title: Cell biology of the intercalated cell in the kidney.
abstract: The intercalated cell of the collecting tubule of the mammalian kidney is specialized for the transport of H(+) and HCO3. They exist in two forms; one specialized for acid secretion and the other secretes HCO3 into the urine. We discovered many years ago that feeding animals an acid diet converts the HCO3 secreting form to an acid secreting type. Here I discuss the molecular basis of this transformation. The conversion of the cell types is mediated by an extracellular matrix protein hensin (also known as DMBT1). However much remains to be identified in the differentiation of these cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, 630 W 168th Str., New York, NY 10032, USA. qa1@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Qais
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Al-Awqati
mesh_terms: D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology; D007685:Kidney Tubules, Collecting / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins