Identification and characterization of four novel phosphorylation sites (Ser31, Ser325, Thr336 and Thr366) on LKB1/STK11, the protein kinase mutated in Peutz–Jeghers cancer syndrome

2002 ◽  
Vol 362 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal P. SAPKOTA ◽  
Jérôme BOUDEAU ◽  
Maria DEAK ◽  
Agnieszka KIELOCH ◽  
Nick MORRICE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Cancer Syndrome ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
In Cells

Peutz—Jeghers syndrome is an inherited cancer syndrome, which results in a greatly increased risk of developing tumours in those affected. The causative gene encodes a nuclear-localized protein kinase, termed LKB1, which is predicted to function as a tumour suppressor. The mechanism by which LKB1 is regulated in cells is not known, and nor have any of its physiological substrates been identified. Recent studies have demonstrated that LKB1 is phosphorylated in cells. As a first step towards identifying the roles that phosphorylation of LKB1 play, we have mapped the residues that are phosphorylated in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells, as well as the major in vitro autophosphorylation sites. We demonstrate that LKB1 expressed in HEK-293 cells, in addition to being phosphorylated at Ser431, a previously characterized phosphorylation site, is also phosphorylated at Ser31, Ser325 and Thr366. Incubation of wild-type LKB1, but not a catalytically inactive mutant, with manganese-ATP in vitro resulted in the phosphorylation of LKB1 at Thr336 as well as at Thr366. We were unable to detect autophosphorylation at Thr189, a site previously claimed to be an LKB1 autophosphorylation site. A catalytically inactive mutant of LKB1 was phosphorylated at Ser31 and Ser325 in HEK-293 cells to the same extent as the wild-type enzyme, indicating that LKB1 does not phosphorylate itself at these residues. We show that phosphorylation of LKB1 does not directly affect its nuclear localization or its catalytic activity in vitro, but that its phosphorylation at Thr336, and perhaps to a lesser extent at Thr366, inhibits LKB1 from suppressing cell growth.

scholarly journals AMP-activated protein kinase regulates the vacuolar H+-ATPase via direct phosphorylation of the A subunit (ATP6V1A) in the kidney

2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (7) ◽  
pp. F943-F956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Alzamora ◽  
Mohammad M. Al-Bataineh ◽  
Wen Liu ◽  
Fan Gong ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Collecting Duct ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Intercalated Cells ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Amp Activated Protein Kinase

The vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) in intercalated cells contributes to luminal acidification in the kidney collecting duct and nonvolatile acid excretion. We previously showed that the A subunit in the cytoplasmic V1 sector of the V-ATPase (ATP6V1A) is phosphorylated by the metabolic sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in vitro and in kidney cells. Here, we demonstrate that treatment of rabbit isolated, perfused collecting ducts with the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) inhibited V-ATPase-dependent H+ secretion from intercalated cells after an acid load. We have identified by mass spectrometry that Ser-384 is a major AMPK phosphorylation site in the V-ATPase A subunit, a result confirmed by comparing AMPK-dependent phosphate labeling of wild-type A-subunit (WT-A) with that of a Ser-384-to-Ala A subunit mutant (S384A-A) in vitro and in intact HEK-293 cells. Compared with WT-A-expressing HEK-293 cells, S384A-A-expressing cells exhibited greater steady-state acidification of HCO3−-containing media. Moreover, AICAR treatment of clone C rabbit intercalated cells expressing the WT-A subunit reduced V-ATPase-dependent extracellular acidification, an effect that was blocked in cells expressing the phosphorylation-deficient S384A-A mutant. Finally, expression of the S384A-A mutant prevented cytoplasmic redistribution of the V-ATPase by AICAR in clone C cells. In summary, direct phosphorylation of the A subunit at Ser-384 by AMPK represents a novel regulatory mechanism of the V-ATPase in kidney intercalated cells. Regulation of the V-ATPase by AMPK may couple V-ATPase activity to cellular metabolic status with potential relevance to ischemic injury in the kidney and other tissues.

Effect of human acetylcholinesterase subunit assembly on its circulatory residence

2001 ◽  
Vol 354 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodor CHITLARU ◽  
Chanoch KRONMAN ◽  
Baruch VELAN ◽  
Avigdor SHAFFERMAN
Keyword(s):  
Laser Desorption Ionization ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ionization Time ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Differential Behaviour ◽  
Oligomeric Forms

Sialylated recombinant human acetylcholinesterase (rHuAChE), produced by stably transfected cells, is composed of a mixed population of monomers, dimers and tetramers and manifests a time-dependent circulatory enrichment of the higher-order oligomeric forms. To investigate this phenomenon further, homogeneous preparations of rHuAChE differing in their oligomerization statuses were generated: (1) monomers, represented by the oligomerization-impaired C580A-rHuAChE mutant, (2) wild-type (WT) dimers and (3) tetramers of WT-rHuAChE generated in vitro by complexation with a synthetic ColQ-derived proline-rich attachment domain (‘PRAD’) peptide. Three different series of each of these three oligoform preparations were produced: (1) partly sialylated, derived from HEK-293 cells; (2) fully sialylated, derived from engineered HEK-293 cells expressing high levels of sialyltransferase; and (3) desialylated, after treatment with sialidase to remove sialic acid termini quantitatively. The oligosaccharides associated with each of the various preparations were extensively analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight MS. With the enzyme preparations comprising the fully sialylated series, a clear linear relationship between oligomerization and circulatory mean residence time (MRT) was observed. Thus monomers, dimers and tetramers exhibited MRTs of 110, 195 and 740min respectively. As the level of sialylation decreased, this differential behaviour became less pronounced; eventually, after desialylation all oligoforms had the same MRT (5min). These observations suggest that multiple removal systems contribute to the elimination of AChE from the circulation. Here we also demonstrate that by the combined modulation of sialylation and tetramerization it is possible to generate a rHuAChE displaying a circulatory residence exceeding that of all other known forms of native or recombinant human AChE.

scholarly journals Characterization of the reversible phosphorylation and activation of ERK8

2006 ◽  
Vol 394 (1) ◽  
pp. 365-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva V. Klevernic ◽  
Margaret J. Stafford ◽  
Nicholas Morrice ◽  
Mark Peggie ◽  
Simon Morton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Insect Cells ◽  
Osmotic Shock ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells

ERK8 (extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase 8) expressed in Escherichia coli or insect cells was catalytically active and phosphorylated at both residues of the Thr-Glu-Tyr motif. Dephosphorylation of the threonine residue by PP2A (protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2A) decreased ERK8 activity by over 95% in vitro, whereas complete dephosphorylation of the tyrosine residue by PTP1B (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B) decreased activity by only 15–20%. Wild-type ERK8 expressed in HEK-293 cells was over 100-fold less active than the enzyme expressed in bacteria or insect cells, but activity could be increased by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, by incubation with the protein serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, or more weakly by osmotic shock. In unstimulated cells, ERK8 was monophosphorylated at Tyr-177, and exposure to hydrogen peroxide induced the appearance of ERK8 that was dually phosphorylated at both Thr-175 and Tyr-177. IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), EGF (epidermal growth factor), PMA or anisomycin had little effect on activity. In HEK-293 cells, phosphorylation of the Thr-Glu-Tyr motif of ERK8 was prevented by Ro 318220, a potent inhibitor of ERK8 in vitro. The catalytically inactive mutants ERK8[D154A] and ERK8[K42A] were not phosphorylated in HEK-293 cells or E. coli, whether or not the cells had been incubated with protein phosphatase inhibitors or exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Our results suggest that the activity of ERK8 in transfected HEK-293 cells depends on the relative rates of ERK8 autophosphorylation and dephosphorylation by one or more members of the PPP family of protein serine/threonine phosphatases. The major residue in myelin basic protein phosphorylated by ERK8 (Ser-126) was distinct from that phosphorylated by ERK2 (Thr-97), demonstrating that, although ERK8 is a proline-directed protein kinase, its specificity is distinct from ERK1/ERK2.

scholarly journals Mutation of protein kinase C phosphorylation site S1076 on α-subunits affects BKCa channel activity in HEK-293 cells

2009 ◽  
Vol 297 (4) ◽  
pp. L758-L766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Zhu ◽  
Darren D. Browning ◽  
Richard E. White ◽  
David Fulton ◽  
Scott A. Barman
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Excitatory Effect ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle Function ◽  
Α Subunits

Large conductance, calcium- and voltage-activated potassium (BKCa) channels are important modulators of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle membrane potential, and phosphorylation of BKCa channels by protein kinases regulates pulmonary arterial smooth muscle function. However, little is known about the effect of phosphorylating specific channel subunits on BKCa channel activity. The present study was done to determine the effect of mutating protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation site serine 1076 (S1076) on transfected human BKCa channel α-subunits in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, a heterologous expression system devoid of endogenous BKCa channels. Results showed that mutating S1076 altered the effect of PKC activation on BKCa channels in HEK-293 cells. Specifically, the phospho-deficient mutation BKCa-α(S1076A)/β1 attenuated the excitatory effect of the PKC activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on BKCa channels, whereas the phospho-mimetic mutation BKCa-α(S1076E)/β1 increased the excitatory effect of PMA on BKCa channels. In addition, the phospho-null mutation S1076A blocked the activating effect of cGMP-dependent protein kinase G (PKG) on BKCa channels. Collectively, these results suggest that specific putative PKC phosphorylation site(s) on human BKCa channel α-subunits influences BKCa channel activity, which may subsequently alter pulmonary vascular smooth muscle function and tone.

scholarly journals Identification and Functional Characterization of Protein Kinase A-catalyzed Phosphorylation of Potassium Channel Kv1.2 at Serine 449

2009 ◽  
Vol 284 (24) ◽  
pp. 16562-16574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalyn P. Johnson ◽  
Ahmed F. El-Yazbi ◽  
Morgan F. Hughes ◽  
David C. Schriemer ◽  
Emma J. Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Protein Kinase A ◽  
Delayed Rectifier ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
Maldi Tof ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Kinase A

Vascular smooth muscle Kv1 delayed rectifier K+ channels (KDR) containing Kv1.2 control membrane potential and thereby regulate contractility. Vasodilatory agonists acting via protein kinase A (PKA) enhance vascule smooth muscle Kv1 activity, but the molecular basis of this regulation is uncertain. We characterized the role of a C-terminal phosphorylation site, Ser-449, in Kv1.2 expressed in HEK 293 cells by biochemical and electrophysiological methods. We found that 1) in vitro phosphorylation of Kv1.2 occurred exclusively at serine residues, 2) one major phosphopeptide that co-migrated with 449pSASTISK was generated by proteolysis of in vitro phosphorylated Kv1.2, 3) the peptide 445KKSRSASTISK exhibited stoichiometric phosphorylation by PKA in vitro, 4) matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy (MS) and MS/MS confirmed in vitro Ser-449 phosphorylation by PKA, 5) in situ phosphorylation at Ser-449 was detected in HEK 293 cells by MALDI-TOF MS followed by MS/MS. MIDAS (multiple reaction monitoring-initiated detection and sequencing) analysis revealed additional phosphorylated residues, Ser-440 and Ser-441, 6) in vitro32P incorporation was significantly reduced in Kv1.2-S449A, Kv1.2-S449D, and Kv1.2-S440A/S441A/S449A mutant channels, but Kv1.2-S440A/S441A was identical to wild-type Kv1.2 (Kv1.2-WT), and 7) bath applied 8-Br-cAMP or dialysis with PKA catalytic subunit (cPKA) increased Kv1.2-WT but not Kv1.2-S449A current amplitude. cPKA increased Kv1.2-WT current in inside-out patches. Rp-CPT-cAMPS reduced Kv1.2-WT current, blocked the increase due to 8-Br-cAMP, but had no effect on Kv1.2-S449A. cPKA increased current due to double mutant Kv1.2-S440A/S441A but had no effect on Kv1.2-S449D or Kv1.2-S440A/S441A/S449A. We conclude that Ser-449 in Kv1.2 is a site of PKA phosphorylation and a potential molecular mechanism for Kv1-containing KDR channel modulation by agonists via PKA activation.

scholarly journals Insulin-induced phospholipase D1 and phospholipase D2 activity in human embryonic kidney-293 cells mediated by the phospholipase Cγ and protein kinase Cα signalling cascade

2000 ◽  
Vol 351 (3) ◽  
pp. 613-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita SLAABY ◽  
Guangwei DU ◽  
Yelena M. ALTSHULLER ◽  
Michael A. FROHMAN ◽  
Klaus SEEDORF
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Human Embryonic Kidney ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Phospholipase D1

Phospholipase D (PLD)1 is quiescent in vitro and in vivo until stimulated by classical protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, ADP-ribosylation factor or Rho family members. By contrast, PLD2 has high basal activity, and the mechanisms involved in agonist-induced activation of PLD2 are poorly understood. Using transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells as a model system, we report in the present study that PLD2 overexpressed in HEK-293 cells exhibits regulatory properties similar to PLD1 when stimulated in response to insulin and phorbol ester. Co-expression of PLD1 or PLD2 with PKCα results in constitutive activation of both PLD isoforms, which cannot be further stimulated by insulin. Co-expression of PLD1 with phospholipase C (PLC)γ has the same effect, while co-expression of PLD2 with PLCγ allows PLD2 activity to be stimulated in an insulin-dependent manner. The PKC-specific inhibitors bisindolylmaleimide and Gö 6976 abolish insulin-induced PLD2 activation in HEK-293 cells co-expressing the insulin receptor, PLCγ and PLD2, confirming that not only PLD1, but PLD2 as well, is regulated in a PKC-dependent manner. Finally, we provide evidence that PKCα is constitutively associated with PLD2. In summary, we demonstrate that insulin treatment results in activation of both PLD1 and PLD2 in appropriate cell types when the appropriate upstream intermediate signalling components, i.e. PKCα and PLCγ, are expressed at sufficient levels.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation by parathyroid hormone in distal tubule cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (3) ◽  
pp. F1028-F1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Bruce Sneddon ◽  
Yanmei Yang ◽  
Jianming Ba ◽  
Lisa M. Harinstein ◽  
Peter A. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Media ◽  
Kidney Cells ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Egfr Transactivation ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Erk Activation ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Extracellular Signal

The PTH receptor (PTH1R) activates multiple signaling pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). The role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in ERK1/2 activation by PTH in distal kidney cells, a primary site of PTH action, was characterized. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was stimulated by PTH and blocked by the EGFR inhibitor, AG1478. Upon PTH stimulation, metalloprotease cleavage of membrane-bound heparin-binding fragment (HB-EGF) induced EGFR transactivation of ERK. Conditioned media from PTH-treated distal kidney cells activated ERK in HEK-293 cells. AG1478 added to HEK-293 cells ablated transactivation by conditioned media. HB-EGF directly activated ERK1/2 in HEK-293 cells. Pretreatment of distal kidney cells with the metalloprotease inhibitor GM-6001 abolished transactivation of ERK1/2 by PTH. The role of the PTH1R COOH terminus in PTX-sensitive ERK1/2 activation was characterized in HEK-293 cells transfected with wild-type PTH1R, with a PTH1R mutated at its COOH terminus, or with PTH1R truncated at position 480. PTH stimulated ERK by wild-type, mutated and truncated PTH1Rs 21-, 27- and 57-fold, respectively. Thus, the PTH1R COOH terminus exerts an inhibitory effect on ERK activation. EBP50, a scaffolding protein that binds to the PDZ recognition domain of the PTH1R, impaired PTH but not isoproterenol or calcitonin-induced ERK activation. Pertussis toxin inhibited PTH-stimulated ERK1/2 by mutated and truncated PTH1Rs and abolished ERK1/2 activation by wild-type PTH1R. We conclude that ERK phosphorylation in distal kidney cells by PTH requires PTH1R activation of Gi, which leads to stimulation of metalloprotease-mediated cleavage of HB-EGF and transactivation of the EGFR and is regulated by EBP50.

The effects of zolpidem treatment and withdrawal on the in vitro expression of recombinant α1β2γ2s GABAA receptors expressed in HEK 293 cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 382 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josipa Vlainić ◽  
Maja Jazvinšćak Jembrek ◽  
Dubravka Švob Štrac ◽  
Danka Peričić
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptors ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
In Vitro Expression ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells

scholarly journals Regulation of multisite phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding of AS160 in response to IGF-1, EGF, PMA and AICAR

2007 ◽  
Vol 407 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Geraghty ◽  
Shuai Chen ◽  
Jean E. Harthill ◽  
Adel F. Ibrahim ◽  
Rachel Toth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Glucose Transporter ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Ribosomal S6 Kinase ◽  
Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase ◽  
Amp Activated Protein Kinase

AS160 (Akt substrate of 160 kDa) mediates insulin-stimulated GLUT4 (glucose transporter 4) translocation, but is widely expressed in insulin-insensitive tissues lacking GLUT4. Having isolated AS160 by 14-3-3-affinity chromatography, we found that binding of AS160 to 14-3-3 isoforms in HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells was induced by IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), EGF (epidermal growth factor), PMA and, to a lesser extent, AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside). AS160-14-3-3 interactions were stabilized by chemical cross-linking and abolished by dephosphorylation. Eight residues on AS160 (Ser318, Ser341, Thr568, Ser570, Ser588, Thr642, Ser666 and Ser751) were differentially phosphorylated in response to IGF-1, EGF, PMA and AICAR. The binding of 14-3-3 proteins to HA–AS160 (where HA is haemagglutinin) was markedly decreased by mutation of Thr642 and abolished in a Thr642Ala/Ser341Ala double mutant. The AGC (protein kinase A/protein kinase G/protein kinase C-family) kinases RSK1 (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1), SGK1 (serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1) and PKB (protein kinase B) displayed distinct signatures of AS160 phosphorylation in vitro: all three kinases phosphorylated Ser318, Ser588 and Thr642; RSK1 also phosphorylated Ser341, Ser751 and to a lesser extent Thr568; and SGK1 phosphorylated Thr568 and Ser751. AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) preferentially phosphorylated Ser588, with less phosphorylation of other sites. In cells, the IGF-1-stimulated phosphorylations, and certain EGF-stimulated phosphorylations, were inhibited by PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitors, whereas the RSK inhibitor BI-D1870 inhibited the PMA-induced phosphorylations. The expression of LKB1 in HeLa cells and the use of AICAR in HEK-293 cells promoted phosphorylation of Ser588, but only weak Ser341 and Thr642 phosphorylations and binding to 14-3-3s. Paradoxically however, phenformin activated AMPK without promoting AS160 phosphorylation. The IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of the novel phosphorylated Ser666-Pro site was suppressed by AICAR, and by combined mutation of a TOS (mTOR signalling)-like sequence (FEMDI) and rapamycin. Thus, although AS160 is a common target of insulin, IGF-1, EGF, PMA and AICAR, these stimuli induce distinctive patterns of phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding, mediated by at least four protein kinases.

Structural and Functional Interactions of KCl Cotransport Proteins KCC1 and KCC3 in Sickle and Normal Erythrocyte Membranes

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2474-2474
Author(s):  
Mary Risinger ◽  
Jesse Rinehart ◽  
Scott Crable ◽  
Anna Ottlinger ◽  
Richard Winkelmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Western Blot Analysis ◽  
Erythrocyte Membranes ◽  
Western Blots ◽  
Hek 293 ◽  
Hek 293 Cells ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
In Cells

Abstract The KCl cotransporter (KCC) mediates volume reduction in normal reticulocytes and exaggerated KCC activity in sickle red blood cells (SS RBC) (Joiner et al, Blood109:1728, 2007) contributes to pathological dehydration that potentiates sickling. Three separate genes (KCC1, KCC3, KCC4) are expressed in RBC (Crable et al, Exp. Hem.33:624, 2005). KCC1 and KCC3 proteins have been shown to interact in ex vivo expression systems (Simard et al, JBC282(25):18083, 2007), and co-expression of an N-terminal truncation of KCC1 reduces KCC activity mediated by full-length KCC1 or KCC3 (Casula et al. JBC276:41870, 2001), suggesting functional interaction. We show here via western blot analysis that SS RBC membranes contain more KCC1 protein (relative to KCC3) than AA RBC, independent of the reticulocytosis of sickle blood. Immunoprecipitation of solubilized SS RBC membranes with KCC3-specific antibody yielded a band at 125 kD on SDS PAGE which contained KCC1, as identified by western blotting with KCC1-specific antibody and by TOF mass spectroscopy. The effect of co-expression of KCC1 and KCC3 on KCC activity was assessed by measuring NEM-stimulated, Cl-dependent, (ouabain + bumetanide)-insensitive Rb uptake in HEK 293 cells. The Flip-In T-rex HEK 293 cell line (Invitrogen) containing a tetracycline-response promoter was transfected with a pcDNA5a plasmid containing KCC3a cDNA. Recombination of the plasmid with the integrated tet-promoter construct inserts the KCC3a gene under control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter. These cells were subsequently transduced with a retroviral vector (SF-91. Hildinger et at, Gene Ther. 5:1575, 1998) containing KCC1 cDNA linked to a GFP cassette. Control cells contained SF-91 vector lacking KCC1. Cells were selected for GFP expression and grown in the absence (un-induced, no KCC3a expression) or presence of tetracycline (induced, KCC3a expression). From this binary matrix, four types of cells were obtained: Cells with no additional KCC expression, representing endogenous KCC activity; cells with only KCC1 or KCC3a expression; cells with both KCC1 and KCC3a expression. Western blots indicated similar KCC1 expression in cells with KCC1 only and [KCC1 + KCC3] and similar KCC3 expression in cells with KCC3 only and [KCC1 + KCC3]. Thus, the expression of neither isoform was affected by the presence of the other. KCC activity in cells overexpressing KCC1 only was similar to endogenous activity in HEK 293 cells; i.e., transport activity of KCC1 alone was minimal. Cells overexpressing KCC3 only had a 5-fold increase in KCC activity over endogenous levels. When KCC1 was co-expressed with KCC3 in [KCC1 + KCC3] cells, an additional 50% increase in KCC activity was observed (p < 0.05 by paired t-test, N=4), despite similar levels of KCC3 expression by western blot analysis. This synergistic effect was dependent on the cytoplasmic N-terminus of KCC1, as it was not seen when the first 39 amino acids of KCC1 were removed. Interestingly, removal of the entire cytoplasmic N-terminal domain (117 aa) produced an inhibitory effect when co-expressed with KCC3a in HEK cells, as previously reported in Xenopus oocytes (Casula et al.). These data indicate that KCC1 and KCC3 interact structurally and functionally in RBC membranes, and provide another potential mechanism for regulation of KCC activity via multimeric associations between KCC isoforms. Thus, KCC activity could be modulated not only by transcriptional mechanisms and post-translational modification (phosphorylation), but also by altering the ratios of KCC isoforms or the kinetics of their association. We speculate that higher levels of KCC1 protein relative to KCC3 in SS RBC membranes could account for higher KCC activity in these cells relative to AA RBC.

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