Exploration of the Basolateral Chloride Channels in the Renal Tubule using the Patch-Clamp Technique

Chloride channels located on the basolateral membrane are known to be involved in chloride absorption in several parts of the renal tubule, and particularly in the thick ascending limb and distal convoluted tubule. The data available suggest that the ClC-K channels play the major role in this process. We provide here a description of the electrophysiological properties of these channels, still very incomplete at this stage, and we attempt to compare ClC-Ks to three chloride channels that we have identifi ed in the basolateral membrane of microdissected fragments of the mouse renal tubule using the patchclamp technique. Based on anion selectivity and dependence on external pH and calcium shown by the ClC-Ks, we propose candidate ClC-K1 and ClC-K2 in native tissue. We also discuss the possibility that chloride channels that do not belong to the ClC family may also be involved in the absorption of chloride across the cortical thick ascending limb.