Properties and regulation of ion channels in MDCK cells

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are a permanent cell line derived from dog kidney with properties similar to distal nephron [1–5]. The cells are widely used as a model cell line for studies on epithelial polarization [6–9], formation and regulation of tight junctions [10–12] epithelial transport [13–15], mechanisms of infection [16–18], etc. Furthermore, the cells have proven useful in the study of the properties and regulation of ion channels. This review will focus on the latter aspect of MDCK cells. After a brief synopsis of the transport systems encountered in MDCK cells and of the basic electrical properties, the functional characteristics and regulation of ion channels in MDCK cells will be described