PURPOSE To determine whether there is gene expression and functional activity of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR) in an SV40-immortalized rabbit corneal epithelial cell line, tRCE. METHODS Both whole-cell and cell-attached patch-clamp techniques were used to examine the biophysical characteristics of the cAMP-dependent chloride current. The molecular identity...

The toxin was isolated from the venom of sea snake, Lapemis hardwickii (Hardwick’s sea snake), through a fourstep purification by column chromatography. The toxin was proven homogenous by zonal electrophoresis, analytical ultracentrifugation, and isoelectric focusing. The toxin was also isolated in crystal form. The lethality of the purified toxin increased 23-fold when compared to the original...

Chloride channels in the kidney are involved in important physiological functions such as cell volume regulation, acidification of intracellular vesicles, and transepithelial chloride transport. Among eight mammalian CLC chloride channels expressed in the kidney, three (CLC-K1, CLC-K2, and CLC-5) were identified to be related to kidney diseases in humans or mice. CLC-K1 mediates a transepitheli...

In this paper, we have investigated the effects of the pore-forming toxin aerolysin, produced by Aeromonas hydrophila, on mammalian cells. Our data indicate that the protoxin binds to an 80-kD glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein on BHK cells, and that the bound toxin is associated with specialized plasma membrane domains, described as detergent-insoluble microdomains, or choles...

Due to their central role in essential physiological processes, potassium channels are common targets for animal toxins. These toxins in turn are of great value as tools for studying channel function and as lead compounds for drug development. Here, we used a direct toxin pull-down assay with immobilised KcsA potassium channel to isolate a novel KcsA-binding toxin (called Tx7335) from eastern g...

Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exhibit constitutive anion secretion that is absent in cells from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The identity of this conductance is unknown, but SLC26A9, a member of the SLC26 family of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-interacting transporters, is found in the human airway and exhibits chloride channel behavior. We sought differences in the p...

A peptide toxin isolated from the Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK-PL) stimulated Ca2+-release channel activity in both triad membranes and reconstituted ryanodine receptors partially purified from rabbit skeletal muscle. In [3H]ryanodine binding experiments, the toxin increased the affinity of ryanodine for the receptor, from a Kd of 24.3 nM to 2.9 nM, which is an enhancement simil...

Autosomal dominant (Thomsen) and recessive (Becker) congenital myotonia are two different non dystrophic disorders, due to allelic mutations of the muscle chloride channel gene, located on chromosome 7q35. More than two thirds of the muscle chloride channel gene mutations occur independently in unique families and cause the recessive form of the disease. Becker disease is more common and severe...

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and the calcium ionophore A23187 caused dose-dependent changes in the potential difference and the short circuit current (Isc) across confluent T84 cell monolayers mounted in modified Ussing chambers. Both VIP and A23187 stimulated net chloride secretion without altering sodium transport. Net chloride secretion accounted for the increase in Isc. When A231...

Chemotherapy is the most common therapeutic strategy used to treat osteosarcoma. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of functionally activated chloride channels on cisplatin‑induced apoptosis of MG‑63 human osteosarcoma cells. An MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to detect proliferation and apoptosis of the cells, respectively. Live cell imaging was used to detect volume cha...