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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins01:21

Cell Polarization by Rho Proteins

Cell polarity is the asymmetric distribution of cellular and membrane components, making one side of the cell different from the other. This polarity is essential to many processes such as embryogenesis, axon migration, glucose transport across epithelial cells, and directional cell migration. A migrating cell responds to intracellular or extracellular signals via molecular cascades that reorganize the actin cytoskeleton to establish this polarity. In these cells, the Rho family proteins Cdc42,...
Renal Regulation of Acid-Base Balance01:29

Renal Regulation of Acid-Base Balance

Metabolic reactions in the body produce nonvolatile acids, such as sulfuric acid, which generate an acid load of approximately 1 mEq of H+ per kilogram of body weight daily. Excreting H+ in the urine is essential to balance this acid load.
In the kidneys, cells within the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and the collecting ducts secrete hydrogen ions (H+) into the tubular fluid. Specifically, in the PCT, Na+/H+ antiporters secrete H+ while reabsorbing Na+.
However, the intercalated cells in...
Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct01:24

Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct

The renal tubule is divided into three parts: the proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), the Loop of Henle (LOH), and the distal convoluted tubule (DCT).
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...
Renal Corpuscle01:20

Renal Corpuscle

The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
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The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Implementing Patch Clamp and Live Fluorescence Microscopy to Monitor Functional Properties of Freshly Isolated PKD Epithelium
08:46

Implementing Patch Clamp and Live Fluorescence Microscopy to Monitor Functional Properties of Freshly Isolated PKD Epithelium

Published on: September 1, 2015

Protein complexes that control renal epithelial polarity.

Jay Pieczynski1, Ben Margolis

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology
|January 14, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Epithelial polarity, essential for kidney function, is regulated by conserved protein complexes. These complexes control cell structure and are critical in kidney development and disease.

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Renal Physiology

Background:

  • Epithelial apicobasal polarity is fundamental for kidney development and function.
  • Recent advances have elucidated factors initiating apicobasal polarization, particularly conserved polarity complexes.
  • These complexes orchestrate cell structure and signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of key polarity complexes in epithelial organization.
  • To discuss the function of Crumbs, Par, and Scribble complexes in kidney development and disease.
  • To highlight the plasticity of apicobasal polarity during epithelial transitions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on polarity complexes.
  • Discussion of the molecular composition and interactions of Crumbs, Par, and Scribble complexes.
  • Analysis of the role of polarity complexes in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET).

Main Results:

  • The Crumbs, Par, and Scribble complexes are evolutionarily conserved and crucial for establishing and maintaining epithelial polarity.
  • These complexes antagonistically signal to segregate apical and basolateral membranes and act as scaffolds for protein localization.
  • Polarity complexes exhibit plasticity, playing critical roles in EMT and MET, which are relevant to kidney development and disease.

Conclusions:

  • Polarity complexes are essential regulators of kidney epithelial structure and function.
  • Understanding these complexes provides insights into kidney development and pathogenesis.
  • Targeting polarity complexes may offer therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases involving epithelial transitions.