Noncoordinated expression of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunit mRNAs of epithelial Na+ channel along rat respiratory tract.

Na+ reabsorption from the epithelial surface of the respiratory tract plays a fundamental role in respiratory physiology. As in the epithelia of the renal collecting tubule and distal colon, Na+ enters across the luminal surface of respiratory epithelial cells via a recently cloned amiloride-sensitive multisubunit (alpha, beta, gamma) epithelial Na+ channel. We have examined the cellular expression at the mRNA level of the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunits of rat epithelial Na+ channel (rENaC) in the rat lung and upper airway epithelial cells using in situ hybridization. A large prevalence of alpha- and gamma-rENaC subunit expression (over beta) was found in tracheal epithelium, in a subpopulation of alveolar cells, presumably type II pneumocytes, and in nasal and tracheal gland acini. In contrast, equivalent levels of expression of all three subunits were detected in bronchiolar epithelium and in rat nasal gland ducts. This diversity of expression may reflect cell-specific functions of the amiloride-sensitive Na+ channel along the respiratory tract.