Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

The Role of the R-domain in Regulated Trafficking of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator.

Lewarchik, Christopher Michael (2008) The Role of the R-domain in Regulated Trafficking of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

[img]
Preview
PDF
Primary Text

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a phosphorylation-regulated chloride channel that is a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family [1]. It is involved in the movement of chloride ions across epithelial membranes in the airways, sweat glands, intestine and pancreas [2]. Mutations in CFTR that result in a loss of channel function result in the disease cystic fibrosis, affecting nearly 1 in 2500 people in northern Europe and the United States [3]. As a member of the ABC transporter family, CFTR shares the structural features of these proteins. Unique to CFTR is the presence of a cytoplasmic R-domain, that contains multiple phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation of the R domain is required for CFTR channel gating, and cAMP/PKA simulation can also elicit insertion of CFTR into the plasma membrane from intracellular compartments [4]. We evaluated the structural basis of regulated CFTR trafficking by determining agonist-evoked increases in plasma membrane capacitance (Cm) of Xenopus oocytes expressing CFTR deletion mutants. Expression of CFTR as a split construct that omitted the R-domain (ƒ´aa 635-834) produced a channel with elevated basal current (Im) and no ƒ´Im or trafficking response (ƒ´Cm) upon cAMP/PKA stimulation, indicating that the structure(s) required for regulated CFTR trafficking are contained within the R domain. Additional deletions showed that removal of amino acids 817-838 produced a channel with regulated gating that lacked the agonist-induced increase in CFTR trafficking. This 22aa region exhibits helical structure, bears a net negative charge of -9, is highly conserved among species, and has been termed NEG2 [5, 6]. Injection of NEG2 peptide into oocytes expressing split ƒ´NEG2 CFTR prior to stimulation restored the agonist-evoked ƒ´Cm, consistent with the concept that this sequence mediates regulated CFTR trafficking. Further modifications of NEG2 suggest that the trafficking phenotype depends primarily on its helical structure. These observations suggest that the NEG2 region at the C-terminus of the R domain allows CFTR to enter a regulated intracellular compartment from which it traffics to the plasma membrane in response to cAMP/PKA-stimulation.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Lewarchik, Christopher Michaelclewarchik@hotmail.com
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairDevor, Daniel Cdd2@pitt.eduDD2
Committee CoChairFrizzell, Raymond Afrizzell@pitt.eduFRIZZELL
Committee MemberLondon, Barrylondonb@upmc.edu
Committee MemberPliewski, Joseph Mpilewskijm@upmc.eduPILEWSKI
Committee Member Kleyman, Thomas Rkleyman@pitt.eduKLEYMAN
Date: 28 August 2008
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 18 August 2008
Approval Date: 28 August 2008
Submission Date: 21 August 2008
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Medicine > Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: capacitance; CFTR; oocyte
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-08212008-143001/, etd-08212008-143001
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 20:00
Last Modified: 19 Dec 2016 14:37
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9229

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item