Chloride currents in primary cultures of rabbit proximal and distal convoluted tubules

Cl- conductances were studied in cultured rabbit proximal convoluted tubule (PCT) epithelial cells and compared with those measured in cultured distal bright convoluted tubule (DCTb) epithelial cells. Using the whole cell patch-clamp technique, three types of Cl- conductances were identified in DCTb cultured cells. These consisted of volume-sensitive, Ca2+-activated, and forskolin-activated Cl- currents. In PCT cultured cells, only volume-sensitive and Ca2+-activated Cl- currents were recorded. The characteristics of Ca2+-activated currents in PCT cells closely resembled those in DCTb cells. Volume-sensitive Cl- currents could be elicited both in PCT and in DCTb cells by hypotonic stress. The pharmacological profile of this conductance was established for both cell types. Forskolin activated a linear Cl- current in DCTb cells but not in PCT cells. This conductance was insensitive to DIDS and corresponds to cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-like channels. Quantitative measurements of SPQ fluorescence showed that only the apical membrane of DCTb cells possessed a Cl- pathway that was sensitive to forskolin. RT-PCR experiments showed the presence of CFTR mRNA in both cultures, whereas immunostaining experiments revealed the expression of CFTR in DCTb cells only. The physiological role of the different types of channels is discussed.