PSC2002 Membrane Transport and Cell Signalling Flashcards
Name some components of the cell membrane
-Phospholipid bilayer
-Gprotein coupled receptor
-Channels
-Membrane proteins
Describe Macrotransfer across a cell membrane and some examples.
-Large scale movement of molecules
eg -Endocytosis (membrane wraps around stuff and brings it into the cell)
-Exocytosis (vesicles fuses with membrane to release substances)
Describe Microtransfer across a cell membrane and an example.
-Smaller scale movement of molecules
eg -Cell membrane transport of small molecules and ions
What is vesicular transport involved in?
Endocytosis and Exocytosis through the cell surface membrane
Describe the decreasing plasma membrane permeability of certain molecules
-Hydrophobic molecules
-Small uncharged polar molecules
-Large polar molecules
-Ions
Describe the resting membrane potential of all cells
-Determined by distribution of ions across the membrane
-Mostly due to Na+ and K+
-Determined by the Nernst equation
Outline the Nernst equation
Em = (RT / zF) * ln([ion conc outside] / [ion conc inside])
Em = Membrane potential
RT = Gas constant x Temperature
zF = Number of charges on ion x Faraday’s number
What does the Nernst equation predict?
It predicts equilibrium membrane potential based on concentration gradient of that ion across that membrane
Describe the permeability ratio of K+:Na+ in Non excitable cells and nerve/muscle cells.
Non-excitable cells 2:1
Nerve/Muscle cells 25:1
Describe how a voltage clamp works
-A specific membrane potential (voltage) is set
-The clamp measures how much current (ionic flow) is needed to keep the membrane potential al that set value
-Despite natural changes in ion concentration and permeability
What channel properties can a voltage clamp tell us?
-Activation and inactivation kinetics in response to voltage changes
-Reversal potential (MP at which there is no net ionic current through a particular ion channel, indicating the ion’s equilibrium potential)
-Pharmacological effects
What are the main applications of the voltage clamp to study membrane potential?
-Ion channel analysis
-Pharmacology studies
What are the main applications of the current clamp to study membrane potential?
-Action potential studies
-Excitability studies
Describe how current clamp works
-A constant or variable current is injected into the cell
-The resulting changes in MP are measured
-Indicating how the cell responds to the injected current (including action potential firing, threshold potential)
Describe how patch clamping works
-Involves using a micropipette to form a high resistance seal with the cell membrane, allowing for measurement of ionic currents
-Can isolate the activity of individual ion channels
Describe the method by which molecules move directly across the lipid bilayer
-Passive (simple) diffusion
-Solute/gas passes down concentration gradient
-At finish inward flux = outward flux
-Obeying Fick’s law of diffusion
What methods of moving across the phospholipid bilayer are there using integral membrane proteins
-Facilitated diffusion (through pore, channels and carriers)
-Active transport (requiring ATP to transport)
-Secondary active transport
What are the types of secondary active transport?
-Co-transport (Symporters) involve movement of a solute coupled to the movement of another down its concentration gradient
-Counter-transport (antiporters) involve coupled movement of two or more solutes in opposite direction
Describe Fick’s law
Flux = Permeability x concentration difference
How do you determine permeability?
(Diffusion coefficient x Partition coefficient) / Distance
What are the three types of transporters that facilitate diffusion?
-Channels (non gated)
-Gated channels
-Uniporters (carriers)
Name some important integral non gated channels
-Porins in bacteria, mitochondria and nuclear pore complex
-Aquaporins
What is ENaC?
Epithelial sodium channel
Name some important gated channels
-ENaC
-K+ channels
-Ca2+ channels
-Almost all ion channels
Give some functional components of gated channels
-Gate
-Sensor (detects signal to open gates)
-Selectivity filter (stops other substances)
What modulates the function of gated channels?
-Voltage
-Mechanical stimuli
-Ligand binding
Name some important uniporters (carrier channels)
-GLUT1 (RBC)
-GLUT2 (Intestines)
-GLUT4 (Skeletal/cardiac muscle)
Describe the cycle by which uniporters regulate movement through a membrane
-Carrier open
-Solute enters and binds
-Outer gate closes
-Inner gate opens
-Solute released
-Inner gate closed
What can inhibit transporters?
Structural analogues
Describe how the Na+/K+ pump is electrogenic
-It drives 3 Na+ ions out for every 2 K+ ions in
-Contributing 10% electrical potential across cell membrane
Name some examples of P-type ATPases
-Na+/K+ pumps
-Ca2+ pumps in SR
What can be used to inhibit the Na+/K+ pump
-Ouabain
-Cardiac glycosides
Name the types of domains found in the Na+/K+ pump
Intra, trans and extra membrane domains
Name the intracellular domains found in the Na+/K+ pump
-Actuator domain
-Phosphorylation domain
-Nucleotide domain
Describe the binding sites for Na+ and K+ in the Na+/K+ pump
-3 binding sites
-However K+ ions are larger so Na+ fits into domains easier
-Leading to the 3:2 stoichiometry
Describe the mechanism in the Na+/K+ pump
-Na+ enters the channel and causes conformational change to move Nucleotide domain across
-Nucleotide domain phosphorylates P domain, releasing ADP and energy, which issued to shut gate on one side and open gate on other side
-Na+ is released, and K+ enters the now vacant binding site in channel, causing conformational change to release phosphate from P domain through the actuator domain
-Regenerated ATP binds N domain, and energy is used to open gate, causing K+ to exit and Actuator to reset
Describe the Gibbs-Donnan effect
-Describes how the presence of impermeable ions influence the distribution of other ions across that membrane.
-Permeable ions will distribute to balance concentration gradients and electrostatic forces.
Why is the Na+/K+ pump needed to counteract the Gibbs-Donnan effect
Na+/K+ pump forces positive ions out of the cell, increasing the water potential, preventing too much osmotic pressure (ie water entering the cell and lysing)
What do secondary active transporters use to transport substances
-Use the kinetic energy provided by electrochemical gradients as
-One solute is transported down a concentration gradient
-With another solute coupled to this transport
Describe symporters
Secondary active transporters involved in the transport of two or more molecules in the same direction
Give an example of a symporter
Na+/Glucose transporter (SGLT)
Describe antiporters
Secondary active transporters involved in the transport of two or more ions in opposite directions
Give examples (and their functions) of antiporters
-NHE (Na+/H+) maintains cytosolic pH
-NCX (Na+/Ca2+) maintains low cytosolic Ca2+ conc
What are ABC transporters?
ATP Binding Cassette transporters
Describe ATP Binding Cassette transporters
-Utilise energy from ATP hydrolysis to transport various molecules across cellular membrane
-Can remove toxins
Give an example of an ATP Binding Cassette transporter
CFTR
How is CFTR an irregular ATP Binding Cassette transporter?
As ATP regulates the channel
Describe the domains found in ABC transporters
-Two Membrane spanning domains
-Two nucleotide binding domains
-One Regulatory domain
What is Osmosis
Passive movement of a solvent to a region of high solute concentration across a semi-permeable membrane
What are the major solutes driving osmosis?
IONS
What is osmolarity and its units
Total concentration of dissolved particles in a litre of solution (osmol/L)
What is osmolality and its units
The number of dissolved particles per unit mass (osmol/kg H2O)
What is osmotic pressure?
Pressure exerted by flow of water across membrane, determined by solute concentrations
What is tonicity
A measure of the effect a solution has on cells placed in it and is driven by osmolarity
Describe a Hypotonic solution
-Has an osmolarity less than intracellular
-Water moves into the cell and it expands
Describe a Hypertonic solution
-Has an osmolarity greater than intracellular
-Water moves out of the cell and it shrinks
Describe an isotonic solution
-Has an osmolarity that equals intracellular
-No net movement and no change in cell size
Describe the equation to find water flow
Water flow = Hydraulic water permeability x Pressure
What protein is involved in the transport of water across a membrane?
Aquaporins
If a solute reflection coefficient (σ) is 1, how permeable is the membrane?
Absolutely impermeable
If a solute reflection coefficient (σ) is 0.5, how permeable is the membrane?
Semi permeable
If a solute reflection coefficient (σ) is 0, how permeable is the membrane?
No barrier, it is fully permeable
Describe Epithelial tissues
-Line external and internal surfaces
-Internal is known as endothelium, external as epithelium
What lines the lumen of the gut?
Epithelial cells making up the epithelium
Where is epithelia found?
-Line outside of human body (skin)
-Line internal cavities and lumen of bodies
Give some prominent examples of epithelia
-GI tract
-Genito-urinary tract
-Respiratory tract
How many human cancers originate from epithelial cells?
85%
Give some functions of epithelia
-Protection
-Filtration (lining of kidney tubules)
-Exchange (alveoli)
-Absorption (intestine)
-Sensation (taste buds, olfactory epithelium)
-Secretion (lining of glands)
Give some different epithelial tissue types
-Simple squamous
-Simple cuboidal
-Simple columnar
-Stratified squamous
-Pseudostratified columnar
-Transitional
Give the function and location of simple squamous epithelial tissue
FUNCTION - Absorption, filtration, minimal barrier to diffusion
LOCATION - Capillaries, alveoli, abdominal and pleural cavities
Give the function and location of simple cuboidal epithelial tissue
FUNCTION - Secretion, transportation
LOCATION - Glands and ducts, kidney tubules, ovaries
Give the function and location of simple columnar epithelial tissue
FUNCTION - Absorption, protection, secretion
LOCATION - Digestive tract
Give the two types of simple columnar epithelial tissue
Ciliated and non-ciliated
Give the function and location of stratified squamous epithelial tissue
FUNCTION - Protection
LOCATION - Skin, Mouth, Upper throat, Oesophagus
Give the two types of stratified squamous epithelial tissue
-Keratinised (makes impermeable and dry)
-Non-keratinised (kept moist by secretions to prevent from drying out)
Give the function and location of pseudostratified columnar epithelial tissue
FUNCTION - Absorption and protection
LOCATION - Upper respiratory tract, trachea
Give the function and location of transitional epithelial tissue
FUNCTION - Stretchable layer
LOCATION - Bladder
How do epithelia form a functional unit
-Epithelial layers are attached to the extracellular matrix of the basal lamina
-Linked using specialised structures
What structures link epithelial cells to each other and the basal lamina?
-Tight junctions
-Anchoring junctions
-Channel forming junctions
Describe tight junctions
-Membrane proteins that seal adjacent cells together
-Ensuring molecules cannot leak freely between cells
-Also prevent lateral migration of membrane proteins
By preventing lateral migration of membrane proteins, what do tight junctions in epithelial cells generate?
Cell polarity, as distinct cell membrane domains are created
What controls the flow of molecules into epithelial cells?
The paracellular barrier, which is established by tight junction proteins
Give an example of an epithelium containing a high vs a low number of tight junction proteins
High - Urinary bladder
Low - Proximal tubule
What combination of Claudins that make up a tight junction protein make it tight?
Claudin-1 and Claudin-3
What combination of Claudins that make up a tight junction protein make it leaky?
Claudin-1 and Claudin-2
Describe anchoring junctions found in epithelia
-Provide mechanical stability
-Anchor cells to the basal lamina, or to other cells
-Two categories
What are the two categories of anchoring junctions in epithelia?
-Actin attachments
-Intermediate filament attachments
What are the two types of actin attachment anchoring junctions in epithelia?
-Cell to cell: Adherens junction
-Cell to basal lamina: Focal adhesions
What are the two types of intermediate filament attachment anchoring junctions in epithelia?
-Cell to cell: desmosomes
-Cell to basal lamina: hemidesmosomes
Describe the basal lamina
Strong and flexible foundation that underlies all epithelia
How thick is the basal lamina?
40-120 nm thick
Name the interactions that form the meshwork of the basal lamina
-Laminin
-Type IV collagen
-Entactin
-Perlecan
Describe the basement membrane
-Combination of the basal lamina and the reticular lamina
-Anchors epithelial cells to connective tissue below
-Acts as a mechanical barrier
-Important in angiogenesis
What is the function of gap junctions in epithelial cells?
-Form intracellular channels (approx 1.5nm in diameter)
-Allowing diffusion between cells and enabling cell to cell communication
What are the functions of Ussing chambers?
-Measures resistance of ion transport
-Used to determine what ion channels are present (and their concentration and expression)
Describe Ussing studies of frog skin
-Skin dissected and mounted as flat sheet between two chambers containing solution of identical composition
-Skins developed a trans epithelial potential difference due to “active” transepithelial Na+ movement
What do polarised epithelial cells generate?
Transepithelial voltage due to a total difference in charge across the cell (basolateral - apical)
Describe the mechanism by which epithelial NaCl and water is absorbed
-Na+ influxes through ENaC
-Na+ is actively pumped out of the cells across the basolateral membrane via the Na+/K+ ATPase
-Causing paracellular transport of Cl via tight junctions to maintain electroneutrality
-Increasing the NaCl conc on the basolateral side of the epithelium, driving osmotic movement of water
Name some epithelial tissues containing ENaC
-Kidney
-Lung
-Colon
-Sweat gland
Simply, what is the role of ENaC in the kidney?
Na+ retention, controlling whole body Na+ and water balance, and therefore blood pressure
What is the role of ENaC in the lung?
Na+ and water absorption, controlling the amount of airway surface liquid (ASL) and alveolar lining fluid (ALF)
What is the role of ENaC in the colon?
Na+ and water reabsorption from the diet
What is the role of ENaC in the sweat gland?
Na+ retention, reabsorption of Na+ by sweat ducts, but this is not followed by water, producing a hypotonic sweat secretion
Describe the degenerin ion channel family, and give an example
-“Acid-sensing”
-eg ENaC
Describe the structure of ENaC
-Functional channel is a heterotrimer of 3 ⍺, β or γ subunits, coded by 3 genes
-Each subunit has 2 transmembrane domains (forming the pore)
-Extracellular loops are the site for regulation by CAPs and SPLUNC1
What may regulate ENaC?
CAPs and SPLUNC1
What is the site for ubiquitination in ENaC?
PY motif in C term
How does aldosterone affect final urinary salt composition?
-Changes ENaC function in the aldosterone sensitive distal nephron
-Binds to cytosolic mineralocorticoid receptor, which goes to nucleus and binds with HRE genes, increasing SGK
What occurs in principal cells of the aldosterone sensitive distal nephron following stimulation by HRE?
-Surface ENaC levels increase by 2-5 fold
-Increasing Na+/K+ ATPase density
-increased ATP supply to support increased Na+/K+ ATPase activity
-Increased K+ excretion across apical membrane via ROMK
Where is the Aldosterone sensitive distal nephron located?
In the last third of the distal convoluted tubule (DCT2), the connecting tubule (CNT) and the cortical collecting duct (CCD)
How does aldosterone increase the number of ENaC in the apical membrane?
-ALDOSTERONE decreases the rate of retrieval by stimulating SGK1, which phosphorylates NEDD4 preventing it binding to the PY motif and inhibiting ENaC ubiquitination
-Preventing internalisation
What may be the result of excess aldosterone?
Hypertension, hypokalaemia and or alkalosis
What is Liddle’s syndrome characterised by?
-Mutations in cytoplasmic region of β or γ ENaC
-Leading to hypertension, hypokalaemia and or alkalosis
Which genes are mutated in Liddle’s syndrome?
SCNN1A, SCNN1B and SCNN1G
How do the mutations caused by Liddle’s syndrome lead to excessive gain of function in ENaC?
Mutations lead to changes in cytoplasmic region of ENaC subunits, preventing NEDD4-2 binding, increasing the number of ENaC
Describe how increased ENaC function causes hyperkalemia in Liddle’s syndrome
-Enhanced ENaC function depolarises apical membrane potential
-Electrical gradient for K+ excretion through ROMK is increased so get excessive loss of K+ in the urine leading to low blood K_
Describe the effect of Amiloride
-Inhibits ENaC (preventing Na+ transport), lowering blood pressure
-Hyperpolarises the apical membrane potential, reducing K+ loss and preventing hypokalaemia
Where is ENaC expressed in the lungs?
-In the apical membrane of surface epithelial and alveolar type II cells
-ie conducting and respiratory airways
What is airway surface liquid (ASL) vital for?
Innate defence of the lungs via mucociliary clearance
What is alveolar lining fluid (ALF) vital for?
Efficient gas transfer
What mediates ENaC in the conducting airways?
↑Channel activating proteases (CAPS)
↓Antiproteases
↓SPLUNC1
↓ATP
Describe the different ways in which each NaCl ion is secreted by epithelial cells
Na+ moves paracellularly, Cl- moves transcellularly
What are the two types of chloride ion channels?
CFTR and Calcium Activated Chloride Channel (CaCC)
What differentiates CFTR from other ABC transporters?
It is an ion channel, not an active pump
What domains make up CFTR?
5
-MSD1 and MSD2 (forming the pore)
-NBD1 and NBD2 (bind ATP)
-R domain (PKA phosphorylation site)
Describe the molecular mechanism of CFTR gating
-PKA phosphorylation of the R domain induces ATP binding and dimerisation of the NBDs
-Conformational change in NBDs transmitted to MSDs, leading to pore opening
-ATP is hydrolysed and pore closes
-Dephosphorylation by protein phosphates closes the channel
What has been used to demonstrate that CFTR requires both PKA phosphorylation and ATP binding to open?
Inside out patch
What may modulate Calcium activated Chloride channels (CaCC)?
Calmodulin (CaM) and CAM dependent Kinase (CaMK)
Describe where Calcium activated Chloride Channels (CaCC) are found
-Present in the apical membrane of most epithelial cells expressing CFTR (apart from intestinal cells)
-Also found in apical membrane of gland secretory acinar cells (WITH NO CFTR)
-In some endocrine, smooth and skeletal muscle, and neurones
What activates Calcium activated Chloride channels (CaCC)?
A rise in cytosolic Ca2+
What are TMEM16A and TMEM16B?
Calcium activated Chloride Channels
Describe the structure of TMEM16A (CaCC)?
-Contains 10 TMDs, with the pore region being TMD 6-9
-Contains 3 intracellular loop
-Functional channel is made up of TMEM16A dimer
Describe how TMEM16A is activated
-Calcium ions bind to glutamate residues in one of the two ⍺ helices of intracellular loop 3
-Causing ⍺ helices to move apart, opening the pore, enabling chloride transport
What are the two main mechanisms by which HCO3- is secreted?
-Directly through the chloride channel itself
-Indirectly via coupling the chloride channel with an apical chloride/bicarbonate exchanger
What apical anion exchanger is involved in NaHCO3 secretion?
SLC26A, a Cl-/HCO3- exchanger
Describe how a net NaHCO3 yield secretion occurs in the epithelia?
A chloride channel is coupled to SLC26A
As well as containing SLC26A, what else do many epithelia that secrete HCO3- have?
Na+ dependent HCO3- cotransporters (NBCs) on the basolateral membrane, supplying cytosolic HCO3- for the SLC26A exchanger
How does PKA phosphorylation of CFTR influence other channels?
-Switches on anion exchanger activity for SLC26A
-By physically interacting via the scaffold protein CAP70
Which epithelial tissues does HCO3- secretion occur in (requiring regulation by CFTR)?
-Small intestine
-Biliary tract
-Exocrine pancreas
-Airways
-Female and Male reproductive tracts
Which epithelial tissues does HCO3- secretion occur in (not requiring regulation by CFTR)?
The stomach
Describe acinar cells in the exocrine pancreas
Secrete a variety of digestive enzymes and a low volume, NaCl rich fluid into the ducts, using TMEM16A channels
Describe duct cells in the exocrine pancreas
Transport digestive enzymes to small intestine. Produce a high volume, NaHCO3 rich secretion using both CFTR and SLC26A6
What is fluid secretion in the GI tract driven by?
Both NaCl and NaHCO3 secretion with CFTR as the dominant anion channel
What mechanisms carry out fluid absorption in the GI tract?
-ENaC mediated fluid absorption in the colon
-Sodium linked absorptive ion transporters (SLC26A, NHE3)
-Nutrient absorptive transporters (SGLT1, GLUT5)
Describe how vibrio cholerae infection causes secretory diarrhoeas
Cholera toxin inhibits NaCl and fluid absorption (from villi) and stimulates CFTR mediated Cl-/HCO3- and fluid secretion (from crypts)
Describe how Cholera toxin overstimulates CFTR?
CT causes ADP ribosylation of G protein that blocks GTP hydrolysis by the subunit, becoming permanently active (producing lots of cAMP)
What may be given to treat secretory diarrhoeas?
-Oral Rehydration Therapy
-Isomolar or hypoosmolar salt solution containing NaCl, NaCitrate, KCl and glucose
What pattern of inheritance describes Cystic fibrosis?
Autosomal recessive
What is cystic fibrosis caused by?
Loss of function mutations in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance regulator (CFTR) gene
How many people in the UK live with CF?
Over 11,000
How many people in the UK are carriers for cystic fibrosis?
1 in 25
How many mutations in the CFTR gene cause CF?
720
What is the most common mutation in the CFTR gene leading to CF?
-F508del, loss of phenylalanine at position 508 in NBD1
-50% are homozygous for F508del, and 35% contain a single F508del allele
What are the two types of CFTR mutations?
-Minimal function mutations
-Residual function mutations
What are the different classes of CFTR mutations for those with CF?
-No protein (class I)
-No traffic (class II)
-No function (class III)
-Less function (class IV)
-Less protein (class V)
-Less stable (class VI)
Give an example of a class I CFTR mutation
G542X
Give an example of a class II CFTR mutation
F508del
Give an example of a class III CFTR mutation
G551D
Give an example of a class IV CFTR mutation
R117H
Give an example of a class V CFTR mutation
A455E
Give an example of a class VI CFTR mutation
rF508del
Which classes of CFTR mutations produce the most severe phenotype?
Classes I, II and III
ie Minimal function mutations
Can Cystic fibrosis phenotype severity be predicted from genotyping?
-Sometimes, depending on which organ
-Lung disease severity is more variable (influenced by environment, other genetic modifiers)
-Pancreatic insufficiency can correlate well with genotype
How does cystic fibrosis affect the function of the pancreas?
-Defective CFTR leads to reduced chloride and bicarbonate secretions, causing sticky mucus that block ducts from acinar cells
-Leading to
-acidic environment which activates digestive enzymes, digesting the ducts
-blocked enzyme flow to the small intestine
What is the role of CFTR in conducting airways?
-Maintains proper hydration and pH of the airway surface liquid (ASL), which induces the PCL layer and the mucus layer
-Ensuring efficient mucociliary clearance
Name some cell types in the conducting airway epithelium
-Club cell
-Goblet cell
-Basal cell
-Ciliated cell
-Ionocyte
-PNEC
-Tuft cell
How does cystic fibrosis affect mucociliary clearance?
-Airway surface liquid is dehydrated and more acidic leading to viscous mucus, mucus accumulation and obstruction, and failure of MCC
-Leading to chronic bacterial colonisation and the establishment of biofilms
-Leading to destruction as chronic immune response in this area
How does cystic fibrosis lead to more acidic airway surface liquid?
-Lack of CFTR function reduces HCO3- secretion into the ASL
-H+ secretion is active, producing more acidic ASL
What are the consequences of a more acidic ASL?
-Increases fluid absorption due to enhanced ENaC activity (increased CAP and decreased SPLUNC1)
-Increased mucus stasis and viscosity (decreased mucin release)
-Decreased bacterial killing (reduced AMP activity)
What are the common symptoms that characterise cystic fibrosis in the lungs?
-Mucus clogging
-Reduced airway surface liquid
-Recurrent lung infections
-Overactive immune response
-Destruction of lung
How is mucus clogging in the lungs in cystic fibrosis treated?
Using physiotherapy and mucolytics
How is reduced airway surface liquid in the lungs in cystic fibrosis treated?
-Using nebulised hypertonic saline or mannitol
-Drawing water from the body into the airways, improving hydration
How is overactive immune response in the lungs in cystic fibrosis treated?
Using NSAIDs
What are the main approaches to the treatment of the basic anion permeability defect in cystic fibrosis?
-CFTR modulator therapy
-Genetic therapy
-Alternate channel therapy
In terms of CFTR function, how much function is required to reduce symptoms?
<5% is involved in lung disease, meaning giving little CFTR function improves quality of life significantly!
How may we assess cystic fibrosis therapies in patients?
-Lung function tests eg FEV1
-Sweat chloride test
-Other relevant parameters such as BMI, quality of life, number of hospitalisations
Give some key structures found in a sweat gland
-Secretory coil secretes NaCl rich isotonic from acinar cells (mostly Cl secretion via TMEM16A)
-Absorptive duct absorbs NaCl transcellularly (but no water) producing a hypotonic fluid, using ENaC and CFTR
What regulates ion and fluid transport in healthy sweat glands?
Via ACh and Catecholamines
Describe the sweat test for Cystic fibrosis severity?
-Sweat glands are stimulated and sweat is collected for 30 minutes
-Sweat chloride greater than 60mmol/Ln indicates Cystic fibrosis
-As NaCl is not reabsorbed in absorptive duct due to faulty CFTR
Describe CFTR modulator therapies
-Uses drugs to correct mutant CFTR
-Can be standalone or used in combination with genetic therapies or alternate channel therapy
-Can be personalised
What aspect of CFTR activity can be altered using drug therapies?
-Increase the number of CFTR channels at cell surface (class II mutation)
-Enhance CFTR channel gating (class III mutation)
-Increase ion flux (class IV mutation)
What are the CFTR drug modulator types that are currently in clinical use?
-Potentiators
-Correctors
What are the CFTR drug modulator types that are currently in development?
-Termination suppressors
-Amplifiers
-Stabilisers
Describe what CFTR drug modulator “potentiators” do, and give an example.
-Increase the activity of class III gating mutants and some residual function mutants
-Vertex VX770 Kalydeco or Ivacaftor
How do CFTR drug potentiators work?
-By increasing the opening rate or duration of openings
-eg VX770 increases G551D CFTR channel activity, and has demonstrated an increase in FEV1 and decrease in sweat chloride tests
Describe what CFTR drug modulator “correctors” do, and give an example.
-Promote processing of class II mutants to the plasma membrane, increasing folding efficiency of the channel in the ER
-This increases the number of channels
-VX809 lumacaftor
What have Ussing chambers demonstrated with VX809?
VX809 increases F508del CFTR at the apical plasma membrane of human airway cells in vitro, increasing chloride secretion following a cAMP agonist
What defects need to be corrected in F508del CFTR?
-Processing defect (low Number)
-Gating defect
-Shorter resident time in plasma membrane (stability)
How do we correct all the defects in F508del CFTR, in order to treat those with CF?
-Combination therapy of potentiator (VX770) with corrector (VX809)
-or triple therapy of 2 correctors and 1 potentiator
What is the issue with the current clinical treatments for cystic fibrosis?
-They only treat symptoms
-Do not prevent the gradual loss in lung function in most people with cystic fibrosis
Describe what termination suppressor drug modulators for CFTR aim to do?
-Work by suppressing nonsense mutations inducing a stop codon
-PTC124 is one currently under development
Describe what amplifier drug modulators for CFTR aim to do?
-Work by enhancing stability and transaction of CFTR mRNA
-PTI428 is one currently under development
Describe what stabiliser drug modulators for CFTR aim to do?
-Work by increasing the functional stability of CFTR protein in the cell membrane by anchoring it
Define genetic therapies
Therapeutic approaches that
-Deliver copies of the healthy gene using gene addition (DNA or mRNA)
-Fix the chromosomal DNA using genome editing (eg CRISPR/Cas9)
What vectors may be used for genetic therapies for cystic fibrosis?
Viral or liposome vectors
Describe experimental gene therapies using LIPOSOME vectors for cystic fibrosis
-Vesicles with lipid bilayers (coupled with cations) encapsulate plasmid DNA containing functional CFTR gene
-Internalised and gene is inserted into DNA and expressed
Describe experimental gene therapies using VIRAL vectors for cystic fibrosis
-Uses adenovirus vector
-Internalised in endosome, and corrected CFTR gene is inserted and expressed in the cell
What are the main issues surrounding gene therapies for cystic fibrosis?
-Delivery challenges (patients have thick mucus that hinders delivery of vectors)
-Only transient expression (requires repeated treatments)
-Immune responses lead to reduced efficacy and damage associated with repeated treatments
-Difficult to target correct cells
-May disrupt other genes if integrated into DNA
How may we improve the efficacy of gene therapies?
-Using lentivirus, AAV for long term stable correction as the gene is integrated into DNA
-Modify virus to make them less immunogenic
-Use other non viral approaches such as nanoparticles
Describe the steps involved in cell therapy for cystic fibrosis
-Isolate cells from skin or other tissue
-Generate induced pluripotent stem cells
-Correct the CFTR mutation to wild type
-Differentiate the cells to basal airway stem cells
-Engraft onto the basal membrane
Describe mRNA mediated therapy for cystic fibrosis
-Focuses on delivering synthetic messenger mRNA encoding the functional CFTR to cells
-Bypassing the translation step involved in gene therapies
Describe Antisense Oligonucleotide (ASO)-mediated therapy for cystic fibrosis
Focuses on binding to CFTR mRNA, suppressing defective mRNA and improving functionality of the translated CFTR protein
What is the focus of alternate channel therapy for cystic fibrosis?
-Focuses on alternative chloride Chanels that are present in CF cells to bypass defective CFTR and restore Cl-/HCO3- and fluid transport
-Aims to inhibit ENaC to help reduce salt and fluid absorption
What is the main target for using alternative chloride channels to treat cystic fibrosis?
-TMEM16A
-Need a drug that directly activates the channel without involving Ca2+
How may we decrease ENaC activity to treat cystic fibrosis as part of “alternative channels” therapy?
-Use amiloride like drugs
-Inhibit proteases that activate ENaC
-Target ENaC regulatory proteins
What are the two main transporter superfamilies?
-ATP binding cassettes (ABC)
-Solute carrier (SLC)
Name some important members of the solute carrier (SLC) transporter superfamily?
-OAT (Organic anion transporter)
-OATP (organic anion transporting polypeptide)
-OCT (Organic cation transporter)
-MATE (multidrug and toxin extrusion protein)
Do ATP binding transporters import or export?
-They can do either
-But never both
Name some ABC efflux transporters
MDR1/P-gp
Name some ABC influx transporter
-Maltose uptake transporter
-Methionine uptake transporter
-Typically found in prokaryotes
Name some ABC associated with ion channels
-CFTR
-SUR1
Where are ABCs typically expressed?
In cells with excretory or barrier functions, eg
-Liver, intestine, kidney
-Blood brain barrier, Blood placenta barrier, Blood testis barrier
What characterises most cells expressing ABCs
-Polarised, with ABC transporters being expressed either on the apical or basolateral side
-BUT NOT BOTH
What do ABCs protect cells against?
Typically against xenobiotics
How many genes in humans are there for ABC transporters?
48
How many ABC subfamilies are there in humans?
7, A-G
How many domains are there in ABC transporters?
-2 Nucleotide binding domains which bind and hydrolyse ATP
-2 Transmembrane domains which bind and transport substrates