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Related Concept Videos

Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion01:15

Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion

Once the process of glomerular filtration is completed, blood carrying unfiltered drug molecules traverses through efferent arterioles and makes its way into the peritubular capillaries in the proximal tubule. A variety of carriers play a pivotal role in actively secreting drugs from these peritubular capillaries into the tubular fluid. The organic anion transporter transfers acidic drugs, against an electrochemical gradient, from the peritubular capillaries into the renal tubule cells and...
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.
Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration01:29

Physiology of the Genitourinary System I: Renal Blood Flow and Glomerular Filtration

The kidneys are vital organs responsible for regulating blood filtration, waste excretion, and fluid balance, all of which are crucial for maintaining homeostasis. Renal physiology examines renal blood flow, glomerular filtration, and urine formation, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.Renal Blood FlowThe kidneys receive about 20-25% of the cardiac output, typically around 1200 mL of blood per minute in an average adult. Blood flows into the kidneys through the renal...
Renal Drug Excretion: Tubular Secretion01:28

Renal Drug Excretion: Tubular Secretion

Active tubular secretion is a robust, energy-demanding process that utilizes carrier systems to transport drugs into renal tubules. The active renal secretion systems include the organic anion transporter (OAT) for weak acids and the organic cation transporter (OCT) for weak bases. Structurally similar drugs can compete for the same transporter, potentially leading to drug accumulation and toxicity. However, this principle can be exploited therapeutically. One example is probenecid (Probalan),...
Filtration and Urine Formation01:32

Filtration and Urine Formation

The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion01:22

Physiology of the Genitourinary System II: Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion

The kidneys maintain homeostasis through filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. Tubular reabsorption and secretion are crucial in forming urine and regulating electrolytes, water balance, and waste elimination.Tubular Reabsorption and Secretion ProcessesTubular reabsorption is the process that reclaims essential substances such as electrolytes, glucose, amino acids, and water from the glomerular filtrate back into the bloodstream. This is achieved through passive and active transport...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 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 transport in the kidney.

Janet D Klein1, Mitsi A Blount, Jeff M Sands

  • 1Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Comprehensive Physiology
|June 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Kidney urea transporters (SLC14A family) are vital for concentrating urine. They are regulated by hormones and physiological states, with ongoing research using animal models to understand their function and develop new therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Urea transport proteins were hypothesized in the 1980s to explain kidney urea permeability.
  • The SLC14A family, including UT-B and UT-A isoforms, was later identified.
  • These transporters are crucial for renal urine concentrating ability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on urea transporter proteins.
  • To describe their regulation and role in kidney function.
  • To highlight ongoing research and new animal models.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of urea transport studies.
  • Analysis of urea transporter cloning and characterization.
  • Examination of regulatory mechanisms and disease models.

More Related Videos

Identification of the Source of Secreted Proteins in the Kidney by Brefeldin A Injection
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Identification of the Source of Secreted Proteins in the Kidney by Brefeldin A Injection

Published on: November 10, 2021

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
08:53

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

Published on: August 9, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 10, 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

Identification of the Source of Secreted Proteins in the Kidney by Brefeldin A Injection
10:15

Identification of the Source of Secreted Proteins in the Kidney by Brefeldin A Injection

Published on: November 10, 2021

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney
08:53

Analysis of Nephron Composition and Function in the Adult Zebrafish Kidney

Published on: August 9, 2014

Main Results:

  • Identified SLC14A1 (UT-B) and SLC14A2 (UT-A) subgroups with distinct kidney localizations (UT-A1, UT-A3, UT-A2, UT-B).
  • Demonstrated acute regulation via phosphorylation (vasopressin, hypertonicity) and long-term regulation via protein abundance.
  • Highlighted the role of urea transporters in various kidney disease models.

Conclusions:

  • Urea transporters are essential glycoproteins for kidney's urine concentrating mechanism.
  • Both acute and long-term regulatory pathways are critical for maintaining renal function.
  • Continued research with novel animal models is vital for understanding urea transporter physiology and pathology.