About this Research Topic
Cell survival depends on maintaining cell volume within appropriate bounds to safeguard structural integrity and the stability of the internal environment. Cell volume regulation is crucial across myriad cellular functions, from epithelial transport, metabolism, and excitation to hormone release, cell migration, proliferation, and cell death. When faced with osmotic disturbances, cells strategize by initiating transport pathways – including channels and transporters primed mainly for inorganic osmolytes – to control water flow.
Chloride ions, the most abundant anions within organisms, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. The molecular constituents of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) are diverse, suggesting that VRAC could be composed of cell type or tissue-specific subunit components such as LRRC8A-E, CFTR, Bestrophin1, Anoctamin1, TTYH2/3, P-gp, pICln, Phospholemman, ClC-2, ClC-3, and more.
However, beyond acting as a conduit for anions, VRAC, when interacting with diverse molecules, participates in cellular signal transduction, gene expression, and protein translocation, among other processes. This special issue concentrates predominantly on the characteristics, regulations, and functions of VRAC and its associated proteins, though its scope isn't solely restricted to these. We hence welcome and encourage the submission of studies concerning cation channels, contributing to broadening our understanding of cell volume regulation and the myriad processes that hinge upon it. The themes covered include but are not limited to:
• Studies exploring the role and regulation of cell volume in key cellular functions such as epithelial transport, metabolism, excitation, hormone release, cell migration, proliferation, and cell death.
• Investigations into the varied molecular constituents of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) and the potential for cell type or tissue-specific subunit components.
• Research that explores the role of VRAC in cellular signal transduction, gene expression, and protein translocation, expanding its known functions beyond acting as an anion channel.
• Contributions focusing on the characteristics, regulations, and functions of VRAC-associated proteins, and related studies concerning cation channels.
Chloride ions, the most abundant anions within organisms, are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. The molecular constituents of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) are diverse, suggesting that VRAC could be composed of cell type or tissue-specific subunit components such as LRRC8A-E, CFTR, Bestrophin1, Anoctamin1, TTYH2/3, P-gp, pICln, Phospholemman, ClC-2, ClC-3, and more.
However, beyond acting as a conduit for anions, VRAC, when interacting with diverse molecules, participates in cellular signal transduction, gene expression, and protein translocation, among other processes. This special issue concentrates predominantly on the characteristics, regulations, and functions of VRAC and its associated proteins, though its scope isn't solely restricted to these. We hence welcome and encourage the submission of studies concerning cation channels, contributing to broadening our understanding of cell volume regulation and the myriad processes that hinge upon it. The themes covered include but are not limited to:
• Studies exploring the role and regulation of cell volume in key cellular functions such as epithelial transport, metabolism, excitation, hormone release, cell migration, proliferation, and cell death.
• Investigations into the varied molecular constituents of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) and the potential for cell type or tissue-specific subunit components.
• Research that explores the role of VRAC in cellular signal transduction, gene expression, and protein translocation, expanding its known functions beyond acting as an anion channel.
• Contributions focusing on the characteristics, regulations, and functions of VRAC-associated proteins, and related studies concerning cation channels.
Keywords: VRAC, gene
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