Regulation of epithelial ion channels by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.

In most epithelia ion transport is tightly regulated. One major primary target of such regulation is the modulation of ion channels. The present brief review focuses on one specific example of ion channel regulation by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR functions as a cAMP-regulated Cl- channel. Its defect leads to the variable clinical pictures of cystic fibrosis (CF), which today is understood as a primary defect of epithelial Cl- channels in a variety of tissues such as the respiratory tract, intestine, pancreas, skin, epididymis, fallopian tube, and others. Most recent findings suggest that CFTR also acts as a channel regulator. Three examples are discussed by which CFTR regulates other Cl- channels, K+ channels, and epithelial Na+ channels. From this perspective it is evident that CFTR may play a major role in the integration of cellular function.