Growing evidence implicates a key role for extracellular nucleotides in cellular regulation, including of ion channels and renal function, but the mechanisms for such actions are inadequately defined. We investigated purinergic regulation of the epithelial Na ؉ channel (ENaC) in mammalian collecting duct. We find that ATP decreases ENaC activity in both mouse and rat collecting duct principal cells. ATP and other nucleotides, including UTP, decrease ENaC activity via apical P2Y 2 receptors. ENaC in collecting ducts isolated from mice lacking this receptor have blunted responses to ATP. P2Y 2 couples to ENaC via PLC; direct activation of PLC mimics ATP action. Tonic regulation of ENaC in the collecting duct occurs via locally released ATP; scavenging endogenous ATP and inhibiting P2 receptors, in the absence of other stimuli, rapidly increases ENaC activity. Moreover, ENaC has greater resting activity in collecting ducts from P2Y 2 ؊/؊ mice. Loss of collecting duct P2Y 2 receptors in the knock-out mouse is the primary defect leading to increased ENaC activity based on the ability of direct PLC stimulation to decrease ENaC activity in collecting ducts from P2Y 2 ؊/؊ mice in a manner similar to ATP in collecting ducts from wild-type mice. These findings demonstrate that locally released ATP acts in an autocrine/paracrine manner to tonically regulate ENaC in mammalian collecting duct. Loss of this intrinsic regulation leads to ENaC hyperactivity and contributes to hypertension that occurs in P2Y 2 receptor ؊/؊ mice. P2Y 2 receptor activation by nucleotides thus provides physiologically important regulation of ENaC and electrolyte handling in mammalian kidney.
Systemic Naϩ balance influences blood pressure. Consequently, body Na ϩ content is under tight negative-feedback control by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Discretionary Na ϩ reabsorption in the aldosterone-sensitive distal renal nephron, including the collecting duct, fine-tunes plasma Na ϩ levels. Here, the activity of the luminal epithelial Na ϩ channel (ENaC) 2 is limiting for Na ϩ transport (1-3). ENaC is an end-effector of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with aldosterone increasing ENaC activity. The importance of ENaC and its proper regulation to control of blood pressure is highlighted by several diseases associated with gain and loss of ENaC function (3, 4). For instance, gain of ENaC function results in inappropriate Na ϩ conservation and hypertension (e.g. Liddle syndrome). Conversely, loss of ENaC function results in renal salt wasting associated with hypotension (e.g. pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1).Although extrinsic regulation of ENaC in the distal nephron by hormones originating outside the kidney is considered pivotal to blood pressure control, complementary regulation of ENaC by autocrine/paracrine factors originating from intrarenal sources is just now becoming appreciated. ATP has been identified as a candidate signaling molecule possibly mediating intrinsic control of distal nephron Na ϩ reabsorption (5-14). ATP and other...