Molecular cloning and expression of a cyclic AMP-activated chloride conductance regulator: A novel ATP-binding cassette transporter

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an ATP-regulated, cAMP-activated chloride channel located in the apical membrane of many epithelial secretory cells. Here we report cloning of a cAMP-activated epithelial basolateral chloride conductance regulator (EBCR) that appears to be a basolateral CFTR counterpart. This novel chloride channel or regulator shows 49% identity with multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and 29% identity with CFTR. On expression in Xenopus oocytes, EBCR confers a cAMP-activated chloride conductance that is inhibited by the chloride channel blockers niflumic acid, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamine)benzoic acid, and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Northern blot analysis reveals high expression in small intestine, kidney, and liver. In kidney, immunohistochemistry shows a conspicuous basolateral localization mainly in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, distal convoluted tubules and to a lesser extent connecting tubules. These data suggest that in the kidney EBCR is involved in hormone-regulated chloride reabsorption.