Every second of every day, your cells are working tirelessly—growing, dividing, repairing damage, and eventually undergoing programmed cell death.
But what if these seemingly routine processes were controlled by a set of proteins with mysterious, hidden abilities?
New research from UTS: Science in Australia has revealed that a family of proteins, known as Chloride Intracellular Ion Channel (CLIC) proteins, are far more powerful than previously believed.
Scientists have long known that these proteins help regulate the movement of ions in and out of cells, but this latest study has uncovered an entirely new function: these proteins can also speed up vital chemical reactions inside cells—a role typically reserved for enzymes.
This unexpected discovery could revolutionize our understanding of cell function and open the door to new drug targets, particularly for diseases like cancer.
It also means that CLIC proteins might serve as biomarkers, helping doctors diagnose diseases faster and more accurately than ever before.
What Are CLIC Proteins and Why Are They Important?
CLIC proteins have long been recognized for their role in regulating ion flow within cells. In humans, there are six different CLIC proteins, and they can exist in two forms:
- A soluble form that floats freely within the cell.
- A membrane-bound form that embeds itself in the cell membrane, allowing ions to pass through.
Until now, researchers focused mainly on the membrane-bound form, believing it to be the more functionally relevant state.
These proteins were thought to work exclusively as ion channels, controlling the movement of charged particles such as chloride ions in and out of cells—an essential process for maintaining cellular balance.
However, the team at UTS: Science has now demonstrated that in their soluble state, CLIC proteins exhibit enzymatic activity, meaning they can catalyze biochemical reactions within the cell—a function that was completely unknown until now.
A ‘Moonlighting’ Function That Could Change Everything
Dr. Stella Valenzuela, a molecular biologist and lead investigator on the study, describes this discovery as a “code breaker” that could transform how we understand cellular processes:
“We have now discovered that in addition to acting as ion channels, these proteins are also capable of carrying out enzymatic activity within cells—essentially the process of speeding up reactions inside cells. This multifunctional activity is referred to as ‘moonlighting’.”
This revelation is groundbreaking because it challenges the long-held assumption that ion channels and enzymes are entirely separate biological entities.
It turns out that CLIC proteins can do both—and this dual function could be key to understanding how certain diseases develop.
The Unexpected Link to Disease and Drug Discovery
One of the most exciting aspects of this study is its potential implications for medicine.
If CLIC proteins play a role in accelerating chemical reactions, their presence—or absence—could serve as a biomarker for disease.
Dr. Valenzuela explains:
“People are always looking for ways to discriminate the normal from pathological. If we’ve identified elevated levels of a CLIC protein in cancer cells or in blood circulation, then that could be a useful biomarker that could be used in medicine and diagnostics.”
In other words, these proteins might be a red flag for certain diseases, helping doctors diagnose conditions earlier and with greater precision.
But Here’s Where It Gets Even More Interesting…
For years, scientists have classified proteins into strict functional categories—enzymes, ion channels, receptors, and so on.
This research shatters that conventional view by proving that proteins can “moonlight”—performing multiple, unrelated functions depending on their form and environment.
This shift in thinking could mean that many other proteins we currently misunderstand or overlook might have hidden capabilities that we have yet to uncover.
“This development is very exciting because it opens up an entirely new realm for us to start exploring the functions of these proteins in a way we had previously ignored, and in fact hadn’t realized was there,” said Valenzuela.
A Step Toward New Treatments and Therapies
If CLIC proteins can influence cell growth, division, and death, they could be an attractive target for drug development.
Consider this:
- In cancer, cells grow uncontrollably. If CLIC proteins are involved in regulating cell growth, targeting them with drugs could slow down tumor growth.
- In neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, cells die too quickly. If CLIC proteins influence cell survival, they could be used to protect neurons from premature death.
Additionally, since CLIC proteins interact with the immune system, they could play a role in inflammatory diseases and autoimmune disorders.
What’s Next for CLIC Protein Research?
Now that scientists know CLIC proteins can function as enzymes, the next step is to figure out exactly how they work and how they influence different diseases.
Lead researcher Dr. Heba Al Khamici, who co-led the study, is now investigating which chemical reactions these proteins catalyze and how their activity differs in healthy versus diseased cells.
The team is also looking at whether existing drugs—particularly those that target ion channels or enzymatic pathways—could be repurposed to modulate CLIC protein activity for therapeutic purposes.
A Revolutionary Shift in Biology and Medicine
This discovery is more than just a fascinating piece of science—it represents a fundamental shift in how we think about proteins and cellular function.
- Proteins can have multiple roles, and we may have been underestimating their capabilities for decades.
- CLIC proteins, once thought to be simple ion channels, are actually multifunctional powerhouses that could be harnessed for medical breakthroughs.
- This research could lead to new diagnostic tools, disease biomarkers, and even innovative treatments for cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immune-related conditions.
Final Thoughts: Why This Matters to You
Every discovery like this brings us one step closer to understanding the human body in ways we never thought possible.
The more we uncover about how cells function at the molecular level, the better equipped we are to treat diseases, improve diagnostics, and even extend human healthspan.
The work being done at UTS: Science isn’t just another lab experiment—it’s rewriting the textbook on cellular biology.
And if CLIC proteins turn out to be the biomarkers and drug targets scientists suspect they are, this research could be the foundation for life-changing medical advancements in the near future.
Want to Learn More?
The full study has been published in PLOS ONE, and the research team at UTS: Science is actively exploring ways to translate these findings into real-world medical applications.
Stay tuned—because this is just the beginning of what could be a revolutionary new chapter in biology and medicine.
