Calcium-dependent chloride channel

The Calcium-Dependent Chloride Channel (Ca-ClC) proteins (or calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCCs), are heterogeneous groups of ligand-gated ion channels for chloride that have been identified in many epithelial and endothelial cell types as well as in smooth muscle cells. They include proteins from several structurally different families: chloride channel accessory (CLCA), bestrophin (BEST), and calcium-dependent chloride channel anoctamin (ANO or TMEM16) channels ANO1 is highly expressed in human gastrointestinal interstitial cells of Cajal, which are proteins which serve as intestinal pacemakers for peristalsis. In addition to their role as chloride channels some CLCA proteins function as adhesion molecules and may also have roles as tumour suppressors. These eukaryotic proteins are "required for normal electrolyte and fluid secretion, olfactory perception, and neuronal and smooth muscle excitability" in animals. Members of the Ca-CIC family are generally 600 to 1000 amino acyl residues (aas) in length and exhibit 7 to 10 transmembrane segments (TMSs).