Site-specific Expression of IQGAP1, a Key Mediator of Cytoskeleton, in Mouse Renal Tubules
Li-Wen Lai 1*, Kim-Chong Yong 1 and Yeong-Hau H. Lien 1
1 Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: llai{at}u.arizona.edu.
Submitted on December 6, 2007
Accepted on 26 March 2008
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Abstract |
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IQGAP1 is a multifunctional junction molecule which is involved in cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, cell polarity and cell-cell adhesion. It is highly expressed in the kidney and has recently been identified in the glomerular basement membrane as a nephrin-associated protein. However, the distribution of IQGAP1 in renal tubular epithelial cells is unknown. We performed confocal microscopic studies to localize IQGAP1 in each nephron segment using dual immunofluorescence staining with various antibodies against segment-specific markers. We found that IQGAP1 was strongly expressed in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), collecting duct and macula densa, moderately in thick ascending limb and proximal tubule. In the DCT, the IQGAP1-F-actin complex forms a comb-like structure with multiple parallel spikes sitting on the basal membrane. In the macula densa cells, IQGAP1 is strongly expressed in the apical membrane, while in type A intercalated cells, IQGAP1 is expressed in the basolateral membrane where it colocalizes with anion exchanger 1, and in principal cells, it is diffusely expressed. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the expression and subcellular localization of IQGAP1 in various nephron segments. The site-specific expression pattern of this potent modulator of multiple biological pathways in the renal tubules suggests that IQGAP1 may have multiple important roles in various renal functions.
Key Words:
distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct, macula densa, thick ascending limb, F-actin, cyclooxygenase 2, anion exchanger 1, calbindinD28k
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