Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Chloride Channels”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Multimeric structure of ClC-1 chloride channel revealed by mutations in dominant myotonia congenita (Thomsen).

Voltage-gated ClC chloride channels play important roles in cell volume regulation, control of muscle excitability, and probably transepithelial transport. ClC channels can be functionally expressed without other subunits, but it is unknown whether they function as monomers. We now exploit the properties of human mutations in the muscle chloride channel, ClC-1, to explore its multimeric structure. This is based on analysis of the dominant negative effects of ClC-1 mutations causing myotonia congenita (MC, Thomsen's disease), including a newly identified mutation (P480L) in Thomsen's own family. In a co-expression assay, Thomsen's mutation dramatically inhibits normal ClC-1 function. A mutation found in Canadian MC families (G230E) has a less pronounced dominant negative effect, which can be explained by functional WT/G230E heterooligomeric channels with altered kinetics and selectivity. Analysis of both mutants shows independently that ClC-1 functions as a homooligomer with most likely four subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Maxi chloride channels in L6 myoblasts.

The existence of a large conductance voltage sensitive chloride channel is documented in undifferentiated cells (myoblasts) of the L6 rat muscle cell line. At this stage of development the resting membrane conductance is dominated by potassium ions only (Kidokoro 1975). The conductance of the channel in symmetrical 120 mmol/l choline chloride is 331 +/- 4 pS. The probability of the channel being in the open state decreases with the increasing imposed voltage. Due to rapid inactivation at high membrane potential deviations (both negative and positive) from the equilibrium potential the channel can be resolved clearly by pulse technique protocols only. The incidence of the channel in successful patch trials was higher than usually reported. The channel was present after differentiation of the myoblasts into the myotubes. It showed at least one definite substate and pronounced flickerings between the substate and the main open state. The channel was observed in myoblast attached patches as well. It is supposed to belong to the category of maxi chloride channels, and to play probably a role in regulatory volume readjustment or in cell communication during myogenesis, respectively.

Animals↗

Regulation of ClC-2 chloride channels in T84 cells by TGF-alpha.

The almost ubiquitously expressed ClC-2 chloride channel is activated by hyperpolarization and osmotic cell swelling. Osmotic swelling also activates a different class of outwardly rectifying chloride channels, and several reports point to a link between protein tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of these channels. This study examines the possibility that transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) modulates ClC-2 activity in human colonic epithelial (T84) cells. TGF-alpha (0.17 nM) irreversibly inhibited ClC-2 current in nystatin-perforated whole cell patch-clamp experiments, whereas a superimposed reversible activation of the current was observed at 8.3 nM TGF-alpha. Both effects required activation of the intrinsic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase activity, of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and of protein kinase C. With microspectrofluorimetry of the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, TGF-alpha was shown to reversibly alkalinize T84 cells at 8.3 nM but not at 0.17 nM, suggesting that 8.3 nM TGF-alpha-induced alkalinization activates ClC-2 current. This study indicates that ClC-2 channels are targets for EGFR signaling in epithelial cells.

Biological Transport↗

Small conductance chloride channels in the apical membrane of thyroid cells.

A small conductance chloride channel has been identified on the apical membrane of porcine thyroid cells using the patch-clamp technique. In cell attached membrane patches with NaCl in the pipette, the single channel conductance is 5.5 pS. The channel is highly selective for chloride over gluconate and iodide, and is impermeable to Na+, K+ and tetraethylammonium ions. The open state probability of the channel is not affected by voltage. The channel activity disappears after excision of the patch. The Cl- channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB) did not affect the activity of the thyroid Cl- channels. Treatment of thyroid cells with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-chloro-cAMP) (0.5 mM) prior to giga-seal formation increased Cl- channel activity in the apical membrane of thyroid cells.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of the human CLC-5 chloride channel gene promoter.

The human CLC-5 chloride channel is expressed mainly in the kidney and its mutations cause Dent's disease (a familial renal tubular syndrome with hypercalciuria, tubular proteinuria, rickets, nephrocalcinosis, and eventual renal failure). To gain insight into the regulatory mechanism of CLC-5 expression, a genomic clone that contains the 5'-flanking region of the human CLC-5 gene was isolated and characterized. Two types of 5'-ends of cDNA were isolated by 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and one of them, approximately 2.1 kbp upstream of ATG-containing exon II, was first identified in human. The major promoter activity was detected in the 5'-flanking region of this newly identified exon Ia. The sequence of the proximal 5'-flanking region contained an activator protein (AP)-1-like site and cAMP-responsive element, but it lacked a TATA box, a GC-rich element, and an SP-1 site. Deletion analysis of the 5'-flanking region showed that the fragments containing the AP-1-like element (TGACTCC) positioned at -38 exhibited high promoter activities in CLC-5 expressing LLC-PK1 cells, but that further deletions not containing this AP-1-like element resulted in a great loss of luciferase activities. Gel-retardation analysis demonstrated the existence of a specific protein binding to this AP-1-like element in LLC-PK1 cells, which seemed to differ from an authentic AP-1. This study clarified the key element of the human CLCN5 promoter, and the mutation in this region could be the cause of Dent's disease.

Animals↗

Identification of two novel Drosophila melanogaster histamine-gated chloride channel subunits expressed in the eye.

Histamine has been shown to play a role in arthropod vision; it is the major neurotransmitter of arthropod photoreceptors. Histamine-gated chloride channels have been identified in insect optic lobes. We report the first isolation of cDNA clones encoding histamine-gated chloride channel subunits from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The encoded proteins, HisCl1 and HisCl2, share 60% amino acid identity with each other. The closest structural homologue is the human glycine alpha3 receptor, which shares 45 and 43% amino acid identity respectively. Northern hybridization analysis suggested that hisCl1 and hisCl2 mRNAs are predominantly expressed in the insect eye. Oocytes injected with in vitro transcribed RNA, encoding either HisCl1 or HisCl2, produced substantial chloride currents in response to histamine but not in response to GABA, glycine, and glutamate. The histamine sensitivity was similar to that observed in insect laminar neurons. Histamine-activated currents were not blocked by picrotoxinin, fipronil, strychnine, or the H2 antagonist cimetidine. Co-injection of both hisCl1 and hisCl2 RNAs resulted in expression of a histamine-gated chloride channel with increased sensitivity to histamine, demonstrating coassembly of the subunits. The insecticide ivermectin reversibly activated homomeric HisCl1 channels and, more potently, HisCl1 and HisCl2 heteromeric channels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CLIC-1 functions as a chloride channel when expressed and purified from bacteria.

CLIC-1 is a member of a family of proteins related to the bovine intracellular chloride channel p64 which has been proposed to function as a chloride channel. We expressed CLIC-1 as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in bacteria. The fusion protein was purified by glutathione affinity, and CLIC-1 was released from its fusion partner by digestion with thrombin. After further purification, CLIC-1 was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles by detergent dialysis. Chloride permeability of reconstituted vesicles was assessed using a valinomycin dependent chloride efflux assay, demonstrating increased vesicular chloride permeability with CLIC-1 compared with control. CLIC-1-dependent chloride permeability was inhibited by indanyloxyacetic acid-94 with an apparent IC(50) of 8.6 micrometer. The single channel properties of CLIC-1 were determined using the planar lipid bilayer technique. We found that CLIC-1 forms a voltage-dependent, Cl-selective channel with a rectifying current-voltage relationship and single channel conductances of 161 +/- 7.9 and 67.5 +/- 6.9 picosiemens in symmetric 300 and 150 mm KCl, respectively. The anion selectivity of this activity is Br approximately Cl > I. The open probability of CLIC-1 channels in planar bilayers was decreased by indanyloxyacetic acid-94 with an apparent IC(50) of 86 micrometer at 50 mV. These data convincingly demonstrate that CLIC-1 is capable of forming a novel, chloride-selective channel in the absence of other subunits or proteins.

Animals↗

Conductance-voltage relations in large-conductance chloride channels in proliferating L6 myoblasts.

Large-conductance chloride channels (maxi-Cl channels) were studied in cultured myoblasts (L6 rat muscle cell line); in excised (inside-out) and in cell attached membrane patches using a conventional patch clamp method. The incidence of maxi-Cl channels was substantially higher in proliferating myoballs, then in quiescent (bottom-attached) myoblasts (90% and 50% percent of examined cells, respectively). The maxi-Cl channels in myoballs were present both in cell attached and excised patches. The channel conductance at symmetric [Cl] = 150 mmol/l was 359 +/- 42 pS (n = 74) in quiescent cells and 439 +/- 10 pS (n = 6) in proliferating myoballs respectively. The conductance of the channel in quiescent cells increased with chloride concentration in symmetric NaCl rich solutions according to Michaelis-Menten curve with the saturation limiting conductance of about 640 pS (gmax) and Km = 112 mmol/l. The shift of the reversal potential upon increasing the pipette concentration of NaCl from 150 to 250 mmol/l was consistent with PNa/PCl = 0.1. Neither the conductance nor the activation of the channel were dependent on the presence of calcium ions. The bell-shaped steady state channel conductance-voltage relationship is asymmetric and can be fitted by two Boltzmann equations with different Vh and k constants; -25.6 mV and -6.8 mV, respectively, for the negative side and +49.6 mV and +13.7 mV for the positive side in quiescent cells. The corresponding values in proliferating myoballs were as follows: -15.5 mV and -2.4 mV, respectively, for the negative side and +31.4 mV and +6.8 mV for the positive side. From the maximum slopes of the Popen versus V curves an estimate was made of the charges for the gates that close at negative (3.5) or positive (1.7) potentials, respectively, in quiescent cells. The corresponding values in myoballs were 10.6 and 3.7, respectively. The probability of one gate to be open was dependent on the state of activation of the opposite gate as determined by prepulses of the opposite polarity. The channel showed multiple (up to six) conductance levels that may develop in a step-like manner. The onset of the full-grown maxi-Cl channel is fairly abrupt; it might, however, be preceded by a small conductance unit activity. It is supposed that the differences between the quiescent myoblasts and proliferating myoballs might reflect increased expression of maxi-Cl channels in myoballs to perform as yet unknown role in the cell cycle and/or proliferation of the myoblasts.

Animals↗

Chloride channel blockade attenuates the effect of angiotensin II on tubuloglomerular feedback in WKY but not spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Recent studies have shown that calcium-dependent chloride channels may play a crucial role in the modulation of the vascular effects of angiotensin II (ANG II). Thus, alterations in the function of these channels may be responsible for the enhanced renal vasoconstrictor and tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) response to ANG II in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We investigated the effect of the calcium-dependent chloride channel blocker IAA-94 on renal hemodynamics and TGF responses. The renal interstitium was perfused with control solution, with ANG II, and with both ANG II and IAA-94. In Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), perfusion with ANG II significantly increased renal vascular resistance (RVR), but the effect was significantly attenuated by perfusion with ANG II/IAA-94. In SHR, ANG II caused a significant elevation of RVR that was not altered by the simultaneous infusion of IAA-94. Proximal tubular stop flow pressure (P(sf)) was monitored during perfusion of peritubular capillaries with control solution, and subsequently with IAA-94, ANG II or both ANG II and IAA-94. TGF response magnitude of WKY rats was significantly augmented with ANG II, and this effect was suppressed by perfusion with ANG II /IAA-94. However, in SHR peritubular perfusion with ANG II/IAA-94 did not suppress the TGF response. We conclude that chloride channels susceptible to IAA-94 may play a significant role in modulating the effects of ANG II on renal hemodynamics, and that this modulation is absent in SHR.

Angiotensin II↗

Separate fractions of mRNA from Torpedo electric organ induce chloride channels and acetylcholine receptors in Xenopus oocytes.

Poly(A)+ mRNA extracted from the electric organ of Torpedo was fractionated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. After injection into Xenopus oocytes one mRNA fraction induced the appearance of chloride channels in the oocyte membrane. Many of these channels were normally open, and the ensuing chloride current kept the resting potential of injected oocytes close to the chloride equilibrium potential. When the membrane was hyperpolarized, the chloride current was reduced. A separate fraction of mRNA induced the incorporation of acetylcholine receptors into the oocyte membrane. When translated in a cell-free system this fraction directed the synthesis of the alpha, beta, gamma, and delta subunits of the acetylcholine receptor. In contrast, the mRNA fraction that induced the chloride channels caused the synthesis of the delta subunit, a very small amount of alpha, and no detectable beta or gamma subunits. This suggests that the size of the mRNA coding for the chloride channel is similar to the preponderant species of mRNA coding for the delta subunit of the acetylcholine receptor.

Animals↗

Chloride channel 2 gene (Clc2) maps to chromosome 16 of the mouse, extending a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 3q.

The Clc2 gene of the mouse codes for the ubiquitously expressed chloride channel ClC-2, a member of a family of at least seven voltage gated chloride channels, some of which are implicated in hereditary diseases. Using a mouse interspecies back-cross panel, we have mapped Clc2 to Chr 16, proximal to the somatostatin gene Smst, extending a region of documented conserved synteny to human Chr 3q.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning, functional expression and subcellular localization of two putative vacuolar voltage-gated chloride channels in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

We isolated two cDNA clones (OsCLC-1 and OsCLC-2) homologous to tobacco CLC-Nt1, which encodes a voltage-gated chloride channel, from rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica, cv. Nipponbare). The deduced amino acid sequences were highly conserved (87.9% identity with each other). Southern blot analysis of the rice genomic DNA revealed that OsCLC-1 and OsCLC-2 were single-copy genes on chromosomes 4 and 2, respectively. OsCLC-1 was expressed in most tissues, whereas OsCLC-2 was expressed only in the roots, nodes, internodes and leaf sheaths. The level of expression of OsCLC-1, but not of OsCLC-2, was increased by treatment with NaCl. Both genes could partly substitute for GEF1, which encodes the sole chloride channel in yeast, by restoring growth under ionic stress. These results indicate that both genes are chloride channel genes. The proteins from both genes were immunochemically detected in the tonoplast fraction. Tagged synthetic green fluorescent protein which was fused to OsCLC-1 or OsCLC-2 localized in the vacuolar membranes. These results indicate that the proteins may play a role in the transport of chloride ions across the vacuolar membrane. We isolated loss-of-function mutants of both genes from a panel of rice mutants produced by the insertion of a retrotransposon, Tos17, in the exon region, and found inhibition of growth at all life stages.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

CLC-Nt1, a putative chloride channel protein of tobacco, co-localizes with mitochondrial membrane markers.

The voltage-dependent chloride channel (CLC) family of membrane proteins has cognates in animals, yeast, bacteria and plants, and chloride-channel activity has been assigned to most of the animal homologues. Lack of evidence of CLC functions in plants prompted us to characterize the cellular localization of the tobacco CLC-Nt1 protein. Specific polyclonal antibodies were raised against an N-terminal polypeptide of CLC-Nt1. These antibodies were used to probe membrane proteins prepared by various cell-fractionation methods. These included aqueous two-phase partitioning (for plasma membranes), free-flow electrophoresis (for vacuolar and plasma membranes), intact vacuole isolation, Percoll-gradient centrifugation (for plastids and mitochondria) and stepped, linear, sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation (for mitochondria). Each purified membrane fraction was characterized with specific marker enzyme activities or antibodies. Our studies ruled out the possibility that the major cell localization of CLC-Nt1 was the vacuolar or plasma membranes, the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus or the plastids. In contrast, we showed that the tobacco CLC-Nt1 specifically co-localized with the markers of the mitochondrial inner membrane, cytochrome c oxidase and NAD9 protein. CLC-Nt1 may correspond to the inner membrane anion channel ('IMAC') described previously in animal and plant mitochondria.

Antibodies↗

Chloride channels of high conductance in the microvillous membrane of term human placenta.

The patch clamp technique has been used to study ion channels in the undisturbed microvillous membrane of the human placental syncytiotrophoblast. In villi from 55 placentae delivered by caesarean section, high resistance seals were achieved in approximately 30 percent of attempts. Of these, a large conductance chloride channel was identified in seven inside-out and two 'cell' attached patches. The channel had the following properties: (a) a slope conductance of 313 +/- 9 pS, (b) the presence of sub-conductance states, (c) voltage dependency, being open predominantly between +/- 20 mV and inactivating at more extreme potentials and (d) inhibition by DIDS (4-acetamido-4'-diisothiocyanostilbene 2,2-disulphonic acid). These are characteristic features of 'maxi' chloride channels which have been identified in a variety of cell types (Gogelein, 1988). The role of the chloride channel in ion transport by or homeostasis of the syncytiotrophoblast has yet to be determined.

Chloride Channels↗

Involvement of chloride channels in progesterone production during meiotic maturation of follicle-enclosed oocytes of Rana temporaria and Xenopus laevis.

The chloride channel blockers SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostibene-2,2'-disulphonic acid) and DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid) markedly suppressed progesterone production in the Rana temporaria and Xenopus laevis follicle-enclosed oocytes and oocyte maturation stimulated by the homologous pituitary suspension and hCG, respectively. Inhibition was dose-dependent and decreased with the increase of the hormone concentration. SITS did not affect progesterone production in the R. temporaria follicle-enclosed oocytes stimulated by dbcAMP. Substitution of sodium chloride for equimolar concentrations of sodium gluconate, methanesulfonate, glutamate, or formate significantly potentiated the gonadotropin-stimulated progesterone production and oocyte maturation in the both species. Possible involvement of chloride channels in progesterone production by the gonadotropin-stimulated amphibian follicle-enclosed oocytes is discussed.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Volume-regulated chloride channels associated with the human multidrug-resistance P-glycoprotein.

Expression of P-glycoprotein, the product of the MDR1 gene, confers multidrug resistance on cell lines and human tumours (reviewed in refs 1,2). P-glycoprotein (relative molecular mass 170,000) is an ATP-dependent, active transporter which pumps hydrophobic drugs out of cells, but its normal physiological role is unknown. It is a member of the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) superfamily of transporters, which includes many bacterial transport systems, the putative peptide transporter from the major histocompatibility locus, and the product of the cystic fibrosis gene (the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, CFTR). CFTR is located in the apical membranes of many secretory epithelia and is associated with a cyclic AMP-regulated chloride channel. At least two other chloride channels are present in epithelial cells, regulated by cell volume and by intracellular Ca2+, respectively. Because of the structural and sequence similarities between P-glycoprotein and CFTR, and because P-glycoprotein is abundant in many secretory epithelia, we examined whether P-glycoprotein might be associated with one or other of these channels. We report here that expression of P-glycoprotein generates volume-regulated, ATP-dependent, chloride-selective channels, with properties similar to channels characterized previously in epithelial cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Functional and structural analysis of ClC-K chloride channels involved in renal disease.

ClC-K channels belong to the CLC family of chloride channels and are predominantly expressed in the kidney. Genetic evidence suggests their involvement in transepithelial transport of chloride in distal nephron segments; ClC-K1 gene deletion leads to nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in mice, and mutations of the hClC-Kb gene cause Bartter's syndrome type III in humans. Expression of rClC-K1 in Xenopus oocytes yielded voltage-independent currents that were pH-sensitive, had a Br(-) > NO(3)(-) = Cl(-) > I(-) conductance sequence, and were activated by extracellular calcium. A glutamate for valine exchange at amino acid position 166 induced strong voltage dependence and altered the conductance sequence of ClC-K1. This demonstrates that rClC-K1 indeed functions as an anion channel. By contrast, we did not detect currents upon hClC-Kb expression in Xenopus oocytes. Using a chimeric approach, we defined a protein domain that, when replaced by that of rClC-K1, allowed the functional expression of a chimera consisting predominantly of hClC-Kb. Its currents were linear and were inhibited by extracellular acidification. Contrasting with rClC-K1, they displayed a Cl(-) > Br(-)> I(-) > NO(3)(-) conductance sequence and were not augmented by extracellular calcium. Insertion of point mutations associated with Bartter's syndrome type III destroyed channel activity. We conclude that ClC-K proteins form constitutively open chloride channels with distinct physiological characteristics.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Chloride channel properties of the uncoupling protein from brown adipose tissue mitochondria: a patch-clamp study.

The uncoupling protein (UCP) from brown adipose tissue mitochondria possesses H+ and Cl- transport activities [reviewed in Klingenberg, M. (1990) Trends Biochem. Sci. 15, 108-112]. Being a member of a mitochondrial carrier family, the transport of H+ and Cl- is carrier-like, i.e., much slower as compared to channels. Here we report that UCP reconstituted into giant liposomes displays stable chloride channel properties under patch-clamp conditions. The transport inhibitors (GTP, GDP, ATP, and ADP) also inhibit this channel in a reversible way, showing that the channel activity is associated with UCP. The slightly inward-rectifying chloride channel has a unit conductance of approximately 75 pS in symmetrical 100 mM KCl and closes at high positive potentials on the matrix side of UCP. Channel gatings switch from slow open-closure transitions to fast flickerings as the holding potential increases over +60 mV. Substitution experiments reveal a strong discrimination against cations [P(Cl-)/P(K+) approximately 17] and a permeability ratio order of Cl- > Br- > F- > SCN- > I- > NO3- > SO4(2-) > HPO4(2-) > gluconate. Nucleotide inhibition studies indicate that 70% UCP molecules had its matrix side oriented outside in the giant liposomes. Fatty acids, pH, divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+), and mersalyl do not influence these Cl- currents. The Cl- channel can be blocked by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) from the matrix side of UCP. The data are consistent with a dimer consisting of two monomeric 75-pS Cl- channels or with a monomeric 150-pS channel having a 50% subconductance state. The channel current increases with Cl- concentration showing a typical saturation curve with Km approximately 63 mM and gmax approximately 120 pS (100 mM KCl in the pipet). The Cl- conductance measured under these conditions is 6 orders of magnitude higher than the Cl- transport activity reported earlier, suggesting that the UCP has the potential of behaving as an anion channel.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗