title: Characteristics of mammalian Rh glycoproteins (SLC42 transporters) and their role in acid-base transport.
abstract: The mammalian Rh glycoproteins belong to the solute transporter family SLC42 and include RhAG, present in red blood cells, and two non-erythroid members RhBG and RhCG that are expressed in various tissues, including kidney, liver, skin and the GI tract. The Rh proteins in the red blood cell form an "Rh complex" made up of one D-subunit, one CE-subunit and two RhAG subunits. The Rh complex has a well-known antigenic effect but also contributes to the stability of the red cell membrane. RhBG and RhCG are related to the NH4(+) transporters of the yeast and bacteria but their exact function is yet to be determined. This review describes the expression and molecular properties of these membrane proteins and their potential role as NH3/NH4(+) and CO2 transporters. The likelihood that these proteins transport gases such as CO2 or NH3 is novel and significant. The review also describes the physiological importance of these proteins and their relevance to human disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Nephrology, Tulane Hypertension and Renal Center of Excellence, Tulane University School of Medicine New Orleans, LA 70112, United States. nakhoul@tulane.edu
authors.forename: Nazih L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Nakhoul
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lee Hamm
mesh_terms: D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008957:Models, Genetic; D008958:Models, Molecular; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014781:Viscera / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C498523:RHAG protein, human; C422995:RHBG protein, human; C413213:RHCG protein, human; D002245:Carbon Dioxide