios, premature delivery, hyposthenuria, and nephrocalcinosis. The Gitelman variant is uniformly caused by mutations in the gene for the thiazide-sensitive NaCl-cotransporter NCCT (SLC12A3) of the distal tubule, while HPS/aBS is caused by mutations in the gene for either the furosemide-sensitive NaK-2Cl-cotransporter NKCC2 (SLC12A1) or the inwardly rectifying potassium channel ROMK (KCNJ1). Recently, mutations in a basolateral chloride channel CLC-Kb (CLCNKB) have been described in a subset of patients with a Bartter-like phenotype typically lacking nephrocalcinosis. In this study, the screening for CLCNKB mutations showed 20 different mutations in the affected children from 30 families. The clinical characterization revealed a highly variable phenotype ranging from episodes of severe volume depletion and hypokalemia during the neonatal period to almost asymptomatic patients diagnosed during adolescence. This study adds 16 novel mutations to the nine already described, providing further evidence that mutations in the gene for the basolateral chloride channel CLC-Kb are the molecular basis of classic Bartter syndrome. Interestingly, the phenotype elicited by CLCNKB mutations occasionally includes HPS/aBS, as well as a Gitelman-like phenotype.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of the bovine kidney microsomal chloride channel p64 by p59fyn, a Src family tyrosine kinase.

p64 is a chloride channel of intracellular membranes which is present in regulated secretory vesicles. Mechanisms by which the p64 channel could be regulated are largely unknown. p59(fyn) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase of the Src family that has been implicated in a variety of intracellular signaling events. The N-terminal portion of p64 has several potential binding sites for Src family SH2 domains. In this paper, we demonstrate that p64 becomes tyrosine phosphorylated when co-expressed with p59(fyn) in HeLa cells. We show that co-expression of p64 with p59(fyn) renders p64 a ligand for the SH2 domain of p59(fyn) and this SH2 binding is eliminated by treating p64 with alkaline phosphatase. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we find that tyrosine 33 in the p64 sequence is necessary for SH2 binding. We also characterized p64-p59(fyn) interactions using native material from bovine kidney. We found that a small fraction of native kidney p64 can bind Fyn SH2 in vitro. Immunoprecipitation of p64 from solubilized kidney membranes yields a kinase activity with the same mobility by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as authentic bovine p59(fyn). Finally, we demonstrate that co-expression of p64 and p59(fyn) in HeLa cells results in enhanced p64-associated chloride channel activity.

Animals↗