The enigma of the CLIC proteins: Ion channels, redox proteins, enzymes, scaffolding proteins?
Chloride intracellular channel proteins (CLICs) are distinct from most ion channels in that they have both soluble and integral membrane forms. CLICs are highly conserved in chordates, with six vertebrate paralogues. CLIC-like proteins are found in other metazoans. CLICs form channels in artificial bilayers in a process favoured by oxidising conditions and low pH. They are structurally plastic, with CLIC1 adopting two distinct soluble conformations. Phylogenetic and structural data indicate that CLICs are likely to have enzymatic function. The physiological role of CLICs appears to be maintenance of intracellular membranes, which is associated with tubulogenesis but may involve other substructures.
Littler
Dene R
DR
School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Harrop
Stephen J
SJ
Goodchild
Sophia C
SC
Phang
Juanita M
JM
Mynott
Andrew V
AV
Jiang
Lele
L
Valenzuela
Stella M
SM
Mazzanti
Michele
M
Brown
Louise J
LJ
Breit
Samuel N
SN
Curmi
Paul M G
PM
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D004798:Enzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D018118:Chloride Channels; D004798:Enzymes