GTPase-Rac enhances depolarization-induced superoxide production by the macula densa during tubuloglomerular feedback

Abstract

Superoxide (O2− ) enhances tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) by scavenging nitric oxide at the macula densa (MD). The primary source of O2− in the MD during TGF is NADPH oxidase, which is activated by membrane depolarization. While Rac, a small GTP-binding protein, has been shown to enhance NADPH oxidase activity, its role in O2− generation by the MD is unknown. We hypothesized that depolarization of the MD leads to translocation of Rac to the apical membrane, and its activation, in turn, augments O2− generation during TGF. We tested this by measuring membrane potential and increased O2− levels during TGF responses in isolated, perfused tubules containing the intact MD plaque. Switching tubular NaCl from 10 to 80 mM, which induces TGF, depolarized membrane potential by 28.4 ± 4.5% from control ( P < 0.05) and O2− levels from 124 ± 19 to 361 ± 27 U/min. This NaCl-induced depolarization and O2− generation were blocked by a Cl− channel blocker, 5-nitro-2(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB; 10−6 M). Inhibition of Rac blunted NaCl-induced O2− generation by 47%. When the NaCl content of the MD perfusate was increased from 10 to 80 mM, immunointensity of Rac on the apical side increased from 32 ± 3.1 to 46 ± 2.5% of the total immunofluorescence in the MD, indicating that high NaCl induces the translocation of Rac to the apical membrane. This NaCl-induced Rac translocation was blocked by a Cl− channel blocker, NPPB, indicating that depolarization of the MD induced Rac translocation. In conclusion, we found that depolarization of the MD during TGF leads to translocation of Rac to the apical membrane, which enhances O2− generation by the MD.