Nitric oxide synthesis in the adult and developing kidney.
Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized within the adult and developing kidney and plays a critical role in the regulation of renal hemodynamics and tubule function. In the adult kidney, the regulation of NO synthesis is very cell type specific and subject to distinct control mechanisms of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) is expressed in the endothelial cells of glomeruli, peritubular capillaries, and vascular bundles. Neuronal NOS (nNOS) is expressed in the tubular epithelial cells of the macula densa and inner medullary collecting duct. Furthermore, in the immature kidney, the expression of eNOS and nNOS shows unique patterns distinct from that is observed in the adult. This review will summarize the localization and presumable function of NOS isoforms in the adult and developing kidney.
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
Ki-Hwan
KH
Han
Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
Ju-Young
JY
Jung
Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
Ku-Yong
KY
Chung
Department of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hyang
H
Kim
Department of Anatomy and MRC for Cell Death Disease Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Jin
J
Kim
Development; Kidney; Nitric oxide; Renal hemodynamics