Calcium-activated and apoptotic phospholipid scrambling induced by Ano6 can occur independently of Ano6 ion currents

Immune cells and platelets maintain plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry. Upon activation, this asymmetry is disrupted by phospholipid scrambling (PS), which is a major step during activation of immune cells, hemostasis and apoptosis. Anoctamin 6 (Ano6; TMEM16F) causes chloride (Cl-) and cation currents and is required for Ca2+ -dependent PS. It is defective in blood cells from patients with Scott syndrome, a rare bleeding disorder. We examined if Cl- currents and PS are related, whether both processes are Ca2+ dependent, and whether Ca2+ -independent scrambling during intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis is controlled by Ano6. Ca2+ increase by ionomycin activated Ano6 Cl- currents and PS in normal lymphocytes, but not in B-lymphocytes from two different patients with Scott syndrome. Fas ligand (FasL) did not increase intracellular Ca2+, but activated Cl- currents in normal but not in Scott lymphocytes. Whole-cell currents were inhibited by Cl- channel blockers and by siRNA knockdown of Ano6. In contrast, intrinsic mitochondrial apoptosis by ABT-737 did not induce Cl- currents in lymphocytes. PS was not inhibited by blockers of Ano6 or removal of Cl- ions. Remarkably, Ca2+ -independent scrambling due to extrinsic (FasL) or intrinsic (ABT-737) apoptosis was unchanged in Scott cells. We conclude that: (i) Ano6 Cl- currents are activated by increase in cytosolic Ca2+, or Ca2+ -independent by stimulation of Fas receptors; (ii) Ca2+ -dependent PS induced by Ano6 does not require Cl- currents; (iii) Ca2+ -independent PS does not require Ano6; (iv) Ano6 is necessary for Ca2+ -dependent PS, but not by increasing intracellular Ca2+. Cell Death and Disease ( 2013) 4, e611; doi:10.1038/cddis.2013.135; published online 25 April 2013