CLIC1

Chloride intracellular channel protein 1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CLIC1 gene.

Chloride channels are a diverse group of proteins that regulate fundamental cellular processes including stabilization of cell membrane potential, transepithelial transport, maintenance of intracellular pH, and regulation of cell volume. Chloride intracellular channel 1 is a member of the p64 family; the protein localizes principally to the cell nucleus and exhibits both nuclear and plasma membrane chloride ion channel activity.

CLIC1 is highly expressed in murine and human microglia, the innate immune cells of the central nervous system. It regulates the motility and ramification of microglial processes, which are essential for continuous surveillance of the brain parenchyma. CLIC1 is also important for the inflammatory potential of microglia by controlling the NLRP3-dependent release of interleukin-1β. Contrary to its name, these functions are not mediated by CLIC1's ion channel activity but depend on its scaffold and enzymatic properties.