Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P41181 (collecting duct)
 5,183 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The mercurial insensitive water channel (MIWC, AQP-4) is a water-selective transporter expressed at the basolateral plasma membrane of principal cells in kidney collecting duct, airway epithelium, and gastric parietal cells, as well as in astrocytes and skeletal muscle plasmalemma. Because these sites correspond to membranes where orthogonal arrays of particles (OAPs) have been observed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, we tested the hypothesis that MIWC forms OAPs. Chinese hamster ovary cells were stably transfected with the coding sequence of rat MIWC under a cytomegalovirus promoter. Immunostaining of clonal cell populations showed MIWC expression at the plasma membrane. A single band at 31 kDa was detected on immunoblot. Cell fractionation by sucrose gradient centrifugation indicated strong MIWC expression in plasma membrane fractions with lesser expression in Golgi. Functional analysis by stopped-flow light scattering showed high mercurial insensitive water permeability in plasma membrane vesicles. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy showed distinct OAPs on the plasma membrane P-face of MIWC-expressing cells with morphology indistinguishable from that in basolateral membrane of kidney collecting duct; the E-face showed corresponding linear grooves (spacing, approximately 8 nm) in transfected cells and collecting duct. OAPs were not observed in control (empty vector-transfected) cells or CHIP28 (AQP1)-transfected cells in which disorganized intramembrane particle aggregates were found. These results provide direct evidence that a molecular water channel can spontaneously assemble in regular arrays.
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PMID:The mercurial insensitive water channel (AQP-4) forms orthogonal arrays in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. 861 13

Aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) is a vasopressin-regulated water channel in the kidney collecting duct. AQP-2 is selectively permeable to water molecule and is translocated between the apical membrane and subapical endosomes in response to vasopressin. To investigate the localization and structure of the aqueous pathway of the AQP-2 water channel, a series of site-directed mutants was constructed and functionally analyzed. Insertion of N-glycosylation reporter sequence into each hydrophilic loop (HL) indicated that AQP-2 has a six-membrane spanning topology and that insertional mutations in HL-2 or HL-5 do not alter water channel function. Mercury-sensitive site of AQP-2 is located near the second asparagine-proline-alanine (NPA) domain at cysteine 181, but not near the first NPA domain. Replacement of HL-3 or HL-4 with the corresponding part of Escherichia coli glycerol facilitator abolished water channel function without changing plasma membrane expression of the channel protein. Introduction of cysteine residues in His-122, Asn-123, Gly-154, Asp-155, or Asn-156 induced partial mercury sensitivity, and point mutations in asparagine 123 significantly altered water permeability. Our results implicate that the structure of AQP-2 is different from models previously proposed for AQP-1 and that HL-3 and HL-4 are closely located to the aqueous pathway.
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PMID:Structure of aquaporin-2 vasopressin water channel. 861 98

A 1.8-kb cDNA clone (designed hKID, gene symbol AQP2L) with homology to the aquaporins was isolated from a human kidney cDNA library. The longest open reading frame of 846 bp encoded a 282-amino-acid hydrophobic protein that contained the conserved NPA motifs of MIP family members. Cell-free translation produced a nonglycosylated protein migrating at 29 kDa. Amino acid alignment showed the greatest homology of hKID to human MIP (48% identity) and AQP-2 (52%), with lesser homology to human MIWC (AQP-4, 34%), CHIP28 (AQP-1, 38%), and GLIP (AQP-3, 22%). Northern blot analysis revealed a 2.2-kb transcript expressed only in human kidney. PCR/Southern blot analysis of human kidney cDNA using primers flanking the hKID coding sequence revealed expression of a full-length mRNA and short transcripts with partial exon 1 and partial exon 4 deletions. Expression of hKID cRNA in Xenopus oocytes did not increase glycerol or urea permeability, but increased osmotic water permeability from (2.8 +/- 0.5) x 10(-4) to (7.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(-4) cm/s (10 degrees C) in a mercurial-sensitive manner. Sequence comparison of hKID cDNA with a cloned 21-kb genomic DNA indicated three introns (lengths 0.7, 0.25, and 0.4 kb) separating four exons with boundaries at amino acids 121, 174, and 201. The hKID promoter was identified and contained TATA, SP1, E-box, and AP1 and AP2 elements; primer extension revealed hKID transcription initiation 654 bp upstream from the translational initiation site. Genomic Southern blot indicated a single-copy hKID gene. PCR analysis of a human/rodent somatic hybrid panel localized the hKID gene to chromosome 12. Chromosomal fluorescence in situ hybridization mapped the hKID (AQP2L) gene to chromosome locus 12q13, the same location as the AQP. 2 and MIP genes. The high sequence homology, similar genomic structure, and identical chromosomal loci of hKID, MIP, and AQP-2 suggest a MIP family gene cluster at chromosome locus 12q13. Further work is needed to establish the physiological significance of hKID.
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PMID:cDNA cloning and gene structure of a novel water channel expressed exclusively in human kidney: evidence for a gene cluster of aquaporins at chromosome locus 12q13. 881 90

Water transport during peritoneal dialysis (PD) requires ultrasmall pores in the capillary endothelium of the peritoneum and is impaired in the case of peritoneal inflammation. The water channel aquaporin (AQP)-1 has been proposed to be the ultrasmall pore in animal models. To substantiate the role of AQP-1 in the human peritoneum, we investigated the expression of AQP-1, AQP-2, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in 19 peritoneal samples from normal subjects (n = 5), uremic patients treated by hemodialysis (n = 7) or PD (n = 4), and nonuremic patients (n = 3), using Western blotting and immunostaining. AQP-1 is very specifically located in capillary and venule endothelium but not in small-size arteries. In contrast, eNOS is located in all types of endothelia. Immunoblot for AQP-1 in human peritoneum reveals a 28-kDa band (unglycosylated AQP-1) and diffuse bands of 35-50 kDa (glycosylated AQP-1). Although AQP-1 expression is remarkably stable in all samples whatever their origin, eNOS (135 kDa) is upregulated in the three patients with ascites and/or peritonitis (1 PD and 2 nonuremic patients). AQP-2, regulated by vasopressin, is not expressed at the protein level in human peritoneum. This study 1) supports AQP-1 as the molecular counterpart of the ultrasmall pore in the human peritoneum and 2) demonstrates that AQP-1 and eNOS are regulated independently of each other in clinical conditions characterized by peritoneal inflammation.
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PMID:Aquaporin-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in capillary endothelia of human peritoneum. 968 19

This study was carried out to investigate the role of aquaporin (AQP) in the peritoneum undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Furthermore, we examined the effects of treatment with prednisolone (PSL) in a rat model of peritoneal sclerosis. We modelled peritoneal sclerosis by using dialysis solution with the addition of 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) for 10 days. Twenty male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were divided into four groups and dialyzed with various solutions: (1) saline (NS group, n = 5); (2) 10% glucose (TZ group, n = 5); (3) 0.1% CHG (CHG group, n = 5); and (4) 0.1% CHG plus PSL (CHG + PSL group, n = 5). Expression of mRNA of AQPs (AQP-1-AQP-4) was studied by semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of AQP-4 was also measured by Western blot analysis. Ultrafiltration volume and peritoneal function were measured by the peritoneal equilibration test. In the TZ group, expression of AQP-1 and AQP-4 were significantly enhanced, in parallel with an increment in ultrafiltration volume. On the other hand, in the CHG group, expression of AQP-1 and AQP-4 were significantly suppressed, and ultrafiltration volume was lost. The use of PSL with CHG completely restored the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-4, and peritoneal function improved. No expression of AQP-2 and AQP-3 was seen in the peritoneum. Our results suggest that AQP-1 and AQP-4 may be important factors in water transport in patients undergoing CAPD. PSL might be an effective treatment to prevent the progress of peritoneal sclerosis in patients undergoing CAPD.
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PMID:Glucocorticoid restores the deterioration of water transport in the peritoneum through increment in aquaporin. 1104 15

CLC-K1, a kidney-specific chloride channel, has been demonstrated to be involved in the urine concentration mechanism. Here, we investigated the developmental expression of CLC-K1 in the rat kidney. Using immunohistochemistry, we showed that CLC-K1 was not present in the thin ascending limb of Henle's loop during the early prenatal stages but was significantly expressed during the adult stage. CLC-K1 started to appear at day 5 and its expression increased during further development. In developing rats this increase coincided with the increase in the urine-concentrating capacity as the animals matured. We also investigated the expressions of other channels and transporters, including NKCC2, AQP-1, and AQP-2. NKCC2 was strongly expressed throughout the inner medulla in neonatal rat kidneys but was entirely undetectable at the adult stage. The decline in its expression took the form of a gradual recession from the inner medulla together with reciprocal increases in the expression of CLC-K1. AQP-1 was weakly expressed in the inner medulla during early development and showed a rapid increase in expression at a later stage. The collecting duct cells significantly expressed AQP-2 even at birth and maintained its expression throughout the development. These results suggest that CLC-K1 expression is one of the major determinants of the urine-concentrating capacity of the developing rat kidney.
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PMID:Developmental expression of CLC-K1 in the postnatal rat kidney. 1147 22

Although mammalian urothelia are generally considered impermeable to constituents of urine, in vivo studies in several species indicate urothelial transport of water and solutes under certain conditions. This study investigates the expression, localization, and regulation of aquaporin (AQP)-1, -2, and -3 in ureteral and bladder tissues in 48-h dehydrated and water-loaded female Wistar rats. Immunoblots of homogenates of whole ureter and bladder identified characteristic approximately 28- and 35- to 44-kDa bands for AQP-1, -2, and -3. AQP-1 was localized to capillary and arteriole endothelial cells, whereas AQP-2 and -3 circumferentially lined the epithelial cell membranes except for the apical membrane of the epithelial cells adjacent to the lumens of both ureter and bladder. AQP-2 was also present in epithelial cell cytoplasm. Dehydration resulted in 160-200% increases of AQP-3 signal and 24-49% increases of AQP-2 signal but no change in AQP-1 signal on immunoblots of homogenates of ureters and bladders. AQPs in genitourinary tract urothelia likely play a role in the regulation of epithelial cell volume and osmolality and may play a role in bulk water movement across urothelia.
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PMID:Expression, localization, and regulation of aquaporin-1 to -3 in rat urothelia. 1199 19

Estrogen stimulates water imbibition in the uterine endometrium. This water then crosses the epithelial cells into the lumen, leading to a decrease in viscosity of uterine luminal fluid. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying this estrogen-stimulated water transport, we have explored the expression profile and functionality of water channels termed aquaporins (AQPs) in the ovariectomized mouse uterus treated with ovarian steroid hormones. Using immunocytochemical analysis and immunoprecipitation techniques, we have found that AQP-1, -3, and -8 were constitutively expressed. AQP-1 expression was restricted to the myometrium and may be slightly regulated by ovarian steroid hormones. AQP-3 was expressed at low levels in the epithelial cells and myometrium, whereas AQP-8 was found in both the stromal cells and myometrium. AQP-2 was absent in vehicle controls but strongly up-regulated by estrogen in the epithelial cells and myometrium of the uterus. This localization implicates all four isotypes in movement of water during uterine imbibition and, based on their localization to the luminal epithelial cells, AQP-2 and -3 in facilitating water movement into the lumen of the uterus. The analysis of the plasma membrane permeability of luminal epithelial cells by two separate cell swelling assays confirmed a highly increased water permeability of these cells in response to estrogen treatment. This finding suggests that estrogen decreases the luminal fluid viscosity, in part, by enhancing the water permeability of the epithelial layer, most likely by increasing the expression of AQP-2 and/or the availability of AQP-3. Together these results provide novel information concerning the mechanism by which estrogen controls water imbibition and luminal fluid viscosity in the mouse uterus.
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PMID:Estrogen regulation of aquaporins in the mouse uterus: potential roles in uterine water movement. 1285 92

The environmental modification of an organism's physiology in the field is often hypothesized to be responsible for allowing an organism to adjust to changing biotic and abiotic environmental conditions through increases in biological performance. Here, we examine the phenotypic flexibility of water flux rate, urine osmolality and the expression of kidney aquaporins (AQP; or water channels) in free-ranging Octodon degus, a South American desert-dwelling rodent, through an integrative study at cellular, systemic and organismal levels. Water flux rates varied seasonally and were significantly lower in austral summer than in winter, while urine osmolality was higher in summer than during winter. The observed water influx rate during summer was 10.3+/-2.3 ml day(-1) and during winter was 40.4+/-9.1 ml day(-1). Mean urine osmolality was 3137+/-472 mosmol kg(-1) during summer and 1123+/-472 mosmol kg(-1) during winter. AQP-2 medullary immunolabeling was more abundant in the kidneys of degus captured during summer than those captured during winter. This immunoreactivity was higher in apical cell membranes of medullary collecting ducts of degus in summer. AQP-1 immunostaining did not differ between seasons. Consistently, AQP-2 protein levels were increased in medulla from the summer individuals, as judged by the size of the 29 kDa band in the immunoblot. Here, we reveal how the integration of flexible mechanisms acting at cellular, systemic and organismal levels allows a small desert-dwelling mammal to cope with seasonal water scarcity in its semi-arid habitat.
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PMID:Seasonal acclimatization in water flux rate, urine osmolality and kidney water channels in free-living degus: molecular mechanisms, physiological processes and ecological implications. 1287 64

Aquaporins (AQPs), membrane-inserted water channel proteins, play a highly important role in the reabsorption of water from the renal tubular fluid. Experimentally, both in rats and mice, failure to insert functional AQP molecules into renal tubular membranes leads to nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In humans, most forms of renal disease lead to a reduction in the water handling capacity of the kidney. AQP distribution in various forms of human renal disease has not been documented. Immunohistochemical studies of biopsy samples from a wide range of renal diseases revealed a substantial and striking upregulation of AQP-1 in the glomeruli of most diseased kidneys. AQP-1 expression remained prominent in proximal tubules in all lesions. In contrast, there was judged qualitatively to be a reduction in the amounts of AQP-2 and AQP-3 expression, especially in lesions with substantial interstitial fibrosis and nephron loss, as compared with a healthy region of normal kidneys. The results were quantitatively confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. This is the first documentation of altered AQP expression in human renal disease. The significance of the increased AQP-1 expression requires further studies.
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PMID:Aquaporin expression in normal human kidney and in renal disease. 1451 35


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