Related Experiment Videos
Maturation of TonEBP expression in developing rat kidney
Ki-Hwan Han1, Seung Kyoon Woo, Wan-Young Kim
1Departmrnt of Anatomy and Cell Death Disease Research Center, Catholic University Medical College, Seoul 137-701, South Korea.
American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology
|July 1, 2004
Summary
Tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) is crucial for kidney development. Its expression in the renal medulla precedes target genes, suggesting a key role in developing urine-concentrating ability.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) is a Rel family transcriptional activator.
- In the renal medulla, TonEBP regulates genes for organic osmolytes, urea transporters (UT-A), and heat shock protein 70.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TonEBP in the development of urinary concentrating ability.
- To examine TonEBP expression patterns during rat kidney development.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry to detect TonEBP expression in embryonic and postnatal rat kidneys.
- Analysis of TonEBP and sodium-myo-inositol cotransporter mRNA abundance.
Main Results:
- TonEBP was initially cytoplasmic in embryonic kidneys, shifting to the nucleus postnatally.
- Increased TonEBP nuclear localization and intensity in tubules correlated with increased TonEBP and UT-A mRNA.
- Adult TonEBP expression patterns were established by postnatal day 21.
Conclusions:
- TonEBP expression in the developing kidney is predominantly medullary.
- TonEBP expression precedes that of its target genes, indicating its role in development.
- TonEBP likely contributes to the maturation of renal concentrating ability.