Function of chloride channels in the kidney.
Numerous Cl- channels have been identified in the kidney using physiological approaches and thus are thought to be involved in a range of physiological processes, including vectorial transepithelial Cl- transport, cell volume regulation, and vesicular acidification. In addition, expression of genes from several Cl- channel gene families has also been observed. However, the molecular characteristics of a number of Cl- channels within the kidney are still unknown, and the physiological roles of Cl- channels identified by molecular means remain to be determined. A gene knockout approach using mice might shed further light on the characteristics of these various Cl- channels. In addition, study of diseases involving Cl- channels (channelopathies) might clarify the physiological role of specific Cl- channels. To date, more is known about CLC Cl- channels than any other Cl- channels within the kidney. This review focuses on the physiological roles of CLC Cl- channels within the kidney, particularly kidney-specific ClC-K Cl- channels, as well as the recently identified maxi anion channel in macula densa, which is involved in tubulo-glomerular feedback.
Uchida
Shinichi
S
Department of Nephrology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan. suchida.kid@tmd.ac.jp
Sasaki
Sei
S
D000818:Animals; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*
D018118:Chloride Channels