Regulation of alpha1 Na/K-ATPase expression by cholesterol

J Biol Chem. 2011 Apr 29;286(17):15517-24. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.204396. Epub 2011 Mar 1.

Abstract

We have reported that α1 Na/K-ATPase regulates the trafficking of caveolin-1 and consequently alters cholesterol distribution in the plasma membrane. Here, we report the reciprocal regulation of α1 Na/K-ATPase by cholesterol. Acute exposure of LLC-PK1 cells to methyl β-cyclodextrin led to parallel decreases in cellular cholesterol and the expression of α1 Na/K-ATPase. Cholesterol repletion fully reversed the effect of methyl β-cyclodextrin. Moreover, inhibition of intracellular cholesterol trafficking to the plasma membrane by compound U18666A had the same effect on α1 Na/K-ATPase. Similarly, the expression of α1, but not α2 and α3, Na/K-ATPase was significantly reduced in the target organs of Niemann-Pick type C mice where the intracellular cholesterol trafficking is blocked. Mechanistically, decreases in the plasma membrane cholesterol activated Src kinase and stimulated the endocytosis and degradation of α1 Na/K-ATPase through Src- and ubiquitination-dependent pathways. Thus, the new findings, taken together with what we have already reported, revealed a previously unrecognized feed-forward mechanism by which cells can utilize the Src-dependent interplay among Na/K-ATPase, caveolin-1, and cholesterol to effectively alter the structure and function of the plasma membrane.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Transport
  • Caveolin 1
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / pharmacology*
  • Endocytosis
  • LLC-PK1 Cells
  • Mice
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / metabolism*
  • Swine
  • Ubiquitination
  • beta-Cyclodextrins / pharmacology
  • src-Family Kinases

Substances

  • Caveolin 1
  • beta-Cyclodextrins
  • methyl-beta-cyclodextrin
  • Cholesterol
  • src-Family Kinases
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase