Researcher ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8804-1682
Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Biochemistry
Reader 1
Indra Chandrasekar
Reader 2
Marion Preest
Terms of Use & License Information
Abstract
Within kidneys, a diverse array of renal epithelial cells works to maintain electrolyte and water balance to regulate blood pressure and pH. These cells contain varying types of sodium transporters that adjust sodium reabsorption according to the body’s needs. Previous studies have observed sex-specific differences in renal sodium transporter regulation, which are thought to optimize reproduction in females. In this study, we performed high resolution microscopy and detailed characterization of cell type-specific expression and localization of major sodium transporters and channels in rodents in response to dietary and hormonal influences. Specifically, we examined the impact of dietary salt intake and sex in mouse models, as well as effects of early pregnancy in rat models. Furthermore, we characterized sodium transporters and channels in conditional knockout (cKO) mouse models of actin-associated nonmuscle myosin IIA (Myh9). The characterized transporters include: thick ascending limb-specific sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter (NKCC2), distal convoluted tubule-specific phosphorylated sodium-chloride cotransporter (pNCC), and cortical collecting duct-specific epithelial sodium channel’s gamma subunit (ENaC-γ). Kidney sections underwent immunofluorescence staining and were subjected to confocal microscopy. In addition, immunoblots of whole kidney lysates were performed for mouse kidneys. In low-salt diets, we observed slight decreases in NKCC2 and notable increases in pNCC expression in both sexes, and increased ENaC-γ activity in female mice only. In high-salt diets for both sexes, NKCC2 and pNCC expression were downregulated. Moreover, we confirmed inherent sex-specific differences in the extent at which sodium transporter expression was regulated. Changes in sodium transporter expression in response to dietary salt intake were also seen in Myh9 cKO mouse models compared to wildtype. Female rats were observed to have decreased NKCC2 and undetectable levels of pNCC expression during early pregnancy. The results of this project will contribute to our understanding of sexual dimorphism within the regulation of renal sodium transporters and guide future studies.
Recommended Citation
Chan, Evelyn, "Characterization of Dietary and Hormonal Influences on Renal Sodium Transporters and Channels in Rodent Models" (2025). Scripps Senior Theses. 2519.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2519
Included in
Cell Biology Commons, Cellular and Molecular Physiology Commons, Molecular Biology Commons
