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Pulmonary hypertension (PH) consists of a heterogenous group of diseases that culminate in increased pulmonary arterial pressure and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. We sought to investigate the role of FXYD1, a small membrane protein that modulates Na+-K+-ATPase function, in the pathophysiology of PH. We mined online transcriptome databases to assess FXYD1 expression in PH. We characterized the effects of FXYD1 knockout (KO) in mice on right and left ventricular (RV and LV) function using echocardiography and measured invasive hemodynamic measurements under normal conditions and after treatment with bleomycin sulfate or chronic hypoxia to induce PH. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and functional assays, we examined the effects of FXYD1 KO on pulmonary microvasculature and RV and LV structure and assessed signaling via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inflammatory pathways. FXYD1 lung expression tended to be lower in samples from patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) compared with controls, supporting a potential pathophysiological role. FXYD1 KO mice displayed characteristics of PH including significant increases in pulmonary arterial pressure, increased muscularization of small pulmonary arterioles, and impaired RV systolic function, in addition to LV systolic dysfunction. However, when PH was stimulated with standard models of lung injury-induced PH, there was no exacerbation of disease in FXYD1 KO mice. Both the lungs and left ventricles exhibited elevated nitrosative stress and inflammatory milieu. The absence of FXYD1 in mice results in LV inflammation and cardiopulmonary redox signaling changes that predispose to pathophysiological features of PH, suggesting FXYD1 may be protective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na+/K+ ATPase (NKA) comprises several subunits to provide isozyme heterogeneity in a tissue-specific manner. An abundance of NKA α, β, and FXYD1 subunits is well-described in human skeletal muscle, but not much is known about FXYD5 (dysadherin), a regulator of NKA and β1 subunit glycosylation, especially with regard to fibre-type specificity and influence of sex and exercise training. Here, we investigated muscle fibre-type specific adaptations in FXYD5 and glycosylated NKAβ1 to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), as well as sex differences in FXYD5 abundance. In nine young males (23.8 ± 2.5 years of age) (mean ± SD), 3 weekly sessions of HIIT for 6 weeks enhanced muscle endurance (220 ± 102 vs. 119 ± 99 s, p < 0.01) and lowered leg K+ release during intense knee-extensor exercise (0.5 ± 0.8 vs. 1.0 ± 0.8 mmol·min–1, p < 0.01) while also increasing cumulated leg K+ reuptake 0–3 min into recovery (2.1 ± 1.5 vs. 0.3 ± 0.9 mmol, p < 0.01). In type IIa muscle fibres, HIIT lowered FXYD5 abundance (p < 0.01) and increased the relative distribution of glycosylated NKAβ1 (p < 0.05). FXYD5 abundance in type IIa muscle fibres correlated inversely with the maximal oxygen consumption (r = –0.53, p < 0.05). NKAα2 and β1 subunit abundances did not change with HIIT. In muscle fibres from 30 trained males and females, we observed no sex (p = 0.87) or fibre type differences (p = 0.44) in FXYD5 abundance. Thus, HIIT downregulates FXYD5 and increases the distribution of glycosylated NKAβ1 in type IIa muscle fibres, which is likely independent of a change in the number of NKA complexes. These adaptations may contribute to counter exercise-related K+ shifts and enhance muscle performance during intense exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using bioinformatic approaches, we present evidence of distant relatedness among the Ephemerovirus Viroporin family, the Rhabdoviridae Putative Viroporin U5 family, the Phospholemman family, and the Small Integral Membrane Protein family. Our approach is based on the transitivity property of homology complemented with five validation criteria: (1) significant sequence similarity and alignment coverage, (2) compatibility of topology of transmembrane segments, (3) overlap of hydropathy profiles, (4) conservation of protein domains, and (5) conservation of sequence motifs. Our results indicate that Pfam protein domains PF02038 and PF15831 can be found in or projected onto members of all four families. In addition, we identified a 26-residue motif conserved across the superfamily. This motif is characterized by hydrophobic residues that help anchor the protein to the membrane and charged residues that constitute phosphorylation sites. In addition, all members of the four families with annotated function are either responsible for or affect the transport of ions into and/or out of the cell. Taken together, these results justify the creation of the novel Phospholemman/SIMP/Viroporin superfamily. Given that transport proteins can be found not just in cells, but also in viruses, the ability to relate viroporin protein families with their eukaryotic and bacterial counterparts is an important development in this superfamily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although palmitoylation regulates numerous cellular processes, as yet efforts to manipulate this post-translational modification for therapeutic gain have proved unsuccessful. The Na-pump accessory sub-unit phospholemman (PLM) is palmitoylated by zDHHC5. Here, we show that PLM palmitoylation is facilitated by recruitment of the Na-pump α sub-unit to a specific site on zDHHC5 that contains a juxtamembrane amphipathic helix. Site-specific palmitoylation and GlcNAcylation of this helix increased binding between the Na-pump and zDHHC5, promoting PLM palmitoylation. In contrast, disruption of the zDHHC5-Na-pump interaction with a cell penetrating peptide reduced PLM palmitoylation. Our results suggest that by manipulating the recruitment of specific substrates to particular zDHHC-palmitoyl acyl transferases, the palmitoylation status of individual proteins can be selectively altered, thus opening the door to the development of molecular modulators of protein palmitoylation for the treatment of disease. The Na-pump accessory sub-unit phospholemman (PLM) is palmitoylated by the acyltransferase zDHHC5. Plain & Howie et al identify a binding site on zDHHC5 for the Na-pump, discover that the interaction is regulated by post-translational modifications near this binding site, and find that disrupting the zDHHC5-Na-pump interaction reduces PLM palmitoylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholemman (PLM) regulates the cardiac sodium pump: PLM phosphorylation activates the pump whereas PLM palmitoylation inhibits its activity. Here, we show that the anti-oxidant protein peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) interacts with and depalmitoylates PLM in a glutathione-dependent manner. Glutathione loading cells acutely reduce PLM palmitoylation; glutathione depletion significantly increases PLM palmitoylation. Prdx6 silencing abolishes these effects, suggesting that PLM can be depalmitoylated by reduced Prdx6. In vitro , only recombinant Prdx6, among several peroxiredoxin isoforms tested, removes palmitic acid from recombinant palmitoylated PLM. The broad-spectrum depalmitoylase inhibitor palmostatin B prevents Prdx6-dependent PLM depalmitoylation in cells and in vitro. Our data suggest that Prdx6 is a thioesterase that can depalmitoylate proteins by nucleophilic attack via its reactive thiol, linking PLM palmitoylation and hence sodium pump activity to cellular glutathione status. We show that protein depalmitoylation can occur via a catalytic cysteine in which substrate specificity is determined by a protein-protein interaction. [Display omitted] • Identify peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) as a thioesterase • Protein depalmitoylation by Prdx6 occurs via its catalytic cysteine • Phospholemman depalmitoylation by Prdx6 is glutathione dependent • Prdx6 thioesterase activity confers redox sensitivity on the Na pump The activities and cellular localizations of membrane proteins are frequently controlled by palmitoylation, a reversible covalent post-translational modification. Here, Howie et al. have shown that peroxiredoxin 6 is a novel thioesterase that removes palmitate from the acylated protein phospholemman in a glutathione-dependent mechanism, conferring redox sensitivity on Na pump activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates cardiac excitation–contraction coupling by acting in microdomains associated with sarcolemmal ion channels. However, local real time cAMP dynamics in such microdomains has not been visualized before. We sought to directly monitor cAMP in a microdomain formed around sodium–potassium ATPase (NKA) in healthy and failing cardiomyocytes and to better understand alterations of cAMP compartmentation in heart failure. Methods and results A novel Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor termed phospholemman (PLM)-Epac1 was developed by fusing a highly sensitive cAMP sensor Epac1-camps to the C-terminus of PLM. Live cell imaging in PLM-Epac1 and Epac1-camps expressing adult rat ventricular myocytes revealed extensive regulation of NKA/PLM microdomain-associated cAMP levels by β2-adrenoceptors (β2-ARs). Local cAMP pools stimulated by these receptors were tightly controlled by phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 3. In chronic heart failure following myocardial infarction, dramatic reduction of the microdomain-specific β2-AR/cAMP signals and β2-AR dependent PLM phosphorylation was accompanied by a pronounced loss of local PDE3 and an increase in PDE2 effects. Conclusions NKA/PLM complex forms a distinct cAMP microdomain which is directly regulated by β2-ARs and is under predominant control by PDE3. In heart failure, local changes in PDE repertoire result in blunted β2-AR signalling to cAMP in the vicinity of PLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquitous sodium/potassium ATPase (Na pump) is the most abundant primary active transporter at the cell surface of multiple cell types, including ventricular myocytes in the heart. The activity of the Na pump establishes transmembrane ion gradients that control numerous events at the cell surface, positioning it as a key regulator of the contractile and metabolic state of the myocardium. Defects in Na pump activity and regulation elevate intracellular Na in cardiac muscle, playing a causal role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmias and heart failure. Palmitoylation is the reversible conjugation of the fatty acid palmitate to specific protein cysteine residues; all subunits of the cardiac Na pump are palmitoylated. Palmitoylation of the pump’s accessory subunit phospholemman (PLM) by the cell surface palmitoyl acyl transferase DHHC5 leads to pump inhibition, possibly by altering the relationship between the pump catalytic α subunit and specifically bound membrane lipids. In this review, we discuss the functional impact of PLM palmitoylation on the cardiac Na pump and the molecular basis of recognition of PLM by its palmitoylating enzyme DHHC5, as well as effects of palmitoylation on Na pump cell surface abundance in the cardiac muscle. We also highlight the numerous unanswered questions regarding the cellular control of this fundamentally important regulatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The final adjustment of urine volume occurs in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD), chiefly mediated by the water channel aquaporin 2 (AQP2). With vasopressin stimulation, AQP2 accumulation in the apical plasma membrane of principal cells allows water reabsorption from the lumen. We report that FXYD1 (phospholemman), better known as a regulator of Na,K-ATPase, has a role in AQP2 trafficking. Daytime urine of Fxyd1 knockout mice was more dilute than WT despite similar serum vasopressin, but both genotypes could concentrate urine during water deprivation. FXYD1 was found in IMCD. In WT mice, phosphorylated FXYD1 was detected intracellularly, and vasopressin induced its dephosphorylation. We tested the hypothesis that the dilute urine in knockouts was caused by alteration of AQP2 trafficking. In WT mice at baseline, FXYD1 and AQP2 were not strongly co-localized, but elevation of vasopressin produced translocation of both FXYD1 and AQP2 to the apical plasma membrane. In kidney slices, baseline AQP2 distribution was more scattered in the Fxyd1 knockout than in WT. Apical recruitment of AQP2 occurred in vasopressin-treated Fxyd1 knockout slices, but upon vasopressin washout, there was more rapid reversal of apical AQP2 localization and more heterogeneous cytoplasmic distribution of AQP2. Notably, in sucrose gradients, AQP2 was present in a detergent-resistant membrane domain that had lower sedimentation density in the knockout than in WT, and vasopressin treatment normalized its density. We propose that FXYD1 plays a role in regulating AQP2 retention in apical membrane, and that this involves transfers between raft-like membrane domains in endosomes and plasma membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenesis of hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP) remains unclear. Though some mutations in skeletal muscle ion channels were revealed previously, the exact mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Increased Na+/K+-ATPase activity in skeletal muscle is postulated to contribute to attacks of HypoPP. Before the link between Na+/K+-ATPase dysfunction and these ion channel mutations is established, mutations in Na+/K+-ATPase and their regulators are the first to be excluded. Phospholemman, which is a protein encoded by the FXYD domain-containing ion transport regulator 1 (FXYD1) gene, is predominantly expressed in skeletal muscle and is the major regulator of Na+/K+-ATPase. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the genetic involvement of phospholemman in HypoPP development. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of five HypoPP probands with typical manifestations. The coding exons of FXYD1, exons 2-7, were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified and sequenced. No mutations were detected in FXYD1 in any of the subjects studied. To conclude, mutations in phospholemman encoding genes may not be involved with HypoPP and the relationship between phospholemman and Na+/K+-ATPase dysfunction in attacks of HypoPP requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FXYD proteins are important regulators of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) activity in mammals. As an inhabitant of estuaries, the pufferfish (Tetraodon nigroviridis) responds to ambient salinity changes with efficient osmoregulation, including alterations in branchial, and renal NKA activities. Previous studies on teleostean FXYDs have mainly focused on the expression and potential functions of FXYD proteins in gills. The goal of the present study was to elucidate the potential role of FXYD8, a member of the fish FXYD protein family, in the modulation of NKA activity in the kidneys of this euryhaline pufferfish by using molecular, biochemical, and physiological approaches. The results demonstrate that T. nigroviridis FXYD8 (TnFXYD8) interacts with NKA in renal tubules. Meanwhile, the protein expression of renal TnFXYD8 was found to be significantly upregulated in hyperosmotic seawater-acclimated pufferfish. Moreover, overexpression of TnFXYD8 in Xenopus oocytes decreased NKA activity. Our results suggest the FXYD8 is able to modulate NKA activity through inhibitory effects upon salinity challenge. The present study further extends our understanding of the functions of FXYD proteins, the regulators of NKA, in vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points Small transmembrane proteins such as FXYDs, which interact with Na+,K+-ATPase, and the micropeptides that interact with sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase play fundamental roles in regulation of ion transport in vertebrates., Uncertain evolutionary origins and phylogenetic relationships among these regulators of ion transport have led to inconsistencies in their classification across vertebrate species, thus hampering comparative studies of their functions., We discovered the first FXYD homologue in sea lamprey, a basal jawless vertebrate, which suggests small transmembrane regulators of ion transport emerged early in the vertebrate lineage., We also identified 13 gene subfamilies of FXYDs and propose a revised, phylogeny-based FXYD classification that is consistent across vertebrate species., These findings provide an improved framework for investigating physiological and pathophysiological functions of small transmembrane regulators of ion transport., Abstract Small transmembrane proteins are important for regulation of cellular ion transport. The most prominent among these are members of the FXYD family (FXYD1-12), which regulate Na+,K+-ATPase, and phospholamban, sarcolipin, myoregulin and DWORF, which regulate the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA). FXYDs and regulators of SERCA are present in fishes, as well as terrestrial vertebrates; however, their evolutionary origins and phylogenetic relationships are obscure, thus hampering comparative physiological studies. Here we discovered that sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus), a representative of extant jawless vertebrates (Cyclostomata), expresses an FXYD homologue, which strongly suggests that FXYDs predate the emergence of fishes and other jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). Using a combination of sequence-based phylogenetic analysis and conservation of local chromosome context, we determined that FXYDs markedly diversified in the lineages leading to cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) and bony vertebrates (Euteleostomi). Diversification of SERCA regulators was much less extensive, indicating they operate under different evolutionary constraints. Finally, we found that FXYDs in extant vertebrates can be classified into 13 gene subfamilies, which do not always correspond to the established FXYD classification. We therefore propose a revised classification that is based on evolutionary history of FXYDs and that is consistent across vertebrate species. Collectively, our findings provide an improved framework for investigating the function of ion transport in health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NCX1 (Na+ /Ca2+ exchanger 1) is an important regulator of intracellular Ca2+ and a potential therapeutic target for brain ischaemia and for diastolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. PLM (phospholemman), a substrate for protein kinases A and C, has been suggested to regulate NCX1 activity. However, although several studies have demonstrated that binding of phosphorylated PLM (pSer68-PLM) leads to NCX1 inhibition, other studies have failed to demonstrate a functional interaction of these proteins. In the present study, we aimed to analyse the biological function of the pSer68-PLM-NCX1 interaction by developing high-affinity blocking peptides. PLM was observed to co-fractionate and co-immunoprecipitate with NCX1 in rat left ventricle, and in co-transfected HEK (human embryonic kidney)-293 cells. For the first time, the NCX1-PLM interaction was also demonstrated in the brain. PLM binding sites on NCX1 were mapped to two regions by peptide array assays, containing the previously reported PASKT and QKHPD motifs. Conversely, the two NCX1 regions bound identical sequences in the cytoplasmic domain of PLM, suggesting that NCX1-PASKT and NCX1-QKHPD might bind to each PLM monomer. Using two-dimensional peptide arrays of the native NCX1 sequence KHPDKEIEQLIELANYQVLS revealed that double substitution of tyrosine for positions 1 and 4 (K1Y and D4Y) enhanced pSer68- PLM binding 8-fold. The optimized peptide blocked binding of NCX1-PASKT and NCX1-QKHPD to PLM and reversed PLM(S68D) inhibition of NCX1 activity (both forward and reverse mode) in HEK-293 cells. Altogether our data indicate that PLM interacts directly with NCX1 and inhibits NCX1 activity when phosphorylated at Ser68. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle contains one of the largest and the most dynamic pools of Na,K-ATPase (NKA) in the body. Under resting conditions, NKA in skeletal muscle operates at only a fraction of maximal pumping capacity, but it can be markedly activated when demands for ion transport increase, such as during exercise or following food intake. Given the size, capacity, and dynamic range of the NKA pool in skeletal muscle, its tight regulation is essential to maintain whole body homeostasis as well as muscle function. To reconcile functional needs of systemic homeostasis with those of skeletal muscle, NKA is regulated in a coordinated manner by extrinsic stimuli, such as hormones and nerve-derived factors, as well as by local stimuli arising in skeletal muscle fibers, such as contractions and muscle energy status. These stimuli regulate NKA acutely by controlling its enzymatic activity and/or its distribution between the plasma membrane and the intracellular storage compartment. They also regulate NKA chronically by controlling NKA gene expression, thus determining total NKA content in skeletal muscle and its maximal pumping capacity. This review focuses on molecular mechanisms that underlie regulation of NKA in skeletal muscle by major extrinsic and local stimuli. Special emphasis is given to stimuli and mechanisms linking regulation of NKA and energy metabolism in skeletal muscle, such as insulin and the energy-sensing AMP-activated protein kinase. Finally, the recently uncovered roles for glutathionylation, nitric oxide, and extracellular K+ in the regulation of NKA in skeletal muscle are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the effect of intensive training in combination with marked reduction in training volume on phospholemman (FXYD1) expression and phosphorylation at rest and during exercise. Eight well-trained cyclists replaced their regular training with speed-endurance training (10 -12 × ~30-s sprints) two or three times per week and aerobic high-intensity training (4-5 × 3-4 min at 90-95% of peak aerobic power output) 1-2 times per week for 7 wk and reduced the training volume by 70%. Muscle biopsies were obtained before and during a repeated high-intensity exercise protocol, and protein expression and phosphorylation were determined by Western blot analysis. Expression of FXYD1 (30%), actin (40%), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (12%), phospholamban (PLN) (16%), and Ca2+calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) (25%) was higher (P < 0.05) than before the training intervention. In addition, after the intervention, nonspecific FXYD1 phosphorylation was higher (P < 0.05) at rest and during exercise, mainly achieved by an increased FXYD1 Ser-68 phosphorylation, compared with before the intervention. CaMKII, Thr-287, and eukaryotic elongation factor 2 Thr-56 phosphorylation at rest and during exercise, overall PKCα/β , Thr-638/641, and mTOR Ser-2448 phosphorylation during repeated intense exercise as well as resting PLN Thr-17 phosphorylation were also higher (P < 0.05) compared with before the intervention period. Thus, a period of high-intensity training with reduced training volume increases expression and phosphorylation levels of FXYD1, which may affect Na+/K+ pump activity and muscle K+ homeostasis during intense exercise. Furthermore, higher expression of CaMKII and PLN, as well as increased phosphorylation of CaMKII Thr-287 may have improved intracellular Ca2+ handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Na+-K+-ATPase α2-isoform in skeletal muscle is rapidly stimulated during muscle use and plays a critical role in fatigue resistance. The acute mechanisms that stimulate α2-activity are not completely known. This study examines whether phosphorylation of phospholemman (PLM/FXYD1), a regulatory subunit of Na+-K+-ATPase, plays a role in the acute stimulation of α2in working muscles. Mice lacking PLM (PLM KO) have a normal content of the α2-subunit and show normal exercise capacity, in contrast to the greatly reduced exercise capacity of mice that lack α2 in the skeletal muscles. Nerve-evoked contractions in vivo did not induce a change in total PLM or PLM phosphorylated at Ser63 or Ser68, in either WT or PLM KO. Isolated muscles of PLM KO mice maintain contraction and resist fatigue as well as wild type (WT). Rb+ transport by the α2-Na+-K+-ATPase is stimulated to the same extent in contracting WT and contracting PLM KO muscles. Phosphorylation of sarcolemmal membranes prepared from WT but not PLM KO skeletal muscles stimulates the activity of both α1 and α2 in a PLM-dependent manner. The stimulation occurs by an increase in Na+ affinity without significant change in Vmax and is more effective for α1 than α2. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of PLM is capable of stimulating the activity of both isozymes in skeletal muscle; however, contractile activity alone is not sufficient to induce PLM phosphorylation. Importantly, acute stimulation of α2, sufficient to support exercise and oppose fatigue, does not require PLM or its phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phospholemman ( PLM) is an important phosphorylation substrate for protein kinases A and C in the heart. Until now, the association between PLM phosphorylation status and L-type calcium channels ( LTCCs) gating has not been fully understood. We investigated the kinetics of LTCCs in HEK 293T cells expressing phosphomimetic or nonphosphorylatable PLM mutants. Methods: The LTCCs gating was measured in HEK 293T cells transfected with LTCC and wild-type ( WT) PLM, phosphomimetic or nonphosphorylatable PLM mutants: 6263 AA, 6869 AA, AAAA, 6263 DD, 6869 DD or DDDD. Results: WT PLM significantly slowed LTCCs activation and deactivation while enhanced voltage-dependent inactivation ( VDI). PLM mutants 6869 DD and DDDD significantly increased the peak of the currents. 6263 DD accelerated channel activation, while 6263 AA slowed it more than WT PLM. 6869 DD significantly enhanced PLM-induced increase of VDI. AAAA slowed the channel activation more than 6263 AA, and DDDD accelerated the channel VDI more than 6869 DD. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that phosphomimetic PLM could stimulate LTCCs and alter their dynamics, while PLM nonphosphorylatable mutant produced the opposite effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cardiac phosphoprotein phospholemman (PLM) regulates the cardiac sodium pump, activating the pump when phosphorylated and inhibiting it when palmitoylated. Protein palmitoylation, the reversible attachment of a 16 carbon fatty acid to a cysteine thiol, is catalyzed by the Asp-His-His-Cys (DHHC) motif-containing palmitoyl acyltransferases. The cell surface palmitoyl acyltransferase DHHC5 regulates a growing number of cellular processes, but relatively few DHHC5 substrates have been identified to date. We examined the expression of DHHC isoforms in ventricular muscle and report that DHHC5 is among the most abundantly expressed DHHCs in the heart and localizes to caveolin-enriched cell surface microdomains. DHHC5 coimmunoprecipitates with PLM in ventricular myocytes and transiently transfected cells. Overexpression and silencing experiments indicate that DHHC5 palmitoylates PLM at two juxtamembrane cysteines, C40 and C42, although C40 is the principal palmitoylation site. PLM interaction with and palmitoylation by DHHC5 is independent of the DHHC5 PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 homology (PDZ) binding motif, but requires a ∼120 amino acid region of the DHHC5 intracellular C-tail immediately after the fourth transmembrane domain. PLM C42A but not PLM C40A inhibits the Na pump, indicating PLM palmitoylation at C40 but not C42 is required for PLM-mediated inhibition of pump activity. In conclusion, we demonstrate an enzyme-substrate relationship for DHHC5 and PLM and describe a means of substrate recruitment not hitherto described for this acyltransferase. We propose that PLM palmitoylation by DHHC5 promotes phospholipid interactions that inhibit the Na pump. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Elevation of intracellular Na in the failing myocardium contributes to contractile dysfunction, the negative force–frequency relationship, and arrhythmias. Although phospholemman (PLM) is recognized to form the link between signalling pathways and Na/K pump activity, the possibility that defects in its regulation contribute to elevation of intracellular Na has not been investigated. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that the prevention of PLM phosphorylation in a PLM3SA knock-in mouse (in which PLM has been rendered unphosphorylatable) will exacerbate cardiac hypertrophy and cellular Na overload. Testing this hypothesis should determine whether changes in PLM phosphorylation are simply bystander effects or are causally involved in disease progression. Methods and results In wild-type (WT) mice, aortic constriction resulted in hypophosphorylation of PLM with no change in Na/K pump expression. This under-phosphorylation of PLM occurred at 3 days post-banding and was associated with a progressive decline in Na/K pump current and elevation of [Na]i. Echocardiography, morphometry, and pressure-volume (PV) catheterization confirmed remodelling, dilation, and contractile dysfunction, respectively. In PLM3SA mice, expression of Na/K ATPase was increased and PLM decreased such that net Na/K pump current under quiescent conditions was unchanged (cf. WT myocytes); [Na+]i was increased and forward-mode Na/Ca exchanger was reduced in paced PLM3SA myocytes. Cardiac hypertrophy and Na/K pump inhibition were significantly exacerbated in banded PLM3SA mice compared with banded WT. Conclusions Decreased phosphorylation of PLM reduces Na/K pump activity and exacerbates Na overload, contractile dysfunction, and adverse remodelling following aortic constriction in mice. This suggests a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Phospholemman (PLM), when phosphorylated at Ser68, inhibits cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1) and relieves its inhibition on Na+-K+-ATPase. We have engineered mice in which expression of the phosphomimetic PLM S68E mutant was induced when dietary doxycycline was removed at 5 wk. At 8-10 wk, compared with noninduced or wild-type hearts, S68E expression in induced hearts was ~35-75% that of endogenous PLM, but protein levels of sarco- (endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, α1- and α2-subunits of Na+- K+-ATPase, α1c-subunit of L-type Ca2+ channel, and phosphorylated ryanodine receptor were unchanged. The NCX1 protein level was increased by ~47% but the NCX1 current was depressed by ~34% in induced hearts. Isoproterenol had no effect on NCX1 currents but stimulated Na+-K+-ATPase currents equally in induced and noninduced myocytes. At baseline, systolic intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents, and [Ca2+]i transient and contraction amplitudes were similar between induced and noninduced myocytes. Isoproterenol stimulation resulted in much higher systolic [Ca2+]i, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content, and [Ca2+]i transient and contraction amplitudes in induced myocytes. Echocardiography and in vivo close-chest catheterization demonstrated similar baseline myocardial function, but isoproterenol induced a significantly higher +dP/dt in induced compared with noninduced hearts. In contrast to the 50% mortality observed in mice constitutively overexpressing the S68E mutant, induced mice had similar survival as wild-type and noninduced mice. After ischemiareperfusion, despite similar areas at risk and left ventricular infarct sizes, induced mice had significantly higher +dP/dt and dP/dt and lower perioperative mortality compared with noninduced mice. We propose that phosphorylated PLM may be a novel therapeutic target in ischemic heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the FXYD domain-containing ion transport regulator protein family, including FXYD3 and FXYD5, play an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous tumors. However, the correlation between the expression of FXYD6 and tumors remains poorly understood. In the current study, the expression of FXYD6 was examined immunohistochemically in 72 cholangiocarcinoma tissues and 30 distal normal bile duct tissues matched with the tumors. The results show that the positive expression rate of FXYD6 was significantly higher in cholangiocarcinoma than that in normal bile duct tissue (69 vs. 33.3%; P=0.002). Furthermore, the positive expression rate of FXYD6 in well- and moderately-differentiated cholangiocarcinoma was clearly higher than that in poorly-differentiated and mucinous cholangiocarcinoma (85.7 vs. 40%; P=0.000). However, there was no significant correlation between the expression of FXYD6 and gender (P=0.393), age (P=0.174), histological type (P=0.123), T stage (P=0.164), lymph node metastasis (P=0.343), perineural invasion (P=0.088) and tumor location (P=0.238). The results of this study indicate that FXYD6 may be a new biomarker for cholangiocarcinoma and may be associated with a favorable prognosis in this malignant disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human α 1/His 10-β 1 isoform of Na,K-ATPase has been reconstituted as a complex with and without FXYD1 into proteoliposomes of various lipid compositions in order to study the effect of the regulatory subunit on the half-saturating Na + concentration ( K1/2) of Na + ions for activation of the ion pump. It has been shown that the fraction of negatively charged lipid in the bilayer crucially affects the regulatory properties. At low concentrations of the negatively charged lipid DOPS (<10 %), FXYD1 increases K1/2 of Na + ions for activation of the ion pump. Phosphorylation of FXYD1 by protein kinase A at Ser68 abrogates this effect. Conversely, for proteoliposomes made with high concentrations of DOPS (>10 %), little or no effect of FXYD1 on the K1/2 of Na + ions is observed. Depending on ionic strength and lipid composition of the proteoliposomes, FXYD1 can alter the K1/2 of Na + ions by up to twofold. We propose possible molecular mechanisms to explain the regulatory effects of FXYD1 and the influence of charged lipid and protein phosphorylation. In particular, the positively charged C-terminal helix of FXYD1 appears to be highly mobile and may interact with the cytoplasmic N domain of the α-subunit, the interaction being strongly affected by phosphorylation at Ser68 and the surface charge of the membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase activity upon TxA2 mimetic U46619 stimulation. [•] Involvement of 70kDa inhibitor protein under U46619 mediated oxidative stress. [•] Isoform specific inhibition Na+/K+ ATPase by oxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can differentiate into functional cardiomyocytes (iCell Cardiomyocytes) with ion channel activities that are remarkably similar to adult cardiomyocytes. Here, we extend this characterization to cardiac ion transporters. Additionally, we document facile molecular biological manipulation of iCell Cardiomyocytes to overexpress and knockdown transporters and regulatory proteins. Na/Ca exchange (NCX1) and Na/K pump currents were recorded via patch clamp, and Na/H and Cl/OH exchanges were recorded via oscillating proton-selective microelectrodes during patch clamp. Flux densities of all transport systems are similar to those of nonrodent adult cardiomyocytes. NCX1 protein and NCX1 currents decline after NCX1 small interfering (si)RNA transfection with similar time courses (τ ≈ 2 days), and an NCX1-Halo fusion protein is internalized after its extracellular labeling by AlexaFluor488 Ligand with a similar time course. Loss of the cardiac regulatory protein phospholemman (PLM) occurs over a longer time course (τ ≈ 60 h) after PLM small interfering RNA transfection. Similar to multiple previous reports for adult cardiomyocytes, Na/K pump currents in iCell Cardiomyocytes are not enhanced by activating cAMP production with either maximal or submaximal cytoplasmic Na and using either forskolin or isoproterenol to activate adenylate cyclases. Finally, we describe Ca influx-dependent changes of iCell Cardiomyocyte capacitance (Cm). Large increases of Cm occur during Ca influx via NCX1, thereby documenting large internal membrane reserves that can fuse to the sarcolemma, and subsequent declines of Cm document active endocytic processes. Together, these results document a great potential of iCell Cardiomyocytes for both short- and long-term studies of cardiac ion transporters and their regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cardiac muscle, the sarcolemmal sodium/potassium ATPase is the principal quantitative means of active transport at the myocyte cell surface, and its activity is essential for maintaining the trans-sarcolemmal sodium gradient that drives ion exchange and transport processes that are critical for cardiac function. The 72-residue phosphoprotein phospholemman regulates the sodium pump in the heart: unphosphorylated phospholemman inhibits the pump, and phospholemman phosphorylation increases pump activity. Phospholemman is subject to a remarkable plethora of post-translational modifications for such a small protein: the combination of three phosphorylation sites, two palmitoylation sites, and one glutathionylation site means that phospholemman integrates multiple signaling events to control the cardiac sodium pump. Since misregulation of cytosolic sodium contributes to contractile and metabolic dysfunction during cardiac failure, a complete understanding of the mechanisms that control the cardiac sodium pump is vital. This review explores our current understanding of these mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points Most human experiments examine proteins at the whole muscle level, and knowledge of fibre type specificity is mainly obtained in animal muscles. We used a new methodology and provide novel findings at the single fibre level., Potassium changes across muscle cell membranes may be important for development of fatigue during exercise. The Na+-K+ pump with the regulatory phospholemman (FXYD1) subunit and the ATP-dependent K+ channel Kir6.2 play crucial roles in potassium regulation., We show that in humans Na+-K+ pump α2 is expressed to a greater extent in type II than in type I fibres and Kir6.2 is expressed primarily in type I fibres. During exercise, phosphorylation of FXYD1 serine 68 is increased only in type II fibres, indicating differences in Na+-K+ pump activity., These results show that human Kir6.2 and Na+-K+ pump subunit expression and FXYD1 phosphorylation are fibre type specific, which may influence exercise-induced potassium regulation and fatigue development., Abstract The aim of the present study was to examine fibre type-specific Na+-K+ pump subunit expression and exercise-induced alterations in phospholemman (FXYD1) phosphorylation in humans. Segments of human skeletal muscle fibres were dissected and fibre typed, and protein expression was determined by Western blotting. The protein expression of the Na+-K+ pump α2 isoform was lower in type I than in type II fibres (0.63 ± 0.04 a.u. vs. 1.00 ± 0.07 a.u., P < 0.001), while protein expression of the Na+-K+ pump α1 and β1 isoforms was not different. Protein expression of the ATP-dependent potassium channel Kir6.2 was higher in type I compared with type II fibres. In both type I ( P < 0.01) and type II fibres ( P < 0.001) the AB_FXYD1 signal was lower after exercise compared with rest, indicating an increase in unspecific FXYD1 phosphorylation. The FXYD1 serine 68 phosphorylation was higher ( P < 0.001) after exercise compared with rest in type II fibres (1.90 ± 0.25 vs. 1.00 ± 0.08) and not changed in type I fibres. Total FXYD1 was not expressed in a fibre type-specific manner. Expression of phosphofructokinase was lower ( P < 0.001) in type I than in type II fibres, whereas citrate synthase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase were more abundant ( P < 0.001) in type I fibres. In conclusion, FXYD1 phosphorylation at serine 68 increased after an acute bout of intense exercise in human type II fibres, while AB_FXYD1 signal intensity was lower in both type I and type II fibres, indicating fibre type-specific differences in FXYD1 phosphorylation on serine 63, serine 68 and threonine 69. This, together with the observation of a higher abundance of the Na+-K+ pump α2 isoform protein in type II fibres, is likely to have importance for the exercise-induced human Na+-K+ pump activity in the different fibre types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Na+ /K+ -ATPase (Na+ pump) is the principal consumer of ATP in multicellular organisms. In the heart, the Na+ gradient established by the pump is essential for all aspects of cardiac function, and appropriate regulation of the cardiac Na+ pump is therefore crucial to match cardiac output to the physiological requirements of an organism. The cardiac pump is a multi-subunit enzyme, consisting of a catalytic a-subunit and regulatory ß- and FXYD subunits. All three subunits may become palmitoylated, although the functional outcome of these palmitoylation events is incompletely characterized to date. Interestingly, both ß- and FXYD subunits may be palmitoylated or glutathionylated at the same cysteine residues. These competing chemically distinct post-translational modifications may mediate functionally different effects on the cardiac pump. In the present article, we review the cellular events that control the balance between these modifications, and discuss the likely functional effects of pump subunit palmitoylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) establishes the transmembrane [Na+] gradient in cells. In heart, phospholemman (PLM) inhibits NKA activity by reducing its apparent Na+ affinity, an effect that is relieved by PLM phosphorylation. The NKA crystal structure suggests regions of PLM-NKA interaction, but the sites important for functional effects in live cells are not known. We tested wild type (WT) and CFP-NKA-α1 point mutants (alanine substitution at F956, E960, L964, and F967) for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) with WT-PLM-YFP in HEK293 cells. NKA-PLM FRET was unaltered with F956A or F967A, reduced with L964A, and nearly abolished with E960A. Mutating the PLM site (F28A) identified by structural analysis to interact with E960-NKA also nearly abolished NKA-PLM FRET. In contrast, NKA-PLM coimmunoprecipitation was only slightly reduced by E960A-NKA or F28A-PLM mutants, consistent with an additional interaction site. FRET titrations indicate that the additional site has higher affinity than that between E960-NKA and F28-PLM. To test whether the FRET-preventing mutations also prevent PLM functional effects, we measured NKA-mediated Na+-transport in intact cells. For WT-NKA, PLM reduced apparent Na+-affinity of NKA and PLM phosphorylation reversed the effect. In contrast, for E960A-NKA the apparent Na+-affinity was unaltered by either PLM or forskolin-induced PLM phosphorylation. We conclude that E960 on NKA and F28 on PLM are critical for PLM effects on both NKA function and NKA-PLM FRET, but also there is at least one additional site that is critical for tethering PLM to NKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholemman (PLM) regulates [Na+]i, [Ca2+]i and contractility through its interactions with Na+-K+-ATPase (NKA) and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1) in the heart. Both expression and phosphorylation of PLM are altered after myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure. We tested the hypothesis that absence of PLM regulation of NKA and NCX1 in PLM-knockout (KO) mice is detrimental. Three weeks after MI, wild-type (WT) and PLM-KO hearts were similarly hypertrophied. PLM expression was lower but fractional phosphorylation was higher in WT-MI compared to WT-sham hearts. Left ventricular ejection fraction was severely depressed in WT-MI but significantly less depressed in PLM-KO-MI hearts despite similar infarct sizes. Compared with WT-sham myocytes, the abnormal [Ca2+], transient and contraction amplitudes observed in WT-MI myocytes were ameliorated by genetic absence of PLM. In addition, NCX1 current was depressed in WT-MI but not in PLM-KO-MI myocytes. Despite improved myocardial and myocyte performance, PLM-KO mice demonstrated reduced survival after MI. Our findings indicate that alterations in PLM expression and phosphorylation are important adaptations post-MI, and that complete absence of PLM regulation of NKA and NCX1 is detrimental in post-MI animals. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume #: 1-8 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous finding that the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and the Na,K-ATPase interact as a regulatory complex to modulate Na,K-ATPase activity suggested that chronic, circulating nicotine may alter this interaction, with longterm changes in the membrane potential. To test this hypothesis, we chronically exposed rats to nicotine delivered orally for 21-31 days. Chronic nicotine produced a steady membrane depolarization of ∼3 mV in the diaphragm muscle, which resulted from a net change in electrogenic transport by the Na,K-ATPase a2 and a1 isoforms. Electrogenic transport by the a2 isoform increased (+1.8 mV) while the activity of the a1 isoform decreased (24.4 mV). Protein expression of Na,K-ATPase a1 or a2 isoforms and the nAChR did not change; however, the content of α2 subunit in the plasma membrane decreased by 25%, indicating that its stimulated electrogenic transport is due to an increase in specific activity. The physical association between the nAChR, the Na,K-ATPase α1 or α2 subunits, and the regulatory subunit of the Na,K-ATPase, phospholemman (PLM), measured by co-immuno precipitation, was stable and unchanged. Chronic nicotine treatment activated PKCa/β2 and PKCd and was accompanied by parallel increases in PLM phosphorylation at Ser63 and Ser68 . Collectively, these results demonstrate that nicotine at chronic doses, acting through the nAChR-Na,K-ATPase complex, is able to modulate Na,K-ATPase activity in an isoform-specific manner and that the regulatory range includes both stimulation and inhibition of enzyme activity. Cholinergic modulation of Na,K-ATPase activity is achieved, in part, through activation of PKC and phosphorylation of PLM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle activity is associated with an increase in extracellular purines (ATP, ADP), which are involved in signalling mechanisms. The present study investigates the effect of purines on the function of Na,K-ATPase (Na,K-pump) in rat skeletal muscle. Na,K-ATPase activity was quantified by measuring the release of inorganic phosphate in the presence of ATP and variable Na concentrations. In membranes purified from glycolytic muscle fibres, purinergic stimulation increases V and decreases the K (higher Na affinity) of the Na,K-ATPase. Stimulatory effects were obtained using ATP, ADP, 2-methylthio-ADP and UPT, but not UDP and adenosine. The effect of ADP on V can be inhibited by the non-specific P2Y receptor antagonists, suramin and PPADS. Moreover, the P2Y receptor antagonist MRS 2211 strongly inhibited the response to ADP, whereas the specific P2Y receptor antagonist MRS 2500 had less effect. Based on results from these agonists and antagonists, we conclude that P2Y receptors mediate the main effects observed, that P2Y1 receptors are also involved and that some P2Y/P2Y receptors also appear to be involved. Receptor antagonists had no effect on ADP-induced subunit (phospholemman and α1) phosphorylation and changes in K (Na affinity). Thus, the stimulatory effects of purines are mediated by two independent mechanisms: P2Y receptor-mediated increase in Na,K-ATPase capacity (increased V) and P2Y receptor-independent phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase phospholemman and α1 subunits, which induce changes in ion affinity. These mechanisms may contribute to up-regulation of Na,K-ATPase during muscle activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholemman (PLM), a member of the FXYD family of regulators of ion transport, is a major sarcolemmal substrate for protein kinases A and C in cardiac and skeletal muscle. In the heart, PLM co-localizes and co-immunoprecipitates with Na+-K+-ATPase, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, and L-type Ca2+ channel. Functionally, when phosphorylated at serine68, PLM stimulates Na+-K+-ATPase but inhibits Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in cardiac myocytes. In heterologous expression systems, PLM modulates the gating of cardiac L-type Ca2+ channel. Therefore, PLM occupies a key modulatory role in intracellular Na+ and Ca2+ homeostasis and is intimately involved in regulation of excitation–contraction (EC) coupling. Genetic ablation of PLM results in a slight increase in baseline cardiac contractility and prolongation of action potential duration. When hearts are subjected to catecholamine stress, PLM minimizes the risks of arrhythmogenesis by reducing Na+ overload and simultaneously preserves inotropy by inhibiting Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. In heart failure, both expression and phosphorylation state of PLM are altered and may partly account for abnormalities in EC coupling. The unique role of PLM in regulation of Na+-K+-ATPase, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, and potentially L-type Ca2+ channel in the heart, together with the changes in its expression and phosphorylation in heart failure, make PLM a rational and novel target for development of drugs in our armamentarium against heart failure. Clin Trans Sci 2010; Volume 3: 189–196 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on the expression of the phospholemman gene in the rectal glands of different shark species from a wide range of geographical locations. It references a study by Feico M. A. H. Schuurmans Stekhoven at Radbound University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and his colleagues, published in an issue of "Zoological Studies." The researchers studied the rectal glands found in sharks caught in western Australia, while the rays and Taiwanese sharks were bought from the Tashi and Taichung harbors in Taiwan. They conclude that the absence of phospholemman in some clades of shark families means that this channel cannot be used as a hallmark for phylogeny and classification.

Skeletal muscle Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase plays a central role in the clearance of K[sup+] from the extracellular fluid, therefore maintaining blood [K[sup+]]. Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase activity in peripheral tissue is impaired in insulin resistant states. We determined effects of high-fat diet (HFD) and exercise training (ET) on skeletal muscle Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase subunit expression and insulin-stimulated translocation. Skeletal muscle ex- pression of Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase isoforms and transcription factor DNA binding was determined before or after 5 days of swim training in Wistar rats fed chow or HFD for 4 or 12 wk. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance was observed after 12 wk of HFD. Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase a1-subunit protein expression was increased 1.6-fold (P < 0.05), whereas a2- and 13 i-subunits and protein expression were decreased twofold (P < 0.01) in parallel with decrease in plasma membrane Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase activity after 4 wk of HFD. Exercise training restored α[sub1]-, α[sub2]-, and β[sub1]-subunit expression and Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase activity to control levels and reduced β[sub2]-subunit expression 2.2-fold (P < 0.05). DNA binding activity of the α[sub1]-subunit-regulating transcription factor ZEB (AREB6) and α[sub1] mRNA expression were increased after HFD and restored by ET. DNA binding activity of Sp-1, a transcription factor involved in the regulation of α[sub2]- and β[sub1]-subunit expression, was decreased after HFD. ET increased phosphorylation of the Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase regulatory protein phospholemman. Phospholemman mRNA and protein expression were increased after HFD and restored to control levels after ET. Insulin-stimulated translocation of the α[sub2]-subunit to plasma membrane was impaired by HFD, whereas α[sub1]-subunit translocation remained unchanged. Alterations in sodium pump function precede the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance. Disturbances in skeletal muscle Na[sup+]-K[sup+]-ATPase regulation, particularly the α[sub2]-subunit, may contribute to impaired ion homeostasis in insulin-resistant states such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuller W, Howie J, McLatchie LM, Weber RJ, Hastie CJ, Burness K, Pavlovic D, Shattock MJ. FXYD1 phosphorylation in vitro and in adult rat cardiac myocytes: threonine 69 is a novel substrate for protein kinase C. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 296: C1346-C1355, 2009. First published April 1, 2009; doi: 10.1 l52lajpcell.00523.2008.-FXYD 1 (phosphoIemman), the primary sarcolemmal kinase substrate in the heart, is a regulator of the cardiac sodium pump. We investigated phosphorylation of FXYD1 peptides by purified kinases using HPLC, mass spectrometry, and Edman sequencing, and FXYD1 phosphorylation in cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes treated with PKA and PKC agonists by phosphospecific immunoblotting. PKA phosphorylates serines and 68 (S63 and S68) and PKC phosphorylates S63, S68, and a new site, threonine 69 (T69). In unstimulated myocytes, FXYD1 is ∼30% phosphorylated at S63 and S68, but barely phosphorylated at T69. S63 and S68 are rapidly dephosphorylated following acute inhibition of PKC in unstimulated cells. Receptor-mediated PKC activation causes sustained phosphorylation of S63 and S68, but transient phosphorylation of T69. To characterize the effect of T69 phosphorylation on sodium pump function, we measured pump currents using whole cell voltage clamping of cultured adult rat ventricular myocytes with 50 mM sodium in the patch pipette. Activation of PKA or PKC increased pump currents (from 2.1 ± 0.2 pAIpF in unstimulated-cells to 2.9 ± 0.1 pA/pF for PKA and 3.4 ± 0.2 pA/pF for PKC). Following kinase activation, phosphorylated FXYD1 was coimmunoprecipitated with sodium pump α[sub1]-subunit. We conclude that T69 is a previously undescribed phosphorylation site in FXYD 1. Acute T69 phosphorylation elicits stimulation of the sodium pump additional to that induced by S63 and S68 phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) is very important in modulating the contractile and electrical activity of the heart. Upon electrical excitation of the myocardium, voltage-dependent Na+ channels open, triggering the upstroke of the action potential (AP). During the AP, Ca2+ enters the myocytes via L-type Ca2+ channels. This triggers Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and thus activates contraction. Relaxation occurs when cytosolic Ca2+ declines, mainly due to re-uptake into the SR via SR Ca2+-ATPase and extrusion from the cell via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). NCX extrudes one Ca2+ ion in exchange for three Na+ ions and its activity is critically regulated by [Na+]i. Thus, via NCX, [Na+]i is centrally involved in the regulation of intracellular [Ca2+] and contractility. Na+ brought in by Na+ channels, NCX and other Na+ entry pathways is extruded by the Na+/K+ pump (NKA) to keep [Na+]i low. NKA is regulated by phospholemman, a small sarcolemmal protein that associates with NKA. Unphosphorylated phospholemman inhibits NKA by decreasing the pump affinity for internal Na+ and this inhibition is relieved upon phosphorylation. Here we discuss the main characteristics of the Na+ transport pathways in cardiac myocytes and their physiological and pathophysiological relevance. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 61(3): 215–221, 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FXYD1 is a transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in excitable tissues that associates with and regulates Na/K ATPase. PKA phosphorylates FXYD1 at serine 68 (S68), however, the effects of phosphorylation on Na/K ATPase activity are not fully characterized. The objectives of this study were to characterize Na/K ATPase currents in FXYD1 wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) adult mouse ventricular myocytes, and investigate the effects of FXYD1 on Na/K ATPase currents using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. A peptide representing the 19 C-terminal residues of FXYD1 (FXYD154-72) was introduced into the interior of FXYD1 KO and WT myocytes through the patch pipette. K-sensitive Na/K ATPase currents were higher in KO myocytes (2.9±0.1 pA/pF; n=4) compared with WT (1.9±0.1 pA/pF; n=4). Unphosphorylated FXYD154-72, at a concentration of 4 µM, reduced the currents in WT (from 2.1±0.1 to 1.3±0.1 pA/pF; P<0.05, n=7) and KO (from 2.9±0.1 to 1.7±0.1 pA/pF; P<0.05, n=5), whereas, 1 µM of FXYD154-72 phosphorylated at S68 increased currents in WT (from 1.91±0.09 to 3.1±0.5 pA/pF; P<0.05, n=6) and KO (from 2.7±0.11 to 3.8±0.2 pA/pF; P<0.05, n=6) myocytes. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that S68 phosphorylated and unphosphorylated FXYD154-72 associates with Na/K ATPase α1 subunit. We conclude that unphosphorylated FXYD1 inhibits Na/K ATPase, whereas S68 phosphorylated FXYD1 stimulates Na/K ATPase to a level above that seen in the absence of FXYD1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholemman (PLM) is the first sequenced member of the FXYD family of regulators of ion transport. The mature protein has 72 amino acids and consists of an extracellular N terminus containing the signature FXYD motif, a single transmembrane (TM) domain, and a cytoplasmic C-terminal domain containing four potential sites for phosphorylation. PLM and other members of the FXYD family are known to regulate Na+-K+-ATPase. Using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer into adult rat cardiac myocytes, we showed that changes in contractility and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis associated with PLM overexpression or downregulation are not consistent with the effects expected from inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase by PLM. Additional studies with heterologous expression of PLM and cardiac Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1) in HEK293 cells and cardiac myocytes isolated from PLM-deficient mice demonstrated by co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation, and electrophysiological and radioactive tracer uptake techniques that PLM associates with NCX1 in the sarcolemma and transverse tubules and that PLM inhibits NCX1, independent of its effects on Na+-K+-ATPase. Mutational analysis indicates that the cytoplasmic domain of PLM is required for its regulation of NCX1. In addition, experiments using phosphomimetic and phospho-deficient PLM mutants, as well as activators of protein kinases A and C, indicate that PLM phosphorylated at serine68 is the active form that inhibits NCX1. This is in sharp contrast to the finding that the unphosphorylated PLM form inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase. We conclude that PLM regulates cardiac contractility by modulating the activities of NCX and Na+-K+-ATPase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca2+ in cardiac myocytes regulates contractility and relaxation, and Ca2+ and Na +regulation are linked via Na+/Ca2+ exchange (NCX). Heart failure (HF) is accompanied by contractile dysfunction and arrhythmias, both of which may be due to altered cellular Ca2+ handling. Smaller Ca2+ transient and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content cause systolic dysfunction in HF. The reduced SR Ca2+ content is due to: ( a) reduced SR Ca2+-ATPase function (which also contributes to diastolic dysfunction), ( b) increased expression and function of NCX (which competes with SR Ca2+-ATPase during relaxation, but preserves diastolic function), and ( c) enhanced diastolic SR Ca2+ leak. Relative contributions of these may vary with HF etiology and stage. Triggered arrhythmias (e.g., delayed afterdepolarizations [DADs]) are prominent in HF. DADs are due to spontaneous SR Ca2+ release and consequent activation of transient inward NCX current, which in HF allows DADs to more readily trigger arrhythmogenic action potentials. Thus NCX and Na+ are critical in systolic and diastolic function and arrhythmias. [Na+] i is elevated in HF, which may limit SR unloading and provide some Ca2+ influx during the HF action potential, thus limiting the depression of systolic function. High [Na+] i in HF is due to enhanced Na+ influx. Cellular Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) function appears unaltered, despite reduced NKA expression. This dichotomy led us to test NKA regulation by phospholemman (PLM). We find that PLM regulates NKA in a manner analogous to phospholamban regulation of SR Ca2+-ATPase (i.e., inhibition that is relieved by PLM phosphorylation). We measured intermolecular FRET between PLM and NKA, which is reduced upon PLM phosphorylation. The lower expression level of more phosphorylated PLM in HF may explain the above dichotomy. Thus, altered Ca2+ and Na+ handling contributes to altered contractile function and arrhythmogenesis in HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human phospholemman (PLM) is a 72-residue protein, which is expressed at high density in the cardiac plasma membrane and in various other tissues. It forms ion channels selective for K+, Cl−, and taurine in lipid bilayers and colocalizes with the Na+/K+-ATPase and the Na+/Ca2+-exchanger, which may suggest a role in the regulation of cell volume. Here we present the first structural data based on synthetic peptides representing the transmembrane domain of PLM. Perfluoro-octaneoate-PAGE of reconstituted proteoliposomes containing PLM reveals a tetrameric homo-oligomerization. Infrared spectroscopy of proteoliposomes shows that the PLM peptide is completely α-helical, even beyond the hydrophobic core residues. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments reveal that a core of 20-22 residues is not accessible to water, thus embedded in the lipid membrane. The maximum helix tilt is 17° ± 2° obtained by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. Thus, our data support the idea of ion channel formation by the PLM transmembrane domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The FXYD proteins are a family of seven homologous single transmembrane segment proteins (FXYD1-7), expressed in a tissue-specific fashion. The FXYD proteins modulate the function of Na,K-ATPase, thus adapting kinetic properties of active Na+ and K+ transport to the specific needs of different cells. Six FXYD proteins (1-5, 7) are known to interact with Na,K-ATPase and affect its kinetic properties in specific ways. Although effects of FXYD proteins on parameters such as K1/2Na+, K1/2K+, KmATP, and Vmax are modest, usually twofold, these effects may have important long-term consequences for homeostasis of cation balance. In this review we summarize basic features of FXYD proteins and present recent evidence for functional effects, structure-function relations and structural interactions with Na,K-ATPase. We then discuss possible physiological roles, based on in vitro observations and newly available knockout mice models. Finally, we also consider evidence that FXYD proteins affect functioning of other ion transport systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phospholemman (PLM) is an abundant phosphoprotein in the plasma membrane of cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle. It is a member of the FXYD family of proteins that bind to and regulate the Na,K-ATPase. Protein kinase A (PKA) is known to phosphorylate PLM on serine 68 (S68), although the functional effect of S68 PLM phosphorylation is unclear. We therefore evaluated S68 PLM phosphorylation in swine carotid arteries. Methods: Two anti-PLM antibodies, one to S68 phosphorylated PLM and one to unphosphorylated PLM, were made to PLM peptides in rabbits and tested with purified PLM and PKA-treated PLM. Swine carotid arteries were mounted isometrically, contracted, relaxed with forskolin and then homogenized. Proteins were separated on SDS gels and the intensity of immunoreactivity to the two PLM antibodies determined on immunoblots. Results: The antipeptide antibody ‘C2’ primarily reacted with unphosphorylated PLM, and the antipeptide antibody ‘CP68’ detected S68 PLM phosphorylation. Histamine stimulation of intact swine carotid artery induced a contraction, increased the CP68 PLM antibody signal and reduced the C2 PLM antibody signal. High extracellular [K+] depolarization induced a contraction without altering the C2 or CP68 PLM signal. Forskolin-induced relaxation of histamine or extracellular [K+] contracted arteries correlated with an increased CP68 signal. Nitroglycerin-induced relaxation was not associated with changes in the C2 or CP68 PLM signal. Conclusions: These data suggest that a contractile agonist increased S68 PLM phosphorylation. Agents that increase [cAMP], but not agents that increase [cGMP], increased S68 PLM phosphorylation. S68 PLM phosphorylation may be involved in cAMP-dependent regulation of smooth muscle force. Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phospholemman (PLM) is a 72-amino-acid phosphoprotein that is a major substrate for cAMPdependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, and NIMA kinase. In lipid bilayers, PLM forms ion channels selective for Cl-, K+, and taurine. Effluxes of these abundant intracellular osmolytes play an important role in the control of dynamic cell volume changes in many cell types. We measured swelling-activated ion currents and regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in human embryonic kidney cells stably overexpressing canine cardiac PLM. In response to swelling, two clonal cell lines overexpressing PLM had increased swelling-activated ion current densities and faster and more extensive RVD. A third clonal cell line overexpressing mutant PLM showed reduced ion current densities and a diminished RVD response. These results suggest a role for PLM in the regulation of cell volume, perhaps as a modulator of an endogenous swelling-activated signal transduction pathway or possibly by participating directly in swelling-induced osmolyte efflux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under hypertonic conditions, solitary rat hepatocytes in primary culture shrink and subsequently exhibit a distinct regulatory volume increase (RVI). Reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction and 5′ and 3′ RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) techniques reveal that these cells express phospholemman (PLM). In whole-cell recordings, the hypertonic activation of a channel is observed that resembles PLM with respect to unitary conductance (600–700 pS), gating pattern, and non-selectivity for Na+ over K+. In Xenopus oocytes expressing hepatocyte PLM, hypertonic stress induces a non-selective cation conductance and noise analysis reveals the activation of a channel with a unitary conductance of approximately 700 pS. These results suggest a role of PLM in the RVI of rat hepatocytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]