Genes in the KCNE family encode single transmembrane domain ancillary subunits that co-assemble with voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channel ␣ subunits to alter their function. KCNE2 (also known as MiRP1) is expressed in the heart, is associated with human cardiac arrhythmia, and modulates cardiac Kv ␣ subunits hERG and KCNQ1 in vitro. KCNE2 and KCNQ1 are also expressed in parietal cells, leading to speculation they form a native channel complex there. Here, we disrupted the murine kcne2 gene and found that kcne2 (؊/؊) mice have a severe gastric phenotype with profoundly reduced parietal cell proton secretion, abnormal parietal cell morphology, achlorhydria, hypergastrinemia, and striking gastric glandular hyperplasia arising from an increase in the number of nonacid secretory cells. KCNQ1 exhibited abnormal distribution in gastric glands from kcne2 (؊/؊) mice, with increased expression in non-acid secretory cells. Parietal cells from kcne2 (؉/؊) mice exhibited normal architecture but reduced proton secretion, and kcne2 (؉/؊) mice were hypochlorhydric, indicating a gene-dose effect and a primary defect in gastric acid secretion. These data demonstrate that KCNE2 is essential for gastric acid secretion, the first genetic evidence that a member of the KCNE gene family is required for normal gastrointestinal function.Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) 2 channels repolarize excitable cells by opening in response to membrane depolarization to permit K ϩ ion efflux. In addition to the 40 known genes that encode the pore-forming (␣) subunits of Kv channels (1), a range of Kv channel ancillary subunits form heteromeric complexes with Kv ␣ subunits to alter their functional properties, thus increasing native Kv current diversity. One family of ancillary subunits, the MinK-related peptides (MiRPs, encoded by KCNE genes), contributes five known members to the human genome. MiRPs are single transmembrane domain subunits that co-assemble with Kv ␣ subunits, altering their gating, conductance, regulation, and pharmacology (2).The MiRP1 protein, encoded by the KCNE2 gene, is now more commonly referred to as KCNE2, and this nomenclature is used here to avoid confusion. KCNE2 regulates hERG potassium channels, and KCNE2-hERG complexes are thought, at least in part, to generate the cardiac I Kr current, the major repolarizing force in human ventricles (3). Mutations in KCNE2 are associated with a form of inherited long QT syndrome, LQT6 (3-5). Further, relatively common polymorphisms in KCNE2 are associated with acquired (drug-induced) long QT syndrome, and some KCNE2 variants increase susceptibility to drug block of the I Kr channel complex (3, 6).Aside from interacting with hERG, KCNE2 has been found to modulate other Kv ␣ subunits in heterologous co-expression studies, including KCNQ1 (also known as Kv7.1) (7), Kv3.1, Kv3.2 (8), and Kv4.2 (9). Effects of KCNE2 on KCNQ1 are particularly dramatic: KCNE2 converts KCNQ1 to a voltage-independent "leak" channel that retains K ϩ selectivity but is constitutively active regardless of membrane ...

Parietal cells are the primary acid secretory cells of the stomach. We have previously shown that activation of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) by divalent (Ca(2+)) or trivalent (Gd(3+)) ions stimulates acid production in the absence of secretagogues by increasing H(+),K(+)-ATPase activity. When overexpressed in HEK-293 cells, the CaSR can be allosterically activated by L-amino acids in the presence of physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(o)(2+); 1.5-2.5 mM). To determine whether the endogenously expressed parietal cell CaSR is allosterically activated by L-amino acids, we examined the effect of the amino acids L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), L-tryptophan, and L-leucine on acid secretion. In ex vivo whole stomach preparations, exposure to L-Phe resulted in gastric luminal pH significantly lower than controls. Studies using D-Phe (inactive isomer) failed to elicit a response on gastric pH. H(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was monitored by measuring the intracellular pH (pH(i)) of individual parietal cells in isolated rat gastric glands and calculating the rate of H(+) extrusion. We demonstrated that increasing Ca(o)(2+) in the absence of secretagogues caused a dose-dependent increase in H(+) extrusion. These effects were amplified by the addition of amino acids at various Ca(o)(2+) concentrations. Blocking the histamine-2 receptor with cimetidine or inhibiting system L-amino acid transport with 2-amino-2-norbornane-carboxylic acid did not affect the rate of H(+) extrusion in the presence of L-Phe. These data support the conclusion that amino acids, in conjunction with a physiological Ca(o)(2+) concentration, can induce acid secretion independent of hormonal stimulation via allosteric activation of the stomach CaSR.

Glutamine, the most abundant amino acid in mammals, is critical for cell and organ functions. Its metabolism depends on the ability of cells to take up or release glutamine by transporters located in the plasma membrane. Several solute carrier (SLC) families transport glutamine, but the SLC38 family has been thought to be mostly responsible for glutamine transport. We demonstrate that despite the large number of glutamine transporters, the loss of Snat3/Slc38a3 glutamine transporter has a major impact on the function of organs expressing it. Snat3 mutant mice were generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU) mutagenesis and showed stunted growth, altered amino acid levels, hypoglycemia, and died around 20 days after birth. Hepatic concentrations of glutamine, glutamate, leucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan were highly reduced paralleled by downregulation of the mTOR pathway possibly linking reduced amino acid availability to impaired growth and glucose homeostasis. Snat3-deficient mice had altered urea levels paralleled by dysregulation of the urea cycle, gluconeogenesis, and glutamine synthesis. Mice were ataxic with higher glutamine but reduced glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in brain consistent with a major role of Snat3 in the glutamine-glutamate cycle. Renal ammonium excretion was lower, and the expression of enzymes and amino acid transporters involved in ammoniagenesis were altered. Thus, SNAT3 is a glutamine transporter required for amino acid homeostasis and determines critical functions in various organs. Despite the large number of glutamine transporters, loss of Snat3 cannot be compensated, suggesting that this transporter is a major route of glutamine transport in the liver, brain, and kidney. ABSTRACTGlutamine, the most abundant amino acid in mammals, is critical for cell and organ functions. Its metabolism depends on the ability of cells to take up or release glutamine by transporters located in the plasma membrane. Several solute carrier (SLC) families transport glutamine, but the SLC38 family has been thought to be mostly responsible for glutamine transport. We demonstrate that despite the large number of glutamine transporters, loss of the Snat3/Slc38a3 glutamine transporter has a major impact on the function of organs expressing it. Snat3 mutant mice were generated by N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU) mutagenesis and showed stunted growth, altered amino acid levels, hypoglycemia, and died around 20 days after birth. Hepatic concentrations of glutamine, glutamate, leucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan were highly reduced paralleled by downregulation of the mTOR pathway possibly linking reduced amino acid availability to impaired growth and glucose homeostasis. Snat3 deficient mice had altered urea levels paralleled by dysregulation of the urea cycle, gluconeogenesis, and glutamine synthesis. Mice were ataxic with higher glutamine but reduced glutamate and GABA levels in brain consistent with a major role of Snat3 in the glutamine-glutamate cycle. Renal ammonium excretion ...

Kidneys produce ammonium to buffer and excrete acids through metabolism of glutamine. Expression of the glutamine transporter Slc38a3 (SNAT3) increases in kidney during metabolic acidosis (MA), suggesting a role during ammoniagenesis. Potassium depletion and high dietary protein intake are known to elevate renal ammonium excretion. In this study, we examined SNAT3, phosphate-dependent glutaminase (PDG), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) regulation during a control (0.36%) or low-K(+) (0.02%) diet for 7 or 14 days or a control (20%) or high-protein (50%) diet for 7 days. MA was induced in control and low-K(+) groups by addition of NH(4)Cl. Urinary ammonium excretion increased during MA, after 14-day K(+) restriction alone, and during high protein intake. SNAT3, PDG, and PEPCK mRNA abundance were elevated during MA and after 14-day K(+) restriction but not during high protein intake. SNAT3 protein abundance was enhanced during MA (both control and low K(+)), after 14-day low-K(+) treatment alone, and during high protein intake. Seven-day dietary K(+) depletion alone had no effect. Immunohistochemistry showed SNAT3 staining in earlier parts of the proximal tubule during 14-day K(+) restriction with and without NH(4)Cl treatment and during high protein intake. In summary, SNAT3, PDG, and PEPCK mRNA expression were congruent with urinary ammonium excretion during MA. Chronic dietary K(+) restriction, high protein intake, and MA enhance ammoniagenesis, an effect that may involve enhanced SNAT3 mRNA and protein expression. Our data suggest that SNAT3 plays an important role as the glutamine uptake mechanism in ammoniagenesis under these conditions.