Activation mechanisms for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein involve direct binding of cAMP.

The CFTR [CF (cystic fibrosis) transmembrane conductance regulator] chloride channel is activated by cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphorylation and ATP binding, but also by non-phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms. Other CFTR functions such as regulation of exocytotic protein secretion are also activated by cyclic nucleotide elevating agents. A soluble protein comprising the first NBD (nucleotide-binding domain) and R-domain of CFTR (NBD1-R) was synthesized to determine directly whether CFTR binds cAMP. An equilibrium radioligand-binding assay was developed, firstly to show that, as for full-length CFTR, the NBD1-R protein bound ATP. Half-maximal displacement of [3H]ATP by non-radioactive ATP at 3.5 microM and 3.1 mM was demonstrated. [3H]cAMP bound to the protein with different affinities from ATP (half-maximal displacement by cAMP at 2.6 and 167 microM). Introduction of a mutation (T421A) in a motif predicted to be important for cyclic nucleotide binding decreased the higher affinity binding of cAMP to 9.2 microM. The anti-CFTR antibody (MPNB) that inhibits CFTR-mediated protein secretion also inhibited cAMP binding. Thus binding of cAMP to CFTR is consistent with a role in activation of protein secretion, a process defective in CF gland cells. Furthermore, the binding site may be important in the mechanism by which drugs activate mutant CFTR and correct defective DeltaF508-CFTR trafficking.

Biochemical methods to assess CFTR expression and membrane localization.

Detection of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein is usually a difficult task to accomplish due to the low levels of expression and high turnover that this membrane protein is submitted to in the cell. Common biochemical methods can be used for the detection of CFTR but several critical points must be taken into account. The scope of this article is to outline biochemical methods commonly used to assess CFTR expression, processing and membrane localization.

Benzo(c)quinolizinium drugs inhibit degradation of Delta F508-CFTR cytoplasmic domain.

Proteins comprising the first nucleotide-binding- and R-domains of wild-type and Delta F508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) have been synthesised by in vitro transcription/translation. The kinetics and extent of degradation of wild-type and Delta F508 cytoplasmic domain proteins in rabbit reticulocyte lysates, in which proteasome activity was inhibited, were similar, with a half-life of approximately 4h. The results show for the first time, that the benzo(c)quinolizinium compounds, MPB-07 and MPB-91, selectively inhibit degradation of the Delta F508 cytoplasmic domain protein. Studies using protease inhibitors demonstrated that both Delta F508 and wild-type proteins are substrates for cysteine proteases. The studies provide evidence that benzo(c)quinolizinium compounds protect a proteolytic cleavage site by direct binding to the first cytoplasmic domain of Delta F508-CFTR and this is a likely mechanism for increasing Delta F508-CFTR trafficking in intact cells.