Possible regulation of CFTR‐chloride channels by membrane‐bound phosphatases in pancreatic duct cells

Abstract
We have studied CFTR-Cl channels in non-CF CAPAN-1 and in CFTR-transfected CFPAC-PLJ-CFTR-6 epithelial cells from human pancreas. Theophylline and IBMX induced the opening of cell-attached CFTR-Cl channels. Theophylline, IBMX and the alkaline phosphatase (AP) inhibitor levamisole enhanced the activity of excised channels and reduced by 70–75% the apical membrane-associated APs activity. Okadaic acid had no effect on APs and channel activities. A polyclonal anti-alkaline phosphatase antibody (which detected apical APs) reduced APs activity and activated quiescent excised chloride channels. These results suggest that CFTR channels may be regulated by membrane-bound phosphatases.