Reduced ENaC protein abundance contributes to the lower blood pressure observed in pendrin-null mice

YH Kim, V Pech, KB Spencer… - American Journal …, 2007 - journals.physiology.org
YH Kim, V Pech, KB Spencer, WH Beierwaltes, LA Everett, ED Green, W Shin, JW Verlander…
American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology, 2007journals.physiology.org
Pendrin (encoded by Pds, Slc26a4) is a Cl−/HCO3− exchanger expressed in the apical
regions of type B and non-A, non-B intercalated cells of kidney and mediates renal Cl−
absorption, particularly when upregulated. Aldosterone increases blood pressure by
increasing absorption of both Na+ and Cl− through increased protein abundance and
function of Na+ transporters, such as the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and the Na+-Cl−
cotransporter (NCC), as well as Cl− transporters, such as pendrin. Because aldosterone …
Pendrin (encoded by Pds, Slc26a4) is a Cl/HCO3 exchanger expressed in the apical regions of type B and non-A, non-B intercalated cells of kidney and mediates renal Cl absorption, particularly when upregulated. Aldosterone increases blood pressure by increasing absorption of both Na+ and Cl through increased protein abundance and function of Na+ transporters, such as the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and the Na+-Cl cotransporter (NCC), as well as Cl transporters, such as pendrin. Because aldosterone analogs do not increase blood pressure in Slc26a4−/− mice, we asked whether Na+ excretion and Na+ transporter protein abundance are altered in kidneys from these mutant mice. Thus wild-type and Slc26a4-null mice were given a NaCl-replete, a NaCl-restricted, or NaCl-replete diet and aldosterone or aldosterone analogs. Abundance of the major renal Na+ transporters was examined with immunoblots and immunohistochemistry. Slc26a4-null mice showed an impaired ability to conserve Na+ during dietary NaCl restriction. Under treatment conditions in which circulating aldosterone is increased, α-, β-, and 85-kDa γ-ENaC subunit protein abundances were reduced 15–35%, whereas abundance of the 70-kDa fragment of γ-ENaC was reduced ∼70% in Slc26a4-null relative to wild-type mice. Moreover, ENaC-dependent changes in transepithelial voltage were much lower in cortical collecting ducts from Slc26a4-null than from wild-type mice. Thus, in kidney, ENaC protein abundance and function are modulated by pendrin or through a pendrin-dependent downstream event. The reduced ENaC protein abundance and function observed in Slc26a4-null mice contribute to their lower blood pressure and reduced ability to conserve Na+ during NaCl restriction.
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