Expression of volume-activated anion channels in exocrine acinar cells

Abstract

Volume-sensitive anion channels (Iclswell)are expressed in most mammalian cells (1). The molecular identity of Iclswell is not known, however, several candidate proteins have been proposed including: p-glycoprotein, pIcln, CIC-2 and CIC-3(2). The properties of CIC-3 make it one of the most likely candidate proteins, e.g. it has a structure which is very similar to that of know Cl- channels (CIC-0 and CIC-1), and it produces an outward-rectifying Cl- conductance when expressed in Xenopus oocytes or mammalian cell lines (3).