Studies on human porin. III. Does the voltage-dependent anion channel "Porin 31HL" form part of the chloride channel complex, which is observed in different cells and thought to be affected in cystic fibrosis?

"Porin 31HL", of known primary structure, is an integral protein of the plasmalemma of human B cells (Thinnes, F.P. et al. (1989) This Journal 370, 1253-1264; Kayser, H. et al. (1989) This Journal 370, 1265-1278). Purified "Porin 31HL" from human B lymphocytes was reconstituted into lipid bilayer membranes, where it formed defined voltage-dependent channels. Five minutes preincubation with 100 microM 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate, potent inhibitor of chloride transport, altered the channel-forming properties of the protein, so that it now showed small irregular channels instead of distinct steps. In addition, the voltage-dependence of the channel was abolished by the action of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. Functional and structural similarities between "Porin 31HL" and porin preparations from other human tissues and from other species suggest that this protein may be part of the chloride channel complex, which is defective in cystic fibrosis.