title: The bile acid-sensitive ion channel (BASIC), the ignored cousin of ASICs and ENaC.
abstract: The DEG/ENaC gene family of ion channels is characterized by a high degree of structural similarity and an equally high degree of diversity concerning the physiological function. In humans and rodents, the DEG/ENaC family comprises 2 main subgroups: the subunits of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) and the subunits of the acid sensing ion channels (ASICs). The bile acid-sensitive channel (BASIC), previously known as BLINaC or INaC, represents a third subgroup within the DEG/ENaC family. Although BASIC was identified more than a decade ago, very little is known about its physiological function. Recent progress in the characterization of this neglected member of the DEG/ENaC family, which is summarized in this focused review, includes the discovery of surprising species differences, its pharmacological characterization, and the identification of bile acids as putative natural activators.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology; RWTH University Aachen; Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiemuth
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology; RWTH University Aachen; Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Assmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiology; RWTH University Aachen; Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gründer
mesh_terms: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000502:physiology*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D062565:Acid Sensing Ion Channels; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D053503:Epithelial Sodium Channels
keywords: ASIC; BASIC; BLINaC; DEG/ENaC; ENaC; acid-sensing ion channel; bile acid; cholangiocyte; epithelial Na+ channel