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Related Concept Videos

Aquaporins01:25

Aquaporins

Aquaporins or AQPs are a family of integral membrane proteins whose primary function is to transport water, while some called aquaglyceroporins also transport glycerol. In addition, aquaporins have also been suspected to be involved in transporting volatile substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, across membranes. Such AQPs that act as gas channels are often highly expressed in cells involved in the gaseous exchange, such as red blood cells, epithelial cells, and pulmonary capillaries.
Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution01:20

Physiology of the Genitourinary System III: Urine Concentration and Dilution

The kidneys concentrate or dilute urine to maintain water and electrolyte balance. Nephrons, particularly the loop of Henle, play a crucial role in this process through the countercurrent multiplication system. This system establishes a high osmolarity in the renal medulla, which is essential for water reabsorption. In the loop of Henle’s descending limb, water is reabsorbed into the surrounding medulla due to its permeability to water. In contrast, the ascending limb actively transports...
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...
Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct01:26

Reabsorption and Secretion in the DCT and Collecting Duct

The early phase of the DCT manages the reabsorption of approximately 10-15% of filtered water, 5–10% of filtered sodium, and 5–10% of filtered chloride. This process is facilitated by Na+–Cl− symporters in apical membranes and sodium-potassium pumps, as well as Cl− leakage channels in basolateral membranes. The early DCT also stands out as a site where parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates calcium reabsorption, depending on the body's requirements.
The distal part of the DCT, along with the...
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.
Endocrine Signaling01:45

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.

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Culturing Primary Rat Inner Medullary Collecting Duct Cells
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Published on: June 21, 2013

Aquaporins in avian kidneys: function and perspectives.

Hiroko Nishimura1, Yimu Yang

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee;

American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
|September 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Birds, like mammals, concentrate urine for water conservation using aquaporins (AQPs). This review examines avian renal AQPs, comparing their roles in water balance to mammals and other vertebrates.

Keywords:
AQPAQP developmentavian aquaporinsosmoregulationwater channel

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Area of Science:

  • Comparative physiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Renal physiology

Background:

  • Terrestrial vertebrates require efficient water economy, with kidneys as key osmoregulatory organs.
  • Birds and mammals uniquely concentrate urine among vertebrates.
  • Aquaporins (AQPs) are ancient membrane proteins crucial for water transport in diverse organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize current knowledge on avian aquaporins (AQPs) and their functions.
  • To compare avian renal AQPs with their mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrate counterparts.
  • To explore the role of renal AQPs in body water homeostasis across evolutionary and developmental contexts.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on avian and vertebrate aquaporins.
  • Comparative analysis of AQP gene and protein sequences and expression patterns.
  • Functional characterization of AQPs in kidney collecting ducts.

Main Results:

  • Thirteen AQPs/aquaGLPs are known in mammals, with several expressed in the kidney and involved in fluid homeostasis.
  • Avian kidneys express AQPs 1, 2, 3, and 4, with sequences reported for AQP5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12.
  • Avian AQP4 likely differs in function from mammalian AQP4 in the kidney collecting duct's water outflow.

Conclusions:

  • Avian renal AQPs play vital roles in water balance, with distinct functional characteristics compared to mammals.
  • Understanding avian AQP structure-function relationships provides insights into vertebrate osmoregulation.
  • Further research on renal AQPs can illuminate evolutionary adaptations in water homeostasis.