title: A molecular analysis of the Na(+)-independent cation chloride cotransporters.
abstract: The homologous genes encoding the electroneutral solute carrier family 12A (SLC12A) were identified more than 20 years ago, however, over the last few years, it has become clear that each of the genes within this family potentially encode for more than one cation-chloride cotransporter (CCC). Even more surprising, despite more than 30 years of functional studies and a wealth of knowledge on the activators, inhibitors, ion affinities, and kinetics of these cotransporters, we still cannot sufficiently explain why some cells express only one CCC isoform, while others express two, three, or more CCC isoforms. In 2009, Drs. Alvarez-Leefmans and Di Fulvio published an extensive in silico molecular analysis of the potential splice variants of the Na(+)-dependent cation-chloride cotransporters. In this review, we will look at the exceptionally large variety of potential splice variants within the Na(+)-independent cation-chloride cotransporter (SLC12A4-SLC12A7) genes, their initial tissue identification, and their physiological relevance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
authors.forename: Kenneth B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Fulvio
mesh_terms: D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D002412:Cations / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000235:genetics*; D007700:Kinetics; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D064507:Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 4 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D027981:Symporters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000096922:K Cl- Cotransporters
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002412:Cations; D002712:Chlorides; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D028021:Sodium-Potassium-Chloride Symporters; D064507:Solute Carrier Family 12, Member 4; D027981:Symporters; C119651:SLC12A7 protein, human; D000096922:K Cl- Cotransporters