Methane emission, digestive characteristics and faecal archaeol in heifers fed diets based on silage from brown midrib maize as compared to conventional maize.

The aim of the present experiment was to compare silage prepared from maize having a brown midrib (BMR) mutation with control (CTR) maize to identify their effects on enteric methane emission, digesta mean retention time (MRT), ruminal fermentation and digestibility. In addition, the utility of archaeol present in faecal samples was validated as a proxy for methane production. Seven German Holstein heifers were fed total mixed rations with a maize-silage proportion (either BMR or CTR) of 920 g/kg dry matter (DM) in a change-over design. Heifers were fed boluses with markers to measure MRT; faeces were collected for 7 days and rumen fluid was collected on the penultimate day. Methane emission was measured in respiration chambers on one day. Data were analysed by t-test and regression analysis. DM intake did not differ between the two diets. The apparent digestibility of DM and most nutrients was unaffected by diet type, but apparent digestibility of neutral and acid detergent-fibre was higher in those heifers fed BMR than in those fed CTR. Comparisons between diets revealed no difference in particle or solute MRT in the gastro-intestinal tract and the reticulorumen. Concentrations of short-chain fatty acid and ammonia in rumen fluid and its pH were not affected by silage type. Independent of the mode of expression [l/d, l/kg DM intake, l/kg digested organic matter], methane emissions were not affected by maize-silage type, but with BMR, there was a trend towards lower methane production per unit of digested neutral detergent fibre than there was with CTR silage. Results of the present study show that feeding heifers BMR silage does not increase methane emissions despite a higher fibre digestibility as compared to CTR silage. Therefore, it is assumed that improvements in animal productivity achieved by feeding BMR silage, as some studies have reported, can be obtained without extra environmental cost per unit of milk or meat. Neither faecal archaeol content [µg/g] nor daily amount excreted [mg/d] is suitable to predict methane production in absolute terms [l per day]. However, faecal archaeol content has a certain potential for predicting the methane yield [l per kg DM intake] of individual animals.

The families of zinc (SLC30 and SLC39) and copper (SLC31) transporters.

The solute carriers families 30 (SLC30; ZnT), 39 (SLC39; ZIP), and 31 (SLC31; CTR) are involved in the essential maintenance of cellular zinc (Zn²âº) and copper (Cu²âº) homeostasis, respectively. ZnTs mediate Zn²âº extrusion from cells (SLC30A1) or transport Zn²âº into organelles and secretory vesicles/granules (SLC30A2-SLC30A8). SLC39 family members are predominantly localized to the cell membrane where they perform Zn²âº uptake and increase the availability of cytosolic Zn²âº. SLC39A1 is ubiquitously expressed, whereas other ZIP transporters (e.g., SLC39A2 and SLC39A3) show a more tissue-restricted expression consistent with organ-specific functions of these proteins. The members A1 (CTR1) and A2 (CTR2) of the SLC31 family of solute carriers belong to a network of proteins that acts to regulate the intracellular Cu²âº concentration within a certain range. SLC31A1 is predominantly localized to the plasma membrane, whereas SLC31A2 is mainly found in intracellular membranes of the late endosome and lysosome. The specific function of SLC31A2 is not known. SLC31A1 is ubiquitously expressed and has been characterized as a high-affinity importer of reduced copper (Cu⁺). Cu²âº transport function of CTR proteins is associated with oligomerization; SLC31A1 trimerizes and thereby forms a channel-like structure enabling Cu²âº translocation across the cell membrane. The molecular characteristics and structural details (e.g., membrane topology, conserved Zn²âº, and Cu²âº binding sites) and mechanisms of translational and posttranslational regulation of expression and/or activity have been described for SLC30 and SLC39 family members, and for SLC31A1. For SLC31A1, data on tissue-specific functions (e.g., in the intestine, heart, and liver) are also available. A link between SLC31A1, immune function, and disorders such as Alzheimer's disease or cancer makes the protein a candidate therapeutic target. In secretory tissues (e.g., the mammary gland and pancreas), Zn²âº transporters of SLC families 30 and 39 are involved in specific functions such as insulin synthesis and secretion, metallation of digestive proenzymes, and transfer of nutrients into milk. Defective or dysregulated Zn²âº metabolism in these organs is associated with disorders such as diabetes and cancer, and impaired Zn²âº secretion into milk.

SLC41 transporters--molecular identification and functional role.

The solute carrier family 41 (SLC41) encompasses three members A1, A2, and A3. Based on their distant homology to the bacterial Mg²âº channel MgtE, all have been linked to Mg²âº transport. There is only very limited knowledge on the molecular biology and exact functions of SLC41A2 and SLC41A3. SLC41A1 is ubiquitously expressed and data on its functional and molecular properties, regulation, complex-forming ability, and spectrum of binding partners are available. SLC41A1 was recently identified as being the Na⁺/Mg²âº exchanger (NME)-a predominant Mg²âº efflux system. Mg²âº-dependent and hormonal regulation of NME activity is now known to depend on the intracellular N terminus of SLC41A1 that is involved in Mg²âº sensing and contains phosphorylation sites for protein kinase (PK) A and PKC. Data showing a link between SLC41A1 and human disorders such as Parkinson's disease, nephronophthisis (induced by the null mutation c.698G>T in renal SLC41A1), and preeclampsia make the protein a candidate therapeutic target.

Solute Carrier Family SLC41, what do we really know about it?

The 41st family of solute carriers (SLC41) comprises three members A1, A2 and A3, which are distantly homologous to bacterial Mg2+ channel MgtE. SLC41A1 was recently characterized as being an Na+/Mg2+ exchanger (NME; a predominant cellular Mg2+ efflux system). Little is known about the exact function of SLC41A2 and SLC41A3, although, these proteins have also been linked to Mg2+ transport in human (animal) cells. The molecular biology (including membrane topology, cellular localization, transcriptomics and proteomics) of SLC41A2 and SLC41A3 compared with SLC41A1 has only been poorly explored. Significantly more data with regard to function, functional regulation, involvement in cellular signalling, complex-forming ability, spectrum of binding partners and involvement in the pathophysiology of human diseases are available for SLC41A1. Three recent observations namely the identification of the null mutation, c.698G>T, in SLC41A1 underlying the nephronophthisis-like phenotype, the recognition of a putative link between SLC41A1 and Parkinson's disease, and the observation that nearly 55% of preeclamptic placental samples overexpress SLC41A1, marks the protein as a possible therapeutic target of these diseases. A potential role of the SLC41 family of Mg2+ transporters in the pathophysiology of human diseases is further substantiated by the finding that SLC41A3 knockout mice develop abnormal locomotor coordination.

Substitution p.A350V in Na⁺/Mg²âº exchanger SLC41A1, potentially associated with Parkinson's disease, is a gain-of-function mutation.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex multifactorial ailment predetermined by the interplay of various environmental and genetic factors. Systemic and intracellular magnesium (Mg) deficiency has long been suspected to contribute to the development and progress of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. However, the molecular background is unknown. Interestingly, gene SLC41A1 located in the novel PD locus PARK16 has recently been identified as being a Na⁺/Mg²âº exchanger (NME, Mg²âº efflux system), a key component of cellular magnesium homeostasis. Here, we demonstrate that the substitution p.A350V potentially associated with PD is a gain-of-function mutation that enhances a core function of SLC41A1, namely Na⁺-dependent Mg²âº efflux by 69±10% under our experimental conditions (10-minute incubation in high-Na⁺ (145 mM) and completely Mg²âº-free medium). The increased efflux capacity is accompanied by an insensitivity of mutant NME to cAMP stimulation suggesting disturbed hormonal regulation and leads to a reduced proliferation rate in p.A350V compared with wt cells. We hypothesize that enhanced Mg²âº-efflux conducted by SLC41A1 variant p.A350V might result, in the long-term, in chronic intracellular Mg²âº-deficiency, a condition that is found in various brain regions of PD patients and that exacerbates processes triggering neuronal damage.

Nature of SLC41A1 complexes: report on the split-ubiquitin yeast two hybrid assay.

The Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger SLC41A1 is involved in the pathophysiology of various disease conditions. It forms high-molecular-mass, possibly hetero-oligomeric protein complexes in transgenic HEK293 cells. Therefore, we attempted to identify binding partners of SLC41A1 by utilizing the split-ubiquitin modification of the yeast two-hybrid assay. As the most prominent binding partners in our experimental system, we identified 3-beta-hydroxysteroid-Δ(8),Δ(7)-isomerase and B-cell receptor associated-protein 31. Other polytons (interactors appearing in the screen more than once) included: IER3IP1, PPIB, UPF0480 protein C15orf24, SPINT2, C14orf1/PEBP28, NIFIE14, YIPF6, and KCP2. In total, 20 polytons and 38 singletons (interactors appearing in the screen only once) were identified. The polytons identified were mostly endoplasmic reticulum-located, integral proteins involved in protein maturation, N-glycosylation, protein folding, anterograde transport of proteins, protein secretion, and the regulation of apoptosis. Among the singletons, we identified SLC31A2, SLC35B1, SLC39A13, CRACM1, and MTCH2 as putative binding partners of SLC41A1. Interestingly, we did not identify interactions among SLC41A1 molecules. Most of the identified interactors are integral proteins localized in cellular compartments other than the cytoplasmic membrane, whereas SLC41A1 is targeted to the cytoplasmic membrane where it performs its core function. None of the interactors was confirmed by mass spectrometry. Instead, we identified among the proteins co-purified with strep-tagged SLC41A1: ACCA1, UBB, ATX2L, HSP7C and TBB. We therefore conclude that: (1) identified interactors form transient rather than stable complexes with SLC41A1, (2) the molecular interactors identified primarily among the polytons might contribute to the production, proper folding, and maturation of SLC41A1 in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, (3) most of the interactors identified among singletons might undergo similar maturation steps (post-translational modification), anterograde transport, and protein sorting as SLC41A1.

Modulation of vH+-ATPase is part of the functional adaptation of sheep rumen epithelium to high-energy diet.

Ruminal vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (vH(+)-ATPase) activity is regulated by metabolic signals. Thus, we tested whether its localization, expression, and activity were changed by different feeding. Young male sheep (n = 12) were either fed hay ad libitum (h) or hay ad libitum plus additional concentrate (h/c) for 2 wk. The vH(+)-ATPase B subunit signal was predominantly found in the cell membrane and cytosol of rumen epithelial cells (REC) with basal/parabasal phenotype. The elevated number (threefold) of these cells in rumen mucosa of h/c-fed sheep reflects a high proliferative capacity and, explains the 2.3-fold increase of the total number of vH(+)-ATPase-expressing REC. However, in accordance with a 58% reduction of the vH(+)-ATPase B subunit mRNA expression in h/c-fed sheep, its protein amount per single REC was decreased. Using the fluorescent probe BCECF and selective inhibitors (foliomycin, amiloride), the contribution of vH(+)-ATPase and Na(+)/H(+) exchanger to intracellular pH (pH(i)) regulation was investigated. REC isolated from h/c-fed sheep keep their pH(i) at a significantly higher level (6.91 ± 0.03 vs. 6.74 ± 0.05 in h-fed sheep). Foliomycin or amiloride decreased pH(i) by 0.16 ± 0.02 and 0.57 ± 0.04 pH units when applied to REC from h-fed sheep, but the effects were markedly reduced (-88 and -33%) after concentrate feeding. Nevertheless, we found that REC proliferation rate and [cAMP](i) were reduced after foliomycin-induced vH(+)-ATPase inhibition. Our results provide the first evidence for a role of vH(+)-ATPase in regulation of REC proliferation, most probably by linking metabolically induced pH(i) changes to signaling pathways regulating this process.

Intracellular magnesium detection by fluorescent indicators.

Magnesium is essential for a wide variety of biochemical reactions and physiological functions, but its regulatory mechanisms (both at the cellular and at the systemic level) are still poorly characterized. Not least among the reasons for this gap are the technical difficulties in sensing minor changes occurring over a high background concentration. Specific fluorescent indicators are highly sensitive tools for dynamic evaluation of intracellular magnesium concentration. We herein discuss the main criteria to consider when choosing a magnesium-specific fluorescent indicator and provide examples among commercial as well as developmental sensors. We focus on spectrofluorimetric approaches to quantify Mg(2+) concentration in cell or mitochondria suspensions, and on imaging techniques to detect intracellular magnesium distribution and fluxes by live microscopy, reporting a detailed description of standard protocols for each method. The general guidelines we provide should be applicable to specific issues by any researcher in the field.

Na+ transport across rumen epithelium of hay-fed sheep is acutely stimulated by the peptide IGF-1 in vitro.

An energy-rich diet leads to enhanced ruminal Na(+) absorption, which is associated with elevated plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels and an increased number of IGF-1 receptors in rumen papillae. This study examined the in vitro effect of IGF-1 on Na(+) transport across the rumen epithelium of hay-fed sheep, in which the IGF-1 concentration in plasma is lower than in concentrate-fed animals. At concentrations ranging from 20 to 100 µg l(-1), serosal LR3-IGF-1, a recombinant analogue of IGF-1, rapidly (within 30 min) stimulated the mucosal-to-serosal Na(+) flux (J(ms)Na) and consequently the net Na(+) flux (J(net)Na). Compared with controls, J(net)Na increased by about 60% (P < 0.05) following the serosal application of LR3-IGF-1 (20 µg l(-1)). The IGF-1-induced increment of J(ms)Na and J(net)Na was inhibited by mucosal amiloride (1 mmol l(-1)). Neither IGF-1 nor amiloride altered tissue conductance or the short-circuit current of the isolated rumen epithelium. These data support the assumption that the stimulating effect of serosally applied IGF-1 on Na(+) transport across the rumen epithelium is mediated by Na(+)-H(+) exchange (NHE). A further study was performed with cultured rumen epithelial cells and a fluorescent probe (BCECF) to estimate the rate of pH(i) recovery after acid loading. The pH(i) of isolated rumen epithelial cells was 6.43 ± 0.15 after butyrate loading and recovered by 0.26 ± 0.02 pH units (15 min)(-1). Application of LR3-IGF-1 (20 µg l(-1)) significantly increased the rate of pH(i) recovery to 0.33 ± 0.02 pH units (15 min)(-1). Amiloride administration reduced the recovery rate in both control and IGF-1-stimulated cells. These results show, for the first time, that an acute effect of IGF-1 on Na(+) absorption across rumen epithelium results from increased NHE activity. Insulin-like growth factor 1 is thus important for the fast functional adaptation of ruminal Na(+) transport via NHE.

Human gene SLC41A1 encodes for the Na+/Mg²+ exchanger.

Magnesium (Mg(2+)), the second most abundant divalent intracellular cation, is involved in the vast majority of intracellular processes, including the synthesis of nucleic acids, proteins, and energy metabolism. The concentration of intracellular free Mg(2+) ([Mg(2+)](i)) in mammalian cells is therefore tightly regulated to its optimum, mainly by an exchange of intracellular Mg(2+) for extracellular Na(+). Despite the importance of this process for cellular Mg(2+) homeostasis, the gene(s) encoding for the functional Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger is (are) still unknown. Here, using the fluorescent probe mag-fura 2 to measure [Mg(2+)](i) changes, we examine Mg(2+) extrusion from hSLC41A1-overexpressing human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells. A three- to fourfold elevation of [Mg(2+)](i) was accompanied by a five- to ninefold increase of Mg(2+) efflux. The latter was strictly dependent on extracellular Na(+) and reduced by 91% after complete replacement of Na(+) with N-methyl-d-glucamine. Imipramine and quinidine, known unspecific Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger inhibitors, led to a strong 88% to 100% inhibition of hSLC41A1-related Mg(2+) extrusion. In addition, our data show regulation of the transport activity via phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A. As these are the typical characteristics of a Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger, we conclude that the human SLC41A1 gene encodes for the Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger, the predominant Mg(2+) efflux system. Based on this finding, the analysis of Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchanger regulation and its involvement in the pathogenesis of diseases such as Parkinson's disease and hypertension at the molecular level should now be possible.