Regulation of ENaC-mediated sodium transport by glucocorticoids in Reissner's membrane epithelium.

ABSTRACT: Reissner's membrane epithelium forms much of the barrier that produces and sustains the large ionic differences between cochlear endolymph and perilymph. We have reported that Reissner's membrane contributes to normal cochlear function by absorbing Na(+) from endolymph via amiloride-sensitive channels in gerbil inner ear. We used mouse Reissner's membrane to 1) identify candidate genes involved in the Na(+) transport pathway, 2) determine whether their level of expression was regulated by the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone, and 3) obtain functional evidence for the physiological importance of these genes. Transcripts were present for alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunits of epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC); corticosteroid receptors GR (glucocorticoid receptor) and MR (mineralocorticoid

SUBMITTER: Kim SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2660260 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature