Identification of a regulatory motif of the bile acid-sensitive ion channel (BASIC)

The bile acid-sensitive ion channel BASIC is closely related to the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Its function is not understood yet. In our <link http: www.jbc.org content early jbc.m116.756437.abstract _blank external-link-new-window externen link in neuem>current study, which was published in the „Journal of Biological Chemistry“, we employed a variety of different techniques to identify a regulatory domain at its cytosolic N-terminus. This domain binds with its amphiphilic a-helix to the plasma membrane and stabilizes the inactive state of the channel. These findings could eventually contribute to understanding the physiological role of BASIC.