Ano1 as a regulator of proliferation.

Ano1 is a recently discovered Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channel expressed on interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) that has been implicated in slow-wave activity in the gut. However, Ano1 is expressed on all classes of ICC, even those that do not contribute to generation of the slow wave, suggesting that Ano1 may have an alternate function in these cells. Ano1 is also highly expressed in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Protein kinase C{gamma} mediates regulation of proliferation by the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B.

Activation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B (5-HT(2B)), a G(q/11) protein-coupled receptor, results in proliferation of various cell types. The 5-HT(2B) receptor is also expressed on the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal tract, the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), where activation triggers ICC proliferation. The goal of this study was to characterize the mitogenic signal transduction cascade activated by the 5-HT(2B) receptor.