Drosophila DEG/ENaC pickpocket genes are expressed in the tracheal system, where they may be involved in liquid clearance

Lei Liu; Wayne A Johnson; Michael J Welsh

doi:10.1073/pnas.252785099

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Drosophila DEG/ENaC pickpocket genes are expressed in the tracheal system, where they may be involved in liquid clearance

Journal article

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Drosophila DEG/ENaC pickpocket genes are expressed in the tracheal system, where they may be involved in liquid clearance

Lei Liu, Wayne A Johnson and Michael J Welsh

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.100(4), pp.2128-2133

02/18/2003

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.252785099

PMCID: PMC149970

PMID: 12571352

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Abstract

The Drosophila tracheal system and mammalian airways are branching networks of tubular epithelia that deliver oxygen to the organism. In mammals, the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) helps clear liquid from airways at the time of birth and removes liquid from the airspaces in adults. We tested the hypothesis that related Drosophila degenerin (DEG)/ENaC family members might play a similar role in the fly. Among 16 Drosophila DEG/ENaC genes, called pickpocket (PPK) genes, we found 9 expressed in the tracheal system. By in situ hybridization, expression appeared in late-stage embryos after tracheal tube formation, with individual PPK genes showing distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns as development progressed. Promoters for several PPK genes drove reporter gene expression in the larval and adult tracheal systems. Adding the DEG/ENaC channel blocker amiloride to the medium inhibited liquid clearance from the trachea of first instar larvae. Moreover, when RNA interference was used to silence PPK4 and PPK11, larvae failed to clear tracheal liquid. These data suggest substantial molecular diversity of DEG/ENaC channel expression in the Drosophila tracheal system where the PPK proteins likely play a role in Na(+) absorption. Extensive similarities between Drosophila and mammalian airways offer opportunities for genetic studies that may decipher further the structure and function of DEG/ENaC proteins and development of the airways.

Promoter Regions, Genetic

Drosophila melanogaster - embryology

Drosophila melanogaster - physiology

Amiloride - analogs & derivatives

Molecular Sequence Data

Trachea - drug effects

Sodium Channels - physiology

Trachea - metabolism

Drosophila melanogaster - genetics

Epithelial Sodium Channels

Animals

In Situ Hybridization

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental

Amiloride - pharmacology

Trachea - physiology

Sodium Channels - genetics

Genes, Reporter

Details

Title: Subtitle: Drosophila DEG/ENaC pickpocket genes are expressed in the tracheal system, where they may be involved in liquid clearance
Creators: Lei Liu - Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Wayne A Johnson
Michael J Welsh
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS, Vol.100(4), pp.2128-2133
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.252785099
PMID: 12571352
PMCID: PMC149970
NLM abbreviation: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
ISSN: 0027-8424
eISSN: 1091-6490
Publisher: National Academy of Sciences; United States
Grant note: 51670 / PHS HHS DK-25295 / NIDDK NIH HHS P30 DK054759 / NIDDK NIH HHS DK-54759 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/18/2003
Academic Unit: Neurology; Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine; Neurosurgery; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984020602602771

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