NUCLEOTIDE TRANSPORT THROUGH THE CYSTIC-FIBROSIS TRANSMEMBRANE CONDUCTANCE REGULATOR

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a me mber of the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, al so known as traffic ATPases, which are implicated in the movement of v arious substrates. Recent studies indicate that CFTR and other closely related ABC transporters are also implicated in the movement of cellu lar ATP. This is the subject of current controversy. Therefore, eviden ce for the movement of cellular nucleotides by expression of CFTR and related molecules, as well as the potential significance of ATP-permea ble channels in cell physiology, are reviewed in this study. The hypot hesis is thus forwarded for the improper delivery of cellular ATP to t he extracellular milieu by a dysfunctional CFTR, to be a relevant fact or in the onset oi cystic fibrosis.