The d subunit plays a central role in human vacuolar H(+)-ATPases.

The multi-subunit vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase consists of a V(1) domain (A-H subunits) catalyzing ATP hydrolysis and a V(0) domain (a, c, c', c", d, e) responsible for H(+) translocation. The mammalian V(0) d subunit is one of the least-well characterized, and its function and position within the pump are still unclear. It has two different forms encoded by separate genes, d1 being ubiquitous while d2 is predominantly expressed at the cell surface in kidney and osteoclast. To determine whether it forms part of the pump's central stalk as suggested by bacterial A-ATPase studies, or is peripheral as hypothesized from a yeast model, we investigated both human d subunit isoforms. In silico structural modelling demonstrated that human d1 and d2 are structural orthologues of bacterial subunit C, despite poor sequence identity. Expression studies of d1 and d2 showed that each can pull down the central stalk's D and F subunits from human kidney membrane, and in vitro studies using D and F further showed that the interactions between these proteins and the d subunit is direct. These data indicate that the d subunit in man is centrally located within the pump and is thus important in its rotary mechanism.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel form of the human vacuolar H+-ATPase e-subunit: an essential proton pump component.

Several of the 13 subunits comprising mammalian H(+)-ATPases have multiple alternative forms, encoded by separate genes and with differing tissue expression patterns. These may play an important role in the intracellular localization and activity of H(+)-ATPases. Here we report the cloning of a previously uncharacterized human gene, ATP6V0E2, encoding a novel H(+)-ATPase e-subunit designated e2. We demonstrate that in contrast to the ubiquitously expressed gene encoding the e1 subunit (previously called e), this novel gene is expressed in a more restricted tissue distribution, particularly kidney and brain. We show by complementation studies in a yeast strain deficient for the ortholog of this subunit, that either form of the e-subunit is essential for proper proton pump function. The identification of this novel form of the e-subunit lends further support to the hypothesis that subunit differences may play a key role in the structure, site and function of H(+)-ATPases within the cell.

V1 and V0 domains of the human H+-ATPase are linked by an interaction between the G and a subunits.

The specialized H(+)-ATPases found in the inner ear and acid-handling cells in the renal collecting duct differ from those at other sites, as they contain tissue-specific subunits, such as a4 and B1, and in the kidney, C2, d2, and G3 as well. These subunits replace the ubiquitously expressed forms. Previously, we have shown that, in major organs of both mouse and man, G3 subunit expression is limited to the kidney. Here we have shown wide-spread transcription of murine G3 in specific segments of microdissected nephron, and demonstrated additional G3 expression in epithelial fragments from human inner ear. We raised a polyclonal G3-specific antibody, which specifically detects G3 from human, mouse, and rat kidney lysates, and displays no cross-reactivity with G1 or G2. However, immunolocalization using this antibody on human and mouse kidney sections was unachievable, suggesting epitope masking. Phage display analysis and subsequent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using the G3 antibody epitope peptide as bait, identified a possible interaction between the G3 subunit and the a4 subunit of the H(+)-ATPase. This interaction was verified by successfully using purified, immobilized full-length G3 to pull down the a4 subunit from human kidney membrane preparations. This confirms that a4 and G3 are component subunits of the same proton pump and explains the observed epitope masking. This interaction was also found to be a more general feature of human H(+)-ATPases, as similar G1/a1, G3/a1, and G1/a4 interactions were also demonstrated. These interactions represent a novel link between the V(1) and V(0) domains in man, which is known to be required for H(+)-ATPase assembly and regulation.

Vacuolar H+-ATPase d2 subunit: molecular characterization, developmental regulation, and localization to specialized proton pumps in kidney and bone.

The ubiquitous multisubunit vacuolar-type proton pump (H+- or V-ATPase) is essential for acidification of diverse intracellular compartments. It is also present in specialized forms at the plasma membrane of intercalated cells in the distal nephron, where it is required for urine acidification, and in osteoclasts, playing an important role in bone resorption by acid secretion across the ruffled border membrane. It was reported previously that, in human, several of the renal pump's constituent subunits are encoded by genes that are different from those that are ubiquitously expressed. These paralogous proteins may be important in differential functions, targeting or regulation of H+-ATPases. They include the d subunit, where d1 is ubiquitous whereas d2 has a limited tissue expression. This article reports on an investigation of d2. It was first confirmed that in mouse, as in human, kidney and bone are two of the main sites of d2 mRNA expression. d2 mRNA and protein appear later during nephrogenesis than does the ubiquitously expressed E1 subunit. Mouse nephron-segment reverse transcription-PCR revealed detectable mRNA in all segments except thin limb of Henle's loop and distal convoluted tubule. However, with the use of a novel d2-specific antibody, high-intensity d2 staining was observed only in intercalated cells of the collecting duct in fresh-frozen human kidney, where it co-localized with the a4 subunit in the characteristic plasma membrane-enhanced pattern. In human bone, d2 co-localized with the a3 subunit in osteoclasts. This different subunit association in different tissues emphasizes the possibility of the H+-ATPase as a future therapeutic target.

Co-expression of pendrin, vacuolar H+-ATPase alpha4-subunit and carbonic anhydrase II in epithelial cells of the murine endolymphatic sac.

The endolymph in the endolymphatic sac (ES) is acidic (pH 6.6-7). Maintaining this acidic lumen is believed to be important for the normal function of the ES. The acid-base regulation mechanisms of the ES are unknown. Here we investigated the expression patterns of acid-base regulators, including vacuolar (v)H+-ATPase (proton pump), carbonic anhydrase (CA) II, and pendrin in the murine ES epithelium by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and compared their expression patterns by double immunostaining. We found that pendrin and vH+-ATPase were co-localized in the apical membrane of a specific type of ES epithelial cell. Pendrin- and vH+-ATPase-positive cells also expressed cytoplasmic CA II. Co-expression of pendrin, vH+-ATPase, and CA II in the same subgroup of ES cells suggests that this specific type of ES cell is responsible for the acid-base balance processes in the ES and pendrin, vH+-ATPase, and CA II are involved in these processes.

Revised nomenclature for mammalian vacuolar-type H+ -ATPase subunit genes.

To date, the nomenclature of mammalian genes encoding the numerous subunits and their many isoforms that comprise the family of vacuolar H(+)-ATPases has not been systematic, resulting in confusion both in the literature and among investigators. We present the official new system for these genes, approved by both Human and Mouse Gene Nomenclature Committees.

Association of the T-cell regulatory gene CTLA4 with susceptibility to autoimmune disease.

Genes and mechanisms involved in common complex diseases, such as the autoimmune disorders that affect approximately 5% of the population, remain obscure. Here we identify polymorphisms of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 gene (CTLA4)--which encodes a vital negative regulatory molecule of the immune system--as candidates for primary determinants of risk of the common autoimmune disorders Graves' disease, autoimmune hypothyroidism and type 1 diabetes. In humans, disease susceptibility was mapped to a non-coding 6.1 kb 3' region of CTLA4, the common allelic variation of which was correlated with lower messenger RNA levels of the soluble alternative splice form of CTLA4. In the mouse model of type 1 diabetes, susceptibility was also associated with variation in CTLA-4 gene splicing with reduced production of a splice form encoding a molecule lacking the CD80/CD86 ligand-binding domain. Genetic mapping of variants conferring a small disease risk can identify pathways in complex disorders, as exemplified by our discovery of inherited, quantitative alterations of CTLA4 contributing to autoimmune tissue destruction.

Non-polarized targeting of AE1 causes autosomal dominant distal renal tubular acidosis.

Autosomal dominant distal renal tubular acidosis (ddRTA) is caused by mutations in SLC4A1, which encodes the polytopic chloride-bicarbonate exchanger AE1 that is normally expressed at the basolateral surface of alpha-intercalated cells in the distal nephron. Here we report that, in contrast with many disorders in which mutant membrane proteins are retained intracellularly and degraded, ddRTA can result from aberrant targeting of AE1 to the apical surface.

Molecular cloning and characterization of novel tissue-specific isoforms of the human vacuolar H(+)-ATPase C, G and d subunits, and their evaluation in autosomal recessive distal renal tubular acidosis.

Several of the 13 subunits comprising mammalian H(+)-ATPases have multiple isoforms, encoded by separate genes and with differing tissue expression patterns, which may play an important role in the intracellular localization and activity of H(+)-ATPases. Here we report the cloning of three previously uncharacterized human genes, ATP6V1C2, ATP6V1G3 and ATP6V0D2, encoding novel H(+)-ATPase subunit isoforms C2, G3 and d2, respectively. We demonstrate that these novel genes are expressed in kidney and few other tissues, and confirm previous reports that the C1, G1 and d1 isoforms are ubiquitously expressed, while G2 is brain-specific. Previously we have shown that mutations in two kidney-specific genes, ATP6V1B1 and ATP6V0A4, encoding the H(+)-ATPase B1 and a4 subunit isoforms, cause recessive distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). As the genes reported here are expressed mainly in kidney, we assessed their candidacy as causative genes for recessive dRTA in eight kindreds unlinked to either known disease locus. Although no potential disease-causing mutations were seen in this cohort, this does not rule out a role for these genes in other families. The identification of these three novel tissue-specific isoforms supports the hypothesis that subunit differences may play a key role in the structure, site and function of H(+)-ATPases within the cell.