Critical roles of Sp1 in gene expression of human and rat H+/organic cation antiporter MATE1.

A H+/organic cation antiporter (multidrug and toxin extrusion 1: MATE1/SLC47A1) plays important roles in the tubular secretion of various clinically important cationic drugs such as cimetidine. We have recently found that the regulation of this transporter greatly affects the pharmacokinetic properties of cationic drugs in vivo. No information is available about the regulatory mechanisms for the MATE1 gene. In the present study, therefore, we examined the gene regulation of human (h) and rat (r) MATE1, focusing on basal expression. A deletion analysis suggested that the regions spanning -65/-25 and -146/-38 were essential for the basal transcriptional activity of the hMATE1 and rMATE1 promoter, respectively, and that both regions contained putative Sp1-binding sites. Functional involvement of Sp1 was confirmed by Sp1 overexpression, a mutational analysis of Sp1-binding sites, mithramycin A treatment, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Furthermore, we found a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of hMATE1 (G-32A), which belongs to a Sp1-binding site. The allelic frequency of this rSNP was 3.7%, and Sp1-binding and promoter activity were significantly decreased. This is the first study to clarify the transcriptional mechanisms of the MATE1 gene and to identify a SNP affecting the promoter activity of hMATE1.

Towards understanding the polycystins.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a very common inherited disease caused by mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 genes characterized by progressive enlargement of fluid-filled cysts and loss of renal function [1]. Previous studies proposed a role for human polycystin-1 in renal morphogenesis acting as a matrix receptor in focal adhesions and for polycystin-2 as a putative calcium channel [2, 3]. The genome of Caenorhabditis elegans contains 2 new members of the polycystin family: lov-1, the homolog for PKD1; and pkd-2, the homolog for PKD2 [4; this paper]. Mutation analysis in C. elegans showed similarly compromised male mating behaviors in all single and double lov-1 and pkd-2 mutants, indicating their participation in a single genetic pathway. Expression analysis localized LOV-1 and PKD-2 to the ends of sensory neurons in male tails and to the tips of CEM neurons in the head, consistent with functions as chemo- or mechanosensors. Human and C. elegans PKD1 and PKD2 homologs, transfected into mammalian renal epithelial cells, co-localized with paxillin in focal adhesions suggesting function in a single biological pathway. Based on the role of polycystins in C. elegans sensory neuron function and the conservation of PKD pathways we suggest that polycystins act as sensors of the extracellular environment, initiating, via focal adhesion assembly, intracellular transduction events in neuronal or morphogenetic processes.

Studies of cell division (mitosis and cytokinesis) by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry ion microscopy: LLC-PK1 epithelial cells as a model for subcellular isotopic imaging.

The feasibility of the renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cell line as a model for cell division studies with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was tested. In this cell line, cells undergoing all stages of mitosis and cytokinesis remained firmly attached to the substrate and could be cryogenically prepared. Fractured freeze-dried mitotic cells showed well-preserved organelles as revealed by fluorescence imaging of rhodamine-123 and C6-NBD-ceramide by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Secondary electron microscopy analysis of fractured freeze-dried dividing cells revealed minimal surface topography that does not interfere in isotopic imaging of both positive (39K, 23Na, 24Mg, 40Ca, etc.) and negative (31P, 35Cl, etc.) secondaries with a CAMECA IMS-3f ion microscope. Mitotic cells revealed well-preserved intracellular ionic composition of even the most diffusible ions (total concentrations of 39K+ and 23Na+) as revealed by K : Na ratios of approximately 10. Structurally damaged mitotic cells could be identified by their reduced K : Na ratios and an excessive loading of calcium. Quantitative three-dimensional SIMS analysis was required for studying subcellular calcium distribution in dividing cells. The LLC-PK1 model also allowed SIMS studies of M-phase arrested cells with mitosis-arresting drugs (taxol, monastrol and nocodazole). This study opens new avenues of cell division research related to ion fluxes and chemical composition with SIMS.

Molecular cloning of NHE3 from LLC-PK1 cells and localization in pig kidney.

LLC-PK1 cells, an established line from pig kidney, express basolateral and apical Na+/H+ exchangers that can be distinguished by their differing sensitivities to the amiloride analog N-ethyl-N-isopropylamiloride (EIPA). It has been shown previously that the basolateral exchanger is encoded by NHE1. In the present study, a combination of reverse transcription-PCR, 5' RACE, and genomic library screening was used to clone the coding region of the porcine NHE3 gene. There was significant homology between the LLC-PK1 sequence and the previously reported rabbit and rat NHE3 genes, with nucleotide and deduced amino acid identities of 87 and 85% in rabbit, and 85 and 87% in rat, respectively. To study expression patterns, Northern analysis was carried out using an NHE3 cDNA to probe poly(A)+ RNA isolated from LLC-PK1 cells, and from pig kidney cortex. In all three cases, a major transcript of 6.1 kb was detected along with two minor transcripts of 4.7 and 3.8 kb. In situ hybridization with two different NHE3 probes gave intense labeling of the distal convoluted tubule in pig kidney but (unexpectedly) no detectable labeling of the proximal tubule. These studies suggest that there are marked species differences in NHE3 expression in the distal nephron.

Voltammetric studies on mechanisms of dopamine efflux in the presence of substrates and cocaine from cells expressing human norepinephrine transporter.

The effects of substrates m-tyramine and beta-phenethylamine, as well as cocaine, on the DA efflux from a cell line stably expressing the human norepinephrine transporter (hNET) were investigated by using rotating disk electrode voltammetry. Both the substrates and cocaine induced apparent DA efflux in a concentration-dependent manner. Their EC50 values for inducing DA efflux were similar to their IC50 values for inhibiting DA uptake. The substrate-induced DA efflux was inhibited by various NET blockers, enhanced by raising the internal [Na+] with Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition, but was insensitive to membrane potential-altering agents valinomycin, veratridine, and high [K+]. The initial rate of m-tyramine-induced DA efflux was related to preloaded [DA] in a manner defined by a Michaelis-Menten expression. In contrast, DA efflux in the presence of cocaine displayed a much slower efflux rate, lower efficacy, was not stimulated by elevated internal [Na+], and was nonsaturable with preloaded [DA]. Single exponential kinetic analysis of the entire time course of the DA efflux showed that the apparent first-order rate constant for m-tyramine-induced DA efflux declined with increased preloaded [DA], whereas that for the DA efflux in the presence of cocaine was unchanged with varying preloaded [DA]. These results suggest that the substrates stimulate the NET-dependent DA efflux by increasing the accessibility of the NET to internal DA, whereas cocaine "uncovers" NET-independent DA efflux by reducing the accessibility of diffused/leaked external DA to the NET.

Effect of long-term hyperosmolality on the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform NHE-3 in LLC-PK1 cells.

The effects of long-term exposure to hyperosmotic medium on the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform NHE-3 were examined in cultured renal epithelial cells (LLC-PK1). LLC-PK1 cells were grown to confluence in control medium (310 mOsm/kg H2O) and then either switched to a hyperosmotic medium (510 mOsm/kg H2O; addition of NaCl or mannitol) or maintained in the control medium for 48 hours. The Na+/H+ exchanger activity was then assessed in isosmotic solutions by measurement of amiloride-sensitive acid-stimulated 22Na+ influx or Na+-dependent acid extrusion. Acid-stimulated 22Na+ influx was decreased significantly in cells incubated in hyperosmotic medium (10.5 +/- 0.9 nmol/mg protein, control vs. 5.8 +/- 0.6, hyperosmotic; P < 0.01). Incubation in hyperosmotic medium also decreased the initial rate of Na+-dependent acid extrusion by approximately 60% over the intracellular pH range 6.9 to 7.3. Intracellular buffering power did not differ in the control and hyperosmotic groups. The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform NHE-3 mRNA and protein, assessed by Northern hybridization and immunoblot analysis, respectively, were unchanged in LLC-PK1 cells incubated in hyperosmotic medium compared with controls, suggesting post-translational regulation by high osmolality. These results demonstrate that long-term exposure to hyperosmotic medium causes an adaptive decrease in Na+/H+ exchange (NHE-3) activity in LLC-PK1 cells, and that this effect is unlikely to involve antiporter gene regulation or a change in protein abundance.

Disassociation of oxidant-induced ATP depletion and DNA damage from early cytotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells.

To determine the mechanism(s) of oxidant-mediated cell lysis in renal tubular epithelial cells, we determined ATP depletion, DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and cytotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells exposed to 500 microM hydrogen peroxide for 1 h with and without inhibitors of lipid peroxidation including a lazaroid compound, 2-methylaminochroman (2-MAC), and Trolox, a vitamin E analog. ATP levels were determined by luciferin-luciferase, DNA damage by the alkaline unwinding technique, lipid peroxidation by the generation of malondialdehyde, and early cytotoxicity (5 h) by the release of 51Cr, whereas late cytotoxicity (24 h) was determined by release of [3H]leucine from prelabeled cells. Cells exposed to 500 microM hydrogen peroxide demonstrated significant (P < 0.01) ATP depletion, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation, followed by cell death at 5 h. Concentrations of 0.1-25 microM 2-MAC or 25-500 microM Trolox each markedly and significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited lipid peroxidation and early cytotoxicity but had little to no effect on ATP depletion or DNA damage. Thus oxidant-stressed cells remained intact for several hours despite significant ATP depletion and DNA damage when lipid peroxidation was inhibited with the antioxidant compounds. At 24 h, 2-MAG and Trolox had lost their protective effect, suggesting that mechanisms other than lipid peroxidation play a role in later cytotoxicity. We conclude that ATP depletion and DNA damage are not the primary mediators of early cytotoxicity following oxidant stress, whereas lipid peroxidation plays an central role in mediating early cytotoxicity following oxidant injury.

The molecular response to reductive stress in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells: coordinate transcriptional regulation of gadd153 and grp78 genes by thiols.

Organic thiols are toxic to eukaryotic cells. Treatment of cells with thiols activates expression of grp78, but it is not known if, like other forms of stress, there is a battery of stress response genes that are induced by thiols. In LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells, mRNAs for both grp78 and gadd153 were induced by thiols with similar time, concentration and structure-activity dependence. Dithiothreitol (DTT) was the most potent reductant and inducer of gene expression among the thiols tested. Nuclear run-on assays demonstrated that DTT activated both grp78 and gadd153 genes transcriptionally. A hamster gadd153 promoter construct which contains enhancer elements necessary for gadd153 activation was stably integrated into the LLC-PK1 cell genome and was activated by DTT. Although auto-oxidation of thiols can generate active oxygen species, transcriptional activation of the gadd153 promoter was not due to formation of hydrogen peroxide or superoxide since neither catalase nor superoxide dismutase prevented activation of the gadd153 promoter by DTT. The concentration dependence for activation of the gadd153 promoter correlated with inhibition of dome formation and protein synthesis, two toxic effects of DTT in LLC-PK1 cells. Thus, both grp78 and gadd153 are members of a gene battery which is responsive to reductive stress. There appears to be considerable, but not complete, overlap between the upstream signaling pathways for activation of both genes.

Microlith formation in vitro by Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of renal stone genesis as well as the location of stone crystal formation in the kidney remains unclear. Possible sites of stone generation are either in the tubular lumen or tubular cell. METHODS: We cultured Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK), LLC-PK1 and Magen Krebs Niigata-28 (MKN-28) cells in DMEM + 10% FBS medium in a well without passage for 30 days. RESULTS: MDCK cells produced microliths at the basolateral side but not on the lumen side of these cells. The other two cell lines did not form microliths. CONCLUSION: Our data show that microlith formation is a characteristic of MDCK cells and that biological mineralization of MDCK cells may serve as a human urolithiasis model in vitro. The findings support a significant role of the renal distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts in the in vitro generation of urinary stones.