cAMP-stimulated ion currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing CFTR cRNA

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) was expressed in stage V/VI Xenopus oocytes by injection of cRNA transcribed in vitro from a pBluescript vector containing 6.2-kb wild-type cDNA. This clone was also used for the preparation of antisense RNA. Double-electrode voltage clamp was employed to measure transmembrane currents. In sense RNA-injected oocytes, cAMP depolarized the membrane potential (Vm) from -52 to -31 mV and increased membrane conductance (Gm) 10-fold. However, cAMP had no effect on Vm or Gm in uninjected oocytes or in oocytes injected with antisense RNA. The endogenous Ca-activated Cl currents of control oocytes were abolished by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS; 50 microM) or bath Cl replacement. In contrast, the cAMP-stimulated currents of CFTR-expressing oocytes were DIDS insensitive and were inhibited only approximately 50% when bath Cl was replaced by gluconate or glutamate. In addition, the Cl channel blockers 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoate (NPPB; 50 microM) and diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC; 3 mM) reduced the cAMP-evoked currents by only approximately 10%. The stimulated currents of CFTR-expressing oocytes were reduced approximately 30% by 10 mM Ba, suggesting that the Cl-independent current component is due to an increase in K conductance. Our results indicate that expression of CFTR in Xenopus oocytes produces a cAMP-activated Cl current. The Cl-independent current may represent a regulatory action of CFTR on K conductance pathways or a secondary response of the oocyte membrane to the high Cl conductance induced by CFTR expression.