Small-molecule screening identifies modulators of aquaporin-2 trafficking

J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013 Apr;24(5):744-58. doi: 10.1681/ASN.2012030295. Epub 2013 Apr 4.

Abstract

In the principal cells of the renal collecting duct, arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulates the synthesis of cAMP, leading to signaling events that culminate in the phosphorylation of aquaporin-2 water channels and their redistribution from intracellular domains to the plasma membrane via vesicular trafficking. The molecular mechanisms that control aquaporin-2 trafficking and the consequent water reabsorption, however, are not completely understood. Here, we used a cell-based assay and automated immunofluorescence microscopy to screen 17,700 small molecules for inhibitors of the cAMP-dependent redistribution of aquaporin-2. This approach identified 17 inhibitors, including 4-acetyldiphyllin, a selective blocker of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase that increases the pH of intracellular vesicles and causes accumulation of aquaporin-2 in the Golgi compartment. Although 4-acetyldiphyllin did not inhibit forskolin-induced increases in cAMP formation and downstream activation of protein kinase A (PKA), it did prevent cAMP/PKA-dependent phosphorylation at serine 256 of aquaporin-2, which triggers the redistribution to the plasma membrane. It did not, however, prevent cAMP-induced changes to the phosphorylation status at serines 261 or 269. Last, we identified the fungicide fluconazole as an inhibitor of cAMP-mediated redistribution of aquaporin-2, but its target in this pathway remains unknown. In conclusion, our screening approach provides a method to begin dissecting molecular mechanisms underlying AVP-mediated water reabsorption, evidenced by our identification of 4-acetyldiphyllin as a modulator of aquaporin-2 trafficking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaporin 2 / metabolism*
  • Benzodioxoles / pharmacology*
  • Benzofurans / pharmacology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colforsin / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP / physiology
  • Fluconazole / pharmacology
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • 4-acetyldiphyllin
  • AQP2 protein, human
  • Aquaporin 2
  • Benzodioxoles
  • Benzofurans
  • Colforsin
  • Fluconazole
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Vacuolar Proton-Translocating ATPases