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Related Concept Videos

In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
Urea Cycle01:23

Urea Cycle

The urea cycle describes how liver cells convert ammonia to urea. Ammonia is a toxic waste product of protein catabolism. Land animals must convert ammonia into the less toxic urea which can be safely eliminated by the kidneys through urine. Marine animals excrete ammonia directly, and the surrounding water dilutes the ammonia to safe levels.
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters01:16

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters

The pharmacogenetics of drug transporters is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing interindividual variability in drug absorption, distribution, and elimination. These membrane-bound proteins regulate drugs' movement across cellular barriers by actively pumping them out (efflux) or facilitating their uptake (influx). Among the major transporter families, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters play particularly prominent roles. Genetic polymorphisms...
ABC Transporters: Exporter01:31

ABC Transporters: Exporter

ATP-binding cassette or ABC transporter is the largest superfamily of integral membrane proteins. The transporters have transmembrane-binding domains (TMDs) and nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs). The TMDs are specific to their substrates, whereas the NBDs are similar to engines that complete ATP hydrolysis to complete the substrate transport. They can be full transporters consisting of two TMDs and NBDs, half transporters with one TMD and NBD, while some encoded with a single TMD or NBD are...
Membrane Transporters01:31

Membrane Transporters

Transporters are essential membrane transport proteins with functions related to cell nutrition, homeostasis, communication, etc. Approximately 7% of all genes in the human genome code for transporters or transporter-related proteins.
Transporters are mainly composed of alpha-helices, built from bundles of ten or more helices traversing the plasma membrane. The solute-binding sites are located midway, where some of the helices are broken or distorted, making space for the binding site through...
Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Incorporating Hepatic Transporter-Mediated Clearance01:07

Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Incorporating Hepatic Transporter-Mediated Clearance

Drug transporters are critical in drug absorption, distribution, and excretion processes. They should be included in physiological-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, which help predict human drug disposition. However, predicting this is challenging during drug development, especially when liver transport is involved. However, with a realistic representation of body transport processes, an accurate model may be possible.
A recent model describes pravastatin's hepatobiliary excretion, mediated...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane
07:38

Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane

Published on: March 30, 2015

Urea transporter physiology studied in knockout mice.

Xuechen Li1, Guangping Chen, Baoxue Yang

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education Beijing, China.

Frontiers in Physiology
|June 30, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Studies using urea transporter (UT)-A and UT-B knockout mice reveal their critical roles in kidney function and other organs. Deleting these transporters causes significant physiological abnormalities, highlighting their importance in health.

Keywords:
knock out mouseurea transporturea transporter inhibitorurinary concentrating mechanism

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Published on: October 6, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mammals possess two main urea transporter families: UT-A and UT-B.
  • UT-A is primarily in kidney epithelial cells; UT-B has wider tissue distribution (kidney, heart, brain, etc.).
  • Knockout mouse models are key to understanding urea transporter physiological roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review new insights into urea transporter functions across various organs.
  • To explore the physiological roles of UT-A and UT-B using knockout mouse models.
  • To discuss potential pharmacological targeting of urea transporters.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from urea transporter knockout mouse studies.
  • Review of physiological phenotypes observed in UT-A and UT-B null mice.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on urea transporter functions and implications.

Main Results:

  • UT-A1/UT-A3 deletion in mice leads to polyuria and impaired urine concentration, stressing intrarenal urea recycling.
  • UT-B null mice exhibit defective urine concentration, age-related cardiac conduction issues, depression-like behaviors, and early sexual maturation.
  • Urea transporters play vital roles beyond renal function, impacting cardiovascular, neurological, and reproductive systems.

Conclusions:

  • Urea transporters are essential for maintaining water balance and overall physiological homeostasis.
  • Targeting urea transporters may offer novel therapeutic strategies for various conditions.
  • Further research into urea transporter mechanisms and pharmacology is warranted.