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The Na+-driven Cl-/HCO3- exchanger. Cloning, tissue distribution, and functional characterization
C Z Wang1, H Yano, K Nagashima
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|September 20, 2000
Summary
Researchers identified the Na(+)-driven Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger (NCBE), crucial for regulating intracellular pH. This protein
Area of Science:
- Cellular Physiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intracellular pH regulation is vital for cellular function.
- The molecular identity of the Na(+)-driven Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger remained unknown.
- This exchanger plays a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the molecular basis of the Na(+)-driven Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger.
- To determine the structure, distribution, and function of this novel exchanger.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of the Na(+)-driven chloride/bicarbonate exchanger (NCBE) from MIN6 cell cDNA.
- Analysis of protein sequence, tissue distribution of mRNA, and functional expression in Xenopus oocytes and HEK293 cells.
Main Results:
- The primary structure of NCBE was determined, revealing 10 putative membrane-spanning regions.
- NCBE mRNA expression was highest in the brain and MIN6 cells.
- Functional studies confirmed NCBE transports Na(+) and HCO(3)(-) for Cl(-) and H(+), increasing intracellular pH.
Conclusions:
- NCBE is a Na(+)-driven Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger.
- NCBE plays a significant role in regulating intracellular pH in native cells.
- This discovery provides molecular insight into cellular pH homeostasis.