Rapid effects of 17beta-estradiol on TRPV5 epithelial Ca2+ channels in rat renal cells

Mustapha Irnaten1, Nicolas Blanchard-Gutton, Jeppe Praetorius

  • 1Molecular Medicine Laboratories, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, PO Box 9063, Dublin 9, Ireland. irnatenm@yahoo.fr

Steroids
|May 26, 2009
PubMed

Insights

17beta-estradiol rapidly enhances calcium influx in kidney cells by modulating the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) channel. This finding reveals a novel non-genomic action of estradiol in calcium homeostasis.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Renal tubules and collecting ducts are crucial for electrolyte and fluid balance.
  • Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) channels mediate critical calcium re-absorption in the kidney.
  • Regulation of TRPV5 activity is vital for systemic calcium homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and function of TRPV5 channels in rat cortical collecting duct (RCCD(2)) cells.
  • To determine if 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) regulates Ca(2+) influx through TRPV5 channels.
  • To elucidate the rapid, non-genomic effects of E(2) on kidney calcium transport.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting to confirm TRPV5 expression at mRNA and protein levels.
  • Whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to measure ion currents.
  • Calcium imaging techniques to assess intracellular Ca(2+) levels.
  • Pharmacological inhibition (ruthenium red) and gene silencing (siRNA) to validate TRPV5 involvement.

Main Results:

  • TRPV5 channels are expressed in RCCD(2) cells.
  • 17beta-estradiol (20-50nM) rapidly (<5min) increased inward whole-cell currents and intracellular Ca(2+) via TRPV5.
  • These effects were blocked by ruthenium red and abolished by TRPV5 siRNA.
  • E(2) demonstrated a rapid, non-genomic modulation of TRPV5 activity.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence of rapid E(2) modulation of endogenous TRPV5 channels in kidney cells.
  • The findings suggest novel calcitropic effects of E(2) mediated by non-genomic signaling pathways.
  • E(2) plays a significant role in regulating kidney calcium re-absorption and systemic calcium homeostasis.