Golgi Alpha1,2-Mannosidase IA Promotes Efficient Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation of NKCC2

Mutations in the apically located kidney Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC2 cause type I Bartter syndrome, a life-threatening kidney disorder. We previously showed that transport from the ER represents the limiting phase in NKCC2 journey to the cell surface. Yet very little is known about the ER quality control components specific to NKCC2 and its disease-causing mutants. Here, we report the identification of Golgi alpha1, 2-mannosidase IA (ManIA) as a novel binding partner of the immature form of NKCC2. ManIA interaction with NKCC2 takes place mainly at the cis-Golgi network. ManIA coexpression decreased total NKCC2 protein abundance whereas ManIA knock-down produced the opposite effect. Importantly, ManIA coexpression had a more profound effect on NKCC2 folding mutants. Cycloheximide chase assay showed that in cells overexpressing ManIA, NKCC2 stability and maturation are heavily hampered. Deleting the cytoplasmic region of ManIA attenuated its interaction with NKCC2 and inhibited its effect on the maturation of the cotransporter. ManIA-induced reductions in NKCC2 expression were offset by the proteasome inhibitor MG132. Likewise, kifunensine treatment greatly reduced ManIA effect, strongly suggesting that mannose trimming is involved in the enhanced ERAD of the cotransporter. Moreover, depriving ManIA of its catalytic domain fully abolished its effect on NKCC2. In summary, our data demonstrate the presence of a ManIA-mediated ERAD pathway in renal cells promoting retention and degradation of misfolded NKCC2 proteins. They suggest a model whereby Golgi ManIA contributes to ERAD of NKCC2, by promoting the retention, recycling, and ERAD of misfolded proteins that initially escape protein quality control surveillance within the ER.

Diagnostic Strategies to Identify Patients with Genetic Salt-Losing Tubulopathies

Background: Distinguishing patients with the inherited salt-losing tubulopathies (SLT), Gitelman or Bartter syndrome (GS or BS) from wildtype (WT) patients who purge is difficult. We decided to identify clinical/biochemical characteristics which correctly classify SLT. Methods: 66 patients with possible SLT were recruited to a prospective observational cohort study at the UCL Renal Tubular Clinic (London). 31 datapoints were recorded on each patient. All patients were genotyped for pathogenic mutations in genes which cause SLT; 39 patients had pathogenic variants in genes causing SLT. We obtained similar datasets from cohorts in Taipei and Kobe; the combined dataset comprised 419 patients, 291 had genetically confirmed SLT. London and Taipei datasets were combined to train machine learning (ML) algorithms. These were then tested on the Kobe dataset to determine the best biochemical predictors of genetic confirmation of SLT. Results: Single biochemical variables (e.g. plasma renin) were significantly, but inconsistently different between SLT and WT, in the London and combined cohorts. A decision table algorithm using serum bicarbonate and urinary sodium excretion (FENa) achieved a classification accuracy of 74%. A simpler algorithm based on the FECl achieved a classification accuracy of 61%. This was superior to all of the single biochemical variables identified previously.

Neonatal Bartter syndrome: A case report from Northern India

Bartter Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting the renal tubular system causing a decreased absorption of sodium and chloride in the thick ascending limb of the Henle loop. Most children present in infancy with complaints of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, constipation and failure to thrive while older children present with recurrent episodes of dehydration, muscle weakness and cramps. The present study aimed to demonstrate a case of Bartter syndrome presenting as acute gastroenteritis.

Hypocalcemia as the Initial Presentation of Type 2 Bartter Syndrome – A Family Report

Context Bartter syndrome (BS) is a group of rare autosomal-recessive tubulopathies characterized by hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in which the primary defect is a deficiency of transporters involved in sodium chloride reabsorption. Type 2 BS results from a defect in the renal outer medullary potassium channel encoded by the KCNJ1 gene. Type 2 BS presents with polyhydramnios, intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity, failure to thrive, polyuria, hypercalciuria, and life-threatening episodes of dehydration. Hypocalcemia is a very rare presenting symptom of BS, with only a few published cases reporting it as the initial manifestation of type 2 BS. Case description We describe a child who presented with hypocalcemic seizure at the age of 2.3 years that was first related to vitamin D deficiency and high-phosphate soft drink consumption. However, later whole exome sequencing (WES) identified a previously described homozygous missense mutation c.212C>T, p.T71M in the KCNJ1 gene associated with type 2 BS. Six additional family members with the same mutation and diagnosed clinically with BS are also reported, two presenting with hypocalcemia associated with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions This report expands the clinical spectrum associated with KCNJ1 mutations and emphasizes the role of WES in unsolved cases of hypocalcemia when genetic disease is suspected. It also highlights the hazardous effects of phosphate-containing soft drinks on calcium metabolism.