Focal adhesion kinase inhibition induces membrane accumulation of aquaporin-2 in renal epithelial cells by actin depolymerization and endocytosis inhibition
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling plays a previously unrecognized role in regulating AQP2 trafficking by modulating the actin cytoskeleton and inhibiting the small GTPase RhoA in renal epithelial cells. Our findings demonstrate that FAK inhibition reduces AQP2 endocytosis via a cAMP- and serine 256 phosphorylation-independent mechanism, leading to its membrane accumulation. This study identifies FAK as a potential therapeutic target for water balance disorders by revealing its role in actin-mediated AQP2 regulation through RhoA inhibition.
Authors: Asma Tchakal-Mesbahi, Jinzhao He, Shuai Zhu, Ming Huang, Kazuhiko Fukushima, Richard Bouley, Dennis Brown, Hua A. Jenny Lu
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Awards: G170437431, G171471675, Training Core, A Zeiss LSM800 confocal microscope with Airyscan, HD Upgrade to a Nikon A1R Confocal Imaging Platform, Training for Multidisciplinary Research in Nephrology, G5449089432, G7500352871, G8109110697, G9000043981, G9000211360, Center for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Massachusetts General Hospital
OpenAlex ID: W4413636634