Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that encodes a small conductance cAMP-activated chloride ion channel. In the CF pancreatic duct, mutations in CFTR cause a reduction in bicarbonate secretion. This is thought to result from CFTR operating in parallel with a chloride-bicarbonate (Cl-/HCO3-) exchanger, located in the apical membrane of pancreatic duct cells. The molecular basis of this Cl-/HCO3- exchanger has not been identified. A combination of screening cDNA libraries, RNase protection, and 5' RACE analysis was used to identify Cl-/HCO3- exchangers in human fetal pancreas. An AE2 Cl-/HCO3- exchanger was shown to be expressed in human fetal pancreas from the midtrimester of gestation, at a time when CF-associated pathology commences. In addition, an AE1 Cl-/HCO3- was identified in fetal pancreas but was absent from the adult pancreas and cultured ductal epithelial cells from fetal and adult pancreas.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 315-321 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications |
Volume | 263 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 24 1999 |
Funding
Grant support: DK46589 from the National Institutes of Health, U.S.A., and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, UK. 1Current address: Nuffield Department of Surgery, Oxford University. 2To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: 44-1865-222626. E-mail: [email protected].
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology