Functional interaction between TRP4 and CFTR in mouse aorta endothelial cells.
BACKGROUND
This study describes the functional interaction between the putative Ca2+ channel TRP4 and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR, in mouse aorta endothelium (MAEC).


RESULTS
MAEC cells express CFTR transcripts as shown by RT-PCR analysis. Application of a phosphorylating cocktail activated a Cl- current with characteristics similar to those of CFTR mediated currents in other cells types (slow activation by cAMP, absence of rectification, block by glibenclamide). The current is present in trp4 +/+ MAEC, but not in trp4 -/- cells, although the expression of CFTR seems unchanged in the trp4 deficient cells as judged from RT-PCR analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that TRP4 is necessary for CFTR activation in endothelium, possibly by providing a scaffold for the formation of functional CFTR channels.
Wei
L
L
Department of Physiology, Campus Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Wei.Lin@med.kuleuven.ac.be
Freichel
M
M
Jaspers
M
M
Cuppens
H
H
Cassiman
J J
JJ
Droogmans
G
G
Flockerzi
V
V
Nilius
B
B
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D015220:Calcium Channels; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; C489571:TRPC4 ion channel; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator