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XB-ART-53310
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015 May 19;11220:E2630-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1418840112.
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Bestrophin 1 is indispensable for volume regulation in human retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Milenkovic A , Brandl C , Milenkovic VM , Jendryke T , Sirianant L , Wanitchakool P , Zimmermann S , Reiff CM , Horling F , Schrewe H , Schreiber R , Kunzelmann K , Wetzel CH , Weber BH .


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In response to cell swelling, volume-regulated anion channels (VRACs) participate in a process known as regulatory volume decrease (RVD). Only recently, first insight into the molecular identity of mammalian VRACs was obtained by the discovery of the leucine-rich repeats containing 8A (LRRC8A) gene. Here, we show that bestrophin 1 (BEST1) but not LRRC8A is crucial for volume regulation in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in RPE derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) exhibit an outwardly rectifying chloride current with characteristic functional properties of VRACs. This current is severely reduced in hiPSC-RPE cells derived from macular dystrophy patients with pathologic BEST1 mutations. Disruption of the orthologous mouse gene (Best1(-/-)) does not result in obvious retinal pathology but leads to a severe subfertility phenotype in agreement with minor endogenous expression of Best1 in murine RPE but highly abundant expression in mouse testis. Sperm from Best1(-/-) mice showed reduced motility and abnormal sperm morphology, indicating an inability in RVD. Together, our data suggest that the molecular identity of VRACs is more complex--that is, instead of a single ubiquitous channel, VRACs could be formed by cell type- or tissue-specific subunit composition. Our findings provide the basis to further examine VRAC diversity in normal and diseased cell physiology, which is key to exploring novel therapeutic approaches in VRAC-associated pathologies.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: best1 lrrc8a rpe

References [+] :
Ackerman, Hypotonicity activates a native chloride current in Xenopus oocytes. 1994, Pubmed, Xenbase