The ClC-3 Cl- channel in cell volume regulation, proliferation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells.
The volume-regulated Cl(-) current (I(Cl.vol)) is responsible for the transmembrane Cl(-) transport that is involved in cell volume regulatory mechanisms. Although the regulation of cell volume is a fundamental function of healthy cells for maintaining constant size, the molecular genetic identification of I(Cl.vol) is still being debated. Recent studies in vascular smooth muscle support the idea that ClC-3, a member of the voltage-gated ClC Cl(-) channel family, is the molecular component involved in the activation or regulation of I(Cl.vol). Moreover, gene-targeting studies in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and other cell types indicate emerging roles of ClC-3 in cell proliferation and apoptosis. These findings indicate that ClC-3 might be involved in modulating vascular remodeling in hypertension and arteriosclerosis.
Guan
Yong-Yuan
YY
Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2 Road, Guangzhou 510089, China. guanyy@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Wang
Guan-Lei
GL
Zhou
Jia-Guo
JG
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048429:Cell Size; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D018118:Chloride Channels; D002712:Chlorides; C115376:ClC-3 channel; D009124:Muscle Proteins