Interestingly, channels composed of CLIC4 and CLIC5 have been confirmed to be equally permeable to K+ and Cl-.n CLIC5, to which there are two isoforms - CLIC5A and CLIC5B - encoded by the same gene, has first been isolated from human placenta6, and was shown, together with CLIC4 (with which it shares 76% homology), to be enriched in the apical microvilli-containing part of the trophoblast epithelium, where, unlike CLIC4, it interacts with the actin cytoskeleton. CLIC5 shares about 40% homology with CLIC1-4 and is distributed to a high degree in myocytes, cardiomyocytes and stereocillia of the inner-ear. Mice mutated in the Clic5 gene lack coordination and gradually become deaf, show resistance to obesity, experience gastric ulcers and the resultant hemorrhage, and have higher incidence of entering torpor.