Role of Ano1 Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated Cl<sup>−</sup> channels in generating urethral tone
Bernard T. Drumm, K. D. Thornbury, Mark A. Hollywood, Gerard P. Sergeant
Abstract
Studies from the rabbit have shown that anoctamin-1 (Ano1) channels expressed in urethral interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) serve as a source of depolarization for smooth muscle cells, increasing excitability and tone. However, the role of urethral Ano1 channels is unclear, owing to differences in the species examined and experimental approaches. We summarize findings from different species on the role of urethral ICC and Ano1 channels in urethral contractility and outline proposals for clarifying this topic using cell-specific optogenetic approaches.
Topics & Concepts
DepolarizationOptogeneticsContractilityInterstitial cell of CajalNeuroscienceUrethraMembrane potentialBiophysicsChemistryMedicineSmooth muscleCell biologyInternal medicineAnatomyBiologyIon Channels and ReceptorsIon channel regulation and functionIon Transport and Channel Regulation