Mutations in the CLCNKB gene (1p36), encoding the basolateral chloride channel ClC-Kb, cause type 3 Bartter syndrome. We identified a family with a mixed Bartter/Gitelman phenotype and early-onset kidney failure and by employing a candidate gene approach, identified what we believe is a novel homozygous mutation (CLCNKB c.499G>T [p.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe renal collecting duct is continuously exposed to a wide spectrum of fluid flow rates and osmotic gradients. Expression of a mechanoactivated Piezo1 channel is the most prominent in the collecting duct. However, the status and regulation of Piezo1 in functionally distinct principal and intercalated cells (PCs and ICs) of the collecting duct remain to be determined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Physiol Renal Physiol
June 2023
Mechanosensitive TRPV4 channel plays a dominant role in maintaining [Ca ] homeostasis and flow-sensitive [Ca ] signaling in the renal tubule. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) manifests as progressive cyst growth due to cAMP-dependent fluid secretion along with deficient mechanosensitivity and impaired TRPV4 activity. Here, we tested how regulation of renal TRPV4 function by dietary K intake modulates the rate of cystogenesis and mechanosensitive [Ca ] signaling in cystic cells of PCK453 rats, a homologous model of human autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe renal collecting duct is known to play a critical role in many physiological processes, including systemic water-electrolyte homeostasis, acid-base balance, and the salt sensitivity of blood pressure. ClC-K2 (ClC-Kb in humans) is a Cl-permeable channel expressed on the basolateral membrane of several segments of the renal tubule, including the collecting duct intercalated cells. ClC-Kb mutations are causative for Bartters' syndrome type 3 manifested as hypotension, urinary salt wasting, and metabolic alkalosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBile acids, originally known to emulsify dietary lipids, are now established signalling molecules that regulate physiological processes. Signalling targets several proteins that include the ion channels involved in regulating intestinal motility and bile viscosity. Studies show that bile acids regulate the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in cultured cell models and heterologous expression systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe collecting duct is a highly adaptive terminal part of the nephron, which is essential for maintaining systemic homeostasis. Principal and intercalated cells perform different physiological tasks and exhibit distinctive morphology. However, acid-secreting A- and base secreting B-type of intercalated cells cannot be easily separated in functional studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFKidneys play a central role in regulation of potassium homeostasis and maintenance of plasma K levels within a narrow physiological range. With-no-lysine (WNK) kinases, specifically WNK1 and WNK4, have been recognized to regulate K balance, in part, by orchestrating maxi K channel (BK)-dependent K secretion in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron (ASDN), which includes the connecting tubule and collecting duct. We recently demonstrated that the Ca-permeable TRPV4 channel is essential for BK activation in the ASDN.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe renal collecting duct plays a critical role in setting urinary volume and composition, with principal cells transporting Na and K and intercalated cells mediating Cl reabsorption. Published evidence implies Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a potent regulator of the collecting duct apical transport systems in response to systemic volume depletion. However, virtually nothing is known about Ang II actions on the basolateral conductance of principal and intercalated cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
October 2020
The diversity and near universal expression of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) reflects their involvement in most physiological processes. The GPCR superfamily is the largest in the human genome, and GPCRs are common pharmaceutical targets. Therefore, uncovering the function of understudied GPCRs provides a wealth of untapped therapeutic potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTRPC3 is a Ca-permeable cation channel commonly activated by the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR) and mechanical distortion of the plasma membrane. TRPC3-mediated Ca influx has been implicated in a variety of signaling processes in both excitable and non-excitable cells. Kidneys play a commanding role in maintaining whole-body homeostasis and setting blood pressure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Physiol Renal Physiol
September 2020
Plasma phosphate (P) levels are tightly controlled, and elevated plasma P levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and death. Two renal transport proteins mediate the majority of P reabsorption: Na-phosphate cotransporters Npt2a and Npt2c, with Npt2a accounting for 70-80% of P reabsorption. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vitro effects of a novel Npt2a inhibitor (PF-06869206) in opossum kidney (OK) cells as well as determine its selectivity in vivo in Npt2a knockout (Npt2a) mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Physiol Renal Physiol
April 2020
Adenosine plays an important role in various aspects of kidney physiology, but the specific targets and mechanisms of actions are not completely understood. The collecting duct has the highest expression of adenosine receptors, particularly adenosine A receptors (ARs). Interstitial adenosine levels are greatly increased up to a micromolar range in response to dietary salt loading.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIt is well-established that the kidney collecting duct (CD) plays a central role in regulation of systemic water homeostasis. Aquaporin 2 (AQP2)-dependent water reabsorption in the CD critically depends on the arginine vasopressin (AVP) antidiuretic input and the presence of a favorable osmotic gradient at the apical plasma membrane with tubular lumen being hypotonic compared to the cytosol. This osmotic difference creates a mechanical force leading to an increase in [Ca2+]i in CD cells.
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May 2019
Tight regulation of K balance is fundamental for normal physiology. Reduced dietary K intake, which is common in Western diets, often leads to hypokalemia and associated cardiovascular- and kidney-related pathologies. The distal nephron, and, specifically, the collecting duct (CD), is the major site of controlled K reabsorption via H-K-ATPase in the state of dietary K deficiency.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFcAMP is a universal second messenger regulating a plethora of processes in the kidney. Two downstream effectors of cAMP are PKA and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), which, unlike PKA, is often linked to elevation of [Ca]. While both Epac isoforms (Epac1 and Epac2) are expressed along the nephron, their relevance in the kidney remains obscure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFENaC-mediated sodium reabsorption in the collecting duct (CD) is a critical determinant of urinary sodium excretion. Existing evidence suggest direct stimulatory actions of Angiotensin II (Ang II) on ENaC in the CD, independently of the aldosterone-mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) signaling. Deletion of the major renal AT receptor isoform, AT R, decreases blood pressure and reduces ENaC abundance despite elevated aldosterone levels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a devastating disorder that is characterized by a progressive decline in renal function as a result of the development of fluid-filled cysts. Defective flow-mediated [Ca] responses and disrupted [Ca] homeostasis have been repeatedly associated with cyst progression in ADPKD. We have previously demonstrated that the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) channel is imperative for flow-mediated [Ca] responses in murine distal renal tubule cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe renal collecting duct contains two distinct cell types, principal and intercalated cells, expressing potassium K4.1/5.1 (KCNJ10/16) and chloride ClC-K2 (ClC-Kb in humans) channels on their basolateral membrane, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTo maintain potassium homeostasis, kidneys exert flow-dependent potassium secretion to facilitate kaliuresis in response to elevated dietary potassium intake. This process involves stimulation of calcium-activated large conductance maxi-K (BK) channels in the distal nephron, namely the connecting tubule and the collecting duct. Recent evidence suggests that the TRPV4 channel is a critical determinant of flow-dependent intracellular calcium elevations in these segments of the renal tubule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) are two of the most important determinants of salt balance and thus systemic blood pressure. Abnormalities in either result in profound changes in blood pressure. There is one segment of the nephron where these two sodium transporters are coexpressed, the second part of the distal convoluted tubule.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Physiol Renal Physiol
May 2016
Since its identification as the underlying molecular cause of Bartter's syndrome type 3, ClC-Kb (ClC-K2 in rodents, henceforth it will be referred as ClC-Kb/2) is proposed to play an important role in systemic electrolyte balance and blood pressure regulation by controlling basolateral Cl(-) exit in the distal renal tubular segments from the cortical thick ascending limb to the outer medullary collecting duct. Considerable experimental and clinical effort has been devoted to the identification and characterization of disease-causing mutations as well as control of the channel by its cofactor, barttin. However, we have only begun to unravel the role of ClC-Kb/2 in different tubular segments and to reveal the regulators of its expression and function, e.
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