What is "pendrin"

n. (context protein English) A protein involved in the exchange of chloride and iodide ions across biological membranes.

Pendrin, also known as sodium-independent chloride/iodide transporter, is an antiporter anion exchanger protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC26A4 gene (solute carrier family 26, member 4). Pendrin is similar to the Band 3 transport protein found in red blood cells. Pendrin is the protein which is mutated in Pendred syndrome, which is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, goiter and a partial organification problem detectable by a positive perchlorate test.

Pendrin is responsible for mediating the electroneutral exchange of chloride (Cl) for bicarbonate (HCO) across a plasma membrane in the chloride cells of freshwater fish.

By phylogenetic analysis, pendrin has been found to be a close relative of prestin present on the hair cells or organ of corti in the inner ear. Prestin is primarily an electromechanical transducer but pendrin is an ion transporter.