TOBIOJ The Open Biology Journal Open Biol. J. 1874-1967 Bentham Open TOBIOJ-4-18 10.2174/1874196701104010018 Biology ClC-2 Channels in Erythrocytes Shumilina Ekaterina 1 M. Huber Stephan * 2 Department of Physiology, University of Tübingen, Germany Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Germany Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Tel: +49-(0)7071-29-82183; Fax: +49-(0)7071-29-4944; E-mail: stephan.huber@uni-tuebingen.de 31 01 2011 2011 04 18 26 20 09 2009 26 03 2010 10 05 2010 © 2011 Shumilina and Huber 2011 Stephan M. Huber

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ClC-2 is a ubiquitously expressed plasma membrane Cl- channel that reportedly controls the ionic environment in mouse retina and testis. Beyond that, ClC-2 might sense cellular energy status and cellular stress by its carboxyterminal cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) domains and by its molecular interaction with the heat shock protein Hsp90, respectively. In mature human and mouse erythrocytes, ClC-2 is activated by oxidative stress and by malaria infection. This article describes possible function of erythrocyte ClC-2 channels for the programmed death of oxidatively injured erythrocytes and for the regulatory volume decrease of malaria-infected erythrocytes.

 Keywords Patch-clamp whole cell recording red blood cell chloride channel oxidative stress cystathionine-beta-synthase domain