| Abstract: | The concept that the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembraneconductance regulator, the protein product of the CF gene, can conduct larger multivalent anions such as ATP as well asCl is controversial. Inthis review, I examine briefly past findings that resulted incontroversy. It is not the goal of this review to revisit thesedisparate findings in detail. Rather, I focus intently on more recentstudies, current studies in progress, and possible future directionsthat arose from the controversy and that may reconcile this issue.Important questions and hypotheses are raised as to the physiologicalroles that ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-facilitated ATPtransport and signaling may play in the control of epithelial cellfunction. Perhaps the identification of key biological paradigms forABC transporter-mediated extracellular nucleotide signaling may unifyand guide the CF research community and other research groupsinterested in ABC transporters toward understanding why ABCtransporters facilitate ATP transport. |
