Exploiting species differences to understand the CFTR Cl- channel

Biochem Soc Trans. 2015 Oct;43(5):975-82. doi: 10.1042/BST20150129.

Abstract

The anion channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a unique ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. CFTR plays a pivotal role in transepithelial ion transport as its dysfunction in the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) dramatically demonstrates. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that CFTR first appeared in aquatic vertebrates fulfilling important roles in osmosensing and organ development. Here, we review selectively, knowledge of CFTR structure, function and pharmacology, gleaned from cross-species comparative studies of recombinant CFTR proteins, including CFTR chimeras. The data argue that subtle changes in CFTR structure can affect strongly channel function and the action of CF mutations.

Keywords: ATP-binding cassette transporter; CFTR pharmacology; F508del–CFTR; chloride ion channel; cystic fibrosis; cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Monophosphate / metabolism
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cystic Fibrosis / genetics
  • Cystic Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / classification
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / genetics
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Ion Channel Gating / genetics
  • Ion Channel Gating / physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Phylogeny
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator
  • Adenosine Monophosphate
  • Adenosine Triphosphate