SLC26A6 and SLC26A7 anion exchangers have a distinct distribution in human kidney.
BACKGROUND
The anion transporters SLC26A6 (PAT1) and SLC26A7, transporting at least chloride, oxalate, sulfate and bicarbonate, show a distinct expression and function in different mammalian species. They are expressed in kidney, but their exact localization in human kidney has not been studied. We therefore examined SLC26A6 and A7 expression in human kidneys.


METHODS
The localization of SLC26A6 and A7 in different segments of human nephrons was studied by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry by comparing to the tubular markers PNRA, CD10, Tamm-Horsfall antigen, high molecular weight cytokeratin, CK7, AQP2 and H(+)V-ATPase.


RESULTS
In human kidney, SLC26A6 is expressed in distal segments of proximal tubules, parts of the thin and thick ascending limbs of Henle's loops, macula densa, distal convoluted tubules and a subpopulation of intercalated cells of collecting ducts. SLC26A7 is expressed in extraglomerular mesangial cells and a subpopulation of intercalated cells of collecting ducts.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that in human kidney SLC26A6 and A7 have a distinct, partially overlapping expression in distal segments of nephrons. The distribution partly differs from that found previously in rodent kidneys.
Kujala
Minna
M
Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. minna.kujala@helsinki.fi
Tienari
Jukka
J
Lohi
Hannes
H
Elomaa
Outi
O
Sariola
Hannu
H
Lehtonen
Eero
E
Kere
Juha
J
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017920:Antiporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019556:COS Cells; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021782:Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D009399:Nephrons / Q000378:metabolism; D016891:Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D017920:Antiporters; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C439529:SLC26A6 protein, human; C455626:SLC26A7 protein, human; D000076988:Sulfate Transporters