pubmed:abstractText |
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) binding to the V2 receptor (V2R) in renal collecting duct principal cells induces a cAMP signalling cascade resulting in the activation of protein kinase A (PKA), translocation of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) to the apical membrane and an increase in AQP2 expression. Consequently, concentration of urine is initiated. X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), characterized by the inability to concentrate urine in response to AVP, is caused by mutations in the V2R gene. Initiation of AQP2 translocation, while circumventing the V2R-cAMP-PKA pathway has been suggested as a putative therapy for these patients. In this respect, the activation of a cAMP-independent and cGMP-dependent pathway for AQP2 membrane insertion by different cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway activators, such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), l-arginine and 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP), has been put forward. However, it is unclear whether they can increase AQP2 expression.
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