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Patients with myotonia congenita suffer from slowed relaxation of muscle (myotonia), due to hyperexcitability caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ClC-1 chloride channel. A recent study suggested that block of large-conductance voltage- and Ca 2+ - activated K + channels (BK) may be effective as therapy. The mechanism underlying efficacy was suggested to be lessening of the depolarizing effect of build-up of K + in t-tubules of muscle during repetitive firing. BK channels are widely expressed in the nervous system and have been shown to play a central role in regulation of excitability, but their contribution to muscle excitability has not been determined. We performed intracellular recordings as well as force measurements in both wild type and BK -/- mouse extensor digitorum longus muscles. Action potential width was increased in BK -/- muscle due to slowing of repolarization, consistent with the possibility K + build-up in t-tubules is lessened by block of BK channels in myotonic muscle. However, there was no difference in the severity of myotonia triggered by block of muscle Cl - channels with 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (9AC) in wild type and BK -/- muscle fibers. Further study revealed no difference in the interspike membrane potential during repetitive firing suggesting there was no reduction in K + build-up in t-tubules of BK -/- muscle. Force recordings following block of muscle Cl - channels demonstrated little reduction in myotonia in BK -/- muscle. In contrast, the current standard of care, mexiletine, significantly reduced myotonia. Our data suggest BK channels regulate muscle excitability, but are not an attractive target for therapy of myotonia., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Fast growing solid tumors are frequently surrounded by an acidic microenvironment. Tumor cells employ a variety of mechanisms to survive and proliferate under these harsh conditions. In that regard, acid-sensitive membrane receptors constitute a particularly interesting target, since they can affect cellular functions through ion flow and second messenger cascades. Our knowledge of these processes remains sparse, however, especially regarding medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric CNS malignancy. In this study, using RT-qPCR, whole-cell patch clamp, and Ca 2+ -imaging, we uncovered several ion channels and a G protein-coupled receptor, which were regulated directly or indirectly by low extracellular pH in DAOY and UW228 medulloblastoma cells. Acidification directly activated acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), the proton-activated Cl - channel (PAC, ASOR, or TMEM206), and the proton-activated G protein-coupled receptor OGR1. The resulting Ca 2+ signal secondarily activated the large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (BK Ca ). Our analyses uncover a complex relationship of these transmembrane proteins in DAOY cells that resulted in cell volume changes and induced cell death under strongly acidic conditions. Collectively, our results suggest that these ion channels in concert with OGR1 may shape the growth and evolution of medulloblastoma cells in their acidic microenvironment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In myotonia, reduced Cl - conductance of the mutated ClC-1 channels causes hindered muscle relaxation after forceful voluntary contraction due to muscle membrane hyperexcitability. Repetitive contraction temporarily decreases myotonia, a phenomena called "warm up." The underlying mechanism for the reduction of hyperexcitability in warm-up is currently unknown. Since potassium displacement is known to reduce excitability in, for example, muscle fatigue, we characterized the role of potassium in native myotonia congenita (MC) muscle. Muscle specimens of ADR mice (an animal model for low gCl - conductance myotonia) were exposed to increasing K + concentrations. To characterize functional effects of potassium ion current, the muscle of ADR mice was exposed to agonists and antagonists of the big conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channel (BK) and the voltage-gated Kv7 channel. Effects were monitored by functional force and membrane potential measurements. By increasing [K + ] 0 to 5 mM, the warm-up phenomena started earlier and at [K + ] 0 7 mM only weak myotonia was detected. The increase of [K + ] 0 caused a sustained membrane depolarization accompanied with a reduction of myotonic bursts in ADR mice. Retigabine, a Kv7.2-Kv7.5 activator, dose-dependently reduced relaxation deficit of ADR myotonic muscle contraction and promoted the warm-up phenomena. In vitro results of this study suggest that increasing potassium conductivity via activation of voltage-gated potassium channels enhanced the warm-up phenomena, thereby offering a potential therapeutic treatment option for myotonia congenita.

The chloride channel (CLC) family of proteins consists of channels and transporters that share similarities in architecture and play essential roles in physiological functions. Among the CLC family, CLC-1 channels have the representative homodimeric double-barreled structure carrying two gating processes. One is protopore gating that acts on each pore independently by glutamate residue (E ext ). The other is common gating that closes both pores simultaneously in association with large conformational changes across each subunit. In skeletal muscle, CLC-1 is associated with maintaining normal sarcolemmal excitability, and a number of myotonic mutants were reported to modify the channel gating of CLC-1. In this study, we characterized highly conserved helix O as a key determinant of structural stability in CLC-1. Supporting this hypothesis, myotonic mutant (G523D) at N-terminal of helix O showed the activation at hyperpolarizing membrane potentials with a reversed voltage dependency. However, introducing glutamate at serine residue (S537) at the C-terminal of the helix O on G523D restored WT-like voltage dependency of the common gate and showed proton insensitive voltage dependency. To further validate this significant site, site-specific mutagenesis experiments was performed on V292 that is highly conserved as glutamate in antiporter and closely located to S537 and showed that this area is essential for channel function. Taken together, the results of our study suggest the importance of helix O as the main contributor for stable structure of evolutionary conserved CLC proteins and its key role in voltage dependency of the CLC-1. Furthermore, the C-terminal of the helix O can offer a clue for possible proton involvement in CLC-1 channel.

Dent's disease is characterized by defective endocytosis in renal proximal tubules (PTs) and caused by mutations in the 2Cl(-)/H(+) exchanger, CLC-5. However, the pathological role of endosomal acidification in endocytosis has recently come into question. To clarify the mechanism of pathogenesis for Dent's disease, we examined the effects of a novel gating glutamate mutation, E211Q, on CLC-5 functions and endosomal acidification. In Xenopus oocytes, wild-type (WT) CLC-5 showed outward-rectifying currents that were inhibited by extracellular acidosis, but E211Q and an artificial pure Cl(-) channel mutant, E211A, showed linear currents that were insensitive to extracellular acidosis. Moreover, depolarizing pulse trains induced a robust reduction in the surface pH of oocytes expressing WT CLC-5 but not E211Q or E211A, indicating that the E211Q mutant functions as a pure Cl(-) channel similar to E211A. In HEK293 cells, E211A and E211Q stimulated endosomal acidification and hypotonicity-inducible vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) activation at the plasma membrane. However, the stimulatory effects of these mutants were reduced compared with WT CLC-5. Furthermore, gene silencing experiments confirmed the functional coupling between V-ATPase and CLC-5 at the plasma membrane of isolated mouse PTs. These results reveal for the first time that the conversion of CLC-5 from a 2Cl(-)/H(+) exchanger into a Cl(-) channel induces Dent's disease in humans. In addition, defective endosomal acidification as a result of insufficient V-ATPase activation may still be important in the pathogenesis of Dent's disease.

Since their first descriptions, ion channels have been conceived as proteinaceous conduits that facilitate the passage of ionic cargo between segregated environments. This concept is reinforced by crystallographic structures of cation channels depicting ion conductance pathways completely lined by protein. Although lipids are sometimes present in fenestrations near the pore or may be involved in channel gating, there is little or no evidence that lipids inhabit the ion conduction pathway. Indeed, the presence of lipid acyl chains in the conductance pathway would curse the design of the channel's aqueous pore. Here, we make a speculative proposal that anion channels in the TMEM16/ANO superfamily have ion conductance pathways composed partly of lipids. Our reasoning is based on the idea that TMEM16 ion channels evolved from a kind of lipid transporter that scrambles lipids between leaflets of the membrane bilayer and the modeled structural similarity between TMEM16 lipid scramblases and TMEM16 anion channels. This novel view of the TMEM16 pore offers explanation for the biophysical and pharmacological oddness of TMEM16A. We build upon the recent X-ray structure of nhTMEM16 and develop models of both TMEM16 ion channels and lipid scramblases to bolster our proposal. It is our hope that this model of the TMEM16 pore will foster innovative investigation into TMEM16 function.

Since the discovery of TMEM16A (anoctamin 1, ANO1) as Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel, the protein was found to serve different physiological functions, depending on the type of tissue. Subsequent reports on other members of the anoctamin family demonstrated a broad range of yet poorly understood properties. Compromised anoctamin function is causing a wide range of diseases, such as hearing loss (ANO2), bleeding disorder (ANO6), ataxia and dystonia (ANO3, 10), persistent borrelia and mycobacteria infection (ANO10), skeletal syndromes like gnathodiaphyseal dysplasia and limb girdle muscle dystrophy (ANO5), and cancer (ANO1, 6, 7). Animal models demonstrate CF-like airway disease, asthma, and intestinal hyposecretion (ANO1). Although present data indicate that ANO1 is a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel, it remains unclear whether all anoctamins form plasma membrane-localized or intracellular chloride channels. We find Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) currents appearing by expression of most anoctamin paralogs, including the Nectria haematococca homologue nhTMEM16 and the yeast homologue Ist2. As recent studies show a role of anoctamins, Ist2, and the related transmembrane channel-like (TMC) proteins for intracellular Ca(2+) signaling, we will discuss the role of these proteins in generating compartmentalized Ca(2+) signals, which may give a hint as to the broad range of cellular functions of anoctamins.

The maxi-anion channels (MACs) with a unitary conductance of 200-500 pS are detected in virtually every part of the whole body and found in cells from mammals to amphibia. The channels are normally silent but can be activated by physiologically/pathophysiologically relevant stimuli, such as osmotic, salt, metabolic, oxidative, and mechanical stresses, receptor activation, serum, heat, and intracellular Ca(2+) rise. In some MACs, protein dephosphorylation is associated with channel activation. Among MACs so far studied, around 60 % (designated here as Maxi-Cl) possess, in common, the following phenotypical biophysical properties: (1) unitary conductance of 300-400 pS, (2) a linear current-voltage relationship, (3) high anion-to-cation selectivity with PCl/Pcation of >8, and (4) inactivation at positive and negative potentials over a certain level (usually ±20 mV). The pore configuration of the Maxi-Cl is asymmetrical with extracellular and intracellular radii of ∼1.42 and ∼1.16 nm, respectively, and a medial constriction down to ∼0.55-0.75 nm. The classical function of MACs is control of membrane potential and fluid movement. Permeability to ATP and glutamate turns MACs to signaling channels in purinergic and glutamatergic signal transduction defining them as a perspective target for drug discovery. The molecular identification is an urgent task that would greatly promote the developments in this field. A possible relationship between these channels and some transporters is discussed.

Specialized Ca(2+)-dependent ion channels ubiquitously couple intracellular Ca(2+) signals to a change in cell polarization. The existing physiological evidence suggests that Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs) are functional in taste cells. Because Ano1 and Ano2 encode channel proteins that form CaCCs in a variety of cells, we analyzed their expression in mouse taste cells. Transcripts for Ano1 and Ano2 were detected in circumvallate (CV) papillae, and their expression in taste cells was confirmed using immunohistochemistry. When dialyzed with CsCl, taste cells of the type III exhibited no ion currents dependent on cytosolic Ca(2+). Large Ca(2+)-gated currents mediated by TRPM5 were elicited in type II cells by Ca(2+) uncaging. When TRPM5 was inhibited by triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO), ionomycin stimulated a small but resolvable inward current that was eliminated by anion channel blockers, including T16Ainh-A01 (T16), a specific Ano1 antagonist. This suggests that CaCCs, including Ano1-like channels, are functional in type II cells. In type I cells, CaCCs were prominently active, blockable with the CaCC antagonist CaCCinh-A01 but insensitive to T16. By profiling Ano1 and Ano2 expressions in individual taste cells, we revealed Ano1 transcripts in type II cells only, while Ano2 transcripts were detected in both type I and type II cells. P2Y agonists stimulated Ca(2+)-gated Cl(-) currents in type I cells. Thus, CaCCs, possibly formed by Ano2, serve as effectors downstream of P2Y receptors in type I cells. While the role for TRPM5 in taste transduction is well established, the physiological significance of expression of CaCCs in type II cells remains to be elucidated.

Anoctamin 1 (ANO1)/TMEM16A is a Cl(-) channel activated by intracellular Ca(2+) mediating numerous physiological functions. However, little is known of the ANO1 activation mechanism by Ca(2+). Here, we demonstrate that two helices, "reference" and "Ca(2+) sensor" helices in the third intracellular loop face each other with opposite charges. The two helices interact directly in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Positively and negatively charged residues in the two helices are essential for Ca(2+)-dependent activation because neutralization of these charges change the Ca(2+) sensitivity. We now predict that the Ca(2+) sensor helix attaches to the reference helix in the resting state, and as intracellular Ca(2+) rises, Ca(2+) acts on the sensor helix, which repels it from the reference helix. This Ca(2+)-dependent push-pull conformational change would be a key electromechanical movement for gating the ANO1 channel. Because chemical activation of ANO1 is viewed as an alternative means of rescuing cystic fibrosis, understanding its gating mechanism would be useful in developing novel treatments for cystic fibrosis.

ClC-2 is a Cl(-) channel that belongs to the CLC family of chloride channel/transport proteins. ClC-2 molecular role is not clear, and Clcn2 knockout mice develop blindness, sterility, and leukodystrophy by unknown reasons. ClC-2 is associated in the brain with the adhesion molecule GlialCAM, which is defective in a type of leukodystrophy, involving ClC-2 in the homeostasis of myelin. To get more insight into the functions of ClC-2, we have identified in this work the three ClC-2 orthologs in zebrafish. clcn2a and clcn2b resulted from the teleost-specific whole genome duplication, while clcn2c arose from a gene duplication from clcn2b. The expression patterns in adult tissues and embryos of zebrafish clcn2 paralogs support their subfunctionalization after the duplications, with clcn2a being enriched in excitable tissues and clcn2c in ionocytes. All three zebrafish clc-2 proteins interact with human GLIALCAM, that is able to target them to cell junctions, as it does with mammalian ClC-2. We could detect clc-2a and clc-2b inward rectified chloride currents with different voltage-dependence and kinetics in Xenopus oocytes, while clc-2c remained inactive. Interestingly, GlialCAM proteins did not modify clc-2b inward rectification. Then, our work extends the repertoire of ClC-2 proteins and provides new tools for structure-function and physiology studies.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the worst survival rates of all cancers. ANO1 (TMEM16A) is a recently identified Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel (CaCC) that is upregulated in several tumors. Although ANO1 was subject to extensive studies in the recent years, its pathophysiological function has only been poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to establish the significance of ANO1 in PDAC behavior and demarcate its roles in PDAC from those of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC). We performed qPCR and Western blot measurements on different PDAC cell lines (Panc-1, Mia PaCa 2, Capan-1, AsPC-1, BxPC-3) and compared the results to those obtained in a human pancreatic ductal epithelium (HPDE) cell line. All cancer cell lines showed an upregulation of ANO1 on mRNA and protein levels. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings identified large Ca(2+) and voltage-dependent Cl(-) currents in PDAC cells. Using siRNA knockdown of ANO1 and three ANO1 inhibitors (T16Ainh-A01, CaCCinh-A01, and NS3728), we found that ANO1 is the main constituent of CaCC current in PDAC cells. We further characterized these three inhibitors and found that they had unspecific effects on the free intracellular calcium concentration. Functional studies on PDAC behavior showed that surprisingly inhibition of ANO1 did not influence cellular proliferation. On the other hand, we found ANO1 channel to be pivotal in PDAC cell migration as assessed in wound healing experiments.

Intestinal epithelial electrolyte secretion is activated by increase in intracellular cAMP or Ca(2+) and opening of apical Cl(-) channels. In infants and young animals, but not in adults, Ca(2+)-activated chloride channels may cause secretory diarrhea during rotavirus infection. While detailed knowledge exists concerning the contribution of cAMP-activated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channels, analysis of the role of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) channels became possible through identification of the anoctamin (TMEM16) family of proteins. We demonstrate expression of several anoctamin paralogues in mouse small and large intestines. Using intestinal-specific mouse knockout models for anoctamin 1 (Ano1) and anoctamin 10 (Ano10) and a conventional knockout model for anoctamin 6 (Ano6), we demonstrate the role of anoctamins for Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion induced by the muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCH). Ano1 is preferentially expressed in the ileum and large intestine, where it supports Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) secretion. In contrast, Ano10 is essential for Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion in jejunum, where expression of Ano1 was not detected. Although broadly expressed, Ano6 has no role in intestinal cholinergic Cl(-) secretion. Ano1 is located in a basolateral compartment/membrane rather than in the apical membrane, where it supports CCH-induced Ca(2+) increase, while the essential and possibly only apical Cl(-) channel is CFTR. These results define a new role of Ano1 for intestinal Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion and demonstrate for the first time a contribution of Ano10 to intestinal transport.

Anoctamin 6 (ANO6), also known as TMEM16F, has been shown to be a calcium-activated anion channel with delayed calcium activation. The cellular function of ANO6 is under debate, and different groups have come to different conclusions about ANO6's physiological role. Although it is now quite well established that ANO6 is distinct from the volume-regulated anion channel, it is still unclear whether ANO6 or other anoctamins can be activated by cell swelling. In this study, we suggest that ANO1, ANO6, and ANO10 do not contribute to the volume-activated current in ANO-overexpressing HEK293 cells. Furthermore, knock-down of ANO6 in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) and Ehrlich-Lettre ascites (ELA) did not decrease but instead significantly increased swelling-activated membrane currents. Knock-down of ANO6 in EATC did not reduce regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in the absence of extracellular calcium, whereas it significantly reduced RVD in the presence of calcium. Interestingly, we found that knock-down of ANO6 in ELA cells resulted in a decrease in cisplatin-induced caspase-3 activity, confirming earlier findings that ANO6 is involved in apoptosis. Finally, knock-down of ANO1 and ANO6 did not affect the volume-sensitive release of taurine in ELA cells. Thus, our data provide evidence that ANO6 cannot be activated directly by cell swelling unless Ca(2+) is present. We also conclude that ANO6 carries a current during RVD, provided extracellular calcium is present. Thus, swelling activation of ANO6 requires the presence of free calcium.

ClC-Kb, a member of the ClC family of Cl(-) channels/transporters, plays a major role in the absorption of NaCl in the distal nephron. CLCNKB mutations cause Bartter syndrome type 3, a hereditary renal salt-wasting tubulopathy. Here, we investigate the functional consequences of a Val to Met substitution at position 170 (V170M, α helix F), which was detected in eight patients displaying a mild phenotype. Conductance and surface expression were reduced by ~40-50 %. The regulation of channel activity by external H(+) and Ca(2+) is a characteristic property of ClC-Kb. Inhibition by external H(+) was dramatically altered, with pKH shifting from 7.6 to 6.0. Stimulation by external Ca(2+) on the other hand was no longer detectable at pH 7.4, but was still present at acidic pH values. Functionally, these regulatory modifications partly counterbalance the reduced surface expression by rendering V170M hyperactive. Pathogenic Met170 seems to interact with another methionine on α helix H (Met227) since diverse mutations at this site partly removed pH sensitivity alterations of V170M ClC-Kb. Exploring other disease-associated mutations, we found that a Pro to Leu substitution at position 124 (α helix D, Simon et al., Nat Genet 1997, 17:171-178) had functional consequences similar to those of V170M. In conclusion, we report here for the first time that ClC-Kb disease-causing mutations located around the selectivity filter can result in both reduced surface expression and hyperactivity in heterologous expression systems. This interplay must be considered when analyzing the mild phenotype of patients with type 3 Bartter syndrome.

The presence of Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCCs) in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is well established. Their molecular identity is, however, elusive. Two distinct Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) currents (I Cl(Ca)) were previously characterized in SMCs. We have shown that the cGMP-dependent I Cl(Ca) depends on bestrophin expression, while the "classical" I Cl(Ca) is not. Downregulation of bestrophins did not affect arterial contraction but inhibited the rhythmic contractions, vasomotion. In this study, we have used in vivo siRNA transfection of rat mesenteric small arteries to investigate the role of a putative CaCC, TMEM16A. Isometric force, [Ca(2+)]i, and SMC membrane potential were measured in isolated arterial segments. I Cl(Ca) and GTPγS-induced nonselective cation current were measured in isolated SMCs. Downregulation of TMEM16A resulted in inhibition of both the cGMP-dependent I Cl(Ca) and the "classical" I Cl(Ca) in SMCs. TMEM16A downregulation also reduced expression of bestrophins. TMEM16A downregulation suppressed vasomotion both in vivo and in vitro. Downregulation of TMEM16A reduced agonist (noradrenaline and vasopressin) and K(+)-induced contractions. In accordance with the depolarizing role of CaCCs, TMEM16A downregulation suppressed agonist-induced depolarization and elevation in [Ca(2+)]i. Surprisingly, K(+)-induced depolarization was unchanged but Ca(2+) entry was reduced. We suggested that this is due to reduced expression of the L-type Ca(2+) channels, as observed at the mRNA level. Thus, the importance of TMEM16A for contraction is, at least in part, independent from membrane potential. This study demonstrates the significance of TMEM16A for two SMCs I Cl(Ca) and vascular function and suggests an interaction between TMEM16A and L-type Ca(2+) channels.

A novel type of anion channel activated by extracellular acidification, called acid-sensitive outwardly rectifying (ASOR) anion channel, was shown to be involved in acidotoxic necrotic death in human epithelial cells. However, its biophysical property and molecular identity have remained elusive. In human epithelial HeLa cells, here, whole-cell currents of ASOR anion channel were found to be augmented by warm temperature, with a threshold temperature of 32 °C. Temperature sensitivity of the conductance was found to be high (with Q 10 of 8.8) in the range of body temperature, suggesting a possible involvement of a non-diffusion-limited process such as a transporter-mediated conduction. In this regard, it is interesting that a Cl(-)/H(+) antiporter ClC-3 has recently been proposed as a candidate for the ASOR channel. However, siRNA-mediated knockdown of hClC-3 failed to suppress ASOR currents in HeLa cells. Also, endogenous ASOR currents in HEK293T cells were not affected by overexpression of human or mouse ClC-3. Furthermore, functional expression of the ASOR channel was virtually absent in the cisplatin-resistant human cancer KCP-4 cell line despite the fact that molecular expression of ClC-3 was indistinguishable between KCP-4 cells and parental cisplatin-sensitive KB-3-1 cells which endogenously exhibit high activity of ASOR anion channels. These results indicate that the ASOR anion channel is highly sensitive to temperature and independent of ClC-3.

ClC-2 is a voltage-dependent chloride channel that activates slowly at voltages negative to the chloride reversal potential. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and other nucleotides have been shown to bind to carboxy-terminal cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS) domains of ClC-2, but the functional consequences of binding are not sufficiently understood. We here studied the effect of nucleotides on channel gating using single-channel and whole-cell patch clamp recordings on transfected mammalian cells. ATP slowed down macroscopic activation and deactivation time courses in a dose-dependent manner. Removal of the complete carboxy-terminus abolishes the effect of ATP, suggesting that CBS domains are necessary for ATP regulation of ClC-2 gating. Single-channel recordings identified long-lasting closed states of ATP-bound channels as basis of this gating deceleration. ClC-2 channel dimers exhibit two largely independent protopores that are opened and closed individually as well as by a common gating process. A seven-state model of common gating with altered voltage dependencies of opening and closing transitions for ATP-bound states correctly describes the effects of ATP on macroscopic and microscopic ClC-2 currents. To test for a potential pathophysiological impact of ClC-2 regulation by ATP, we studied ClC-2 channels carrying naturally occurring sequence variants found in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy, G715E, R577Q, and R653T. All naturally occurring sequence variants accelerate common gating in the presence but not in the absence of ATP. We propose that ClC-2 uses ATP as a co-factor to slow down common gating for sufficient electrical stability of neurons under physiological conditions.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) expresses bestrophin-1 where mutant bestrophin cause retinal degenerations. Overexpression of bestrophin-1 demonstrated Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) channel function, whereas the RPE in bestrophin-1 knockout or mutant bestrophin-1 knock-in mice showed no change in Cl(-) conductance. To account for these apparently mutually exclusive findings, we investigated the function of endogenously expressed bestrophin-1 in a short-time RPE cell culture system by means of immunocytochemistry, Ca(2+) imaging, and siRNA knockdown. Immunocytochemical quantification of bestrophin-1 localization demonstrated 2.5 times higher co-localization with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-sensor protein, Stim-1, than with the membrane protein β-catenin, implicating it in store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE). Ca(2+) release from ER stores under extracellular Ca(2+)-free conditions using thapsigargin (1 μM) to inhibit endoplasmic Ca(2+) ATPase (SERCA) followed by re-adjustment of extracellular Ca(2+) to physiological levels activated SOCE, which was insensitive to the blocker of numerous transient receptor potential channels and voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels SKF96563 (1 μM). SOCE was augmented at 5 μM and inhibited at 75 μM by 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate which indicates the involvement Orai-1 channels. In confirmation, SOCE was decreased by siRNA knockdown of Orai-1 expression. SOCE amplitude was strongly reduced by siRNA knockdown of bestrophin-1 expression, which was due to neither changes in Stim-1/Orai-1 expression nor Stim-1/bestrophin-1 interaction. The amount of Ca(2+) released by SERCA inhibition was reduced after siRNA knockdown of bestrophin-1, but not of Orai-1. In conclusion we found that a proportion of bestrophin-1 is functionally localized to ER Ca(2+) stores where it influences the amount of Ca(2+) and therefore Ca(2+) signals which result from activation of Orai-1 via Stim-1.

Dent's disease is an X-linked recessive disorder affecting the proximal tubules. Mutations in the 2Cl(-)/H(+) exchanger ClC-5 gene CLCN5 are frequently associated with Dent's disease. Functional characterization of mutations of CLCN5 have helped to elucidate the physiopathology of Dent's disease and provided evidence that several different mechanisms underlie the ClC-5 dysfunction in Dent's disease. Modeling studies indicate that many CLCN5 mutations are located at the interface between the monomers of ClC-5, demonstrating that this protein region plays an important role in Dent's disease. On the basis of functional data, CLCN5 mutations can be divided into three different classes. Class 1 mutations impair processing and folding, and as a result, the ClC-5 mutants are retained within the endoplasmic reticulum and targeted for degradation by quality control mechanisms. Class 2 mutations induce a delay in protein processing and reduce the stability of ClC-5. As a consequence, the cell surface expression and currents of the ClC-5 mutants are lower. Class 3 mutations do not alter the trafficking of ClC-5 to the cell surface and early endosomes but induce altered electrical activity. Here, we discuss the functional consequences of the three classes of CLCN5 mutations on ClC-5 structure and function.

The clinical use of aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics is limited by their renal toxicity, which is caused by drug accumulation in proximal tubule (PT) cells. Clinical studies reported that renal clearance of AG is enhanced in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, which might reflect the role of CFTR in PT cell endocytosis. In order to assess the role of chloride transporters on the renal handling of AG, we investigated gentamicin uptake and renal accumulation in mice lacking functional CFTR (Cftr ( ∆F/∆F)) or knock-out for the Cl(-)/H(+) exchanger ClC-5 (Clcn5 ( Y/- )). The latter represent a paradigm of PT dysfunction and defective receptor-mediated endocytosis. As compared with controls, Cftr ( ∆F/∆F) and Clcn5 ( Y/- ) mice showed a 15% to 85% decrease in gentamicin accumulation in the kidney, respectively, in absence of renal failure. Studies on primary cultures of Cftr ( ∆F/∆F) and Clcn5 ( Y/- ) mouse PT cells confirmed the reduction in gentamicin uptake, although colocalization with endosomes and lysosomes was maintained. Quantification of endocytosis in PT cells revealed that gentamicin, similar to albumin, preferentially binds to megalin. The functional loss of ClC-5 or CFTR was reflected by a decrease of the endocytic uptake of gentamicin, with a more pronounced effect in cells lacking ClC-5. These results support the concept that CFTR, as well as ClC-5, plays a relevant role in PT cell endocytosis. They also demonstrate that the functional loss of these two chloride transporters is associated with impaired uptake of AG in PT cells, reflected by a decreased renal accumulation of the drug.

Endogenous Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels (CaCC) demonstrate biophysical and pharmacological properties that are well represented in cells overexpressing anoctamin 1 (Ano 1, TMEM16A), a protein that has been identified recently as CaCC. Proteins of the anoctamin family (anoctamin 1-10, TMEM16A-K) are widely expressed. The number of reports demonstrating their physiological and clinical relevance is quickly rising. Anoctamins gain additional interest through their potential role in cell volume regulation and malignancy. Available data suggest that Ano 1 forms stable dimers and probably liaise with accessory proteins such as calmodulin or other anoctamins. In order to understand how anoctamins produce Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) currents, it will be necessary to obtain better insight into their molecular structure, interactions with partner proteins, and mode of activation.

The involvement of several members of the chloride channel (ClC) family of membrane proteins in human disease highlights the need to define the mechanisms underlying their function and the consequences of disease-causing mutations. Despite the utility of high-resolution structural models, our understanding of the molecular basis for function of the chloride channels and transporters in the family remains incomplete. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries regarding molecular mechanisms underlying the regulated chloride:proton antiporter activity of ClC-5, the protein mutated in the Dent's disease-a kidney disease presenting with proteinuria and renal failure in severe cases. We discuss the putative role of ClC-5 in receptor-mediated endocytosis and protein uptake by the proximal renal tubule and the possible molecular and cellular consequences of disease-causing mutations. However, validation of these models will require future study of the intrinsic function of this transporter, in situ, in the membranes of recycling endosomes in proximal tubule epithelial cells.

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD, also called Best's disease) is a dominantly inherited, juvenile-onset form of macular degeneration, which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of yellow pigment in the outer retina and a depressed electro-oculogram light peak (LP). Over 100 disease-causing mutations in human bestrophin-1 (hBest1) are closely linked to BVMD and several other retinopathies. However, the physiological role of hBest1 and the mechanisms of retinal pathology remain obscure partly because hBest1 has been described as a protein with multiple functions including a Ca2+-activated Cl- channel, a Ca2+ channel regulator, a volume-regulated Cl- channel, and a HCO3- channel. This review focuses on how dysfunction of hBest1 is related to the accumulation of yellow pigment and a decreased LP. The dysfunction of hBest1 as a HCO3- channel or a volume-regulated Cl- channel may be associated with defective regulation of the subretinal fluid or phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments by retinal pigment epithelium cells, which may lead to fluid and pigment accumulation.

The causes of epilepsies and epileptic seizures are multifactorial. Genetic predisposition may contribute in certain types of epilepsies and seizures, whether idiopathic or symptomatic of genetic origin. Although these are not very common, they have offered a unique opportunity to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis and ictogenesis. Among the implicated gene mutations, a number of GABAA receptor subunit mutations have been recently identified that contribute to several idiopathic epilepsies, febrile seizures, and rarely to certain types of symptomatic epilepsies, like the severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. Deletion of GABAA receptor genes has also been linked to Angelman syndrome. Furthermore, mutations of proteins controlling chloride homeostasis, which indirectly defines the functional consequences of GABAA signaling, have been identified. These include the chloride channel 2 (CLCN2) and the potassium chloride cotransporter KCC3. The pathogenic role of CLCN2 mutations has not been clearly demonstrated and may represent either susceptibility genes or, in certain cases, innocuous polymorphisms. KCC3 mutations have been associated with hereditary motor and sensory polyneuropathy with corpus callosum agenesis (Andermann syndrome) that often manifests with epileptic seizures. This review summarizes the recent progress in the genetic linkages of epilepsies and seizures to the above genes and discusses potential pathogenic mechanisms that contribute to the age, sex, and conditional expression of these seizures in carriers of these mutations.

The effect of Ca(2+) and calcimimetics on NaCl transport was investigated in the in vitro isolated microperfused mouse thin ascending limb of Henle's loop. In the presence of a transmural NaCl gradient, the transepithelial diffusional potential was 13.7 +/- 0.4 mV (n = 17). When the Ca(2+) in the bath was increased from 1.5 to 4.5 mM at 37 degrees C, the relative permeability of Na(+) to Cl(-) (P (Na) /P (Cl)) estimated from the diffusional voltage deflection due to the transepithelial NaCl gradient (V (d)) changed from 0.371 +/- 0.017 to 0.341 +/- 0.015 (n = 10, P < 0.0001). When the Ca(2+) in the lumen was increased from 1.5 to 4.5 mM, the P (Na) /P (Cl) decreased from 0.349 +/- 0.013 to 0.330 +/- 0.013 (n = 5, P < 0.002). The addition of 0.1 mM neomycin and 0.2 mM gentamicin to the bath or lumen also decreased the P (Na) /P (Cl). The same effect on P (Na) /P (Cl) of Ca(2+) and calcimimetics occurred in ClC-K1 (kidney-specific chloride channel) knockout mice. The addition of 300 mug/ml protamine to the bath strongly inhibited changes to P (Na) /P (Cl) induced by basolateral Ca(2+). These data indicate that ambient Ca(2+) and calcimimetics inhibit Na(+) transport in the thin ascending limb, which is known to occur via the paracellular shunt pathway. Our observations strongly suggest that Ca(2+) is involved in the regulation of paracellular Na(+) permeability in the thin ascending limbs.

Bestrophins form Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels and regulate intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. We demonstrate that bestrophin 1 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it interacts with stromal interacting molecule 1, the ER-Ca(2+) sensor. Intracellular Ca(2+) transients elicited by stimulation of purinergic P2Y(2) receptors in HEK293 cells were augmented by hBest1. The p21-activated protein kinase Pak2 was found to phosphorylate hBest1, thereby enhancing Ca(2+) signaling and activation of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) (TMEM16A) and K(+) (SK4) channels. Lack of bestrophin 1 expression in respiratory epithelial cells of mBest1 knockout mice caused expansion of ER cisterns and induced Ca(2+) deposits. hBest1 is, therefore, important for Ca(2+) handling of the ER store and may resemble the long-suspected counterion channel to balance transient membrane potentials occurring through inositol triphosphate (IP(3))-induced Ca(2+) release and store refill. Thus, bestrophin 1 regulates compartmentalized Ca(2+) signaling that plays an essential role in Best macular dystrophy, inflammatory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, as well as proliferation.

ClC7 Cl(-) channels (Clcn7) are crucial for osteoclastic bone resorption and have heterozygous mutation in autosomal osteopetrosis type II (ADO II) patients. Although extracellular acidification is known to induce ClC7 Cl(-) currents in Clcn7-transfected oocytes, other characteristics of this acid-induced Cl(-) current, as well as the effects of mutant Clcn7 in ADO II, remain to be determined. The present study showed that extracellular acidification evoked outward Cl(-) currents in mouse osteoclasts. Expression of wild-type human Clcn7 in HEK293 cells also induced a significant increase in acid-activated Cl(-) currents. These acid-activated Cl(-) currents were independent of intracellular acidification and [Ca(2+)]( i ) increase. HEK293 cells with the Clcn7 mutation associated with ADO II at G215R did not display these Cl(-) currents. These results suggest that osteoclastic ClC7 Cl(-) channels are activated under extracellar acidification and suppressed in Clcn7 mutant associated with ADO II during bone resorption.

The CLC gene family encodes Cl(-) channels or Cl(-)/H(+) exchangers. While our understanding of their structure-function relationship has greatly benefited from the crystal structure of bacterial homologues, human inherited diseases and knock-out mice were crucial in deciphering their physiological roles. Several vesicular CLC Cl(-)/H(+) exchangers are expressed in the proximal tubule (PT). ClC-5 mutations cause Dent's disease which is associated with low molecular weight proteinuria and kidney stones. ClC-5 knock-out mice revealed impaired endocytosis as the primary defect in Dent's disease. It extends to receptor-mediated and fluid-phase endocytosis and entails changes in calciotropic hormones that result in kidney stones. No renal functions could be assigned so far to ClC-3 and ClC-4, which are also expressed in PTs. Loss of ClC-7 or its beta-subunit Ostm1 entails lysosomal storage in the PT, in addition to the neuronal lysosomal storage and osteopetrosis that are the hallmarks of ClC-7/Ostm1 loss in mice and men.

The ClC family of chloride channels and transporters includes several members in which mutations have been associated with human disease. Clearly, an understanding of the structure-function relationships of these proteins will be critical in defining the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis. The X-ray crystal structure of prokaryotic ClC proteins provides an exquisite template with which to model molecular aspects of eukaryotic ClC protein function. The dimeric structure of these proteins highlights the pivotal importance of intermolecular interactions in the modulation of channel/transporter activity, while mutagenesis studies implicate a crucial role for intrinsic interdomain interactions in regulated function. In this review, we will initially focus on the channel forming members of this family and discuss interactions within homodimeric channel complexes important for gating. Finally, with regard to both channel and transporter family members, we will discuss the multiple heteromeric interactions which occur with cytosolic proteins, and the putative functional impact of these interactions.

ClC-2 is a CLC family member of chloride channels sensitive to changes in cell volume, pH and voltage. The ClC-2 is widely distributed along the nephron although in the kidney its role still not well understood. Aldosterone studies suggest that ClC-2 expression in the kidney may be hormonally regulated. To explore the possibility that estrogen control ClC-2 expression, we investigated whether its expression changed in the kidney of female Wistar rats subjected to ovariectomy with or without near-physiological or high doses of 17beta-estradiol benzoate treatment for 10 days. Total RNA isolated from rat kidney and dissected nephron segments was analyzed by ribonuclease protection assay and/or a semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The renal ClC-2 protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. The decreased renal expression of ClC-2 mRNA and protein observed in ovariectomized rats was restored to control levels after treatment with low doses of estradiol. Higher dose estradiol lead to an even greater increase in ClC-2 mRNA and protein expression. This change in overall expression was shown to be caused by the modulation of ClC-2 mRNA expression in the proximal tubule. These results suggest that ClC-2 may be involved in estrogen-induced Cl(-) transport in rat kidney.

Mutations in the gene CLCN5 encoding the vesicular chloride channel ClC-5 lead to Dent's disease, an X-linked renal disorder. Dent's disease is characterised by proteinuria, hyperphosphaturia and hypercalciuria, which eventually lead to kidney stones and nephrocalcinosis. As it was unclear how mutations in a chloride channel might cause these symptoms, we and others have generated genetic mouse models to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. We review results obtained from these three mouse models and present new data on endosomal acidification and vitamin D metabolism in ClC-5 knock-out (KO) mice. ClC-5 is expressed in apical endosomes of proximal tubular cells where it co-localizes with endocytosed proteins and the proton ATPase. ClC-5 may provide an electric shunt for the efficient operation of the electrogenic H(+)-ATPase. We confirmed this hypothesis by showing that endosomes from CLCN5 KO mice are acidified at a significantly lower rate than wild-type endosomes. This probably results in the drastic impairment of endocytosis observed in ClC-5 KO mice. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is filtered into the lumen of the nephron, where it is endocytosed and degraded by proximal tubular cells. The defective endocytosis in ClC-5 KO mice entails an increased luminal concentration of PTH, subsequent stimulation of apical PTH receptors which causes an increased endocytosis of the phosphate transporter NaPi and phosphaturia. We now show that it also results in up-regulation of proximal tubular alpha-hydroxylase that generates the active form of vitamin D from its precursor. We discuss how the primary defect in endocytosis leads via secondary changes in calciotropic hormones to the tertiary symptoms hyperphosphaturia, hypercalciuria and kidney stones.

The term Bartter syndrome encompasses a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive salt-losing nephropathies that are caused by disturbed transepithelial sodium chloride reabsorption in the distal nephron. Mutations have been identified in the NKCC2 (Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-)) cotransporter and ROMK potassium channel, which cooperate in the process of apical sodium chloride uptake, and ClC-Kb chloride channels, which mediate basolateral chloride release. Recently, mutations in barttin, a protein not related to any known ion transporter or channel, were described in BSND, a variant of Bartter syndrome associated with sensorineural deafness. Here we show that barttin functions as an activator of ClC-K chloride channels. Expression of barttin together with ClC-K in Xenopus oocytes increased ClC-K current amplitude, changed ClC-K biophysical properties, and enhanced ClC-K abundance in the cell membrane. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed a direct interaction of barttin with ClC-K. We performed in situ hybridization on rat kidney slices and RT-PCR analysis on microdissected nephron segments to prove co-expression of barttin, ClC-K1 and ClC-K2 along the distal nephron. Functional analysis of BSND-associated point mutations revealed impaired ClC-K activation by barttin. The results demonstrate regulation of a CLC chloride channel by an accessory protein and indicate that ClC-K activation by barttin is required for adequate tubular salt reabsorption.

It is well known that Na+ reabsorption in the kidney can be regulated by aldosterone. Although Cl- is the most abundant anion present in the extra cellular fluids the involvement of aldosterone in the regulation of Cl- conductance through Cl- channels at the molecular level is unknown. In this study, the effects of aldosterone and high-Na+ diet on the expression of ClC-2, a cell volume-, pH- and voltage-sensitive Cl- channel, was examined in the rat kidney. Total RNA isolated from Wistar rats fed a high-Na+ diet for 5 days, furosemide treatment, adrenalectomy and adrenalectomy with replacement of normal plasma levels of aldosterone were compared by the use of ribonuclease protection assay (RPA), and/or a semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The high-Na+ diet reduced renal mRNA and protein ClC-2 expression. The renal expression of ClC-2 mRNA decreased in adrenalectomized rats and was restored by plasma aldosterone replacement. In addition, the semi-quantitative RT-PCR in different segments of the nephron showed that these changes were secondary to the modulation of ClC-2 mRNA expression by aldosterone in the cortical and medullary segments of thick ascending limbs of Henle's loop. These results suggest that ClC-2 may be involved with aldosterone-induced Cl- transport in the kidney.

To investigate the membrane topology of the skeletal muscle chloride channel ClC-1, we inserted the small antigenic flag (DYKDDDDK) and/or HSV (QPELAPEDPED) epitope tags into nine predicted extra- and intracellular loops along the channel protein. Functional integrity of the modified proteins was tested by measuring the chloride currents conducted by these channels expressed in tsA201 cells. Insertion of the tags into the linkers D1D2, D4D5, D6D7, D8D9 or D11D12 did not alter channel function significantly, whereas insertion into D3D4, D5D6, D9D10 and D10D11 led to loss of function. Intra- or extracellular localisation of the tags was determined by immunofluorescent staining of intact and permeabilised tsA201 cells transiently transfected with the functional epitope-inserted constructs. Intact cells stained for the epitope tags inserted into D1D2, D6D7 and D8D9, indicating that these linkers face the extracellular side of the membrane. No conclusions could be drawn for the location of D4D5 and D11D12. Insertion of the flag epitope at position P260 (linker D4D5), a putative pore-lining region, did not change any of the channel function properties markedly, suggesting that the region surrounding P260 cannot directly line the ion conduction pathway of ClC-1.

The presence of both CFTR and ClC-2 proteins in the kidney suggest that they are involved in chloride transport along the nephron but their physiological roles in this organ are not known. To further understand the role of these chloride channels we studied Wistar rats subjected to dehydration for 2 days and also the homozygous Brattleboro rats, a strain of Long-Evans rats carrying an autosomal recessive mutation that leads to a deficiency of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) secretion in the plasma. The expression of CFTR was increased in the medulla of dehydrated Wistar rats and no variation was observed in the cortex. The expression of both ClC-2 and CFTR mRNAs was low in the renal cortex and medulla of the homozygous Brattleboro rats but returned to normal levels after AVP reposition. By the use of Madine-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) type I epithelial cells, it was observed that AVP (10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6) M) increased CFTR mRNA expression "in vitro" but no effect was observed when changes in the medium tonicity were caused by the addition of sucrose, NaCl, manitol or urea. The modulation of both CFTR and ClC-2 mRNA by AVP, the main hormone involved in the regulation of body fluid osmolality, suggests the participation of these two chloride channels in the renal tubule transcellular chloride transport modulated by AVP.

The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular responses of the main salt-reabsorbing systems in the distal nephron to changes of salt load of the organism. For this purpose we analysed messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels for the bumetanide-sensitive Na+K+2Cl- cotransporter (BSC1), the thiazide-sensitive Na+Cl- cotransporter (TSC), the kidney-specific inwards rectifier K+ channel (ROMK), the amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and the kidney-specific Cl- channel ClC-K2, in the cortex and inner and outer medulla of kidneys from male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high- (8% w/w), normal- (0.6%) or low-(0.02%) salt diet or treated chronically with subcutaneous infusions of furosemide (12 mg/kg per day). BSC1 and ROMK mRNA levels did not differ between the four treatment groups. TSC mRNA increased during furosemide treatment 1.75-fold versus control but was not affected by a high- or a low-salt diet. The mRNA for the alpha-subunit of ENaC increased with the low-salt diet (about 1.5-fold) and with furosemide (about 2.1-fold) in all kidney zones, but did not change with the high-salt diet. Dietary salt loading down-regulated CIC-K2 mRNA in the outer medulla 0.6-fold versus control whilst furosemide treatment, but not the low-salt diet, increased ClC-K2 mRNA in the outer (1.6-fold) and inner medulla (2.0-fold). These findings suggest that gene expression of Na+ and Cl- entry pathways in the distal nephron are at least partly regulated by the salt load of the organism, such that salt-reabsorbing systems are stimulated by salt deficiency and suppressed by salt overload.

While most cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-knockout animals die due to intestinal obstruction before or at the time of weaning, a subpopulation of these animals are long living and exhibit a milder phenotype. The decreased severity of intestinal disease in these mildly affected CF mice is related to the expression of non-CFTR genetic modifiers. The identity of these genetic modifiers is not known, but we hypothesize that they may complement CFTR function as a chloride channel in this tissue. To assess the contribution of non-CFTR chloride channels to chloride secretion across the small intestine of CF mice with mild disease, we measured the basal transepithelial potential difference across this tissue as well as the secretory response to agonists of the cAMP and the calcium-mediated signaling pathways. Chloride secretion across the small intestine of mildly affected CF mice was not stimulated by forskolin or by carbachol. The absence of CFTR is thus not compensated by the activity of a distinct, cAMP- or calcium-activated chloride channel at the apical surface of the intestinal epithelium. On the other hand, a basal chloride secretion across the intestinal epithelium was present in these animals, and we hypothesize that this activity may be linked to improved survival of these animals.

Chloride channels perform important roles in the regulation of cellular excitability, in transepithelial transport, cell volume regulation, and acidification of intracellular organelles. This variety of functions requires a large number of different chloride channels that are encoded by genes belonging to several unrelated gene families. The CLC family of chloride channels has nine known members in mammals that show a differential tissue distribution and function both in plasma membranes and in intracellular organelles. CLC proteins have about 10-12 transmembrane domains. They probably function as dimers and may have two pores. The functional expression of channels altered by site-directed mutagenesis has led to important insights into their structure-function relationship. Their physiological relevance is obvious from three human inherited diseases (myotonia congenita, Dent's disease and Bartter's syndrome) that result from mutations in some of their members and from a knock-out mouse model.

Calcium-activated anion secretion is elevated in the pancreatic ductal epithelium of transgenic cf/cf mice which lack the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). To elucidate whether this effect is due to increased activity of calcium-activated chloride channels, we have studied the relationship between CFTR and calcium-activated chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells isolated from Cambridge cf/cf mice. CFTR chloride currents activated by cAMP were detected in 59% (29/49) of wild-type cells and in 50% (20/40) of heterozygous cells. However, we could not detect any CFTR currents in the homozygous cf/cf cells (0/25). The maximum CFTR current density measured at a membrane potential of 60 mV was 23.5 +/- 2.8 pA/pF (n = 29) in wild-type cells, and about half that value, i.e. 12.4 +/- 1.6 pA/pF (n = 20) in heterozygotes (P = 0.004). Calcium-activated chloride currents were detected in 73% (24/33) of wild-type, 75% (21/28) of heterozygous and in 58% (7/12) of homozygous cf/cf cells. There was no significant difference between the steady-state calcium-activated current densities in the three genotypic groups; the current measured at 60 mV being 527 +/- 162 pA/pF (n = 24) from wild-type, 316 +/- 35 pA/pF (n = 21) from heterozygote and 419 +/- 83 pA/pF (n = 7) from homozygous cells. Our data suggest that lack of CFTR does not enhance the calcium-activated chloride conductance in murine pancreatic duct cells.