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

9981826 SUNNa-K-Cl离子转运蛋白代表一个将钠（Na+）、钾（K+）和氯（Cl-）离子转运进或出细胞的细胞膜蛋白家族。 离子转运蛋白在肾脏盐的重吸收和分泌中起重要作用。 它还在许多类型的细胞中控制细胞体积。 脑细胞，特别是神经元（神经细胞），表达大量的离子转运蛋白。 然而，很少有人知道为什么神经细胞表达离子转运蛋白及其功能是什么。 本项目的目的是研究离子转运蛋白是否调节神经细胞Cl-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，我们想了解离子转运蛋白的活性是如何在神经细胞中控制的。脑中的细胞离子稳态（平衡）是充分的神经元功能的一般先决条件。 离子稳态的紊乱会导致神经细胞功能活动的停止。 此外，由于颅骨的体积有限，神经细胞的体积需要严格调节。因此，了解离子转运蛋白是否有助于控制脑中的离子稳态和细胞体积是很重要的。 该项目的结果将显着提高我们对神经细胞中Na-K-Cl协同转运蛋白的作用的认识，并可能为了解病理条件下离子稳态崩溃的原因提供见解，如癫痫（脑癫痫发作）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).