Slc4a11 disruption causes duct cell loss and impairs NaCl reabsorption in female mouse submandibular glands

Slc4a11, a member of the Slc4 HCO(3) (−) transporter family, has a wide tissue distribution. In mouse salivary glands, the expression of Slc4a11 mRNA was more than eightfold greater than the other nine members of the Slc4 gene family. The Slc4a11 protein displayed a diffuse subcellular distribution in both the acinar and duct cells of mouse submandibular glands (SMG). Slc4a11 disruption induced a significant increase in the Na(+) and Cl(−) concentrations of stimulated SMG saliva, whereas it did not affect the fluid secretion rate in response to either β‐adrenergic or cholinergic receptor stimulation. Heterologous expressed mouse Slc4a11 acted as a H(+)/OH(−) transporter that was uncoupled of Na(+) or Cl(−) movement, and this activity was blocked by ethyl‐isopropyl amiloride (EIPA) but not 4,4′‐Diisothiocyanato‐2,2′‐stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS). Slc4a11 disruption revealed that Slc4a11 does not play a major role in intracellular pH regulation in mouse salivary gland cells. In contrast, NaCl reabsorption was impaired in the SMG saliva of female compared to male Slc4a11 null mice, which correlated with the loss of duct cells and a decrease in expression of the duct‐cell‐specific transcription factor Ascl3. Together, our results suggest that Slc4a11 expression regulates the number of ducts cells in the mouse SMG and consequently NaCl reabsorption.