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Genistein and tyrphostin 47 stimulate CFTR-mediated Cl- secretion in T84 cell monolayers

C L Sears1, F Firoozmand, A Mellander

  • 1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205-2196, USA.

Insights

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors like genistein stimulate epithelial cell chloride secretion by activating the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel. This suggests tyrosine kinase activity normally limits basal chloride secretion.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The role of tyrosine phosphorylation in regulating epithelial cell chloride (Cl-) secretion remains largely unknown.
  • Understanding this mechanism is crucial for deciphering intestinal fluid balance and diseases like cystic fibrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether tyrosine kinase activation is involved in the regulation of epithelial Cl- secretion.
  • To determine the specific pathways and channels involved in tyrosine kinase-mediated Cl- secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized human intestinal T84 cells as a model for intestinal Cl- secretion.
  • Employed tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and tyrphostin 47.
  • Conducted transfection experiments in 3T3 fibroblasts and IEC-6 cells with wild-type cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) to assess channel involvement.

Main Results:

  • Genistein and tyrphostin 47 stimulated apical Cl- secretion in T84 cells, independent of intracellular cyclic nucleotides or Ca2+.
  • Stimulation of Cl- secretion by these inhibitors was dependent on CFTR expression, as shown by 125I efflux in transfected cells.
  • Genistein synergized with carbachol but not with forskolin or E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin, indicating a distinct pathway from cAMP/cGMP agonists.

Conclusions:

  • Tyrosine kinase activity appears to limit basal Cl- secretion in T84 cells.
  • Inhibition of tyrosine kinases stimulates apical membrane Cl- secretion, likely via CFTR-Cl- channel activation.
  • Genistein augments Ca2+-dependent secretion and shares a pathway with cyclic nucleotide-dependent agonists without directly elevating cAMP or cGMP.

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