Role of gp91phox-Containing NADPH Oxidase in Mediating the Effect of K Restriction on ROMK Channels and Renal K Excretion

Previous study has demonstrated that superoxide and the related products are involved in mediating the effect of low K intake on renal K secretion and ROMK channel activity in the cortical collecting duct (CCD). This study investigated the role of gp91(phox)-containing NADPH oxidase (NOXII) in mediating the effect of low K intake on renal K excretion and ROMK channel activity in gp91(-/-) mice. K depletion increased superoxide levels, phosphorylation of c-Jun, expression of c-Src, and tyrosine phosphorylation of ROMK in renal cortex and outer medulla in wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, tempol treatment in WT mice abolished whereas deletion of gp91 significantly attenuated the effect of low K intake on superoxide production, c-Jun phosphorylation, c-Src expression, and tyrosine phosphorylation of ROMK. Patch-clamp experiments demonstrated that low K intake decreased mean product of channel number (N) and open probability (P) (NP(o)) of ROMK channels from 1.1 to 0.4 in the CCD. However, the effect of low K intake on ROMK channel activity was significantly attenuated in the CCD from gp91(-/-) mice and completely abolished by tempol treatment. Immunocytochemical staining also was used to examine the ROMK distribution in WT, gp91(-/-), and WT mice with tempol treatment in response to K restriction. K restriction decreased apical staining of ROMK in WT mice. In contrast, a sharp apical ROMK staining was observed in the tempol-treated WT or gp91(-/-) mice. Metabolic cage study further showed that urinary K loss is significantly higher in gp91(-/-) mice than in WT mice. It is concluded that superoxide anions play a key role in suppressing K secretion during K restriction and that NOXII is involved in mediating the effect of low K intake on renal K secretion and ROMK channel activity.