The Tmem16a chloride channel is required for mucin maturation after secretion from goblet-like cells in the Xenopus tropicalis tadpole skin.

ABSTRACT: The TMEM16A chloride channel is proposed as a therapeutic target in cystic fibrosis, where activation of this ion channel might restore airway surface hydration and mitigate respiratory symptoms. While TMEM16A is associated with increased mucin production under stimulated or pro-inflammatory conditions, its role in baseline mucin production, secretion and/or maturation is less well understood. Here, we use the Xenopus tadpole skin mucociliary surface as a model of human upper airway epithelium to study Tmem16a function in mucus production. We found that Xenopus tropicalis Tmem16a is present at the apical membrane surface of tadpole skin small secretory cells that express canonical markers of mammalian "goblet cells" such as Foxa1 and spdef. X. tropicalis Tmem16a functions as a voltage-gate

SUBMITTER: Dubaissi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11514049 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature