Mediates electroneutral potassium-chloride cotransport when activated by cell swelling. May contribute to cell volume homeostasis in single cells (, ). May be involved in the regulation of basolateral Cl(-) exit in NaCl absorbing epithelia (By similarity).
No transporter activity.
Subcellular locations: Cell membrane
Ubiquitous (, ). Levels are much higher in erythrocytes from patients with Hb SC and Hb SS compared to normal AA erythrocytes . This may contribute to red blood cell dehydration and to the manifestation of sickle cell disease by increasing the intracellular concentration of HbS .
Not detected in circulating reticulocytes.