| Research Abstract |
The aim of this project was to identify transporters and channels that transport sodium and/or chloride as many as possible so that we can get the clearer view on water and electrolyte metabolism in our bodies. As the transport of water is depend on the osmotic drive by NaCl, water channels (aquaporins) were also searched for. With the advent of genome projects, the process of cloning of new genes was extremely facilitated. Taking advantage of this, several new genes were cloned and the tissue distributions were examined. Some of them were functionally characterized with Xenopus oocyte expression system. Three new Cation-Chloride-Cotransporters (CCC6, CCC7, CCC8), a new sodium-phosphatecotransporter, a new anion exchanger, two new chloride/sulfate exchangers, a novel form of cation channel (Two-Pore-Channel 1 TPC1), 8 new tetraspanning channels, two new capsaicin receptor-like channcls, two new aquaporin-like chloride channels, a new sodium-chloride-catecholamine transporter and a new glucose transporter. Further characterization of thesc membrane proteins are necessary with collaborative works together with experts in the specific fields.
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