Structure and Function of the ClC Family of Chloride Channels and Transporters

The ClC proteins constitute a large family of transmembrane chloride transport proteins. The family is found widely expressed in all kingdoms of life with an overall conservation of the structural scaffolds.

The seven isoforms found in humans show a wide tissue distribution and contribute to diverse processes, such as the control of the resting potential in muscle, transepithelial ion transport in the kidney and acidification of intracellular vesicles.

With respect to function the family shows an unusual diversity in that some of the family members are chloride selective ion channels while other members work as coupled chloride transporters.

We are interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying these complex functional behaviors. We determined first structures of family members and are currently studying the diverse functional and regulatory properties combining X-ray crystallography, biochemistry and electrophysiology.