Identification and regulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-generated chloride channel

J Clin Invest. 1991 Oct;88(4):1422-31. doi: 10.1172/JCI115450.

Abstract

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) generates cAMP-regulated Cl- channels; mutations in CFTR cause defective Cl- channel function in cystic fibrosis epithelia. We used the patch-clamp technique to determine the single channel properties of Cl- channels in cell expressing recombinant CFTR. In cell-attached patches, an increase in cellular cAMP reversibly activated low conductance Cl- channels. cAMP-dependent regulation is due to phosphorylation, because the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase plus ATP reversibly activated the channel in excised, cell-free patches of membrane. In symmetrical Cl- solutions, the channel had a channel conductance of 10.4 +/- 0.2 (n = 7) pS and a linear current-voltage relation. The channel was more permeable to Cl- than to I- and showed no appreciable time-dependent voltage effects. These biophysical properties are consistent with macroscopic studies of Cl- channels in single cells expressing CFTR and in the apical membrane of secretory epithelia. Identification of the single channel characteristics of CFTR-generated channels allows further studies of their regulation and the mechanism of ion permeation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Chloride Channels
  • Cystic Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Protein Kinases / pharmacology

Substances

  • CFTR protein, human
  • Chloride Channels
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Protein Kinases