Non-essential component of the volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC, also named VSOAC channel), an anion channel required to maintain a constant cell volume in response to extracellular or intracellular osmotic changes ( ). The VRAC channel conducts iodide better than chloride and can also conduct organic osmolytes like taurine (, ). Mediates efflux of amino acids, such as aspartate, in response to osmotic stress . The VRAC channel also mediates transport of immunoreactive cyclic dinucleotide GMP-AMP (2'-3'-cGAMP), an immune messenger produced in response to DNA virus in the cytosol . Channel activity requires LRRC8A plus at least one other family member (LRRC8B, LRRC8C, LRRC8D or LRRC8E); channel characteristics depend on the precise subunit composition ( ). Also plays a role in lysosome homeostasis by forming functional lysosomal VRAC channels in response to low cytoplasmic ionic strength condition: lysosomal VRAC channels are necessary for the formation of large lysosome-derived vacuoles, which store and then expel excess water to maintain cytosolic water homeostasis .
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane, Endoplasmic reticulum membrane, Lysosome membrane, Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
In the absence of LRRC8A, resides primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum (, ). Requires LRRC8A for localization at the cell membrane or lysosome membrane (, ).