Role of aquaporin 9 in cellular accumulation of arsenic and its cytotoxicity in primary mouse hepatocytes

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2009 Jun 1;237(2):232-6. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2009.03.014. Epub 2009 Mar 31.

Abstract

Aquaporin (AQP) 9 is a member of the aquaglyceroporin subfamily of AQPs in the transfer of water and small solutes such as glycerol and arsenite. It is well recognized that arsenic toxicity is associated with intracellular accumulation of this metalloid. In the present study, we examined the contribution of AQP9 to the uptake of inorganic arsenite, thereby increasing arsenic-induced cytotoxicity in primary mouse hepatocytes. Pretreatment with sorbitol as a competitive inhibitor of AQP9 and siRNA-mediated knockdown of AQP9 resulted in a significant decrease of arsenite uptake in the cell and its cytotoxicity. Furthermore, overexpression of AQP9 in HEK293 cells led to the enhancement of intracellular arsenic concentration, resulting in enhanced cytotoxicity after arsenite exposure. These results suggest that AQP9 is a channel to define arsenite sensitivity in primary mouse hepatocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aquaporins / genetics
  • Aquaporins / metabolism*
  • Arsenic / chemistry
  • Arsenic / metabolism
  • Arsenic / toxicity
  • Arsenites / metabolism*
  • Arsenites / toxicity
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Structure
  • Sodium Compounds / metabolism*
  • Sodium Compounds / toxicity
  • Sorbitol / chemistry
  • Sorbitol / metabolism
  • Sorbitol / toxicity

Substances

  • Aqp9 protein, mouse
  • Aquaporins
  • Arsenites
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Sodium Compounds
  • sodium arsenite
  • Sorbitol
  • Arsenic