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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Whole-Cell Recording of Calcium Release-Activated Calcium (CRAC) Currents in Human T Lymphocytes
Published on: December 21, 2010
Calcium-activated chloride channels
Criss Hartzell1, Ilva Putzier, Jorge Arreola
1Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. criss.hartzell@emory.edu
Abstract:
Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs) play important roles in cellular physiology, including epithelial secretion of electrolytes and water, sensory transduction, regulation of neuronal and cardiac excitability, and regulation of vascular tone. This review discusses the physiological roles of these channels, their mechanisms of regulation and activation, and the mechanisms of anion selectivity and conduction. Despite the fact that CaCCs are so broadly expressed in cells and play such important functions, understanding these channels has been limited by the absence of specific blockers and the fact that the molecular identities of CaCCs remains in question. Recent status of the pharmacology and molecular identification of CaCCs is evaluated.
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