Gentamicin causes endocytosis of Na/Pi cotransporter protein (NaPi-2)

Kidney Int. 2001 Mar;59(3):1024-36. doi: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.2001.0590031024.x.

Abstract

Background: Renal toxicity is a major side-effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics and is characterized by an early impairment in proximal tubular function. In a previous study, we have shown that gentamicin administration to the rat causes an early impairment in sodium gradient-dependent phosphate (Na/Pi) cotransport activity. The purpose of our current study was to determine the molecular mechanisms of the impairment in Na/Pi cotransport activity, specifically the role of the proximal tubular type II Na/Pi cotransporter.

Methods: Rats were treated for one, two, and three days with two daily injections of 30 mg/kg body weight gentamicin or the vehicle.

Results: Gentamicin caused a progressive decrease in superficial cortical apical brush-border membrane (SC-BBM) Na/Pi cotransporter activity (856 +/- 93 in control vs. 545 +/- 87 pmol/mg BBM protein in 3-day gentamicin, P < 0.01). Western blot analysis showed a parallel and progressive decrease in SC-BBM Na/Pi cotransporter protein abundance, a 50% decrease after one day of treatment, a 63% decrease after two days of treatment, and an 83% decrease after three days treatment with gentamicin. In contrast, gentamicin treatment had no effect on Na/Pi cotransport activity or Na/Pi cotransporter protein abundance in BBM isolated from the juxtamedullary cortex (JMC-BBM). Immunofluorescence microscopy showed a major decrease in the expression of Na/Pi cotransporter protein in the apical membrane of the proximal convoluted tubule, with progressive intracellular accumulation of Na/Pi protein. Colocalization studies showed that in gentamicin-treated rats, Na/Pi protein was colocalized in the early endosomes and especially in the lysosomes. Northern blot analysis of cortical RNA interestingly showed no reduction in Na/Pi cotransporter mRNA abundance even after three days of gentamicin treatment.

Conclusion: We conclude that gentamicin inhibits Na/Pi cotransport activity by causing a decrease in the expression of the type II Na/Pi cotransport protein at the level of the proximal tubular apical BBM and that inhibition of Na/Pi cotransport activity is most likely mediated by post-transcriptional mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carrier Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis*
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Gentamicins / pharmacology*
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Kidney Cortex / drug effects
  • Kidney Cortex / metabolism*
  • Kidney Medulla / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microvilli / drug effects
  • Microvilli / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins
  • Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type II
  • Symporters*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Gentamicins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins
  • Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type II
  • Symporters