CAREER: Function and Regulation of Na-K-2Cl Cotransporter in Neurons

9981826SUNNa-K-Cl离子转运体是一类将钠、钾、氯离子运入或运出细胞的细胞膜蛋白家族。离子转运蛋白在肾脏对盐的重吸收和分泌过程中起着重要作用。它还在控制许多类型细胞中的细胞体积方面发挥作用。脑细胞，特别是神经元(神经细胞)，表达丰富的离子转运蛋白。然而，人们对神经细胞为什么表达离子转运蛋白以及它的功能知之甚少。本项目的目的是研究离子转运蛋白是否调节神经细胞的氯离子浓度，以及离子转运蛋白是否参与神经细胞体积的控制。此外，我们还想了解神经细胞中离子转运体的活动是如何被控制的。大脑中的细胞离子稳态(平衡)是充分发挥神经功能的基本前提。离子稳态的紊乱会导致神经细胞功能活动的停止。此外，由于颅骨体积有限，神经细胞体积需要严格控制。因此，了解离子转运体是否有助于控制脑内离子稳态和细胞体积是很重要的。该项目的结果将显著提高我们对神经细胞中Na-K-Cl协转运体作用的了解，并可能为理解病理条件下离子稳态破坏的原因提供见解，如癫痫(脑癫痫)和脑水肿(肿胀)。

9981826SUNNa-K-Cl ion transporters represent a family of cell membrane proteins that transport sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl-) ions in or out of cells. The ion transporter protein plays an important role in salt reabsorption and secretion in kidney. It also functions in control of cell volume in many types of cells. Brain cells, particularly neurons (nerve cells), express an abundant level of the ion transporter protein. However, little is known why nerve cells express the ion transporter protein and what its function is. The objectives of this project are to study whether the ion transporter protein regulates nerve cell Cl- concentration, and whether the ion transporter is involved in control of nerve cell volume. Moreover, we want to understand how the ion transporter activity is controlled in nerve cells. The cellular ion homeostasis (balance) in the brain is a general prerequisite for adequate neuronal function. Disturbance of ion homeostasis would lead to cessation of functional activity of nerve cells. In addition, nerve cell volume needs to be tightly regulated because of a restrict volume of the skull. Therefore, it is important to understand whether the ion transporter contributes to control ion homeostasis and cell volume in brain. The results of this project will significantly enhance our knowledge about the role of the Na-K-Cl cotransporter in nerve cells and may provide insights to understand causes of the breakdown of ion homeostasis under pathological conditions, such as epilepsy (brain seizure) and brain edema (swelling).