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Volume-activated chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells
B Verdon1, J P Winpenny, K J Whitfield
1Department of Physiological Sciences, University Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
The Journal of Membrane Biology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Cell swelling activates chloride (Cl-) currents in pancreatic duct cells via calcium influx and protein kinase C (PKC). This finding is crucial for understanding pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Cell Biology
- Ion Channels
Background:
- Pancreatic duct cells secrete bicarbonate, a process critical for digestion.
- Volume-activated chloride currents play a role in regulating cell volume and ion transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and regulation of volume-activated chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells.
Main Methods:
- Patch clamp electrophysiology was used to measure chloride currents.
- Cells were subjected to osmotic gradients to induce swelling.
- Pharmacological agents were used to probe the involvement of specific signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Volume-activated chloride currents were identified and characterized by their ATP-dependence, outward rectification, and specific anion selectivity.
- Currents developed over time and were more prevalent in cultured cells.
- Calcium influx and protein kinase C (PKC) activation were found to be essential for current development.
Conclusions:
- Cell swelling triggers a signaling cascade involving calcium influx and PKC activation, leading to the potentiation of chloride currents in pancreatic duct cells.
- These findings provide insights into the mechanisms of pancreatic bicarbonate secretion and cell volume regulation.