Renal TRP Channel Antibody Explorer Kit

The kidneys play a pivotal role in human physiology as they regulate heart and fluid homeostasis. They do so by regulating blood salt and mineral concentrations. This instrumental property of the kidneys is mediated by a small, yet very sophisticated functional unit, namely the nephron that filters unnecessary blood solutes into the urine while all necessary ions are carefully retained in the blood circulation. This "in and out" transition of ions across the vasculature is mediated by a battery of transmembrane protein-channels that facilitates the passage of solutes into and out of the blood circulation.

The transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily contains six transmembrane domains (S1-S6) and is classified into six subfamilies (TRPC, TRPM, TRPV, TRPA, TRPML, and TRPP) based on sequence homology^1,2. These channels regulate cation flux across the epithelial cell barrier with the exception of TRPV5 and TRPV6, which display high affinity for calcium. Therefore, these channels are highly expressed at the distal segment of the nephron, where most calcium is absorbed⁵. Other members of the TRP family include TRPM6 and TRPM7, which control magnesium absorption, and mutations in these proteins are associated with lower blood magnesium levels¹.

Members of the TRPV family respond to changes in blood solute concentrations. For example, TRPV1 was shown to protect against renal damage induced by high salt consumption¹. In addition, TRPV4 is stimulated by changes in fluid osmolarity and results in calcium uptake and water absorption^1,3.

Other members of the TRP family such as TRPP1 and its associated partner TRPP2 are expressed on cilia and respond to hemodynamic changes that in turn stimulate calcium intake¹.