Cellular and molecular aspects of renal H+ transport

Urinary acidification is a complex and highly regulated vital function of the kidney requiring the participation of several nephron segments. Each nephron segment has specific types of cells that use unique combinations of ion transport proteins and respond differently to acute and chronic electrolyte abnormalities. Our understanding of the cause and treatment of acidification disorders and adaptive responses of the kidney will depend on knowing the function and regulation of these transport proteins at the cellular and molecular levels. Progress toward this goal will require the isolation of these ion transporters, the elucidation of their structural and biochemical properties, and the study of their ion transport kinetics, synthesis, degradation, and traffic both to and from the plasma membrane.