Wild-type Epithelial Na+ Channel Research Articles

Optogenetic Control of PIP2 Interactions Shaping ENaC Activity.

The activity of the epithelial Na+ Channel (ENaC) is strongly dependent on the membrane phospholipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). PIP2 binds two distinct cationic clusters within the N termini of β- and γ-ENaC subunits (βN1 and γN2). The affinities of these sites were previously determined using short synthetic peptides, yet their role in sensitizing ENaC to changes in PIP2 levels in the cellular system is not well established. We addressed this question by comparing the effects of PIP2 depletion and recovery on ENaC channel activity and intracellular Na+ levels [Na+]i. We tested effects on ENaC activity with mutations to the PIP2 binding sites using the optogenetic system CIBN/CRY2-OCRL to selectively deplete PIP2. We monitored changes of [Na+]i by measuring the fluorescent Na+ indicator, CoroNa Green AM, and changes in channel activity by performing patch clamp electrophysiology. Whole cell patch clamp measurements showed a complete lack of response to PIP2 depletion and recovery in ENaC with mutations to βN1 or γN2 or both sites, compared to wild type ENaC. Whereas mutant βN1 also had no change in CoroNa Green fluorescence in response to PIP2 depletion, γN2 did have reduced [Na+]i, which was explained by having shorter CoroNa Green uptake and half-life. These results suggest that CoroNa Green measurements should be interpreted with caution. Importantly, the electrophysiology results show that the βN1 and γN2 sites on ENaC are each necessary to permit maximal ENaC activity in the presence of PIP2.

The Epithelial Na+ Channel is Regulated by Biliary Components

Cirrhosis of the liver often leads to edema and increased circulating and urinary levels of bile acids and bilirubin conjugates. We hypothesized that ENaC activation by increased concentrations of biliary metabolites in renal tubular ultrafiltrate could contribute to renal Na+ retention and edema in cirrhosis of the liver. The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) plays a key role in regulating Na+ reabsorption in the kidney, and is regulated by an array of factors, including extracellular ligands (e.g. H+, Na+, Cl−) and post‐translational modifications (e.g. cleavage and palmitoylation). To begin testing this, we expressed wild type and mutant ENaCs in Xenopus oocytes and measured effects on channel current by two‐electrode voltage clamp. We found that specific bile acids and conjugated‐bilirubin activate ENaC in a dose‐dependent manner, with deoxycholic acid having the strongest stimulatory effect. Notably, deoxycholic acid stimulated both wild type channels and ‘near silent’ channels in which the furin cleavage sites were mutated. However, fully activating channels by trypsin abolished deoxycholic acid stimulation in both wild type channels and channels lacking furin cleavage sites, consistent with an effect on open probability. We hypothesized that bile acids, conjugated bilirubin and Cys‐palmitoylation (palmitate addition to specific intracellular cysteines on the β and γ subunits) regulate ENaC currents through a common mechanism: by increasing the membrane association of specific intracellular structures, driving conformation changes in the channel's pore. To begin testing our hypothesis, we determined whether mutation of all 4 palmitoylation sites in the β and γ subunits (βC43, βC557, γC33 and γC41) to alanine would affect activation by deoxycholic acid. We found that deoxycholic acid stimulated currents of ENaC lacking of all 4 palmitoylation site cysteines by 7‐fold over wild type ENaC. When we tested the effect of mutating individual sites, we found that removal of the N‐terminal palmitoylation site cysteines resulted in the strongest stimulatory effects. We also found that deoxycholic acid had a stronger stimulatory effect when we removed both sites from the γ subunit as compared to the β subunit. Our results demonstrate that ENaC can be activated by biliary metabolites, including bile acids and bilirubin, and that these metabolites may activate ENaC through a mechanism in common with ENaC activation by palmitoylation.Support or Funding InformationDK098204 to O.B.K. and DK110332 to E.C.R.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Pendrin gene ablation alters ENaC subcellular distribution and open probability.

The present study explored whether the intercalated cell Cl(-)/HCO3(-) exchanger pendrin modulates epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) function by changing channel open probability and/or channel density. To do so, we measured ENaC subunit subcellular distribution by immunohistochemistry, single channel recordings in split open cortical collecting ducts (CCDs), as well as transepithelial voltage and Na(+) absorption in CCDs from aldosterone-treated wild-type and pendrin-null mice. Because pendrin gene ablation reduced 70-kDa more than 85-kDa γ-ENaC band density, we asked if pendrin gene ablation interferes with ENaC cleavage. We observed that ENaC-cleaving protease application (trypsin) increased the lumen-negative transepithelial voltage in pendrin-null mice but not in wild-type mice, which raised the possibility that pendrin gene ablation blunts ENaC cleavage, thereby reducing open probability. In mice harboring wild-type ENaC, pendrin gene ablation reduced ENaC-mediated Na(+) absorption by reducing channel open probability as well as by reducing channel density through changes in subunit total protein abundance and subcellular distribution. Further experiments used mice with blunted ENaC endocytosis and degradation (Liddle's syndrome) to explore the significance of pendrin-dependent changes in ENaC open probability. In mouse models of Liddle's syndrome, pendrin gene ablation did not change ENaC subunit total protein abundance, subcellular distribution, or channel density, but markedly reduced channel open probability. We conclude that in mice harboring wild-type ENaC, pendrin modulates ENaC function through changes in subunit abundance, subcellular distribution, and channel open probability. In a mouse model of Liddle's syndrome, however, pendrin gene ablation reduces channel activity mainly through changes in open probability.

Hypotonic Regulation of Mouse Epithelial Sodium Channel in Xenopus laevis Oocytes

The regulation of the epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) during cell swelling is relevant in cellular processes in which cell volume changes occur, i.e., migration, proliferation and cell absorption. Its sensitivity to hypotonically induced swelling was investigated in the Xenopus oocyte expression system with the injection of the three subunits of mouse ENaC. We used voltage-clamp techniques to study the amiloride-sensitive Na⁺ currents (INa(amil)) and video microscopic methodologies to assess oocyte volume changes. Under conditions of mild swelling (25 % reduced hypotonicity) inward current amplitude decreased rapidly over 1.5 min. In contrast, there was no change in current amplitude of H₂O-injected oocytes to the osmotic insult. INa(amil) kinetics analysis revealed a decrease in the slower inactivation time constant during the hypotonic stimuli. Currents from ENaC-injected oocytes were not sensitive to external Cl⁻ reduction. Neither short- nor long-term cytochalasin D treatment affected the observed response. Oocytes expressing a DEG mutant β-ENaC subunit (β-S518K) with an open probability of 1 had reduced INa(amil) hypotonic response compared to oocytes injected with wild-type ENaC subunits. Finally, during the hypotonic response ENaC-injected oocytes did not show a cell volume difference compared with water-injected oocytes. On this basis we suggest that hypotonicity-dependent ENaC inhibition is principally mediated through an effect on open probability of channels in the membrane.

Identification of Extracellular Domain Residues Required for Epithelial Na+ Channel Activation by Acidic pH

A growing body of evidence suggests that the extracellular domain of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) functions as a sensor that fine tunes channel activity in response to changes in the extracellular environment. We previously found that acidic pH increases the activity of human ENaC, which results from a decrease in Na(+) self-inhibition. In the current work, we identified extracellular domain residues responsible for this regulation. We found that rat ENaC is less sensitive to pH than human ENaC, an effect mediated in part by the γ subunit. We identified a group of seven residues in the extracellular domain of γENaC (Asp-164, Gln-165, Asp-166, Glu-292, Asp-335, His-439, and Glu-455) that, when individually mutated to Ala, decreased proton activation of ENaC. γ(E455) is conserved in βENaC (Glu-446); mutation of this residue to neutral amino acids (Ala, Cys) reduced ENaC stimulation by acidic pH, whereas reintroduction of a negative charge (by MTSES modification of Cys) restored pH regulation. Combination of the seven γENaC mutations with β(E446A) generated a channel that was not activated by acidic pH, but inhibition by alkaline pH was intact. Moreover, these mutations reduced the effect of pH on Na(+) self-inhibition. Together, the data identify eight extracellular domain residues in human β- and γENaC that are required for regulation by acidic pH.

Identification of critical residues within the extracellular loop of the Epithelial Sodium Channel (ENaC)

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) plays a pivotal role in fluid homeostasis through its function in sodium reabsorption. Malfunction of this channel can lead to salt sensitive hypertension or hypotension. Although passage specific and constitutively active for the transport of Na+ ions, ENaC has exhibited self‐inhibition in the presence of excess Na+ as well as altered regulation from other ions such as Cl−. ENaC's structure is likely heterotrimeric and composed of α, β, and γ‐subunits, all contributing to proper function. In an effort to elucidate structural features of mouse αENaC, critical residues, E361 and K487, were identified using a functional yeast screen. Also, the effects of specific mutations within the extracellular region (K189 to A491) of mENaC were studied under various pH levels and in the presence of excess Cl−, K+ or Na+. Variations in the growth of yeast cells expressing wild‐type and mutant ENaC were correlated to changes in extracellular ion concentration. Residues involved in potential interactions with ions that contribute to ENaC regulation in yeast will be further characterized in mammalian cells. (Supported by NIH‐NIGMS R15GM086798)

Allosteric Inhibition of the Epithelial Na+ Channel through Peptide Binding at Peripheral Finger and Thumb Domains

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) mediates the rate-limiting step in transepithelial Na(+) transport in the distal segments of the nephron and in the lung. ENaC subunits are cleaved by proteases, resulting in channel activation due to the release of inhibitory tracts. Peptides derived from these tracts inhibit channel activity. The mechanism by which these intrinsic inhibitory tracts reduce channel activity is unknown, as are the sites where these tracts interact with other residues within the channel. We performed site-directed mutagenesis in large portions of the predicted periphery of the extracellular region of the α subunit and measured the effect of mutations on an 8-residue inhibitory tract-derived peptide. Our data show that the inhibitory peptide likely binds to specific residues within the finger and thumb domains of ENaC. Pairwise interactions between the peptide and the channel were identified by double mutant cycle experiments. Our data suggest that the inhibitory peptide has a specific peptide orientation within its binding site. Extended to the intrinsic inhibitory tract, our data suggest that proteases activate ENaC by removing residues that bind at the finger-thumb domain interface.

Extracellular Allosteric Regulatory Subdomain within the γ Subunit of the Epithelial Na+ Channel

The activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is modulated by Na(+) self-inhibition, a down-regulation of the open probability of ENaC by extracellular Na(+). A His residue within the extracellular domain of gammaENaC (gammaHis(239)) was found to have a critical role in Na(+) self-inhibition. We investigated the functional roles of residues in the vicinity of this His by mutagenesis and analyses of Na(+) self-inhibition responses in Xenopus oocytes. Significant changes in the speed and magnitude of Na(+) self-inhibition were observed in 16 of the 47 mutants analyzed. These 16 mutants were distributed within a 22-residue tract. We further characterized this scanned region by examining the accessibility of introduced Cys residues to the sulfhydryl reagent MTSET. External MTSET irreversibly increased or decreased currents in 13 of 47 mutants. The distribution patterns of the residues where substitutions significantly altered Na(+) self-inhibition or/and conferred sensitivity to MTSET were consistent with the existence of two helices within this region. In addition, single channel recordings of the gammaH239F mutant showed that, in the absence of Na(+) self-inhibition and with an increased open probability, ENaCs still undergo transitions between open and closed states. We conclude that gammaHis(239) functions within an extracellular allosteric regulatory subdomain of the gamma subunit that has an important role in conferring the response of the channel to external Na(+).

Epithelial Sodium Channel Gating is Modulated by Cysteine‐Palmitoylation

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) serves as the final site of renal Na+ absorption in the distal nephron, where the fine tuning of its activity regulates extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure. The three homologous subunits of ENaC (alpha, beta and gamma) have a similar topology with two transmembrane domains, a large extracellular loop, and cytoplasmic N‐ and C‐termini. While various lipids are known regulators of ENaC activity, cytoplasmic Cys‐palmitoylation of ENaC has not been previously described. Palmitoylation of individual epitope‐tagged subunits was assessed with fatty acid‐exchange chemistry, whereby palmitate is replaced by biotin and biotinylated subunits were analyzed by immunoblotting. We observed that only the beta and gamma subunits were modified. The function of palmitoylation adjacent to the membrane was studied by expressing ENaC containing a beta C43,557A mutant in Xenopus oocytes. These mutant channels exhibited significantly enhanced Na+ self inhibition and reduced open probability, when compared with wild type ENaC. In contrast, normal membrane trafficking was observed. Our results indicate that palmitoylation of the beta subunit enhances ENaC gating. (Funding from DK065161, DK065521 and AHA).

A Segment of γ ENaC Mediates Elastase Activation of Na+ Transport

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) that mediates regulated Na+ reabsorption by epithelial cells in the kidney and lungs can be activated by endogenous proteases such as channel activating protease 1 and exogenous proteases such as trypsin and neutrophil elastase (NE). The mechanism by which exogenous proteases activate the channel is unknown. To test the hypothesis that residues on ENaC mediate protease-dependent channel activation wild-type and mutant ENaC were stably expressed in the FRT epithelial cell line using a tripromoter human ENaC construct, and protease-induced short-circuit current activation was measured in aprotinin-treated cells. The amiloride-sensitive short circuit current (INa) was stimulated by aldosterone (1.5-fold) and dexamethasone (8-fold). Dexamethasone-treated cells were used for all subsequent studies. The serum protease inhibitor aprotinin decreased baseline INa by approximately 50% and INa could be restored to baseline control values by the exogenous addition of trypsin, NE, and porcine pancreatic elastase (PE) but not by thrombin. All protease experiments were thus performed after exposure to aprotinin. Because NE recognition of substrates occurs with a preference for binding valines at the active site, several valines in the extracellular loops of α and γ ENaC were sequentially substituted with glycines. This scan yielded two valine residues in γ ENaC at positions 182 and 193 that resulted in inhibited responses to NE when simultaneously changed to other amino acids. The mutations resulted in decreased rates of activation and decreased activated steady-state current levels. There was an ∼20-fold difference in activation efficiency of NE against wild-type ENaC compared to a mutant with glycine substitutions at positions 182 and 193. However, the mutants remain susceptible to activation by trypsin and the related elastase, PE. Alanine is the preferred P1 position residue for PE and substitution of alanine 190 in the γ subunit eliminated INa activation by PE. Further, substitution with a novel thrombin consensus sequence (LVPRG) beginning at residue 186 in the γ subunit (γTh) allowed for INa activation by thrombin, whereas wild-type ENaC was unresponsive. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric evaluation of proteolytic digests of a 23-mer peptide encompassing the identified residues (T176-S198) showed that hydrolysis occurred between residues V193 and M194 for NE and between A190 and S191 for PE. In vitro translation studies demonstrated thrombin cleaved the γTh but not the wild-type γ subunit. These results demonstrate that γ subunit valines 182 and 193 are critical for channel activation by NE, alanine 190 is critical for channel activation by PE, and that channel activation can be achieved by inserting a novel thrombin consensus sequence. These results support the conclusion that protease binding and perhaps cleavage of the γ subunit results in ENaC activation.

Functional Role of Extracellular Loop Cysteine Residues of the Epithelial Na+ Channel in Na+ Self-inhibition

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is typically formed by three homologous subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma) that possess a characteristic large extracellular loop (ECL) containing 16 conserved cysteine (Cys) residues. We investigated the functional role of these Cys residues in Na(+) self-inhibition, an allosteric inhibition of ENaC activity by extracellular Na(+). All 16 Cys residues within alpha and gamma ECLs and selected beta ECL Cys residues were individually mutated to alanine or serine residues. The Na(+) self-inhibition response of wild type and mutant channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes was determined by whole cell voltage clamp. Individual mutation of eight alpha (Cys-1, -4, -5, -6, -7, -10, -13, or -16), one beta (Cys-7), and nine gamma (Cys-3, -4, -6, -7, -10, -11, -12, -13, or -16) residues significantly reduced the magnitude of Na(+) self-inhibition. Na(+) self-inhibition was eliminated by simultaneous mutations of either the last three alpha ECL Cys residues (Cys-14, -15, and -16) or Cys-7 within both alpha and gamma ECLs. By analyzing the Na(+) self-inhibition responses and the effects of a methanethiosulfonate reagent on channel currents in single and double Cys mutants, we identified five Cys pairs within the alphaECL (alphaCys-1/alphaCys-6, alphaCys-4/alphaCys-5, alphaCys-7/alphaCys-16, alphaCys-10/alphaCys-13, and alphaCys-11/alphaCys-12) and one pair within the gammaECL (gammaCys-7/gammaCys-16) that likely form intrasubunit disulfide bonds. We conclude that approximately half of the ECL Cys residues in the alpha and gamma ENaC subunits are required to establish the tertiary structure that ensures a proper Na(+) self-inhibition response, likely by formation of multiple intrasubunit disulfide bonds.

Regulation of Epithelial Na+ Channel Activity by Conserved Serine/Threonine Switches within Sorting Signals

The PY and YXXphi motifs are canonical sorting signals involved in trafficking. Nedd4-2 and the mu(2)-subunit of the AP-2 complex target these motifs to facilitate internalization. Epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) subunits contain both motifs in their cytosolic COOH termini where they overlap ((S/T)PPPXYX(S/T)phi). Just preceding the PY and embedded within the YXXphi motifs are conserved serine/threonine. We test here whether these conserved Ser/Thr modulate ENaC activity by influencing the function of the internalization domains. We find that co-expression of dominant-negative dynamin (K44A) with ENaC increases channel activity. Conversely, co-expression of Nedd4-2 and epsin with ENaC decrease activity. Alanine substitution of the conserved Thr(628) preceding the PY motif in gamma-mENaC had no effect on basal activity. Channels with this mutation, however, responded to K44A and epsin but not Nedd4-2. Similarly, mutation of the proline repeat in the PY motif of gamma-mENaC disrupted only Nedd4-2 regulation having no effect on regulation by K44A and epsin. Alanine substitution of the conserved Thr within the YXX motif of gamma-mENaC (T635A) increased basal activity. Channels containing this mutation responded to Nedd4-2 but not K44A and epsin. Channels containing the T635(D/E) substitution in gamma-mENaC did not have increased basal activity and responded to Nedd4-2 but not K44A. The double mutant T628A,T635A did not respond to Nedd4-2 or K44A. Mutation of Thr(628) and Thr(635) also disrupted ENaC precipitation with the mu(2)-subunit of the AP-2 complex. Moreover, the YXXphi motif, independent of the PY motif, was sufficient to target degradation with T635A disrupting this effect. These results demonstrate that the overlapping PY and YXXphi motifs in ENaC are, in some instances, capable of independent function and that the Ser/Thr just preceding and within these domains impact this function.

Functional polymorphisms in the α-subunit of the human epithelial Na+ channel increase activity

Activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is limiting for Na(+) reabsorption at the distal nephron. Gain-of-function mutations in ENaC cause Liddle's syndrome: a severe form of inheritable hypertension. Several polymorphisms in alpha-hENaC possibly associated with abnormal Na(+) handling by the kidney and the salt-sensitive hypertension prevalent in black populations have been reported. The functional effects of alpha-hENaC polymorphisms on channel activity, however, remain controversial and have not been directly tested in a mammalian background. We ask here whether polymorphisms at positions 334, 618, and 663 in alpha-hENaC influence channel activity. Activity of wild-type (A334, C618, A663) and polymorphic ENaC expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was assessed with patch-clamp electrophysiology. While the A334T polymorphism had little effect on macroscopic ENaC currents, the C618F and A663T polymorphisms significantly increased ENaC activity >3.3- and 1.6-fold, respectively. Similarly, polymorphic ENaC had greater activity compared with wild-type channels in excised patches with activity of C618F and A663T channels increased 3.8- and 2.6-fold, respectively. Unitary channel conductances and reversal potentials were not different for polymorphic and wild-type ENaC. Increases in activity resulted primarily from increases in the apparent number of active (polymorphic) channels in the plasma membrane. Moreover, addition of a reducing agent to the cytosol significantly increased activity of wild-type ENaC equal to that of C618F polymorphic channels but had no effect on these latter channels. These results are consistent with the C618F and A663T polymorphisms leading to elevated ENaC activity with the possibility that they facilitate altered Na(+) handling by the kidney.

Epithelial Sodium Channel Inhibition by AMP-activated Protein Kinase in Oocytes and Polarized Renal Epithelial Cells

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) regulates epithelial salt and water reabsorption, processes that require significant expenditure of cellular energy. To test whether the ubiquitous metabolic sensor AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) regulates ENaC, we examined the effects of AMPK activation on amiloride-sensitive currents in Xenopus oocytes and polarized mouse collecting duct mpkCCD(c14) cells. Microinjection of oocytes expressing mouse ENaC (mENaC) with either active AMPK protein or an AMPK activator inhibited mENaC currents relative to controls as measured by two-electrode voltage-clamp studies. Similarly, pharmacological AMPK activation or overexpression of an activating AMPK mutant in mpkCCD(c14) cells inhibited amiloride-sensitive short circuit currents. Expression of a degenerin mutant beta-mENaC subunit (S518K) along with wild type alpha and gamma increased the channel open probability (P(o)) to approximately 1. However, AMPK activation inhibited currents similarly with expression of either degenerin mutant or wild type mENaC. Single channel recordings under these conditions demonstrated that neither P(o) nor channel conductance was affected by AMPK activation. Moreover, expression of a Liddle's syndrome-type beta-mENaC mutant (Y618A) greatly enhanced ENaC whole cell currents relative to wild type ENaC controls and prevented AMPK-dependent inhibition. These findings indicate that AMPK-dependent ENaC inhibition is mediated through a decrease in the number of active channels at the plasma membrane (N), presumably through enhanced Nedd4-2-dependent ENaC endocytosis. The AMPK-ENaC interaction appears to be indirect; AMPK did not bind ENaC in cells, as assessed by in vivo pull-down assays, nor did it phosphorylate ENaC in vitro. In summary, these results suggest a novel mechanism for coupling ENaC activity and renal Na(+) handling to cellular metabolic status through AMPK, which may help prevent cellular Na(+) loading under hypoxic or ischemic conditions.

Point mutations in the post-M2 region of human alpha-ENaC regulate cation selectivity.

We tested the hypothesis that an arginine-rich region immediately following the second transmembrane domain may constitute part of the inner mouth of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) pore and, hence, influence conduction and/or selectivity properties of the channel by expressing double point mutants in Xenopus oocytes. Double point mutations of arginines in this post-M2 region of the human alpha-ENaC (alpha-hENaC) led to a decrease and increase in the macroscopic conductance of alphaR586E,R587Ebetagamma- and alphaR589E,R591Ebetagamma-hENaC, respectively, but had no effect on the single-channel conductance of either double point mutant. However, the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant for Na+ was decreased for both alphaR586E,R587Ebetagamma- and alphaR589E,R591Ebetagamma-hENaC, and the maximum amiloride-sensitive Na+ current was decreased for alphaR586E,R587Ebetagamma-hENaC and increased for alphaR589E,R591Ebetagamma-hENaC. The relative permeabilities of Li+ and K+ vs. Na+ were increased 11.25- to 27.57-fold for alphaR586E,R587Ebetagamma-hENaC compared with wild type. The relative ion permeability of these double mutants and wild-type ENaC was inversely related to the crystal diameter of the permeant ions. Thus the region of positive charge is important for the ion permeation properties of the channel and may form part of the pore itself.

Conservation of pH sensitivity in the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) with Liddle's syndrome mutation.

Gain-of-function mutations of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) cause a rare form of hereditary hypertension, Liddle's syndrome. How these mutations lead to increased channel activity is not yet fully understood. Since wild-type ENaC (wt-ENaC) is highly pH-sensitive, we wondered whether an altered pH-sensitivity of ENaC might contribute to the hyperactivity of ENaC with Liddle's syndrome mutation (Liddle-ENaC). Using Xenopus laevis oocytes as an expression system, we compared the pH-sensitivity of wt-ENaC (alphabetagammarENaC) and Liddle-ENaC (alphabeta(R564stop)gammarENaC). Oocytes were assayed for an amiloride-sensitive (2 microM) inward current (deltaIami) at -60 mV holding potential and cytosolic pH was altered by changing the extracellular pH in the presence of 60 mM sodium acetate. Alternatively, cytosolic acidification was achieved by proton loading the cells using a proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter (PepT-1) co-expressed in the oocytes together with ENaC. Cytosolic but not extracellular acidification substantially reduced deltaIami while cytosolic alkalinisation had a stimulatory effect. This pH-sensitivity was largely preserved in oocytes expressing Liddle-ENaC. The inhibition of wt-ENaC and Liddle-ENaC by cytosolic acidification was independent of so-called sodium-feedback inhibition, since it was not associated with a concomitant increase in intracellular Na+ concentration estimated from the reversal potential of deltaIami. In addition C-terminal deletions in the alpha or gamma subunits or in all three subunits of ENaC did not abolish the inhibitory effect of cytosolic acidification. We conclude that ENaC's pH-sensitivity is not mediated by its cytoplasmic C-termini and that an altered pH-sensitivity of ENaC does not contribute to the pathophysiology of Liddle's syndrome.

Mutations causing Liddle syndrome reduce sodium-dependent downregulation of the epithelial sodium channel in the Xenopus oocyte expression system.

Liddle syndrome is an autosomal dominant form of hypertension resulting from deletion or missense mutations of a PPPxY motif in the cytoplasmic COOH terminus of either the beta or gamma subunit of the epithelial Na channel (ENaC). These mutations lead to increased channel activity. In this study we show that wild-type ENaC is downregulated by intracellular Na+, and that Liddle mutants decrease the channel sensitivity to inhibition by intracellular Na+. This event results at high intracellular Na+ activity in 1.2-2.4-fold higher cell surface expression, and 2.8-3.5-fold higher average current per channel in Liddle mutants compared with the wild type. In addition, we show that a rapid increase in the intracellular Na+ activity induced downregulation of the activity of wild-type ENaC, but not Liddle mutants, on a time scale of minutes, which was directly correlated to the magnitude of the Na+ influx into the oocytes. Feedback inhibition of ENaC by intracellular Na+ likely represents an important cellular mechanism for controlling Na+ reabsorption in the distal nephron that has important implications for the pathogenesis of hypertension.