Effect of adenosine triphosphate on phosphate uptake in renal proximal tubule cells: Involvement of PKC and p38 MAPK

ATP has been known to act as an extracellular signal and to be involved in various functions of kidney. Renal proximal tubular reabsorption of phosphate (P i ) contributes to the maintenance of phosphate homeostasis, which is regulated by Na + /P i cotransporter. However, the effects of ATP on Na + /P i cotransporters were not elucidated in proximal tubule cells (PTCs). Thus, the effects of ATP on Na + /P i cotransporter and its related signal pathways are examined in the primary cultured renal PTCs. In the present study, ATP inhibited P i uptake in a time (> 1 h) and dose (>10 −6 M) dependent manner. ATP‐induced inhibition of P i uptake was correlated with the decrease of type II Na + /P i cotransporter mRNA. ATP‐induced inhibition of P i uptake may be mediated by P2Y receptor activation, since suramin (non‐specific P2 receptor antagonist) and RB‐2 (P2Y receptor antagonist) blocked it. ATP‐induced inhibition of P i uptake was blocked by neomycin, U73122 (phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors), bisindolylmaleimide I, H‐7, and staurosporine (protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors), suggesting the role of PLC/PKC pathway. ATP also increased inositol phosphates (IPs) formation and induced PKC translocation from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction. In addition, ATP‐induced inhibition of P i uptake was blocked by SB 203580 [a p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor], but not by PD 98059 (a p44/42 MAPK inhibitor). Indeed, ATP induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, which was not blocked by PKC inhibitor. In conclusion, ATP inhibited P i uptake via PLC/PKC as well as p38 MAPK in renal PTCs. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.