Researchers ID Protein Complex That Plays Important Role in Kidneys’ Water Balance Pathways

Article title: Actin-related protein 2/3 complex plays a critical role in the aquaporin-2 exocytotic pathway

Authors: Chen-Chung Steven Liu, Pui Wen Cheung, Anupama Dinesh, Noah Baylor, Theodor C. Paunescu, Anil V. Nair, Richard Bouley, Dennis Brown

From the authors: “In summary, our study reveals a role of [actin-related protein] 2/3 in [Aquaporin-2 (AQP2)] vesicular trafficking at the level of exocytosis from the post-[trans-Golgi network] compartment. It also indicates that we can unilaterally block AQP2 exocytosis without an apparent effect on endocytosis. This suggests that more targeted control of AQP2 trafficking is feasible to regulate its plasma membrane expression.”

This study is highlighted as one of September’s “best of the best” as part of the American Physiological Society’s APSselect program.