Dt. Ward et al., Modulation of vasopressin-elicited water transport by trafficking of aquaporin2-containing vesicles, ANN R PHYSL, 61, 1999, pp. 683-697
Vasopressin or AVP regulates water reabsorption by the kidney inner medulla
ry collecting duct (IMCD) through the insertion and removal of aquaporin (A
QP) 2 water channels into the IMCD apical membrane. AVP-elicited traffickin
g of AQP2 with the apical membrane occurs via a specialized population of v
esicles that resemble synaptic vesicles in neurons. AQP2 vesicles and the I
MCD apical membrane contain homologs of vesicle-targeting and signal transd
uction proteins found in neurons. Expression studies of AQP2, including hum
an AQP2 mutants, suggest that the carboxyl-terminal domain of AQP2 is impor
tant in AQP2 trafficking, particularly as a site for cAMP-dependent protein
kinase phosphorylation. These present data reveal that IMCD cells possess
a complex integrated-signaling and vesicle-trafficking machinery that provi
des integration of AVP-elicited water transport with many other parameters
within the IMCD cell as well as kidney.