Atomic force microscopy reveals the architecture of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)

J Biol Chem. 2011 Sep 16;286(37):31944-52. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M111.275289. Epub 2011 Jul 20.

Abstract

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is a member of the ENaC/degenerin superfamily. ENaC is a heteromultimer containing three homologous subunits (α, β, and γ); however, the subunit stoichiometry is still controversial. Here, we addressed this issue using atomic force microscopy imaging of complexes between isolated ENaC and antibodies/Fab fragments directed against specific epitope tags on the α-, β- and γ-subunits. We show that for α-, β- and γ-ENaC alone, pairs of antibodies decorate the channel at an angle of 120°, indicating that the individual subunits assemble as homotrimers. A similar approach demonstrates that αβγ-ENaC assembles as a heterotrimer containing one copy of each subunit. Intriguingly, all four subunit combinations also produce higher-order structures containing two or three individual trimers. The trimer-of-trimers organization would account for earlier reports that ENaC contains eight to nine subunits.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure*
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / chemistry*
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / chemistry
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force*
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry*
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments
  • Protein Subunits