Quantifying RhoA facilitated trafficking of the epithelial Na+ channel toward the plasma membrane with total internal reflection fluorescence-fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. J Biol Chem 2007 May 11;282(19):14576-85
Date
03/23/2007Pubmed ID
17376773DOI
10.1074/jbc.M701348200Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34347217501 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 39 CitationsAbstract
The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) plays a central role in control of epithelial surface hydration and vascular volume. Similar to other ion channels, ENaC activity is set, in part, by its membrane levels. The small G protein RhoA increases ENaC activity by increasing the membrane levels of this channel. We hypothesize that RhoA increases ENaC activity by promoting channel trafficking to the plasma membrane. Few experimental methods are available to directly visualize trafficking of ion channels to the plasma membrane. Here we combine electrophysiology with two complementary imaging methods, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, to study the mechanistic basis of RhoA actions on ENaC. Patch clamp results demonstrate that RhoA increases ENaC activity in an additive manner with dominant-negative dynamin. This is consistent with a mechanism of increased ENaC trafficking to the membrane. Direct visualization of ENaC movement near the plasma membrane with total internal reflection fluorescence-fluorescence recovery after photobleaching revealed that RhoA accelerates ENaC trafficking toward the membrane. RhoA-facilitated movement of the channel was sensitive to disrupting the endomembrane system. Moreover, facilitating retrieval decreased ENaC activity but not trafficking toward the membrane. ENaC at the plasma membrane clustered and was laterally immobile suggesting that the cytoskeleton tethers or corrals membrane resident channels or membrane-directed vesicles containing ENaC. Disrupting microtubules but not microfilaments led to reorganization of ENaC clusters and slowed trafficking toward the membrane. The cytoskeleton is an established target for RhoA signaling. We conclude that RhoA, likely through effects on the cytoskeleton, promotes ENaC trafficking to the plasma membrane to increase channel membrane levels and activity.
Author List
Pochynyuk O, Staruschenko A, Bugaj V, Lagrange L, Stockand JDMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsCHO Cells
COS Cells
Cell Membrane
Cricetinae
Cricetulus
Cytoskeleton
Dynamins
Electrophysiology
Epithelial Sodium Channels
Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching
Luminescent Proteins
Mice
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Microtubules
Protein Transport
rhoA GTP-Binding Protein