The Cdc42 inhibitor secramine B prevents cAMP-induced K+ conductance in intestinal epithelial cells

Abstract

Cyclic AMP- (cAMP) and calcium-dependent agonists stimulate chloride secretion through the coordinated activation of distinct apical and basolateral membrane channels and ion transporters in mucosal epithelial cells. Defects in the regulation of Cl– transport across mucosal surfaces occur with cystic fibrosis and V. cholerae infection and can be life threatening. Here we report that secramine B, a small molecule that inhibits activation of the Rho GTPase Cdc42, reduced cAMP-stimulated chloride secretion in the human intestinal cell line T84. Secramine B interfered with a cAMP-gated and Ba2+-sensitive K+ channel, presumably KCNQ1/KCNE3. This channel is required to maintain the membrane potential that sustains chloride secretion. In contrast, secramine B did not affect the Ca2+-mediated chloride secretion pathway, which requires a separate K+ channel activity from that of cAMP. Pirl1, another small molecule structurally unrelated to secramine B that also inhibits Cdc42 activation in vitro, similarly inhibited cAMP-dependent but not Ca2+-dependent chloride secretion. These results suggest that Rho GTPases may be involved in the regulation of the chloride secretory response and identify secramine B an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent K+ conductance in intestinal epithelial cells.