more than just a problem with chloride ions
ion transport in cystic fibrosis has important implications for treatment of this debilitating condition.
Feb 28, 2001
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which forms a chloride ion (Cl-) transport channel in epithelial cells. But the existence of some CF patients with normal Cl- ion channel activity has puzzled researchers for some time.
In 1 March
They measured HCO3- and Cl- transport in cells transfected with DNA encoding wild-type or mutant CFTR. In 11 common mutations of CFTR, the transport of HCO3- was more greatly impaired than that of Cl-.
It is lung disease that accounts for most of the mortality in...