Epithelial Na Channels and Regulation of Na Excretion

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): ABSTRACT Epithelial Na channels control the reabsorption of salt by the kidney. They are essential for adapting to different levels of sodium in the diet, and defects in their regulation can lead to hypertension. Aldosterone is the major hormonal factor influencing these channels, but the mechanisms by which regulation is exerted are not fully understood. We will test the hypothesis that changes in processing and distribution of channel protein is a major factor underlying this regulation. We will use a combination of electrophysiological techniques and immunoblotting using antibodies specific for the 3 channel subunits alpha, beta and gamma ENaC to examine changes in the total amount of protein, in the processing of protein by proteolytic and glycosylating enzymes, and the expression of protein at the cell surface, and to correlate these events with channel activity in rats during salt restriction and challenge with aldosterone. We will compare these effects on the channels with those of other Na transporters including NaCl and NaK2Cl cotransporters and the Na/H exchanger. We will then examine the behavior of these proteins during acute salt repletion, where large changes in Na excretion can occur in a few hours. In this scenario we will also examine the role of reduction in channel open probability in reducing Na reabsorption and facilitating Na excretion. We will alos examine the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of Na on open probability using the Xenous oocyte expression system. Finally we will test the hypothesis that the serine/threonine kinase SGK is a key protein for control of channel activity by assessing the activation of channels in mice lacking the gene for this kinase. We will measure channel activity as well as channel protein in animals in which hormone levels are changed over a few hours (with hormone infusion), over a few days (short-term salt restriction) or over a week or more (long-term salt restriction, long-term hormone infusion). The results will further our understanding of how these channels are regulated in vivo. NARRATIVE Disregulation of epithelial Na channels underlies most forms of monogenic hypertension. Yet how channels are normally controlled by adrenal steroids and other hormones remains poorly understood. The work described in this proposal will elucidate how these control mechanisms work and will enhance our understanding of how hypertension develops and impact how it is treated.