External Nickel Inhibits Epithelial Sodium Channel by Binding to Histidine Residues within the Extracellular Domains of α and γ Subunits and Reducing Channel Open Probability
Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are regulated by various intracellular and extracellular factors including divalent cations. We studied the inhibitory effect and mechanism of external Ni2+on cloned mouse α-β-γ ENaC expressed inXenopusoocytes. Ni2+reduced amiloride-sensitive Na+currents of the wild type mouse ENaC in a dose-dependent manner. The Ni2+block was fast and partially reversible at low concentrations and irreversible at high concentrations. ENaC inhibition by Ni2+was accompanied by moderate inward rectification at concentrations higher than 0.1 mm. ENaC currents were also blocked by the histidine-reactive reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate. Pretreatment of the oocytes with the reagent reduced Ni2+inhibition of the remaining current. Mutations at αHis282and γHis239located within the extracellular loops significantly decreased Ni2+inhibition of ENaC currents. The mutation αH282D or double mutations αH282R/γH239R eliminated Ni2+block. All mutations at γHis239eliminated Ni2+-induced inward current rectification. Ni2+block was significantly enhanced by introduction of a histidine at αArg280. Lowering extracellular pH to 5.5 and 4.4 decreased or eliminated Ni2+block. Although αH282C-β-γ channels were partially inhibited by the sulfhydryl-reactive reagent [2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl] methanethiosulfonate bromide (MTSET), α-β-γ H239C channels were insensitive to MTSET. From patch clamp studies, Ni2+did not affect unitary current but decreased open probability when perfused into the recording pipette. Our results suggest that external Ni2+reduces ENaC open probability by binding to a site consisting of αHis282and γHis239and that these histidine residues may participate in ENaC gating.