Differential Regulation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC) in Rat Kidney, Lung and Distal Colon in Response to Aldosterone.

Abstract

P170 The mineralocorticoid hormone, aldosterone increases renal tubule Na absorption via increases in the protein abundances of the α-subunit of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the 70 kDa form of the γ- subunit of ENaC (JCI 104:R19-R23). This study assesses the affect of dietary salt restriction on the regulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the lung and distal colon, in addition to kidney, using semiquantitative immunoblotting. Rats were placed initially on either a control Na intake (0.02 meq/day), or a low Na intake (0.2 meq/day) for 10 days. The low salt treated rats demonstrated an increase in plasma aldosterone levels at day 10 (control = 0.78 + 0.32 nM; Na restricted = 3.50 + 1.30 nM). In kidney homogenates, there were marked increases in the band density of the α-subunit of ENaC (286 % of control) and the 70 kDa form of γ-subunit of ENaC (262 % of control), but no increase in the abundance of the β-subunit of ENaC. In lung homogenates, there was no significant change in the band densities of the α, β, or γ subunits of ENaC. In distal colon, there was an increase in the band density of the β-subunit of ENaC (311 % of control) and an increase in both the 85 kDa (2355% of control) and 70 kDa (843 % of control) form of the γ subunit of ENaC in response to dietary Na restriction. However, there was no significant difference in the band density of the α-subunit of ENaC. These findings demonstrate tissue specific regulation of the three subunits of ENaC in response to dietary salt restriction.