Distal tubule acidification.
The distal tubule defines the final section of the renal tubule, and can be subdivided into four segments: distal tubule, connecting segment (which was previously considered part of the distal tubule), cortical collecting duct and medullary collecting tubule. This section of the nephron is the area that has been considered to have the maximal concentrating ability and maximal Acidification. This results from the fact that most reabsorption takes place in the proximal tubule and other nephron segments so that this final portion of the nephron is the final concentrating and acidifying region of the nephron. In this review I will briefly go over the distribution of the various cell types in the outer and inner medullary region as well as discuss some of the modifications that occur in the functional distribution of acid related proteins, during metabolic disturbances or during hormonal stimulation.
Geibel
J P
JP
Department of Surgery and Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA. john.geibel@yale.edu
D000818:Animals; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000502:physiology; D007686:Kidney Tubules, Distal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*
D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases