TI - Functional interaction between TRP4 and CFTR in mouse aorta endothelial cells . AB - Background This study describes the functional interaction between the putative Ca2+ channel TRP4 and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator , CFTR , in mouse aorta endothelium ( MAEC ) . Results MAEC cells express CFTR transcripts as shown by RT-PCR analysis . Application of a PHOSphorylating cocktail activated a Cl - current with characteristics similar to those of CFTR mediated currents in other cells types ( slow activation by cAMP , absence of rectification , block by glibenclamide ) . The current is present in trp4 +/+ MAEC , but not in trp4 -/- cells , although the expression of CFTR seems unchanged in the trp4 deficient cells as judged from RT-PCR analysis . Conclusions It is concluded that TRP4 is necessary for CFTR activation in endothelium , possibly by providing a scaffold for the formation of functional CFTR channels .