Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
11:32
Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
Published on: September 28, 2016
ICln: a chloride channel paramount for cell volume regulation
M Gschwentner1, A Susanna, A Schmarda
1Department of Physiology, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Cell volume regulation relies on ion transport. The ICln chloride channel is crucial for restoring normal cell volume after swelling, and its function is affected by nucleotides and asthma drugs.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Physiology
- Ion Transport Mechanisms
Background:
- Cell volume regulation is a fundamental cellular process essential for maintaining homeostasis.
- This regulation is achieved through sophisticated ion transport mechanisms, often impacting intracellular ion concentrations.
- Maintaining a constant cell volume is a high-priority cellular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the ICln chloride channel in cell volume regulation.
- To explore the unique sensitivities of ICln channels to extracellular modulators.
- To determine the effect of specific drugs on ICln channel function.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of the ICln chloride channel from epithelial cells.
- Experimental manipulation of cell volume and observation of regulatory mechanisms.
- Assays to test the sensitivity of ICln channels to nucleotides, nucleoside analogues, cromolyn sodium, and nedocromil sodium.
Main Results:
- The ICln chloride channel was demonstrated to be essential for the volume regulation of swollen cells.
- ICln channels exhibit unique sensitivity to extracellular nucleotides and nucleoside analogues.
- Cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium, used in asthma treatment, were found to inhibit ICln channel function.
Conclusions:
- The ICln chloride channel plays a critical role in enabling cells to recover from swelling.
- The nucleotide and nucleoside analogue sensitivity of ICln channels offers a novel regulatory pathway.
- Pharmacological agents like cromolyn sodium and nedocromil sodium can modulate ICln channel activity, suggesting potential therapeutic implications.
More Related Videos
05:42Measurement of Ion Concentration in the Unstirred Boundary Layer with Open Patch-Clamp Pipette: Implications in Control of Ion Channels by Fluid Flow
Published on: January 7, 2019
08:54Monitoring Leucine-Rich Repeat Containing 8 Channel (LRRC8/VRAC) Activity Using Sensitized-Emission Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (SE-FRET)
Published on: August 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:19Ion Channels
The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:19Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins with a channel for ions to pass through and a binding site for a ligand. The channel opens only when a ligand attaches to the binding site.
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
Three Subfamilies of Ligand-gated Ion Channels
Ligand-gated ion channels fall into three subfamilies. The 'Cys-loop' includes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors. The second one is the 'Pore-loop' channels that include the...
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:26Voltage-gated Ion Channels
Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...