Coupling modes and stoichiometry of Cl^-/HCO₃^- exchange by slc26a3 and slc26a6

The SLC26 transporters are a family of mostly luminal Cl^- and HCO₃^- transporters. The transport mechanism and the Cl^-/HCO₃^- stoichiometry are not known for any member of the family. To address these questions, we simultaneously measured the HCO₃^- and Cl^- fluxes and the current or membrane potential of slc26a3 and slc26a6 expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and the current of the transporters expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. slc26a3 mediates a coupled 2Cl^-/1HCO₃^- exchanger. The membrane potential modulated the apparent affinity for extracellular Cl^- of Cl^-/HCO₃^- exchange by slc26a3. Interestingly, the replacement of Cl^- with NO₃^- or SCN^- uncoupled the transport, with large NO₃^- and SCN^- currents and low HCO₃^- transport. An apparent uncoupled current was also developed during the incubation of slc26a3-expressing oocytes in HCO₃^--buffered Cl^--free media. These findings were used to develop a turnover cycle for Cl^- and HCO₃^- transport by slc26a3. Cl^- and HCO₃^- flux measurements revealed that slc26a6 mediates a 1Cl^-/2HCO₃^- exchange. Accordingly, holding the membrane potential at 40 and -100 mV accelerated and inhibited, respectively, Cl^--mediated HCO₃^- influx, and holding the membrane potential at -100 mV increased HCO₃^--mediated Cl^- influx. These findings indicate that slc26a6 functions as a coupled 1Cl^-/2HCO₃^- exchanger. The significance of isoform-specific Cl^- and HCO₃^- transport stoichiometry by slc26a3 and slc26a6 is discussed in the context of diseases of epithelial Cl^- absorption and HCO₃^- secretion.