Work

The endocytic adaptor ARH facilitates potassium conservation by regulating ROMK and BK

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: channel (BK), both regulated by the clathrin adaptor autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH), play essential roles in maintaining potassium balance. Given the life-threatening risks of dyskalemia, it is unsurprising that their activity is controlled by multiple mechanisms, though not without physiological costs. We found that impaired ARH-mediated ROMK and BK internalization triggers activation of alternative potassium-conserving pathways in a sex-specific manner. In females, who are more prone to hypokalemia, this compensation involves thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) upregulation, a key player in blood pressure regulation.

Source: American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology

DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00248.2025

Authors: Lama Al-Qusairi, Ava M. Zapf, Dimin Li, Owen M. Woodward, Paul A. Welling

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Language: English

Topic: Ion Transport and Channel Regulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases