The study of claudins in a model system of the proximal tubule

• Author / Creator

  Borovac, Jelena

• The proximal tubule (PT) is a major site of paracellular transport. Research in this area is undermined by the lack of a model system that is representative of PT electrophysiology. We examined opossum kidney (OK) cell characteristics and found a striking resemblance to the PT (transepithelial resistance = 11.7 Ω cm2 and the permeability ratio PNa+/PCl- = 1.08). Furthermore, OK cells express a number of claudins (claudin-4 > -1 > -6 > -20 > -9 > -12 > -11 > -15, in order of the amount of expression), which are known to regulate paracellular transport. We over-expressed claudin-2 and found that it forms a non-selective pore at the tight junction of OK cells. Over-expression of claudin-4, on the other hand, led to the formation of a non-selective barrier. However, the expression of these isoforms caused significant perturbations in expression of endogenous claudins leading us to conclude that claudin expression is strongly interdependent.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Claudin
  • Proximal tubule
  • Paracellular

• Graduation date

  Spring 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3DS6S

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.