Chloride channel accessory 1 (CLCA1)

Chloride channel accessory 1 (CLCA1) is a secreted, zinc-dependent metalloprotease primarily expressed in the intestinal and airway epithelium[1][3][5]. It does not form an ion channel itself but acts as an accessory protein regulating calcium-activated chloride conductance. CLCA1 facilitates calcium-dependent chloride currents by increasing the surface expression and stability of the TMEM16A (Anoctamin-1) channel, modulating processes such as mucus secretion and epithelial ion transport[2][4]. Abundant in intestinal mucus and upregulated during inflammatory airway diseases, CLCA1 plays key roles in mucus structure, regulation of goblet cell differentiation, and may act as a modulator of tissue inflammation and a putative tumor suppressor[3][5]. Dysregulation of CLCA1 is associated with diseases characterized by abnormal mucus production, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and certain gastrointestinal and cancer pathologies[2][5]. No drugs currently directly target CLCA1, but its role as a channel regulator and in mucus dynamics makes it an area of active investigation.

Other names

Calcium-activated chloride channel regulator 1CACC1hCLCA1CaCC-1hCaCC-1CaCCCLCRG1GOB5calcium-activated chloride channel family member 1chloride channel regulator 1chloride channel, calcium activated, family member 1chloride channel accessory 1 protein

Modulation of the calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A (Anoctamin-1) by stabilizing and increasing its surface expression, thereby potentiating chloride currents in a calcium-dependent manner[2][4].