Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Vitam Horm. 2020;112:163-177. doi: 10.1016/bs.vh.2019.08.004. Epub 2019 Sep 13.
The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an anion channel responsible for the direct transport of bicarbonate and chloride. CFTR-dependent ionic transport is crucial for pH regulation and fluid homeodynamics among epithelial surfaces. Particularly, CFTR performs an essential role in the male reproductive tract, which requires a tight regulation of water and electrolytes in order to produce healthy spermatozoa. The absence or malfunction of CFTR results in cystic fibrosis, the most common lethal disease among Caucasians, that is characterized by an impaired fluid and ionic homeostasis in the whole organism. Due to the wide expression and importance of CFTR, the male reproductive tract is highly affected by cystic fibrosis, resulting in male infertility. Although CFTR is not permeable to water, this protein acts as a regulator of other protein channels, such as aquaporins. In fact, CFTR acts as a molecular partner of aquaporins in epithelial cells, regulating fluid homeodynamics. Herein, up-to-date data concerning the regulation of aquaporin-mediated water transport by CFTR will be discussed, highlighting the role of both channels in the male reproductive tract.
囊性纤维化跨膜电导调节因子（CFTR）是一种阴离子通道，负责直接转运碳酸氢根和氯离子。CFTR 依赖的离子转运对于上皮表面的 pH 调节和液体动态平衡至关重要。特别是，CFTR 在男性生殖道中发挥着重要作用，需要严格调节水和电解质以产生健康的精子。CFTR 的缺失或功能障碍会导致囊性纤维化，这是白种人中最常见的致命疾病，其特征是整个机体的液体和离子动态平衡受损。由于 CFTR 的广泛表达和重要性，男性生殖道受到囊性纤维化的严重影响，导致男性不育。尽管 CFTR 不能通透水，但这种蛋白质作为其他蛋白通道（如水通道蛋白）的调节剂发挥作用。事实上，CFTR 在上皮细胞中作为水通道蛋白的分子伴侣，调节液体动态平衡。本文将讨论 CFTR 对水通道蛋白介导的水转运的调节作用的最新数据，强调两个通道在男性生殖道中的作用。
