The neuronal-specific SGK1.1 kinase regulates {delta}-epithelial Na+ channel independently of PY motifs and couples it to phospholipase C signaling

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2010 Oct;299(4):C779-90. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00184.2010. Epub 2010 Jul 14.

Abstract

The δ-subunit of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is expressed in neurons of the human and monkey central nervous system and forms voltage-independent, amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channels when expressed in heterologous systems. It has been proposed that δ-ENaC could affect neuronal excitability and participate in the transduction of ischemic signals during hypoxia or inflammation. The regulation of δ-ENaC activity is poorly understood. ENaC channels in kidney epithelial cells are regulated by the serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase 1 (SGK1). Recently, a new isoform of this kinase (SGK1.1) has been described in the central nervous system. Here we show that δ-ENaC isoforms and SGK1.1 are coexpressed in pyramidal neurons of the human and monkey (Macaca fascicularis) cerebral cortex. Coexpression of δβγ-ENaC and SGK1.1 in Xenopus oocytes increases amiloride-sensitive current and channel plasma membrane abundance. The kinase also exerts its effect when δ-subunits are expressed alone, indicating that the process is not dependent on accessory subunits or the presence of PY motifs in the channel. Furthermore, SGK1.1 action depends on its enzymatic activity and binding to phosphatidylinositol(4,5)-bisphosphate. Physiological or pharmacological activation of phospholipase C abrogates SGK1.1 interaction with the plasma membrane and modulation of δ-ENaC. Our data support a physiological role for SGK1.1 in the regulation of δ-ENaC through a pathway that differs from the classical one and suggest that the kinase could serve as an integrator of different signaling pathways converging on the channel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / chemistry
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / genetics
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / genetics
  • Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism*
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / enzymology*
  • Oocytes / cytology
  • Oocytes / physiology
  • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Type C Phospholipases / genetics
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism*
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • Immediate-Early Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • serum-glucocorticoid regulated kinase
  • Type C Phospholipases