Article

Cloning and in situ localization of a brain-derived porin that constitutes a large-conductance anion channel in astrocytic plasma membranes.

Rolf DermietzelInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyT K HwangInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyReinhard BuettnerInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyAndreas HöferInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyElisabeth DotzlerInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyMarian KremerInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyRainer DeutzmannInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyF P ThinnesInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyGlenn I. FishmanInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, GermanyDavid C. SprayInstitute of Anatomy, University of Regensburg, Germany

1994en

ABI

Abstract

We have cloned a protein from bovine brain, brain-derived voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (BR1-VDAC), that is identical to a recently sequenced plasmalemmal-bound porin from human lymphocytes. mRNA hybridization indicates that BR1-VDAC is widely distributed throughout nervous and nonnervous tissues. In situ localization substantiated that the BR1-VDAC is associated with the plasmalemma of astrocytes. A monoclonal antibody that recognizes the N terminus of the BR1-VDAC protein completely blocks an astrocytic high-conductance anion channel that has electrophysiological similarities with the mitochondrial VDAC. Since the high-conductance anion channel in astrocytes has been shown to respond to hypoosmotic solutions, its molecular identification provides the basis for a better understanding of volume regulation in brain tissue.

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.91.2.499

Citations and references

Cited by 80 references

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