In addition, the dysfunction of TMEM16A has been found to be involved in many diseases including cystic fibrosis, various cancers, hypertension, and gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Recently it was shown that knockout of TMEM16A in ciliated cells strongly compromises Cl<sup>-</sup> conductance and attenuated mucus secretion, but does not lead to a CF-like lung disease and airway plugging.
This ANO1 cell-based assay constitutes an important tool to be further used in high-throughput screens and drug discovery of high relevance for CF and cancer.
Our study hints at the therapeutic potential of the selective activation of TMEM16A by the CLCA1 VWA domain in loss-of-function chloride channelopathies such as cystic fibrosis.
The target site blocker is tested in in vitro and in mouse models of cystic fibrosis, and could be considered as an alternative strategy to treat cystic fibrosis.Downregulation of the anoctamin 1 calcium channel in airway epithelial cells contributes to pathology in cystic fibrosis.
Understanding the oligomeric nature of Ano1 is an essential step in the development of therapeutic drugs that could be useful in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.
Yet a further way in which a pharmacological approach to CF can be considered is to recruit alternative chloride channels, such as calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC), to act as surrogates for CFTR.
We draw attention to alternative approaches to restore epithelial ion transport to CF epithelia, including inhibitors of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) and activators of the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel TMEM16A.