John P Winpenny

The human MUC4 gene is not expressed in normal pancreas; however, its dysregulation results in high levels of expression in pancreatic tumors. To investigate the tumor-associated expression, MUC4 cDNA was cloned from a human pancreatic tumor cell line cDNA expression library using a polyclonal antibody raised against human deglycosylated mucin and RT-PCR. Pancreatic MUC4 cDNA shows differences in 12 amino acid residues in the non-tandem repeat coding region with no structural rearrangement as compared with tracheal MUC4. The full-length MUC4 cDNA includes a leader sequence, a serine and threonine rich non-tandem repeat region, a central large tandem repeat domain containing 48 bp repetitive units, regions rich in potential N-glycosylation sites, two cysteine-rich domains, EGF-like domains, and a transmembrane domain. We also report the presence of a new EGF-like domain in MUC4 cDNA, located in the cysteine-rich region upstream from the first EGF-like domain. Four distinct splice events were identified in the region downstream of the central tandem repeat domain that generate three new MUC4 cDNA sequences (sv4, sv9, and sv10). The deduced amino acid sequences of two of these variants lack the transmembrane domain. Furthermore, two unique forms of MUC4 (MUC4/Y and MUC4/X) generated as a result of alternative splicing lack the salient feature of mucins, the tandem repeat domain. A high degree of polymorphism in the central tandem repeat region of MUC4 was observed in various pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines, with allele sizes ranging from 23.5 to 10.0 kb. MUC4 mRNA expression was higher in differentiated cell lines, with no detectable expression in poorly differentiated pancreatic tumor cell lines.

Secretory diarrhoea continues to be an enormous health problem worldwide. Pharmacological block of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel is regarded as a potential therapeutic target for secretory diarrhoea. The main objective of this study was to determine the action of the plant derived compound, reserpine, on the CFTR chloride channel. The effect of reserpine on the CFTR chloride current was investigated using the short circuit current (Isc) technique on monolayers of Caco-2 cells grown on permeable supports. Monolayers had a transepithelial resistance (RT) of 467 ± 40 Ω/cm2 and an initial Isc of 4.5 ± 1.2 μA/cm2 (n=22). Initial experiments on intact Caco-2 monolayers suggested that a 15 min, apical preincubation with 50μM reserpine resulted in an inhibition of the 10 μM forskolin-stimulated Isc (n=3). All further experiments were carried out in nystatin-permeabilised Caco-2 monolayers. Basolateral addition of 10μM Forskolin resulted in a...

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the remodeling of extracellular matrix, but are also proposed to have other roles. A previous report indicated that recombinant MMP2 protein decreased, while the non-specific MMP inhibitor, 1,10-phenanthroline, and an anti-MMP2 antibody increased CFTR chloride current [1]. Furthermore, a link between MMP activity and potassium ion channel regulation has been proposed that involves heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor shedding by MMP cleavage [2]. Here we investigate the possible regulatory role of MMPs and EGF on CFTR chloride current in Calu-3 cells. Calu-3 cells were grown on permeable supports until confluent at which point the apical fluid was removed producing an air-liquid interface (ALI). Supports were incorporated into an Ussing chamber 7-15 days after ALI and short circuit current (Isc) across the monolayer was measured. All filters were treated with 10µM amiloride before each experiment to block epithelial sodium channels....

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation by binding to and activating the EGF receptor (EGFR). The EGFR is expressed by bronchial epithelial cells and regulates not only tissue repair, but also mucin production (1). EGFR signalling and potassium channel activity facilitate cell proliferation and migration. The inhibition of potassium channels by clofilium and glibenclamide reduced wound repair in NuLi (normal lung) and CuFi (CF) cells (2) and the EGFR is upregulated in the airways of asthma and COPD patients (3). While the effect of activation of EGF/EGFR in the gut is well documented (4), comparatively little is known about the role of the EGFR in ion transport in airway cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the EGF signalling pathway and the regulation of potassium channels in the Calu-3 submucosal cell line. Calu-3 cells were grown to confluency on permeable supports at an air-l...

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd are developing, a ClC-2 chloride channel activator and a bicyclic member of a series of fatty acid compounds, for the potential treatment of a number of gastrointestinal conditions, including constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, postoperative bowel dysfunction and opioid bowel dysfunction.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibits adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-stimulated fluid secretion in rat pancreatic ducts (N. Ashton, R. L. Evans, and B. E. Argent. J. Physiol. Lond. 452: 99P, 1992). Using the patch-clamp technique, we have investigated whether this inhibition of fluid secretion results from an effect of PKC on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl channels. Exposure to 100 nM 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) had no effect on CFTR current density in unstimulated duct cells, but caused a 31% increase in the magnitude of CFTR currents recorded from cells stimulated with cAMP. Furthermore, prolonged (2-4 h) exposure of stimulated duct cells to 100 nM PDBu (a condition that should downregulate PKC) significantly slowed the rate at which CFTR currents run down after establishing a whole cell recording. A similar effect was observed with calphostin C (500 nM), a specific inhibitor of PKC. Thus, although inhibition of ductal fluid secretion by PDBu is unlikely to be explained by an effect on CFTR, modulation of PKC activity can affect both the magnitude and stability of CFTR currents in pancreatic duct cells.

Disruption of normal cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator- (CFTR)-mediated Cl(-) transport is associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). CFTR is also required for HCO(3)(-) transport in many tissues such as the lungs, gastro-intestinal tract, and pancreas, although the exact role CFTR plays is uncertain. Given the importance of CFTR in HCO(3)(-) transport by so many CF-affected organ systems, it is perhaps surprising that relatively little is known about the interactions of HCO(3)(-) ions with CFTR. We have used patch clamp recordings from native pancreatic duct cells to study HCO(3)(-) permeation and interaction with CFTR. Ion selectivity studies shows that CFTR is between 3-5 times more selective for Cl(-) over HCO(3)(-). In addition, extracellular HCO(3)(-) has a novel inhibitory effect on cAMP-stimulated CFTR currents carried by Cl(-). The block by HCO(3)(-) was rapid, relatively independent of voltage and occurred over the physiological range of HCO(3)(-) concentratio...

We have been studying CFTR channels in guinea pig pancreatic duct cells and rather surprisingly found that luminal HCO3- had a pronounced inhibitory effect on cAMP-activated CFTR chloride currents. The block produced by HCO3- was rapid, voltage-independent and occurred over a physiological range of extracellular HCO3- concentrations. I- and ClO4- were also found to inhibit CFTR currents, but both were less effective than HCO3-. Although we have not identified how HCO3- is able to block CFTR our data suggests that an external anion-binding site on the channel itself is involved. Overall, our results show that luminal HCO3- acts as a potent inhibitor of CFTR channels (and by inference CFTR-mediated secretion), under normal physiological conditions. These data have implications not only for current models of pancreatic duct cell HCO3- transport, but also for other bicarbonate-secreting tissues, such as the liver, GI tract and lungs.

We have studied the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and calcium-activated chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells isolated from a transgenic cf/cf mouse created by targeted insertional mutagenesis. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-activated CFTR chloride currents were detected in 78% (29/37) of wild-type cells, in 81% (35/43) of heterozygote cells, and in 61% (29/47) of homozygous cf/cf duct cells (P > 0.05, cf/cf vs. wild-type and heterozygote). The CFTR current density measured at membrane potentials of +/- 60 mV averaged 22-26 pA/pF in wild-type and heterozygote groups but only 13 pA/pF in cells derived from cf/cf animals (P < 0.05, cf/cf vs. wild-type and cf/cf vs. heterozygotes). In contrast, duct cells from animals of all three genotypic groups exhibited calcium-activated chloride currents that were of similar magnitude and up to 11-fold larger than the CFTR currents. We speculate that these transgenic insertional null mic...

1. The effects of clinical inhalation anaesthetics, such as halothane and methoxyflurane, and "model" anaesthetics, such as hydrocarbons and n-alkanols, on neuronal sodium and potassium channels are reviewed. 2. Lipid-based mechanisms for the actions of anaesthetics on the gating parameters of squid axon sodium and delayed rectifier potassium currents are considered in conjunction with evidence of more specific effects in other preparations, notably a fast inactivating potassium current in Helix neurones and a voltage-gated sodium current in rat dorsal root ganglion neurones. 3. The proconvulsant actions of some inhalation anaesthetics are discussed in relation to the induction of spontaneous firing of action potentials in the squid giant axon.

1. A two-microelectrode voltage clamp was used to determine the effects of n-butanol, n-hexanol, n-octanol, n-decanol and methyl hexanoate on a transient potassium (IA) current in identified Helix aspersa neurones. Experiments were carried out at a temperature of 10-12 degrees C. 2. Each n-alkanol reversibly reduced the amplitude of the IA current. Logarithmic dose-response curves for the current reduction by each homologue were sigmoidal and had slope factors of around four. The concentrations required to reduce the peak (with time) current at -30 mV by 50% (ED50 +/- fitted standard error) were: 57 +/- 5 mM (n-butanol); 2.0 +/- 0.1 mM (n-hexanol); 0.28 +/- 0.02 mM (n-octanol) and 0.016 +/- 0.001 mM (n-decanol). Methyl hexanoate also reduced the current amplitude, with an ED50 of 1-2 mM. The Helix IA current thus showed a similar sensitivity to n-alkanols to that of squid and rat sodium currents but was rather more sensitive than the squid delayed rectifier potassium current. 3. The...

Background & Aims: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channels play an important role in HCO3− secretion by pancreatic duct cells (PDCs). Our aims were to characterize the CFTR conductance of guinea pig PDCs and to establish whether CFTR is regulated by HCO3−. Methods: PDCs were isolated from small intralobular and interlobular ducts, and their Cl− conductance was studied

Pancreatic duct epithelial cells (PDECs) have been shown to express calcium activated chloride channels (CaCCs) and there is evidence for their involvement in fluid secretion from these cells. The molecular identity of the CaCC in PDECs remains unknown. Recently, the bestrophin family of proteins have been proposed as a potential molecular candidate for CaCCs. Expression of bestrophins is strongly correlated with the function of CaCCs in a variety of tissues. In the present study, the expression of bestrophins has been investigated in the cystic fibrosis pancreatic duct cell line, CFPAC-1. Iodide efflux analysis was used to characterise native CaCCs in CFPAC-1 cell monolayers. Efflux was induced with the addition of UTP (100 microM, 10.2 +/- 1.5 nmol min(-1)), which was blocked by the chloride channel blockers niflumic acid (81%) and DIDS (90%). The UTP-stimulated iodide efflux was shown to be Ca(2+) dependent and cAMP independent. RT-PCR analysis of RNA isolated from CFPAC-1 cells demonstrated positive identification of all four human bestrophin mRNAs. Western blot of CFPAC-1 cell protein isolates with antibodies specific to human bestrophin 1 (hBest1) showed that hBest1 protein was expressed in this cell line. HBest1 was present on the cell surface, demonstrated using biotinylation and confocal imaging, as well as in the cytoplasm. SiRNA-mediated silencing of hBest1 in CFPAC-1 cells reduced the UTP-stimulated iodide efflux by around 40%. This study provides evidence that the bestrophins are expressed in pancreatic duct cells and, more specifically, that hBest1 plays a role in the CaCCs found in these cells.

Calcium-activated anion secretion is elevated in the pancreatic ductal epithelium of transgenic cf/cf mice which lack the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To elucidate whether this effect is due to increased activity of calcium-activated chloride channels, we have studied the relationship between CFTR and calcium-activated chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells isolated from Cambridge cf/cf mice. CFTR chloride currents activated by cAMP were detected in 59% (29/49) of wild-type cells and in 50% (20/40) of heterozygous cells. However, we could not detect any CFTR currents in the homozygous cf/cf cells (0/25). The maximum CFTR current density measured at a membrane potential of 60 mV was 23.5 +/- 2.8 pA/pF (n = 29) in wild-type cells, and about half that value, i.e. 12.4 +/- 1.6 pA/pF (n = 20) in heterozygotes (P = 0.004). Calcium-activated chloride currents were detected in 73% (24/33) of wild-type, 75% (21/28) of heterozygous and in 58% (7/12) of homozygous cf/cf cells. There was no significant difference between the steady-state calcium-activated current densities in the three genotypic groups; the current measured at 60 mV being 527 +/- 162 pA/pF (n = 24) from wild-type, 316 +/- 35 pA/pF (n = 21) from heterozygote and 419 +/- 83 pA/pF (n = 7) from homozygous cells. Our data suggest that lack of CFTR does not enhance the calcium-activated chloride conductance in murine pancreatic duct cells.

Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, a calcium-activated chloride conductance (CACC) could be elicited in HPAF cells by addition of 1 microM ionomycin to the bath solution (66 +/- 22 pA/pF;Vm + 60 mV) or by addition of 1 microM calcium to the pipette solution (136 +/- 17 pA/pF; Vm + 60 mV). Both conductances had similar biophysical characteristics, including time-dependent inactivation at hyperpolarising potentials and a linear/slightly outwardly rectifying current/voltage (I/V) curve with a reversal potential (Erev) close to the calculated chloride equilibrium potential. The anion permeability sequence obtained from shifts in Erev was I > Br >/= Cl. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene disulphonic acid (DIDS, 500 microM) caused a 13% inhibition of the current (Vm + 60 mV) while 100 microM glibenclamide, 30 nM TS-TM-calix[4]arene and 10 microM tamoxifen, all chloride channel blockers, had no marked effects (8%, -6% and -2% inhibition respectively). Niflumic acid (100 microM) caused a voltage-dependent inhibition of the current of 48% and 17% (Vm +/- 60 mV, respectively). In freshly isolated human pancreatic duct cells (PDCs) a CACC was elicited with 1 microM calcium in the pipette solution (260 +/- 62 pA/pF; Vm + 60 mV). The presence of this CACC in human PDCs could provide a possible therapeutic pathway for treatment of pancreatic insufficiency of the human pancreas in cystic fibrosis.

Using the patch-clamp technique, we have identified a large, outwardly rectifying, Cl−-selective whole-cell current in primary cultures of human vas deferens epithelial cells. Whole-cell currents were time- and voltage-dependent and displayed inactivation following depolarising pulses ≥ 60 mV. Currents were equally permeable to bromide (P Br/PCl = 1.05 ± 0.04), iodide (P I/P Cl = 1.06 ± 0.07) and Cl−,

We have used the patch clamp technique to study volume-activated Cl- currents in the bicarbonate-secreting pancreatic duct cell. These currents could be elicited by a hypertonic pipette solution (osmotic gradient 20 mOsm/l), developed over about 8 min to a peak value of 91 +/- 5.8 pA/pF at 60 mV (n = 123), and were inhibited by a hypertonic bath solution. The proportion of cells which developed currents increased from 15% in freshly isolated ducts to 93% if the ducts were cultured for 2 days. The currents were ATP-dependent, had an outwardly rectifying current/voltage (I-V) plot, and displayed time-dependent inactivation at depolarizing potentials. The anion selectivity sequence was: ClO4 = I = SCN > Br = NO3 > Cl > F > HCO3 > gluconate, and the currents were inhibited to a variable extent by DIDS, NPPB, dideoxyforskolin, tamoxifen, verapamil and quinine. Increasing the intracellular Ca2+ buffering capacity, or lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, reduced the proportion of duct cells which developed currents. However, removal of extracellular Ca2+ once the currents had developed was without effect. Inhibiting protein kinase C (PKC) with either the pseudosubstrate PKC (19-36), calphostin C or staurosporine completely blocked development of the currents. We speculate that cell swelling causes Ca2+ influx which activates PKC which in turn either phosphorylates the Cl- channel or a regulatory protein leading to channel activation.

The CLCA proteins were first shown to exist in bovine trachea and named as chloride channels calcium activated (CLCA) due to the calcium-dependent chloride conductance that appeared to be activated on expression of these proteins in trachea and other secretory epithelial cells. Since their initial discovery the CLCA gene family has grown extensively and family members have been identified in bovine, human, murine, equine and porcine tissues. The CLCA proteins appear to have a role to play in chloride conductance across epithelial cells and hence epithelial fluid secretion; cell-cell adhesion, apoptosis, cell cycle control and tumorgenesis and metastasis; mucous production and cell signalling in respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are four human homologues; hCLCA1, hCLCA2, hCLCA3 and hCLCA4. Interest in these proteins has gathered pace with the description of hCLCA1's involvement in several human respiratory diseases. This review will describe the CLCA gene family and then move on to look at the growing body of evidence that suggests that at least hCLCA1 has an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory disease such as asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis (CF).

The MUC1 mucin is a large membrane-tethered glycoprotein that shows differential expression in many adenocarcinomas, where it contributes to their invasive and metastatic properties. We previously identified DNase I hypersensitive sites at -750 and -250 bp in the human MUC1 gene promoter and showed concordance between the -250 site and MUC1 mRNA levels in vivo. Transient expression assays using promoter constructs, in which the core DHS was deleted, to drive reporter gene expression revealed in vivo evidence for their activity. DNase I footprinting using nuclear extracts from HPAF human pancreatic carcinoma cells and MCF7 breast carcinoma cells identified three protein-binding elements in these regions (-250FP1, FP2 and -750FP). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays detected several complexes between HPAF nuclear proteins and labeled FP DNA probes. Southwestern blots and UV cross-linking experiments identified myeloid zinc finger-1 (MZF-1) as a candidate transcription factor among proteins binding to the -250FP1 and FP2 sequences. Another candidate that was identified by screening an HPAF cDNA expression library with the -250FP1 probe is DNA binding protein A (DbpA). Exogenous DbpA expression in COS-7 cells was accompanied by upregulation of MUC1 promoter activity via the -250 DHS, suggesting that DbpA binding to the -250 DHS can influence human MUC1 gene expression.