Drosophila provides rapid modeling of renal development, function, and disease

Dow, J.A.T. and Romero, M.F. (2010) Drosophila provides rapid modeling of renal development, function, and disease. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology, 299(6), F1237-F1244. (doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00521.2010) (PMID:20926630) (PMCID:PMC3006309)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00521.2010

Abstract

The evolution of specialized excretory cells is a cornerstone of the metazoan radiation, and the basic tasks performed by Drosophila and human renal systems are similar. The development of the Drosophila renal (Malpighian) tubule is a classic example of branched tubular morphogenesis, allowing study of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transitions, stem cell-mediated regeneration, and the evolution of a glomerular kidney. Tubule function employs conserved transport proteins, such as the Na+, K+-ATPase and V-ATPase, aquaporins, inward rectifier K+ channels, and organic solute transporters, regulated by cAMP, cGMP, nitric oxide, and calcium. In addition to generation and selective reabsorption of primary urine, the tubule plays roles in metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics, and in innate immunity. The gene expression resource FlyAtlas.org shows that the tubule is an ideal tissue for the modeling of renal diseases, such as nephrolithiasis and Bartter syndrome, or for inborn errors of metabolism. Studies are assisted by uniquely powerful genetic and transgenic resources, the widespread availability of mutant stocks, and low-cost, rapid deployment of new transgenics to allow manipulation of renal function in an organotypic context

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dow, Professor Julian
Authors: Dow, J.A.T., and Romero, M.F.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Molecular Biosciences
Journal Name:American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology
Publisher:American Physiological Society
ISSN:1931-857X
ISSN (Online):1522-1466

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
453001FlyAtlas: a comprehensive online atlas of gene expression in Drosophilia.Julian DowBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)BB/F010397/1Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology